Memorial Day

We had another great weekend in Carroll this weekend.  My beautiful cousin Lindsey graduated from high school.  I honestly cannot believe she is ready to go off to college.  It seems like just yesterday when she was born and now she's ready to go to college?  What???  :)  I have to admit I got a kick out of the speeches at commencement.  I think both of the students googled motivational catch phrases and inserted all of them into their speeches.  And they had plenty of advice to give - advice that they obviously had also googled because it was stuff that people don't learn until years down the road.  It was cute though.  And they both mentioned about how they are now entering the real world.  I mean, c'mon.  Really.  The real world?  They are going to be living off of their parents and student loans for the next four years with their only job being making it to class a couple of times a week.  That is not the real world.  :)  I know they are all excited to be on their own though - I know I was!  They just seem so young to be going to college.  Did we look that young?  I'm sure we did!  I hope Lindsey (and probably Kayla) can come and visit me and Brady for a day this summer before she heads off to college.  Maybe we could take Brady swimming or something.  I would enjoy that!

Well, today is Memorial Day and is probably the most important day our country should be observing.  I want to thank every service member for serving and standing up and believing in this great country we live in.  And I want to thank their families who live day to day trying to survive while worrying about their loved ones overseas.  These men and women are brave, selfless, courageous and true heroes.  I admire them for fighting for me, for my family and for our country.  They sacrifice everything and deserve nothing but respect for it.  My dad's family has had numerous people in the service at one time or another.  My cousin Adam has served three tours as a Paratrooper for the 173rd Airborne Brigade.  I am so proud of him.  He is a true hero to our family and we have said many prayers for his safety and they were answered!  Here are some pictures - Adam and Holly were friends / roommates / served together with the Guintas, so they were able to go to the White House when Sgt Guinta was awarded the Medal of Honor.  What a proud and awesome moment this must have been for them!!  Here are some pictures from that day.  I want to give a special shout out to my cousin Adam today for being our hero!!!

Schedules

I like schedules.  This week, we started off great!  He took great naps at the right times in his crib, I was able to get my work out in, we walked Drake and the day just seemed to flow as it should.  However, it all went downhill from there. Those that know me well know that if I don't get my workouts in, my whole day gets screwed up and I think about it the whole rest of the day.  Welcome to Tuesday and Thursday.  :)  Brady's schedule did not sync up with the class I like to take these days.  This led to not getting Drake's walks in, Brady napping at weird times and waking up every time I lay him in his crib, I haven't showered yet, I make bad food choices, I'm in the middle of painting part of our living room and noticed I still need to do one more coat, and I can't seem to get going.  We have to get formula though and I need something to wear to my cousin's graduation this weekend, so we at least have to go to Target today (and shower :)).  By the way, I did the impossible awhile back.  I went to Target and only bought the one thing on my list - formula.  I don't think I have ever been in and out of that store with only one item purchased!!

But this is how we spend our days, and I am reminded that this is way more important than sticking to a schedule.  :)

Practicing sitting all by himself

Brady trying to read (or at least look at the pictures) 

Birthday Party!!

We celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday on Sunday.  The party was a huge success - meaning it looked like my dad really had a great time.  My mom worked so hard on everything and although it turns out he had a suspicion of what was being planned, she still pulled off a fun party!  Happy Birthday Dad!  We love you!!!

Dad with some of his brothers and sisters - sorry dad, you are kind of hidden!!

 Maddie and Brady hanging out before the party.  Brady is starting to give kisses and apparently we need to teach him to not give kisses to a dog when they are trying to lick your mouth.  Yuck!!!

More Pictures

View from our deck

My very expressive Brady :)



Brady, Ella and Regan


My college friends

Our kids!! 

Catholicism and Fertility Treatments

Chris sent me the following article.  I felt the need to blog about this issue because I can't stop thinking about it.  I always questioned whether or not it was the right choice to leave the Catholic faith.  I am no longer questioning this decision anymore after reading the Church's stance on fertility treatments.  As the man in the article states, who is the Church to say that my child is less than perfect because of the way he was conceived.  :(

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/10/my-take-catholic-church-should-reverse-ivf-opposition/?hpt=C2

Happy Mother's Day!

As a Mother, today was a perfect Mother's Day.  Chris really helped to make it special for me.  We went to church together, went out for breakfast afterwards and I received a perfect gift - gift certificates for a massage and a pedicure.  I feel so lucky to be able to be a mom and be able to join the club on Mother's Day.  Brady makes it so easy for me.  What a wonderful and happy-go-lucky little boy he is.  Chris and I were joking over breakfast this morning about how he began his life as a frozen little embryo the first five months of what we consider his life.  All jokes aside though, thinking about that makes me realize just how special this little guy is.  There were something like 18 embryos in the beginning of this process.  In the end, there were five.  Out of the five frozen ones, there were two strong ones that we used.  Brady was the one that survived the dethawing process out of the two.  What a fighter.  :)  And what a true blessing.  People always say that things happen for a reason.  Although there are situations in life where you can never figure out the "why", such as little kids with serious diseases or a life taken too early, I think I have figured out my "why" - why it took us so long to be able to have Brady.  Chris and I have a greater appreciation for life, for our baby and I believe that this came with age.  I believe we enjoy him more and can be better parents and role models for him because we are older.  

Smiling at Daddy today :)

He looks way too grown up in this picture

And I want to wish my Mom a BIG Happy Mother's Day too!!!  I wish I could have spent the day with you.  I want you to know mom that I do and always will feel like the luckiest daughter in the world because you are my mom.  You are a wonderful person - so caring and giving to everyone.  You are the most selfless person I know.  You have proven that to set a good example, you have to be a good example.  Thank you for always being there for me.  You have always had faith in me as a person.  I don't think I have even began to understand the sacrifices you have made for us girls, but I am realizing after being a mom how much you have done for us over the years.  I'm pretty sure there were a few years with raising four girls in the same house that you thought you were going to lose your mind, but I want you to know that I look back on those memories as you being a great mom.  Not just a great mom, but the BEST mom.  I don't know how you did it, but congratulations, because you did.  :)  I love you Mom!!!!

And I would like to wish my mother-in-law Rhonda, sister's Rachel & Melissa and sister-in-law Alecia and all other moms a Happy Mother's Day!!! 

First Day

Today was my first day as a stay at home mom.  There is only one word to describe how my day went - AWESOME.  I feel so calm and happy now that I am no longer part of the rat race.  No making sure that Brady had his bath Sunday night since we could do it Monday morning.  No more making sure the bottles and pacifiers are all washed, labeled and filled with water.  No more packing his daycare bag, my lunch, ironing and planning for the week ahead.  It feels AWESOME!!  People at work asked me how I would be spending my days.  I told them that I planned on going to the gym (they have a daycare there), reading books and playing with Brady, letting Brady nap on me and cooking a healthy supper.  And that is exactly how we spent our day today.  :)  Here are some pics from our first day at home. 

On a side note, Drake has been sleeping in Brady's room at night.  It's so cute.  I wonder if he's being protective or if it's just because it's the cooler room upstairs.  Who knows, whatever the reason, I like it!

Brady is also holding his bottle now (for most of the feeding).  He gets a little tired towards the end and usually ends up dropping the bottle a few times.

And here are some cousin pictures from Easter weekend I've been meaning to get posted.  These are Chris's sister's two little kids.  These pictures are just adorable!!  I can't wait for these kids to all grow up together!!