Friendship

My co-worker and really good friend Michelle has her last day of work at MGIC today.  I screamed with joy when she told me she was leaving.  I am also secretly depressed about it.  As some may know my job hasn't been the funnest one.  When I first started in my current role a little over 2 1/2 years ago I sat next to Michelle.  A couple months later she was going to Colorado and I wanted to go too so I just booked my flight! We spent some time with a friend of mine and a mutual friend of ours, exploring and just being in the mountains.  While I think of myself as being able to make friends easily I thank Michelle for being a person easy to be friends with.  I thank her for always lending an ear and listening to the good and bad.  I thank her for letting me 'crash' her Colorado trip.  I thank her for the support and professional advice she always has to offer.  I thank her for being a trusted and smart co-worker.  Overall I thank her for the friendship and in the midst of the 'craziness' I thank her for making me laugh.

Congratulations Michelle!  I know we'll remain friends for a long time!  This quote reminds me of you:

“If you have good friends, no matter how much life is sucking , they can make you laugh.” 

Silas - 5 months old!

My sweet baby Silas is 5 months old already!  Everyday we get to discover something new about him.  If I had to describe some of his qualities I would say that he:

• is Laid back
• Loves to laugh
• Hungry when he's HUNGRY!
• Likes to look around and people watch
• Loves his Ba-ba
• Can sit and stand up holding hands
• Loves his bath
• Can do 360's in his crib
• Adores his Daddy
• Loves falling asleep in my arms

Another funny thing about having Silas is I never thought I'd use my Restoration Hardware Maxwell Studio Leather couch as a backdrop for his monthly pictures.  I knew there was a good reason for buying the couch!

5 Months

4 Months

3 Months

2 Months

1 Month

Baby Stuff

Silas is almost 5 months old.  He's in that transition period of being able to sit up on his own but not for too long.  Although he is tall he still can't quite reach the floor in his walker and bouncer.  During the holidays we aquired a few more items for Silas to play in.  We're so lucky to have supportive family.  Silas got a hand me down walker from Nick's brother Joe.  This is probably Silas's favorite spot besides Daddy's lap.  We also got a highchair from my parents and a bouncer from Heidi & Nick.  This past weekend we took the Christmas decorations down and reorganized Silas's stuff.  By looking at it, it would appear that we have multiple children.  We don't.  It's just Silas.  I knew from watching my sister that babies end up having a lot of stuff but never thought my family room would look like this.  We're definitely out growing the Condo.  I used to be a planner of the bigger stuff but ever since I was suddenly 3 months pregnant I have planned less and gone more with the flow.  So lately I've been thinking.....Yes, we need a new car.  Yes, we need a house with a basement to store baby stuff.  Yes, we should take our honeymoon.  Yes, we need more sleep.  Yes, some of us need a new career where we're treated like a human being.  OH and Yes, I want another baby and I don't want to wait!  Craziness, but at the end of the day I get to go home and be with my baby Silas and his Daddy.  It's the best.  More important than the new car, house, honeymoon, blah, blah, and blah.  So after reading this article and working out today (first time since my pregnancy), I'm inspired to give Silas a sibling.  I'm not sure when.  All I know is I don't care if my family room looks like a baby store puked all over it!

Article:  Mothers on what you don't expect when you're expecting

Family room - Before

Family room - After

My baby Silas watching his Mommy and Daddy eat dinner!

Winter Break

For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was in school again where you have a 'Winter Break'.  I was off of work for almost 2 weeks.  I really needed to recharge and reorganize my thoughts.  Here are some of the perfect moments I got to enjoy...

GiGi sitting with Silas

Silas' new bouncer from Auntie Heidi & Uncle Nick

 

Silas is now on a nap schedule, sleeping in his crib or pack n' play when with Ba-ba. 
I decided to let him 'cry it out' and he only cries for a few minutes.
Also we recently installed a mesh bumper so he doesn't get his feet stuck!

Cousins!  We just got back from Target.

Just hanging out watching TV.

Ba-ba waiting for Silas to fall asleep and playing with Ellie's hair.

Ellie and I (well just me) made Mint Chocolate Chip cookies. 
Ellie had one, I think I had 4 but I did share with Jack.



Sitting with Grandpa Coraggio.  Of course he doesn't want to eat, just people watch.

Another hand-me-down, from Joe & Marilyn. 
This is currently his favorite even though his feet barely touch the ground.

The cute hat is from Kumiko.  He actually likes it as typically he does not like hats.
We should go to Japan and get more hats :)

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!