Loving the weather!

Fall is my very favorite time of year, and yes... I know technically it's still August, but I'm feeling the fall weather! Jeans, sweaters, warm socks, it's all here and I LOVE IT!!! I like summer, but the fall is just my time! I go back to work tonight for 3 days, then I'm off for a week and I'm thinking that the fall decorations just might make their appearance!!! (I'll keep the jack-o-lanterns in the box for just a little while yet!)
The weekend was a good one! Even though I was thoroughly exhausted on Friday, I have to say that I was a trooper and stayed up until 11pm and enjoyed a bonfire with our great neighbors! (Again, bonfires are so much better when you need a sweatshirt and a blanket on your lap!) Saturday was great too. We had a cumulative 30th B-day party at our friends' the Pearson's that night. (Jake, Bjorn, Dennis, and Ryan!) It was fun getting to see everybody. In the past year, many of us have entered the world of parenthood and all of us had GIRLS! HAHA! So much fun to see all the little one's together! I can't imagine what it's gonna be like in a few years when they are all running around together! Sunday was nice and relaxing. Got to look through the paper, have some coffee, and get odds n' ends chores done around the house! It was great to spend some quality time with my family, I wish I could do it more often, but I'll take what I can get!
Today, I'm just going with the flow... I was going to clean the house, but I'm not sure if that will get done or not. It's not like I'm terribly busy or tired (I actually slept great last night), it's just that I don't know if I feel like it! I might just enjoy the day with Lila, get some laundry done, take a walk, the house can wait until I'm done with my 3 days of work. Supposed to rain over the weekend anyway... that's a much better time to clean house, don't ya think?
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great week! I plan to!

Dreary Tuesday

Well, good morning to everyone! And how are you on this dreary Tuesday morning? I am sitting here with my coffee as Lila just went down for her morning nap and wishing I could figure out the magic solution, so I wouldn't have to go to work so much and could spend more time with my family. I really do love my job (most days), but working nights is starting to get to me. It's hard for me and Ryan, because I'm gone more evenings than I'm home, and I'm so tired on my days home, that I'm not always a peach to be around. It's hard for me being away from Lila, especially because she's not even at an age where I can talk to her on the phone and tell her goodnight.

I realize I shouldn't complain; I have a healthy family, a nice home, and a good job, which is far more than many people in this world right now. I just look forward to the day, that maybe I can work a few less hours and spend that precious time with the people I love the most!

Anyhoo... The past week has been pretty standard. I was off work last week until Friday, but of course the weather was rotten for Wed-Friday. Boo. Oh well. Work over the weekend was as usual, unpredictable... insanely quiet and boring on Friday and Saturday, then we ran our butts off on Sunday! Typical! Yesterday it was nice to spend time with Lila, but I was feeling kinda crappy... probably just so darn tired. And of course, she didn't sleep well last night. Ryan has a theory that Lila knows when I'm home, cause she usually manages to sleep the whole night when I'm at work, but wakes up a couple times a night when I'm home. Seriously, what's with that?
I don't know if she's getting another tooth (lets hope, I'm beginning to think she's gonna be 2 before she gets any more), or if she just was having a bad night. Who knows?
I'm back to work for the next few days and we have a pretty busy weekend, but I'll try to get better at posting more than once a week! Have a great day!

Good Day!

I really haven't been doing a great job keeping this up, it's been over a week since I've last blogged. Honestly though, it's been a pretty run of the mill week. I worked last week as usual, and was greatly relieved to have Thursday morning arrive!! It was one of those weeks, that was a little rougher than usual, and just felt NEVER-ENDING!!!
The first part of the weekend was spent up visiting my Dad, which is always enjoyable. It was pretty sticky out, but the weather held up so we could get a ride on the boat! I think Lila likes being on the boat, it's that darn lifejacket she's just not so fond of. Not sure I know any small kid that actually LIKES their life-vest. On Sunday, we said goodbye to Papa Dave, and headed home. Our friends Heather and Jason and their girls came up from Mankato so I could take some pictures of them, and so we could visit awhile. They stayed through dinner and it was great to see them!
Yesterday was a good day! I'm off work this whole week unless I pick up any extra shifts, so I'm loving my time at home with Lila and Ryan! Lila is getting better and better at this walking thing, and I'm always suprised and delighted when I turn around and see her taking off down the hall on her own! Every day she's becoming less of a baby and more of a little girl, I just can't believe it!!! My favorite thing is to just sit and watch her play on the floor. You can almost see the little gears in her brain working, making connections, and soaking up everything! It's just a miracle to watch!
Today is going to be another chill-out day at home. We've already taken our walk, and now my little one is taking a nap. I'm going to make myself some lunch and then sit outside and continue my adventure with Mr. Harry Potter! Tomorrow, I'm gonna go shopping to see if I can find a cute outfit for Lila to wear for her 1 year pictures (YIKES, 1 year already....what?) Hope you have a wonderful day!
Oh, here's another little clip of Lila. Again, disregard what a geek I am. She's the cute one!

Past week

Overall, it's been a pretty good week. Work went fairly smooth, but of course, never quick enough. Ryan said Lila was a pretty good girl at night for him which makes me happy. I always feel so bad when she's having a tough night and I'm away... I want to be there to help her (yes, and help Ryan too!) She's getting less wobbly as she takes her steps, it still amazes me that at just 10 months, she's already toddling around!!! Craziness, I tell ya!
Last night we got quite a storm rolling through, and I don't know if it was the storm, or her ears or teeth (which have been bugging her), or if she just was having an off night; but she decided to get up 1am and want to snuggle mommy and daddy. She was quite content if you were rubbing her back or rocking her, but forget about leaving her in her crib! We even brought her into bed with us (which we NEVER do), but she was so dang wiggly and still wouldn't fall asleep. Finally after a bottle and two hours, she went back to bed. Thankfully, her midnight adventure did keep her in bed this morning until 8! It's been a pretty laid back day here at the Volovsek house, which I'm loving! I got the house cleaned, and some laundry tackled. Not sure what the evening holds and we don't have plans for tomorrow yet...guess we'll just see how the weather is! Hope the weekend is good for everyone! Take care!

First steps

Here's a short clip of Lila taking some of her first steps! (Don't mind that I look like a complete dork!) I can't believe how fast she's growing up! I don't care if it's a total cliche' but time really flies!! She crawls like a speed demon, but in just the past few days has started taking a few steps away from the furniture! She'll be 10 months on the 6th and here she is, almost walking. (I think we're going to be in for trouble!)
I worked all weekend and Ryan said Lila was a good girl for him. Often, he doesn't like the weekends I work, but this one went particularly well for the two of them! I have another few days of work ahead of me, but I'm looking forward to this weekend off! It's supposed to be nice and HOT... well, it's about time. It is August after all!
Today my mom is going to spend some time with Lila while I attend the service celebrating the life of Mary O'Keefe. I ask for your continued prayers for this family as they work to get through this trying time in their lives. I've been giving Lila lots of extra hugs and kisses lately and reminding myself that even when she's being a grouch, I'm blessed to have her, and to be thankful for every minute we spend together. Be thankful for your blessings today and have a wonderful rest of the week!