Clip Clip

Nathan assumes you will think this post is about cutting Holden's hair, but we all know Holden doesn't have any hair. Our bald, cutie-pie:

No, I am talking about clip-clipping baby nails. Why did God make this such a difficult task? {Aside: Nathan thinks fingernails shouldn't grow until age two; and, he wants to know when children can start clipping their own nails. Five, five and a half, five and three-quarters - sometime around the age of five?}

When Holden was an infant, I used to clip them while he was nursing. Now, he squirms, pulls his fingers away from me, whines. This afternoon, I snuck into his room while he was still passed out in his nap and tried to clip them. Sneaky. He woke up, pulled his finger away and cried. Clearly, that did not work.

Luckily, Holden does not scratch himself. Unluckily, he likes to scratch me. More experienced moms - how do you clip nails?

Fiber Oh-No

Recently, I have been forgetting to eat. Holden and I will rush out the door and as soon as I am settled in the car, my tummy starts to rumble. Nathan wisely suggested that I pack some snacks in Holden's diaper bag. We made a Costco run and I saw Fiber One bars. Sweet chocolate, nutritious fiber and oh so funny commercials - perfect!

The box went into the cart, we paid for all of our goodies and I ate one as soon as we got home (forgot lunch that day...).  

This morning at church I had another one, because who has time to get ready and eat breakfast? Not this girl. Just as I was smacking my lips, I decided I should look at the nutrition of these bars of goodness. And then, the horror.

It wasn't the high maltose syrup (aren't maltose and fructose cousins?) that stopped me, it was the chicory root extract...listed as the first ingredient. If you are pregnant or a nursing mama, I hope this stops you just as it did me. For those unfamiliar, chicory root is a natural laxative and it can contract the uterus. For early stages preggo moms, worry about miscarriage; for nursing moms, worry about the laxative effect on your babe.

So, what to do with the rest of those 28 bars? 

What a Mighty Fine Man

I know each of us could tell you why we think our husbands are the best, so I am going to say that MY husband is the best for ME. 

This weekend I was sick - I mean, don't want to get out of bed, head hurts, body hurts, I just want to sleep, sick. Also this weekend, I had to say goodbye to Nathan as he flew away to Atlanta for a weeklong work conference. Great. Super. Sick + Baby (does not) = Good Time.

To say I was in a bad mood about this situation might be an understatement; but, we all had to do what we had to do. I was Mama, and Nathan was working hard for his family.  

Tuesday morning, I heard a knock at the door. I thought it was the pictures we ordered from Snapfish (still not here - slowest e.v.e.r). Instead, I found a box - a long box and it said 1-800-FLOWERS on it. Inside I found a dozen gorgeous roses surrounding perfect calla lilies, and a note from Nathan expressing his love. After I dried my tears, I found a pitcher to put them in and centered them on our new table. It was just what I needed to help me feel better. 

Usually, Nathan sends me a card with sweet notes inside whenever he travels, but he knew I needed that little extra touch this time. I love that he has studied me so well and knows just how to touch my heart. We are less than a month away from eight years together, and I am excited that as time has spanned, we have grown closer and wiser - all through God's grace. 

Nathan returns late Thursday night, so I will have to think about how I want to return his gesture. I encourage you to also study your spouse and see what his/her love language is and learn to speak it! 

View from the Top

This is how we find Holden in his crib most mornings, days and nights. He has learned how to stand and he loves it. It took him about a week and a half to learn how to comfortably get himself down and into a sleep position (oh those were painful days!), but he has it down now, and sleep time is pretty much back to normal. 

We did have to move the camera from the crib to the wall. Not my favorite decor choice, but you do what you have to do when your son loves talking to a camera instead of sleeping. 

2010 in Review

What a year 2010 was for our family. Obviously, the biggest event was the birth of our baby boy, Holden Read. There were some great memories and milestones too. Here is a very quick recap of our year.

January
We rang in the New Year while I was 4.5 months pregnant, but looked about 10 months preggo ;) We spent a lot of January continuing to work on our home and getting ready for baby boy.

February

DC was shut down for almost a week with Snowmaggeden, Part II (Part I was in December). I enjoyed working from home and relaxing as I kept getting bigger and bigger. On the 14th, Nathan and I celebrated being a couple for seven years.

March

We celebrated Nathan's 20-something-th birthday on the 9th and my friend Becca Wray threw an amazing baby shower for me at the Pink Bicycle tea room. My wonderful parents-in-law, Don & Connie, were able to make the trip from Chicago. Nathan and I finally finished baby boy's room! 

April

The ladies in our couples small group threw me another great baby shower. We were worried that it might be cancelled because Baby Boy was due that day - April 10th. The shower was tons of fun, but we had to wait 20 more days, until April 30th at 3:30AM to welcome into the world Holden Read Sandell. 

This photo is missing Carin, head planner. She did a fabulous job!

May
Do I really remember this month? Not really. Having our newborn meant a lot of sleepless days and nights, but we still loved every minute of it. Luckily, our families were here to help and support us, and I was able to celebrate my very first Mother's Day!

June
Nathan and I were still trying to get the hang of parenting. Holden had his very first STTN experience, began making facial expressions, started to grab objects and got better and better on his tummy. Aunt Rose had a break from med school and came out to visit; and great Uncle B and Aunt Cyndi visited on their way home to Florida.

July
Nathan and I ventured out to Chicago and Fontana to visit the Sandell and Bagni families. This was Holden's first airplane ride and he did fantastic. He also got to meet his Great Grandparents, his great Uncle and Aunt and spend more quality time with Gpa and Gma, Aunt Rose and Aunt Hilary.

Stuart Read, Nathaniel Read, Holden Read, Gregg Read

Great Grandpa Stu and Great Grandma Ginny

Great Grandma Flo

August
This was the last month before Nathan went off to work. While he was away interviewing, Holden rolled over for the first time - just like Nana predicted!

September
Nathan started his new job with Manhattan Associates, Holden and I started his fall wardrobe collection, and we all were rooting for Da Bears!

October
GMa and GPa came to visit us in the beginning of October and soon after we tried rice cereal for the first time. Holden and I were able to visit Cox Farms with our friends Anne, Grace and Lily where we picked out his very first pumpkin. For Halloween, Holden dressed up as the cutest little monkey!

November
We continued to expand Holden's eating palate to include peas, carrots and apples, and we prepared for our second plane ride out to Chicago to visit the Sandells for Thanksgiving. Holden became mobile and perfected his army-crawl.

December
Holden had his first fever, but quickly showed that his first two bottom teeth were the culprit. We celebrated my 20-something-th birthday and four days later Christmas! Holden was a very good boy and Santa definitely thought so too. We rang in the New Year together, and after quickly perfecting the army-crawl, Holden began pulling himself up and cruising along the furniture.

While 2010 will always remain a very special year in my heart, I am excited to see what the Lord has planned for us in 2011. Happy New Year to you all! God Bless.

New Year's Eve: 2010

Of all the holidays, New Year's Eve never really topped my 'favorite' list. Perhaps it is because I've haven't been to New York City, or that I'm not really a night-owl. This year though, I was able to ring in the New Year with two amazing men by my side (well, the little guy fell asleep an hour early). 

The dress I am wearing is in fact a maternity dress - the same one I wore last year. It looks much better at this end of 2010! 

Rewind: Thanksgiving 2010

Nathan, Holden and I were all able to fly out to Chicago Saturday November 20 (2010). While we had great success flying in the summer, this time around proved to be a little more tricky. Since Holden is older, he likes to explore a lot more - phones, magazines, other people's laps. This would not have been so difficult except for the fact that Nathan and I were split up on the flight. Yep, Holden and I got to sit in between some lucky gent and lady. 

We arrived in the afternoon and GMa and GPa Sandell had set up a crib with new sheets, blankets and a bumper for Holden. What a lucky guy - no pack and play this time (or bed with Mommy and Daddy!). There were also plenty of toys to play with and plenty of free hands (especially Aunt Hilary's) to walk with.

While out in Chicago, we were able to enjoy brunch with our friends Carson and Nickie and have a triple date night with Nick & Katie and Doug & Sarah. Holden woke up when we returned, so they got to finally meet him! We also enjoyed our favorite meals by Lou's, Portillo's, and Don Sandell's.

Thanksgiving day was very busy, but highly enjoyable. Rose invited two couples from her med school class, Don & Connie invited a couple they know, and Rose's boyfriend, Karosh, came over later in the evening, for a total of 15 people. The food, as always, was delicious. It was a little different this year since I had to put Holden to bed in the middle of dinner, but luckily, Thanksgiving food is just as good microwaved.

Nathan had a two day business meeting in Chicago the following Monday and Tuesday, so we actually ended up leaving on Thursday December 2nd. The flight home was just as tough, but at least we got to sit next to each other!

We had a great visit, though. I love talking with Connie, Rose and Hilary and while we were out there, I really did feel like it was a vacation. We are definitely looking forward to when we can go back!