The Good:
My parents came for a short visit on Friday evening and stayed for half a day on Saturday. Marissa enjoyed her time with Grammy and Grandpup. My mom let me sleep in a bit on Saturday morning while she entertained Marissa. Though I could hear them crawling around on the floor (I think my mom was chasing Marissa) and I could hear Marissa banging her toys on the floor, the coffee table and yelling "moooommmmm." :-)
Friday my friend Erin came over to scrapbook while I worked on some decorations for Marissa's 1st birthday party. Her party is in 6 weeks, which seems like plenty of time, but our weekends are filling up so fast that I really need to get things wrapped up so I can focus my energy on other things. I hate having things hang over my head and I'm usually not one to procrastinate.
Saturday Erin invited me and Marissa to the Lake for the weekend. I really wanted to stay at home and relax on the couch with my husband that I barely ever see, but he already made plans with his dad to go to a tractor/truck pull. I didn't want to spend another night alone, so we packed up Erin's car and hit the road. It is amazing how much stuff you have to bring along for a ONE night trip with a baby. It almost makes me dread thinking about packing for our week long vacation that is coming up. We relaxed around the house, made dinner and I got in bed by 11 because I knew Marissa would be up bright and early. On Sunday Danny joined us at the lake with the dogs. They enjoyed swimming and the guys drove jet skis while us girls hit the lake/beach. Marissa LOVED the water. She was splashing and having such a great time. I have pictures that I need to post, but they will have to wait. We stayed for dinner and gave Marissa a bath and put her to bed by 7. Once we were ready to head home we loaded her in the car. It was nice that she was able to get all of her regular sleep in. She must have been worn out from the beach because she didn't make a peep when I put her to bed.
This weekend we are going to Danny's brother's house. We are going to a Trace Adkins concert with them on Saturday which should be a lot of fun. We don't get to see them often and while the 6 hour drive is not ideal with a baby, hopefully we will get lucky and drive at night, allowing Marissa to sleep most of the way home.
We ordered Marissa's "big girl" car seat! It's kind of bitter sweet. We should have it installed and ready to go this week. She is also really taking to her sippy cup now. The only bottle she has is right before bed. I need to invest in some more sippy cups, because her favorite one already has a busted spout from her chewing on it, so it leaks. It's amazing how much she has changed in the past year. She is also starting to stand on her own without holding anything. She's getting really good at getting her balance!
We will be vacationing in the Outerbanks in just a little over a month. I am in desperate need of a vacation! Danny and I are also contemplating taking an "adults only" vacation before the new baby comes and before I get too big to fly. We're thinking maybe a trip in early to mid October, but we'll see. We probably shouldn't take two vacations back to back, but it may be awhile before we are able to take another one. I know I probably won't want to leave the new baby when he or she is young. Heck, it's still hard for me to leave Marissa and she's almost a year old. If we were to take an adults only vacation, I will definitely have to do an over night trial away from her to see if I can handle it. I would miss her so much!
Marissa is learning and growing so much right now. Marissa's Uncle Robby and Aunt Katie got her this for Christmas and she has finally learned how to put the ball in the giraffe's mouth. We are so proud of her and clap and praise her every time she does it. She also loves standing next to the giraffe and dancing to the music. While we were at the lake yesterday we had a toy football that we let her play with and it sounded like she was trying to say ball. She definitely got the "buh" sound down and a few times it actually sounded like ball. Very cute!
I'm 16 weeks along today! Wow, time is FLYING! I have my 16 week check up this Thursday and then we will be making our big 20 week ultrasound appointment to find out what we are having. So exciting! I hope the baby is healthy and growing. I haven't really felt the baby move yet, maybe a flutter here or there but nothing consistent.
Marissa's 1st birthday invites will (hopefully) go in the mail this week!
I haven't had time to upload many pictures but here is a recent one of her eating kiwi, she LOVED it! This is her "mmmm" face.
The Bad:
Friday when I dropped Marissa off at her sitters house, she notified me that we will need to find alternative care. She is moving within the next couple of weeks. I really didn't ask many details as I feel it is really not my business or place to, but I am very sorry to see her leave. Overall we have really liked her and Marissa seems to be very well adjusted to her routine there. So needless to say, I've been stressed about finding new care with someone I trust, someone that Marissa will feel comfortable with and someone who is reliable. I am meeting with someone next Monday and I have high hopes that everything will work out for us. The plan right now is for Marissa's last day to be this Friday with the current sitter. I try to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason and everything will work out how it's supposed to. I just hope this transition is an easy one on myself and more importantly on Marissa.
Marissa and I both seem to have a bit of a cold. It seems to be getting better and I'm hoping it is running its course and almost over. Marissa hasn't had a fever or anything and overall seems to be her happy self.
Danny still has several months of travel. It's wearing me down and I really miss him. It's especially hard when we are torn in different directions all the time. This is another reason why I think it would be nice to have an adults only vacation. We could celebrate our birthdays, anniversary, a new addition to our family and most importantly our love and marriage! I think it would be great for us to get away for a bit. I just need to convince myself that I can be away from Marissa for that long.
With Danny's current schedule, he will miss Marissa's actual birthday and he will be gone the few days before her birthday bash, meaning I will not have the much needed help from him that I was counting on. Seriously, something has got to give! >:-| (that's my angry face).
So that's what we've been up to. Lots going on and not much time to just relax and breathe! I have many pictures I need to upload of Marissa. Maybe between the stacks of laundry I have to wash tonight, I can get them up for your viewing pleasure. :)
