What the heck?!

The past two nights the radio in the living room has turned on shortly after midnight.
What

The

Heck?

The first night I heard it, last night Bob heard it. I thought I'd turned the volume all the way down so even if it did turn on, the volume was down.

NOPE!

Last night at 12:06 am the damn thing turned on AGAIN!

So what the heck? Is it Grandmom or Granddad trying to get our attention? Or just a random technological issue with the radio?

Either way, I AM EXHAUSTED! I don't know why that makes me more tired than getting up with Mikaela for half an hour. Maybe because it's quiet when I get up with her. There's no BLASTING RADIO!

ugh

16 Months

16 Months old ... wait didn't I just bring her home?!

*sigh*

Yes, our baby girl is growing so fast. She talks ALL THE TIME and what I mean is she babbles and about every 5th or 6th word is one we have tried to teach her to say. One of these days I'll get her to understand that it's "cookie" not "cock".

She's got almost all four 12 month molars now, what a horrible two weeks that was. The first one poked it's little self through testing the waters and environment for a few days then the other three decided the coast was clear and out they all came

ALL

AT

ONCE

We had drool, snotty nose, crankiness, screaming and just general bitchiness while they all came in. Ibuprofin is our friend.

She's definitely assertive, not letting the other two kids at our babysitter's get the best of her, and she's learning a lot playing with them. The best part of the day is when I get there to pick her up and she screams with laughter running to me, she wraps her little arms around my neck and gives me a kiss.  I just know she's trying to say "I missed you, Mama!"

When did I become a Leper?

I've noticed that the people I used to be very close to, share my girlie secrets with, no longer seem to think I exist since I had my second baby. Now, none of them has little ones so I can understand but I kind of feel like I'm a pariah now.

The funniest part about this is that I honestly don't mind. They are doing their own thing and I can't imagine having a bra on past 6 pm at night, let alone standing in a bar having a drink.

Still love them, but I see the pictures they put up of their nights out and all I can think is how tired I'd be the next day if I had their schedules.

A question of friendship

I wonder how many other women have gone through the same thing as me.  You have these friends, and you're close, tell each other everything, there's nothing you won't do together.  Then BAM one of you has a baby and suddenly the other(s) forget you exist.

I couldn't imagine forgetting my friends.  It even went so far as having a birthday forgotten.  I realize I'm probably not all that fun anymore, often I am in sweats, hair a mess with a random crumb from the mornings poptart clinging to the strands of it, but damn I'm the same person I was before, there's just a little person that needs my attention too. Not to mention the rest of my family.

I don't know.  I suppose upon reflecting I probably need more friends with little kids like I have and should stop clinging to the ones I went clubbing or to the bar with.

Especially since staying up past 10 pm is adventurous these days.

Yawn.

Wine tasting

Before we get to the wine part, I should say that if you know me well, you know how HUGE a Dave Matthews fan I am.  I love their music, and I love the lyrics.  In my own opinion, Dave is a poet and his songs are great.

Anyway, I'd read on facebook that he was collaborating with Steve Reeder to create a wine and they were going to call it Dreaming Tree.  Well, I couldn't wait for it to come out.  A few weeks ago on a trip to Hops and Grapes they had a end cap display of it.  I bought the Cabernet Sauvignon and finally tonight I opened it.

My first sip was rather nice, it's a smooth wine with a small hint of sweet at the end.  Absolutely no bitterness, and Dave Matthews aside, I can tell this is going to be one of my favorites.

Love the picture they chose, awesome drawing of the Dreaming Tree.

I know it's a little fuzzy but the lyrics from the Dreaming Tree song are written on the cork. How freakin awesome is that?!

YUM!

Here's the song ...

What am I doing?!

The last few weeks I've gotten increasingly disgusted with myself.  I can't stand how my clothes fit, how I look in them, (you know the rolls that show in the back of your shirt?  ewww) how I look naked, how I feel naked, I'm just so damn uncomfortable!

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ok .. that's out of the way.

I posted on Twitter last Saturday that I was seriously considering starting the P90X 90 day workout program. I've seen this infomercial a million times on television, I know a few people who have had HUGE successes with it, and a few who just use it to maintain a healthy weight and exercise routine. Anyway, my friend Steve messaged me that he had it if I want to borrow it.  Immediately I jumped on it and said YES!!  He dropped it off the next day.

Then I wondered

Wait ... why isn't he still doing it?

Answer: Broken leg, doc says not for a few more months.

Ok, relief set in. 

Yesterday, March 21, 2012 was Day 1.  Arms and Back .. a 52 minute work out from warm up to cool down.  Such a long period of time I thought, but it flew by! Before I knew it I was at the end cool down and it was time to shower!  Other than my arms feeling rather warm and jello like, I didn't notice much in the way of muscle soreness ....

Then I got out of bed today.  OMG!! However, I'm happy about the soreness, yes you read that right, h.a.p.p.y, HAPPY! Just shows me what muscles I worked out and that I did those damn things right!

Today is Day 2, I haven't done my workout yet today be cause Mikaela decided to be up and restless until midnight and I was exhausted this morning.  Since I know how important sleep is, especially given the fact that I have an hour drive to work, I did go back to sleep this morning until 6 when Bob came out of the shower.  I plan on doing it today after I get home and hug my girls first.  It's supposed to be Plyometrics ...

uhmm I have no fucking idea what that is, but I guess I'll find out!

My goal at the end is to get back to a nice slim, healthy 135.  Get my heart healthy and maybe, just maybe, not have to take blood pressure pills anymore!

By next January, I want to be that size.  And if Bob and I decide to try and have another baby to see if we can make a little boy, I'll be in good shape to exercise while pregnant and lose the baby weight afterwards a little easier!

Here goes nothin!

Fastfood .. kid friendly? Well, duh

We all know that fast food restaurants have advertised to kids, well I hope you realize that as you watched the McDonald's commercials as a child, that showed the funny characters, it was aimed at you, the child.

Anyway, I read an article to day on Huffington Post about McDonald's happy meals advertising to children.

DUH

How many of us with little kids remember hearing them in the background, or even being that little kid, asking from the back seat if we could get McDonald's for dinner or lunch.  Hell, I've called my husband at work on my way home from work and asked if it could be a take out night, which means pizza or McDonalds.

Parents and people in the health industry are taking fast food retaurants to task for their lack of "healthy food choices." Uhmmm if I wanted a healthy food choice I sure wouldn't be going to McDonald's in the first place, however, they are offering some fruit and other alternatives for their Happy Meals.  That's great, but if I was worried about it I wouldn't go there in the first place.

Let's get one thing straight, I do not take my kids to a fast food restaurant every other day.  I cook on average 4-5 nights a week, one night is left overs, sometimes two, and usually about every other week or so we get take-out.  My kids are healthy, eat their vegetables (Mikaela loves broccolli ... go figure) and my oh my neither one of them is overweight.

Isn't that the real problem?  We don't take the time to cook a healthy  meals anymore, sit down with your kids and talk to them about things such as healthy choices.  It's important for us to talk to them about making healthy decisions when it comes to sexual situations, but not food choices?

In my humble opinion, this is exactly what is creating a lot of the problems we face these days ... lack of parental involvement.  Get it together people, take half an hour out of your busy day to sit down with your children, after while they don't give a rat's ass about what you say anyway, so take advantage when they're young.

Oh and .... enjoy your double cheeseburger at reasonable intervals and pass me the french fries and chocolate shake for dipping said fries in while you're at it.

Huffington Post

One of the best sources for all things in the world or otherwise is Huffington Post.  Becoming a member and being able to comment on some very interesting stories, including some sections about politics, parenting and living green, is a lot of fun and I've learned some interesting things. 

If I had one complaint it would be that they don't have a Marriage page.  They have Parents, Divorce and Weddings, but nothing about Marriage in general.  Marriage is fun, there's a lot of things that can be spoken about and blogged about, so I sent them an email the other day asking why there was no Marriage heading?  I wonder if I start blogging more about my marriage they'll invite me to be a full time blogger on their page? 

Something to consider! That means I need to post more about my marriage and other people's marriages I guess? 

hmmm

Who's going to wipe my ass?

I was chatting with a co-worker today about marriage, the ups and downs, the passive agressive behaviors she does with her husband and how their son is following in their footsteps as being OCD. It was supposed to be a funny conversation, and as I was laughing at some of her stories, it occured to me that my husband and I don’t do a lot of these things. I learned years ago that if I found some behavior he exhibited as annoying, rather than harping on him about it, I’d just not say anything and he would eventually stop. It took me a few years longer to get him to stop tickling my feet (I HATE THAT!) even though he seems to think I enjoy it because I laugh, my violent reaction to get away from him never seemed to sink in. Anyway, I digress …. I told her how my husband and I had overcome many obstacles and arguments and after 16 years we are finally in a place where we should have been all along. He’s my best friend, I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it, or without him being the father of our girls (if I’m lucky maybe a boy in the future although another girl would be equally as nice ;)), or what would I do when I got into bed and his abnormally warm ass wasn’t there to warm me up? My friend stated “Who’s going to be there to wipe my ass?” when she’s 80 and they are sitting together on rocking chairs at the end of their lives. Immediately, we’re both tearing up and chuckling at the results of hormones still wreaking havoc with our bodies because we both have had babies in the last two years. Yet, it made me think, I mean really think, that I needed to tell my husband how much he means to me right that moment. So I did … probably made him tear up too, the big mushy baby.

I love you, honey. :*

One Year Old Today

It's hard to believe that a year has gone by already.  All day today when I looked at the clock I remembered what was going on this same date last year, down to the 8:10 pm time of delivery.  Mikaela is so big, and so smart, and growing so fast, too fast truth be told.  She started walking at just 10 months, and surprised everyone at a family get together yesterday when they saw she was already speeding around.
She talks ALL THE TIME, nothing makes sense yet, but we pretend it does.  She points at everything now and Daddy walks around the house with her showing things to her and teaching her what things are, and who people are in photographs. I was able to stay home with her today and took a lot of pictures to show off our boring but fun day at home.

Just dropped Aislynn off at school

Breakfast!

Quick trip to Rite Aid

Mommy and Mikaela hamming on the couch

First birthday gifts from Aunt Fran

$30 worth of lego blocks and she likes the $1.50 ball.. haha!

Sister moments <3

Our two beautiful girls :)

Wooohooo cupcake time!

Operation Cupcake a success! (or should I say mess?)

Well, our poor peanut has a cold but she still smiled all day long and laughed.  Let's just hope she is feeling better and enjoys the two (yes two, I said it, two ... ugh) parties that are going on this weekend all for her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKAELA!!!!!

November ramblings ...

I'm coming up on the last week of class for my first college course.  I'm happy to be moving onto the second one, and found this one to be very easy.  I've gotten a 100 on each and every assignment, as well as my journal submissions and class participation.  It's a little different going to school online than going to a class on specific days.  You have to log in at least four out of 7 days and post twice four different days.   You can't do everything in one day or you lose points for participation.  I think that is probably the hardest thing that most people have found to do. 

About half way through this course, University Success ( a dummy course really, to just get you acclimated to taking classes and learning how to use the system) I decided to change my major to Education/Special Education.  It's a dual major which will give me a teaching degree as well as a degree in special education.  So I'll actually be attending a sister college of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University, which was created as a teacher's school in the 40's. I'm really excited to get started, I feel like this first "real" class that starts on December 12th is when I truly begin my college education. 

Enough of that .....

Mikaela turned 10 months old on Friday .... 10 MONTHS OLD!!  I can't believe it, time has flown by so quickly!  Then again, Aislynn is already going to be 15 in a few weeks, and wasn't it just yesterday I brought her tiny self home from the hospital?

She had her check up and she is now 17 pounds and has 8 teeth!  She is walking, tentatively up until a few days ago, then all of a sudden it's from one end of the living room to the next.  She's definitely begun to develop her own little personality and invariably cracks herself up throughout the day along with us.  She has her Dad wrapped around her little finger, just like Aislynn, and she loves to throw things on the floor from her high chair just to watch him make a funny face at her and keep picking it up.

She "talks" all the time, a never ending stream of baby words that sometimes sound like something familiar and we respond in kind.  I swear one night she said "ok" in response to my saying it to her.  She loves the cats and the dog and Remy will play with her, tug of war mostly with his toys, the cats generally stay away or tolerate a few minutes of hair or ear pulling.

We had to get a new babysitter a few weeks ago after the other quit suddenly and without warning.  Luckily, we have a great friend who comes to the house now and plays with her all day.  She's been a gift from God or the gods or whomever is watching over us.  There isn't much I could really do to repay all she does for us.  She is awesome with Mikaela and Remy gets up in the window and watches out the window for her every morning.  There is nothing more important to parents than being able to leave your children with someone you trust.  To be able to leave for 7-8 or more hours a day, leave our hearts behind with someone and trust them to do as good a job watching over our children as we ourselves do, well it's priceless really. 

We are really excited for the upcoming holidays, even though Mikaela doesn't really understand the whole Christmas = gifts thing, it's still going to be fun watching her pull the paper off (and of course stopping her from eating it) and discover a new toy inside.  Also, Aislynn turns 15 on December 17th and she doesn't get quite as animated about her gifts as she used to, but it's still great fun watching her open the things she has asked for.  The pleasure is always there just watching my loved ones that morning open up their gifts hoping that it's just the right thing, or even if it's something they asked for, knowing the pleasure they will have when they see they got it.  Well ... that's part of what Christmas is about.

Pursuing your dreams ...

Well I did it.  I know I talked about it at the end of summer, but I'm now a full time college student, full time working Mom and Wife too.  Fun stuff!

After two ridiculous experiences trying to attend two different local county colleges, I finally settled on University of Phoenix.  It's awesome!  I get to finish my Bachelors in four years time and I'll be able to teach!  WOOHOO!!  Seems funny saying that, especially since I've been a teacher's aide for ten years and have pretty much been teaching anyway.

I've been a parent for 14 years now and isn't that a form of teaching too?  Being a parent is the most important teaching position anyone can hold, in my opinion.  You're teaching a person from the very beginning how to be a good person. It may seem that they have their own ideas about things and sometimes it's really hard, but eventually they learn something new and it's the most amazing feeling! Imagine, being responsible for the values and morals of another human being, wow ... when you really think about it, it's kind of mind blowing!

Anyway,  University of Phoenix is awesome.  They call you back (imagine that!), whether it's your enrollment advisor, academic advisor, or financial aid advisor.  EVERYONE CALLS YOU BACK! Imagine such a thing!  All my classes are online, I can work on things while I'm on break at work or from home at my own pace so long as everything is submitted on time.  The support of the online community at UoP is great too.  Mostly everyone is like me, adults returning to college after a long hiatus.  We all mostly work full time, have spouses and children to take care of before we can even think about class, but being able to "attend" class online means we don't have to worry about making sure someone else is taking up the slack.  I couldn't imagine doing this out of the house at night, no way could I stand being away from my family for a few hours a couple nights a week for four years!

As it goes, I have a class every five weeks.  Just one class at a time, more concentrated, than if I was taking four classes over a four month period with a two week break and the summers off.  I'll go year round for four years to complete my bachelors degree.  You're allowed up to 14 days off between classes although they don't recommend taking more than that, if there's a special circumstance you can request more time.  I can go on and do my Masters program through UoP too, and if I choose to go for my doctorate I can do it through there as well.  I will probably do up to the Masters through UoP, and if I do want my doctorate I'll go to Rowan or another college close by.  By then Mikaela will be 6 and a little more independent with things.

The only thing I wish was different is that UoP offered History as a major, right now I'm an English major, but I can always take some classes online through Gloucester County in History.  I think i'd really like to teach history and pursue my doctorate in something history related.

Anyway, if anyone who reads this wants more information about University of Phoenix, I can put you in touch with my enrollment advisor, he's great and so helpful!

The end result of all this schooling is so many things beneficial, better pay, more say in my work place position, brighter future for my husband and I to be able to enjoy our later years and actually retire with the ability to do what we want, and most important to me, it shows my daughters that it's never too late to pursue your dreams!

8 Months!

So much has happened the last few weeks.  I went back to work for the school year, Aislynn started as a freshman in high school, and Mikaela got FOUR teeth! However, today is her 8 month "birthday"! We can't believe how quickly the time is flying by.  Bob keeps saying that next thing we know it'll be Thanksgiving then Christmas then we'll be celebrating her first birthday.

Mikaela crawls all over and she thinks it's hysterical.  She giggles almost the entire time and occasionally stops to either sit up and smile and laugh up at one of us or she stops to push up to her knees on something.  I don't think the crawling will last long, she'll figure out how to walk sooner than we think, I'm quite sure. Earlier today I found her sitting up in her crib playing with the little dog she keeps in there.  Time to lower the mattress!  When Aislynn was about Mikaela's age, she pulled herself up, stepped on the bumper and flipped herself out of the crib.  I found her in her room crawling across the floor crying.  Scared the heck out of me! So hopefully, Mikaela won't do this to me, I don't know if I'm young enough to survive the scare at this point! haha

She "talks" a lot now.  Even gestures with her hands, palms up while she hollers.  I tell her "That's your Italian showing!" Sometimes it sounds like she's saying something specific so we answer in kind.  She just keeps on hollering and making her point known. We've had to stop our conversations sometimes because she gets so loud we can't hear what we are saying.  Someone better teach her some manners! haha

The one thing that has been a little frustrating until a few days ago when I decided not to worry about it anymore, is that she does not like baby food.  She won't even open her mouth for the spoon.  I've tried so many different foods, fruits, vegetables, cereals, everything to no avail.  The only time she opened her mouth for something willingly was chicken and gravy believe it or not.  Even then it was only a few times and that was it.  I think she may just not like the consistency.  So I bought her some finger foods and she does fine with them.  She's still sleeping through the night and gaining weight and growing so I'm not going to stress about it.  Since she has a few teeth now I may even start giving her little pieces of whatever we're having for dinner.

I feel sometimes like don't have enough time with her during the week because she wakes up around 5 or so and I get about 45 minutes to an hour with her before I have to get ready for work then drop her off at the babysitters before work.  By the time I get home it's after 4 and between getting her fed and bathed and cooking dinner, then it's around 7 and she's ready for bed.  This is the schedule she put herself on with bedtime.  I'm sure it'll change at some point, but this is fine for her for now.

8 Months <3

Ten years ago I was standing in the back of a classroom at Oakcrest High School, my second week as a teacher's aide, when suddenly the classroom door burst open to a colleague telling us we are under attack.  I had no idea what she meant, then she turned the classroom television on, raced out of the room to let the rest of those in the hallway know.  I stood there, watching and not truly understanding what was happening.  I saw the second plane fly into the second tower and the gravity of what was actually happening in New York City came to me.  I watched as the news casters tried to explain what was happening in trickling amounts of information.  I watched in horror, covering my mouth in shock, as the towers came crashing down, first one then the second, realizing that there were people in there still.  Workers, firefighters, emergency workers, police officers .... people with parents, spouses, children, grandchildren, friends just like me. When I got home from work that day, I let Aislynn play in the living room with her toys, some cartoons on, while I sat on the edge of the bed watching the news still going on, and I called to ask my husband if he heard what had happened. I remember just thinking this is so surreal.  For a few days we watched as they pulled survivors out, then it became bodies.  I found out that my cousins husband, a firefighter in North Jersey, had decided to go to Ground Zero to help.  To this day he won't speak of what he witnessed, only saying it was more horrible than anyone can imagine and that seeing it on television is nothing compared to seeing it in front of your eyes.  I lived with a fear that my own husband, a volunteer firefighter who had been put on stand by for possible request for help, might have to go there. Thankfully, he never had to go.  Three hundred forty three firefighters lost their lives that day, along with police officers, emergency workers, and thousands of people who worked in those buildings as well as the Pentagon, and that field in Shanksville, PA.  Today I'd just like to say Thank You to those people who willingly went into those buildings and saved lives ultimately losing their own.  Thank you for being the kind of person you were and watching your families speak is an honor.  May you all rest in peace and know you are not, and never will be, forgotten.

13 Years

Today at 12:30 pm was officially our 13th wedding anniversary.  Even though we've had our ups and downs, the one thing that has always sustained my relationship with my husband is that underneath it all, we love each other very much.  Sometimes it's so easy to pack it in and say I give up, but if you do the best you can to work through your problems and issues, most of the time, you will come out on the good side still together.  Too many people give up too easily.

So today I raise a glass to my husband and I.  We have a beautiful home, we work hard, we have two beautiful kids and at the end of the day we go to bed together (sometimes earlier than he claims he wants to go in lol) and we wake up together to face another day.

I love you honey, thank you for being my husband, lover, partner, best friend, biggest supporter, wonderful father and hardest working man I know. I don't know what I would do without you in my life.  I'm very proud to share my life with you.

August 8, 1998

6 Months

Dear Mikaela,

You are 6 months and one week now ... I can hardly believe it!  You're growing so fast and have a tooth finally popping out of your little gums.  So far teething is going alright, no fever, no real stuffiness or crankiness to speak of (thank goodnss!).

This weekend is your last weekend sleeping in Mommy and Daddy's room, you're moving on up to your bedroom tomorrow night.  I got clean sheets on your crib and went through your dresser (AGAIN!) to clean out the clothes that don't fit you anymore (growing like a weed!) so I know what I'm going to need to get you in the fall.

You are going to crawl any day now.  You push up to your hands and knees, rock a bit then fall forward (haha) so we haven't quite mastered how to move your legs and hands to move forward.  The first few times you did this you thought it was hysterical and just laughed and laughed.

You talk and sing all the time, of course none of it makes sense, but we have some great conversations with you. :)

A few weeks ago you started going to a new babysitter and Daddy and I are very happy with it.  She's got a few kids and the house is always in motion, so of course napping doesn't happen as much as it used to in the morning, but that's alright because you take a nice one when we get home and still go to bed around 8 or 8:30.  You seem to love Carolyn and the kids entertain you, that much is for sure!

You are still such a good baby, I can't believe the luck we have with both our kids, Aislynn was such a good baby and so are you!

Speaking of Aislynn, Daddy and I were looking at some of her baby pictures the other day and we are just amazed at the resemblance you have to her.  It's like you are the same baby.  Although your hair is a little darker than Aislynns, otherwise it's just uncanny.

This is Aislynn at around 10 months ... 

Mikaela at 5 1/2 months ... 

It's amazing to us how much you look alike!

One of the things that we remark on and many others is how your hands and feet are constantly in motion.  When you really start moving there will be no stopping you!  

We love you so much and are enjoying every second of you! 

xoxoxoxox

Mommy and Daddy 

The high chair and first feedings that aren't a bottle!

We still have Aislynn's old high chair in the basement so I didn't ask for one for Mikaela.  I realized over the last few weeks that Mikaela, while she isn't quite able to sit up by herself, she likes to be a part of what's going on, especially at dinner time.  So, today I drug the high chair up from the basement and cleaned it all up and plopped her into it.  She's still a little short and needs some extra padding on the sides, but she sits up there pretty well.  This is gonna come in handy because she's starting to have at least one meal a day of cereal and fruit of some kind from a spoon.  She's growing so fast!

hmmm cereal and peaches ... I just don't know

Ok no so bad!

Fun Family times in OC, NJ

Bob's brother, Eric, his wife Kathy and their three cute kids (Sarah, Evan and Emily) came to visit New Jersey this past week.  They spent the week in Ocean City, and we were lucky enough to get down to visit with them and spend some time both on Sunday and then again on Thursday night for a few hours.  It's always so good to see family, especially when they live states away and you don't get to see them often.  The kids are growing so fast, both ours and theirs.  Can't wait to see them again, we're hoping to be able to visit Virginia soon.

Mikaela trying to grab Sarah's face

Ahhh finally got ya!

Emily, she's such a cutie, she was born in early September of 2010.

Birthday boy and cutie patootie, Evan.

Watching babies get so excited to see other babies is so cute!

I'm not sure but I think Emily is trying to stay away from Mikaela's grabby hands! LOL

8th Grade Graduation

On June 13th, Aislynn graduated from 8th grade.

Ok now that I've caught my breath again, yes 8th grade.  This means (GASP!) we are the parents of a high school age kid.  Now I've worked with high school kids for about 8 years now, and I am so proud to say my kid is NOTHING like the kids I've worked with.  Aislynn is such a good kid.  She's a homebody, her friends love to come over and she is well liked at school.

Yes, I'm sure she's Bob and I's daughter.

Anyway,  she decided to dye her hair recently.  Red.  Fire engine red.

Pink streak in the front and some orange high lights through it.  It's freakin awesome!  She looks so grown up.  *sniffle* Such a beautiful girl. 

A few parents said to me "OMG did you know she was doing that?!" I said "I made the appointment!"

Take it from me, if this is the worst thing this kid does, or get a tattoo (which I'll take her when she's 18) I'll consider myself very lucky.  

So proud of you, Aislynn!

Five months

Dear Mikaela,

It's so hard to believe you are 5 months old already!  It seems like just yesterday we just brought you home from the hospital.  Time sure flies.  You're developing your own little personality every day.  You're so happy all the time, your smile lights up your entire face and makes anyone who sees it feel happy.  You're definitely Mommy's little girl, just like Aislynn when she was little.  Daddy and I went out at night for the first time alone since you were born and Aunt Brianna babysat for us.  You're not too happy when someone besides Mommy tries to put you to bed, a right little terror from what I understand.  haha

You haven't gotten any teeth yet, but the way you chew on your hand (ultimately choking yourself), I think you will have one popping through before long.  You've had your first real giggle fits too watching Remy run around the room, it's pretty funny to watch and hear.  You squeal with laughter whenever he comes in your line of vision while you're playing on the floor.  It's so much fun watching you change every day and learn something new.

We love you so much, funny little thing!

Happy 5 months!!

Love,

Mommy