Three Crazy Love Filled Years

Three years ago today, my husband and I got married. I can't believe it's only been 3 years since so much has happened in that short time: like having two babies!

We went out for a fantastic dinner at The Mahle House tonight. Every Wednesday they do what they call "Adventerous Wednesdays" which is a 5 course meal that's Chef's choice. I'll make a seperate blog entry about the yummy food because it really does deserve it's own post. Plus I'm too full to do anything but veg on the sofa.

We decided to not go all out and buy each other big gifts as we can't afford it and we'd like to focus more on us and our relationship rather than the gifts. But we did do a little something gift wise: Dave got me a new wallet which I really needed and I made up a 50s style tie for him (think Mad Men). He's been wanting one forever but I couldnt' find one already made so I just took a cool looking ready made tie and made it narrower as 50s ties are. He likes it so I'm happy!

I was going through my emails tonight and was reading a folder I labelled "love" which has all of mine and Dave's first emails in it. *sigh*... Man, I was crazy about him from the get go!
We met through an online dating service so at first most of our emails were through the dating website but our first official email to each other was:

"Kim
I'll call you on sunday. Monday will be fun...I might watch Rain man to get some tips on" how to impress kim on a date" but maybe I'll just be me. Glad you feel better! Talk soon. Dave"

Reading this makes me laugh at the inside joke we had going from the beginning (Rain Man was in reference to a man I had gone out on a few dates with just before "meeting" Dave) and I remember all the butterflies I got everytime I'd talk to him, see him or even just email him.

Sophie is 7 months old!

Well, she's 7 months and 3 days old. :) This picture is from a few weeks ago but I just love it, we were at Rathtrevor beach and she was having such a good time!

At 7 months (and 3 days), Sophie:

~ has two bottom teeth. (and she has a bottom and a top tooth juuuuust about to pop through as well)

~ army crawls everywhere. This girl is speedy!

~ has started pulling herself up to standing onto furniture.

~ lifts arms up to when she wants up.

~ has started eating solids. We offered her some pieces of food when she turned 6 months but she wasn't too interested so we held off. ABout two weeks ago she started actually eating what was being offered. No baby food here!

~ loves to sleep with mama. She's been nursing more frequently at night but since we cosleep, I can't tell you how many times actually and I don't feel too affected since her waking up only requires me latching her on before drifting back to sleep. Cosleeping and breastfeeding rocks!

~ is still not interested in napping independantly. Naps are hard around here. Uusally her morning nap is a struggle, she wants to sleep with me but Parker's still up so that doesn't work. Often I'll either wear her, take her out for a walk or drive or if she's really tired she'll fall asleep while I nurse her and I can lay her on the sofa for a short whle. The afternoon naps are much easier as she naps with her brother. Sometimes she'll nap for just 1/2 hour but once in a blue moon she'll nap for two hours.

~ is much more vocal. When she's sad she says "dada" or "mum" over and over again.

~ loves to play. She often growls at me when she's feeling playful. Funny little girl!

Quality time..

Quality one on one time seems to be my biggest struggle since our family grew to a family of 5. But it's something I'm really working hard on lately. This past week especially, I've been thinking more about our family and my relationship with each member in it and I learned that each one of those relationships can use a little help.
I find that Ally being that she's almost 14 is hard to connect with the most on a daily basis. We butt heads and don't always enjoy each other's company. But I know that she's been feeling left out now that we have 2 small ones in the house so I've been making extra effort even when some days I just don't want to! Quality time with her is all about doing things away from the little ones, letting her have all the attention for a little bit. That doesn't happen every day but we go to the library, sneak out for an ice cream cone and every night we'll talk about her day while doing the dishes.
With Parker most of my one on one time with him is when he's nursing or if he wakes up in the middle of the night and we'll cuddle together until he falls back asleep. I look forward to when Dave's home on the weekends so that I can lay down with him for a nap just the two of us. We snuggle in tight, arms wrapped around each other and he'll grab onto a lock of my hair to twirl as he drifts off to sleep.
Sophie... again one on one time comes when she's nursing or when Parker's asleep and I sing to her or bathe her.
Staying connected with my husband hasn't been easy either. Since Sophie's been born we pushed each other's needs to the side and forgot about us as a couple which I know isn't uncommon but it's scary how quickly a happy marriage can sour if neglected. Having three children (and all who are at such tough ages: teenager, toddler, newborn) has been hard on us and we were getting resentful of each other as well as felt rejected by the other so this past week we've been working more on us: going to bed together, sitting near each other on the sofa and actually talking to each other.
It's not easy and we're just a family of 5. Makes me wonder how large families do it and make it look so easy at the same time!