Mix and Match

Where does the time go?
I have had zero time for posting and reading my favorite blogs. I miss my bloggin' buddies.

Things are still hectic around here.

We are slowly but surely getting things unpacked and situated. Keith is going to work on putting up our bathroom cabinet this weekend. We have a pedistal sink, which looks nice, but not so nice for storage. Hence, the cabinet. I need to get our overwhelming pile of mail under control. I also need to go through Chloe's closet and box up the summer clothes and the items she has outgrown.

My MIL had back surgery on Tuesday. She is at home, recovering for the next 4 weeks. We are anxious to see her, so we are planning a trip on Sunday. We are praying for a quick, easy recovery for her. She isn't the type to sit around much, so the upcoming weeks are gonna be rough for her.

I have decided to get crafty. I'm going to attempt to paint a couple of canvases for Chloe's room. I'm also going to attempt to make a birthday present and a couple of Christmas presents. I'll show the finished products in a later post.

I'm also applying to be a breast milk donor. My friend, Beth, told me about this. She has donated her milk. I am in the middle of the application process right now. I really really really hope that I am able to do this. Breastmilk can be the difference between life and death in some cases.

I know that there are about 1,000 more things to post about.... another time. Right now, I am watching my daughter play and blow raspberries and I am just dying to join her.

Have a great weekend all!!!!

A few of my favorites....

These are a few of my latest favorite pictures of Chloe... taken over the last month or so....









Seems like I have only been taking pictures of Chloe, none of the house. Of course, that could be because we are still living out of boxes, after 3 weeks. I am completely slacking. But, with a daughter this sweet around, I just can't bring myself to work on unpacking all day.

I promise, pictures of the house to come.... I just won't promise when.

Birthday Girl

My dear friend Amanda is having a birthday today.

I've known Amanda for about 8 years now. (Is that right Amanda? Has it been that long already?!?!)
We met while working together at a salon. I'm so thankful that God had a plan for us to become co-workers, then friends, and fellow wives and mothers.

Amanda is in one word, fantastic.
Seriously.
I don't know what I would do without her. She is one of the most kind, compassionate and helpful people I know. She goes above and beyond the call of friendship. And, I don't even believe she even thinks twice about it. I am so thankful to be able to call her my friend.

Amanda, this post doesn't do you justice. I just wanted you to know that I love you and am honored to have you in my life.

I hope you have the best birthday ever!!!

Finally....

After almost two weeks, we finally have internet!

We are all moved into our new house. It is so nice. We are still living out of some boxes and have a lot of situating to do. I'm trying not to stress about it since I know that we aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The boxes will always be here, time with my family is more important.

And, as if moving weren't enough.. we had our first yard sale today. We needed to get rid of some things. We had a successful sale and only had to drop off a few bags at Goodwill afterwards.

I can't wait to catch up on everyone's blogs. I feel like I have been detached from the world. But, since I've been up since 5 am, tonight is not the night for blog reading.....

I just wanted you all to know that we are alive and well and have not been devored by boxes.

A Little Bit of Chaos

Such is my life right now.

If you know me, you might know that I DO NOT like chaos.
I prefer order.
Hard to have order when you live amongst boxes. Packed boxed, empty boxes.... boxes, boxes everywhere. Takes all I have to not let the boxes drive me insane. The good news is, we are planning on being in our new house next Saturday.

So, I just need to keep my sanity for one more week.

Then the madness that comes with unpacking......

Other news- Chloe had her 4 month checkup on Monday. She is growing like a lil weed. She's 25 3/4 inches long and weighs 15.5 lbs. I look at her and can't believe she isn't my little newborn anymore. People are not lying when they say it goes quickly. I'm afraid if I blink she will be crawling.

We have to pick out our appliances. We need a fridge and a gas range. I'm going back and forth on the fridge. At first, we wanted a side by side fridge. Now, with the economy the way it is, I wonder if we should get just a regular refridgerator because it would save us around $400-$500. Keith and I have to talk about it tonight. The economy scares me, but that is a whole other post.

I've been looking forward to this weekend forever. Keith is off on Monday for Columbus Day, so 3 day weekend for us!!! We'll be working for most of it, but it won't matter cause we'll all be together! And, my mom is coming down on Tuesday to see the house and to watch Chloe for me while I pack and get things done around the house. So excited to see her too!!!

I may not be around much this week, but once our internet is hooked up at the new house, next Monday, I will be back!!! I do hope to post some pics of the house this week though, so check back soon.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

One Year Ago......

It was one year ago, today, that our lives changed forever.

One year ago today that Keith and I learned we were going to be parents.

One year ago today that I rubbed my stomach for the first time, knowing there was a little life inside me.

One year ago today that I started praying for our baby.

One year ago today I never could have imagined the love that you feel for your children, or your husband after you share the birth of a child.

One year ago today I had no idea the many joys that parenthood brings.

One year ago today I had no idea that my whole life would be turned upside down in ways I never could have comprehended.

One year ago today I started dreaming about our baby's future.

One year ago today, our lives were changed forever... in the most wonderful way.

To Nap or Not to Nap

Ok, I have a confession.

So far, I have held Chloe for her morning and afternoon naps.

Every day I hold her.

I'm regretting that decision now.

At first, I did it because she would fall asleep in my arms and I would just love looking at her, watching her precious face as she slept. Then, I did it because she would wake up if I laid her down. She got a longer nap if I held her. Now, I know that this may have been a mistake.

I should have been putting her in her crib for naps. Crap.

We have a major habit to break now. I feel badly for her because she is going to have to make the change because of poor decision on my part.

So, yesterday I decided to put her in her crib when I would normally hold her. I laid her down in the morning. The crying started about 5 minutes later. I told myself to let her cry, eventually she would fall asleep. Well, she cried for 15 minutes. I went to check on her. She cried for 15 more. I went to check on her. She continued to cry. I got in the shower and she was whimpering when I got out. She finally fell asleep after 45 minutes of crying/whimpering.

She slept for 15 minutes.

The afternoon came. Time for another nap. I laid her down. She was silent for about 5 minutes. Then she "talked" to herself for 5 minutes. Then she started to cry. She cried for 15 minutes before she fell asleep.

She slept for 17 minutes.

It is so hard to listen to my child cry. I feel so badly, but I'm afraid that if I go in to get her, she will eventually learn that if she cries long enough, Mommy will come to me. Breaks my heart that she didn't get the sleep she needs yesterday. I know she was so exhausted last night. We started her bath about 15 minutes early because she was so tired.

How did all the Moms out there handle this? Did your child cry when you put them down for naps? Am I the only one who held them at first and then had to make this transition? If you went through this, how long before they started sleeping without so much fight?

Help! I need advice! I'm already dreading naptimes today.