To the Birthday Girl

So our little lady had her one and a half birthday party last month. Since our little girl is a Christmas Eve baby in order to share with friends and family we had a party in June. It was a wonderful rainbow themed, hot day! There were a few of our favorites missing but we are so grateful for everyone who was able to make it out to celebrate our sweet little lady. Here are some pictures!

Cake Time

about to take off her hat

Sweet Auntie Love

The Schoolcraft Family

The Hawkins Family

The Grandmaison Family

The Yake Family

Smith Family

Gregan Family

Grandparent Photo

Yummy Cake

Birthday Girl

Z photo bombed us

The beginning of gift unwrapping madness

It got a little crazy

Auntie and Uncle, thanks for taking photos Allison!

Week 28 in 2013: I love my job!

Smiling Hill Farm

Yesterday and today are the kind of days that make me feel like shouting out "I LOVE MY JOB" and I feel sorry for all those fools that don't work for Annaka. I by no means feel this way everyday. Just last week I was holding an Elmo toy and looked at Kyle and said "I want to throw this at her head." Kyle let me go to the movies and dinner that evening, he is a good, good man. 

This was never my plan, to stay home with my children day in and day out. Even after I had Annaka I had plans to go back on weekends maybe every other. I didn't go back at first because Kyle was working and we were far from family so I stayed home with out kiddo. After Kyle finished his traveling I didn't go back. I'm not sure why but I didn't, sometimes I miss work. I think I miss talking to adults, finishing a task, getting a kudos at the end of a project. 

So I applied to Trader Joe's I had intentions to apply to a few other places but never did. As I filled out my application I realized how limited my availability was. I thought to myself I don't want to spend all my free time working!! When will I see my husband, when will we do all of those family activities? 

I began to realize, I really do love my job. Not everyone who wants gets to stay home with their munchkins and cuddle in bed in the morning, go to the beach, eat goldfish and popsicles for lunch. I am a lucky, lucky woman. 

I am grateful that my wonderful, funny, smart, adoring husband works so hard. I am grateful that we agree that me staying home is best for our family. I am grateful that I get to see all the small little changes that Annaka is going through. I am grateful that I get paid is hugs and kisses and cuddles. I am grateful that I have a beautiful, smart, sweet little girl and a bouncy baby boy on the way. I am grateful that I get to try and start my own business with my sister. I am grateful that I get to finally pursue one of my dream jobs. I am grateful that I get to wear PJs all day. 

I am grateful that I am trying my best not to miss a thing. To enjoy my family and soak up all the moments that I can before I am wishing for them all back. I am trying to be thankful for all the good as well as the trying and difficult. Grateful that I am getting opportunities that others wish for. 

So I guess I don't just love my job but I love my life. 

Here is a catch up on all the weeks that I have missed.

First haircut

It was really just a trim. 

So blurry but still so cute. Uncle Nic throwing her in the air.

Daddy looking for a kiss

Daddy getting a kiss. 

Beach day!

Loving the sand

Too hot to be at the carnival

We love the farm. 

Enjoying the sand box. 

Pure adorableness 

Boy or Girl???

It has been a little busy here at the Smith house. The summer is flying by, I haven't blogged in over a month!! Sorry that I am so behind. In the next few blogs I'll try and fill you in with what has been happening with us.

The biggest news is are we having a boy or a girl.....

It's a BOY!!!

Breaking News

That is right she has already claimed the title BEST SIS EVER

Annaka has been dying to share some news with you, you ready?

Daddy showing her a picture

Picture of our little Bean

Us telling her she will have to share a room

I think she realized she might have to share more that her  room

Coming to terms with the idea or she wants to eat the picture

Annaka the Best Sister Ever! 

We are all very excited for this sweet little baby that will join us at 23 Edwards Street some time in November. Hopefully before Thanksgiving!

Week 19 and 20: Learning to keep it safe

She likes to eat cucumbers when she is sick....I guess. 

These past two weeks have been a blur for us. Annaka had a cold for TWO weeks! I took her into the doctors and she had an ear infection in both ears, They were not only red but the doctor said they were CRIMSON, could I have felt any worse, no. I cried, I felt terrible that I had waited so long to get her into the doctor and that I hadn't taken care of the cold sooner. So today we are all done with a 5 day antibiotics, which I was hoping to avoid. We went to the doctors on Monday and on Tuesday morning she fell face first onto a window ledge. I called Kyle SOBBING, I let her fall onto the window and from the looks of it she split her lip, had a bump on her head. I can't remember ever feeling so bad.

So is there any other Mommy out there who feels this way? Who sobs uncontrollably when there child is sick or injured because you turned your head for literally ONE second? That night I had Annaka sleep with me in bed. Not sure why I thought this would make anyone feel better, that girl can move in her sleep. As I was lying awake at 4 in the morning with a tiny foot up against my forehead I could not help but think of all the ways that I will not be able to "save" Annaka.

I thought of all the ways that I want to protect my sweet girl of anything bad ever happening. I thought of all the steps I could take next time she gets a cold to avoid an ear infection. I was already, since the fall, making plans on how to baby proof all windows that Annaka and I ever come across. Then I realized this is ridiculous. As much as I wish and plan there is no way on Earth that I could ever protect her from all things awful. Of course I have always know this, I obviously did not think I was a more superior parent able to shield her from all harm, though I was going to try. It really began to sink in that she will fall many, many more times she will get many more scratches, and bumps. She may even (closes my eyes and prays this never happens) BRAKE A BONE! She will have heartbreaks and disappointments.  Her feelings will get her she will get teased and/or made fun of. No matter what I do I will not be able to protect her from all the terrible in the world.

So there is nothing left for me to do but trust the Lord. Do the best that I can with the skills that the good Lord gave me for Annaka. In this I rest easy and I remember that He loves her more than I do which means as much as I hope and pray for nothing to ever happen to my child the Lord wishes it more. I am also humbled by the fact that not only does Jesus feel this way about Annaka He feels this way about each and everyone of us. I am beyond grateful for the Lords grace.

Week 18 in 2013

Kyle had some time off this week. It was GREAT! We enjoyed the weather by playing outside, going to the park and taking walks. Grammy Joy and Grampy Juan came by to help us out in the garden. It looks FANTASTIC! Kyle also started a patio in our backyard, it is coming along nicely.

We also had two play dates. One with Auntie Jessy and Grayson and the other with Ms. Nikki and Piper. We had a wonderful time. It was a very busy week. The most exciting event at the Smith house is that Annaka is fully weaned, Yay for mommy. She is still not drinking any milk and I have tried everything under the sun! Since we got the go ahead from the Doc we stopped nursing. I was a little sad for maybe a day, then I was ok.