10/1/10 - October?

Yes folks, that's right....it IS October! I know, take a moment and catch your breath!

October means so many things. Usually a drastic change in weather around here...often our first couple of snow falls in fact. The start of the Holiday's, Holiday planning and craziness that surrounds that. Packed weekends fitting in fall activities and the aforementioned Holiday stuff. Next weekend is Amelia's baptism, then we have to visit Sever's Corn Maze, carve pumpkins, go trick-or-treating, plan for Thanksgiving, HAVE Thanksgiving, go Christmas Shopping, celebrate Christmas all over town, plan Olivia's birthday...YES, that's right, our lady is going to turn 2 before we know it! Wow, that is just an endless list of BUSY!

Today Amelia and I just hung around the house. There are a million things I should have been doing, but I decided relaxing and spending time with her was more important today! It was great. When Christian got home we ate some dinner and just hung out. We ended up watching Twilight after the girls went to bed (yeah, we're some of the very few that hadn't seen it). We actually watched an entire movie...stayed awake and everything! Then, we were quickly off to bed...Christian was offered some OT in the morning (of course we jumped on that!), and we have a busy day, so that's about that for today!

Even though he drives me CRAZY, I snapped a cute pic of Chuy tonight...

9/30/10 - Goodbye September!

It's hard to believe, but today is the final day of September! Wow, 2010 is quickly coming to an end, that's for sure!

Today was a pretty low key day. Amelia was a great napper again, thank goodness! It seems like we're finally starting to get into an actual routine (just when I'm about to head back to work of course). She eats at more regular times, and takes actual naps. It's wonderful. I spent the day going through boxes of "stuff", continuing with my spring cleaning. It's times like this I'm happy I'm not a "Hoarder", because it takes me long enough just to go through the little bit that we do have! And, I finally sent back the broken lamp from the last time our TV broke (like 2 years ago)...go me :)

Other than that, I spent a little quality time with Amelia when she was awake. Have to get in as much of it as I can these next couple of days! We spent the morning cuddled up in bed, and it was wonderful!

Olivia had another out of control night tonight...and it's getting really frustrating. I don't know where that is coming from, but I hope it doesn't go on much longer! Finally it was bed time. I had some cleaning up to do while Christian got Olivia ready, so we let Amelia chill out in her crib for a little while (she only makes short visits to it here and there). Olivia wanted to get in and hang out with her, so they had a little pre-bed party together!

9/29/10 - TIRED

Well, I'm beyond tired today! Let me just tell you, nighttime is somewhat of a disaster around here. Amelia has been getting up once during the night again, maybe a growth spurt? Olivia has had a bit of a cold going on, so she's been crying out a couple of times at night (she just goes back to sleep). I can deal with those two waking me up. Christian snores so bad, it drives me absolutely crazy (he would love that I'm sharing this with the world), but usually with a few kicks and pushes he'll stop long enough for me to fall asleep. But, last night Rico was out of control! See, the cats usually sleep with us, but with Amelia in our room right now, we don't let them. Every once in a while one of them will rebel against that. Tonight, Rico did just that. He sat outside the door crying and scratching on the door. Every time I would go out to yell at him, he'd run away...then come right back after I shut the door. Finally, I sent Christian off to deal with him. That didn't help either. He eventually just gave up, but not after completely waking me up. Dumb cat.

As far as today, we had another good day. Amelia napped great again, let's hope this lasts [knock on wood]! I finally returned the DirecTV boxes today (we switched to Dish Network last week to save some money), and spent most of the day in the garage doing clean up. It looks great now....everything is organized and all of the JUNK is gone. Let's see how long it stays that way though...I also cleaned up the kitchen, scheduled some upcoming appointments and spent a little time on the computer! YAY, a productive day :)

After playing, dinner and baths, Christian decided it would be a good idea to let Olivia try on her Halloween costume. Of course she didn't want to take it off, it was hilarious. She would have been way too hot in it overnight, so we did finally manage to get her out of it...it was quite a battle though. At least we know she'll be happy to wear it on Halloween [obviously the bright teal PJ's won't be accompanying the outfit] :)

9/28/10 - 1 Week To Go

One week from today, I will be sitting at my desk. Back to reality. I'm nervous. I was really nervous to go back after Olivia too. Not only about leaving my baby, but actually going back. I was convinced everything would be different, and there would have been tons of changes while I was gone, and I felt like I wouldn't be needed anymore. Of course, none of that was true, but again, I feel that way. I mean, life went on there for 10 weeks without me, so of course I feel like I'm not needed. But, I did check my work e-mail today, and my supervisor has started assigning me work already, so maybe I really am needed!

Today went well. Amelia decided it would be a good day to actually nap....for a change. I couldn't believe it! I have tons of cleaning and housework to do...but I decided to take this rare opportunity and relax instead. It was great. I made some yummy dinner, and we all settled in to watch some great TV (Glee, with Britney Spears...pretty much, my heaven). Olivia was out of control tonight. She would no listen to anything we said, she was very violent and aggressive, and CRABBY. Seriously, I'm not looking forward to the terrible two's if she's already acting like that!

Finally, the girls are in bed! Christian and I are taking the evening off. After a late night last night, it's much needed! Here is a post-bath picture with Daddy!

9/27/10 - Off To See The Doctor...

Today was a big day...Amelia's 2 month check up! Other than the shots, I love check ups! I love to see how they are growing, how they compare to other kids, and of course, make sure everything is looking good.

The appointment went great. I made it for first this in the morning...our Pediatrician is VERY popular, and spends a lot of time with his patients, so he ends up getting backed up throughout the day...best to go right away! He said her heart, lungs and belly sounded perfect as can be. She is 10lbs5ozs, putting her in the 37% for weight (she's up 3.2lbs since birth!). She is 22.5" long, putting her in the 57% for height (she's grown 2.5" already!). And, her head is 38.2cm, putting her in the 36%. She's just a little peanut...couldn't be more opposite from Olivia, that's for sure! It's strange, she doesn't seem so tiny, and it seems like she's grown so much, but she's really just a tiny thing still. She also got her vaccinations today. She sucked down the oral vaccine like it was candy. Then came the shots...she got three of them. I don't think she even felt the first one, she had no reaction to it, but did not like the other two at all. Poor thing. She quickly recovered though. And, quickly passed out. She slept most of the day...we gave her a couple preemptive doses of Tylenol, and got through the day with flying colors. YAY!

I spent the day cuddling and relaxing with Amelia....had to comfort my sweet girl! Christian and Olivia got home and made us dinner tonight :) After bed and bath, Christian took to the tiling work again and got everything grouted! Now, he just has to do the edging and it's all done! Very exciting. Amelia and I passed out on the couch until she woke up to eat around 11:30. Now, everyone is off to bed. LATE NIGHT!

Here's a picture of Amelia, snuggled up watching some TV while I [quickly] eat some lunch!

9/26/10 - 2 Months

Today, Amelia is 2 months old! It's so hard to believe how quickly she is growing. It's hard to really notice just how much she's changed in this short period of time because I see her every day (all day...). But, she really has changed! She's so alert, she follows us around the room, she LOVES people, smiles at everybody, adores her big sister. She is slowly starting to hang out on her own for short periods of time. She is a bit more of a regular eater now, nursing about every 3 hours. She sleeps from about 9:30PM-5:00/5:30AM most nights (YAY for that!). I think she is definitely going to be a mover...she's always kicking and moving around, her legs have always been very strong, like she's ready to just go go go. We'll see how that progresses! Tomorrow I take her in for her 2 month check up and I can't wait to hear her stats (not too excited about the shots though...).

In other events, today was a pretty good day. We met up with my mom for a while. Picked up some goodies from her house, got to check out her new place and spent some time at a Booya with her. The girls were quite a hit. They had a jump house and Olivia spotted that right away! She spent some time in it, but then some bratty older kids came along, and were way to rough for her. She actually got out herself, which tells you how bad it was! Afterwards, we stopped for a short visit with Christian's parents, then got home to get some stuff done. Both of the girls were exhausted and took LONG naps, so Christian was able to cut the grass, cut up some pallets (for fire wood), and clean up the garage a little bit. I spent nap time cleaning our bedroom and going through my clothes...time to start the fall clean up around here!

9/25/10 - Just Another Busy Saturday

Well, like usual, it was another busy Saturday for us. Both of the girls decided to sleep in today, which was a much deserved gift if I do say so myself. After breakfast and showers, we took a family trip to Menard's (I know, exciting).

As I'm sure I wrote a few times, when we brought Chuy home, he had a peeing in the house issue going on. He had this spot, at the bottom of the stairs, where he would go ALL the time. We're convinced the cats then rebelled and tried marking their territory by peeing there as well. We've tried everything, and cannot get the smell to go away. So, we decided to rip up that patch of carpet, and lay down some tile to match the foyer and the kitchen upstairs. Christian and his Dad worked for a LONG time on that, while I got the girls down for their naps and took a little me time on the computer.

The floor work was done (for today anyway), and we ate some dinner. After dinner, Olivia and I were off to Target while Christian relaxed with Amelia. My shopping list is still a mile long, but groceries and a few other items have been checked off, so that's something! Finally, the girls were down for bed (quite past bedtime I might add...), and we're going to catch a movie on our temporary free HBO...the things we get excited about now :)

Here is the crew, hard at work, and the ALMOST finished product. YAY!

9/24/10 - Friday, Please Be Good To Me!

Today is Friday, specifically, my Friday home with both girls. After the torture that was yesterday, I was quite worried about how the day would go. Amelia woke up during the night last night to eat for some reason. It ended up being a good thing, because she slept in while I was able to get up with Olivia. We played, ate breakfast and got a chance to just hang out together. She was so well behaved, I'm sure this will be short lived!

Finally baby was up. Chuy kept Olivia busy while I got Amelia up, changed and fed. She was MUCH more content today. After she was nice and full, she sat on the couch and laughed at Olivia and I running and playing around. She was really getting a kick out of it. Maybe having Olivia home with us is actually ideal! Amelia again refused a nap, but while Olivia was down she actually sat on her own for a little while so I could eat and get a couple things done. So, in the end, I was terrified of today, but it ended up being the best day of the week!

Christian finally got off work, came home, fired up the grill and made us dinner! It was bedtime shortly after dinner, and the house was finally quiet! I settled in with some snacks and watched a movie while Christian got some stuff ready for a little project he'll be working on tomorrow...another week down! Only 1 week and 1 day left of maternity leave and Amelia will be 2 months old this weekend...it's so hard to believe!

Here is Olivia, enjoying some Mickey Mouse, under her Mickey Blanket, eating some breakfast :)

9/23/10 - Torturous Thursday

There is no sugar coating today. Today was horrible. Today was my worst day yet. Today, I cried...

Things are never easy around here, and I sure don't expect them to be. The house is always a mess (at least in my eyes). The to-do list never goes down. The shopping never gets done. This week has been torture, and today was the worst of it. Today everything just got the best of me!

Amelia was beyond a handful today. She cried...and cried...and cried some more. I'd feed her, she'd still cry. Change her diaper, she'd still cry. Walk her around, she'd still cry. Give her the stupid pacifier, she'd still cry. There was no winning with her today. I know she's getting enough to eat..I even gave her a second bottle of milk today just to make sure. I guess it was just one of those days, and I should be OK with that, but today I just couldn't be for some reason.

Christian and Olivia finally got home. He took over baby duty, but it was short lived. I basically fed Olivia, ate something quickly, then took her back from him. He's in charge of getting Olivia to bed, and taking Chuy out for a while at night, so that doesn't give me much of a chance for a baby break when he gets home.

I can't tell you how close I was to getting in my car, driving to the gas station and buying some cigarettes. I'm coming up on my 1 year non-smoker anniversary, and I think that is the only thing that kept me from doing it. I didn't want all of this hard work to be for nothing. But, now, today is over. And, there is always tomorrow! Right?!?

9/22/10 - 3 Years

Today is our 3 year wedding anniversary!!! I can't believe it. 3 years...it doesn't sound like much, and it seems like just yesterday, but in reality...3 years has felt like a lifetime for us!

3 years ago today was a perfect day. The weather was unbelievable, especially for the end of September! We were surrounded by our closest friends and family. We were finally going to say "I Do" after 6+ years. The day was perfect (well, just about...we can forget the minor mishaps...). We could not have asked for more.

The past three years have been a roller coaster for us. Before we got married, we each had pretty nice jobs (which we still do, thank goodness!), pretty nice savings accounts building, we were living in our first apartment, had two cats, living a fairly care free lifestyle...going out on Friday's and Saturday's, hanging out with friends, just coming and going as we pleased. It seems like this day, was the first day of many, MANY changes to come.

Shortly after the wedding we decided to start looking at houses. We got a little help from our parents on the wedding, but pretty much paid for it by ourselves, so that ate up most of our savings. I was not sold on the idea of buying a house right away, I really wanted to wait another year, but Christian was insistent. In late October we went on our first tour of houses, and ended up finding two that we really liked (one I preferred, one he did). After a lot of discussing, we decided to put an offer in on one of them...of course, the one he preferred. We ended up getting the house, and closed on it at the end of December 2007.

A few months later, at the end of April 2008, we found out that I was pregnant (just after we brought home our third kitty!). This came as a pretty big surprise to us, and it took us a LONG time to wrap our heads around that one! Christian was still working nights at the time, so that just added to my worry about everything. Luckily, a few months later Christian was able to get a job on the day crew, we adjusted to the idea of parenthood, and in January 2009 the amazing Olivia Rose was born.

2009 was full of adjusting to our new lives as parents. No more going out, and coming and going as we pleased. No more just doing what we wanted to do, it was all about her, getting her what she needed, and trying to be the best parents we could be. In November 2009 we were hit with our next shocker...baby #2 was on it's way! Now, we were really panicked. Two kids!?! As nervous as we were, it was time to adjust because in July 2010, the just as amazing Amelia Grace was born (shortly after we decided it was a good idea to bring home a puppy).

So, here we are 3 years later. We went from virtually no responsibilities, and doing whatever we wanted, to being married, being homeowners and being parents. It's a whole different life, but we couldn't ask for more, and wouldn't change a thing! Today we celebrate the day our lives really started!

Today in particular...was an OK day. Amelia was a bit difficult, again, but we got through the day. I again wanted to get to the store to get Christian a card (that is all we do as far as "gifts" for our anniversary), but again, Amelia made that impossible. Christian has to work super early again tomorrow, so his mom offered to keep Olivia overnight, and we accepted. So, it was just us and the baby. We "treated" ourselves to Divanni's for dinner, and that was that. Christian got me a wonderful card, which really made my day. So, here's to 3 years down, and many more to go!

Here are some of our favorite wedding pictures!