Our Christmas Card

Linking up with Kristen to share our Christmas card. 

Excuse the iPhone picture of the card...our scanner is broken! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

My thoughts...

I'm sorry for the lack of blogging....we've had a lot of nonsense going on with the house that has kept us busy. More on that later.

My heart is broken for the victims and their families of the Connecticut school shooting. I can't even believe that we live in a world where someone would even THINK about killing innocent children. The thought literally makes me sick to my stomach.

I started crying the second I heard the news last Friday. Every time I think about how those parents are feeling...and knowing that they are waking up without their babies next to them...I start crying again. I think of Hannah......and I can't finish that sentence.

I just don't have enough words in my vocabulary to truly express my devastation over the loss of those innocent lives.

Something else that has been on my chest that has kept me from blogging since Friday is the utter lack of respect from my Facebook "friends." There were people on my friends list posting statuses that made my blood boil and I actually had to tune myself out to social media. Things like "Okay...okay....enough with the statuses...I'm going to break it up. Who's watching GOLD RUSH TONIGHT?!?!" and posting about missing ex-boyfriends, not being invited to Christmas parties and how impatient they are with their life and the lack of said boyfriends and Christmas parties.

I was shocked. You don't have to post about the shooting itself....but maybe just don't post anything at all. There are people actually grieving the loss of children and the thing on your mind is who is watching Gold Rush? I couldn't bite my tongue on one of the commenter's above (because she ALWAYS posts ridiculous things) but I just deleted the rest of them. I just can't stand selfish people...and to me...when something traumatic like this happens, you set aside your selfish issues and think about what you have to be grateful for.

Like I mentioned above...we've had a lot of nonsense going on with the house...but even while we were dealing with it, I kept telling myself that I still have my husband, we still have our beautiful baby, my family and friends are safe....nothing else matters.

I don't mean to grandstand. I've just had a hard time getting back into the swing of things because this just really touches home for me. I have a child now. She is my world and I will do anything to protect her and keep her safe. I wish there was more I (my little ol' self in Washington State) could do to help these families.

Remembering and honoring: 

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Rachel D'Avino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47

Jesse Lewis, 6

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emilie Parker, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Mary Sherlach, 56

Lauren Rousseau, 30

Victoria Soto, 27

Daniel Barden, 7

Josephine Gay, 7

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

James Mattioli, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6.

What's on Hannah's Christmas List?!

Being that it is Hannah's very first Christmas...Noah and I were so excited to jump into shopping for her. I put together a little list of what Hannah is hoping Santa will bring her this year.

1. Shoes! Toms, Sperry's and Cole Haan Moccasin's - these are too cute and with walking days right around the corner...I would love these to be covering those sweet baby feets! 

2. Lullaby CD (probably downloaded to my phone...who has a CD player these days?!)- she LOVES music...specifically the ABC's and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...I'd like to broaden her horizons because frankly...I don't think I can sing either of those songs one more time.

3. Poppity Pop Musical Dino - this is already purchased and ready to be wrapped. I think she will love the popping of these dino balls....mauahahaha.

4. Musical Table - she'll be pulling herself up soon...and I think this will definitely be a motivator! 

5. Anywhere Chair - I forsee lots of fun movie days with her lounging in this. 

6. Cinderella DVD - also already purchased. I'd also like to add any other Disney movies...we are big fans of Disney in this family.

7. Life size Minnie Mouse- already purchased...I think this speaks for itself (* funny story...after we bought this we kept it sitting in the bag that the store put it in and just placed it in the corner of the room. One day I noticed Hannah hyperventilating like she does when she get's really excited but she was staring past my shoulder...I looked behind me and lo and behold, Big Minnie's head was popping out of the bag. She was not pleased when Noah went to go cover her back up!)

8. Activity Walker -  this probably won't get a ton of use for a few more months, but she can sit and play on it until she is ready to use it to start taking her first steps.

9. Bumpy Ball - she loves all things that vibrate and bump around...she'll love this

10. Crawl along snail - just cute...and hopefully will enourage Hannah to crawl after it! 

11. Magical Musical Mirror - this little munchkin loves looking in the mirror at herself...we've already purchased this and I'm sure she's going to love it.

Other things to add to the list: new jammies for Christmas eve, new headbands and hair bows, new binkys, a play cell phone, a sippy cup, finger foods! 

So I think she's got a pretty good list. We are trying not to go overboard this year since we have another large expense on the horizon, but she has LOTS of aunts, uncles and grandparents just waiting to spoil her to pieces! 

Have a great weekend everyone! Noah and I are dropping Hannah off to play with her friend Presley while we go see the Nutcracker tonight and then Hannah and I are off to visit friends in Leavenworth for the rest of the weekend. I'll be sure to do a weekend recap. 

Hananh's 6 Month Post

This is a little late...but better late then never! 

Dear Hannah,

I absolutely can’t believe that you are 6 months old! It seems like it was only a few short weeks ago that you came into the world…but apparently it was actually half a year ago! That doesn’t seem right. Your daddy and I still have those moments of “I can’t believe she is all ours” and “I can’t believe we get to keep her!”

These past two months have been the biggest months for you. Your personality really came out and you are SO funny. You love (LOVE) getting attention. You are very aware when all eyes are on you and you most definitely ham it up.

We got you a jumper (an early Christmas present) and it is without a doubt, your favorite toy, ever. You get so happy when you are jumping in that thing. You also love Minnie and Mickey Mouse and carry around Minnie on a chain made of your little connect toys. We watch a couple episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the mornings (when Mommy is trying to go back to sleep for a few minutes) and you get so excited and happy. You won’t be paying attention to the T.V. at all, but as soon as you hear Mickey’s voice start to sing the theme song, you start pumping your arms up and down and screeching. It’s too cute.

Speaking of sleep; you my little munchkin, are still waking up several times a night to eat. Your daddy has started helping me because I was getting exhausted only running on a few hours of sleep a night. Your pediatrician believes it’s because you are a little Mommy and Daddy’s girl and prefer to be with us at all times…so you know that if you cry enough, you get to come into bed and snuggle with us for the rest of the night. Tricky little girl, you are. ;)

You definitely have us wrapped around your little finger. Several times now I have caught you in a fake cry…once you get your way, you are allllll smiles and laughs. You know what you want and when you want it, and if it’s not happening, all you need to do is scream and you get it. We’re pretty sure this is a stage you will grow out of….hopefully. ;)

You’ve also discovered that you can blow raspberries with your lips and will do it for about 20 minutes non-stop, several times a day. It’s so funny to listen to. Your dad and I will be trying to have a conversation, but at some point we just have to stop and laugh because there is no way we can talk over a 19 pound baby jumping in my lap WHILE blowing loud raspberries, drool flying everywhere.

Oh yes…you are weighing in at 19 pounds 3 ounces. You have gained about 2 pounds and 2 ounces since your 4 month appointment. You are measuring in at 26 ½ inches (although that’s what you measured at your 4 month appointment, so I think that’s an error). You are in the 90^th percentile across the board. Your head is definitely measuring on track now (makes me one relieved mama!).

You have been pretty healthy so far. The only thing we have noticed is a bump behind your right ear and you have incredibly sensitive skin. Skin first; you will break out in rashes quite often…and I can tell they are itchy and uncomfortable because your little hand will start scratching on your chest when one comes up. It always amazes me though, because you never cry or act like you are in discomfort. The doctor says its psoriasis…which is a huge bummer because that is something you will have later in life as well.

The bump behind your ear has been worrying me for months. I’ve brought it up several times to your doctor, but each time we’ve gotten a different answer…but overall the answer is to “not worry about it.” I’m trying not to worry about it, but we are switching doctors soon and I will be anxious to hear their opinion on it.

You got your bottom two teeth in! They are the cutest little teeth I have ever laid my eyes on. I can tell you are pretty proud of them; you love it when I massage your gums and feel those little guys. You are still drooling like crazy…so I’m thinking you are working on your top two teeth and we should see those in a month or so. Poor baby girl, teething does not seem fun….but I promise, you won’t remember this later. But in the meantime, I will keep your teething rings circulating through the freezer for you, just the way you like them!

We have also started solid foods these past two months! So far you have had sweet potatoes, bananas, squash, peas, and carrots. You’ve eaten them all, but we can tell that your least favorites are peas and squash (and Momma’s homemade sweet potatoes)…you prefer the yam version of those. You LOVE carrots and bananas. Those are definitely your favorites.

You are sitting up on your own now and have started trying to lift your hips up off the ground when you are laying on your tummy….so I have a feeling you will be rocking back on your knees soon and scooching your way around!

You went on your very first trip to Disney World in October. We went to Disney first and then drove down to Key West…it was Mommy and Daddy’s honeymoon, but we couldn’t bear to be away from you for a whole week so we took you along. You spent most of the days sitting in your stroller (like a big girl!) but we got all the Disney characters signatures for you. You especially loved the Mexican Donald Duck…you really liked his sombrero. You were also in your first (and hopefully last) hurricane. We passed through Hurricane Sandy on our drive down to the Florida Keys. We slept through that one too.

You are reaching for everything nowadays and it's hard to keep you still. I'm excited for you to be mobile...but I know that you are going to give me a run for my money, just chasing after you all day! 

You have been doing so many amazing things, my sweet girl. I can’t believe how much I love you. You are the most perfect addition to our family and we can’t wait to see what you do next.

*Update*--I forgot to mention this, but want to add it in because I want to always remember it...you are such a snuggler. I am so use to riding backseat of my own car because you prefer my hand to be holding your hand. You like to grab my hand and bring it up to your face. If you are tired, you will fall asleep in an instant the second you are snuggled up with my hand. At night time, when you wake up for the first time and I bring you out of your crib and into Mommy and Daddy's bed, you get so excited and roll to your side with your arms outstretched waiting for me to wrap you into me. Sometimes your snuggle needs make things a little difficult (like if we need to run an errand by ourselves, or when we are trying to sleep train you and get you use to sleeping in your own space) but I absolutely wouldn't trade it for a world because I know looking back on this, I'm not going to remember the inconvenience of asking someone to drive us around; I'm going to remember how much you and I snuggled when you were a baby...:) 

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

Apple Cup and Kelly's 21st Birthday!

Anyone living in or around Washington state knows the real rivalry between Washington State University (WSU) and University of Washington (UW). Every year after Thanksgiving, we have our rivalry game called the Apple Cup. This year it was in Pullman (WSU) but we haven't exactly had a stellar season under our belts so we opted not to make the 6 hour drive over after Thanksgiving and instead just watch it at home with friends and family. 

Apple Cup is usually a unique game because no matter what the season looks like for both teams, this game is always a toss up. For example this year UW had about 7 wins, compared to our 2 wins....so pretty much NOBODY was putting money on the Cougs....but somehow (thanks to a missed field goal on UW's part) we won the game in overtime! 

It was a pretty exciting game, to say the least and we have won bragging rights (despite our awful season) for the rest of the year! 

All Coug geared out while we run out to take advantage of Black Friday deals before the game

Hannah lucked out...we found a jumper on sale so she got an early Christmas present. She LOVES it.

Playing beer pong at half time

Missed field goal...thanks UW!

Coug win!

Hannah was excited

Story time with Mommy later (ignore all of our wedding gifts piled up next to us....we are in limbo with them as we wait to hear about the house)

Moving on...

I don't know how it happened...but somehow the baby of the Grindley family turned 21 on the 26th of November. She decided to stay home an extra day so that we could all celebrate with her...(basically she just wanted two parties ;). So at midnight on the morning of the 26th we all took her out to the most poppin' bar we could find for a Sunday night/Monday morning. We bought her drinks and shots galore, celebrating her legal drinking age. She looked gorgeous and she definitely had a blast. Happy Birthday Kell! Love you!

Shots before we leave...

First drink at the bar! 

Sisters

Kelly's best friend

Brover and Sister

This was her last shot...and it didn't go so well...

Picture with the bartenders

Happy Birthday little Mink!