See ya later 2012

One thing I don't like saying is 'Good Bye'.  It's one of those statements that sounds so final.  Saying 'Good Bye' to 2012 kinda makes me sad.  It's been a crazy year, but the best year of my life....so far.  Last year after the holidays my life changed forever.  Although it aligned with my expectations and fit into my 'time-line', everyday since January 15th has only got better. 

December - Skiing with Ellie

1/15 - Nick asked me to be his Wife

2/26 - Found out that I was 13 weeks pregnant

2/28 - Graduated MSOE with a Masters of Science - Engineering Management

3/11 - Wedding Shower

4/21 - Married my best friend

6/24 - Baby Shower hosted by Heidi

7/22 - Baby Shower hosted by Becky and Marilyn

8/21 - Silas is born!

Needless to say 2012 brought on so many things.  Things that I had only hoped and prayed for.  I'm lucky for sure.  To have a partner like Nick, a healthy and very happy little boy, supportive family and friends.  I honestly wouldn't change a thing (except my job).  I spent the last 13 days of 2012 with family and friends.  It was awesome.  I look forward to 2013.  We have lots of plans....a house, a family friendly car, maybe another baby, a honeymoon!  Nick and I forgot to take our honeymoon :)

Growing up

Silas is growing up!  He had his 4-month check-up this past Monday.  He received his normal vaccinations and of course he is now a little under the weather.  He's had a fever and is just not his smiley self.  I know vaccinations are really important but I hate them.  They make my baby sick.  As a new Mom this has been really hard to get used to.  I don't ever want him to be sick or hurt in anyway - ever.  The other week when he had his first fever I began to freak out a little.  I called the nurse, gave him tylenol and then worried all night and all the next day.  I guess it's part of the job right?  It's our jobs as parents to worry.  With the shooting at Sandy Hook last week, it's only made me worry even more.  How will I even let Silas out of the house without worrying, let alone go to the mall or even school?  I'm not going to pretend that never letting him out of the house didn't cross my mind.  It did and it has several times.  But I'm also a sensible person.  Right now I will focus on giving Silas roots.  Really strong roots.  Once he has those I will give him wings.  I've always wanted to fly so I will give Silas the biggest, feathery, strongest wings possible.  I'll leave you with a quote that I think of when I'm reminded that someday I'll have to let my baby Silas go and fly (good thing I have a few years!).

"Good parents give their children roots and wings. Roots to know where home is, wings to fly away and exercise what's been taught them. -- Jonas Salk"


Here is my baby.  He is practicing how to take off.  And most importantly, he is so happy doing it!

This is the best thing I've seen in my entire life - Silas smiling...LOVE him.

Exciting Weekend



Date Night!



This last weekend was super exciting.  We celebrated Nick's birthday and had our first 'Date Night' Friday.  We went to see Sky Fall at the Majestic and also had dinner there!  It was awesome like usual.  I did find myself getting distracted by checking on Silas.  He was at Heidi's so I had nothing to worry about.  But, I still worried. 

Saturday was Nick's actual birthday.  We hung out and had breakfast in the a.m.  Went grocery shopping and to Walmart in the afternoon.  Later on I went to my friend Kim's for our 9th annual Snowman Extravaganza.  It's where a bunch of us girls get together, eat, exchange snowmen gifts, but mostly catch up.  Life gets busier everyday and it's nice to have a night to just sit, gossip, laugh, and catch-up.  I wish we did this more often.  There's no distractions of kids or men...just alcohol and food.  It's awesome.  Nick spent the night at home with Silas and had a few people over for the Badger game.  It was nice to come home to just Silas and Nick though.  And it was clean!  He's seriously the best husband ever.  I know I've talked about this before but he is.  Oh and he's the best Dad ever too.  He let's me take naps and always spends so much time with Silas, holding him, talking to him, and teaching him how to stick his tongue out!  We ended the weekend at Nick's parent's house where we enjoyed spaghetti and his Mom's famous meatballs and I brought a cake.  It was nice to spend time with them and Nick's grandpa.  Usually it's nuts with all the other kids there.



Blowing out the candles!





The cake from the cupcake place!







On another note, Monday's are going really well.  I love being home with Silas but sometimes his new things are not so fun.  His newest thing is not taking naps.  He likes to fall asleep for ten minutes and then wake up.  Here he is doing it!

Baby Brain - still have it

Back in June when I was still pregnant I blogged about Baby Brain.  Well I still have it.  For the second time in the last couple months my car didn't start.  Doesn't sound like a big deal until you're running out the door and you're already late for work and then the car doesn't start!  Because we have a two-car deep garage, Nick and I have to move our cars occasionally.  Last night we moved the cars and I must have not closed my car door.  Last time I forgot to turn the headlights off.  Not only am I forgetful but I'm slightly less aware of things and I'm also more clumsy.  I dropped Silas' heater we use in the bathroom so we had to get another one.  I guess there is a positive in these things that happen.  Because I had to wait for my car to charge this morning, I got to suck Silas' boogies out and start feeding him.  A few minutes with him was worth it (Nick usually is on morning duty).  Oh and the trip to Shopko to get the new heater was nice because I think Shopko is way underrated.  I'm going to go there more often.  And did ya'll know that Starbucks has breakfast?   It's pretty good too.  The one in Sussex is awesome because it has a drive-thru.  I love drive-thru's. 

I'm super excited about the short week.  Since I'm off on Monday's until May (or until I'm no longer employed at my current employer), and Thursday is Turkey day and Friday is spend time with Nick and Silas day, I'm only at work Tuesday and Wednesday!  I'm thinking about making Wednesday even shorter, possibly taking a half day but I haven't decided yet.  So yes, my week is awesome.  I really like Thanksgiving.  It's a day just to hang out and eat.  I think Silas will like it too but he probably won't know the difference since that's what he does everyday.  He's such a lucky baby.  I'm such a lucky Mommy too.  Nick and I have SOOO much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  I have a feeling by the weekend we'll even have more things to be thankful for!  Here's the most recent pics from Monday.  I love Monday's, I know most people can't say that :)

Taking care of yourself

After I learned I was pregnant, taking care of myself immediately became first priority.  I must admit prior to this I didn't think too much about what I was ingesting, inhaling, and simply how stressed out I was. Washing my hands A LOT, not touching things unless I have to, hand sanitizer at my desk and in many rooms at home, covering my mouth and nose when I hear someone cough or sneeze and finally not sitting on any toilet unless at home are all things that are part of my daily habits.  I am still conscious of these little things but now that Silas is here the level of taking care of myself has only increased.  It's now about having low blood pressure, good cholesterol, and no serious diseases, illnesses or restrictions such as a broken leg or sprained ankle.  What would Silas do without his Mommy or Daddy?  I know I would be lost without my Mom and Dad.  Even though my Mom does silly things like puts Silas on the kitchen table and my Dad is very unorganized, I go to them for everything.  I look to them to tell me what's right or wrong.  Ok, I don't always follow their advice or do it their way but I go to them.  They're my parents.  I care so much what they think.  My Mom and I went to breakfast yesterday.  Her Father recently passed away so we were talking about that.  My Grandpa was very stubborn but before he was stubborn he was a Father that wanted the BEST for his kids.  He did everything no matter how much it cost to make them go down the 'right' path.  Except my Mom.  It appeared she slipped through the cracks and was more stubborn than him!  Coming to the U.S. wasn't in my Grandpa's plan but I am glad it was part of my Mom's plan.  Heidi and I were born 33 years and 3 days ago.  We changed my parents lives just like Silas changed me and Nick's.  My Mom said no matter what you should listen to your parent's.  They always know what's best and I finally see what she's saying.  Here's a short list of the things that have changed in my life and that I can finally relate to with my parents:

• Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.
• You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
• You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
• You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.



Me and Silas on my birthday!

• You respect your parents more than you ever have.

Cousins

We're so lucky to have family so close by.  Even better that Silas has the best cousins to teach him all the things he needs to learn.  We're hoping to one day give Silas a sibling but for now I really see Jellie as an older sister and brother figure.  I can tell Silas hears them, I mean after all he heard them ALL the time when he was in my tummy.  He likes listening to Ellie too, he watches her closely.  As for Jack, I think he's too quick for Silas to see!  Jack is so fast!  Here are some pictures from the long weekend....



Silas loves when Ellie holds him.  He loves watching her!



Auntie Heidi offered to give Silas a bath and scrub his cradle cap off!  Ellie of course was a great helper.  Silas loves bath time.



Silas doing tummy-time.  He's getting so strong, he can hold his head up for several minutes without taking a break!  Auntie Heidi and Jellie were so impressed!

Silas' play mat.  He liked watching the toys move, lights flash and the music.  He danced a bit :) 

Silas' New Born Photo Book

Silas' New Born Photo Book