Cecelia's Second Christmas

Christmas was good this year but very different. Poor Cecelia was sick. She was running a low grade fever, a very runny nose, and a horrible cough. It started the day before Christmas Eve and she is still sick now. The fever has gone away but she still has a really runny nose and a bad cough. Last night was the first night she slept through the whole night. She had several coughing fits but did not fuss and went right back to sleep. Of course mommy has not slept very well because I have been worried about her. Every little cough put me on alert and then it took me forever to fall back asleep. Keeping her home for so many days has really helped her to get better. She has been able to sleep when she wants to and just take it easy.

Christmas day we stayed home instead of going to Grammy's because of Cecelia's cold. She had spurts of energy throughout the day but she spent a lot of time in my lap. She must have been a very good girl this year because everyone was so good to her. Santa gave her a rocking horse and a doll that is as tall as she is. She loves them both. Mommy gave her a set of baby cabbage patch kids. They are the perfect size baby for her. She even fed them their bottles. It was so cute! I am hoping that they will help her when the new baby comes. MawMaw and Paw Paw got her the bedding for her big girl bed. Uncle Andrew got her a bouncy house that she LOVES and a pink 4 wheeler that she sits on and moves around with her feet. She gets on it and says "Zoom Zoom". Her Uncle Aaron and Aunt Joslin gave her an A&M piggy bank with change already in it. Many other people were very generous to her as well. Thank you all for helping make her Christmas a good one. In her spurts of energy she played with each of her toys. Yesterday was better. She played more and was much happier. I can tell she is starting to feel better but I think it is going to take a little while longer for her to be back to normal. Below are pictures of Cecelia with some of her presents. I took them during her spurts of energy but she still looked puny.

I had a good Christmas as well. I did miss going to my Grammy's as this has been a tradition my whole life. Staying home was worth it though because I know it was better for Cecelia. Grammy will be spending New Years Eve through Jan 2 with us so we will have time with her. My parents got me the video game I have been wanting and a comfy blanket to keep me warm. My Aunt Colleen was especially generous this year. She bought me 2 pair of pants, 3 shirts, and 2 sweaters, all maternity clothes. I really needed the clothes because I was pregnant with Cecelia when it was warm so my maternity clothes are for warm weather. I am so thankful to her for her generosity! Now I won't freeze. :o)

Cecelia is starting to use so many words now. It amazes me! She can tell me when she wants to sleep, if she is hungry and when she wants to listen to her favorite song. She loves the "Hot Dog Song" from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She has only seen the show a couple times because it is not on PBS but when she hears that song she gets so excited and dances around. I found the song on YouTube so I will play it for her everyonce in a while. Now she can say Hot Dog to tell me she wants to hear it. Yesterday mom bought a cd with songs from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse that includes the Hot Dog Song. When she saw Mickey Mouse on the cover of the cd she said "hot dog"! I was shocked that she made the connection! She even tries to sing the song, of course all she can say is hot dog but it is so cute! I love watching her dance around. She also loves Elmo. Santa gave her some Sesame Street books in her stocking and when she saw Elmo she said "Elmmmm". She hasn't quite gotten the "o" on the end but she knows who she is talking about. Cecelia can also say water now. She used to tell me wa when she wanted water. Now she tells me wa-ter (she said it in two distinct parts). She is learning so much so fast! It seams like she learns something new everyday!

Little Bit is growing too. She is also moving way more than Cecelia ever did at this point. She is a gymnast I think! I go for another ultrasound on Tuesday. I am looking forward to seeing her. I cannot wait to meet her in 3 1/2 months.

As for me, I am doing good. I go see the Cardiologist tomorrow to see if there is anything structurally wrong with my heart. The PVCs and tachycardia have stopped for now. My OB really thinks it is due to stress. He has told me to try to stay as stress free as possible. It is easier some days than others. A friend of mine that I have reconnected with on Facebook, but haven't seen in about 18 years, always posts about being positive and not letting negativity get you down. His posts have helped me focus on doing this so that I can be as stress free as possible. I know he doesn't realize that his posts have had such a positive effect on me but I am thankful for his positive words everyday! Over all I feel good. I am still having nausea issues in the morning but I am not throwing up as much. As of my last OB appointment, I had not gained any weight. This is a good thing because it means that I am loosing body fat as I gain baby weight. My focus right now is on Cecelia and the new baby. They are my joys in life!

Well I have to go now...Mom and I are going to see Cats at the Opera House at 2. I am so excited! I have always wanted to see it.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a has a Happy New Year! May the New Year bring you many new blessings!!

Cecelia in her bouncy house. She was trying to see over the top of it to see what was going on.

Cecelia on her rocking horse in her Texas A&M outfit that her MawMaw and PawPaw got her.

Cecelia kissing her life size doll. She loves giving kisses!

Cecelia on her "Zoom Zoom". That is what she calls it. She loves pushing herself around on it.

Merry Christmas!

It has been a busy December! I was finishing up the semester, we were Christmas shopping, and rearranging the house.

I am very excited that I was able to maintain my 4.0 this semester even though so much went on that could have derailed my grades. I want to keep the 4.0 so that when I graduate I can say that I did it. I also think it will help in trying to find a job as a school library media specialist.

Cecelia has been a joy! She brightens my day everyday! She is learning so much. She says lots of words now and can follow directions (when she wants to!). She now calls me "mom" all the time. My mom has gotten her own nickname..."nack". Cecelia likes the yogurt drops for toddlers and my mom keeps them on her table. When Cecelia wants one she tells mom she wants a nack. Well the other day I asked her what Maw Maw's name is and she told me nack. I almost fell over I was laughing so hard!

I took Cecelia to see Santa last weekend. I was worried she would cry but I was wrong. She was fascinated. She stared at him and it took a minute to get her attention to take the picture. I bought her a book about Santa and at the end he says ho ho ho so when we saw Santa I told her it was Santa who said ho ho ho and she was excited! I have included the picture below.

Cecelia LOVES to dance! Anytime music comes on she dances around and gets very excited. It is so cute!

Little Bit moves all the time! She moves way more that Cecelia ever did at this stage. I love this part of being pregnant! Feeling her move is the best this ever!! My heart issue has resolved itself I think. I have not had any PVC's in about 2 weeks. The doctor thinks it is stress. Imagine that...stress! They are still going to monitor me to make sure that it is not something more. It is hard to believe that I am already 23 weeks. I cannot wait to meet her!

Below are several pics that I have taken this month. They are so cute!

Cecelia snuggling on the couch with my mom! Mom was laying down and Cecelia climbed up there with her.

We cut through Macy's on the way to see Santa and they had their mailbox for Santa letters. I had to take the photo op!

Cecelia checking out Aaron and Joslin's Christmas tree when we were there last weekend.

Aaron and Joslin came down this weekend to do Christmas since they will be with Joslin's family for Christmas. We decorated the Christmas tree this morning. Aaron was being naughty and taught Cecelia how to turn the lights on the tree on and off.

Cecelia hung the first ornament on the tree. Of course she took it off right after this picture. Later this evening she was taking off ornaments and putting them in a bag. She was very proud of herself!

And last but not least, Cecelia with Santa. I had to take a picture of the picture because we had to disconnect the scanner in our house rearranging. She was fascinated with his beard!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cecelia and I have so much to be thankful for this year, even though the last few months have been tough.

First, I am thankful for Cecelia. She is the light of my life. She is learning and growing so much! She can now make animal sounds when you ask her what an animal says. She is also able to communicate much better now. Her favorite word is still "snack"! She is a very hard headed little lady. She has started letting us know when she doesn't like something or when she is mad. She is also learning how to test Mommy to see what she can get away with. I have learned I have to be lovingly firm with her or she will try to get away with everything.

I am also thankful for my new little girl that is on the way. I am starting to feel her moving. It is my favorite part of being pregnant. I went for an ultrasound last week. She is a little over half a pound now. They said everything looks good. During the ultrasound she stuck her tongue out at us. It was so cute. I just wonder what that says about her personality. I can't wait to meet her in April.

I would not have been able to make it the past few months if it were not for my family. My mom and dad are awesome! They took Cecelia and I in with no hesitation and have made room for us. They are such a huge help with Cecelia! Paw Paw is her favorite person. When he comes home for work she lights up. Of course this makes dad light up too! Both of my brothers and my sister-in-law have been a wonderful support as well, from helping with the move, and just being there for me. They also offered to let me stay with them. It is a wonderful thing to have such a great and loving family.

As for me, I am having some heart issues. I had to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours. It found periods where my heart would throw in an extra beat, and also periods where there would be a gap between beats. Because of this they have set me up to have an echocardiogram and then see a cardiologist. They want to make sure there is nothing structurally wrong with my heart. With my brother Aaron's heart defect, they want to check mine. They have done lots of blood work to rule out thyroid and electrolytes as a cause. I am just hoping that it is nothing serious, just a side effect of being pregnant.

Dad, Cecelia and I went to my cousin's son's birthday party this past weekend. Cecelia had so much fun! She came home dirty and worn out. She played outside all afternoon. She even got to take a few swings at the pinata. I have put some pictures below.

Today the Aggies in the house are ready to B.T.H.O t.u. There are pictures below of us in our Aggie wear. We have even taught Cecelia to put her thumbs up when we tell her Gig'Em! She is so cute!

The last two picture are of Cecelia showing a trait that she inherited from her Uncle Bubby! Mom says he did the same pose when he was her age.

Cecelia with the baseball bat! She was ready to smack that piñata!

She swung the bat all over but not at the piñata so I had to guide her in the right direction. She thought it was so fun. She laughed when she hit it.

Joslin, Aaron, Cecelia and I in our Aggie wear! Cecelia is dong her Gig'Em thumb. She is my Aggie in training, Class of 2030!!!

Cecelia posing like her Uncle Bubby!

A side view of the Uncle Bubby Pose!!

Many Changes

As many of you know, John and I are separated. Cecelia and I have moved back to Galveston to be near my parents who are such a wonderful support system and great help with Cecelia. They love having up here. It is also great to have my brothers, and sister and law for support as well. It is not the ideal situation for me, however, I did not have notice to be able to plan for this change so while I get back on my feet we will stay with mom and dad.

I am expecting a new baby in April. I am so excited about the new addition! I went to the Dr. today and everything looks good. I am not anemic like I was with Cecelia so that is good. I also got to hear the baby's heartbeat. It is always comforting to me to hear the heartbeat. It lets me know that everything is ok.

Cecelia is a joy to me everyday. She is learning new things and growing like a weed. She now says "wa" for water, "nack" for snack, she tells me no and yeah for yes. Among other words. She also points to things and says "that" when she wants to know what something is. The best thing is that she tells me "night" when I put her to bed. It warms my heart every time she says it.

We had a great Halloween. We went to my brother Andrew's in the afternoon to go to a pumpkin patch. It was so much fun! She loved it. I have included pictures below. We also went to a few friends' houses in Galveston so Cecelia could trick or treat. At first she did not want to let go of the candy but she quickly figured out if she put it in the pumpkin she would get more. When we got in the car to come home, she would not let go of the pumpkin. Once we got home, she pulled a hand full of stuff out of her pumpkin and said "nack". She wanted to eat the candy. I wasn't a mean mommy, I let her have the little package of animal crackers she got from Mrs. Schwartzbach. We have hidden the rest and she gets one thing a day. She had so much fun that she was worn out. She slept a full 12 hours! I was quite happy about that. :o)

Cecelia sitting on a bale of hay at the pumpkin patch.

Cecelia walking with Uncle Andrew to find just the right place to take pics with the pumpkins. We had to hold her hand or she would run all over she was so excited!

Cecelia sitting with the pumpkins. She loved it!

He favorite game was to pass the little pumpkin to Andrew and then bring it to me. She went back and forth for a while. She ended up getting to take home 2 little pumpkins of her own.

Cecelia's First Tooth!

Cecelia's first tooth broke through today!  She has been really drooly the past few days.  Now I know why!  It is one of the bottom middle ones!  Yeah!

Our Blessing!

Three posts in a week!  Wow I am good!  :o)  

I took some really cute pictures yesterday that I wanted to share.  Cecelia went to her first Easter egg hunt, we took some pictures at the beach before church, then this morning I took a few of her with her Easter basket. 

I hope you all have a blessed Easter!

Cecelia at her very first Easter egg hunt.  She had a blast!!  She played with eggs and other kids.  Yes I know in the first picture she has a big ugly bug in her hand.  One of the other kids gave it to her and she loved it.  She wouldn't put it down!

We went to dinner with our second family, Bernie, Chuck, Tyler and Emma.  We finished early so we went to the marina on base.  Below are a few pictures we took.  This first one is a great family shot.  The second one is Cecelia with her God-sister and best friend Emma.  Emma says Cecelia is her "best friend who is a lot younger".  The last picture is my favorite of all!  It is a close up of Cecelia in her Easter dress.

I took these picture this morning when we gave Cecelia her Easter Basket.  She loved the eggs.  Inside them are fisher price little people.  She liked those too!  

Happy Easter!!

Yesterday I took Cecelia to see the Easter Bunny.  She waved at him and smiled at him but when I put her in his lap she did not like that so much!  The lady took pictures then when I picked her up she was happy again and smiling.  It was really halarious.  I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!

Fun in the Sun!!

Ok, Ok I know it has been a while since I have updated the blog.  Life has been quite busy!  Cecelia keeps me on my toes.  She is so much fun.  She is learning and growing so fast.  She is sitting up all by herself and pulling up on anything she can.  She is such a happy baby.  We are very blessed with her!  I cannot believe that she is almost 9 months old!  It seems like just yesterday that I had her.  She is very headstrong but she comes by that honestly.  She is learning that "no" means she can't have something or do something and that can resulted in a few tears.

I am still in grad school.  That keeps my downtime full.  Nap time for Cecelia is work time for me.  I am going to have to push back my graduation date by a semester becuase they are not offering the classes I need this summer.  That is ok though.  That means I will do only my internship my last semester instead of having to take a class as well.  That puts my graduation date at December 2010.  Anyone wanting to come I will be walking in Tallahassee.  :o)

John is doing well.  He likes his new squadron and in enjoying what he is doing.

We are taking a trip to Disney with my mom and dad in May.  We are VERY excited.  This will be John's first time there.  They have a fantastic military deal right now so it will be free for John to go and 125 for me for a 5 day park hopper pass.  We are going to stay at Shades of Green the army owned resort on Disney property.  Mom even said she would watch Cecelia one night so John and I can go do something together.  Yeah!!  I will post pictures from our trip.

Below are some pictures that I took from Cecelia's first boat ride yesterday.  We had so much fun and she was so good considering she only slept about 15 minutes all day.  She loved the boat!!  I did not get her into the water though.  The water was freezing and with all of the rain we have had who knows what has been washed down into the bays.  She liked watching Tyler, Emma, and Zack play in the water.  Before you get your panties in a wad about her life jacket...When the boat was moving she had it on.  When we dropped anchor and were just hanging out, I took it off.  You will notice in one of the pictures, the lifejacket made her look like a stuffed sausage.  She could not move well in it and it would make her mad.  She was ok when the boat was moving and everyone was stitting down, but when we were all up and moving around she would start to cry.

On Monday I will be celebrating my 34th birthday.  It is crazy to me that I will be 34.  I probably won't do anything big that day probably just dinner with the family.  Who knows.  

Lot sof people ask about my parents and their recovery from Ike.  It is going.  They were texturing the walls down stairs so progress is being made on that front.  They are still working out of the house.  It is VERY hectic and not the best situation but at least they are able to work.  No word on the office but they have looked at other places to try and gt moved out of the house.  April 15th is just around the corner.  :o)  Please keep them in your prayers as they progess in their recovery efforts.

***  Update ***  

After mom read this she called and told me that they have gotten a new office!!!!!!!!  They will be on the 7th floor of the Bank of America Building.  The outer wall of the office is floor to ceiling glass so it should be bright and cheery and have a good view.  Also, the people who had the ofice before them sold them the furniture so for now, they will only need to buy one more desk and get dad's redone.  It actually floated when the office flooded.  They will get to move in May 1st.  WooHoo!!  This is such a great step in their recovery process.

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Cecelia trying to get my camera.  She had just had a snack of banana flavored puffs that melt in her mouth.  She loves them!

Cecelia with her God-sister Emma.  Emma always says she is her best friend who is a lot younger.  Emma is so good with Cecelia.  

Cecelia in her life jacket.  She loooks like a stuffed sausage!  It took us a while but we finally got her to smile.

Cecelia and I on the boat.  She loved it!

Cecelia with Daddy in his uniform!

Happy New Year!

I know I have not posted in a while. I was in Texas until January 25th. It was a great trip but busy. Mom and Dad are haning in there. It is tough having your office in your house that is for sure! You have to be up and dressed before 8 o'clock...no lounging around in your jammies. And there is NO privacy. It is nuts. I cannot wait for them to be back in an office again for their sanity.

Cecelia's first Christmas was FANTASTIC! We got to visit with both families and enjoyed our time with them. Cecelia was more interested in the wrapping paper than int he presents. She wanted to eat it! It was precious though! I am including some pics below.

Cecelia is almost 7 months old not. I cannot believe it! She is growing and learning so fast. I am amazed daily! I am so glad I am able to stay home with her. It is such a blessing.

I hope that the new year finds you all well!

Check out these pics... some are from Christmas and some are of her in the last week or so...

Cecelia opening her first Cabbage Patch Doll.

Cecelia and I with Joslin on Christmas Eve before mass.

Cecelia in the dress she wore Christmas Day.

Cecelia smiling at me while sittibg all by herself on the floor.

Cecelia sitting in her pretty dress.