Weekend with dear friends......

On Saturday we went to the lake to meet up with Wren's godparents, Jason and Jenna. They recently added another boy to their family, 1 month old Issac and big brother Alex tagged along too! It was hot as Africa yesterday. Wren's little checks were red all afternoon from the heat. I made sure she was lathered up in SPF and fed her water and ice all day. She had a blast on the boat, another first for her!

The Deadmonds at the end of the day, two boys fast asleep!

Baby Issac slept the whole day on the lake.
Seriously, where do kids like this come from? I wasn't given one that for sure!

She didn't know what to think about the life jacket. It was a little big!

The clothes came off.

Everyone else got in the water while we played.

Looking at this picture, I can see a hint of me!

Thank goodness for ice paci!

She was so happy to be with her dada.

The end of the day. She was exhausted. You would think a day like this would cause her to sleep hard all night. That would be the case with 99% of the kids out there. Not this kid. She was up 4 times last night!

A few firsts.......

Lauren had several "firsts" this weekend. One of them being her first parade. I figured she would scream during the police and firetruck sirens. Since she can scream louder than both, I guess it didn't phase her.

Another first involved a sucker. Both of her grandpas thought it would be a good idea to give her one. Needless to say, she really really liked it. After two licks I called it quits.

She wanted her sucker back.

This was after her first Popsicle that her Nanny thought she should have. Needless to say, she thought it was really cold, but she really really liked it. Once again, after two licks, I called it quits!

She also got to be in a "big" pool for the first time on Monday. She loved it!! She kept screaming over and over again and kicking her legs in excitement. That was in between her sneaking large gulps of pool water. I kept telling her to cut it out and tried to distract her, but the pool seemed to be a large sippy cup to her.

I am in LOVE with this bonnet from The Cottage Home! It is definitely my next reject project. Lindsay promises an easy project but speaking from past experience, easy never means easy. The whole outfit is amazing! If it weren't for the lack of good fabric stores in my area, I would already started on it. Ordering some Amy Butler fabric tomorrow.

8 months!

I'm a few days late, but Wren turned 8 months old on May 13th.
It seems like you have become a little girl over night. You are in 9-12 month clothes. Size 3 diaper. You are crawling all over the place, going up stairs with ease, and can pull up on all the furniture. You also are standing with one free hand. You are saying Da-Da now! You started waving bye bye this week. You started "sharing" your paci with me and your blanket this morning. This month's sleeping habits have been pretty rough. Although the past 2 nights have been good. You have started laying your head on our shoulders and snuggling with us lately. This is something you have never done. You are simply to busy to pause and just be held. You had your toes painted for the first time this month. They make you look so grown up! We are going through a fussy phase. I think that it is just more teeth coming in.

My darling bird and I love you so!

Happiness subsides quickly and I know that another nap
is quickly approaching! Note those pink piggies!!! I also made her shirt. It's hard to see but it's a little pink damask seahorse.

First time at the park!

I was off this week and Ryan was gone on a fishing trip. We had a lot of time on our hands so I thought it would be fun to go to the park. Needless to say, there's not much an 8 month old can do at a city park. So....we did about 7 hours of swinging and looking at the ducks.

Want a good laugh?

This is the sweet little jumper I set out to make this weekend. Very easy project, which means so many ways for me to derive from it (which I always do) to screw it up. So here is what it is supposed to look like. After I was done sewing the major seams, I figured I needed to try it on her to see if I needed to make any alterations before going forward. The alteration I made was throwing it in the trash.... I made it too small. I just knew it would fit. eick..... I'm over it!

For one, it turned out looking like overalls and not a jumper! I cut the midsection to narrow. Two, it was so tight on her ankles, Ryan thought we might have to cut it off of her. Fantastic waste of time.....I'm already on to my next project. Typical ADD in me wants to leave this unfinished project and go to a new one. The next one is a bonnet.

She looks horrified doesn't she? Nothing at all like the smiling toddler above, happy to show off her mommy's newest creation! Check out the tight ankle action....

My mothers day.....

A quick shot of Wren and I on Sunday. Wren, with the help of Nanny and Grandpa, got me this necklace from Etsy. It is beautiful reminder of my little bird. To add to the sweetness, Lauren drew on the envelope of my card with a crayon and then my parents traced her hand inside the card. When I saw it, I instantly told myself that I would keep it forever. That little hand that will never be that little again, will be so precious to me when she is 16 or even 30 for that matter. I never thought that a black crayon could warm my heart so much! I hope that everyone who celebrated had a heartwarming day.

Redirected.........

After graduation, I worked briefly for a health corporation as their social worker. Soon after that I was given the opportunity to step into the pharmaceutical world and stayed for several years. After that, I took another sales position with a social service organization. These jobs provided us with a fantastic income, opportunities to travel, to buy a home, new cars, and a lifestyle that allowed us to live very comfortably. Over these years I have realized that money NEVER made me happy. I was always dissatisfied with my job just enough that it made me stressed and unhappy with my life.

I had been thinking about going back to grad school and getting my masters degree for a while. This was a huge decision since my program is very specific and doesn't allow much time for a full time job or part time for that matter. On top of losing my income, the cost of grad school is insane! I already have a school loan from my undergrad, so taking out more loans was out of the question. The only way that it would be possible was for me to get an assistantship that would provide me tuition reimbursement and a stipend for twenty hours of work at the school. The problem is that hundreds of people apply for these assistantships. I knew it was highly unlikely that I would get one but I tried anyway. I prayed for months that God would lead my life in a direction that would allow me to go back to what I enjoyed, what I truly felt he put me here for.

Last week, things fell strangely into place. Every obstacle that I thought was in my way, was moved and the opportunity was presented for me to quit my job and accept an assistantship. Life changed drastically within 24 hours. Life over the next year will be trying. On top of a full load of class, I have to work 20 hrs for my assistantship and work 20 hours for my practicum within a school. 55 hours of my week will be concentrated on school. That leaves little time for my family. I have had sleepless nights, wondering what my daughter will think when her mommy is absent on some days. Mother's guilt is the heaviest burden one can bear, I believe.

This will be a year of sacrifice. I know that this is the plan that God has for me or these opportunities wouldn't have fallen into place so easily. My mantra that I keep repeating is that it is only for one year. Hopefully Wren will be to little to remember her momma being gone so much. Please pray for our family this year. We will need it as we go through this new chapter in life.

Wren's Paci Collection......

Wren has a drawer in her room where there is a basket of paci's that she doesn't use. We only use the Nuk brand. One day I pulled out the basket to see what she would do with them. She played for 20 minutes, putting them in, yanking them out, putting another one in. This has become one of her favorite activities. Here is she trying them out. I especially love the hospital ones. They are so cute, but hard to keep in!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to everyone! Recently, I had Wren's pictures taken by Katie. The pictures turned out amazing!! This one is one of my favorites. Being a mother has been the best 8 months of my life. I can only imagine what the years ahead will bring.

I also wanted to mention how blessed I am to have a mother that has taken it upon herself to watch my daughter for the past 5 months while I work. I can't tell her enough how thankful I am that I never have to worry for a moment that Wren isn't in the best of care. I love you mom! Thank you for all you do for me and your granddaughter.

Happy Easter to all

Praise be to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Sunday mornings are good for.....

bad hair days.

how about that naked behind? I have to chase her around the room to put a diaper on her now.

4-13-2011

Our Wren is 7 months old! What have you done this month little bird?
You are in size 9 month and 12 month clothes
You wear a size 3 diaper
You are picking up puffs and putting them in your mouth
You have mastered the paci flip
You are crawling all over the place
You are starting to stand unassisted holding onto furniture
You are saying Bah Bah and Ki Ki (which is kitty)
You are a little fish in the water, you are kicking your legs and paddling your arms
You are in the big bath tub now
You eat 2 baby food meals a day, one fruit at lunch, vegetable and fruit at dinner
You are sleeping a little bit better now, going down at 7:30, up at 3 to eat, up for good around 8
You are learning how to kiss and like to kiss anything and everything

It seems like you have grown up over night. You are changing and learning so much day by day. You are the sweetest gift we have ever had. We love you our little bird.

Swimming

The past two Saturday swim lessons have been a success. Wren has decided she loves the water. Here's a nice thing about becoming a mother, instead of me caring about looking like a water buffalo, I could care less. That's a nice change. We are working on kicking legs and going under water. This weekend my parent's got her a baby pool. Since it was 90 degrees on Saturday, she was happy to take a dip in the 2 inches of water. As we approach the 7 month marker, I can't believe how much she has changed in one month.

The paparazzi (grandparents) were shooting photos the whole time. I had to tell them to hide for a few minutes because all she wanted to do was show off for them.

Here we are practicing floating on her back.

A shot of Wren in her baby pool.

This was after her dip in her pool. She is lounging in her pool chair.

One of these things.....

I am.....a mother.


I want....to be able to afford to go to graduate school.


I have...more empathy than I can stand sometimes.


I wish...I could stay at home with my daughter verses bring home a paycheck.

I hate...close mindedness.


I fear...aliens (seriously).


I hear....myself tell others advice but rarely take my own.


I search...for a career that will make me feel good about myself.

I wonder...if my daughter will ever know how much I love her.

I regret...that I had too much fun in college and didn't go to grad school while I still qualified for financial aid!


I love...God, my family, and my friends.


I ache...for children who do not know all encompassing love.


I always....react impulsively and never think things through fully.

I usually....clean the kitchen before I go to bed. I can't stand it messy when I wake up.

I am not....as nice to my husband as I should be.

I dance...every time Ellen does.

I sing...to my daughter several times a day.

I never...get enough sleep.


I sometimes...watch a little too much reality tv.


I cry...everday, sometimes two or three times.

I am not always...as positive as I should be.

I lose...my mind several times a day.

I am grateful...for my parents who would walk backwards and shoeless to the ends of the earth for me.

I need...nothing.

I should...eat less, worry less, smile more often, and relish in the moment verses wishing days away.

You're next: Courtney, Beth, and Renee!!!

Best dressed...Worst behaved...

Lauren went to her first swim class today. Like the title says, she was the best dressed 6 month old there but her attitude was similar to a cat taking a swim lesson. I had these ideas of grandeur how she would take to the water like a fish, learn some baby swimming techniques, and make lots of friends! The class is packed and there are 2 other little girls around her age. They acted like swimming was second nature and Wren acted like I said, a cat in a swimming pool. This is only lesson 1. We have 4 more to go. I am hopeful that my little bird will learn to become comfortable in the water. If not, at least she got to get good use out of this super cute swimsuit...

Sunshine girls.........

Wren and I thought we would bring a little Spring to our evening with our yellow cardigans. Hope you all had a wonderful Friday night. We did!

What makes me happy........

This squinty little smile is a hint of me.

Those chubby checks are the most kissable thing my lips have ever touched.

This beautiful face looks like the man I married.

She loves her daddy so much she can't get enough of him.

She and I both have hair that sticks out all over the place.She loves her Grandpa almost as much as I do.She and I both have a few "wrinkles" around our mid-section and thighs.

3/13/2011 6 months!!!!

I can't believe it. Wren is a half a year old!!!
You are wearing size 2 diapers and size 3 at bedtime.
You are eating solid foods at lunch and dinner. You hate bananas!
You started drinking from a sippy cup this month.
You have the rolling over back to front mastered.
NO MORE SWADDLE!!! HOORAY!!!!!
You sleep with your paci and taggy burpcloth for naps and you like to sleep on your side.
You are wearing size 9-12 month clothes.
You are 18.5 lbs and 28 inches long!
We are having a very rough time at night. You are waking up several times for your paci and still to eat at 3:30. I have tried the CIO method. Let's just say you will wait me out any night or day. I am sleep deprived to the point of delirium most days!
You are starting to take longer naps during the day, 1.5 hrs.

I loved this pose!

I love those bird lips!!