Wendy's First Trip To The Zoo

Okay, so my kid is 6 months old and we took her to the zoo. I knew when we took her she wouldn't understand, but it was a change to get her outside and let her see something other than the walls of our house. She didn't really understand or enjoy the animals, but she loved looking at the people. Wendy was constantly turning her head to look around at everyone. And I had about a million (or ten) people come up to tell me how beautiful my baby was. As a mother, that always makes you smile.

On the downside, tomorrow is Sunday which means my mom is going home. I know Wendy is too young to realize that Mimi has to leave, but I'm not and I hate to see my mother go.

On a positive note, Zed put in our 30 day notice, which means I will be out of this house and back in Georgia before April 30. That also means Zed will have to stay with friends here until May 3. Sometimes the Army is stupid, like when a soldier is getting out and literally goes into work from 5:30 to 6 and then sits at home the rest of the day, however we can't move home until May.

Oh! I also got Wendy a jogging stroller! It's a Jeep Liberty Limited Urban Terrain. You can sit her carseat in it. The tires are slack, so we're going to have to get them pumped up, but hopefully I can do that tomorrow which means I can begin the Couch to 5K workout. Mommy wants to lose some serious weight!

My Mommy Is Here

Yes, I may be 22, but I still love my parents and get super excited when I get to see them. My mommy just arrived this afternoon for a weekend visit! I will be so happy when we move home and my parents can be a bigger part of Wendy's life, and that goes for Zed's family as well. I hate being so far away and Wendy changing so much and them missing it.

Tomorrow Wendy has an appointment with her surgeon, which my mom and I will be taking her to. Then me and momma are going on a "date" while Zed watches Wendy. We are going to see The Hunger Games, even though we have both already seen it once. Saturday, I believe me, Zed, mom, and Wendy are going to the zoo! Zed also mentioned something about a BBQ Saturday afternoon at a friend's house, and then Sunday my mom will be going home.

Busy weekend. After this weekend, there will only be four more weekends until we move home. Wow, can the last week of April hurry up and get here already?

Productive Day

So far, today has been like any other Wednesday. Wendy had occupational therapy, however she was fussy today and wan't nada to do with it. So instead of working on completely oral, we worked on different ways to do tummy time and ways to get her arms in her mid-line. Wendy enjoyed the arms being brought to center.

After therapy, I went and got my nails done (which I do every two weeks, to get a mommy break). My nails are bright yellow! They make me happy and think of springtime and cute dresses.

I also reached my second goal of $300 for March of Dimes. Now I'm debating, should I raise my goal even higher? I have 25 days left before the walk. I think I could raise another $100.

Well, I better quit blogging and get to work on my lessons while my little hiccup is quiet!

Mrs. McLanahan, I Hope The Kids Can Pronounce It

So, it's official. I have started classes working towards a bachelor's in early childhood education. I made a 100 on my first writing assignment, a 3 page essay on why college is important to me. It's amazing how excited I am about this. Who would've thought that I would eventually want to teach small children. Definitely not me. At least not until I had Wendy.

Wendy has changed so much in my life and I honestly have no idea what I did to deserve such a beautiful and special child. She is absolutely perfect in every way imaginable and as hard as it to admit it, she's growing up. She's learning to eat food. We tried pears today instead of applesauce, but it kind of tasted the same to me. Yes, sometimes I sample her baby food. We also played in her Baby Einstein jumper. But mostly, I wore her around the house in her new Maya Wrap Ring Sling (aka, the best invention ever). That sling is a life (and arm) saver. I actually got stuff done today.

Pretty much, my point of this post is to say how happy I am with my life. I am loving it. I am so happy with my decision to get a college degree. And this career will suit Wendy and work around her schedule seeing as I don't plan to start work until she starts school. Being a mom is the most important thing in the world to me, but that doesn't mean I can't have other dreams as well. I'm just now figuring out that I can be a wife, a mother, and a working woman. I think my life is finally on track. I just hope the kids can pronounce my name!

Seriously Debating

I have been seriously considering what I want to go to school for. I really want to go to college online that way I don't have to be away from Wendy, and then once she starts school I would start work. I'm just trying to decide if nursing is what I truly want to do. Honestly, I would really only like to work with pregnant women, babies, or special needs children. So I'm still deciding. College is still a definite for me, but I need to be sure of the career path I choice.

I'm even considering getting a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education so I could work with and teach special needs children. This I could do completely online.

It's just frustrating because I have so many options! I had considered Psychology and Nursing and now Early Childhood Education. I know with all of these fields I could work with the type of people that I want, however, I just need to figure out which one fits into my life and Wendy's and Zed's the best. I hope I can figure it out soon! I really want to get the ball rolling!

Big Decision

I have made a huge decision. One that will not only effect me, but my family as well. I have decided to start college when I move back to Georgia. I plan on pursuing a degree in nursing. I am smart and I know I can do it. I had a 4.0 GPA the entire time I was in high school. I know it will be difficult having Wendy, but I will have plenty of family and support around me. (Besides, do you know how many people are just dying to babysit Wendy? Haha.) I have contacted several schools and I am seeing which of them can offer more online classes. I am going to take my SATs again June 2 and then apply for fall semester.

I am nervous as all get out. But now is the time to do something for me. I have sacrificed a lot for my family, moving for Zed and the Army, staying home and taking care of Wendy (which I love), but I know that once Wendy starts school, I am going to need a career, probably just something part-time, maybe only on the weekends.

I also want to know that if, God forbid, something ever happened to Zed, that I could take care of Wendy. I can give her all the love in the world, but I want to be able to financially take care of her.

It's exciting and scary all at the same time. But I think I'm ready.

ON a note about Wendy, we went to the doctor today to get some referrals. She's 9 freaking pounds! Yep, my teeny baby is almost in double digits. We got referrals for an audiology follow up, a neurodevelopmental follow up, and another feeding study. I also bought her first can of baby food because she is 4 months adjusted today! So maybe I'll try it tomorrow! And I bought Wendy a Baby Einstein musical motion activity jumper. I got that one because it is able to be adjusted height wise and grow with your baby, so I figured it would be able to be lowered enough for Wendy. Nope, her feet are still a good 6 inches from the floor. but she seems to enjoy sitting in it. She'll grow into it before long I'm sure.

I really spoil my baby. It's a habit I need to break, whether it be me holding her ALL THE TIME or spending all my extra money on her. I just can't help it, she's just so darn cute and sweet and perfect! This mommy is falling more and more in love every single day.

A Year Doesn't Seem So Long Ago

Last St. Patrick's Day Zed and I were in Savannah. We had planned on partying it up since he had just returned from Afghanistan. Our plans changed though. The week before we went I found out I was pregnant. Zed could have still drank all the green beer he wanted, but he didn't. It was crowded and not as much fun as I thought it would be, but still something I had always wanted to experience. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't been so worried. I think I had my hands constantly wrapped around my belly because I was afraid someone was going to bump into me. Sounds crazy, I know. But I loved Wendy so much already and I wanted to protect her every way I could. This time last year I had just found out I was expecting and now I have an almost 6 month old. Doesn't add up. She should only be 3 and half months old!

This year for St. Patty's Day we spent time together as a family, along with the Harper's and the Wahl's. We went to a place about an hour from here where Zed goes to shoot guns and there's a pond. We took food and blankets and had sort of a picnic while the guys tried to fish. However, they didn't catch anything (I told them they would't!) because they were using these ridiculous bright colored, fake worms. Who fishes in a pond with plastic worm lures? Apparently, Zed. I love him though. But maybe next time he'll get some live bait and actually catch a fish.

Today was kind of rough. I lost my temper a few times. (To get to the pond, we had to walk, through mud and 6 inch puddles, all while carrying a baby with a feeding pump and diaper bag, trying not to slip and fall.) But I still love my husband. And it was the thought of him wanting to spend time together as a family that counts. However, next time, we will take my suggestion and take Winnie to the zoo. :)