New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

 

Am I the only one happy to see 2012 go?  Don't get me wrong, they year wasn't all bad.  We did welcome our sweet Hannah.  But man, oh man, was it a tough year!  I'm praying 2013 goes a little smoother.

 

I'm not usually one to make resolutions.  I feel like no matter what, I break them a week into it.  Well this year I've decided to change that.  I'm making several resolutions because I've got some serious work to do here.

 

1. Keep my resolutions. :)

2. Get organized!  Our life needs some serious organization.  I'm working on filing important papers, cleaning out closets, rooms, the garage, etc.  It's much needed and it feels so good to de-clutter.

3. Revamp the budget and stick with it.

4. Get out of debt!  We were able to refinance our house at a much lower interest rate in December and K got a pretty dang good Christmas bonus (much to our surprise!) so we are going to pay off my car.  This will free up some much needed money.  We're going to try to beef up our savings as well as pay off that pesky credit card from when we were younger and not so smart.

5. Get in shape!  I've given up the goal of being as thin as I was when K and I met.  It's ridiculous to think that I could get back there.  Especially considering that I was underweight.  My new goal is to be healthy and just accept whatever size that may be.  I have a number in mind, but if I'm toned and healthy I'm flexible with that.

6.  Cook home cooked meals every day with the exception of twice a month.  We have fallen into the habit of eating out far too much.  It's not good for our wallets or our waistline.

7.  Go to confession once a month.

8.  Get dressed daily.  Staying at home makes it easy to be frumpy.  I want to purposefully make myself look presentable everyday.  This includes make up and hair.  He would never say anything, but I know my hubby can't possibly enjoy coming home to me still in my pj's.

9.  Write down in a journal a positive memory for each day.

10.  Blog at least once a week.  I'm actually working on a major revamp that may include a new name.  I need a change and hopefully this will help keep up with this goal.

 

As a family we are also going to work on a family rosary each evening (we're beginning with just a decade with the girls).

 

I really pray I can keep up with this!  I know I can do it.  Maybe one of my resolutions should have been to not be so lazy and to not procrastinate. :)

For all of those still waiting...

 

 

 

 

I haven't forgotten the pain of waiting. I haven't forgotten how difficult this time of year can be. I have been praying for you. Please know, I haven't forgotten.

She's Fine

Hannah's pediatrician called and said her x-ray came back normal. He said that although ER soft spot is on the small side, you can clearly see the spaces between plates. We are going to keep an eye on it but for now she is fine. He said some kids just have lumpy, funny shaped heads. :)

This sweet girls says thank you for all your prayers!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Quick Takes - What's your favorite?

1. What's your favorite jeans? Winter is coming and I need jeans! I don't want "mom" jeans, but I have hips and a butt...oh and a fabulous little pooch thanks to my beautiful little girls. ;) I'd also like something that doesn't stretch 2 sizes bigger an hour after I put them on. I'm willing to spend a bit of money on them of they are awesome!

2. I need eye cream! I'm getting dark circles and I look tired all the time (probably because I am). I'm going to be 30 in less than 2 months (yikes!). I guess it's probably time to admit that I need something anti-aging too.

3. What kind of body lotion do you like? My skin is much drier as I get older and after having kids. I can't seem to find one I like.

4. What's your favorite foundation? Again, kids have changes my skin. I have combination skin. There are dry spots but it gets very oil as the day goes on...especially in Florida heat.

5. What's your favorite lipstick. I've gotten out of the habit of putting it on. I wear gloss but it rubs off in 20 minutes. I've noticed hubs compliments me every time I wear lipstick so may e I should do it more often. The problem is I'm super indecisive.

6. Favorite face moisturizer? I've tried coconut oil...didn't work for me. Again, I have combination skin. I'd prefer something on the more natural side.

7. What are you doing this weekend? We are leaving Mary-Grace with K's parents (first time! Ack!) and he, Hannah and I are going clothes shopping for me. His parents are taking her with them to some sort of reunion picnic. The thought of someone else driving her in a car makes my stomach turn and is enough to induce some serious anxiety. But I can do this! I can do it!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Prayers for Hannah

Today I had both girls at the pediatrician for their 18 month and 6 month well visits (although they are actually 19 and 7 months...oops). Mary-Grace is my tall skinny girl at 33 3/4 inches and 24.9 pounds. Hannah is my tank at 27 3/4 inches and 17.2 pounds. Both girls looked healthy and are doing well developmentally. However, he did notice an issues with Hannah's skull. He believes that she may (well, more than likely) have craniosynostosis. Basically this is where the different plates in the skull fuse too early causing an odd shaped head and preventing brain growth. It is possible for this to cause neurological problems, however, Hannah doesn't seem to be exhibiting any of that. It is something that must be corrected. And unfortunately the only way to do that is through surgery. I can tell you that Dr. Google is not my friend and after reading about the surgery I am terrified. Friday morning I take her in for an x-ray. That will more than likely be followed by a CT scan and then a trip to a specialist. If my pediatrician is right ( after reading more I believe he is) we will have to do surgery sooner rather than later due to her age.
I'm trying very hard not to get ahead of myself but this is hard. My momma heart is broken and afraid. Any prayers you can spare for my baby girl are very much appreciated. And of you could also pray for the doctors we come in contact with. I have a very strong distrust of doctors in general. Thank you so much...I'll keep you updated.
Oh, and on a completely different, and much happier note...I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!!!
Ryker Kai




He could use a few prayers too if you have them. He had a bit of a dramatic entrance into the world and although he will be fine, he's been spending some time in the NICU. He sure is a cutie though. :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Quick Takes - Questions

1.  Do you do Santa?  Hubs and I are not on the same page about this one.  He says we shouldn't, I say we should.  Both of us grew up with Santa.  He is worried that it will take away from what Christmas truly is.  I think that you can easily do both.  My thinking is to play Santa way down.  And even possible make it very fairytale like...where we never make it like Santa really exists.  Does that make sense?  He wants to just do St. Nicholas' feast day where we do stockings from St. Nick (so this would be like our Santa?) and then Christmas (where all gifts are from us).  He asked me to poll you ladies.  So, do you do Santa?

2.  Do any of you have very young ones sharing a room?  Hannah is not sleeping through the night, but as soon as she is we plan to move her to her crib in Mary-Grace's room.  They are so close in age, and our house is rather small, so we always planned on them sharing.  However, now that we are getting near this actually happening, I'm concerned with the logistics.  Mary-Grace has become a pretty good sleeper, I don't want to mess that up.  And Hannah is a pretty light sleeper so I don't want Mary-Grace rolling around to wake her up.  We do have a sound machine in there...but if any of you have tips on how to make this work, I'm all ears!

3.Do you wear your wedding rings all of the time?  After K and I got engaged, I didn't take my engagement ring off the entire time we were engaged except to shower or touch raw meat etc.  After we got married I started taking my rings off to sleep because having 3 on all the time (I have my engagement ring and then a band on each side of it) was making my fingers peel.  Then at some point I just stopped wearing them while I was home.  This wasn't a huge deal when I was working because I always had them on when I was out.  Well now that I'm home everyday I noticed that if I didn't go somewhere it would be days without my rings on.  Something about that just didn't sit well with me.  About 2 or so months ago I decided to make sure I was at least wearing my wedding bad all the time (except for showers and such).  I sleep with that one band...everything.  I put the other two on if I'm leaving the house or people are coming on.  I've noticed that it's a nice reminder of my first vocation as a wife.  My days get so consumed as my vocation as a mother that I need this little reminder.  So, do you always wear your rings?

4.  When y'all started your blog, did you have any idea the friendships that would come from it?  I sure didn't!  I have made so many fabulous friends.  Some I talk to of FB regularly  Some I have never met but text multiple times a day.  Some I have met.  One was even here for the birth of my daughter.  I'm so amazed at the wonderful friendships I have made through this little community.  I am so thankful for all of you every day!

My oldest has even made a friend thought this little blog..

Mary-Grace and Hannah Rose in March, the weekend Hannah Clare was born.

Hannah Rose and Mary-Grace a few weeks ago.  My goodness 6 months makes a huge difference!  Someone stop the clock!

5. What's your favorite toddler friendly snacks?  I need some new ideas!  I make Mary-Grace these peanut butter/oatmeal "cookie" things that she loves.  There's no added sugar and they are really yummy (I've been known to eat them for breakfast).  But I need some new ideas.

6.  I'm working really hard on staying on top of the house work.  Any tips or chore schedules you use?

7.  How many years have you been married?  K and I will be celebrating 6 years this Sunday.  I'm so excited!  I love anniversaries, birthdays, anything we can celebrate really.  We don't really have any plans other than to disconnect for the weekend and just spend a quality weekend with each other and our girls.  In fact our big plans for tonight include cleaning our garage.  Of course we'll drink champagne while doing it.  That makes it romantic, right?

Hands

I love how God sometimes uses the ordinary, everyday to give us a huge message.

Mary-Grace is becoming quite independent.  She runs all over the place and rarely looks back for me.  We have a rule in parking lots and near streets - she has to hold my hand.  She often doesn't like this and does everything in her power to yank her hand from mine.  This usually results in her telling me "No!No!" while I hold tightly to her wrist.  When I'm not carrying Hannah, I pick her up and remind her that if she isn't going to hold my hand in the parking lot then she can't walk.

There is one exception to her independence - steps.  Particularly (because that's the one she encounters daily) the step from our garage into our laundry room.  Every time we arrive home from wherever we've been for the day, I take her out of her carseat and let her walk to the door while I get Hannah.  Without fail, every single time, when she gets to the door to the laundry room she puts one foot up and then reaches her hand back for me. She doesn't turn her head back to see if I'm there, she knows I will be.  She just holds out her hand for me to take so I can help her.

The other day we were going about our regular routine.  After returning from storytime she put that one foot up on the step, and held out her little hand for me to take.  It was then that it hit me, God does the same for me.  When I hold out my hand, God takes it and leads me.  I often go running in my own direction.  I try to be independent and think that I don't need help.  I'm often like my little Peanut in the parking lot.  Resisting my Father's helping hand.  But every now and then I realize that I need help, I need God (I only wish I realized this more often).  I don't have to look back to see if he is there.  I can simply hold my hand out and he'll take it.  He will always be there, anticipating my need just as I do for my children.