Delaney's Birth Story

So I had a baby in the bathroom...

Allow me to preface this by saying that a few months ago, Kevin and I looked into doing a home birth.  You know… the super crunchy, dim candle light, soft music, warm water tub, calm midwife encouraging me through contractions while my husband held my hand or massaged my back.  Yeah that kind.  Unfortunately, due to insurance/financial reasons, we learned that this type of birth was just not in the cards for us and we made preparations to deliver at the same hospital Kennedy was born at.  I searched for a while to find a midwife that I felt would be receptive of a relaxed, intervention-free birth and I vowed to do my part to make sure this baby’s birth was completely different.  Not that Kennedy’s birth (Kennedy's Birth Story Here) was anything less than special… it just wasn’t the empowering, medication/intervention free birth that I wanted to experience.

On to the story…

So Friday morning at 11am I had my last midwife appointment before the baby’s due date (which was Saturday).  Going in, I was on the fence about whether to have them check me for dilation/effacement.  Up to this point, I had declined internal exams, because I believe in trying to go the full 40 weeks if at all possible, and I didn’t want anything to get stirred up during the exam.  I consulted with some girlfriends and asked Kevin if he wanted to know… he was supportive either way.  I figured with the due date being the next day, it wouldn’t hurt.  I had also decided that since I am late for… well… everything, it would be shocking if any of my kids were on time (Kennedy was 5 days late) let alone early.  The MW checked me and said I was 2cm and 80% effaced.  These are the exact stats I received when I checked into the hospital with K, after my water had broken, so I couldn't help but laugh at the irony.  She offered to strip my membranes and I declined.  I had to work Friday (and Saturday) overnight, still had some laundry to do and things to pack/unpack.  I had a letter to write to Kennedy (which I planned to use as a distraction during early labor) and one last baby bump picture to take.  My (and Kevin’s) curiosity was satisfied so I headed home.

Around 12:30-1pm I took Kennedy out to lunch, to our favorite little café in Liverpool, Café 407.  I had taken her last week thinking it might have been our last mommy/daughter date before her little brother or sister arrived, so I was very thankful to be able to sneak in one more lunch date.  I started feeling crampy during lunch and on the drive home, but I chalked it up to the internal exam and really didn’t think much of it since the “cramps” were sporadic, varying lengths and not any more intense than annoying period cramps.  By this point, I was so set on going past my due date that I even sent my friend (Kennedy’s sitter) a text asking if she wanted to go get pedicures on Sunday. 

Around 2-2:15pm we got home from lunch and I tried to put K down for a nap.  Normally on work nights, I nap with her to get some extra sleep in before staying up all night.  She nursed for a while, but neither of us could get comfortable enough to fall asleep and I began to notice the “cramps” beginning to feel a little more intense.  I turned on the contraction timer app on my phone, just for kicks, to see if these were anything worth worrying about.  To my surprise, they were coming regularly about 5 minutes apart and lasting about 45 seconds-1 minute.  All the while I was still trying to get Kennedy to nap so I could either nap with her or hop in the tub to see if these contractions were going to stick around or fade away.  This went on for about half an hour.  She was kind of restless and I guess I was too, so I finally gave up and sent Kevin a text at work around 2:45.  I told him I wasn’t sure if it was baby time yet, but I asked if he could possibly come home early to take care of Kennedy so I can either rest or get things moving.  He left right away and made it home in record time (excited, much?) around 3:15.  I also texted My friend who was going to watch Kennedy when I went in to deliver (who literally lives right behind us, but just happened to be 45 minutes away that day, which NEVER happens, lol!).  She was planning to be home by 6pm anyway and I told her not to rush, since I wasn’t really sure if this was it or not.  Plus, I kept thinking in the back of my head that with Kennedy, I went in WAY too early and was stuck there for hours… which lead to Pitocin and an epidural.  I knew this was not what I wanted and that I did want to labor at home as long as possible.  So I told her I just wanted to give her a head’s up but to carry on as planned  I used 6pm as my focus point.

By this point (about 3:30pm), I was still on the fence as to whether this was the real deal or just the aftermath of the internal exam earlier that day.  I still hadn’t called the midwife or called in to work for the night, because I didn’t want to jump the gun.  I was waiting for the contractions to become more intense, closer together, last longer… something. 

By about 4pm the contractions were about 3-4 minutes apart, lasting about 1- 1 ½ minutes and definitely increasing in intensity… I was pretty sure this was it.  I called into work, but for some reason, held off on calling the MW.

The next hour is kind of a blur.  I alternated between the bath tub, birthing ball, my bed, the floor and pretty much everywhere in between.  At one point, I drained the tub and thought I would take a shower.  Next thing I know, with shampoo in my hair I decided “the heck with it, back in the bed”, then back in the shower a minute later, this time curled up on the floor.  I was now absolutely positive this was it, but questioning my ability to get through the next 2 hours.  I just kept focusing on 6pm (when my friend/K's sitter was planning to be home and I was planning to drop K off and head to the hospital), but the minutes were dragging.  I was picturing arriving at the hospital shortly after 6pm, writhing in agony, only to be told I was at 5cm or something like that and that I still had hours to go.  I began to mentally prepare myself to give in and beg for an epidural since the pain was unbelievably intense by this point.

Somewhere around 4:45pm, I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.  I finally decided to call the midwife who told me to head in to the hospital.  I told her my sitter was about 45 minutes away, but that we would head in as soon as she arrived.  I then texted my friend and told her I changed my mind, lol.  I asked if she could leave soon and head to our house.  She was on the road in minutes.

Around 5pm or so I started to feel like “I’ve got to POOP!” so I sat on the toilet.  Then Nurse Monica took over for a second and it hit me.  “Holy !^%@#^ … rectal pressure… this is a surefire signal that delivery is imminent”.  I yelled to Kevin that we needed to leave NOW.  He got Kennedy dressed and sent our sitter a text asking her to just meet us at the hospital.  I put my yoga pants on, only to rip them off during the next contraction and hop back on the toilet.  It was the only place/position that felt even remotely tolerable.  This process (between contraction- pants on, everyone get in the car, I can totally make it to the hospital in time… during contraction- pants off, back on the toilet, I’m not going to make it!!) for a few contractions.  Not sure why, but during one contraction, I decided to reach down and check what was going on down there.  To my shock, I felt the bulging bag of waters and a firmness (head?!) just inside.  OH.MY.GOD!

By now it was about 5:15pm.  I yelled to Kevin again, who ran upstairs and must have caught the look of terror on my face.  I told him there was no way we were making it to the hospital in time.  He asked if he should call 9-1-1 and I said “I don’t know!”.  I waivered back and forth… call 9-1-1, don’t call, try to get to the car, screw it stay right here, “grab towels!” (the only piece  of my EMT training that surfaced during this whole debacle).  Finally Kevin just said “executive decision… calling 9-1-1” and I was thankful that the decision was made.  Sweet Kennedy was so worried about me… she kept coming in the bathroom to rub my back or pat my hand and say “it’s ok, mama.  Don’t cry”.  Then Kevin would ask her to go play in her room and she would sit on her bed with a doll, pouting.  She is so incredibly sensitive and was no doubt scared.

The 9-1-1 operator told him to make me get off the toilet immediately.  I was mad, but in retrospect, it was definitely the right thing to do. 

So there I was… laying on my bathroom floor (which is *about* the size of a small closet) in nothing but my bra.  My loving husband had one phone up to his ear talking to 9-1-1, a second phone in his left hand texting the sitter to tell her to come straight to our house asap, and his right hand applying “gentle pressure” to somewhere down there per the 9-1-1 operator’s direction.  <I need to interject here and remind everyone of my idea of a home birth… with the whirlpool tub, candles, soft music, my husband massaging my back during contractions, my dignity still intact.  Yeah that.>  Anyway, a few contractions later, my water broke and I felt like I had to push immediately.  Gulp.

Just then, I heard the ambulance crew announce their arrival at our front door (and I’m pretty sure Kevin heard angels singing).  They ran up the stairs and Kevin dove for safety as the paramedic donned his gloves.  Less than a minute later, our sweet baby was born.  A feisty little baby girl.

Kevin cut the cord and took her to meet her big sister while the paramedic and EMTs checked me over.  They did make me sit on a stair chair to exit the house (mortifying!) then hop on the stretcher (with half of the neighborhood rubber necking, awesome) and baby girl and I enjoyed our first ambulance ride together to the hospital where we were given a clean bill of health and a few dozen “wtf”s.

So that’s it.  That is the story of how our sweet, spunky Delaney Grace came crashing into our world.  She was born Friday September 5, 2014 at 1738 at home, in our bathroom.  She weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces and is 21.5 inches long.  She has a full head of dark hair and beautiful long eyelashes, just like her big sister.  Kennedy is just smitten by her baby sister and my super awesome, multi-tasking husband (so proud of him!) is listed as the official delivery “attendant” (kind of cool, right?) on her birth certificate.  We all now have a story to laugh about for years to come.

So… if you ever hear about someone delivering a baby in an awkward, less-than-desirable, unplanned location and wonder “how the heck does that happen?”… now you know.

30 Days of $Zero... FAIL.

I have to say... we have really done well with the 30 Days of Zero project.  Our deep freezer, fridge and pantry are much less crowded (as in... I can see the back/bottom of them now)... and I am fairly certain that my Starbucks habit is... dare I say... kicked.  I can barely remember the layout of my favorite Target (ok that's a lie... I know the inside of that store better than 3/4 of the employees, but I digress) and I can already see a difference in my bank account.  All wins!

Today, however, was complete and utter failure.

The first sign of impending doom was that Kevin and I had a day off together that I did not have to spend sleeping.  And I was able to get everyone motivated, up and out of the house by like 10am (this NEVER happens!).  I should have known this meant trouble from the get go.  Add in the fact that we were both in a fabulous mood and had a small reason to celebrate (more on that later)... and off the deep end we went.  Well... not entirely... at first...

We decided to reward ourselves (and Kennedy) with a little lunch date at Moe's.  For some reason, lunch dates are way more rare (and fun) than breakfast or dinner.... and a lunch date on a week day felt like we were playing hookie, which made it even better!  Since it was Moe's Monday, all 3 of us ate for less than $20.  Not too bad.  We had fun, made silly faces, Kennedy waved and said "Moe's" to everyone who walked in the door (mimicking the employees when they yelled "Welcome to Moe's".  It was really fun.  And, call me crazy, but I am pretty sure the food tasted better.  In truth, I think we just enjoyed it and appreciated it more, because we weren't just eating out to eat... but rather to celebrate and enjoy the experience together as a family.  Although this was breaking our $Zero rule... I learned from it and still consider it a positive experience.  I learned that IF I am going to spend money, especially on something like going out to eat... I am going to savor it and enjoy it, not just do it for the sake of doing it (or because I am too lazy to cook that night or whatever).  It is going to be special.  And, silly as it sounds, our little family Moe's lunch date was pretty special.

So that's that.

The next (and much worse) fail was when we got home.  I had been eyeing up this sweet puppy since around Christmas time, but for a few reasons, I just decided the time wasn't right and it wasn't meant to be.  Well, lo and behold I came home to find out that the deal fell through and he was still available... and he was the last of his litter left.  Oh... and he had PANTS!  Just like Lucy.  I decided this was a sign and I began to plead my case with Kevin.  A few sweet, convincing puppy pictures and a few emails/phone calls to our favorite breeder and the deal was done.  We are picking up our new little bundle of joy on Saturday.  The irony is, without the past 3 weeks of zero spending, it is unlikely that buying this sweet boy would have been a feasible option for us.  Everything happens for a reason, right?

So... yeah... that's my story of the ultimate $Zero fail.  It is what it is.  I'm not ashamed.

I'm hopping back on the wagon for the rest of the month.  Maybe I'll even extend it another week or two to punish myself for today's events.  Maybe I won't.  Or maybe I will... after just... one... Starbucks Chai Tea Latte.  Either way, I am walking away from this experience with a new appreciation for money, which is really what I was looking for when I started anyway.  So I guess, in that respect, it was successful.

Sometimes lessons are learned by succeeding at something, but more often than not, the lessons lie buried within our failures.  It was likely that without today, my first spending trip after a month of saving would have been to Target, buying a cart full of useless crap that I don't need, just because I can.  But instead... I actually savored a rare, but very fun lunch with my loved ones at Moe's and we will all be loving on our sweet new puppy very soon... not a bad way to learn a lesson about spending my money wisely.

30 Days of $Zero: Day 4

I don't write about work often... actually ever.  I like to keep work at work, period.  However, I had an experience this week that really resonated with me and gave me a whole new perspective on this 30 Days of Zero challenge.  *I have to keep the details as vague as possible.*

So I was caring for a patient who is, in my opinion, a true American hero.  I listened intently to their stories and was just amazed at how much they had given.  This person has made contributions to our country that most cannot imagine. 

Overnight, my fellow nurses asked how my spending diet was going and I, of course, whined about Starbucks and my urge to browse Zulily.  True first world problems, right?

In the morning, I went in to help get this patient ready for the day.  They are from a much more simple generation, and I know that.  But I was still taken aback when I saw their attire for the day.  It was well-loved, and by well-loved I mean stained, tattered and hanging together by a thread in many places.  It seemed as if it was the only outfit they had worn for the past 30 or so years.  On further inspection of their closet, it was apparent that this was the only outfit they owned, and likely the only one they had owned/worn for the past 30 or so years.

This person thanked me profusely for everything small task that I helped them with and praised God from the moment they awoke for all of the blessings they have been given. 

I left work marveling over the experience.  This person is thankful to be alive.  Thankful to have food to eat and clothes to wear, while I lament about not buying Starbucks or loads of junk that I don't need.  If any of us should be singing praises, it should be me.  And if any of us should be wanting more, it should be them.  How backwards.  How strange.  

How eye-opening.

I stood in my closet for a while when I got home.  Embarrassed.  I have clothes upon clothes upon clothes.  Shoes and scarves and purses and... stuff everywhere.  And yet, I want more... more... more.  Why?

Well, I don't know why.  I probably never will understand what makes some of us never feel satisfied, even when our bounty is bursting at the seams.  What I do know is that my non-material blessings are immeasurable.  My amazing family, my loving husband, the fact that I was able to help create a life and bring her into the world, my daughter's infectious laugh, my puppy's never-ending cuddles, my brother who is always there for me, my parents who have supported me every step of this crazy life journey, my brother-in-law and my in-laws who are generous beyond measure, my house that we have made a home, my job that truly is fulfilling (even on the crazy days), my health (especially when I care for the sick and injured daily), my faith (now a little stronger).  I could go on for days.  I can't put a price tag on these things (less the house, of course), yet they are the biggest riches I have.  I need to focus more on these, the wealth I possess that I didn't find on the Target clearance rack or on any shopping website.

So today, I feel a little more focused, a little less selfish and a lot more appreciative of what I do have.  I can't say I don't miss Starbucks (because nothing makes self-reflection tastier than a nice hot Chai Tea Latte with one pump of pumpkin).... but things are looking pretty good.

30 Days of $ZERO: D -1

I like to shop.  Actually... I love to shop.  I shop when I'm bored, I shop when I'm happy, I shop when I'm mad (I try to remember to take the hubby's credit card on these occasions).  Shopping is both therapeutic and... fun!  Heck, my daughter's first trip out of the house as a newborn was to Target (flameworthy, maybe?). 

As a matter of fact, one of my favorite things to do with Kennedy is head to Target, grab a delicious Starbucks beverage (because, you know, the evil empire of Starbucks just HAD to team up with the evil empire of Target in a joint effort to destroy my bank account.  Well played, you two) and wander the aisles, adding completely unnecessary "necessities" to our cart.  We could spend hours roaming the store... it's just kind of our thing.

I used to call Target the $50 store... because any trip inside those red doors guaranteed a $50 dent in my account.  Now that they have a magical Starbucks inside... well now it's the $80 store.  Not that a Starbucks coffee costs $30 (although it might as well!) but something about enjoying a nice warm chai while I shop just makes me want to spend more money (again, well played evil geniuses).  

And don't even get me started on how many times I have walked into that store "needing" one or two simple items (toothpaste, shampoo) and walked out with an $80 bag containing everything under the sun... except toothpaste and shampoo.  These occasions require a return trip to the red money monster and, of course, another $80.

At this very moment, I have four different varieties of coffee (that I just had to have) for my Keurig (that I fell in love with when Kevin gave it to me for my birthday a few years ago).  I have acquired (likely through various Target trips) a handful of travel coffee cups.  I even have a few different flavor syrups, chai mixes and other treats to fancy up my beverage, a la Starbucks style.  I work nights.  I drink coffee.  Perfect solution: before I leave for work, make a coffee, dress it up in whatever way suits me, pour it into lovely Target travel mug and enjoy.  Does this happen?  No.  I pass a Starbucks on my way to work and like a moth to light, I am drawn in.  A few minutes later, I am on my way with my delicious nectar of the Gods... and $5+ lighter in the wallet.  I've never smoked or done drugs, but I am pretty sure I am addicted to my Non-Fat Chai Tea Latte with one pump of pumpkin like ::insert witty celebrity addiction comparison here::  Clearly, I am too busy shopping and drinking my chai to keep up with celebrity gossip.

The third and final member of the evil trifecta is Wegmans.  Now, I love Wegmans.  As a matter of fact, I love that store so much I think I visit it more than Target.  I go in for "just one quick thing" and walk out with a cart full of delicious treats.  Their selection is great and I... I want it all.  I buy Club Packs of everything.  What's better than a few pieces of fresh fruit or veggies?  A whole club pack of every single fresh fruit or vegetable that catches my eye that will rot before I eat them (because, of course, Kevin will avoid them like the plague).  During the summer, we primarily shop at the local farmer's market, which we love.  This summer I learned how to can and I also flash froze lots and lots of vegetables, so we can enjoy them during the winter months without paying big bucks for them at the grocery store.  As a matter of fact, my freezer and pantry are both so full that I have to shuffle things around to smush more in, every time I come back from the store.  Does this stop me from going overboard and buying more more more?  In short, no.  Often, I end up buying doubles (or triples) of things, because they have been buried so deep in the freezer or pantry that I forgot I had them.  It's out of control.

Online shopping is another one of my downfalls.  A few days a week a package will show up at my door and Kevin will ask "what did you buy NOW?"  I sheepishly shrug my shoulders because the chances are pretty good that in the 2-3 weeks it took to deliver said package, I have already made a few more online purchases and forgot all about the little gem that has arrived on my doorstep.  Is it the new sweater I ordered that I will probably never wear?  Another "OMG this is SO cute" outfit I just HAD to buy for Kennedy (her closet puts mine to shame, by the way.  I thought I had a shopping problem before... enter super cute toddler girl and the shopping addiction hits an all time high).  Is it the random play room decor that will never make it onto the wall?  I just don't know.

So clearly, I have a problem.  

The first step to fixing the problem is actually admitting that you have a problem.

Ok great.  So step one: admit you have a problem... check.

Now onto step two.  And this may seem a little drastic, crazy, out-there... but it has to be done.

This month, I am going on a spending diet.  Well, actually... if money were food, I guess I am going on spending hunger strike.

This month, I am spending ZERO money.

Well... not technically zero.  We still have to pay our bills, put gas in the car to get to/from work and pay the babysitter.  We have agreed that milk and eggs are ok to buy for Kennedy.  Aside from these true necessities... 

Z-E-R-O. 

No trips to Target to waste the afternoon away browsing and shopping with Kennedy.  No  Wegmans runs to grab "just a few" ingredients for dinner.  No online impulse shopping.

No Starbucks.

::gulp::

So here I am... the day before I begin my starvation spending diet.  I am enjoying my very last amazingly delicious Starbucks chai tea latte ( *might* have ordered two and stored on in the fridge).  Kennedy and I just enjoyed a ridiculous expensive Panera lunch (when did they get so pricey anyway?) and we have decided to order chinese take-out for our last purchased meal.  I'm a sucker for some good lo mein.  :)

Tomorrow it begins.

• Food:  I will be using what I have on hand to cook with.  If I can clear out my freezer stash and empty out my pantry, that would be awesome!  We have agreed that if we run completely out of fruits and vegetables, we will buy a small amount of whatever is on sale for Kennedy.  No more "club packs of everything".  And we will eat or freeze it all.  No more letting it go bad and throwing it away.
• Fun:  Kennedy and I will work on finishing her alphabet wall project that I started before Christmas.  I also have some Valentine's crafts (that I, shockingly, bought last year and never used) that we can do.  I will also be scouring the internet for fun, FREE local activities to enjoy.  No more trips to Target to kill time and waste money.  I just might have to (finally) conquer my fear of my sewing machine.
• Kevin's birthday: is this month and we have decided this will be a "cheat" day, hence the 30 days of zero and not 31.  He can choose whatever he wants for dinner, either eat out or I will grocery shop for that meal and cook at home, whichever he decides.  I will either set a budget for his gift or, in lieu of a present, we may make a trip to Pittsburgh.  If we do, we will set a small budget for the trip and stick within it.
• Coffee:  Let's be real here.  This is probably what you were really wondering.  How the heck is she going to make it without her Starbucks?  Well... it will not be easy, but I am determined to kick this habit.  I have actually considered taking a different route to work, to avoid the temptation.  Lol!  I will simply make my coffee or chai at home (I did make sure to stock up on chai from Wegmans) and enjoy that on my drive in.  This might get ugly, and my local Starbucks just might report a profit loss for the first time since we moved in... but I will do it.

I will blog about this financial journey and try to estimate how much I have saved along the way.

Are you making any changes in the upcoming year?  What are your goals?

2013: Looking Back

What an amazing year this has been.  I am so truly blessed to have enjoyed good health, lots of love and laughter and many blessings this year.  Let's review, shall we?

January
We started off the year with a mommy & me trip to Florida.  We had an absolute blast and I learned an awful lot about traveling with a little one.  Kennedy got to meet her great grandparents for the very first time.  She was just as infatuated with them as they were with her.

 We drove to Pittsburgh for a belated Christmas with Kevin's family and enjoyed a few snow days where we went sledding in the back yard and made snow men.

 Kennedy turned 6 months on the 29th and we celebrated with a little photo shoot and a trip to the mall for a carousel ride and her first dinner out (that she could actually eat herself).

 We also began our Baby Led Weaning journey.  First with avacados, the beets and sweet potatoes, then pancakes and bananas.  Kennedy surprised us with her ability to chew and move food around her mouth and her appetite was fantastic.  It was so fun to watch her learn how to feed herself (and sucha  relief to not have to force feed her).

February
Kennedy was able to crawl all over the house... backwards and learned how to pull herself up.  She cut 2 teeth and said her first word, "mama".  We also started working on teaching her to sign.  We should have started sooner, but better late than never.  Signing is a great way to communicate with your baby.

March
Kennedy gained some forward momentum in the crawling department and Lucy's lazy days ended in a flash.  That poor puppy gets no peace now and Kennedy just adores her.  She also started practicing her walking skills by holding daddy's hands and taking steps.  Baby girl also picked up a few new words and continued rocking the BLW.  This month she ate steak, chicken, french fries, hash browns and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

 We celebrated Easter (on time this year) with a little Easter egg hunt in our living room and a yummy dinner.

April
I honored my angel baby on what would have been his or her first birthday.  Such bittersweet emotions surrounded me.  I am so truly blessed to hold the sweetest baby girl in my arms, yet I can't help but wonder about the baby I held only in my heart.  

We took our first trip to visit my brother in Delaware and got some much needed beach time.  It was Kennedy's first time seeing the ocean and, although it was way too cold to swim, she enjoyed it nonetheless.

I also transferred to the brand new Spinal Cord Injury and Rehab unit at work... and to overnight 12s.  That has definitely been an adjustment, but it works for us for now.

Kennedy really got into cruising mode and learned how to climb up the stairs.  We celebrated 9 in/9 out.  It's hard to believe that my squirmy little baby was once a squirmy little rib kicker in my belly. 

May
A roller coaster of emotions.  The month started off great!  Kennedy learned how to stand on her own and we enjoyed lots of time outside in the beautiful summer weather.  Baby girl got to enjoy the pool for the first time... she loved it!  We celebrated Lucy's second birthday with a pool day and special puppy treats.

We celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mommy... it was perfect and beautiful!  I explored how crunchy I had become in the last few years.  Still cracks me up to think about.  Kennedy picked up several new signs and really started being able to communicate with us. Her balance improved and she was finally able to stand long enough for me to snap some pictures.

My parents came up to visit and Kennedy started babbling and pointing excitedly... at everything.  It was too cute!  

Then the rain came.  I got out of work late to find out when I got to the sitter that Kennedy had taken her first steps... and I missed them.  Then came home to learn that my grandfather was not doing well.  He passed away later that afternoon.

Kevin and I celebrated 2 years of wedded bliss and I got a little mushy.  We took a trip to Pittsburgh and enjoyed a DATE NIGHT!  It was glorious!  Kennedy got to ride her first pony at Kevin's parents's house.

And we took her to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.  She loved it!

 June
We started off the month with a whirlwind trip driving to Pittsburgh, flying to Orlando for my grandfather's funeral services, flying back to Pittsburgh and driving back home.  It was a bittersweet trip.  So nice to see family, and many cousins I hadn't seen in years... but very difficult to say goodbye to my Pop Pop.

Kennedy got even better with walking and started walking everywhere.  We celebrated Kevin's first Father's Day.

and made plans for Kennedy's first birthday

 July
I had a few mommy moments (I said a few, lol) as we prepared to celebrate Kennedy's first birthday.  It was so hard to believe that she was turning one. 

Baby girl's first birthday!  The party was a blast, the day was bittersweet and yet everything I hoped it would be for her.  Both Kevin's parents and my parents were able to come visit, as well as Kevin's brother, Chad.  We played, Kennedy smashed her cake and reminisced about her newborn days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August
Work started to stress me out and I had a few (mostly coffee related) psychotic episodes.  Thankfully my coworkers have a sense of humor and a secret stash of caffeine.

Kennedy walked more, started to run.  She started learning to use utensils, cut a few more teeth and became increasingly fascinated with books.  Kevin's side of the family welcomed a new baby cousin, Lyla.

We enjoyed lots of play time outside with our favorite puppy and even took her to a doggie carnival.  So fun!

 

 

September
We started off the month with not one, but two trips to the fair!  We met up with our sweet friends, Adam and Amy and their adorable daughter Abbi from Buffalo.  Love the fair!

 

 

 

 Kennedy LOVED dancing to the music in the African village

 I finally donated my stash of extra breast milk that I had pumped.  I was able to donate 750 ounces of liquid gold to the National Milk Bank.  I learned how to can (major crunchy mommy accomplishment).  And I learned that being a good mommy doesn't mean that you do everything right, all the time... or that you do everything, period.  I had to learn to let go of some things and to take it a little easier on myself. 

 We went apple picking at Critz Farms and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather.

 

 

 

I'm still not sure what Kennedy enjoyed more... picking apples or loving on all of the animals at the petting zoo.  Either way, she had a lot of fun and made a lot of new furry friends.

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the month, we headed down to the Outer Banks, NC for our first real family vacation.  We rented a beach house on the sound and relaxed for a week, soaking up the sun, splashing in the waves and just enjoying being together.  My parents were able to come down for a few days each and my brother even made a cameo appearance with his new girlfriend.  All in all, is was a great vacation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October
We celebrated Babywearing Week with a fashion show and a trip to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo with some crunchy friends.   And we went back to the zoo a few weeks later for the Zoo Boo.  So fun!

 

 

 

 

Kennedy battled her first (and hopefully only) round of Coxsackie Virus (Hand, foot and mouth) and then shared it with me.  Not fun.  Her language development was really impressive and she added dozens of new words to her signing and speaking vocabulary.  She also learned how to climb down the stairs.
 
And... I got older.  By a year.  Whoop dee doo.  :/

November
 We made another trip to November.  Kennedy played with the horses.

 

 

 

 We took Kennedy to see the circus... what a cool experience!  Lots of fun!

 

 

December
We prepared for Christmas like all families do... by allowing our toddler to decorate (and eat) an enormous amount of cookies.  Right?

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed mass together as a family

Then opened our traditional, one present... Christmas jammies!!

We were so blessed to have the best surprises for the holidays... my brother surprised us on Christmas Eve 

and Kevin's brother surprised us (dressed in full Santa attire) on Christmas morning. 

After thinking we would be spending the day with our small little family, we were thrilled to be surrounded by lots more love and laughter.  We had a great day!  And Kennedy, of course, made out like a bandit!

 

 

As you can see, 2013 has been an incredible year.  We are so thankful for all of the blessings God has brought us.  It's amazing how much Kennedy has grown and how much we, as a family, have grown.  It's hard to imagine that 2014 could possibly be any better than this year has been... but I have a feeling it might!

Happy New Year! 

Love, 
The Boles Family