Disney: Arrival and Day 1

Thursday:  Happy Thanksgiving! Well, our family vacation is finally here!  We arrived in Disney last night and it is sure to be a one-of-a-kind adventure for our family and especially Millie.

Yesterday Millie had her first airplane ride and she did an incredible job.  Even thought it was right around her nap time, she stayed awake and for the most part entertained the entire flight.   She played games on her phone, watched the Lorax, colored and played with her babies.  She of course had some snacks too!  I think I was more nervous for take off and landing than she was, she didn't even flinch.  :)  She is such a brave girl!

Mommy and Mills on the Airplane!

Once we arrived at the resort, we got all settled in and took a short nap because we had dinner reservations in Downtown Disney.  Millie was really well behaved and even ate some noodles at dinner.  Then we strolled around Downtown Disney.  We came across one of the big Disney stores and her eye lit up!  I can't imagine what she is going to be like when we got to Magic Kingdom later this week! :)  Pa was just as excited in the store too!  We even found a DJ blasting a dance version of Let It Go, Millie of course had to jump around and get her groove on.  For such a long and overly stimulating day, she rocked it!

Lego Store in Downtown Disney

Today: Friday--Sea World
I don't have many memories of my early trips to Disney World, but I do remember one souvenir that I still have to this day, my stuffed Shamu. I have been told several stories about the voyage back to Sea World my own grandparents made in order to get me the gift I just had to have, "my Shamu!"  Well today Millie got to experience the magic of Sea World.

This morning, after a brief walk around the resort, we quickly decided that Sea World just couldn't be passed up!  So off we went!  Millie was amazed at all of the action that was going on around her.  She loved the Shamu and Dolphin shows and watched them with attention I rarely see from her.  She didn't take her eyes off the show!  We checked out some rides and then decided to head back for a nap.  After a marathon, 3 hour nap, we grabbed some dinner and headed back.  The park looked amazing all dressed up and ready for Christmas.  Thousands of lights and trees were all over the place and Millie was so excited!  We checked out Elmo's Christmas show and the Shamu night show (which was equally as awesome as the day show).  Oh yeah and we went in a tunnel with sharks swimming all around us!  YIKES!!! We didn't get back to the resort and settled in until after 10 and I can just say, Millie was a rock star!

Today, I just loved seeing the park through her eyes.  Everything was so new and amazing for her.  I'm so glad that she is having such a great time, we are making a lot of memories that she is sure to remember, and of course I had to buy her a stuffed Shamu of her very own!  :)

Hello 2014!

Well 2013 came and went faster than I could have ever imagined!  Our family has had many wonderful memories in 2013 but there are too many to list.  The most important one is watching our little Millie grow into a spunky energy filled toddler who goes a mile a minute and is always sure to entertain.

Sneaking Santa's Cookies!

Now for 2014... I guess it's time to talk about goals and resolutions for the new year.  I was never one to actually make a new years resolution mostly because I knew I wouldn't carry them out.  The stereotypical resolutions of exercising and eating better just aren't cut out for me because #1 I hate to work out and #2 I believe you should eat whatever you are hungry for!  :)  As I was showering this morning I was trying to think of some things I could actually do better, and really stick to it, for the year 2014,  so here's my list:
1. Start up a monthly date night with the hubby (Who wants to babysit?)
2. Meet some more people in the neighborhood
3. Make the most of every tea party, lego build, trampoline jump, and dance party because my little girl is growing way too fast.
4. Cook with my crock pot more.(send me your recipes)
5. Go above and beyond what is expected of me at work.
6. Drink more water. :/ ...boring I know
7. Blog more (this one is for you gram)
8. Put more money in Millie's piggy bank!  (donations accepted!)
9. Stop biting my nails  (I try this one every year!)

What are your resolutions this year?

First Birthday Video! :)

Here is a video I made for Millie's 1st Birthday Party!

It's pretty long, but pretty amazing at how much she has grown and changed in the last year!

Another Element of Motherhood!

A sick baby!  This is an element of motherhood that no one can prepare you for, no matter how many books you read and how many birthing classes you go to!  It doesn't matter how much advice seasoned mother's give you, when it's your baby that's sick, there is a part of you that is sick too,  your heart.  Last week Millie had quite a rough week which means Mama had a rough week too.  Here is how our week went:
Monday: She had an okay day but didn't seem to have as much energy as usual.  She loved playing and was going about normal business.
Tuesday: She slept just about all day.  Even fell asleep on the floor of the play room at the babysitters!  (Anyone that knows Millie as her "normal" self, knows that she doesn't just lay down on the floor to take a snooze!)  She was running a fever in the evening between 101 and 103.  Call the doc to make an appt for the morning.
Wednesday:Doc appt in the morning, he said she had an ear infection.  He didn't get too good of a look because she did not like the idea of someone poking in her ears and throat.  He prescribe amoxicillin. She spent the day at home cuddling with Daddy and napped most of the day.  Still a slight fever.
Thursday: Spent the day at home with Nan-Z.  Started to get a prickly rash on her belly and back along with puffy face/eyes.  I called the doc when I got home from work to see if there was something we should do.  They wanted to see us that night.  Appt at 7:30 with the same doc that she saw the day before.  She wasn't anymore fond of him this time! He did get a good look in her ear and confirmed it was an ear infection.  He said the rash was not a true allergy because it was not like "hives" but more just a side effect of the meds.  He switched her prescription and we were out the door. (Most people know we are bed time routine followers, and this appt was long after her bed time!)  Needless to say she was not a happy camper and just wanted to go to sleep.  ****This is where the longest night EVER begins!  She started screaming around 8 :30 and didn't let up until about 1:30AM!!!!  We tried everything from rocking, walking, music, snacks, playing with toys, watching mickey, laying down in mommy and daddy's bed, putting the pack and play in our room, NOTHING worked!  Finally, mom took her upstairs around 1:45 and somehow got her to sleep.  At least for a few hours!  (THANK GOD FOR GRANDMOTHERS!!!!)
Friday: I was so out of it at work, but Millie seemed to perk up a little.  She took long naps, but when she was awake she wanted to play.  No fever.  However, the rash seemed to be getting worse.  As I'm reading the text messages while at work (shhhh, don't tell) I broke down!  Not only was I questioning why I was at work instead of home with my sick baby, but why was she not getting any better even after the medicine change? I called the pediatrician and she reassured me that it would take at least 3 days for the first meds to get out of her system and that she may have the rash for another few days.
Saturday/Sunday: She still had a bit of a rash and was fussy off and on throughout the day.  She didn't have a fever but still had the rash.  I also made a discovery.  TOP TWO MOLARS!!!!!  Can't help but think that this little discovery could be contributing to my little girls misery!
Monday(Today):  The rash seems to be mostly gone!!!  Still not her "tornado" self, but I think we are on the up and up!

What a week!  Like I said there isn't anything that can prepare you for the times when your kid is sick.  I'm so lucky to have the people in my life that helped not just Millie, but helped me through it too!  We have been so fortunate up until now to have such a healthy and happy little girl!  You never realize how much you treasure your sleep until you miss it for a night!

***I will post another update in the near future about how life has changed for our little family in the last few months: a 1 year old, a walker, a working Mommy, a babysitter, etc. :)

Still 11 Months: Mama's Job!

So the month of the July is jam packed with things going on in our family.  As you know from my last blog, I got a job in Exeter Township as a third grade teacher.  Anyone that knows me, as a teacher, knows I have already been in to work on my classroom.  Now, let me just start by saying the room was in serious need of some TLC, but in my three days that I have been there, I have already grown to love the space as my own.  I don't have too much to say, just thought I would share some pictures of my little piece of learning space!

Day 1: Exploring.

Day 1: Exploring.

Day 1: Exploring.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 2: Moving In.

Day 3: Unpacking & Decorating.

Day 3: Unpacking & Decorating.

Day 3: Unpacking & Decorating.

Day 3: Unpacking & Decorating.

Day 3: Unpacking & Decorating.

Day 3: Unpacking & Decorating.

 To be continued....

11 Months: Slow it Down!

Ok, at the request of my grandmother, I'm going to blog today.  I haven't forgotten about this, just have had many other things going on since the last time I wrote!

Me: I interviewed at two school districts and was hired in Exeter Township School District as a full time 3rd grade teacher for next year. While I have loved my time home with Millie and have felt very blessed that I could be with her this whole year, I'm anxious and ready to get back in and do what I was made to do, TEACH!  It was not my intention to be home for this year, but I'm glad it worked out that way.  But here goes nothing, diving in head first to a small room, no supplies, new standards, and all new co-workers.  It should make for an interesting adventure!  I'm excited that I will be working with third graders because I love that age, they still have a hunger for learning and like to come to school!  (Not to mention they think the world of their teacher! You are still cool!)  I promise to get you some before and after pictures of my classroom once I can get in to work.  Another project of mine has been our veggie garden. Last year we planted the seeds right in the ground, well rocks, and didn't get anything.  This year Joe put together some raised beds and I started my seeds inside and my garden is doing great.  We have corn, green beans, peppers, squash, lettuce, broccoli, onions, and peas planted.  So far I have picked some peas and squash but everything is looking great!

My Garden

Millie and Daddy on Father's Day

Joe:  Joe has been busy at work, it seems like they always have a new job lined up when they finish one, thank goodness!  He has been working hard around the house to help make it feel more like our own.  We finished our deck, added some new flower beds, bought some more furniture, and did some painting.  There are always projects to be done when you own a home!

Millie:  Can you believe it, she is going to be ONE in just a couple weeks!!!!!!!!  We are busy planning her first trip to Ocean City and her first birthday party.  Of course we are anxious to celebrate with all our friends and family the fact that we have kept her alive and healthy for A WHOLE YEAR!!!!!!  She still only has 2 teeth and is doing a great job figuring out how to eat with only two of them!  She loved to eat whatever Mommy is eating and will often try what we are having for dinner.  She is cruising around using furniture or the walls to hold herself up, but hasn't taken any step of her own yet.  She will stand on her own but sits down after a few seconds.  She is such a good baby and is always happy, she has started this thing where she smiles, crinkles up her nose, and snorts like a pig!  What a goof ball!  She just wants to be outside and enjoys her pool and going on her swing set.  We recently took a trip down to Atlantic City to visit with my cousin and her Godmother Maria!  We had a lot of fun!

First time at the taco truck!

Reading

Peek-A-Boo

Messy Girl!

41 Weeks: Mother's Day!

There is something precious about the squeeze you get from a 9 month old.  There is something precious about the way she rubs her nose into my shoulder when I tuck her in at night.  There is something precious about the few times I can take her out of the car and she will sleep on my shoulder until I can get her into her crib.  There is something precious about the way she tries to give a kiss, but actually just gets slobber all over me and tries to bite me. There is something precious about the way she smiles and squeals when I walk into the room after being gone for the day.  It's her, my baby girl, she is precious.

My first time holding Millie Raine!

As my first Mother's Day approaches, I can't help but reflect on all the ways my life has changed since July 29th.  I have been mentally keeping this list throughout the week:

1. I have learned how to shower, dry off, and dress in less than 10 minutes.
2. I have learned how to tune out a crying baby to do those things listed in number one!
3. I have learned how to hold my breath long enough to change a stinky diaper.
4. Our trash cans now have fabreeze air fresheners in them.
5. Date nights are few and far between (but that's okay because I love having Millie along when we go out)
6. Going to the grocery store is down to a science, so it can be done quickly.
7. I have mastered the art of pureeing just about anything.
8. Bathing suit season is even more scary now!
9. I now know you must travel with snacks.
10. People want to come to your house, but it's really just to see your baby!
11. You have a new appreciation of what nap time means.
12. Packing to go away for the weekend, looks more like you are going to be gone for a month.
13. You really wonder how a diaper holds all "that" in.  But are thankful it does!
14. Mickey is a life saver.
15. You do whatever it takes to make her happy, even if it means walking up and down the drive way a million times in a play car.
16. You learn who your true friends are.  (the ones that don't mind that your baby is along when you go out to dinner, or will bring dinner to you)
17. Anything Mommy eats is what baby wants, no matter what time of day, or what the food item is.
18. I appreciate my husband so much more. (Who runs to the store, helps with dinner, deals with all my projects, watches Millie so I can have some Mommy time, loves his daughter unconditionally etc.)
19. I have learned to love someone so much more than myself, and more than anything else.

So this Mother's Day, there is really no gift out there that could be better than the one that I was given on July 29th.  She is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and is such a blessing.  I'm not perfect and I have so much to learn about being a Mom, but this is a journey that I'm glad that I'm on.

So to all those out there that mother is some way: those that have their own children, those that adopted children  those that foster children, those that lost children, those that teach and care for children... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!