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!

9/21/10 - I'm Boring!

Yes, I am boring. EXTREMELY boring right now. So, sorry to anybody who actually reads this, I know my days are not very interesting to hear about right now.

I realized today that my gas tank is still 3/4 full, yet I have not been to the gas station in over 2 weeks! That should prove right there just how boring I am. On one hand, it's a good thing. It means I'm home, spending precious time with my little lady before I have to leave her. It obviously means good things for the "pocketbook". On the other hand, it sucks! I'm craving the outside world, people, places, adults, conversation, variety, mental stimulation. I know I'll be regretting this hand in about 2 weeks after I get back into going to work, but right now, I think work is just what I need! And, I'll get that "wish" 1 week from today! So crazy.

Today we just hung out at home. I wanted to get to the store, most importantly for an Anniversary Card for Christian, but Amelia decided crying all day would be more fun. So, that didn't happen. When the rest of the fam got home we just did the usual...dinner, play, baths and bed! Today was Amelia's first time in the bath without her hammock! She's getting so big :)

9/20/10 - Another Relaxing Monday

Today was just another Monday around the house. Recovering from the craziness that is the weekend is now a necessity around this house! Today, Amelia and I did just that. She had a pretty good day today, which helps with the whole relaxation thing. So, not too much to report today! Just enjoy a cute picture :)

9/19/10 - Sunday, Again, Already?!

Wow, it's Sunday again. I can't believe it. How fast times goes when you aren't working...and when life is so busy in general! I have 11 more days off of work...11! How can that be??

Today was a good day. I spent the entire day doing laundry...no so fun, but oh so necessary of course. Olivia was great today. She and I hung out together all morning while Christian and Amelia slept in. It was great spending time with my little lady, she's just too much fun! Once Christian got up, I started on a little cleaning until the Vikings game began. Ugh, another disgusting display of football. I mean, they lost, again, to the DOLPHINS. That's barely even possible. I think we're in for a LONG season!

Olivia took a nice nap after half time, and Amelia refused to nap all day (except in Dad's arms of course...). We ordered in some yummy Chinese food for dinner, Christian vacuumed and cleaned up the basement and we finally sat down and relaxed after getting Olivia bathed and to bed. Amelia finally took a little nap after dinner, which turned into a REALLY long nap. I sat there, waiting for her to wake up and eat, knowing as soon as I fell asleep she would wake up, until about 12:45! Ugh, I was exhausted. Hopefully she'll sleep in tomorrow!

Here is Olivia rocking a milk mustache this morning. Milk does a body good!!

9/18/10 - Now, That's Busy!

Today was a BUSY day!

I woke up bright and early, before the girls, and jumped in the shower to get ready for the day. That early should not be allowed on the weekends! Olivia was up immediately after I finished getting ready, so I got her up, fed and ready for the day. Once she was done, I got Amelia up, fed, and ready to go. Christian finally rolled out of bed and quickly got ready.

We were off to the Apple Orchard for our first dose of fall fun!!! First stop, picking up the BFF and Andrew. The Orchard was tons of fun. Olivia and Andrew ran around and had a blast together. After we filled our bags, the kids hit the hay maze. Finally we all took a tractor pull ride around the Orchard and stopped in to buy some goodies in the store. Amelia was a wreck the whole time, we had to take turns holding her the whole time. Andrew and Olivia seemed completely exhausted when we finally left. As soon as we dropped them off, Olivia passed out and was out cold for quite a while.

Amelia took a breif nap here and there, but refused to take a real one...of course. After Olivia woke up, we quickly ate some dinner then were off to the mall. All of the stores are having "baby sales", so we thought it would be a good time to go winter clothes shopping. The girls are pretty much set for winter, and we are beyond tired! We quickly got the girls to bed, and both passed out on the couch. Man, we're getting old!

9/17/10 - Oh The Simple Joys

Today was pretty boring around the house. Olivia was at my mom's for the day, like usual. Amelia and I just hung out around the house and took it easy. She's been going back to sleep after her morning feeding until around 9:30/10:00, so it's been great getting a chance to sleep in a little bit. we caught up on some TV and just relaxed all day. She eventually went down for a real nap, so I was able to shower and get myself presentable.

Christian helped my mom pick up some tables for her garage sale after work, then we were off to the Madrid's for a visit. Kelly and I went to look at baptism gowns for Amelia, and found a super cute one at babies are us. Olivia and Meeka ran around like mad women all night, they were hilarious. Of course they each want what the other is playing with, they copy each other like crazy. They are so fun to watch.

Finally, it was WAY past bed time, so we were on our way home and the girls were quickly put to bed. Today was the start of a very busy weekend, should be tons of fun though!

9/16/10 - Another "Boring" Day

I say "boring", but not in a bad way. Boring is good right now, boring is ideal. Life is too hectic, too crazy and has been passing up by way too fast! Our 3 year anniversary is next week, Amelia is going to be 8 weeks old already on Monday, Olivia is like a real little person now, and I'll be sitting at my desk working away like crazy in less than 3 weeks. WOW!

Amelia and I just hung out around the house today. She took a nice long nap, so I was able to get a lot of little tasks done around the house. Christian's work is making him start at 6:00AM tomorrow, so my mom offered to take Olivia overnight so she wouldn't have to get up so early to be dropped off. Christian decided to grab a couple drinks with a coworker after he dropped Olivia off, so, we ended up with a REALLY boring, quiet evening. I'm thinking Amelia may have enjoyed that....

I talked to Olivia just before bedtime, and it was so great. She chatters in her own little language, so excited to be on the phone, then says "Bye Bye, I love You". Ay, that is the best thing in the world!!

Here's a picture of my little baby girl today, she's starting to look so big!