Past few days

Not much exciting news, but I thought I'd make a quick update as things are going to get busier over the next week or so.
I worked over the weekend, so Ryan had Miss Lila to himself for the most part. Not that he doesn't like spending time with her, but he has this paranoia about keeping her quiet since I sleep during the day. Guess what? She's 9 months old, and a total chatterbox... I have very little expectation of her staying quiet! I tried to explain that very few night nurses get the privilege of going home to a totally quiet and dark home, but he still stresses about it. Ok... HONEY, it doesn't bother me if Lila makes noise on the weekends... you still are doing a great job! During the days this weekend he tried to take her on some "outings" for awhile at least... that seemed to help! (Both him and her!)
Speaking of Lila, I failed to mention that she had her 9 month checkup last week and as expected, she's doing great! 21.4lbs and 29 in tall. YIKES, she has already TRIPLED her birth weight, what??? I think we finally found a pediatrician that we are happy with and he was wonderful with Lila. She did get a few shots, but all is well. She is crawling like a little speed-demon and cruising along furniture and behind her walker so well. I can't believe how quick she gets around!
This weekend is BBQ days in good ole' Belle Plaine, and since I have lived in the town, I have worked that weekend, and this is the first time I'm off! However.... Ryan has to be gone, and honestly I'm not delighted about it, but oh well... I'll manage. He is taking Friday off to spend with me and the babe, and I'm going to see my Dad on Saturday. I've heard there's a pretty good fireworks display on Sunday night, so hopefully, he'll be home for that!
I hope everyone has a great week and weekend, take care!

New Stuff

Here is another video of Miss Lila laughing! I just have to share it... she's just too stinkin' cute! Can you tell she loves her puppies??!!
(sorry the quality is a little grainy... I had to shrink it so it would upload)
Things have been pretty good the last few days, I must say! Got the house cleaned, laundry is all done, made some yummy new dinners, hit the zoo, not too shabby! I'm back to work tomorrow for my long stretch, so this relaxing time was much needed. I did take Lila's 9 month pictures and you can see some of them below. I'm starting to get the hang of my camera and new lens, hopefully I keep getting better... ya gotta move quick, cause she does!

Lila's 9 month pictures

Here are just a few of her 9 month pictures. She wasn't terribly cooperative or generous in the smiling, but hey, I'll take what I can get!

The Long Weekend

Well I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend, we did! Thursday was a LOOOOONNNGGG day for me, and by 9pm that night, I'm not even sure I was coherant... but I made it through my stretch of hell and was looking at a long weekend with my family!
Friday we spent the day with my mom and Alan on the boat. It was Lila's first time out and she did.. OK... She really didn't like her lifejacket, and didn't even like having her toes dipped in the water, but she didn't have any major meltdowns, so we made it. In all honesty, I was in top form either (sorry Mom). I was still super-tired from the past few days and Lila's crankiness added to my crankiness... and so on. However, as long as I wasn't in her line of sight that day, she was just a peach! Ha! The mother-daughter relationship at it's best, right? J/K It was a good day, I just hope the weather is a smidge nicer and I've got a little more sleep next time we go out!
PS. Thank you Ryan for being so wonderfully tolerant of me in all my cranktastic glory!

Saturday was a pretty mellow 4th for us. We puttered around the house, then spent the late afternoon and evening at our friend Jake's house until we went to fireworks. Lila was a very good girl all things considered and even was awake to watch the fireworks! I have to say, I LOVE fireworks, they make me so happy.... but this year's were far and away the best! Why? Because I got to watch the most amazing expression of awe on my daughters face while holding her in my arms during the show! She wasn't afraid at all and the look on her face was more beautiful than any sparkler I've ever seen!! Perfect.... plain and simple!

The last two days were spent around the house. Lila finally had a full night's sleep last night (translate.... I had a full night's sleep... hooray!) We went to a small park in Jordan and let the pups play in the water. Lila, who hasn't been a big fan of water up to this point, also enjoyed playing in the water! It took her a bit, but I think she liked it, especially when she started splashing around! So Cute!

I'm currently sitting at work... bored beyond belief (but getting paid, so I'm not complaining at all!) I just picked up a quick 4 hour shift and then I'm off again until Friday, so Hooray for me and another stretch off! Lila has her 9 month pediatrician apt tomorrow, shots and all, but other than that little hiccup... the week should be pretty tip-top. Give me a call if anyone wants to hang out! Have a great week!

Happy 4th of July!

We wish everyone a very happy, fun, and safe 4th of July weekend!

All for the green

Seriously, I must be some kind of sadist...

I spent all day on Monday, awake with Lila, then went to work for my usual 12 hour shift. In the effort of saving time and some money, I did grocery shopping on the way home Tuesday morning, so only managed about 4 1/2 hours of sleep before heading back to work. I walked into absolute chaos at work and ended up staying for 16 hours instead of just 12. This meant I didn't get home again and in bed until just before 1pm yesterday. At 4:30pm when Ryan and Lila got home, I was awakened to the pure sweetness of Lila's smiling face just inches from mine and her chubby little hand patting my cheek! After a mere 3 1/2 hours of sleep, this was probably the best thing to wake up to! Regardless, it was still near impossible to drag my sorry butt out of bed, and get ready to do another 12, followed up by staying up with Lila on Thursday.

I am now in the middle of my last 12 hour shift... still 6 hours to go and wondering what the heck I was thinking when I decided to add an extra 4 crazy hours to my current 36 in 3 days?!? Oh, that's right... the green stuff. It looks so good in theory, but right now, I'm just not sure it's enough, bah! Oh well, I'm tough (I think). Thank goodness that after tonight I'm off the holiday weekend!

Now, back to work... better get another cup of coffee...

Hello all! First off, I would like to again Congratulate the newly wed Mr and Mrs Kelli and Nick Proulx, and Lars and Jenn Teigan! Best wishes to all of you in your futures together; marriage is a ton of work, but I can honestly say... I've never made a better decision!!!
The weekend was a busy one, but even though that was the case, I managed to get 2 nights of a solid 8 hour sleep!!! WOO HOO!!! Pretty sure it's been at least a few months since I've managed that!!! Friday we attended the "Proulx" wedding and enjoyed seeing old friends and my family. We didn't stay too long however, since I had not been to bed in over 30 hours! Miss Lila was a doll and everyone commented on how simply darling and delicious she is (not that we need reminders!!!). On Saturday, we had a laid back start to the day and my great hubby even let me take almost a 2 hour nap, even though I had just slept for 8 hours!! Hooray! Then the day kicked in, and we hustled to get out the door. Lila stayed the night with Granny and Grandpa Volovsek, while mommy and daddy went to Lars and Jenn's wedding in Mora, MN. It was quite a long drive, so I'm glad she didn't come with. That night she stayed with the grandparents and me and Ryan again found the bliss of 8 hours!!! What pure heaven!
Sunday was a working day. We inherited some old cabinets from my step-sisters husband that we refinished (kinda) and put up in the garage to organize some of our clutter. Barb and Rich brought Lila down to us, and then helped us until the early evening! Barb... let me just say, I LOVE YOU! Seriously, my laundry was completely done and I never touched the washer!!! What a great mom-in-law!
I'm now back at work for the next few days, but look forward to the holiday weekend! I'm so excited to go out on my Mom and Alan's boat with Lila for the first time, and we're hoping to get together with some friends on the 4th! Should be a great long weekend, I can't wait!
I know this is getting long, but I have to ask for one thing... a while ago, I emailed my family for some prayers for the daughter of one of my co-workers. Mary is 3 years old and has been fighting cancer for some time now. She is quite the fighter and has been very strong through chemo and all her treatments. She had been doing quite well and everyone was very optimistic. Last week however, they again found the cancer in her bone marrow, as well as in some of her bones and her prognosis in only 10% chance of survival. I ask that you pray for Mary and her family, I can't even begin to fathom the heartache they must be going through. Please keep this tough little girl in your thoughts! Thank you!