Thursday, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas!!!

We're off in the morning to visit my (Amber's) family! So, here is a very Merry Christmas and happy new year post for all of you! We didn't quite get to Christmas cards...

But, please humbly accept this post as a greeting to you all - may Jesus, the reason for the season, richly bless you this Christmas and always!




Love,
Jason, Amber, & Evelyn

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Happy 3rd Anniversary!


Happy Anniversary, my Love!

Life is so much better because I am your wife! I know we will have many, many more happy anniversaries to come if we keep loving God and loving each other more than ourselves!

I love you to infinity and beyond! You make me the happiest woman alive!
I have to go - the present we gave each other for our 2nd anniversary is awake from her nap!
Always and Forever,
Amber


Saturday, December 08, 2007

Do NOT operate a motor vehicle while overwhelmed, rushed, and distracted

So, this is a follow-up to my post late Wednesday night. First thing Thursday morning I did get a shower. Evelyn received a bath first, as she had a "blow-out." (It wasn't a "trifecta" - poops, peeps, and a spit-up going all over, all at once - I do have previous stories about those too for later :-)

Anyhow, I managed to get some more work done and was feeling like things were all going to be alright for the day. I decided to run to the grocery store for a few sale items and some clementines which I am still sitting here craving (I never made it to the store as you will realize as you read on)...

Important background knowledge information piece #1: Starting working has been a small nightmare. Regardless of the fact that my boss has been trying to get affairs in order at the University I work at since September, many wrenches have been thrown in the works. A certain someone in the finance department obviously does not want me to be working at home. She would not approve my job description, phone, Internet service, or laptop - all things that pretty much hamper my ability to work. And, to top it off, until yesterday, I was NOT back on the payroll - yes, working for FREE. This all has made me VERY frustrated and irritated.

Important background knowledge information piece #2: Evelyn does not like her car seat. She is becoming more tolerant of it, but she does not like it. She will escalate her screaming about being in the car seat to a point where she is red in the face, choking, and unable to even snap back into reality she is so upset.

Flashback to Thursday: Evelyn was not liking it as I buckled her into the car seat on Thursday afternoon. Work phone rings - it is the lady from HR who has promised to call me back about 50 times in regards to my payroll status but never calls. I had to take the call. She had no good news. There was still no progress towards getting back onto the payroll.

We live in the Midwest - the very FRIGID Midwest. After hanging up, I made some irritated noise, and then went out to start my car. (I have to interject - Evelyn won't sleep - Jason is playing with her - and she is LAUGHING! That is NEW - only happened one other time - and we are talking I just witnesses some MULTIPLE laughs. Simply joyful and splendid!). Back to the story - started the car and wanted to back up to not have exhaust enter the car. Remember, Evelyn has been strapped in, going nowhere, for almost 10 minutes - NOT GOOD.

Some stupid stick came and hit me before I decided to back up. This is evidenced by the fact that I backed up my car with the driver's door OPEN. Yes, I do have a master's degree and received straight A's while receiving it. No, that doesn't ensure that I will act with common sense in all occasions.

I drive too far back and smashed my door into the garage door track and part of the wood of our house. Car door won't shut. The shock is followed by the panic and waterworks. I freak out and dread calling Jason.

He rushed home to assess the damage. It is bad. New garage door track needed. New car door and front fender needed.

It makes me sick to even think about it. Jason has had to spend too much time trying to fix the damage - time that would so be better spent on other things.

I am very sorry that I did this stupid thing. The only thing that I can do is vow to NEVER do it again and to realize that I probably should have postponed my grocery store trip based on the fact that I was overwhelmed, rushed, and distracted.

That's my sad story for the day. But, at least we are all safe and healthy. It could have been worse.

~Amber

Our Little "Punkin'" - Evelyn






Evelyn is such a joy! She wakes up in the morning ready to smile! We engage in many long talks - she'lll talk almost non-stop for 5 minutes! She looks straight into your eyes and talks with many facial expressions and vocal tones. Sometimes her little tone of voice makes me feel like she is lecturing me - telling me to stop worrying and to just play with her and enjoy each moment.

People kept telling us that she was "colicky," but God placed a library book in my hinds and I ended up taking her in and she was diagnosed with acid reflux. She takes horrible tasting medicine twice per day, but it certainly has helped take away her pain.

We are currently working on her sleeping schedule/habits. She used to only sleep in our arms. She started taking occasional naps in the swing. She now sleeps for 30-35 minutes in her crib. I am still working on a way to get her to sleep longer. Sometimes (like right now) I still let her sleep in my arms - for she seems to go down better for bed if she gets at least one longer nap.

Many more sleep and mommy stories to come - I have so much to tell! But, typing with one hand is cumbersome!

Until then, bye!

Amber & Evelyn

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

I almost forgot how to post!

Hello blogger friends!

Internet was installed and up as of last night. Until now, 10:11 p.m., I have not had the chance to look at blogs because I was too bogged down by work emails.

I went to bed last night dreading looking at the rest of the emails (I barely made a dent before I gave up and went to bed) and I knew that I had many more to send to people.

I sit here, ashamedly, in the same pj's that I woke up in this morning... Some other mom - please admit to me that this has happened to you at least once, too! My shirt has a little spit-up on it - it's a good day when I don't get poo on me! :-) (Evelyn is quite a little pooper - at least one "blow-out" a day!)

I hope to post some pics and share some of my MANY stories soon! She is so precious - I am trying to take the time to just stare at her each day - for she seems as if she has grown and changed every morning when she smiles at me in bed.

Glad to be back!

I will do my best to post tomorrow - that is after I get a shower!

~Amber