First Haircut

Last night I decided Kara needed a haircut. Her bangs were long enough that they were going over her eyebrows and it just looked sloppy and unkempt.

Cabin Trip

We had such a fun weekend up at my parent's cabin. The drive went really quickly and Kara did fine coming and going. It was right during her naptime so she slept most of the way. She slept just fine in her pack and play while there. She ate well and was her usual happy self. The weather was awesome. It rained and was very overcast and we were up in the clouds. I got to sleep--A LOT. My parents came on Sat. and Nicole was with us so I got to sleep in and take naps. It was wonderful.

Happy Birthday Kristina!

Tomorrow is Kara's birthmother's birthday. I could NOT stop thinking about her today and decided to look up her birthday. It is May 23rd. It must have gotten stuck somewhere in my mind or we really are connected somehow. I LOVE to look at Kara and see facial expressions and parts of her that are definitely Kristina. I am not sure if there was ever a more wonderful, beautiful, or selfless woman in the world. To give us the gift that she has given us is beyond words. I often pat Kara like the beat of a heart knowing it was Kristina's heart that loved her, calmed her and made her feel safe long before I knew Kara was going to be in my life. The rhythm of my heart now beats along with Kristina's every moment that I am holding and loving Kara. People think it is weird that I miss her and the birthfather. We e-mailed back and forth almost every day for four months. We met, we shared the most amazing miracle of my life and now we are both moving on with our families. I know it is healthy but it is still hard...for them too, I am sure. Happy Birthday Kristina!

We are going away for the weekend to my parent's cabin about an hour and a half away. It will be Kara's first visit there. Aunt Nicole and Ellie are going with us and on Sat. my parents are meeting us there with their dog, Daisy. I am sure I will have some cute pics to post on Monday when we get home.

Tomorrow morning my brother-in-law graduates from the Los Angeles police academy. After MANY months of hard work he is done! We are so proud of you Julio and so sorry we will be missing your party. (We have a good gift for you though.) Please keep him in your prayers. He has been stationed in South Central LA. Not the safest of areas. He has a family that loves him very much, a wonderful wife, an almost 2-year-old and hopefully another on the way soon.

Lastly, Aaron's youngest brother is getting engaged soon to an absolutely wonderful girl and I couldn't be happier. I grew up with her family next door to me! I have been trying to set them up forever and finally they went out last fall. They really are a great couple. Congrats!

Mother's Day

I am a week behind but my first Mother's Day was awesome. I took tons of pictures and couldn't decide which ones to post so I just threw on a couple. Kara and I snuggled in the morning and Ellie had to join in, of course. My parents came over for awhile and we had lunch and talked. Later we met Aaron's family at our new park that is within walking distance from our house. It was a beautiful day. We relaxed, exchanged gifts, celebrated my sister-in-laws birthday and just enjoyed being with eachother. What a wonderful day.

Enjoying Motherhood

I can't believe I get to celebrate my first Mothers' Day. I have gotten cards from friends and family that are so sweet. I have never given a Mothers' Day card to anyone including my own grandmother (since we celebrate Grandparents' Day.) It is very thoughtful for people to be thinking of me. I always just celebrate MY mom (and now my wonderful Mother-In-Law, of course.)

Kara is growing, communicating, learning and SITTING all by herself now. She is absolutely adorable eating rice cereal off of a spoon. She opens her mouth so wide like a little baby bird. We have had so much fun being together all day since I have had the past two weeks off. I still have one more week off. I only have 5 more days of work after that spread over the next 3 weeks. She just has the best personality and I enjoy her company and her sense of humor even. She seems so mature and intelligent for only being five months old.

Aaron and I are starting to really make it a priority to get out more often without Kara. Last Sunday we had tickets, thank you Nicole, to Wicked at the Pantages Theatre. I had absolutely no interest in seeing it since the 'plot' seemed so hokey to me. It was AMAZING and I absolutely loved it. Aaron's mom came over to watch Kara for us. Tonight Nicole came over and stayed with Kara while Aaron and I went to dinner and a movie. We haven't done that in approximately 3 years. We saw Iron Man, which I really liked as well. We are feeling very blessed to have so many wonderful people around us to help us keep our marriage a priority and who Kara loves and we feel comfortable leaving her with.

We are looking forward to spending Mothers' Day this year with my parents who just got home from Oregon today and Aaron's family. Kara just loves her cousins and it is so wonderful to have everybody close by. Ok, enough random thoughts for now.