Perhaps it is teeth.
Perhaps it is not.
Hmm?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Seven Years
May 29, 2004
The past seven years can be described as the beginning of a favorite love song…just a few notes, the smile starts, and you are filled with emotion. Filled with the joy and love all ready shared along with the anticipation and hope of what’s to come.
And since it's just the first few notes, we've got the whole wonderful song ahead of us.
And since it's just the first few notes, we've got the whole wonderful song ahead of us.
Happy Anniversary, Shirley.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Weekend Getaway
This past weekend included a family wedding on my Dad's side and meeting a new baby on my Mom's side!! I'm so glad it worked out that we could do both things while we were visiting! Anna had another plane trip to PA, and managed to visit by NJ and NY bringing her state list to 6! The plane ride was a bit more challenging, and we feared we had taken Grump-a-Lump with us and not Anna. She just was whiney the whole time - never really upset and never content. We started our day around 9:30am and after our flight and a trip to NJ for dinner with friends we were done traveling around 10:00pm. With that said, a whiney baby for an hour and a half flight was not too shabby!
Anna was awesome during the wedding. She actually laid across my lap (much like the picture in the last post) during the service. She was very quiet and well behaved! Before the wedding started, I gave her my wedding bulletin to play with. At one point, I looked down at the crumpled paper and thought with a smile, "This is my life for a while. Crumpled paper." She slept during some of the reception, even when the music from the DJ was super loud. I thought maybe the really loud dance music reminded her of Zumba while in utero.
Meeting the newest member of our family was awesome! Maggie is so tiny and Anna was very intrigued by her. Everyone is so happy that she's here. My cousin is a great mom (that's a no brainer - we've had great examples), and Maggie's growing and doing well. As I held her, I struggled to remember Anna that small. I remember moments from the hospital and those first few days (weeks) but it's so hard to really remember her as a newborn. Especially when I look at her now. She never stays on her belly for more than a few seconds. As soon as you put her down she starts working on rolling over. This constant rolling over started right when we got back from our trip. Apparently, she didn't want to show of for the family! She's sitting up on her own for longer and longer periods of time. Today when I picked her up from the Y childcare, she was in an exersaucer lovin it. It made me feel bad that we don't have one...hmm garage sale anyone?!
And now for the real reason you are here... PICTURES...
Anna was awesome during the wedding. She actually laid across my lap (much like the picture in the last post) during the service. She was very quiet and well behaved! Before the wedding started, I gave her my wedding bulletin to play with. At one point, I looked down at the crumpled paper and thought with a smile, "This is my life for a while. Crumpled paper." She slept during some of the reception, even when the music from the DJ was super loud. I thought maybe the really loud dance music reminded her of Zumba while in utero.
Meeting the newest member of our family was awesome! Maggie is so tiny and Anna was very intrigued by her. Everyone is so happy that she's here. My cousin is a great mom (that's a no brainer - we've had great examples), and Maggie's growing and doing well. As I held her, I struggled to remember Anna that small. I remember moments from the hospital and those first few days (weeks) but it's so hard to really remember her as a newborn. Especially when I look at her now. She never stays on her belly for more than a few seconds. As soon as you put her down she starts working on rolling over. This constant rolling over started right when we got back from our trip. Apparently, she didn't want to show of for the family! She's sitting up on her own for longer and longer periods of time. Today when I picked her up from the Y childcare, she was in an exersaucer lovin it. It made me feel bad that we don't have one...hmm garage sale anyone?!
And now for the real reason you are here... PICTURES...
Friday, May 20, 2011
Great Expectations
If you’re thinking I’m going to give you a report on this Dickens’ novel, you’re mistaken. But you're in good company, let me explain.
Great expectations are a part of my everyday life. But from my perspective when it comes to expectations, more is less. For example, if I expect my little one to take a long nap she sleeps precisely 15 minutes before she’s smiling and ready to go again. On the flip side, when in desperation, I lay her down because I don’t know what else she might want/need she falls asleep immediately and sleeps forever.
I noticed this right after our trip to TN. I didn’t expect nap times to go well when our schedule was disrupted by vacation and she was sleeping in a different noisier place. But I was so wrong, as previously mentioned, she took awesome naps while we were there. As soon as we got home, I expected her to take naps and I was sadly mistaken. See more is less. More importantly, less is more!
Even knowing that my expectations are usually contradicted by real life, I can’t help but have them. It seems impossible to me to wake up in the morning and not have an expectation for how the day will play out. If you don’t expect to have breakfast, take a nap, run an errand, have lunch, etc…how do you ever get any of that done? Maybe the key is to have a plan but not set expectations on how the day will actually play out...hmm.
See, your expectations about that book report turned out all wrong, no book report here.
Besides, everyone knows, A Tale of Two Cities, is the best Dickens’ novel.
Great expectations are a part of my everyday life. But from my perspective when it comes to expectations, more is less. For example, if I expect my little one to take a long nap she sleeps precisely 15 minutes before she’s smiling and ready to go again. On the flip side, when in desperation, I lay her down because I don’t know what else she might want/need she falls asleep immediately and sleeps forever.
I noticed this right after our trip to TN. I didn’t expect nap times to go well when our schedule was disrupted by vacation and she was sleeping in a different noisier place. But I was so wrong, as previously mentioned, she took awesome naps while we were there. As soon as we got home, I expected her to take naps and I was sadly mistaken. See more is less. More importantly, less is more!
Even knowing that my expectations are usually contradicted by real life, I can’t help but have them. It seems impossible to me to wake up in the morning and not have an expectation for how the day will play out. If you don’t expect to have breakfast, take a nap, run an errand, have lunch, etc…how do you ever get any of that done? Maybe the key is to have a plan but not set expectations on how the day will actually play out...hmm.
See, your expectations about that book report turned out all wrong, no book report here.
Besides, everyone knows, A Tale of Two Cities, is the best Dickens’ novel.
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| Who would expect her to like this position, let alone fall asleep like this? Not me, but she did! |
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Ready!
Anna's ready for Cookie Weekend!! Now we just have to wait 6 months!
Although, I have to teach her she can't stick her tongue out like that when she's making the Butterstolen. And that she probably doesn't want to use her beloved blankie as a babushka.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
All in a day
Starting the day off right means you can put in long hours working on the computer later.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Mother of the Year Nominee
I was talking to a friend about this earlier today and it reminded me of the picture I took to capture my awesomeness.
I started exercising again. Surprised? I went to Zumba the night before she was born and it took me 5 months to get back to it. I felt up to exercising awhile ago but finding the time was nearly impossible. I'm glad I found it though - I didn't realize how much I missed shakin' my booty to really loud dance music!
So, our Y has free childcare for up to two hours while you exercise. Anna does really well there and I usually hear something like, "Aww, the sweet one is here" when we arrive. However, I am not going to lie, I was worried about leaving her there the first time. Really worried. I thought all those silly things from, she's going to think I've abandon her to what if she's scared without me to what if she needs me. Like I said - SILLY.
Right after I left her on the first day, I ran into two friends on the way to Zumba. Did I mention they are both mommies? I don't know if they did it on purpose because they knew I was probably freaking out inside or if it just worked out but they distracted me and got me into class without a second thought about Anna. Ok, there was a second thought and maybe a third, but without a fourth thought I started dancing to Pitbull and Shakira.
So here's where my nominee for mother of the year comes in. When you sign your child in they get a name tag with their name and the time you dropped them off so you can't go over your two hour limit. It goes on their back so they can't pull it off.
I took this picture last Tuesday at 5:21pm to show Allen how well she was sitting up playing....
Yes, that sticker says 10:35! And I didn't notice the sticker until I reviewed the picture on the camera! Apparently, I hadn't looked at my child's back all day, which is why I'm nominating myself for Mother of the Year.
I think I have a chance at winning, don't you? haha
I started exercising again. Surprised? I went to Zumba the night before she was born and it took me 5 months to get back to it. I felt up to exercising awhile ago but finding the time was nearly impossible. I'm glad I found it though - I didn't realize how much I missed shakin' my booty to really loud dance music!
So, our Y has free childcare for up to two hours while you exercise. Anna does really well there and I usually hear something like, "Aww, the sweet one is here" when we arrive. However, I am not going to lie, I was worried about leaving her there the first time. Really worried. I thought all those silly things from, she's going to think I've abandon her to what if she's scared without me to what if she needs me. Like I said - SILLY.
Right after I left her on the first day, I ran into two friends on the way to Zumba. Did I mention they are both mommies? I don't know if they did it on purpose because they knew I was probably freaking out inside or if it just worked out but they distracted me and got me into class without a second thought about Anna. Ok, there was a second thought and maybe a third, but without a fourth thought I started dancing to Pitbull and Shakira.
So here's where my nominee for mother of the year comes in. When you sign your child in they get a name tag with their name and the time you dropped them off so you can't go over your two hour limit. It goes on their back so they can't pull it off.
I took this picture last Tuesday at 5:21pm to show Allen how well she was sitting up playing....
Yes, that sticker says 10:35! And I didn't notice the sticker until I reviewed the picture on the camera! Apparently, I hadn't looked at my child's back all day, which is why I'm nominating myself for Mother of the Year.
I think I have a chance at winning, don't you? haha
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Flasback -- Pottery
Flashback to the middle of January ---- Anna was just over a month old and she weighed roughly 8 lbs. Looking at the pictures in this post, I can't believe the baby who's napping upstairs is the same girl. She's probably about 14 lbs now and 5 and a half months old! And from the looks of it her hair is much redder these days and woah much longer!
Back to the post at hand - Dealing with my "new mama brain" (you know the one where you can't keep anything straight and the only thing you manage to do all day with any completion is take care of your new baby!) I lost the footprints the hospital made when Anna was born. I know bummer.... I was convinced that they were in a book I returned and even talked a GREAT friend into going to the store and looking through all the books for me. I think she looked through 6-8 books... did I mention she's a GREAT friend? Ok, maybe she just really likes Anna or thinks she's really cute but I think our friendship was part of it too. No luck at the store though so in an attempt to somehow replace them we decided to go to a local paint your own pottery shop and make some new ones. I knew nothing would replace the ones made the night she was born but at least this new set would be cute and colorful.
Here are the pictures that I didn't take but someone else did (that was probably my "new mama brain" again)
So I wish we had a picture of the whole group that day but we don't. Here's a picture of the same group, at the same place, on a different day.
If you have never been to a paint your own pottery place, they fire the piece for you and you can pick it up a week later. I was out of town the next week and that same great friend picked up the piece for me. She even paid for it and surprised me with it as a birthday gift. She really is great, ya know?
So about a week later..... guess what I found? Yep, the footprints from Anna's first night with us! They were tucked in papers from our childbirth class...how they got near those papers I'll never know but I'm thankful that we found them.
Do you think I should tell my friend I found them? :)
Back to the post at hand - Dealing with my "new mama brain" (you know the one where you can't keep anything straight and the only thing you manage to do all day with any completion is take care of your new baby!) I lost the footprints the hospital made when Anna was born. I know bummer.... I was convinced that they were in a book I returned and even talked a GREAT friend into going to the store and looking through all the books for me. I think she looked through 6-8 books... did I mention she's a GREAT friend? Ok, maybe she just really likes Anna or thinks she's really cute but I think our friendship was part of it too. No luck at the store though so in an attempt to somehow replace them we decided to go to a local paint your own pottery shop and make some new ones. I knew nothing would replace the ones made the night she was born but at least this new set would be cute and colorful.
Here are the pictures that I didn't take but someone else did (that was probably my "new mama brain" again)
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| Look how little she was! |
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| She wasn't so sure about the cold paint on her toes. |
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| Thank goodness for the employee who helped me. Ok, she did it all but I supplied the baby feet which counts for something! |
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| My thought was a hand and a foot but Anna had other plans. She HATED us trying to do her hand print. |
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| All done! (it's a picture frame btw) |
If you have never been to a paint your own pottery place, they fire the piece for you and you can pick it up a week later. I was out of town the next week and that same great friend picked up the piece for me. She even paid for it and surprised me with it as a birthday gift. She really is great, ya know?
So about a week later..... guess what I found? Yep, the footprints from Anna's first night with us! They were tucked in papers from our childbirth class...how they got near those papers I'll never know but I'm thankful that we found them.
Do you think I should tell my friend I found them? :)
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Many Faces of Anna
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| Anna's bed head after a good night's sleep. You'll notice it's not all that different after it's been washed and brushed! |
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| Because sucking on her fingers isn't enough, she has to add the cloth. |
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| That's what I called a direct shot! |
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| She's lucky her great Grandmother didn't see this lovely face! |
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| Typical nap pose. She loves her blankie. |
Monday, May 9, 2011
Dear Anna,
I'm going to tuck a copy of this letter in Anna's baby book for her to have when she's older, but I thought I'd share it with you now.
----
On my first Mother’s Day, I can’t help but celebrate you. You’re the reason I’m a mama, after all.
I never knew what I was missing until you came along. Your daddy and I were (and still are) deeply in love, and I was happy and content with the life we had built. I turned 28, and I felt a little space in my heart open up for someone to fill. A few short months later, your life had started and mine would never be the same. You fit perfectly into that little space in my heart. We spent nine months getting ready for you to be a part of our family, all the while you were slowly taking up more and more room in my heart. On your birth night, as I helped lift you to my belly and witnessed the miracle of your new life, I realized with such love that you are our family.
I have had a few different jobs, and I’ve thought about having many others. I never found the perfect fit until the day I became your mama. I didn’t realize it until you were here, but I was made to be your mama, to care for you, to support you, but most importantly, to love you. I am so extremely thankful that I am able to spend each and every day with you, getting to know you as you grow. Your personality seems to be a mix of both your daddy and me, and I’m thrilled to see that. You take the world in with such intensity that I can’t help but smile sometimes. You’re passionate and loving, you’re sweet and precious, but most of all you’re you. You, with that gorgeous smile, those pretty blue eyes, and that beautiful red hair. I love how your entire face lights up when you smile up at me. You are (and always will be) beautiful inside and out.
I’ve taken up some new hobbies since your arrival. Making you laugh is one of my favorites, and it never gets old. Your laughter is music to my ears and fills my heart with joy. Your eyes twinkle as you laugh and remind me of your great-gma. The bond you and your daddy already share is so strong, and I could spend hours watching you together. Sometimes I even sit downstairs and listen to you two playing in your room and smile. You are taking a nap right now, which reminds me of another new hobby- watching you sleep. The peace that falls over your face as you drift off to sleep calms me. I love the way your eyelashes rest on your chubby cheeks. Sometimes I let you fall asleep in my arms after nursing, just so that I can marvel at your beautiful face and hold you close to take in your sweet smell. As you sleep, I can’t help but think of what the future may hold for you. My dear little girl, what are you going to do in your life? I hope that you grow up knowing how much you are loved, that you always feel our unwavering support, that you are brave enough to follow all of your dreams, and that one day you know a love like your daddy and I share.
Today is a special day, not because it is our first mother’s day, but simply because you are here. This makes every day since your birth, a very special day for me.
You are loved, Anna Noel. You are so dearly loved.
----
----
On my first Mother’s Day, I can’t help but celebrate you. You’re the reason I’m a mama, after all.
I never knew what I was missing until you came along. Your daddy and I were (and still are) deeply in love, and I was happy and content with the life we had built. I turned 28, and I felt a little space in my heart open up for someone to fill. A few short months later, your life had started and mine would never be the same. You fit perfectly into that little space in my heart. We spent nine months getting ready for you to be a part of our family, all the while you were slowly taking up more and more room in my heart. On your birth night, as I helped lift you to my belly and witnessed the miracle of your new life, I realized with such love that you are our family.
I have had a few different jobs, and I’ve thought about having many others. I never found the perfect fit until the day I became your mama. I didn’t realize it until you were here, but I was made to be your mama, to care for you, to support you, but most importantly, to love you. I am so extremely thankful that I am able to spend each and every day with you, getting to know you as you grow. Your personality seems to be a mix of both your daddy and me, and I’m thrilled to see that. You take the world in with such intensity that I can’t help but smile sometimes. You’re passionate and loving, you’re sweet and precious, but most of all you’re you. You, with that gorgeous smile, those pretty blue eyes, and that beautiful red hair. I love how your entire face lights up when you smile up at me. You are (and always will be) beautiful inside and out.
I’ve taken up some new hobbies since your arrival. Making you laugh is one of my favorites, and it never gets old. Your laughter is music to my ears and fills my heart with joy. Your eyes twinkle as you laugh and remind me of your great-gma. The bond you and your daddy already share is so strong, and I could spend hours watching you together. Sometimes I even sit downstairs and listen to you two playing in your room and smile. You are taking a nap right now, which reminds me of another new hobby- watching you sleep. The peace that falls over your face as you drift off to sleep calms me. I love the way your eyelashes rest on your chubby cheeks. Sometimes I let you fall asleep in my arms after nursing, just so that I can marvel at your beautiful face and hold you close to take in your sweet smell. As you sleep, I can’t help but think of what the future may hold for you. My dear little girl, what are you going to do in your life? I hope that you grow up knowing how much you are loved, that you always feel our unwavering support, that you are brave enough to follow all of your dreams, and that one day you know a love like your daddy and I share.
Today is a special day, not because it is our first mother’s day, but simply because you are here. This makes every day since your birth, a very special day for me.
You are loved, Anna Noel. You are so dearly loved.
----
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| Anna and I on our first Mother's Day |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A return to normalcy
Things have been pretty normal around here the last week or so. i.e. WONDERFUL! Not that vacations, house guests, and so on aren't great but it's nice to have a routine and be home. You know what I mean....
We went to an outdoor concert in Davidson with some friends. Anna played while we had a picnic dinner and played some cards. She then crashed, much to Allen's delight, in his arms.
We celebrated Anna's five month birthday by grilling out and eating on the deck. We brought out Anna's bouncy seat to be her lawn chair while we had dinner. She provided pleasant dinner table conversation and then after dinner entertainment until she laid her head down on my shoulder which is a sign that she's tired. Anna seems to believe you never rest unless your body demands it!
We celebrated Anna's five month birthday by grilling out and eating on the deck. We brought out Anna's bouncy seat to be her lawn chair while we had dinner. She provided pleasant dinner table conversation and then after dinner entertainment until she laid her head down on my shoulder which is a sign that she's tired. Anna seems to believe you never rest unless your body demands it!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Bridge
from one generation to the next.
My gma made this duck for me when I was little. And although Anna will never meet her, she will know her because she lives on in her art and in all of us.
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