November 14, 2015

Thoughts and Prayers for Paris

My heart just hurts for Paris and everyone affected. I look at Arwen's face and am reminded that the world does have some happiness left. These have really spoken to me in the last day:

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” - Gandhi

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:5-8


November 11, 2015

Grateful November - Day 11

November 11th, 2015
- I am so thankful for our Veterans and people currently in the Armed Forces. Looking at people posting pictures of their loved ones in the Army, Navy, Marines, etc. and they look so young (because they ARE young). It takes such a brave, courageous soul to fight for our freedom and rights. Thank you so much to everyone who fought and continues to fight for us. You are true heroes.

November 10, 2015

5 more days of Grateful November

Um, I have been grateful, I just haven't posted about it!

November 6th, 2015
- I am thankful for my first Goddaughter, Viktoria Noelle. It was her birthday and although I don't get to see her nearly as often as I would like, she deserves to know that she is so so loved by her Dommy. Love you VikVik!!

November 7th, 2015
- I am grateful for new friends. We got together with a few new friends that live down the road and it was great to get to know each other. Although I am not the best person at small talk, it was great to start to build a relationship.

November 8th, 2015
- I am thankful for falling leaves. Although at the time I may not have been, it was some great family time picking them up. Andrew was blowing the leaves and I was the compactor into the leaf bags while Arwen hung out in her stroller/Bumbo and Moose ran around in the fenced yard. Getting stuff done for the win!

November 9th, 2015
- I am grateful for best friends. Mine is wonderful and often knows what to say to soothe my soul. <3

November 10th, 2015
- I am grateful for the time to stop and slow down this morning. I was already running late when I left and a light turned on, so I pulled over and tried to figure out what it meant. Apparently, cars now have a light that alerts you that your tire has low pressure. Well, I had a flat, which meant I had to wait for AAA to come, but it gave me more time with Arwen and Andrew and for that, I am always grateful.


November 5, 2015

Arwen Mae - Five Months



I know, I know. I said last month was my favorite age, but this one is my new favorite. You are learning so much and SO much more interactive. Having a newborn is tough, but this age, this age is wonderful. 

You started daycare this month! And you love it. You absolutely love watching all the kids. Your teacher says if you are fussy, she can put you in a seat near all the other kids and you will be happy. The other kids adore you as well. Apparently they try to make you laugh and bring you toys. The other day, I went to pick you up and I just hear "Arwen's mommy is here!". It was so sweet to hear those words. I love being Arwen's mommy! 

Sleeping is going so much better this month. 4 month regression is real you guys. You go to sleep between 7pm-8pm and wake up between 6am-7am. You sleep in your crib and usually when we check on you before going to sleep ourselves, your arms are straight up over your head. Last night you were on your side with your arms laid out. 

In the past week you have rolled over from back to belly, found your feet, and you are almost rolling from belly to back. You'll probably do it for us this weekend. You can sit on your own for a bit, but after a while you get tired and topple. 

Always have to have something in your mouth. Allllmost rolling over.
You did it!! And were so excited since mommy and daddy were so excited!
You still love baths (though you are getting too big for your baby bathtub), being outside, and especially Moose. Moose comes over to smell you and lick your slimy hands, but if you try to grab her she runs away. I still hope that someday you two will be best buds. 

You had some other exciting firsts this month: you went to the beach for the first time and we dipped your toes in the Atlantic! It was a girls beach day where we went to visit Amma and Great Gram while they had a spot on the beach. 

We went to the zoo with Auntie Brandi, Auntie/Cousin Kaylee, Uncle/Cousin Ben, and Ariel. You weren't too interested in anything, but it was great to get out of the house and have fun with family. 
Had to take a picture with the anteater for daddy
You sat in your high chair for the first time! We'll be starting solid foods soon as you are very interested in anything we eat. You don't particularly like it, at least with me in the evenings, but I'm sure that will change once you start real food. 

And finally, you had your first Halloween!! You were technically a bear, but I also made you be little red riding hood with Moose being the big bad wolf. 


So many pictures, but I just want to remember this special time in our lives. You are truly such a happy baby and your smile is contagious. This fall and winter are going to be so fun!!

Grateful November Day 4 & 5

November 4th, 2015
- I am thankful for technology and the ability to talk to people without being right there. It is so nice to be able to hear someone's voice even when they are miles away. 

November 5th, 2015
- Sunshine is what made me especially happy today. It was so warm out and even though I had to walk Moose and Arwen this morning, messing up my routine (I'm a creature of habit, what can I say?), making me late for work, the sun and the fog were just so beautiful and made me realize that I had everything I needed right there. 

November 3, 2015

Grateful November - Day 3

November 3rd, 2015
- I am thankful for Andrew's sense of humor and how well he knows me. For the past few weeks, Andrew has been teasing me that he did something while I showered and it scared Moose. Those were the clues. He knew me and knew that a). I wouldn't let it go and b). that I wouldn't figure it out. Well, a few clues later (the neighbors can see, it is inside the house) and I figured it out!! He took down the old, broken shade that was slanted across our bay window! Lesson learned: I am not observant.

November 2, 2015

Grateful November - Day 1 & 2

As you all know probably know, American Thanksgiving (for those not American...) is at the end of this month. During this time we are supposed to give thanks (I know, such a creative wording for the holiday). Well, I've always seen these ideas where people post things they are grateful for each day and this year, I want to try it.

November 1st, 2015
- I am thankful for an easy pregnancy this past year because after birth was hard on me. Physically and emotionally and I just didn't prepare for that. It took many months to feel even remotely like myself. I thought I read everything and knew most of what it would be like, but you can't really prepare for it without being through it.

November 2nd, 2015
- I am grateful for daylight savings. I know there are many parents who are like WHAT?! I am grateful because I got to see Arwen before I left this morning (though apparently she was super grumpy for Andrew... sorry!) and she was so tired before bed and from me trying to keep her up a bit longer, that she cuddled and almost fell asleep in my arms again. 

Obviously there are more things I am thankful for today/yesterday, but these are the ones that stood out to me. So, what are you thankful for on this November day?