Routine Visit to the Doctor's

We had Caitlyn's 6 month check up this morning. She did amazing! She weighed in at 14 pounds and 1 ounce (10th percentile), she was 27 inches long (90th percentile), and her head measured in the 75th percentile. She's still our little 'string bean'. She had some more immunizations today and screamed for only a few seconds... then I held and nursed her to sleep. She then slept for the car ride home and woke up around 1:45pm, she finally tuckered out until 3:30pm. Ashley and I spent the day rotating who was holding and comforting her while the other did some household chores... Now, we have 4 loads of laundry complete, 3 bathrooms clean, 2 sparkling vehicles, and 1 babe who got some extra special attention from mom and dad today... thanks to all those presidents (Ashley had today off of work). She finally went back to sleep about a half hour ago... and I am heading there shortly.

I had to post this picture...even though Valentine's Day is over, we found this headband wrapped in a valentines gift bag (thanks to our household cleaning).Thanks Aunt Tami, Uncle Larry, Morgan, and Natalie

Class of 1999

Ashley and I both graduated from Stadium High School in 1999... Well, when they did the renovation of the building, they sold engraveble bricks. Today, Ashley, Caitlyn, Vicki, Scarlet, and I ventured back to the old high school in hopes to find our brick. After about ten minutes of searching... We found it! Proud Graduates of SHS! Afterwards, we took advantage of the wonderful spring-like weather and walked around the historic Stadium district of Tacoma. The day was beautiful!

Spring is in the Air

Saturday, Ashley and I transplanted a hydrangea plant, a peanut butter tree (the leaves smell like peanut butter... I have no idea what it's really called), and a lot of ferns from my parents' yard to ours. Keep your fingers crossed that they live through the transfer.

This is a picture of Caitlyn helping us in the yard.

New Friends

Today, Caitlyn and I met our new friends, Jodi and Sophie for coffee and conversation at the Mandolin cafe. I work with Jodi's husband at the hospital and we have had many conversations about her. Sophie is three months older than Caitlyn and when Caitlyn was born, I emailed Jodi for lots of 'new mom' advice. She had invited me to go walking with her and a group of other mothers but at the time... I felt too new as a mom which made me nervous. I finally was able to join her for coffee today and I don't know why I waited so long. I had a blast talking for almost three hours about babies, motherhood, work, and other fun stuff. I hope to join her and her other friends at the Point Defiance Zoo next Friday! Thanks Jodi and Sophie for a fun day!

Sophie is the spittin' image of her daddy, Jim. She has the most beautiful eyes and very long eyelashes.

The Day of Love

What a lovely day today was. Caitlyn spent the day with my mom while I was at work (eating way too many goodies from the Valentine's Bake Sale). I picked her up and headed home where Ashley prepared me a candlelit, lamb and creamy asparagus rotini dinner. It was delicious! Only 11 more days til our 2 year Anniversary!

My sweet Valentine dressed pretty in her Valentine's Day outfit!

The 2 loves of my life!

Happy Day of LOVE!!!

6 Months

Caitlyn turned 1/2 a year on Saturday. It was my weekend to work so Caitlyn spent the day with her daddy. The day started with her and daddy playing. We bought her a new jumping toy so she played in it. Then Grandma came and picked them both up to go shopping... he bought Caitlyn the most beautiful stand up mirror for her nursery. Then they stopped by my work to say hello. I fed Caitlyn (which was great cause nursing her is a thousand times more enjoyable than pumping at work). Then they were on there way to have lunch with pappy.

Ashley fed Caitlyn carrots for the first time... which she enjoyed! When I got home we ordered pizza, filmed Caitlyn, and played with her until it was time for bed. What a great 6 month birthday!

Half a year has gone by so fast. I love celebrating her months of life. It gives Ashley and I a chance to slow down a little and really celebrate how lucky we are to have such an amazing, happy, and healthy babygirl!

I can't imagine my life without little Caitlyn.

Election Year

Twenty years ago, my mom took me up to the University of Puget Sound to hear Democratic Presidential Candidate Michael Dukakis speak. Today... my Mom, Caitlyn, and I walked up to the University of Puget Sound to hear Democratic Presidential Candidate, Hillary Clinton speak. The Washington State Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association both are endorsing Hillary Clinton, so I thought (since I'm a nurse) it would be an exciting and memorable experience for all of us to go and hear what she has to say... and because I am a nurse, we got to the front of the line. Many people... mostly nurses and other healthcare workers gathered to support her. We were about 6 rows from her podium and she was speaking about universal healthcare for all ages and said, "I see we have a little baby here today" and she pointed right at Caitlyn. I have not decided yet as to who I am going to vote for... but this sure was a fun experience. We are making history as she is our first ever female presidential candidate. Hopefully, when Caitlyn grows older she will be happy I took her along today! Tomorrow... she turns half a year!!!

Catching Up

I haven't blogged in a few days... so I thought I'd better post a few good pics of Caitlyn. She is growing at lightening speed. Here are a few of Ash's and my favorite pics of her lately... Enjoy!

Here she is staying warm during all the freezing weather we've been having.

This is her in a new sweater, made by Sara (Ashley's cousin). We think she looks like a movie star! This is us on Super Bowl Sunday. I love the dress she's wearing. It was a gift from Ash's Aunt, I remember opening it last July and picturing how cute it would be on her... and here she is in it. Time flies!

Another try at rice cereal... Although you can't tell in this picture... she's getting better at swallowing it.

MLK Weekend Recap

Friday: Ashley, Caitlyn, and I went over to my parents house where Hana and Ksavera made us all dinner to welcome home mom. (She just returned from a 17-day Hawaiian cruise). Dinner was delicious and included salmon, bowtie pasta with sundried tomato dressing, green beans, and we brought dessert... chocolate pudding garnished with raspberries and mint leaves.

Saturday: I picked up an extra shift at work so Caitlyn and Ashley got to spend some quality time together. Saturday evening we met Tiffany, Kory and Avery for dinner at Farrelli's where we enjoyed some delicious pizza and good conversation.

Daddy & Daughter Time!!!

Kory, Avery, Caitlyn, & Tiffany having some fun!

Sunday: We woke up and did some shopping, then went back to my parents house where my cousin, Brian and his family came over. We welcomed them all back to Washington. Myranda and Kassidy are getting so big. Myranda loved to hold "baby Caitlyn" (that's what she called her). We all watched football and cheered hard for the GreenBay Packers as they lost in overtime. The rest of the family except Caitlyn, Ksavera, and I went off to watch Monster Trucks at the Tacoma Dome. Caitlyn and I rested in DziaDzia's recliner and fell asleep until everyone returned.

Babcia & Caitlyn... a bunch of cheeseheads!

Monday: This day was especially fun! Not only because Ashley was able to have the day off work (thank-you, Martin Luther King Jr.)... we also started to introduce solid food to Caitlyn.

The day began with us waking up together and cleaning the much needed dirty house. We then had lunch with Ksavera (who was on her lunch break). Afterwards we did some more shopping. When we came home Caitlyn was getting a little hungry so I nursed her as Ashley got the videocamera, camera, new high chair, bib, and rice cereal mixed with breast milk ready for the big production. I finished nursing and Ashley placed Caitlyn in the chair... that's when the fun began. I was busy juggling cameras while Ashley was doing the feeding. We went in for the first taste and Caitlyn was way more excited about the spoons than the food. We gave her an extra spoon to try to keep her hands away from the one we were using to spoon feed her. We got... maybe an 1/8 of an ounce in and she was spent! We then went over to Ashley's parents house for a Monday dinner (We substituted monday for our usual Sunday dinner because of the long weekend). We enjoyed cube steak sandwiches and some more good conversation and went home. At home we tried the rest of the rice cereal but thickened it up just a little... that worked a little better. She got about two teaspoons of rice cereal with about 2 ounces of breastmilk. She then was getting tired so I nursed her again and she went to sleep!

What a weekend! Enjoy the Pics!!!

This is Caitlyn... testing out her new high chair & getting ready for the big production!

This is round 1: rice cereal introduction!

We all took a break for some good Monday dinner with Grandma & Pappy

Round 2: Thicker rice cereal introduction

Caitlyn thinkin...

"It wasn't that bad afterall! I think I can get used to this solid food stuff!"

Weigh In

Caitlyn is weighing 13 pounds and 7 oz. I took her to the doctors for a quick weigh in and was so happy to see how much she has grown. Her next check up is on February 18th... I look forward to her growing some more. By then, we will have started introducing food to her. I can't wait!

5 Months

Today we celebrated Caitlyn turning 5 months. I went to work today and it was Ashley's 1st day alone with Caitlyn... and they had a wonderful day. They kept in touch with me by sending me photo texts on my phone! I came home to a clean house, a clean baby, and dinner was ready. We ate dinner together and did our traditional video taping of Caitlyn to record how fast she is growing. I watched the tape of her at 4 months and was totally amazed at how fast she has grown and how much she is changing. This month she has discovered her voice... she babbles on and on... I love listening to her! She also has found her feet... She loves pulling them to her mouth and sucking on them! She also loves to grab objects and put them in her mouth. Just yesterday, Tiffany, Avery, and I ate lunch at the Spaghetti Factory and Caitlyn was tired of sitting in her car seat so I held her on my lap... she grabbed the spoon and put it in her mouth... it was so darn cute. Then, when I got home and told Ash all about it, she grabbed my lip gloss out of my hands and tried to put it on her lips (or in her mouth... who could tell?!?) It is absolutely amazing watching her grow and learn right before our eyes. Grandma Riggs came over to help us celebrate. Caitlyn and her exchanged lots of kisses... which led to lipstick on Caitlyn's face... how precious!
Who would've thought that someone so small can make me feel emotions so big! I can honestly say that I have never, in my entire life, been more happy and proud of such a tiny baby. I absolutely adore her and truly enjoy watching her grow!

Double Nickels

Happy 55th Birthday to a special man... my dad (Caitlyn's Dziadzia)!!! We all got together and celebrated by eating gourmet hot dogs, beans, and cake with no sprinkles (his choice)!!! Also, today I returned to my workout class at the YMCA. Everyone loved meeting Caitlyn for the first time since they watched her grow in my belly for nine months. I have a feeling I will be very sore tomorrow!

My Return to Work

January 2nd was my first day back to work at St. Clare Hospital. Leaving Caitlyn in the morning was a little more difficult than I imagined, but my actual return to work went very smoothly.

***

January 1st was a good day, I gathered all of my things that I needed to return back to work and relaxed with Ashley and Caitlyn. As the night started to come to an end I began to tear up. I was feling so many different things. I was nervous to return back to work because I thought maybe I forgot how to be a nurse. I was also very sad because for some strange reason, I felt as if motherhood was ending... Now I know that when I get off of work and even when I am at work, I am still Caitlyn's mom, but I feared that maybe she'd forget who I was. I just couldn't get rid of these awful feelings. I was also a little excited to get back to work to see all of my friends. I had a million emotions which made it very hard to get to sleep.

***

The night came and went... and I found myself awaking to my alarm. I was now in a state of shock! I quickly got ready so that I would have some extra time to play with Caitlyn before I left for work. She woke up shortly after I got outta the shower so I nursed her and continued to get ready. Ashley was now awake and playing with Caitlyn. I was all ready for work and went downstairs to warm up my car. The second I put the key in the ignition... I lost it. I began crying so hard and loud... I couldn't believe it. I tried to calm myself down so I could go back inside and give Ashley and Caitlyn a kiss good bye. I met Ash on the stairs as he was coming down and he must have seen my tears cause he held and hugged me for a longer than usual morning hug. I was very thankful for him. I gave Caitlyn a ton of kisses and started my journey back to work. (Ashley drove Caitlyn over to his parents house so that Vicki and Scarlet could care for her.) I cried for about 12 of the 22 minutes it took me to get to work :( I was welcomed by everyone and it only took me about ten muinutes to remember how to be a nurse. The day went by very quickly... thanks to Scarlet and Vicki who texted me many pictures of Caitlyn throughout my shift. I used our lactation room at work to pump in hopes to keep up my milk supply... I felt very strange pumping at work especially in my work clothes. I got off work and sped to pick up Caitlyn.

***

I got to Vicki's and Scarlet's house and Caitlyn was napping. I selfishly woke her up to hold her... and she smiled real big. She didn't forget who I was afterall. The next day went even more smoothly. Now I am off until next Wednesday, when I will probably go through all of this again.

Hopefully it gets easier!

Happy New Year

Happy 2008!

The 5th Annual coctail party was a blast as usual!

I'll try to post pictures by the end of the week!

2007 Top 10!

#10-Began posting this BLOG

#9- Started many new family traditions

#8- Planted 2 new trees in our yard

#7- Enjoyed numerous Point Defiance 5-mile walks

#6- Visited San Diego Zoo

#5- Hosted our 1st Rychlinski/Riggs Easter dinner

#4- Enjoyed a 5 month maternity leave from work

#3- Mastered breastfeeding

#2- Celebrated mine and Ashley's 1 year wedding anniversary

#1- Caitlyn was born!!!