On being Mom

My sister, Ashly, is the motivation for this post. Awhile ago she asked me to give her some advice on being a mom for her Young Women's lesson. I didn't really have much advice to give, but I liked that I had a reason to think about being a mom and how important it is to me. I'm learning every single day!  I don't think there is a "right" way to parent. I used to think there was. I think the most important thing a parent can do is love their child unconditionally and let them know they do. Children make mistakes, and so do parents. Learn from your mistakes and don't dwell on them. Don't compare your self to other moms (especially Pinterest moms!)  
Being an adult (whether you're a parent or not) is busy. You have work, house work, crafts, projects, work activities, school activities, church activities, family gatherings, the list is endless. It seems like when you cross one thing off the list you add 3 more. One thing I love about being a mom is being forced to slow down. I'm continually looking through the eyes of my toddler; I try to see what she sees. Olivia notices absolutely everything. Every sound, every speck, every person, every car driving by, literally EVERYTHING.  She relies on me to teach her what these things are. She looks at me and says "EHH?" And I can smile and say yeah! or MMM! or "it's okay." She trusts me. She trusts that I'm going to teach her and be there for her. While I am teaching her I am also learning. I'm learning to be patient, understanding, and loving.
I'm not perfect, but she makes me want to be. 

Sorry for Party Rockin

Conrad's mom and her husband Jeff spoiled us all and rented a beautiful house in Oceanside, California right next to the ocean. the backyard had its own private beach and we were in heaven for 8 days and 7 nights. Relaxing in the sun with family, bonfires on the beach, falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing, waking up and walking outside to see dolphins, surfers, and waves... it was perfect.

I was a little worried about flying with Olivia. If you know Olivia you know she is wild and free and  does not like sitting still. even though the flight was only about an hour and 20 minutes I was still so stressed! But both flights turned out pretty good

 (minus the entire bag of Cheetos she dumped on the floor and the mean flight attendant that called her a boy and said "the juice is pretty sugary--let me dilute first" while giving me a judgmental look)

 I was also worried she wouldn't like the sand. She hates hates hates having her hands dirty and when she gets anything on them she whines until you wipe it off. Well.... I didn't need to worry! These pictures say it all.

We spent a day at the San Diego Zoo. Olivia loved pointing at the animals and quacking at pretty much every single one. I think her favorite was the flamingos.

We also went to the Oceanside street fair one night. That was really fun! We shopped, ate junk food, and Olivia danced to the live band on Conrad's shoulders. 

We went to Newport beach the last day to shop and hangout before our flight.

 

I am not much of a runner (i'd rather dance) and since Conrad is such a good runner I have always been intimated to go with him.  We went on our first run together right along the beach. We ran from our vacation house to the pier and back. I must say running right next to the Ocean made it enjoyable! All 2 miles of it-- which is a lot for a girl who normally barely makes it around the block.

Now get ready for a picture overload!

Thanks Lissa and Jeff for such a great trip!

bits&pieces: a birth story

Lately I've been thinking a lot about Olivia's birth story. Maybe it's because it seems like everyone I know either just had a baby or is pregnant right now. Here are bits and pieces of that day. The day that changed me forever, gave me a purpose, and has made me the happiest I've ever been. If you don't like hearing about labor and delivery then just read what is typed in black. If words like epidural, dilated, contraction, induce, pushing, etc.,  scare you, then don't read what is in blue. I don't go into detail though so just relax.


+ I just finished with my baby shower. I had my hospital bag with me and Conrad left work to meet me at my mom's. We knew that with my blood pressure being high (again) they were most likely going to induce me.

+ It hit me in the car driving to the hospital. I was so scared. and nervous. and excited. and worried. and happy. I think in the 15 minute drive there I felt every emotion there is. Tears streamed down my face. I just looked at Conrad and said "I'm scared." He calmed me down like he always does. That little dreamer (read that post here) of mine can be a real life saver!

+ We were right! They wanted to induce me. We got to the hospital around 3:00 and they broke my water by 5:00. Everyone at the hospital was taking bets that I would have the New Years baby. I had been saying for weeks that I would have her on December 31. Even at the hospital I kept saying that I would have her today. The nurses tried to tell me with my first baby it could be a long process and it will probably be the following morning (but I was right again. ha!)

+ Around 8:30 I felt sick. so sick. I thought I was going to puke. They had to redo my epidural because I could feel all my contractions on my left side. I thought maybe it was from the contractions. Conrad was fanning me with a clip board when the nurse came in to check on me.

+ She decided to check me to see if I had progressed at all (I was at a 4 when I got there)

+ It was only 9:00 and I was at a 10! we were ready to go!

+ After about a half hour of pushing she said we needed to slow down to wait for the doctor to come back. So we pushed through every other contraction. He got there and I think she was born like 3 minutes later. 12/31/2011 at 9:41 pm. 6 lbs 5 oz. absolutely perfect.

+ Conrad was so amazing. He was my biggest fan. He cheered me on the whole time. He didn't act "grossed out" like some do. He was fascinated by it. He made me feel amazing and special and beautiful. That's how it should be. It's such a miracle. I'm glad he could see and appreciate that. I fell in love with him all over again.

+ We chose to name Olivia Kate after Conrad's little sister, Kate. Kate is a perfect role model and someone we should all strive to be like. She's strong, happy, loving, caring, genuine, and beautiful inside and out. She has a contagious smile and laugh. She lights up the room! The girl is seriously amazing.  Olivia is living up to that special middle name she was given.

+ Conrad didn't leave the hospital once. He stayed with us the whole time. I was so glad! I didn't want him to leave. He handled every situation perfectly for us. I couldn't have been more happy/proud/in love with him. (and still am!)

+ Some of my best memories with Conrad are those first couple weeks together as a family of 3. We laughed so much. We laughed at her pooping on us during diaper changes, we laughed at the faces she made, and laughed at how tired we were.

The men in my life

My daughter's father...

This Father's Day was an extra special one; it was Conrad's first! He is such a good dad. Olivia already has that man wrapped around her little finger.

 

"Can we wake her up and play with her, please?"

He says this at least once a week.

Nothing melts my heart quite like seeing these two together. I love them so much!

Conrad is so optimistic.  Yes, sometimes it drives me nuts when I want the kid to feel sorry for me and moan and groan with me. But really it's so good for me. It's good for me to be reminded why the little things that drive me nuts don't really matter, reminded why I should be happy, and how the life I live is so good.
[because it is!]
He's good looking! I mean come on. Look at that face.
I love how he calls us his girls.
I love when he surprises me with treats.
I love when him and Liv visit me at work just because he knows how much I'm missing them.
I love when he [lies] and tells me I look pretty in the morning.
I love when he plays Michael Jackson. Especially when he dances to I Wanna Rock with You
I love when he texts me links to songs.
I love his ringtone for me.
He is so good for me. Olivia & I... well we're lucky girls.

My father...

One of the reasons I love seeing Olivia with her dad is the love I have for my own dad.  He is everything you could want in a father figure. Here are a few things I love about my dad. The list is endless.

Hard worker-- He works anywhere from 14-16 hours a day. And you know what? I don't think I've ever heard him complain. Never once have I heard him say "I'm tired. I don't want to go to work." 

Gardener-- Boy do I love his garden! Fresh peas, raspberries, blackberries, corn, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, onions, peppers, I love it all!   

love for my mother--It's the sweetest thing to see/know how much your mom and dad love each other. They have raised 6 kids together! They are an amazing couple. I love them and I love the love they have for one another.

Happy late father's day to all you dads out there! and future dads and anyone who knows a dad or has a dad. You're so important and so loved.

Grandma & Grandpa Great

Conrad's grandparents are in town from Maine. It is both mine and Olivia's first time meeting them. They are adorable! We have had so much fun and never want them to leave.
Everyone took the day off on Thursday to spend some time together. Kate took us to lunch at Pizzeria Limone and then we headed to the pool for the afternoon. Livi loves to swim! She squeals and laughs the whole time. We cooled down with some snow cones and played phase 10. Then Mark took us to a nice dinner at Kyoto.