Happy 1st Thanksgiving! "cough, cough"

My poor little turkey got his first bad cold of course the day before Thanksgiving. We were planning on going up to my Grandma Kathleen's for our family's dinner. That didn't happen. My poor baby has the worst little bark cough which breaks my heart everytime. What's funny, is that we were just at the dr.'s office on Tuesday! Go figure!

Our little family ended up having a good day though. We stayed in our pajamas late, cuddled lots, took naps and went on a nice walk. We did not have turkey, oh well. We were together and that was all that mattered. We have so much to be thankful this year. Vince's new job, his degree, the possibility of a new house, my job, our wonderful family and friends and of course Sam and each other. Before I make any one sick with my mushy talk, I'll stop here!

CK now CP

I'm very late on this....

 

On Oct 1, 2011, my best friend growing up got married! Courtney (whose nickname was always CK, think back to Calvin Klein's CK1) married the best man for her, Joey Phillips! I couldn't have been more happy for her. I was lucky to be in her beautiful (I mean beautiful, like off of a tv show!) wedding. Here is a few pics!

like a mini date for Vince and I!

Courtney and Natatlie

The happy couple!

Crazy to think we've been friends since we were five years old!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

I love this book! I always have. Poor Sam has to be subjected to it. He has several “Very Hungry Caterpillar” items, including an onesie I made for him. So for Halloween it was a given, what he was going to be. I looked and looked and could not find one I liked to buy, besides making one is so much more fun. He’s what I came up with. I can’t take complete credit. I saw a picture on Pinterest.com (my newest obsession) and created my own version. What a cute little caterpillar Sam is, if I do say so myself!

Making my own baby food!

Make your own baby food?!?! I don’t have time for that, or so I thought. I’ve been making Sam’s food for the last month and it is truly easy! I’ve been following the book “The Best Baby Food on the Planet” and so far I’ve made: sweet potatoes, acorn and butternut squash, carrots, green beans, pears, apples, peas, and peaches and it have been so easy! I even made my own rice cereal. All you need is ice trays with lids, a stove and a blender and you are set! Takes less than 10 minutes! It makes me feel a lot better knowing exactly what is going into little Sam Sam’s tummy!

7 months

Still trying to catch up on my blogging….

Sam is now 7 months old and everywhere. He started off with a great army crawl that was pretty entertaining to watch but is now full steam ahead, crawling! And boy is he quick! I turn my back for a second and he’s gone. I feel like this month, he’s changed the most. He’s personality has really come through. He’s a calm, funny little guy. He can go from a crawl to a sit and a sit to a crawl in no time. He’s also talking all the time saying “ba-ba” and “da-da” and all other kinds of sounds. I’m still waiting on the “ma-ma” sound. We practice a lot!

Stats:
We did not go to the doctors this month so we do not have official stats. I’d guess though he’s a little over nineteen pounds. Believe it or not, he’s slimming down a little bit, must be all that moving!
Likes:
Moving around, Sam is so quick! He loves to stand and does not like to be in one place for long.
Loves his sweet potatoes and squash. Sam sometimes cries if you don’t feed it to him fast enough.
Playing in the bath tub, still a fav! He splashes now!
Pulling up on his toy basket to see what’s inside
The baby Einstein music toy can keep him occupied for quite a while!
Singing “Old MacDonald” or “ABC’s” with mommy!
Jumping and dancing with daddy!
“Helping” mommy with the laundry

Dislikes
Taking naps and sleeping in. It is getting a little better, still not great. We’ve managed to get him out of our bed at least. Some nights are worse than others. I would like to blame it on teething but who knows!
Sitting still, whether this be getting his diaper changed or getting dressed. Sam likes to MOVE!
This month flew! I feel like he grew up to much and is getting to big too quick. We are in 9 month or 12 month clothes and now pulling up on everything. My favorite part though, is that he definitely knows who momma is. He crawls up to me, and raises his arms up to be picked up!

6 months

It’s been awhile…. Well over a month.
We’ve been busy at our house, that’s for sure. I feel like I have so much to write about!
Sam is almost 8 months and I am just now writing about 6 months, whoops!

Sweet Sammy is 6 months! A half a year, where did it go? He seems like such a big boy now. We are starting solids now. We did wait until he was six months. His first food? Sweet Potatoes! Making your own baby food is really pretty popular right now and very easy. I have been a busy lady making Sam sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, peas, green beans, pears, apples, peaches and plums. So far he loves them all!
Stats:
We went to the doctors this month so here our Sammy Joe’s official stats:
Height: 26 3/4 inches
Weight: 18 lbs 14 oz
Likes:
The jumper is still a favorite, it is one of our favorites to watch him in this.
Moving around, Sam is almost crawling, just army crawling now, it’s pretty funny to watch but boy do you have to watch him, he is quick!
Loves to cuddle with mommy and “wrestle” with daddy
Playing in the bath tub
Dislikes
Taking naps and sleeping in his crib. Sam has a major case of separation aniexty. We’ve tried everything and nothing is helping except sleeping in our bed! I love the extra snuggles but this momma desperately needs some sleep. I’ll gladly take any advice!

I can’t believe that Sam is a half year old! He is such a joy and I feel blessed every day and can’t thank God enough for him! Happy Half Birthday little Man! Momma and Dadda love you!

Vince's Graduation!

I know this is a little late.....

Vince finally graduates! Yeah after 3 years of hard work, we got to celebrate. Vince's parents and my parents along with my brother got to come up to enjoy the day. We ate at M and S grill. Afterwards, we all got to hear little Sammy's giggles. It was truly one of the best days!

A nursing tradition is if there is a family member that is a nurse, then they give them their pin.

**** Update, Vince passed his boards!! Now he truly is done*****

Happy Birthday Kevin Arnhold!

Happy Birthday dear brother and uncle! I am so lucky to be your big sister. Here's to another wonderful year, love you!

5 months... give or take a week

Little Man is five months old! I know this is such a cliche... but time is really flying! I just can't believe that a year ago, Vince and I had just found out that we were going to be parents. It is amazing and wonderful how our life has changed!

Sam's Stats:

Well, since there was not doctor's appointment this month, so we are going by my rough measurements. Weighing Sam on our scale, he's a whopping 18 lbs!?!?! My little boy is not so little. Every where we go, we hear, "Look at those cheeks" or "Look at his thighs" and yes he does sometimes get stuck in his bumbo chair! He is almost 27 inches long. I can't wait to see how big he is at his six month appointment later this month.

Likes:
-Eating (hello, look at him!)
-loves to play, his favorite toys are his stacking cups (thanks Catherine) and Mortie the Moose


-Stand! he has to stand or sit up. we are getting better at sitting up

-any kind of moving, this child is nicknamed Squirmy Sammy. We rolled over from back to front the other day for the first time, so all that squirming is getting him somewhere!
-water bottles and cups, he wants to drink out of them all the time! So I got him a sippy cup thinking he'd love it. Nope, not interested at all!
-loves to giggle and smile, Sam is a happy boy!
Sam and Daddy

-Dislikes:
this is a hard one, Sam is such a good baby. I am truly getting spoiled. The first few weeks of work were rough sleep wise but (knock on wood) we are on a good routine. My major dislike is not getting to be with Sam all the time. Sam doesn't seem to mind at all. He loves his days with daddy and is so happy to see Missy, Jay and Katie!

I am loving every minute of being a mom to my sweet little Sam!

trying to be positive....

Well it is here.
The day I have been dreading for almost five months.

I go back to work tomorrow and have to leave my little Sam.

I'm going to try something new here and be positive. Will it help? Hopefully. Will I still cry? Most definitely.

I am so lucky to have spent as much time with Sam as I have. For the last twenty weeks, I have been living the dream. Most people only get eight weeks, twelve if their lucky.

Sam is also a healthy and happy little boy. I could not be more blessed.

I also know that Sam is going to be in great hands with our daycare provider (blessed again).

I also get to go to work and do a job that I love. I get to help children express themselves and be creative everyday. I love my students and the people I work with. I am truly blessed.

I have a wonderful support system in my husband, who tonight helped me get everything ready for my first day back and has assured me that he will help every night (blessed). I also have a wonderful family that loves me no matter who much I whine (blessed) . I have wonderful friends that are always there to listen (blessed).

I write this really for myself and for my poor coworkers, who will have to put up with me tomorrow. I am sorry. Just tell me to remember this post.

So tonight I go to bed a little sad but also feeling very blessed....

The Top ten things I will miss about Summer....

10. Playdates with friends and Sam

9. Sleeping in (well sorta, not really)



8. Cuddling with Sam

7. Not having to get ready or do my hair in the morning, Sam doesn't care what I look like

6.Taking naps with Sam

5. Stroller Strides with Sam. I love you girls, what great friends you are! I need to get a picture of the group

4. Getting to see my mom and dad, I am so glad that they moved closer

3. Spending some QT with my hubby and Sam, I love our little family

2. Not having a care or worry in the world unless it's about Sam

1. SAM, Of course this little guy is my biggest reason- Gotta love that smile

Vince Connealy, RN

He did it! My brilliant, talented, wonderful, amazing, smart husband did it! Vince completed his bachelor of science in nursing today and I couldn't be more proud of him. For the past three years Vince has put forth his blood, sweat, and tears into his school!

When we first met almost six years ago, Vince and I made small talk about our families and work. I remember Vince saying his job was just a job. Vince worked for ten years as a banker and never felt fulfilled. He was always looking for something more or a different job.

Right after we were married in 2007, Vince was on the job hunt for something better. He switched from a bank to a credit union but it did nothing for him. In fact, it was worse. As newlyweds, we decided (I decided) that he needed to find something different and go back to school. Life is too precious to spend it doing something you hate! After much prodding from and me and family, Vince started to think about switching careers, but what?

If you know Vince, he's very health conscious. Nursing seemed like the perfect fit. So for the last three years, Vince has been studying at JCCC and Research College of Nursing. What an experience it's been! He's had highs and lows, days where he wanted to quit but his didn't.

The hardest time was when our son, Sam came five weeks early. I don't know how he survived let alone studied and went to school on no sleep.

Again I couldn't have been more proud of him!

Vince, I can't wait to watch you walk across that stage! You are an amazing role model for our son and I love you very much!

Samuel Joseph 4 months

photo by Bethany Good
The little man is now 4 months old and so much fun! It's hard to believe how much I love him more and more each day!

stats:
Sam is a whopping 15 pounds and 14 ounces! Almost 16 pounds, no wonder my arms are sore after carrying him in his carseat. He is now 25 inches long! Sam is caught up to other babies his age. He is in the 61st percentile for weight and 49th for height.

likes:
loves to talk to mommy and daddy!
to smile (Serious Sam still comes out when we are somewhere new, but most of the time he is Smiley Sammy!)
He is learning to laugh! I can't wait to hear it each day
to DROOL! boy, can he! The dr. said he is starting to teeth and to watch out! This means that everything is starting to go in our mouth!!!
his new toy, the dinner maker (exercise saucer) as his Uncle Alan calls it!
storytime, Sam loves to be read to

Dislikes:
bedtime is still tough for us some nights! Sam is a pretty chill baby otherwise.

I heart Stroller Strides!

Oh Stroller Strides how I love thee!

My poor husband hears all the time how much I love Stroller Strides, so does anyone who talks to me. It has been a lifesaver to this new mommy! Stroller Strides is an exercise group for new mommies, but it is much more than that. It's a community of women that are all doing the most wonderful and hardest job there is, being a mom. Wendy, who runs stroller strides is an incredible woman and a great resource on any topic dealing with motherhood. I have made wonderful friends through Stroller Strides. One of the reasons I am dreading going back to work is that I will miss these women!

Stroller Strides meets 4 times a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9:30. For more info check out strollerstrides.com

4 years already?!?!

Last week, Vince and I celebrated our four year anniversary. I can't believe it's already been four years! We celebrated our life changing year with a much needed date on the town! Our goal is to go on a trip every year around our anniversary. Well this year that was not going to happen! Not with a new baby and Vince finishing up nursing school! We managed to still have a good time in downtown KC!

We went down to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum, one of our favorite places. It is probably my favorite place in KC. Vince and I went there for one of our first dates. The Nelson has on display now until the beginning of August, Monet's Waterlilies Triptych. If you haven't been, it is a must!
http://www.nelson-atkins.org/art/Exhibitions/monet/index.cfm

Happy Anniversary Vince! I love you and can't wait to celebrate many more together!

Sam's new buddy...Hootie!

Here is what I have been working on, a little buddy for Sammy! Sam's room has an owl theme so this little guy fits in perfect!

The pattern is from Amy Gaines on etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmyGaines

Here are a few other pictures of Sammy's nursery. My husband teases me about all the owls!

my favorite part of the room!