Starting Over

Starting Over.
The title of this post has a few meanings. I am starting over with this blog. I am bad and forget to post... a lot. I know. I am sorry. But in a sense its a good thing because now I can start over.

I am starting over. In a lot of things. Life has changed. Far more than I ever thought it would. See over 7 years ago I met the love of my life, J. He was and still is insanely important to me and I was then and still am madly in love with him. That all being said, just because someone is in love it doesn't mean that things will work out. That's the case for J and I. See as hard as I tried, our relationship was not as strong as everyone thought it might be. So as much as I tried to fight for us, it was not successful. J and I are splitting up. Its heartbreaking but it is life. For a while I felt bad for myself but then I realized that I needed to be strong and move forward, to start over, so that is what I am doing.

Baby A and I are going to relocate somewhere. Where, I am not yet sure. But the thing is I have so many possibilities. Its exhilarating to have possibilities and hope everywhere. See A and I can go anywhere and do anything. Its an amazing feeling. I am ready and excited for the challenge.

It isn't easy. Shoot I wish it was. It isn't something that I thought I would be doing, but if I am going to do it, well then I am going to rock it. That's how I see it.

So the direction of this blog is changing. No longer is it about a young couple in love. Instead this blog is about a determined and focused woman, single mom, moving forward in life. I am not even sure if anyone even reads this (I wouldn't blame them if they didn't seeing as how I am not consistent in posting) but if you do, I am excited for this journey and to be able to share it.

Hope all is well.

Amanda

Baby A

Baby A is already 9 months old! Holy Woah! time is flying. I am going to update her pictures of the month. I am doing 5 months in one post. I am a little behind. Oops.



5 Months Old.

Apparently taking your picture for Mommy just isn't cool anymore

She is finally getting some hair here.

Favorite things: Bentley - of course, going to the park, Silly noises with Daddy and exploring Delaware with Mommy

6 Months Old!

Pictures are getting a bit harder to take.

Fitting into 3-6 month clothes finally.

Favorite things - rolling everywhere, babbling. She traveled to NY twice in April and did so well. Also she loved pushing herself up to a stand whenever she could







7 Months Old

Taking the picture without A eating the paper is getting almost impossible.

Went to the beach for the first time, not a fan.

That only lasted for a day. She is a total water baby.

Favorite things - her glow worm, Bentley, the pool, yelling at the birds, eating baby food, her baby bff Lydia, bathtime

8 months old

We are standing at everything and walking along the furniture. She is silly.

She did get a tooth in her 8th month. It was a surprise. One day Daddy was playing with her, she grabbed his finger and stuck it in her mouth and bit him.

Had to lower the crib because someone pulls herself up on everything.

Favorite things-  Bentley and Atlas (her nanny's dog), swimming, bath time and her "friends" (the toys in the tub), being outside, Baby Einstein anything

9 Months Old

We had professional pictures done. Our photographer was amazing!!!

This is A's baptism dress. She never smiles for professional pictures.

She is cruising along all the furniture and it won't be long before she starts walking on her own. She has a new big girl car seat too! She babbles words. The recognizable ones are mama, dada and pop pop (what she calls Bentley).

Favorite things - eating whatever Mommy and Daddy have, Bentley and Atlas, walking everywhere and crawling when she can't, the pool and bathtime, and playing with all her toys.

Our little girl is getting so big. Its hard to believe. Everyday with her is such a blessing. We are beyond excited about our sweet, happy, funny and smart little girl.

Hope all is well with everyone.

JMS - ilu, AMS - ilu 2

XoXo

Amanda

Whoops

So I have neglected this blog. No bueno. I promise to get better at not doing that.

Anyway an update on us. A lot has been going on. First we have been in Delaware for 5 months now. We are really starting to like it. We live in an area with not a lot going on but we are close to a lot of things so that is good. We love our house which at one point I will post pictures of (if I can ever get pictures without toys in them). And ready for the random part, Jack and I are actually working on our yard. I know it surprises people. We are not big on dealing with the yard but here we had no choice. It was dead and looked horrible. So we decided to do something about it. We put down seed and have been watering it daily. Now it isn't as nice as the neighbor's yard but at least we now have grass. haha.

Jack and I are both liking our jobs and doing well. A loves her nanny and we adore her as well. So all in all it is a good thing.

Baby A is getting so big. We are actually starting to plan her 1st birthday party. Hard to believe it but she is already 9 months old. Its crazy. I will write another post with an update just about A. She is pretty darn cute (I may or may not be biased). haha.

Anyway I promise to get back to this. I feel like I say that a lot, but this time I am sticking to it. I am writing it in my calendar. haha.

Hope all is well with everyone.

XoXo
Amanda

Baby A update

So each month we take a picture of Miss Aubrey with her teddy bear. I figure I would post them for everyone. Plus it is a great way to see how she is growing.

1 Month Old

Not liking her picture being taken.

Favorite Things - Bentley, nap time and her turtles on her pack n play.

2 Months Old

A Little better about the pictures now. haha

Favorite Things - Daddy, going to the YMCA, her swing, Bentley, cuddles with Mommy

3 Months Old

Much better with her pictures

Favorite Things - Bentley (she loves that dog), her gym, eating her hands, and a new found fasicination with her glow worm, playing airplane and of course Daddy

4 Months Old

The Bear was packed for the move...oops

Favorite things - Bentley, her gym, her babysitter Patrick, Daddy, rolling over, dancing

She is almost 5 months old. I can't believe it. Her favorite things haven't wavered to much. She loves airplane time with Daddy, Bentley, her gym, her jumper seat and Mickey Mouse clubhouse. Our little angel is growing.

Hope all is well with everyone.

XoXo

Amanda

Dela what?

So we are all moved in to our new house. In Delaware!

Here it is!

I have learned some things about Delaware. I'll give you a quick run down. I'll make a 10 on Saturday list. haha.

1. It is illegal to talk on your phone and drive, or text and drive. This is no bueno for me. I am always talking on the phone while driving. That is an adjustment.

2. Apparently there are no Bank of Americas anywhere close. That has proven to be interesting.

3. We are the only Marine family in base housing. That being said we are also the only people that buy the Marine Corps Times. Its fun to pick it up and watch people look at you like you're crazy.

4. There is a ridiculously amazing dog park at the end of our street. We have found it a great place to meet people.

5. Base housing is awesome. The rest of the base leaves a lot to be desired. It seems like the Air Force likes to put money into the housing more.

6. We are moto. We always knew this but it is amplified more on an Air Force base.

7. We are learning a ton about the Air Force here. It is interesting.

8. There is a ridiculously long and dangerous bridge that we had to cross to get here and to go to DC. Jack and I were both scared, not going to lie.

9. It gets cold here. We were so not used to that.

10. Aubrey has gotten some rosey cheeks since being here. Adorable. Here she is in her Bumbo being all cute.

Hope all is well with everyone!

JMS - ilu

XoXo

Amanda

packing up..

Well we are just about ready to leave Florida. In just 2 days we start the drive north to Delaware. We are getting more excited as it draws closer.

Not sure if I shared this but Jack decided last week that we would be able to do the move ourselves. So instead of the military coming to pack up our belongings we have done it ourselves. Or should I say I have done it. I found out on Wednesday that we were going to do things ourselves. Jack rented a Uhaul and I have packed our entire house in just 5 days time.

Tomorrow we pick up the truck and load it. I have to clean out the fridge and vacumn the floors but other than that we are as ready as we can be. Jack plans to drive the uhaul and I will take the Prius.

Bentley is going on vacation for a week with our amazing babysitter. He is going to drive up our other car and Bentley and meet us in DC in a weeks time. We are quite excited about this.

So yeah the journey begins in 2 days. Wish us luck.

Hope all is well with everyone!!

JMS- ilu

XoXo
Amanda

4 Months

So Baby A is almost 4 months! Crazy huh! She will be 4 months old on the 24th.

We went to the doctor for her 4 month checkup. Little miss is according to her doctor "perfect". We couldn't agree more.

She is now 11 lbs and 7 ozs and 24 inches long. She is in the 10th percentile for weight and the 50th for height. I see lots of dresses in her future. Her pants don't exactly fit. They are too short. So dresses it is.

Daddy was not the best when she had to get shots. Baby A took it like a champ. Daddy on the other hand couldn't even watch. He doesn't like seeing A cry and of course she cried when she got her shots.

We are still in the process of getting the move organized. But I wanted to give a quick update on our little peanut.

Hope all is well with everyone!

JMS - ilu

XoXo
Amanda