Christmas Morning. Hat or no hat? Precious.

Merry Christmas!

CLAPPING

SOOOO EXCITING!!! Please ignore my lunacy....but I mean, she's clapping!

Drinking like a lady

This was at a really cute German-style restaurant at Goods in Kewanee. It's nice when your waitress has a baby about your age because they'll bring fun toys!

The Giggles

This just makes my day.

The Progression of Eating

Curiosity. Cheerios. Crankiness.

Yes yes, I know the exposure is different on some of them. But I thought you'd rather see them, than not because I am not a pro photographer. Pish posh.

Happy 10 Month Birthday Beauty

Carys being dramatic (a la Hamlet) in front of our first real Christmas tree. She is pulling herself up on everything lately!

Thankfulness

Hmmmm. What am I most thankful for? That's a tough one. So many wonderful things to choose from. But of course, due to the title and point of this blog...I would have to say Carys wins. It's crazy to think that she will be 1 year old in a little over 2 months. She has completely changed my life...and you know, sometimes you need something like that. Something so monumental can put things in perspective and show you more about yourself than you knew was possible.

So, if you know me, you know that I like to ask silly questions and asking them many times in a "Top 10" style, i.e. "What are your three favorite foods." So along those lines, here are my top 10 (of about 30 million..or as my 4 year old neighbor calls everything imaginable- 'google') things that Carys has brought into my life that I thankful for:

10. She has gotten me to relax...and stress out at the same time. You need both in life to get different things accomplished.
9. I am thankful for her smile and specifically the way she smiles at me when I go get her after a nap, and also the way she smiles at Mike when he comes in the door.
8. The way that strangers light up and turn goofy as they talk to her in a baby voice.
7. The way I get excited for poopy diapers, never thought that would happen.
6. How she just breaks my heart and melts me every time she cries.
5. The sound of "mama." And how that means ME! Nothing like it.
4. The utter joy it is to be with her each and every day.
3. Seeing the specific Sarah and Mike things in her. Amazing.
2. Just getting the honor and blessing of being her Mom.
1. This one has probably been the most pleasantly surprising thing I have found with having her: How she brings joy to my family and friends. All I want is for those I love to be happy and when I see them with her I see happiness. What a blessing. She is the biggest gift to me, but also a gift to others. Thank you Lord!

Oh and I'm also thankful for you!

Sweetness

So, tonight I took Carys with me to our 'Oliver' rehearsal. Let me set the stage for you: 50 kids ages 8-18 with any amount of energy ranging from passable to hysterical, a small cramped room, parents running around with clip boards, a kid (Alec) laying on the floor holding a paper town up to his bloody nose yelling 'I'm ooookay!,' a choreographer watching, berating and not fixing, a director who every 5 minutes would look over at me with wide, terrified eyes... Oh yes. In a word: pandemonium.

It'll get better..
But anyway- Carys was just a doll baby the whole night. She sat in her car seat for the first 15 minutes then one of the parents couldn't wait any longer and scooped her up. Every few minutes, as I was pounding the keys and trying not to focus on the cacophony of sound I was hearing, I would look over to see how she was. She went from lap to lap all with a smile. Whenever there were breaks, all the 8-11 year old girls would crowd around her (and the accomodating lap) as if she was going to read them a story. It was adorable to watch. Once in a while I would hear her cough or 'baba,' and it was everything I could do not to look over at her instanteously. It's strange to be need in two ways at the same time.

Then, as I was packing my multitude of things, this adorable 12 year old girl Kylie came up to me panting and said that I was the luckiest mom in the whole world. I smiled and just kept on kissing Carys and telling her that that girl was right. Heaven.

But the best part of the evening was actually on the way home. Carys was of course tired from entertaining everyone (ha) and was a bit finnicky. I reached back there and tried to rub her cheak. Well, she grabbed my hand with both her hands and squished it on to her face. All over. Her cheeks, her eyes, her nose, her mouth, both hands, and didn't let go. She quickly fell asleep and we stayed like that all the way home. And I realized, that if she coulnd't have all of me right there with her, at least the smell and touch of my hand would do.

Nnhh.

Halloween Pictures

Who me?
Carrot meet Zebra, Zebra say hi to Carrot.
Plowing over the boys already.
Daddy and Zebra outside waiting for Trick or Treators.
A thoughtful pause.

Chicken or Zebra?

Carys and I at the Botanical Gardens. She loved it.

I wrote this last blog at 9:30, not 7:30 like it says. And she has now moved on to mmmmmmeaaahhsss. Just want another MA!

Baaa bbmm ba bahh

So, Carys is always asleep for her morning nap right now. But not today. As I write this downstairs I am listening to her on the monitor (probably sitting up in her crib staring at her hands that she is trying to weave together) saying, "Baa ba ba baaaa ba ba, bmmmwaaabaa bbbbbbaa." Hilarious. I would love to know the kind of conversation she is having right now with herself.

"Ma....Ma"

The Big Day

Well, how long have I been waiting for his...hoping..dreaming...imaging. That my little girl would look at me and call me Mommy. Now, granted- she is doing all kinds of great babbling, lots of "na's and da's and ga's"...just no "ma's." Tuesday, October 14th. 12:29pm

It happened in the funniest of places. Carys was down for her nap and a good friend called to see if we wanted to meet at Steak and Shake for lunch..random, but it sounded good. The timing worked out perfectly, she woke up after I got my shower in, we packed up the car and were on our way. She was already doing a bit of babbling...which I like to call coversating. She and I talk all the time; I try to make sure I reciprocate with something verbal when she is doing this so she knows that I am there and I care about what she is 'saying.'

So we get there and of course it takes awhile to get a high chair all set up and enough cheerios to keep her occupied while I figure out which specific shake is calling me today. So we're talking while I give sideways glances to make sure she is ok and has enough to play with, all the while this table of older women keep looking over and smiling at her and our waiter just keep calling her all these funny pet names. I smile. So, Jen and I are talking about something, I don't know what, and I turned to look at her with a cheerio in my hand and, "Maa...Ma?"

I freeze. I completely stop moving and my jaw drops, I probably didn't breathe for a minute or two. My eyes start to tear up. I look at her in total awe and she just looks away like nothing even happened. I can't even get my thoughts together to respond or ask my friend if she just heard that too. I don't know if she knew what she was saying or had put the two together yet, but she waaaas looking at me when she said it. ALL I wanted was to push pause and the world would go away and it would just be me and my Beauty. I would love all over her, kiss all over, scream, jump, hug. But no..we were in Steak and Shake with all these people. Ugg. But it was still a beautiful beautiful moment.

But as hard as it is to imagine... I know it will happened again. And I absolutely can't wait.

Picture from our friend Jacob.

I love this face (mid crawl). I feel like she really takes in the world and is just pondering life.
Our friend Jacob caught this picture. Just your every day hug, but it just doesn't get better than that.
You should have heard the soundtrack to this picture. She just wouldn't stop giggling! Loved it.
Carys and I on her first train ride (besides the L in Chicago) at the Wildlife Prairie Park. Very fun...until she ate a big honking chunk of our ticket and I was worriedly scraping the inside of her mouth for dissolving think blue chunks of paper. Lovely.
I love this picture. It is so us. Just enthralled and focused on her. How lucky we are that she looks back at us with that face too. So blessed.

Chicago Weekend

Bethany and Job feeding Carys oranges- she loves them. My love Elisabeth and I. The girls at Jenny's birthday.





Here are pictures from our quick trip to Chicago to pick up our D.C. friend Jacob. He took all these great pictures (thanks!). More pictures to come!

Happy 8 months Beauty.

There she is. My little girl. Not so little any more. She is doing SUCH big girl things. It is SOOO exciting. Every day there is something new. She's been able to crawl since Thursday, Sept. 18th at 4:30pm. Strange, I know, that I would have it documented that precisely, but I have been waiting and waiting for this momentous occasion! At first she would straighten her legs and do a modified 'downward dog.' That lasted a few days. Then fiiiinally her little knobby knees started to bend into something of a 90 degree angle. But not at the same time. It was usually her left leg/knee, and then her right would go out to the side of her body, making me jealous of her innate flexibility that she did NOT get from me.

Then she made it to all fours. And this was just so cute! It was like someone had placed her there in that position; she was as surprised as I was. Then- rocking. Which was hilarious. Back and forth and back and forth she would rock, as if she was getting up all the inertia in her body to propel herself forward. I loved it.

Then. Thursday. We were hanging out in the 'piano' room on her beloved pink 'Illinois stitch' quilt (from Joan Armstrong, thank you Joan) and it happened. Her little adorable knee moved. 1/4 of an inch...but it moved! More trepidatious wobbling and rocking, but then the other knee. AMAZING. My little girl, that I held just minutes after being born was now moving on her own. Absolutely incredible. I am just in awe of what our bodies can do. Innately. That's the amazing thing. As ridiculous as it, I'm sure, would look- the all the crawling, wobbling, imitating a bear thundering through the woods, all of that would never do much good for her. She had to figure it out on her own. And I sat there, biting my nails (figuratively) excitedly cheering her on to greatness.

And this is just the beginning. I love you Beauty.

P.S. In her 8 month picture we made her crawl to the pumpkin, but never expected her to pick it up for the picture. She now seems to pose for pictures- it's great. We'll be yelling, "Beauty..Carys..here Beauty..Carys, look over here...hey Bug Bug...Beeeeauty," all the while she be intently studying something with a furrowed brow, then at the last second she will look directly at the camera and smile. Precious.

7 month birthday picutre.

Here is Carys' 7 month picture. Her first reeeeal month of sitting up unsupported. Such a big girl!!!

Thoughts on my birthday

Well, I've got a lot of them. I don't know why, but I have been thinking alot about my birthday this week.  Up until yesterday I didn't want to be reminded- 27 sounds so... well, not old, but mature, adultish, reeealll.  But last night whilst doing the dishes I just kept thinking about how many great things have happened in my life and how I am looking forward to what this year brings.  I decided I want to look at my birthday like people do New Year's Eve.  I want to make resolutions on how to be better, feel better, be better towards others in 'the year of '27'.  

I have so much to be thankful for (yes, Meg I know that I just ended in a preposition).  My family and friends have to be first- I am surrounded by the most amazing people.  I miss everyone that is not near, but smile when I think of them.  Again, while doing the dishes I remembered how my parents always made my birthday special.  Always.  My mom would ask which kind of cake I wanted (many times confetti cake with pink frosting) and dinner (when we were in Tomahawk, WI at the lake for my birthdays I remember asking for Chicken Tetrazini in my  old carnivore days).  My mom would hang the Happy Birthday sign (that we just used for Robin, Johnny's girlfriend- I liked that) somewhere noticable all day long so you felt like the entire day was yours and the attention was on you...and come on, sometimes that's nice, at least in the safety of your own home.  Then at night we would have dinner and amazing cake, and then presents accompanied by lots of pictures.  Then at 10:29pm on the dot, my family would sing  'Happy Birthday' to me.  That was what made it really special.  Them being there, celebrating with me was fantastic- but the fact that minute on that day was mine felt really special.   And now that I am my very own awe-inspiring daughter who was born January 30th, 2008 at 5:16pm, I just know how amazingly special it is to help welcome someone in the world and all the joy that it entails.  

So thanks Mom.

 My 26th year of life was very rich.  I wouldn't say easy, but rich.   Alot happened; when I think about it all it makes my head spin.  Three moves in 10 months and then a beautiful baby girl.  Also, not working outside of the home for this past year has added to the 'change' aspect in my life.  Still trying to figure that one out.  So.  As much as I gained insight, perspective, more flexibility, and darling girl in this past 26th year, I would say that I am happy it is done and I can look forward to the 27th.  If this past year was any indication of my life to come, honestly, I have no idea what is in store.  But I am excited.  And I need to remind myself of that daily.  Mike and I went to a wedding once (and I am sorry to say that I can't remember whose it was) where the pastor was talking about the challenging of marriage (true, true) and at the end of the a long lists of differences in men and women looked earnestly at the couple and said, "But remember, you get to do this."  I get to do this.  I get to be a Mom and a wife and a daughter and a sister and a friend and a granddaughter and an in-law and neighbor and most importantly a child of God.  Because without Him I am nothing.  And honestly, without Him I don't think we can be truly grateful for what we have, because it is all from Him.

So, with the lines on my face and bills we have to pay and all the other minor frustrations that come with being a 27 year-old adult, I say.... bring it on!

(Thank you to everyone reading this for making my life so wonderful.  I love you.) 

First steps in the water...

Pictures from vacation to Hilton Head, SC: 

 Carys' first time in the ocean and water for that matter..

Testing the waters..

Carys' first steps in the ocean!  It was the most adorable thing to see her meet the big seas.  She really clung to us as we moved closer to the roaring waters and when we set her down in the sand, she kept picking up her feet.  But the more times we do it, the better it gets.   She even fell asleep in our arms as we were standing waist-high in the water.  Our little fish.  

More on our Hilton Head trip to come!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE JOHN!

New Carys Updates

Hi all!  I realized I have not shared much about what has been going on with us- especially Carys.  It's been a crazy time and through it all Carys continues to get more amazing, more curious, more adorable, more hungry and is doing all kinds of new things.  So I thought I would organize my thoughts and memories here:

• Sleeping through the night:  For the past 2-3 weeks, I would say that she has slept through the night 70% of the time.  I don't really know what to expect quite yet, but I am thankful for the nights that I get to sleep all the through, but also for the special quiet times where we get to hang out and she eats in the peace of the night.
• SOLIDS:  We decided to start on her 5 month birthday.  For two reasons: 1. She was showing all the signs of being ready- showing interest in my food, pawing at food, being more hungry, etc. 2. I just wanted to be able to remember the date that she started solids easily.  :)  Lazy butt am I.  Solids have been hilarious!  We have taken some hilarious videos, but I just don't seem to have the time to upload them to youtube and then here.  If anyone has a faster suggestions- let me know.     Rice cereal was first and that went really well. ~She's had three days of carrots so far (today was almost a whole jar!!).~ I think we are supposed to start a fruit tomorrow, if anyone has any suggestions on any of this-let me know. ~And yes if you are wondering- her poop is getting alot more dense, smelly and interesting.  I love it!
  
• Giggles.  They are amazing.  The sweetest sound in the entire world.  Mike is actually better at getting them out of her.  And while at times I am jealous, I am also really glad.  They have a special relationship, just like she and I have- just different.  I am so happy that my baby's Dad can light up her world like that.  Again.  I have a video- just got to get it up there!!
• Turning over.  It's so awesome.  The first few times she did it (from her stomach to her back) her eyes got soooo big.  But now I think she likes it.  It's so fun.  It's amazing how ELATED I get when she does these seemingly small things.  I couldn't cheer louder.  
• Turning 360 degrees.  I try to have her on her stomach alot now- for the turning over and moving.  The first time it happened she was on her stomach and I was doing something in the room, can't remember, then all of a sudden I noticed that her head was facing 90 degrees to the left.  And she kept slowly inching around until she was back to the beginning.  Incredible.
• Just can't stop loving her to pieces!!!

Now all these things didn't just happen in a week or anything, but time is starting to speed up and blur.  So I need to write it all down!

Well, time to wake her up and go to Erin's Ethiopian dinner.  Yum!  

4th

Happy 4th of July!!!

Frustrating!!!

I have been tryyyiing to put up more pictures of the past week or two- vacations, reunions, pool time, etc. but blogger won't let me upload any more.  I have tried a dozen times.  Any one have an suggestions??

Finished product

Mike decided to pull up a shrub that had spread for at least 4 x 10 ft. in our new backyard.  Little did he know how insanely stubborn the thing was; it took hours in the hot afternoon sun of pulling and digging and stabbing and grunting- but it finally came out!  This was the final product!  I was so proud of him.  

God bless the library

I LOVE the library!  I still keep all of my old library cards in my wallet.  This past year provides 3!  My favorite building it a toss up between libraries in LaSalle or Sunbury.  Sunbury had a such a setting with great windows, aaaaand it was across from my favorite (and only in that town) coffee shop.

Having a library card in my wallet gives me security.  Security that I know I can go somewhere safe, air conditioned, and Carys-friendly that will provide for me many different kinds of entertainment.  I love it.  It also is a place that personifies growth for me ( I just got a 'An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe' DVD of shorts)- you can really find information on whatever you feel like learning about.

Yep.  I like the library. 

just a good day

Today was a great day.  Nothing super extrordinary (except for getting to be with Carys), but everything just went 'right.'  Ya know?  Sometimes a day like that is so needed and so nice.  Everything went according to plan, it was nice weather, and I have to bruises to show for it.  Not always the case, especially now with a baby, but honestly- I don't think it could have been much nicer (aside from seeing all l the people I love and winning the lottery).  

I think it's good to be thankful for these kind of days...I know I sure am.

p.s. Oh..Carys is starting to laugh now and it seriously kills me.  It sounds like the beginning to a cough, or ever the start of a cry/whine, but then it turns into these bubbly giggles that just make me want to freeze time.  AND she turned onto her back from her stomach 3 times, in front of my family no less.  My little performer!  

Carys is 4 months old!

Can't believe it!  Every day she just gets more amazing, adorable, special, hilarious, wonderful....