Just to compare...

Just for a point of reference...this is Mara at one month old, and then six months old. I just had to post the comparison! She was so little!!

Six Months!

Mara is six months old today! I can't believe it's been six months since the day she's been born! It really did fly by. She is changing so much. She's sitting up a lot, growing her hair back (yay! It's fuzzy and spiky!), 'talking' a lot, rolling both ways, giggling all the time, and bouncing around constantly! She had an appointment today, so we got some new stats:

20 lbs 14oz

26 inches

Yeah, she's a pretty big girl! Not like we didn't know that!! She was a good girl for her shots, and was in a good mood tonight, so we were happy about that. I was able to get a few photos taken, although none were really spectacular... oh well.

If the next six months fly by as fast as the past six did, Mara will be turning one before I know it!! (sob!)

Movies, Movies, Movies

Have I mentioned lately that I'm really excited to see Twilight in a few weeks? I saw an 'exclusive' clip online today and now I'm even more excited!! (check out msn.com -- the video clip is on the lefthand side).

I also want to see Changeling...and I think there are a few more coming out around the holidays that look good (I can't resist a funny Christmas movie!!)

Before Mara was born, Jay and I used to go to a ton of movies. It's harder to get out now obviously, but we've seen a couple in the past six months.

We decided that as our anniversary 'gift' to each other this year, we're going to sign up for Netflix, and start setting aside some time to watch movies together. I know there are a lot of movies over the last few years that we both wanted to see but never got the chance, so we're looking forward to movie time! Oh, and maybe some popcorn too :)

Headaches

A few years ago I started taking medication for headaches. For as long as I can remember I've suffered from a lot of headaches, and as an adult had started getting some migraines too. A lot of the time I had a headache EVERY day. It took a few different prescriptions before I got something that worked, but eventually I was mostly headache-free, which was fantastic! For someone who's never suffered from headaches and migraines, it's hard to understand how debilitating they can be.

When we decided to try to get pregnant, I knew I had to go off my prescription. Honestly, I was hoping to be 'drug free' anyway, so it was a good excuse. That doesn't mean I wasn't nervous about it though. I imagined I'd stop taking the pills and immediately be plagued with a daily headache again. I was hoping to be able to wean myself off of it by taking a lower dosage, but found out I was already taking the lowest dosage available. So, I decided to just quit cold turkey.

And...no headaches! I was so relieved!

Then when I got pregnant, I started to get bad migraines. They would last for days, and all I could do was lay in a quiet, dark room, and suffer through it. I was so happy when they finally eased up, and for the second half of my pregnancy, I was headache-free.

I wasn't sure how my body would respond after Mara was born. I really don't want to have to go back on a medication. So far, it's been ok. I've definitely had headaches, but so far no migraines. Although a few of them have been somewhat intense. But nothing like they were a few years ok.

I'm having one of those headaches today. I'm trying to drink a lot of water and take it easy. Hopefully it will go away...

Quilts

My Grandpa and Grandma always give homemade quilts as wedding and baby gifts. Both of them work on making the quilts - my Grandpa was usually in charge of cutting squares, and my Grandma always did the sewing. In the last couple years my Grandpa also did some of the sewing. Jay and I got a quilt from them when we got married, and at my baby shower I got one for Maralyn (I didn't know if it was going to be a boy or a girl at that point and Grandma told me if it was a girl and I wanted one with more pink, she had one for me -- but I assured her this one was just perfect!). This year one of my cousins is putting together a calendar for the family, and wanted as many quilt photos as possible. It was a good excuse to take some pictures of Mara with her quilt today! I love the fact that she will always have this quilt to remember her Great Grandma Angie and Great Grandpa Lloyd.

It's beginning to look a lot like...Christmas??

Yep...it was snowing earlier today. I knew it was going to be cooler, but I wasn't expecting SNOW! It wasn't enough to stick on the ground or anything, but it was definitely cold, and it was definitely snowing. Mara's first time seeing snow! Mostly we just tried to shield her from the ridiculous wind! She was nice and toasty in her carseat, and snuggled with Daddy on the couch later on.

We went to get Mara's 6 month photos taken this afternoon. She was such a good girl! Tons of smiles, sat up well, and just seemed to have fun! I think we will really have some great photos. The photographer (she and her husband were videographers at my wedding and my sister's wedding) was really laid back, and took a ton of photos. She emailed me a few only about an hour after we finished with a couple of the photos -- they are so cute! My parents came with us, so we got a few photos of them with Mara too. I was glad we decided to 'splurge' this time with a professional photographer!

The snow got me thinking about Christmas, and shopping I need to do, and projects I should be working on! Mara will be almost 8 months at Christmas, which just seems unreal! But, I guess we should get through Halloween first...

Carving Pumpkins

We got pumpkins a few weeks ago and decided that today would be a good day to carve our bigger one (the little one is the one Mara picked out - just her size!)

Mara actually sat quietly and watched most of the time, she seemed interested in what was going on. I helped dig out the 'guts' but Jay did the carving.

It turned out pretty cute! Note the matching teeth on the pumpkin and Mara (well, the bottom ones anyway!). She enjoyed getting her picture taken with it outside too...she loves being outside. I'm sure we'll be taking pictures of the two of them again on Halloween, when Mara has her costume on!

Couch Potatoes

Today was a pretty uneventful day.

Mara and I hung out in the morning. We were both couch potatoes for awhile (and yes, she has a snowman onesie on, but I had limited options for long sleeved onesies today!!), and I worked in the afternoon. After that we took Mara shopping...although I didn't really find what I was looking for. I did find her a cute 'my first Thanksgiving' outfit, and a winter coat that should work when it gets a little colder. Otherwise we just got a few basic groceries.

I'm feeling emotionally exhausted from this week. Looking forward to a quiet day tomorrow. We're planning to carve our pumpkin, and I'm hoping to find some time to read or scrapbook a little bit. On Sunday we are getting Mara's six month photos taken, so keep your fingers crossed for a smiley baby!!

Peas!

Mara had peas for the first time today. Actually, it was the first solid food that she's eaten besides rice cereal. I was glad Jay was here to catch the first bite on video, because the moment was priceless! She made the BEST face as soon as she got a tiny taste. It was a mix between surprise and disgust. The second bite she still wasn't quite sure, but by bite number three, she was hooked! She really seemed to like it, and wanted more and more. Hopefully she will continue to be a good eater. I'm excited to be able to try other foods and see how she reacts to each of those!

My Maralyn

It's starting to get colder, but I couldn't resist another fall photo of Mara. This is my favorite time of the year, and I hope Mara loves it too. She loves being outside, so we have tried to get her outside a lot recently to enjoy the weather before it becomes winter for 6 months!! She loves trees - hopefully someday we'll have a house with a yard and some trees!! We are hoping to carve pumpkins this weekend, and Mara will be dressing up for Halloween next weekend also.

Mara is also starting to really love animals. She adores our cats -- she giggles when she sees them, and loves to grab at them! We're working on the 'gentle' thing, but she doesn't really get it yet -- but so far, the cats have been very accepting of her behavior! She also recently met my sister Michelle's dogs, and loved them too. The bigger one Mari, is a little hyper, but Dori is nice and calm (and more Mara's size!). I love this picture of Michelle with Mara and the pups!

Two Years

It's hard to believe that it's been two years since Jay and I got married! Time really does fly! Our wedding was October 21st, 2006. It was cold! I was just glad it wasn't snowing, since we had seen flurries a week or so before the wedding. We had a great day, surrounded by family and friends!

I spent our first anniversary in bed - with morning sickness and a migraine. This year I'm sad, but spending my day with Mara while Jay's at school. Jay and I will celebrate later this week or this weekend.

I'm lucky to be married to a great guy! He's a great dad, and a great husband. I'm very blessed to have him and my Maralyn!

(and looking at this picture, I was blessed to be a lot thinner two years ago than I am now! ha!).

My Grandpa

Photos: Grandpa's First Time Meeting Mara, 4 Generations (Mara, me, my Mom and Grandparents), Grandpa and Grandma at Mara's Baptism, Mara visiting Grandpa at the Nursing Home for the first time, Mara grabbing at Grandpa while visiting at the Nursing Home.


My Grandpa Lloyd Majerus passed away on Thursday, October 16th. He was 86 years old.

Although he had a lot of health issues in the past, he always came through ok, and I think I had started to think he was invincible. No matter what happened, he always recovered and went home. Maybe a little weaker, but he always went home. It was a big shock to get the call, since he hadn't really been sick. He was in the nursing home, recovering from a broken leg. He was doing physical therapy, and hoping to go home soon. Mara and I had just visited him the week before, and he had shown her off to the other residents at dinner (he loved wheeling to the dining room with her on his lap while everyone commented about how cute she was!).

I've been having a pretty hard time with the whole thing. I'm very grateful that he was able to meet my Mara, and he seemed to have a very soft spot in his heart for her. I am sad that she won't have a chance to really get to know him, but so grateful that they were able to meet, and they spent quite a bit of time together in the short time they knew each other. You'd think that after 22 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, that the novely of a new baby would wear off, but he (and my Grandma) loved Mara like she was the very first. I know that Mara brightened some of his days at the nursing home, and I'm happy she was able to do that. Although she won't remember him, she will grow up hearing stories about him (everyone has a great story about him!).

My Grandparents were married for 64 years. My Grandpa was a great man, everyone who met him liked him right away. He had such a great sense of humor, and he will be missed by so many!

So...

I promise I'm not slacking on the blog ALREADY. I am having a rough few days, and will be back soon with a more complete update. Please keep my family in your thoughts!

Countdown to Twilight the Movie...

35 days!

For those that don't know, about a month ago, I became a little obsessed with the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. The plot of the books originally put me off, but eventually I 'gave in' and read the four books. I finished the series in about a week -- I couldn't put them down! (but unfortunately had to at times, since I had to work, and had a few other commitments!) Now I'm anxiously awaiting the movie, which opens November 21st. The new trailer gives me goosebumps! I'm just a teenage girl stuck inside an adult body I guess!

If you haven't read these books, you really should give them a try! Just make sure you have a good block of time to set aside!!

Check out this blog to see new stills from the movie, and a new trailer... http://twilightseriesnews.blogspot.com/

In other news, I'm heading out of town this afternoon for a scrapbooking retreat weekend with my sisters and some friends. I'm excited, but nervous since it will be my first time away from Mara overnight. It will be so weird! I'll be gone until Sunday, but will probably stop home at some point to check in. I'll only be about 30 minutes away. I'm hoping to get a lot of Mara's album(s) completed, snack a lot, and have fun with the 8 other ladies that will be there! (We'll miss you, Andrea!!!)

Leaves!

Yesterday was my birthday. It's just not that exciting anymore I guess. I felt old and crabby. Jay and I went to see a movie, and got some groceries while Mara was still at daycare. Then I picked her up and decided to head to my parents' house -- I really wanted to get some photos of Mara playing in leaves, but couldn't find anywhere near us that had a lot of leaves (you know, besides a random stranger's front yard -- and I don't think that would have gone over too well!). Mara wasn't quite sure what to think about the leaves, but I got a few cute pictures! She liked them for a minute, then looked scared, then back to enjoying them. She did topple over a couple times, but overall I think it was a pleasant experience! She was pretty tired after this little adventure, and eventually fell asleep on Grandma's lap.

I love this time of year, but I'm not looking forward to winter, and being stuck in the house all the time!

Andrea has inspired me...

since Andrea's started posting on her blog, I was inspired to start my own. I created this before I was even pregnant, but never used it...so I dug it up, and guess I'll start playing around with it. I have no idea how any of it works, so consider it 'under construction' as I figure it all out...