A Lifestyle Change

Tomorrow is the last day at my part-time gig {Mkt & Comm Director for a local yacht/country club} ,as I prep for the start of my new full-time position {Mkt & Membership Director at a local country club}.

The beginning of any job is accompanied by a myriad of emotions, but these days, the emotions are amplified. Leaving Miss L full-time is a BIG deal. And learning to manage home/work life balance is a BIGGER deal...than pre-baby times.

Unfortunately, our current daycare provider cannot help us full-time, so I begin to scurry to find a {new} full-time daycare. This is the biggest challenge any parent must face. Finding a place to leave your child that feels as close to home as possible. In the meantime, I have hired a high school student to help out in our home with Miss L...and I couldn't be more delighted with our hired nanny. I am soo excited and Miss L really warmed up to her quickly. They are going to have lots of fun together, I am certain!

I feel confident about the next chapter of my career and am genuinely interested in experiencing the "otherside of the coin" - the full-time working mom side.

Whoever said the "Days may be long..."

I've heard it time and time again, 'the Days may be long, but the years are short.' I feel fortunate to say that the 'long days' are behind me {for the most part}. I can't recall a day with Miss L that felt 'long.'

We manage to pack a TON in one eventful, fun-filled day in our world. Filling the monthly calendar has always been my M.O., so I'm sure this comes as no surprise.

Today, was no exception...

Big Girl Foods

We are approaching the 10 month mark, this Friday. Making baby food is "almost" a thing of the past {which makes me a little sad, just how quickly it passed by us}. Modifying our foods to make "big girl food" is now the method of Miss L's diet.

At our 9-month appointment, we were cleared to eat anything, with the exception of honey.

A Party in Heaven

Tonight, there is a very large party going on...in Heaven! Pa would be turning 55, if still with us on Earth. Instead, I am certain he is in Heaven, having beers with his friends, father-in-law and "Uncle Paul" {my great-grandpa}, playing Euchre and listening to the two kinds of music that exist in his world- country...and western.

In some ways, he is the lucky one. He gets to enter the pearly gates to God's eternal paradise, he is now free of cancer and he gets to be forever young...after passing at the age of 51 years young.

In other ways, I am the lucky one.

Champagne Tears

Today, my heart feels a little broken. Truth be told...a lot broken.

You see, last Tuesday evening, Jeremy came home from work early - he cuddled Miss L as he always does and told me he had a present for me on the countertop. I look...and it's a bottle of champagne.

Champagne? This means one of two things in our home...either this momma is having mimosas...or daddy got a job offer. This time, it was the latter. Everytime we have moved {3 times thus far}, Jeremy has brought home a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the promotion, the move and the excitement! We jumped for joy with lots of excitement, last Tuesday.

Then, the tough part came...negotiations. We didn't open want to open the champagne, until it was all set. Jeremy had a job offer at a larger location in a city within driving distance to dear friends and family. Unfortunately, the pay wasn't what he/we were expecting...based on this said city's demands, increased stress levels and overall work load. So...we walked away.

We agreed going in that we were willing to walk away; that we do enjoy life here and that this particular city wasn't worth it at X price.

Fast forward to this Tuesday morning...Jeremy called me with the news that the position was given to someone else {a dear friend of his...whom,we are very happy for}. A wealth of emotions just flooded our hearts.

My heart breaks for my husband, and for all of us. Tears come and go as I think about what we passed up.
Doubt about whether we made the right decision. Disappointment that the company couldn't work with him. Frustration, that I turned down a really great job opportunity because we thought we were moving. Fear about his future career path. Overall sadness. ETC.

This process has taught us that we have a strong desire to reside closer than 12 hours to family...and yet, has opened our eyes to how enjoyable it is to call the Twin Cities home. {Contradicting statements, I know!} This truly is a beautiful, very family-friendly, place to live. Especially, now that it is summer...and it feels like we are living "up north" Michigan...but with the modern conveniences of a big city. God has certainly blessed us with a home we love and with new friends that are very special to us.

At the end of the day, I am proud of us for standing our ground, and I am proud of my husband being offered this position at his age. Every experience in life is a learning lesson. I am firm believer in "everything happens for a reason." We may not know what is in store for us next...with his company or even a different comapny, here in MN or somewhere else. For now, I know it is best to put the bottle of bubbly in the spare fridge in the garage...until it is time to celebrate, once again. 

Wordless Wednesday

Monkey See - Monkey Do!

Miss L inspiring Miss C to stand up next to the window

Finally...Two peas in a pod!

At the playground with Aunt Jen

Our little fish!

Playing in our yard with her new water table

Best $10 Purchase

A couple of months back, we started to increase the number of miles logged during our family walk/jogs. The need for a "jogging stroller" quickly became inevitable.

I scoured Craigslist, as any thrifty stay at home mom would, and found one {of course, without a photo} for $10!!

I sent daddy to the unknown location one day after work. I told him, "who cares what it looks like, it's $10!!!" {If I could BOLD numeric numbers, I would BOLD the $10 now}. and he came home with this...

Happy Vacation {Mother's} Day!

The bar was set high...REALLY high...but it is his own fault. That's what Jeremy does best.

My first Mother's Day was a grandslam. It was not without numerous diaper changes, feedings and lots of baby spit-up...but it sure did feel like a day on vacation.

After some family time in bed on Sunday morning, Jeremy popped his "pre-made" Baked Caramel Banana French Toast {casserole} in the oven. A recipe that I not-so-subtly cut out of a magazine and left out for him, as a hint.

Home is Wherever I am with You!

Having moved from MI to Indianapolis to Downtown Chicago to the Twin Cities and {quite possibly} another move in the near future, I've learned one thing, er, well, two!

1) Adaptability is a VERY great trait to exhibit
2) Home is wherever I'm with Jeremy

Jeremy and I left Michigan in 2006 as young newlyweds, bursting with excitement and willing to see where the wind took us on this adventure, we call life. Never in a million years, did I foresee us living in the "North Pole," aka Twin Cities...nor renting a high-rise on the Chicago River.

We've learned to adapt well, get along with others, lean on each other {after all, we cannot just call a brother to help move a large object} and grow together as friends, partners and now, a family!

Just as I was pinning decor ideas for some wall art, based on the theme, "Home is Wherever I am with You," we were blindsighted with a potential move. A decision to be unknown for the following 3, 4 or even 6 weeks to come!

9 Months {of Fun}

Happy 9-month birth day lil' girl!

We had our 9-month check up yesterday. I must admit, I was super excited for this appointment. Not only was it free of shots, but it was with our favorite pediatrician. Dr. Koch examined her, directly while she was playing on my lap, making her extremely comfortable and relaxed. Happy baby...happy mama!

Miss L truly is peanut status at a whopping 15# 7 oz...this would be the 5th percentile. She actually has dropped a little on the chart, but not a surprise with how overly mobile she is these days. Her height is in the 25th percentile and head is in the 50th percentile. So...Doc says she is "just skinny...and that is just fine."

We have hit some major milestones...just in the past 2 weeks!

• 1st tooth on Sunday - had to use a spoon to ding it to check its existence!
• Waves hi, bye - even without being prompted by us, she waved to a 3 yr old in the waiting room yesterday
• Claps hands
• Gives super slobbery kisses
• Dances - immediately as we play our favorite song
• Loves chasing/crawling after Mr. Cole {including eating his food}

We had our 9-month photo session at the Mill Ruins Park, situated along the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. Back in the 1930's, there was 30 large mills lining the river. The park is filled with historic remains, architecture, and miles of walking paths along the falls. We LOVE our photographer, Danielle, and she patiently worked with us on this very impromptu photo session (it was originally cancelled, due to weather, then, on again!)...

Not too bad considering Daddy didn't shave and wore his bright orange tennis shoes...and Mommy {also not dressed in her favorite outfit} had to run to Baby Gap downtown really quick to purchase everything on the clearance rack to outfit the lil' doll. 

Happiest Baby on the Block

It's Friday night, and I'm blogging while watching the Tigers rally tonight! I have so much to write about, so much excitement going on in our world, and yet, I'm going to do the "5-minute Friday" and ramble-write for just 5 minutes. This way, I can still keep an eye on my Tigers!

J and I have been saying this for months, but we continue to repeat it daily as of late...we are sooo lucky! We both feel so blessed to have this adorable, beautiful, smart, little pumpkin in our world. Honestly, she is SUCH a good baby. I'd like to think it is our parenting style, because afterall...she is a Leo personality and wasn't always so "patient" or "happy." Only time will tell. :)

The best compliment we/she has received came from her great-grandfather, last month, while we visited family in Michigan. Grandpa said,"We've had a lot of babies come through here...and she's the happiest baby I've ever seen!" This is true...he has seen his share of babies in his day. And I agree 100%...we do have the Happiest Baby on the Block! Here is a special pic of Miss L & her great-grandpa...

I'm thankful that I didn't drive myself crazy with reading book, after book, during my pregnancy regarding child-rearing. At the end of the day...I am a firm believer that my instincts, family values, and natural skills have molded my daughter into who she is today...and who she will be tomorrow.

We try to incorporate impromptu fun into her world, daily. This evening, when a slow rain was trickling from the clouds...I suggested that J take her out to experience the rain, for the fun of it! And later tonight, we randomly played our favorite song {right now}, "Some Nights" by Fun; and we danced around the living room. Yep, it may sound dorky or cliche...but it made for the best baby giggles and some really deep belly laughs by J and me.

We will see if baby #2 is just as happy as Miss L...but rest assured, that won't happen for a while...as we are too busy having fun with our lil' doll!