Memorial Day Weekend

    Packing for a weekend at the cabin has never been easy, but now it is almost impossible! Even when I am just trying to get out of the house for the day it is a lot of work, but to add packing for myself and a little one now is exhausting! You have to try to get ready, get the baby ready, try to pack your own bag, try to pack the baby's bag, pack bottles, formula, toys, a stroller, and whatever else you think the baby might need while your gone. It's a serious task, and trying to do it all while watching the baby and making sure he is happy takes a lot of effort.
    This was our first weekend at the cabin so I was a little nervous about how it was going to go having a baby there. We started the weekend off at pizza pub, as always, and because it's where we all meet up everybody wanted to see the baby. The pizza was delicious as always, and the next stop was the cabin.
    When we got there the grass was so long it looked more like a field than a cabin. I think we all kind of wondered if the mower was even going to be able to cut the grass when it was that long, but it ended up being fine.
    The weekend went well, but at the time I was still pumping about every four hours which makes it hard to just relax with everybody. Also, Davis was averaging about two feedings in the middle of the night. He's used to his routine at home, so I knew this was going to be pretty challenging for both Bobby and I. We work pretty well as a team so while one of us runs downstairs to make a bottle, the other is upstairs doing what they can to keep the baby from screaming and waking the whole house up. Not a whole lot of sleep takes place, but you get the job done.
    All around the weekend was fun. It's so nice to have a cabin where we can all go, and spend time together. Hopefully we can keep it around for as long as possible.
    That Sunday when we got home Davis turned two months old. My baby is disappearing before my very eyes! It's such a weird feeling. As happy as I am to watch him grow, and be able to do more I'm also sad at the same time. Every outfit that he grows out of makes me realize how fast their little bodies grow, and how I should cherish each moment for what it is.
    Having a newborn is hard, but it's also super special. It's a time where you get to reflect on life, and realize why you have worked so hard for everything that you have. It's coming to the realization that life isn't about yourself anymore. All the petty drama just sort of disappears, and your left with one thing that matters. Nothing else matters, which is crazy because before he was here those things mattered. It's really just a crazy experience/feeling.

Brunch and Babies

    Jenna and I had been trying to get together for awhile, because we both had time off and we wanted to see eachother's babies. Jenna was the only person pregnant with me, and just for a little while. We got to be pregnant buddies at Kim's bachlorette party, but she was about four months ahead of me which made it pretty hard to compare feelings and such.
    She had first said that she would drive out to my house, but coming from Monticello that makes for a very long trip. I thought that we could meet some what in the middle at Kimmy's new house. This way she could kill two birds with one stone, and see Kim's house as well. It turned out that Kim's house was just not ready enough for company so we decided that we would just meet half way at a Perkins for brunch. It wasn't easy getting myself and Davis ready, but I needed to be getting out of the house more, and this was a perfect activity. When we got to perkins they put us in the corner which made it easy for us, especially Jenna because Leo is breastfeeding so this way she wasn't on display as much. It was super busy and our waitress was pretty pushy about getting us in and out. We both got breakfast and just chatted about baby stuff most of the time. It was a little hard to relax, because I was trying to keep Davis happy, and Jenna was trying to keep Leo happy. We ate pretty fast, and decided it would be best to go outside to get some pictures and talk a little more. It was mighty hot out so we didn't last long, but it was still fun to be able to see the two of them. I wish we lived closer since our boys are so close in age. Hopefully we can continue to try to see each other, and plan play dates for the boys.

Happy 31st Birthday to ME!

    Celebrating my birthday has become sort of a "chore" these days, more than a fun activity. It's easy to make time to see family, but for some reason to find a time to get together with friends is impossible. We tried to plan a friends dinner, but it ended up that Kim, Borgie, and myself were going to be the only ones in attendance which just seemed kind of stupid in all honesty. The three of us were going to be seeing eachother at Chinn's bridal shower soon anyway so we just cancelled it, and didn't try to reschedule. We have finally reached the age where everybody is so preoccupied with life, that making time to hang out with eachother is just not going to happen. So, this year I made it easy on myself. I LOVE my sushi, and told Bobby that I wanted to go to Osaka happy hour for my birthday. It would just be us, and I already had my mom on board to watch Davis. Well, of course I mentioned this to Kim and she asked if we cared if her and Joe came along, because she hadn't planned anything and it was her birthday as well, of course. I told her that I didn't mind, and then we wondered if Jennie and Tom wanted to join, because they are always down for Osaka and it isn't far from their house. They were down, and it ended up being a pretty good night. We told the waitress that it was our birthday so they brought out the creepy looking masks for us to wear, and we got some cute pictures in them. I ended up overeating, because I was so excited which made me pretty uncomfortable afterwards, but ended up okay. Still hard to believe I am 31! Where has the time gone?

Chinn's Bridal Shower

    Today is the day that we are celebrating Jenny's bridal shower. Kim, Sarah, Tiffany, and I had broken it up so that we all had our jobs for the day. I was in charge of bringing fruit, making a hashbrown dish, bringing flowers, and coming up with one of the games. As easy as that sounds it was slightly stressful on me, which I'm sure has something to do with being a new mom and all. Any small task at the moment feels like a big one! It was planned for the early afternoon so we turned it into a brunch with mimosas and breakfast food. Tiffany did an amazing job of decorating, and even rented a helium tank to blow up balloons. She went above and beyond for sure.
    It turned out to be a very nice shower, but our guests were pretty much nonexistant. It reminded me of my baby shower that my sisters through for me. Nobody RSVP'd and even people who said that they were coming didn't show up. Very rude in my opinion, but Jenny didn't seem to let it get her down. She was having a family shower as well, so I'm sure she didn't mind. I felt pretty bad, because as soon as the shower was over I stayed for a little while to go over the plans for the bachlorette party, but had to get going because I was "filling up" if you know what I mean. (Pumping problems) All around it was really nice to get out of the house, and see some friends without the little guy. As much as I love spending time with him, I need time for myself too.

My first Mother's Day

    Today was my very first Mother's Day. I woke up to make a bottle and on the table was a card and lots of candy from "Davis". It was really sweet of Bobby. It's hard to believe I'm a Mom, but at the same time...it's not. I have been ready to be a Mom for years now, working in a daycare, having nieces and nephews, and possibly my age, 30...have all prepared me pretty well. There is nothing about motherhood that I find super challenging. I think it comes pretty natural to me, and hopefully will continue to.
    The plan for the day is to go to Grandma's house, and not only celebrate Mother's Day, but also celebrate Kim and my birthday. When we got there I could see my Dad and Hailey jump up and run to the door. My Dad came rushing outside to grab the baby, because he knew with all the people inside he was going to have trouble getting time with him. It's been really fun watching how happy Davis makes my family. It's been awhile since we have had a baby in the house, so I think that has something to do with it as well, but everybody is just smitten over him.
    We planned the meal potluck style, as always, to help make it easy on Grandma. She offered to provide the pop since that is the easiest thing for her to do. She was sure to stock up on Diet Coke, because she knows how much our family drinks, even Hannah and Hailey, these days. Well, it wasn't long before the Diet Coke started to run out, and Bob was going to have to make a trip to the basement so he could restock the fridge. Well, now that Bob drinks Diet Coke, one a day at seven p.m., he was not too enthuased by how much people were drinking. He started throwing a fit about how it's not fair that we were all drinking their Diet Coke, and why do they always have to provide pop...blah, blah, blah. It was actually quite comical, but of course everybody tried to explain to him why it was important that he share, and that he never provides any food but yet eats enough for two. He didn't get it. From now on we all know what we are getting Bob for Christmas and his birthday. DIET COKE! :)
    The rest of the day was spent hanging out with family, and taking pictures like we always do. It was a good day.

Spiders, Bees, and Mice... OH MY!

     In the last few weeks that I have been on my maternity leave I have come across some pretty nasty roommates! The other day while I was in the laundry room I saw a spider that had to be the size of a quarter, at least, and I knew that I had to kill it! It was awful. In the past I may have just panicked, and let it get away, but not now! Now that I have Davis to protect I have to be brave when I find these intruders and let them know that they are not welcome! I found the sharpest item within range, and went crazy on that spider! I wish I could go into more detail, but I'm pretty sure I blacked out while it was happening. About three hours later I told Bobby to go check it out. (I knew the spider was injured, but wasn't positive it was dead.) He went to check it out, and sure enough it was injured... severely, but still moving slightly, so Bobby had to finish it off. He was not happy about this by the way. I thought he would be proud of me, but I guess next time I need to make sure it's dead and get rid of the carcass. 

No, this is not THE spider I killed, but I want to think it was similar to this size. 

     Now, in the past few weeks we have also come across three bees/wasps in our house as well. Every spring and fall we get bees in our house. It drives me crazy! I HATE bees more then anything so you can imagine how happy I am about this. I think we figured out where they are getting in so stay tuned on whether or not we get anymore.

     And lastly, we came across two baby mice the other day. Bobby walked into the room that Davis, and I were hanging out in, looks down, and says, "Oh, there's a baby mouse" very nonchalantly. I grabbed Davis, and we were out! Bobby went upstairs to get something to catch it in, and a few minutes later came out with it in a bag. It was still alive so I told him to let it go outside...FAR AWAY. (Which I guess is at the end of the driveway.) We finally go back in the room to get comfortable, with Bobby this time, and what do you know? Bobby spots another baby mouse. He ends up catching and releasing this one as well.The worst part about this is we know that there is never just one mouse...especially when we are finding babies! Ugh!

    I tell ya...I think I may as well set up a tent outside, because I'm living with the wilderness in my own home! Pray for me that we don't get a squirrel or baby raccoon next. :(

We LOVE visitors!

     For anybody who has ever been on a maternity leave, you know how exciting visitors are. Week days are hard for people to come visit, so I still look forward to the weekend, because I know that other people aren't working and we might get a visitor or two.
     This weekend was pretty great, because Jayme and Kim came over on Friday, and Lacey and Kim on Sunday. It was so nice to see some friends, and just relax and catch up. It's also really fun to show off Davis. I worked hard to get that little guy here. ;) (Bobby too...I guess)

     Kim also helped us put up curtains in Davis's room, which were long overdue. She used her sewing machine, because we weren't able to find curtains that were the right size so we had to cut them and sew them to get them the right length. (Well, she had to.) Thanks Kimmy!
 

I still need to iron them, but they turned out great.

    After Kim and Lacey left Bobby and I decided to take our first family walk. It felt so good to get some fresh air. May need to make this an every day thing! (If weather permits of course.)

Davis slept the whole time.

The hill by our house is a real dozy!