Week In Review

I've tried all week to make time for a blog update and it has been very hard. Here is the week in review...

Monday - David's softball game. So fun seeing other little kids loving on Indigo! Sad the guys lost. Hopefully they'll win the next one.

Tuesday - forgot to eat dinner. Got home, played with Indigo and bathed her, Skyped with Grandma and suddenly it was 10:00 pm. I had a beer and some peanuts. Does that count? 

Wednesday - made yummy dinner and handed off baby duty to dad and went to coach Rec Team. I love those girls. I don't know if it's a gymnast thing or what, but these girls are SO nice! And most are middle school girls, arguably the meanest cohort of people on the planet. But these girls, awesome! I love coaching them and watching them grow. Came home Wednesday to David passed out on the couch and baby asleep in her crib. Must have been a fun night! 

Thursday - quick dinner and off to the gym again. Only one of my girls was there, so it was a long 90 minutes but we got to focus on skills she's been woking hard on so it was productive. After gym I met David at church for his programming gig. Indigo is really walking now. She is very steady on her feet and is so happy about it!

Friday - drinks with the girls at a cool restaurant in central Phoenix. It is so easy to think I am making time for myself, but reading on the van pool to work is probably not enough. But dinner and wine with some great ladies was awesome! David had a boys night planned too, but Indigo came home with an ear infection so he stayed home with her. One of her classmates got RSV this week so I'm glad she just had an ear infection. She's working through it and is almost her wonderful fun self again.

Saturday - Indigo woke up about 8:30 but seemed ready for a nap a few hours later so I put her down. She fussed a bit so I took a quick shower and intended to get her up and start a bath, but she had fallen asleep! I cleaned a little and started ironing. Until I decided she was dead since she had been sleeping so long. I debated opening the door to check, which might wake her up, or deciding that she was fine. It got so I couldn't concentrate so I went in and checked. She was all tucked up sleeping soundly. Finally, she woke up refreshed and ready to go!  David came home and we walked to a new Vietnamese restaurant for lunch. I ran Parents Night Out at the gym. It was awesome - 100 kids having a great time!

Today - I ran the light board at church for the second time. Have to say, it's pretty fun! I want to spend the rest of the day with Indigo in my arms, trying to hold off Monday for as long as possible. I am very happy being a working mom. It's the right thing for me and the best thing for her. But that doesn't mean being away from her gets any easier! But it teaches me to cherish the time we have together.

I am SO blessed!

Episode 16

It took a marathon of watching over the weekend, but finally, watching episode 16 of "30 Rock," I'm hooked. This show is hilarious! David liked it right off, which made me happy even before I actually liked it, because it puts off the discussion of getting cable reconnected, or signing up for Direct TV. 

We gave up cable a few years ago because it was all just crap. Even with 10 HBO channels and Encore and 130 other cable options, we'd wind up watching "My Cousin Vinny" for the 500th time. We have it on DVD, re-bought it on Blu-Ray and it's in the running for my favorite movie but watching it halfway in on TBS was just silly. So we got an HD antenna for basic channels and upped the speed on the internet and signed up for Netflix. 

Then Netflix split and tried to create Qwikster (worst company name EVER), so we only had streaming and the new movies they offered were all knock-offs - "Kung Fu Koala 2" anyone? 

So we contemplated cable or Direct TV. It's just so easy! There is so much content! Not to mention On Demand! But the thought of getting hooked on the "Real Housewives of Sioux Falls" (sorry Emily) is terrifying. So I've been stalling. And now, thanks to Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, I may have bought months before we have the cable conversation again. Maybe I'll get David "Bossypants" to read and that could buy me another couple of days.

At the softball game

Today was a good day. Had a small crisis at work, hopefully it is contained. I got to yell a little bit - it felt kind of good. Then I picked up Indigo - the highlight of my day! I watched her contort her way into a Bumbo seat with the tray attached. So cute! We cruised though Target and got home and I picked up the house while she wandered the hallway like a friendly drunk who needs a wee bit of support. God help me when she realizes she CAN walk and doesn't stick to the wall!

I planned to Skype Great Grandma Phyllis when I was done cleaning up, but Bug started to get cranky and she was dirty and her hair was awful. So I fed her and bathed her and then we Skyped. Grandma got to see her walk and play peek-a-boo! We live in incredible times. I love that technology keeps us close. 

David's team - the Little Girls

Here's hoping Bug sleeps through the night! She woke up last night at 3:00 am and was not happy when I only nursed on one side and put her back to bed. I'm pretty sure she knows these things come in pairs! 

Enjoy some pictures from last night. David has proposed we get a good camera to capture Indigo moments. He might be right, the point and shoot isn't the best. But I'll save that argument for another post.

Softball and Kids Who Love Babies

Indigo and I went with David to his softball game today. They played hard but lost both games. The second game they were ahead but had a tough inning and couldn't hold on to the win. Three little girls were there watching and they LOVED Indigo! They were so excited when she walked to them and they just wanted to hug her. It was so cute. I find it interesting how much little kids love babies. I was never into babies when I was younger. My sister nannied for a summer and was fabulous at it. If the kids I was babysitting didn't want to play Barbies, read or watch TV, I was pretty much out of ideas. Luckily, I could watch Indigo sleep and be perfectly content. I guess when they are yours you feel different. Must be the hormones!

Cousins

Yesterday Indigo had a play date with her cousin 'Little' Leighton. He is the son of my second cousin Leighton and is 8 months older than Indigo. It's amazing to see the things that he does and understands and to see them interacting together. It was also fun to see Leighton and Laura and my Great Aunt Jo.  She is the sweetest lady. I'm glad that we moved to Phoenix and get to be closer to them. 

Laura and Indigo

Growing up it was fun to stay at Aunt Jo's house and explore her closets full of treasures from her trips abroad with Uncle Bob. They toured toured the world back when people dressed up to travel on airplanes and sent home postcards from far-off places. She would take me to the symphony and made me feel very grown up, even thought I was just a little girl. Leighton would take me and my cousin Lynn out on his boat when I would come to visit. He always went out of his way to do something fun when I was here as a kid. Phoenix became this magical place and now I get to live here and share the magic of it with Indigo. 

How Indigo Came to Be

So for your reading pleasure, Indigo’s birth story!

After 8 years of marriage we finally decided we wanted to have a child. Actually, it was David who said that God smacked him upside the head and said we were stupid for not having children.

Hard to argue with God.

We started trying in January 2010. Around my birthday (early June), I realized I was late. I mentioned it to David but we didn’t think much of it. When I was another day late, I bought a test kit (generic – David still gives me crap for not spending money for EPT). Well, it worked just fine. I am also in trouble with my husband for doing it before he woke up and denying him the chance to pace outside the bathroom door. I just thought I was being dumb, thinking I might be pregnant. But then the two lines appeared and off we went.

Photo Shoot - 37 weeks pregnant

My pregnancy ROCKED! I worried that I would have morning sickness, fatigue, etc, and that is totally NOT what I experienced. I never once felt sick and I pretty much lived normally. I coached and walked and went to work every day. I had a great OB who thought we were kind of weird. At least, she thought David was weird, but who doesn’t?

I didn’t want to be induced at all. I was very against it, mostly on the chance that it could cause me to need a C-section. My due date was February 9^th, but I was only dilated to 1cm and nothing was happening to indicate labor was imminent. On February 10^th we had an ultrasound to make sure the baby wasn’t crazy big (apparently David had a HUGE head and my M-I-L was worried I could have a difficult labor). We went to the hospital because they also did a non stress test. I dressed for work, had my lunch packed and my coaching clothes in the car. I never expected to stay!

They took a look and said that she was close to 8 pounds and that my fluid levels were a bit low and said that might buy me a ticket to stay. We asked them to call our OB to find out what she recommended. She said that normal fluid levels are like 9 (I think) and I was at a 6. It basically means that if I didn’t go into labor soon, baby might not have good nutrient levels later on. She recommended we induce! Since my bag was at home, and we thought we could do some errands and come back. And she said David could leave but that I had to stay.

Not my best side!

David left and they showed me to the L&D room. I was nervous about being induced but excited to be having a baby soon. They did a cervix ripener and said that if I dilated I wouldn’t need Pitocin. I hung out in the room and watched a movie on David’s iPad. They brought me an awesome breakfast since I hadn’t eaten. I was worried I wouldn’t get to eat but I could until active labor (at which time I didn’t want to anyway). I started to dilate and then my doctor came in and broke my water, David came back and we did a little walk around the hospital. While I was pregnant, I thought it would be cute to get a “labor outfit” like pj’s or something. What no one tells you is how yucky you feel and all the “stuff” that happens while you are in labor. I was just as happy to get the hospital gown gross as something I purchased!

Handprint of pain

Contractions started coming faster after they broke my water. We walked a little more and I tried the birthing ball and different positions while they waited to see how far along I was. Our very dear friend Erica came over about 7:00 pm. I wanted her there to help support me and David since he was doing everything he could to help. He was so great the whole time. When Erica came the contractions were REALLY strong and I wasn’t sure if I could go the whole way unmedicated. I started thinking about an epidural. Normal labor progresses about a centimeter an hour and at that point I was at 5 cm. I just didn’t think I had 5 more hours in me and I thought that everyone might benefit if I wasn’t in such pain.

I asked for an epidural and they pretty much came right in. It was SO the right decision. I was worried about “giving in” to an epidural, but it didn’t diminish labor at all. The stress in the room just disappeared. We relaxed for a bit and even slept a little.

Our friend Kate came by after work about Midnight. Epidurals are AWESOME! I was chatting with Kate, and was like, I’m having a contraction now, and smiling… VERY COOL…. After she left my doctor came back and said it wouldn’t be long. I did a “test push” about 2:30 am and did very well. They called my doctor back in and they got set up and told me to push. I pushed 3 more times and heard a big pop! And Indigo was born at 2:53 am on February 11^th.

She was so perfect and everything went so well. A few close friends visited and our church small group came and said prayers. It was odd to be in a strange place with nurses in and out at all hours, trying to get to know this strange little creature that came into our lives. But the nurses were really great. They helped with breastfeeding and watching them handle Indigo gave me the confidence to take good care of her when we got home. They released us and we took our little Bug home on Saturday night (February 12^th) and our new life began.

February 11th, 2011

January 20th, 2012

Hard to believe that was 

almost a year ago!

Da Da

Indigo totally said Da Da today. David had to pick up some equipment from his coworker's home tonight and he wanted an extra body or two for the HOV lane. He sat in back with her because he was gone yesterday while she was awake and he missed her. He was playing a game handing her a toy and saying "Indigo" and when she handed it back he'd say "da da." she started saying "da go"(Indigo) when she got the toy and "da da" when she gave it to him. It was so cute! Totally made up for waking up at 4:00 am today. I tried to ignore her but she wouldn't fall back asleep until I nursed her. I still got out the door in time to take her to daycare but totally left my breakfast and lunch on the table because I was out of free hands. Luckily we have a cafe at work, but I was looking forward to my leftovers! Anyway, it's been a long day. Until next time!

Where Did My Baby Go?

This morning I went into Indigo's bedroom after she woke up. I didn't find my baby in the crib, I found a little girl! When did that happen? I know we are weeks away from her 1st birthday, but it is still hard to believe. After a few months of trying to get pregnant, and then a very smooth pregnancy, (story to come) and a year of wondering "when will she smile, roll over, crawl,  walk, etc" all I want is to slow down time and keep her from growing so fast. Alas, that won't happen so I just need to remember to savor every moment and every new step.

We had a great day. She had a fun time at the daycare at church - they love her! and I ran video again for service. It was a good day. Then David helped them set up their new(ish) light board and refocused a few lights to make the stage look better. When we got home, we played and relaxed. Here are a few photos I took while playing with the camera trying to take decent pictures. She never slows down, so it's hard to get clear shots!

Playing with blocks

Enjoying some Cheerios!

Mmmm...yummy Cheerios

Wearing a Cardinals jersey and missing the good years with Kurt Warner 

Helping unload dishes

Woa! Close up

I mentioned reorganizing her room. Here are some "after" shots. Believe me, the "before" shots would have been pretty bad! 

My good friend Shannon sent this quilt. We've been pen pals since we were twelve!

Peek........

A boo!

Butterfly quilt from our friend Allona

Organized bookshelf - yay!

Clean room - at least for now

Fun Saturday

Today was a beautiful day in AZ. David woke up early to go to softball practice. He joined his work softball team and is really enjoying it. Time with the guys that doesn't involve work? Yes please! He's enjoying playing and is getting pretty good. I hung out with Indigo when she woke up and when he came home we had breakfast. Indigo napped again and we got ready to leave to program at Central Christian. David programs the lights at two of their locations. It's fun to hang out with him and Indigo is a great sport. I think she finds it fun to be in new places and loves being with us.

He finished early and we drove through Mesa instead of taking the highway home. I was just about to ask where we were going when we pulled into the parking lot of the convention center. I said, "gun show?" and he said "gun show!" David had a coupon and it wasn't too expensive, and he likes to walk through so we spent about an hour there. Everyone complimented us on our beautiful daughter. I tried very hard to ignore the anti-Obama propaganda that many of the booths had. I just have to remember how much I hated the years between 2000 and 2008 and work hard NOT to to get in people's faces. I mean, is it so terrible that he's creating jobs, giving people healthcare and helping people stay in their homes? Yeah, that's really awful. Ugh.

We played with Indigo on the grass outside the events center because it was nice and soft and it was a beautiful day out. She walked between us a little bit.  Then she fell asleep on the way home. She slept for maybe an hour. When she woke up I took the opportunity to organize her room better. It looks so great! And I organized the clothes drawers again so the too-big clothes don't wind up on top all the time and she can look cute when she goes to daycare! (The pic is an old one of her first time on the grass. I call it "Indigo in the wild)

I just put her to bed and am cooking artichokes and rice for dinner. Hoping to watch an episode of Mad Men. That show rocks! Tomorrow we are off to church in the morning and David has a late dinner with a work associate. Time was I would have gone and paid as much attention to work talk as I could without getting too bored. But I have a lovely little excuse to stay home and relax. I have to get birthday party invites out (already, yikes!) and maybe look through my jewelry to see if i have any old gold to sell. Prices are really high right now, and am i really going to wear the herringbone necklace I got in high school and promptly kinked the first time I ever wore it?

Christmas Bliss

Bonus picture post. Enjoying her gifts on Christmas morning. I like the tree lights - they are glowing. David probably took this picture. He has a much better eye than I do. Enjoy!

Success! And a new blog look

Finally, a picture! Thanks to my wonderful husband who helped import some from the camera and clean up the red eye. This is from Christmas - all those toys, and she is chewing on a gum pack. Apparently I learned nothing from the cats. Both kids and cats will reject any toy picked out and purchased for them and go straight for paper, plastic, or anything you don't want them to have. Luckily, she did show interest in the toys later. I'll try to post some pictures over the weekend. 

It's late and tomorrow is finally Friday. Still feeling blessed in life. Glad you are all here reading. I hope I've kept you interested enough to stay tuned as I find my stride. I know I keep promising...It's coming...really. In the meantime, check out the blogs that I love in my profile section. 

Until next time!

Taking Cues

Today was an interesting morning. Indigo sleep all night, which is always a beautiful thing. I got up on time - If I get up before 5:00 am and get ready, feed her (I am still able to nurse her in the mornings although I don't pump at work anymore) and leave the house at 6:00, I can drop her off at daycare and get to my vanpool lot by 6:15 to get a ride into work. I love my vanpool. It keeps me on a schedule and I don't have to drive and it's fast because of the HOV lane. Anyway, I got a little behind today (playing "words with friends" while drying my hair is too distracting). So it was 5:40 before I woke her up to feed and I still had to get dressed.

David got up too and was ready to dress her after she ate. Then we realized that if she went back to sleep, he had plenty of time to take her in and come home to switch to the motorcycle for the day. So he fell back asleep and I finished feeding her. However, that seemed to wake her up!Which is ok, except that she LOVES for daddy to hold her and basically do nothing else when they are alone. So it's hard for him to get ready with her around. But he said he would. I took her to our room while I got changed so he could nap on the couch a little longer. I turned on the small light and laid her on the bed for a minute. She rolled over to her tummy and tried to bury her head in the sheets. So I thought, what the heck, and put her in her crib and finished dressing. She made a few noises, but basically put herself back to sleep!

I guess the moral of the story is that we should take cues from her as much as possible - she wasn't quite done sleeping. We could have forced her awake if needed, and she would have been fine. She pretty much rolls with our crazy life. But if we let her, she'll tell us what she needs. It 's a lesson to keep learning I guess. And now the van is almost at work. See why I like it?

Pictures and video and fun stuff will hopefully be coming soon! So far my posts have been after I fiddle with the settings and get annoyed so I thought I would just try writing to see if I sound less whiney. Cuz really, I am very blessed

Happy Baby

We have the happiest baby. I'm trying to post a newer picture and the video I took of her strolling around the kitchen. It's still a work in progress. Trying out a background too. I still have a lot to learn, I guess. But enjoy reading my crazy thoughts.

Blogging is hard!

So it's a bit earlier tonight but I am DONE! All I want is to put a few thoughts on the web and maybe load a few pictures. But between not being able to find the right pics on the computer and not figuring out how to make my blog look good, I am very frustrated.

Today was fun. Indigo is almost walking. She took a few falling steps to me at daycare and then walked around the house along the wall tonight. She had a nice dinner of broccoli, carrots and an orange slice. Then she fussed so we had a bath and she very firmly told me she was sleepy. So a quick nurse and she was down for the count. I forgot to check the daycare log to see when she napped. Hopefully she'll sleep all night. She did last night and it was great. She used to sleep all night long but lately she's needed a 3:00 am snack, and I haven't been able to deny her. But, knowing she used to sleep though the night, we should get back to that schedule and not let her get us up every night. It makes such a difference in my energy level, and David's.

It's already time to plan her first birthday party. I have to get invites out, but first I need to confirm details with my aunt who is hosting and David to make sure everything works for him too.

We had a nice 10th anniversary today. We exchanged gifts last night. David gave me a beautiful blue topaz set of earrings, necklace and ring, despite my insistence that I didn't need anything more than his love for another 10 years (sappy, I know). And I gave him a pre-order certificate for the Steve Jobs action figure that should come out next month if it doesn't get blocked by Apple for copyright infraction. That's how we roll in our house. I get shiny things and David gets toys! Maybe that is what makes our marriage successful and fun.

As an admitted blog-stalker (I love reading Babble.com and I started following a few of the regular bloggers there, as well as my friend Tristin), I wanted to try my hand at this blogging thing. I guess the next step will be to invite a few people to read my ramblings. So far, they probably won't be too impressed, but I will try to do better.

Maybe I'll have more energy tomorrow night and I can find a few pictures more recent than Halloween! Now, it's time to curl up with the cat and watch old "L&O SVU," my latest guilty pleasure on Netflix.

Inaugural Post

So here it is - my first attempt at a blog! It will start out short and sweet because somehow it is 11:00 pm and I have to get up in less than 6 hours. My New Years resolution was to start a blog to share info and updates about life and our beautify baby girl, Indigo. She will turn 11 months old on Wednesday, and my 10th wedding anniversary is tomorrow, so I'm just feeling blessed tonight.

I will keep it short tonight because I want to spend a bit more time on the design and figure out how to add pictures and other info to the site. Any suggestions for content and/or updates is appreciated!