and she strikes again!

This is the fort Ryan made Coranelle on Monday. She is trying to crawl down it here. She doesn't quite know her limits yet!
Crawling up it!
And through it.
Fishing around in the basket!
Looking for her elephant.
Hi daddy!
The first day that she got to wear a t-shirt, capris and sunscreen!
What a cute family I have!
Love that face!
And finally crawling for real!


On Monday, I was headed to a baby shower for a local organization that provides money and supplies for pregnant teens and single moms. I thought I should try to nurse Coranelle before we went since she normally nurses sometime during the hours of the shower. Apparently Coranelle had another idea, because she bit me HARD, on both sides. She's been biting recently, with those two little sharp teeth, and it hurts immensely! Ryan and my pediatrician told me I need to be more stern with her when I tell her, "No Bite". So, after she cut through the skin, on both sides and I was literally bleeding- I was pretty harsh. Too harsh, perhaps. She hasn't nursed since. It is so frustrating! I have tried everything- again. Nursing in a dark room, with the rocker, with the sound machine. I have woken her up from naps so she is sleepy to see if she'll nurse half asleep- nope. Nothing. I can't pump anymore. My hand pump won't allow me to let down anymore. So, I am going to give it the rest of today and tomorrow, and then I'm done. I don't want to be battling with her while I have another baby to watch on Friday. I just don't have the energy to fight it anymore.
Part of me is really sad. I had this vision of nursing her until she was a year old. Being the type that likes to have a plan and control things, it is disappointing that things might not work out according to the plan. But, I am not the only factor in this equation. I cannot force her to nurse. On the other hand, part of me is relieved that we might be done with this stage of parenting. I won't have to plan my day around when she needs to nurse every 4 hours. We'll see what happens in the next few days.
In other news, Coranelle has finally switched to crawling on all fours(most of the time), instead of the army crawl. It's fun to watch her! She's got such a cute little bum scooting around the house and getting into everything!
Anyhow, I hope you are enjoying your week, and that you Coloradans are enjoying the warm weather!

quick update

The famous Retro Rocket. It is a fun toy!
Coranelle and Charlie are fighting for the rocket.
Chaos before bedtime. The girls are rockin' out on the piano!
Adelaide eating a caterpillar!
Amy getting her baby fix at dinner, since her baby was with a sitter!
Feeding Adelaide her bottle Friday night. Adelaide came along instead of being left with a babysitter. After an hour of being away from my own baby, I was missing her and excited to hold another baby. Sad, huh?
Here's Coranelle in our snow storm! We got over a foot last Tuesday. And, I have lots more pictures of the past week, but for some unknown reason, I am having trouble loading them. I'll post them soon!


I just realized I haven't written in a while. I guess that's because we have been busy with all sorts of fun activities and people!
This past week was Heidi's spring break, so Coranelle and I got to see her Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Saturday! It was fun to take walks with her and have someone else to entertain and enjoy Coranelle. Heido helped me plant the first part of my garden, so I am excited to see things start to grow!
Friday, I did not have to watch Mia because it was her parent's spring break. So, I got to go to swim class again, and then spend the day with my mom and Heido. All four of us went out to lunch in Boulder and got to browse the Title 9 clearance sale. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love that store, but can never afford it unless I am using gift cards from my dad. So, I got some new pants, shorts and shoes, for a great deal. Coranelle was really good all weekend, despite having a cold. She was just happy and ready to play! We left her with Bruce and Heidi Friday night to go into Boulder to celebrate Amy's birthday. She has gotten so much better at staying with her grandparents. She didn't even cry when we left! She just played with them until she wore herself out, and then they put her to bed! We got to enjoy dinner on a heated rooftop and drinks with friends. Saturday night we had Amy, Vann, Charlie, Ken, Jenny and Adelaide over for a greek dinner to celebrate Amy's birthday. We had a wonderful time. The babies all went to sleep around 8 in their pack n' plays and we stayed up until midnight playing games and laughing. It was really fun and I am just so happy to have couple friends on the same page in life as we are. Our girls are going to have great fun growing up together.
Yesterday, Coranelle was the happiest I have ever seen her. She was just all smiles and giggles all day. She was happy to play, ride in the backpack during walks, she took long naps and ate well. It was fun to see a glimpse of her personality as she grows up. I really enjoyed spending the day with her and Ryan yesterday.
On a side note, we watched Food Inc. last night. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend that you request it on your next Netflix order or rent it. It was very eye opening and I think we will be changing the way we eat from here on out!
I also got to talk to my dad last night, who is home in NM after a LONG, miserable winter in Florida undergoing radiation. He is happy to be home! It was great to hear Kyle playing in the yard in front of him. I know he must be so happy to be back with his wife and toddler again!
Stefan and Rachael moved into their new place in Broomfield this weekend. We hope that having them closer will mean that we can see them even more!
Alright, that's all for now. Coranelle took a 30 minute nap and is rearing to go, so I think we'll head out to Whole Foods and see what we can find in the way of grass fed beef or cage free chicken. Watch Food Inc. and you'll know why!

so many changes!

Just for fun- this is where I was a year ago this week! 30 weeks along!


Christina, my step-mom, sent me this picture. This is my dad and my little brother, Kyle. Kyle and Christina have been in Florida the last week visiting my dad. Dad is almost done with his radiation treatments and will get to head home to NM soon. I thought this picture was precious- as I know my dad has missed Kyle SO SO much! Grams guiding Coranelle up the stairs- again!
Showing us her tooth. Her second one came through on Sunday.
Here we go again!
Playing with daddy.
Rockin' out! This piano is a good height for her to pull up on.
Pulling up- again and again. She is a hard worker!
Sharing some of Ryan's birthday cheesecake. Notice the "thank you" sticker on her bum? The grocery clerk at Safeway gave her that and she was thrilled. It was a wonderfully fun toy, until it stuck to her fleece pants and she couldn't get it off.

Enjoying the sunshine at the zoo!Loving her daddy on his birthday!
The silly smile- gosh, I love my family!
So happy it is getting warmer and we can play outside!
Hi momma!

Eating leaves!


I feel like in a week, my baby turned into pre-toddler. She is on the move and ever changing! She can pull her self up on anything and likes to tenatively walk around holding on to the furniture. The stairs are a magnet for her, and after a scary close call (in which she almost rolled down our bottom flight of stairs), Ryan put two more baby gates up. She loves to crawl up the stairs and can now do it pretty quickly. We stand behind her to spot her, because she'll often stand all the way up, and turn around to wave. If she was on her own, she tumble all the way back down. It is nice that she can now explore the whole middle floor, with our gates up, and we don't have to worry (as much) about her.

It is fun to watch her grow and change, but it is affecting her napping! Instead of lying down in her crib, she can now get up to sitting, and then she pulls up and starts jumping on her crib. She throws out her pacifiers and toys and does very little sleeping. Yesterday, it took her an hour to fall asleep. By then, it was 5pm, and I couldn't let her sleep long because then she wouldn't go to bed. It must just be so exciting for her!

She has also moved on to more grown-up foods. This weekend she had vegetarian pizza, ham and cheese sandwiches, Annie's mac and cheese, lots of toast with butter and jam, and anything else we were eating. The pediatrician said it was time to let her move on to more finger foods.

Speaking of the pediatrician, we went on Monday. It was a hard visit because Coranelle has no concept of sitting still. They gave me a 6 page packet to fill out with information on her development. Holding a child and filling out pages is no easy task. Then, when I was taking to the Dr., Coranelle was squirming, pulling my hair, shouting and trying with all her might to jump out of my arms. I think it is a job for two! But, even though Coranelle is now the 4th percentile for weight, the pediatrician said she is doing fine- physically and developmentally. She is not quite as tall anymore (44th percentile), so her height to weight ratio is finally on the charts! I am very thankful she is healthy and doing well!

We had a fun and busy weekend- seeing friends and family and enjoying the nice weather. Yesterday was Ryan's birthday and he took the day off. We really enjoyed spending time with him, and he took us to the zoo and out for a dinner date to get sandwiches. It was fun to have our whole family together for an extra day. I am really looking forward to the spring weather! My tulip bulbs are coming up and I bought seeds for my garden this weekend. We also ordered patio furniture and are looking forward to enjoying the patio that took so much work last summer!

I hope you are all doing well! Thanks for reading!

thinking back

Amy, me and Jenny at New Belgium brewery tasting beers while holding babies. Yes, we got some looks. But, it was really fun!
Vann, Amy and Charlie. Charlie is pretty interested in whatever Amy is drinking.
Jenny, Adelaide and Ken sampling the beer.
My wonderful husband!
Chris and Rebecca, celebrating Rachael's birthday.
The birthday girl and my bro- enjoying brunch.
GPS with Coranelle
Not a charming shot of Coranelle, but a great one of Gammadele.
Food face!

I was just out for a little run and my mind went into its re-play mode. The low clouds and fog reminded me of my time in England at Capernwray. The fact that I didn't have a stroller or a baby with me, let my mind wander back to my year abroad 7 years ago. It is crazy how much life changes- and so quickly! I was remembering how ridiculous I was in that I had a total fear of food and ate practically nothing. I was in England for almost a full school year and never tasted fish and chips! I recall being totally hung up on a boy whom I'd had feelings for- for the past 4 years. I think of that now, and smile, knowing how he just wasn't the one for me. I so did not understand that then, but I sit here, watching my lovely hubby take a nap, and it is SO vividly clear that God had someone else who was completely perfect for me. I remember meeting some of the best girlfriends of my life there and cherishing the deep connections we had, despite being raised in different countries with hugely different pasts. (Hugs to you Heidi- you came along when having a girlfriend was such a huge blessing!) As I was running today, I got excited when "love lockdown" by Kayne West came on and then got another boost of power when a song by Pink came on. When I was at school in England, there were not any songs like that on my playlist- nope- they were all praise songs. It's nice to now feel the freedom to listen to anything that has a good beat, and know that there is nothing wrong with working out to some punk rock or rap.

How crazy to think, that here I sit, almost 7 years later, in our cozy home with my darling daughter sleeping upstairs. I don't think I could have ever foreseen this future, but I am so pleased with what the Lord has laid out for me. I feel like such a lucky mom, daughter, wife and friend!

If you had asked me yesterday at noon if I felt lucky, I would have not felt the same, but today is a new day. Yesterday, after our morning walk, I could not get Coranelle down for a nap and she was screaming bloody murder. Meanwhile, Ryan was throwing up and I had a final portfolio to submit for my class that was far to big to attach and send. I couldn't compress my file and I couldn't do anything to help my husband's stomach bug or my daughter's teething and fussiness. But, Coranelle finally went down and Ryan spent an hour working on compressing my power point project so I could submit it and sigh with relief that my class is nearly done.

I am not sure what Ryan has, but it seems to be a 48 hour flu. I went with some friends and their babies to a brewery in Ft. Collins last night. Ryan was supposed to come, but didn't feel well enough to join us and didn't want to get anyone sick. I thought if Coranelle and I went, he would have the house to himself to relax and sleep. But, instead he put together the new crib that we got to replace the recalled parts of our old one. What a sweetheart! He got some reading and relaxing in and is feeling a bit better, but was trying to take care of us, even while he was sick! I am a lucky wife for sure!

Meanwhile, Jenny, Ken, Vann and Amy invited me to be the 5th wheel and took good care of Coranelle and me and it was fun to get out, taste some beers and enjoy their company.

Tomorrow, Coranelle had her 9 month appointment. It's a little late, but we'll see what the pediatrician says about her weight gain. We've got more shots, so I am not really looking forward to that. But, we'll get through it.

a tooth!

I want to share this with you Momma!
Ready to head out for a walk.
Cuddles!
I'm teething and cranky!
Want my duckie?
I'm the cutest thing ever!
I'm showing you my food because I am so proud of my new addiction to breakfast bars.
Waving... waving at everything!


All I can say is that I hope that Coranelle doesn't go through this entire ordeal every time a little tooth pops through her gums. But, she has one! Ryan noticed it Wed. evening.... and now I notice it every time she is nursing! :-) She is growing up! And with her new permanent car seat, she really seems as if she's becoming a little kid. Now, if we can only get her to stay for an hour in child care so that we can go to church or to Rec center yoga. Is she getting separation anxiety again? Because I am pretty sure she already had it for 4 whole months! Hopefully when she starts walking on her own, she'll be a bit more independent! On the other hand, she was pretty cute sitting on our laps and giggling in the lobby during church.

Last night, we went to Amy and Vann's house for dinner with Ken and Jenny. I met Amy and Jenny in prenatal yoga and they have become great friends. I am very thankful for both of them and love that our husbands get along. After dinner last night, we all put the babies to bed upstairs, and stayed playing games until almost 11:30. It was truly the most fun I have had with friends in as long as I can remember. It was wonderful to laugh and talk and drink enough wine to make me a bit too silly. I cannot wait until our girls are old enough to play and have sleepovers at each other's houses. It will be fun to watch them grow up and be able to spoil them with movies, popcorn, pizza and manicures.

In other news, I'm chugging along with my class. I am about 2/3rds done with it and have enjoyed talking with so many other educators about strategies to teach ELLs. It has been a lot of work, but it has been a fun change of pace. I also started watching another little girl on Friday. She is the daughter of two teachers who live in our neighborhood. She is very easy going and I think it will be good for Coranelle to have another baby around 1 day a week. It was hard to get them both down for naps, but I had a tiny glimpse of what life would be like with twins. I enjoyed seeing Coranelle wave and talk to baby Mia. She did pretty well with my attention being split. I was thankful that my mom came down for a bit to help out.

A few other perks from tonight- chicken noodle soup from Cost-co made with rotisserie chicken- yum! So good! (Thanks Jenny, for mentioning it once upon a time). And, cappuccino custard from Good Times. Lastly, the giggles erupting from my baby girl while she played with her daddy before bed.

not for cowards

On one of my recent facebook posts, complaining about Coranelle's nursing strike, a friend of ours wrote something like, "Motherhood is not for cowards". Whew... is she right. I'll broaden that and say, parenthood is not for cowards. Coranelle has showed us that in some many ways in the last few weeks. She has had a terrible cold and diaper rash, then she stopped nursing for 5 days, starting nursing again, went on strike again, and most recently got some sort of stomach bug. Yup, last night at 3 am she was fussing. Ryan went in to check on her and rubbed her back for a while. When he left, she started fussing again. I went in and decided to change her diaper, because she smelled poopy. I lifted her out of the crib and she started coughing and gagging and then she threw up all over both of us. Poor thing! So, I went and got Ryan and we drew a bath, started a load of laundry, and stripped her down- only to find the biggest blowout I've ever seen (literally up to her chin). (Am I being to graphic?- yup- that's cause being a parent is not for cowards!). We proceeded to take her temp (95) and bathe her. She was all about the bath at 3am, even though I was exhausted and worried. I got out the What to Expect in the First Year Book to read about vomiting. I gave her a bit of juice and then she nursed and went back to sleep. So, I have no idea what caused the vomiting spell! She had some jarred baby food yesterday, instead of my homemade baby food, but I doubt that could do it. I don't think it is an allergy because everything she ate yesterday, she's been eating for a least a couple of weeks. Anyhow, I have a fear of people throwing up. I know it's a strange fear, but I HATE it when people get sick. And, I got over that fear last night when I got thrown up on for the first time in my life!
She seemed okay today, but did not have much of an appetite. I tried to feed her rice cereal and bananas for her meals, but she wouldn't eat any dinner. It's hard to get my peanut to put on weight when she refuses to nurse and then has no appetite!
So, to all the parents out there- I respect all that you do and have done for your kids. I know a lot of it goes unrecognized, but you are courageous and anything but cowards! Thanks for all of the hours of sleep you lose, for all of the diapers you change, all of the messes you clean up, and all of the hours and days you spend worrying about your kids!
I hope that all of you are having great week! Keep our little one in your prayers!

why we love our church

Check out the following link. It is one of the many reasons we enjoy our church so much. Look closely at the video and you can see Heidi- my mother in law- working on alterations for dresses. The whole production is such a great event!

http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_14397565#axzz0fq9jbEXT