3 Months

Vaan, you are three months old and more amazing than ever!  Each day you grow and change.  It is incredible to watch the unique little person you are becoming.  Mom and Dad could not be happier and celebrate you at this three month mark!

Each day continues to be blissful with our little one, but each day also brings it's challenges.  As Vaan has grown, he has developed a personality, specific needs, and of course, unknown crying and fussing.  The worst feeling I have ever experienced yet in life is listening to him cry, not being able to comfort him or know what he needs.  The last week has been filled with a lot of this!  The little guy is trying to be more independent and stay awake longer.  Our two hour schedule of eat, play, sleep has completely gone out the window!  It has been challenging to find something that works for him without him becoming over-tired and extremely cranky.  Oh the joys of parenthood!  I'm sure this won't be the last bump in the road and Vaan will try to mix things up fairly frequently.  Either way, having a family continues to be the best decision we have ever made and brings us a vast amount of happiness.

Cheers to trials, triumphs, and three months!

Married Life, A Year Later

September 24, 2012

One year ago, our lives were propelled by our love for one another.  Our biggest priority was being the best we could be for one another, now as husband and wife.  Today, our lives continue to be propelled by love, but the love is much greater and much broader.  Our biggest priority is being the best we can be together, as spouses and parents.  Our love for each other and Vaan grows each day.  I had no idea one year ago that love this great was possible.  Erica said in her toast "I hope you look back on today as the day you loved each other the least".  I didn't know if it was possible to love more than I did that day, my heart was so filled with love and happiness.  I now know that with each passing day, love grows, relationships get stronger, and family is where the heart explodes.  It has been an amazing year filled with beautiful blessings.  What a great start; I can not wait to see what the years ahead have to bring.

Justin, let me take a moment to thank you for loving me the most when I deserve it the least.  You are my hero, my best friend, and my one true love.  I will appreciate you, honor you, and respect you all the days of my life.  You and no other.

I love you Justin, Happy Anniversary!!


**On a lighter note, this is an anniversary we will never forget.  I have been back to work for one week.  I have reduced my hours to 11 per week and am working Monday and Friday afternoons.  On Mondays I work from 1-7pm and today Justin is off.  Perfect scenario, until Justin is called at 10:30am and is told he has to work from 3-7pm.  Grandma Karen to the rescue!!  Grandma is asked to leave work early to help us out, and like the awesome grandma she is, of course she is willing!  I got home a little after 7pm to no water, emergency shut off.  No problem, except I'm dying of thirst, really need to go to the bathroom, and would like to give Vaan a warm bath to soothe him and get him to bed so Justin and I can have a little time together before I crash.  It is now 9pm, I am just getting Vaan down and Justin is still not home.  I guess I should have mentioned above, getting ordered from 3-7pm never means actually getting done at 7pm.  Justin got home at 9:30 and now we need to decide what to eat.  Justin asks, "So, do you want Taco Bell?"  Umm, no I don't want Taco Bell on my anniversary!  Haha, so I settled for Papa John's pizza, not great - but better than taco hell.  Our pizza arrives at 10:15, we eat, Justin thinks the world is going to end after a disastrous call at the end of the Packer game causing the Packers to lose (in case you didn't know - I am a Bear fan, so this part I will most likely forget in years to come), and we go to bed.  Was it how I pictured my first anniversary?  No, but it was still great.  We were together as a family and I wouldn't have it any other way and I can say, we will never forget this one!  Cheers to one year :)

Thank Heaven for Baby Boys and Little Sisters

The last few weeks have left me reflecting on how extremely blessed I am.  I am so fortunate to have such a perfect baby boy, a loving husband, an amazing family, and fabulous friends.  It is easy to get wrapped up in the day to day activities, the busy schedules, and the hopes for the future; however, I have realized how comforting it is to take time each day to be thankful for and cherish all the love that surrounds me. 

I would like to highlight my sister in this post.  Erica is my sister AND she is my very best friend.  She knows not only me, but Justin and Vaan as well, inside and out and would do anything for us.  I know this because she does everything for us most, if not all, weekends.  If there are dishes to be done, she does them; if there are clothes to be washed, she washes them; if I need someone to take Vaan for a bit, she plays with him.  I could go on and on about all the things she does, but most importantly, she knows what I am thinking and feeling without me saying a word and tends to my needs.  Even though she is my little sister, I find myself looking up to her ability to be so selfless and nurturing.  I have needed her more than ever, especially after Justin went back to work, and she knew that without me saying it and has been at my side to support, help, and love.  In all this, she has developed a special bond with Vaan that no other has and no other ever will.  Vaan loves his auntie just as much as she loves him and they will be buddies forever.  Erica is a God sent and I honestly do not know what I would do without her.  Thank you Erica for being the most amazing sister and friend anyone could every ask for.  I love you; we all love you and we are so thankful for you each and every day. 

CHEERS TO AUNTIE ERICA!!

2 Months: Smiles, Sassiness, and Soiled Diapers

Vaan is 2 months old!  I think I said this last month, but seriously, where does the time go?  My mom asked me a couple days ago, "Do you ever wonder how you got along without him?".  My answer: YES!  Play time, eating schedule, naps, reading books, bedtime routine, diaper changing, and being the best parent possible are always on my mind, and I would not have it any other way.  Vaan, or "boss" as Justin called him, definitely runs the show.  We know that we want the best for him, so we will do whatever it takes/whatever he needs each and every day.

This last month has brought even more joy.  Vaan is smiling and giggling all the time.  It is the very best feeling in the world when he looks as us and gives us a big, dimple showing grin!  Knowing he is happy puts us on top of the world and nothing else matters.  With all the extra smiles we have gotten this last month, we have gotten just as many soiled diapers!  It is a good thing Vaan loves to be on his changing table because we are there ALL. THE. TIME.  He's wet so we change him, mintues later he poops.  If he poops, he will definitle pee immediately after you get the fresh diaper on.  Dr. Zielger's (Vaan's pediatrician) nurse said he should have a dirty diaper at least 1-2 times a day; well, we are there plus 4 or 5!  No concerns that his intestines are working :)

We are so lucky to have such a happy little guy, but a smile is not the only thing he always has on his face.  He is a baby of a 1000 expressions.  If you know what Justin looks like when he is happy, sad, confused, annoyed, frustrated, etc, then you know all of Vaan's expressions!  Not only are their features the same, each and every move they make with their features is the same - down to the one eye brow lift!  While Vaan likes to show off all ways he can contort his face, sassy (i.e. not afraid to let mom know this is NOT what he wants) is an expression that comes out quite often!  Just look at the picture below of him in the stroller and you will know exactly what I mean! 

This month has been amazing and while it is hard to believe things can get even better in the months to come, I am sure they will.  Cheers to two healthy, happy months!  Hereare a few pictues of our 12 pound, 23 inch long baby!

 

Vaan's First Holiday

Labor Day, 9/3/12, was Vaan's first official holiday.  It was a perfect day: Dad was off, aunt Erica, Uncle Sean, Grandpa Jim, and Grandma & Gandpa Stu came to visit, and we were able to make dinner on the grill.  Labor Day has always symbolized the end of summer as school started, fall sports began, and Dad's (Grandpa Jim's) pool closed.  Summer has always been anticipated and fall has always been welcomed with new, exciting adventues and events.  I have to say, this summer, was probably the most anticipated summer of my life with the birth of Vaan.  It was on my mind each and every day since the beginning of last October.  July 5th, 2012 was above and beyond all of it's anticiaption and hype; it was the most amazing day of our lives as we wecolmed the new addition to our family.  As we pass my "end of summer mark", I am excited for fall, as I have always been, but for new reasons.  Each day Vaan grows and amazes us with the "newness" of what he can do.  I am thankful for each and every day I have with him and even though I hate how the days get shorter, I can not wait for long days of playing, giggling, and growing.  Happy Fall!  Stay tuned for Vaan's 2 month mark...!