My 1st Quarter Update for 2010

Hello readers! All two of you! In my true accountant nature, I have gone to quarterly updates. I do apologize for my lack of updates. It's so much harder to update after not posting for a couple of months. The problem is that I do not know where to begin. So much has happened that I can't begin to write it all down without it being a novel.

Katelyn turned one and her party was awesome even though Mama had a horrible case of shingles. And I do mean, HORRIBLE! I'm feeling better and glad that chapter of my life is over. Back to the party, it makes me so happy to know that such a little girl is loved by so many.

Katelyn is growing growing growing. Well, as far as milestones go, not so much physically, which I guess is normal. They do slow down during the 2nd year of their life. My little girl can still wear some 9 month onesies which is absolutely crazy to me.

What can Katelyn do now?

• Walks like a champ and is getting really good at running.
• Signs "eat" and "more"
• She has become quite the parrot. She tries to mimic things we say all the time.
• Sleeps through the night very inconsistently (not so fun).
• Likes to put things in something then take them all back out and repeat the process over and over and over.
• And many more things that for the life of me I can't remember at this exact moment

Last month also marked the first time Katelyn stayed the night at Nana and Papa's house. I was so completely worried because of course I know how many times in one night she can get up. However, she did great and only woke up once but Nana took good care of her. Nana and Papa loved having her, and Mom and Dad can't wait to let them do it again! YAY!

This month we will be doing another first for our family of three. We are going on VACATION! Originally, I wanted to go to Clearwater Beach for a few nights for my 30th birthday. Well, since my birthday is during PEAK season it was going to cost a fortune for just a few nights. So I looked around and for a little bit more money we are able to spend a WEEK on Anna Maria Island. I'm so excited! This will only be our 3rd vacation in the 8 years my husband and I have been together. The 1st time was our wedding/honeymoon in Las Vegas so I'm not sure that even counts! The 2nd time was our last vacation as a couple cruise...haha. Little did we know that I was already pregnant! Looking back I did feel a little queasy on the trip, but I thought it was due to the boat rocking and it could have been...who knows! Yes, 30, I'm turning 30! Who can believe that? Certainly not me. As a kid, 30 was something I never thought I'd get to. Surely I'd be dead by then, right? haha. In all actuality, it really is just a number, and I'm pretty okay with where I am in my life so maybe that's why it isn't a big deal? Sure, I'd like some things to be different. And yeah, I have my days where absolutely EVERYTHING is completely wrong (so irrational, I know). However as I'm approaching the big 3-0, I can't help but think I'm exactly where I need to be, doing exactly what I am doing. And how great is that? Now, remind me of this exact blog post when I'm complaining that everything is wrong, wrong, wrong. ;)

This past weekend was Easter and was highlighted by Katelyn's very first Easter egg hunt. She loooved it, of course. She enjoyed picking up the eggs, putting them in her basket, and then throwing them all out of her basket. Haha! We had a great weekend spending time with family and the weather could not have been more perfect.

That's my condensed update on the past couple of months. I'm sure I skipped a lot but it will have to wait until next time!

Reflection

I'm sitting here looking at my daughter who is turning ONE tomorrow. How is that even possible? I remember a year ago tonight being excited about meeting my daughter but so nervous about the c-section. This first year has been absolutely amazing. The goal was for me to be able to stay home with her for the first year. Check. It wasn't always easy, actually it was pretty difficult at times. There were lots of sacrifices (limited Starbucks, no DVR, only basic cable, no haircuts, and the list goes on), but in the end it was the best decision we ever made. I still struggle with finding my place. I feel like I should be working, but I know if I had a job I would feel like I need to be at home. It's a never ending cycle of mommy guilt ;)

What can Katelyn do now?

• Give you "five"!
• Make "Indian" noises with her hand over her mouth - probably not the most PC thing to call it but what else would you call it?
  
• Takes at least 10 steps (probably more if I actually counted) all by her little self.
• Tries to run after the dog but ends up falling on her face.
• She is completely off of her bottles.
• No more formula either - just whole milk.

Since my last update, Katelyn had her first Thanksgiving and her first Christmas. She also had her first visit to see Santa. She held it together pretty well until she looked at him and realized the beard was a little too long and a little too white for it to belong to her daddy. Oh well. She did really well for her first time. And now she is about to celebrate her very first birthday. I have to admit when someone asks me about her party, I get a little choked up talking about it. Someone better have the box of tissues ready for when we sing "Happy Birthday." Gosh, I hope I can hold it together.

Ah, I miss my "baby", but I am excited for what the next year has in store for us. All the worrying during my pregnancy, all the appointments and tests, the dreaded c-section, and even the hassle of the blood clot - it was all worth it for this beautiful gift I was given.

We hope to expand our family this year. We shall see how that goes. I'm trying not to get my hopes up in case we run into problems this time around. You never know with me lately with all my crazy medical issues that seem to pop up out of nowhere!

I sometimes sit and think about what it would be like to have another child. I wonder does your heart just get bigger? It must. I can't imagine having two little persons to love. Ah, guess I will cross that bridge if we ever get there.

I'll post some birthday pics as soon as I can.

Until next time...

i ♥ faces: Sweet Dreams

This week's theme @ i ♥ faces is "Sweet Dreams." Having had my daughter in January of this year, I have many newborn sweet sleepy pictures, but I decided to do something a little different this time around.

She was fresh out of the bath and fell asleep in the chair. Oh how I miss her being this little already. I can't believe I am planning her very 1st birthday party. Where does the time go?

Be sure to check out the other "Sweet Dreams" photos for this week!

Photo Challenge - We ♥ Tooshies!

This week's theme @ i ♥ faces is "Tooshies." Who can resist a baby's tooshie? The only tough part about this week's theme is that it had to be a covered tooshie. I found this picture of Katelyn that I took a couple of weeks ago. Oh, how she loves to stand at that door. And she's at that age where getting her dressed ends in tears for everyone involved so the diaper cover was as far as we got. Check out that "rat-tail" she's been growing since before she was born. She's bringing the 80s back all on her own ;)



Go check out the other cute tooshies this week!

Pumpkins, Photo Shoots, Tantrums, Oh My!

Wow, how about an update? Katelyn turned 10 months this past weekend. She is no longer an infant and is moving right into toddler town.

Here's a recap of the past month:

• Katelyn had a great time carving pumpkins and dressing up for her FIRST Halloween.
  
• She made it into the top 20 of Central Florida's Most Huggable Baby Contest (like we needed a contest to know this...haha)
• She claps up a storm and knows when to "pat it" when we sing "Pat-a-Cake"
• She pulls up on anything and everything including the cat.
• She says kitty when she sees the cat. It sounds more like "Keeeeee-tea"
• She is finally saying Mama but still doesn't have a clue who the heck I am ;)
• She will stand on her own for 15 seconds before she falls on her butt.
• She only gives Mama kisses and not Dada. I secretly believe this is payback for Dada being so thrilled that she said "Dada" before "Mama." Oh, that karma. :)
• She had her first real photo shoot for the contest mentioned above. She was quite the professional. The magazine comes out on 12/2! Mama will be getting many copies :)
• She pushes her little Tonka push toy all around the house until she either runs into the wall or some other object.
• She waves like a champ. She moves her little fingers up and down, and it's completely adorable.
  
• She waved at the jello the other day at the grocery store. Guess we need to work on that ;)
• The tantrums have started early. She can easily turn on the waterworks when something is taken away from her. "No" is not her favorite word.
• I'm still amazed everyday that I get to be her Mom. She makes me want to have 3 more. Okay, so maybe just one more.
  

Katelyn @ 9 Months

Example of tantrum. She's still pretty cute though :)

Please vote for Katelyn!

Thanks for voting everyone! It looks like she is moving on to Round Two! YAYAYAYAY!

Photo Challenge - Excited!

This week's theme @ i ♥ faces is "Excited." I immediately thought of the following photo of Katelyn at her cousin's 4th birthday party. It was a princess themed event.

8 Months Today!

My Katie-bear turned 8 months today. She is such a joy, and I am amazed by her sweetness. Ok, she isn't perfect but who is? That's the beauty of nature - it makes you forget those late nights when they will not stop crying. Besides who wants to read about that? It's so much more fun to talk about her cute giggle or the sweet way she snuggles into your neck. Ah, sometimes at night I don't want her to go to sleep because I just want to snuggle and admire her cuteness.

People keep telling me what a great baby she is so I guess I must be doing something right. I am sure it has more to do with her than me. We got really lucky with her - and we know and appreciate it everyday.

There's a First Time for Everything

Katelyn went to the park for the first time today. It was just our community tot lot but it has baby swings, which aren't always so easy to come by. She absolutely L-O-V-E-D it! She didn't quit smiling the whole time we were there. We didn't stay for too long because it was hotter than hot, and I thought it was a good idea to dress the little one in jeans. Who knew it could be so hot @ 10:00 am? YUCK!

I have officially failed at posting everyday. I am at least posting more often so that has to count for something, right? School is going okay. I basically have until December 15th to complete my assignments which is pretty cool. I get to work as far as ahead as I want. Not sure if I will be taking any classes in the Spring. I don't feel I am on the right path. I need to feel that going back to school is the right thing for me. However, something feels a little off. Why is life so difficult?

Until next time...

Happening too fast

Everything is happening way too fast. I turn around and Katelyn is doing something new. She says Dada like a champ even though she doesn't really know what she is saying. Yes, that's what I tell myself so that I feel better. ;) She recently learned to clap which I find to be AAAA-mazing! I know, I'm THAT Mom! The mom that finds every little thing to be such an accomplishment. It is neat to see her watching us do things and try to do them too. Then when she finally "gets it" it is just the best feeling. :) Oh, now when I break out the camera to take pictures she tries to peek around the camera to look at me. AWW! It may be the cutest damn thing I have ever seen. Or if the laptop is between her and I she does the same thing. It really is sweet. And I officially have the baby fever. I sooo want another child. Not anytime soon or anything but definitely would like to add to the family in the next few years.

Is it possible that perfection could be duplicated? One can only hope :)