Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Daddy's Girl
I've been meaning to post these for awhile. Unfortunately, we weren't able to actually see his race due to the chilly fall temperatures, but we were both so proud.
Starting her fitting a bit early...
Starting her fitting a bit early...
There and Back Again
We are back!
It was a wonderful weekend in Memphis celebrating Kat and Justin's wedding with so many dear family and friends. Maggie behaved beautifully...slept through both car rides and through the entire ceremony and most of the reception! Having to feed her along the way made for a long trip...but we are all thankful that it will be our last drive to Memphis. (My parents close on their house up here on November 19!)
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and extremely meaningful. I was so proud to stand up for Kat and Justin.
It was also a wonderful time to re-connect with family and friends, and to meet new ones. Of course, Maggie was the star of the show (second to the bride and groom), and we loved introducing her to everyone.
As usual, I did not even come close to taking enough pictures, but here are some highlights.
Congratulations, Kat and Justin!!
It was a wonderful weekend in Memphis celebrating Kat and Justin's wedding with so many dear family and friends. Maggie behaved beautifully...slept through both car rides and through the entire ceremony and most of the reception! Having to feed her along the way made for a long trip...but we are all thankful that it will be our last drive to Memphis. (My parents close on their house up here on November 19!)
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and extremely meaningful. I was so proud to stand up for Kat and Justin.
It was also a wonderful time to re-connect with family and friends, and to meet new ones. Of course, Maggie was the star of the show (second to the bride and groom), and we loved introducing her to everyone.
As usual, I did not even come close to taking enough pictures, but here are some highlights.
Congratulations, Kat and Justin!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Plugging along
Chicago is one of the most boring, uninteresting trips you could ever
make. Evidence #1: The fact that the cross in Effingham is one of the
major landmarks on the trip. Not a city. Because there aren't any. As
you can see, the weather today is adding a lot to the drive.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Something's Gotta Give
I went to the gym this weekend for the first time in...well...I asked the lady at the desk just because I couldn't remember. Unfortunately, she felt the need to lie, either out of disbelief, or just to try to make me feel better, because I definitely didn't go anywhere near the gym on August 18. Maybe she meant April 18? Regardless, it's been a VERY long time.
As I pondered this lapse in exercise on my way over there, I found myself wondering how that much time could go by. Where did the last 10 MONTHS of my life go? The unfortunate conclusion (other than exhaustion from the pregnancy) was my job. And my next thought was, "It's not worth it." As much as I like and have fun with what I do, what sacrifice does that come at, and are there things being sacrificed that are more important to me?
My boss (and dear friend) asked me before I left what I was most looking forward to in this new stage of life. One of the things I told her was that I was looking forward to re-prioritizing the things that matter to me.
Ironically, as I was thinking about these things I also started to think about the fact that Maggie was a month old. Where did the last 4 WEEKS of my life go? The amazing conclusion was my baby. And my next thought was, "It's SO worth it."
This post is not to say that I am anti-work or anti-moms-working or even that I won't work. There is definitely a balance. It was just nice to gain some perspective on life. I can't do everything, and at the end of the day, my time with my husband and child and serving and loving them is the most important to me.
I could design something for the most prestigious publication or make the coolest website or create the most unbelievable logo...but really, my daughter is the best thing that I've ever made...and she makes all of those pale quite dramatically in comparison. Makes my job as a Mom seem much, much grander than my job as a Designer any day of the week.
As I pondered this lapse in exercise on my way over there, I found myself wondering how that much time could go by. Where did the last 10 MONTHS of my life go? The unfortunate conclusion (other than exhaustion from the pregnancy) was my job. And my next thought was, "It's not worth it." As much as I like and have fun with what I do, what sacrifice does that come at, and are there things being sacrificed that are more important to me?
My boss (and dear friend) asked me before I left what I was most looking forward to in this new stage of life. One of the things I told her was that I was looking forward to re-prioritizing the things that matter to me.
Ironically, as I was thinking about these things I also started to think about the fact that Maggie was a month old. Where did the last 4 WEEKS of my life go? The amazing conclusion was my baby. And my next thought was, "It's SO worth it."
This post is not to say that I am anti-work or anti-moms-working or even that I won't work. There is definitely a balance. It was just nice to gain some perspective on life. I can't do everything, and at the end of the day, my time with my husband and child and serving and loving them is the most important to me.
I could design something for the most prestigious publication or make the coolest website or create the most unbelievable logo...but really, my daughter is the best thing that I've ever made...and she makes all of those pale quite dramatically in comparison. Makes my job as a Mom seem much, much grander than my job as a Designer any day of the week.
One Month
In a lot of ways it actually feels longer...Maggie just fits into our lives beautifully (well, with the exception of the 2 am...3 am...4 am part). Gary continues to be a fantastic Dad and husband, and I continue to learn to adjust to my new life at home (and on the couch). We love watching her develop physically, as well as her little personality. We are, in a word, smitten.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
In the Kitchen with Maggie
Due to a couple of overripe bananas as well as an overdose of Food Network, I decided to re-enter the kitchen yesterday.
This break from the couch was brought to you by HotSling. Convenient, yet I can't say that she really loves it (like I hear a lot of babies do)...may need to find another being mobile around the house solution.
This is a trick I learned from a friendship bread recipe a few years ago...after spraying/greasing the pan, sprinkle sugar on the bottom and edges, and then again across the top of the batter once you pour it in. It makes the edges of any sweet bread extra crispy and sweet!
She has been increasingly alert between feedings recently. Now...just need to focus that alertness to the daytime!
This break from the couch was brought to you by HotSling. Convenient, yet I can't say that she really loves it (like I hear a lot of babies do)...may need to find another being mobile around the house solution.
This is a trick I learned from a friendship bread recipe a few years ago...after spraying/greasing the pan, sprinkle sugar on the bottom and edges, and then again across the top of the batter once you pour it in. It makes the edges of any sweet bread extra crispy and sweet!
She has been increasingly alert between feedings recently. Now...just need to focus that alertness to the daytime!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Day in Pictures
It's a good thing she's so cute...because even when she stays awake for most of the night, how can you be mad at this face? Impossible.
And this was after she threw up down my shirt.
And this little incident followed the throw up.
I love this kid.
And this was after she threw up down my shirt.
And this little incident followed the throw up.
I love this kid.
Friday, October 2, 2009
October Day
A couple of weeks before Maggie was born we were driving back from Home Depot accompanied by the most beautiful sunset. I remarked how Wheaton has the most amazing sunsets. This was followed by a "you're joking, right?" look from Gary. But I wasn't joking. It's SO true. In fact, I remember practically running out of the dining hall with my roommate to climb up Blanchard tower to admire the view. I did a lot of strange things my freshman year of college. I think I thought of it as "sucking the marrow out of life." HA. Really, it was probably "how can I avoid studying?"
Another freshman year brainchild was October Day. Established by myself and one of my college girlfriends, October Day occurs on October 1. On October Day, you must go for a walk and have a picnic and do whatever other lovely fall things you would like. Yesterday was technically October Day, but it was a nasty, rainy fall day. However, in honor of the holiday, I thought I should post some pics of our walk from the night before.
What up, Holmes? Yeah...still working on finding clothes that fit...
Another freshman year brainchild was October Day. Established by myself and one of my college girlfriends, October Day occurs on October 1. On October Day, you must go for a walk and have a picnic and do whatever other lovely fall things you would like. Yesterday was technically October Day, but it was a nasty, rainy fall day. However, in honor of the holiday, I thought I should post some pics of our walk from the night before.
What up, Holmes? Yeah...still working on finding clothes that fit...
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Life Lately
Considering the past two weeks have been the best and most eventful of my life, I suppose it's a bit mortifying that I haven't posted AT ALL. I suppose this is in part because I'm still trying to find the balance between spending 8+ hours a day as a human milk bar on the couch and getting the rest of "life" done. But it is mostly due to the fact that I have a hard time putting life lately into words.
Saturday, September 19, at 3:35 in the morning Gary and I found ourselves holding the newest member of our family - Margaret Elizabeth. She is a tiny little peanut, weighing 6 lbs, 3 oz and 19.25 inches long. (This would be the 3rd percentile in weight, 33rd in height)
It's already hard to remember being pregnant and working full time downtown...my life has been turned completely upside down and I couldn't be more thrilled.
There are some days that being a mom/caring for a baby just seems to come natural, just flows into each day...and then there are moments that I look at her and think, "I have no idea what I'm doing! Where's the instruction manual? Why is she crying? How am I responsible for another life??" And then I look at her and completely forget whatever I was previously thinking about.
Just in case you were wondering, she's the spitting image of Dad.
Saturday, September 19, at 3:35 in the morning Gary and I found ourselves holding the newest member of our family - Margaret Elizabeth. She is a tiny little peanut, weighing 6 lbs, 3 oz and 19.25 inches long. (This would be the 3rd percentile in weight, 33rd in height)
It's already hard to remember being pregnant and working full time downtown...my life has been turned completely upside down and I couldn't be more thrilled.
There are some days that being a mom/caring for a baby just seems to come natural, just flows into each day...and then there are moments that I look at her and think, "I have no idea what I'm doing! Where's the instruction manual? Why is she crying? How am I responsible for another life??" And then I look at her and completely forget whatever I was previously thinking about.
Just in case you were wondering, she's the spitting image of Dad.
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