The Maloufs

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mother's Day 2011

I had a wonderfully wonderful Mother's Day. My own Mom came into town on Thursday, and we celebrated with dinner and then I had lunch with her during my conference on Friday. (Side note, she bought me a sweet cupcake from Cake. Yummy for my tummy. I have a sweet tooth. Err, and a salty tooth. Annnnd, a greasy tooth. Who am I kidding...I have a whole mouthful of teeth and each likes something.) Being a mom makes me think about how much my mom must have thought I hung the moon, and how she bragged on my every little success. Caroline and I had a mommy and me shopping outing on Saturday as we shopped for new little ones entering the world and her cousin that is turning five very soon. She was a very good little girl. She loves to people watch from her stroller. Sunday morning Micah brought Caroline to me in bed and I was showered with love. Micah bought me a super sweet card and a spa afternoon complete with pedicure and massage. Caroline made me the most adorable plaster mold of her hands...complete with chipping plaster and nubs for fingers. It couldn't have been more perfect. I also received handprints, footprints, and poems from her nursery school art project. I almost ugly cried in her classroom. Sunday we woke up and went for another church visit at First Baptist Church. After that what does good 'ole mom want? Quiche for brunch? Nope. I wanted Hamburger Steak takeout from Homeplate Diner. Then, I was blessed with a nap.

My life has changed enormously for the better. I cherish the hugs and kisses in the morning. I love when she bolts for me as I enter the door at nursery school each day. I walk in her room foggy in the mornings, but when I see her happy face jumping up and down in her crib I get a spurt of energy and feel recharged. I have been overwhelmed with a love that I never knew I could have. Thank you God for giving me Caroline.

Dressed and ready for church

Smocked turtles? Yes, please. Thanks, Mimi.

In our cozy clothes with the best gift ever.

Much love,

Friday, May 6, 2011

It's Been A While

Remember that Staind song, "It's Been A While"? Yeah, I just made a reference that I only know those title words in the song, but since the tune keeps replaying in my head over and over again, I thought you should share the burden, too.

I will write a Caroline update soon. There's so much to tell you. However, in the interim, just know she remains the sweetest, most adorable little girl in the world. I'm tickled beyond words to get to share my first Mother's Day with her. I am certain that I will smother her with my kisses. Who am I kidding, I do that every day. My mommy came into town the last 24 hours. Always fun. Lots of laughs. A few tears. A whole new appreciation of the hard work and dedication it takes to be not just a mom, but a good mom.

My friend, Laci, from Amarillo, but now lives in New York came into town a few weeks ago. We laughed. The kind of laughs that makes your tummy hurt. I like that Micah gets to sit in on chats and laughter, too. That's when you know you have a great friend and married the right man. Waffles will never, ever be the same to me now. Anyway, I was joking about my million dollar ideas of how I'm going to get rich. I'm going out on a limb, but I don't think my current employment of history teacher is going to cut the mustard on get rich quick ideas! She told me that if I wrote about a few of my stories on my blog, people would read, and boom...I'm rich. I'm funny. There. I said it. Really. I say the things that no one else would say. Okay, maybe I am not super funny, but the situations I get myself in and that I'm surrounded by. Funny. Shocked? Sometimes I refrain. Sometimes I don't think people are ready for me. Micah says that my face tells the whole story. Maybe I should record my trials and tribulations and post them. We could have web chats. You know. Like Oprah. Oh my gosh, if I only could tell half of the school stories I hear. Half. Seriously, are you depressed? You need to take up teaching. High school. Girl drama, check. Popo (that's police for the uneducated in rap lingo) hangin' in your halls, check. Absolutely inappropriate chatter, check. So maybe I will start lightning up, chat, and become and millionaire. One can dream, right? Move over Pioneer Woman with your fancy pictures, bowl-lickin' recipes, and homeschooling. I've got no kitchen skills. I'm a panicky, oversensitive mom. OCD about germs. Sounds like JUST what people want to read!

Much love,

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Seven and Eight Months

Dear Caroline,

December 31 was the last time I posted. I've been trying to write this post for over two weeks now. Stop, start, stop, start. I'm worn out. So grateful that today is Friday. The Friday before Spring Break. Such hope for feeling refreshed is upon me. After Christmas, Mommy feels like winter needs to take a hike and I just sorta meld into exhaustion, cold, more cold, no sunshine, rinse and repeat. On top of all that, we seriously have had a time with the sickies lately. Daddy, Mommy and you have all experience tummy bug a couple of times on top of teething. This week you've had a cold and double pink eye. I'm really ready for sunshine. I know you like to be outside, too. The good news is I saw the pear trees and redbud trees beginning their blooms as I drove to work this morning. Spring is just around the corner.

You had your six month well check in January. You were days away from seven months, but due to the Christmas holidays your six month numbers are more of a reflection of your seven month status. Thus, your percentage indicate you are larger than you really are. You were weighing 16.9 pounds putting you in the 50th percentile. Your height was 26.6 inches putting you in the 75th percentile. Your first word was Dada. You said it the weekend of the Biggs/Couts wedding in Pampa, TX, in church, too. Your second word sounds like Dodger so we are going with it. Now you are saying Momma. I cannot get enough. No teeth yet. You've been drooling like crazy since three months. Everything you see goes in your mouth. I thought I'd spy something by now...nope. I tried stage three crawling food, but you gagged on it since you have not a tooth yet so I just load you up on stage 2's. You burn off lots of calories with all of your crawling and grazing furniture so I'm not too worried that you'll get too plump. You continue to wear 6 month clothing for the most part. I just switched you to size three diapers. They are a little big for you, but I thought the size two wasn't long enough. They need to make 2.5 diaper. Maybe, that's my ticket for riches!

A few pictures from the last couple of months:

Off to visit family for Christmas. Packed what was most important.

Waiting for Santa to come visit...

Decided to explore my wild side...

The sit to stand progression

Trying to get a picture on the lying on the lamb mat is a bit more difficult with Miss Active

Continues to be fascinated with herself in the mirror

Another day in pink

Checking out Daddy's toys

Eating at the Coney Island in Mommy's hometown of Pampa, TX

Attending her first TTU basketball game out of utero

Taking a walk on the the wild side at Gido's work

Driving with Dodger

Know that you are loved.

Love,

Mommy

Friday, December 31, 2010

6 Months

Dear Caroline,

How did one half of a year go by? I should say...fly by! Since you made quite the haul in the clothing department for Christmas, I cleaned out her drawers to make room for the new threads. I picked up the tiny newborn and 0-3 month sizes and stored them away. I also have perused through some of your first moments captured...how quickly it goes by. I need to stop. Stop now before I get the fever. On the other hand, I just want to enjoy you and all of your special moments for the next little while. Pure joy.

Highlights from this month...

--Taking lots and lots of pictures getting ready for Christmas cards...which seriously, I didn't order enough...I even mailed out to groups...lesson learned and I humbly apologize.

--Eating! She is a great eater! It took a few tries learning to use a spoon, but once she got the hang of it she has thoroughly enjoyed expanding her pallet! We eat oatmeal mixed with either pears or apples late in the morning and for dinner we eat rice mixed with either squash, carrots, or sweet potatoes. Yummy! I also ended up buying a Chicco highchair...loving it. Thanks, Brandi for the suggestion!

--Sitting up. We started out the month sitting in the tripod position with an arm out front. The arms are too busy reaching for toys now and we are sitting really well.

--Pulling up. Yes, I said, pulling up. Daddy has caught her trying to pull up in her crib. Tonight during her bath she was trying to maneuver herself to standing position using her infant tub. When I'm changing her diaper, she will grab hold of the towel rack, too. Folks, we have a mover and shaker.

--Babbling. My favorite. In the morning, she babbles when we wakes up. It warms my heart. Morning continues to be her best time of the day. We get the most talking in this time of day, too.

--Longer sleeping. Woo hoo! She generally is only waking up once in the middle of the night now and I've noticed it is because of a very, very wet diaper. I don't believe the claim of a 12 hour diaper. I'm here to dispute that it holds 12 hours of tinkle.

--Caroline is becoming more interested in Dodger. She tries to pet him. Dodger still is not interested in her. Dodger still does not believe he's a dog. He still rules the house.

--Fits best in size 3-6 month clothing. Wearing size 2 diapers, or size 1 when Daddy accidentally bought the wrong box. We simply referred to them as a bikini style diaper and laugh.

Pictures from this month