Spring!

Since Caelum is napping and I haven't updated in a while, I figured now is a good time.
Even though it's a rainy day today, I love that it is spring. Living in Winter Haven, when we go outside we are able to smell the orange blossoms and it is so nice.

Since New Year's...

Caelum was born! He arrived February 8 at 5:28 PM weighing 9 lb and 7 oz after an induction and subsequent emergency c-section (cord prolapse). I really wanted a natural birth, so having a C-section was a bit disappointing- especially since I missed his first cry (I was completely out since I hadn't had an epidural) and not meeting him until 5 hours after he was born. Eric was great in the hospital and bringing him home- helping to take care of him (and me) while we all adjusted. Writing his birth story and all that went along with it has been a huge help in processing everything.


He really is just perfect. After coming home and getting adjusted to life with a newborn, things have been really great.

He met Fenway. Everyone asks how she has been with the baby and, so far, she has been fairly uninterested. When Caelum is on the floor, she sometimes likes to go and try to kiss him- other than that, she leaves him alone.


Has been swimming

He has gone to the Strawberry festival- not a great idea with a newborn.

Taken his first trip to Disney- he didn't last long at Disney. I dressed him for much cooler weather than it was and he got pretty hot in his car seat, so my mom came to pick him after about an hour, but we did get his personalized Mickey ears and took a family picture in front of the castle.

and been dressed up for all the holidays!



He is now 10 weeks old and still sleeps alot- unless we are out and about, he pretty much sleeps and eats. In what little time he is awake, we look around the house, have tummy time, look at a mirror, play with toys (he isn't very interested in toys at all yet), etc. He is not rolling over and doesn't even seem interested in the idea. He does like to stand on his legs when someone is holding him and he will tolerate lifting his head during tummy time for very short periods. In the last two weeks he has started smiling at us- and loves to smile at his daddy when he gets home from work (if he awake). He is growing really fast- his newborn diapers were too small the very first night we brought him home and most of the newborn outfits are too small (including my favorite fuzzy sleeper).


He was on soy formula but due to a milk protein allergy has recently had to switch to Nutramigen. He seems to like it and I like it better because it smells more like poptarts and less like that disgusting formula smell (BUT, it is more expensive... good thing it has cleared up all the issues he was having so we can see that it is worth it). He is a really good sleeper- takes great naps and is sleeping ok at night- he still wakes up 2/3 times and thinks that morning starts at 6AM! I have tried, multiple times, to tell him that we prefer to sleep in until 10 or 11, but he doesn't agree yet. Thankfully, while I get up with him during the night, Eric is great at waking up with him then. We swaddle him, which seems to help him get to sleep and stay asleep, but sometimes, he escapes:
He is super noisy when he sleeps and after he eats and is falling alseep, he makes the cutest faces. I just love them and hold up the camera as he falls asleep to try to capture them all.

Eric turned 34 last week! We went to the beach to celebrate







and made Chicken Tikka Masala- that was excellent




and I made my first ever Rhubarb pie, which I think turned out pretty great



We had a great time and went to see 'Date Night' on the way back home- we both really liked it- very funny.

I should post more often, because now it seems like so much has been going on. Eric is still working long hours which seem even longer since we live 45min-an hour away, so it seems like we don't get to see him very much.

We are starting to look at apartments and house rentals in Orlando (!!!!) as our lease here is up at the end of July.

We have been busy and it looks like we will be for the next couple of weeks- I am going to the KY Derby with my family (Eric has to work...) and then we are going to Houston for my aunt's graduation and to see Eric's family. We have mother's day, a concert, baby showers, etc. all coming up- and I will try to update the blog more often.

Here's to a year that is already better than I imagined it could be...

And to flowers for no reason...

and to miracles...

Happy New Year

I can't believe it's been so long... We are about a month out from when our little guy should be making his appearance and we are so excited! All the baby gear is set up, the diaper and hospital bags are packed and we are finishing the nursery this week. He is happy in my tummy right now and I love him being there. I am getting a little sad that he won't be in there much longer :( I love feeling him kick and knowing he is safe and warm- I can't wait to see his face and hold him, but still.

Since it's the beginning of the year, I wanted to do this survey (I love them!) It's been a busy year for us- getting married in March and moving to Tampa, finding out I am pregnant in June and then moving to Winter Haven, some wonderful family celebrations, trips to Atlanta and NYC together, Eric opening two new stores, etc. Now we look ahead to the year that we get to meet our son :)

Where did you begin 2009? The Ritz Carlton- dinner and fireworks

What was your status at Valentine's day? Engaged

Were you in school? No

Did you have to go to the hospital? Yes- for dehydration early in the pregnancy and for a tour

Where did you go on vacation? Atlanta, Puerto Rico, Canada, NYC, TN/KY

What did you purchase that was over $500? Camera

Did you get married or Divorced? Married! March 7

Did you know anyone who got married? Yes

Did you know anyone who passed away? No

Did you move anywhere? Yes- Tampa and then Winter Haven

What sporting events did you attend? Magic playoff game

What concerts did you go to? I don't think I went to any...

Where do you live now? Winter Haven, FL

What did you do in 2009 that you thought you'd never do? Got married

What has been your favorite moment? The moment I found out I was pregnant

What's something you learned about yourself? I am learning alot about myself through being married...

Any new additions to your family? All of Eric's family!

What has been your best month? March

What music will you remember 2009 by? Probably the boom boom one by black eyed peas because they seemed to be performing everywhere and I love them!

Any regrets? I have said some things I wish I hadn't

What do you want to change in 2010? Stay more on top of housework- I doubt this is realistic though, as we are about to have a newborn

Overall, how do you rate this year? 9

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Prpb. my parents house

Did you change your hairstyle? Yes- I cut it short in June

Get a new job? No

Have a New Year's resolution? Not really

Do anything embarrassing? I'm sure I did...

What was your favorite purchase? new camera

Did you start a new hobby? I kept meaning to learn to knit... never happened

Go snowboarding? No

Are you happy to see 2009 go? I am happy to have a new year and all that it will bring!

Drink Starbucks in 2009? Yes

What are you wishing for in 2010? A healthy baby and a good transition to mommyhood.

Baby News

We found out June 3rd that we are expecting a baby next February! We are so excited about this and, even though it is so early, we are just so in love with our little dot and are hoping the next 8 months go well. I had a dr. appt. at 5 weeks- they did a pregnancy test and wanted me to come back in a week (yesterday) for an ultrasound, since I am leaving for a cruise on Saturday the dr. wanted to make sure the pregnancy wasn't ectopic. So we got to see our baby yesterday! Everything looks good, baby measured exactly 5 weeks 6 days. There was no heartbeat yet, so we go back for another ultrasound in two weeks.


I have been feeling a little sick lately, having trouble sleeping, etc. but nothing too bad. Hopefully it won't get worse on the cruise! I have been trying not to worry too much, but it seems nearly impossible. It was so reassuring to see him yesterday and I will be very glad when we hear the heartbeat.
In other news- we signed the lease on our new apartment in Winter Haven and will be moving in about a month. It is a two bedroom townhouse that is super cute- and has a patio which Fenway will LOVE. I am hoping to clear out some of the junk we have in the current apartment before we get to the new place. Then, in a few months, we will be able to start decorating baby's room. We also need to move our wedding gifts in (:
I went to Boston last Thursday and Friday for the Yankees/Red Sox game- Red Sox won! It was really exciting - just a little cold.
I had cousins from Kentucky and Tennesee come in on Saturday to visit. We got to see Amy at the wedding, but haven't seen Nicole and Kevin since last summer- and they had a little boy we got to meet! It was really nice to spend some time with them. And Fenway was SO good around their 9 1/2 month old, which was encouraging.
Traveling has been rough- anything moving (cars, planes, etc.) make me nauseaus- I will be glad when this passes.
We are so excited we are going to be parents and we appreciate all of your prayers and support.

Here's to a healthy baby...

Just an update.

I guess it's been about a month- doesn't seem that long since Easter.
We had a good Easter at my parents house- we went to church and then hung out with the family for lunch.
We haven't been going to Orlando quite so much, which has been nice.

I had a friend going to Puerto Rico for work, so she had a hotel room and I bought a plane ticket to go and hang out with her for a few days.They had an AMAZING taxi system- very organized, always knew how far you were going and how much it would be before you got into the cab- it was so nice. It was really beautiful- perfect weather and the resort had hammocks and beds on the beach, a beautiful infinity pool, a swim up bar- and a little tropical garden with peacocks. There were these enormous lizards that, luckily, didn't bother me at all. It was a nice couple of days, but weird to be away from Eric.

We went to an air show which was really cool- Eric and I really like going and it always seems like we don't know when they are, so it was nice to be able to plan on going and spending the day there.

I've been cooking- hopefully I'll be cooking better soon. I did make some curry that was really good, but other than that it's like I usually get something wrong. Live and Learn I suppose.

It's been quite an adjustment to be married- I am glad there are alot of laughs and good times with all the changes and getting situated.

We had two friends from Orlando come in over the past month, which was sooooooo wonderful! And my dad and Lou came over and we ate dinner at The Red Elephant.

Eric has been working alot, which isn't fun for me- but they have really appreciated all that he has done in Tampa. He's got so many talents and is so good at what he does- I am sure they will be sad when he has to go to Lakeland.

We are looking for a new place to live! I don't necessarily like this process, but it is nice to have a goal, ESPECIALLY when it means we will be back in Orlando soon!

Still waiting on the wedding video and the photo book- I took a while deciding on songs and specific pictures. Can't wait until they get in!

The In Between

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5: 8

"It's the end of the most significant week in the history of the world. A week of final moments. Jesus and the apostles' last meal together. The last time Jesus prays in the garden. The conluding confrontation with the enemies. The final encounter with pain. And the last event... a daring display of unleashed divine power. The entombed Savior unbound by a Holy explosion. What was a sepulcher is now a symbol...landmarking the greatest vistory in the most crucial battle. A week of final moments. A week of endings. Or is it the beginning...?" Max Lucado
This was the day of sorrow- of pain and confusion and lost hope. The day when the faith they had was shaken, when their dreams seemed to be dead in a tomb. Grief has a way of making everything gray, and how much darker that day when the one who died was the one you placed all of your future in. Who was there to lead now? What were you supposed to do?

Good Friday
"His final prayer was about you. His final pain was for you. His final passion was you...He couldn't (walk away). He couldn't because he saw you. Right there in the middle of a world which isn't fair. He saw you cast into a river of life which you didn't request. He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw a body which gets sick and a heart that grows weak. He saw you in you own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw you staring into the pit of your own failures and the mouth of your own grave. He saw you in you Garden of Gethsemane-and He didn't want you to be alone. He wanted you to know that he has been there, too. He knows what it's like to be plotted against. He knows what it's like to be confused. He knows what it's like to be torn between two desires." Max Lucado
Full of sorrow and agony and desperation. Loss and abandonment and death. Words we don't like- Words that mean something, words that were acts that we don't like to think about. That I don't like to think about. Choices that were made because there was no other way. Because love made a way. He embodied everything good that ever existed and then He took on everything bad- so we could know Him. I, like most everyone, hate death. I hate the permanence of it, the overwhelming sadness that seems to stay around for so long afterwards. I hate the seperation and the missing. I hate the questions it causes and the fear that lingers and the bitterness that can seep in. I hate that it is the end of the story that we can see, that we can understand- but, this death was different. It was the beginning of the greatest story...

Even as they celebrated Passover- even as He told them He would rebuild His temple and served them and prepared them for the giving of His body- they didn't understand (even as we have the whole story and have a hard time understanding that death is not an end...). Though their expectations weren't the same, none expected what He knew would happen. His humanity was so apparent that day- sorrow and pleading and praying, a body broken. Did they wonder if they were wrong to believe in His words? To leave behind their own lives to learn from this teacher?

"He is not here... for He has risen, just as He said." This is Easter. This is the beginning of all things being made new, of love conqeuring hate, of promises kept, the most blessed invitation, power and grace and hope and peace and joy and all the words we love are alive and living and coming again. It was an offering- it is an offering- a sacrament, a gift from God- the gift from God. The miracle of a person, it is personal. Faith and Wonder overwhelming. I love that the acts themselves are the meaning, and yet there was so much symbolism and fulfiment. That the levels on which we are taught grow and expand as our understanding does. That it's so simple- We are sinners seperated from God, Jesus was born and remained sinless to die for our sin- then is raised from the dead and will return. We believe, accept, obey- we love and give and learn. We have eternity with Him. That he had a choice and we have a choice. That the simplicity of it doesn't make it easy.
Remembering the Lord's Supper- the giving freely of His body and His blood Sacrifice and Redemption. We are left in awe, with immense gratitude and - humility and unworthiness. Justification. Sanctification. Renewal. Freedom. Repentance and Frogiveness. Atonement. Reconciliation.

Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Happy One Month to Us!!

We got married! It's a month today... I can't believe I haven't written on here in so long, I haven't written much at all the past two months- but hoping to start again. Anyways, the wedding was amazing- everything we could have asked for- and we had such a great time with all the friends and family who were able to come in for it- so thank you!
After the wedding, we went to the beach for a week, which was amazing. The weather was perfect and it was so nice for Eric to have so much time off of work for us to just be together. We came back to the apartment in Tampa for a night and then were in Jacksonville for two weeks while Eric was working on opening the new restaurant there. I am back in Tampa now, but he is still there during the week. I have been in Orlando some, since being alone in Tampa with no friends is really not fun at all.
I got the apartment all set up and my name changed on everything- so that's good. We also went to Atlanta for a propane convention this past weekend and had a lot of fun.
It still feels a little like playing house, but it's nice to have my best friend around all the time- although I am not sure he knew just how much I talked before living together (: We worked out the closet kinks- it's so tiny! and are looking forward to Eric being back in Tampa for good.
Also, Punkin (cat) and Fenway (dog) have met and are living together. At this point, they don't hang out- but they also don't fight, so that's good. I hope they become best friends soon, though- just because that would be so cute. They are both trying to adjust to the new apartment- and I actually think Punkin is doing better than Fenway. She seems to be liking it and hanging out with us and eating better than in previous moves. Fenway isn't used to so much quite- so I think she is confused and is needing a lot of extra attention. She's been so flexible with me dragging her around everywhere, so I'm proud of her.
We are very excited about Easter- neither of the pets will be dressed up or getting Easter baskets this year... because, apparantly, they don't care about those things. But, we'll be going to church and having family dinner with my parents, etc.
All of the wedding pictures I have gotten from those who were there are in an album and I love looking at them- I do it all the time- and we are waiting on the ones from the photographer, which I am SO excited about. Also, our wedding is going to be in Central Florida Bride, which I can't wait to see! (it comes out in July)
AND, all the thank you cards are done! I did them the week after the wedding and I am very very happy about that.

Here's hoping we get ont he newlywed gameshow. and that I can be a little more patient...

Happy love day!

I know it was yesterday, oh well.

It's been a busy couple of weeks here... Eric and I spent two days in Tampa looking for a apartment- and found one! It's the one I wrote about last time (even though we spent an ENTIRE day looking at other apartments...) and it is amazing! It's in a great area and close to the restaurant, gated, has a washer and dryer!, a fireplace, an alarm and a large living room- the bedroom and closet are pretty full with all our stuff, but the rest of the apartment has some space. We moved in last week- Eric worked all week and then stayed up all night packing the uhaul with all of his stuff to move down last Tuesday. We also got our marriage license while we were there! It was really odd... I couldn't stop laughing. This really is all so crazy....

    Eric was working and in Tallahassee for Valentine's day, so we didn't really celebrate- but my dad sent me roses and my sister made me heart shaped pancakes- then we went to see confessions of a shopaholic with Jessica Ashley, it was a very cute movie. 

   Back at the house, I am getting used to living in between- all my furniture and most of my clothes are gone. I am really trying to get out the last of the wedding event invitations and get everything else packed to go into storage or to tampa...

   Ok I have to go run errands...

Here's to not getting overwhelmed in a bad way...