I started writing my post this week, detailing our little lives as a family of 3 - the good the bad and the snotty. Yeah - snot is a large part of our lives since Chloe's little eye teeth decided to make an appearance. I think I discovered baby snot on me each day last week as I was sitting at my desk talking to a client - I look down and am reminded that I'm a working mommy! My mom has always reminded me how blessed we are to have a little baby that is hitting all her milestones - a beautiful baby girl who was born healthy and has remained so. Throughout my pregnancy I was always so grateful that she was forming perfectly while continuing to gain weight and wiggle like the little worm she is today. Sadly today we learned of a family who is struggling with the tragic diagnosis of Trisomy 18 (47,XY+18). When I was 33 weeks pregnant we were 4 weeks away from meeting Chlo-worm. We were ready to meet our little girl who had received a clean bill of health. Lauren and her husband, at 33 weeks, are faced with the reality that soon they'll be picking out a coffin for their baby boy, Gabriel Patrick. God works miracles - and until we know what God has planned for little Gabriel, this poor family has to wrap their mind around the fact that Gabriel might not be coming home with them - instead he'll be going home to his Heavenly Father. As I watch my little girl grow and learn - I am heartbroken to know that this little Family won't have the blessing to see their little boy hit his milestones. Life is tragic.

It's stories like this that remind us that we need to be grateful for all the good that we have in our lives. We all face a struggle - in a lot of cases we have many many struggles. Most won't even be aware of certain struggles we face, or even the depth to which we struggle. To protect ourselves we keep them safely hidden away from public consumption. You know what I mean - the deep hurt from a divorce. Some might think it's a simple separation, but to the one going through the event it means going to bed alone, waking up without the warmth of your partner beside you. A wayward child...the way it rips a parents heart apart. The continuos wonder of what went wrong along the way. The loss of a job...the loss the loss the loss the loss. But you know what - life is good too. We learn from the bad - it makes the good so much better. But we have to be continually reminded that we need to focus on the good. While I was not in a place where I was looking at the bad, Gabriel's story still hit home - and is making me more thankful for that little baby girl of our's who is lying snuggled in her bed, safely tucked away for the night.

So, tomorrow is a new week and we'll be entering it with a more appreciative heart and attitude. We love Chloe with every ounce of our being...and we can't wait to hear our little chatterbox turn her sounds in words, her wild motions in steps...and her blow kisses in nice big purposeful smooches on the lips!

True Story, and this was embarrassing. In an exhausted and hurried state the other day, I rush out of work. As I approach my vehicle I'm thinking, wow my car seriously needs a bath - when was the last time I washed it? And why have I not noticed the dirt in the past days? I reach the drivers door and press the little button that unlocks it - you know the kind where it senses your keys in your purse so it immediately unlocks the door when you touch the door handle button? Nothing happens. So I press it again. Nothing. What the heck? So now I start yanking the door...still nothing. So I dig through my purse, locate the keys...press the unlock button - expect to hear the vehicle unlock...still nothing. Now I'm confused...so I try a little more physical exertion to get the door open. I'm officially yanking the door in an undignified manner in a hopes the door will just open. My efforts are nil. I look around completely confused...and suddenly it dawns on me. This isn't my car. CRINGE! So now do I laugh at myself or regain my composure as I relocate MY car, all the while pretending my comedic actions were planned? Hahaha - if anyone was watching I'm sure they must have thought I was trying to break into that vehicle...I promptly gave up my attempts and climbed into the vehicle 2 spaces down. In my defense - they were both black Nissan Muranos. So - if the owner of the Black Nissan Murano - who likes to park next to me at work is reading this - your vehicle needs a bath {and for your peace of mind, my keys don't work on your car...and my strong muscles can't open the locked door either, try as I may}

Chloe is getting quite mobile...as far as 15 week olds go. She woke me up at 4am this morning as she'd kicked off all her blankets. I hear this is the beginning of this - good thing warmer weather is on the way. As I was getting ready for work this morning I thought it would be a good time for her to do some  core excecise...so I placed her on her tummy on top of the boppy pillow. Turned my back for a second and I hear her complaining...she'd done a reverse crawl and had slipped into the center of the boppy, face down. She was not impressed. So I pick her up and reposition her...and I turn my back to finish my task...and I hear her complaining again...this time she's pushed her body forward, with all her might and fallen off the front end of the boppy pillow, done a face plant into the blanket, legs kicking in the air like a wild girl! She was mighty confused as to what had just occurred...and I'm thinking ohh boy, here we go!! This is just the beginning :)

She's growing really well - I keep begging her to stay small and tiny but she's insistent on growing like a little weed. She's growing out of clothes at a very rapid pace - what fits her today won't fit her tomorrow kind of thing. This week she is 4 months old!! Yes, take a breath and process that for a moment. I can't believe it either. Ahh but each day her sweetness just increases...we're so in love with her. At night when I put her to bed, I want to run back in there 20 minutes later, pull her out of bed and give her a cuddle!

We're super excited about the warmer weather. Can't wait to get some dirt on those stroller wheels. Once that warm weather hits we'll be out enjoying the sunshine and warmth. We'll take her for evening walks, dinners in the backyard - swims on warm summer weekends.


I'll leave you with her most recent video - after laying her down for her nap, I walked in to check on her and found her like this. . .

Looks like it's a ZEBRA kinda day :)

This week it took a tribe to take care of Chloe - and this tribe is very good at juggling schedules, car seat bases and 3 diaper bags. Now I know the meaning "it takes a tribe to raise a child"...AMEN. Thank you Jesus for a large family. . .coz it took 7 of us to make sure she was fed, clothed appropriately and napping - all thanks to a little cold bug that decided to visit my little bubs and turn her little nasal passages in the Victoria Falls. But, all's good in the hood now - it's the WEEKEND and I get to gobble up all the Chloe time I want! I snapped these pics of Chloe this morning - for the first time ever, she smiled at herself in the little mirror on her play mat :)


So - life as a working mom?? Let me give you a brief overview: I wake up at the crack of dawn, get ready for work in high speed - quite literally. Nothing like slapping on foundation as you're reaching for the eyeshadow and mascara. All the while trying to brush my teeth and put on some arm charm...in the background little bubs is starting to stir so I go from high speed to high speed with turbo. Now I'm trying to put on unwrinkled work pants and heels as I'm straining to locate that top I had previous picked out the night before. Bubs is now quite unhappy and wants a diaper change and feed. . .but heck my top is on backwards now...rip it off and tend to the my little beauty impatiently awaiting my presence. In a half dressed state I ready Chlo-worm for her days' activities - while trying to remember what day of the week it is as each of day of the week means a different location of drop off. In the midst of this Jon is late for work - but we still have to ready baby bottles - so he takes over baby duties while I do bottles. Jon is has one shoe on one shoe off...as he stands at Chloe's changing table delicately dressing his baby girl in pink ruffled bottom pants. . .and a top that says "daddy's little girl" :) Chloe is now more than ready for her bottle - good thing coz we have 20 minutes to get out the door. Jon sits down to feed Chloe. . .ahh dear - now she's changed her mind. She doesn't want her breakfast just yet, thanks. Jon and I stop and stare at each other...ahh this was not part of the plans. Girl - I would suggest you just swallow, coz not to swallow is NOT in the plans this morning. After 15 minutes of coaxing from mommy and daddy - she takes the bottle and gobbles it right up. We're late. Jon speeds out the door as he's trying to tie his laces. I still have to load the baby and ALL her gear...: car seat with baby; diaper bag with diapers, wipes, bibs, clean pacifiers, bottles...spare changes of clothes..and another spare change of clothes just in case the backups need a backup - oh and don't forget the baby blankets. Gosh, and I can't forget everything I'll need for my day - purse, lunch bag, laptop bag, pump and all the necessary gear that is required for that timely activity. By the time I ensure I'm appropriately dressed, with all the buttons done up, zips zipped - makeup in place - I need to re fluff the hair coz it's landed flat - FINALLY it's time to head out the door. With herculean muscles I lift ALL the bags, car seat {with baby} and strain with all my might to open the door, shut the door, open the car door lift 150lbs into the car without dropping it...huffing and puffing I load everything - straighten my clothes - and like a lady, climb calmly into the drivers seat while trying to feel cool, calm and collected. One final check in the mirror - great, I look like I've put my make up on in the dark - or my mascara just relocated from my eyelashes to my cheek...but then again, I did put it on 2 hours ago.

Yeah - life as a working mom...need I say more??? And I only covered our morning activities - But this was week one. Perhaps week two will be easier??

I knew going into all this that I would miss alot of Chloe's firsts. Right out the gate I missed Chloe's first giggle. That broke my little heart - but my mom was who she first giggled at, which also made me so happy coz she loves her granny!!

In all our weeks craziness...I have a new appreciation for the weekend.