September 9, 2010
It has been nearly a year since I posted on this blog. I guess maybe I'm not cut out for long-term blogging? But I recently read someone else's blog that was extremely inspiring to me, and reminded me of how I felt when we were dealing with all the challenges that come with a critically ill newborn. Reading back over what I wrote also made me realize that this was a great outlet for me to keep track of some of Caitlyn's milestones. I read things on here that I had already forgotten, and it made me smile.

So maybe I am poking my toes back in the blogging waters? I haven't decided yet. I am now entering the second trimester of my second pregnancy, and if possible, life is more hectic than ever, so we will see. But I do need to say out loud, that I am so blessed. I feel blessed beyond belief to have a happy, healthy toddler. She is smart, precocious, beautiful, and challenges me more than I ever imagined.

Parenting is by far the most challenging, and rewarding, thing I have I have ever done in my life. Caitlyn has always been a strong-willed fighter - that's what helped her survive the first few weeks of life, and it continues to define her today (much to my delight and dismay). I love being her mother, and I also feel much of the time like I have no earthly idea what I'm doing!

Some quick milestones from this summer: Caitlyn started talking in earnest at about 18 months, and has never stopped since. She now speaks in 6+ word sentences, and astounds me everyday with her observations and insights. The other day, Matt was blocking the door and she wanted to get through. She very politely said, "excuse me, Daddy."

She also has recently started saying bedtime prayers, and will pray sometimes at mealtime. These prayers usually go something like this, "Pray Jesus, thank you for the food. Pray Jesus for food." Or at bedtime, "Thank you Jesus for GG (great-grandparents) and Baxter and Marco (dogs), and acrobats and clowns (after our first trip to the circus). Thank you Jesus for Mommy and Daddy and Caitlyn!!!!" She always ends on a very enthusiastic note.

Caitlyn is almost completely potty trained. She started showing interest sometime around the beginning of the summer, and I bought her first big-girl panties about a month ago. She occasionally has accidents, but has been completely accident-free for the past two days (that's my girl!).

At 21 months old (today! Oh my!!), I feel like she is not-yet-two, but going on 22. Sometimes it's hard to remember that even though she can carry on a complete conversation with you, she still reasons like a not-yet-two-year-old. It can be difficult not to get frustrated with that aforementioned extremely strong will.

And how is new baby (as I affectionately refer to our new baby until we have a gender to assign. I have never liked calling a baby "it")? So far, so good. I am entering my second trimester next week, and have been blessed with an extremely healthy,fairly easy pregnancy so far. Little nausea, although lots of fatigue. Overall though, I am feeling pretty good when I'm not freaking out about how in the world I'm going to juggle two children, a full-time job, and a husband finishing medical school and doing two months of away rotations in Ohio or Texas next fall. It's the not freaking out part that's getting to me these days, but I am trying to stay as calm and rational as possible. Let me tell you, that's super easy when you are already frazzled, and then add lovely pregnancy hormones and lame-brain to the mix.

So this post has turned into a book, and I am realizing that I actually really enjoyed writing it all out again. No promises, but (maybe) I will become a (semi)regular poster again? We will see. If you made it this far, God bless you.

Hi Everyone, it's been about 3 million years since I've posted on here, and I'm sure hardly any of you check back anymore, but I thought I'd post a few pictures for those of you who do. Caitlyn is going to be 11 months on Monday, and I can hardly believe it. Enjoy some pictures from Halloween and playing in the leaves this morning!

So it's been almost three months since my last blog entry (shame on me!), but I hope you'll let me sneak back in to the blogging world without too much guilt. There has been a lot happening over the course of the summer, and Caitlyn has been keeping us hopping. Our little girl turned 8 months old on Sunday. So hard to believe! She is incredible, and so much fun. She is starting to "talk" (or babble as my mom says). She says "ba ba ba" for anything she wants like the kitties or food or a toy. And she says "mamama" whenever she's mad, and at other random times too. I'm not sure what to make of the fact that mama is her word when she's mad, but I'm just glad she's saying it. :)
Here are some fun pictures from the 4th of July weekend. We went up to my parents' house, ate lots of yummy food, spent time with family, and swam in their pool. It was a great time.

Caitlyn with Great-Grandpa Kellogg

With Grandma and Grandpa Kellogg


Matt's all-time favorite picture


Caitlyn's first pool adventure

My sister Jen has finally moved down to Lexington, and we are really enjoying spending time with her. She has started babysitting Caitlyn a couple times a week until her new job starts, because Matt has started back to school. He is just taking one class right now until he starts full time again in November.
My dear friend of 14 years, Amanda, had her second baby, a little boy named Aiden Marshall, on Monday afternoon. He is beautiful and so sweet. Congratulations Amanda and Jon! We are so happy for you! :)
I think I've caught you up on all the major news around here. I hope to resume regularly scheduled posting again now that I've gotten started. I have a tendency to put things off and then stress about them until I just knuckle down and do it. Funny how I would do the same thing with blogging, which is something I enjoy! Anyway, it feels good to be back. Enjoy the pictures!

Caitlyn loves her bubble baths!

Caitlyn and Mommy - June 09

Our first blueberry pancakes - yummy!

The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life (restores my soul); He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Taken from the Airmen's Bible that my parents gave Matt for Christmas two years ago. Food for thought, and promises to hold on to in the week ahead.

I think I need a vacation from my vacation! This weekend, I.... helped shovel 10 tons of gravel, mixed and poured concrete, planted flowers, painted flower boxes, shopped for baby stuff, assembled an Exersaucer, "wore" my baby, got "wore out" by my baby, changed about 50 diapers, fed Caitlyn sbout 50 times, sang 100 lullabies, read who knows how many books, and got less than 6 hours of sleep a night. Phew! I'm exhausted just typing that!
It was a great, but very busy weekend. I see many many more of these in the future...
The patio is coming along great. It was a way bigger undertaking than any of us anticipated, but hopefully will be worth it when it's finished. It looks beautiful already, and I know it will be awesome when done. I will post before and after pics as soon as we have an "After" to post. :)

Oh and a couple of Caitlyn firsts this weekend too: She is officially rolling from front to back on her own. I thought she was before, but I realize now i was cheating and giving her too much assistance. :) She's really got the hang of it now. Also, she is cutting her first tooth. And now I understand why they call it that - it's sharp when she bites down! And finally, she ate in her highchair for the first time this morning. My little girl is growing up fast!!!

Matt had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to work for me on our anniversary on Friday. Do I have an awesome husband or what? The stargazer lilies just opened up in the last couple of days and I just had to take a couple pictures. They are beautiful!

Spring Has Sprung! The giant white rose is fresh from my garden, from a rosebush we planted two mother's days ago in memory of Matt's mom Anne. Beautiful.



Friday night: Our 5th Anniversary! So hard to believe it's been 5 years already. We've come so far.




Sunday afternoon with my baby girl. She is literally growing up before my eyes and I can hardly stand it! So cute.