Another year, another blog entry...

Madeleine is in love with dance class!

Welcoming a new kitty to our home

**UPDATE:  Her name is Miss Kiki the Cat
We don't yet have a name, but here is the newest addition.....

Spending a moment being thankful

The last day of Thanksgiving weekend and the holiday weekend flew by even more quickly than usual. I've spent more time going, doing, seeing, shopping, cooking, playing, and socializing and not enough time pondering every reason I have to be thankful.

I'm thankful for finding Steve and having Madeleine. I'm thankful that Madeleine is healthy and such a sweet girl. I'm thankful that Steve and I are healthy and active. I'm thankful that we have so much we love to do together, and for Steve's support in everything I do on my own.

I'm thankful for my loving family who all live close so we don't have to travel to see them or miss out on seeing them because travel is so expensive these days. That I get to spend so much quality time with Phillip, Lorie, Katherine and Kristen and with James, Laurie, Cessaley and Payton; and that I'm getting to spend more time with Lillie, Ted and Allie. For Steve's supportive and loving family.

That we have a nice house that we've made into our home. That my cat is still around to enjoy another holiday season even as her health is declining and she enters her twilight years. That my husband caters to my Christmas decorating fetish and my Thanksgiving Trot tradition. For our amazing nanny who goes with the flow of my very hectic schedule.

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For good friends who love and support me. For Deana's loving eye that captures our family so well in her photography. For April being there for me even when she's nearly 2000 miles away. For Rachel being there at a moment's notice. For Supper Club. For close friends near (Lisa, Sharon, Cheryl, Carrie, Iris, Abby and Kristin) and far (Natascha, Lora). For Van, Pat and Adam. For Wine Group. For Kreinitar. For Michael and Jane. For Steve's fraternity brothers and their wives. For Section D. For PHECPTA, my new mommy friends, and Madeleine's new playgroup friends. For the e-mentoring group for becoming good friends and for having their hearts in the right place.

For a good and stable job working with really amazing people who share similar values. For being able to enjoy good wine and good food. For being able to buy toys and clothes for Madeleine. For all the traveling we've done and all we have to look forward to.

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For having the patience not to trash blogspot even when it is refusing to format my blog post the way I want!!!

We live a wonderful life and I don't spend enough time basking in the warmth of what I have. Today is a great time to sink into the comfort of everything good that is in my life, especially the everyday things that make life so great.

Almost a year old!?

Madeleine is 11 months, 2 weeks old - seriously. It was this time last year when I believed that the clock could not move more slowly and I could not wait to finally have Madeleine. Here we are a year later and the clock could not move more quickly. She's grown so much this past year, is nearly walking and loves to talk and sing (though we have little clue what she's saying). She does have "da-da" down.

5 months later...

It seems like just yesterday when I last posted during the last days of my pregnancy. Now here I am with a 5 month old daughter! The memories of the discomfort of pregnancy have faded. I'm enjoying every moment of being a mother and here are pictures from birth to nearly 5 months old:


Go here to see the slideshow.



The slideshow speed is controlled on the bottom left corner.

1 week, 2 days til due date

The nursery is ready, the baby seat is in the car, the bags are packed and my belly is as big as it can possibly get! It is so hard to believe that inside me I'm holding a full-term baby who probably weighs somewhere between 6 1/2 and 8 pounds. I can feel the outline of her little feet as she stretches against the very tight space she's in right now. I've read everything there is to read about pregnancy, labor and delivery and I keep waiting for the clear signs that all these books say will tell me when the time is near. I've had contractions that started and seemed to be progressing, and then stopped to my disappointment. I had no idea how frustrating the last few weeks/days would be for a type A control-freak with a touch of OCD. It's inconceivable that I can't control when and how our baby is going to come into the world! Truly this has been a lessen in deferred gratification, discipline, patience and love. We can't wait to meet, hold and name our baby girl!

The Diaper Bag Dilemma

I never expected that shopping for diaper bags, strollers, car seats or even baby mattresses could be so complex and confusing. It's been a social study on the paradox of choice. I have spent a good portion of the last two weekends on the computer and at stores looking at diaper bags, trying to figure out why this one costs $80 and that one costs $165. That doesn't even touch the ones in the $300-400 range (which frankly intrigue me, but don't interest me). I honestly can find better ways to spend the extra $200 than on a bag that is going to hold smelly diapers and rash ointment. I suppose you can say this is also a study in consumerism in America. The number of designer diaper bag choices over $300 is staggering.



Anyway, back to my own personal Diaper Bag Dilemma. I finally decided on a large bag and small clutch.




I chose a large bag from Oi Oi that we could use to throw everything but the kitchen sink for long days or overnight trips. One that is feminine enough for our little girl, but not too feminine that Steve would balk at carrying it. The bag I chose has some neat features - outside drink holders for baby or parents, inside there is also an insulated bottle bag and plenty of pockets, there is a wipe bag and a large changing pad that is relatively padded. It also has options for hanging the bag over your shoulder, on the stroller or on a shopping cart. Pretty much everything you need in a waterproof and easy to clean bag. My mom and I found one on the rack on Saturday, but I opted to buy one on line so that mine could be brand-spanking new. Also, I found found a site which features coupon codes which had a coupon for $10 off at http://www.diaperbag.com/, and that site offered free shipping SO - I got a bag which retails at $110-120 for $90. Yay me!







As soon as I saw how large the multi-purpose diaper bag was, I realized I needed something smaller for everyday use. There are, again, a large number of options for these as well. I selected a Reese Li option because of the ease of getting to the wipes, I preferred the removable changing pad to the connected one, and because of the fabric options. The one I chose will go with the stroller set we chose and can hang on the handle-bar or slip into one of my larger purses.