Freezing Cold Day

Well, it's maybe made it to the double digits outside and Sam and I are staying inside all day. It really is amazing how much the child changes. I'm trying not to miss any minor change as I see her every day. I've noticed that her head has changed shape again (of course she is as beautiful as ever). She is beginning to find laughter and is playing with us more and more, she is such a flirt!!! She is not eating as much these last few days and is growing into her height again. I'm really trying to schedule 2 nap times during the day when she sleeps for longer periods. Some other babies from our birthing class are having similar struggles with getting a routine down so that mom and dad can have some time as well. That really has been a difficult part of babyhood to manage....mom and dad are still husband and wife. It emphasizes how much work and communication it takes to keep a loving relationship going. I feel extremely blessed that AJ and I think in the same direction and really support one another. We don't always have the most efficient or effective communication but we manage to get it done. We are striving to have a loving family and it is made easier by the loving families and friends that surround us.

Well, I'm off to continue practicing being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom).
Laundry, going. Meal planning, thinking. Costco list, writing.

Amie's beautiful photos of Sam

It is a very snowy cold day today....a great day to sit by the fire, read a book, and eat soup with the family. Right now Sam is sleeping for her morning nap, dad is shoveling, and I'm in comfy pants. I'm really in the mood to get organized.
Last weekend my sister took some beautiful pictures of Samantha and the Family. It is such a blessing to have a professional photographer in the family. It was really neat how we just found great spots of light in our own house, and did it all on the fly. THANK YOU AMIE!!! Here are a few....

Plus a cold snowy picture of the sweet girl!!!

Menu plan Monday

This is my first attempt to write a meal plan for the week. My mother use to do this and I remember how much easier it was for her to know what to take out of the freezer and how less stressful the grocery shopping was when you have a list. So here goes....i really am working to learn some better ways to be a wife and a mother and I think this is a great addition.

Monday: plans to eat after seeing a friends children in a school play

Tuesday: Honey Chicken Bake, Artichokes

Wednesday: Baked fish (frozen); Parmesan risotto, Asparagus

Thursday: Mom's B'day Fondue

Friday: Chicken and Potato bake; Spaghetti Squash

Saturday: Night out at Indochine (Thia, Vietnamese)

Sunday: Leftovers

Hope to use this carnival a lot and hold myself accountable. My mother, sister, and I are also going to start cooking a month at a time and freezing. Thanks for all the great sites with wonderful women!!

Missing Dad

There is no better way to see the support AJ provides then through the long days he's gone to work. The minutes drag on until his arrival back home. It probably is never said enough the appreciation that we (Sam and I) feel when he brings me coffee in bed so I can catch up on my reading in the morning.....especially since this has become his quality time playing and talking with Sam. They often cook breakfast together while telling jokes and laughing....yes Sam is only 2.5 months but her laugh is very BIG!!! There is also nothing sexier then a husband who really shares in the joy and frustration of raising our daughter....when we communicate (we try to all the time, he he) the support that his words give me is inspiring. The other night we had Sam in her cradle next to our bed. To date she has mainly been sleeping in bed with us but we are trying to have her initially fall asleep in the cradle. She was so exhausted that she was cranky. It breaks my heart when she lies alone and wimpers (not crying, just talking). AJ calmly told me to rock the cradle and let her fall to sleep....it worked wonderfully and it felt impowering for her and me (well I assume her feeling here, but don't we always do that). Needless to say I haven't been able to do that any of the nights that he has been gone....we fall asleep cuddling, not such a bad way to go either!!!

AJ has come such a long way in his comfort with holding a baby.....

Works for Me Wednesday

This is my first attempt at participating in a "blog carnival" here goes....


My mother discovered the best all body, including scalp, natural moisturizer. This especially works for the dry cold winter days here in Colorado. Jojoba Oil. It makes your skin feel and look wonderful. I rotate the days that I use it with my moisturizers. It works better than moisturizer because it does not have any water in it.