Motherhood

I've been feeling sentimental, almost weepily (is that a word?) so, all day.  Maybe it is because this week the last episode of "The Office" will air.  EVER.  I kid.  Kind of.  All I'm saying is, if Michael Scott does not make an appearance I am going to be shocked in my disappointment!  More likely though, my sentimentality is coming from feeling so, so blessed in my life.
Today was my first official Mother's Day.  I celebrated last year, but it was more of a whiney "I deserve a present for carrying this giant baby that refuses to be born" kind of a celebration.  This year was different.  Elliot is nearly a year old, and is straddling the line between infant and child.  Some days I don't know which side of the line she is on.  She is so independent and big and proud of herself and just ready to run (literally).  Sometimes I think if she could talk she would ask me to fix her a sandwich and talk politics over a couple glasses of milk.  I get caught off guard when she gets upset and does one of her deep, belly cries, because it is so much like a baby and not typical of her usual behavior.  This sounds terrible, but I actually like it when that happens, because I get to cuddle her, rock her, and make her sadness go away simply by being her Mommy.
This morning in church we had, in my opinion, an especially moving prayer.  We prayed for all the mothers, but we also prayed for those who are not mothers even though they want to be, for those mothers who love their children so much they know that they cannot care for them and make the hardest selfless decision imaginable and let other families raise them, for mothers who have lost children to death, and for those that have lost children due to their own actions.  It was a humbling experience and made me realize that in my celebration of myself and my mother and mother-in-law, etc., I didn't once stop to think of those who are hurting today.  It also made me think of all the children on my dependency case load who are going through this day without their mothers and how hard that must be.  As Elliot was sitting on my lap, with her head leaning against my heart, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God entrusted me with this precious life.  I can't believe I get to be Elliot's mom.  Me!
I know this is getting a little heavy, so let's lighten it up a little with some pictures of my big girl.  It has been crazy hot here the last week and a half or so, so we have been spending a lot of time outside.  Girlfriend loves her pool time!  Unfortunately, due to her taking a spill into the coffee table followed by a trip to the emergency room, we got to experience our first stitches this week (don't let me forget to put that in the baby book!) which means water time was limited.  Somehow, we still managed to get plenty of pictures before the big accident.

Getting used to the water/perfecting our runway walk. #fierce

Enjoying a post-dip air dry. #longleggedbaby

We also recently made our first trip to Chuckie Cheese's for cousin Lorelai's birthday...

First Rides

I don't know if Poppy or Elliot had more fun! #poppydid

We've also been playing with the neighborhood children...

And seeing horses for the first time!

Yes, her finger is in his nose. #workingonourmanners

In conclusion, there are a lot of fun and exciting things happening over here.  A lot of firsts, a lot of growth, a few tears (mostly mine), and a whole lot of gratitude.  Happy Mother's Day!

Walk This Way!

After weeks of stepping around, we can finally declare this girl a walker!

The best part of the whole process is how much fun she is having.  Walking between Mommy and Daddy is currently her favorite game.  She has a huge grin and when she gets close to her destination she just lunges, trusting us completely to catch her.  By the end of this evening she was pretty much running down the hall to Erik.  I can't believe how fast she has progressed in just the last few days.

I am one proud Mama!

A Month in Review

It is always my goal to update the blog at least twice per month.  I think there has been only one month in the history of the Rammelsberg Fammelsberg I have made my goal.  What can I say?  I'm a busy lady.  We have been up to a lot in the last month, so I thought it was about time.  I will address this Christmas card style because I don't often give updates on the whole family, usually just the new things Elliot is doing.  Elliot fans, don't worry, it will be mostly about her.

Jessica & Erik

Erik is still working two jobs, both part-time.  He mostly works at Kennewick General Hospital as the Clinical Systems Educator (combining his nursing skills with his nerd computer skills), and then once a week he works at an eye surgery center to keep up his practical skills.  He has been having a very busy couple of months because his "part-time" KGH job has become more of a full-time job as they have just implemented a new computer program.  I think it will start to settle down soon and he will be back to his normal schedule.

I am still working 3/4 time as a prosecutor and LOVING it!  Seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to work 3/4 time take it.  Due to some scheduling changes, this weekend I had Friday off AND will have this Monday off as well...4 day weekend!  It could not have come at a better time.  This week was rough.  One of the children on my caseload took his own life, which is, sadly, much more common than it should be among foster children.  Obviously, I spent a lot of time going over and over his file, trying to figure out what could have been done differently...sad and unpleasant.  On top of that, a defendant, upset at my recommendations, threw a table in the court room (I should probably get some pepper spray or something) and a woman came into my office, angry that the defendant in her case did not show up for trial (as if I have anything to do with that) and told me that I have "an awfully big job for such a little girl."  So, yes, I earned this long weekend, and the large glass of wine I had with dinner last night ;).  Here's to getting rested and refreshed before next week!

Toast

Interestingly, there is a lot to report about Toast this month!  In the space of 30 days he has gone from the world's most high-strung dog to the world's most expensive high-strung dog.

If you are Facebook friends with me, you may have noticed around 3 weeks ago he made a trip to the emergency vet.  He has been having seizures since he was a puppy, but they usually last no more than five minutes and then he is fine.  Well, on this occasion, he had been seizing for 40 minutes when he finally saw the the vet and was given some drugs to stop them.  He had to have tests run and then went to see his regular vet.  Turns out he has epilepsy and now he has to take medication every morning and evening.  High maintenance.  He hasn't had any seizures again, so it must be working.

Elliot

Girlfriend has been busy with her usual tricks.  You know, being cute, getting into everything, etc.

She is currently stepping.  I say stepping and not walking, because I think there is a distinct difference.  She will only take about 3 to 4 steps on her own.  Usually from one piece of furniture to another.  But she definitely does not walk.  She could, she is just scared.  I know because when she doesn't realize she is doing it she takes steps, but as soon as she is aware she won't do it, and reverts to crawling to get to her destination.  But, it should be anytime now!

She is also starting to get quite vocal.  She says a few words with purpose.  Her favorites are "Mom!" (occasionally Mama, but usually Mom!), "Dadda" and "Toast".  My favorite is Toast because she will look at him, point, and say "Toasssssst."  I thought Erik was going to lose it the first time she looked at him and said "Dadda."  Adorable.

She is growing like a weed.  Ten months old and she is wearing 12-18 months.  The problem is, she is so skinny the pants that are long enough for her are way too big in the waist.  Erik claims this to be the story of his life.  Must be tough.  I did discover a well kept secret to keep her in clothes: yard sales.  I picked up like 10 new pairs of jammies for her today for $10.

Ok, well that is the update on the fam.  I will leave you with some pics :).

Easter

Girls' Day luncheons

Playing (that pointer finger is always out!)

Taking our measurements!  Probably not horribly accurate, but gives us an idea.

Reading

Practicing walking

Relaxing

And being generally adorable.

9

A couple days ago, Girlfriend turned 9 months old.  That means she has now been living out of the uterus longer than she was in it.  That means everyone I know who became pregnant while I was pregnant has definitely had their babies.  That means she is one pregnancy old.  It's funny how waiting 9 months for her to get here took FOREVER, yet the 9 months since have flown by.  I don't know why, but for some reason I've always looked at 9 months as a milestone.  As the months went by and she turned 1 month, and then 6 months, and so on, I would think to myself, "well, she's still a little baby, it's not like she's 9 months yet."  And, suddenly, it was upon us.  I also thought I would maybe not like her as much.  Obviously I knew I would still love her, but I thought by 9 months she would have grown out of being a baby and would be more like a child, and the newness would have worn off a little.  Do I sound like a first-time mom or what?!  How opposite it turned out to be!  She is more fun now then she has ever been!  Every time she gets a little older I think "Ok, this is my favorite stage."  But then she grows a little more and does even more and I think "Wait, no, THIS is my favorite stage." And worrying about the newness wearing off?  Preposterous! Every single day there is something new for me to marvel over.  She has such a personality.  She is very friendly and likes to meet new people.  She is much braver than her mama in that respect!  And I am always amazed that even though she cannot talk, she has found ways to communicate exactly what she wants.  I just love her.

I finally uploaded (and when I say "I" I mean Erik) my photos from my phone, which is what I take most pictures on, so this is going to be a bit of a photo dump.  But here is what our little 9-month-old has been up to:

 Height: Can't remember the exact number, but it was 99th percentile according to her 9-month well child exam.

Weight: Again, can't remember the number.  Something like 18 lbs 8 oz?  57th percentile though.  (Hmm, tall and skinny, who does that resemble?  I wish I could say it was me!)

Favorite mode of transportation: crawling really fast

Least favorite mode of transportation: car seat, sometimes

Walking status: Almost!  She stands by herself for short periods of time, but no steps.

Favorite foods: rice, peaches, pears, peas, green beans, ravioli, egg yolk, yogurt, wagon wheels, bananas with mixed berries

Least favorite foods: any fruit or vegetable mommy tries to make herself, apricots, beef in gravy

Favorite activities: swinging, dancing, singing, blabbering, pinching (not ok), reading, playing, going on walks, being outside.

Least favorite activities: going to the doctor, having her diaper changed, having her nose wiped, getting dressed.

 

Being with Mommy. #girlsdayisbetterthananyotherday

Getting into mischief. #mommytoobusylookingatfacebook

Eating her eggs. #loveatfirstyolk

Playing guitar with Daddy. #borntostrum

Chillin' like she owns the place. #targetismysecondhome

Swinging is the best! #playgroundofdreams

Opening cards. #somanyadmirerssolittletime

Helping Mommy make cookies. #notactuallyagoodideaforbabies

Playing in my high chair. #idowhatiwant

Reading my favorite book with Daddy before bed. #goodnightlittlemonkey

Busy trying to figure out how to get in my old car seat. #sillygenius