The Heart Walk

My Heart Walk is over and it was a complete success! What a relief and what a blessing.

I have been fundraising for Heart Walks for 4 years now, but, never had to deal with the logistics of the event for over 4000 people before. Due to layoffs in our office I am now in charge of the event planning too. This includes food, tents, water, scripts, maps, permits, volunteers, etc.

Any one who knows me knows I am not afraid to ask for anything. But, planning for details is not a strong point of mine...until now. I did it, it took a lot of lists, and some sweat, but, I did it.

And it is over.

Now, on to Christmas and a New Year.

Thanksgiving break fun

Working hard this weekend

Adaela was working hard this weekend. She got new shoes and then swept
the yard :)

Life

This past year has been a pretty tough one. My closest family and friends know of the sorrows and hardships that have shaped some of my days. I told my Mom the other day "life is harder than I ever thought it would be. Better, too, but harder."

Having said that, I could not be more grateful or proud of my little family. Andy I just had our 4th Anniversary on Nov 4th (yes, I love the symmetry). I came home from work to a big bouquet of fall flowers, fresh baked brownies, ice cream, and my favorite candies. Andy and Adaela were waiting for me dancing to the song that Andy I danced to on our wedding night. Our song, "God only knows."

I will never forget that moment in the kitchen with Andy and Adaela. My heart was so full. Yes, it has been a hard year. But, that moment, summed it up. I am loved and I love.

I feel like I have been telling many of my friends lately how sorry I am about hard things in their lives. Telling them too that "Life is hard, but worth it." Telling them I love them and I am here with them.

These are not easy times. Life is not for the faint of heart. But, I am moved by the beauty I see in our "struggle." It is human and beautiful.

At Circle in the Square my favorite acting teacher would say to me "I love your struggle" again and again he would remind me of that fact. You know what, I am starting to love it too.

So yes, life is hard, so is love. But, it is beautiful and so worth it. In the words of a gift a beautiful friend gave to me "Love Life....Be Brave"

Stylin'

On the move!!

Look out Adaela is driving!!

We had a blast at Disney

Bounce House Fun

Adaela hearts her boots

Kansas I miss you

Sweet girl

Halloween is coming....

Happy Birthday Misty! We love you!

Reading

Sara got married!

Little Ophelia

Little Ophelia has been sick. A week ago she started throwing up and couldn't stop. She would get sick every time she ate. So, we took her to the vet Friday. They though maybe she had a virus and sent us home with some medicine. The poor kitty continued to get sick every time she ate. So, we took her back the Saturday. This time the vet said it could still be a virus, or it could be her pancreas. If it was her pancreas we may not be able to keep her. She needed to get better.

So, we took her home with special food and more medicine. She continued to get sick all day Sat. and Sunday. Monday morning she got sick again and had a little blood in her throw up :(.

Let the crying began. I called the vet and cried to the receptionist. They told us to bring her in for a few days and many tests. I cried. I was convinced it was over, she was very sick and we would love have to put her down.

Thankfully, I was wrong. This kitty is a survivor.


They ran all the test and could find nothing, her pancreas was fine, and apparently, so was everything else. They gave her more fluids and kept her over night. We brought her home Tuesday night. This picture is Ophelia and Adaela's reunion. Yes, they are loveys.

She is now rocking too amazing shaved arms from her blood work. She looks like a cracked out poodle. But, we love her and we are so happy to have her home.

Mommy and Daddy Get Away!

Andy and I took a big step this past weekend. We let Adaela over night for the first time. She is 16 months old and two of our dearest friends down here booked us a room on Key Largo and told us they were watching Adaela.

At first we both fought it. We said "no, no, we will take Adaela." But, both of us knew it was time. Adaela has a blast with these two and Andy and I needed the time.

This is not to say I didn't grimace every time I talked about leaving her. But we were only a couple of hours away, I could be there if I needed to be.

It was an awesome trip. I had forgotten how much fun Andy and I have together. We laughed and laughed. It is amazing how the daily business of living can drown out all the reason you really love someone. In the end I hope to be 90 and still laughing with this man.

Adaela had one big party while we were gone, and I am not going to lie, I was a little offended how "uneventful" our reunion was :). She gave me a big hug and then went to play with her toys.

Yes, I know it is a good thing she feels so secure.

So, put a check in another milestone box.

I love her and miss her

Update

Hello World,

I am writing with a weaning update. Letting your baby grow up is hard. My hormone levels have reached a whole new level of awesomeness. I have the broken out face and weepy episodes to prove it. My boobs are official back to their tiny selves :( and I have mysteriously dropped about 5lbs, ah hormones ( probably mostly boobs, yes they are that much smaller).

I am being reminded lately that I like a plan. I have never loved changed and now I have a living reminder in Miss Adaela that nothing stays the same. She is different, although more wonderful, everyday.

I am in one of those "in between" times. I am working on being thankful for the Grace of the moment. I feel like I am working on figuring out who I am today.

I found myself as a growing prego, then a new Mama, then a nursing/working Mom, now I in this toddler stage trying to figure out where I fit in.

Lot of unknown. It is good for me, a lesson in living in the moment. But, not my favorite. Alas, this too shall pass.

Weekend Funtivities

Big girl

Snuggle Bunny

Weaning

Well, the day I always knew would come has arrived. This is a day that at times I greatly anticipated and other moments I dreaded. It is official, Miss Adaela Elizabeth has been weaned.

Now, Adaela and I made it nursing 14 months. When I was prego I was a bit freaked out by the whole idea of nursing. My brother and I were not nursed, neither was Andy. It seemed a bit weird and frankly, looked painful.

I knew how great it was for the baby, and for Moms too, so, I decided I would do my best to make 4 months (a nurse told me that was the most important span of time to nurse).

To my surprise, I loved nursing. Adaela was a natural and I adored that time with her. And to future Moms out there, no it doesn't hurt if you are doing it correctly, and it wasn't weird at all. It was something that was just ours. No one else in the world could share that with her.

I found my attachement to nursing strengthened when I returned to work. Adaela was 3 months old and still so tiny. Someone else was taking care of her during the day. But, we still had our time together. Adaela loves her Daddy, they do many fun things together, but, nursing was our thing.

Don't get me wrong. There were nights and mornings when I thought "it will be great when I am no longer nursing and someone else can get up early, or put her to bed." But, mostly, I loved it and so did she.

We made it to the one year mark and I am not sure I have ever felt more proud. I worked over 40 hours a week and nursed my baby to a full year. It is one of the first important gifts I have given her.

I have spent the past two months wondering how we would wean. Would she just get tired of nursing and be done? Would she be mad at me when we stop?

This past Wed. I had a meeting in the evening and Andy gave her a bottle an put her to bed with out me. She did great. I knew this was the opportunity to wean her and be done.

So, I did it. Adaela has been a champ. Mom has been a bit of a mess.

The first night I hid in the guest room while Andy put her down ( I didn't want her to see me, freak out, and beg for milk). She went right down. Later that night I cried in my closet ( a favorite place for weeping :)). I was sad a that time in her life was over. She was not a little baby anymore. I was sad that the one thing I could give her that no one else in the world could offer was ending. Now Andy could do it all.

But, slowly my sanity returned, and I realized I will always be her Momma, even if I was no longer the "milk machine."

So, here is to a new phase in life and being able to drink as many Diet Dr. Peppers as I want to!

Daddy and dancing

Adaela collects/loves giraffes, so, Dad was really excited when we found this giraffe at Epcot with my parents.

Adaela also loves to dance here is a great example. Prepare yourself :)

Stylin'

Adaela has a love for my clothing, specifically my socks, bras, tights, and undies. Although, currently she is wearing on of my tank tops over her skirt and shirt.

She is only 14 months and I already can't keep her out of my closet, yes, I am in trouble.

Here is Adaela enjoying the hot summer months in Florida. She is a little Florida Fishy

Family Vacation/Kansas Wedding Trip

These are pictures from Sam and Lindsay's wedding. Miss Adaela was a dancing queen :)





These are pictures from our day at Discovery Cove swimming with dolphins :)


Adaela rediscovered her love of bouncy seats when baby Graham visted my parents house in Kansas.

Shopping

This is just way to cute not to post it.