The Zemaneks

Fall Photo Shoot

2011-11-29T18:57:00.000-08:00

This last one is one of my favorite pics of Amelia. It just captures her perfectly.

20 Months

2011-11-29T18:52:00.000-08:00

Getting SO big, SO fast!

Other photos from November online at

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150362069985916.345788.671875915&type=1&l=96b2df8959

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

19 Months / Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Other photos from October can be viewed at

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150312314415916.336843.671875915&type=1&l=79967b581c

18 Months Old

2011-09-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Amelia,

I can't believe it's already been 18 months! It feels like just yesterday we celebrated your first birthday and maybe a week ago, I held you in my arms for the very first time. But time has flown and you've gone from my tiny baby girl to a beautiful little girl.

A year ago I wrote you a letter and as I reread it tonight, I was blown away by how far you've come. Yes, it's been a year, but it doesn't seem like it's been that long. You not only talk, you talk incessantly. You don't just walk, you run. You don't don't just eat solid foods, you devour every bite like it may be your last.

Our last day of nursing was on Mother's Day and it was so bittersweet. I nursed you right before I left on a week-long trip to Jamaica. When I came home you didn't even make a move toward latching on. I was both heartbroken and relieved. I loved our snuggle time when you nursed. The way you would wrap one arm around my waist and stroke my chest with your other hand always seemed so sweet. It was our time together and the longest you would sit in my lap without fidgeting. Now you only snuggle me like that at bedtime or if you don't feel good. When we watch Elmo you want to sit NEXT to me. Every time I pull you on my lap, you wiggle off.

When your first birthday rolled around you were already saying many words - Mommy, Daddy, milk, baby, up, kitty, cheese, bubba (bottle), uh-oh, thank you and more! I think you were up to 20 words by the time we went to Australia in April. Your word count now has more than doubled. Maybe tripled. You even say small sentences - I want milk; I need help; I love you, Mommy. Each day new words tumble from your lips and I continue to be amazed at how quickly you're learning.

We went to your 18-month check-up today and the doctor was dazzled by your ability to identify the color yellow, count to five with me, and to the surprise of both of us, count backwards from 10 to 1. You were very excited to show him your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, belly and head. It was very cute. Not only did the doctor call you "already as smart as a smart 2-year-old," he joked that you're also bigger than some 2-year-olds! You are 35" tall and 29.8lbs, which puts you in the 97th percentile for height and weight. My sweet baby girl is moose and I love every ounce of you!!!

Speaking of love, you LOVE Elmo. I can put on an Elmo DVD and you will sit absolutely still for 27 minutes, giving me enough time to whip something together for dinner. Your favorite DVD features kids' songs and you know all of them - She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain; Twinkle, Twinkle; John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt; and more. It also focuses on counting down from 10 to 1. I guess that's where you learned how to do that and I just didn't realize you had picked it up. Not only do you know the songs, you love to dance. We'll play music videos of Will iAm and Jason Mraz singing with Elmo and you'll sing and dance along. It's really cute.

The other thing that's really cute is your curls. You have the best hair. I'm super jealous of these perfect little corkscrew curls that cover your little head. I joke that they are your horns in disguise since some days, you are the Devil. You will look at me and push food onto the floor. Or, worse are the times you throw yourself on the floor and kick and scream because tell you "no." Luckily for all of us, those moments don't happen all the time.

There's so much to share with you that I don't want to forget. You LOVE to read. You still have the best laugh. More often than not you like to push your bike (or car) instead of riding it. You are constantly chasing the little boys in our neighborhood and you get mad when they all run off because they are bigger than you and don't always realize you want to play with them. You LOVE to paint and without fail, you end up with paint all over your hands and face. You can definitely be a bully - when you want something, you try to whatever you can to get it. You've been bit three times at daycare, but luckily haven't bit anyone yet. You love to brush your teeth and that's good because you already have all but your 2-year molars! You are a little obsessed with babies, but not crazy about me holding them. And, you LOVE shoes - I think you might have an obsession when you're older.

I am excited to see what each day brings. You are a sweet, sweet girl who is full of happiness. You bring so much love to so many people. You share hugs and kisses to anyone who needs them and know how to make almost anyone laugh. You are a breath of fresh air in a world that needs more rays of sunshine. I can't adequately put into words how you make me feel when you offer me unexpected kisses or turn to me and say "Love you, Mommy."

Love you, Amelia,

Mommy

Time For Me

2011-09-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had my first massage since the one I got when I was pregnant with Amelia. It was nothing short of AMAZING. I cannot remember the last time I felt that relaxed or peaceful. The massage therapist barely talked, which allowed me to fully enjoy every moment of silence.

I went into the massage feeling guilty but as I laid there, I realized I need to do such things for myself. I didn't fully understand how much I give of myself every day raising Amelia, working, and trying to keep life moving forward. I realized how little I allow myself to think of ME. Yes, I may nap on weekends when Amelia naps, but that doesn't mean I'm taking care of myself. It means that every once in awhile I give myself a break and give into my exhaustion. I need to do it more often. And so does Shaun!

17 Months Old!

2011-08-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

I will find time to make some real posts soon, I promise. I want to do it. I need to do it. But for now, here's some pictures from August of our little princess.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150250164455916.322754.671875915&l=369de5fdf6&type=1

16 months old!

2011-08-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

Our little tomboy is getting to be such a big girl. The month of July earned her her first set of skinned knees. The band aids became necessary when one tumble led to another and the re-skinning just kept occurring. Little Miss needs to SLOW DOWN! :)

Check out all of Amelia's JULY adventures here - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150222051610916.313541.671875915&l=94362aea52&type=1.

15 Months Old!

2011-06-28T17:56:00.001-07:00

To see more pictures of Amelia from the month of June, click on this link...

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150190490355916.306376.671875915&l=c6a641237b

Vote for Amelia!

2011-06-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

PARENTING MAGAZINE is having a photo contest. Please go vote for Amelia!

Click on these links to vote!

http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/406856

http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/406887

http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/406895

Groovin' on the Green

2011-06-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went to the first installment of a Summer music in the park series called Groovin' on the Green. We packed a picnic and ate it there while we listened to the music. Amelia had a ball dancing to the music and walking around checking everyone out.

Swimsuit Model

2011-06-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Come on, you know you wish you could pull-off a ruffle-filled swimsuit like Amelia's! :)

She's too stinkin' cute for words. That's all I have to say!

Bare buns!

2011-06-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

I need to snap this picture again with my real camera instead of my phone.

I LOVE the bare buns!

SO Big!

2011-06-15T08:37:00.001-07:00

Last April I took these photos of Amelia sleeping on doll bed and originally posted them in this blog post.

Recently we were at Abby's house and Anna's doll bed (the same one above) was out so I tried to get a picture of Amelia with it. Thankfully she didn't break it when she sat on it! Since Amelia wasn't too steady on her feet Anna held her hands so I could snap a shot of how tall Amelia is compared to the bed now!

Big Girls Eat Off Plates

2011-06-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Amelia and I went to the Essex Tavern last week for a Girl's Night Out Dinner. She showed off what a big girl she is by eating off a plate without a mess for the first time. I was such a proud mommy!

Such a Happy Girl!

2011-06-15T08:34:00.001-07:00

"Two" Cute in Pigtails

2011-06-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

Check out those curls!

2011-06-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

She toddles...

2011-06-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Amelia is a walker now. It's so crazy to watch her toddle around the house. She is SO proud of herself and while it brings me joy to see my little girl growing up, she's growing up too fast!

Once again, there were no injuries incurred during the filming of this clip. :)

Kisses for Elmo

2011-06-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

This is so freaking adorable that I had to get it on video. We recently got this Elmo book and every night Amelia snags it off the shelf to read during bedtime routine. Without prompting she started giving Elmo kisses every time we read the book. I think it's too precious not to share!

Chatterbox

2011-05-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

Amelia is definitely proving to take after me when it comes to talking. The girl is quite a chatterbox. She chatters ALL.THE.TIME. It's great. A week or so ago Shaun and I counted all the words Amelia says...

1) Dada/Daddy
2) Mama
3) Baby
4) Bubba
5) Elmo
6) Up
7) Uh-oh
8) Thank you
9) Pretty
10) Kitty
11) Cheese
12) Shoe
13) Nana
14) Apple
15) Owie
16) Hi
17) Yup
18) No
19) Ready
20) Ni-Ni (for night-night)

That's A LOT of words for an almost 14-month old. Now, if she'd just learn "please"...

My Little Book Worm

2011-05-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Amelia LOVES LOVES LOVES to read.

This past weekend I put two books in Amelia's crib when I put her down for her nap. Each day she "read" for about 30 minutes and then passed out. When she woke-up she went back to "reading" for about 10 minutes. Since Sunday night I've been putting a book in her crib when she goes to bed. Every morning she has been waking up and "reading" until we go in and get her.

She then "reads" again in the car on the way to daycare while we listen to her cds and then again on the way home. At bedtime we read 3 or 4 books.

It makes me SO happy to see her loving her books. I absolutely LOVE to read and have been hoping she would get the bug too!

She WALKS!!!

2011-05-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

We've been working on walking for awhile now. Amelia's confidence has been growing. Just this weekend alone I saw huge improvements in her attempts at walking.

On Friday she took three quick steps - practically running to the safety of my arms.

On Saturday she walked around the neighborhood insistent on holding both my hands. If I even tried to pull one of my hands away she'd sink to her knees and refuse to walk. It was both frustrating and funny.

Yesterday we cruised around the front yard, but this time she paraded around confidently only holding one of my hands. She did amazingly well at regaining her balance when she faltered and seemed so proud of herself.

Then today when I picked her up from daycare she greeted me the biggest grin ever. Who would have ever guessed that minutes later she'd close the gap between us by proudly staggering 8 steps to me. I shouted in pride and excitement while I fought back tears. I was SO happy for my little girl, but so sad that she's growing up so fast.

When we got home I subjected her to some videotaping...

I promise she's fine at the end. It looks, and sounds, worse than it was - she didn't even cry!

Amelia Goes to Australia

2011-05-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

We had a FABULOUS trip to Australia to see Shaun's family. Amelia did SO well on the flight over and proved to be quite the adaptable little traveler. Our two weeks were filled with lots of family time and playtime with cousins. What more could we ask for!

I have a whole album of photos online at
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150150185070916.285117.671875915&l=2d544180e7 so I encourage you to go there to see all 140+ photos since it would take me AGES to post them here. Just click the link and you should be able to view them whether you have a Facebook account or not.

Coming home was definitely a lot harder. Amelia maybe slept for 6 of the 36 hours we were in transit. She was an angel given the situations we were in, but it was definitely more rough than the flight there. I think next time we'd consider an overnight in Los Angeles just to make things easier on ourselves. Food for thought.

While it is so nice to be home and back into our routines, we are sad not to be there. Watching Amelia play with her cousins Georgia and Jenson was awesome. The three of them were super cute together and I loved watching them all interact. I think she misses them too. We haven't been able to Skype with them since we've been home, but I'm curious to see how she reacts to seeing them online.

Amelia's first birthday!

2011-04-01T04:29:00.001-07:00

I will post the pictures here but for now, here's a link to an album where they are already posted.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150112262515916.280410.671875915&l=a839646f1a

You do not need to have a Facebook account to see them. I have made it a public album.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2011-03-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little leprechaun!

I think the tongue came out in response to something

about getting kisses for being Irish. :)

She Makes Me Laugh

2011-03-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was able to catch a few moments of Amelia on video to share. I love this girl! She definitely knows how to make her momma laugh. I hope you get a good laugh too!!

Okay, so this is a little long but I promise you, the end is hilarious. I was trying to video how Amelia cleans off her tray when she's done eating. Then, she made me SO grateful that it's a bath night!

Amelia seems to love music. Her daycare provider says she is always dancing when there's music on. I've noticed when I left her watch The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse she always dances along with the Hot Dog Dance at the end of each episode.

I'm a Survivor...

2011-03-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

In mid-February I attended a women's luncheon event hosted by the American Heart Association. The Go Red For Women Luncheon is a national fundraising event to raise awareness about the number one killer of women - heart disease. I joined almost 500 other women at this event for two reasons - the networking and to support a cause that I want to embrace since I feel like it's the best one I can relate to for personal reasons.

In the last year I've told my story dozens of times. It's not something I offer-up just because - usually someone sees my scar or there's a related topic on the table. I try to tell the story with the tone of "thank God I was pregnant and my daughter is a miracle in more than one way." She is a lifesaver, whether she knows it or not.

At the luncheon a local women, Michelle, stood up and told her story. It was moving. In short, she came home from the grocery store and collapsed in her driveway. Luckily her husband was right there, but so was her young daughter. I can't image how that affected her daughter. Her husband did CPR and the luckily, the local rescue squad got her to the hospital in time to save her life. She suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. I don't know for sure if she has a defibrillator or not. I think so, but it doesn't matter. She's a lucky woman and a Survivor.

After Michelle spoke, she asked the attendees to make a gift to the American Heart Association. On the table where pledge cards to fill-out with your information. Part of the pledge card allowed you to make a gift in someone's honor or someone's memory. I filled out my pledge card and then was informed by a friend that she made her gift in my honor. I didn't know what to say so I just said, "thanks." I didn't think of myself the way she does - a Survivor. I know that's what she thinks because she also informed me that she think next year I should be the Survivor Speaker and she was going to tell the committee members she knows about me. All I could think was "Ugh!" and that I don't have a story that would impact enough people, because thinking like that wasn't how I look at it. How could I even compare myself to a woman who had pretty much died and came back? I don't know what I consider myself but despite calling Amelia a lifesaver, I have never called myself a Survivor.

After the luncheon I went about life. Then last night I was watching The Evening News and they talked about a Michigan high school team that was playing their first game since the sudden death of a teammate, Wes. (see the story here) Wes made the winning shot of the game and collapsed on the floor. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Sudden cardiac death at SIXTEEN years old. Tests found he had a large heart and was never treated. He played that last game despite flu symptoms. He made the winning shot, but it also cost him his life.

I found myself sitting there watching the piece with tears welling in my eyes. I got lucky. I collapsed in a parking lot and two people saw me go down. Wes collapsed in a gym FULL of people. I lived. I am a Survivor. I don't know why that's weird for me to say. Calling myself a Survivor is like trying to talk with a dry mouth full of cotton balls. Maybe it takes it all to a whole new understanding of what really happened that day. I don't know, but I guess going forward, I know wether I say it or not, I'm a Survivor.

Crazy Snow Storm!

2011-03-07T13:18:00.000-08:00

We got PUMMELED yesterday/last night/today with a TON of snow. The back deck had been cleaned off but not anymore...

So Shaun went out to shovel (darn reflection ruined my good picture but you get the idea)...

Amelia Playing in Her Jammies

2011-03-07T13:14:00.001-08:00

Just waking up from her nap...

"Eating" some chocolate cake...

(guess I should give her a real snack)

Watching Daddy shovel the back deck...

Blowing Daddy a kiss...

Daddy & Amelia waving to each other...

She Makes Me Laugh

2011-03-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Amelia being silly with her shirt on her head like a wig and

giving me some attitude. What a cheese ball!

Such a Happy Girl!

2011-03-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

NO!

2011-03-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

Amelia's favorite word - "no!"

With the head shake to match. :)

D3: Dreamed.Designed. Delivered.

2011-03-03T18:26:00.001-08:00

In January I gave notice and left my job with the National MS Society to start my own business.

I decided that "ShawnnaLea" and "Zemanek" were too unique to incorporate into a business name and have people easily find me. I wanted something that wasn't too "wedding-y" because I didn't want to pigeon-hole myself into just weddings. After playing around with names, D3 Event Management & Consulting was born. D3 standing for Dreamed Designed Delivered.

I designed business cards and got them printed. I've started distributing them to everyone I know. The next step is getting my website up and running. It will take some time to write all the copy and get the pictures together, but I'm hoping to have it done in the next two weeks. *fingers crossed*

So far I've done some consulting work at two resorts and I'm busy with the yoga conference that is taking place next February in Jamaica. And networking with plans to do a lot more networking.

11 Months Old

2011-02-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe she's going to be ONE next month. Wow, this year is FLYING!

Waking Sleeping Beauty

2011-02-24T10:25:00.001-08:00

This is from February 5th. I recorded it on my cell phone and do a terrible job of uploading cell phone pics and videos in a timely manner.

I had to wake Amelia up for our Baby Music class. As you can see, she likes her sleep. :) What you don't see is her turning into the happiest kiddo about 5 seconds after I stopped recording.

The Fire Truck

2011-02-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

We found this little fire truck for an awesome price and I had to have it. Amelia has gotten more and more curious about it. Yesterday she was obsessed with ringing the bell.

On Her Feet!

2011-02-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

Amelia has mastered pulling herself up onto her feet. And she's QUICK about it too! I have found myself watching her and literally in a blink of an eye she's on her feet. And to turn around or come in the room and see her standing is surreal. I can't believe how mobile she's becoming!

I was hoping she wouldn't walk until we get home from Australia at the end of April but something tells me that's not going to happen. Oh well!

She kept slipping so she decided to BITE the futon to help keep herself upright.

Reading Grandpa's book. I love how she's rubbing her nose!

Still reading ... and standing so well on one foot!

Curious

2011-02-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Amelia got a hold of the power cord to our laptop the other day. She was so intrigued by it and inspected it very carefully. I loved her sense of wonder with it and grabbed the camera. All was going well and she was doing great until I looked away for ONE SECOND and turned around to catch the last shot. Nothing happened but inspection time was over after that.

Attacking Mommy

2011-02-24T10:03:00.000-08:00

Amelia crawled after me as I was taking pictures. I just kept snapping away. These two shots make me laugh.

Miss Mischievous

2011-02-24T09:56:00.001-08:00

I gave Amelia an old chair that used to be mine. She was sitting it in and then decided it was much more fun to push it around the kitchen...

Once she hit the corner she wasn't really too sure what to do. She pushed it around on her knees and even stood and tried to push it...

Eventually she gave up and crawled under the table to get back to where she started!

Little Miss Ruffle Bottom checking out the snow...

"Cheese!"

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T07:10:00.001-08:00

Racing Daddy!

2011-01-31T15:58:00.000-08:00

Shaun challenged Amelia to a race last night. The smart little peanut got crafty and intercepted Daddy to win the race. I love how she knew to crawl underneath him and through his arms. Such a smart girl!

10 Months Old!!

2011-01-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

This angelic little face...

...can be quite the terror now that she can do this...

...and this...

And she LOVES to crawl under the kitchen table where I can't easily reach her.

I haven't taken a picture because I don't dare do anything that reinforces her to

keep doing it. It's hard enough not to laugh.

Our Sweet Pea

2011-01-27T08:18:00.001-08:00

Puckered Lips

2011-01-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

This always makes me laugh. I wish I could get a shot of it straight on but no luck yet. It's super funny and neither Shaun nor I can do it.

More bouncing

2011-01-27T08:12:00.000-08:00

Amelia loves to bounce. She doesn't do it a ton in this video but she does that thing were she makes noises with her lips and I haven't put a video of that up yet.

Brush & Rinse

2011-01-24T14:34:00.001-08:00

Amelia was brushing her teeth in the bath tub the other night. The next thing I know she leans down and opens her mouth to get some water from the little whale that squirts water. She didn't swallow - just opened her mouth and rinsed out her mouth. Way too clever!

"He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich"

2011-01-24T14:16:00.000-08:00

Shaun was INSISTENT on letting Amelia try Vegemite. Ugh, I can't believe she didn't spit it out!

Immediately after I stopped recoding (darn it!) Shaun said, "Yup, she's my girl. There's definitely a little bit of Aussie in her." So if she didn't like it, she's not yours???? Not sure what that meat but he was very happy she didn't spit it out. Now I'm outnumbered in the Vegemite debate. I still say she can't talk for herself so until she asks for it, she's tolerating it, not liking it.

For those of you that don't know what Vegemite is, it is a yeast extract. While one of the world's best sources of Vitamin B, it is NASTY. It smells TERRIBLE and tastes like something foul that has been drowned in salt. As you can tell, I really don't like it.

Oh and my mother-in-law said that Oprah likes Vegemite. I thought about it and of course she said she likes it. Could you imagine the response if Oprah said something nasty about Vegemite??? She was being polite. I'm convinced.

Happy (???) New Year!

2011-01-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's already January 15th! I am definitely starting 2011 off terribly...

- No blog posts yet this year!

- I got Mastitis right after the New Year. Talk about AWFUL! There was a day or two that I just wanted to have my breast removed. Who knew one (small) part of your body could hurt so much?!?!

- I have only written ONE thank you card from Christmas and it still hasn't been mailed. I need to write the rest and get all of them in the mail.

- I have indulged in too many sweets. I was down 12lbs from what I weighed when I got pregnant. Now I'm hovering around 9. So, Mom, please don't send anymore chocolates or sweets.

- Our house still isn't clean and we still have clean clothes spread out on the bed in the guest bedroom because we are too lazy to put them away.

Despite all of this, we have had a good year so far. Amelia is pulling herself up to a standing position (oh,

Lord help us!), Shaun got a raise at work, I gave my

notice at work (more on that in a minute), and Amelia and I started a Baby Music class today.

Amelia is growing like a weed. I took this picture of her this morning before we went to our music class. She looks like such a big girl. And she acts like one too. Due to our hardwood floors she doesn't really crawl in the traditional sense. We joke and say she slithers. Whatever it is, she knows how to get where she wants. She is also able to pull herself up onto her knees and a few times now, to a stand. When we stand her up she can hold herself up with support from a toy, couch or table. A few times she's stood completely free of help! She just hasn't really figured out how to move her feet to walk. I'm in no hurry for her to be that mobile so I'm not complaining!

Part of the reason she's growing so much is she eats like her daddy - non-stop! I think one of her favorite things is trying the food samples at Costco! :) She LOVES food. Some of her favorites include black bean quesadillas, yogurt, peas, Veggie booty, turkey, waffles and ribs. Yup, ribs. I have a video I'll have to post. She went crazy over my ribs the other night. She is eating pretty much anything Shaun and I eat. She had part of a

cheeseburger one night, a pork chop the next and chicken another night. Oh and she loves cheesy potato casserole and parmesan rissotto! It cracks me up when she finds something she really likes. She eats every bit of that bit of food and then eats whatever else is on her tray.

She now has 7 teeth as 1 more has popped through on the bottom. Another one is close so any day now we'll be up to 8! Her next Well Baby appointment is on Tuesday so it will be exciting to see how she's doing with all her stats.

As I mentioned above, I gave my notice at work. I haven't been super happy there since I started last July. I am not a fundraiser. I tried to be because I liked the idea that the work I was doing was making a difference but I'm a details and logistics kind of girl. I like to spend people's money - not ask for it! :) I have been fortunate enough to be working on a conference called the Caribbean Yoga Conference. It will take place in February 2012 in Jamaica. I am the Director of Event Planning and luckily, it is big enough that it gives me some stability to do my own thing - something I've wanted to do for awhile.

Friday, January 21st, is my last day with the MS Society. From there I will be working for myself doing business as D3 Event Management. My tagline is Dreamed. Designed. Delivered. I am marketing myself as a full-service event planner available for weddings, conferences and any other celebration. I'm nervous but excited. I have lots of great contacts and I think I'll do well. I'm also going to put my name on the list to be a substitute teacher in 2 of the local school districts and if I need to, I'll get a part-time job. I'm excited to give my dream a chance. Keep your fingers crossed for me. :)

Well, I should probably clean up the house or put some laundry away. I will probably upload a few overdue videos though. :)

Our Jumping Bean

2011-01-15T11:07:00.001-08:00

We took this last night. She has an uncanny way of knowing when we're using the video camera versus the camera. The second I stopped recording she was jumping like crazy and then I would start recording and she's stop. Silly, Goose!

Checking out my wheels!

2011-01-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

That's MY Mike!

2011-01-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

My friend Jesse from college gave Amelia this teddy bear. We appropriately named him Mike. Amelia ADORES Mike and for several weeks would look everywhere for him if he wasn't in reach. She gets the biggest smile on her face when she sees him. He has had to endure the washing machine multiple times in his short life because she loves him so much (in other words, slobbers all over him as she chews on him!).

Ribs!

2011-01-15T10:56:00.000-08:00

Just had to share

2010-12-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

I thought this picture was just too cute not to post.

9 Months Old!

2010-12-27T13:10:00.000-08:00

Amelia is 9 months old today! She isn't feeling great. We think it's Croup, but she still looks good. :) Always the ham, AJ was quick to offer Mama a smile when I pulled out the camera.

Sweater from Aunt Nancy

2010-12-26T08:54:00.001-08:00

Yay! It finally fits!!

Thank you

2010-12-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all our wonder family and friends who helped make Amelia's 1st Christmas so magical. Santa got her some great presents but this Christmas was really made special by all of you. She is one lucky little girl and we consider ourselves so lucky to be her parents.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the love you give to each of us. It was an amazing day and a Christmas I will never forget. We are grateful to have each of your in our lives and love you very much.

I did take videos yesterday and will try to get those posted soon.

Our wish to you...

2010-12-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Daddies and the girls

2010-12-25T20:49:00.000-08:00

Andrew & Claire and Shaun & Amelia

Mommies & the Girls

2010-12-25T20:47:00.000-08:00

Erin and the girls check out the bouncing pig...

Me and the girls. Amelia hadn't quite figured out Claire was so close yet...

Me & Amelia and Erin & Claire

Amelia and Claire

2010-12-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

We went to dinner at our friends' house for Christmas Dinner. Erin and Andrew's daughter, Claire, is 5 months younger than Amelia and AJ is fascinated with her.

Yes, she looks sweet but the wheels are turning in that little head of hers...

She sits for a MOMENT so we can try to take a picture...

And then she realizes that Claire doesn't know how to defend

herself and it's all downhill from there...

...we will be working on the idea of "gentle touches" for quite awhile, I think.

Inspection

2010-12-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

Inspecting some of her new toys after she took a nap and renewed her energy levels.

Her bouncing pig from the Bradys...

Her "cell phone" from Uncle Ryan...

Santa Baby

2010-12-25T20:34:00.000-08:00

Amelia's Presents

2010-12-25T20:32:00.000-08:00

Amelia is well-loved and everyone must've known what a good girl she's been this year.

What a jackpot of new toys!!

More Presents!

2010-12-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty good at unwrapping things...

Nanny & Poppy sent me lots of new friends...

Surrounded by some of my cool new presents...

Daddy's Girls...

Presents!

2010-12-25T20:16:00.000-08:00

Unwrapping my tea set from the Keatons...

Helping Daddy unwrap one of the presents I gave him...

ELMO!!!

Unwrapping a present from Uncle Ryan...

Checking out a bath toy Santa left...

Wake-up, it's Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:11:00.000-08:00

Such a beautiful girl. I hope Santa knows how good she was this year!

Let's go see what Santa brought me!

Santa left me a present in my room when I was asleep!!

Seeing the tree for the first time Christmas morning...

Santa Came!!!

2010-12-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2010-12-25T08:56:00.001-08:00

Mommy trying to be artsy with my picture...

Hanging out with Mommy & Daddy before bed...

Milk & cookies for Santa...

Santa, we're ready for you to visit!!

Sledding!

2010-12-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Amelia's first sled ride...

All bundled up to stay warm...

Anna wanted to pull her like a horse...

A pic of all 3 kids for Grammy & Grampy Hartshorn...

Holiday party at daycare

2010-12-25T08:44:00.000-08:00

The look on her face when Santa came in...

Opening a present from Santa...

The family with Santa...

Amelia's gifts from Santa, Cathy and her friends...

Even Mommy & Daddy got presents from Cathy...

Our Christmas Cutie!

2010-12-25T08:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve - playing in the lights

In my Santa jacket

Daddy's Favorite Present

Just darn cute!

Vegemite!

2010-12-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

Nanny sent over Vegemite for Daddy. This is the closest Mommy has let me get to it because she thinks it's NASTY and doesn't want me to taste it yet. Maybe Daddy will sneak me a little bit sometime.

Christmas with Friends

2010-12-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

Oliver, Amelia, Anna & Kaelani

Amelia, Anna & Kaelani

Visiting Santa Claus

2010-12-25T08:03:00.000-08:00

Finally!

2010-12-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

Before Shaun & I were even married we went into a Baby Gap store for some reason or another. I found a pair of pink winter pants that were SO precious that I HAD to have them. Especially since they were only $3. I bought the only pair they had and hoped that maybe one day we'd have a baby who could fit into them.

Fast forward about four years...

Yup, those are them. I love them! They have little snowflakes embroidered on the legs. And, how perfect that they fit Amelia at this time of year!!!

I had to add this pic because it's just too funny. I was taking her picture and Shaun was behind me on the computer watching a YouTube video. Amelia HAD to see what Daddy was up to!

Amelia's Tree

2010-12-04T11:03:00.001-08:00

8 Months Old

2010-11-27T08:47:00.000-08:00

So thankful

2010-11-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

We had a nice Thanksgiving yesterday. Shaun had to work so Amelia and I had a quiet day around the house. We slept in, read books, played and she had a good nap. I resisted the urge to put up the Christmas tree. Shaun made a comment last year about how I always put up the tree while he's at work so I took that to mean he wanted to help. This year, I'm waiting for his help.

We went to Abby's parents' house for dinner. They have always treated us like part of the family. While I enjoy cooking Thanksgiving dinner each year, it was really nice not to have to worry about it this year. The food was fabulous and the company even better. Amelia loves them all and of course, gets a kick out of any opportunity to play with Anna and Oliver.

I realized as I was watching Amelia snore away next to me yesterday morning that I have so much to be thankful of this year. I have a great husband. We both have jobs. We have a beautiful home to provide a roof over our heads. Pretty much the same things I'm thankful for each year. But this year I get to be thankful for amazing doctors and nurses who took care of me not once, but twice, this year. I am not only thankful, but lucky, that we have these talented men and women as part of our healthcare system. And of course, I am so thankful that we were blessed with Amelia.

In two hours, she'll be eight months old. It's funny to think that she's already gone from a tiny, helpless infant to our spunky little miss who already has quite the personality. She's saying "Dada" and on Wednesday she gave me a "Mama." She's not crawling but I swear my hands are already full and when she does get mobile, there will be no stopping her. But I won't lie - we are lucky because there are also many times when she'll sit in the same place for long periods of time and just play; content to chew on whatever is in reach. :)

We're lucky and while everyday I say a quiet "thank you" just for having a good life, yesterday was a good day to celebrate it.

Now if she'll just quit biting me when she's falling asleep while nursing, we'll be all good. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2010-11-25T07:55:00.001-08:00

Noises in her sleep

2010-11-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

You can't see anything because it was too dark in the room and I didn't want to turn on a light and wake her. But, there's nothing to see - this is all about hearing the noises she makes when sleeping.

The Basement Project:BEFORE

2010-10-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

Here is what the basement looked like before anything was started. Well, after all the crap down there was dragged out of the way.

The Basement Project: Storage Room

2010-10-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

A room was constructed for storage and eventually, a half bath.

Here is the back side of the room. Where I'm standing will eventually be where the guest bed goes when Baby #2 comes. (No, there's no plans for that yet!)

Here are the shelves that were constructed...

To house all this crap...

The Basement Project: Under-The-Stairs Storage - BEFORE

2010-10-31T18:25:00.000-07:00

We enclosed the area under the stairs for storage. Here are the BEFORE pictures.

The Basement Project: Under-The-Stairs Storage - AFTER

2010-10-31T18:20:00.000-07:00

Here's how it came out.

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

We hope it's spooktacular!

p.s. Happy Birthday (Great) Grandpa George!!

7 Months Old!

2010-10-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

(if you look closely, you can see her tooth!)

Our Little Pumpkin

2010-10-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

My New Buddy Tyler

2010-10-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

Today Shaun, Amelia and I met up with a couple that I've known since I planned their wedding at Topnotch 6 years ago. I had so much fun working with Jill and Phil back then. Shaun also got to know them and the four of us hit it off. Whenever they've returned to Stowe they've given us a call and we've gotten together.

On Friday Jill texted to say they were in Stowe and this time with a 6-month-old son. I was so freaking excited. I texted her back and said I had a 6-month-old daughter. I knew that this visit would be so much fun!

This morning we went to Topnotch and met Tyler. He's such a cutie. His birthday is April 3rd so he's just a few days younger than Amelia. They were ADORABLE together. It's too bad Jill, Phil and Ty live in the Boston area. Oh well, it just means we have to go and visit!

1st Bath in the Big Tub

2010-10-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

After making a complete mess of everything I got to take my first bath in the big tub. Thanks to Auntie Abby, I got to splash all around and have a lot of fun without Mommy or Daddy stressing out about me slipping and sliding everywhere. This pretty cool seat is a God-send. Thanks, Auntie Abby!!

Food Fun

2010-10-17T13:34:00.000-07:00

Yeah, Mommy lost her mind and decided I was allowed to make a big mess the other night. I had a ball smearing rice cereal everywhere. Daddy seemed more uptight about it than Mommy. He told her she had to clean-up the mess. She said, "whatever, it's just a bit of food and she gets a bath tonight anyway." She's a pretty cool mom. :)

New Hat!

2010-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Since I buy Amelia's entire wardrobe second-hand, I don't spend a lot on clothes. I also lose out on the fun of shopping. So, I accessorize! Here's Amelia's newest hat.

Isn't she so stinkin' cute?

So Cute

2010-10-12T19:01:00.001-07:00

I loved her little outfit so I took pictures and luckily, she didn't seem to mind. :)

Playing in the Leaves

2010-10-12T18:54:00.002-07:00

I took Amelia to Stowe to get some pictures of her playing in the leaves. She LOVED the leaves but was less than thrilled with me taking pictures and even more so, the hats I subjected her to wearing! :)

Our Little Pumpkin

2010-10-12T18:54:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately she was not thrilled about being plopped down into a pile of pumpkins.

Teething bites!

2010-10-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

We made it through the arrival of Amelia's first tooth. It was a miserable process but we survived. I assumed (or hoped!) that the next one wouldn't be so terrible. I was wrong. Tooth #2 seems to be a more painful for all of us.

Amelia was little Miss Laughter & Squeals until about 10pm last night. Finally she settled down and nursed. When I went to put her in her crib she FLIPPED OUT. She was bucking around her crib and screaming. You would have thought I laid her down on a bed of hot nails. She just wanted to be snuggled. We tried a bottle but she had NO interest in it. She just wanted to be snuggled. We tried to lay her down with her lullabies playing but that just pissed her off more. She just wanted to be snuggled. Finally we got it, she just wanted to be snuggled.

Eventually I got her into bed with us and we got little stretches of sleep here and there. Like with the first tooth, she tossed and turned and moaned in her sleep so when she wasn't crying and/or nursing, she was still keeping me awake. It was a long night. And unlike with Tooth #1, Tooth #2 was not showing it's beautiful pearly white tip through the top of her gums this morning. Hopefully it will break-through today at daycare because I might shoot myself if we go through all of this again tonight.

Amelia's Stool

2010-10-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

Amelia got a beautiful gift last week. A hand-burned stool.

My Shirt Says It All

2010-10-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

Swinging In New York

2010-10-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

We went to New York this weekend to see Lauren, Chris, Gracie and Andrew. We had a FABULOUS time and Amelia LOVED her new friends. After the Pumpkin Festival on Saturday we went to Lauren's parent's house to visit. Grace and Andrew shared one of their swings with Amelia. She LOVED the swing and I think there was a smile on her face the entire time she was in the swing.

Andrew loves to swing too!

And so does Gracie!

The whole time we were there Lauren and I didn't take a single picture together until about 3 minutes before we got in the car to leave. SO SAD! Thankfully her husband Chris was thinking and snapped this shot of Lauren and I with our newest additions! I love that both babies are incredibly interested in the toys in the playpen instead of the camera! LOL!