Memorial Weekend

Yay for a 3 day weekend!  We had a really good weekend.  Saturday Ray and I headed out to the quad cities for John and Kristen Rose's wedding.  It was really nice and great to see some people that we don't see very often.  I know Ray was happy to catch up with some of his college friends.  Unfortunately, I got sick before the night was over, so I ended up back in our room kind of early.  I don't know what came over me.  I went from doing the electric slide to being sick in a matter of 10 minutes.   (and NO, for once it wasn't alcohol!)  I did at least have a good time for the few hours before that.  I just wished I would have been able to stay out a little later and really enjoy a night out.  Kenley stayed with grandma and grandpa, and they enjoyed every minute of having her.

It was great having a day off today, and we really took advantage of the beautiful weather.  I got up early and took Kenley for a run in the jogging stroller while Ray was out golfing.  Then, we met him at Greg's parent's house to go swimming in their pool.  It was Kenley's first time swimming, and she loved it!  This was one of the things that I have most looked forward to doing with her.  Since my idea of a perfect day involves hot weather, sun, and water, I could not wait to see how Kenley liked the pool.  We had a baby floating raft with a sun shade and she sat in that for quite a while as content as could be.  I took many pictures and even captured a few seconds on the video recorder.  I can not wait to have many more days like this one in the next few months!

Shower

Today was Katie and Greg's shower!  It went really well and I think they had a great time.  They got so many gifts! It was a really big shower with almost 100 people, so it took several filled vehicles to get all their stuff back to their house.  It was nice to see a lot of people that we don't get to see very often, but it was hard to really get to talk to everyone with so much going on. I was happy that some of our family friends finally got to meet Kenley. She was a hit at the shower dressed in an adorable dress from her Grandma Kruse.  I think she was pretty good, but I was so busy that I'm not really sure!  (Thanks to her grandma and Aunt Alison for taking care of her during the shower.)  I am so happy for my sister and Greg and I hope they enjoy every moment of these next two months.  It goes by fast and it doesn't feel like that long ago that I had my own bridal shower!  It's hard to believe my little sister is getting married. 
On that note, this week I was thinking about how for once in my life I am wishing time to slow down.  I have always been the type of person to look forward to the future and anticipate what would happen next.  I always thought, "I can't wait till I'm 21, can't wait to graduate college, can't wait to get a job, to move into my own place, to get engaged, to get married,to buy a house, to have a baby...." I feel so lucky that I have been able to accomplish all of these goals in my life, and  I guess now that I have done all of those things I am trying more to live in the moment.  Ever since my pregnancy, it has been one of my goals to enjoy what is happening now.  I'm trying not to stress over little things even though it's not always easy.  Of course, I always look forward to the future, but I am just starting to realize that time goes by too fast the older you get.  So, tonight, I am enjoying the rest of today.  I am going to snuggle up with my husband and watch the rest of the Bulls game.  Go Bulls!

Husbandless

I have a few minutes since Kenley just went to bed and Ray isn't home yet.  He on the plane right now heading back from his second bachelor party in 2 weeks.  It seems like they had a great time in Vegas.  All I know is that Ray was up for 2 days straight with no sleep from Friday morning to Sunday night. He is nuts! I had a relaxing weekend and got a lot of snuggle time with Kenley.  She was great all weekend long, and it is really amazing to watch how she is starting to get so into her toys.  She is grabbing everything she can get her hands on (including several clumps of my hair; she really gets a grip on it!)  Kenley has also figured out how to roll from her stomach to her back now, so she can roll both ways.
This weekend I cleaned the house, ran a bunch of errands/went shopping, and did a few things to help prepare for my sister's wedding shower next weekend.  Nothing too exciting, but it was nice going to work this morning knowing that I got all my errands done and wouldn't be so crazy during the week. It was very wierd not having Ray here. This is the longest we have been apart since we have been married!  I'm ready for him to get home because I miss him!

Heat Wave!

Finally, some warm weather!  And I mean warm!  I really think it went from 60 degrees to 90 in 2 days!  Don't get me wrong, I actually LOVE this heat.  I am one of the few that pray for this hotness.  Even though my students have been complaining non-stop the past few days, and I will admit I was even pretty hot by the end of the day, I would rather have this weather than the cold, drearyness that we have had the past few months.  The only thing that would make it better was if I was out of school so I could enjoy it!
It was nice to finally put Kenley in some of her spring/summer clothes.  She looked so cute with her little chunky legs showing in her little sundress today.  It's been a pretty busy week already.  Ray and I went out to run errards and just got home at 8:00-late for us for a weekday! (yes, we are old!) Ray is getting ready to go to another bachelor party this weekend. This time Vegas for Greg! We will miss him, but I am actually excited to just have some alone time with Kenley.  The weekdays go by so fast and I feel like sometimes I barely get to see her!  I reverted back a little this week and cried when I dropped her off at the babysitter's:(  I hope the next two days go by fast so I can get home and spend some time with my little girl!

Mother's Day

This Sunday is Mother's Day, my first one to celebrate as a mom!  It's still kinda wierd to me that I'm a mom.  A long time ago my sister and I promised each other that we would always be honest with one another and call each other out if we EVER wore mom jeans or got a mom hair cut.  Thankfully, I don't think I do either :) Ray has a bachelor party this weekend and will be home later on Sunday, but he already surprised me with flowers and a gift.  He is always very good at spoiling me on special occasions.
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!  Happy Mother's day to my Mom who has always been there for me for all the big and little things in my life.  I am so lucky and don't know many people who are as close to their moms as I am to mine. My mom has always put me and my sister first and I hope she knows how much we appreciate it. I could go on and on about all the things she has done for me, but this blog would go on forever!
Happy Mother's Day to my Mother-In-law, Pam.  Not only did she bring my husband into this world, but she has welcomed me into the family like I have always been part of it.  She does so much for our family and is an amazing Grandma to Kenley.

I am just happy to spend the weekend with Kenley.  The weeks go by so fast, and by the time I get home she's not up very long before she has to go to bed.  I just want to cherish these moments with her while she is still so little.  It's crazy that she will be 5 months next week! Here's to another week!

                                                    

Hobby or Obsession

For anyone that has not seen Extreme couponing on TLC, let me tell you, you're missing out!  About a year ago, my friend Ashlee started her couponing craze and I actually called her this week to appoligize for making fun of her :) After hearing about some of the great deals she got and watching this show, I decided to get the Sunday paper for the coupons.  I realize I don't have 60 hours a week to dedicate to couponing like these people, but I figure even if I save a few dollars a week it's worth it!  The past 2 weeks I've already saved about $25 on groceries/household stuff and I'm pretty proud of it. It's kind of addicting! I'm pretty sure Ray has thought I was nuts watching me get so excited clipping coupons, and going to all these sites to find the best deals.  However, I was impressed that he took the time to look up a few sites for me at work and write down the ones he recommended.  He later admited he likes when I save money so he can spend more...ha, ha!!!  So this is my newest hobby.

I am also slightly obsessed with snapfish and vistaprint.  I have been ordering many things from these sites the past few weeks.  I have found so many cute items that can be personalized and they aren't very expensive.  I've gotten a few nice things with Kenley's picture on them that I'm waiting to get.  I got a flyer in the mail with a coupon code for a free baby photo album from snapfish.  I uploaded about 30 pics and can't wait to see how it came out.  I think I have been on these sights every day the past few weeks. (Mostly when I am at work and have some extra time.)

I am trying to force myself to get back in the habit of working out at least 5 times a week.  I am really trying to stay motivated to lose the rest of this baby weight.  I realize I may only be able to call it "baby" weight for another month or so, and really I should call it "eating out/not working out" weight.  It's really hard to work out when I get home from a long day at work, have to feed Kenley, try to make something for Ray and I to eat, do a few chores, and try to spend a few minutes relaxing.  But, I am trying to do it right when I get home before anything else.  I am proud to say that I worked out every day this week.  I have been running about 2-3 miles a day mostly on the treadmill since the weather is crappy.  I just have to keep it up!

Anyway, I know this is a long post, but it's just my way of de-stressing.  It's Friday and I'm going to enjoy the rest of my weekend! 

Update!!!

Kenley rolled over today!  Ray and I were watching her try so hard, and she finally did it!  I'm so glad I got to see her do it first!  Her first step in being mobile....uh-oh!:)

Happy Easter 2011!

Happy Easter Everyone!  For some reason I was inspired to start blogging today.  I have been wanting to start one for a while thanks to Melissa Rose.  I have enjoyed following her blog and reading about all of her adventures of marriage and parenthood!  So, today is Easter and thinking back one year ago the Saturday before Easter we moved into our house, and on Easter Sunday I found out that I was pregnant!  What changes this year has brought for Ray and I.  Now, our beautiful baby girl is 4 1/2 months old!  Time is flying!  One of the main reasons I wanted to start blogging was so I can keep track of all of the changes and fun times we have and will experience with Kenley.  She has already grown so much and changes so fast.  She has just started eating her first baby foods and loves every bite!  She is also VERY close to rolling over and we are pretty sure it's going to happen any day.  The past two weeks she has started sleeping better (FINALLY!) and is waking up just about 1-2 times a night.  I have been back to work for three weeks now, which is hard, but the days have been going by pretty fast.  I has been very hard for me to leave Kenley and I feel like I am missing out on precious time with her,  But, I know that I'm lucky that I only have 6 weeks left and then I will be off the whole summer.  I can't wait for the weather to warm up and can't wait to take Keneley to the park, swimming, jogging in the jogging stroller, and just be outside!  Well, I am about to start getting ready for Easter.  We are going to Ray's Aunt Kathi's for brunch and then meeting my family for dessert.  I  will have to post pics soon of Kenley's adorable Easter outfit.