Preparing for change...

So today was a big day for Lillian and I, our lives (mine and Lilly's - well..and George's - but I'm not sure it's gonna break his heart like mine...not to say he doesn't care - it's just different I think). Today, Lillian and I went to Lewis Little Folks - the daycare at NASA - where Lilly will be going to have her meet the teachers, see the room, and just kind of get familar with the environment. It was also for me to become comfortable with the environment I'm about to leave my sweet pea in for the majority of the day :( - breaks my heart - not because I worry about the care at the daycare, but because someone else will be watching/caring for her - not me :(! Lillian was very attentive to what was going on in the room, taking it all in while I talked with her teachers Renee and Alycia. They both seem very nice and I'm sure will take great care of Lilly.

Ideally I'd love to have as much time with Lillian as possible, but still maybe keep my 'foot in the door' at NASA and continue to bring in a little bit of an income, so we can get bills paid off, build up our savings again, and still have some extra $$ for us to be able to fun things with Lillian as she grows :) So we'll see - I'm anxious to talk to my boss next week and explore my options! I kind of feel like I'm playing 'tug-of-war' with my emotions of what to do, so I know it'll be nice to understand my options more clearly!

I'm beginning to get nervous about next week :( so please keep me and Lillian in your prayers as we make this transition!

Here's a picture I took today :) I think it kind of sums up/frames how I feel about my little sweet pea - It is of Lillian in her crib with part of the quote that I love...I think it says it all :) -

she actually fell asleep in there on her own - that was a first for us, as she usually falls asleep in our arms while eating - so hopefully the start of a good transition for her to 'soothe' herself and fall asleep on her own, which I think I read, we were supposed to start trying to do that with her around this time (I need to look again). We aren't quite to the age of letting her 'cry' it out - so I just stayed in there held the pacifier in her mouth and out she went :) She didn't sleep for long, but it's a start :)

Sure do love this little girl!

3 Month Milestone Photoshoot

Today was Lillian Grace's 3-month photoshoot with Kim of Kimberly Althausen Photography and we had a great time!

Lilly was a trooper for a whole 2 hours before she'd just had enough...she was ready for a nap so we stopped, Kim packed up and then we headed up to St. Demetrios, where we got married, and will be doing Lillian's Christening. We've asked Kim to possibly shoot her Christening, so she wanted to check out the lighting, so we are hopeful that we can have her capture this special moment as well!

Kim just posted her 'Sneak Peek' of Lillian's 3-months milestone shoot! I am so happy that we 'stumbled' upon Kim (a coworker at NASA works with her Husband and he mentioned that she was working to expand her portfolio, when I had asked him if he knew anyone that shot maternity photos), she is truly talented and is truly a blessing to work with, especially after our ill-fated, dishearting experience with our Wedding Photographer - the RAD Photographer (not so RAD)!

Kim did a great job with Lillian and her work speaks for itself!










One last thing... a funny recap from today...shows how our little sweet pea is growing! We had set Lillian up on her boppy pillow for some tummy time pictures (like pic. #3) and Kim shot a few and then all the sudden Whoops - Lillian dove over the side of the boppy! Those little legs are getting strong! Not only did she do it once - but twice! No worries, she didn't get hurt, I think she just surprised herself and us :)

We can't wait to see the rest of the pictures :) Thanks so much Kim!

It's March Already?

Wow - I can't believe it is March already and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to start the new month with - Spring is in the air :) YAY!!!

Both George and I started back to work this week, but I am thankfully getting to work from home this week and I'm enjoying every extra minute that I have with Lillian! Which was especially nice today because we were able to take advantage of the beautiful day and go for a walk outside this afternoon!

Here are a few pictures from our outing! I braved taking both Skyler and Shelby with us - it was the first walk I've done with both Dogs and Lillian in the stroller, by myself (only our 2nd walk ever - but George was with us last time!). I ended up 'rigging' the leashes around my waist (I use to do this when I would just go running with Skyler so I could have my hands free). So, I put her leash around my waist like I used to and then looped Shelby's leash thru the other one. That way I could use my body to stop them if they decided to go crazy should they see a 'SQUIRREL!' (that's my Pixar UP reference :)) and we also had our 'Gentle Leaders' on - so we well under control - which was important when walking two decent sized dogs by myself with a stroller and baby :)

Skyler enjoying the walk... - I like this pic. b/c it captures all our shadows :)


...Lillian (she passed out as soon as we got started)


and Shelby


all three of my walking partners :)


Happy puppies after a 2+ mile walk!


Kisses from my other baby girl!


Here are some closeups of my happy walking partners!
:) Shelby :)


:) Skyler :)


and...my Sweet Lilly :) looks like she enjoyed the walk :)


We are all hoping that this beautiful weather (i.e. sunshine and blue skies) sticks around so we can enjoy more walks and time outside!