Boy this year has gone by FAST! I can't believe that it's November already!! Where did the time go??? For us it's been a year of adjusting to being parents after 13 years of it being "just us." Having no one else to worry about is now a thing of the past and honestly, that is A-OK.
Besides parenthood we have had other great changes in our lives. In August Sam was approached by a floor manager at Scheels to become the Bike & Bike Assecorries Sales Manager. (He's been working there part-time for about 5 years in the Service Shop.) At first he wasn't interested but they kept persuing him and showed hime a "pay proposal" that was too good to pass up. So after 16+ years at Ritz, he gave his notice and now is working at Scheels.
Besides the benefits, the BEST part of this job change is that Sam will be working 40 hours a week, even during the holiday season! If he does work over 40, then he'll get paid overtime! So no more working 50-60 hours a week. His schedule requires him to work 2 days, 2 night and every other weekend. His permananet day off is Mondays. So every other weekend he'll have a 3 day weekend!!
For us, this is HUGE!! As Sam's schedule at Ritz didn't allow him to spend much time at home and we only had Sunday's as a family. Another perk in taking the Scheels job.
With Scheels his schedule is pretty much set, so we are able to make plans which is something we've not been able to do before. Our plans before were usually very last minute unless we were planning a vacation to Ohio. So we are looking forward to being able to plan more activities, like camping and weekend trips which is something we've not had the luxery of doing with Ritz.
The most exciting news is that Sam has his schedule through the New Year and he has Thanksgiving weekend off (he does work Black Friday but it's 10-7 - which is not bad at all) and he has Christmas Eve and day after Christmas off! Those are his weekends off and plus they rotate holidays - one year he will work 3 of them and have 2 of them off and then the next year he'll work 2 of them and have 3 off. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought Sam would be off during that time of the year!!
I have always LOVED the holidays. I have such GREAT childhood memories and just love what the season brings. But this year we are even more excited - I cannot put into words how excited we are!! With our precious Tia home, we are besides ourselves with giddy!! We are super excited to put up our tree and the 3 of us decorating it and putting presents under it (which I have some bought and some wrapped). We can't wait to see her face when the tree is all decorated and lit up. All the lights off expect for the glow of the Christmas tree. And I can't wait to watch all my favorite Christmas movies with Tia - A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Home Alone - Lost in New York, The Santa Clause movies with Tim Allen and of course all the cartoons like Frosty the Snow Man and Grinch That Stole Christmas just to name a few!
These are dreams coming true for us. After 10 years of trying and waiting to have a family, we finally have that! We are truely happy! Tia brings us such joy and love that we didn't ever realize we would ever experience.
As Thanksgiving nears, I think about my father who has passed. My father has been gone for almost 20 years and even though the pain is lessened, the sadness never goes away. And now that we have Tia, I even more sad that I cannot see that interaction as my father would of been the ultimate grandpa!
With that said, I look at my life and I have the GREATEST husband who is not only the LOVE OF MY LIFE, but MY SOUL MATE & BEST FRIEND. I have the MOST BEAUTIFUL & SPICY daughter. I have a nice home, a job that I sill really enjoy after 8 years and decent vehicles. I have my health and am able to pay my bills. I have my WONDERFUL & LOVING family and friends who keep me sane when the world seems like too much to bare. For all of those things and many, many more I give thanks to God and I am truly THANKFUL!!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Been awhile, I know......
It's been a long time since I've been on and I'm sorry for that. Before Tia came into our lives, I didn't really understand why my friends who had children already didn't have time for a quick e-mail, phone call or whatever, now I so get it!! You don't have time! And when you do get that minute of peace and quite at the end of the day, more than likely you are too pooped to do anything but get ready for bed yourself! Aaaawwww the joys of parenthood!
A lot has happened since I've last been on. Over Memorial Day weekend Tia met her Grandpa and Grandma Wellman who drove all the way from Bloomville, OH to meet their long awaited granddaughter and to witness her baptism. During their all too brief visit, they toured the lakes and parts of the black Hills. On their last day here, we all went to Storybook Island. I've been dreaming of doing that for many, many years and it finally came true! Tia, on the other hand was a little over whelmed with the park. So many things to do, she didn't know where to start. She loved the swings, slides and little houses. She really enjoyed the 101 Dalmatians and was climbing and playing hide-and-seek with us.
In June I signed Tia and I up for 6 week Mommy and Me swim class. Tia loves the water and she did really well and enjoyed it except for the dreaded "dolphin dip" that she did not like at all. It broke my heart when we had to do that because she would just cry and cry. Strangely enough she loved jumping into the pool from the edge, but of course she wasn't going underwater and more importantly I was catching her! We are planning on continuing the swimming lessons as she is a "fish" like the rest of the family!
July she experienced her first 4th of July and the fireworks that come along with it. We had a block party in my sister, Debbie's court and Tia was not the least bit afraid of the firecrackers. More often than not she gave us all heart attacks because she would run out into the court at the least inopportune time! I thought for sure the loud noises would scare her and upset her, but it didn't bother her in the slightest. Hooray!!!
Tia learned to climb on top of the couch and get into the bay widow where Bandit and Sadie usually are at looking out the window. She has learned that if she stands on top of the couch and falls forward she lands on the cushions below and bounces. First time daddy saw that, I think he lost at least 10 years from shock! She is a little dare devil of a monkey for sure!! Of course it doesn't help that her older cousins are that way too and she is a very quick to mimic or you could say "fast learner" too. Either way, she keeps us on our toes! (Tia in the bay window with Honey, my sister's bassett - Sadie is in the bad.)
A couple of weeks ago I just happen to get a picture of Tia holding her baby doll and feeding her milk cup (or sippie cup). So imagine how delighted I was to find a baby doll that has a milk bottle where the milk disappears when tipped upside down (I had one when I was a little girl too) and then we found a baby doll stroller set by Graco. That cause a little impromtu Christmas shopping over the weekend and of course we'll be picking other odds and ends for her as we get closer to the season as well as a stocking for Santa to put his goodies in too. We have waited 10 very long years to have our precious baby girl and I'm certain that I'll be going overboard on the presents. But then I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy over buying for their children at Christmas!
I love this time of the year! The beautiful fall colors, the weather cool enough to have your entire house open, Halloween and the smell of wood stoves burning....
In elementary school I loved singing the Halloween song in music class. I remember holding a letter and turning around when it to me in the song. Then going home and my mom making our Halloween costumes and taking us tick-or-treating. We would go around the entire block and oh the candy treats we would get! Of course when you got home, you had to dump your bag and go through the candy and throw out any that were open or looked suspicious. Of course it wasn't until much later in life we learned that our dad would go through our candy again when were asleep and take out his favorites!
Halloween has changed a lot since then. Not the "going through the candy" part as that is just a necessity. But the way trick-or-treating is done. Today there is not much of the trick-or-treating in the neighborhoods as there are big events for it. In our community alot of the local businesses offer trick-or-treating and the churches put on a bizarre with oodles of activities for the kids of all ages - cake walks, dunking for apples and things of that nature. However, in the neighborhood I grew up in there is still a lot of trick-or-treating that goes on. I am looking forward to dressing up Tia (in I have no idea what yet) and joinging my sisters, neices and nephews in going around to the neighbors that I trick-or-treated at when I was a little girl.
I have such fond memories of my childhood, especially during the holidays. This year and every year after, are going to make those memories more and more precious now that we are blessed with our daughter Tia. She makes everything better!!
A lot has happened since I've last been on. Over Memorial Day weekend Tia met her Grandpa and Grandma Wellman who drove all the way from Bloomville, OH to meet their long awaited granddaughter and to witness her baptism. During their all too brief visit, they toured the lakes and parts of the black Hills. On their last day here, we all went to Storybook Island. I've been dreaming of doing that for many, many years and it finally came true! Tia, on the other hand was a little over whelmed with the park. So many things to do, she didn't know where to start. She loved the swings, slides and little houses. She really enjoyed the 101 Dalmatians and was climbing and playing hide-and-seek with us.
In June I signed Tia and I up for 6 week Mommy and Me swim class. Tia loves the water and she did really well and enjoyed it except for the dreaded "dolphin dip" that she did not like at all. It broke my heart when we had to do that because she would just cry and cry. Strangely enough she loved jumping into the pool from the edge, but of course she wasn't going underwater and more importantly I was catching her! We are planning on continuing the swimming lessons as she is a "fish" like the rest of the family!
July she experienced her first 4th of July and the fireworks that come along with it. We had a block party in my sister, Debbie's court and Tia was not the least bit afraid of the firecrackers. More often than not she gave us all heart attacks because she would run out into the court at the least inopportune time! I thought for sure the loud noises would scare her and upset her, but it didn't bother her in the slightest. Hooray!!!
Tia learned to climb on top of the couch and get into the bay widow where Bandit and Sadie usually are at looking out the window. She has learned that if she stands on top of the couch and falls forward she lands on the cushions below and bounces. First time daddy saw that, I think he lost at least 10 years from shock! She is a little dare devil of a monkey for sure!! Of course it doesn't help that her older cousins are that way too and she is a very quick to mimic or you could say "fast learner" too. Either way, she keeps us on our toes! (Tia in the bay window with Honey, my sister's bassett - Sadie is in the bad.)
A couple of weeks ago I just happen to get a picture of Tia holding her baby doll and feeding her milk cup (or sippie cup). So imagine how delighted I was to find a baby doll that has a milk bottle where the milk disappears when tipped upside down (I had one when I was a little girl too) and then we found a baby doll stroller set by Graco. That cause a little impromtu Christmas shopping over the weekend and of course we'll be picking other odds and ends for her as we get closer to the season as well as a stocking for Santa to put his goodies in too. We have waited 10 very long years to have our precious baby girl and I'm certain that I'll be going overboard on the presents. But then I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy over buying for their children at Christmas!
I love this time of the year! The beautiful fall colors, the weather cool enough to have your entire house open, Halloween and the smell of wood stoves burning....
In elementary school I loved singing the Halloween song in music class. I remember holding a letter and turning around when it to me in the song. Then going home and my mom making our Halloween costumes and taking us tick-or-treating. We would go around the entire block and oh the candy treats we would get! Of course when you got home, you had to dump your bag and go through the candy and throw out any that were open or looked suspicious. Of course it wasn't until much later in life we learned that our dad would go through our candy again when were asleep and take out his favorites!
Halloween has changed a lot since then. Not the "going through the candy" part as that is just a necessity. But the way trick-or-treating is done. Today there is not much of the trick-or-treating in the neighborhoods as there are big events for it. In our community alot of the local businesses offer trick-or-treating and the churches put on a bizarre with oodles of activities for the kids of all ages - cake walks, dunking for apples and things of that nature. However, in the neighborhood I grew up in there is still a lot of trick-or-treating that goes on. I am looking forward to dressing up Tia (in I have no idea what yet) and joinging my sisters, neices and nephews in going around to the neighbors that I trick-or-treated at when I was a little girl.
I have such fond memories of my childhood, especially during the holidays. This year and every year after, are going to make those memories more and more precious now that we are blessed with our daughter Tia. She makes everything better!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
I've come full circle.......emotionally
When a husband and wife decided to start a family you are all gun ho to start right way and in a strange way expect it too. But for us, that was not the case. After years of positive fertility tests and unsuccessful infertility treatments you are left with questions as to "why me/us?" and dealing with raw emotions that come and go in waves that appear to have no end in site.
Our next options were, stop and be a childless couple, invetro or adoption. Two of the three options were guarantees and the other was not. At that point we were done with it and was not willing to play the odds any more, as they were certainly not in our favor before. So which one would it be, childless or adoption?
After hearing all those horror stories about adoptions going bad and birth families coming back into the picture and the child being taken away we had decided to be childless. After all, we had our furbabies!
Then we had a conversation with our financial planner at the time and he had adopted. He told us his story and encouraged us to "think about it." We talked about it off and on but in our heads we had already decided "no." But six months later, we both started wondering and thinking about adoption more and more until we decided to look into it.
Thus our journey to Tia had begun. After we got all of our paperwork completed and sent to China it was again a waiting game. Of course when we started the process in October of 2005 the "waiting" was only eight months long. No one could of predicted that we would be "waiting" for over five years!
As the years came and went, your life is sort of on hold. You try to live as normally as you can, but it's always in the back your mind - "will it ever happen?" Of course we KNEW we were guaranteed a baby, it was just a matter of when. Like the infertility, the emotions would come in waves, often without warning.
Then one day you get "the call" that you've been waiting for and dreaming of. After years of dreaming how you're going to break the news to your families and friends is finally here and of course, it was not how it happened. Am I disappointed? No. We told our family and friends and they were all over joyed and emotional with us! And again your time is filled with with completing the travel paperwork and requirements, packing and making arrangements for your life while you're away from home.
While you're waiting to travel you talk happily to friend and family about how excited you are. But however excited I was, the insecurities that were in the back of every new parent's mind while you're "waiting" slowly make their way to the forefront of your brain. The most frequently asked one is "What am I doing?" I still ask myself that and I think I always will.
It has now been over four months since we've gotten home with our precious baby girl. Those months have seemed very long but at the same time have gone by fast. She has made amazing strides in her adjustment to her new life and continues to amaze me every day. What could a mother ask for??
Well for me it has been a long and emotional journey bonding with Tia. After years and years of waiting she was finally here. But why was I still sad? Why did have all of these emotions that hit me like a tidal wave without warning?
Everyone would want to know "how happy I was to finally have her" and I would tell them what they wanted to hear, but deep down inside I wasn't. Deep down inside I was struggling emotionally. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotion, wondering will I survive.
Don't get me wrong, I took care of Tia, but I just couldn't bond with her. I was angry at her. I resented her. I didn't feel worthy of her. I didn't even know if I liked her. During our first home placement study update, our social worker asked "if we wanted to give her back" and it was in my mind to say "yes." I would like to say I feel badly for thinking that, but I don't. It was how I honestly felt, but I went against those feelings and said what my heart knew even though I didn't and that was "no."
I was ashamed of these feelings and felt like I couldn't tell anyone, even Sam. But I was wrong. I made mention of some "awful feelings and thoughts" to someone who has always been there. I was sure she would tell me that there was something wrong with me as I suspected, but she didn't. In fact she told me that I was "normal" and that she herself has had those thoughts with each one of her kids. I felt better, but knew I wasn't out of the emotional woods yet. I continued to struggle on and off for the next few months with each passing day getting better and better unbenonst to me.
Then one day, I couldn't even tell you which day it was, I realized that I had made it. I was standing on the beech of the emotional sea I was drowning in. With her unconditional love, this little bundle of joy helped me through the darkness I was feeling. I don't feel the resentment or dislike or the unworthiness. I am no longer worried or scared that she'll be taken away from me. I feel safe to say "my daughter."
Today, as I watch my daughter play in the kitchen, I am truly amazed how Blessed I am. I look forward with joy to being her mother. I am reminded how wonderful it is be her mother every time I change her diapers, sooth her when she's crying, laughing with her when we play and snuggling on the sofa. But none more than when she smiles up at me as she wraps her arms around me and gives me a kiss! This little baby girl who was born in our hearts years and years ago has made my dreams come true and I have come full circle.
Our next options were, stop and be a childless couple, invetro or adoption. Two of the three options were guarantees and the other was not. At that point we were done with it and was not willing to play the odds any more, as they were certainly not in our favor before. So which one would it be, childless or adoption?
After hearing all those horror stories about adoptions going bad and birth families coming back into the picture and the child being taken away we had decided to be childless. After all, we had our furbabies!
Then we had a conversation with our financial planner at the time and he had adopted. He told us his story and encouraged us to "think about it." We talked about it off and on but in our heads we had already decided "no." But six months later, we both started wondering and thinking about adoption more and more until we decided to look into it.
Thus our journey to Tia had begun. After we got all of our paperwork completed and sent to China it was again a waiting game. Of course when we started the process in October of 2005 the "waiting" was only eight months long. No one could of predicted that we would be "waiting" for over five years!
As the years came and went, your life is sort of on hold. You try to live as normally as you can, but it's always in the back your mind - "will it ever happen?" Of course we KNEW we were guaranteed a baby, it was just a matter of when. Like the infertility, the emotions would come in waves, often without warning.
Then one day you get "the call" that you've been waiting for and dreaming of. After years of dreaming how you're going to break the news to your families and friends is finally here and of course, it was not how it happened. Am I disappointed? No. We told our family and friends and they were all over joyed and emotional with us! And again your time is filled with with completing the travel paperwork and requirements, packing and making arrangements for your life while you're away from home.
While you're waiting to travel you talk happily to friend and family about how excited you are. But however excited I was, the insecurities that were in the back of every new parent's mind while you're "waiting" slowly make their way to the forefront of your brain. The most frequently asked one is "What am I doing?" I still ask myself that and I think I always will.
It has now been over four months since we've gotten home with our precious baby girl. Those months have seemed very long but at the same time have gone by fast. She has made amazing strides in her adjustment to her new life and continues to amaze me every day. What could a mother ask for??
Well for me it has been a long and emotional journey bonding with Tia. After years and years of waiting she was finally here. But why was I still sad? Why did have all of these emotions that hit me like a tidal wave without warning?
Everyone would want to know "how happy I was to finally have her" and I would tell them what they wanted to hear, but deep down inside I wasn't. Deep down inside I was struggling emotionally. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotion, wondering will I survive.
Don't get me wrong, I took care of Tia, but I just couldn't bond with her. I was angry at her. I resented her. I didn't feel worthy of her. I didn't even know if I liked her. During our first home placement study update, our social worker asked "if we wanted to give her back" and it was in my mind to say "yes." I would like to say I feel badly for thinking that, but I don't. It was how I honestly felt, but I went against those feelings and said what my heart knew even though I didn't and that was "no."
I was ashamed of these feelings and felt like I couldn't tell anyone, even Sam. But I was wrong. I made mention of some "awful feelings and thoughts" to someone who has always been there. I was sure she would tell me that there was something wrong with me as I suspected, but she didn't. In fact she told me that I was "normal" and that she herself has had those thoughts with each one of her kids. I felt better, but knew I wasn't out of the emotional woods yet. I continued to struggle on and off for the next few months with each passing day getting better and better unbenonst to me.
Then one day, I couldn't even tell you which day it was, I realized that I had made it. I was standing on the beech of the emotional sea I was drowning in. With her unconditional love, this little bundle of joy helped me through the darkness I was feeling. I don't feel the resentment or dislike or the unworthiness. I am no longer worried or scared that she'll be taken away from me. I feel safe to say "my daughter."
Today, as I watch my daughter play in the kitchen, I am truly amazed how Blessed I am. I look forward with joy to being her mother. I am reminded how wonderful it is be her mother every time I change her diapers, sooth her when she's crying, laughing with her when we play and snuggling on the sofa. But none more than when she smiles up at me as she wraps her arms around me and gives me a kiss! This little baby girl who was born in our hearts years and years ago has made my dreams come true and I have come full circle.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
My very FIRST Mother's Day.....
My first Mother's Day was this year. For the most part my day was good, however, Sam ALOT of room for improvement in his planning and execution. That's all I'm going to say on that.
The day was beautiful! Tia helped me in my flower garden while Sam sprayed for spiders and ants. After we got done with that, Tia and I both took naps and Sam washed my car.
Later that evening we went to Debbie and Duane's for a Mother's Day BBQ with JoAnna and Chris's family and of course our mother. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and sat around and visiting. It was a good time. After that we went to McDonald's for ice cream and to see Zachary as he was working.
All in all my first Mother's Day was good as I was surrounded by those I love!
The day was beautiful! Tia helped me in my flower garden while Sam sprayed for spiders and ants. After we got done with that, Tia and I both took naps and Sam washed my car.
Later that evening we went to Debbie and Duane's for a Mother's Day BBQ with JoAnna and Chris's family and of course our mother. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and sat around and visiting. It was a good time. After that we went to McDonald's for ice cream and to see Zachary as he was working.
All in all my first Mother's Day was good as I was surrounded by those I love!
Monday, March 28, 2011
First FULL day at daycare, even though it's Grandma's
In 3 weeks I go back to work after being off since December 31, 2010. People kept telling me that the time will go by fast and I didn't think it would as I was going to be off for 109 days. But they were right it is going by fast. I have mixed emotions about it too. On one hand I don't want to go back to work as I do enjoy being home with Tia much more than I thought I would (I thought I'd be bored - NOT). But on the other hand I am looking forward to work,all my friends and bringing in a paycheck.
So Sam and I decided that it would be best to get Tia adjusted to being at daycare all day. Since he goes to work later in the morning than I, he would be getting her ready and taking her to Grandma's daycare and as I get off right at 5, I would be the one to pick her up. So the this week she's going 3 days, next week she'll go 4 days and the week after that she'll go 5 days.
At first I thought this was to get her adjusted, but now I am thinking it's more for me. I have been with her 24/7 since our Gotcha day (1/10/11). Don't get me wrong, I've had a few hours here and there, but never ever a entire day alone. I am feeling a little lost. Part of me is enjoying it and part of me is bored. What am I going to do all day? My house is reasonably cleaned and I don't have enough laundry to start. I do need to do the checkbook, but am totally dreading that - who doesn't?
I think I'm going to watch the last 4 weeks of Grey's Anatomy, relax and enjoy the day to myself. And like my mom said, if I miss Tia too much I can go in and pick her up whenever I want. But for now's she's enjoying playing with the other daycare kids and is building a stronger bond with Grandma everytime they're together and that's improtant too!
So Sam and I decided that it would be best to get Tia adjusted to being at daycare all day. Since he goes to work later in the morning than I, he would be getting her ready and taking her to Grandma's daycare and as I get off right at 5, I would be the one to pick her up. So the this week she's going 3 days, next week she'll go 4 days and the week after that she'll go 5 days.
At first I thought this was to get her adjusted, but now I am thinking it's more for me. I have been with her 24/7 since our Gotcha day (1/10/11). Don't get me wrong, I've had a few hours here and there, but never ever a entire day alone. I am feeling a little lost. Part of me is enjoying it and part of me is bored. What am I going to do all day? My house is reasonably cleaned and I don't have enough laundry to start. I do need to do the checkbook, but am totally dreading that - who doesn't?
I think I'm going to watch the last 4 weeks of Grey's Anatomy, relax and enjoy the day to myself. And like my mom said, if I miss Tia too much I can go in and pick her up whenever I want. But for now's she's enjoying playing with the other daycare kids and is building a stronger bond with Grandma everytime they're together and that's improtant too!
Monday, March 14, 2011
What a difference a day makes... or a month!
Life in the Wellman house is settling into a nice normal routine. Everything is falling into place beautifully! Thank goodness too!
The little bundle of joy who clung desperately to my leg crying like there was no tomorrow is off and running around and trashing every square inch of the house! It's absolutely wonderful!!
She's jabbering up a storm and can say "dadda" and "momma" clearly and is so funny to listen to when she's giving Bandit and Sadie the "what fore" when they bark and it doesn't matter if they are outside or inside!
She is doing well with the pups and is learning to "fend them off" when she's walking around with or without food or her milk cup. For the most part the pups do well, but there are days when all three (Tia, Bandit & Sadie) are just "at each other."
The poor kitties are never safe from her! Kacie, our Siamese, doesn't like her at all and stays in high places to avoid her. Kalie, our Calico, is more laid back and doesn't mind her too much. However, that doesn't go without saying that Kalie hasn't had her fill of her either and lets her know it but that doesn't seem to stop Tia!
Because my maternity leave is during winter, we've not been outside often. However, the few times it's been warm enough to go out Tia has really enjoyed it! When you let the pups in or out, you have to watch for her as she runs towards the door! We feel that she's going to be an "outside" baby and that brings us much joy, especially for Sam!
One of the other things that Tia "runs" to is the bath! She can be anywhere in the house and the minute she hears the water in the bathtub running she's right there! She LOVES the bath or "swimming" as my 3 yr old niece, Abby calls it!
We actually took Tia to the Swim Center yesterday for the very first time. At first she didn't understand that it was OK for her to stand in the pool so she would just sit. For the first half hour or so she just wanted to sit between mommy or daddy's legs. After a while she got braver and wanted to walk around.
We went in the deeper end and I was holding her on her belly and she was just kicking her legs like there was no tomorrow! It was just so incredibly fun! She had so much fun playing in the water, going up and down the stairs (while holding mommy or daddy's hands) in the kiddie area and walking the pool. We all had such a GREAT time!!
There isn't an inch of this house that hasn't been trashed by Tia! She has discovered mommy and daddy's bedroom closet and so now we have an assortment of shoes as well at measuring cups, spoons and sippy cup lids mixed in with the numerous toys that are scattered throughout the house. And you know what? I don't care, I'm loving every minute of it!!
Parenthood brings a-lot of changes. The one thing that I hope never changes is that Tia still loves to cuddle. Especially when she wakes up and when she's getting tired. I love that throughout the day she'll come to either or both of us for a little "loving" and then is off again to play. My mom tells me I was like that too. At the end of the day when I'm snuggling with her in the glide rocker, I think how Blessed and lucky we are to have trusted in God's plan for us. And even though it took more than 5 years to get her, she was worth the long and emotional wait!
The little bundle of joy who clung desperately to my leg crying like there was no tomorrow is off and running around and trashing every square inch of the house! It's absolutely wonderful!!
She's jabbering up a storm and can say "dadda" and "momma" clearly and is so funny to listen to when she's giving Bandit and Sadie the "what fore" when they bark and it doesn't matter if they are outside or inside!
She is doing well with the pups and is learning to "fend them off" when she's walking around with or without food or her milk cup. For the most part the pups do well, but there are days when all three (Tia, Bandit & Sadie) are just "at each other."
The poor kitties are never safe from her! Kacie, our Siamese, doesn't like her at all and stays in high places to avoid her. Kalie, our Calico, is more laid back and doesn't mind her too much. However, that doesn't go without saying that Kalie hasn't had her fill of her either and lets her know it but that doesn't seem to stop Tia!
Because my maternity leave is during winter, we've not been outside often. However, the few times it's been warm enough to go out Tia has really enjoyed it! When you let the pups in or out, you have to watch for her as she runs towards the door! We feel that she's going to be an "outside" baby and that brings us much joy, especially for Sam!
One of the other things that Tia "runs" to is the bath! She can be anywhere in the house and the minute she hears the water in the bathtub running she's right there! She LOVES the bath or "swimming" as my 3 yr old niece, Abby calls it!
We actually took Tia to the Swim Center yesterday for the very first time. At first she didn't understand that it was OK for her to stand in the pool so she would just sit. For the first half hour or so she just wanted to sit between mommy or daddy's legs. After a while she got braver and wanted to walk around.
We went in the deeper end and I was holding her on her belly and she was just kicking her legs like there was no tomorrow! It was just so incredibly fun! She had so much fun playing in the water, going up and down the stairs (while holding mommy or daddy's hands) in the kiddie area and walking the pool. We all had such a GREAT time!!
There isn't an inch of this house that hasn't been trashed by Tia! She has discovered mommy and daddy's bedroom closet and so now we have an assortment of shoes as well at measuring cups, spoons and sippy cup lids mixed in with the numerous toys that are scattered throughout the house. And you know what? I don't care, I'm loving every minute of it!!
Parenthood brings a-lot of changes. The one thing that I hope never changes is that Tia still loves to cuddle. Especially when she wakes up and when she's getting tired. I love that throughout the day she'll come to either or both of us for a little "loving" and then is off again to play. My mom tells me I was like that too. At the end of the day when I'm snuggling with her in the glide rocker, I think how Blessed and lucky we are to have trusted in God's plan for us. And even though it took more than 5 years to get her, she was worth the long and emotional wait!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
OMG, Friday was AWESOME!!!
Yesterday started out like every other day since we've gotten home from China. Tia woke up, fed her breakfast, cleaned her up and got her dressed. And as usual she was crying and clinging to my legs like there was no tomorrow as I was cleaning up the kitchen.
Then she stopped. I watched her walk a few steps to the dishwasher and start playing the magnetic farm toy that her Aunt Debbie, Uncle Duane her cousins gave her for her first birthday last Saturday. She started jabbering away and I continued on with cleaning the kitchen.
Then she moved into the living room and started pulling the movies off of the shelf. Then she walked over to the pantry and realized that she could pull the food out too! So I had about 50 movies and food scattered all over my living room and kitchen.
Throughout the day I was doing some housework and she was wondering around the house just jabbering away and just having a grand 'ol time. She was chasing the cats and then the dogs. She was doing "laps" from the kitchen to the living room, to her bedroom, bathroom and then back to the living room. Later we walked down to my sister's house so she could play with her cousin Abby (she's 3).
After we got home I started preparing her dinner. Like usual she was crying because I had put her down so I could do something. She would usually cry for about 5-10 minutes and then that would be it. But not last night.
I am not sure what made her so mad, but she had decided to throw a good 'ol fashion tantrum. I mean, threw herself on the floor kicking and screaming. I had never seen her do this before so I was totally surprised. But I just continued on with dinner, after all it wasn't going to make itself as daddy was closing and wouldn't be home until 10 pm.
When dinner was finally ready I picked her up, crying and tantrum instantly stops and I place her in her highcahir. As I was feeding her her dinner, she was back to her normal self, jabbering away and waving at me. After we get all cleaned up from dinner and get into our pj's she's just tooling around the house, pulling down more movies and giving the fur-babies a run for the their money - again or maybe it should be still?
As the night wheres on she's starting to get fussy and rubbing her eyes. I grab her blanket and we rock for a few minutes before I put her down to bed for the night. While I'm rocking her, I realized what a incredibly awesome day we had. It was a day that I always dreamed of.
There were several milestones yesterday. Tia feeling comfortable and safe in her environment to "run around the house" like I hoped and prayed for. Everyday she's showing such huge improvements with her adjustment to her new life.
But the thing I'm most proud of is me and the fact that her crying and tantrum didn't bother me like they did before. As she laid on the floor throwing her tantrum, I just talked to her and continued on with I needed to get done without losing it.
For the first time since we've had Tia, I felt like a real mother. It is an incredible feeling!
Then she stopped. I watched her walk a few steps to the dishwasher and start playing the magnetic farm toy that her Aunt Debbie, Uncle Duane her cousins gave her for her first birthday last Saturday. She started jabbering away and I continued on with cleaning the kitchen.
Then she moved into the living room and started pulling the movies off of the shelf. Then she walked over to the pantry and realized that she could pull the food out too! So I had about 50 movies and food scattered all over my living room and kitchen.
Throughout the day I was doing some housework and she was wondering around the house just jabbering away and just having a grand 'ol time. She was chasing the cats and then the dogs. She was doing "laps" from the kitchen to the living room, to her bedroom, bathroom and then back to the living room. Later we walked down to my sister's house so she could play with her cousin Abby (she's 3).
After we got home I started preparing her dinner. Like usual she was crying because I had put her down so I could do something. She would usually cry for about 5-10 minutes and then that would be it. But not last night.
I am not sure what made her so mad, but she had decided to throw a good 'ol fashion tantrum. I mean, threw herself on the floor kicking and screaming. I had never seen her do this before so I was totally surprised. But I just continued on with dinner, after all it wasn't going to make itself as daddy was closing and wouldn't be home until 10 pm.
When dinner was finally ready I picked her up, crying and tantrum instantly stops and I place her in her highcahir. As I was feeding her her dinner, she was back to her normal self, jabbering away and waving at me. After we get all cleaned up from dinner and get into our pj's she's just tooling around the house, pulling down more movies and giving the fur-babies a run for the their money - again or maybe it should be still?
As the night wheres on she's starting to get fussy and rubbing her eyes. I grab her blanket and we rock for a few minutes before I put her down to bed for the night. While I'm rocking her, I realized what a incredibly awesome day we had. It was a day that I always dreamed of.
There were several milestones yesterday. Tia feeling comfortable and safe in her environment to "run around the house" like I hoped and prayed for. Everyday she's showing such huge improvements with her adjustment to her new life.
But the thing I'm most proud of is me and the fact that her crying and tantrum didn't bother me like they did before. As she laid on the floor throwing her tantrum, I just talked to her and continued on with I needed to get done without losing it.
For the first time since we've had Tia, I felt like a real mother. It is an incredible feeling!
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