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!!!

Baptism Day

Today, Caitlyn and Ashley were baptized at First Lutheran Church in Tacoma. Many of our family and friends joined us in church and afterwards at our house for refreshments. We thank everyone for the gifts and for celebrating this very speical day with us. Enjoy the pictures!

Christening is a day of joy,
a day of promise,
a day when I have shared with my daughter and husband the gift of faith.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

I cannot believe how fast Christmas has come and gone. This year our families tried a few new traditions. We went to Christmas eve service at First Lutheran like we do every year, but this year afterwards, we all gathered at Ash’s parents house for some holiday cheer and spirits. After everyone headed home, Ash, Caitlyn, and I exchanged gifts with his parents and sister and also headed home. When we got home we each opened one gift… new Christmas pajamas and headed to sleep!!! Christmas morning was the most wonderful 1st Christmas ever for Caitlyn. We all woke up from a good nights rest (must have been the new jammies). We made hot chocolate, sliced a honey crisp apple, and began our first ever family gift exchange! Caitlyn laid between us and was very interested in her gifts. She especially enjoyed holding and playing with the wrapping paper. After we exchanged our gifts my family came over and my dad made his traditional brunch…this year with Ashley’s help, and we exchanged another set of gifts. ‘Tis the season of giving! As if the day wasn’t perfect enough… it began to snow. We immediately took Caitlyn outside for some quick pics.

I couldn’t help but to tear up… I couldn‘t have been happier! Ashley and I thank everyone for all the wonderful presents that were sent our way. It’s hard to believe that this time last year Ash and I announced that we were expecting a baby. Caitlyn is by far the best Christmas gift ever, she truly has made this holiday more special than ever! We are very blessed to have everything that we do…especially such an amazing family! We finished the evening by watching a movie… just Ashley, Caitlyn, and I. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Bathtime

Caitlyn loves her bathtime... as do I. She is so happy and loves to play with all the bubbles and her rubber ducky! Most recently, she uses her time in the tub to explore her feet and toes. She loves to kick and squirm and is so excited and surprised each time she makes a splash. Leaving the bathtub usually brings tears to her eyes but this day her happiness continued into the nursery even while she dried off. This picture is by far one of my favorites of her!

Special Day

Happy day of dedication to Miss Avery Jeanne.

Let your light shine!

Last Night...

I had a mini meltdown. I finished the 7th and final season of the Gilmore Girls. I have now watched 7 full seasons since I've been on maternity leave. As I was watching and crying through the very last episode, I realized that not only was I finishing mine and Caitlyn's relationship with mother and daughter, Loralai and Rory Gilmore, my maternity leave was also coming to an end. I return to work on the 2nd of January which seems way too close. I have been tremendously lucky to have one week short of 5 months off to be with Caitlyn. My mom attempted to cheer me up today by reminding me that I'm only going back to work as a 0.6 FTE, which means only 2 days a week (wednesday and thursday) and every other weekend. One might think that is not bad at all... but to me, an eight hour day seems like a lifetime to be away from Caitlyn. Especially because she rolled over for the first time on Sunday and I know that she will be continuing to grow and learn so fast now... I don't want to miss a thing! I'm tearing up right now just typing about it. I love being a nurse but I love being a mom so much more!!! I don't want these next 15 days to end. I am doing my best to make them last and to cherish every second, but with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season... the days are going by way too fast.

Holiday Sweater Party

Well, the 2nd annual holiday sweater party was a huge success! The evening started with a few helpers who prepared some of the food trays (Thanks Mom, Grandma, and Ashley). The night was filled with family, many friends, holiday spirits, seriously sweet holiday attire, picture posing, rear end modeling contests, more holiday spirits, itchy feet, charades (polar express), dancing, apples to apples, broken glass, hot sauce shots, mistletoe smooching, late night little weenies and tacos, and more holiday spirits with designated drivers. Everyone looked marvelous in their holiday apparel.

Last year’s Best Holiday Sweater Winner (Brian Ferguson) arrived looking better than ever in a fire red mock turtleneck sweater decorated with white snowmen, red and white candy canes, and delicious looking gingerbread men. Over the sweater, Brian showed off in a black sweater vest embroidered with green stitch, filled with beautiful blooming poinsettias and dressed up with shiny red sequins. This year, the 2007 Best Holiday Sweater Award went to a couple… Jon and Mandy! They arrived in style, wearing matching home made sweater vests. Their vests were lined with jingling holiday bells and filled with sponge Christmas trees decorated with colorful strands of garland, glittery gold leaves, green and red stocking (which was used as a pocket), a red Christmas ornament trimmed with gold glitter designs, a branch of full red berries, and lastly… a bird sitting on a tree bough which sat on each of their shoulders. Under her sweater vest, Mandy wore a red turtleneck filled with green and white holiday stockings and holly. Jon wore a plaid green turtleneck which complimented his vest very well. This year’s runner up was awarded to Scarlet who also arrived in a home made green holiday turtleneck. Her turtleneck was decorated with a lovely felt fireplace scene where the mantle sat directly on her mantle and was decorated with a stocking (which was given to her by Ashley and me last year when we announced we were expecting Caitlyn). Above the mantle was a picture of Caitlyn framed in a lovely red frame. She wore red Santa shorts which complimented her turtleneck well.

Everyone was dressed so well this year, which made the voting very difficult.
Thanks to everyone for celebrating the holiday season with us! We are incredibly lucky to have such amazing friends.

Also Caitlyn wanted me to thank everyone for the gifts that were left under the tree and for the especially soft teddy bear that was left sitting on her glider in her nursery room.
We are looking forward to the 5th annual New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party which is thrown by Jon and Mandy and is a blast every year.

4 Generations

For the past week Caitlyn has enjoyed meeting and getting to know her great grandma Hollman. She is visiting from Wisconsin for the holidays. We plan to visit the Singing Christmas Tree while she's in town.

Best Friends Forever

Today, Caitlyn invited her best friend, Avery, over for their first holiday baking and cookie decorating day. Avery brought along her mom (Tiffany), her grandma (Ludy), and her Aunt Jamie and Aunt Krista. Caitlyn had me, Babcia, Cocia Ksavera, and Cocia Hana for help.

The cookie makers started to get a little frisky! We made some delicious and colorful cut-out cookies, peanut butter cookies with Hershey kisses, and some decadent fudge with a hint of peanut butter. The day was filled with lots of love and plenty of sugar. Santa dropped by to see if the girls were being naughty or nice… of course they were both really nice!!! I couldn’t have asked for a better ‘first holiday baking and cookie decorating’ day. I am blessed to have such an amazing best friend, family, and friends!!! The day was topped off with the first episode of the seventh and final season of the Gilmore Girls (for those who don’t know… the first six seasons helped Caitlyn and I learn to breastfeed during those long sleepless nights).