Stress Management

Today Joel quit his job.  I am not sure things will work out, but need to trust they will.  With an almost 9 month old and one on the way, things must work out. But for now, I will sit and stress while thinking of all the worst case scenarios......

It's True

It's true, I am expecting another baby in June! Although I do not have a feeling as to it being a boy or girl, I will say when we announced to our parents I was sure it was another girl.  We were going to order the onsie, but I couldn't wait to tell them, so here is how it was done....

Front

Back

We dressed Mika in this, then went over to each of our parents.  When we got there, we asked the grandma's to change Mika.  Joel was more casual with his mom, saying she was hot so she needed to remove the shirt that was covering this up.  My mom didn't even notice, so I had to pull off Mika's cover shirt.  Both of their faces were priceless ~ Barb actualyl laughed saying "Where did you get this shirt? It looks homemade!" LOL

Blue or Pink?

It could be pink,
It could be blue,
someone's expecting
Can you guess who?

Ms. Caty

Here are a few newer pictures of Meeks.  She is crawling everywhere, pulling herself to standing on anything she can get her hands on, and standing unassisted when distracted with a toy.  She has her bottom teeth (barely) and loves spending time with her family.  Especially if it involves swimming - she is a water baby without a doubt!  She now hates anything that holds her down or in one place (like her exersaucer or swing).  She is a busy little girl who is very curious especially when it is something mom says no to. ;) Come January when I return to work, she will be cared for by my mom, and a nanny if we can find someone we like.  I would love daycare, but right now, it just looks like that may not work out.  It's okay, it's only temporary anyways........ :)

Getting it out there

I have taken some time off.  Some time for myself.  Some time for thinking and reflecting.  About life.  About changes.  About negativity.  About being the example I want for Mika and any future children.  About being happy with what I have.  About facebook.  About "friends" on facebook.  And I have a few conclusions.....

• It is easy to judge when you are not in someone's shoes.  I remember when my friend Sarah was at home with her little guy (born one year before Mika) and planning her wedding social.  This would have been around this time last year.  I remember talking to mutual friends and they wondered "what she did all day".  I remember thinking the same thing - what would you do ALL DAY when you have a baby.  You must have tons of time to do everything you need to around your house, in your life, etc.  WRONG! I am the first to admit I was totally wrong and I owe a huge apology to Sarah.  Taking care of Mika is a full time job.  Sometimes overwhelming, and sometimes easy peasy.  Not one I would change in any way mind you, but a full time job none the less.  As some of you know I still work part time for MTEC working on their website and monthly newsletter.  This is about an hour a week commitment for website changes/updates and about 4 hours for the newsletter as it also has to be posted to the website and it goes through a lot of proofing.  Now I do get paid for this and claim those earnings to EI.  But I am finding this more and more difficult to get it done.  It often waits until Joel is home so I can have some uninterrupted time, or when I am visiting my mom.  I spend my day entertaining my little girl.  And when she is happily playing on the floor by herself, I am making dinner, or folding laundry, or making sure she doesn't get into something she isn't supposed to. I am not complaining about this, but I am remembering how I felt even a year ago. How easy it was to judge when really I had absolutely no idea how it felt or what it was like, I just THOUGHT I did.
• You can appreciate something with your full heart without fully enjoying every minute.  I love being a mom. I was lucky finding a husband who also wanted a family right away, and we were lucky in having our little girl quickly.  Now is teething fun, no. Is having her spit food in your face/on your clothes when you are wearing a special outfit on your way out enjoyable? no.  But I wouldn't change anything about Mika.  She has a personality all on her own, and I love her.  But is this sometimes frustrating - yes.  I think this kind of goes back to not being in my shoes to judge too.
• Complaining: I often will explain Mika's sleep, or lack there of to people when they ask.  But my new comment when people ask (and everyone asks) is that even though it is tough now, I know that soon enough I will be looking back wishing I had these days again.  That she will be driving before I know it, and will be out until curfew, and I would give anything to be up with her all night again just to know she was safely at home. 
• Just because something happens quickly in your mind, doesn't mean it was unplanned. Time is what we want it to be.  Joel and I bought a house after 3 months of living together.  We were engaged 3 months after that, and 3 months later married. To some we rushed, to some we are "crazy", but to us, we just did what felt right.  We will leave it at that for now, but I don't appreciate hearing "wow, that must have been an oops!". 

Anyways, these are just random thoughts for now. Just needed somewhere to vent them.  Now to refocus my energy on something more positive......

taking a break

Between house renos and a 7 month old baby, I need to take some time away for myself.  This means I am taking a break from blogging for a little bit to focus my energy elsewhere.  For now, enjoy ~

Short Update

Time for a short update...

• we have determined Joel has a gluten sensitivity, which means I am cooking one meal gluten free
• as I have said before, I feel much better when I eat vegetarian, so since I am already making a special meal, I figured why not make 2?!
• I sanded and painted out front window all by myself since it had been sitting 1/2 finished for much too long
• I managed to finally install the curtains my mother in law made for my laundry room, still need one more panel, but it is looking much better already (thanks mom for the help)
• Our back tile is installed, the front has been started but will now take over a week to finish as our tile guy is out of town
• Our garage is fully finished
• The front of the house has new stucco, the 3 sides should be done early next week, however I keep saying that......
• I attended a beautiful baby shower for my cousin ~ baby "Benard" (not actually his name) was very lucky, and the shower was very classy.  Gave me lots of ideas for the shower I am planning
• I have started, and pretty much finished planning my sister in laws shower for March. I will buy the rest of the items I need when we go to the states next month.  About 1/2 are already purchased.
• Mika has learned how to grab onto things and pull herself up.  She is not steady by any means, but she sure is trying. She is much better and faster at the crawling thing too.
• I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner as I have for the past few years, and like in previous years my inlaws are bringing the turkey (thank you!), everyone else is bringing something too, which makes this a stress free event in many ways.
• Joel and I went out with my parents for my mom's birthday to Beaujena's Restaurant.  If you have never been, seriously GO! It was amazing.  A husband and wife team with a surprise menu that is nothing but class. Tried things I never would have, but very delicious!

Think that is it for now, more to come later! Enjoy ~

new stucco, waiting for it to dry....

new garage, still wet

new back entrance tile, remember this is where the stairs were.....

what my house used to look like

what the garage used to look like