Songs

I think for as long as I've known Keith he's walked around our house singing songs.  Sometimes they're songs from the radio, sometimes they're kids songs, and sometimes they are made up songs.  He has a couple songs he repeatedly sings to Elinore, and she just loves being sang to!  Caleb and Caden have started singing a long now too. 

The most common is this song, however, Keith's lyrics don't quite match the song lyrics.  He tends to take bits and pieces and mash them together.

 Bom ba bom, bom ba dip, da dip,dip da
da, da, da, dun, dun, da dingity ding, da ding.
Bom ba bom, bom ba dip, da dip,dip da
da, da, da, dun, dun, da dingity dong, da dong.

Heart and soul, I fell in love with you,
Heart and soul, the way a fool would do,
Madly...
Because you held me tight,
And stole a kiss in the ni-ight...

Heart and soul, I begged to be adored(ooooh ooh),
Lost control, and tumbled overboard(ooooh oooh ooh),
Gladly...
That magic night we kissed,
There in the moon mist.

Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling,
Never before were mine so strangely willing.

Uh huh, but now I see, what one embrace can do,
Look at me, it's got me loving you,
Madly...
That little kiss you stole,
Held all my heart and soul.

Bom ba bom, bom ba dip, da dip,dip da
da, da, da, dun, dun, da ding, da ding, da dong.
Bom ba bom, bom ba dip,da dip,dip da
bom, ba ba bom, bom, dip, da dip, da dip.

Oh! but your lips were thrilling, much too thrilling,
Never before were mine so strangely willing.
Yeah, but now I see, what one embrace can do,
Look at me, it's got me loving you,
Madly...
That little kiss you stole,
Held all my heart and soul.

First Thanksgiving

Hair Pulling

About a month ago, your Daddy was holding you one evening and caught you pulling your own hair.  

Elinore - 5 Months Old

Compare to 4 Months Old

Compare to 3 Months Old

Compare to 2 Months Old

Compare to 1 Months Old

Compare to 9 Days Old

 

Tickeld

This past Thursday evening, Keith and I dressed the kids and sat them down for a good photo for this years Cristmas card.  While a good photo didn't come out, we have enough that I can crop a good picture of each one of them for a decent card! 

Keith and I took turns with the camera and trying to get them all to smile at the same time and not be doing anything weird.  Caden is notorious for ruining photos by being a ham.  I think he's camera shy and overcompensates with silliness. 

On one of our last attempts, Keith was manning the camera and I was behind him trying to get smiles when I reached down and tickled his sides. 

The next day at the sitter, Caden tells one of our sitters "Mommy tickeld Daddy's butt!"

And then I was embarassed. 

I felt I owed some kind of explination, but I just stood there speechless.  Our sitters are quite conservative.

Our sitter replied with a "Mommy's do that sometimes."

And I could finally say "That's isn't even what happened last night," before I gave up the fight and hung my head in embarassment. 

Boys and Girls

Today, while changing Elinore's diapers, the boys asked me: "how does she pee because she doesn't have a weiner?"

And the difference between boys and girls has now been explained.

Houses

This morning before we left for the sitters, Caden was playing with a livestock hauling semi in his room.  As I noticed he was playing again instead of getting dressed, Caden told me he was going to have one of those trucks for real when he grew up. 

He is going to make it into a house and build stairs where the humps (wheel wells) are. 

I love his imagination.  I love him. 

Santa

Caden

Caleb

Elinore & Mommy

Elinore - 20 Weeks

Dear Elinore,

You are learning, growing and developing daily, and I'm so happy I get to watch you advance.

Since I last wrote at 16 weeks, you have learned some fun new things. 

You fuss every so often because you're laying down and can't see enough of what's going on. 

You were getting frustrated you couldn't reach the mobile hanging on your bouncy chair, so I sat you bouncy seat up a bit higher.  You were so happy to be able to reach them and you can pull the one that makes music now too.  You get excited when we put you in your bouncy chair, but sometimes you get very wiggly in there quickly and want our to roll around!

You are rolling more and more.  You lay on the floor a lot to play with mommy and daddy and your brothers and often times we'll look back after turning way for a moment and see you have rolled onto your tummy and are looking up and all around. 

You're starting to really enjoy time in your tummy and it usually generates big smiles! 

When you're on your tummy you have learned to get your butt into the air but haven't made much progress on movement.  The other evening you had your face in the carpet, but your legs were way into the air! 

When you're on the changing table you are active and have learned to use your legs to push yourself up on the changing pad. 

In other events of the last month, you had your first Halloween!  We took you to your Aunt Katies Halloween party and we took you to Boo at the Zoo in Akron.  You wore you elephant costume to the zoo, but you slept through most of it.  Your brothers had a swell time though!  You got to see your brothers' kindergarten Halloween parade at school too. 

You'll have your first Thanksgiving this week, and Grandma Nancy gave you a cute little first Thanksgiving onsie to wear.  Let's hope you don't spit up on it right away and you can wear it for the day!

You love to play with your brothers and after often watching what they're doing.  I remind them to teach you good manners as you're watching them.  I'm sure they'll teach you lots of good and no so good things; they are very protective of you.  I love watching you develop relationships with them. 

I love the way you sigh after a sneeze.

You are still breastfeeding very well and things are going smoothly for us both there.  You've been nursed to sleep almost every night since I went back to work, but in the last week or so you've stopped that some.  When you don't nurse to sleep we've started putting you down in your pack-n-play in mommy and daddy's room to put yourself to sleep.  This has only happened a few nights so far; your Daddy is a big fan of the cry-it-out method, but it's much harder for Mommy!  We've been blessed though and without too many cries you've put yourself to sleep in 10 minutes or less the few nights we've done it.  If you get too worked up we change you diaper and kiss and cuddle you before putting you back down. 

You've got some big excitement coming up with your first Christmas!  And shortly after Christmas we'll have some big changes for you too as you turn 6 months old.  We're planning on introducing solids at that point and moving you into your nursery and your crib. 

There is so much to look forward to with you, but I am in no hurry to get there.  Elinore, take your time, move at your pace, and we'll be there for you always. 

Love,

Mom

Pronunciations

The boys, while they are learning a lot and I can see them developing there are still a handful or words they just can't get right.  I know they will in time, but I"m in no hurry because they're so darn cute.

In our house marshmallows are smarshmellows.

While Caden was in preschool, his teacher was Ms. BJ; however, he refused to call her BJ and regularly called her PJ.  He could say BJ, he just refused.

Willy Wonka is better know as Winkie Wonka in our house.

Expirements

Caden is fascinated with experiments.   Today he described one to me he wants to try.

These are Caden's experiment directions:

Put hot water in first.

Microwave it for awhile in a bowl.

Put some hot milk in from the microwave and put some melted butter in it and some food coloring and a little soap in it.  Put the soap on toothpicks. 

Microwave it a little and stir it with a spoon.

And then put some flour in it and stir it again. 

Then you have to stir it again, one more time.

Put some more hot milk in; then you're done.

Elinore's Four Month Check-up

Caleb and I took Elinore in for her check-up yesterday. 

She's doing well and moving right along.  She's 24 inches long and 11 pounds 8 ounces. 

She's moved up a bit on the percentile charts for height and is now closer to the 30th percentile than the 15th where she was before.  Her weight has dropped down below the 15th percentile.  Her doctor said at this point it was nothing he was concerned about; it was just something he would watch with her next appointment or two. 

She received another round of vaccinations and things went a bit more smoothly this time.  I think I was more prepared for what to expect this time which helped.  She was hungry before nurse gave them to her, so as soon as she was done, I nursed her and she calmed right down. 

She seemed to do better at home in the evening after the shots this time around too.  She was much less fussy and uncomfortable than the last time.  At two months we ended up calling the nurse on call that evening and giving her some Tylenol for her discomfort.  She was very sensitive to the touch in the area last time and extra fussy.  She seemed a bit warm too, but didn't have a temperature when I took it that evening.  We are thankful that she did much better with this round! 

Baby Smiles

Almost every day during my lunch hour, I go to the sitters and nurse Elinore.  I love that the timing and location work for us to be able to have that time together.  

Most of the time I'm waking Ellie when I get to the sitters, and I feel so bad for waking the baby, but it's certainly worth it!

One day last week, she was awake, and she was so happy to see me I had to capture it. 

That is a great mid-day pick-me-up!

The Pumpkin Patch - 2012

We went to the pumpkin patch this year and had a lot of fun!  We played int he corn, walked the corn maze, took a hayride, played on the playground, rode pedal bikes, saw the goats, drank cider, and of course picked our pumpkins. 

2012 Pumpkins

Caden, Daddy and Caleb Carving

Caden was really into the carving this year and did a lot of it with little help from Daddy!

Mommy helped Elinore wit hers.

Elniore's Pumpkin, Caden's Pumpkin and Caleb's Pumpkin

2012 County Farm Tour

Caden

Caleb

Caden, Daddy and Caleb

Caden & Caleb at the OSU-ATI Equine Center

 

Caden at Lowe & Young

Caleb at Lowe & Young

Caleb & Caden with Brutus at OSU-ATI Equine Center

Elinore - 4 Months Old

Compare to 3 Months Old

Compare to 2 Months Old

Compare to 1 Months Old

Compare to 9 Days Old

Protection Zone

This is the 'Elinore Protection Zone' as created by Caden & Caleb. 

Elinore in Pictures

A quick look back at some of my favorite Instagram photos from the month of October.

October 5, 2012 - This was one of her last nights swaddled.  Clearly she was escaping it anyway!

October 10, 2012

October 11, 2012

October 22, 2012

What Caden's Wearing

One of the many advantages of going to nurse Elinore at lunch time is getting to see and interact with Caden and Caleb on the days they are there at lunch too.  They aren't there everyday since they are in kindergarten now!  One day last week, Caden walked over to where Ellie and I were and said he was wearing a necklace and a hooker.

My eyes suddenly perked up and he had my full attention.

"You're wearing what?" I asked.

"A necklace and a hooker.  See, to hold this together."

That white thing; that's his hooker.

Working Mom Guilt on Mondays

Since I returned to work 4.5 weeks ago, I've quickly learned something about Mondays. They are hard.

I know very few, if any, people who say they love Mondays, but I've always been of the thought that I don't dislike another day of lie when there are so many thing to be thankful for.  But fairly consistently since I've been back I've struggled through my Monday at work. After two glorious days with my family it is hard to leave them.  I spend my Mondays battling the mom guilt. 


I've been a working mom for years, and I've always had an itch to stay home with the kids.  Yet, before Elinore, I hadn't had the experience of staying home with the boys. I didn't know how awesome it could be to stay home with them more.  Maternity leave showed me that. 

I think part of it stems from the fact that my mom was home with my brother and I when we were growing up.  Granted, it was a very non-traditional situation where she worked at home since my parents owned their own business that operated from our home. I think that was rare for the time 20+ years ago too.

I still have the itch, it may even be stronger since Elinore arrived, but we are confident in the decision that me working is what is right for our family.

Elinore - 16 Weeks

Dear Elinore,

I know you'll be 4 months only in just under two weeks now, but I just couldn't wait to write some things down about what you've been doing.

You're sixteen weeks old this week.   I've been noticing a lot of changes as you continue to learn and grow. 

You hold onto things, but I often thing it's more of a coincidence you got it into your hand that by reaching and grabbing for it.  I'm sure you'll soon master the skill!

You are really focusing on things and learning how your hands work.  I sit and watch you just look at your hands and move them around.  You're slowly starting to reach for things, but you haven't quite mastered it.  You do hold onto things but you often require some assistance to get it to you hand. 

You've gotten to a point where your curious and learning and one way you're doing that is by getting things to your mouth.  If you've got something in your hand you try to get it to your mouth, and you frequently have some part of your hands/fingers in your both, usually from both hands!


You've noticed you have feet and will sit and stare at them.  I think you're wondering how to get them to your hands and mouth, but only time will tell what you'll do with them. 

You can roll both ways now! 

A few weeks ago you started rolling onto your side and falling asleep on your own while you're in you pack-n-play or on the floor.  Once that started happening we worked to move away from swaddling you to sleep at night and you've adjusted very well!  The first night of no swaddle you woke up once during the night and that was it.  For a week or so after we removed the swaddle we did go back to it once or twice to get you to sleep, but we haven't used it in probably two weeks. 

You giggled for mama for the first time this week.  I was changing you diaper in the nursery an tickling you chin and you giggled!  You have this silly grunting nose that your Daddy and I think is you laughing, but this time there was no mistaking what it was, it was clearly a good laugh!  I hope we start to hear it more. 

You are still sleeping very well!  We thank you for that.

Your baby sitters say you are the easiest infant there.  You aren't too fussy for them and are content most of the time.  They say when you do get fussy you just find that little thumb of yours, pop it in your mouth, and you usually settle right down!

You have not missed a week of church since you were just under two weeks old, but you almost always cry during church.  I've learned that it is usually because you are tired, but I think you have a hard time giving in to sleep at church because there is so much to see and hear!  I usually end up standing in the back of the sanctuary holding and rocking you until you fall asleep.  You get quite a bit of attention at church as people watch you grow every week. 

You had your first stuffy nose, but you could hardly tell.  You were still full of smiles for us and didn't fuss too much about it.  You seemed most bothered by it in the mornings. 

I trimmed your finger nails last week, and thought it was going so well until I cut your thumb.  We both cried and your poor little thumb bleed for awhile.  I used a tissue to apply pressure until it stopped, and you really disliked not having your arm to move around while I was holding your hand still. 

You love watching your brothers, and they love playing with you.  Several times a week one of them will ask me if they can play with you on the floor.  Caleb loves to play on the floor with you and some toys.  Caden loves when you hold his finger.  If we're out somewhere he loves to show other people how you'll hold his finger.  You are developing wonderful sibling bonds with your brothers!

You enjoy your Daddy singing, which he does many times a day. 

You perk up when you hear Mommy's voice and start looking around for me. 

Elinore, you are so loved. 

Love,

Mommy

I wrecked our cars.

Elinore was in her first car accident at 14 weeks of age, and it was my fault.

Thankfully, it was minor no one was injured aside from the cars and my mental state.

I was having a rough morning.  I was tired, frustrated and had very little patience. As I was backing out the driveway to take the kids to the sitters, when we suddenly hit something hard.  At first I didn't even know what happened.  What was in the driveway?

I looked and suddenly remembered Keith, who usually leaves for work 90 minutes before me was working from home that day and our car was still in the driveway. 

Then I slumped over the steering wheel and cried, while the boys kind of sat in the back silently not knowing what to say or do.  After making sure all the kids were okay of course. 

Then I made my walk of shame, back to the front door.  Keith opened the door to me standing there crying.  Somehow he knew I hit something.  Although at first he thought I hit someone else.  As I shook my head he figured out I'd hit our car.  He asked if it was bad.  I told him I didn't know, I was afraid to look.  We haven't had the new mini-van a month yet!

He walked outside to survey the damage.  I followed, but still avoided looking.  He stood there quietly before saying: "that's bad." Geez thanks Keith.  That really makes a crying wife feel better!

He took some pictures and started to call his brother to see about repairs.  His brothers works in an auto-body shop.  I took the kids to the sitters trying to calm the tears on the short mile drive there. 

One of the Caden decided it was safe to comment on the way to the sitters and asks "Mommy, why did Daddy park the car there!?"  I agreed! explained that Daddy didn't do anything wrong, I wasn't paying attention. 

Of course the boys ran into the sitters before I even had Elinore out of the car and had told the babysitter that Mommy crashed the car and the lights are broken on our car!  They hadn't seen the back of our van yet.   As they're telling the sitter about it, Caleb asks if they can make a sign to put on our car that says "Please don't hit me; please don't hit me!"

After leaving the sitters, I headed back to our house to work out the details with Keith.  Crying again of course.  We talk, I calm down, eat some breakfast and he tries to lighten my mood with a reminder that he backed into our house one time.  At least the car can move.  Our house hasn't moved since we moved in 60 years. 

I should probably add that our new mini-van has a back-up camera in it.  Clearly it only works if you're looking at it. 

Working Mom

In the mornings, I take the kids to the sitters before I head into work. 

Before Elinore was born Keith was always the morning drop-off and I picked them up.  After Elinore was born, Keith started working earlier hours than before so they can all spend less time at the sitters.  He is in the office by 6:30, so I take the kids to the sitters every morning before I get to the office at 8.  

The sitters is only a mile from our house, so it's a short drive, usually with the boys and I talking about something.  I drop them off with their things and give them well wishes for the day and hug and kiss them all goodbye.

Then I get in the car for the drive to work.  It's about 8 miles to the office, from the sitters, which is a great.  I'm so glad I don't have a long commute to work.   

Before we moved, we had about an hour long commute to and from work.  

It's nice time to center myself for the day and whatever it brings. 

The part I don't like about my drive to work, Elinore's empty car seat base.  It rattles when she's not in the car with me.  That rattle is constant and reminds me that my baby isn't in the car with me.  It's a reminder that I have to go be a working mom, and sometimes, that's just hard. 

Being Calm

In the course of the last week, I've had two people make nearly the same comment to be about parenting and babies. 

In the first conversation, I was stopped outside the restroom by a co-worker in another department who noticed I was back to work after having Elinore.  She asked a few questions, and it came up that so far, Ellie has been a very good baby for us.  She continued to comment that she thought that meant I was a very calm parent because she thinks babies can tell when parents are flustered and react accordingly. 

Monday evening we had a team building social hour event at an are Buffalo Wild Wings.  I hadn't planned on coming, but was feeling too guilty about not attending with everyone being there, including the team members from our of state, so Elinore and I went together.  Keith had the boys at swim lessons, so it was baby goes or no one goes.  We went.  She was excellently behaved.  She was content the entire time, she let anyone hold her, and she offered up some smiles too.  One of my co-workers, who I admire to some degree, commented on her behavior and mine as well.  She had something very similar to say that I was very calm and comfortable with her; she thought Elinore responded well to me comfort and ease with her. 

I think I've found myself to be so much more comfortable with being a mom than I ever expected it to be.

I really like...

Caleb has decided that he doesn't like to ask for things for some unknown reason.  So if I'm eating, doing or talking about something he wants to eat, say, do too, he hints around about it.

For example:

I'm eating a cookie.

Caleb walks into the room and says "I really like cookies!"

I respond with an "oh, you do?'

"Yes, mom, I really do like those cookies!"

Other examples:

• Oh daddy, you have gum, it smells good!
• I like that tv show.
• Are you chewing gum?
• Papa and I like hohos!

Siblings

The boys have talked occasionally about wanting another baby already.  Often times is becuase they want a boy AND a girl. 

The other night at dinner though, Caden changed his tune. 

Out of no where at the supper table he said, "mommy, I don't want you to have another baby."

I kind of worried at first, why would he say that, I hope we're not having some delayed jealous of baby Ellie. 

But no, it had nothing to do with his sister.  He went on to explain that he didn't like when mommy had a baby because she had to go away to the hospital for too long and he missed me. 

And that makes for one big, full happy mommy heart. 

Spirit Day 5K

This morning I ran a 5K. 

I had a baby 14 weeks and 1 day ago, and I did it.  I didn't stop once.

It is my worst 5K time to date, but I did it without walking!

This is the second annual 5K my employer has hosted as a part of Spirit Day activities.  Last year, I set my 5K PR at the race.  This year I had my worst time, but hey, a lot has changed in a year!

I also met my goal of running a 5K in 2012 after the birth of our baby. 

The downside, it's a pretty competitive race.

I timed myself at 38:51, and I was the last finisher. 

And I do mean the very last of the entire crowd of probably about 40 people.  Shortly into my second mile, I was followed by the security guard in his car as an escort most of the way to the finish.  After following me for awhile, he did drive off and circle back around for the last 1/2 mile or so.  He stopped traffic for me at an intersection or two.  Nothing to make you feel like you're running slow like the security guard escorting you to the finish line!

My sweet husband and his boss were both still there at the finish line cheering for me along with a few other people.  Another lady in another department here even came out and ran the last bit with me.  They were wondering who was left out there since it was such a small crowd. 

That Right?

Caden has a very curious mind and is always asking questions about things, how they're made, how they work, etc.  He retains a lot of what he learns and brings it back up later.  He'll make a statement about something he learned, but it is nearly always followed with a "that right Daddy?" or "that right Mommy?" 

Three Month Review - Elinore

You've grown so much this month dear Ellie.

You can be very active.  You love to lay on the floor looking at someone while kicking those little legs and throwing those little arms all around! 

You've started to take an interest in watching and listening to your toys.  You'll hold them if we give them to you, but haven't reached for them on your own yet. 

You just discovered you can move some of the toys on your car seat attachment with toys on it.  You love watching them move with color. 

You're continued to be a great sleep for us.  Your longest stretch of sleep in your three months has been ten and a half hours.  We've been blessed with a good sleeper!

You're slowly started taking a pacifier.  We decided to give them to you since you were really starting to like your thumb. 

Mommy went back to work this past month, just last week for a partial week.  Mommy cried the whole way to work to leave you.  You've handled the transition well though.  You refused the first bottle they tried to give you, but finally took in while you in a swing, otherwise you refused.  You haven't had any trouble since then with taking your bottles.  You're taking about two bottles a day for them, and I am able to come nurse you at lunch time. 

You are nursing about 4-5 times a day during the week with two bottles and 6-7 times on the weekends without any bottles. 

You're getting a little better with your napping and have been consistent in taking a longer nap each day with 3-5 shorter naps throughout the day.  

I just noticed this week how big your hands are getting.  I often play with them while you're nursing, or you'll hold a finger while you do, and they have grown so much from the wrinkly little grandma hands you had when you first born. 

Caden loves when you will hold his finger and when you do he's content to stay with you as we move around the house or wherever we are.  Caleb loves to lay on the floor and play with you.  They're happy to have you at the baby sitters with them too. 

You are becoming much more vocal too.  I love hearing you talk to us.  I've just recently started singing to you and you really like it, but your daddy has been singing to you all along and you usually enjoy that too.  I stick to songs like 'Jesus loves me.'  Your daddy tends to make them up or change the words in songs he knows some of the words too. 

Elinore, you are loved.

Elinore - 3 Months Old

Compare to 2 Months Old

Compare to 1 Months Old

Compare to 9 Days Old

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

    Introduce us to your husband! (What's his name? How old? What does he look like?) 
Keith is my husband; he's 30, and he looks like this:

What is your husband's favorite thing to do?
Well, aside from spending time with his family, his hobbies include playing his play station and taking care of his fish tank.
What does your husband do Monday-Friday? 
He works in information technology at an insurance company.  I can't explain the weird computer nerd things he does, mainly because I don't really understand them. 
What was the FIRST thing you noticed about your husband when you met?
I was very intrigued by him.  I tried to be sly in watching him from the next cubicle isle over.  I wanted to know more; I needed to more about him!

What is your husband's BEST quality?
He loves God, his family and works hard.  So I couldn't keep it to just one. 
What is your husband's biggest pet peeve?
He can't stand it when he can hear someone chewing.  He sends me out of the room, often. 
How does your husband feel about blogging?
My blog is pretty low key with not so many readers.  I don't write for people, but for myself.  I like that our family and most people we know in real life don't know about it.  He's pretty indifferent to it.  He doesn't read it, unless I send him something specific I want him to see. 
What is something you do/can do that makes your husband feel loved?   We just took a quiz recently about our love language.  His top score is quality time, so I'll be making an effort to squeeze some more of that.      

Perspective

With this week marking my return to work, my husband offered some perspective that made it easier; don't get me wrong, it was still hard. 

As we were talking about my return to work the day before, he provided some things to think about I hadn't really considered. 

I was sharing how sometimes I thought I was selfish for wanting more money for our family and things when I could be cutting way back and spending my days with my kids.  While I would love to, Keith made the point that the money I bring in helps us to have opportunities not only now, but for the future.

My additional income allows for us to plan to help our children pay for college, which is something important to me.  It helps us save for retirement.  It provides us additional security and savings we wouldn't be able to afford without me working.  

Seeing how having too little money later in life can impact families I'm more confident in my choice to go back to work. 

And helping our kids through college is something I find very important too, and me working will give us more options to help them. 

I've prayed a lot about returning to work, and I have faith we're making a good choice. 

Returning to Work

As I return to work today, I want to reflect more on some things about myself. 

I've grown in my faith during my maternity leave, but it's something I hope to continue to grow once I return to work, but it will be harder.

I've realized I don't always like who I am when I'm working.  I've not always carried the best attitude with me about work.  It's easy to get frustrated and angry with the days happenings and tasks, and I let them bring me down.  I can get caught up in the complaining and gossip.  It's time that can certainly be better focused and more positive.

As I return to work, my goal is to like who i am at work too, and that will mean making some changes, mostly to my attitude.  

The other thing about returning to work will be keeping up with my household chores and focusing on the kids before their bedtime.  It's easy to be tired and cranky when i get home from work, but I need to make my drive home about letting go of work and focusing on family time to make that time of higher quality.  That limited time with my kids is precious and I don't want to waste it being grumpy and tired from work. 

I know I'll have days where tiredness, complaining and grumpiness will get the best of me, but I want to do better.  I've seen how good it can be now that I've spent 12 weeks at home, so why should my attitude and dedication change because I'm working again?  The simple point, it shouldn't.  I can change my attitude, and I plan to do just that. 

3rd Anniverary

Keith and I have been together for 5 years, and today we are celebrating 3 years of marriage. 

It was supposed to be my first day back to work after maternity leave.  However, we've never worked on our anniversary.  We take a vacation day to spend it together, which I something I plan to continue every year.  Our marriage is something to be celebrated!

This year we'll be spending it with our kids and a lunch out together.  

August 2007 - The first photo of us together.

September 2007 - The first trip Keith made to visit me at College.

Spring Break 2007 - England

Graduation 2008

Summer 2008

May 2009

September 2009 - Our wedding day.

September 2009 - Our honeymoon.

May 2010

Thanksgiving 2010

May 2011 - Walt Disney World

Easter 2012

I love you Keith.  I'm looking forward to many more anniversaries and adventures with you.