Four Months Already??

So, I have started a post about our week long vacation to Georgia probably ten times. I was already to tell you all about how Gracie was an angel on the plane, how our rental car (a Chrysler 300 in red) got us the weirdest looks in ATL.  That her baptism was one of the most beautiful ceremonies ever and there were VERY few dry eyes in the house after my father teared up giving the mothers blessing. How the after party at my parents house was a huge success. How we rode home to Colorado Springs with a suspected murder on the plane, and lastly how when we got back to the airport we found out our car was dead and had to bug our friends once again to come save us. When it hit me that my little girl turns 4 months old tomorrow. I feel like it was just yesterday I was packing for the hospital to go have her. Part of me can't believe she's that big already, but then I look at her with huge gummy smile and just think of all the amazing things she does and I can't believe it's only been 4 months. Every parent thinks their child is the most wonderful kid on the planet and to be honest we are all right. Our kids are the most amazing. She means the world to me and I can not wait to see what exciting things she pulls off this month! 

To the moon and back.

TWO POST IN 24 HOURS!! I know whatever will you do with yourselves!! Just kidding!

Happy Easter Everyone!!

As you all know this is Gracie's first and so far it has been great. She was showered with gifts from everyone in the family and was an angel this morning at mass. She's been a little cranky off and on though out the day, but who wouldn't be a little grouch with teething trying to push though your gums? One of the ways I get her to clam down is by reading to her. I think the pictures and my voices help distract her. So I went over to the easter book table and picked up a couple books she got today.

In the years that I have worked with children I have read a ton of books and you can't help but fall in love with a few of them. My favorite has got to be Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. For those of you not familiar with this book it is about a little bunny (Little Nut Brown Hare) who is trying to play the I love you more game with his daddy (Big Nut Brown Hare) or at least I assume it's his daddy they never really say what he is to the little bunny, but they do refer to him as a he. I have read this book probably 1,000 times to other children. I can do it without looking at pages. The book ends with my favorite line of all time from a parent to their child. Little Nut Brown Hare has fallen asleep after telling his daddy that he loves him all the way to the moon. Big Nut Brown Hare then tucks his little one into bed and leans in close and whispers in his ear

"I love you to the moon...and back."

I don't know what about this moment of reading that line for the first time to my daughter sitting on my lap that got to me, but I just teared up. Steve of course catches this right away and starts asking what's wrong. Which just leads to me full on crying. I've always dreamed of reading my favorite books to my kids one day, and there was a time there when I was told that that would never happen. So maybe that's what got to me. Here I am Easter 2012 reading to the most beautiful girl in the whole world, my little girl!

Mommy loves you Gracie...to the moon and back!

Family Update

I know I have been REALLY bad about updating all of you on how we are doing here in the Bostwick household. Something I really need to get better on, but I am sure you can all understand how hectic it can get with a infant around. I believe the last time I actually wrote a blog about how things were going Gracie had just turned 1 month. So here's a quick update on what has been going on.

February was busy month for Grace and I. On the 8th Grace took her first plane ride back to Mommy and Daddy's home state of Georgia where she got to meet her Grandpa Pete and 2 Uncles for the first time. She was an angel on the plane even during our two hour lay over in Atlanta. Although the actual trip was amazing I had such a good time being back home with friends and family (it could have only been more prefect had Steve been there) things ended pretty badly with me. I returned home with not one but different infections (I won't go into details), but these two infections actually ended up causing some major breastfeeding issues and but the time Grace was 12 weeks old I could no longer nurse. This actually broke my heart a lot worse then I thought it would and not just because formula cost more than blood. It was also around this time that we found out that those horrible rashes Gracie was getting was because she is allergic to most disposable diapers. So after A LOT of trial and error and almost having to go to cloth diapers we finally found at least 2 that she can wear without breaking out. Steve's February was pretty much filled with the same old same old work and flying. And of course we rounded the month off with Grace turning 2 months old on February 20th.

March was another pretty busy month for us. Steve and I celebrated our two anniversary on the 6th. I can honestly say that although sometimes we can't stand each other he is my best friend and I could not ask for a better man to be married to or be the father of my children. Gracie rolled over for the first time this month both from tummy to back and back to tummy. She also moved into her own room and I survived the transition. (Although recently there have been a couple mornings that Steve has found Grace and I in the guest bed, but that's usually only when she wakes up at 5 am and doesn't want to get back to sleep in her crib.) Grace also threw mommy for two more rings this month. While daddy was away on another week long trip out of country Grace decided she was going to try standing. I was letting her look over the back of the couch like I normally do when she's a curious mood and she just bears all her weight on her legs and stands there holding on the the back of the couch for about 45 seconds. I have a picture to prove it (in her 2 month album on FB.) The second doozy she threw at me this month was TEETHING. Thank God for my 15 plus years working with infants and toddlers because I picked up on that one fast and was able to find her something to help. So far we haven't had too many rough days, but as I am writing this Steve is laying on the bed with a little girl that just doesn't seem to be able to get comfortable enough to sleep. Grace turned 3 months on the 20th and Steve celebrated his 25th birthday on the 25th! Yay for lower car insurance.

April is already giving both February and March a run for their money. On the first I was reunited with some really good friends who I have not seen in almost 13 years!! We lived in Turkey together and lost touch after moving, but I am so looking forward to getting back together with them soon. The military proves to be a smaller and smaller world every base we go to. Tomorrow will be Grace's first Easter and I am so excited to take pictures of her in her little Easter dress!! Then on wednesday we leave for a family vacation back to GA! Next Sunday Gracie will be baptized by her Grandpa Pete in the same church her daddy and I were married in. I can not wait to see everyone again and celebrate my little Grace's baptism. Anyone wanna bet against me that Grandpa Pete gets a little choked up during the baptism?? Yea I didn't think so.

Well that's all for now. I will definitely try to keep you guys up to date better, but for now this mommy has a fussy 15 week old who doesn't look like she will be sleeping any time soon! So good night and wish me luck!!

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TMI blog warning ahead of time!!!!

I feel guilty at times when I get down about how I look now a days. I know first hand how hard getting pregant can be and what a blessing having a child truly is. Grace isn't named Grace for nothing, but when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror tonight I just shook my head. I NEVER had the prefect body, or even close for that matter, but I was pretty much content with what I was working with. My stomach had a little extra flap then what I wanted, but I had swimmers legs and little white girl booty. Now those love handles have turned into a 22 inch tire and my once tan belly is now painted proudly with service stripes. I no longer see the curves I was once happy with, now my butt and thighs just seem to run together. My calves have finally returned to a some what normal looking shape, but they are a far cry from the defined muscles they once were. I keep hearing you can't be serious Katie she's not even 4 months old of course your body is going to look different still, but it's still upsetting. I know that with a little work I can be in better shape then I was before I had Grace, but finding the time with her around seems impossible somedays. The weather hasn't been a really big help either, hopefully it will get easier this summer when I can get out of the house more with her. I knew I would look different after I had her, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for how different. I will never be able to wear a bikini again that's for sure and not because of my size, but because of those proud service stripes I mentioned before. MY GOD! At least my tattoo didn't stretch right? LOL

Don't get me wrong I love my daughter to death and anything that having her did to my body is worth it. I'd do it over hundred times even if I was told I would gain 100 pounds, but sometimes that that side glance in the mirror just gets annoying.