Falling for Fall

I love Fall. Everything about it. It only takes one cool day to get me dreaming of sweats, fires, candles, baking, boots, cider...just thinking about it makes me feel cozy and peaceful. In an effort to truly celebrate the season I have created a Fall Bucket List. I cannot wait to start checking things off the list. I hope that it is simple traditions like the ones on our bucket list that Grady remembers as special. I think being a working mom I am going to work extra hard to make the time we have as a family memorable.

2012 Fall Bucket List

Host a Fall Craft Day

Drink Apple Cider

Host a dinner & game night

Go on a Hike

Visit the pumpkin patch

Enjoy a fire in the fire pit

Bake a Fall Treat

Show Gratitude

Take a Family picture

Decorate a pumpkin

Read a Fall-themed book

Go on a picnic

Try a new recipe

Make S'mores

Get cozy and take a nap

Eat Jack-o-Lantern Burgers

Go Trick or Treating

If I were really cool I would have a fancy-shmancy printable to share, but I'm not cool so I don't. Besides...you should make a bucket list that is full of your family's favorite fall festivities.

Check pack in the see updates on our progress...

Happy Fall!

Miss Hadley

We made a quick trip last weekend to meet our new niece Hadley. She was born on the 13th and is adorable. It is a little surreal that my sister and I are both Moms. I wasn't that long ago that we were sharing a room...when did we get so old? When I first found out that my sister was pregnant I didn't realize just how special it would be to become Moms so close together, and how exciting it will be to have children about the same age. I hope that Hadley and Grady are good friends, and I look forward to watching them both grow up.

 Grady looks like a giant, makes a Momma sad to see how fast he is growing.

What a beautiful little girl!

 The new family.

 Papa and Grady after church, Dad has asked for a tie-onesie for Christmas.

 Blessed to be an Aunt again.

 Nana, Papa and their babies.

Adventures in Babysitting

I think we are starting to settle into our new routine. I'm still heartbroken that I have to leave Grady, but I am trying (most of the time) to make the best of it. As far as daycare goes we are very blessed. I am thankful that he doesn't spend his day in a large daycare, but is given lots of TLC by a wonderful Mom that "adopts" him from 7:30-4 M-F and her adorable 3 year old who has given Grady the nickname of Baby Bug-a-Bug. I don't worry about him being cared for during the day, but I do miss him like crazy! Now, if someone could convince Mr. Grady that it is okay to sleep during the day we would be moving in the right direction.

He spends his days tagging along to various activities and being doted on by both of the girls and their friends.
I am just living for the weekend when I can spend quality time with my little guy.

2 months

Grades,

I can't believe that your 2 months old! Time is flying by, and you are changing and growing with every second. Overall I would have to say this month was much more low key then your month. With most of the meet and greets taken care of, we spent a lot of time just getting use to our new "normal". But of course there were a few highlights:

 The weather cooled off for a little bit, so we spent some evenings outside. You also started sleeping in the co-sleeper, so we started putting you in your footed pajamas.

 You are getting really strong, and like to look around. You have started to check the dogs out a little more.

 We took a road trip to Seneca with Nana and Papa to attend a BabyQ for Hadley, Aunt Kayla and Uncle Lucas. You took a snooze during the party.

 Your spending more time playing on your activity mat and laying under your owls. We enjoy watching you stare and kick around. You have started to find your voice and coo when you are playing.

 We took a trip with Uncle Ty and Aunt Laura to attend another shower for Hadley at Second Hand Ranch. Trinity couldn't wait to hold you.

 We wished a happy birthday to Nana, Monica and Uncle Ty. We helped Uncle Ty celebrate with dinner and some fruit ninja action.

 My favorite part of this month would have to be your smile. I love to see you smile and get excited.

 You really love bath time now. You kick and splash in the bubbles and grin. It is a lot of fun to watch you. Dad says, "Your the next Michael Phelps".

 The biggest event this month would have to be your baptism. It was a wonderful day, and you're blessed to have 3 great godparents.

The end of this month also brought the end of my time at home with you. I am heart broken to have to give up all my time with my "little firecracker".

The end of your second month also brought you first shot. Your Dad told you to "take it like a man", and I think you did just fine.

It has been another amazing month. You have taught me so much, and I can't imagine my life without you. It is so hard to hear everyone say how much you are growing and changing, because I want you to stay little...but at the same time I am excited to watch you grow and learn.

Happy 2 month-iversary, love you Bugs!!!

2 month stats: 

Height- 22.75 inches (42nd percentile)

Weight-12.4 lbs (67th percentile)

Grady's Baptism

I am very excited to announce that Grady was baptized today. It was a beautiful day, and we were blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. We do not take lightly the responsibility of raising Grady in the Catholic Church and to know Christ. We are thankful to have Godparents for Grady that are committed to sharing in the responsibility.

 We had the choice to have him immersed or sprinkled...we went with immersion, go big or go home, right?

 He was a little startled, but did great.

 Grady has 3 Godparents...2 Godfathers. We are blessed to know some great men.

 The oils smell so good!

We are so happy to have been able to bless Grady with the graces of baptism. 

Juggling Life

Lately I have felt a little overwhelmed by this new life. I have been fighting to find a balance. I feel like I am performing a juggling act...and I have no idea how to juggle all of my roles in life. I picture each role as a ball that I trying to keep up. There's the obvious role of mother- a role I am not confident in. It takes a lot of work to keep this one up...for the last two months this role has been my sole focus, almost as if I set the other balls aside and simply tossed this heavy ball by itself for a while, but of course it wasn't long before I needed to add the wife role back in...devoting time and attention to my husband and the cooking, cleaning, ect. And of course the role of pet owner...trying to find time and energy to devote to my fur-babies. I know my life will be unbalanced if I don't add in the personal ball soon...finding time to workout, focus on prayer, be social and creative again. And if that weren't this week I will be forced to pick up the school counselor ball again. My head is spinning.

I am learning the importance of focusing on the most important task at the moment (and sometimes that task is just watching Bugs play or cuddling on the couch with Chad) and not letting my mind spin about the other things that need to be done. It is going to be important for me to be organized, but also willing to let go of some things.

Being a working mom is not my first choice, but it is my current situation. I praying that the Lord will help me to accept it and trust that it is part of his plan. I will just have to treasure the time that I have at home and make the most of the nights, weekends and summers.

We will find a routine soon. I am sure I will drop a ball or two from time to time, but that is just part of life.

And as a reward for reading this rambling post: