Momma's been quite the slacker in getting this post done but I finally got my act together.
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Holy Moly! Where did the last month go?! Sometimes I feel like so much of these last seven months have passed without me really taking them all in, really being aware and in the moment. Then I realize that I'm there for the important moments and remember the important things, those little things that make me smile and get me through a rough day of work or a rough nite of multiple feedings and soothings.
You're really on the move these days. I knew it was coming but it's still hard to believe. Before I know it you'll be running after your brother trying to keep up with him. Not only have you started crawling but you've taken to solids like you've always been eating them. I can't feed you fast enough at dinner, too bad the extra food isn't helping with your sleep.
In other big news you FINALLY got your ears pierced this month too! Momma and Auntie Bissa did them, thanks to our jobs at Claire's we're professionals, and you did such a great job. I can't wait for your ears to heal so I can buy you all kinds of cute little earrings.
With a little more than 4.5 months until your first birthday I guess it's time for Momma to really start thinking and planning. I've already found someone to take your pictures but that's about it. Good thing I still have those 4.5 months, I think I might need them.
Baby girl I love you more than you can ever know. I thank God for blessing me with that squishy little baby girl that I knew I wanted but never thought I'd get. You and your brother are the light of my life and I can't imagine what I'd be without you.
Forever and Always,
Momma
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Beach Bound
It's Memorial Day Weekend which means we're headed to the beach! It's our annual trip that is normally just for the long weekend but has been extended to almost a week. Unfortunately, we don't get the whole week we planned because the step-son's got testing on the Friday, but hey I'll take all the time I can get out of Northern Virginia. We haven't had a vacation since last August when we headed to the beach for a friend's wedding. First, though, I have to get through the work day and then go home and pack, pack, pack.
We never go with any set plans, that's the best thing about vacation. I plan to do a lot of picture taking and laughing and reading. The Bean is excited to build sand castles, at least that's what he says, and Baby girl ... well she's only 6 months so she's just happy to be alive. The weather's supposed to be mid-70's to low-80's all week, so ya know perfect beach weather! I CAN'T WAIT!
I never let the significance of this weekend slip my mind though. While it's nice to get the time with family to unwind and relax I still realize that this weekend is to celebrate those that have served. As the daughter of two retired soldiers I fully aware of the sacrifices made every day by our soldiers. I'm thankful for those men and women that felt the calling of serving this great country so that I can enjoy the freedom I have. I'm even more grateful for those that served and made the ultimate sacrifice. I've never known the heartache of losing a loved one whose served but that doesn't mean I don't say a prayer for those that do. On Monday I'll offer a moment of silence to those who fought and died because if not for them and their brothers and sisters at arms I wouldn't be be where I am.
Happy Friday!
We never go with any set plans, that's the best thing about vacation. I plan to do a lot of picture taking and laughing and reading. The Bean is excited to build sand castles, at least that's what he says, and Baby girl ... well she's only 6 months so she's just happy to be alive. The weather's supposed to be mid-70's to low-80's all week, so ya know perfect beach weather! I CAN'T WAIT!
I never let the significance of this weekend slip my mind though. While it's nice to get the time with family to unwind and relax I still realize that this weekend is to celebrate those that have served. As the daughter of two retired soldiers I fully aware of the sacrifices made every day by our soldiers. I'm thankful for those men and women that felt the calling of serving this great country so that I can enjoy the freedom I have. I'm even more grateful for those that served and made the ultimate sacrifice. I've never known the heartache of losing a loved one whose served but that doesn't mean I don't say a prayer for those that do. On Monday I'll offer a moment of silence to those who fought and died because if not for them and their brothers and sisters at arms I wouldn't be be where I am.
Happy Friday!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
6 Months - Baby Girl
Baby Girl,
TOO FAST! This time last year we were just telling everyone about your impending arrival and now you're 6 months. It's your half-birthday and I can't even wrap my brain around it. This last month you've changed so much. You're rolling all over the place and laughing and cooing like you've always done it. You're such a happy girl unless you're hungry or sleepy. You, however, are not the best sleeper AT ALL! Oh sweet girl why won't you sleep? Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the lack of sleeping you do and then I remember that just like everything this is simply a stage and will eventually pass, although to be honest I wish we'd get through it already.
You haven't cut any teeth yet and you're right on track with your clothing sizes, unlike your brother who was always a size ahead of his actual age. I'm learning quickly that what other parents say is so very true, every baby is different. You and your brother while you have many similarities there are so many ways you are different, besides the obvious.
The next month won't see too much excitement, at least not compared to what you've had in the last couple of months. We're headed to the beach for Memorial Day, I can't wait to see how you react to the sand and how your brother interacts with you at the Beach. Speaking of your brother he ADORES you sometimes a little too much. While I hope to give you a sister one day, there's nothing like the bond of sisters, the two of you will always have a special relationship as the oldest sister and brother. I love just watching the two of you interact and look forward to the day when you'll be able to actually play together.
Baby girl while your lack of sleep exhausts me, I'm continuously amazed at how quickly you're changing. It makes me smile and sad at the same time to know you'll be one so soon but I know it's just the circle of life. These moments are just a sprinkle in your book of life and I'm so honored that God chose me to guide you and be a part of it.
I love you always and forever sweet girl
Momma
TOO FAST! This time last year we were just telling everyone about your impending arrival and now you're 6 months. It's your half-birthday and I can't even wrap my brain around it. This last month you've changed so much. You're rolling all over the place and laughing and cooing like you've always done it. You're such a happy girl unless you're hungry or sleepy. You, however, are not the best sleeper AT ALL! Oh sweet girl why won't you sleep? Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the lack of sleeping you do and then I remember that just like everything this is simply a stage and will eventually pass, although to be honest I wish we'd get through it already.
You haven't cut any teeth yet and you're right on track with your clothing sizes, unlike your brother who was always a size ahead of his actual age. I'm learning quickly that what other parents say is so very true, every baby is different. You and your brother while you have many similarities there are so many ways you are different, besides the obvious.
The next month won't see too much excitement, at least not compared to what you've had in the last couple of months. We're headed to the beach for Memorial Day, I can't wait to see how you react to the sand and how your brother interacts with you at the Beach. Speaking of your brother he ADORES you sometimes a little too much. While I hope to give you a sister one day, there's nothing like the bond of sisters, the two of you will always have a special relationship as the oldest sister and brother. I love just watching the two of you interact and look forward to the day when you'll be able to actually play together.
Baby girl while your lack of sleep exhausts me, I'm continuously amazed at how quickly you're changing. It makes me smile and sad at the same time to know you'll be one so soon but I know it's just the circle of life. These moments are just a sprinkle in your book of life and I'm so honored that God chose me to guide you and be a part of it.
I love you always and forever sweet girl
Momma
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Mother's Day
I'm not sure how it's already halfway through May, especially since I feel like we were just celebrating the New Year. Of course I'm sure the crazy weather we've been having here in Virginia isn't helping. But alas halfway through May it is which means this weekend is Mother's Day. I don't really go into Mother's Day with high hopes of relaxation and nothingness because that's just not my life. Like my birthday I like to think of it as a day that's supposed to be all about me but in reality I'll still be up at least twice with baby girl for feedings and up by 730 or 8 watching Disney Junior with the toddler. By 9 I'll be running around trying to get the teenager and Hubz up so we can get everyone ready for Church and out of the door on time. It's just my life and I've resigned my self to the fact that days all about me are in the past, at least until all my littles are had and not so little anymore. I'm mostly okay with it.
A few years ago we (I) started an annual Mother's Day Brunch at our house. It's a chance for us as a family to get together and celebrate all the Moms of the family at once and then let everyone go off and do their own thing. It's worked out great because it leaves the afternoon free for us all to spend the day with our individual families to do whatever we want, for me I'm hoping for a whole lot of nothing. Every one brings something and then I'm not stuck with all the prep, just with all the clean-up. Unfortunately, not everyone embraces this time to spend with family for the Moms in our lives but most of them do and that's good enough for me.
This time of year always makes me nostalgic. I mean how is it that I've been out of college for 8 years? and yet it feels like just yesterday I was off to on ELITE leadership retreat in Tampa to begin my freshman year. but then I blinked and I was a momma and a wife. I'll tell anyone that will listen that college was 4 of the best years of my life but these last 3 years as a momma & before that a step-mom, they're quickly surpassing those 4 years. My college self would never believe who we've become but oh to be a momma to these kids. These kids make me a better person, even when they're driving me nuts.
It's true we don't realize the strength of a Mother's love until you are one.
Happy Mother's Day!
A few years ago we (I) started an annual Mother's Day Brunch at our house. It's a chance for us as a family to get together and celebrate all the Moms of the family at once and then let everyone go off and do their own thing. It's worked out great because it leaves the afternoon free for us all to spend the day with our individual families to do whatever we want, for me I'm hoping for a whole lot of nothing. Every one brings something and then I'm not stuck with all the prep, just with all the clean-up. Unfortunately, not everyone embraces this time to spend with family for the Moms in our lives but most of them do and that's good enough for me.
This time of year always makes me nostalgic. I mean how is it that I've been out of college for 8 years? and yet it feels like just yesterday I was off to on ELITE leadership retreat in Tampa to begin my freshman year. but then I blinked and I was a momma and a wife. I'll tell anyone that will listen that college was 4 of the best years of my life but these last 3 years as a momma & before that a step-mom, they're quickly surpassing those 4 years. My college self would never believe who we've become but oh to be a momma to these kids. These kids make me a better person, even when they're driving me nuts.
It's true we don't realize the strength of a Mother's love until you are one.
Happy Mother's Day!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Ramblings ...Again
Once again I've left my blog without words for far too long, at least for my liking, so now to get things caught up. It's been a busy couple of weeks in the Swiftly Growing house and things don't look to be slowing down.
The step-son has kept us especially busy with band performances and Boy Scout duties. He'll finish up middle school in the next couple of weeks and then be starting high school in the fall so I know this is only the beginning of the crazy schedule he'll be keeping. While it's sometimes equal parts exhausting and exhausting I wouldn't change it. I remember this time in my life and before we know it he'll be headed off to college and we'll miss the pace of our lives with constantly running him around. Of course the slow pace will be short lived before our wee ones are requiring the Momma/Daddy taxi service.
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My niece, and Hubz's, Goddaughter, celebrated her 1st Communion last weekend. It made me smile with nostalgia and look forward to when I'm celebrating the same milestone with my wee ones. It's funny how as a parent we start to look forward to things that we barely remember as kids but becoming a parent makes it all so much clearer.
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It's a big weekend for Baby Girl. Tomorrow she'll be getting Baptized. It's a little later than I would have liked but still earlier than her brother. Maybe with the next baby I'll get it within that 3 month window. Of course as is the case with big gatherings I'm not even close to ready. Baby Girl has a chest cold or allergies or something so she's been a little clingy this week making it very difficult to get anything done. Luckily today's my early day so I'll be running errands after work before picking up the kids and then doing tons of prep and cleaning tonite. Tomorrow my day will start at 6 since I have to pick-up bagels and donuts and then get back to the house in time to get everyone up and dressed and out the door by 930. I'll be ready for a nap with the lady of the hour by the time everyone leaves.
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Next weekend should be a nice slow weekend with nothing but yard work, my husband is a slave driver. It'll all be worth it when our yard finally looks nice but just thinking about it makes me groan. I wish we could just pay someone to do it, not that that would ever happen since Hubz has a love/hate relationship with yard work. He hates it but doesn't want anyone else to do it because they won't do it right...I don't understand this.
Make it a great weekend.
The step-son has kept us especially busy with band performances and Boy Scout duties. He'll finish up middle school in the next couple of weeks and then be starting high school in the fall so I know this is only the beginning of the crazy schedule he'll be keeping. While it's sometimes equal parts exhausting and exhausting I wouldn't change it. I remember this time in my life and before we know it he'll be headed off to college and we'll miss the pace of our lives with constantly running him around. Of course the slow pace will be short lived before our wee ones are requiring the Momma/Daddy taxi service.
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My niece, and Hubz's, Goddaughter, celebrated her 1st Communion last weekend. It made me smile with nostalgia and look forward to when I'm celebrating the same milestone with my wee ones. It's funny how as a parent we start to look forward to things that we barely remember as kids but becoming a parent makes it all so much clearer.
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It's a big weekend for Baby Girl. Tomorrow she'll be getting Baptized. It's a little later than I would have liked but still earlier than her brother. Maybe with the next baby I'll get it within that 3 month window. Of course as is the case with big gatherings I'm not even close to ready. Baby Girl has a chest cold or allergies or something so she's been a little clingy this week making it very difficult to get anything done. Luckily today's my early day so I'll be running errands after work before picking up the kids and then doing tons of prep and cleaning tonite. Tomorrow my day will start at 6 since I have to pick-up bagels and donuts and then get back to the house in time to get everyone up and dressed and out the door by 930. I'll be ready for a nap with the lady of the hour by the time everyone leaves.
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Next weekend should be a nice slow weekend with nothing but yard work, my husband is a slave driver. It'll all be worth it when our yard finally looks nice but just thinking about it makes me groan. I wish we could just pay someone to do it, not that that would ever happen since Hubz has a love/hate relationship with yard work. He hates it but doesn't want anyone else to do it because they won't do it right...I don't understand this.
Make it a great weekend.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Boston, oh Boston
Once again our country has been hit with a senseless act of violence with no explanation about why but plenty of questions. Today as runners were finishing the Boston Marathon, a run that many train a year for, a bomb went off, followed closely by a second. Police would later find at least two more that had not been detonated. As I'm writing this post 3 people have already died and countless others have been injured, some in critical condition.
As with the events of Sandy Hook I'm having problems processing how anyone could plan and carry out something so horrendous!? What brings someone to a point In their own lives where they think nothing about taking the lives of innocent people? I wonder if they thought about the countless lives their actions would affect and if they even hesitated for a moment.
My heart hurts thinking of his world I'm leaving to my kids, my nieces and nephews and future generations. I shed tears for the innocence that is lost every time something so senseless happens but the. I read something on face book that reminds that we are nation of survivors. That we as a nation don't take things lying down, we fight back and we lean on each other and these reminders they give me hope. Hope that just maybe it's all going to be okay not perfect but okay.
So to tonite as I'm nursing my baby girl to sleep I'll probably rock her a little longer and hold her a little closer but simply because before I know it she'll off into a world that isn't always kind but that always gets back up when it's pushed down. As I I'm reading a story to my little terror I'll hug and snuggle him a little longer but only because I know what's waiting for him.
Rest easy Bostonians you have an entire nation behind you. We weep for you, we pray for, we mourn for you and we fight for you. We are after all, "One Nation Under God."
As with the events of Sandy Hook I'm having problems processing how anyone could plan and carry out something so horrendous!? What brings someone to a point In their own lives where they think nothing about taking the lives of innocent people? I wonder if they thought about the countless lives their actions would affect and if they even hesitated for a moment.
My heart hurts thinking of his world I'm leaving to my kids, my nieces and nephews and future generations. I shed tears for the innocence that is lost every time something so senseless happens but the. I read something on face book that reminds that we are nation of survivors. That we as a nation don't take things lying down, we fight back and we lean on each other and these reminders they give me hope. Hope that just maybe it's all going to be okay not perfect but okay.
So to tonite as I'm nursing my baby girl to sleep I'll probably rock her a little longer and hold her a little closer but simply because before I know it she'll off into a world that isn't always kind but that always gets back up when it's pushed down. As I I'm reading a story to my little terror I'll hug and snuggle him a little longer but only because I know what's waiting for him.
Rest easy Bostonians you have an entire nation behind you. We weep for you, we pray for, we mourn for you and we fight for you. We are after all, "One Nation Under God."
Sunday, April 14, 2013
5 Months - Baby Girl
Sweet Baby Girl
The time is just speeding by. Here we are another month gone and you always changing and growing. You're flipping, I don't really call in rolling since you can only go from your tummy to your back but I imagine any day now you'll be rolling all over the place. Your brother, my first born and the bestest big brother, finally got you to laugh this week and he's the only one that's been able to get a laugh out of you. It made my cry at first and now I laugh right along with you to crazy kiddos. I've packed up your 0-3 month clothes, it seems like you were just wearing them and they were too big but it really has been 5 months. You're quite the vocalizer these days cooing and babbling, Momma loves it! You're still not the greatest sleeper but like your brother I know it'll happen, eventually ... I hope and if you don't figure it out on your own, in the next 7 months, I'll help you figure out after that.
At the end of the month you'll be Baptized and while I know you don't know what it means right now you'll understand the importance when you're older. For me it reminds me of the incredible responsibility I have to not only raise you to be a caring, compassionate, accepting person but also to teach you to believe in something bigger than you or me. It's a daunting task really but one I'm confident that God will lead me through, he did after all give me the blessing of making me your Momma so he must have faith that I can do it.
My sweet, sweet girl in the next month you will celebrate your half-birthday. And we'll be on the down hill slide to your first birthday. I can't believe how fast it's flying by. I know you won't remember these 12 months but for me they'll be some of my best memories because I spent them watching you grow and change. In the grand scheme of things these 5 months have been but a blip in the movie of your life but oh how amazing those little blips have been.
I love you my sweet girl.
Forever & Always,
Momma
The time is just speeding by. Here we are another month gone and you always changing and growing. You're flipping, I don't really call in rolling since you can only go from your tummy to your back but I imagine any day now you'll be rolling all over the place. Your brother, my first born and the bestest big brother, finally got you to laugh this week and he's the only one that's been able to get a laugh out of you. It made my cry at first and now I laugh right along with you to crazy kiddos. I've packed up your 0-3 month clothes, it seems like you were just wearing them and they were too big but it really has been 5 months. You're quite the vocalizer these days cooing and babbling, Momma loves it! You're still not the greatest sleeper but like your brother I know it'll happen, eventually ... I hope and if you don't figure it out on your own, in the next 7 months, I'll help you figure out after that.
At the end of the month you'll be Baptized and while I know you don't know what it means right now you'll understand the importance when you're older. For me it reminds me of the incredible responsibility I have to not only raise you to be a caring, compassionate, accepting person but also to teach you to believe in something bigger than you or me. It's a daunting task really but one I'm confident that God will lead me through, he did after all give me the blessing of making me your Momma so he must have faith that I can do it.
My sweet, sweet girl in the next month you will celebrate your half-birthday. And we'll be on the down hill slide to your first birthday. I can't believe how fast it's flying by. I know you won't remember these 12 months but for me they'll be some of my best memories because I spent them watching you grow and change. In the grand scheme of things these 5 months have been but a blip in the movie of your life but oh how amazing those little blips have been.
I love you my sweet girl.
Forever & Always,
Momma
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