Experiements with the Camera

Last weekend, we were out and about and I decided to take my camera along. We had gone to a historic town just a few miles down the road called Gruene. So I whipped out the camera and just started playing around. I really did end up with some beautiful shots. Thought I might share them....enjoy.....

Wow....long time no post

Wow....I've been slacking. So what's been going on in our world. Not that much. Just the same old thing it seems. Tori is just getting bigger. Starting to do more things it seems. I have made the final decision though, she HATES tummy time. Yes hate is a very strong word, but I think it fits this time. However with that being said, I'm trying to figure out other ways to make her back strong. Otherwise, I'm afraid she will be behind on her milestones. She will tolerate tummy time if she's laying on Daddy's tummy and looking up at him. But I don't think this is enough. I have been putting her in her Bumbo, and sitting with her. She a little wobbly but she does pretty good in it. I've been sitting her on my knee and supporting her, but I'm not really sure if either of these 2 options are giving her the strengthening that she needs. Must do more
research!!!!


I can't believe in less than a month she goes back to the pedi for her 4 month check up and shots. I'm curious to see how much weight she's gained. It's an amazing feeling knowing that I have been the one that supported her while in the womb, and I have continued to support her while she's in the real world. At times though, it is scary. Yes I know there's formula if anything should ever happen, but still...maybe it's just my odd way of thinking.



Okay I started this on Wednesday, and it's now Friday morning...*sigh* where has the time gone.

And now it's Saturday morning. It's currently 5:45 and I've been up since 4:00am. The baby woke to eat. No big deal I usually fall right back to sleep when she's done nursing. However at the same time she was nursing, the norther decided to blow in. And that means that the wind was blowing a gale storm. I got up to check the weather and found that the wind was gusting up to 40mph in some places here. THAT'S CRAZY. No the real crazy thing is, that yesterday it made it close to 90, an today, if we're lucky, it will make it to 65. When I got up at 4:00, it was 62, and 2 hours later, it is now 48. Must love Texas. If you don't like the weather just stay an hour or so and it will definitely change.

Okay I'm closing this one off for now, and I might actually post it....

Wednesday....

Wednesday.....I used to be able to say Happy Humpday when I worked, and now, it just doesn't apply. The baby and I have been doing good. I'm just amazed at how big she is getting everyday.

Tomorrow we go and pick up our portraits that we took at Penny's. I'm excited to see how they turned out. She's been doing so good lately. She's starting to sleep longer during the night/morning. She's normally waking up between 9-10 everyday. Well except for today and she woke up at 10:22am. I didn't want to wake her up, a baby needs their sleep. We were out and about yesterday so she really didn't nap much. I just figured her little body needed the zzz's.

I sit here and think...she turned 3 months on the 12th, and it amazes me. In less than a month we'll go for her 4 month shots, and that's when the Dr. will give us the a-OK to go ahead and feed her some cereal. What??? She can't be getting that old yet??!?!?! and then in 2 months after that, it's baby food. (Mom's version of course) I'm just floored. Everyone says that they grow up so fast...but never did I imagine the time would fly by like this.

And with that noted, I'm so glad that I have the amazing husband that I do. Who is allowing me to stay home with our child. To be here for her first coo's, her first time she rolled over, the first time she will sit up on her own, to scoot across the floor, to take a step and then plop down on her bottom. I married a wonderful man. My best friend. My rock to lean on. I love him more and more every day. He is understanding, he doesn't judge me on my bad days, he gives me hugs when I need them and yet I don't ask. But most of all.....He loves me for ME. His two girls are his world, and he shows us everyday, in his little way.....

So here's to my amazing husband...I love you Victor. I love the man that you were, the man that you are, and the man that you will be. I could not have been blessed with a more amazing man to call friend, husband, or father of my child.....You are my everything.....

God's Little Miracle

Maybe some believe in a god, or a higher being, or maybe you believe in the same God I believe in. I'm not to judge. But I believe in a God that can do AMAZING things. And once again He has proven that he is the Great Physician.

I've posted about her before, and I'm sure I'll post about her in the future. Miss Veiyah Karg... a very amazing little girl!!! Truly God's miracle here on earth. She was called into on the 11th and it was so touch and go. A procedure that was to go fairly smoothly had some hiccups and took longer than expected, and then the doctors had to do more in the surgery than they had originally planned. I read the update and my heart sank. Then today, they called for EMERGENCY open heart surgery AGAIN!!! What??? this cannot be happening, it just can't be. This little girl has already been through so much. They wheeled her back and were going to reverse everything they did during the week. The doctors opened her up and there was really nothing wrong with the original procedure. There was just some "gunk" that was trapped around the heart and shunt. (I know this is not the technical terms, but you get the idea) They cleared it, cleaned her up, and watched. They watched before their eyes as this little girl was getting better by the seconds, by the minutes....

Once again, God has shown His amazing power. I am so blessed to have found this family. I followed her mom while she was preggos like me. So it's been awhile that I've watched this little girl grow. My heart has dropped, I've cried many nights, I've prayed so hard for her mom Ani, and her dad Jeremy, and her two sisters. But this little girl has renewed my faith. I had been lost for a while, but I am found again. God puts everyone on this earth for a purpose. I believe Veiyah's purpose is to prove to people, be it ordinary souls like myself, doctors, nurses, non-believers whomever, that God does exist and he walks here on this earth.

I can't imagine what this family has gone through these months. I pray that I never have to experience it. But I know that my God is merciful...He is faithful to His sheep...and that's all I need to know...

We love you Veiyah....I'm so glad that you are getting better.....You are so amazing....keep fighting little girl...you have so much to prove to the world. As your mommy said. You are THAT miracle. May you know how loved you are, how special you are to so many. God is healing your heart, and your little body. Your heart is perfect in God's eyes, it just needs a few tweaks for you here on earth. Keep fighting, don't ever give up. You are a child of God.....

If you have a moment, or even if you don't. Take a moment, find a moment to say a little prayer for this little girl.....

Love,
Carrie

My Wondeful, Amazing Hubbykins....

It's been a couple of days since I posted, sorry....but I've been having way to much fun!!! On Friday, I had my SAHM play group's Valentine's Day party. It was so much fun. Tori didn't do much...she fussed, laughed, cried, and slept. But I did take my niece, and SHE had a BLAST!!! I'm so glad. I love being with her. She's such an amazing little girl, and one day I will see her become and amazing woman right before my eyes. I love you Ali...you are my BaaBas.

Anyways...on to the rest of the story....Victor and I didn't really "go out" for V-day. We went to a little restaurant here in town for lunch with the Babybear. It was nice, just the 3 of us. There's no reason for the hubby and I just to share our love, when the PRODUCT of our love is more amazing to both of us. She was, as always, perfect while we ate....

Now for the wonderful Hubbykins part. Victor and I have been going and taking picture of Babybear at the studio, and as much as I love doing it, it does get expensive. I have a really good "point-and-shoot" camera, but it's 'just a camera'. We had been thinking about getting a new camera, but really didn't want to spend the extra money on one. So it was just a fleeting thought. Well GUESS WHAT?!?!? I GOT A NEW CAMERA!!! And it is SOOOOOO amazing. I got a Nikon Digital SLR. Yes the kind that semi-pro, pros use! OMG does it take the most amazing pictures in the world, and this is with it just set on "auto" aka dummy mode. So here are a couple pictures of my beautiful baby, and my most amazing hubbykins...

I am so blessed with such a Happy Baby
Daddy and Babybear having fun on the swings...

There's something about her expression...tranquil?

This was just my experiment...I really like it though

P.S. In case anyone is wondering...SHE LOVES HER MOBYWRAP. However she only like it when she's facing out into the world...doesn't like it in the "cuddle" aspect.

Veiyah Karg

I woke up this morning, and saw a post from Ani that today was Veiyah's surgery. I was so happy to know that this procedure was going to be done today because it means that she would be getting better sooner rather than later. I said my prayers for her and prayed that God would have mercy on her little body and allow her to be healed. I waited patiently for updates, and waited and waited, and finally an update. Everything not going so well, but it was still going...there is Hope...

I continued waiting for the next update. Just praying that everything was going okay........

Although things did not go as planned, she has pulled through and I am so thankful. Keep in mind, I've never met this family. Never spoke to them. Never given her a hug. But she has touched me and blessed me in such a profound way. She is a miracle sent from up above. She is amazing....she is inspiring...........as I sit here and write this, I cry. My heart breaks for this family. I CANNOT imagine, or comprehend what her parents are going through. Ani & Jer, you amaze me. You are so strong....your love is undescribable....

Prayers...that's all I can say....they are so needed right now for this family. She made it through her surgery, but it wasn't as planned. God has protected her again, as He will continue to do. Please, Please, Please, I beg you, say a prayer for her....for her mom & dad....for her two older sisters....for her grandparents....her aunts, uncles, friends....this little girl has touched SO many lives. She is a miracle, and once again she has proved it again today. She is perfect in God's eyes, and that is what matters.... (If you want to know the story behind this amazing little girl, you can find her story here.)

We love you Veiyah...you have touched our lives so profoundly.....you are God's miracle here on earth....*hugs* to you precious baby girl....


Love,
Carrie

Precious Moments

On Friday night, Victor and I went out looking for Babybear a new dress for her pictures that we had scheduled for Saturday morning. Ali was with us, because we had tried to have a picnic (the wind was horrible so it was a waste) and we were taking her home after we found a dress. We went to JCPenny's where we normally buy Tori's clothes at. I looked and couldn't find anything. Well I did but I just couldn't bring myself to pay $20 bucks for a tiny little dress. At that was the SALE price. So Vic decided we should go to Sears and see if they had anything. I never shop at Sears but what the hell, I'll give it a try. We walked in the door, and THERE IT WAS!! The perfect dress, in the perfect size, in the perfect color, and the perfect price. I grabbed it in a heart beat. Victor happened to turn around and boom, there it was, a size 4T. The exact same dress, in the perfect size, and the perfect price, for Ali. I decided to get the dress for her too. Then we decided we would pic Ali up in the morning and take her to shoot pictures with her cousin. The proofs are in, and I wanted to share....The love of that these two little girls share is AMAZING!!!!

The picture above is my FAVORITE of the two girls

My peanut has gotten so big!!!!

All smiles for the camera

The sassy girl that she is...love you Monkey!!!

The picture of innocence...

In a Funk...

I guess the title pretty much says it all. Just kind of in a funk. Don't know why?!?! But I do know that I don't like it. I think I just need to get out more with the baby. I mean we go a lot already on the weekends and things, but not that much during the week. I sit here a lot during the week and take care of Babybear. We play on the floor, read books, sit outside on the swing and watch the birds eat from the feeder, but it's just not enough. I need to be around people.



I'm a very people oriented person. I like to be around adults and talk. I just feel kind of gloomy. Like those days that you don't want to get out of bed, don't want to get out of your pj's much less take a shower. Don't really feel like eating or anything. Just feel like being left alone. hrmm....I need to get some happy juice.....Being a stay at home mom, is definitely not easy, it's not hard, but it's time consuming. I feel like I'm more of a nanny, maid, chef, chauffeur, gopher, fix-it-man, ect....



Okay I'm done complaining...because when all is said and done, I'm very fortunate to be able to stay home with Babybear...



And just for laughs, here's a picture of the cutie...we were at the park with my niece. She wasn't to happy with the wind. This was the first time that Tori was able to sit in her stroller with out the car seat...see I have so much to be thankful for, but still the funk ensues....grrrrr

Karg Family

Isn't she just adorable!!!!

This is one of those drive by posts. Veiyah is back in the hospital. Looks like her 2nd open heart surgery will be sooner rather than later. But this just means she can get better faster. This family is so strong and filled with love, but they still need prayers for their most amazing little miracle. On the right hand side of my blog you will see a button for her, "Pray for Veiyah" When you see this button on my page, please say a prayer for this little girl. She's AMAZING!!! If you would like to put the button on your own page to remember to pray for her, please visit their blog Karg Family Updates. It's on the right hand side as well, just get the code and paste to your own blog. If you haven't already, take a minute to read things over. They are amazing!!! God is amazing for what he's done for this little girl. He is the Great Physician. Love to the Karg Family, from the Palomares Family!!!! *hugs to you baby Veyiah*

Happy Friday

1. The first full week cloth diapering is over and done with, and it is AMAZING!!! The permanent diaper rash is GONE!!! Babybear looks cute in all the bright colors too.

2. Getting to spend time with my niece today. It's picnic in the park Friday!!! Before Tori we did everything together, and since the baby came I can't do as much. But now that she's getting bigger and able to go for long periods of time, it's much easier. So we're going to go pick up Ali, and then head to the park for a picnic and then to the jungle gym to play. She's already called about 50 times asking when I'm coming to get her....ahhh the love of a child is like no other.

3. Once again, I have to put my husband. He makes me happy with all of his quirkiness. I'm so very blessed to have such an amazing man in my life. It sounds so cliche, but it's so very true.

Just Another Day....

I woke up this morning feeling rather rested. Babybear fell asleep last night around 9:00 she scurried around midnight for a diaper change and a feeding and then off to dreamland again. And when that happened she was out like a sack of potatos. I moved her form the outside of the bed to the middle and she never made a sound. She was drunk on milk, warm & toasty, and snuggled back into the bed and that was it.

I laid there for a moment or two and just stared at my perfect and precious little girl. So very amazing.....And then I was off to dreamland as well. She didnt wake up until after 6:00 this morning, so I got a good solid 6 hours of sleep. Rather nice if I do say so myself. :)

I just wanted to update on the clother diapering. So far, so good. I'm truly in love with them. Her skin is not irritated anymore, and that is what I was hoping for. Although they are a little bulkier on her (she's got junk in her trunk now), they really aren't hard to deal with at all. I was worried about the BF poo issue, and I did not have any at all. She hadn't gone for about 3 days (yes this is normal, it just goes to show how "perfect" breast milk is for a child. Their bodies metabolize it so well, they actually can go up to about 10 days and be perfectly fine.) and I was worried about how the diaper and cover would handle the situation. They had no problems at all. To be honest, they did a better job than her dissposables. Yeah for cloth :)

I was worried about the washing aspect of it. I was going to be so upset if my pretty white new diapers were going to be stained. I'm doing the dry pail method. So I emptied them in the washer, did a cold rinse with 1/2 cup of baking soda, then ran a regular hot wash cycle with 2T of Charlie's Soap and another 1/2 cup of soda. When the rinse was fixing to happen, I pulled out all my covers. Then added 1/2 cup of vinegar and let them go. Then added back the covers for 1 more cold rinse. I decided not to put them in the dryer, I just hung them on the cloths drying rack I have. And the verdict........Beautiful white as snow diapers....That have no smell at all :)

It sounds like a big process to do, but it's really not. I was making dinner at the time. The washing was done by the time my dinner was finished.

My Interview

I follow a blog that is absolutely amazing. It's called "Want What You Have", it's is just an amazing read. A week or so ago, she posted and interview, and if we wanted to we could comment to her and she would interview her readers. This week it's me... and here are my questions from her. (They were good ones too, made me think)



#1 You're a brand-new mom to a baby girl, Tori. I know that after I had my first daughter, I was so surprised - both pleasantly and unpleasantly- at all of the changes in my life. What is one thing that you wish someone had told you before you had children?

Wow. This is a tough one. I expected the sleepless nights, the fussy baby who would be inconsolable, the lack of intimacy between Vic and I. However, I never thought I would worry so much, and be so scared for her future. When it was just Vic and I, I could take things in stride. But now, every decision that I make, will impact her in some way or anther, either good or bad. I've always read labels, but now I read them even more thoroughly to make sure things aren't toxic. I worry about the things that are on TV, and even though she's only 11.5 weeks, I don't want her seeing/hearing bad things. I worry about the environment that I present to her. Whether we are out to eat, or with friends, or around strangers. I'm not saying that I'm overprotective, because I feel a germ is a good germ. I just view things totally different. Almost from a future perspective.



#2 If you could be granted one wish for your daughter's future, what would it be?

hrmm....to make sure she finds a Christian man to marry and raise a family with. It truly has made a world of difference in my life.



#3 Your blog header says that you used to be a "corporate woman." Can you share a little background with us about your life before motherhood?

Bean counter aka Accountant, that's what I was. I worked for an engineering firm. And although a very amazing and wonderful company to work for, not very accommodating to motherhood. 95% of the company were men, and the rest were woman. It truly was a man's world. I miss the people I work with, but I DO NOT miss the stress, or the hour+ drive to and from work.

#4 If you had one full day to yourself, with no responsibilities or obligations, what would you do?

Sleep in until about 8 or 8:30. Get up take a nice HOT shower. Head over to the coffee shop and relax outside for an hour or so and enjoy my Caramel latte. Then go to the book store and browse the titles. Go to the deli and have lunch with my mom. Go the fabric store and look at what cute fabric is out there to make Tori some summer rompers. Go home and get my crochet bag and head back to the other coffee shop, sit outside with an iced tea and watch the cars drive by as I crochet. Around dinner time, head home and go out to a nice dinner with the husband, then go for a nice walk on the riverwalk. Come home afterwards and cuddle on the couch for an hour or so, then head to bed. Get a good night's rest so I can then accomplish everything that I didn't do the day before because I was out enjoying myself.

#5 If you could interview a famous person, who would it be, and why?What would you ask?

Tricky question for me. Because although this person is famous for all the wrong reasons the case still makes me wonder day in and day out. I truly am a child of the sciences. But only the biology, microbiology, pathology, anatomy, and chemistry side of science. None of this evolution stuff. The human body truly fascinates me. I can spend hours reading about new discoveries that scientist unveil to try and explain things. Therefore, my person would be...Andrea Yates (this is the mother who drowned her children in the bath tub and said God made her do it). Now some may say this is a morbid thought process for wanting to interview her, but no not really. I believe in God and I believe in science. The two do not mix, therefore I do not believe in evolution and things of this nature. But to pick her brain and see what she was thinking when she did this. Mind you I would want to give her some thiopental sodium, which is "truth serum". I don't believe that "God told her to do this" as she claims. After having my own child, I CANNOT imagine what would drive a human to do this to another person, yet alone her own children. I have a list of questions to ask her....probably not the answer you were expecting, but to this day, the case still bothers me.