Happy 1-month Baby Tate!

Better late than never...it's so hard to believe that Tate is already 1 month old (January 5)! Time just seems to fly by.

It's been lots of fun (in that "I'm-so-completely-exhausted-but-don't-care-because-I-love-this-guy" fun kind of way). Each day is definitely a new adventure. Here are a few shots from his first month.

1st Bath:

1st outing to church:
For the ACUers, here is Tate attempting the Wildcat (WC) hand gesture:

Don't take away my pacifier!:

Cutie-patootie:

Crazy Foot!

I copied this from Susan's blog and had to share it. I think I've tried over 50 times, and it never works! Crazy!

1. While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction!!!

Happy 1-year Blogiversary!

It's hard to believe I've been blogging for an entire year. Here's the amazingly deep and profound first post:

Wednesday, January 04, 2006 - The 1st One
I've been reading blogs for several months now and got hooked. So as 2006 begins and I begin counting down the next 2 1/2 months until the big day in March (I turn 30!), I figured I'd give it a shot. During the last few months in my 20s, I seem to have more opinions to share and thoughts on my mind. We'll see how it goes!
Posted by Kelly at 1/04/2006 08:14:00 PM

The funny thing is that it really started on a whim. I had been reading blogs and wanted to post some comments on other people's blogs, so I set up a blogger account. Within 5 minutes, I had set up my own blog. Before I knew it, I was hooked on reading and writing blogs.

It's been a really enjoyable experience. As a result of my blazing trails :) , my sister and husband joined the fun and became bloggers themselves. Who knows, maybe my parents are next?

From my aunt and cousins in CA to college friends I haven't talked to in years, it's also been a great way to reconnect with family and friends. And then there are those that I've met through blogging, but have never met in person. Instead of traditional pen pals, I've got blog friends.

I look forward to another year to reflect, ponder, and share stories and my other randomness. Here are some from this past year.

These are some of my favorites:

$9.99
Risks
4 Things
Welcome to the Family
Mars, Venus, and Mavericks
The Joy of Mail
It's a Boy!
Back to 30
You Say It's Your Birthday
Back to Blogging...as a Mom!

These 3 seemed to spark the most conversation:

Here's a Weird One
Calling All Parental Units
Today's Thoughts

Happy blogging in 2007!

2007 Resolutions

I guess one of the best ways to hold yourself accountable to New Year's resolutions is to put them out in the public domain. Here are some of mine for 2007 (in no particular order):

• Read To Kill a Mockingbird (I never had to read this in school somehow?).
• Commit to at least 3 days a week of exercise.
• Stick to our budget.
• Learn how to use my IPod.
• Savor, soak in, and enjoy the simple moments with Tate.
• Commit to quality time with Wade...including time with me, Wade, and Tate and time with just me and Wade.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Keep my side of the closet organized.
• Don't nag about the things that don't matter.
• Walk in a Half-Marathon (this is a second half of the year resolution...post-baby recovery).
• Renew my faith daily.

We'll see how it goes! Here's to a healthy and happy 2007!

Christmas x 3

We actually had 3 rounds of Christmas this year. With both of our families here in town, we get to make the rounds and see everyone.

We started the day at home. Wade and I rushed downstairs to open stockings from each other before Tate woke up. Then we had fun opening a few gifts that we had bought for Tate. That was the extent of our gift-giving. Instead of giving gifts to each other this year, we decided to buy one big item.

As a true "30-something" Christmas, our gift to each other this year was interesting...a vacuum cleaner! I'm not sure I would've been as accepting of that idea several years ago, but as we celebrated our 11th Christmas together (wow, we're getting old!), I was actually pretty open-minded. We bought the Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner. With a long-haired dog and very light-colored carpet, we needed something serious to keep it clean. So, I came to terms with the idea of receiving an appliance for Christmas and am actually excited to start using it.

From there, we had two more rounds with both sets of families. The Enright Christmas this year definitely had a theme...a California Christmas.

For those that don't know, my dad, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, and great uncle (there might even be more that I'm forgetting) all graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. So between all of the presents from my aunt and dad, Tate is now well-accessorized with CAL paraphernalia...2 bibs, 1 T-shirt, 4 onesies, 1 football, 1 basketball, and 1 soccer ball. Tate says thank you! :)

Wade and I realized, we need to stock up and balance it with some ACU gear.

Here's Tate sporting his CAL football.


While at Wade's parent's house, I came across the family picture below from 1975. Wade is 2 months old in the picture. We now finally know who Tate looks like! I was shocked how similar they look.

Having Tate with us made this a Christmas we'll never forget . Yet again, a time to be thankful for the many blessings we've received this year.

Still Here!

Yes, I'm still here. Motherhood has (as it should) turned my world upside down. Wade has been back at work, so I've been on my own.

Who knew that getting a shower could be such an accomplishment for the day? Needless to say, my priorities have been sleep, food, and/or a shower whenever I've had a free minute. As much as I love blogging, I haven't quite had the time or brain capacity the last week.

I'm saving up all kinds of interesting thoughts, stories, and observations on life with the little one. As hard as it is, it's all worth it! More to come...

1st Outing....Unsuccesfull

I haven't really known what to blog about next. The last few days have pretty much been a cycle of sleep, eat, change. At least for Tate that is. I, on the other hand, haven't had much of the sleeping or changing.

So tonight Wade and I thought we'd be real adventurous and get out of the house for dinner. I had just fed Tate. His diaper was changed. My hair was washed and blow-dried (quite an accomplishment). So we packed up the diaper bag and headed out.

Our dreams started big. Let's go to Cotton Patch. Then the realization that if we go to a restaurant, the timing might not work well.

OK, how about Chick-Fil-A? Most babies fall asleep in the car, right? Very quickly into the trip...as in the second he was buckled into the seat...the crying began. So, maybe we'll just go get the food from the drive-thru.

We live a good 10-15 minutes from Chick-Fil-A, so surely he'll fall asleep? Not our little guy. The crying continued and progressively got louder, louder, and louder until I was crying with him. You would've thought we were driving him to the dentist for a root canal.

Yet again, our plans changed. As we approached our breaking point, Wade spotted a Subway off the side of the road. Quick, pull over! Wade ran in, got our food, and turned the car around to head back home.

So our big adventure out resulted in Subway sandwiches back at the house while Tate had a nice evening nap.

Our senses of humor are still in tact, because we were really able to laugh it all off and know this is just one of many, many stories to come.

Back to Blogging...as a Mom!

So a week ago right now, the fun had begun! I really can't believe that an entire week has gone by already. It has been a whirlwind. Lots of people had told me that it would be, but I don't think there's any way to fully understand.

Tate was born at 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday, so it was a long 13+ hours of labor. I wasn't expecting that. Finally though around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., things started to really progress and before I knew it, it was 7:30 p.m. and time to do the hard work. I was pretty surprised (and glad) at how fast that part went.

That moment that the doctor placed him in my arms really is an experience I can't even describe. I hope I can keep that memory clear and close forever. It made the aches and pains of pregnancy and the long day of labor all worth it!

Here's our first family picture. (**Disclaimer, this is after Wade and I had recovered from our blubbering crying. In fact, I had to pull out the make-up bag real quick to fix the face. I know that's high-maintenance, but I had gone into the "ugly cry.")

The next day and a half in the hospital went so fast. I quickly realized that when you deliver a baby later in the evening, you lose out of some hospital time. It was 1:00 a.m. by the time he was cleaned up, I was taken care of, and we were settled and moved into the new room. So, the next day was a little chaotic getting all of the checks, screenings, pictures, etc. Before I knew it, we were headed home. (Lesson learned: if you can arrange to have your baby earlier in the day, you'll get a lot more down time in the hospital.)

So here we are, home for the last 4 days. I pretty much just laugh (got to keep the sense of humor) every time I look at the clock. I feel like I'm in some type of time machine where the hours are being secretly sucked away. I have no idea where the days have gone. We've had wonderful family and friends providing lost of meals, groceries, and help. In fact, thanks to my Mom, there have been more home-cooked meals made in our kitchen this week than probably the past few months. Maybe having a baby will inspire me to learn to cook!?

Despite the long nights, total exhaustion, crazy aches and pains, this has been such an incredible experience. I am in complete awe and gratitude for this little blessing which God has entrusted us. I can't wait to learn more and more about this little guy.

Thank you for all of your prayers, well wishes, and encouragement. This has been such a good reminder of all of the wonderful family and friends we have around us. Wade, myself, and Tate thank you!

Sweet Baby Tate

Baby Tate Update on Wade's blog!

Here We Go...

It's 10:00 p.m. the night before I have a baby. Crazy! I'm actually feeling a little nauseous right now. Not from early labor, but because we're about to have a baby!!! All kinds of emotions at once...excitement, anticipation, fear, happiness, worry, and everything else in between.

More than anything, I am so excited to meet my son. It's weird even typing that. I've asked for and prayed for this little person even before I knew he had life or that he was a he. I'm so thankful for the healthy pregnancy I've had and continue to ask that God provide a healthy baby tomorrow.

Today was a good day of getting all of the last minute things done, and we wrapped up the night with dinner with my parents at La Madeleine. That's also the same place I told Wade that I was pregnant.

Here are some pictures of the nursery. There are still a few more things to add and finish, but it is definitely ready and waiting for its new occupant. We went somewhat gender neutral with slate blue, chocolate brown, and khaki colors. My attempt to "boy" it up a little is the collection of old vintage racing posters. I hope this doesn't give him any ideas of driving, skiing, or cycling too fast. :)

By the way, I'd love any advice on tying a decent knot. I can't make those crib bumper pads tie on and look half way decent.

I kept hearing over and over how many diapers you go through and how expensive they are, so months ago, we slowly started the collection. Those $1.50 Pampers coupons help as well!

This one is probably the most embarassing. The kid's got a full closet of clothes already. This is thanks to the incredible generosity of family and friends, and my off-season clearance finds. For all of my friends out there with boys on the way, I'll be sure to share the love and clothes.

And this last one is at dinner tonight. One last picture of the family of 2. It will soon be 3.

Goodnight Baby Tate. We can't wait until tomorrow when we get to hold you!