3 months old

Well it's about time for another update. On Sept 14, 2011 Karlie turned 3 months old. And she has changed so much since that day. She is able to sit up in her bumbo for short periods of time. And then yesterday she laughed for the first time! She loves to talk (watch my video on facebook). When I am holding her in my arms she smiles and me and coos. It is so adorable and melts my heart. I could listen to her beautiful voice all day long. I have a feeling she is going to be like me when I was a kid and talk nonstop. She is mostly sleeping through the night. She goes to bed around 8:00pm and sleeps until about 3:00am. Usually Kevin gets up to get her from her room and when he walks in she is trying to suck on his arm. You would think I never feed the child! But at her physical for daycare last week she weighed 12lbs 9oz. She doesn't ever miss a meal!

Ahh, daycare. I should be going back to work the first of October, tear. I'm pretty ready though. I love spending so much time with my daughter but I miss being a nurse. Somedays I feel like I am going to go crazy if I don't talk to an adult. We found an affordable daycare about 5 minutes from our house. I have been worried about all the bad things that can happen while at daycare but I did some research on the place and they have been open since 2004 with no violations. Kevin was laughing at me because I was asking the lady a million questions but it made me feel better.

Today we did Karlie's 3 month pictures in Downtown El Paso. I am so proud of how they came out. I love doing photography but it's usually of flowers and landscapes. I would like to get more practice. If anyone would like for me to do some, just let me know and I would be happy to get together with you! I guess that's about all I have got for now. I'll post some of my favorites from today.

Summer of travels

Since Karlie has been born, we have been doing some travel so everyone can meet her. In July when she was just 5 weeks old, we went to Indy and Iowa. She got to meet her brother, sister and lots of aunts and uncles. She did really well on the flights. We had such a nice time seeing everyone!

                                           Family pic: Kenzi, Kody, Karlie, Kevin and Me

                                                     Karlie with her brother, Kody

                                                     She loves to people watch at the airport
In August, Karlie and I drove to San Antonio to meet my side of the family. It was nice to see my sisters, Amanda and Lindsey and their little ones. I was able to meet my new niece, Baylee but my brother was out of town for work :( I am hoping he gets to meet Karlie soon. We also got to see most of the rest of the family and a couple of friends. It was so nice to sit and visit with everyone. On the drive from El Paso to SA, my amazing mom drove with me. Karlie had got her 2 month shots that day but overall did better than I thought. The drive back to El Paso, it was just Karlie and I. Everyone thought I was crazy but she did great.

                                            Karlie, Great Nana, and Grandma

                                                     With her cousin, Baylee

                                                     With her cousin, Jay

As mentioned in my earlier post, we also went to North Carolina for a friends wedding. Karlie was pretty crabby most of the trip but I think it was because it was unfamiliar. I was so worried she would cry during the wedding. She was fine until she woke up and cried as they placed the rings on and said "I do." I sat in the back and was able to dart out and calm her down. Then as the reception she started crying during best man's toast. Overall, I would not suggest traveling with an infant alone. I broke down and cried a couple of times. Thankfully I have understanding and helpful friends! Congrats to Leilani and Nate!

I think we are done traveling for a while. I have been offered and accepted a job as a triage nurse in the OB/GYN clinic. It is an awesome opportunity. I will be working with some of my co-workers and providers from Labor and Delivery. The hours are great, 0730-1630 with an hour for lunch! I have never had an hour for lunch so I don't know what I am gonna do with myself. Since Kevin is still working the floor, he only works 14 days out of the month so Karlie should only have to be in daycare for a few days a week. And I get all the holidays off! I am so excited to start my civilian job and actually have a routine. I guess that is all for now. Until next time.....

Labor day weekend

I decided to attend the wedding if one my good Army friends. Kevin wasn't able to come so it's just Karlie and I. Man was that a brave thing to do. Of course the day of travel she was crabby. But today, Saturday, the day if the wedding she is crying and screaming for no apparent reason. Thank goodness Judee, another Army friend is here and willing to help. My heart hurts when Karlie is screaming like this. I don't know what to do and nothing seems to calm her down. Sometimes I think, "how and I going to make it through this?" then she will smile and coo at me and everything is wonderful again. Maybe it's the hormones and stress but this motherhood thing is an emotional rollercoster. I love her so much but get flustered sometimes. I am so nervous to take her into the wedding this afternoon. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that she decides not to be a diva during the ceremony. It's 0900 now, I'll be back later to let you know how it goes.....