Happy Birthday Reese!

You know when you wake up in the morning and you feel like you never slept? It seems that you literally just closed your eyes and there you are awake again, staring at the blaring red 7:00am in the alarm clock.  That is how this year has been.  It seems like it never started, and here we are at the end of it!  I remember the day Reese was born so clearly. Who knew a day that started out with an argument, a bowl of spilled cereal, and a 3rd degree burn caused by spilled tea would be full of my favorite memories.  That day has been the most pivotal of my life; when literally my whole world changed.  What a ride it has been!
I loved Reese the moment she was placed on my chest.  That love has grown with each passing moment.  That little girl is my world.  It's amazing how someone who is so small can affect your life in such a big way.  Things that once seemed so important have become insignificant.  I have realized the beauty in family and the simple moments that life has to offer.  I have a deeper appreciation for my parents and the sacrifices they have made for me.  I have an even higher respect for Chris and his unconditional love, support, encouragement and friendship. It's amazing that when you teach a child to grow, they teach you right back.  I am a better person today because of my daughter and I strive to be a role model for her. 
As I look back on this year, I realize it would impossible to not have been changed by everything that we've been through. The first year of a babies life is full of constant changes.  Their personalities, abilities, schedules or lack there of, are constantly changing. I had to learn quickly to adapt and not sweat the small stuff.  I look back and feel that I have accomplished something.  I know realistically this year is such a small piece of her life, but it is such a learning curve that it is hard not to feel like I have passed a large milestone after this first year. Reese has gone from a small helpless infant, to a little girl who talks (whether or not it is always actual English), walks (when she wants to!), feeds herself (and the dogs), and is more independent by the day (if you have ever seen her shake her hand and head no at me you would understand!).  She has become a person with a strong personality, an ever blossoming sense of humor and a stubborn streak that I am sure makes my parents chuckle (you know those "I hope you have a child just like you" comments we all got growing up). It is amazing how the year started out with constant feedings, spit up, blowouts, swaddling,  rocking and tummy time.  Now she sleeps twelve hours straight at night with two 1-2 hour naps during the day. Mealtimes are at specific times, and life is pretty predictable.  I am proud for all the milestones she has hit, and I have to admit I am also proud of Chris and I for how we have coped this year.  I think we have done a darn good job, I'm not saying we are perfect, far from it, but hey, she's still alive! I started out the year with just a few goals in mind in terms of parenting: 1. Put Reese first in everything I do 2. Have a happy, healthy baby 3. Quit my job and stay at home 4. Nurse without having to supplement for one year 5. get back in shape after baby.  One and two are ongoing goals, but I am proud that I can say I completed the others. Now it's time for a new set of goals for the year!  I look forward to all the new changes coming! I know there will be quite a few this year as we dive into toddler-hood, and all I can say is bring em' on!

I wrote a "birth story" a while back but have never posted it.  I thought today was a perfect day for a re-post.  Here is the link (FYI, I wrote this for myself so it might be a tad "graphic" for some)

http://lovinglifewiththeholcombs.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html 



Last "belly" picture! About 2 weeks before Reese was born!



Waiting! I was very blessed with a quick, "easy" labor!

Minutes after Reese was born!

Born at 11:03pm, 6lbs 4oz 17 inches

     

First family photo!

Cuddle time after a long day! Being born is hard work!

Easter 2010- 1 week old!

First weeks



First weeks



8 weeks

Around 8 weeks

About 2.5months

3 months

3.5 months

4 months

5 months

5.5 months

First Husky Game! Almost 6 months

6.5 months

7 months

8 months

First Christmas! 9 months



10 months



11 months

11.5 months

12 months! (well one day short!)

A Little Spring Fashion Please!

Well I think Spring is finally in the air. At least in the fashion world.  I have been itching for bright colored clothing. I think my upcoming trip to Hawaii in May is silently at the forefront of my mind and all I can dream about are shorts, maxi-dresses and swim wear!  I love how the stores are full of this stuff even though it is still barely 50 degrees out (on a good day!).  Despite waiting for the weather to catch up, it is still fun to get into the spring mood. I bought myself a pair of some fun spring shoes with birthday money and can't wait to put them to good use. I am a sucker for a wedge and thought these were adorable.  Similar to a boat shoe, but a little more fun. Love em! I am also loving the long flowy dresses that are coming out this spring.  There is something so simple, yet beautiful about a long dress.  I love this one, but don't think I have the height to pull it off. Well, I am sure some lucky 5'10 soul will look great in it.  I have a few friends who come to mind! 

This spring has a lot of fun waiting for us! We have Reese's birthday coming up in the next few weeks and I can't believe it!  It is so weird to think that I was very pregnant this time last year.  Even though time has flown by, it does feel like forever since I was pregnant. It is amazing how quickly you forget!  Now we have a WALKING little girl, not even a baby!  She is taking to walking pretty slowly, but it is so fun to watch her get more and more confident with it each day. Just this weekend she took a few steps without Chris or I coaxing her.  I just watched out of the corner of my eye as she attempted to walk toward her little car.  One step, two step, three...CRASH!  Luckily her low center of gravity has prevented many tears. It is hard to believe she is pretty much a toddler now!  I was listening to my Taylor Swift Cd the other day and fell in love with the song "Never Grow Up". This first verse really hits home to how I am feeling right about now (OK I am going to be super sappy and quote the part I love).

"Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No, no one will desert youJust try to never grow up, never grow up"

Despite my unrealistic wish, I know she is growing up, and I know that it is going to keep getting more fun! I can't wait to watch her run around on the beaches in Maui and get out more as the weather begins to turn around!  So for now we girls plan our wardrobe and look forward to the fun that is to come! Starting with a birthday in a few weeks. 

Here is a spring "fashion" shoot we did the other day. Enjoy!

 

No Mama!

No Mama! These are the words I am getting ready to hear.  Last week while I was feeding Reese she began to shake her head when she was done. I thought this may have been a coincidence, just trying to get away from the spoon.  Well it turns out that she has associated the head shake with the word no.  I find this particularly funny because my good friend Angela attempted to teach this to Reese when she was about 4 months old.  Surprisingly she mimicked the head shake fairly well at the time, but of course didn't really know what it meant.  Well now she sure does! Not only does she shake her head no when she doesn't want food, but she will do it when she doesn't want to go to someone, or when she doesn't want to do something. I try not to laugh to encourage her, but it is so incredibly funny.  I have to say that I love watching her little personality develop. I think she is going to be a stubborn one! But as Chris says, "What do you expect when you cross a Palestinian and an Italian?"  Good point!
Reese also gave me the best gift on my birthday and took her first step.  It was just 1 step forward, but we were not holding onto her at all and she was freestanding when she took the step. I am so proud of her!  She has continued to walk with help and took 2 more steps on her own today. I know it is not going to be long know before she is running all over the place!  It is so much fun to watch!
Reese also got to have fun with her Gramma and Seedo this weekend. Chris and I went down to Seattle with our good friends Colt and Sheena for my and Sheena's birthday.  Sheena and I are a week apart and have spent just about every birthday together since we were 16!  The guys surprised us with a night at the Grand Hyatt and dinner at the Metropolitan Grill. It was so much fun and the Chateaubriand was better than I remember! We had such a blast celebrating and we feel so fortunate that Reese has a great place to stay and gets spoiled by her grandparents.  On Sunday morning we had breakfast at Top Pot doughnuts.  They have the best chocolate cake doughnuts ever, and those just happen to be my favorite! We enjoyed celebrating my my mom and my birthday with the family Sunday night at Barrio.  It was a great weekend topped off by Chris having the day off on Monday.  I can't believe another year has passed and Reese's first birthday is next month! I am soaking up every moment! Even if she is going to start telling me no!

Here is a picture dump from the past month. Enjoy!

Reese at swim lessons

More swim lessons

Gearing up for spring!

Reese loves her cousin Luke!

Peek a boo!

Kiss me Luke!

She loves being nakey!

Getting drinks at the Tap House before our birthday dinner

Dolled up for a night on the town

Don't even ask!

Happy Birthday to My Mom

My beautiful Mom Linda

Today my mom turns the big 5-0.  I am sure she is thrilled with my posting her age, but I see her as so young.  She had me at 23 after all and I was baby #2!  I look at all the things my mom has done for us over the years and feel so overwhelmed by her love and care.  She is the cornerstone of our family; the glue that binds everyone together.  She is the most selfless person I have ever met, and I can count on her for anything. She is always looking for ways to make me, and the rest of my family feel loved and cared for.  She puts her own needs aside, just to make our lives easier. I remember when we were young and she would get a gift card for her birthday or Christmas. I remember she would often spend them on us.  She would take us to the store and get those new jeans we "needed".  She mentored and guided us through the years, and always seemed to give just enough of a push. She was never overbearing, but always just enough to push you to the next level.  I quickly realized in my teenage years that the worst punishment was making her feel disappointed. That made me feel more remorseful that any restriction that I was given.
It is also the little things that my mom does. She will clean my house any time she comes over no matter how many times I tell her not to. She has surprised me the past several years by planting me spring flowers on my birthday to add some color to my front yard.  She came over weekly the last couple months of my pregnancy, and after Reese was born, to clean my house while I was at work. She watched Reese while I worked, no questions asked, no strings attached. I could go on and on.  It is these little things that make me feel so completely and fully loved by her.
 Having a baby has made me appreciate my mom even more.  You realize the emotions that go behind the actions, and it is amazing.  You realize the physical and emotional aspects of being a parent, nothing that you can experience or understand until you are one. Going through this has made me even more in awe of my mom.  I strive to be like her. If I can give Reese a small portion of what she has given me, I will have succeeded as a parent. I have had the best role model and am so thankful for the women she is and the women she will be. So happy birthday to my beautiful mommy who doesn't look a day over 30! I love you mom!

Leila, my Mom, and Me!

All the Sayegh girls

Happy Valentine's Day!

An oldie but a goodie! (July 30, 2005)

Well today is Valentine's day.  Generally Valentine's day is a very low key day for us.  We do the whole exchange gifts thing, and usually go out.  Yesterday we did breakfast at the barking frog.  We debated for a while whether or not we wanted to do a "date" or take the munchkin along. In the end we decided to bring Reese, and I am glad we did.  We decided that it wouldn't be right to celebrate her first Valentine's day without her.  We had a great breakfast celebrating another year, and I think Reese had fun too.  Today we decided to just stay in.  I made some carrot, ginger soup with chicken satay and peanut sauce. I have to say, it was amazing! I tried some new recipes and definitely found a couple keepers.  My plan was to surprise Chris with dinner made and candlelit dinner. He foiled my plans a bit by showing up an hour early, but it was nice to have him home and celebrate a bit longer!
I think it is funny how people hate Valentine's day.  I don't know why you would. It is just a day to tell the people around you how much you love them. Yes, you should do it anytime, but I think it is so easy to take people for granted and not express that you care. I think that extends beyond your significant other, but also to your parents, friends, etc.  I am so thankful for my friends, family and especially for Chris.  I am so lucky to have found someone to share my life with and who is not only my love, but my best friend.  In celebration of Valentine's day, I thought I would be extra specially cheesy and list the top 10 things that I love about Chris/our relationship. So in no particular order, here we go:

1. I love that a lot of times he knows what I am thinking before I say it
2. I love that he takes care of me and Reese and is a wonderful husband and father
3. I love that he knows me to my core
4. I love that he is an eternal optimist and sees the best in everyone
5. I love how he makes others a priority and is so good to his friends and family
6. I love that he can always make me laugh and smile
7. I love that I can tell him anything, at anytime, without reservation
8. I love that he makes me feel like I am the most beautiful girl to him
9. I love that I have complete trust in our relationship and his faithfulness to me
10. I love that our beliefs, values, and goals all align and the things that are most important to him are the most important to me
I am thrilled to spend our 9th Valentine's day together, and am even more thrilled to get to share it with our daughter.  It was definitely so amazing to celebrate Valentine's day and look across the table at a little "us".  Happy Valentine's day to everyone!

Reese enjoying her Valentine's Dinner of Black beans!