What is the quickest way to lose your mind?

Trying to get your house super clean and organized for this...

while your husband makes your bathroom look like this.

Good thing he is so cute when he looks like this...

Annabelle is calling her Nana to say "Come get me outta this crazy house!"

We'll put up some pictures of the finished project soon!

To my dad...

We want to wish you the happiest of birthdays on your special day. We are all so blessed to have you...with your corny jokes, your willingness to help with anything anytime, and the way you love all of us. Our family is only what it is because of you. You are the standard which all men are measured by in my life. You are much more than just a father-in-law to Jesse - you are his friend. You are the most wonderful Grandad to Annabelle - the two of you are going to have so much fun in the years to come.

We love you so much! Happy Birthday, Dad!

Nine Months...

Is it possible that this sweet baby has been living in our house now longer than she lived in me? While we have had her for such a short time, I feel like I have loved her forever.

Annabelle, you are nine months old today!

Here is what you have been up to lately...

- You are on the move every minute. You can disappear from a room in seconds. We can hold you and walk around forever, but you don't want to sit and snuggle unless you have a bottle. I had no idea that would happen so quickly. You want to explore (put in your mouth) everything you can get your hands on these days.

- You laugh all of the time. When you get really excited it comes out as an adorable open-mouthed pant, usually followed by a screech. Things that make you really excited each day: daddy coming home, your dolls and stuffed animals, our dogs, mama picking you up, yogurt, remote controls, my car keys, and your bath tub.

- You think that you can walk. You cannot. I think you may learn the truth the hard way a number of times in the next several weeks. You are constantly letting go with both hands now - a little bit too brave for those wobbly little legs.

- We get you up each morning around 5:45 or 6 to get ready for the day. You go to sleep at 5:45 or 6 each evening because you can't keep your eyes open for one more second. You do not sleep much at daycare. Some nights you sleep all night, but most nights you need a little mama/daddy love around 4 am.

- You have been feeding yourself more often lately with more food making it into your mouth.

- You cried and reached for me today when I dropped you off. My heart broke.

- You have discovered cabinets and drawers. Fun for everyone! You also love to stand at the sliding door watching the dogs play outside.

- You have your 9 month appointment. tomorrow so we will find out how much you have grown!

- Almost every night as we get into bed, we find something of yours left there from our playtime and bath time...a shoe, your dolly, etc. I love that. It just delights me to find little signs after you are sleeping each night.

You have filled our home and our hearts...we love you to pieces.

Picture time.

I have been reluctant to blog this week, because I have not had much to say. Our every day routine has kept us very busy plus a cold/sinus thing for me and lots teething for Annabelle. Poor girl has been pretty miserable with not a single pearly white to show for it. She has been waking up crying several times each night.

My mom came to visit for several days which was a wonderful treat. She was such a good sport allowing us to have a dinner date one night and hanging out with us during our 4 hour power loss on Thursday night.

Just thought I would share some pictures before we start another Monday...

Catching up...

Life has thrown us a few curve balls over the past couple of weeks - nothing that we can't handle together, but just mentally and emotionally exhausting. Compared to all that is happening in the world around us right now, they seem like such minor problems. Still, we have spent this past week feeling a lot like this...
We were so ready for a few days at home together! We spent the first two days of the weekend inside because of the rain. For the first time in AGES, I actually feel completely caught up...house cleaned, laundry done, etc. We found some ways to stay busy though...
I did a little sewing while Annabelle napped on Saturday and ended up with two aprons that I think turned out beautifully! Only one problem...the toile on this one is upside down. By the time I realized my mistake, I was way too far into the project to go back.

We spent the day in our jammies and played with my new camera (a Christmas gift from my parents). It might take us a while to learn how to use all of the complex manual functions, but for now we are loving the quick shutter speed that allows us to capture this little sweet pea with no blurriness!

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day - the first in a long time! We took advantage of the sunshine and the state park minutes from our front door. This was Annabelle's first hiking trip, and she did great.

Taking a few steps with help from her daddy.

Mutual Adoration.

A girl needs a nap after all of the excitement.

To Remember...

There have been two moments today that I just want etched in my memory, so I thought that I should write them down while they are fresh.

- Annabelle and I have a routine when we get home in the afternoons. We come in the house, take off our coats, let the dogs out, change her diaper, and then we go snuggle & play on my bed so that we can get some good mama/daughter time. It has been a treasured few moments for me each day, but today was especially sweet. Annabelle just keep pushing her little head into my neck and gripping onto me like she just couldn't get enough.

- We were playing on the living room rug in the back of the house this afternoon when Jesse got home. As he walked in the door, he called out "hello, it's me" as usual. Annabelle froze, squealed with delight, and then started speed crawling towards the front of the house until she got to her daddy making the sweetest happy noises the entire way. Jesse was just beside himself with excitement. Our girl has been all about her daddy lately.

It has been such a treat to begin to have our affections returned. Nothing beats a sloppy, open-mouthed baby kiss!

A weather treat and some pictures!

We had a little snow here today to spice up the frigid temperatures! Schools closed here early today and we have tomorrow off as well. The only down side of this is an added day at the end of the school year. I have to admit, however, that the instant gratification of a snow day is totally worth it to me! I have piles (as in, you can't see our bathroom floor) of laundry to catch up on and a baby girl to play with - looks like it will be a wonderful and productive day off.

On a completely unrelated note - thank you all for the sweet comments to yesterday's post. I am always hesitant when my writing gets too personal, so I appreciate the response. It definitely encourages me to write more openly in the future!

Here are some pictures from our last couple of weeks...

Gabbie is wondering what is in this for her besides a few rogue cheerios every now and then. Really she is the sweetest dog ever - she just lays there and lets Annabelle climb all over her.

Playing in her kitchen - a fabulous Christmas present from Nana and Grandad.
She loves this toy and it doesn't fall over when she pulls on it.

Letting Daddy come in for a visit!

Trying to decide what other kind of mischief she can get into - little monkey!

Enjoying some green beans.

Getting some Mama love!

A new year.

This past year gave us a run for our money - first pregnancy, first (and hopefully only) c-section, first time being parents, first time learning to nurse a baby, first time taking care of an infant, first time going back to work as a mom, first time doing daycare. It was the year of new life and new experiences. It was my favorite year to date being that it resulted in our sweet pea.

The year was filled with love, laughter, joy, and precious memories...but it was not necessarily an easy year. It was hard in the way that was really so wonderful that you feel guilty saying it was hard.

I spent a good amount of time struggling under the crushing weight of anxiety around returning to work. I have never had my thoughts & emotions so consumed by one thing before. Still, with two months behind me, I cannot allow myself to think about it without tears. Yet, it is getting easier to let go of my "ideal" and grasp onto the path that I am on right now. It may not be my permanent path, but it is my current one and it is pretty wonderful too.

So, here is what I want for myself and my family in 2010. Actually, it is more than what I want...it is what I AM going to do.

I am going to find purpose and peace in being a working mom.

I am not going to spend the precious hours that I do have with my

daughter mourning that fact that I do not have more.

I am going to soak up every minute I have with my family.

I am going to spend more time investing in my friendships.

I am going to spend more time working on my "inside" and my spiritual life.

fgs

Jesse and I were talking last night about how this year is just going to be fun. How could it not be with our sweet Annabelle!

So, here is to 2010 - may it be a year of growth, fun & adventure!

Happy Birthday, Jesse!

Happy Birthday...

... to my best friend...

... to the man that makes me laugh harder than anyone else...

... to the sharer of my most precious memories and biggest dreams ...

... to the best daddy Annabelle could ever have...

... to an amazing husband...

We love you, Jesse!