I think we will soon (I'm guessing this week) have a crawler on our hands! Natalie is SO close. Our lives will officially be much more active!
See videos below:
Keeping up with our family and our everyday little adventures!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Happy 1st Birthday, Cousin Miles!
This weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph my cousin's (Natalie's 2nd cousin I believe?!) 1st birthday party. Natalie and Miles are 6 months apart. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the party and would totally do it again!
Here is a preview of some of the pictures I took (total after editing was 360)!
Happy 1st Birthday, Miles!
I can't believe we will be doing this in 6 months!
Here is a preview of some of the pictures I took (total after editing was 360)!
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| Cowboy Miles |
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| Miles and Natalie (2nd cousins?!) 6 months apart! |
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| Tim and Miles |
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| Happy little family! My Aunt Sarah, Tim, and birthday boy Miles! |
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| Rusty always around when there is food :) |
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| Grandpa putting together Miles' new wagon |
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| She was worn out! |
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| Weeeee!!!!!! |
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| First ride in his new wagon |
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| The whole gang |
I can't believe we will be doing this in 6 months!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Patience
God has really been testing my patience lately...I think he knows that is probably one of the most weakest areas of my life. I don't think I have ever really been very patient my entire life. I get anxious quickly or upset easily when things are taking too much time (at least in my opinion).
Looking up the definition of patience, I get this:
There are a ton more verses, but those are the ones that stuck out the most to me. Lately, I have definitely been struggling with being patient and I feel as though God knows it and is in a way purposely testing me in traffic, in my relationships, with Natalie in her teething phase, and in the selling of our old home.
I know there is a reason that our old home isn't selling, but I think we've done just about everything we can without breaking the bank to try and make our old house sellable. It's in a great neighborhood, probably on the best street since no neighbors are behind you and you have a huge open field with a small row of trees so it's very country-like for being in the city. The yard is beautifully landscaped, it has mostly all brand new windows, brand new front and back doors, brand new carpet, fresh paint in the main area of the home except the bedrooms (people are going to want to change the paint color anyway). We have really great neighbors. We started the house in the top price range trying to make some money (actually break even basically with all the new upgrades) and now we have lowered the price hoping that will bring more buyers in. Whoever says that real estate is an investment...I just have to snicker because that is definitely not the case in selling our home. Good luck finding a house the age of ours with the landscaping, updates, and in an established popular neighborhood for our price/location. It has really been testing my patience lately and I feel like I am in constant prayer for God to bring a serious buyer our way! I know it has only been on the market for 2 months in this economy, but there again, my patience is pretty thin!
My patience with my relationship with Bobby has really been wearing super thin and basically to the point where I no longer have any patience with him, especially since moving and maintaining 2 homes. He is much more detail oriented than me I guess so it takes him (in my opinion) FOREVER to do something that should only take a few minutes to a few hours. I could go on and on with other strong disagreements with Bobby and other relationships that are wearing down my patience, but I will refrain and just leave it at I have been asking for guidance in this relationship area for sure!
Natalie, as cute as she can be, can also wear on my patience; although I would have to say I have 100% more patience with her than anyone else. Lately, I believe she has been through the teething phase because at nighttime she will just scream for at least a half hour with Bobby or I trying to calm her down. The other night, the Orajel got misplaced (Bobby blames me and of course I blame him), so we both looked for it, but never found it. Luckily, Natalie calmed herself down and went back to sleep. Last night she did the same thing, but after buying more Orajel (extra strength for nighttime), that didn't seem to work, but about 30 minutes later and a bottle later, she was back to sleep. Bobby tends to think that she is doing this late at night because I am feeding her too much baby food, but she only eats 1 packet of the baby food (equivalent to a container of Gerber) a night and when she is done she spits out her food to let us all know (which can be quite annoying)! Once again, I disagree with Bobby (surprise!, surprise!), I am still going with the teething. You don't see Bobby feeding Natalie baby food, so if he would like to start doing that, it would be fine by me!
For now, I'll continue to pray for patience and remember this quote:
Looking up the definition of patience, I get this:
"the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like."
I look at this definition and I basically feel/act out all of the above actions that you are not supposed to have with patience: annoyance, misfortune (sometimes), definitely complain a lot (need to work on that), loss of temper (for sure), irritation (often).
As I was looking up patience, I also wanted to see what the Bible says about being patient and these verses stuck out to me the most:
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (I do feel like I am in constant prayer lately)
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 5:4 And endurance produces character, and character produces hope
There are a ton more verses, but those are the ones that stuck out the most to me. Lately, I have definitely been struggling with being patient and I feel as though God knows it and is in a way purposely testing me in traffic, in my relationships, with Natalie in her teething phase, and in the selling of our old home.
I know there is a reason that our old home isn't selling, but I think we've done just about everything we can without breaking the bank to try and make our old house sellable. It's in a great neighborhood, probably on the best street since no neighbors are behind you and you have a huge open field with a small row of trees so it's very country-like for being in the city. The yard is beautifully landscaped, it has mostly all brand new windows, brand new front and back doors, brand new carpet, fresh paint in the main area of the home except the bedrooms (people are going to want to change the paint color anyway). We have really great neighbors. We started the house in the top price range trying to make some money (actually break even basically with all the new upgrades) and now we have lowered the price hoping that will bring more buyers in. Whoever says that real estate is an investment...I just have to snicker because that is definitely not the case in selling our home. Good luck finding a house the age of ours with the landscaping, updates, and in an established popular neighborhood for our price/location. It has really been testing my patience lately and I feel like I am in constant prayer for God to bring a serious buyer our way! I know it has only been on the market for 2 months in this economy, but there again, my patience is pretty thin!
My patience with my relationship with Bobby has really been wearing super thin and basically to the point where I no longer have any patience with him, especially since moving and maintaining 2 homes. He is much more detail oriented than me I guess so it takes him (in my opinion) FOREVER to do something that should only take a few minutes to a few hours. I could go on and on with other strong disagreements with Bobby and other relationships that are wearing down my patience, but I will refrain and just leave it at I have been asking for guidance in this relationship area for sure!
Natalie, as cute as she can be, can also wear on my patience; although I would have to say I have 100% more patience with her than anyone else. Lately, I believe she has been through the teething phase because at nighttime she will just scream for at least a half hour with Bobby or I trying to calm her down. The other night, the Orajel got misplaced (Bobby blames me and of course I blame him), so we both looked for it, but never found it. Luckily, Natalie calmed herself down and went back to sleep. Last night she did the same thing, but after buying more Orajel (extra strength for nighttime), that didn't seem to work, but about 30 minutes later and a bottle later, she was back to sleep. Bobby tends to think that she is doing this late at night because I am feeding her too much baby food, but she only eats 1 packet of the baby food (equivalent to a container of Gerber) a night and when she is done she spits out her food to let us all know (which can be quite annoying)! Once again, I disagree with Bobby (surprise!, surprise!), I am still going with the teething. You don't see Bobby feeding Natalie baby food, so if he would like to start doing that, it would be fine by me!
For now, I'll continue to pray for patience and remember this quote:
Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off. ~Author Unknown
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Oh the IRONY!
So this morning I bit into my fortune cookie from the night before which read: "To lower your stress level, get a cat." SERIOUSLY! How about to INCREASE my stress level, get a cat! Funny enough, I get a facebook message tonight from the girl who took in our cat saying that she's pretty sure the cat is miserable at her house because she is still hiding in the basement in their rafters...
Much to my dismay, this means an email back to Nikki to arrange a time for me to go get the dumb cat! It's been SO nice without her, even though we initially missed her in just the slightest way, I really did not want her back at all. I'm thinking that if I possibly put an ad on Craigslist to get rid of her, that may be my only option since several posts on Facebook were not successful. However, who is going to want a cat that just hides. I'm pretty much she is just traumatized from being displaced from "her home" for a couple months while at the in-laws, then coming to our new house for a day, then to another new house to her the following day. Once again I will say...wish she could have just stayed at the in-laws...not like one more cat was going to hurt things since they already have one (that was dumped there by Bobby's sister). Maybe if I say Annabelle is peeing all over Natalie's things (like Felix the other cat did to Bobby's nephew) then she will have a home at the in-laws ;)
We had an open house today at the old house. According to the realtor, we had a decent amount of lookers (7 groups). However, one person was just looking to see how they could fit a half bath in their existing home and another wanted decorating ideas. Our most potential looker isn't very promising either considering this was the first home she has looked at! I'm so sick of going over to the new house and having to hassle with the weeding, mowing, painting, etc! Even though it hasn't quite been 2 months...my patience is wearing out already! I just pray every day that SOMEONE, ANYONE will buy that house! What do people want...it has new carpet, new windows, new doors, new water heater, and good roof. All the big things are already done for them! Plus, I've basically repainted the entire living room/dining room/hallway and bathroom! Will keep praying...
Natalie was something else tonight, she went to bed really good, but an hour into her sleep, she woke up screaming/crying, then calmed down for a bit, but then took a LONG time to calm her down once again and get her into her crib without any fuss. Not quite sure what her problem was...never really did figure it out, but I think she eventually just wore herself out crying and finally went to sleep! Today she at spinach, apple, and rutabaga (I don't even know what a rutabaga is), but she at the entire packet and loved it...yuck! She's definitely Bobby's daughter!
Her 3 month sleepers are officially too small (even though she is in one right now, since the other one I had on her made her too warm). My baby will be half a year old in 10 days! Where has all the time gone?!
I'm pretty excited that I might have finally found a dining room table for the new house! I found it on Craigslist and am planning on seeing it tomorrow morning! I'm hoping it was just what I was looking for...counterheight, 6 chairs (really wanted 8), and is 36" x 54" that expands with a leaf to 54" x 54". The chairs have been newly re-upholstered with zebra print fabric (which isn't exactly what I was looking for, but I think it would go well with our decorations). Plus it is only $375 and the other 2 tables I liked were over $900 and over $600. Now, I do have to go by myself with Natalie to look at it and according to Bobby I'm supposed to see if the chairs are in good condition. I have no idea what that means...so hopefully if I buy it, Bobby doesn't get too annoyed if the chairs aren't to his standard. It is Pottery Barn, so I would assume they are good quality?!
Much to my dismay, this means an email back to Nikki to arrange a time for me to go get the dumb cat! It's been SO nice without her, even though we initially missed her in just the slightest way, I really did not want her back at all. I'm thinking that if I possibly put an ad on Craigslist to get rid of her, that may be my only option since several posts on Facebook were not successful. However, who is going to want a cat that just hides. I'm pretty much she is just traumatized from being displaced from "her home" for a couple months while at the in-laws, then coming to our new house for a day, then to another new house to her the following day. Once again I will say...wish she could have just stayed at the in-laws...not like one more cat was going to hurt things since they already have one (that was dumped there by Bobby's sister). Maybe if I say Annabelle is peeing all over Natalie's things (like Felix the other cat did to Bobby's nephew) then she will have a home at the in-laws ;)
We had an open house today at the old house. According to the realtor, we had a decent amount of lookers (7 groups). However, one person was just looking to see how they could fit a half bath in their existing home and another wanted decorating ideas. Our most potential looker isn't very promising either considering this was the first home she has looked at! I'm so sick of going over to the new house and having to hassle with the weeding, mowing, painting, etc! Even though it hasn't quite been 2 months...my patience is wearing out already! I just pray every day that SOMEONE, ANYONE will buy that house! What do people want...it has new carpet, new windows, new doors, new water heater, and good roof. All the big things are already done for them! Plus, I've basically repainted the entire living room/dining room/hallway and bathroom! Will keep praying...
Natalie was something else tonight, she went to bed really good, but an hour into her sleep, she woke up screaming/crying, then calmed down for a bit, but then took a LONG time to calm her down once again and get her into her crib without any fuss. Not quite sure what her problem was...never really did figure it out, but I think she eventually just wore herself out crying and finally went to sleep! Today she at spinach, apple, and rutabaga (I don't even know what a rutabaga is), but she at the entire packet and loved it...yuck! She's definitely Bobby's daughter!
Her 3 month sleepers are officially too small (even though she is in one right now, since the other one I had on her made her too warm). My baby will be half a year old in 10 days! Where has all the time gone?!
I'm pretty excited that I might have finally found a dining room table for the new house! I found it on Craigslist and am planning on seeing it tomorrow morning! I'm hoping it was just what I was looking for...counterheight, 6 chairs (really wanted 8), and is 36" x 54" that expands with a leaf to 54" x 54". The chairs have been newly re-upholstered with zebra print fabric (which isn't exactly what I was looking for, but I think it would go well with our decorations). Plus it is only $375 and the other 2 tables I liked were over $900 and over $600. Now, I do have to go by myself with Natalie to look at it and according to Bobby I'm supposed to see if the chairs are in good condition. I have no idea what that means...so hopefully if I buy it, Bobby doesn't get too annoyed if the chairs aren't to his standard. It is Pottery Barn, so I would assume they are good quality?!
Friday, August 5, 2011
3rd Times a Charm!
Mr. Fix-It (aka Bobby) decided to run the wire from our TV jack output to the other wall in the living room (my choice because I liked the TV being on a different wall) by himself. I already knew that changing this set-up would be at least a whole day job for Bobby since other projects in the past have taken him this long, so I was already dreading that!
Bobby has made holes in the wall of our old house when putting in surround sound, but never did anything like this:
Bobby was trying to drill a hole through the floor down to the basement, not through the wall! Good thing is it is in our stairwell to the unfinished basement, so no one will see it for now. Even better thing is the contractor is going to patch is for Bobby on Tuesday! I was so mad at him when he did that!
2nd attempt when through the floor joist and the 3rd attempt was finally successful! Now hopefully we can get the living room put back together. However, Bobby is still at this moment fiddling over there with the successful hole and wires.
This will be our first weekend home since the 4th! Have some touch up paint to do in the old house's bathroom and Bobby needs to cut the grass for the open house on Sunday. Then, back to our new house for more unpacking (hoping we get all or the majority of it done! Can't wait to hang up our pictures, etc to make this house feel more like home!
Natalie Note:
She has demonstrated her ability to push backwards or as we call it "crawl backwards." Today, I put the 'babyproofing' around our stone coffee table (that we can finally set-up and use with the new arrangement in the living room), which is foam padding all around the edges and corners for when she gets to the point of pulling herself up on things. My next 'babyproofing' step will be putting the outlet covers on. She is loving her squealing, screeching voice she has now found...makes life enjoyable :) Although, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love watching her discover all the new things around her! She ate really good tonight with the pears, broccoli, and peas mixture with a little bit of sweet potato, pumpkin, apple, and blueberry mixture. However, she hasn't drank a 6oz bottle all day (sticking around 4 and 5oz today), but was drooling like crazy today! I hope these teeth break through soon!
Bobby has made holes in the wall of our old house when putting in surround sound, but never did anything like this:
Bobby was trying to drill a hole through the floor down to the basement, not through the wall! Good thing is it is in our stairwell to the unfinished basement, so no one will see it for now. Even better thing is the contractor is going to patch is for Bobby on Tuesday! I was so mad at him when he did that!
2nd attempt when through the floor joist and the 3rd attempt was finally successful! Now hopefully we can get the living room put back together. However, Bobby is still at this moment fiddling over there with the successful hole and wires.
This will be our first weekend home since the 4th! Have some touch up paint to do in the old house's bathroom and Bobby needs to cut the grass for the open house on Sunday. Then, back to our new house for more unpacking (hoping we get all or the majority of it done! Can't wait to hang up our pictures, etc to make this house feel more like home!
Natalie Note:
She has demonstrated her ability to push backwards or as we call it "crawl backwards." Today, I put the 'babyproofing' around our stone coffee table (that we can finally set-up and use with the new arrangement in the living room), which is foam padding all around the edges and corners for when she gets to the point of pulling herself up on things. My next 'babyproofing' step will be putting the outlet covers on. She is loving her squealing, screeching voice she has now found...makes life enjoyable :) Although, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love watching her discover all the new things around her! She ate really good tonight with the pears, broccoli, and peas mixture with a little bit of sweet potato, pumpkin, apple, and blueberry mixture. However, she hasn't drank a 6oz bottle all day (sticking around 4 and 5oz today), but was drooling like crazy today! I hope these teeth break through soon!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Natalie Playing with Rusty
Rusty is so good with her!
We brought Rusty home with us this weekend after being at my mom and dad's for almost 2 months! So far he has done pretty good being at the new house. His feet get a little dirty, which Bobby has started using our tub to clean his feet (and doesn't clean out the tub so it is still dirty). I'm just waiting to see how long it takes for him to rinse out the dirt! Rusty has been bad at nighttime though! He wakes us up several times a night for really no reason...it's getting old fast!
Annabelle (our old kitty) went to her new home yesterday. I felt kind of bad for giving her away yesterday, but at the same time I am glad. I really hope she does well at her new home that has 2 other cats, a little dog, and 2 little girls. If not, we'll have her back and find another home for her. We were really hoping that she would get to stay at Bobby's parents' house after being there for almost 2 months since they have another cat and they got along, but no such luck!
Natalie is currently eating Ella's Kitchen broccoli, pears, and peas and really likes them. I wouldn't taste this one because it smells weird, but Bobby tried it and said it was good. I tried to get her to take her formula using a transition bottle/sippy cup, but she wanted nothing to do with it. Amanda says she was cranky today and I am wondering if it's her teeth bothering her. I just wish they would come in already! She has been sleeping really well still at night (all the way through for about 10-12 hours a night). She is doing a great job rolling over to reach for things but gets really frustrated when things are out of her reach. Sometimes I do that to her intentionally to get her to figure it out herself. She is doing good sitting up by herself, but falls over without supervision often (not as wobbly as she used to be though).
It was nice having Amanda back, but I am sad that she will only be here for 2 more weeks after this week because then she will be picking up substitute teacher jobs since she hasn't found a full-time position yet. That means I have to find a daycare very soon :( That makes me sad, but I keep telling myself that the social interaction with other babies may be good for Natalie. However, I will probably be a nervous wreck at first because I feel very comfortable when my family watches her!
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