Saying Goodbye Ain't Easy...

We recently said goodbye to a very special member of our little family.  She was, in fact, the first child for J.R. and myself.  Our oldest dog, Cali, was sent to heaven (yes, dogs do indeed go to heaven in case you ever wondered.  now that that's settled, let me continue...) a week ago today.  It was a very sad  and lonely day in our home.

Cali was almost 14 years old.  J.R. found her as a very tiny pup on the side of the road when he used to deliver medical equipment.  She was tiny and furry like a little teddy bear, covered in ticks and stick tites, and in need of love.  We accepted her with open hearts!  

At the time, J.R. lived with our good friend, David, and he and Cali were so close.  He spooned her every single night in the bed and we took her everywhere.  She was our first responsibility together and we loved her so much!  J.R. was happy to finally have a dog all his own!  They were best friends :)

Time was just too much, as it is for us all at some point. Her joints were giving out, among other things, and I won't go into details, but it was time to stop seeing her suffer.  I can't tell you how hard this decision was.  We debated for a really long time...as in months.  It just got worse and we wanted to stop the pain from being too much for her.  Once they stop smiling it's just not the same.  I wished so many times as a nurse we could help the dying not to suffer.  It's a terrible, terrible thing to know the inevitable is around the corner and yet still have to watch our loved ones in pain and time moving so slowly.  I just kept telling myself that it was a good thing that we are able to do this for our animals.  If you don't agree with me don't tell me...I may lose it on you ;) !  Anyway, point is, we loved our first baby girl and we miss her terribly.  But, as with most things, time heals, prayer works, and love for those of us left behind is most important.  

Maggie (our second baby dog) has never been without her big sis ever.  EVER.  8 years together and she was obviously sad and confused but is doing much better now.  We are giving her SO MUCH extra love and attention and she too is settling into her life without Cali.  If you have ever lost an animal I know you understand this post.  It's hard and it's one of those yucky times in life we all don't look forward to but we manage to go on.  

We love you and miss you so much Cali.  I know you are happy and running with the angels and God is taking care of you.  Goodbye sweet girl.

Cali riding in the car.  One of her favorite things :)  She was so happy!

She would let Sofia do just about anything to her.  Sofia loves all the dogs but always rubbed on Cali the most.

This picture cracks me up!  I couldn't get either one of them to "pose" for me!  You can feel the love though :)

Big Time!

Since my last post things have been looking up around here!  I feel bad for complaining so now I have to redeem myself and show you all how happy Sofia is most of the time.  I really do feel so blessed to have a happy and healthy little girl and even though some days are rough (for both of us) the good overcomes!  I pray for patience and a positive attitude every night and morning because as we all know, mind over matter, and 99% of the time the attitude we have determines our day!  So, here's to looking on the bright side!!!!

We have been so busy!  We are constantly meeting up with friends or family and I love it.  Also, Sofia is now "cruising" and taking steps and I am all for celebrating her independence!  It's wonderful to take her places to play and watch her interact with other littles.  On the flip side, independence brings on bumps, falls, and bruises :(  Note the evidence below...

Smiles before the fall...

Nose red and swollen after.  This is what happens when riding a purple hippo.

 

 Riding in any kind of car or thing with a steering wheel is one of her obsessions lately!  She was playing through being really, really sleepy this day.  Can't you tell???

 We recently spent the day at my sister's house (Patsy) with her and her three girls Emme, Rayley, and Maggie.  They all love getting to spend time together and Patsy and I get to have adult conversations and talk about fun things like paint colors and decorating!  Exciting, I know ;)  They are adding on to their existing carriage house and it is absolutely beautiful!  My brother in law, Jeff, can build pretty much anything.
Sofia and Maggie were way more interested in pushing each other around than talking about decorating!  It was a great day!

Sofia and Maggie

Sofia and Rayley 

The view of their home from the outside.  Such a peaceful retreat.

All four girls

We spent the afternoon out at Arrington Vineyards recently as well.  We met up with my friend Rebecca and her husband Diego and daughter Ella Grace.  I worked with her at VCH and we have stayed friends ever since.  AV was having a benefit day for children's hospital and we were so excited to be a part of it!  The afternoon was beautiful and the company even better!  Sofia loved all of it too except for Champ.  She wasn't having him!

The couple behind J.R. and Sofia crack me up in this picture!  I think they had a few too many bottles of wine ;)

Eating a healthy lunch!

We had a girls only afternoon in Edgehill by Vanderbilt.  Gelato is Sofia's favorite!  She does so good feeding herself!

After our day in Nashville we visited my friend Jamie and her little boy, Madden.  I only wish you could hear the laughter and squeals in these photos!  Sofia had a blast with Madden!!!

Busy bees we have been but it has been great!  We are looking forward to fall and getting to spend more time outside exploring!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Take a Deep Breath...

Off and on lately, Sofia has really been putting my patience to the test.  I'm sure most of it is her age but the Mama in me (that always thinks I'm doing something wrong) can't help but wonder if I am doing something along the way to make the situation the way it is.  Nothings terrible or anything, it's just little things that are building up and I'm kinda losing my mind...ok, really losing my mind at times.

This morning was really difficult.  She is waking up before I think she is really ready to be up for the day.  Around 6:30 am and she goes to bed usually around 8 pm.  BUUUUUT, she STILL wakes up during the night to nurse.  It's wearing me out and I think it is her as well, but she just doesn't get it.  I'm running on fumes and not sure what to do????????

This is about how we both feel these days...

Like we could lay down ALL the time!  Whew!

Anyway, I know things could be worse, and I could also go on and add some things to this list of difficulties at this time but I won't.  I just need to know that I'm not alone.  That I'm doing ok at this Mama thing.  It's so much harder than I ever imagined and I'm wearing out.  There are no breaks or days off in this parenting career and it's so tough.  Can I get an "AMEN!"????

Sorry for the downer of a post but hey, I had to get this off my chest.  I'll make sure that the next post is full of happiness and fun!!!!  First I gotta get out of this funk though to be able to even think about a funny post.  Sigh...  hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Photo Fun!

Happy Wednesday!  It's the halfway point to the weekend :)

I want to just start this post with a little note to all that our Subaru was recovered on Sunday evening.  Untouched, unharmed, and all that was missing was an empty purse, my sunglasses, and some Purell hand sanitizer.  At least the thieves were sanitary :)  They must know me better than I thought!  Anyway, we can joke about it now, but it was a good end to a not so great start to the weekend.  Now you can all rest easy!

Sunday night started a trail of rough nights for us around the Natale house.  Poor little Sofia has been cutting her molars for about 9-10 weeks now...no joke!  Those things just stay under the skin and won't move!  Finally, three of them are through the skin, and one still lingers, but it looks like brighter days are ahead of us!  Along with it (or on the side, whatever) she began to have really bad congestion and fever.  Poor baby had the shaking chills on Monday night and I felt so bad for her.  My only about 3 hours of sleep paled in comparison to what she was going through and the Mommy in me kicked in.  All you want to do when your baby is sick and rock and hold them and that's just what we did.  Unfortunately, when she is in MY arms, she only wants to nurse and be with me.  So in order to actually get her to lie down in her bed, J.R. has to be woken up to do that.  Makes me really dread the day I decide to wean her from breastfeeding, but we won't talk about that right now :)

Anywho...she and I have been quarantined to the homestead as to not spread our funk to other littles.  We have been making the best of it though!  Swimming in the little pool (which actually is not swimming at all!  More like sitting!), dancing in the living room, practicing walking in circles around the house, wagon rides, visits with Poppi, annnnnnnnd...

you've got it!  Photo booth on the iMac!  This feature just CRACKS us both up!  And Poppi was around to get a laugh with us as well.  You gotta make the best of the rough times and that's just what we are doing.

Hope you all enjoyed our silly photos and that you got a few laughs too!

And thanks to those of you who sent emails, etc. voicing your concern about our car situation.  Thank the good Lord we made it out on the positive side!

Happy Hump Day!!!!!!

xoxo

Still In Shock

Saturday morning our family had a rude awakening.  J.R. woke up early, around 5:45 a.m., to go on his morning road bike ride before it gets too hot.  I hear him come back into the house and he is standing at the foot of our bed saying, "Susie, I think someone stole our car."  What?!  Did I hear him clearly???  Is this a really cruel joke???  Well, unfortunately, he was not joking at all.  My car that was parked right in our driveway, in our front yard, was totally gone.  

Shocker!!!

Now I know things could be worse.  It could have been the house.  Thank God none of us were harmed.  But in all, it still makes me feel very vulnerable.  I have always felt so safe on our little street.  We live right by MTSU and St. Rose church.  Our street is made up of older ranch style homes that are either owned by little old people who have lived here forever or new couples/families like ourselves.  We all look out for each other, know our routines and schedules, etc.  But who is going to be up in the middle of the night watching out for each other?  

Yes, the car was unlocked and we usually pull into the back yard behind the gate, but on this night (like many before) we just left it out front thinking nothing of it. 

So now I don't have a car, Sofia doesn't have a carseat (which isn't cheap folks!), no stroller, one of my purses, my sunglasses, and a few other things.  But we are safe and unharmed.  Gotta look on the bright side!

Sofia has returned to her infant carrier seat that is still within weight limits to be safe, but not as safe as her big car seat was.  And it was pretty interesting getting her in and out of the back of my old faithful 1997 two door Honda Civic!

She looks pretty happy though!

That's a look at our weekend.  Like I said, I still can't believe it!  We will have to see what happens with insurance and such from here.  With only one of us working this changes so much.  Things just aren't as easy as they are with two incomes but we will make it work.  I just feel so uneasy in my own home now and that is what makes me sad.  We sacrifice so much to make everything better for Sofia and give her the best and safest place to grow up.  I guess we can't protect our little babes from everything though.  This is a reminder of that.

I hope you all have had a much better weekend!!!!  

Enjoy the ride ;)

Man...It's HOT outside!!!!!

 It's hot here in Tennessee in case you haven't noticed.  Or I guess if you don't live here, but either way, let me say it's HOT!  The bummer about hot days is that babies and hot don't mix well.  Shoot, for that matter, Mama's and hot don't mix well!  This means that baby is trapped inside a house ALL day.  And Mama is too.  We have to get pretty creative these days.  We pretty much do the same thing every day.  

We get up in the morning and I drink coffee and Sofia plays or pulls on me and keeps me from drinking coffee.  The latter is the usual.  She is my little Rooster head :)

I bought a larger inflatable pool earlier this summer but it's more trouble than it's worth most of the time, so instead I break out the $7 baby pool.  She seems to enjoy it more anyway.

The crazy thing about the heat is that it's so hot that even the hose water is really, really warm and the tiny little pool is not relief for too long.  About 45 min and she's done.  But look at how much fun she has in the first 5 minutes!!!  Woohoo!

Lounging in a chair in a diaper and tank top indoors is also pretty good to do on a hot day!  She looks like such a big girl here.  sigh... 

And what better to do on a hot day than play around on Pinterest or catch up on emails???  Or go to iTunes and order the Katy Perry CD and have a dance party???  It was all Sofia's idea.  I promise!!!!  And don't worry Daddy.  There wasn't any internet shopping going on.  ;)

So, that's about it.  We pretty much are just trying to stay cool.  We actually are really busy this summer meeting up with my sisters and their kids, going to the pool, hanging with friends and family.  It's going by so fast but it is wonderful and I thank God every single day for the opportunity to get to see my baby girl grow and enjoy life!  Stay cool everyone!!!!!  And go dance to Katy Perry.  It will make you smile :)

Summer Memories

So far this has been such a wonderful summer.  I thank God every single day that I get to live my dream of being a stay at home Mama!  There is nothing that brings me as much joy as it does to know that I get to experience all that is new and exciting with our baby girl.  It makes my heart explode with happiness!  Here is just a little taste of what we have been up to lately.  After all, isn't this what it's all about??? I want Sofia to have the best memories of time with family and friends and that's what I'm gonna do for her!!!

Father's Day at Loveless Cafe and Natchez Trace Parkway.  This was a first for J.R. and I as well.  What a wonderful time we had and we had really full bellies too!

Outside bubble time!

 Experiencing an ICEE for the first time!  I think a little brain freeze might have been happening!

 Pool Time!

We recently spent a weekend with J.R.'s childhood friend, John, and his family for the boys to play in a golf tournament.  

Sofia loves to be around people and had a great time!

 The view from John and Katherine's back yard.  They live right on the golf course and it is so nice!

Playdates with cousin Cade.  Sofia loves him so much!

 Splash time in Nashville visiting my friend Jamie and her baby boy, Townes.  I think he's trying to make a move on Sofia!  Go Townes go!

Playing in the sprinkler at Nani and Poppi's house with her cousins.  She liked the water but was not a fan of the wet grass, hence the "flamingo stand"!  Cause we all know that if just one foot touches the grass it's ok!  Oh, and check out Maggie to the right.  She was drenched and shivering but loving the sprinkler!!!  

See, these are the things I'm talking about.  Memories that don't cost a thing.  Sure, there is stress that comes with being parents.  Finances and budgets, jobs and economy, making sure Sofia is safe and healthy.  And the list goes on and on.  I just keep my faith in God that we will all be taken care of and that's all I can do. So, I will have FUN with my girl and enjoy the time we are in NOW and not worry about THEN.  Take time to do the same and we will all have a summer full of fantastic memories!

xoxo 

Happy Summer Everyone!