New Web Address

By the way, I change the web address to my blog- create a little more privacy so our name isn't flashing out there for the whole world to see. My blog can now be found as: www.wildroseoftexas.blogspot.com

Forgotten Dreams

A few weeks ago Casey and I were at Best Buy looking at all the fun gadgets we couldn't possibly afford when Casey asked me if I'd be ok with him picking out a D-SLR camera for me. It was almost out of the blue (we were looking at SLR cameras) and I was caught off guard. We talked for a short while about why I would want one, the features of the camera I would definitely want and then we went about our day, but I haven't stopped thinking about it. I look back over the last 5ish years when I was really trying to pursue my landscape/architectural photography interests. I loved shooting and editing and walking around taking in the usual and stunningly gorgeous surroundings I encountered, but somewhere along the way I stopped. Life was turned upside down for me a couple years ago and all my photography dreams were shoved in the back corner. I finished up the photography class I was enrolled in and I honestly don't think I've picked up the camera since. (other then the pictures of family and events that of course needed to be documented)

Casey remembering how I've dreamed of having D-SLR camera and reminding me of the Nikon catalogs, Ansel Adam and National Geographic collection books I have scattered throughout our home has stirred the desire to pursue the dream again. The dream to one day be a freelancer for travel magazines and maybe even one day print and sell some of my photos via a set-up like Etsy. I know its not my life calling, teaching is, but why can't I still take part in an activity that made my soul happiest on days on I was down, an activity that brought me face to face with the glory of God so so often?

So here I am, dreaming again. Maybe this time I'll have the courage to make steps towards it all again.

The End of the Beginning/The Beginning of Forever

Well folks, the day I have dreaded all summer long is arriving tomorrow: my last day of summer. I went on "maternity leave" *cough, stopped taking sub jobs, cough* a week and a half before Malachi was born and now, 5.5 weeks after she was born our lazy days of cuddling and doing nothing but sit at home, enjoying each other are coming to an end. I'll map out the rest of my "summer" for you.

-Friday 7/1- Casey's family is coming to town.
-Monday 7/4- Casey's family leaves after fireworks
-Wednesday 7/6- I head to my mom's with Malachi to see family from Arizona.
-Saturday 7/9- I return home along with a bunch of my family.
-Sunday 7/10- Casey's family comes back to town. We all celebrate Malachi's dedication.
-Monday 7/11- All family leaves.
-Monday 7/11-Friday 7/15- Pack up apartment like a crazy mad woman.
-Friday 7/15- Monday 7/18- Move all our stuff to the new house and deep clean old apartment. And pick up Gibbs for good.
-Tuesday 7/19- Sunday 7/31- Unpack and get settled in new house. Prep lessons and classroom materials for the upcoming school year. (my first year of teaching!!)
-Monday 8/1- Thursday 8/4- I'm out of town for training for school.
-Monday 8/8- Monday 8/15- Inservice for school
-Tuesday 8/16- School starts.

*sigh* I get sad and feel overwhelmed when I think about all that must happen in the next 7ish weeks. However, I keep reminding myself that this transition of being a first time mom to a full time career woman will only happen once in my life. Unfortunately, it also coincides with our first move since Casey and I have been married. I know all the craziness will all soon be a memory in the past, but that also reminds me that the days of Malachi and I having no other care in the world but each other is also about to become a memory of the past- that breaks my heart.

I wish time could just stand still for a short while.... But, alas, it doesn't- So I'm going to go cuddle my sweet sleeping baby while I still can.

Homemade Tutu

We have a white onesie with an American flag on it for the 4th of July. But when you have a sweet little 6 week old baby girl, she should have more then just a onesie to celebrate in, right? So a trip to Hobby Lobby and $6 later I had my materials to make her patriotic tutu! I made a little matching bow to attach to a white headbandas well. She's going to be the cutest baby on the block. :)

Wedding Relived

Last week Casey and I finally got a copy of our wedding video. I have a friend who is an inspiring videographer and does short videos as a hobby, and he filmed and edited our wedding into a keepsake video. It is fantastic.

We have never seen our wedding before, so getting to finally watch that amazing day a year and a half and one kid later was so so special to us. It just warmed my heart to know that man I stood next to that day and promised my life to is still the amazing man I stand next to today. Nothing has changed about our love for one another, other then the fact that it has grown deeper, and stronger, and has reached an all new level of intimacy that we never could have fathomed. God has been so good to us.

I love you, Casey Ray, always and forever.
Lets do this. ;)

Day One

Of baby wearing!

We tried out the Moby for the first time ever yesterday! She is fast asleep after about 45 seconds in the wrap... She was screaming as we put her in. It was great to be hands free while running a few simple errands. People were commenting (positively) the whole time we were out. AND, it made daddy bust out his carrier as well- talk about adorable! (he has a backpack looking carrier for her- much more manly then my Moby) Mommy is a fan- I just want to wear her everywhere! Another great thing about it that I've discovered today is that I can get so much more done around the house if she's in the wrap. Malachi has reached a point where she wants to be held constantly. We can go a short while with her in the swing, but it is almost like she senses when you leave the room and she'll start crying. The wrap has helped a ton with that problem!

I highly recommend a carrier like this now to any mom. It was soo much easier to use then I thought it would be. I was definitely intimidated by the length of the wrap when I first opened it, but it was very easy to wrap and only takes a minute (or two) to put on. Check out the videos on www.mobywrap.com if you're curious.

Birth Announcement!

(Yes, these will get mailed to you) :)

Hello Girl Baby Announcements

Shutterfly has 100's of personalized baby announcements.

View the entire collection of cards.

Playtime!

Today we busted out the playmat because Malachi is having more periods of awakefulness. She wasn't a fan on the first go-around, but she warmed up to it by the evenning.

Picture of the Day

Isn't she cute? I just love those angry faces.

Things I've Learned Coming Into Motherhood

1. Poop is an aerial attack weapon.
2. Sleep is overrated. Naps are the new thing.
3. Not everyone enjoys a nice warm bath.
4. Smiles mean only one thing at 2 weeks old: I'm pooping, and it feels good.
5. Casey IS Superman.
6. Carrying groceries up stairs can no longer be a one trip action.
7. The dog can hold their need to go "out" until after the baby has been fed and has stopped crying.
8. Babies can't decipher between mom and dad when they're hungry. They want to find the food!
9. We need a lamp on the bedside table.
10. 2 weeks= more then 100 disposable diapers. Gross.
11. Cloth diapers are amazing.
12. Pacifiers and burp rags need to be within two feet of any seat in the entire house.
13. My washer is going to get a work-out every day until it dies.
14. There is nothing like it.
15. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
16. God is pretty stinkin' amazing.

The Day My World Changed: May 23, 2011

Miss Malachi Rae joined the outside world (after 11 hours of labor) at 10:20 a.m on Monday, May 23rd!! She measured 8lbs 2oz, 20.25 inches, and was absolutely perfect.

I'll try to make the birth story as short and sweet as possible, but no promises. ;)

At about 11pm Sunday night I started have severe back pains so I drew up a warm bath and tried to soak it away like I always did for back pain. The pain didn't subside, so I drank a ton of water and tried to go to bed. (Casey was already fast asleep. Lucky duck) The pain continued to get worse, and I started having abdominal "pinches" (best word I can think of to describe them). They weren't terribly painful, but they wouldn't go away. I called one of my doulas, Evelyn, and she confirmed that they may be contractions and had me start timing. At about 2:30 a.m. it was clear the pain was getting more severe and the contractions were steady at 4 minutes apart. At 3:00 we headed to the hospital! I was completely admitted by 4:00 and was checked in at 5.5 cm- I was so glad to be more then halfway done before it really started hurting! (I was 4 cm and 80% effaced on Friday). I had an epidural shortly after my water broke (on its own!) at 7 cm and it was smooth sailing from there! The worst part were the contractions right after my water broke, they just got much more intense, but I had great support with me through Casey and our doulas, Evelyn and Pam. They all stayed so calm and helped me manage the pain with pressure points, etc. I couldn't have done it without them. No way. At about 8:00 a.m. I was told I was "just about a 10" and was a +1 and was asked if I wanted to do some pushing. I opted out until she was at a +2 (I felt great, no need to rush!) I was check half an hour later and found out she was turned facing my right side and causing the back labor I was experiencing. The doctor had me push a couple times and she turned the right way immediately. At 9:20 a.m. we started pushing. That was a much longer process then I thought it would be! My epidural had me numb so it was actually pretty funny to me trying to push when I couldn't feel anything below my belly button. But it all worked, because Malachi was delivered at 10:20 a.m!!!

I just remember watching Casey watch the nurses clean and examine our little girl. He never had been so handsome to me. That man standing there is my love, my best friend, my support, my child's father, and the best team mate I could ever imagine. God has blessed so much with him.

Malachi was perfect. A perfect big, crying, baby. Casey brought her to me so I could hold her and that was it, life ceased to exist as it was- I had my daughter in my arms. I just love her so so much.

We stayed 3 days in the hospital because I was a first-time mom and they wanted to make sure I was recovering well and breastfeeding well. The only concern was that Malachi was a little big for her gestational age (39w5d) and they were worried about her blood sugar. She had 4 different heal prick tests that first day to test her blood sugar. Let me tell you, I wanted to deck the nurse for making her scream so bad even though I knew he wasn't hurting her. Call it the "mama bear" syndrome. :) They all came back perfect. Praise the Lord!

We're just so blessed that everything has gone so smoothly throughout the pregnancy, delivery, and since! God has blessed us so much and has taken care of us in ways we couldn't have imagined. We just adore our little girl and love being new parents!

So Far, So Good!

Well, Malachi is two weeks old and weighing in just under 9lbs... So that means BumGenius cloth diapers fit her little body! We're now part-time cloth diaperers and here is load number one drying! :)

PS. We scored the hanging rack at Wal-Mart for only $7!! Yay!