Count your Blessings

Things I am grateful for:

1. My new cradle swing thingy (Scarlett is grateful too)

2. Discovery of Nie Nie Diaolgues and CJane ( something to read while nursing)
3. Milk chocolate pudding from Fresh and Easy
4. Baby socks that fit and stay on
5. RAIN- it makes nursing at 3 am so peaceful !

True Talent

Kimberly, you are truly talented! Somehow you received a creative gene that must have been deleted in me. Thanks so much for all the time you put into these photos, I will cherish them forever and ever!! Check out her blog for more pictures of Scarlett... http://www.abeandkimphotography.blogspot.com/

Ready, Ready, Ready to RUN

I am not usually one to remember my dreams. But last Friday night I awoke remembering the dream I had and feeling quite relieved it was not real. I was back in high school (always a nightmare), I was a senior, and it was the first day of track intermurals ( I was a runner in high school). We were all sitting on the football stadium bleachers waiting to hear the day's work out. I was extremely uneasy and wondering if I even had the stamina for one lap. That was strange for me. I love running and looked forward so much to the beginning of track season. In fact, I was so nervous the thought of bailing was prime on my mind. I even told the random girl sitting next to me that I would not be able to meet my coaches high expectations and that I was... scared. Then I awoke to Scarlett's eager pleads for more food and I could not have been happier. While I nursed her I thought about the dream realizing the girl was not my 18 year old in shape, skinny self but my 24 year old, out of shape with baby pooch self. I have been very nervous to start running again, mainly because I know how difficult it will be. I have not run for 5 months (before that I had run almost everyday for over 9 years). I am going to be out of breath, have to walk, and be sore. I did not want to find out just how out of shape I have become and how much time I must make up. But despite all this I through all excuses out the window and Saturday morning went for a 3 mile run... and it was wonderful. I forgot how magical it is to put on the head phones, forget all worries (and crying baby) and just run. Even though it took me 35 minutes to run 3 miles I felt like my old self again. Did I have to stop and walk, yes. Was I sore that day and the next, yes. Was it so worth it, yes. Let the running and getting back into shape (maybe even as in shape as I was senior) begin !

Looking at the world below after conquering Black Mountain during senior year. I am third from the right.

Rainy Day

I found this blog the other day, like I mentioned in last post. It has kept me occupied for a couple of days now. I really enjoy all the new, cool info. It is called babywisemom.blogspot.com. It is great for me since I am new at this whole mom thing and new advise all the time. The author is a little nuts and schedule crazy but some of her stuff is really good. She advises keeping a daily diary until you figure out the right schedule. Since I have no life I have been doing this and it helps. I know when she naps bests and has her longest wake period. She also discusses the best way to put your baby down to sleep and for naps. You swaddle them real tight, hold for 5 minutes until drowsy, and then lay down. You of course have to do this at the right time when you child is not too sleepy and not too awake (the diary helps this). It totally works for Scarlett. She goes down usually with just a couple grunts ( of course). I just have to get her to stay alseep.

Yesterday it was raining and overcast all day. I really wanted to cozy up on the couch and take a nap. Of course Scarlett woke early from her nap. Instead of putting her back down in her bassinet I let her sleep with me on the couch. It was the best hour I have had in a month. Scarlett and me cuddled up on the couch watching the rain. It's moments like this that I love, love, love being a mom.

Scarlett 1 month

Sleeping soundly on her 1 month birthday. I know she is a sweet, little thing.

I really wanted to post yesterday but then I found another blog that looked interesting. Needless to say I was reading ALL, yes ALL, day. But anyway, my dear, sweet Scarlett is one month old. It has been a wonderful month. We have really gotten to know each other and she is starting to show her intense and spunky personality. I absolutely love being her mother. I look at other kids and they are fun and cute but I wouldn't want to be their mom. But I most definitely want to be Scarlett's.

I unbundled her and then boom her arms just flew out like this. They were like that for 5 minutes. She is in her first 0-3 month outfit.

There has been many new developments besides her growth (she has very nearly outgrown newborn size and fits nicely into 0-3 months). About 2 weeks ago she started to 'grunt'. When I say 'grunt' I mean she sounds like she is constipated... all day. My mom says she is not very lady like (hello she did come from me) She is has no pooping problems yet the 'grunt' fest continues. Don't get me wrong she is happy but just very noisy. She even grunts herself awake during nap time. She is all settled down and happily asleep when 'grunt, grunt, grunt' and then eyes wide open. She will go back down and do that about 10 times. At night she will grunt while she is asleep. She sleeps fine but I don't :( I hope this is a stage, oh please be a stage.)

Cute as a button

Getting so, so big

She also is starting to rub off her sweet baby fuzz (my favorite thing in the whole world is her blond velvet fuzz). She sleeps in her boppy in her bassinet and as she gets bigger she loves to rub her head against the bumper. There is even a little grease/hair spot where she does it. I saw it the other day and wanted to cry.

She still loves to be bundled and sleep in her boppy.

I love everyday getting her up and dressing her. Now that she fits into 0-3 months there are cuter clothes options in her closet, its like having a baby doll. ( except she 'grunts' and has diaper explosions) Her cheeks are starting to fill out and she even has a double chin. She has to be around 9 pounds now (she was born 6 pounds). She is so cute in her new clothes every that I either want to eat her or do bodily harm ( is that normal?)

Everyone always asks me how she is sleeping at night and if she is a good baby. I would say she is a good baby with some "episodes" during the day. She is on a 3 hour feeding schedule that we try to keep but sometimes things don't work out. Scarlett eats great and goes down for naps great (usually with not rocking and just grunts for about 3-5 minutes). She just has a hard time staying asleep when she is down. It's a work in progress. Nights are 80% great. She usually gets fed at 10:30 pm, 2 am , and 4-5 am. Our morning starts at 7 and we do it all over again. When she is awake she is happy and even had her first smile yesterday ( she looked at me and then just did a big smile, it made me so, so happy). Nick tried to get her to smile later to no avail. Hopefully we can get one on camera soon. Scarlett we love you and are so glad you joined our family!!

Caity turns 18!!!

How could you not love this face?!

So I have this sister who used to be so little and cute but then decided to grow up. She is now this beautiful and talented 18 year old (where did the time go). But forever I will think of Caity as a 6 year old with homeless hair, wearing Disney princess pajamas, and asking for icecream.

10 things I love about Caity
1. She has the most beautiful and long hair
2. Somehow she has amazing fashion sense
3. She has "lovely" claw toe nails :)
4. She always has a good book I should read
5. When I am bored she is always willing to play
6. She loves my TV shows (Fringe and Bones)
7. She lets me steal her clothes
8. She takes good care of MY mini cooper( yes it is foever mine, so sorry)
9. When we go to the gym she is always willing to ditch the work out and watch the movie
10. She knows how to keep it real!!

Feliz Navidad :) and WE all love you Caity

We celebrated her birthday with surprise Lion King tickets. This is Caity behaving nicely.

This is her keeping it real

This is the whole gang. If you notice I am baby free (maybe that's why I LOVED the show so much). Nick was an angel and watched Scarlett.

It's a New Year

It's a sad story when your 93 year old grandpa ( actually Nick's grandpa) could stay up to bring in the new year and I couldn't. I guess that is what happens when you have a new baby. Nick and I fell asleep around 11:30 and remember hearing the Strip fireworks in our sleeping stupor. But we did have a fun New Years Eve anyway. We ordered in Outback and even managed to buy the last bottle of sparkling apple cider. Not the most eventful but definitely memorable.

This year has gone by so fast. I know everyone says that but really it has. It also has been quite eventful.

Top 5 2009 Events

1. Birth of baby Scarlett ( duh)

2. Nick's graduation in Economics

3. My graduation in Nursing

4. Getting Dixie

5. Nick's new job

I know 2010 with be filled with new adventures, like me trying to figure out this whole mommy thing. So far Scarlett has been a dream. I absolutely love taking care of her each day and fill so blessed that because of Nick's job I can continue. I am so excited to watch her grow this year and learn new "tricks". So far all she does is make funny faces and flail her arms around (all of which are unintentional). The only hard part about staying home is that we only have one car. Nick uses it to go to work, so I am really at home all day. I do get a little lonely for some conversation and adult contact. I also have to try real hard to feel productive. I hate watching TV and feeling lazy. So I am trying to figure out new things, like making dinner (yes I do not cook), this blogging thing, and digital scrap booking. I know I am very adventurous. I also can not wait for the day when I can exercise and run again ( I am going to start next week!!). Being at home with a new baby is not the most exciting but it is so rewarding! So here's to a new year filled with new adventures.

Fun Pictures of 2009

Halloween, we were truckers.

Dixie fell asleep trying to get over the coach. So cute!

A bunch of the girl cousins at Mandi's Wedding

About to walk and showing off our caps. A whole bunch of us did this. It was so fun!

Snowboarding in Brain Head

Putting up Scarlett's crib in our newly painted nursery.

Surfing in New Port on the Camp summer vacation

Dixie Tribute

The first day I got her.

I just realized that I have posted too many pictures of Scarlett in a row. So I am going to post about another important member of our family, Dixie kitty. I got Dixie from a neighbor back in April as a graduation present to myself. I did not tell Nick. I called him on the phone and told him I was coming home with a surprise. He thought I was bring home food and was quite shocked when he saw a 4 week old kitty. She is named after my favorite band of all time, Dixie Chicks. She is the best cat. She loves to snuggle up and be right next to you. She is also very unique in the fact that she loves water. She used to jump in the shower with me but I guess she is too good for that now because she just plays in the sink. I am so happy she is good with Scarlett and just leaves her alone. I guess we can keep her!!

What she does all day, just hang out right next to you.

Her pretty green eyes

Where she used to hide as a kitten

Scarlett 2 weeks

Exactly 2 weeks old.

Her eyes open, too bad she looks like an old man in this picture.

These past 2 weeks have been a blur with all the family and celebrations. It is so wonderful that Scarlett is a good baby and can tolerate so much activity. Sadly, I must slow down because my cold is not getting any better. I am so bitter that somehow I caught it. Scarlett is definitely getting bigger with her new double chin. There is just more of her to love. She also hates to be bundled now. She would much rather have her arms and feet free to move around. She is also finally starting to wake up and show the world her beautiful eyes. I absolutely love taking care of her and being her mom. I would not want any other baby in the world!

Nick started a new job last week. He loves coming home and holding Scarlett.
Nick is always so willing to take care of her, especially at night. Oh, how I love him.

Don't shoot.