So big!

Why I do what I do

I need to go to bed. I am exhausted. I can barely see through my Burning eyes... but , I had one of those days that reminded me why I am a labor nurse and why I love my job! It was a busy night where no one sat down, because everyone was crazy busy, and because everyone was helping everyone else. I had the great pleasure of helping 2 families welcome new blessings into their lives. Two families that were NOTHING alike, yet I felt a strong bond with each of them, and this morning as I get ready to go to bed, I pray for them and for the lives of these brand new little people that they brought into the world! I'm so lucky to have a job that I love and even though our economy is upside down and I don't know what will happen with my job in the future, right now I'm feeling happy and blessed. These families had an amazing life experience this morning, and I got to be part of it! What an awesome privilege!!!! Through my days of complaining, my irritation with some patients, and Doctors, and management, and other nurses.... I continue to do this job, because on occasion, I have a day like today and remember why I do what I do.

Happy Easter, Here Comes Spring! HOORAY!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and got to enjoy the beautiful, yet slightly windy weekend! How rare to have nice weather on Easter in MN, isn't it supposed to be sleeting and 25 degrees or something?? I have barely slept in the past 2 days, but I very much enjoyed spending time with my hubs and baby girl today (oh, and the rest of Ryan's family too!!) I probably should have stayed home and gone to sleep when I got home from work this morning, but I decided family time was more important. Who needs sleep right?! Lila got her little basket from the Easter Bunny which included a new Baby Einstein DVD, a book, a plushy lamb, and her cow rattle. She liked the grass in the basket the best I think! Ha! She looked so darn cute in her bunny PJ's this morning, with her still sleepy eyes! Oooh, I could just squeeze her!

We spent the day with Ryan's family in Eagan which was nice! We had a good brunch, and took a family walk to burn off all the extra calories. (well... sort of) Last weekend we kind of did Easter with my Dad and step-sisters (and their respective families), but unfortunately, we weren't able to meet up with my Mom and the Bongard clan today. ( I hope you all had a wonderful day at Dolly's. I missed you!) (Oh, and Happy Birthday Zoe!!!) Then we came home and had a nice evening together before I had to come into work, so all in all... pretty great day!

Miss Lila is such a stinker, she's scooting her little self all over the place lately. This evening before I came into work, I was doing some work on the computer and she was playing on the floor next to me. The next thing I know, I look down and she's not there. Low and behold, the speedster has gotten herself across her room and is under her crib! Ha! I got down and asked her what the heck she was doing.... of course she just grinned at me and giggled as I pulled her out! (not before I snapped a picture of course!)

Ryan unfortunately is not feeling his greatest right now. He's been complaining of a sore throat for a few days, and I haven't been feeling tip-top either. Lila has the never ending runny nose, and a little cough, but I'm hoping that's as far as it goes. Ryan rarely gets sick, but when he does, he's usually down for the count, so I'm crossing my fingers that a little Advil Cold N' Sinus will do the trick and he'll be back to top speed in a few days!

I do have tomorrow off (kinda, Lila is with me for the day), but then am back at work Tue-Thur nights. Our weekends are already filling up so fast, it seems like May will be over before we know it! Sheesh.... time flys huh? Anyway, now I'm just rambling (my pooped out brain needs to focus on my patient), so I will end with wishes to everyone for a warm, sunny, happy week!

Hmmm...

It's been an up and down day for me. Mostly up, I think.... but the down, well, it's a big downer. Work has been tough lately, the moral is pretty crappy and today I'm feeling it more than ever. I really do love my job, but after all this chaos, I'm not so sure I'll be nearly as happy there. Guess we'll see.
On a better note, Lila seems to be feeling much better! She had her 6 month check-up today and is doing great! My big girl is 18lbs and almost 28 inches (70% for weight and head, and 97% for height!) She doesn't have an ear infection (thank goodness), just a little fluid build up, probably from being so congested the past week! She did get another 3 shots today, to which, she loudly protested, but she was a fairly happy little baby the rest of the day! This was quite a blessing, because Ryan is in Detroit tonight for business, so it's just me, Lila, and the hounds! I'm hoping she sleeps well tonight, however, being sick the past few weeks has really thrown a wrench in her sleep patterns and it's been quite awhile since she's slept more than 4-5 hours in a row. I think tonight may be a good night to attempt a little sleep training. I'm encouraged by the pediatrician, who informed me that most 6 month olds should be sleeping through the night; no need for midnight feedings. Guess we'll see how this goes huh?
Well, Lila is down for now, I'm gonna go get in my J's and sit on the couch and finish watching the series finale of ER (it's taken me a week to get through it!), then I might read a little. Good night to all!

6 Months Old

My baby is 6 Months Old today! I can't believe it! It doesn't seem possible that it was that long ago that she blessed us with her arrival. I feel like crying because my baby is getting so big, so fast and even though I love every second (even when she's Lila the Grouch, like today), and look forward to lots more milestones and memories, it's so hard to come to grips with the fact that she's growing into a little girl, and soon won't be a baby anymore. I know, I know, I'll have lots more moments like this, but WOW, it really goes so fast! Okay, enough tears, she's sleeping now so I'd better get the laundry done! (my precious darling is batteling some teeth today which makes her not such a happy camper!) Oh my big girl!

Teething and stuff

Oh the joys!!!! Miss Lila showed us her first tooth on April 1st and you can see 2 more working their way through. Needless to say, she's been just a DELIGHT (dripping with sarcasm)! Last night was probably the worst... she just wasn't into the whole sleeping thing. Didn't want to eat, didn't want her nuk, just wanted to be held and chew on her hands. Fine, except at 1am, her wants and mine were a little different. Ugh. It is really exciting to see those little teeth popping through, but kinda sad too. No more of those huge toothless grins :( She's getting so big, every day she gets a little closer to crawling too! She now gets up on her knees and rocks like crazy. She also is apparently the queen of pilates, cause she can hold a push-up pose or "downward dog" like a pro!! Seriously, she balances on her hands and toes and picks her butt up in the air, it's hilarious!

Even through her crankiness, she still makes me smile and laugh, even when I want to be annoyed. The way her bottom lip pouts out when she's whiny, is just too cute to be frusterated with! Ha!

We've spent the weekend at my Dad's with my sister and have had a nice visit. My step sisters and their families are coming up today and we're having our "Easter" this afternoon! It will be nice to see them all! I have the week off, with the exception of Tuesday when I have to take a class for work and then am going to a concert with Ryan that night. Should be a fun day, busy though! Other than that, the week will hopefully be a productive one, again tackling the projects around the house that get put off when I'm at work. I plan to get Lila's Easter pictures taken on Monday, so I'll get those up as soon as I can. Have a nice Sunday!

Back to work

The whole weekend really was pretty great!! On Friday, Ryan and I had our first date night since Lila was 6 weeks old! It was really nice and very needed! Dinner and a relaxing evening at home, just Perfect!! Lila stayed at Ryan's parents for the night and they said she was a very good girl! Rich brought her down to us on Saturday morning and then stayed to help Ryan install carpet in our downstairs bedroom. (It looks great too!) I spent most of the day cleaning and playing with Lila, which was perfectly fine by me!
Sunday was nice too. Both of Ryan's parents came down to help around the house and I left Lila at home and went to have a short coffee visit with my friend Sarah. We spent most of the time venting our feelings on the current dire state of our country ( I know, depressing right?), but regardless, it was good to see her. She's getting married in about 6-7 weeks, so hopefully once that's over, we'll have some time again to spend more than an hour together! I also ran a few errands, including grocery shopping which goes amazingly fast when you don't have kids with you! We just relaxed again last night and reflected on our good, productive weekend!
I go back to work tonight and once I make it through this 3 day stretch, I'm in the clear for a whole week! Woo Hoo! Well, I'm going to go get some dinner ready, so we can eat together when Ryan gets home before I have to head out the door!