It's our 2nd Wedding Anniversary!

Yup- just a short two years ago, Todd and I got married at the park district gazebo. Now, we have moved out of state, bought a house and already have a baby! So much can happen in just two years.

Just another day to miss the rest of the family. =( Love you all.

On the move...backwards

"Lil Miss J" is on the Mooooooove

She's moving alright. Just the wrong direction. lol She even does "Downward Facing Dog". Seriously. And, whenever she does a muscle move (levitation) she grunts or whines. As Todd says, it's "high-larious".

She's not settling with just sitting pretty and meditating. She's turning on her bum. She now knows how to go from sitting to laying on her belly.

With all of the movin' and groovin' she's doing, she's getting flabs of skin and losing the marshallow fattiness she wore for months. It looks like she had a gastric bypass surgery and has the extra skin hanging around.

Her two bottom teeth in the center are showing through- almost cutting through! I can't wait to take pictures of her with teeth.

Hmmm... that's the gist of my update. Peace.

Baby or Bumble Bee? 8 mos.

Todd's Proud Harvest

My Urge to Write

Today, after a sweet nap with Jasmin, I brainstormed a brilliant angle to write a book. It's going to be my secret project until it's published. Cheer me on! (wink)

Family and Friends out there

Are you riding the new wave- Skype? I'm going to try it out. Maybe the next time I call you, it will be through the etherworld.

New View of Dear Jasmin

Jasmin was so tired from crying that she fell asleep folded over her lap. I'd imagine that this position (in itself) would inspire more tears!

BBQ... of the Jasmin kind

She tried the potato (loved it) and grilled onion (loved that too!). Have we made "baby food" look to ordinary? lol

First Time Trying Watermelon

Hmmm, Watery & Sweet



Oh yeah~ I like it!

How my garden grows

Reaching the Sun

A Good Nemo Impression?

Fishy Face: Mom's Favorite "Look"

07/19/06

Bedroom Overhaul

Okay, so I love being a mother and I like having reminders of my baby all around the house. But, I've decided after nearly eight months of bedroom chaos, I need to make it our adult sanctuary. The only thing in our bedroom that is "baby" is the picture of Jasmin and I in the YMCA pool. The playyard is about to go downstairs so she can hang out with me when I'm playing on the computer.

So- Today I cleared off my "nightstand". I placed an oval mirror on top; and put a small clock, note pad, lotions, vitamins and skin cleanser on top of it. I put a picture, as mentioned above, of Jasmin and I, another picture of my wonderful inlaws, and a wedding picture on the stand. I also have a walkman (hidden) with my yoga music CD. And- I put a few books and my journal with a flashlight for the "bookend".

Todd helped me fix the closet sliding doors. Then, I flushed the closet of the clothes Todd won't wear and organized it. I downsized Todd to a smaller "dresser" by swapping his with the one in the guest room. Finally, I made sure to neaten my dresser as well.

Todd wants to reposition the bed and change the wall hangings around. Tomorrow, he'll work on his nightstand. I think our finishing touch would be a hanging plant in the corner where the hamper is.

The bedroom was time-consuming for me, but I love being productive.

Peek a Booty

~FRONT~




~Back~

I fit into 18 month size already!

We're going to a playdate today, so I decided to doll her up in a brand new outfit Grandmother picked out for her.

Standing on my own two feet!

Happy Together

How did I let the days go by so fast?

Here is Jasmin the day after she was born in her "going home" dress. I feel a weird pang of sadness. Being pregnant with Jasmin was such an intimate relationship- before she was "her own". I wonder how much she missed being protected inside me. I wonder how pleased she is with her parents and her humble surroundings. Is she disappointed? Did God want this for her?

I know I've changed so much- and it hasn't hurt a bit. So many people are afraid of change. I was blessed to become pregnant with such an amazing spirit. I think those nine months forced me to surrender to "the force". As much as I feel blessed and more "significant" since becoming a mother, I teeter with notions of not being enough for her.

In a way, the "teetering" motivates me to work on myself and pursue everything I dreamed of. I know most people don't know it- but I am. It's been a terrific personal journey. As though, I'm evolving- and watching Jasmin's live evolve at the same time.

She is such a joy- pure joy. Even her cries and tears are joy- they empower me because I know that - for now - all she needs is my embrace. Her smile can unarmour even the most stoic individual. Her smiles send warmth to my soul, and effortlessly- my day becomes brighter.

Now- in anticipation of her growing mobility, I wonder how far she will stray from her mother. Did she only need me for that short time, even when I was an amateur? I hope we stay close for the rest of her life. I hope she never moves away from me permanently.

Now being back at home, I think I feel even more "Illinoi-sick". Knowing that the time we spent there was all that I dreamed it would be- I know what I'm missing.... what Jasmin is missing out on.

I hope that we will move back to give her what she will treasure for the rest of her life- memories with her whole family. What did we do moving away?!

I'm at peace in Dreamland

I like to play with my food!

Would Winnie the Pooh Approve?

I took Dad's Sox Hat b/c he lost mine^^

Dad lost my pretty hat at the Carnival~

Dinner Time with Grandmother

Baptism June 29th 2006

Jasmin and her baby cousin, Jerilyn, were baptised during the same ceremony. Jasmin's dress was size 18mos and it barely fit her! Thanks Therese for picking out such a beautiful dress!