The new man in my life....

Ok, so he is not a "man".  He is so ugly that he is CUTE.  I fell in love with him right away.  He is about 5 years old.   Meet my new friend Neo.....

My Friend Neo!

So, I am sure you are wondering how in the world Neo and I became friends.  It all started on Thursday of this week when the family went up north for Labor Day Weekend.

While we were camping (In a trailer, with a king size bed.  Not a tent!), I decided to leave my city mentality behind and take Holly out to see the great outdoors. I was definitely outside my comfort zone!!  

At the end of the park, there was a large cow farm.  I was trying to explain to Holly the difference between a Cow and a Horse, not that I can really tell the difference.  When "Farmer Scott" came down the road in his tractor, he invited us up to visit his Alpaca farm.  Needless to say, I had no idea what an Alpaca was.  So off we went on a new adventure...

Although Neo was my favorite of the 4 Alpaca, I could not help but think that Hero was the animal version of Whitney Houston (No offence to Whitney, Hero is pretty cute.)

Hero, The Alpaca version of Whitney Houston!

Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Holly in the tub

Holly is 1 Today!!

Oh, a day in the life of Holly. This morning she decided to sleep in, not getting up until after 8! However, her Mommy was up much earlier to answer the text messages, phone calls, and emails that started coming in to wish her a Happy Birthday!! I was starting to think, "This child needs her own Blackberry." After breakfast she had some playtime with all her new toys and was riding her pony while we watched the today show!

After a short while, it was back to her crib for a little snooze. She must have known she was going to be going on a little outing because she curled right up and went to sleep. While she slept, her wonderful Nanny, Carol, stopped by to give her pink roses and a balloon.

When she got up it was time to go shopping! Bob and I took her to Almassian Jewelers to get her a little something special to remember her 1st Birthday. Lucky little girl, I didn't get my first pearl bracelet until I was 29!! She loved it, and was even wearing it for a while before she thought it would be a good teething toy... I tried hinting to Bob that maybe Mommy needed a little jewelry to celebrate my first year of motherhood, but I must have been to subtle.

We stopped for lunch. No fine restaurants for this babe (yet), she will only eat where they serve yogurt and crackers!! Maybe next year we will try sushi!

After a couple more errands, it was time to get her home for her afternoon nap. She was pretty excited when she woke up....

Happy Little Birthday Girl

It's fun to be 1!

Before the days end, Holly had a visit from Poppy and Grandma Coulter and her new boyfriend, Henry, who also brought her some roses. From the looks of it, I think she is thinking, "Yuck, Boys have Cooties!" Or maybe she is like her Mommy and not to fond of nature...

She got a couple more phone calls and one more delivery from American Girl Dolls, thanks again Mike, Jill, and Henry for her dolly!!

Right on time at 7:30 she was ready for her bath and off to bed. What a fabulous day!! We want to thank all our family and friends once again for making this day so special.

Those Baby Blues

The eyes that melt my heart...

Looking so grown up!

It only happens once

Tonight was Holly's big night. The little princess had her 1st Birthday party! We had so much fun watching her checking out all of her presents and covering herself with frosting. A very big Thank You to our family and friends for making tonight so special for Holly, and us too!
Even 3 day old little Henry Frey came out to wish her a Happy Birthday.
Bob and I went all out with pink balloons and streamers. She was all smiles and a great time was had by all. We saved half her cake to deep freeze for a repeat of her party in a few weeks when Aunt Vicky comes to visit. She spoils Holly like crazy....she understands that even at her young age, a girl loves what comes in a "little blue box".

So she is already kissing boys...

Jill's baby is finally here!! A boy... small Frey now is Henry William Frey born on 8/19. Bob, Holly and I went up to meet the little guy on Wednesday. He is perfect! Mike and Jill are both doing great. It was the cutest thing ever when Holly gave him a big open mouth baby kiss right on the top of his head. It melted my heart and made me think....maybe Holly would like a little brother or sister someday. Here he is....7lbs 15oz . Such a cutie.....

Up to no good!

I was feeding Holly some graham crackers the other day. I must have dropped the box and forgotten about it. Anyway, I went into our room and came back out a few minutes later. This is what I found when I returned...

I could not believe Charlie. I had to run and get my camera to take a video. He just sat there like this and waited for me to film him.

I guess these dogs still bring me a lot of joy even though they are a pain in my butt sometimes.

Where does the time go?!

A few years ago on a walk, I met my "little sister"!! My friend Jill is like the little sister I never had. We both moved to the neighborhood at the same time, got engaged a few weeks apart and married a month apart. As newlyweds we had some great times boating on Lake Michigan. So much fun, that the next summer Mike and Jill bought their own boat. It was no surprise to me that when Holly was 3 months old Jill came over to tell me the wonderful news....she was expecting!! We were so happy for them! As the months went on Jill would ask me about what it was like...being pregnant...giving birth (GET AN EPIDURAL!!) ...becoming a mom. I am so happy that she comes to me for advise and when she has questions. Well, the past few days we have been spending a lot of time together. She was due on Friday. We all thought by now we would have met the little one. Poor Jill!! I am so excited for her to hold her baby for the first time. There are no words to describe how magical a feeling it is to bring your new baby home. Looking back at this year I can recall the first days of being a Mom so clearly! My advise to Jill is to cherish every moment, and I know she will!! The first year is amazing and goes to fast. Only 9 more days until Holly's Birthday!!

Holly at 6hrs old
It was LOVE at first sight!!!

Here she is right before her 1st Birthday

Better late than never!!

Thanks to my dear friend Janalee, I have finally decided to start a blog for my family and friends. Life is moving by so quickly and unfortunately too much time passes between visits with those we love. I have always hated the sad feeling you get when you miss someone you love. I wish everyone was closer, and that airline tickets weren't costing an "arm and a leg"!!

Life here in the Midwest couldn't be sweeter. Bob and I will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary this fall and in 2 weeks our sweet Holly will be turning 1 ( here come the tears!!). I can't even believe how fast this year has gone by. Every milestone has been awesome and it has been the most amazing year of our lives. It is truly breath taking when I think about how much I love Holly. I knew I was going to love her and love being a mom, I just had no idea that it was going to feel this way. My heart is spilling over in love with her. I love to watch Bob interact with her, her face just lights up! I see him holding her and I thank God for the blessings he has given me.

Bob and I are both still working for Medtronic. I am finally back to the Neurological division where I belong! It is amazing how much better my outlook on life is now that I am back doing what I love. I was received back into my old accounts with open arms and I haven't stop smiling!! I have few regrets in life, but the past few years were ones I'd like to forget. I will greatly miss some of the friends I made during that time. But it sure is great to be back 'home'!!