Baby's first Christmas

Since we have been married, Beach and I have alternated spending Christmas with all my family in Florida or his in Michigan. This year, for Zoe's first, we were headed up North! Beach wanted to drive, much to my disdain. He felt that the flying with a baby was not a good idea (especially with how much stuff they need). So I tried not to pull my hair out during our journey but it was challenge as Zoe began crying right when we got on the interstate (that would be less than 10 minutes from our house). However, it was well worth it (although I'm not sure if I can ever do that again)!

We had to be prepared for the cold! Which Zo didn't seem to mind.

Zoe got to meet her new family.

Including her great grandmother.

Her great aunt & uncle (and children).

Her only cousins (for now :-)... Who she loved!

Girl Shot

Brother love

Late night games with Donald (who else enjoys such with wine and sardines?)

Beach's classic, "I love meat!"

Zoe's favorite activity (as of the last three months)

Love from my Grandpa!

Grandma cooking up the good stuff with her new apron!

Fun gifts and boxes!

She was a fan...

Until it was time for her nap...

Oh, yes, and more walking!

Her first Harley, that Grandpa refurbished and she is ready to roll. I love the look on her face in this...many fun captions could apply.

Later dude!

The New Years LBS!

I must say that I enjoyed last year's holiday eating much more than I ever have. How wonderful it was to be pregnant and get to eat with no guilt!! Well this year....since I'm not pregnant.....not so much of the freedom from guilt. So upon getting back home from the "almost no fruits and veggs"(or anything else healthy) visit with the in-laws, the scale stared me down. How I hate it and the fact that my clothes don't fit the way they should.

So New Years, new start right? Beach wants to shed a few pounds, too, and with a day that is supposed to get close to 70 I thought going for a run would be a great family activity. Got to try out the new (new to us) jogging stroller and to see how my body would take it, since I have yet to really run post baby. So I know Zoe was still wearing her PJs but we ran out of time!

Well....theses are some of the fun comments from the Lovelands on that lovely run:

"My fat hurts from jiggling so much."

"I'm really out of shape."

"I can't run down hills."

"I can't run up or down hills and not pee on myself."

"Now my fat hurts and itches."

"I almost remember what it was like to be in shape."

"I should follow you guys, as you brought me luck." (ok this was from the golfer that we were around as we decided to jog some on the golf course).

"I told you we should have turned back (as the rain began to pour and we were a good 25 jogging minutes from home)."

"Zoe likes the ran (as she kicked her legs at it repeatedly)."

"Now that my whole body is wet you can't tell that I need to do more kagels."

Over 45 minutes later of jogging (and some walking in between) we made it back home. In time for a quick clean up before we head to my parents for our belated Christmas celebration! Good thing I burned a couple of calories before another feast was to be had!

So my confidence in my body's ability to do such actions is not very high, and my knees hurt for days afterwords but we agree that we had a good time with our jog in the rain! Now if we can keep it going?????

It's the little things

Here I lay

So due to the lovely pain in my stomach, I was laying in my bed hoping the pain would soon fade. Beach had to run out to the store so Zoe played next to me and I just hoped she would be content in doing such. In order to keep her entertained I started naming the things on her face: eyes, ears, noise, mouth. In getting to her mouth, she of course began sucking my finger. To my surprise, I felt a sharp pain.....could it be....I mean she is 8 months already.....yes, yes it is, her first tooth coming in. In the next few moments my pain seemed to disappear, a smiled widened my face and joy filled my heart as I realized my little daughter had reached another milestone.

This was one I was not looking forward too, with still breast feeding and all. I have had several chump downs with her being teeth-less for me to be not to thrilled at the fact that her weapons could become even more advanced! Yet none of this seemed to matter as I watched her grin up at me. She was becoming older, her hands not so tiny, her personality developing. Yet until I start ovulating again, she will be my only baby.

I couldn't capture a picture of this cuteness as of yet, for when she smiles her lips still hide them. With in the week, another tooth popped up. At least I can take a picture of her enjoying her teething carrot (Doc recommended it!).

Do I have to get up?

I usually end up nursing Zoe in bed each morning (who doesn't love breakfast in bed). Beach is awesome to always be willing to get her and bring her to me. Sometimes this gets me in trouble of never wanting to get up though. How I wish I could just stay there a bit longer with her. I just love to gaze at her face whether in sweet bliss of sleep or with her bright eyes shinning at me. It still hard to believe that she is mine at times.

The Eyes of the Soul

I really do have an amazing job.

When I tell people what I do they usually give me an amazed or sad face often followed by a, "I don't think I could ever do that." And while I agree that many people can't do such, I also don't think they know what a blessing it is to my life.

So I work at The Nurturing Center (http://www.thenurturingcenter.org)which is a family-focused therapeutic treatment center for child abuse and neglect. My "official" title is a Individual and play therapist and I have been there now for over six years.

Yes, I have seen a lot of painful things. And yes, there is so much sin in the world that sometimes it seems overwhelming and hopeless. And yes, it is hard at times when you hear the unimaginable things that have happened to theses souls.....

But it has taught me so much. So much about who I am, so much about my Savior and the hope he brings, so much about what lies beneath the surface, so much about how similar we all are -except for a few variables that seem to cause so much division and so much of the pain that is out there.

I'm blessed that theses women (and sometimes men) are willing to share there heartaches with me. There are times I want to just wrap my arms around them to show them Christ's love...but much of the time all I can do is hand them a tissue and lift them up in my prayers. How I wish I could see them grab onto the hope that is there for us all, the only true thing that is going to make a difference in their life. The restorer and redeemer that waits for us. I wish they could receive the hope that I have been so graciously given. Until then, I will continue to plant seeds that may one day be enlightened by the SON.

Weekend without Him

So my husband is amazing and I never give him enough props for all that he does to support me in so many ways. BUT I did know that I was not looking forward to this couple weekends in a row with him out of town (glad for him though!).

While still nursing and pumping it can be hard to get other things done. Add to that a dog that keeps throwing up (what I woke up to and stepped in one morning) AND stomach cramps AND paperwork that needs to be done, AND a baby that just does not appear happy and keeps screaming (yes she got kicked out of the nursery at the gym, again, sigh) AND a dirty dirty house that begs to be cleaned before a visit from a friend I haven't seen in FOREVER = Much scrambling, crying, carpet cleaner, fresh air, and anticipation of my husband's return.

In deciding to go to a fall fest a few minutes before it started (that and the fact that the cute little monkey outfit that I bought Zoe at Tot Trade swallowed her whole), I was scrambling knowing what to put on her. So I threw on this cute TuTu that my friend made for Zo from her extra supplies (Thanks Dianne) and a Black onies from NY (it used to have a cute saying on it but thanks to a wash before wear policy - they all came off - Thanks for the thought though Shalai), and off we went.

I did enjoy the fun, although, felt somewhat silly going with just me and my baby. However, it was a good time and I got a couple of cute pics out of the deal.

So thankful to have my Beach back though!

Creepy Farm Fun

Ahhh, Saturday, a day to catch up all the things that I have let slack throughout the week, but yet it was so pretty outside. So in having a good friend message me this morning about hanging out, I repressed my responsible self and to do list for the great outdoors, pumpkins, adult talk and things that I did not know that existed so close to home.

Off to a farm in Lexington that my friend knew of. I found it interesting that when we pulled up the sign advertised the pumpkins, hayrides, hunted house, and oh, yes, 25% off their bridal gowns. Ok....

So busting out the strollers on the dirt road, we pass up the scary looking hunted house and, drum roll please, Goat town.

Where all goats need tree houses, pulley systems and ramps.

Yes, it says (or did at one time) The Hilton Goatel.

What kind of other animals could they have here you wonder?

You can tell Zoe is thrilled.

Theses were next to the "yellow" water (Eli's, age 2, description of the pond for the animals).

After the excitement of so many animals, it was good to find an outhouse looking sink area with marble sinks....hummm.....

We also found a pretty scary playground, which we saw a sign for later that stated that it was free for children under two.....thank goodness!

Dianne was brave enough to let her daughter try out the unstable looking swing. More thrills.

Let's see what else can we get into......

No how about those pumpkin shots that I have been wanting? Lets try some of those.

Ahhhh.....new friends.

Then the jewelry war began.....gotta have the necklace...

"This is to traumatic for me."

"Oh, no you don't....I will take your eye out!"

Ok, perhaps it didn't happen quiet like that but it's always fun to wonder what babies could be thinking.

Gotta love it.....just don't get to used to the orange you pretty girl!

Some lessons I learned on our outing:

1. Another route in Lexington (a town that always seems to confuse me).

2. Marble sinks can be put in even the rustic of areas.

3. Pumpkins are very durable (Eli proved this by throwing, dropping, and rolling the many that he saw! Most of this was done in front of the huge line that was waiting for the Hayride. We provided much entertainment for the folks looking so desperate for it).

4. Bring an extra camera battery so when I do find the perfect shot for a picture it won't die on me before I get it shoot.

5. Need to make time for sun, friends, and fun on Saturday!

Nap time!