Life throws a curve ball

So...how do I begin?  Life is really great at keeping you on your toes.  Just when things seem like they are going just as planned and life throws a giant curve ball your way.  Chris lost his job the other day.  What a big blow to all our current plans. Prior to this Chris and I had planned on me staying home with our sweet baby girl.  Now, our roles will have to reverse.  It looks as though I will have to return to work.  As tough as this is I have to put all my emotions and feelings aside because I now have a daughter that relies on me to provide for her.  It is no longer about just me or just Chris.  My saving grace is our daughter will still have a parent at home with her.  It makes sense that if I can't stay home at least Chris can.  Plus, I have gotten so much more maternity time compared to other moms. I have had nearly 5 months with my baby girl.  Chris on the other hand has grasped at the minutes he gets to spend with Eva.  Now, he will get to know our little girl a little better.  And, we will actually have more family time.  With my schedule we have built in time together (with fall break, Thanksgiving, winter break, etc...).  I think we are on our way to catching this curve ball and throwing it back in the opposite direction.

A 30th Birthday Surprise

Surprise!

My family threw me a 30th birthday surprise...they are very sneaky, I didn't even see it coming! Chris  had 2 jobs, getting me there and getting Eva to my mom's house.  Let's just say he was able to pull of 1 of those 2 (hence why I am draped in baby gear upon my arrival).  It just so happened Chris had my actual birthday off of work and therefore we had my mom watch Eva so we could go out.  Chris knew it would be suspicious if we were to ask my mom to watch Eva two nights in a row!  My mom then came to pick Eva up so I could enjoy the party without a tired baby.

There was delicious food, lots of dancing, 1 yummy Gin and Tonic, and a room full of great family and friends!

My dad, sisters, and step-mom put together an amazing video with pictures throughout my first 30 years of life matched up with some of my favorite songs.  There was laughter (seriously, why were my first pair of glasses the size of half my face?), and tears (pictures with grandparents who are no longer with us), but mostly just pure joy as I watched the slide show!

A three day weekend

It is rare in our home for Chris to have two days off in a row much less three!  So, this called for a special occasion.  We hit the road and did a little mini family vacation.  Our first stop was Pueblo.  Eva got to see her grandpa and all of us enjoyed attending the wedding of one of Chris' highschool buddies!  The next morning we packed up and headed towards the mountains.  We stopped in Salida for a delicious breakfast.  This is where we were quick to discover Eva has mastered the art of grabbing and spilled daddy's coffee all over!  Back on the road we headed towards Aspen.  With the beginning of fall the colors were amazing.  Our last stop was Glenwood Springs.  My good friend, Shannon, and her family live there.  We got to meet their handsome new man, Landon and enjoyed lots of entertainment from their two year old Audrey.  It was so much fun hanging out with our growing families.

four months

My 30th birthday marked Eva's 4 month birthday!

Eva,
You have grown so much in the past month.  You are growing to be a lovely lady. Your smile just melts my heart.  Your little giggle makes me start to giggle.  You are starting to really be aware of your surroundings, constantly looking around and responding to different sounds.

Eva's four month milestones

• mastered the art of rolling over (back to front and front to back)
• loves to "scream" talk
• has had a few giggles
• mastering the art of grabbing toys and putting them in her mouth
• survived her first bout of diaper rash
• figured out how to suck her thumb (and all other fingers)
• while lying on her belly tries to grab things and in turn spins her little body around
• loves to sleep on her belly
• opened her first bank account (let the saving begin)
• loves to take a selfie

Marlena and Chris' milestones

• becoming baby travel experts
• had our second date night (for my birthday)

My twenties (2004-2014)

Another decade has come and gone.  Tomorrow I turn 30! The past 10 years many laughs have been shared, many tears have been shed, and many big life events have occurred. With a bit of reminiscing I realized quite a bit has happened in the past 10 years.  Mostly, I have changed.  I feel like I have truly become the real me.  I have enjoyed the different chapters of my life the past 10 years...college student, single lady, and young career gal (to name a few). But, I am most enjoying my current chapters as wife and mother.

Eva Joyce May 12, 2014

March 17, 2007-officially bf and gf

23rd birthday-2007

Buttermilk 2007-first time skiing

A look back at my twenties...

• celebrated a much anticipated 21st birthday in Vegas!
• graduated from college
• got my first teaching job
• went back to college and got my Masters
• went to my first (and only) Broncos game
• went to Disneyland and Disney World for the first time
• Chris taught me to ski
• bought and renovated my first home
• sold my first home
• paid off all my debt
• met friends I will have for the rest of my life
• celebrated many friends saying "I do!"
• celebrated many friends welcoming their first children into the world
• said goodbye to many wonderful people
• met the love of my life (and his cat)...dated, moved in together, got engaged, got married, and became parents
• found out my mom had breast cancer
• watched as my mom fought the good fight and kicked cancer in the butt
• found out Chris' mother had cancer
• watched as Chris' mom put up a good fight, but wasn't able to beat the beast in the end
• grew a human being
• gave birth, without an epidural (seriously, how did I do this?)
• my sister got engaged!

January 29, 2012

Lovely Ladies 2010

Halloween 2009

2007

p.s.
I don't have any digital pics before circa 2007, crazy to think film and disposable cameras were my documentation source of choice prior to 2007!

Sable Love

Sable and Eva's relationship has slowly been evolving since we brought Eva home.  Prior to this, Sable was an only child.  She enjoyed getting all of daddy's attention.  There was no one to compete with (other than me, and that didn't phase her). When Eva came home I don't think Sable quite knew how to react.  I envisioned her saying "Who is this tiny person taking my daddy away from me?"  At first, she wanted nothing to do with Eva.  One time Sable was sitting on Chris' chest and I gave him Eva and Sable darted away very quickly (I was able to snap a picture first)!

Over the past few months I have watched as Sable has started to accept Eva.  She began by smelling her feet and walking away.  A few days later she inched forward and smelled her head.  Pretty soon she was joining Chris on the couch while he held Eva.  Sable will even lay on her play-mat with her!  Eva has also started to pay attention to Sable.  She has grabbed a handful of fur (Sable was a trooper and didn't flinch). Since then Eva has attempted to be a little more gentle by rubbing her fingers through Sable's fur.  I think they will become the best of buds!