Sunday, November 28, 2010

Tonight's pick-me-up!

Chilling out at Grammy Pammy and GreyBeard's!



Check out how well she holds up her head!

Happy Sunday Night, All!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Zoe and Rusty

Z's First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.



Who doesn't like a holiday where we celebrate what we're thankful for? What we have instead of have not? Who we have in our lives? And, of course, there's the eating.


This year was especially wonderful. We are so thankful for our darling daughter. I'm so thankful for my wonderful, adoring husband. And oh the blessings! We have a home, we have a car, we have jobs in this economy. We have two great little dogs, and the most supportive and loving families who are nearby.





It was quieter at the Vermilyea's home this year. We had about 17 people and 9 pies. Seriously. 9 pies. What does that average out to? about 2 people per pie!? Good Lord these people do it UP! Two turkey breasts, a large turkey, two roasts and all the fixings.












On top of all the food and the new baby this year, we are happy to know that our sister (-in-law) is going to move here with her 3 boys full time.

We just love these guys. They are so sweet and kind and spent a good portion of the days prior to Thanksgiving cooking and baking for the large meal.

The trick to having so much food is that you have leftovers for days. We're sitting here today plotting when we're going back to the house to devour more turkey and stuffing and the sweet potato casserole that I'm proud to say I made very well. I got to make a few Vermilyea family favorites, and really feel like I have arrived. I have always felt I am part of the family, but this sealed the deal.


The great part about joining a large family is that there is always room for one (or two) more. My parents have been with us for Thanksgiving for three years and they love to have a taste of the south. Mom made these delicious brussel sprouts au gratin and I think they went well with the rest of the food. Here are a few great photos of the day. I wonder how many other families ended their Thanksgiving celebrations with karaoke?!






















Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Back to work


Well...

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not sure if it is denial...or the fact that I knew I had vacation for Thanksgiving and would be coming back part time...or the fact that I knew we'd have Christmas vacation in only a few weeks...but I actually ENJOYED being at work.

Don't tell Zoe.

I mean...if I had the option, there is NO way I'd even go back to work. BUT, since I HAVE to (like the use of the capital letters?!) I'm really in the best place. I'm fortunate to have a job. And I'm really fortunate to work in a place that is pretty flexible. That said, I haven't been stressed out in quite some time and have already begun to shred my cuticles.

Truthfully, I'm not worried at all about where Zoe will be during the day. We have it better than a lot of other people. We don't have to use daycare. Jod's parents are the best people in the world and the worst thing that Zoe will experience during the day is being held the entire time by her grandfather who positively ADORES her.

I'm worried that I won't care about the student issues that come up at the University. How can I really care about those when I could be at home experiencing my daughter laugh for the first time? Suddenly everything else is so unimportant.

But, I have the job with the benefits. And with an infant, well, we need those benefits. Health insurance, life insurance, etc. Those are really important.

Is it wrong that I'd almost rather see the laughing?

Monday, November 22, 2010

Beware: Shots ahead

This is me. This is me at Palmetto Pediatrics BEFORE I had shots. What the heck?!

My parents are good people, but I'm not sure I can still trust them! They keep telling me this is for my own good--whatever that means. They tell me I don't want Polio--whatever that is. But me? I'm not so sure. I just know they weren't too nice to me this morning.

As you can see in this photograph of me (taken with Mommy's phone) I was in great spirits. I woke up as cheerful as I usually do, had some good morning meals, snuggled in bed with Mom, had a few great pees and poops, and got dressed in a lovely outfit. They put me in the car. We began to ride (one of my favorite pastimes) and we arrived at the nice doctor's office. The nice nurses measured and weighed me, I pooped on them, I met a new doctor who was nice to me, and all seemed right with the world.

Until that nurse came back. She came in and told me I was going to get three shots, an oral medicine and Tylenol. What the heck?! I trusted that lady! I ate the medicine she gave me! She said it would be good for me! And Mom and Dad just sat there and watched.

Then, BAM! It happened. I got sharp things shoved in my legs! What did I do to deserve this? Mom and Dad are always telling me what a good girl I am. Why did I have to be pinched? And why did Mom and Dad DRIVE me to this place? I am NOT happy about this.

It's been a rough day since. I'm cranky and feeling sort of hot. Mommy said it's okay and normal for me to be hot. I've spent a lot of time nursing and sucking on my pacifier. I got more of that good tasting Tylenol stuff and I felt a bit better. I even decided to smile at Mom and Dad! Mom put me on my tummy for tummy time and I really enjoyed it. It was good to have a little time to myself. Mom told me the next few days are going to be filled with family passing me around.

Okay. Now I think I'll fuss. It might be nice to have a little lovin' from Mama.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Zoe's baby dedication


Yesterday Zoe Catherine Vermilyea was dedicated at church. She wore a gown that my grandmother (Grandma Nette) purchased for my cousins, Dori, Diane and Denise. Their names were embroidered on the gown, and my name was added. The plan is to have Diane's son, Braxton's, name added along with Zoe's.

What a fantastic day! The church service was about as perfect as they come. Our pastor, Mark Piotrowski, dedicated her, read briefly about Hannah's story, and gave us a book to commemorate the occasion. Our dear friend, Dr. John Kearnes, gave the sermon about the first Thanksgiving. It was really, really nice. We (unknowingly) picked a good day to have her special day.

Present were Jody, me, both sets of grandparents, cousin Amanda, spiritual guide Fern Illidge, and our loving church family. Everyone loves this little girl--she is so lucky.

Jody, me, Zoe and Pastor Mark

Grammy Pammy, GreyBeard, Jody, me and Baby Zoe

Mimi and JimDaddy with Zoe, me and Jody

The whole family with Pastor Mark

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Two months old


Today Zoe turned two months old. I'm so excited that she's growing (today at our support group she weighed in at 8lbs, 9.5oz--almost two pounds more than at birth), but am sort of depressed that she's already getting older and bigger. Strange emotion.

I'm having trouble adjusting to the idea that starting next week I won't be with Zoe all day long. I have gotten used to feeding her all day and organizing life around her meals. Next week she will start to spend her days with her grandparents. We're so lucky and blessed to have our families nearby. Z's Mimi and JimDaddy will take such good care of her. Still, I can't help be a little sad that they'll get to see her learn all day long while I'm tackling issues with college students. Suddenly what used to be so important just pales in comparison.

In the meantime, I'm spending a lot of time looking at Zoe and realizing just how thankful I am for my family. Little more than two years ago I was lost. I thought I wouldn't find happiness again--at least not for some time. Jody walked into my life shortly thereafter and suddenly things were looking up. No joke.

Immediately my luck seemed to change. We are so happy! We have our struggles, sure. But we have been blessed with this little miracle of a daughter. We keep looking at her, trying to see who she looks like. We keep looking at her, wondering where she came from. How we made her. How we don't understand how people can not believe in a higher power when they experience or have experienced bringing a child into the world. It's just all too perfect.

Life is truly amazing. Especially if you accept the precious gifts that may be waiting for you.


Here's a picture of Z at one month. Gosh, she has grown!

Tummy time

Pretty much our first real tummy time. She does quite well. This onesie is a Halloween outfit that says, "I love my mummy!"

We like to talk to one another. We spend a lot of the day cooing. Supercute.

Cute sounds

Love the sounds!


Mom's crazy

Well, I'm certainly nuts, but Zoe seems to enjoy it a little bit.
She's smiling more and more and seems to enjoy when we speak in high-pitched tones!
She is always most alert and active first thing in the morning!
Oooooh, I absolutely love her!

Zoe at 6 weeks


We are having so much fun with Zoe. Everyday she has done something new! This video was taken right before she turned 6 weeks old. So alert!