Friends

Such a blessing is a true friend. Today Karoline and I were fortunate enough to go see my childhood best friend, Catlin. I met her and her husband as well as his family at Casa Bonita in Lakewood, CO. I'm not sure it's entirely correct to say that it's a "landmark" but I can almost bet that any Colorado kid has fond memories of the restaurant. It is quite interesting to go back as an adult to see how different everything looks through grown up eyes. For starters, has the huge iconic pink building really always been in the corner of a strip mall? Karoline was quite content to take in stimulation in every direction. There were Christmas lights everywhere, decorations and the sound of the waterfall. She loved it. 

I am so glad we were able to meet up, there are very few people in life that you can be away from for months or years at a time and still be able to pick up right where you left off. There are many differences now, we have husbands and families. But, our friendship is still there. Blessed. 

Today Karoline was so close to getting up to crawl on her knees. I've said it before but I am sure it's going to be any day now. 

Tim has a four day weekend and we are loving every minute of being extremely laid back. I'm hoping that in taking it easy he will finally kick the sinus infection/cold/cough of yuck. He literally could be the inspiration for the commercial that depicts the man who needs cough medicine to not wake the sleeping baby. However, over the counter cough medicine is not even a match for this!

We were driving home from Karoline's doctors appointment the other day and I saw a for sale sign on a house in a neighborhood we have wanted to look around. The house I saw originally was far too expensive. We ended up driving around the area for a little while and stumbled upon an adorable little starter home. We are hoping to take a look at the inside soon, Tim called the realtor and now we are just waiting for a call back. The house is a foreclosure. So, Tim would be able to do quite a bit of improvements and it's something that we could hold onto as a rental or could sell after a few years and hopefully make a profit. I am hoping and praying that if this is the path we are supposed to take that we will be guided in making all of our decisions. 

For some reason or another, I'm exhausted. Heading to bed to read a book on my phone, I love technology! 

A little here and there.

I have so many things I have thought to write down the last couple of days that I feel this entry will be all over the place. So, here goes the bulleted form of everything I've been trying not to forget.

Today when I picked up Karoline from her nap she smelled beautiful, really heavenly. Combine her sweet baby smell with her adorable toothless grin and I'm a sucker.

We're dealing with a bit of separation anxiety (which is making for rough nights), but in having Karoline on my hip to do chores I found myself looking down at her on my left hip and being so thankful to have my little "side" kick. It's such an amazing feeling having her want to be with me.

Yesterday my sweet baby girl mastered waving, clapping and feeding herself. I'm beyond proud of how strong she is and all of her accomplishments. Today she would get up onto her knees to crawl and would rock back and forth and then plop forward, adorable and she is getting so close.

Our first Christmas as a family of 3 was wonderful. Having kids completely changes your outlook on Christmas. I woke up with no hope or even want of gifts but more so to see Karoline playing with her presents/paper/boxes. She was such a sweetie, even though we had two very very rough nights of sleep prior to Christmas. I do think she prefers her routine at home in her room and bed. I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing but I know now that I have a two night limit for visits. Not that I don't want to be able to spend more time visiting family but simply because that's all I can handle before I become completely exhausted.

I've started making adorable hair bows for Karoline, I'll have to add a picture of them in my next blog. I even was asked to make one and be paid for it. I'm hoping this weekend to go out and try to find the ribbon I need for a CSU themed bow!

Starting after the new year I am excited to start taking a little time for me. For one hour two week days and one weekend day I will get to go do whatever I like. My goal is to either go to the gym or go swim some laps. But, there may be the occasional trip to get a hot drink and read. My first excursion may actually be to get a pedicure and manicure with my Christmas money! Since I am going to get my time I plan to make sure to take Karoline to do something (most likely story time at the library) a few days a week so Tim gets some alone time too. I think this will be a great way for us to get a little "me" time!

Well, Karoline has woken up after only being asleep for a few hours ... here's to hoping this night goes smoothly.

Firsts

So many firsts. Karoline has been a busy little bee these last few days. She has started to pick herself up onto her knees and "crawl" for a bit before flopping forward and resorting to her very speedy army crawl. She sure is fast when she wants something, most often a cell phone. We may be in trouble. I am looking forward to her opening her Christmas present from Santa, a fun adaptivity case for an iPod or iPhone. I think she is going to love it. Then she can play with our phones all she wants.

Our sweet girl is now starting to figure out the range of her voice. Today she would screech at a high pitch and I would laugh at her, then she would laugh at herself. We did this for several rounds of scream/laughter, she makes my day.

She has also started to "walk." When you hold her hands she will pick up those adorable little feet and lead the way to the object of her desire. I can't believe how quickly she is learning new skills.

Today we started sign language. Just a few signs: food, tired, more and all done. I decided it was time to do this now that she is attempting to clap as well as wave in imitation. Having children is such a blessing. There is no way to explain this wonder, but those who have children that they dreamed about and prayed for understand exactly what I mean.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a very cold day. I think we will have to come up with a new activity for Karoline since we will be inside for the entire day again. Maybe I will hide a few of her toys in each room and cover them almost all the way with a blanket. I read that she should be able to recognize her things now. Just the sure change of scenery from room to room should satisfy her sensory skills.

Until next time, stay warm!

Today

Today was a day of mourning and realization for our nation. In light of the shooting that took place in CT today I have realized a few things about myself.

Facebook today was filled with posts about the sorrow and expression of hopes and prayers for the families of those who lost their sweet babies and family members.

I feel like I could write page after page about the different aspects of today. But, instead I will focus on what I have found to be the most important thing for me today. I saw several posts made by mothers who wished they could go get their child from school and spend the day with them. Right away my first instinct was to say, do it. Go get your child. Go hold them tight and go to the park and play and love and laugh. I know there are always things that you can do tomorrow, but today taught us that sometimes tomorrow doesn't come. So, for us tonight our daughter will sleep in our room. This is something that hasn't happened in a few months. But, if this simple thing will help us sleep better and will provide a little comfort then why not.

When I was at the store with Karoline tonight I found myself more aware of everyone around me and the amount of time I would spend away from her on a normal trip to the store. She is never out of arms reach but in the few seconds it takes me to grab an item I don't have a hand on her. I know that I can't always keep a hand on her. This scares me and makes me realize that I have to teach her to be aware of her surroundings just like my mom taught me. My mom literally made me fear the what if, but I credit that fear of the what if for making me who I am today. I take risks when I am almost certain of the outcome. That outcome is always a good or positive thing. I leave the unknown and wrong risks to fall by the wayside.

I hope and pray that the families who have lost loved ones in this horrific tragedy and in the tragedies that have happened earlier in this year find a way to move on. I pray that they know they will see their babies and family members again. I pray that they have the faith to know in their heart that they are in a better place.

Living

Today I went to the grocery store and really stocked up! It is supposed to be a very chilly weekend and I wanted to avoid going out unless I have to or want to. Carrying in groceries in single digit weather is not my idea of fun so I made sure that we would be good for quite a while.

After going to two grocery stores I spent almost half of my budget for the month. However, this trip included quite a bit of duplicates. For example, today breakfast sausage was only $2.50, there have been times that I have paid $3.99 for the same item. So, I made sure to grab a few! In addition, most of the meals, if not all of them that we are making this week are meals that will produce left overs. Thus, our shopping trip for next week should be very minimal.

Tim was funny, when I got home he said, "Man, living is expensive." Yes, I suppose it is. But, I have an overwhelming feeling that everything is going to work out. It really always does. We have everything we need and most of what we want. Just right, good night!

Squash

Had a very nice lazy day today. Karoline took two naps and was content to just be home. Tim has been sick and I have a bit of a sore throat today. This morning we talked about how nice it is that Karoline is a healthy girl and that we attribute a lot of that to her be a breastfed baby. Then, this afternoon she sneezed 3 sets of 4 and the the last one brought out a neon yellow booger. When I was telling my mom about the color I realized that the neon specimen was indeed some squash from her dinner! Oops!

Bye, Bye, Baby

This last Friday Tim turned 31! I think it's safe to say he had a good day. In the morning he went golfing, then we all went to lunch at a burger place. The burgers were amazing! After lunch we came home and he opened presents. His big gift was a remote control helicopter. Yesterday he was playing with it and said it might possibly be the best birthday gift he's ever received. It was great, he plays with it like a little kid and the look on his face matches his excitement. Now what to do for next year ... 

The following day, December 1, 2012, our baby girl decided it was time to crawl! We were both blessed to have been here and to have seen it. I am so happy for her, she's wanted to be able to move for so long. She was so proud of her and we were equally! 

This morning when I went in to get Karoline (early-she's been getting up a little before 7, not sure what's up with that) she was still so excited that she can crawl. Watching her grow and accomplish things is down right thrilling! 

Tomorrow we have a busy day ahead. I need to run to the store and the post office. Then at 9:30 a woman is coming over for us to donate breast milk to her adopted daughter, Jaime. I'm excited to be able to help another family. After she leaves we will pack up and head out to take some play mats over to Karoline's friends house. Xander is a few months younger than Karoline and it is working out great for us to share all of her baby items with him just as soon as she is done with them. It's great to know that they are going to get good use and that we will get them back when he is done. There are so few people that it seems you can trust with your things and I know that Xander's mom is one of them. Refreshing. We will get back in the car and head over to see my cousin to pick up some new toys for Karoline from her daughter. I absolutely love getting things second hand or free from other mommies who just want to see the items get good use! 

Back in the car we will go to head to pick up a few items from my grandma's house for my Pampered Chef show tomorrow evening. We will also need to pick up a one more thing from the store that I can't get in the morning (needs to be refrigerated). 

Karoline will get to stay with her nana and papa. She has never gone to bed with out me before and I am hoping that she will do a good job for them. Luckily I don't need to leave until about 5:45 so she will get a chance to have a little bit of mommy time before I go. Praying she does well and that she doesn't yell at them too much. Sometimes the only way for her to fall asleep is to cry for about 10 minutes. But, I'm not sure if my mom can handle her crying. Guess I shouldn't worry, they will figure it out one way or another. Or they will put her in the car and drive around until I am done. 

I have a lot on my plate for the Pampered Chef show I am doing tomorrow. Hoping I will be organized enough to have everything done properly and quickly. No one wants to stick around for hours on a Monday night. 

That's it for Monday, now for Tuesday! We will get up early and see my mom off to work, head over to see Karoline's Papa Reed, go take back the Pampered Chef items to my grandma, go see Karoline's Great Grandma DeBekker and go see my friend Alicia (both are in the hospital). Somewhere in there we will have lunch with my mom. We will head back up to our house no later than 1:00pm so that we miss all of the yucky afternoon traffic!

So, I think that's it. This blog may have been more so to get my brain thinking in the right order so that I remember everything. Thanks for reading to my mental map out!