Balance ~ and the one where I call out my friends...

So it's been roughly 2 months since a new addition to our family... one that was prayed for, excited about and anxious over how she'd fit... and how we'd all adjust.

I am SO thankful for my friends and those that have "gone before me" that didn't sugar coat how it was all going to work... how difficult it would be and how much love I would feel in my heart...

It's tough. Trying to find *time* for ANYTHING... being attached to the clock again because I'm nursing and being "forced" to sit quietly and focus on who I think HAS to be the WORLD'S EASIEST BABY...

 Trying to be the best Mom to Minnie that I can be and oh, let's not forget the part where I'm a WIFE first...

 I am a spontaneous planner :) I like to fly be the seat of my pants, I like to have things planned to look forward to and I HATE to miss a good time... these things all take a WAY BACK SEAT (like think that spot in the minivan in the WAY WAY back that you can't reach) when you have a newborn but having a 2.5 year old who LOVES that stuff just as much as me... makes the balance teeter a little bit...

It is the little things that mean the most to me, the quick emails from friends just "checkin' in", Liane, Tamarah, Liz, Lynne, Heather O'. The phone calls from Betsy just to say "how are things going?" The comfort food from MIL and the CountryRents who know our favs., meals from Laurie and Lynne, snacks from J.T., and the neighbor down the road who NEVER says NO when I call/email/FB with a quick, "can I send my girl down to play" or "can I come down just for an adult face because Husband is going to be late today".

It doesn't have to be big and extravagant, it just has to BE. Feeling special and like people care because they just reach out has helped to make this transition just a little bit easier.

One thing that I have done for others and now some have done for us, that has blessed me BEYOND COMPREHENSION is meals.

Sweet "Yiz" (and maybe Heather O' had something to do with it as well :) organized, for the ENTIRE month of September ~ let's remember Husband went back to school AND soccer started... EVERY Tues/Thurs a meal was delivered to my door. I didn't have to THINK... I just had to be a Wife, a Mom and in the moment with my family. It was amazing to look forward to those days and to know that there didn't have to be a "plan"... someone else had already taken care of it for me.

 

So, Heather O, Fletch, Mama H, Momma S, Sweet Gwynne, Liane, Liz and Kelly C ~ you have all poured out your love on my family and especially ME during this transition. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We're gettin' there... just like everyone does... but what a help it has been to feel surrounded by the support and love of my friends.

Quick Catch-Up

On Wednesday night we had a great meal with FANTASTIC friends... AND Miss B got to meet "the lady from the lake" for the FIRST TIME :) What a blessing these two are to us... quiet wisdom and sweet spirits... they loved on my gals...

 and my girls loved them right back... course anyone who lets her play with their phone gets that kinda lovin' :)

Friday there was no school so Sky came over to HELP me and really... what a HUGE help she is! She plays with Minnie, holds Miss B, folds laundry, answers the phone and sits quietly at nap time :) I tell yah... "everyone needs a Sky"... besides... how FUN IS THIS!?? :)

My Girls...

sure do LOVE their Daddy!

Hickory at the Library!!!

Last Tuesday we missed the fair with the CountryRents but we DID get our own dose of a pony ride which really IS Minnie's fav. part (well, except for the donuts, cotton candy and french fries... or... wait... that might be me :)

 Miss Karen tried to start with a story and the kids were KINDA into it... but were REALLY eager for Hickory and his faithful friend the donkey, Jack, to make their appearance :)

"Yiz" the kiddie wrangler and Minnie just wanting to be in her presence and with the little ones :)

Pheebs!!! Doin' it like a BIG GIRL! :) Took this one a little while to warm up to the idea of horses but over the past few months she has DEF. grown to love Hickory and  I KNOW this makes her horse lovin' Mama HAPPY! :)

startin' the Cam-Man early :)

and who's that on her BFF?

Remember her first go-round with Hickory....

 MY MY HOW FAR SHE'S COME :) She LOVES this horse, his family and all things related to his home ~ which I fondly refer to as "her version of DisneyLand" :)

 Speaking of love :)

Sweet friends! And what a GREAT share-er amazing Aesa is... letting over 20 kiddies have a turn with HER pony! :)

Our favorite day at the local library!!! :)

She really is SO good...8 Weeks

Happy 8 Weeks little love... you are SOOOOO precious to us...

and SUCH a happy girl :)

We sure do LOVE YOU TONS AND LOTS AND LOTS!

Trying...

to hang onto summer...

Just not workin' out so well...

The Annual Fair Post :)

And incase you're new here... the previous years :) My how things change....

2011

2010

2009

2008

We headed out bright and early for Husband's favorite fair... Yes, I was all about Minnie staying dry :) Thankfully the weather cleared and we didn't have a bit of rain once we GOT to the fair...

Just keeps getting better for her the older she gets :) This year we borrowed a stroller from "Yiz" where Minnie had the option to sit and take a rest, or stand up and ride... worked slick... except for the part where Miss B was in front of her so it is kinda like pushing around a 300lb Mac Truck through a traffic jam... fun. :)

The annual ferris wheel picture... Tracy, I just want to point out the man is carrying NOTHING this year :) Good part about HAVING a stroller :)

and just because I wanted her little face with the ferris wheel :) I can't believe in just 12 short months she'll be over ONE YEAR OLD and probably sporting the backpack and Husband will be BACK to carrying "everything" :)

This was a good trial run for me... driving over an hour, awkwardly nursing while "perched" on a fence post because I didn't want to leave the stroller and toddler while my blood sugar went low... changing a 7 week old on the wet ground (on her sister's rain coat)... the fair is def. KID friendly but not so much NEWBORN friendly... we're gonna give MY favorite fair one more year... I'll tackle that one with a 1 year old and almost 4 year old withOUT my partner in crime NEXT year...
20 minute nap on the way home... and an EARLY BEDTIME...

"NAP? Who needs a nap? I slept through the whole fair... :) "