DayCare

I know I haven't posted in a while and I have updates and pictures to put up but time has gotten away from me. I did however want to post about yesterday. Yesterday was Madelyn's first day at daycare and Eric's first day of classes.

I am so proud of both of them!

Madelyn did great! We had visited with the teachers and other kids last week twice. This was to get her used to everything. I think that really helped her transition into the daycare yesterday. She played with the other kids and even took a nap in her crib! The teacher is great, she had a note "written" from Madelyn to send home with pictures from the day! It was really nice! Especially since I was so nervous! I only called to check in twice! I am proud of myself! All in all she hardly cried and had a great first day! Glad the first one is behind us!

As for Eric, he said his first day was good as well. Just basic stuff. I am glad he is back in school though! So happy for him!

Maine

I know I am a little late and it's already been a week but oh well, life is always chaotic now.
Last week we were in Maine on vacation. My mom lives on a lake and we went to visit her. Vacations with free room are the best. lol. Love you Mom!

Anyway, we went to a baseball game, wildlife park, did some shopping, hung out in lakes, went to lighthouses, and relaxed and enjoyed our time with family.

It was simple yet perfect.

Crystal Lake at Night

Looking up at Portland Headlight

Madelyn and I

Madelyn and Daddy

Madelyn loves Baxter!

Madelyn floating in the Lake

Madelyn and Gram

Officially Done

I was an Exclusive Pumper for 6 months 2 weeks! I am so very proud of myself. I really didn't think I was ever going to make it to my goal of 6 months!

At the beginning it was so hard to keep pumping. I had to bring the pump EVERYWHERE. I had to pump in random places and in parking lots. I felt like a COW getting MILKED! BUT I pushed through. I set a mini goal and a big goal. My big goal was 6 months!

I went through several emotions during this time. See here.
I am truly happy with the decision to end now. I have no anxiety about it at all. We have a freezer stash, so Madelyn will continue to have breast milk for some time. We have some samples of formula as well. So we will start with those when the time comes and see what works best for her.

She is healthy and in the end that's all that matters.

Thankful Thursday

* I am thankful to be on VACATION!!!!!! It is pure bliss to not have to worry about work. I am pretty sad it is already Thursday though. This means Monday is right around the freaking corner.

* I am thankful that my mom lives on and near lakes. Monkey had an awesome time on Sebago Lake yesterday. She really had a blast, splashing, kicking, and giggling. I am pretty sure she would have stayed in her float in the lake all day if we let her. Hopefully more of that today!

* I am thankful that I get to continue a tradition I had with my father and extend it to my daughter. Every time we went to Maine in the summer we went to a Portland Seadogs Game. Last night was no different. Madelyn did great. She didn't cry or anything. She is a champ!

Hopefully, I will update y'all when I return with pictures! Enjoy the rest of the week and weekend. I know I will!

Thankful on Thursday

First - Do you like my new layout? I think blogger did a good job with the new options. They are no longer boring!

This week was definitely better than last week in the happiness department. So here goes my current list.

* I am thankful that my husband is officially back in school! Go Eric! It was a long decision process but he finally decided what he will go to school for and how we will do it. I am so excited for him to start this chapter and I know he will excel!

* I am thankful it is Thursday, why do you ask? Because that means there is ONE day sitting between me and vacation!!!!!!!! Vacation = sitting lake side with Grape Island Glass AKA my Mom :)

* I am thankful for the Go Baby Go! Crawl & Cruise Musical Jungle by Fisher Price. Monkey lovesssssss it! She likes to sit there and play with it and giggles insanely when the monkey sings!!!!

* I am thankful Madelyn can sit! I know it means she is getting older but it is great to let her sit and let her explore and play with toys. Plus, it makes it easier in stores, restaurants, and dinner time at home!

* I am thankful I got my new glasses, I can see again!!!! haha

* And as always, I am thankful for my daughter. No matter how rough my days are, she can always make me smile...

Madelyn with the singing monkey

6 Months

Dear Madelyn,

I can not believe how big you have gotten. It feel like just yesterday you were born. I always knew that time flew by but now I really understand it more. You are already 6 months old. Where the time has went I am unsure.

What I do know is you change so much week to week, day to day. You can now sit on your own, eat some "nummies", sit in a highchair and shopping cart, you talk ALL the time, you giggle, smile, and just explore everything. Clearly, you bright up our lives.

It is so interesting to see you change even a little a day. It warms my heart. I can not wait to continue to see you grow but I can wait at how fast it all goes. Such a catch 22!

Now matter how fast you grow up or how much you learn, you will always have our hearts. We love you to pieces and always will. Whenever you need me and your daddy we will always be there, you can count on that.

With more love for you than ever imagined,
Mommy & Daddy

Thankful on a Thursday

I have missed a few weeks but unfortunately I am a ball of bad moods this week so not a whole lot on this list....

* I am thankful my vacation is soon, I need it so bad right now

* I am thankful for my Monkey, she brightens my day everyday and I needed it this week.

That's all folks.....

*EDIT*

Just found another thing I am thankful for!

* I am thankful for the Sally Hansen Color Quick Nail Pen. It is awesome! I found it at Target for $1.82 (love target clearance) yesterday. Tried it out today and it only took me 2 minutes to do my nails and they look awesome!!! I did my nails in purple.

Aquarium

Over the weekend we went to the aquarium in Long Island. It was a long drive. The aquarium was okay, kind of small. I think it is really good for kids around 8-10. Lots of interactive stuff for that age range. Monkey still liked looking at the tanks just like she does at home.

We brought the stroller which turned out to be a good thing. We fed her in there, which worked out well. She also took a few naps in it when we were walking around, so that was nice.

She came home with a new outfit and the cutest baseball cap everrrrr (well not cuter than if a Yankee cap but she looks darn cute!)

I am going to warn you now, this is picture overload :)

Madelyn and Daddy looking at the fishies!

Loving the fishies!

Knocked out!

Loving the Aquarium! Full of giggles!

Knocked out with my new hat on!

No desktop computer = hardly any posts

I hate not having a desktop computer. I have my work one but it is for work, so I can not really "play" from there. We have a laptop but I loathe it. Every time it gets hot, it shuts off. It overheats all.the.time. I am not a fan. I like desktops! We have been looking but I am bit of a cheapskate and I HATE parting with money. So this has been a bit hard. Hopefully the mister will find something soon that I won't cry over the price at.

Any who, Monkey keeps on getting bigger! She now sits on her own! Sits in a shopping cart! Sits in highchairs when we are out!

As far as her eating goes - She loves carrots and squash. She hates peas. She will tolerate but doesn't love green beans and sweet potatoes! Oh, and she loves to drink out of a sippy cup. My baby girl is getting big!

Feeding herself carrots! She loves them!

First time in the high-chair when we were out!

4th of July Weekend

We had a very lovely 4th of July Weekend. On Saturday, we went for a walk downtown and perused all the shops. We than got some yummy pizza and had a picnic on the green under a nice shady tree!

It was a really great day. We enjoyed each other's company and just hung out. It was nice to not have to be rushing off somewhere. Monkey loves being outside. She was so content while we were walking and than playing on the blankets.

We took pictures and had lots of "takes" at a family picture. None came out to well though! I sweat she knows when a camera is around and changes her faces to annoy the picture taker! haha

Laying on the green! Do you like my drool?!

Sunday our Landlords had a picnic in the back yard. Lots and lots of food! We hung out there and put Monkey in her tiny 2 foot pool. She loved it because she can sit. Since she was sitting in it she splashed and splashed and splashed. She has really found her feet/legs and was kicking them everywhere. I am pretty sure by the time we were done, there was more water on the pavement than in her pool!

Monday we had a meeting with a lawyer to make our wills. It is such a morbid thing to do as there is so much talk about if and when you perish.. ughhh.. After that we went to see my Gram. We hung out in the pool there and had a blast. Madelyn really likes to be in water. She was splashing away and kicking away. It was fun! Eric actually went in the pool AGAIN! We were soo excited. He was even hanging out in it alone after I got out!!! It was crazy! Than we just hung out with Gram for a bit. It was a nice afternoon.

So overall we had a very nice and relaxing 4th of July weekend. Back to the grind today. ::sigh::

First time in the pool!

I love water. I grew up with a pool and around 2 different lakes. I would spend as much time in the water as I could. As I have gotten older I have moved farther away from water, not by choice. I no longer have a pool in my backyard to use as I please. I no longer "live" in my Grandparents old lake house every weekend. It is a bummer. I miss those sweet lake and pool days.

My goal is to have Madelyn love the water as well, her father doesn't and I really want her to know the joys. If she doesn't love the water that is fine but she will know how to swim. There is no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

So last weekend it was HOT here. Both my Aunt and Eric's Aunt have pools. So last Saturday we went to visit my Grandma and we went in my Aunt's in ground pool. It was Monkey's first time in a pool (besides our tiny 3 feet foam one, that only gets her feet wet). I am proud to say, she loved it. She was splashing and kicking! One of the best parts of it, was she got her father to go in with her! I had to capture it on camera! Eric hardly ever goes in the water, I am always in alone!

The following day we went to Eric's Aunts for a day in the pool with the family. We jumped right in and she LOVED it. No pictures from this day, oops! But she just hung out with me. I am pretty sure if I didn't take her out, she would have sat in the pool with me ALL day! She was so content.

I can not wait for our vacation to my Moms. Mom lives on one of the two lakes I grew up going to. I used to play in the water with my parents and brother all day long. I can not wait for us to bring Madelyn in the lake too. It will truly be special as I have so many memories at the lake. I know my Dad will be there watching because we used to just sit in tubes all day together!

Madelyn just "chillen" in the pool with Dad!

First Solids!

So when Madelyn turned 5 months we started her on cereal. She started with Rice and is now on to Oatmeal and will have Barley before we move to vegetables and fruits. She didn't like the Rice at all. She likes the Oatmeal much better and actually takes the spoon and "slurpes" it herself!

Here is a picture time line of how the first time eating the cereal went....

Oh cool, I got a new seat!!! YAY!!!

What the heck is that thing!?

EWWW! That is Gross!

You stay away from me, you hear?!

First trip to the zoo

A couple of weeks back I took a day off and we went to the Bronx Zoo. I have never been there before and Eric went when he was little. We love zoos and have been itching to bring Monkey. So we went on a Wednesday because it is donation day. Basically, you just give them any amount of money to get in. Going to the Bronx Zoo was part of Eric's Father's Day present.

I was going to wear her but it was hot. We had her in the stroller instead and I am glad we did. She was able to see a lot and sleep when she wanted. We took her out a bunch too to see the exhibits and animals etc. Much to my satisfaction, as I love them too, Madelyn loved the butterflies! She would watch them flutter all around her! It was so awesome. They would fly by her head and she would whip around watching them. It was pretty cool to watch.

We saw tons of animals, gorillas, monkeys, giraffes!!, sea lions, birds, etc... Madelyn didn't look that interested in anything else. She would look at them but that is it.

We can not wait to take her again when she is a little bit older. When she will get excited at the animals and want to see them all!

Madelyn having fun at the zoo!

Awesome!

Hey All, I still have a bunch of blogs I have to get up. We still don't have a new desktop - suggestions welcome! So I have to get the pictures onto the laptop. Hopefully, this weekend! I have a few "firsts" I need to put up!!



BUT.. the reason for this blog is because my wonderful mother has a website! She is a great artist who makes fused glass pieces. She can make dishes, jewerly, wind chimes, candle holders, etc.. the list goes on! All her stuff is beautiful!



Her site just started so it's in the beginning phase but check it out and bookmark it! Great gifts for yourself, birthdays, holidays, and house warmings etc!



Hope you enjoy!


Grape Island Glass

Delay

Hey All,

Our computer crashed! I may be MIA for a bit. I can post from work just can't upload any pictures!

We went to the Bronx Zoo on Wednesday and had a great time. So I wanted to post about that with some pictures! Hopefully soon!

PS - It's my 100th Post today! Wooooo!

Do you want to know what's hardcore?

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred!!!

I picked it up on Sunday at Wally World and started it yesterday. I felt the Wii Fit wasn't really doing much. Everyone kept talking about the 30 Day Shred, so I figured it must be good.

It is NO JOKE, it is intense, and damn it, it is hell!!!!!! Dear Lord, Jillian Michaels is the DEVIL!!

But..... it is also AWESOME! I never feel like I am not working hard. I have to push myself just to get past the warm up and than through interval 1, than really push to go through interval 2, and if I make it to interval 3 but golly I am going to finish!!

I am PETRIFIED to see what levels 2 and 3 hold but that won't be for some time. I need to be able to get through level 1 without thinking I will collapse at any second first!!!

So 2 days in and I feel I can stick with it! I hope so! Wish me luck!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father's out there!

Happy FIRST Father's Day to my hubby! Eric you are amazing with Madelyn and I couldn't have hoped for a better father. She loves you to pieces and you can tell every time she is with you. I know you will continue to make me proud in being such a terrific father to her! I love you!


Happy Father's Day to my Daddy! I love you and miss you more than words can express. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you! I wish you were here to enjoy this wonderful time with me. I know you are watching over us though. Miss you! RIP

Monkey's New Toy

So we finally got Madelyn a jumperoo. I have been wanting to get her one for a while now. She likes to play with more things and to be standing. Her swing is a bit boring for her but the bouncer is still good. She liked to hold onto the toys attached and move them etc.

We went to BRU to get a different jumperoo but they didn't have it. I really wanted one yesterday so I told Eric we weren't leaving without one. We looked at them all and the Baby Einstein one looked the best. It had bright colors, music, and toys. The best part though and the winning factor was price. It was regularly $89.99. It was on sale for $76.49, we had a 20% off coupon, and $5.00 "R Us Dollars". So it was only $56.xx!!! Plus, we used a gift card!

Eric put it together once we got home and Madelyn was in it. She was checking it out and found the frog that is on it. The frog spins. I showed her how to spin it. She really didn't care that it spun. She just wanted it in her mouth! She puts EVERYTHING in her mouth, so I was not surprised by that. What did surprise me was how PISSED OFF she got because it wouldn't go in her mouth. She started to hit it and spin it and was really really mad. We managed to caption a few pictures of her pissed off, I think Eric even took a video. After a little bit of her trying to kill the frog, I took her out of the seat. I felt like we were teasing her.

Eric put her in it for a second this morning, maybe she forgot about the frog? NOPE! She tried again! Poor Kid!

Here's a picture of her trying to eat said frog!

Thankful Thursday

So far, this week has not been to bad. I am pretty excited about that. It has gone by fairly fast as well! Most of what I am thankful for this week is totally random but it is what it is!

* I am thankful for The Bump! I know that sounds nuts! But seriously without the message boards (BOTB and currently 3-6) I am not sure I would have gotten through pregnancy and these first few months of being a Mom. They answered so many questions. The reason I am putting this out there today is because someone suggested a few ways to get Monkey to take naps better. She was taking them in her father's arms, not exactly ideal. I am proud to say for 2 days now she has taken ALL naps in her crib!!

* I will probably never say this again but I am thankful Monkey woke up at 6 this morning. I had to get up and there was no point in going back to bed until 7. So I worked out! I have been meaning to try it out in the morning and have had no motivation. Well after my workout I felt so good and refreshed that I think & hope I will continue every morning!

* I am thankful for good salad dressing. Yes I know TOTALLY random but we found some new dressings we like and now I eat salad everyday. If you know me, you know that's HUGE.

* I am thankful I actually took the time yesterday and got our eye appointment and our attorney appointment set up. I have been procrastinating each and it was time! I hope our new eye doctor is nice!

* I am thankful for hair ties. I hate having my hair down lately as it seems to always be in the way but I am to chickenshit to cut it super short.

*As always I am thankful for the hubby and my monkey!

We Caved into the Madness of....

SOPHIE !

Everyone is always raving about the Sophie. Going on and on and on about how it is awesome and their children love it. It is a good toy for teething.

We have discussed getting it several times but didn't see the point in spending the money on a "glorified dog toy". So we tried other teethers. She could not keep most of them in her mouth or her little hands around them. She loves her Tigger but she wanted something else too. So we tried a billion teethers that we had. Most of them were complete fails. She really enjoyed a set of Monkey keys but we lost them. I know parenting FAIL! haha. We looked everywhere for them but they have gone to lost toys (it's just the beginning) heaven.

So anyway, back to the Sophie saga. We went to BRU over the weekend. We had a 20% off coupon, so I knew we would be buying something! I mean it's a coupon! hahaha. We were cruising through the "teether" section and Eric saw the Sophie. He literally screamed "Stac it's the Sophie!". I picked it up and stared in amazement (BRU didn't sell them before, they just started, you had to order online or go to a "boutique" shop). I said aww maybe we should get it, and than I remembered the coupon! SOLD!!!

So far, Monkey likes it. She loves that she can put the different parts of the giraffe in her mouth. As I type, she is gnawing on it!. She can easily hold it too! So I think it was a good "investment" AKA a good idea for our sanity! :)

Here are some pictures of Monkey and the Giraffe... ahhaha I crack myself up!

MADELYN

ROLLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried to get a video but I swear she knows when the camera is out. I will try again when I can. I am soooo excited. I was jumping up and down and screaming. I can't believe how big my "baby girl" is getting! I loveee her soooo much!

Another Carrier! Yes Please!

So, you all know I have a mild obsession with carriers/wraps. I loveeeee our Beco but am always looking for a new one to try and love just as much. I came across a blog from The Bump who I enjoy reading. She is having a give away for an Ergo!

I would loveee to win it! I think it would be a great addition to our carriers and I wouldn't get in trouble from Eric because it's free!!! His favorite word!!!

So go and check out her post for the free Ergo and read some of her other stuff!

Takin Care of Twins

Catchup

Sorry I have been MIA as of late. I had a long week.

Last weekend we went to Maine. It was a good time. My brother and Mo went too. So it was nice to have us all together. I am sure my Mom loved it. Mom and Jeff had a party on Sat for Jeff's Big 55! It went well. There was a minor glitch and unfortunately it was a person so it could not be easily fixed! LOL. It was super hot and well Monkey hates the heat, so she wasn't really that nice! I am not sure what we are going to do throughout the Summer...

Here is Madelyn with her Aunt Mo...

"Hey, Aunt Mo, Why the heck is it so hot!?"

Went to work on Tuesday after having Friday and Monday off. It was bad and not a good start to my week. That's all I will say since Momma always told me "Never talk about work on the Internet".. But in order to cheer me up my husband and monkey brought me home a surprise when they went out....



Yesterday was the first day we got out for a walk. Between the rain and my intense need of sleep we didn't get out much this week. My back has been hurting like there is no tomorrow so Eric had to wear Monkey or fight with the stroller (it's in a small car trunk). He choose to wear her. He didn't like the wrap (it was to girly!) but he liked the Beco. She fell asleep on him half way through the walk and I think he thought that was pretty cool. I think she really enjoys the Beco.

Daddy and Monkey ready for the walk..

Hopefully this week will be better. Going to see Gram today and not sure what's in store for tomorrow. Maybe I won't feel as "down" this week. We will see. Hope you all have a good weekend!

Thankful Thursday

* I am thankful that I have a 4 day weekend! I need a break from work!

* I am thankful I am going to my Mom's for the weekend in Maine!

* I am thankful for fish tanks and my Monkey! Madelyn loves looking at our Cichlid tank. She likes it better than our tropical tank. I think because the Cichlid's are brighter. When we went to Lindsey and Jeff's she loved Jeff's tank! He has a saltwater tank, so the fish are really neat!

Here is her being curious!

Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to all those who have served and are serving and who have fallen for us. Much love.

We had a nice weekend with family and friends. Saturday was with my Grandma. Yesterday we hung out with Eric's cousin (who also happens to be my longest running friend lol) and her husband and our friend Sandra. Madelyn got to meet her cousin Gideon. Gideon was born 5/13/10 and he was 5 weeks early, so he is a wee one. Very cute!! It was comical when we were taking pictures.. you will see!

Today I am off! SWEEEET! I am going to clean the car in preparation for our trip to Maine on Thursday. Maybe a run to Kohl's for a new water jug, maybe some pool time for Madelyn! squeeeee :)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a good memorial day. Don't forget to thank those that have and are continuing to make your WAY of life possible!

Pictures as always....

Friends

We had dinner Wednesday night with our friends Mandy and Tim. We had another play date! They have a son Patrick.

It was very sweet to see the two of them together. They just kept looking at each other. Madelyn was giggling and smiling. Being quite the flirt to her father's dismay!! Than Madelyn tried out Patrick's toy car, she was more interesting in eating it!! But she liked to have her legs extended so I think it is time to look into an exersaucer or jumperoo for her!

She is getting so big!

Thankful Thursday

* I am thankful for air conditioning!
Yesterday was brutually hot (90-100 degrees) which is hot for May here. I loathe the heat and so does Madelyn. She would not nap or anything. All she did was cry and was cranky. She was a diaper baby all day yesterday. I didn't want to attempt sleeping so Eric put the air conditioner in at like 9 PM last night! It made the night much better!

* I am thankful for my friend Candace because we always "bitch" together and it is fun! Plus she is a good friend! hahaha

Throwback - 12/08


* I am thankful for the weekend, it's a 3 day weekend! Lots of places to go though!

* As always, I am thankful for my Monkey!

In her 6-9 month jeans!

4 Months

So on Monday our Monkey turned 4 months old. I could not and still can not believe how fast she is growing. It feels like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant!

She is starting to do lots more things. She knows what her hands are and is starting to examine her feet! She loves to look around on walks and loves the trees! She loves to smile and giggle. Especially with her Daddy. But we have been noticing her smiling more to and with other people. So that is fun! She is like me in one aspect, she definitely has a temper! When she can not figure out how to crawl. She gets pissed. When she is hungry and/or tired she gets real pissed! Even the doctor noticed she had a temper after she got her shots! She basically turned purple from screaming!

Speaking of the doctor, yesterday we had her 4 month checkup. She weighs 15 lbs 10 oz (HOLY CRAP!!) She is in the 90th (yes I said nine zero) percentile for weight. She is 23 inches long and that is the 25th percentile for height. She loves loves loves to stand. I have to hold her, obviously, but she loves it. She was laying down for the doctor and the doctor has to pull her up by the arms to a sitting position, I assume to make sure she has the head control etc.. Well Monkey doesn't want to sit and "jumps" straight up to standing. The doctor laughed and said "well I guess you want to walk". Monkey just smiled all big for her! It was cute!

So with that I will let you see my wonderful giggling 4 month old baby girl. As usual pure LOVE...

New Wrap!

On another note.. I got a new wrap! Eric wasn't to happy. He thinks I have to many but OH WELL! I only have 3 and 1 I made myself, so technically I can say 2. hahahaha. He didn't like my rational.

I wasn't sure about this one before I got it but I bought it off of Kids Woot for like 50% off. I than read about it on the boards I go to and none of them seemed to like it.. I LOVE it!

It is easy to put on, it takes a few seconds extra just because you have to tie. I think its just as easy as my Beco. The thing I really love about it, I can hardly feel Monkey (it terms of added weight). My back doesn't hurt while she is in it, and I don't feel weighed down.

So far so good with this one! Here are is a picture. Don't mind the picture, I tried to take it myself and than Eric took one and none of them came out presentable but that's all I got!

McFatty Monday

I just wanted to let ya'll know that I am going to stop doing McFatty Monday for a little bit. I need to get my head under control first. Every time I get on the scale I sink farther. To bad that makes me eat more.. Needless to say I went up more. It's weird because before I started this, I stayed the same for WEEKs and Weeks... It seems like as soon as I decided to try this I could only move up...

So I will graciously bow out of McFatty Monday for a bit. Maybe I will be back in the future!

Thankful Thursday

I don't have much for today. It has been a stressful day/days... The voices in my head are relentless... So these may be cheesy but it is what I am looking forward too..

* I am thankful it is Thursday because that means the Grey's finale is tonight. I watched the first 10 minutes the other day and it was INSANE!



* I am thankful for my Monkey because on days like this she makes me smile...



* I am thankful it is nice out today. I think the past 2 days of rain, haven't helped me. So today we get to go for a walk after work! Yay for sunshine, blue skies.....

* I am thankful for a good friend and saying yes to our heavy request.

It is just one of them days...

Everyone that has lost someone will tell you that sometimes you just have one of them days. No matter how long the person has been gone you just have a day, an hour, or even a minute, of missing them hardcore. You always miss them but sometimes it is just really hard to deal with.

This afternoon was that time for me. I was wearing the monkey in the Beco. She fell asleep and I was putting away laundry. A new favorite song of mine came on by Miranda Lambert.. It made me start thinking about the house I grew up in. Tears started to stream. It is impossible to think about growing up, the house I grew up in, or virtually anything else without thinking of my parents. Especially my father.

I started to think of everything he missed - my senior year, my senior day at softball, my prom, high school graduation, college, college graduation, my wedding, and now my wonderful daughter. My daughter so far has been the hardest... I can just imagine how he would have been with her and it aches...it makes me miss him what seems like more than the day he was taken from us...

Than I started to think of all the memories with him and our family... How lucky we all were to have known him, loved him, been loved by him, and have the memories with him...

He was strong...


and funny...{Sixteenth birthday party when he saw the bill!}


and a family man...


I miss him everyday. I love him.
I wish he was here.