Heart Broken

This week I had the biggest reality check.... ever. And to say the least- it has rocked my world. It started with a phone call my brother made to my mom (that she then relayed to me) and he started by saying "Mom, do you want to know the most horrible thing ever?" As my mom is telling me this I am thinking- he got in a fender bender or received another speeding ticket or a little worse, that he lost his job as a molly maid at school. But what he was about to reveal has consumed me morning, noon, and night ever since.

You may have seen it on the news "Cincinnati Christian Professor Leaves 11 month Old Baby to Die in Mini-van." My brother walked out of class on Wednesday afternoon to find police tape surrounding a mini van, a coroner's van, and a woman laying face down in the grass. This woman has been the center of my thoughts and prayers, Jodie Edwards has broken my heart.

Yes, it has happened again. A good person, a good mommy at that, forgot her child in the car as she walked into work on Wednesday morning. There was a change in childcare last week in the Edward's family and this minor change resulted in a major disaster. This is the first such case that I have heard of since Ivy was born. And being that Jenna, Jodie's daughter, was so close to Ivy's age I feel like I have been mourning right there with her. I have prayed, just as she asked publicly, for her husband to have understanding, for her to be able to continue being a mom to her 3 year old son, and for the legal process to go smoothly. As I pray for her comfort and for her family I get so torn up. I don't know if I am saddened because I look at Ivy and think about what Jenna went through or because I look in the mirror and think about Jenna's mom and the pain she will feel every day of her life.

Regardless, of what is breaking my heart, I want this to remind us all to slow down. We are always in such a hurry and so consumed with the balancing act of working and taking care of children and husbands that we miss things along the way. Sometimes these are small things like leaving the coffee pot on or not returning a phone call and sometimes we overlook big things like Jodie did last Wednesday. I can't imagine what that family is going through- I feel like I have been through the ringer and I am VERY removed from the Edward's family. Let's just continue to pray for them and let this be a lesson of some sort to the rest of us. Sorry to be so depressing but this has been so heavy on my heart. I just had to share.

*You can find the newpaper articles if you google the subject but be warned some of it is quite disturbing.

Painting Leads to Kisses

I have been dying to share the most recent day that Ivy spent with Miss Kendra and John Hunter. All I can say is beware these might be the cutest pics you have ever seen!

Thank you, Kendra, for always capturing the perfect moments.

The "paint" is in the making....

Ivy carefully tastes what has been created.

John Hunter is an experienced painter so he jumps right in.

John Hunter has clearly shown Ivy the ropes of this art.

She is covered head to toe with artwork.

Painting is oh so tiring for sweet Ivy.

First John Hunter taught Ivy to paint with pudding and now he is on to bigger and better things!

I am so thankful that they are having a grand ole time together! Ivy and John Hunter will probably kill us for this when they turn 16 but it was too cute not to share.

What Daddy's Do Best

No explanation needed! :)

1930's~ Not So Much

35 As a 1930s wife, I am Poor Take the test!

Good thing it isn't the 1930's! I think I am a little too outspoken and lacking in the cooking/sewing department therefore as a 1930's wife.... I pretty much suck!

Saw this little quiz on Kendra's blog and I must note she makes an excellent 1930's wife. I believe it is because she makes the cutest baby clothes EVER!

Snip of the Baby Mullet

Ivy was beginning to have a little bit of a baby mullet. Greg and I vowed to one another long before Ivy was even in the making that our daughter (or son for that matter) would never have a baby mullet. Yesterday was the day! We drove all the way across town to Kiddie Cutters where they specialize in kid haircuts. It was worth it :) Ivy got to sit in a pink jeep to get her wig chopped. She also got to watch Baby Einstein. The stylist only trimmed the back because we are growing her bangs out. So now we present to you Ivy's Baby Bob!! :)

Back to School

This week I officially started school again. Emily (my job share teacher) and I welcomed back 22 amazing first graders on Wednesday. It was great to be able to open up the year together. We have an interesting dynamic with 15 boys and 7 girls :) They are chatty and many of them knew each other from kindergarten. Most of them are talkers so I have heard their life stories already... some of them more than once!!! It was great to get back into the groove of things. Especially knowing that I am working part time this year. I am so thankful for this opportunity to balance the two things I love (teaching and mommying)!! This semester I will be working Thursday, Friday, and every other Wednesday. I am already looking forward to this 5 day weekend that we have just began. Thanks for all those who prayed for God to open a door for me to be home more! I was elated to see this all work out.

While I am at work Ivy is continuing to have a great time at Kendra's house. (Thank you thank you, Kendra!!) I have received daily emails from Ivy telling me all about her day. It is so wonderful to know that her days look a lot like my days do with her. She has taken excellent naps- 3 hours plus (we are doing afternoon only again)!! YAY :) And she has gotten to go on many adventures. Ivy has also found a great little playmate in John Hunter. Tonight we are going to test out the church nursery again, with hopes that she will be more comfortable after playing with J.H. this week! Here is the latest picture of Ivy coloring a picture for Daddy and Mommy. And you better believe it was sent home in her "take home" folder. In tact with her name on the front of it! (Kendra is a teacher in heart... can you tell??)

Portrait Shoppe

Ivy got her 1 year pictures taken at the Portrait Shoppe a few weeks ago. We were very impressed with the photographer and the pictures that we purchased. They were quick and did some unique things. Check out their website at http://www.portraitshoppe.com/ to see what they have to offer your little one!!

Ivy loved sitting with all of the presents!

This is her more serious face with the fake cake :)

This is what I was most excited about. I know the quality of the picture isn't very good because it is a picture of pictures. You get to choose three pictures to be matted, framed, and personalized for a reasonable price. Not too bad!! Ivy loves looking at her pictures. She always touches the one where she is eating a cup cake. I think it makes her hungry :)

First Day with Miss Kendra

This morning was the first real day that Ivy has had a babysitter since the last day of school. Over the summer Nana is off work so any time I absolutely had to do something without Ivy by my side she stayed with Nana. I was worried about tears and not napping and quickly realized when I arrived at 3:45 that my child was as happy as a clam. She had quite the day with Miss Kendra, John Hunter, Will, and we can't forget the dogs or the fish! Ivy got to play outside, go on walks, and enjoy all the boy toys to the fullest all with the pink blankie in tow. Here are a couple pictures that Miss Kendra e-mailed me at work so I could catch a little glimpse of Ivy's day!

I love this picture of John Hunter and Ivy looking at the fish pond. Ivy is captivated by him and likes to watch everything he does. I heard JH may have a little crush as he has taken a liking to giving Ivy lots of hugs :) He's going to have to work pretty hard because I think she is just smitten with Mr. Eric (JH's Dad)!

Ivy posing by the window. Look at that wild hair!!!

SOOO Big

It seems like every day I notice another reason that Ivy is no longer a baby. She is soooo big! This morning I took this picture of her in her new big girl pajamas as she was walking to get her milk. The combo of the pj's (that I bought in the toddler section), walking, and milk in a sippy cup made me sort of sad. Our baby girl is growing up!!!

Guess that means it is time for another baby.... haha--- totally kidding (promise)!

Olympics 8-8-08

Super excited for the Olympics to start. I really don't like summer time TV so this is a breath of fresh air of something good to watch! Secretly I have been angry at NBC for counting down the days as I felt like it was a countdown to school starting... but now that the Olympics are here I am pumped!

* Yay for Dara Torres! Any woman over the age of 40, who has endured the trauma of pregnancy, and still looks like that is definitely my hero!

1 Year Check Up

Today was a big day! We went to Ivy's one year check up. I couldn't have even imagined this day when it seems like a moment ago we were at the doctor's office every day doing weight checks and pricking the bottom of her little foot. In a year she has grown so much.

IVY'S 1 YEAR STATS:

Height 29 1/2 inches (59%)

Weight 20 lbs. 5 oz. (34%)

When I went to file her 1 year guide in her folder I pulled out her 2 month appointment sheet. Then Ivy was 22 inches long and a mere 9 lbs. (We worked super hard to get there in those first two months!) It is hard to believe in 10 months she has grown like a weed! I am so excited about the adventures we will embark on in the next year~ :)

Ivy's Favorite's:

Words- bye bye, duck, meow (almost forgot that one!)

Sign Language- please (She does this even to do things like pull on the blinds!!)

Food- cheese and lima beans

Book- anything about animals (especially books with flaps and noises)

TV/Movie- Sesame Street (not Mr. Noodle-haha) and Baby Einstein

Toy- baby dolls (She likes to feed them and hug them.)

Faces- a big toothy smile or a scrunched up mean face

To Do- go for walks/wagon rides, play with friends, look out the window, go to the park and pool, read books, rock in the rocking chair

Fun with Friends... Long Night with Ivy

Last night we had Kayla and Nick, and Ashley, Drew, and Brayden over for pizza. We had a good time eating and talking. Us ladies (including Ivy) made the boys eat in the family room while we took over the kitchen. Brayden had a good time hanging out in his diaper and watching baseball with the boys. Ivy ate pizza, watermelon, and lima beans and showed her "please" sign language over and over again. After a while it became Brayden's fussy time (at the exact time that Ivy used to be fussy) so we took a walk with they wagon. By next spring Brayden will be able to ride with Ivy in the wagon. They will have so much fun! Kayla had fun playing with all the babies. Her and Nick are going to make amazing parents because they get lots of practice!! But right now, they are still enjoying their time as newlyweds (a little over a year :) ) and are ready to give the babies back to get a good night sleep. Speaking of good night sleep.... we did not get that at the Smorstad household!

Ivy loved being in Brayden's car seat! It made us realize how big she is :)

Nick letting Ivy play with his phone. Her favorite toy!!

Brayden hanging out in his diaper. He loved Ivy's glow bear and at times she wasn't so sure about sharing with Brayden. Soon I will be able to explain to her that Brayden has shared his toys, bed, and car seat with her!!! She better be nice!

TODAY THIS IS HOW GREG AND I FEEL!!

I wish I could say we were worn out from entertaining into the evening but it isn't that fabulous. Ivy slept her longest stretch from 8 until 9:40 last night. She has had a little cold (I think because she is getting more teeth) but last night it really interfered with her sleep. Every time we laid her down she began to gasp for air like she couldn't breath. After several attempts we ended up taking turns sleeping sitting up so that she too could be sat up. We are all tired today! Ivy has already taken one long nap and now she is down for the next one. She seems better today. I am hoping the Zyrtec will help and tonight we will get our normal zzz's!! Wish us luck and say a little prayer if you'd like! We would definitely appreciate it :)

Yesterday was so surreal for me. For the past two days I have been story telling.... 1 year ago right now.... It seems like yesterday and I am so thankful that I can remember that like it was just a moment ago. It is hard to believe that Ivy is already 1. Someone asked me does she look different, and no of course not. But now I no longer feel like she is a baby. She is little girl Ivy rather than baby Ivy. I am sure when she starts walking as her main means of transportation I will really feel like she grew up on me. As a mommy, each new phase brings new excitement and new joy. When she was a newborn I loved to cuddle then as she got older I was looking forward to smiles and sounds and laughs and then movement. Over the next year I am so excited to communicate with Ivy even more. I can't wait for her to narrate her thoughts out loud. I am sure age 1 will go by just as fast as the first 12 months did. Time flies when you're having a good time.... and with that said, I love being a mom! Here is a slide show capturing Ivy's first year month by month. ENJOY :)