Christmas!

To see things through the eyes of a child... Christmas was an all-new, amazing celebration this year. Gwen had such a wonderful time and was actually able to tear into her gifts (and everyone else's) this year. It was such a joy to see the holiday through her eyes. We drove through a few neighborhoods to let her see the pretty lights on the houses - we enjoyed the Ooooh's and Ahhhhh's from the backseat. Perhaps next year we'll participate in decorating outside as well!

I wanted to share some of my favorite photos and memories from this year's Christmas. First was in Cheney, where we celebrated on Christmas Eve. We opened gifts then had a wonderful dinner, followed by the Candlelight Service at TUCC (a Chance family tradition). Not sure when we'll attend the midnight service again - with Gigi's early bedtime, we attend the 7:00 service instead. Elmo is her favorite Sesame Street character, and Curious George has a special place in her heart. Uncle Ray got her the most adorable racer jacket - she was quite thankful, a gift well-deserving of a big hug.

Christmas morning was such a joy! She was excited to wake and find a load of presents under our li'l tree and a stocking full of goodies, all for her ripping pleasure!

 I love her expression - she sees George and the Man with the Yellow Hat. Oh, the joy!

What's black and white and has Gwen all over it? Her new beanbag chair - a wonderful gift from G'ma and G'pa C! She loves to kick back and watch the Curious George movie.

 Another G'ma/G'pa C. gift - it said some assembly required. Arghh! Well worth it though. She loves cooking in her just-her-size kitchen.

Not done yet! Then there was a surprise Christmas from Venicca and Walt. New fun monkey gloves!!
And finally, Christmas with G'ma J. Lots of fun again, tearing into gifts. She can finally get some work done on her new computer!!

Would you like the bow?

 And a new car! She can wear her new racing jacket when she plays with this!

But even at this age where her eyes light up at all of the wonderful toys, as they say, the box it comes it can sometimes be the best part of the gift... (yes, she did this herself)

 Merry Christmas,everyone!!

♫ Music ♫

We noticed from a very young age that Gwen enjoyed music. Long before she was even crawling, she would bouce a little to the beat. Now that she's older, she loves to dance and sing. She shared her booty-shaking talents with the lovely folks at Best Buy last weekend in the sub-woofer room. She can really drop it like it's hot!! Here's a li'l ditty when she was a little over a year old - practicing her octaves...

She got a sing-a-long book for her first birthday - it got to the point that if she pointed at the page and if no one started singing the song right away, we had a grumpy girl on our hands! We know all too well that the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round, we are experts row row rowing the boat, and we're not ashamed to tell the world that we're happy and we know it...

One lazy day we noticed Gwen doing her own thing in the corner of the room - singing her usual random song. But then out of nowhere, she playfully fell to the floor. Odd new twist to the song... I quickly recalled the words to 'Ring Around the Rosy'. Sure enough when I started singing it, she was ecstatic. I don't remember now how many times I sang it before it was finally ok to stop. The video I recorded on my phone (sorry it's sideways!) proves that even being in the scary doctor office with her back-side hanging out could not keep her from enjoying the song.

My parents go above and beyond for Christmas for us all, but one of the gifts was some mommy/daddy time. We dropped Gwen off at their house on a Monday evening and picked her up on Wednesday. During this visit, my mom shared her wonderful musical talents with Gwen. They sat together at the piano as my mom played and sang. I used to love listening to my mom practice piano when I was younger.

It obviously had a lasting impression on Gwen because as we watched football the following week, Gwen shared with us some of what she learned ♫ Unfortunately, I and the camera were far enough away that her voice didn't get picked up as well as I had hoped, but I still find her serenade very enjoyable...

And in closing, I cannot leave you without a dance number. Once I figure out the software my parents so kindly got me for Christmas, I will put together a dance mix. But for now, considering it's about my bedtime, I will include her favorite nighty-night melody. Please excuse the crazy lady outfit. We do lots of layers after bath. My sweetie does not like to be cold (like her mama).



Flashback

Today was my first day back to work after a few wonderful days at home with Gigi. Getting her out of bed was not so pleasant (she's like her daddy and really enjoys her beauty rest). I missed her more than usual today, but it made the evening that much more enjoyable.

Perhaps it's a bit early, but I'm starting to try to come up with a theme for B-Day #2 (in May). Tutu's? Owls? Butterflies? Decisions... decisions. The bird theme I did for her first was so much fun. I hope whatever I come up with turns out as well.

Hand-sewn felt birds as cupcake toppers.

No bake cookie nests (pastel jelly beans)

Just Us Girls

My last Gigi/Mommy day for awhile. Holiday time off has passed, time to return to the grind tomorrow. But today was one to remember. We girls had a lot of fun. It was a day of giggles, lots of blueberries, shapes, bunnies, and oh ya - we built a fort. Not a bad day at all.

Gigi Nursery

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, once we knew it was a girl, we began planning and decorating - lots of pink. I decided to design around the bedding, a discontinued Dwell for Target design, Olivia. I couldn't find it in stores anymore, but good folks on ebay were selling items a la carte so I bought the comforter, bumper and a few skirts for very cheap. My mom turned the extra skirts into matching pillows and blankets.

 

 

The bunnies were inspired by a mobile by Flensted. I re-created them with cardboard painted with acrylic, then strung them with fishing line. They're simply whole and half circles arranged to form the bunny in different positions.

The bedding even inpired the design for my baby shower invitations and hanger tags.

Blessed Day

On this day, the last day of the year, I remember the one two years ago. On December 31, 2009, we found out that the baby I was carrying was in fact a girl.

In the instant that I heard those words, "It's a Girl," I felt more connected and even more blessed. The planning and decorating started on that day. I obsessively looked online for nursery inspiration as now, I could narrow down my searches to PINK instead of blue. On that day, I felt that I could finally be excited (though I continued to stay a bit nervous, it's my nature). This was our little girl and in about 5 months, I would hold her in my arms.

We went through a lot to finally get to that blessed day. So many tests, needle pokes, exams, a painful dye test, pills, injections, surgery, and six Intrauterine Inseminations (IUI's). But I never, to my knowledge, lost a baby. I was worried that I would, but Gwen stayed with me. My first pregnancy. My first child.

Today, on the last day of the year 2011, I experienced losing a baby. Again. I lost a baby the day before Thanksgiving just last month. Periods were very painful for me when I was high school age. They had gotten better but it was a pain I will never forget. Last month, I announced to my husband, Andy, that another baby was on its way. My levels were low, but on track according to my calculation in comparison to my first pregnancy. Needlesstosay, we were excited. Two days later, I felt cramps that I hadn't since high school.

Those cramps returned today.

Unlike last month, I did not have the positive home pregnancy tests. I did not have the positive blood test assuring me that I was in fact pregnant. But I know I was. The symptoms were a perfect reflection of last month. And the pain now that they're gone is exactly, exactly the same.

I pray for fertility, for the ability to hold onto a pregnancy full term. I pray for the experience of being pregnant again as I never felt more healthy, happy, and beautiful as I did when I carried Gwen. She is my little miracle - God's most perfect gift to me. I don't know how my heart would have room to love another child as much as Gwen but I know it's capable, because I love the two that I have lost. So much.

I wasn't sure why I felt compelled to start a blog. That was yesterday. On this day, I know it was because God knew this was coming. And He know that writing down my thoughts would be therapeutic.

His timing for blessing us with Gwen was perfect. His timing for the next, if we are so blessed again, will be perfect. I know that. But I can't help but cry.

I'm New Here!

Never had much interest in blogging. Wouldn't know where to begin. But for some reason, today was different. I recently have been overwhelmed with creative impulses, yet no time to act on them. But I'm thinking this blog will be a creative outlet, where I can post some pics of my little darling as well as my future projects. New Year's Resolution #1: DO! A year from now, I don't want to wish I had started today.

Starting off right, with a photo shoot with my sweet daughter, Gwen (just turned 19 months old). I have a bit of love for babyGap...

Now, I must brag. I check out our local used children's clothing stores from time to time in search for the diamond in the rough. Well yesterday, I found a gem! A 2T babyGap denim jacket. This momma couldn't be more thrilled - with coupon... $6!! Oh, the possibilities...