Life's a Beach!!

Thanksgiving in Ft. Myers was just perfect! The weather was in the high 70's and 80's all week. Last year we stayed at the pool with Holly and couldn't wait until this trip to see how she would like the beach. She loved it!! It only took her a few minutes to take it all in before she was running all over the beach and making friends, too.

So, it has been a while...

I have been so busy and once again have fallen behind on updating my blog. Let's start with the good news....Earlier this month Bob accepted a new position. In mid December he will begin his new role as the Director of New Product Development. I am so very proud of him, and also so excited that we did not have to move!! I had a business trip in Chicago that released my inner rock star and partied until the wee hours with good friends and colleagues. Holly is walking so fast now that she is almost running!! We celebrated my birthday with a fun night out with good friends and good wine!! We had our first big snow storm and are very excited that we are getting a break from the cold soon!! We are headed to Ft. Myers Beach in the morning for Thanksgiving. This will be Holly's 3rd airplane ride, however, this is the first since she started walking and not liking to sit still!!! Wish us luck!!! After Florida my mom is coming up from Georgia. We contine to stay busy, just the way I like it! We have a lot to be thankful for this season and we are grateful. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. More to follow...I promise!!!

Holly is learning animal sounds...

Holly's New Hair Do....

Having fun on Halloween

I have always liked Halloween, but now having Holly I really LOVE it! She was our Little Red Riding Hood and poor Charlie got to be the Big Bad Wolf!  As usual Scooter did his own thing and was a BEE.  Bob and I decided to go dressed as what makes us the most proud...Holly's Daddy and Mommy!!! I hope everyone had a Happy and Safe Halloween!

 

My Grandma what big eyes you have....

 

Sweet Holly

 

Busy Bee-gle

Happy Halloween 2008

Books and Bedtime

Aunt Vicky's Visit

It has been a while since I've had a chance to update. We've had a busy two weeks. Aunt Vicky was here to visit Holly and then it was Halloween! Holly took her first steps on October 1st and by the time we picked up Vicky from the airport on the 15th she was off and running.

Our week with Vicky was completely relaxing and a ton of fun. We had a football party and cheered on the Buckeyes, visited a pumpkin patch, and Aunt Vicky spoiled Holly just a wee bit!

Aunt Vicky taught Holly where her nose was. However, silly Holly likes to stick her finger UP her nose. Every time we asked her where it was, up went the finger...

We miss you Aunt Vicky. See you soon!

Aunt Vicky, Mommy, and Holly

Look Holly, another Alpaca!

The perfect pumpkin for our little pumpkin...

A fun filled day with lots and lots of pumpkins

Holly Says, "Squeaky shoes make me walk faster"!

Go Bucks!

Holly Wants to Play Too!

Bob brushed the cobwebs off his guitar thinking that Holly would enjoy watching him play. She really loves music class and "dances" everytime she hears a tune. Her big blue eyes could only watch for so long before she had to get her sticky fingers into the action.

Watching in awe...

Holly and Daddy time

Holly can do it too!

Shake It Up Baby!

A day at Riverside Park

We love that we are able to have such a great park right at the end of our street. Almost everyday Holly and I take our walk along the Grand River. We are going to miss it when the snow starts to fly!!

Baby it's cold outside!

Music Saturday

Holly had music school today. She loved every minute of it. The thought crossed my mind to buy her a drum set, but then I came to my senses... She definitely is not shy, she loved making new friends. We enjoyed a nice Indian summer day when Holly decided to show off her new trick called "make a funny face!" She cracks herself up, not to mention her Mommy and Daddy!

Funny Face!

Trendy baby in vintage T-shirt

Holly's First Business Trip

I thought I would never survive my first business trip after having Holly. However, after just three days, Bob (My Hero!) boarded a plane with Holly and all her associated gear and came to visit me in Minneapolis.

The trip was bitter sweet. As most of you know, Medtronic is moving Bob's job to Minneapolis. We had to do our homework and see if this was a place we could call home. We both have been traveling to Minneapolis for close to 10 years. However, the thought of moving there put a whole new perspective on things. The though of leaving our family and friends behind and then seeing the true cost of living in the Twin Cities made the decision quite clear. So, I'm happy to announce that the name of this blog will remain "Michigan Mommy", not "Minnesota Mommy". We still made the best of it and traveled all over the Minneapolis area.

After spending the day with the relocation agent, Holly really needed a trip to the "spa". Lucky for her, the hotel room had a luxurious spa style tub. She is so pampered!

Spa baby

Holly is happy playing in the Hotel

After a fun filled weekend it was so hard to see them go, knowing that I would not see them again for 3 days. However, training kept me busy and the time flew by. I'm so happy to be heading back to Michigan later this afternoon. It will feel so good to be HOME!

Holly's at play while Mommy's away

So Innocent

While I was in Minneapolis, Daddy pretty much let Holly run the show. It looks like she really got into emptying this cupboard. I love that cute little face...

Who's the BABY?!?

What a fun Saturday!  For a few weeks now Holly has been feeding the dogs from her high chair. We tell her No, and she shakes her head YES, and off go the graham crackers.  We are trying to teach her that this is unacceptable behavior.  So, for her punishment, she must walk the dogs! Lucky Charlie...

Wakin' up Happy!

Always Happy in the Morning

Labor Day Vacation

Our last summer vacation has come and gone with a few more firsts for Holly. The weather was perfect for camping. We could not keep Holly out of the pool or off the swing set. Every time we passed the playground she would squeal in delight!

She has really become a water baby.

Splish Splashin' Away

I had to let Holly get a little dirty and play in the wood chips like a real camper. It was difficult to clean the dirt from under her fingernails at bath time. But, she had a great time.

It was a wonderful and memorable vacation. The Alpaca were still my favorite part! It was great spending time with family and friends. Even Great Grandpa gave us a little break and took Holly for a ride in her new toy.

Holly Loves her Great Grandpa

It wouldn't be summer without ice cream. Yummy! We took Holly for her first dish of soft serve. Lucky for Daddy, Holly didn't finish it all.

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'!!