10 Years of Magic

Today is our 10 Year Wedding Anniversary!!!! I must say it has been a blissful 10 years. Hubby and I met on a blind date set up by a coworker who is now my sister in law. We met on Feb. 11 and were married 4 months later on June28. When I first saw him I remember thinking, wow he is beautiful:) I was blessed to find out that his beauty wasn't only skin deep but flowed throughout his spirit as well. Thank you my Sweet Love for Loving me in a way that makes me know God thinks I'm really special.


Ten years of Marriage and still dancing!!!

Testimony

I just have to share this testimony, it's too good to keep to myself. Today I had a meeting with my DON (director of nursing) and my immediate supervisor. I told them about how daycare just wasn't gonna work for us and that I wouldn't be able to work my previous hours. I told them that I could work the 1 day a week that Quinn is off and then maybe I could work a 7p-7a shift in the ER or inpatient. Now mind you, I work in the outpatient area of the hospital. My DON says to me "well let's think outside the box", could you work 6p-9p in the eves. doing the preop calls and then you could work 12-6pm or whatever time you like on the days Quinn is off . I was stunned, I wish I could have stopped time right then so I could've jumped on top of the desk and shouted out praises to my Lord!!!!!!!! My DON then said Terrie, we were so afraid you were coming in here to quit, we don't want to lose you, we will work with you any way we can. GOD IS SOOOO INCREDIBLE! Working those hours should average out to about 20 hours per wk. If we're frugal and really careful with our expenditures that should work out just fine for us. Again, I never even thought they would consider something like that. Sooo Monday is my first day back. I'll spend all day with my sweet Muffin Butt, hand her off to her doting dad and go to work. I'll be back home in time to tuck her into bed. Ummp, ummp, ummmp.

Now I will say this, I had a secret weapon, I brought my sweetums with me and she was looking incredibly cute and she was in a great mood. Just smiling and charming the pants off everyone. Way to go sweetums, help your momma out.

I CANNOT DO IT!!!

Today was Gracie's last day at the daycare. I just can't do it folks. I feel my baby is just too young and with her only being home with us for 6 weeks, I'm terrified that the daycare will reverse all the bonding that's occurred so far and possibly hurt any further. This may or may not be true but it's a chance I'm not willing to take. In January, she'll be older and God willing well bonded to us, and I'll try again at that time. Until then, hubby and I will have to learn how to live on less. I'm going to speak with my manager tomorrow and perhaps I can work one 7p-7a shift a week. I am stepping out on faith but God has NEVER let me down, so I continue to trust in him. Thanks for your prayers guys.

Day 2 of The Daycare Blues

Well, we've survived another day. Was it better, honestly, no but I have to keep praying that eventually it will be. This morning hubby and I dropped her off. At first it seemed it would be ok but as soon as she went from hubby's arms to Ms. Edie's she screamed bloody murder, worse than yesterday. Hubby and I both kissed her and walked away. I was hysterical by the time I got to the car. Hubby gave me a big hug and promised she'd be ok. I let her stay for 4 hours today and when I went to get her at 10:30 she was sitting in an exersaucer bawling. Oh boy, NOT what I wanted to see. Ms. Edie promised she'd just started crying and when the other caretaker picked her up she stopped right away. They said she'd had a good morning, bottle, bm and a nice nap. When I took her she seemed upset with me at first wouldn't make eye contact and kept her little head down. I just kept talking to her and giving her kisses. After we made it home, she seemed her ole smiley self again. We're gonna go meet daddy for lunch, I think this morning shook him up too. Sooo we soldier on :(

1st Day Down

Well I picked my sweetums up at exactly 2 hrs. She seemed to be doing ok. She cried a little and reached for me when she saw me come in. All of the ladies there seem to be very taken with her. So that's a good thing right? The sweet lady in the photo is the main caretaker I believe. I really liked her, she appeared to be very nurturing. Soooo I survived, but my head is still hurting from all the crying I did. Tomorrow's another day. Oh boy. Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

Absolutely Awful

I dropped my baby off this morning at daycare. It was so awful. I am STILL crying. The caregiver in her room seemed wonderful. She was an older lady and had the face of a kind, kind grandmother. I handed Gracie to her and she looked so scared then she turned her little mouth down like she does when she's getting ready to cry. Oh, my heart, my heart I almost took her back and said forget it. The nice lady started to bounce her and talk to her and Gracie just whimpered not a full out cry. I left at this point and went back to the front. I gave them her shot records and went back to get one last peak. The lady was holding her and she was just looking around but not crying. I sat in my car for 10 minutes weeping before I drove away. I called my poor hubby and he tried to console me to no avail. This has to get better but I don't see how. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HER IN DAYCARE!!!!! Any words of encouragement would be appreciated guys. I am seriously distraught.

Sad Eyes

This face is an actual representation of my emotional state. I have to take Gracie to daycare tomorrow. Hubby and I were suppose to take her today but we just couldn't do it. I will take her for 2 hrs tomorrow if I can hold out that long. Hubby doesn't want her in daycare either, so we're both miserable. We've been laying in bed at night trying to figure out an alternate solution that doesn't include us going into financial ruin. No luck so far. Soooo, I'll let you guys know how it goes. No smooches tonight, too sad :(

The 3 Faces of Grace

Ok Mommy, I'll smile prettily for the camera, here you go. Now run along mommy and play.


The camera flash is making me dizzy mom, can you give it a rest please?!


For the luv of God, can someone get this crazed camera woman away from me. Jeesh!

Just a Lil Mo Elmo

This video was 52 minutes long and my baby watched the entire thing. Such an attentive little genius. Note how she gets excited at the appropriate parts in the video. Ahhh brilliant I tell ya.

Lunch Date with Daddy

Since I'm still off work, sometimes Gracie and I will go and meet Daddy for lunch. Daddy luvs to see his baby girl and it just makes his day. Mr. Heatmeiser in the back was just determined to get himself and that dang red shirt in the pic. Gracie did a double take but quickly realized it wasn't Elmo. She turned back around incensed at the imposter. My days of leisure are coming to an end. I only have one more week off with my sweet girl. Ohhhhhhh how I'm dreading going back to work. I told hubby to get a 2nd job but the meany pants won't do it;) Oh well what's a girl to do. Until next time, Smooches.

Sweet Pea Fiend

Ms. Gracie is officially munching on solids. So far her fav is sweet peas. I was asking my mom today should I just let her eat & eat until she stops? It seems to me like that's an awful lot for her little tummy. Trial and error I suppose. I'm gonna run it past our pediatrician tomorrow. Anywhoo, she cracks me up when she's eating, towards the end she screams like give me more crazy mommy and stop playing!!!!! Enjoy the video. Smooches

Father's Day Follies

Hubby had a great Fathers Day. We spent it with his family and it turned out to be a surprisingly good day. Hubby's brother was in from Wyoming and provided his usual over the top antics for the occasion. When we walked out of church he had a stretch Hummer parked to take us all to the restaurant. On the way home he pulled out a large wad of dollaroonies and gave it to the parents. Again, a bit much but Hubby has great parents who've been married for 51 years. Anything goes when your honoring your parents. Of course everyone went on and on about Muffins and she was her usual cute as a button self. However, and this just started yesterday, she cried whenever anyone besides myself and hubby tried to hold her?! Of course I said oh sweetums what's wrong, secretly I thought Yippeeeee she only wants us!!!!!!! Ok that wasn't nice but hey I'm human right. The evening ended on an especially high note because Hubby's brother apologized for a wrong he committed against me sometime ago. Ahhhhh family, gotta luv em right. Smooches

First Social Engagement!

Gracie attended her first social engagement today. K's 2yr. old birthday party was a hit. The Red One himself made an appearance! The kids went wild for him and I had to stifle my own excitment lest people think I was some weird Elmo stalker. Sweetums just looked around in wonderment. She smiled while Elmo was holding her until his hot, itchy outfit got to be too much. K's mom has been so wonderful to Gracie. She gave her a TON of stuff before we went to Ethiopia. I took some of it to ET with me for donations. My muffin butt's closet is overflowing thanks to her. A good time was had by all and when Elmo started to bust a move I got a little wiggle in my own hips. You know I love that little red guy. Smooches.

Friday Fun

Last Friday hubby took off and we had a fun filled day at my wonderland, the mall! Gracie is just like her mommy and enjoyed every minute of it. She just chilled in her stroller taking everything in. We were at the mall for almost 3 hours and she was wide awake the entire time. Ahhhhh, you make mommy so proud.

Father's Day Inspiration

READ STORY FIRST
> A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with
> me?'. The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.
> They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went
on
> to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's
> request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked
his
> father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father
> said 'Yes' too.
>
> For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever.
> The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86
> kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike
> ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along
the
> coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race
> together. View this race at.....
>
> NOW WATCH THIS VIDEO:

First Photoshoot!!!

Gracie had her first photoshoot today. She did amazing of course. The photographer was great and they even threw in our announcements for free, whooopeeeee. Next time we'll get some with all of us.

No Autographs Please

Gracie had her first day at the beach today. Hubby couldn't wait to take her. Me...aaahh...not so much. I'm more of a lounging by the pool girl. The beach is too messy but I was a good sport about it. Hubby had a blast despite me constantly reminding him not to let my baby get in that dirty water. He put her feet in it anyway and I quickly dowsed them with hand sanitizer. Sweetums did well for about an hour then she started looking like, "really mommy we could be at the mall". I couldn't agree more sweetums so as hour two approached we waved hubby in from the rough, muddy waters and headed home, yayyy. Hubby promises to buy us a little backyard pool, goodie now that's something I can get with. Smooches

Hubby the Fantastic!

Well I must say, my husband has truely impressed me this day. He and Gracie did just fine without me. When I got home my sweetums was fed, diaper changed and he'd even changed her out of her little outfit into her "lounging" clothes. Go head brother! The trip to the doctor's office was without incident. He dressed her in a cute frock but didn't put her in one of her bows. He said he combed her hair in a new style and it was pretty....uh ok honey, I'll let you have that one. Hopefully he didn't have my child out in public looking like Lil Richard. But seriously, I have no complaints. I breezed home for lunch and they were having a blast when I came in. Daddy had his girl thoroughly entertained. While they had a blast today, I was miserable. I missed my sweet girl soooo much. I could hardly concentrate at school and found myself constantly thinking for goodness sake professor would you shut up, do we have to know every detail of your lesson plan, jeesh, get on with it so I can get home to my snookums. Well, somehow I made it through the day. My, my, my what on earth am I going to do when I have to go back to work. I should start playing the lotto. Smooches everyone

Elmo & School Blues

It appears that my sugah likes the red guy, Elmo. Way to go sweetums, I love Elmo too. Now I have an excuse to buy ALL of his dvds and I will be doing so posthaste. I was able to pay the bills while she was entertained by the Red One. After Sesame Street went off I remembered that I'd bought Elmo Saves Christmas. Wheeee, that bought me 20 more minutes.
Tomorrow hubby has his first day alone with Ms. Gracie. I have school all day and i've been fretting about this day since we came home. I know he'll do fine, it's just....well.... you know he's not mommy:( I'll just have to keep a stiff upper lip and bear with it. Initially the plan was he'd meet me for lunch but now he has a doctors appointment, so that's out. I go back to work the first week in July. I've found a wonderful daycare but everytime I think about it my stomach starts to cramp. Oh that's gonna be rough. Ahhhh to be a stay at home mommy would be a dream.
I'll let you guys know how daddy fairs. Until then, Smooches.

Her Royal Bowness

Well I was able to get a few pics of that fabulous bow after all! Notice the initial G, is my baby girl styling or what. There's a great boutique in town owned by a lady that adopted her Grace from Guatemala. I'd been keeping her abreast periodically of our journey and when I took Gracie in to see her she gave me this gorgeous bow. Wasn't that sweet of her? Oh my baby girl sure brings out the best in people. Ok I'm going to bed now. Smooches.

7 Hours.....

That's how long Ms. Gracie slept last night. Yahooooooooo!!! At one point I jerked myself awake and thought OMG what time is it?! I looked over at her and she was sleeping and breathing so sweetly. Ahhhh, wonder can that be repeated? Dad finally put her high chair together and she seemed to really like it. She ate quite a bit of her bananas and then had her bottle. Maybe that's the secret recipe for for the sleeping bonanza. We'll replicate it tonight and I'll let you know.
We had a busy day today which included meeting daddy for lunch. Gracie was sportin a new bow and looking mighty fine. I didn't get a chance to get any pics because by the time we got home my sweetums was so fussy. It took me awhile to calm her down. I had to resort to drastic measures including forcing the dreaded pacifier on her. Poor snookums she finally dozed off and I'm sure she'll be her ole smiley self when she wakes up. Until next time, Smooches.

First Sunday

Muffin Butt attended her first church service today. She did awesome I must say. She sat prettily & quietly for the majority of the service. She only ramped up a little at the end. She was a vision in yellow and her daddy was sooooo proud.

On another note, it was a sad day in Divaland. After having them since I was 17yrs. old, I had my acrylic nails removed today :( They just aren't compatible with mommyhood. I was always afraid I would poke sweetums in the eye and I couldn't unclick the carseat quick enough with them. Most importantly, I didn't want to risk introducing any bacteria to those precious new ear piercings. So alas they had to go. Ahhhhh the things we do for our children. I remember when I first got them at 17, ooooh I thought I was the cats meow. I know that was only 5 yrs ago, but it's still ruff. (heehee)