and we'll be on our way.
I need a break. I can't wait.
Dear Eva (12 Years)
1 year ago
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Happy Anniversary
Yesterday Bryan, Eden, and I went to Babies R Us to get a few things for our trip. As we were leaving the store, I was pushing Eden in the stroller and Bryan was a few strides ahead of us, carrying the bag (why do they always give us such a huge bag?). The way he was walking, confident and sure, and the fact that he was happily carrying diapers and formula and disposable changing table covers, made me realize I'm married to a man. And I am so proud to be his wife, so proud of who he has become. He is a father, and a really amazing one at that. He's a saint of a husband to put up with my garbage. He is completely devoted to both of his girls.
I remember on our wedding night, when we checked into the hotel, I came out of the bathroom to see him sitting on the end of the bed, kicking his legs. At that moment I realized we were children. We were eighteen and most of the time we thought we knew it all, but there and then I realized we were still babies. And as the years have passed I have realized more and more how young we were then.
But growing up with my best friend has been incredible. We know each other so well. We have a wealth of shared experience - including four years of college, a semester abroad, three years of grad school, and a beautiful baby girl. And now we're grownups - we're parents, we've got real jobs, big bills, and real responsibility. I don't know when it happened, but we're grownups.
Yes, we've changed, but I am still so happy he is the one I wake up next to every day, he's the one I lay down with every night, he's the one who loves me so much I can't even fathom how he puts up with me, and he's the one I love so much it hurts sometimes to even look at his sleeping face.
Eight years after I saw him kicking his legs at the foot of a hotel bed, I know we're different people. But I love him even more now that I ever thought possible back then. The past eight years have not always been easy, but at the end of the day I wouldn't trade them for anything. And I can't wait to see where the next eight years, and the next eighty years, take us.
Happy Anniversary, Babe.
I remember on our wedding night, when we checked into the hotel, I came out of the bathroom to see him sitting on the end of the bed, kicking his legs. At that moment I realized we were children. We were eighteen and most of the time we thought we knew it all, but there and then I realized we were still babies. And as the years have passed I have realized more and more how young we were then.
But growing up with my best friend has been incredible. We know each other so well. We have a wealth of shared experience - including four years of college, a semester abroad, three years of grad school, and a beautiful baby girl. And now we're grownups - we're parents, we've got real jobs, big bills, and real responsibility. I don't know when it happened, but we're grownups.
Yes, we've changed, but I am still so happy he is the one I wake up next to every day, he's the one I lay down with every night, he's the one who loves me so much I can't even fathom how he puts up with me, and he's the one I love so much it hurts sometimes to even look at his sleeping face.
Eight years after I saw him kicking his legs at the foot of a hotel bed, I know we're different people. But I love him even more now that I ever thought possible back then. The past eight years have not always been easy, but at the end of the day I wouldn't trade them for anything. And I can't wait to see where the next eight years, and the next eighty years, take us.
Happy Anniversary, Babe.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Since no one is guessing
where we're going on our vacation, I guess I will just out with it.
We leave a week from Friday on an overnight flight to London, with a layover in Iceland just long enough to see some stuff. I'm so excited! We're going with J&K, too... and J's brother and his wife and baby will meet us there.
We've rented a flat near Notting Hill, and for eight days we'll be walking streets we've walked before in another lifetime. (If you're only recently following my blog and never followed the old one (Warning: it's livejournal, and archives are impossible to navigate... one reason I switched... but you can click "Calendar" and find your way there), you might not know Bryan and I studied abroad in England in 2004... that's when I started blogging - five years ago. Crazy.) Anyway, it's going to be a trip down memory lane, but we're going to try to experience it fresh - and it will be fresh because it's been 5 years since we've been there, and we're returning with great friends who've never been there, and our daughter who's never been there.
Bryan's really excited because his favorite soccer team is paying John's favorite soccer team in London while we're there!! He's trying really hard to get tickets. We'll see... I hope he does - it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
We're a little nervous about how Eden will react to the 5-hour time difference. Our plan is to (1) have low expectations about what we'll get to do/how she'll react; (2) try to change her schedule, at least a little bit, so she's not partying all night long; but (3) listen to our baby above all - let her be our guide about what she needs. Having the flat will help, because we can return and rest whenever we need to, and hopefully we can mitigate the noise at night at least somewhat (we were planning to share a hotel room - ouch). We're also taking a backpack for her to ride in (so she can sleep). Anyone done this before? Tips?
In any event, I'm just excited for the sights, the smells, the people, the experience. And the break, honestly. It's been awhile since we've had a vacation vacation, and we're both really excited. Work has been pretty crazy this month, but that's another post for another day... Right now I just want to be excited about what's ahead... As Ellen N. would say, only 11 more "sleeps!"
We're returning... to London!!!
We leave a week from Friday on an overnight flight to London, with a layover in Iceland just long enough to see some stuff. I'm so excited! We're going with J&K, too... and J's brother and his wife and baby will meet us there.
We've rented a flat near Notting Hill, and for eight days we'll be walking streets we've walked before in another lifetime. (If you're only recently following my blog and never followed the old one (Warning: it's livejournal, and archives are impossible to navigate... one reason I switched... but you can click "Calendar" and find your way there), you might not know Bryan and I studied abroad in England in 2004... that's when I started blogging - five years ago. Crazy.) Anyway, it's going to be a trip down memory lane, but we're going to try to experience it fresh - and it will be fresh because it's been 5 years since we've been there, and we're returning with great friends who've never been there, and our daughter who's never been there.
Bryan's really excited because his favorite soccer team is paying John's favorite soccer team in London while we're there!! He's trying really hard to get tickets. We'll see... I hope he does - it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
We're a little nervous about how Eden will react to the 5-hour time difference. Our plan is to (1) have low expectations about what we'll get to do/how she'll react; (2) try to change her schedule, at least a little bit, so she's not partying all night long; but (3) listen to our baby above all - let her be our guide about what she needs. Having the flat will help, because we can return and rest whenever we need to, and hopefully we can mitigate the noise at night at least somewhat (we were planning to share a hotel room - ouch). We're also taking a backpack for her to ride in (so she can sleep). Anyone done this before? Tips?
In any event, I'm just excited for the sights, the smells, the people, the experience. And the break, honestly. It's been awhile since we've had a vacation vacation, and we're both really excited. Work has been pretty crazy this month, but that's another post for another day... Right now I just want to be excited about what's ahead... As Ellen N. would say, only 11 more "sleeps!"
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Double Digits!
Eden,
Double-digits are upon us once again. I remember clearly when you were double digit days old. And now we're in double-digit months!! Crazy! Just don't get to double digit years too soon, OK?
You're really becoming such a little person. Your personality is starting to shine through. You're incredibly social - especially with babies, and especially with boys. Ever since Zek kissed you, you're in love with him. You see him in the church nursery and you crawl to him so fast you'd think he was Nino. And then if we don't stop you, you tackle him. And kiss him. You know what you want and you go for it. I like that about you. You are starting to get a little more skiddish around adults, though. If someone new starts talking to you, you lean in and cling to me or your Daddy. Eventually you warm up, though, if they keep trying. And soon you're talking up a storm.
You said your first real word this month. It started out because you were shaking your head a lot, and we kept saying "no" when you did it. Then we started telling you "no" when you'd start heading for a cord (to chew) or toward Nino's food (also, to chew). (When we told you no, you'd throw yourself onto the floor, face down, and cry. I have a feeling we're in for colossal tantrums in about a year or so - you're already acting like a toddler!) Eventually you put it together and now you can say "no" and shake your head. Usually you say it in context, but sometimes you just want to practice.
You've also learned "bye-bye"/"hi." You're not quite saying it yet, but you can wave like a pro. Sometimes you're a little late (like today when Daddy left and was down the stairs and out the door before you started waving at him) but you get so excited when someone waves back at you! Today I took you into the bathroom and let you wave at the baby in the mirror. It totally cracked you up!!
You're almost standing up by yourself. You just need a little confidence, and you'll be off. We're not rushing you though. :) You're an expert crawler, and you've got stairs down pat (well, going up anyway).
This month you really got into Angela, who watches you on Tuesdays. She is the only one you'll go to from me (except Daddy, sometimes). That makes me feel good - I know you're having fun with her while Daddy and I are at work.
Daddy taught you this month how to put the rings back on the stacker. He spent a loooong time on that one, very patiently showing you how to do it and lavishing you with praise when you did it. Now you'll put a ring on and look up and smile, as if to say, "Hey! Look at what I did! Yay!"
Finally, this month we cut back on nursing significantly. We're still nursing first thing in the morning, but that's it. It was a very easy transition for you, and physically it was fine for me, but it was a hard thing for me emotionally. I loved having that connection, and that feeling of knowing I'm the one who provides so much of your nutrition. But it was getting to be a lot of work for little output, and we were supplementing with formula already anyway. I'm glad we're still nursing in the mornings, because it's a great time for us to snuggle and connect in our special way, but I think that it won't be long until that nursing session is replaced as well. I wish we could've kept going for another couple of months, but I'm glad we got off to such a great start, and you're so healthy and happy in part because of that.
Beautiful Girl, I love you more that you know. Keep growing, but not too fast. Keep surprising us like you do. And keep being your sweet, loving, adorable self.
Love,
Mommy
Double-digits are upon us once again. I remember clearly when you were double digit days old. And now we're in double-digit months!! Crazy! Just don't get to double digit years too soon, OK?
You're really becoming such a little person. Your personality is starting to shine through. You're incredibly social - especially with babies, and especially with boys. Ever since Zek kissed you, you're in love with him. You see him in the church nursery and you crawl to him so fast you'd think he was Nino. And then if we don't stop you, you tackle him. And kiss him. You know what you want and you go for it. I like that about you. You are starting to get a little more skiddish around adults, though. If someone new starts talking to you, you lean in and cling to me or your Daddy. Eventually you warm up, though, if they keep trying. And soon you're talking up a storm.
You said your first real word this month. It started out because you were shaking your head a lot, and we kept saying "no" when you did it. Then we started telling you "no" when you'd start heading for a cord (to chew) or toward Nino's food (also, to chew). (When we told you no, you'd throw yourself onto the floor, face down, and cry. I have a feeling we're in for colossal tantrums in about a year or so - you're already acting like a toddler!) Eventually you put it together and now you can say "no" and shake your head. Usually you say it in context, but sometimes you just want to practice.
You've also learned "bye-bye"/"hi." You're not quite saying it yet, but you can wave like a pro. Sometimes you're a little late (like today when Daddy left and was down the stairs and out the door before you started waving at him) but you get so excited when someone waves back at you! Today I took you into the bathroom and let you wave at the baby in the mirror. It totally cracked you up!!
You're almost standing up by yourself. You just need a little confidence, and you'll be off. We're not rushing you though. :) You're an expert crawler, and you've got stairs down pat (well, going up anyway).
This month you really got into Angela, who watches you on Tuesdays. She is the only one you'll go to from me (except Daddy, sometimes). That makes me feel good - I know you're having fun with her while Daddy and I are at work.
Daddy taught you this month how to put the rings back on the stacker. He spent a loooong time on that one, very patiently showing you how to do it and lavishing you with praise when you did it. Now you'll put a ring on and look up and smile, as if to say, "Hey! Look at what I did! Yay!"
Finally, this month we cut back on nursing significantly. We're still nursing first thing in the morning, but that's it. It was a very easy transition for you, and physically it was fine for me, but it was a hard thing for me emotionally. I loved having that connection, and that feeling of knowing I'm the one who provides so much of your nutrition. But it was getting to be a lot of work for little output, and we were supplementing with formula already anyway. I'm glad we're still nursing in the mornings, because it's a great time for us to snuggle and connect in our special way, but I think that it won't be long until that nursing session is replaced as well. I wish we could've kept going for another couple of months, but I'm glad we got off to such a great start, and you're so healthy and happy in part because of that.
Beautiful Girl, I love you more that you know. Keep growing, but not too fast. Keep surprising us like you do. And keep being your sweet, loving, adorable self.
Love,
Mommy
First Word
"No."
She crawls to Nino's food bowl, turns to look at Bryan, shakes her head, and says "No." And crawls away. That's my girl!!
I know one day that word will be used for evil, but I'm so proud of her I don't care. :)
Eden's first Easter
Today was Miss Eden's first Easter!
First of all there was the obligatory new Easter dress. Daddy had to leave early to get to the church to help set up so Eden and I were on our own. She was a little clingy this morning and would NOT let me get a good picture before we left. Here's our little princess:
First of all there was the obligatory new Easter dress. Daddy had to leave early to get to the church to help set up so Eden and I were on our own. She was a little clingy this morning and would NOT let me get a good picture before we left. Here's our little princess:
We headed to church, and enjoyed an excellent Easter message by Curtis (download here - go to Worship Gatherings / Sermons) about hope - and how in our world today, hope has a connotation of uncertainty (we hope because we're not sure). But Biblical Hope, true Hope, is sure Hope. We Hope in Christ because we know He has saved us. I am really not doing it justice, but it was a really good sermon - it's still sinking into my brain. After the sermon the band totally rocked "My Redeemer Lives." It was really funky and everyone got really excited - I think Jesus must have loved it.
After church we went to J&K's for a late Easter lunch, complete with honey glazed ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a summery salad. Eden hung out with John while Kel and I cooked (Bryan joined us after the second service). She was in a much better mood so she let Kel take her picture:
After lunch we all went our separate ways (E and I to our place, Bryan to the evening church service, and J&K obviously stayed home), and Eden and I took a two and a half hour nap! I dreamed about flying on a beach chair. It was one of those afternoon-nap-on-the-couch-type dreams... weird. I need Ruthless to interpret for me.
All in all it was a great Easter - complete with beautiful baby, great friends, and a celebration of our risen King!
All in all it was a great Easter - complete with beautiful baby, great friends, and a celebration of our risen King!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Night Waking Agreement
Sunday night Eden woke up every 45 min - 1 hour crying, and wouldn't go back to sleep unless we got up and found her pacifier (yeah, we're going to have to work on that one). Monday night I was up really late drafting an Option agreement, and that night I dreamed about drafting an agreement between Bryan and I about who would get up with her at night. Last night I was up late doing due diligence review of contracts and I dreamed it again. Obviously it won't let me go until I type it out, so for your enjoyment (yes, I realize this is incredibly sad, on so many levels... hopefully it's at least somewhat entertaining for my legally-minded friends):
This Night Waking Agreement (this "Agreement"), signed this 2nd day of April, 2009 (the "Effective Date""), by and between Bryan ("Father") and Katie ("Mother):
WHEREAS, Father and Mother are parents of that certain infant born June 15, 2008 and named Eden Elizabeth ("Baby");
WHEREAS, Baby occasionally wakes between the hours of 10:00 pm EST and 7:00 am EST (each instance a "Waking") and needs either Father or Mother to either help her back to sleep or bring her to breakfast;
WHEREAS, Father and Mother desire to memorialize their agreement as to which one of them shall deal with Baby in the event of a Waking;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term. This Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall continue thereafter until the earlier of (i) June 15, 2026; (ii) the date upon which Baby discontinues living with Father and Mother; or (iii) the date upon which Baby learns to self-soothe.
2. Alternation of Responsibility. Father and Mother shall each take a turn dealing with Baby in the event of a Waking. The party responsible for dealing with the Baby shall alternate with each Waking. Thus, for example, if Father deals with Baby at a 3:00 am Waking, then Mother shall deal with Baby at a 6:30 am Waking.
3. Feeding. In no event shall Father be required to feed baby upon a Waking, unless and until Baby is weaned.
4. Breakfast. Upon a Waking after 6:00 am EST, the responsible party shall get Baby up for breakfast.
5. Amendments. Temporary deviations from this Agreement shall only be allowed by mutual agreement of Father and Mother. The parties agree to negotiate in good faith when one or the other is ill or extremely tired.
6. Breach. The remedy for breach of this Agreement shall be (i) nagging rights; and (ii) for each such breach, the breaching party may be required to take an extra turn dealing with Baby in the event of the next Waking.
7. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
[SIGNATURES]
NIGHT WAKING AGREEMENT
This Night Waking Agreement (this "Agreement"), signed this 2nd day of April, 2009 (the "Effective Date""), by and between Bryan ("Father") and Katie ("Mother):
WHEREAS, Father and Mother are parents of that certain infant born June 15, 2008 and named Eden Elizabeth ("Baby");
WHEREAS, Baby occasionally wakes between the hours of 10:00 pm EST and 7:00 am EST (each instance a "Waking") and needs either Father or Mother to either help her back to sleep or bring her to breakfast;
WHEREAS, Father and Mother desire to memorialize their agreement as to which one of them shall deal with Baby in the event of a Waking;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Term. This Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall continue thereafter until the earlier of (i) June 15, 2026; (ii) the date upon which Baby discontinues living with Father and Mother; or (iii) the date upon which Baby learns to self-soothe.
2. Alternation of Responsibility. Father and Mother shall each take a turn dealing with Baby in the event of a Waking. The party responsible for dealing with the Baby shall alternate with each Waking. Thus, for example, if Father deals with Baby at a 3:00 am Waking, then Mother shall deal with Baby at a 6:30 am Waking.
3. Feeding. In no event shall Father be required to feed baby upon a Waking, unless and until Baby is weaned.
4. Breakfast. Upon a Waking after 6:00 am EST, the responsible party shall get Baby up for breakfast.
5. Amendments. Temporary deviations from this Agreement shall only be allowed by mutual agreement of Father and Mother. The parties agree to negotiate in good faith when one or the other is ill or extremely tired.
6. Breach. The remedy for breach of this Agreement shall be (i) nagging rights; and (ii) for each such breach, the breaching party may be required to take an extra turn dealing with Baby in the event of the next Waking.
7. Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
[SIGNATURES]
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Shopping with the girls
Kel and I took Eden to the mall today. And in Baby Gap, Kel found some awesome baby sunglasses. We decided to try them on (sorry about the poor quality - it's a phone picture):
Didn't buy the glasses, but I'm totally having non-buyer's remorse because she loved them so much.
Didn't buy the glasses, but I'm totally having non-buyer's remorse because she loved them so much.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Weekends Rock
Today was a good day. My life is awesome. Here's a glimpse into my typical Sunday.
7:00 am. We woke up after sleeping all night (YAY!). Bryan had to leave right away (he took the bus to the church) but Eden and I cuddled and nursed for a little while. Then the two of us got gussied up and (8:00) Eden had breakfast (Cheerios, yogurt and fruit).
8:50 am. Eden and I headed to church. Eden was tired (church is during her naptime) so she let me cuddle her for a little while, and I got lost remembering when she was tiny and would just sleep through the service in my arms. (I wasn't helped in this sentimental reverie by the three week old baby in front of us...) She was a trooper and stayed awake, so she ended up in the nursery, playing with her baby friends (and getting a yummy snack of peach-flavored stars!!), while Bryan and I enjoyed the service.
10:50 am. After church the girls went back home (Bryan had to stay for the second service, as usual). Eden fell asleep in the car (sans pacifier! We're working on slowly weaning her from it, so she only gets it when she has trouble going to sleep, and only at home) and then was so passed out she didn't even wake up when I put her in bed. Check it out - she's sleeping on her back, and she never sleeps on her back!
12:15 pm. Eden woke up and ate lunch (oatmeal and applesauce), and finished nursing just as Daddy was coming home. Then all three of us headed to Russo's for the first time. We'd been hearing about this place for what seems like forever, and we kept wanting to go but we just hadn't made it there yet. I am pretty sure trips to this place will become commonplace in our house. It is an amazing produce market.
2:45 pm. When we came home I decided to let Eden try the stairs solo. And guess what? She's amazing.
After that feat of awesomeness, we all played on the floor in the living room while Bryan and I watched OSU attempt to upset Pitt (and eventually, unfortunately, fail).
3:30 pm. Eden had a snack of strawberries (from Russo's, of course) and a cup of water. No sippy lid. She was doing so great, but every time I tried to video her, she would spill the entire cup on her tray. So no video of that. Sorry. But here is a picture I took with my phone (OK, so this picture is from dinner, but whatever...):
3:45 pm. Anyway, after her snack, we played a bit more, she had some milk, and then Bryan left, (4:15 pm) Eden took a nap, and I attempted to rest. Unfortunately it took me about an hour to finally fall asleep, and once I did, Eden woke up literally ten minutes later. But she was all smiles, so it was OK!
5:30 pm. We played like crazy for an hour or so, and then settled in for her dinner (beef, pasta, and veggies). After that, at little more playing, and then (7:40 pm) a relaxing nursing session, and (8:00 pm) glorious sleep (for Eden) while I waited for Bryan to get home from work. And blogged.
I love weekends.
7:00 am. We woke up after sleeping all night (YAY!). Bryan had to leave right away (he took the bus to the church) but Eden and I cuddled and nursed for a little while. Then the two of us got gussied up and (8:00) Eden had breakfast (Cheerios, yogurt and fruit).
8:50 am. Eden and I headed to church. Eden was tired (church is during her naptime) so she let me cuddle her for a little while, and I got lost remembering when she was tiny and would just sleep through the service in my arms. (I wasn't helped in this sentimental reverie by the three week old baby in front of us...) She was a trooper and stayed awake, so she ended up in the nursery, playing with her baby friends (and getting a yummy snack of peach-flavored stars!!), while Bryan and I enjoyed the service.
10:50 am. After church the girls went back home (Bryan had to stay for the second service, as usual). Eden fell asleep in the car (sans pacifier! We're working on slowly weaning her from it, so she only gets it when she has trouble going to sleep, and only at home) and then was so passed out she didn't even wake up when I put her in bed. Check it out - she's sleeping on her back, and she never sleeps on her back!
12:15 pm. Eden woke up and ate lunch (oatmeal and applesauce), and finished nursing just as Daddy was coming home. Then all three of us headed to Russo's for the first time. We'd been hearing about this place for what seems like forever, and we kept wanting to go but we just hadn't made it there yet. I am pretty sure trips to this place will become commonplace in our house. It is an amazing produce market.
2:45 pm. When we came home I decided to let Eden try the stairs solo. And guess what? She's amazing.
After that feat of awesomeness, we all played on the floor in the living room while Bryan and I watched OSU attempt to upset Pitt (and eventually, unfortunately, fail).
3:30 pm. Eden had a snack of strawberries (from Russo's, of course) and a cup of water. No sippy lid. She was doing so great, but every time I tried to video her, she would spill the entire cup on her tray. So no video of that. Sorry. But here is a picture I took with my phone (OK, so this picture is from dinner, but whatever...):
3:45 pm. Anyway, after her snack, we played a bit more, she had some milk, and then Bryan left, (4:15 pm) Eden took a nap, and I attempted to rest. Unfortunately it took me about an hour to finally fall asleep, and once I did, Eden woke up literally ten minutes later. But she was all smiles, so it was OK!
5:30 pm. We played like crazy for an hour or so, and then settled in for her dinner (beef, pasta, and veggies). After that, at little more playing, and then (7:40 pm) a relaxing nursing session, and (8:00 pm) glorious sleep (for Eden) while I waited for Bryan to get home from work. And blogged.
I love weekends.
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