Painters

On this sunshiny Saterday we were indoors putting a fresh coat of paint on our church's kitchen. It was an all day job, but now the kitched looks fresh and much cleaner! Louisa played and between grandma, daddy, and me we were able to keep her nice and happy. Mike and I were pretty tired and ready to crash when we got home - but before I hit the hay I wanted to put up my pictures from the day.

The next few weeks are going to be quite busy and fun, (a visit from a good friend, a wedding, a graduation) so I want to make sure I keep up with everything here on my little corner of the internet.

Just to be consistent

Since I've been posting every day for a while, I thought I would try and be consistent. I don't have anything interesting to say, but luckily I have a cute baby to show off!

Here is the Lou bear sleeping on mom and dad's comfy bed. Sweet dreams!

The importance of family

I am happy that Louisa has a good many family members that she will (hopefully) know as she grows up. (These are pictures of her with my cousin's baby.) I myself have fond memories of spending time with aunts, uncles, cousins, second-cousins, grandmas grandpas and even great-grandmas and great-grandpas. Maybe she won't get to see extended family members all the time, but at least she knows that she has alot of people who love her and will benefit from their company whenever possible.

Speaking of families. I just finished reading the book by Michelle and Jim-Bob Dugger - the family who has 18 children. WOW. It was an inspiring book to say the least, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Anyone can borrow it if you'd like. This is an example of a couple who is truly and utterly dedicated to the well-being of their family. I'm not saying you need to have that many kids in order to demonstrate that, however it is very obvious in this particular family that they put eachother FIRST. I am also now reading Multiple Blessings, which is one written by Kate Gosslin. Hmm...I am very sad about their situation right now. All those days spent watching TLC while pregnant (remember, I was obsessed with A Baby Story) I was also watching Jon and Kate plus 8. I know it's cliche' to say, but I feel like I know their kids. Even though many people think Kate is an obsessive mother, I actually admired her for a lot of things - like the way she disciplines, and I can even relate somewhat to her need to organize and clean. So, I am sad that she is being just hammered by the media. As for Jon, I think he is acting childish and needs to step up for the sake of his family. Anyway I just feel horrible for the kids now, because it seems like their family is going to be torn apart. Mike and I are keeping them in our prayers, because we know they need it. I just wanted to say that it seems to me that the devil knows just what to attack - the family. He knows that families are what matter the most to God, and so that's what he goes after. We really need to pray and keep in mind that the family is really the center of a society, and so their success or failure will ultimately determine the success or failure of our entire civilization. It is important that we stay vigilant in every way possible to protect and uplift the family institution, for the benefit of all.

Fussy Bucket

She has been one fussy lady today. Not sure what the problem is...possibly the heat? Or, maybe she is just going through a period of tummy aches. I say that because none of the normal means of comfort have been working. Anyway, poor thing. I think we'll go on a walk now for some fresh air. (meanwhile my laundry is piling up sky-high, luckily my husband thinks taking care of Louisa is a sufficient day's work, what a guy :)

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin-in-law who just had a beautiful baby boy. He is just too adorable! I can't wait for Lou and Isaac to meet. They might just be kindred spirits. :)

Memorial Day Weekend

-BBQ's
-Family
-Sun
-Walking
-Folklife Festival
-Irish Dancing
-Cute baby
-More Sun
-Summer fun and cool drinks

I am very lucky to live here in America. May God grant the repose of the souls of those who served to make it all possible.

The Unexpected

We've received some unexpected blessings around here. But first, jeez oh man (I got that phrase from a novel I'm reading) poor Louisa. She did not have a good morning. After church the little thing was beside herself about something - something we could not get to the bottom of. She started to cry after mass was just finishing up and then continued to get more upset. The usual things we tried to do wouldn't calm her down and I started to get really anxious. Finally we just had to leave, and the poor thing cried all the way home. She only settled down when I nursed her to sleep laying in our bed. (For some reason she wouldn't nurse at the church) phew, it's stressful just thinking about it...

So, about the post title. Last night we were driving home and we stumbled upon these nifty shoe stands. I love them! A neat way to hang up our shoes by the door. I was constantly straightening and re-straitening our shoes. Did I mention we found them by the dumpster? So handy - and free!

Now this gorgeous crib was not found in the dumpster...no, my grandma and grandpa unexpectedly dropped it off this afternoon. Goodness, it's probably one of the nicest pieces of furniture we own now. Louisa was growing out of the family cradle and they were going to trade it in for the family crib, but as it turns out that crib was missing it's mattress and broken in a few places. So...their generosity won the day and Louisa now has a beautiful bed. The nice thing about it is that it can turn into a toddler bed, then a "big kid" bed for when she gets older.

birthday day

We love you and we are so grateful for you in our lives. Hope you enjoy your day!

Happy birthday to Pat, too!

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This picture was taken by a family friend with a fancy schmancy Canon camera (ok so Mike and I admit that we would love to have someday) but isn't it fantastic? I cannot think of a clever enough thought bubble for it - what is she thinking here? I'd love to hear your ideas :)

She has had enough with being a newborn

Lou can now roll both ways with no problem what-so-ever. She is quite ambitious; seeing as how she just learned to roll from tummy to back last Wednesday. Yesterday she was just laying there and suddenly it was as if she decided, "I think want to be on my tummy now" because she simply rocked a few times then she did it! It honestly looked like it took her very little effort. Uncle Pat was over for dinner so he got to see the action too.

I am one proud mama.

One year since we said our vows

We celebrated our 1 year Anniversary Sunday... and I don't know how to adequately describe how our first year has been, except that it has been everything I wanted from my marriage. We have done so much together, so many fun and enjoyable things; but like I told Mike, I would say that my favorite part about the last year has simply been spending my days with my husband and falling asleep with him at night. Marriage is such a blessing from God! Like it says in Genesis, it is not good for man to be alone. Children too, are a blessing, and as you know we joyously brought Louisa into the world after only being married for nine months. So again, all I can really say is that in one year I have gotten all I could ever want, and then some. I hope and pray that we will be together for many more happy years!

Some pictures from our wonderful day...

Partying Mama (sort of :)

One of my good friends had her Bachlorette party on Saturday night and I actually got to attend. Mike was a nice husband and watched Lou while I went out to a piano bar with my girlfriends (all of who I have known since elementary school!) What did was I just fed her around 8:30, (which is her usual bedtime now; then she will sleep for 3 hours at least until she needs to eat again and will usually go right back down after she's fed) that gave me enough time to head downtown for a little while. So, I have to admit it felt a little strange to be going "out". I felt a little silly dressing up and going downtown (aren't I supposed to be an "un-cool" mom now?) But I'm glad I didn't let that stop me from going because I had a really fun time. Aubri, I can't wait for your wedding!

Girl

A sweet, small girl
Petite, yet so full of love
Freely given to me

She's already got that look in her eye...

...that look of determination. Know what I mean? Could it be just three months since we took her home from the hospital? She's already rolling over and just look at her, doesn't it look like she wants to crawl?

She rolled over.

Louisa rolled over from her belly to her back today. A total of three times, so it was no fluke. I couldn't believe my eyes! It just seems so early for her to be doing it. Is it? The first time she did it I was in the other room, and so Mike called me in there. He told me she rolled over and I totally did not believe him. I looked at him and said there's no way, are you telling me the truth?? But then as I watched her she did it again! It was quite exciting I tell you :D

I will attempt to get a video of it here soon.

Louisa says "hello"

Louisa is 93 days old now. That's kind of random, I know. But it looks like we've gotten her past the 90 day warranty period; we'll have to keep her, no trade ins :) (Sorry if you think that's a bad joke - I'm not that funny, I know)

Our little busy baby has been lots of fun as of late, with her "talking" to us more and more. (See video) She is discovering her voice along with her hands, which provide plenty of entertainment. Mike and I realized Lou doesn't really have any toys - ok so she has one toy (a circle rattle thingie) and some stuffed animals. Which I'm not saying is a bad thing because she obviously stays busy with people and her own hands. However we are thinking we may want to get just a few little things for her to chew on and learn to grab for.

I've been inspired by my sister-in-law to try some new knitting/crocheting projects. I've been somewhat intimidated to try anything new, but I'm feeling the itch to do something crafty. Along with getting back working on my quilting, I might try to make this for Lou.

Happy Mother's day

Thank you mom for all the millions of little sacrifices you've made for us over the years! That phrase "you'll get it when you're a mother" never rang so true. I love being a mother. But there's no doubt that the vocation of motherhood is hard work! :)

Lots of love out to all moms.

Top 10 pictures from our visit

All American girl (I basically really wanted to include a picture with all the new family members Lou got to meet over the course of our trip. She has officially met all her aunts, uncles, and first cousins. I didn't quite get them all, but I did try. Funny how you sometimes don't get the pictures you want when you have the chance)

Oldest cousin

Youngest cousin. These two were especially fascinated with eachother

Auntie

Auntie

Such a fun time we had! I got to see D.C. for the first time (Mike's been there before) and we truly enjoyed the time we had to visit with family. I loved seeing all the monuments and museums in our nation's capital. We only had about a day and a half but we got to see some of the main things I wanted to see. There is so much more, so I hope another trip isn't too far off. Then, like I said, it was lovely to be able to share Louisa with some of her relatives. She seemed to love them right away. We were so blessed to have this opportunity (the plane tickets were a birthday gift). It will be fun telling Lou she got to all this traveling at such a young age. (And during the time of the oh-so-scary swine flu!) How did she do? She had no troubles, she just took each day as it came and was content as long as she was with us and had her normal needs met. Such a laid back little babe! :) Another blessing there, as I know she still is pretty young for such adventures.

Posts and pictures are a comin'

I ended up taking a little vactation from blogging. We have been visiting family on the east coast. I didn't mean to not blog but Mike and I didn't remember to bring the camera cord so we can't upload any pictures and plus we've been quite busy playing, visiting, touring, driving and all that. But we'll be home today so I'll get back to you then! (Stand by for some cute pictures to post of Lou with her aunts and uncles and cousins :)