Darla turns one

Our precious little girl has turned one year old!!! Friday the 13th was the official day. What fun that she and I both are born on the 13th of the month. I love that little connection with my girl. We just had her one year appointment today, and she's right on track. She measured in at 29 1/2 inches tall and 21 lbs. The Doctor said her growth has slowed down a little bit since her last appointment, and we suspect that is due to her flat refusal to eat anything off of a spoon. For months now, even if it's something we know she likes, she won't touch it if presented on a spoon or fork. So, I'm getting re-familiarized with finger foods. But, she's still in the 75% for weight, so I'm not worried.

We recently upgraded Derick to a booster car seat so we could move Darla into his convertible seat. It fits her much better than the infant seat and will continue to grow with her. I think they both like the change. Jeremy and I feel better about it too.

Darla's personality is starting to really shine through. She is such a clown when she's with people she knows.....she loves to play peek-a-boo and chase games. Usually, I only get to actually chase her for a couple of steps before she turns around and heads right back at me, giggling the whole way. Just in the last two weeks, she is starting to show affection too. She gave her cousin Cooper a BIG hug the other night, and he didn't even know it was happening until it was over. She will also lean in for kisses, and gave a big one to Derick this morning without prompting from either of us. I almost cried, I was so touched. I love watching Derick and Darla interact.

Darla is not walking, yet. But it's coming so very soon. We catch her standing without holding something frequently, and as soon as she realizes it, she drops to the floor. Once she gets her confidence going, there will be no stopping her! She is a master at cruising, though, and can get around really fast when she wants.

She's been growing teeth like crazy.....3 new ones in the last month. She now has 7 total; 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. Needless to say, we've been going through the Motrin like it's water.

In my earlier posts, I mentioned her new found love for books. And that continues to grow. She received some really great books for her birthday and is totally enjoying them. It's alot of fun to sit with her and read now. I'm so glad that both of my children enjoy books, as I do.

Jeremy, Derick and I are really enjoying our little lady. One year has passed since she joined our family and I don't think we could imagine our lives without her now. Happy Birthday, Darla!

Funny Conversations with a 3 year old

Derick and I have all kinds of funny conversations. It usually starts with me trying to answer questions and explain the life around us. I don't always remember them well enough to tell them, but this one I had to write down.

On Tuesday (11-10) afternoon, we were in the car headed up to Shoreline for our weekly dinner with my parents. I hear a quick intake of air from behind me.

Me: Derick, are you ok?
Derick: I swallowed my gum.
Me: It's ok. You'll just poop it out.
Derick: What??
Me: You'll just poop it out, honey.
Derick: What??
Me: The gum will go from your tummy through your intestines and eventually you will poop it out.
Derick: (after a pause) In my pants??
Me: (Laughing) No, not right now! It will come out the next time you go potty in the toilet.

Proud Auntie!!

I am so excited to welcome the newest member of our family to life on the outside. Sydney Sommers Kunz was born today, at 7:30am. She weighs 7 lbs, 2 oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. Everyone is healthy and doing well.

We are so blessed! Cooper and Derick are becoming good friends and I have the same wish for the girls. Darla and Sydney will be almost exactly one year apart. I am imagining all the fun princess parties to come. Another fun note for you number people: All of Jodi and I's children have been born on consecutive days. Sydney: 11th, Cooper: 12th, Darla: 13th, Derick: 14th. Different months and years, of course!

So, Congratulations Kunz family! Welcome to the world, Sydney! We are so happy to have you join our circle of love.

Boo!

Halloween has come and gone already. With a sick computer, (and a sick family) it's been difficult to update with pictures. But, I was able to rescue some pics today while operating in safe mode.

We carved pumpkins with the family, had a costume party at Derick's preschool, went to the Renton Mom's Group Halloween Carnival, and did some trick-or-treating in our neighborhood with some family. Here's some of my favorites from the holiday.

Darla and I picking out pumpkins.

Jeremy's pumpkin.

Jeremy helping Derick carve his OWN pumpkin this year.

Derick's dragon costume.

Renton Mom's Group Halloween Carnival

My computer blue screened in the middle of downloading this shot. But it was my BEST one of this pose. Now it's my only one....so I should be thankful. Darla, Derick, and Jewel: Cute Cousins!

Ashley, Tim, and Lucas came by for some trick or treating and a visit. It was good to see them.

Darla has discovered books!

Up until now, books have been like most other toys, something to chew on. But in the last week, Ms Darla has discovered the story inside. She loves to turn the pages and will point to the pictures, waiting for us to respond in some way. Currently, her favorites seem to be farm books. Anything with animals keeps her interest. She likes to hear the sounds we make when she points to an animal on the page. Some days, she can be quite obsessive about them. There are only so many times mommy can go through, "The Big Red Barn" before tiring of it. But, I do my best to appease her because I want her desire to read to continue to grow. Bring on the books!

Field Trip to Kelsey Creek Farm

Last Thursday, we went with Derick on his first field trip with his preschool, Pied Piper. The class got to visit Kelsey Creek Farm, in Bellevue. It was a beautiful day and Daddy took the day off from work to join us. It was nice to have all of us together for the fun. Derick was surprisingly a little shy and cautious on the trip. He was too scared to pet the pony and rooster, but got into helping Farmer Jayne make clean beds for the animals in the barn. Leave it to my kid to enjoy the tools! We had fun exploring a little after the program and found a pile of leaves to play in. Derick got to pick out his own pumpkin to bring home. He's quite proud and ready to carve it tomorrow night with the family.




Our friend, Clarissa, was taking our family photo after the farm visit. Derick was not in the mood for any more photos, but Darla was showing her emerging fun personality. Check out this sequence of photos and the HUGE grin on her adorable face!

Lighthouse

I am a lighthouse. Strong, sturdy, standing the tests of wind and sea. I stand as a beacon, a welcome sight for travelers. Warm shelter awaits my shores. I also stand as a warning, danger lurks in the waters nearby. Rocks, surf, and sand.

Today I weather the storms with calmness. I am a pillar of strength and might. But, there have been recent storms that are taking their toll. Chipping away at the weak spots in my tower. Finding those loose stones and casting them away from me. I can feel the slow eking of my energy through the cracks.

It is time for some repairs. Patch jobs will not hold the coming onslaught. The winter will be a long, slow climb from shabby run-down to beauty, strength, and light. I am built to last.

Camping in the Olympic National Park

Jeremy and I LOVE the fall. It's one of our favorite seasons. And after getting married, we decided to go on an annual camping trip around the Columbus Day holiday. In years past, we've explored the Oregon Coast and Sandlake/Honeyman ATV parks; Long beach and Cape Disappointment; and Lake Quinault & Kalaloch.

This year, we decided to go to Sequim and Port Angeles. We camped in the Olympic National Park; at the base of the road to Hurricane Ridge. The camp ground was called Heart O' the Hills, and it was aptly named. We drove about 5 miles up into the hills from the Visitors Center to get there. It was BEAUTIFUL!! The fall colors along the road were glowing with pretty sunlight. The mossy trees were full of green. The campsites were a little smaller than we are used to in the State parks. But, we were able to find one that was close to the bathrooms and had plenty of room for us. Behind our campsite was a glorious natural playground. There were lots of downed trees and old growth forest for us to explore. It was perfect.

We spent 3 nights and 4 days in the area, cutting our trip short by just one night. We visited Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Hot springs, and the Dungeness/Sequim area. We cooked great meals, roasted marshmallows, and cuddled up under the covers at night. The only big blemish on the weekend was Jeremy's lumberjack accident. He was trying to split a branch from a fallen tree, when it snapped and sprang back up into his face. It hit him just above his eye, scraping and cutting the skin open. It also hit his nose and gave him a black eye. It was a scary moment for us, as we assessed the damage. The good news: his eye is fine and the rest of it will heal. No stitches needed. It was a good lesson for the whole family about safety.

I knew going out there, that it would be cold, especially at night. So, I packed lots of warm clothes and blankets for the family. However, it turned out to be A LOT colder than we expected. Clear nights in the mountain hills makes for some COLD sleeping experiences. Jeremy and I could handle it, but keeping the kids warm and happy proved to be more challenging. Derick was most affected, and was more verbal about it than Darla. After two freezing nights, and lots of whining, we stopped at a sporting goods store and purchased a portable heater. It took the brittle chill out of the air, which helped.

Overall, it was a fun trip. We got to see some amazing scenery. The views from Hurricane Ridge reminded us of Paradise on Mount Rainier. Beautiful. The Sol Duc hot springs was interesting, and it gave us a chance to shower and clean up-mid trip. We didn't spend alot of time at Dungeness, but decided we'd come back another time to explore it when our children were better hikers. Derick enjoyed our visit to the Olympic Game Farm alot. He kept asking to see more animals.




We look forward to making more camping memories and hopefully teaching our children about the beautiful area we get to call our home.

The new, old me

Today I had my second counseling appointment. What an amazing experience. It's so helpful to me, to sit with someone who knows nothing of who I am, and share. I had two big AH HA! moments today. I am gaining insights into what may have contributed to my depression. Over the last week, I've been noticing myself coming alive again. It's almost like an awaking. It's like the depression was this thick fog, and I was lost in it. Now, I have energy to do things that I want; like gardening and swimming. I'm wanting to connect with my husband and my friends again, and I'm thinking about old loves like massage, energy work, and using oils in my everyday life. After marriage and kids, I've changed. Yet, the heart that beats within, is still me. I have to learn how to enjoy my interests and be a mom and wife. So, it's about balance, and finding the right balance for me and my family. I'm excited. Giddy almost. It's a little like going on a first date with myself. What will I learn next?

Back in the Garden Again

It feels like it's been ages since I have spent any time working in my garden. It probably has been.....the garden sure looks a bit untended. Recently, I have been getting my hands dirty again. It feels good. I've been stealing moments when children are resting; to dig up the weeds, trim back the overgrown, and dead head what few blooms are surviving. This summer's heat and lack of attention from me, took it's toll on my pretties. It saddens me to know that my post partum depression even affected my yard. But, I'm back and so is my love for the great green earth and the plants that grow in it.





There are some very pretty fall bloomers in my yard, so I went today to capture them with the camera. While outside, I was treated to an encounter with a young Hummer at the feeder. Those are the moments that lift my spirits and help me stay grounded and centered.



He kept getting startled by my flash.....but I guess he was hungry enough to stay close and keep coming back to feed.



I have noticed that my yard has changed since I started working in it 6 years ago. There are some new shady spots as the trees have climbed up towards the sky. Areas that used to produce happy sun-lovers are looking so sad and weak. The soil needs more mulch, especially in sun beat areas. Time for some new plans and new plants! I can't wait for the next chance to spruce up my yard and reconnect with one of my favorite past times; gardening!

J&J Celebrate Six Years of Marriage

Six years ago, today, Jeremy and I joined our lives together in marriage. It was a beautiful day, one that we both look back on with alot of fondness and good memories. Last night, we had a fun and nostalgic date night. We took the motorcycle and rode out to Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley. We both wanted to go put our eyes up against the glass and stand on the same spot we said our vows. However, to our surprise, there was a wedding going on! It was fun to see the set up and remember how it was for us. We watched from afar and enjoyed the lake views from the park, instead. Then, we headed back to Renton and had dinner at Billy McCales, honoring our first date location.

Our journey together has been full of good times and tough times. I'm looking forward to more fun and growth in the future. I am so glad to be standing on this path with you, Jeremy. You are my true love, my best friend, my partner for this lifetime. Blessings abound!

Derick's first day of Preschool

Today was Derick's first day of preschool. At almost 3 and a half, he's more than ready for this experience. Today proved it to me. The day started out slow. After our shower, he got dressed. I tried to influence his clothing choices, but like most 3 year olds, he knew what he wanted to wear. I decided as long as it was appropriate for the day, I was going to let him choose. Red sweats and a blue/white/pink striped polo with brown shoes was his ensemble. Good LORD! He was a little nervous and didn't want to put on his shoes. He kept telling me he wanted to stay home and play today. I encouraged him to go...reminded him about the camping theme and the tent that would be in the room today. He was still resisting until I reminded him that his buddy Savanah would be there too. That did it! We were off to school. As we arrived, I felt compelled to explain to other parents that he'd dressed himself today. Sigh. We waited in the hallway and met other kids and parents. Just as I suspected, when the door opened, he marched right in and didn't look back for me once. Today's class was only one hour, so most of the parents hung out in the room next door and got to know each other. It was a nice morning for Darla too.....there were toys to explore other siblings to meet.

At the end of the hour, the kids came out with their hand stamps; a symbol that they had followed directions and had good behavior at school. He proudly showed me the stamp as we headed out to the car. I'm excited for what's to come.....time for him to learn from someone other than his parents.....time for me to spend with Darla....and new friends to be made for both of us.

Darla Turns 10 Months

Our little girl is on the move! In the last few weeks, she has fully developed her crawling skills and is getting faster and faster each day. She pulls up on anything she can get a grip on and has just recently started crawling up the stairs. Needless to say, I am amazed at how quickly she went from just sitting to being on the move. 0 to 60 in just a few weeks! She enjoys crawling after big brother and thinks his toys are way more interesting than hers. She loves music and will "bee bop" in an up and down motion when she hears a good tune. Her laugh is adorable and Derick gets to hear it the most of all.

Another tooth has joined the first one, so she now has a total of two. They peak at you from her bottom gum line and have changed her look from baby face to almost toddler. She has already started to outgrow being spoon fed, and wants to have finger foods just like us. So, I've started giving her cooked pasta, carrots, puffs, and cheese. We've tried watermelon, red peppers, and grapes too. She's a good sport and will try it all a few times. I still can sneak in a few spoonfuls of baby food, when she's busy with her finger foods.

She's still not a long sleeper at night, but it's getting better. I'm getting more 4 hour blocks instead of 1 and 2. That helps me feel more human during the day. We have let her cry it out a few times, although that is still hard for me to let her do. I just struggle with the thought that she's keeping Derick awake and I dread the long day with a cranky toddler.

JP and I are in the process of moving our computer room, once again. Because Darla doesn't sleep well, we have decided let her have her own room instead of sharing with Derick. The plan was to have them share for a few years and then move her out. Our "office" will now be located in the basement along with the TV and laundry. Jeremy is not excited about this move, but he misses being able to check his email in the evening after the kids have gone to bed. I do too! It's going to squeeze every last drop of space out of that room; it's going to be tight. And at the same time, we are trying to feel thankful that we have this option. I am looking forward to having a space all for Darla.

Turning a Corner

It's been almost three weeks since I went to see my doctor about my Post Partum Depression. The angry Lioness that was living unfettered inside me, is caged. Finally, I am feeling more like myself! One of the most telling moments was not long after my appointment. The whole family was taking Darla to her 9 month check up. As we were walking down the hallway, I tripped over Derick and the three of us fell to the floor. Everyone was fine and we headed to the exam room. But I was a little flustered. Once there, we got settled and I looked over at hubby and smiled at him. He got teary eyed. I had to ask why. He said in his soft voice, "Nothing. It's just, you haven't smiled at me like that in a long time. You're back." Suddenly, we were both a bit teary. It took another week to really start feeling like myself again, but that was the beginning of the changes.

I still feel a little weird about taking the medication. Sometimes I wonder if I really need it. But then I remember how different I feel now compared to just a month ago, and I am grateful. I just finished reading Brooke Shield's book called, "Down Came the Rain." It was a good message about how common and how varied this condition is. Each woman I speak to that has experienced PPD, has a different story to tell. And, so many of them tell me they all waited too long to seek help.

Up until now, I've been doing my best to just enjoy the good feelings. But, I know I have more learning/healing to do. I can feel the rage, it's still there. But the meds are helping me keep it from exploding. It's now time to take it to the next level. I am going to make my first appointment for some counseling. Other steps in my plan are to look into yoga classes and to start swimming laps again.

I'm ready to have my confidence back. I'm ready to feel like a good mother and wife again. I'm ready to be able to fully participate in my life again!