Swimming with Dolphins

This weekend was a blast!

After a Saturday morning spent at a clients' house, Nova spent the morning with Nana Kay. I imagine Nova got more attention then she new what to do with. Oh, who am I kidding, she loved every minute of it. I imagine mom fused over her every move and couldn't help herself as she tried to take a cuter picture than the last, even if they were only seconds apart. It is so wonderful to look upon my mother as she adores her little first grandchild.

I don't know what I thought being a mom was going to be like. Maybe I thought my life would end, that I would not be able to accomplish my long laundry list of "to do's." When I was pregnant, I was scared, but who wouldn't be? This was uncharted territory for me. Sure people have been doing this for centuries, but it was new to me! I haven't been around a lot of kids, my experience is limited. Now, I was gonna have one. What did I get myself into? What a statement. It was just fear talking, the inevitable unknown. When I was pregnant, people told me all sorts of stories, whether I wanted to hear them or not. After a while, I would smile and nod, soon I would have my own stories.

Now, she is 7 months old. How did that happen? I must have blinked. Over these past couple months, I have slowly discovered that it doesn't matter if the sheets get washed, or my house doesn't look perfect. I think my husband and I have comfortably moved into the roles of parents. We have to take it day by day, not everyday is the same. I want to be part of every breath she takes. She is needing more and more of my time as she grows and I am happy to give it to her, all of it.

Sat night at about 6pm, Nova and I went with the neighbor, Nicole and her 2 little girls, Mikayla and Taylor to the new Elk River YMCA. They have an awesome pool for the kids! The middle pool is for the children and it has a large pinwheel of water that cascades down to the children. There are sporadic bouts of water that bubble for the smaller kids to play in and the pool is surrounded by a bench that us dotting parents can sit on and catch them if they fall. The deepest part is about 3 feet and the ramp entrance gently guides you into the water.
Nova and I sat in about 5 inches of water, need the top of the pool. She was entranced! After about 1/2 hour of watching everyone, she let loose, splashing her arms and legs. I moved us to the deeper water, where I could sit on a bench and Nova had hit the big time. The paci fell from her mouth as she got the biggest grin on her face. Her legs couldn't touch bottom, but she was free.
After the pool, we all headed to DQ for a treat. I probably should have just gotten her her own ice cream. That little girl barely makes a peep, but when I couldn't shovel the ice cream in fast enough, she started to kick her little legs and fuss and grunt! It was hilarious! I have never seen her do anything like it. Apparently, she likes ice cream too!
The weekend was a hit and I can't wait to take her back to the pool. Next week she will be in California, swimming with the dolphins.

Blessed Moments

I apologize for the delay, it has been a couple days of pure craziness and unfortunately, I don't have a computer at home. With that said, I try to write on my breaks at work and sometimes, I just run out of time.

Let's begin with the trip to Fargo. It was a wonderful car ride with my hubby driving, Nonnie and my dad. Nova loved all of the attention that Nonnie gives her, she truly is a ham. We played, told stories and I barely noticed the 3 1/2 hour car ride at all. While the baby took a long deserved nap, it was off to my cousin's son's bday party. Dylan turned 1. His older brother Luke was more excited to open all those gifts than Dylan was. It was fun to watch them tear thru the paper excitedly to look at all the gifts. Luke would jump in the air in excitement with whatever his little brother got. It was wonderful to see my aunt Cheryl after probably 20 years. Uncle Dean was there as well, from Buffalo. It was nice to visit with them both, I definitely don't get to see enough of Dean. His job takes him all over the southern United States, so even though we only live about 20 miles away, he is rarely home. It was nice to get a chance to chat.

After the party, my brother Cole, mom CJ and I all went to the airport to pick up my sister Darcy. We pulled up just in time to see her smiling face come out of the terminal. Perfect Timing! We spent little time chatting, the baby was not with us, so we had to hurry back to get her. Darcy wasn't going to STAND being in the same place w/o that baby!

When we got back to Grandma's, everyone was starting to show up. My in-laws and sister-in-law had driven all the way from the cites to see the Blessed Event. It was wonderful to have everyone around and enjoying each other. We had dinner at Grandmas and then we had to get ready for my cousin's band, Cousin B. They were playing at Dempsey's, a downtown joint. It was so exciting! I had not been to Fargo since they had started to revive it. It seems that downtown has come alive and it was wonderful to see the nightlife. Cousin B is a band that is made up of all these guys that I went to high school with. In fact, when I walked in, it was like a high school reunion. It was awesome to see everyone! The band rocked and the company rocked too! We had planned on leaving around 11:30, but it never works out that way. We were having so much fun, we did not leave until 1:00am. WOW! It took me a couple hours to settle down after the band, but I am pretty sure I got about 4 hours of sleep. I was running on pure excitement, excitement for my little girl.
I spent the morning getting myself ready along with Nova. She was the easy one, of course. I definitely think she knew something was going on and it was all about her. That morning, my sister, Nova's godmother, presented me with a token. It was a beautiful bracelet for my little one to wear. It had her name in silver blocks, surrounded by purple amethyst, her birthday gem. It was adorned with pearls and diamond accents. Nestled in between the gems, was an angel, a constant reminder that my sister would be watching over her. Once the bracelet was on her tiny wrist, she never pulled on it, and never sucked on it. It was like she knew it was jewelry and it was meant to be admired, just like her. I dressed her in her long, beautiful white, gown and bonnet and off to the church we went.
When we arrived, Novas' Great Grandma Lucille, Grandma Penny and Grandpa Fred, Nanna Kay, Nonnie and Grandpa Gary, Great Aunt Gloria and Janice, Great Uncle Dean, cousin Wade, Josh, Aunt April and Vera, with the kids were all there to welcome us into the church. Shortly after our arrival, it was time to head towards the front of the church. It was wonderful to see the support and love in their eyes as we stood in front of the congregation. Nova never made a peep. She allowed the minister to bless her with the sign of the cross and gently drip water over her head. All the while enthralled with what the minister was saying. It was a Blessed Moment.

Thank you all for your love and support, it means the world to us.

Holy Moley

Call me a basket case. One would think that I am 32 years old and would know that before I go out of town, I need to take the day off. I have been this way all my life and should have seen this coming, but no, once again it has hit me like a brick.

Starting last night on our way home from dinner, the baby was crying, so my husband pulled over on the side of the road to get the diaper bag out of the trunk. I have no idea why I put the thing in the trunk, but I did. Fate perhaps.... As he was pulling over, we heard a big bang. There is was, our tire blew! My husband and my dad, jacked the car up, put the donut on and in 15 min flat, off we went. With the tire forgotten, we had a great night and of course I blew past my normal bedtime of 9pm and finally fell asleep at 1am. Thank goodness my dad was willing to take on the tire task the next day. Turns out, we have one of the most expensive tires. Would it be any other way? This isn't good since we have no money in the checkbook. There is no good way to handle accidents, they all suck!

I think I am so excited for this baptism, that I have totally wound myself up. RELAX! I say to myself! Enjoy your family! Geez- where is my calm alter ego? She comes and goes.

In any event, we have decided not to leave for home tonight and will be leaving early tomorrow morning. Grandpa and Nonnie are taking us out for a fantastic, hopefully relaxing dinner and then home for early bed. I can't wait to see my little Peanut, who no doubt has been the center of Nonnie and Grandpa's world today.

After all is said and done, I am extremely tired and had a slight meltdown in the middle of the day. I am very luck to have a wonderful husband that does not judge me and loves me for every mountain I make out of a mole hill.

Conversation Hearts

This Wednesday was a weird one. For starters, I usually have Mondays off, but for whatever reason, I had to work this Monday and got Wednesday off instead. I had a 8:30 Dr. appointment, so I took the little one to daycare. She seems to really like it there, which is good. I know the day will come when she will be crying for me not to go and then what am I supposed to do? Talk about a heartwrencher! Thank goodness, I can cross that bridge when it comes.. Anyway, off to the Dr, nothing important, got gas for the big trip this weekend and off to the nail salon. Well, it is more like a nail booth. They try to convey a "spa like feel," but for $20, you definitely get what you pay for. The massage chairs suck and I question how clean the tools really are. Hey, we're on a budget!

Next, to Wal-Mart to pick up her 6 month pictures. OMG! I don't think she could be any cuter! She takes fabulous pictures and is smiling in everyone! Can't wait to show them off.

At 11:30, I went back to daycare to pick up my Peanut. I was a little peeved with what daycare said....We were talking about the new little boy that had taken little Addison's place. He is only 3 months old, but just as tall as Nova. Daycare was saying the she looks at him and expects him to do the same stuff as Nova, just because they are the same size, only he can't, he's only 3 month old! Then she told me that Nova is lazy and will probably be slower than the other kids because of it.

OKAY- gloves are off.

WTF?

She is only 6 1/2 months old and can already hold a sippy cup, she doesn't know how to tip it back yet, but does that put her in the "lazy, slow" category? The more and more I have thought about it, it pisses me off. Not because I think it is true, I just don't think people should be allowed to "throw" those words around. Just because a baby isn't walking by 8 months, or potty trained by 1 year old, it's ridiculous! Sometimes, I think that peoples' expectations are absurd. It's like my mother always said, " If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."

After, I went home and talked to my husband, who once again brushed off the comment, I settled down. Nova and I continued to play and eventually went over to the neighbors. It was a very hot afternoon and all the kids were in the pool. All the little girls love kissing the baby, she laughs and giggles with them. I love that she is part of the conversation, whatever the topic is may be.

My Girl

Mondays are always difficult, not only because it generally is the first day back to work, but because my hubby travels. Over the years, I have gotten used to the fact that he gone on Mondays. Where I used to hate Mondays, I have grown to love them. They mean peace and quite, a clean house (hopefully) and my own little sanctuary. Of course things have changed over the past couple months and giggles and silly laughter fill my living room, instead of the drone of the TV. Actually, I barely turn the thing on. I find myself making up all sorts of silly nursery rhymes, and songs, softly singing them to my little audience. Let it be said that Nova is probably the only one that loves absolutely everything that comes out of my mouth. She smiles and throws her head back in uncontrollable giggles.

Last night, she was a handful. We went for a walk a about 5pm, where she promptly fell asleep in the stroller. That was a big mistake. At 6pm, we went inside and had a bath and at 7pm, bottle. I just knew bedtime was going to be a fight. She was so wound up and I was the most entertaining thing there was. We ended up walking around the neighborhood until about 8pm. It appeared sleep was not coming quickly to her.

It is so hard to look at this little 15 lb bundle, talking and kicking her arms and legs. I just know if she could talk, she would have tons to say. Bedtime is such a special time, I love feeding her and seeing my reflection in her eyes. At night, when she needs that last little cuddle before she drifts off, her fingers search my face. It takes every bone in my body not to snuggle her closer, but I know that she must fall asleep. My girl.

Treading Forward

Ok- so I am a little nervous, I feel like I am stepping out onto the stage, giving a big performance. My hands are shaky, my tummy has butterflies, what the heck is wrong with me? It's just a blog. really....? is it?

For approx 60 days I have sporadically logged onto my sisters blog and read thru teary eyes, the changes that she has been going thru. I wish I could be there, go out to lunch with her, complain about the crappy service with her or go on a bike ride with her and her new hubby. It pains me to have to read about it. My heart skips a beat as her words jump off the page at me, they are truly her. Funny, how for 30 years now she has existed and I have never really read anything she has written. How wonderful to get an opportunity to do it now.

Over this past year, I have discovered a new person in my sister. Maybe she has always been there, waiting for me to discover her. This year alone, she calls me more and more, she sends me emails AND she even manages to send me an anniversary card BEFORE the date actually arrived. All this makes me feel pretty important, which I love! When we were little, I remember us arguing alot. Since we are only 22 months apart we had alot of the same friends in high school and were in alot of the same sports. I guess I have felt competitive with my sister, something I probably never needed to be. This is new territory for me, I have always been the one to send the cards and calls, it is nice to see some of it coming back. In any event, I am welcoming her with open arms.

So, u ask- what's changed that has brought about all these- "feelings...." geez! Well, I had a baby. For those of you that have children, I applaud you. The work that goes into them is amazing and mine is only 6 months old right now. Sure, everyone tells you they change your life, but I didn't really know what that means until I had one. My daughter has improved my life by the umteen millions. She changes every single day and I am happy to share that with the world!

With that said, I guess that makes me nervous too. When the hell did I get to be such a Nervous Nelly? I never used to be. I think as I have gotten older and know a little bit more, life can be a little scary sometimes. For now, I'm tucking my head down and treading forward.