O Holy Night....

and day.  What a wonderful and perfect day as a family this Christmas.  I cannot wait to post pictures from today b/c I got some great ones.  Claire got books from Santa, although she doesn't even know it.  She had a great Christmas if I do say so.  We are so overjoyed to have her in our lives and we are so blessed it's unbelievable really.

Carey suprised me. He gave me a James Avery necklace with an aqua marine charm to represent Claire's birthday.  I was so excited.  He is good at surprising me. I got him some Pampered Chef stuff to use on his grill.  He outdid me again.  But like he said "Claire did it, not me."  I love that he gives our 9 month old credit for shopping.  What a sweet man.

Looking forward to dinner with the girl cousins tomorrow night. Then Christmas with the total rewards group at our house and Landry Christmas on the 29th at Annette's.  Can't wait for that.

and then New Years...holy cow.  Can't believe it's already 2014, the last year has flown by.

Just another day in paradise...

I'm not sure when it started but if I have to go to the "ladies room" even if only a little, and I sneeze, cough, or laugh too hard, yes, you guessed it - I pee on myself.  Sometimes it's a drip and sometimes I'm oh so thankful that i wore a very large sanitary natpkin that day.  Since I've had an upper respiratory infection this week along with almost having bronchitis, I have coughed and had extensive amount of "accidents" this week.  Hell I've changed my undies three times already in the last 15 hours. Maybe a little too much information but I'm watching my baby girl play on the floor and have to run to the bathroom to take care of things and I think...this really is the life.

Maybe I don't have EVERYTHING I've ever wanted, but I mean who in the world really does?

Da-Da - everything is Da-Da and that is all I need.  She is everything, she's part of me and part of Carey and although I wish Carey and I could run off to Italy (it's my dream) I can't imagine looking down and not seeing Claire's beautiful blue eyes looking at me and her saying "Da-da."

I've been experiencing a few struggles, nothing that I can't get through, just comes with the life I guess.  Right now I just wish I could get that credit card paid off.  It's been a few months and it's still a lot higher than I would like.  Not too bad, but it's there and so anything over $500 is too much. Really anything at all is just too much.

Carey is sleeping in of course.  He asked me last night before he left to go play music and of course I had to remind him that every Saturday that is is off, I left him sleep late.  Sleeping late for me is 8 o'clock.

As usual I got side tracked.  What made me want to write today was last night while watching the movie Burlesque, I heard an old song by Mazzy Star.  It literally brought me back to 1997, NLU, Slater hall and listening to that over and over because it's all Amber would play.  It's amazing to look back and see how much things have changed in 20 years.  And Yes it's almost been 20 years.  WOW.  Still friends with that all girl too.  Miss her dearly and wish the crew could get together more often.  Then again, this is life.

Still it's great.

Da Da Da Da

Claire is saying Da-da of course, but talking up a storm, I wonder where she gets that from?  Everything is Da-da and occassionally I do get a Ma-Ma.  More often that not it's when she's fussing or crying, she has gotten a bit attached to me lately.

She turned 8 months yesterday (Saturday) and I can't believe how quickly time has flown by.  She is walking very well with her walking toy and around the ottoman or along the sofa, she LOVES putting anything and everything in her mouth, still very addicted to eating her shoes or my shoes or just shoes.

We experienced her first "pick up from school sick" which resulted in a doctor visit and conjuntivitis.  Little peanut was not into the cleaning of her eyes or her nose.  She spent the day with Gran Nan (Cindy) on Friday and we are so thankful that it worked out that way.  Neither Nana nor Mamere had the Friday off and usually one of them does.

I'm sick now with an upper respiratory infection.  YAY. I'm on a ton of meds so hopefully they'll kick in soon. Whether I work from home tomorrow or go into the office is still up in the air.  Regardless, Claire is headed to day care.

She has recently learned how to say "Ta-Ta" which for us southerners means "NO, give it to me." So when you say "Ta-Ta, Mama"  she hands you whatever it is she is holding and says Ta-Ta.  She also says bye bye, which I'll post and "Tigah's"  she's a little genius I tell ya.

So blessed to be her Mom, best gift in the entire world.  Truly God's most precious gift.

On a side note a close friend of mine is finally pregnant and I'm just so thrilled.  It's still hush hush but I'm keeping her and her husband in my prayers for a safe delivery and a healthy baby!  Can't wait.  Can't wait for Corie LeBLanc Howell to have those twins and excited to meet Henry Kremke, which I'm yet to do. Need to make a trip to Houston soon.  I miss my Micheller.

Gave up Facebook for Lent a little early this year and so far it's been great.  I'm enjoying the time, I'm yet to pick up a book and read in it's place but still I'm getting there.

Work is work but thankfully I'm super busy and the day goes by very quickly.  No matter what, I'm always looking forward to the weekends, especially those that I get to spend with Carey.  :)

Here we grow again

It's been a couple months since my last post.  I guess I'm not really a "blogger" if I'm not consistent am I?  I have pictures to post and pull from my camera.  I've missed taking pics the last few weeks because of work.

Claire is teething so she's been pooping out of her diapers and all over me, it's been a rough couple days but she's got a tooth out and a new one coming in right next to it.  She's still smiling and scrunching that little nose when she laughs...we just adore her.

She's brought a job to our lives that we could not have described.  I have never enjoyed just looking at something so much as I enjoy looking at my baby girl when she's asleep, so relaxed, in my arms.  I love her so much.  Claire is 7 1/2 months already and ready to walk.  She's pulling up on everything and wants to stand up and dance all the time.  I think she'll be a great dancer b/c she is always bouncing everytime she hears music.  She gets that from her mother.

Time is flying and part of it is because she's doing things much sooner than she should.  I figured she'd be crawling around a lot by Christmas and well, she's been crawling around a lot for almost 3 months now.  YIKES, what a little over achiever.  She puts everything in her mouth that she can get her hands on and seems to love apples.  She has yet to get "sick" and I'm greatful for that.  I guess all those shoes she's been eating have helped herh immune system.  Her favorite is her dads old soft rubber sandals.  She also likes Mom's silver flats with the large rhinestones on the top (great taste in shoes like Mom too).

I love Carey with all of my heart.  I still rush home to see him and I love kissing him. He means the world to me.  I didn't think I could love him more but when I look at my daugher, OUR daughter, and I see him in her, I fall in love with him over again and it's even stronger.  She's him and me and the best of each of us (as far as I can tell) wrapped into this perfect gift from God.  We are so blessed.

I thought I had all of God's blessings already but He likes to keep things exciting.  God knows what he's doing.  I keep saying He must really like Carey and I, so much so that he would give us Claire. "thank you God for this angel"  Thank you Thank you Thank you.

I wish I could slow down the growth process...Mom says before I know it she'll be 35 and having her own baby girl....YIKES.

No other big changes or announcements.  Living day to day, working hard and long some days.  I did start doing jazzercise but not as often as I would like to.  I'm seeing a bit of shape beginning in my legs, but not really seeing the weight come off like I thought.  I need to start running again.  I just can't find the time right now.  It'll get easier.  :)

And she crawls

I can't believe it, at 5 months and 1 week our baby girl started crawling.  I couldn't believe it already, I thought it would have been a few more months before she was crawling but all in one day...she is determined.  I hope she maintains that sort of determination in life.  I pray that she is always determined and does what is right.

Here she is:

19 weeks...

Claire is 19 weeks and 21 hours old as of right now!

I can't believe it.  She is wanting to crawl so bad, you can watch her legs just "go to town" kicking and moving.  She is enjoying tummy time even more now than ever.  She hated it for a long time, but it's so important for her to increase her neck strenghth.  I try to keep her on her tummy as much as can.

She has been to "spend" (the night) at Nana's and Mamere/Papere's pretty often, she really likes it.  I'm sure she'll get to where she LOVES is b/c they'll buy her something new each time.  She is currently enjoying "Facetiming" with Nana.

She talks a lot.  She fusses only when she is holding a toy and/or her noopie (sometimes both) and she pulls it out of her mouth, not knowing that she can put it back.  She's such a great baby.  I thank the Lord everyday for her and together we thank God for the day (everyday).  I tell her often how much God loves her, so much so that He gave her to "me and Daddy."  Soon enough I'll be able to teach her the importance of that.

I wish there were the appropriate words to say to describe how I feel about the child and the excitement I feel at every milestone.  Here is the most recent.  Although she has been rolliing over for a while now, here is the most recent demonstration:

Well eventually I'll add the video.

MIrror Mirror on the Wall

Claire has discovered herself in the mirror.  She used to just sort of stare at it but now she tries to eat it.  She laughs at herself too, it's the cutest thing EVER!  She is growing so fast.  She is almost 5 months, WOW. She is loving her tummy time now and we've opened her "Jumparoo" and she is quite entertained by all of the "stuff" on it.  Carey doesn't like the alphabet song it sings.  I guess because it's not the traditional alphabet song.

He does seem to like the animal song that I found on YouTube for the Peanut.  That's what we call Claire, at least Mom (Celine) and I do.  The video shows the different animals and all the sounds that they make, then at the end says "these are the sounds...that the animals make."  Carey was singing it yesterday and I was cracking up.

Parenthood has set in.  YAY!
So far so good.  I will upload picture soon.

3 months seems like an eternity, but a really fast one

Claire Celine is 3 months old (as of Sunday) and Melissa Serio very graciously (and for a cost) spent the afternoon in her room taking pics of our beautiful angel.  And an Angel she is:

She is starting to blow bubbles and stick out her tongue a lot, but she's so adorable when she does it.  I just can't get enough of her.  She has been an amazing blessing to Carey and I, I can't even begin to imagine our lives without her now.  She is growing so fast and looks more like her Daddy everyday with those big blue eyes.  Thankfully they are the shape of mine, which throw people off a bit.  She also, at least for now, has my personality...she's a friendly little stinker (gassy too!)

We are so excited to teach her the way of the world and about God.  We begin every day with "Good Morning God, Thank you for this day!"  and then we say our ABCs and pray the Our Father and Hail Mary, maybe not in that order but we cover the important things.  I hope she learns to love God and trust in Him just like I do.  Carey says the praying part is up to me.  I'm not sure what he's up to and what his part is.

He picks her up from Day Care and if he is just coming inside and holds her for the first time he always says "Hey, You missed me today?"  He's so good with her. I love watching them together:

He talks to her like she is a grown up most of the time but to hear him make noises etc is just adorable.  I keep saying that I love him more now that we have her and well I guess I do!  Now we're a family and that is a great feeling.  

Elliott's Birthday party was her first for the year.  Her Nannie Randi got married this past Saturday (June 8th) and our big girl slept over at Mamere and Papere's house.  Her first sleep over of which Mom was not ready for.  I missed her so much.  This weekend she will be sleeping over at Nana's (who was so jealous she slept over at Mamere's) because she's been begging us for a sleep over since she was about 4 weeks old.  We are going to Henry's 1st birthday and she is super excited about that.  At least I think she is, I know I am!

Happy 3 months baby girl! 

   

1 month old and she's still alive

Claire made one month old yesterday April 9th, 2013 and I am happy to announce that she is still alive.  So far, Carey and I are pretty good parents I think.  It's funny b/c the time has flown by and it's also gone by very slow.  Yesterday I got a little stir crazy.  I'm looking forward to our first real outting this coming weekend when Ms. Cathy (my mother-n-law) and I go to the American Heart Walk.  Amedisys, Inc is a big supporter of the AHA.  I'm looking forward to the outting I have no idea what I'm going to wear as not much fits me these days.

Here are a few pics from this week:

I caught the awful stomch virus this past weekend, it's going around and it sucked.  Ashley came over at around 9pm to watch Claire while Carey drove to Essen lane to the only 24 hr pharmacy to get some drugs for me.  Thank God for Corie and Bourque they saved me.  She took the pic below and texted it to me while I was in the other room!  Love this chic.

Here are a few more pics from the week: 

Doni and Davis stopped by to visit during Easter break. I love this kid and he seems to love Claire.  

Carey spent some QT with Claire, they look like twins.   

Here (above) is my angel having a sweet dream. I love this kid.  The picture below was today (4.10.2013) after she had eaten...she did not want to take a nap. :)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work (Carey) goes

After 10 days off, it was time for Carey to return to work.  :(  it was a pretty sad day.  I missed him.  Thankfully my mother-in-law Cathy and sister-in-law Whitney are here to help out.  We are still adjusting to a feeding schedule as Claire seems to want to eat more than 2.5 oz at each feeding, just not all in one sitting, well sometimes she does.  I'm working on this as it's not easy.

(Above) Here is my beautiful baby girl in the PJs that Nicole gave her.  She really likes them. 

We are blessed with so many friends.  So many people have brought meals we don't have to cook.   I have no idea what I'm going to do when I actually have to start cooking.  Chad and Andrea Kling came over last night and brought Presley and Kensley.  The also brought a chicken fetaccine and cake...it was YUMMY.  Kensley is below giving away her kisses.  So sweet!

Mommie added a bow to my hat today and dressed me in purple...Pretty in Purple!  There have been three outfit changes today.  I slept in PJs, spit up on the my onesie and so now I'm in my third outfit.  You can never have too much clothes.

Here we are together...little QT.  Seems like I haven't really don't have much of that...strange I know. 

And yes she was asleep but still she knows she was in my arms and that is the most important thing.  So far motherhood is great.  I am so glad to be part of this club.

We (yes we) pray all the time for our friends who are just starting that journey into motherhood and those who are trying and wishing they were beginning the journey.  Hopefully the prayes of a newborn and a Mom work.

Did I mention how much I am in love with this angel?  She is the best thing ever to happen to Carey and I.  She is just a precious and simply a really good baby.

I can't thank God enough and I keep praying that she stays this way.  I wish I could not worry so much and be more like Carey.  He worries of nothing!

Whirlwind

Whirlwind, that is exactly what the last week has been.  Finally Claire Celine Poche arrived - March 9th, 2013 at 9:56 pm, after 20 hours of hard labor.  She is the most amazing baby ever and it was worth it.  It was a long 9 months and knowing how amazing she is makes me realize that good things are worth waiting for.

She is just a perfect angel.  So sweet, so wonderful - truly a blessing and gift from God.  Carey and I have never been so in love with each other and now another person.  We are officially a family.  I thank God every single day for allowing me to be the mother of Claire and Carey her father.  I must have done something good and right because she is so much more than I could have imagined.

She looks like everybody!  According to Carey she has all of his good features (which is everything) and mine too - which at this point seems to be my squinty eyes.  Celine (Mamere) and I both have those so she has: Carey's hair/eye color, lips and laid back pesonality, both of our noses and ears (as we think ours are similar), Papere Harvey's chin, Nana Cathy's long skinny arms, legs, hands and feet.  I'm not sure about her skin color just yet, but is gorgeous.  I know all parents think they have the most beautiful children in the world, but look at this:

Patience is a virtue

In t-minus 5 hours Carey and I will make the long approximate 5 mile journey to the hospital.  Hopefully in a few hours after that we will "open" the greatest gift the Lord can give to two people - a child.  Our baby girl is finally going to make an appearance after 40 weeks and 4 days of hibernating in my belly.

I'm anxious, nervous, excited, overjoyed, stressed, happy, in love - I'm feeling all of the emotions a person can feel at one time (except the bad/sad ones).  I have prayed for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

I'm ready to meet our precious angel but I'm not sure if I'm truly ready for the responsibility and everything that follows.  HA.  As my best friend Danielle said "just keep telling yourself that there are crackheads and criminals who have children too."  I guess if they can do it, I can too.

I had great examples as parents, so I know I'll be OK!  Carey and I together can do anything.
I'm so happy to be able to share this experience with him and become parents together.

T-minus 2 days...

Yes I really said -minus two days.  Well it's highly unlikely that she will come on schedule, however we'll figure that out on Monday at 11:10 after my ultrasound.  We will definitely schedule an induction next week.  Dr. Boudreaux says she won't let me go longer than a week past my due date and my due date is March 4th.

Come on Claire...we're waiting.

Seriously the longest days of my life

10 days and counting.  well then again, who knows because doctor boudreaux says it could be a few weeks.  we have an appt scheduled for next wednesday and we'll go from there and maybe discuss and induction.  I think i'll just start walking and eating pineapple next week and see what happens.  Maybe she'll come right on schedule.  I can't wait to see my baby girl.

things i'm looking forward to:
 - my old wardrobe
 - bending over
 - putting on my own shoes
 - shaving my hoo ha and legs
 - soaking in a bath tub
 - walking or running on my treadmill
 - see my beautiful daughters face
 - "loving" my husband again
 - snuggling with my husband, feel my body (not my belly) next to his
 - not waking up in the middle of the night sweating like a linebacker
 - caffeinated coffee
 - clothes that just "fit"
 - a normal woman sized bra
 - new underwear
 - being able to kneel at church, i sort of miss that
 - having people excited to see me and my face (instead of my growing belly)
 - regular visits to the bathroom
 - sitting down and standing up (mainly from my couch) without any assistance
 - riding my bike
 - wearing high heels (although i've worn them almost the entire pregnancy, i miss them already)
 - my designer skinny and regular jeans that i bought a measly 2 1/2 months before i found out i was pregnant
 - nights out to dinner where i can have a drink with  my husband
 - "drinks" with the girls (although I realize I won't get that much of this either)

I'm sure I can think of many more.  I know I can also think of many reasons why not to get pregnant and/or not to have a baby, but in two weeks I will be excited to be able to get on this blog and write about the million reasonx to actually have a child and all the wonderful things that come with motherhood.  Heck, it took me almost 35 years to reach this point, i still can't believe it's just around the corner.

Claire's bedding came in today and Carey had the sheets washing before I even got home.  It's all put up and ready to go...now if we can get the walls decorated and curtain fabric picked out, we should be ok.  I Love her room so much, I can't wait for her to see it and I hope she likes it too!

OH and I can't wait to be able to roll over and sleep on my stomach....oh how I've missed that, cross my leg over Carey's and feel his body heat.  I miss that so much.  I can't wait to see what our baby girl looks like...it's so exciting.  It's finally truly exciting.  Thank God the hospital is not far away.  I hope she's smart and can dance.  (random last thought).

Good Night.  I can't believe I'm still awake, I could have gone to sleep at 6:30 tonight.
So thankful that my husband has been cooking and doing so much for me these last few months. i have an amazing husband and i'm truly blessed.

he also "quit" smoking today.  LOVE that man.    oghhh contraction...dang these hurt.

Kicks, leaps and turns

Kicks, leaps and turns. Claire is practicing already. She is a mover and a shaker that is for sure.  That girl must get it from her mama!  Only 43 days until she is here and we can see how talented she really is.  It's happening all so fast now.

Showers start next week and I'm anxious for all her items and furniture to come in so we can have her room ready when she arrives.  I have a feeling she may come early since I've been having contractions a good bit.   Doc says as long as there are no more than 6 an hour, but last night I got a little scared, but I couldn't keep track of them.

I went pay day care registration yesterday, that was interesting.  I can't believe it already.  Time flies, what can I say.

Mom and I are going to get the car seat and stroller today...yay.

Anxiety at the height

It's not enough that we are are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our daughter, Claire.  Only 51 days to go, unless she decides to come early of course.  In an effort to keep us on our toes, some very nice people (I'm guessing it was more than one) came to our house and took two TVs, and some other stuff.  The hidden blessing is that no one was here and no one was hurt, Pedro is fine too.  An alarm system was installed and I still am nervous in this house.  I am uncertain how long before the feeling goes away.  I am sure however, that like most things....time heals all wounds.  But now to add to the feeling of anxiety, although it is quite a different kind, my house gets broken into to.  YAY (not).

At this point, I just can't believe someone was in my home and took things, yes material, that I worked and my husband worked so hard for.  I hope Karma exists and I hope that they have their time with God sooner than later.

I thank God we're ok and am excited to bring this beautiful (how could she not be?) baby girl into the world.

I am amazed at home many people have experience this invasion of home/privacy.  Hope it never happens again.