Day 181- thankful...

Today I am thankful for...

...air-conditioning (after living without it for 3 years)
...kisses from a baby (even if they are big, open, slobery mouthed)
...a responsible, trust-worthy, loyal husband (who balances me in so many ways)
...that God is with me where ever I am (be it working with a child with a disability, doing laundry, eating ice cream with friends, or going on a walk)

Day 177- Caleb's 9 month birthday, family, etc

Happy 9 months, Caleb!You are getting so big! You are an experienced crawler, you love to pull to stand and cruise on furniture. You're starting to get brave and move across wider spaces. You can play ball (kind of), peek-a-boo, wave, shake your head "no", and love to read books. You are experimenting a lot with your voice, saying things like, "ha, ha, ha," screaming, sighing, squeaking, and many other sounds. You still don't like to say many consonants (that is probably on it's way soon). You know how to recognize your name, "mama," "dada," jump," and "no." You wake up between 5:45-7:30, take naps consistently at 10 and 3, and go to bed around 8. You are taking a bottle for every feeding except morning now, and you eat after your naps at 10 and 3, before bed, and when Dad wakes you up at 11 pm. You are also sleeping through the night more consistently! You had another tooth come in this month with one on the way. That puts you at 5 teeth! You are eating stage 2 solids and oatmeal for 3 meals a day, plus puffs and some small table foods. You wear size 3 diapers and size 12 mo. clothes. You started daycare this month and have adjusted to it so well. You did get sick for the first time twice this month! Once with roseola and once with a little cold. You are a total joy and full of so much energy. It is amazing to see all the ways you are learning and growing and changing each week. I love you SOOO much!
Love,
Mama

Caleb was also lucky and had visitors from both sides of the family this weekend.

Grandma Hunt came from Thursday-Saturday

Gran and Papa Galbo came on Saturday and Sunday on their way to Minnesota It was also my mom's birthday! Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!

Day 170- Monday Meditation

Philipians 1:6
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Thank you, Jesus, for the good work of salvation you are continually doing in my life. Thank you for being faithful. Help me glorify you in all I say and do. Amen.

Day 169- Happy Daddy's Day

Dear Al,
I can't imagine anyone I'd rather have as my partner on this journey of parenthood. You are so patient, kind, good-willed, hard working, and loving. You've been an awesome "dada" so far, and I'm SO excited to see how your relationship with Caleb develops as he gets older. I have a feeling in a few years I'm going to lose him completely to ... wanting to be just like daddy :). Here's a recap of the whole 9 months you've had the honor to father Caleb!

1st MD apptHiking Hanging out Same hair! Sleepy time Look! There's the Trevi Fountain!Piggy back ride in Manarola FlorenceNew home in KC- thanks for working so hard for our family! You are amazing! I have to give a shout-out to the other Dad's in my life:

Thanks, David, for being a great Dad to Al and raising a son full of integrity, work ethic, love for Jesus, and a loyal heart. Thanks for loving me too (even if I do eat chicken- haha). I've so enjoyed seeing you be a grandpa as well. You are adorable with Caleb!!!

And to my Daddy-fic-its:

I love you so much! I am SO thankful for you: how you raised us, the example you set in loving us and mom, working hard, listening to God, teaching truth, answering our questions, being silly with us, providing for us (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). I'm so happy that now you get to be a Papa (to a boy!!!) It's your chance to play with swords, dinosaurs, balls, and dirt (well, in a few years). xoxo

Day 168- Favs of the week...

These are sooooo yummy...





Also, I LOVED waking up this morning (might I add after a full night's sleep 3 days in a row) listening to low rumbling thunder and rain.

Day 167- thankful...

I'm thankful today for:
* a day of rest
* visiting the Deanna Rose Farmstead with Caleb
* dinner with Al (even if it was for a school meeting)
* Aunt Mary for watching Caleb when we didn't have anyone else
* being able to wear workout clothes to work

Day 166- Currently Reading & dreaming a little

Currently reading: The Secret Life of Bees...
I know I'm a little behind the times, but I'm excited to read for pleasure again (not saying I shouldn't be studying or planning treatment sessions for next week)







Sidenote- I'm starting to dream a little with my new job. I think that's a good sign. I have a ton to learn and even get acquainted with everything, but here are a few ideas for my possible involvement with CPTA:
- manage their blog and post regularly
- take over scheduling
- get certified in Peds yoga and do yoga classes
- get them a propio5000 or another device for perturbation training
- help them develop better systems/paperwork for therapists/patients

Day 165- Trip to Arkansas, Back to KC, Starting Work

Got to head to bed soon, but here's a few pics documenting the last week... (there is no pic with mom or stacy with caleb, but rest assured, he loved them very, very much. Stephanie took those pics and I'm waiting on them :). Caleb LOVED waving and nodding at Aunt Stacy and Gran took great care of Caleb the whole time!)

Aunt Stephanie and Caleb

Papa and Caleb looking at glasses
Caleb riding "papa horse"

Trying his first lemon- LOVED it

Was sick with his first bought of roseola in Russellville- not sure if you can see the rash that popped up as soon as we got back to KC

Happy to see Daddy

Mom and Caleb on the first day of work/daycare

Caleb's first day of "school" went great! They even sent home some pics of what he did!

Day 157- Monday Meditation

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10

Alan and I have visited 2 different churches the last two weeks. I'm not sure that we'll attend either, but I think that God spoke to me through both sermons, saying the same thing: I need a clean heart. Both pastors talked about how we need God to cleanse our hearts. Otherwise, we will start growing tiny seeds of resentment, bitterness, selfishness, pride, etc. As I've been busy moving, working, taking care of Caleb, and many other things, I've not taken much time to be with God. I've not spent much time having my heart cleansed and my spirit renewed. I can feel those little seeds starting to spring up in my soul and I hate it! I feel captive to entitlement and selfishness. I need the freedom that I cannot earn or create for myself- the freedom of a clean heart.

Holy Spirit, please come and cleanse my heart. Please take out all that does not honor you. Fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, so that I can serve others. Thank you for giving up your life so that I can be clean.

Day 154- Favs of the week

One fav of this week is Caleb's. I got this little whale pool for $5 at target a couple days ago. He LOVED it! Even though the water was really cold, he played and squealed happily for about 30 minutes! It is a nice depth for a baby, just covering his legs. I have a feeling it's going to be a good friend this summer.


The other fav of my week is my IPad 2. I have really enjoyed this mother's day/"push" present from Alan. I just got the blogpress app and it is much easier to blog now. I'm even trying to use the IPad for my calendar. We'll see if I can break my addiction to paper planners :).

Day 152- Taking the plunge

So, after over a year of anticipation, we've taken then "plunge" and moved to Kansas City for Alan to start CRNA school. For those of you (like I was) who are unfamiliar with what a CRNA is/does: the title is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. It means that he will basically be like a Nurse Practitioner Anesthesiologist. He will be able to practice independently, but will only be specialized in Anesthesiology. It's a really intense program- 3 years long, but I know he will be great!

Here's a pic from the 1st day of school- doesn't he look handsome and professional?

Here's my study material, since my new PT practice is almost entirely aquatic-basedA pic of the guys before a picnic with Paul, Bethany, and some of their friends from church

Our new house (rented)Hydrangeas!!!!

Living roomFireplace

Desk area

Kitchen

Best find ever- stainless steel fridge for $360! Gotta love craigslist!Backyard

Yes, that is honeysuckle all over our fence!

Caleb's bathroom

Our bathroom

More pics to come. And for those of you wondering, Nigel was adopted by his Hunt grandparents, so he stayed in Colorado. We'll be able to see him whenever we visit. There's a lot to miss in Colorado, but at the same time, there's a lot to look forward to here!