Here is a video taken yesterday of Roman sitting up and playing by himself!! He sat up for a couple minutes!!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
From Newborn to 5 months old!
I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep you updated on Roman. My computer has been broken.
Since the last post (June 1st), Roman has been through so many changes!! He has really blossomed into a little man and his personality is really shining through! I have to say that Matt and I hit the jackpot with him. He is such a great baby!!!! He is so happy and a joy to be around. He loves to be held by anyone and yet can be by himself in his bouncer, carseat or playpen. He is also infatuated with our Saint Bernards. Whenever they come around him, he reaches out and grabs their floppy lips and tries to eat their nose! They return the favor by licking his face and cleaning up any leftover milk or food off his face or belly.
He has created his own schedule and sticks to it almost to the minute. He has been sleeping through the night since he was 12 weeks old. Hets up every day at 5:30 and is patient while his bottle gets ready. He is up for 2 1/2 hours and then it's time for a nap. He usually sleeps 2 hours and is a happy-go-lucky kid when he wakes up. Then it's playing and smiling until I have to take him to the barn at 4. He goes to bed between 7 and 8 at night. We couldn't be luckier! He only cries when his tummy hurts and is hardly ever fussy.
He started holding his own bottle at 4 months old, eating baby cereal at 4 1/2 months, and we started giving him his first "solid food" around that same time. So far, he likes strawberries, bananas, pears, green beans, peas and even prunes. The only food tha doesn't seem t agree with him is peaches. He eats them but they don't stay down long.
He was rolling over about 3 weeks ago and is now working on sitting up. The side-to-side balance is the hardest for him but every day is better. He tries so hard to laugh but everytime he does, he instantly gets the hiccups!
I will try to get some pictures up soon!!
Since the last post (June 1st), Roman has been through so many changes!! He has really blossomed into a little man and his personality is really shining through! I have to say that Matt and I hit the jackpot with him. He is such a great baby!!!! He is so happy and a joy to be around. He loves to be held by anyone and yet can be by himself in his bouncer, carseat or playpen. He is also infatuated with our Saint Bernards. Whenever they
He has created his own schedule and sticks to it almost to the minute. He has been sleeping through the night since he was 12 weeks old. Hets up every day at 5:30 and is patient while his bottle gets ready. He is up for 2 1/2 hours and then it's time for a nap. He usually sleeps 2 hours and is a happy-go-lucky kid when he wakes up. Then it's playing and smiling until I have to take him to the barn at 4. He goes to bed between 7 and 8 at night. We couldn't be luckier! He only cries when his tummy hurts and is hardly ever fussy.
He started holding his own bottle at 4 months old, eating baby cereal at 4 1/2 months, and we started giving him his first "solid food" around that same time. So far, he likes strawberries, bananas, pears, green beans, peas and even prunes. The only food tha doesn't seem t agree with him is peaches. He eats them but they don't stay down long.
He was rolling over about 3 weeks ago and is now working on sitting up. The side-to-side balance is the hardest for him but every day is better. He tries so hard to laugh but everytime he does, he instantly gets the hiccups!
I will try to get some pictures up soon!!
Summer Update for Leslie
In my defense, my computer has been broken for 3 months which has severely interfered with my routines. My last post was June 1st. So much has happened since then!
June was the beginning of a crazy summer! As the riding school manager, I was in charge of scheduling lessons, summer camps, organizing shows, and more!! Many people thought that just because I had a baby, my life would slow down.....SO NOT TRUE!!! Roman tagged along the whole summer and taught lessons with me and was spoiled by all the little girls and their moms.
Roman went on his very first airplane ride in June to go see his cousin Maddie turn one! Considering it was just him and me with no help, it went very well!! He sat with me and played in the terminal and on the plane he ate and slept. It was smooth sailing! On the flight home, my dad was able to fly back with us and help out. He didn't hesitate to hold his grandson during the flight to give me a break. It was then that the lady across the aisle informed my dad that Roman had pooped and that it was now all over Dad's pants!! Of all the places to need an emergency clothing change, an airplane bathoom isn't exactly the most convenient. Poor Dad had to take the baby wipes to the lavatory and do his best to clean up. It was quite a funny story. The funniest part of it all was the smile Roman had given Dad after he had done it but before we had realized the mess.
July was exactly like June. The only difference was the much needed vacations to the lake. Roman did so great in the boat, in the warm lake water, and even enjoyed the cool pool. He even did better than expected in his life jacket! He finally got to meet the whole family and spend some time with all his cousins.
August was the time for some bigger changes. Towards the end of the summer, I was ready to pull my hair out! All the responsibilities I had, being the school manager, the 3 softball leagues, the lessons, camps, horse shows, and organizing field trips for 30 kids, I WAS READY TO QUIT AND STAY HOME FOREVER!! I couldn't get my schedule right, I was forgetting things left and right, and my attitude was suffering because of it. I was always in a crabby mood and I hated being so unorganized. So I decided to resign from the riding school director position and just be an instructor. I really wanted to spend more time at home with Roman. I also needed to get my head on straight and figure out what I really wanted to do.
So far, things are slowly coming together. Now that school is in session, my days at the barn are much shorter. I don't have to be there until 4 every day. So I get to spend the morning with Roman playing and watching him laugh and turn into a little boy!
We also got to take another little mini-vacation to Kansas to help Jenny and Joe pack up their house and put on a garage sale. The time away gave me more of a chance to hang out with Roman, Jen, Joe and Maddie and Ben.
June was the beginning of a crazy summer! As the riding school manager, I was in charge of scheduling lessons, summer camps, organizing shows, and more!! Many people thought that just because I had a baby, my life would slow down.....SO NOT TRUE!!! Roman tagged along the whole summer and taught lessons with me and was spoiled by all the little girls and their moms.
Roman went on his very first airplane ride in June to go see his cousin Maddie turn one! Considering it was just him and me with no help, it went very well!! He sat with me and played in the terminal and on the plane he ate and slept. It was smooth sailing! On the flight home, my dad was able to fly back with us and help out. He didn't hesitate to hold his grandson during the flight to give me a break. It was then that the lady across the aisle informed my dad that Roman had pooped and that it was now all over Dad's pants!! Of all the places to need an emergency clothing change, an airplane bathoom isn't exactly the most convenient. Poor Dad had to take the baby wipes to the lavatory and do his best to clean up. It was quite a funny story. The funniest part of it all was the smile Roman had given Dad after he had done it but before we had realized the mess.
July was exactly like June. The only difference was the much needed vacations to the lake. Roman did so great in the boat, in the warm lake water, and even enjoyed the cool pool. He even did better than expected in his life jacket! He finally got to meet the whole family and spend some time with all his cousins.
August was the time for some bigger changes. Towards the end of the summer, I was ready to pull my hair out! All the responsibilities I had, being the school manager, the 3 softball leagues, the lessons, camps, horse shows, and organizing field trips for 30 kids, I WAS READY TO QUIT AND STAY HOME FOREVER!! I couldn't get my schedule right, I was forgetting things left and right, and my attitude was suffering because of it. I was always in a crabby mood and I hated being so unorganized. So I decided to resign from the riding school director position and just be an instructor. I really wanted to spend more time at home with Roman. I also needed to get my head on straight and figure out what I really wanted to do.
So far, things are slowly coming together. Now that school is in session, my days at the barn are much shorter. I don't have to be there until 4 every day. So I get to spend the morning with Roman playing and watching him laugh and turn into a little boy!
We also got to take another little mini-vacation to Kansas to help Jenny and Joe pack up their house and put on a garage sale. The time away gave me more of a chance to hang out with Roman, Jen, Joe and Maddie and Ben.
Monday, June 1, 2009
So Busy!!
"Summer time, and the living's easy" is not the slogan of my life right now. I am so busy between lessons, riding, being a mom, the 3 softball leagues I'm playing on and trying to keep the house under control.
With school getting out last week, my schedule at the barn is getting so full I can hardly keep track anymore. I am the Riding School Director at the barn so on top of teaching lessons and training horses, I also am responsible for running the school program, heading up the summer camps, and starting a "Junior Equestrian Club" aimed at educating kids on the responsibilities of horse ownership. Luckily, I am able to take Roman with me to the barn. He either helps me teach or there is an abundance of mom's down there always willing to lend a hand. I am so blessed with such an awesome job with so much flexibility. I was lucky enough to be able to compete in a 3-day event show this past weekend. I took a student's horse who had never done anything like it before but despite that fact, the horse did great!
This summer I was determined to be a part of a summer softball league. So I headed up a team on Sunday nights with Mom, Dad, Emily (Cliff's girlfriend), Kevin Raad, and few friends from the barn. Although we are 1-2, it is a fun team to play on. I also got sucked in to playing on a Monday night and Thursday night league. Roman and Matt usually come to cheer us on from the stands.
With all this activity, and going almost 9am-7pm Monday thru Saturday, I hardly have the energy to work on the house. Laundry is a disaster but at least Roman's clothes get put away promptly. His room is the cleanest of the whole house.
I think I am the luckiest mom out there. Roman is such a good baby! He has been sleeping 5-7 hours at a time through the night only waking me up @ 4:30am (almost on the dot every night) to eat. He is up quite a bit during the day because he likes to be a part of the action. Day time naps are short and far between but for the most part, he is a happy baby. He likes his baths and showers, doesn't mind the water in his face. He doesn't care who holds him but there are times when his Mommy is the only one who can make him feel better. I have to admit, I love that part! Just this week he has started to make the beginnings of a laugh. It's not a giggle yet but he is a smiling fool!
I was finally able to get some pictures of him smiling!! These were taken just today so they are the most up-to-date! Can't wait to see y'all at the lake!
With school getting out last week, my schedule at the barn is getting so full I can hardly keep track anymore. I am the Riding School Director at the barn so on top of teaching lessons and training horses, I also am responsible for running the school program, heading up the summer camps, and starting a "Junior Equestrian Club" aimed at educating kids on the responsibilities of horse ownership. Luckily, I am able to take Roman with me to the barn. He either helps me teach or there is an abundance of mom's down there always willing to lend a hand. I am so blessed with such an awesome job with so much flexibility. I was lucky enough to be able to compete in a 3-day event show this past weekend. I took a student's horse who had never done anything like it before but despite that fact, the horse did great!
This summer I was determined to be a part of a summer softball league. So I headed up a team on Sunday nights with Mom, Dad, Emily (Cliff's girlfriend), Kevin Raad, and few friends from the barn. Although we are 1-2, it is a fun team to play on. I also got sucked in to playing on a Monday night and Thursday night league. Roman and Matt usually come to cheer us on from the stands.
With all this activity, and going almost 9am-7pm Monday thru Saturday, I hardly have the energy to work on the house. Laundry is a disaster but at least Roman's clothes get put away promptly. His room is the cleanest of the whole house.
I think I am the luckiest mom out there. Roman is such a good baby! He has been sleeping 5-7 hours at a time through the night only waking me up @ 4:30am (almost on the dot every night) to eat. He is up quite a bit during the day because he likes to be a part of the action. Day time naps are short and far between but for the most part, he is a happy baby. He likes his baths and showers, doesn't mind the water in his face. He doesn't care who holds him but there are times when his Mommy is the only one who can make him feel better. I have to admit, I love that part! Just this week he has started to make the beginnings of a laugh. It's not a giggle yet but he is a smiling fool!
I was finally able to get some pictures of him smiling!! These were taken just today so they are the most up-to-date! Can't wait to see y'all at the lake!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
New Pics
I just wanted to share a couple cute pictures of Roman. He is getting so big and I love that he gets more and more interactive everyday. There is an attempt at snapping a picture of him smiling....
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Roman's One Month Check Up
Oh how time flies.....last week was Roman's one month check up. He weighed in at 9 lbs 8 oz. He gained two pounds in two weeks!!
The first four weeks were pretty simple. He would wake up every 2-3 hours, eat for 20 or so minutes then fall right back asleep. Just when we thought we had a nice little schedule with him, he decided we wants to be awake from 1-4 am. Here is where the sleep deprivation comes in...
The first four weeks were pretty simple. He would wake up every 2-3 hours, eat for 20 or so minutes then fall right back asleep. Just when we thought we had a nice little schedule with him, he decided we wants to be awake from 1-4 am. Here is where the sleep deprivation comes in...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
You Can Google Me!!
I just Googled myself just for fun and I am totally there! It connects you to my blog, myspace, facebook, and even my 3-Day Eventing standings/scores from last year!! Wicked!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Roman Alexander
Sorry it has taken me a month to get this updated. As most moms know, it can be kinda crazy with a newborn but to tell you the truth, I've just been lazy about it. At least I updated my Myspace and Facebook...
Roman was born on March 23rd at 7:42 pm. He was 19 1/2 inches long and weighed 7 lb 5 oz. Everything went very smoothly. I went into labor at 3:30 am and labored at home until about 11 am when the contractions became just a couple minutes apart. At the hospital I was checked in at 4 cm. I sucked up the pain until 6 cm then decided I'd experienced as much as I'd wanted. God bless epidurals! I understand some women's desire to deliver naturally but the epidural allowed me to focus on other important things like all the family and friends that were there to support us.
It all seemed to go pretty quick but when you do the math, I was in labor for 16 hours; 6 of which were beautifully painless. When I finally hit the 10 cm mark, Roman was only inches away from us. I pushed for only 20 minutes and then he was out!
It all seemed so, well, simple. I am very grateful for that! So many horror stories and shows that portray it completely differently. I am also grateful that I broke the C-section curse that my Mom and Jen had to endure. I am also having great success at breastfeeding. Roman is really taking to it and is growing like crazy. Out one month doctors check is this Friday and I am eager to see just how much bigger he is. He has begun to fill out his newborn clothes! So sad! Time really does fly by.
As for work, Matt and I both took the rest of the week off of work. By Sunday, I felt that I was ready to slowly make my way back into the barn. Since I am the Riding School Director, I started back in the office with a couple hours of catch up work per day. Roman goes with me everywhere I go. He either sleeps or eats which makes the transition easy. Plus, all the moms and students down there are more than willing to hold him while I work. Lessons started back slowly. As of now, I'm teaching just one or two hours a day Monday thru Friday and Saturdays I can teach for about 4 or five because Matt can hang out with him all day.
I ended up not buying that horse due to a heart condition but I managed to jump on a couple last week and the week before. It felt so good to get back in the saddle. I found that I hadn't lost my touch at all. I may be slightly out of shape and my endurance isn't what it used to be but man it was fun.
I guess that is our lives all caught up. Here are a couple more pictures of the little guy. He is so darn cute!!!
Roman was born on March 23rd at 7:42 pm. He was 19 1/2 inches long and weighed 7 lb 5 oz. Everything went very smoothly. I went into labor at 3:30 am and labored at home until about 11 am when the contractions became just a couple minutes apart. At the hospital I was checked in at 4 cm. I sucked up the pain until 6 cm then decided I'd experienced as much as I'd wanted. God bless epidurals! I understand some women's desire to deliver naturally but the epidural allowed me to focus on other important things like all the family and friends that were there to support us.
It all seemed to go pretty quick but when you do the math, I was in labor for 16 hours; 6 of which were beautifully painless. When I finally hit the 10 cm mark, Roman was only inches away from us. I pushed for only 20 minutes and then he was out!
It all seemed so, well, simple. I am very grateful for that! So many horror stories and shows that portray it completely differently. I am also grateful that I broke the C-section curse that my Mom and Jen had to endure. I am also having great success at breastfeeding. Roman is really taking to it and is growing like crazy. Out one month doctors check is this Friday and I am eager to see just how much bigger he is. He has begun to fill out his newborn clothes! So sad! Time really does fly by.
As for work, Matt and I both took the rest of the week off of work. By Sunday, I felt that I was ready to slowly make my way back into the barn. Since I am the Riding School Director, I started back in the office with a couple hours of catch up work per day. Roman goes with me everywhere I go. He either sleeps or eats which makes the transition easy. Plus, all the moms and students down there are more than willing to hold him while I work. Lessons started back slowly. As of now, I'm teaching just one or two hours a day Monday thru Friday and Saturdays I can teach for about 4 or five because Matt can hang out with him all day.
I ended up not buying that horse due to a heart condition but I managed to jump on a couple last week and the week before. It felt so good to get back in the saddle. I found that I hadn't lost my touch at all. I may be slightly out of shape and my endurance isn't what it used to be but man it was fun.
I guess that is our lives all caught up. Here are a couple more pictures of the little guy. He is so darn cute!!!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Baby's Room!!
We finally finished the baby's room this weekend. It would have gone a lot faster if I had been allowed to help but people freak out about the paint fumes . . . yada yada yada. We have moved in all the furniture (except the crib) and I unpacked everything we currently have ready for him. We have half a closet a clothes hung up, thanks to Matt's sister and other family friends. That should last, what, a week?? We have some toys and bath stuff thanks to the baby shower out it Wichita (THANKS AGAIN GALS!!) I was rediculously corny and excited when I was hanging things up. I couldn't stop with the "cutsie" talk. We have a crib coming but for now we will use a bassinet given to us by Matt's folks. Sorry it's not in the picture.
6 weeks to go and now I'm getting excited. He's definately running out of room in there. He is being much more difficult about letting me sleep. I just don't know how he fits in there!! I have two more baby showers planned and then we should be "officially" ready for him to come. However, I'm ready to meet him now. No we don't have a name just yet. We have narrowed it down. It's either Roman Alexander or Brayden/Bradyn (which spelling do u like?) Alexander. Matt really likes the Alexander part for the middle name although there's no family ties to it. He has said a couple times he's leaning toward Roman. Here's hoping. Maybe you can help us out. I'm gonna attempt to post a ballot. Tell me which one you like better.
We'll keep you guys posted if anything big happens!! I'm sure you will all get a random mass text from one of our phones that says something like "Baby's Coming!! Stay Tuned!!" I'm sure you'll understand if we don't get around to calling everyone. BYE!
6 weeks to go and now I'm getting excited. He's definately running out of room in there. He is being much more difficult about letting me sleep. I just don't know how he fits in there!! I have two more baby showers planned and then we should be "officially" ready for him to come. However, I'm ready to meet him now. No we don't have a name just yet. We have narrowed it down. It's either Roman Alexander or Brayden/Bradyn (which spelling do u like?) Alexander. Matt really likes the Alexander part for the middle name although there's no family ties to it. He has said a couple times he's leaning toward Roman. Here's hoping. Maybe you can help us out. I'm gonna attempt to post a ballot. Tell me which one you like better.
We'll keep you guys posted if anything big happens!! I'm sure you will all get a random mass text from one of our phones that says something like "Baby's Coming!! Stay Tuned!!" I'm sure you'll understand if we don't get around to calling everyone. BYE!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Quick Update
Like I've said before, before this baby comes, our daily life doesn't change much. It's work then home. The dogs don't even give us much to talk about. And unlike kids, they definately don't let us capture funny things on camera unless it's right there. So for now, I'll just say that I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I am going every two weeks now instead of every four. After this next one, I will go every week to have a check up. I can't believe how close it is. It doesn't seem like that long ago I was drinking that Jager.......Doctor says baby is doing great. Good heart rate of 150 bpm and right on track growth wise. He is head down and ready to rock and roll.
The baby's room is almost ready. We have painted and put up most of the trim. We have to touch up the floor boards and then we're ready to move in furniture and get things in the right place. I am getting excited. We have started our child birth classes which makes it that much more exciting. I will post pictures of the room when it is done.
One last thing. Thanks to Allison, we have begun going into boat debt buying new things from Boarders Best Buy. We are getting things for the boat day by day and we're pretty excited about that. New life jackets and a new wake board for Matt. I just hope that summer comes early and the water warms up fast so we can get out there.
The baby's room is almost ready. We have painted and put up most of the trim. We have to touch up the floor boards and then we're ready to move in furniture and get things in the right place. I am getting excited. We have started our child birth classes which makes it that much more exciting. I will post pictures of the room when it is done.
One last thing. Thanks to Allison, we have begun going into boat debt buying new things from Boarders Best Buy. We are getting things for the boat day by day and we're pretty excited about that. New life jackets and a new wake board for Matt. I just hope that summer comes early and the water warms up fast so we can get out there.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Las Vegas
This past weekend, the Ward Horde took yet another family vacation to Las Vegas. We visited the Bellagio Gardens, New York New York, Luxor, and walked about 20 miles. Although alcohol is a no-no for me, I enjoyed watching everyone else get goofy. It was especially funny when Allison kept poking my belly trying to get the baby to kick her back. Matt did pretty well at the blackjack tables. He ended up winning close to $250. I just about broke even. Oh well. I enjoy the family time more than anything. Matt discovered what a $35 drink tastes like and I discovered what $26 ice cream tastes like. That Vegas is tricky. Turns out no matter how good something looks, you should always ask the price before ordering it. Otherwise you had better be able to out-run the server. The ice cream was very elaborate. When the dish you order is called "The Terminator," prepare yourself. It was a mix of Oreo Cookies and Creme and Heavenly Chocolate Truffle Mousse Pie. On top of that, they dress it up with chocolate spikes, Peanut butter cups, oreos, graham cracker triangles, and a wafer. I wish I had gotten a picture of it before we devoured it but I was in such a state of shock at the price, that I was focused on eating it all and getting my money's worth....I failed at both. So I tried to take a picture of the display case to show you what I mean by elaborately decorated. I hope you get the idea. Take my advice; know what you are ordering.....
Belly at 31 Weeks
Unlike, all you people who have kids already, my day to day life is about the same. For now that is. The belly is getting bigger everyday. I am now hitting it on doors and running into counters reaching for cups when that never used to be a problem. Tying my shoes is also not on the list of comfortable things to do either. Here is a picture of the belly at 31 weeks. I have just sprouted outward over the last few weeks. He is a little basketball in there. He prefers to punch and kick on the right side and usually at night. I can definitely feel him push his foot out to the side when he stretches. I love that feeling. It is so neat to feel him roll around and push out. Some times he can be overly strong about it and I have to push back. Matt enjoys just sitting around with his hand there feeling it too. It's funny how easy Matt's heart melts when he feels him moving. I guess Gary Allen has it right in his song, "When tough little boys, grow up to be dads they turn into big babies again."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2008 Summary
I have finally had time to sit down and start this blog. I figure the easiest way to begin to is separate last year into 4 categories. So here we go.
Spring '08
After almost 7 months of searching, Matt and I finally found a house. It is a nice 3 bedroom, plus office, 3 bath located in Castle Rock. Two stories plus a basement, it has plenty of growing room and plenty of space for guests....hint....hint.. We had originally planned to go smaller but after all the disappointing fall through's with the other houses we looked at, and with the housing market the way it is, we were able to spring a little bigger. I don't want to have to go through all that again. We moved in the day before Easter and have been happily settled in. Painting and personalizing is so satisfying.
These pictures were taken right after we moved in so they are a bit outdated. I will try to get new ones up. Not to mention we have started to redecorate a couple rooms....... :)
Summer '08
Summer is definitely the busiest time of year for me. Summer at the barn brings all the kids and also brings 10 hour days. I teach Summer Camps for a few hours in the morning then move on to lessons in the afternoon. The summer camps have 7 kids for 3 hours learning about riding and caring for the horses. The lessons are more centered toward riding. As rewarding as it is to see the progress the kids make during the summer, it can get very repetitive and make you go a little crazy. I have advanced kids who mix it up for me. I started taking kids to horse shows last summer and they had lots of fun. It reminded me of when I was a kid. This coming summer will be centered more toward those students. They are all excellent riders and I can't wait to see how they do.
I also competed in a few horse shows of my own this summer. I started a new discipline called 3 Day Eventing. It is a three day competition combining dressage, stadium jumping and cross country jumping. In three shows I walked away with a first, and second and a big goose egg. Each of those shows was a big learning experience and a ton of adrenaline pumping fun. My horse Caesar and I love the cross country portion of the competition.
Summer also brought relaxation, fun, and vacations! Anyone in my family knows that every year we all meet up at Table Rock Lake in Missouri. We spend one long-awaited week at a resort swimming, boating, wakeboarding, surfing, and skiing. Four generations of Wards get together and catch up on a years worth of happenings and have a grand ol' time. It is comforting knowing that that tradition of family time will be there for years and years to come.
Matt and I found ourselves on a few long weekend getaways this summer. Before we went to the lake, we went to Texas to visit his cousins in Galveston. We spent a couple days on the beach hanging out with his family who we only get so see once every couple years.
Our other fateful getaway took us to the western slope of Colorado to Grand Junction, CO. There we partied our weekend away at a country concert known as Country Jam. We saw a dozen bands perform live and we spent the nights partying with fellow campers.
Fall '08
Once the summer slowed down a bit, we were able to organize a house warming party. We invited family, friends and co-workers to see our new house and to share some big news. Remember Country Jam? Turns out that was a big turning point in our lives. We found out 5 weeks later, after Texas and the lake, that we were pregnant. It came as a surprise to us but after the initial shock wore off and I convinced Matt that we didn't have to sell the house, we announced it to everyone. It was a hard secret to keep from so many people for so long but it was a relief to let it out. All the congratulations were very reassuring and our excitement grew more everyday.
Around Thanksgiving, when were about 21 weeks along, we were able to get ultrasounds of Baby. We found that it was a boy, he was a week ahead of schedule in development and around the 70 percentile for size for his gestation. But all that considered, it was hard to tell anything at all from the outside. It wasn't until about 7 months that you could really tell anything through my coats that I wear to the barn. There have been a couple decent days here in January when I can wear clothes that really show. Now there is no hiding it. It's obvious no matter what I wear. He is a very mobile baby and lets me know when it's time to wake up in the morning. He seems to be most active in the morning and at night. My favorite thing is now that he is bigger, you can see him kick. He also loves to stick his butt out to the side when he stretches.
Winter '08
December is the last stop of last year's recap. Matt and I went to Washington to spend some time with his immediate family and his uncle Art and great-aunt Estelle. We all rented a house on the Oregon coast for three days, played cribbage and walked along the beach. The weather was nice and we even saw a whale and sea lions from our back yard. Although it was way too cold to swim, it was a very relaxing trip.
We spent Christmas in Wichita, KS. Every year seems to be a bit different now that everyone is married and having kids. After a big breakfast, we opened presents at Jen and Joe's with immediate family. We spent the afternoon playing Rock Band on the Wii. Later we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. Friday, the gals threw Baby Wenstrom a baby shower. He made out pretty well with clothes, toys, a bath tub and of course diapers. We were able to finish Christmas that night after Michael and Allison came in from Oklahoma.
New Years Eve was a pretty fun time. Matt and I hosted a New Years Eve party at our house. Jen and Joe brought Rock Band, Jared and Christy brought the Jungle Juice, and John brought the Absynth. Those things combined make a hell of a party. Those who were too embarrased to sing at the beginning of the night were the stars of the show by the end. We found out who has rhythm and who doesn't and who was meant to be a Rock Star. As it turns out, if you bring in an illegal substance to drink, it may be a good idea to drink it in moderation. Absynth doesn't go down as smoothly as, say, Jager or even Jack Daniels. It is mighty potent. All in all, it was a fun party.
So that about wraps it up. Lots of exciting things have happened in the last year but we are looking forward to many more exciting things to come. I hope you all have a Happy New Year and I will do my best to keep an up to date blog in the next year!!
Spring '08
After almost 7 months of searching, Matt and I finally found a house. It is a nice 3 bedroom, plus office, 3 bath located in Castle Rock. Two stories plus a basement, it has plenty of growing room and plenty of space for guests....hint....hint.. We had originally planned to go smaller but after all the disappointing fall through's with the other houses we looked at, and with the housing market the way it is, we were able to spring a little bigger. I don't want to have to go through all that again. We moved in the day before Easter and have been happily settled in. Painting and personalizing is so satisfying.
These pictures were taken right after we moved in so they are a bit outdated. I will try to get new ones up. Not to mention we have started to redecorate a couple rooms....... :)
Summer '08
Summer is definitely the busiest time of year for me. Summer at the barn brings all the kids and also brings 10 hour days. I teach Summer Camps for a few hours in the morning then move on to lessons in the afternoon. The summer camps have 7 kids for 3 hours learning about riding and caring for the horses. The lessons are more centered toward riding. As rewarding as it is to see the progress the kids make during the summer, it can get very repetitive and make you go a little crazy. I have advanced kids who mix it up for me. I started taking kids to horse shows last summer and they had lots of fun. It reminded me of when I was a kid. This coming summer will be centered more toward those students. They are all excellent riders and I can't wait to see how they do.
I also competed in a few horse shows of my own this summer. I started a new discipline called 3 Day Eventing. It is a three day competition combining dressage, stadium jumping and cross country jumping. In three shows I walked away with a first, and second and a big goose egg. Each of those shows was a big learning experience and a ton of adrenaline pumping fun. My horse Caesar and I love the cross country portion of the competition.
Summer also brought relaxation, fun, and vacations! Anyone in my family knows that every year we all meet up at Table Rock Lake in Missouri. We spend one long-awaited week at a resort swimming, boating, wakeboarding, surfing, and skiing. Four generations of Wards get together and catch up on a years worth of happenings and have a grand ol' time. It is comforting knowing that that tradition of family time will be there for years and years to come.
Matt and I found ourselves on a few long weekend getaways this summer. Before we went to the lake, we went to Texas to visit his cousins in Galveston. We spent a couple days on the beach hanging out with his family who we only get so see once every couple years.
Our other fateful getaway took us to the western slope of Colorado to Grand Junction, CO. There we partied our weekend away at a country concert known as Country Jam. We saw a dozen bands perform live and we spent the nights partying with fellow campers.
Fall '08
Once the summer slowed down a bit, we were able to organize a house warming party. We invited family, friends and co-workers to see our new house and to share some big news. Remember Country Jam? Turns out that was a big turning point in our lives. We found out 5 weeks later, after Texas and the lake, that we were pregnant. It came as a surprise to us but after the initial shock wore off and I convinced Matt that we didn't have to sell the house, we announced it to everyone. It was a hard secret to keep from so many people for so long but it was a relief to let it out. All the congratulations were very reassuring and our excitement grew more everyday.
Around Thanksgiving, when were about 21 weeks along, we were able to get ultrasounds of Baby. We found that it was a boy, he was a week ahead of schedule in development and around the 70 percentile for size for his gestation. But all that considered, it was hard to tell anything at all from the outside. It wasn't until about 7 months that you could really tell anything through my coats that I wear to the barn. There have been a couple decent days here in January when I can wear clothes that really show. Now there is no hiding it. It's obvious no matter what I wear. He is a very mobile baby and lets me know when it's time to wake up in the morning. He seems to be most active in the morning and at night. My favorite thing is now that he is bigger, you can see him kick. He also loves to stick his butt out to the side when he stretches.
Winter '08
December is the last stop of last year's recap. Matt and I went to Washington to spend some time with his immediate family and his uncle Art and great-aunt Estelle. We all rented a house on the Oregon coast for three days, played cribbage and walked along the beach. The weather was nice and we even saw a whale and sea lions from our back yard. Although it was way too cold to swim, it was a very relaxing trip.
We spent Christmas in Wichita, KS. Every year seems to be a bit different now that everyone is married and having kids. After a big breakfast, we opened presents at Jen and Joe's with immediate family. We spent the afternoon playing Rock Band on the Wii. Later we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. Friday, the gals threw Baby Wenstrom a baby shower. He made out pretty well with clothes, toys, a bath tub and of course diapers. We were able to finish Christmas that night after Michael and Allison came in from Oklahoma.
New Years Eve was a pretty fun time. Matt and I hosted a New Years Eve party at our house. Jen and Joe brought Rock Band, Jared and Christy brought the Jungle Juice, and John brought the Absynth. Those things combined make a hell of a party. Those who were too embarrased to sing at the beginning of the night were the stars of the show by the end. We found out who has rhythm and who doesn't and who was meant to be a Rock Star. As it turns out, if you bring in an illegal substance to drink, it may be a good idea to drink it in moderation. Absynth doesn't go down as smoothly as, say, Jager or even Jack Daniels. It is mighty potent. All in all, it was a fun party.
So that about wraps it up. Lots of exciting things have happened in the last year but we are looking forward to many more exciting things to come. I hope you all have a Happy New Year and I will do my best to keep an up to date blog in the next year!!
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