money

I want to talk about how awesome it is to be a stay-at-home mom. I love it. There is no other person I want to be around 24/7. I try to acknowledge all the special moments I get with my little artichoke. Like when we are fort building and she looks at me with amazement at our creation. Or when she runs at me, flapping her arms and screaming "MA MA MA!". Or when she fake laughs after hearing me crack up at Holly licking her face. Those moments I got today :) How could I not feel like the luckiest mommy ever?!

Ok, here comes the but. BUT, there are times when I seriously feel like I am not contributing enough to this household. Why do I feel like that when I am a huge part of keeping the roof on this house? Why do I feel like I need to be bringing in cash? Is it because I spend the money so I feel like I should be replenishing it with liquid money? I don't know. But I have been trying to find more consulting work because I feel like we need more money.

Instead of stressing I want to focus on a couple goals:

1. try to save more $$. I am not sure about making this happen since I am a terrible spender. I have tried to keep a budget, but I really, really bad at it. My first step will be to check out a budgeting website, then go from there. Can't have a budget unless you know where all your money is going, right?....

2. remembering everyday that a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job and then some. remembering that my husband works hard so I can take care of Lily. remembering that money can't buy me moments with my daughter.

P.S. Lily is still AWESOME, growing fast and is 18 months old tomorrow!!!

1 or 2 naps

Lily is down for a nap right now. She is almost 17 months old and we are at this "transition" time of going from 2 naps to 1. It seems like we are always at a state of "transition" with these little people! They grow and change SO fast! But anyway, I have been kinda stressed lately because Lily's nap schedule is changing and most of the time I don't know what to do. Should I keep her up and enforce a lunchish nap time? Should I play each day by ear and sometimes give her 2 naps? What happens when she wakes up at 5am do I still keep her up for a lunchish nap? Ugh. I ask myself and my husband these questions everyday now. Today, she is prolly going to take 1 nap. And she will most likely be super grumpy by 5pm. I just can't wait until she is on a "regular" nap schedge again. I am sure when that time comes it will be time for the paci to go away and we will be at another "transition" moment. Fun times.

On another note: LILY IS AWESOME.

As the Toddler Emerges

Lily is now 15 months old! She is growing so fast and changing everyday. It is really amazing how quickly she learns new things. Her resume now includes:

• ability to shake her bootie like a salsa dancer
• identify and vocalize several animal noises including horse, cow, dog, sheep, pig, monkey and elephant
• basic silverware dexterity
• excellent palate especially for snickerdoodle cookies
  
• awareness of personal hygiene needs (can tell us when she is poopie)
• proficient with a sippy
• blossoming organizational skills (we hope...she puts her toys away)

And we keep adding to the list! OK, I am starting to brag :) so onto the "opportunities"...
Lily can throw tantrums. As she matures and comes to understand the world around her, she is also learning to communicate her likes and dislikes. For example, Lily likes cookies. Lily dislikes when she cannot have cookies first thing in the morning. Lily likes exploring and running around. Lily dislikes being strapped down to a stroller or shopping cart for longer than 10 minutes. Lily likes the outdoors. Lily dislikes it when mommy doesn't let her eat dirt. So as the toddler emerges, Dave and I are faced with new challenges. But we are truly cherishing every experience. Lily is growing and learning....as are we.

Um, hello and the flu shot.

It has been such a long time but time and time again, I realize that I need to share these wonderful feelings and experiences with someone, anyone and hopefully Lily can read about how kick ass she was from the beginning too. I will try to be better about keeping this blog up to date. If not, you'll get a random post every six months or so...

Lily is almost 14 months old. She is walking and has eight teeth - well, almost. Those molars are peeking through but all the way out. Oh, and teething sucks big time. Lily is 95% happy except when she is teething or sick. Luckily, she hasn't been sick many times. I haven't taken Lily to get a flu shot or the H1N1 vaccine and you know what, I am not gonna do it. Let's just be honest here, I am kinda freaked out about all the shots these little people get. We are so fortunate that I get to stay home with Lily most of the time and when she isn't with me, she is with my parents. She isn't around a lot of other kids well, sick kids at least. So, I think I have decided not to go with the flu shot this year. I am not saying that if you got your kid the vaccine that you are a terrible parent, because everyone has their own unique kid and their own life. No judgement here. I am just owning our life, making a decision and moving on. So to Lily's pediatrician - No thanks on the flu shot and no thanks on H1N1.

She's already 4 months old!!

Our beautiful daughter, Lily Cynara, was born on September 18, 2008. She is now 16 weeks old :) Lily amazes us everyday. She has grown so much already and I am a little sad I didn't keep this blog up through her first few weeks with us. Lily smiles, laughs and is talking more each day. She is a pro at holding her head up and she likes to stand like a big girl (with support of course). She is a "better" sleeper now too - a straight 5-7 hours for her first round of sleep at night. Lily is also an expert drooler and has been very interested in her hands - she cannot keep them out of her mouth! Maybe those teeth will start popping out real soon...

As for being a first time mom, I am doing my best. I have a heightened level of anxiety when I take Lily places and I had A LOT of it when it came to nursing. I know that most of the time it is silly for me to be stressed, but I can't help it. I am trying though - to relax and enjoy every moment. The nursing thing has improved tremendously. I am so thankful for all my experiences so far because I am now a more patient and giving person. I cannot explain how much I love this little person.

Starting the day off right!

Today is going to be a good day! I actually feel well rested after last night. Yay! Lily was probably happy because my brother, TJ, played the guitar for her and she also got story time from mommy and daddy. I was in high spirits before bed because I got to see my other babies, Bo and Holly, run around at the dog park. Holly played fetch the entire time and pretty much ignored the presence of any other dog there. Bo apparently is "too mature" to run around with all the other adolescent dogs. It was still fun though.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's been a while...

Wow, a lot has happened! It has been a while since we posted but that has been because we have been SO busy! We are about 33 weeks along now and I am feeling like a big, huge prego lady. We have switched doctors and changed insurance since we moved back. Luckily, the change over was pretty smooth. Today we got another update on our little Artichoke and she is doing great. We had another ultrasound last Monday - Lily is about 4.5 pounds! Although I feel like I am gaining weight exponentially, the doctor said that my weight gain is normal. Dave says that Lily and I are perfect. :)

The third trimester, uh (for ME), pretty much sucks. I can't really do much and that, for me, is the worst part. I can't even really put my underwear on without a struggle. Also, I wake up now every 2 hours or so at night to pee or because I am so uncomfy. BUT, this is all for Lily and we have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy so I cannot be happier. It sounds selfish complaining about stuff, but really in my heart I am so thankful and happy. She's almost with us - 7 weeks to go!!

Gosh, did I mention that it is so good to be home!?