The Third Prayer

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I took a two week break from these 7 Quick Takes because I was just overwhelmed with work and life.  And well, I’ve had an exhausting week, thanks to pregnancy, and I really wasn’t planning on being here again this week.  So these will be…quick.

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God reads my blog and Mary Rene had an amazing three hour nap on Wednesday so we were able to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass.  Mary Rene usually only naps for an hour or an hour and a half.  Occasionally we’ll get a two hour or 2.5 hour nap but I have never had a three hour nap.  So that was my sign from God.  Unfortunately she was very high maintenance during Mass and would not sit still.  But we are very glad we went.

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Yesterday our church was on duty for the 40 Days for Life at the local abortion clinic.  On Valentine’s Day they had the rally to kick off the event and we planned on going but the snow held us back.  I was so bummed out because I was looking forward to it for weeks.  So I wanted to badly to make our church’s peaceful protest day.  But when I got home from work I was exhausted.  Frank called and I planned on telling him that we could go another day but he sweetly talked me into it, without even being pushy.  And I’m so glad we went.  We didn’t stay entirely too long because it started to get cold and we didn’t want Mary Rene to get sick.  But it was very nice to be there and support the cause.  Mary Rene was having fun standing against the fence and looking in the, thankfully, empty parking lot.  We met a lovely family, mother with her four young children.  They were all praying the rosary and standing so peacefully as a family that it just melted my heart.

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I am looking forward to Fish Fry Fridays again!  Are you?

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Awhile back I did a guest post on loyal reader Rae’s blog.  If you are interested check out her blog sometime.  She is a great reader and has very interesting things to say.  I love to read a post that really “gets you thinking” and that’s what she does a lot.

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I haven’t sewn in two weeks!  I’ve been so busy with work and life ya know.  So today I am going over my parent’s house so they can hang out with Mary Rene and I can sew.  I am in the middle of making a shopping cart cover for a baby shower in two weeks, three bibs and two baby slings.  I really need to get moving.

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Mary Rene adores her papa.  She likes for him to carry her around, maybe because he is so tall and she can see more, and she likes to sit on his lap.  On Wednesday, the two of them sat in front of the computer for a good 15-20 minutes listening to music and watching Barney short videos.  I love this picture because she is just so relaxed on his lap and clearly let’s him know that she owns the place.

Tomorrow is my mom’s 58th birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!  I could say that I’ve always been close with my mom but I think that isn’t necessary true.  Becoming a mother myself has made me closer to her.  I’ve always loved my mom and had a great respect for what she did for us growing up.  But now, as a mother myself, that level of respect has only soared.  I realize now the daily sacrifice she made for us kids, sacrifices that were not spoken of but became a part of life.  Sacrifices that any good mom would do for her children.  But when you are a child, you can’t fully grasp it.  And then you become a parent yourself and you realize how selfish you had been all those years.

So thank you mom, for everything.  The many, many, sleepless nights.  The months of dealing with teething symptoms, with three kids.  The many times you probably gave us your dinner because we weren’t eating our own.  Diaper change after diaper change after diaper change.  Another diaper change.  Washing clothes over and over again.  Changing our clothes over and over again.  All the little things that seemed so mundane but were an important part of the day.

Last year my mom taught me how to sew and now I’m building sewing into a nice little hobby.  I’m so thankful for learning to sew because it gives me something to do while Mary Rene is sleeping besides watch tv or play on the computer.  I get to use my creative side and get something accomplished.  Sewing is great!

But I’ve learned so much more than sewing from my mom.  Without even trying, my mom has taught me a lot about marriage.

My mom and dad are ying and yang and they tell each other everything.  Sometimes I’ll tell her “don’t tell dad,” but she does anyway.  Because, you tell your spouse everything, no secrets.  I’ve implemented that into my own life and it has become very important in establishing trust.  She also taught me, “make your husband think that it was his idea” when you want something.  She is really good at this game and always finds a way to get her way without my dad realizing she is.  I’m still trying to learn how to do that and hopefully someday I will be as clever as her.

My mom loves being a grandma and looks forward to seeing her little pumpkin every chance she gets.  When I pull up in my parent’s driveway my mom usually comes out to greet us.  Mary Rene’s face lights up and she starts laughing and waving when she sees my mom.  My mom and her laugh really good together with their special little games they play.

Mary Rene is spoiled to say the least.  Even though my mom lost her jobs months ago she is still buying Mary Rene gifts like a working woman.  I keep telling her to save her money, but she insist, “it is my granddaughter and I want her to have it.”  Mary Rene is taking grandma’s side on that one.  She loves going to grandma’s house and seeing the new snack or toy that grandma and grandpa got her. 

But my mom doesn’t just shower Mary Rene with love and gifts.  She does the same to me…and others.  Every time I tell my mom that one of my friends is pregnant she whips up a baby afghan in a heartbeat.  When I mentioned that my friend wanted to learn to sew, she quickly offered to show her.  She always has Frank’s favorite soda and beer at the house when we come over.  She gives her heart to everyone.

I hope someday these are qualities that Mary Rene sees in her grandma and falls in love with as well.  And I hope someday these are qualities that I can take from my mom as well.

Happy Birthday Mom!

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Today is my dad’s last day of work at Chrysler.  With the failing economy, the St. Louis plant was closed a few months ago (maybe close to six months ago?)  He was lucky enough to hold on to his job a few months longer since he worked in the water treatment plant for Chrysler.  But starting today he starts his forced retirement.  Remember how he was excited to start watching Mary Rene and he wanted to take her up and down the street in a wagon? My mom, Frank and myself went in together and got him a wagon as a retirement gift.

The moment I took it out of the box to assemble, nosey Mary Rene came over to help.

She found the wheels and decided to put them in the wagon.

Once it was finally assembled, she jumped right in and has enjoyed being pushed around the front room throughout the day.

But what fun is a wagon without your friends, Baby Jesus

and Violet.

Isn’t that wagon great?  It has two seats with seat belts.  Plenty of room for Sweet Pea someday!

Seriously, everyday she has been playing in the wagon, see the new outfit-different day.

She likes to take her blanket and pillow inside so she can lay down for a cat nap.

Mary Rene and my dad are going to have so much fun with that wagon.

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Month one down with the new budget and I am proud to say that I stayed on budget for groceries!  I really did not think it was possible to do it but I did with $4 remaining.  The key was staying away from Target.  Target has such good deals but whoever goes there and buys only want they need?  I only allowed myself to go in there once because with a coupon and the sale, I got regularly $4.99 soda for $2.  Unfortunately we didn’t stay on budget with our utilities (colder weather spiked our gas bill,) medical bills (yeah, I think I have talked about this enough,) dentist (we both went the same month,) and charity (Haiti pushed us over, but completely worth it!)  So on to next month!

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Speaking of budgets, we met with a new financial advisor on Tuesday night.  He is the son of a friend from church.  If anyone in the St. Louis area is looking for a financial advisor call Michael Disalvo at 314-932-4300.  Frank and I feel much better about our pending deductible because now we see we have other resources for money, if needed.  We are still praying that we won’t need it but it is nice to have a safety net.

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I finished “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children’s Vaccinations” by Stephanie Cave, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.  I will be writing a cliff note’s version of the book on a post next week.  When I say cliff note’s version, it will be long.  It is a very informative book, eye opening that is for sure.  I highly recommend expecting mothers to read this book.  The only issue with the book is that is was last updated in 2000.  Ten years have gone by and there have been many changes to vaccines.  One change includes the rotavirus.  It is back in the line of shots and it wasn’t at the time of publication.  When I finished the book I was absolutely disgusted to look back at Mary Rene’s vaccination chart and see what was given to her.  I am so blessed that the only reaction she has had were two minor ear infections.  I say, “has had” because I learned from the book that side effects can appear years later, in the form of learning disabilities.  I am praying that other side effects don’t come up later though.  So many people talk about the autism debate with vaccinations but it is more than just autism.  Shooting your baby’s, already weak, immune system, with so many different viruses at the same time can cause strokes, seizures, learning disabilities and even death.  Okay, I’ll stop now.  I will be writing more about this next week.  The post is taking me awhile to construct properly but look for it next week.

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I have two new projects at work and have been, and will be, working my little tail off.  Working part-time can be hard when most of your hours are done at home.  Which means, you stay up late.  Lack of sleep means…lack of sleep.

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Two days after they decided to stop searching for survivors, more survivors are still being found.  I get goose bumps every time I hear another story about someone surviving.  The latest, a 16 year old girl was rescued 15 days after the earthquake.  Amazing.  I told Frank that I wanted to fly down there and nurse those poor babies.  Well, I also told him if I wasn’t pregnant then I would be convincing him to foster a child.  He really didn’t respond to that statement.

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I’ve been doing these Quick Takes for over a year now, hence the #54.  Has a year really gone by that fast?

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We finally got our new screen door installed!  Before Christmas, there was a bad windstorm and our door blew off the hinges and shattered into pieces.  We got a new screen door for Christmas but opted to save the $98 installation fee and do it ourselves.  Do it ourselves means, beg my dad.  My dad came over on Saturday and Frank and him spent nearly the entire day working on the door.

Frank said the door would have been installed much sooner but they kept misplacing tools.  I find this humorous because we live in a matchbox and all the tools were in the front room.  Regardless, the new door is nice and it will be even better once spring gets here.  It hasn’t been up a week and Sophie B and Mary Rene are already fighting over who gets to look outside.

They both would stand there all day if they had their wish.

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Thanks for the prayers on Monday.  A few of you emailed me privately and said you would pray as well and I really appreciate that.  Monday’s prayers were answered But I continue to ask for prayers.  This will be a long process, I am prayerful that it will, so prayers will be needed for months.

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When I was pregnant with Mary Rene, I asked the girls in my Bible Study Group for their recommendations on a pediatrician.  I took the names they gave me, did research and found the one that I really liked.  He was right by my house too which was even nicer.  Unfortunately he was not covered under our insurance so I had to go searching again.  A friend of mine recommended the pediatrician we selected and I must say, I was very pleased.  However, the whole time Frank questioned her and I found myself always sticking up for the doctor.  When Mary Rene went in for her 12 month appointment, her doctor wasn’t available so we had the other doctor.  I’ve always liked the other doctor but this particular visit went back.  He did his evaluation and then told me that Mary Rene would be getting four shots.  I asked why she needed four, and he looked me dead in the eye and said, “That’s what she is due for.”  I asked why four?  She has never had that many at once.  He picked up his file, looked me straight in the eyes again, and said this time was different and she had to get four.  As he walked away, he told me a nurse would be in right away.  My heart just stopped because of the way he treated me but I was frozen in fear and let the nurse shot Mary Rene up.  What happened?  She screamed, she ended up getting a runny nose, she ended up getting an ear infection.  I was so mad.  When her 15 month appointment came, her doctor was available.  This time she was getting less shots but I still wasn’t happy.  We left the office and I just started to get this bad feeling in my heart.  I was supposed to be my daughter’s advocate and I wasn’t doing a good job advocating.  I let these professionals walk on me because I allowed myself to think that they knew what was best for my daughter.  And it wasn’t.  Every time she got more than two shots, she would get crabby and a runny nose.  January came and so did our new insurance.  I remembered the name of the pediatrician I had wanted in the beginning, and it turned out some ladies in my La Leche League used him.  I had Frank see if he was in-network and…he was!  So on Monday, I switched pediatricians.  The problem for me is that I have learned I am all talk, and as much as I want to back down to the doctors, I couldn’t.  I had already started down the path of full vaccinations and I was too much of a coward to slow down the pace.  But with a new pediatrician I can start fresh.  Mary Rene will be going in for a 18 month check-up and my plan is to have a delayed schedule set up and show him on our first visit.  I will also have this set up ahead of time for Sweet Pea.  Starting off fresh is so much easier for me to do then stand up to authority figures.  And besides, I didn’t feel comfortable with the other doctor and I was paying him a lot of money.  Frank and I don’t have much money left at the end of the month and it came down to-spending my money wisely.  And I realized, I needed to invest my money wiser when it came to health care.  Okay, that wasn’t really a quick thought.

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I’ve been doing a lot of research this week about switching to organic products.  I mostly was thinking about genetically modified foods, such as meat and chicken.  But the further I went into my research I realized that GMO also effect milk, eggs, vegetables, fruit and even canned foods.  So if there is anyone who reads this and only eats organic, explain please.  Also, how much more does it cost?  Now that we are on a grocery budget I’m wondering if I can afford to go organic.

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Mary Rene went on a playdate Monday with her friend Elaine, who is two.  They aren’t that far apart in age but they didn’t interact too much.  Mary Rene wanted to sit on her momma’s lap the whole time while Elaine had fun running back in forth.  On Wednesday, we had a playdate with my friend Laura and her 2 month old son, Cole. 

Mary Rene was in absolutely heaven and loved him to pieces.

Laura was so kind and let Mary Rene hold Cole in her lap.  Mary Rene felt like such a big girl and was beaming with pride.  When we put Cole in the bouncy seat, Mary Rene kept trying to sit with him.  Poor little guy was getting squished by a 23 pound baby!

She just kept looking at him and smiling away.  Love?  Oh, I just think she likes babies a lot-which is a good thing.  It was really cute because she kept getting really close to him and jibber jabbing away.  She had to be saying something really important to him because her face was very serious and she would not stop talking.

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On Wednesday, I was able to cross off #95 on my list: get re-certified in CPR.  Well, I didn’t get certification because the class I registered for didn’t offer it.  But I am counting it because I learned Adult, Child and Infant CPR.  It was a three hour long class and I took it with one of my co-workers, Laurie.  (She had it on her list too.)  I feel so much better now that I know infant CPR.  It is so scary to think of, and I pray I never have to use it, but I feel more confident as a parent now.

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Last, but definitely not least, today is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade.  As my amazing OB/GYN  put it on facebook, “Lord forgive those of us who have had one of the 50+ million abortions and forgive the rest of us for not speaking up as much as we should to protect your innocent.”

This has been an exciting week and there is so much to talk about.  I couldn’t decide which was the most exciting so these are in no particular order.

Mary Rene said “pa pa” this week which is the name she calls my dad.  She hasn’t called him ‘pa pa’ in person yet but she repeated it after I referred to him.  So besides dada and mama/mom/ma, this is the third person’s name she has said.

My milk supply is starting to go down.  I only know this because Mary Rene has decided to start double nursing in the morning and at night.  She used to be content nursing from one breast at a feeding but now she needs both.  I’ve also noticed that she is nursing more frequently which makes me think that she needs more milk to keep her satisfied during the day.

On Friday I noticed that Mary Rene was having a problem nursing and she kept repositioning her mouth until she found a comfortable spot.  At first I thought it was related to my pregnancy.  But when it happened again on Saturday, her mouth felt different to me.  I instantly realized that Mary Rene’s problem was she didn’t know how to nurse with her new teeth!!!  So Sunday morning on the way to Mass, I  had her open her mouth really wide and to my surprise, three new teeth!  Her new teeth are one top cuspid and the two bottom first molars!  Those suckers are huge.    No wonder she had a runny nose all week and felt like crud.  Can’t blame her at all.  (Oh, and I must say, I was right and she was teething and it wasn’t a cold.)  When I saw the molars I noticed that they were only partially through so we probably have at least another two weeks until they are completely through her gums.  Which means, two more weeks of being clingy, crabby and upset.

Mary Rene hasn’t been falling asleep nursing lately, probably due to the lower milk supply.  In addition, we moved the rocking chair out of our bedroom about two weeks ago so we have had to put Mary Rene to bed differently.  These two factors have created a much, much, much better sleeping situation for us.  I must say, I wish we would have moved the rocking chair out of the room months ago!  Now all we have to do is lay Mary Rene down in the bed and she will roll around for about 20-45 minutes until she gets comfortable before falling asleep.  Approximately 15-20 minutes of that time she is nursing so it really is only about 20-30 minutes that she is trying to put herself to sleep.  Yes, I said it, she is putting herself to sleep.  It may sound like a long time, but before we were rocking her for nearly 20-30 minutes to put her to bed.  So laying next to her and watching her do it herself is much easier.  Eventually we hope that we can leave the room and she will put herself to sleep without us being next to her.  Baby steps people.  Baby steps. 

I am happy to report that Mary Rene slept through the night four times this past week.  It would have been five nights but she woke up at 6 a.m. so I can’t really count that night.  I think changing the way we approach dinner has really changed her sleeping habits.  It is so nice to wake up the next morning and realize that you were able to sleep through the night.  (Minus my two trips to the bathroom.)

Mary Rene has the cutest little curls and they are even more adorable when she gets out of the bath.

I call that Crazy Lady hair.  I brush it in all different directions when she gets out of the bath so I can see what that hair will do.  Too cute for words.

Finally, Mary Rene has a new pediatrician!  I am so excited and she gets to meet him on March 3rd.  I’ll devote a whole post to this and why I made the decision to change doctors.

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Something I thought I would never do: rub Vick’s on my chest and aim my daughter’s nose towards it while she nursed.  Well I did it.  She stopped to sniff but then went ahead and nursed.  I also rubbed it on her chest before she went to bed and she woke up feeling so much better.  Thanks Melissa for the suggestion!

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Since my dad is going to occasionally watch Mary Rene once he retires, we decided to start leaving her at my parent’s house for a bit while I go run errands.  Usually I am always with her when we visit so this was a big adjustment.  But you know what, she did fine.  She loves it at my parent’s house and has so much to do there.  They wore her out and she was so tired that she took a 2.5 hour nap.  The nap would have been longer but I sneezed when I walked by her and she instantly woke up.  I must say, going grocery shopping alone was really nice.  I enjoy Mary Rene’s company, and I know she likes to be out and about, but I was able to really concentrate on the sales and my coupons.  Hopefully my little shopping trips pays off and we stick to the grocery budget this week.

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Two of the gals at work are pregnant and we are having a baby shower for one of them today.  This gal is having a baby girl so I decided to try and make her a pair of baby girl shoes. 

This was very tedious and I’m not sure if I want to make this shoe thing a hobby.  I like making taggie blankets as gifts but I don’t think I’ll be going overboard and making girl shoes as well.   Although they are so cute and the finished product makes me so happy that I might do them again.  Hmm.

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Having a blog is great and it gets people to do things easily.  Case in point, my post yesterday about the deductible led my wonderful husband to call our insurance company again.  They confirmed that I will have a $800 deductible but now they are stating that the baby won’t have to pay his/her deductible until he/she starts making regular doctor visits.  They also said something about me not paying the deductible if all the stars align correctly.  So, now we are praying that all this is true and we leave with a healthy baby boy or girl and a small hospital bill.

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I have decided to delay vaccinations for Sweet Pea.  I’ve been doing a lot of research this week and my fantastic sister-in-law is getting books for me to read from the library, where she works.  So far, I like the Dr. Sears method the best.  Go figure.  For the moms that read this blog, how have you handled vaccinations?

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We have this little hand-held back scratcher that is shaped like a hand and the fingers knead into your back.  It an awesome little thing and I misplaced it several months ago.  Somehow Mary Rene found it and has been playing with it.  I showed her how it worked on her back and she started laughing so hard.  Which got me thinking, I’m going to make this a tickle game.  So everyday this week I have been handing it to Mary Rene and trying to get her to tickle me on the back with it.  She is starting to get the hang of it and is having fun.  Now I just need her to apply a little pressure and go in a circular motion while I kick back and relax during the massage.

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I have tried really hard not to turn on the television much this week because I am just sickened by the disaster in Haiti.  My heart just breaks for these people and all they are going through.  When it comes to natural disasters, are you plugged to the tv or do you steer away?

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This weather sucks.  When we were kids we loved the winter because it meant snow days, snow men, snow angels and pulling out the sled.  Now it means, cold, cold, cold.  Oh, and shoveling, and taking off the shoes at the door so you don’t get the floor all wet.  And wiping the dog’s paws each time she comes in so she doesn’t have snow stuck in there.  And cold.  Cold.  Cold.  Cold.

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Speaking of such, I have not left the house since I went to work on Tuesday and I am losing my mind.  Wednesday it was just too darn cold.  Thursday, I skipped work because of the snow.  Today, brr again.

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My dad found out yesterday that his forced retirement begins Jan. 30th.  He works for Chrysler and they closed the plant nearly six months ago.  Luckily he works in the Water Plant and they needed his crew much longer.  He was hoping to hold on until April but it looks like his retirement will be beginning much sooner.  He has worked there for 32, or 33, years so it was time to retire anyways.  And just think of all the fun he is going to have hanging out with Mary Rene.  He is so excited that he can watch her now.  He keeps talking about buying a red wagon so he can take Mary Rene for walks up and down the street.  Can’t wait for that to begin!

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Feeding Mary Rene a healthy, filling, fatty, protein filled dinner, didn’t work the last two nights.

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Three times this week I was in bed by 9 p.m.  That little Sweet Pea is wearing me out!

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When you are on a budget, all you want to do is spend money.  I want a bookcase for the front room.  I want to hire someone to fix our basement.  I want to buy this awesome double jogging stroller that has 16 different ways to put two kids in it.  I want, I want, I want.  Unfortunately, I can’t.

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I’ve been bringing one of Frank’s drums upstairs for Mary Rene to beat on and she is having a blast. 

Until she thought that Sophie would make a good drum.

Happy 33rd birthday honey!  Three years ago when I got you the drumset for your 30th birthday I really thought I would never be able to top that gift.  But this year, I think I beat it.  I didn’t beat on your drums, I mean, I got you a better gift this year.  Wouldn’t you agree?

I am so very lucky to be your wife.  You make me laugh so hard with your goofy jokes and the funny things you say.  I sometimes think the reason you can’t sleep at night is because your mind is racing with all the new jokes you will tell me the following day.  I know I don’t laugh at your jokes all the time but most of the time you are funny.  The thing is, if I always laugh then you will think you need bigger and better jokes.  And I don’t want to stress you out honey.  So I save a lot of the laughs for when you aren’t around.

I love how you get excited about all the small things in life. For instance, when we get the chance to go out to dinner, you will think of the best place to go.  You do research on the internet and read reviews so we’ll have a nice meal.  But nine times out of 10, we end up at La Fuentes anyways.

I love you even more for giving me such beautiful gifts in my life.  And the best gift of all, our beauitful daughter, Mary Rene.  She looks just like you, so people say, and has your goofy sense of humor already.  She gets so excited when your car pulls in the driveway and starts pointing and “oh oh oh”ing away.  She can’t wait for you to pick her up, give her kisses, and then take her in the bedroom to play the “I’m gonna get you” game. 

You let her do anything she wants.  Including, take over your sleeping space.

But we know why you do it.  You want her to be a daddy’s girl.  And you know what, more and more each day she is starting to become one.

You like to do silly things to make her laugh and once she gets started it is hard to stop her.

I guess you like to make all the girls in your life laugh.  You are pretty darn good at it.

I love you so much for all your goofiness and goodness. 

Happy Birthday!

After breakfast on Christmas Eve, Mary Rene and I decided to surprise my parents with a morning visit.  They were, surprised, because it was about 9:30 in the morning.  But they didn’t care.  They were both out of bed in a heartbeat and ready to visit with their grand baby girl.

Have I ever mentioned that I have a cat?

His name is Theo.  Theodore Zachary to be exact.  He lived with me for seven years before I found out he was the reason I was sneezing all the time.  So for the last 3.5 years, he has lived with my parents.  He is a mean ol’ cat and he does not like to be touched or bothered.  Sometimes if you look at him wrong he will bite you.  Actually you don’t even have to look at him and he will bite you.

But with Mary Rene…

he is a sweetheart.  On Christmas Eve, he just laid on the ground for the longest time and let her pet him.  Mary Rene loves cats and always wants to pet him.  When she got bored petting him, she walked away but he stood up, and then rubbed against her and purred away.  Maybe that was his Christmas present to me!

After our visit we went back home and then there was a knock on the door.  Our sweet neighbors dropped off a Christmas gift for Mary Rene!

She loves, loves books and they gave her 12 mini Mickey Mouse books.  So thoughtful.

When Frank got off work we opened our stockings.

And to Mary Rene’s delight, she got a Barney DVD.  Of course we had to pop it in right away so she could watch it.

Later that night we went to Frank’s parent’s house for a Christmas Eve meal.  It was gift time again.

By this point, she is getting pretty good at opening gifts and clearly understands that there is something really good underneath that paper for her.

The next morning, Christmas!

My parents joined us for Christmas Mass and I can’t say enough how happy that made me.  Mary Rene was a perfect little angel with my parents while Frank and I were both Eucharist Ministers.  My dad held her up so she could watch me minister the Body of Christ. 

After Mass, my parents, brother, sister and their spouses came over our house for a brunch.  We usually celebrate Christmas at my parent’s house but I volunteered to host this year.  Even though we have the smallest house out of everyone, it worked out great.  Sure it was a mess to clean up, but it was so convenient.  I hope I get to host again next year!

After brunch, it was present time again.  Would you believe this bag is filled with presents for Mary Rene?

Spoiled? Not the least.

One of the cutest presents from my parents was this block set.

Such a great keepsake.  Mary Rene was having fun taking every single block out, and not putting every single block back in.

Another cool toy she got was from my sister. 

When Mary Rene woke up this morning, the first thing she did was jump in and start laughing.  She likes when I throw balls at her.

Today we celebrated Christmas with my mom’s family at my Uncle Rick & Aunt Reina’s house.

(Three parties, three different dresses.  Of course.)

Mary Rene was in absolute heaven over there because my sister brought her dog, Otis.

And my Aunt Reina has a dog, Angel.

Mac is five months older than Mary Rene and he did not want Mary Rene to pet Angel at the same time as him.  But then again, Mary Rene did not want to share her toys with him either.  Kids are so darn cute.

It was a long few days and I am worn out.  Luckily I thought ahead and earlier in the week I packed away some of Mary Rene’s toys to make room for her new ones.  It is a good thing because our house is FILLED with toys.  She got so many presents this year.  I can’t begin to imagine what it will be like when she really “gets” Christmas.

Okay, I’m tired and off to bed.

Merry Christmas!

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My sister got a new puppy, she had to put her dog to sleep a few weeks ago, and he is absolutely adorable.  I wish I could post a picture because you would be in love with him.

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This morning, Mary Rene and I are going to the Little Gym for an intro class.  I saw a commercial on Channel 9 and thought it looked like fun.  The class takes place every Friday morning and next semester starts at the end of January.  Depending on how we like the free class, we might sign up.

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My pick for Frank’s SPICE jar this week was: pizza picnic dinner listening to Pink Floyd.  So last night, I lit every candle I could find, played Pink Floyd at a level that Frank enjoys and I was wearing a Pink Floyd shirt I just bought at the store.  Oh, and I made buffalo chicken dip from scratch (yum) and guacamole dip for appetizers.  Double yum.

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Mary Rene had her 15 month check-up on Wednesday and here are her stats:

Height: 30″ (25-50%)

Weight: 22.8 lbs. (25-50%)

So she is symmetrical for weight and height.  She had to get her second flot shot, ugh, and two other shots, double ugh, which annoyed me.  (Next baby, I am spreading out the shots.) Luckily they offered her a popsicle afterwards and she was very, very, happy.  Her first popsicle and I’m sure it won’t be her last.

The appointment went well except the doctor thinks Mary Rene’s left pupil is a bit larger than her right.  This is something important to know if she is ever in an accident.  She suggested that we see a pediatric eye doctor to confirm.  But I just took her to the eye doctor back in September.  I hate to take her again because wouldn’t her pupil have been a different size then as well?

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Tomorrow I am going to purchase a toddler bed that I saw on craigslist for Mary Rene.  I’ll post a picture in my Tuesday post.  Our plan is starting Sunday evening, no matter what, I will not allow Mary Rene to nurse in the middle of the night.  She is starting to wake up a few times again, regardless of my caffeine intake, and she is relying on nursing to put her back to sleep.  (She is teething so I know she is in pain but baby girl really needs to learn to put herself back to sleep.)  I am exhausted, exhausted, I tell you and just need to put an end to it.  We plan on sticking to our guns and no matter how many nights it takes, she will stop nursing in the middle of the night.  Next step, will be getting her to sleep through the night.  Final step, getting her to go to bed without rocking.  One of my clients ended up taking his 18 month old son to a sleep specialist because they were having the same issues.  The sleep specialist has a three month waiting list so my client gave me copies of all the pamphlets to help us out.  Frank and I have devicted our own little plan.  Please say prayers it works.  Momma is tired.

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Tomorrow, my mom, maybe my little sister Jasmine, Mary Rene and I are going to the St. Louis Zoo for the Wild Lights display.  I became a Zoo Friend and will be able to get a discount and free parking.  I hope it is warm enough so Mary Rene will only need to wear her snowsuit!

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When Mary Rene was helping me go through old Christmas cards last week, she found a picture of her friend, Ella.  We have the picture of Ella hanging on the refrigerator.

When I tell Mary Rene to give Ella a kiss…

We can be sitting in the front room and I’ll ask her, “where is Ella?”  And she will walk in the kitchen and get her, bring her to me, and then kiss her.  It is the cutest little thing.