Growing up

So starting solids is no big deal right? For some reason, With Miss Chloe it was a decision I agonized over for a very long time. Then, realizing that her 6 month mark was just a week away we dove right in and started with rice cereal the other night. Not a big deal right? It was for us. And while it didn't turn out as entertaining as Rene had hoped, Chloe thoroughly enjoyed herself. She wanted to hold the spoon herself which made things a little difficult at first, but once I figured out loading up one spoon and handing it to her she would feed herself when she stuck it in her mouth to chew on it. One of my favorite things that I did for Isabella was make her own baby food. We started on Gerber, but I felt like I was missing out. So I bought a big ol' butternut squash to make for Chloe this weekend after we've done our proverbial time with the rice cereal. I can hardly wait!

Tis the season!

Christmas is by far my favorite time of year. I love everything about it. The music, the decorations, family. I think the biggest thing is I never grew up when it came to Christmas. I still love the magic and wonder of all the festivities. It's even more exciting to share it with my girls. I love the fact that Isabella is just as excited this year about every aspect as I am. She couldn't wait to get the tree up and start decorating. In fact she hung most of the decorations herself. She couldn't wait to get out the advent calendars. She's dying to go see Santa at the mall. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and lose the joy. It goes by so quickly and in our Controlled chaos we rarely have time to just sit down and enjoy it. Having her makes me come back to what I love most about the season. Just that overwhelming excitment. I love the fact that my kids can make me not be such a grown up all of the time!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I'm just winding down from our Holiday. Not your typical Thanksgiving by many standards, but it is pretty much the norm at our house. Rene and I both worked today. This Holiday is about being thankful for what you have. I have an awesome family at work. I got to celebrate today with them. We had so much food that we are apparently known throughout the institution for how much we bring. There are close to 130 employees and while not all of them were there today I swear we bring enough food to feed that many!
When I got home I got to spend some quality time with my girls and bake Cranberry orange oat scones (that is what we had for dinner) with Isabella. Now that really is something to be Thankful for. Before you feel too sorry for us, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving as a family Tomorrow. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy...The whole nine yards. We'll get the Christmas Tree out and decorate. I don't like to think about it as missing a holiday, but rather prolonging the festivities!
Hope everyone had a Wonderful and blessed Holiday. May you have a excellent tryptophan induced sleep!

Bathing Babies and Butterflies

Is there anything more wonderful than bathing small babies? I'm not sure there is. Chloe is at such a fun age. She absolutley LOVES her baths. And talk about a HAM when the camera is on!! I took these pictures this weekend while visiting my Aunt Marie and Uncle Mikes home in Houston.

I am so greatful that we have family here in Texas that we can spend time with . It was such a joy to watch Isabella play with "The kids" (My cousins) She had such a blast! I had to remind her that those "Kids" were the same age as me! Talk about Young at heart. You all made a lasting impression on her and she will never forget you. Trust me! We are very thankful for your hospitality!

One of the highlights of this weekend was visiting the Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural History. What an amazing place! We were all in awe of this collection of one of god's most beautiful creations. Even Rene was Butified! Notice his lovely new scalp accesory!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the spirit of the upcoming Holiday, I've decided to post something I'm Thankful for everyday. Today I'm thankful for having Fall weather at Thanksgiving, something that doesn't always happen in Texas. Also, for Long afternoon naps with my Chloe on my days off. (Thanks for giving me that time Honey)

Controlled Chaos

Controlled Chaos... Oxymoron? Not really. It pretty much defines my life. It's a concept all to familiar to those of us in Emergency Medicine. After all, that's what Emergency departments are almost everyday. You move from one Chaotic situation to the next with continually changing factors making each move affect the next. It's almost like the Butterfly theory. Every action affects another. Then I got to thinking the other day. My entire life is much like every day in the ER. After adding my second daughter earlier this year, our lives were thrust in to chaos that is methodically controlled by myself on a daily basis. I've been a charge nurse in a Level One Trauma center for nearly all of my 8 1/2 year career, but nothing has thrown me as off base as my new life. I've always enjoyed the challenges of the ER and the puzzle it represents. If I do this then this can happen. Uh oh, it's full and this is coming we have to do this and this and this. I've always excelled at this. It's a challenge and I love it. This is how I finally had to re-frame my new role as working mom to two. Trying to plan and move and do on a daily basis. Every action having an effect on the rest of my day. I would be lying if I said that I don't occasionally miss the days where I could mindlessly drift through my days off with no thoughts of what needed to happen and when. We were so established with our nice little of family of three. Daddy working EMS every third day without fail. Me working One week on, One week off. Now we are on the roller coaster of a new system. Thrust over the past year into life change after life change we have not always had the most control over our lives. Little by little I can happily say we are beginning once again to ...Control the Chaos.