Remembering

Sunday morning, we took some time to remember our beloved Aunt Debbie.

Each year we walk the Whisper Walk 5K as a family to remember and honor her fight with ovarian cancer.  This year was Natalie's first walk, so I did her up right in everything teal I could find in her closet. 

It was chilly that morning, so we added tights, a cardigan, and sweet baby hat to keep the little bug warm.  She snuggled into her spot in her infant seat and snoozed while we strolled.

This is the seventh year that we've done the Whisper Walk, and I can hardly believe that so many years have passed so quickly.  Four years ago, my sweet auntie lost her battle.  But we carry her with us in our hearts....she will forever be a part of all of us.

Natalie didn't meet Aunt Debbie.  But she'll know all about her some day.  About her love of holidays, her fiesty spirit, her ability to host a party like nobody else, the way she crafted special traditions within our family, her unending love and devotion for her daughters, her scarecrow collection, her meticulously clean house (although a secret pack-rat lived within!), her famous handwriting (handwritten recipes & notes are precious around here).  She never missed an important event, birthday, or accomplishment.  She loved music.  She gave great hugs.  She knew how to make stuffed animals talk.  She always made you feel at home.

(Aunt Debbie in the middle.  2006 Whisper Walk.)

I love you and miss you dearly, Aunt Deb.

xoxoxox

{seven months}

Seven months of loving you....

Yes, I say this every month....but I cannot possibly fathom how the last seven months have gone by so quickly.

You are beautiful and sweet and spunky and fun.

And you still have the cutest toes in the whole world!

Natalie Grace, you are growing and changing so fast.  It seems like every day you are doing something new and exciting.  Sitting up, eating new foods, scooting around on the floor, breaking in a new tooth, making new sounds - it is always something.  You surprise us with how quickly you learn.

This past month has definitely been full of the most change since you were born.  Mommy back to work, baby to daycare.  We are finally in a workable routine.  You have adjusted well, and while I miss you like crazy all day every day, I know that this is what is best for us. 

You still nap three times a day.  To bed at 7:30, and I wake you at 6:30 the next morning.  Mommy is so glad that you have always been a good sleeper -- you must get that from your daddy. :)

This month, you are loving your exersaucer, moving, singing & dancing, music, trying new foods, playing with your toys, reading books, YOUR DADDY, being outside, riding in the car, and grabbing at hair/faces/jewelry/clothing, etc.

Feeding has changed once again.  I've given up pumping at work, so I nurse you morning and evening, and you have formula the rest of the day.  You haven't seemed to notice the change, really.  You enjoy bottle time with mommy just as much as you enjoy nursing.

I am in complete awe of you, sweet baby girl.

 You are my sweetest dream, come true. 

These blue eyes of yours are so enchanting...

My life will never be the same.  In seven months you have consumed me.  My heart will never stop loving you, my beautiful baby girl.

Love,
Momma



Life Goes On

Busy as it may be around here, life marches on....

Not much time for blogging these days, as the constant swirl of work, home, family, baby girl, LIFE consumes every precious moment of the day.  I miss the leisurely days of my extended maternity leave at home with Natalie, but it does feel good to be in a consistent routine.  Most importantly, I've definitely learned to savor the few hours a day that I have with my precious girl!  I'm thankful for a job where I can leave at 3:30 if I want to.  Now, actually making myself leave at 3:30 is another thing.  I've had to prioritize like never before and let go of some things at work to be able to be more present at home.  It's worth it. 

Speaking of home.....life at home these days is messy.

 

Natalie has been trying all kinds of new foods -- prunes, squash, apples, and peas. 

  

In addition to messy, things are also very slobbery around here.  Natalie's bottom teeth are coming in...haven't gotten a picture of them yet - but as these pictures evidence, she is chewing on everything all.the.time.

Meanwhile, same-old, same-old.  Work is good....busy.  Housework has fallen WAAAYYYY behind, but, eh, oh well.  Right now I am looking forward to FALL, my favorite time of the year!  Brisk days, pumpkins, apple cider, falling leaves.  I can't wait to take Natalie to the pumpkin patch, and see her a Halloween costume (which I've already got all planned out, btw...)

Until next time...

XO
~Jenny

For Jenn

Natalie says thank you to "Aunt Jenn" for the cute new outfit!  She looks so sweet in blue!

We love you!  XOXOXO

Busy

Sorry I've been MIA lately!  Seems like we are just now starting to get settled into our new life as a family with two working parents.  Each week seems to get a little easier - though we are still crazy busy with our new routine.

This past week brought a case of pink eye for me and Natalie.  I didn't appreciate it....but I certainly didn't mind a "sick day" at home with my sweet little girl.  I think we both needed it!  She's also getting her two bottom teeth at the same time, and had her six month shots on the same day that she came down with the eye infection -- a little TLC was in order, for sure.

Along with our busy life, we have a BUSY baby on our hands these days!
She is right on the verge of crawling -- scooting backwards on the floor and around in circles.  She is really trying to get her legs moving, just isn't quite there yet.  Babyproofing is in our near future, I'm afraid.  She reaches for everything.  Got her hands on the computer charge cord the other day while I was in the kitchen.  Yesterday I went to the bathroom and when I came out she had scooted herself backwards underneath the TV cabinet.

She loves the hardwood floors, because it's easy to push herself around on them.

And this Little Miss has ALL KINDS of personality lately. :)

So fun, so sweet, so BUSY!