We've been married for five years today.
It feels like a lifetime and yet it's gone by in the blink of an eye.
He's everything I ever wanted, and everything I never knew I needed.
I love you, Nick.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Five Years
We've been married for five years today.
It feels like a lifetime and yet it's gone by in the blink of an eye.
He's everything I ever wanted, and everything I never knew I needed.
I love you, Nick.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
spring 2011
I had to stop by here today to reflect on how far I've come in the last year.
I remember the begining of 2010 being very difficult. That whole winter was emotionally and physically taxing. Pumping at work, being so exhausted from long days, and just plain missing my little guy so much that I could hardly stand it. I think the dramatic drop from blissed-out new mom to over-tired working mom was too much for me. I felt... fragile.
It makes me tear up just thinking about how much I struggled. I wanted so badly to be the best mom that I focused solely on Oliver and shoved, hard, everything else into the background. It took a toll on my marriage, because I know I wasn't the best wife there for a while. There are a few times that Nick said "I just want my wife back..." and that statement never failed to make me feel bad, but also snapped me the hell out of whatever funk I was in and made me realize that in my haze of single-minded focus I was still missing out.
Not that there weren't happy times, because of course there were, and plenty of them, and I know I took advantage and played and took pictures and made memories but looking back, it was just... mostly gray.
Anyway, March 2010 was where I started to come out of it. I started to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Last spring, I learned a little better how to be present in my own life. I realized that the fun in weeknight bathtime was no less joyful than weekend afternoons. I'm not saying things are perfect now, but my equilibrium is evening out. Dare I say: I'm feeling balance. I am so darn happy. Seriously. And when I look at what we've been through, even though others might struggle with more or different challenges in parenting, I still feel triumphant. I deserve to be happy.
For once, I feel the need to mention my job. I'm enjoying it! It's at times exciting, fast paced and challenging... other times it's mundane tasks and meetings. It's always changing, and while the changes are always varying in my personal scope of ideal, it's never boring. My boss is a genuine and compassionate human being, and that alone is something I know I'm lucky to have, let alone an affordable insurance plan and a little vacation time.
This spring, there will be no stopping our little family. Nick and I are so looking forward to the next few months. We're in love with each other and our little man. It's going to be full of gardening, walks, playgrounds, and laughter. We've got a vacation planned - taking a trip to Florida (Ollie's first plane ride!) to visit the grandparents and the beach - and we're going to relax and enjoy each other.
And this little guy? What can I say? He's perfect, the light of my life, and the walking, talking definition of joy.
I remember the begining of 2010 being very difficult. That whole winter was emotionally and physically taxing. Pumping at work, being so exhausted from long days, and just plain missing my little guy so much that I could hardly stand it. I think the dramatic drop from blissed-out new mom to over-tired working mom was too much for me. I felt... fragile.
It makes me tear up just thinking about how much I struggled. I wanted so badly to be the best mom that I focused solely on Oliver and shoved, hard, everything else into the background. It took a toll on my marriage, because I know I wasn't the best wife there for a while. There are a few times that Nick said "I just want my wife back..." and that statement never failed to make me feel bad, but also snapped me the hell out of whatever funk I was in and made me realize that in my haze of single-minded focus I was still missing out.
Not that there weren't happy times, because of course there were, and plenty of them, and I know I took advantage and played and took pictures and made memories but looking back, it was just... mostly gray.
Anyway, March 2010 was where I started to come out of it. I started to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Last spring, I learned a little better how to be present in my own life. I realized that the fun in weeknight bathtime was no less joyful than weekend afternoons. I'm not saying things are perfect now, but my equilibrium is evening out. Dare I say: I'm feeling balance. I am so darn happy. Seriously. And when I look at what we've been through, even though others might struggle with more or different challenges in parenting, I still feel triumphant. I deserve to be happy.
For once, I feel the need to mention my job. I'm enjoying it! It's at times exciting, fast paced and challenging... other times it's mundane tasks and meetings. It's always changing, and while the changes are always varying in my personal scope of ideal, it's never boring. My boss is a genuine and compassionate human being, and that alone is something I know I'm lucky to have, let alone an affordable insurance plan and a little vacation time.
This spring, there will be no stopping our little family. Nick and I are so looking forward to the next few months. We're in love with each other and our little man. It's going to be full of gardening, walks, playgrounds, and laughter. We've got a vacation planned - taking a trip to Florida (Ollie's first plane ride!) to visit the grandparents and the beach - and we're going to relax and enjoy each other.
And this little guy? What can I say? He's perfect, the light of my life, and the walking, talking definition of joy.
Friday, March 11, 2011
independence and favorites
So... what's he doing now?
Whatever it is he's doing it by himself!
Not that we're not, like, teaching him things... but some of these things he must have picked up by watching us or learning from the teachers and other kids at daycare. Anyway, here's the list!
I love that he has favorites. He doesn't (yet) have a "lovey", the one must-have security item that must be present at all naptimes and bonked-head-in-need-of-comfort times, hugs and kisses do just fine for now.
Dr. Seuss' ABCs always gets a smile. This was my favorite book as a child, apparently to the point where I had the book memorized! Oh, history really does repeat itself... I currently have the book memorized. :) The other night we were in the car on our way home from eating and he was just tired of sitting and started getting pissed... so I started rattling off rhymes and soon he was giggling.
Me: Big D... little d... What begins with D? Doughnuts and a duck-dog!
Oliver: D... D... D!
Me: Big R... little r... What begins with R? Rosy's red rhinocerous! R... r... R...
Oliver: Arrrrrr!
My dude loves Elmo. They have a chicken dance Elmo at daycare, and when you push his foot he sings... "Elmo wants to be a chicken, Elmo wants to be a duck... *quack quack quack!"
This morning he spied his Elmo hoodie in his dresser and pointed, saying "mo mo! MO MO!" So, guess what he's wearing today?
He loves his Roxie! We got him a big ball that he tosses around - he laughs so much when she jumps up to chase it. I can't wait to see him in the back yard together!
Lately if you say "Oliver, let's go change your diaper" he'll walk down the hall and wait for you at the door. Most of the time once you open the door he'll either take off toward the books in his closet or behind the rocking chair to play peek-a-boo. Still better than running away from a diaper change, though!
This walking down the hall trick will sometimes work for "Oliver, want to go nite nite?" Sometimes.
Other things he wants to do by himself:
He's also started to develop a little bit of patience. A little. He will hand me his sippy cup when it's empty and most of the time actually not cry when I walk away, and wait for me to bring back some more milk.
Our son enjoys routine. Most days I get home from work, we eat dinner, then Nick goes to take a shower. Oliver and I read books and do all kinds of playing, but once Daddy comes out of the bathroom door it's "Da Dee!" and off he goes down the hall. We have been practicing having him walk holding one of our hands, and so he gets up, walks over to his dad, takes his hand and leads him to the bedroom. Like, "OK now you go here, and put on pajama pants, and then we pick things up like shoes and dog chew bones and bring them to mommy in the living room now, right? OK GO."
He's got a new tickle spot on his jawbone and is working on saying "Ollie" and "love you". Just plain killing me.
TOY STORY TENT! COMPLETE WITH REX INSIDE!
Whatever it is he's doing it by himself!
Not that we're not, like, teaching him things... but some of these things he must have picked up by watching us or learning from the teachers and other kids at daycare. Anyway, here's the list!
I love that he has favorites. He doesn't (yet) have a "lovey", the one must-have security item that must be present at all naptimes and bonked-head-in-need-of-comfort times, hugs and kisses do just fine for now.
Dr. Seuss' ABCs always gets a smile. This was my favorite book as a child, apparently to the point where I had the book memorized! Oh, history really does repeat itself... I currently have the book memorized. :) The other night we were in the car on our way home from eating and he was just tired of sitting and started getting pissed... so I started rattling off rhymes and soon he was giggling.
Me: Big D... little d... What begins with D? Doughnuts and a duck-dog!
Oliver: D... D... D!
Me: Big R... little r... What begins with R? Rosy's red rhinocerous! R... r... R...
Oliver: Arrrrrr!
My dude loves Elmo. They have a chicken dance Elmo at daycare, and when you push his foot he sings... "Elmo wants to be a chicken, Elmo wants to be a duck... *quack quack quack!"
This morning he spied his Elmo hoodie in his dresser and pointed, saying "mo mo! MO MO!" So, guess what he's wearing today?
He loves his Roxie! We got him a big ball that he tosses around - he laughs so much when she jumps up to chase it. I can't wait to see him in the back yard together!
Lately if you say "Oliver, let's go change your diaper" he'll walk down the hall and wait for you at the door. Most of the time once you open the door he'll either take off toward the books in his closet or behind the rocking chair to play peek-a-boo. Still better than running away from a diaper change, though!
This walking down the hall trick will sometimes work for "Oliver, want to go nite nite?" Sometimes.
Other things he wants to do by himself:
- Put on his socks, shoes and sometimes his pants
- Take off his socks, shoes and pants
- Run
- Eat with silverware
He's also started to develop a little bit of patience. A little. He will hand me his sippy cup when it's empty and most of the time actually not cry when I walk away, and wait for me to bring back some more milk.
Our son enjoys routine. Most days I get home from work, we eat dinner, then Nick goes to take a shower. Oliver and I read books and do all kinds of playing, but once Daddy comes out of the bathroom door it's "Da Dee!" and off he goes down the hall. We have been practicing having him walk holding one of our hands, and so he gets up, walks over to his dad, takes his hand and leads him to the bedroom. Like, "OK now you go here, and put on pajama pants, and then we pick things up like shoes and dog chew bones and bring them to mommy in the living room now, right? OK GO."
He's got a new tickle spot on his jawbone and is working on saying "Ollie" and "love you". Just plain killing me.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
First Haircut
He did not enjoy it, but it took me longer to get over the crying than it took him. Obviously.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Oliver likes...
The lottery drawing. It's his favorite show.
The HH Gregg newspaper guy. Makes him laugh.
"uh oh!" It comes out sounding more like "ah ooh!" and is, of course, adorable. We're working on teaching him that it's not an "uh oh" if you do it on purpose.
Walking. This is his jam. His primary mode of transportation. He's still working on watching where he's going, though.
Peas, corn, meatballs, any and all fruit, and Wendy's chicken nuggets over McDonalds.
French fries dipped in Frosty. Another win for Wendy, that vixen.
His pup, Roxie. He laugh when she kisses him. She lets him hug her.
Books. Flipping the pages, pointing at animals, sitting in your lap. Cows say "ooooh".
Ducks. He has the Munchkin bath duck, which he used to be afraid of, but now he loves it's quack. As a sign of his genius, he now says "cah cahk" when he sees any duck, on a shirt, in a book, and every morning when he sees that inflatable fellow in the closet.
Kisses. Ok, maybe it's more something his mom likes, but Oliver gives kisses to people, Roxie, and the boy in the mirror. And he gives "nice nice" (hugs) to pretty much everything if prompted.
The HH Gregg newspaper guy. Makes him laugh.
"uh oh!" It comes out sounding more like "ah ooh!" and is, of course, adorable. We're working on teaching him that it's not an "uh oh" if you do it on purpose.
Walking. This is his jam. His primary mode of transportation. He's still working on watching where he's going, though.
Peas, corn, meatballs, any and all fruit, and Wendy's chicken nuggets over McDonalds.
French fries dipped in Frosty. Another win for Wendy, that vixen.
His pup, Roxie. He laugh when she kisses him. She lets him hug her.
Books. Flipping the pages, pointing at animals, sitting in your lap. Cows say "ooooh".
Ducks. He has the Munchkin bath duck, which he used to be afraid of, but now he loves it's quack. As a sign of his genius, he now says "cah cahk" when he sees any duck, on a shirt, in a book, and every morning when he sees that inflatable fellow in the closet.
Kisses. Ok, maybe it's more something his mom likes, but Oliver gives kisses to people, Roxie, and the boy in the mirror. And he gives "nice nice" (hugs) to pretty much everything if prompted.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
the past month
I have been loving living my life.
Things got kinda crazy there, with planning Oliver's birthday party, and then BAM, HI Thanksgiving a week later! But, you guys. I am freakin' HAPPY.
So, since I last posted:
OK, that's all I'm posting for now. I just wanted to put these awesome pictures out there, and give a little update. But, I've got nothing to bitch about so this post is short & sweet. My husband is awesome, my kid is awesome, I'm busy being happy!
Things got kinda crazy there, with planning Oliver's birthday party, and then BAM, HI Thanksgiving a week later! But, you guys. I am freakin' HAPPY.
So, since I last posted:
- the weekend after the big leap he came down with his first ear infection - but it didn't affect his demeanor one bit!
- I turned 31 years old. Bought new pants.
- Nick broke his toe - but it healed up just in time for "the" birthday party.
- Oliver got a bunch of awesome toys for his birthday - including his "first" (read: ONLY) 4-wheeler! More party pictures coming - but how could I not post this face?
- Winter came to Cleveland. December 1st it started snowing like hell. News people predicted Snowmageddon! In reality it wasn't that bad... but maybe I'm just a little tougher than the whiny pants?
 |
| Please focus on the sweet grinning baby boy and not my inappropriate dog in the background. |
We attended two company holiday parties in the same weekend... mine on Friday night, Nick's on Saturday. And on that Saturday night, another girl and I were wearing the same dress. It was totally a sitcom-moment, where I berate people for not telling me quickly enough that *of course* I looked better in it! And I did... see?- I did all my Christmas shopping on Amazon. It was the shit.
- We got his pictures taken for his birthday and Christmas all in the same session. Here are the birthday ones... I'm holding on to the Christmas ones until I get to the official birthday recap. Nyah nah.
- He started walking, kinda, but yes really taking real steps. About a week before Christmas. He gets so stinkin proud of himself when he does it too.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
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