Firsts

Before I became a parent, my biggest fear was missing a "first" with my child. You know, first smile, first laugh, first baby food, first wave, first word, first step, the list goes on and on.

As a working mother, I even went as far as to inform Annika's first caregivers not to tell me if she crawled or picked up a toy, unless I told them about it first.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to join Geoff in Puerto Rico for a few days. He was there for two weeks mapping the island for work.

While I looked forward to relaxing with my husband on the beaches of San Juan, I worried about leaving my precious Butterbean for more than 24 hours. Though I knew she was in great hands with my parents, aka Nanny and Pop, leaving her was tough.

I called a few times a day, spoke with her on the phone, asked lots of questions, and missed her like crazy. However, I really enjoyed my days with Geoff in a place I had never visited before.
Upon my return, I learned that Annika said her first sentence while I was gone. "That's my daddy," she said as she pointed to a picture of Geoff and me. When my mother told me this, I have to admit that a small pang of jealousy shot through me, but only for a second.
After that brief moment, I realized how incredible it is that my mom got to witness this event. In fact, she also was present when Annika said her first word and her first steps.
I've never asked my mother if she was present for all of my firsts, and as a mother who worked full time, I bet she missed a few.

Frankly, it doesn't matter.

The day to day small moments are what truly make up my relationship with Annika, just like they have built a trusting relationship with my mother.
I'm not going to feel guilty for having a career that I love, time to myself when I run, or date nights or weekends away with my husband.


What matters most is that when I'm with Annika, I give her my love, affection, and attention.

All the rest, as they say, comes out in the wash.

And, by the way, I was by her side when she couldn't decide which was more important-eating or sleeping.

Snow Day!

I can't believe that it has been so long since my last post! My marathon training is taking up considerably more time than I thought it would, so it leaves little time for phone calls, blog updates, and emails.

Today, however, was excellent in the extra time department. We went to church and then stayed inside all afternoon to watch the snow fall. It snowed from 11:00 a.m. until around 5:00. It was beautiful! Annika was frightened to go outside at first, but once she got a snowball in her hand, she loved it.

I hope you and yours had an enjoyable day together, too!

I Heart Butterbean!

Okay, so lately I've been a little stressed.

Full-time wife.

Full-time mother to a toddler.

Full-time dog owner.

Full-time marathoner-to-be.

Full-time Sunday school teacher.

Full-time elementary school administrator.

I've let the pressure and schedule of it all bog me down and make me question the choices that I've made for myself.

but every SINGLE time I see this face or hear the laugh that comes with it,

I am SIMPLY over the moon and eternally grateful.

for my husband.

for my daughter.

for Odin and Oskar.

for the ability to set a goal and reach it.

for God and my church family.

for my wonderful job and the people I work with.

How could I not be?

Have you ever seen a child more excited about window decorations???

Nice people

People get a bad rap!

There are a plethora of nice people in this world.

Everytime we travel with Annika I am reminded of this.

I've heard (and even seen) some NIGHTMARE exchanges between children and strangers on flights.

Fortunately, I've never had to experience one. I've been lucky enough to sit beside nice people who think that everything my child does is adorable. (and why wouldn't they?!)

Maybe it's the flirty "Hi!" or the killer blue eyes that she inherited from her daddy, or perhaps it's the true interest that she seems to show in other people.

Whatever the reason . . . I'm grateful!

Older grandmotherly types, middle-aged businessmen, young college students, people who speak other languages, and those who are traveling from far away places-

they're all nice.

We hope you meet some of them soon!

Field Trip!

Geoff, Annika and I met Lori and Ben Casey and their two boys, Knox and Banks, at the Imagine It! Children's Museum downtown today. The kids all had a blast meeting Bob the Builder and discovering all the cool interactive stations at the museum.

After the museum, we took a trip to The Varsity. Annika is officially addicted to F.O.s! (Frosted Orange for all of you non-Atlantans!) We had such a great time!

Playing Pretend

Santa must have heard that Annika has been into playing pretend lately. In fact, at our Christmas Eve service, she pretended to sing along with everyone else.

To support the imagination that Butterbean is developing, Santa brought her a kitchen. You can see her washing her hands before she cooks breakfast.

She is also a very good pretend Mommy. She feeds her baby every few minutes-in between bouts of fake baby cries. Her baby cries a lot!

We hope your Christmas morning was as fun as ours!

Resting up for Santa

Annika received this chair as an early present from Daddy. She looks just like Geoff when she's asleep in an easy chair!