Inevitably Keely

Instead of reading a bedtime story last night with Zoe, I sat with her in her bed with a pen and notebook and asked her what she was thankful for. * Note: Everyone in Zoe's life is very special, but I think it really says something if you were listed individually because it's really hard for a three year old to not want to list every single toy instead of actual people. I know... because I had to suggest after baby dolls that maybe we think of some other things. The following is the list (with some extra commentary) as she told me: "I'm thankful for.... Mommy. Snow White. Daddy. Kitty cats. Cameras. My baby dolls. And I'm thankful for my panda., and... "Let's not just list toys, OK?" Alright. I'm thankful for water. And Max and Bailey Butterflies. And Grammy. Aunt Sadie. My Grandpa. Nana & Baba. Daddy's friend, Sam... he's nice. (She just met him yesterday) Cheryl and Chuck-Chuck. Ellie. Eleanor. MaryEllen. Chelsea. NIki. Noe...write ...

In honor of my husband's 30th birthday, I thought I would share with you 30 things I love/admire about him. This list was easy and difficult to write all at once because their are so many great things about him - it's hard to narrow it all down. But here is a Brief Glimpse into Daniel: He's hot. Have you not seen his eyes or his fabulous smile? Either of them melt me, but combined I am a puppy dog. They're what caught my eye years ago - it was all the rest that intrigued me... His sense of humor. While it's quite possible that no one besides Zoe and I think he's hilarious ... he makes me laugh like no one else can and so I consider him the funniest person I know. His optimism. Invariably, when a situation arises Daniel chooses to see the lessons learned, the opportunities available and the light at the end of the tunnel. He is my light, and when he says everything is going to be OK, I believe him. His intelligence. Whether it's his aptitude for languages,...

March 4th - My Dad getting a clean bill of health regarding his cancer. Best news ever. April 19-27th - Taking Zoe to Texas for the first time so she could meet her aunt, great grandmothers, great aunts & uncle and see her Grammy & Grandpa. It was our 1st big family vacation! May 1st - Getting an unexpected but welcome positive from a home pregnancy test and then having it confirmed the next day with a blood test. May 25th - Seeing Zoe take her first steps - at her 1st birthday party in front of an audience of at least 20 people. What can I say, she's a performer. June 25-29th - My cousins wedding which was a mini family reunion for my side of the family. Special highlights were introducing Zoe to some of my favorite people and dancing with Daniel & Zoe at the reception. July 25th - Having a gender ultrasound and finding out we're having a son! November 4th - Voting and then later finding out who our next President will be.  December 25th - While not planned, we cel...

1. I'm still pregnant. Remember when I said I thought Finn was going to come early? Well, I've changed my mind. I think he's so darn comfy in there it's a good thing we've scheduled the doc to get him out because I think he'd live in there forever if he could. 2. My toes are pretty, pedicured and blue! The last time I got a pedicure was at the very beginning of this pregnancy 10 years 9 months ago, so I did not feel at all guilty for shelling out a little bit more for a "SPA pedicure". I'm partial to a pedicure where I get to sit in one of those fancy chairs and not have the entire salon talk about me to each other in their language or try to convince me that I really "need" my eyebrow done/legs waxed. Anyway, it was heaven except for the conversation: "So, when is your baby due?" "I'm having a c-section on New Years Eve." 15 minutes later.... "So, what are you doing New Years Eve?" "I'm having ...

Make list for what needs to be cleaned. Clean. Make list for what needs to be purchased. Purchase. Put plethora of baby paraphernalia away so that new baby paraphernalia can be unwrapped by guests of honor. Decide where the food table is going to be. Or should I put it on the counter? Oh, hell. Remember: Party + Pregnant woman = Strong need for air conditioning and fans. Figure out how to stop all of our neighbors on the block from parking in front of our house so that our guests have a place to park. Choose music. What music should I play for a baby shower? This is going to bug me. Check animals into dog hotel because they will wreak havoc otherwise. Make sure camera battery is charged. Try not to freak out. Try not to drive husband crazy with my manic 'must make everything perfect' mode. Relax.

So far, this is shaping up to be a busy/fun week. Someone is going to get a haircut. Something is going to get hauled away. Some photos are going to be taken. Something is going to be built. Somethings are going to be delivered. Someone is going to be seen 3D/4D. Someone is coming to visit. Some stuff might get hung. And me, I'm supposed to be taking it easy. Luckily, most things require me to just sit back and enjoy/direct. Still... I'm going to need to rest A LOT so that I can enjoy all this weeks happenings. Pictures to follow, surely.

* 22 week ultrasound pic. Zoe is just over a pound and just over a foot long. She's constantly kicking me, (or punching - see that fist?!) making her presence known.

I’d blame the hormones, but I’m pretty much always this way…I thought today would be a good day to share some things I am thankful for. I’m thankful for…. Daniel. He is an amazing husband, and my best friend. The first time I saw him and he smiled at me, I knew I wanted to know him. The first chance I had to actually sit and talk to him, I knew that he was someone I would always want to be a part of my life. His smile is my favorite sight. His support is unwavering and complete. He is my partner in every sense. We’re lucky to have found each other. Mom & Dad. Not many people can say that their parents are also their friends. They raised me to be strong and to have a sense of humor. They’ve encouraged me in whatever endeavor I have chosen to give my time to. They’re fun people, and I admire them immensely. It’s nice to know that they are always just a phone call away. Nana. Even though she’s been gone for almost a year now (on November 30th) she is with me every single day. I’m tha...