First Father's Day

Happy First Father's Day Chris!

Sunday was a special day as it was Chris's first year to be celebrated on Father's Day. I had been tossing around so many ideas for this big day and slowly each of them fell off the list for various reasons. I am someone who loves to throw a party, make someone feel special, or buy gifts so this would normally be a day to exercise all of those but I just didn't have the "big idea" that I was hoping for. Worse yet (only worse for me great work Sally!), while Sally was in town, she left me some money and instructions to get him a picture cake. We picked a picture of Chloe and Chris and I dropped if off at the grocery store. It was the cutest idea and super thoughtful. When I was checking out at the grocery store people thought the idea was brilliant! But I had to admit it was my Mother-in-laws idea and that I had nothing for our special new dad!

FEAR NOT Crack Team Chronicle blog stalkers for I work fabulously under pressure. Saturday afternoon I came up with an idea and thanks to Brudder and Kari being in town to help with Chloe I was able to pull it off. I started a DAD book for Chris. Each year we will put pictures of him from that year on the page listed with that year. I had one little journal box where we (Chloe and I) listed everything we were proud of him for doing this year. I had another journal box where I listed Chloe's favorite things to do with Dad. We'll mimic the same format each year so that one day he can look back and see how his relationship with his kiddos has grown and changed over the years. It turned out exactly like I hoped and Chris loved it! I can't wait to add to it each year and can't wait until the day Chloe can tell me all by herself what it is she likes doing best with Daddy! For now I used my best Mommy judgement and the list included things like: - Cuddling on the couch - Swimming - Riding face out in the baby carrier on Dad's chest - Getting hugs and kisses

Anyway, we went to church as a family and then to Brunch with My Brudder, Kari, and The Martins. Chris sang in the night esemble at church and we sat in the front row to get a close view of our favorite singer. Finally we ended the night with Chinese take out and candle lights...and of course the cake, the other gifts, and cards. Unfortunately I did a lousy job of taking pictures on Fathers Day so I only have one of Chris and the cake and one that the Martins took of us (THANK YOU Liza!). I'll also include Chris's first picture as a Dad...amazing how things have changed in three short months.

Happy Father's Day, King Crack. We love you!!!

Double the Grandmas, Double the fun...

The same week my Mom was in town, Chris's Mom was coming too so my Mom decided to extend her stay for one day so they could overlap. Needless to say that equaled a whole lot of love heaped onto our little one. We went to the pool one night and got some great pictures, I'll enclose them below.

Then after my Mom left, Sally was here for the weekend. We went to the library, ate snow cones, had an awesome Chinese take out meal together. As usual the trip went by really fast! Chloe loves her GiGi and Grandma Sally!

As always, click on the pics for larger viewing!

Cheri and Courtney visit!

I am so behind on posts! Stay with us this week as I play catch up!

Two weeks ago my Mom came to town for a visit. While she was here, Cheri and Courtney came to visit. Cheri was my Mom's college room mate. I very clearly remember around Christmas of 1991, we stopped through Kentucky while Cheri's family was visiting her Mom to meet the newest addition to their family - Courtney. She was 4 months old then and ADORABLE! I loved all her little outfits and loved that Aunt Cheri let me hold and play with her!

Flash forward to June 2009. That adorable baby is now a beautiful almost-18 year old. I felt so old when the adorable baby I once held was now holding MY BABY!!! Cheri and Courtney also brought Chloe some PRECIOUS outfits dressing her literally head to toe! I was so excited for the cute clothes picked out by sweet friends! Below I'll include pictures of a few of the outfits and one from their visit. Thanks again guys!!!

First three months - reviewed

I posted last week on Chloe's official 3 month birthday a little post called "No more Newborn." We had guests in town (more posts on that later) and lots going on at the Crack House so I barely got those pictures up in time. However, later the depths of "No more Newborn" despair set in. Really, these three months have flown by and we've experienced more emotion, growth, and affirmation of God's plan in this time than in any other three month span as the Crack team.

When Chris and I were engaged, many people married and unmarried "warned" us of the adjustment phase of marriage. We heard the horror stories, and hunkered down with prayer, book studies, and any other opportunities for growth so we'd be ready for the misery we'd heard that first year can bring. Of course we had a fight or two...but marriage turned out to be a pretty smooth transition for us. I have nothing but fond memories of our first year...really of our whole marriage. I LOVED life as Chris and Karen. I never imagined needing kids to complete our family but we did decide it would be a fun next step.

Once we were pregnant the warnings came again...the first three months were going to be miserable, our life would never be the same, kids ruin your cloths and furniture, and so on. Once again we started reading, praying, and trying to brace ourselves for the supposed "storm" that was brewing inside me.

March 11th rolled around and people were right about one thing...our life will never be the same. At 7:40am that morning when Chloe rolled out, opened her eyes, and looked at Chris who in turn looked to me with tears flowing down his cheeks, our world was rocked. I'd try to describe it but I'm lousy with words to start and I would say this is one of life moments that you just can't describe. All I know is that we forever turned a corner in our family that can't be undone. The past three months have flown by. Of course we were sleep deprived, and we did argue at least once or twice. Of course it was hard to take in the gravity of responsibility we just took on. Of course our schedules changed. BUT contrary to the popular complaints and warnings that people love to share...it was AWESOME. I wouldn't change a second of it...not even the scary high blood pressure days. It is part of our story...the words to this chapter of The Crack Team Chronicles. I would and pray I will do it all again. Our marriage was affirmed in its strength, our bodies re-created by God in this tiny combination of Chris and I, and our hearts stretched to a capacity beyond our belief. In the hardest moments we were awe-struck with the realization and gratitude that our parents had also once endured, with the same insurmountable love, similar hard moments with us swaddled in their arms. It redefined in great lengths the sacrifice our heavenly Father made in giving up His ONLY child for our wrong doings.

I'm not counting down the days until Chloe's first birthday. I won't complain to other Mom-to-be's scaring them about some rumored misery the first months can bring. I don't feel burdened by being the sole food source for Chloe, I know it's going to fly by. Instead I am trying my best to hold on to each precious second and recieve it fully and wholey as the blessing our Father intended. Since each second slips by so quickly I'm just trying to live in the moment and recognize it for what it is...a moment in time. Because the first three months worth of moments have just slipped by, I made a little video to help us remember the precious firsts, family visits, and just how tiny our little Chloe was just a mere 90 days ago. We're beyond the newborn stage and onto new adventures but I don't regret any of what we've just been through and in some ways I know I'll always miss the infant Chloe was. Our precious little girl, we love you....

Chloe's room...unveiled

I know I've been TERRIBLY slow in getting these pictures posted but in all honesty it's because we just weren't done with her room when Chloe showed up early! Crack-team style or Crack-time as Chris's high school friends call it...runs late at best. SO when Chloe came early we were surprised on all fronts. Needless to say her room was one of the things that we had not finished. But we've finally got it set up and while the pictures hardly do it justice, we love her little room! Our sweet friend Stephanie sewed the curtain, dust ruffle, bumper, and chair cushion. They look FABULOUS. I can't thank you enough, Steph!!! Really, the pictures don't do her awesome work enough justice so consider this your official invite to come see Chloe's room in person! For those who are further away...this will give you a mental idea until you can make it here! Enjoy!

No more newborn!!!

Today is Chloe's 3 month mark! The time really flies! I have lots of posts to catch up on but currently have Grandma Sally and Gigi in town so we'll have to play catch up later. For now, check out the growth...

Cupcake update...

It's been a great week though I've had to swallow the big-lump-in-the-throat reality that my baby girl is less newborn and more baby every day! She is trying to talk and laugh and spends half her day talking to me and random objects. She is also super close to making the connection that her hands can grab anything and everything she wants. She bats at things and occasionally grabs and today even grabbed something on her play mat and looked at it intently for a long time before dropping it. She is also so strong! I am impressed with her legs, her head control and her "death grip" she can get on things....my least favorite being my hair. She smiles all the time and is sleeping like a champ. We are so in love with her and can't believe we've had her for almost 3 months. The time really flies! We are so blessed and love being a family. Here are some recent pictures of our little cupcake... (click the pics for larger views)

Chloe the weed...

Today we had to go to the Dr. to check in on some blood that's been showing up in her stool. The Dr.'s not too worried after seeing it and neither are we. I just have to stay away from dairy and we may opt out of the Rota-virus vaccine next round. If only I was better at resisting cheese,ice cream, milk, and yogurt!

While we were there she was marveled at Chloe's size and decided to check her length even though it wasn't a routine check up. She's a week away from her 3 month appointment and has grown nearly 2 inches since her 2 month. She is 24 inches long and only 11 pounds. We're back to 80% for height and 20% for weight. I'm glad she's got the good genes but jealous too! What I wouldn't give to be soooo long and lean! The Dr. also pointed out that my little cupcake is super active, has amazing head control, and very strong legs. She about fell off the chair when I told her Chloe's been learning those things in her Jumperoo. Apparently you aren't supposed to put a 2 month old in a jumparoo. But this active one has been kicking like a champ since she was in my belly. I figured I should give her an outlet for such activity and apparently it's progressed her. I'll attach a video of her in the jumparoo (Thanks Elstons!!!) though it's a few days and already she's twice as jumpy when I put her in it. Guess she's going to be my little active one....for better or worse!

We've also been to the pool several times and have a new float for her. I'll attach a video of Chloe and my handsome honeybuns. Three years of marriage, one baby down, and I still think he's super hot! Yum!

Shoe give-away

Is anyone surprised that I would find a shoe give-a-way on-line? I LOVE shoes and LOVE buying shoes for Chloe even more. Check out this blog for a chance to win shoes for your little one...or if you don't have a little one, Chloe will gladly wear the shoes if you win them :)

http://www.thriftyandchicmom.com/2009/06/cute-baby-shoes-giveaway.html?showComment=1243978066821#c5767895509616257786

Camp Karen

This post is for all those in "Camp Karen."

I have come to realize that most people don't see small details like those in the marketing/design/fashion world. I remember when I worked for Seiko we'd have 20 or so watch designs. Our least favorite was always the one that sold. It would be the ugliest watch that we were forced to throw in last minute. We also would come up with brilliant packaging but because of price always ended up with the clear plastic boring stuff. When it comes down to it, most people don't notice the details. So there was no added advantage to awesome packaging or special detailing on a watch.

I am realizing the same must be true with Chloe. It's so funny to me when people say that Chloe looks exactly like me. I look at her and see so much more of Chris. She is a mix of both of us for sure but "exactly" like me? I realize that people are probably just saying that based on a glance or maybe even because they don't know Chris's face like I do. However, it's still funny since I see so much more of Chris. That said, I've taken a few pictures recently of Chloe with the intent of mimicking some of my own baby pictures. So, for those in Camp Karen - the group of people who think she looks "exactly" like me...eat these up!

Apparently we both like to sleep in our swings!












We also both like our bouncer seats! Also, in case you are the type to miss a detail or two, we are wearing the exact same outfit in the below pictures. My Mom made lots of my clothes when I was a baby and saved them all these years!