Sick of it

If one more person gets sick, I'm going to throw up.

It's been just over a week now that Sadie got sick. She threw up during Jubilee practice on the sanctuary floor. The only outfit we had to change her into was a cute little Santa get-up. She threw up on that during the car ride home. A few more episodes got us late into the night and then came the diarrhea. That lasted for a few days and just when we thought things were getting better, she started vomiting again. A trip to the doctor helped to alleviate my concerns, but didn't slow down the frequent diaper changes. The "24 hour stomach flu" lasted more like 100 hours. Good grief. Just a couple of days ago, Dan started having some weird stomach issues--won't give you the graphic details this time.

This morning I called my mom to see what she was doing on her vacation day. I could tell from the moment she answered the phone that she wasn't well. She had been up all last night with the stomach flu. Are you kidding me!!??!

So far I have managed to avoid the bug... *some serious knocking on wood going on here* But seriously--when is this going to end? I am ready for spring.

Simplify

I think that might be my New Year's resolution. Simplify. As we spent part of today organizing the house, I realized how much simpler things would be with less. My boss recently told me about a rule she set for herself--every time she brought something new into the house, she had to bring one thing out. New sweater in, old sweater out. Seems like a simple enough rule and one I should probably consider taking up.

Looking at the pile of shoes greeting me each time I walk through the door or the mound of toys that Sadie could do without is starting to wear on me. Maybe people are right when they say less really is more.

All I want for Christmas... I received.

What a beautiful day. As I reflect on the day's events, my mind keeps drifting back to one year ago today. Last year, Dan and I spent Christmas in the hospital with Sadie. At 5 weeks old, she was in Methodist Hospital--quietly growing, waiting to come home. She weighed just under four pounds. We didn't spend the day with any other relatives. We just wanted to be with our little girl. What a difference a year makes.

This year we woke up in our warm comfy bed to the sound of a chattering baby girl. We found Sadie standing up in her crib with a big grin on her face. The one gift I wanted last year, I couldn't get--and that was having Sadie home for Christmas. This year, I got what I wanted and more. Not only is Sadie home, but she is happy, healthy, and beautiful. I am blessed to have her and Dan, in addition to all of my wonderful family and friends. I could rattle off some of the other generous gifts I unwrapped this year, but none of them compare to the glorious gift of family, friends and of course, baby Jesus.

Merry Christmas everyone!

If only I had something profound to say...

So I never write in this thing and thus have not garnered any sort of following for my blog. I wish I would have started this back when Sadie was in the hospital and there were more day-to-day things to write about.

It's hard to believe I am the mother of a one year old. Where time goes... I don't know. She is incredibly mobile now and keeps us busy, busy, busy. She hasn't started to walk yet, but we know the minute she does she'll be running.

Last night was my work's Holiday Party. My aunt and uncle watched Sadie for the evening and were so impressed at what a happy baby she is. Funny how this morning we then get to deal with a temper tantrum of epic proportions. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. She manages to wipe all that away with one of her adorable smiles.

Motherhood... it's the best.

Feeling well...

I was ridiculously sick last week. I had a sore throat, my body ached, and I was sooo tired. It was a really bad week to be sick too. Even though I know I have every right to take a sick day, I just had too much of a conscience about all the things that would be messed up if I weren't there. Things are finally starting to wind down at work after today and of course it is NOW that I am feeling much more towards 100%. Funny how that works.

What am I going to do with my extra time and my sense of health? Probably catch up on some of the stuff I have recorded on the DVR. Ambitious, I know.

It's incredible!

Dan and I spent most of yesterday cleaning the house. I am soooo proud of the work we did. I have to say, this is probably the most in order our home has been in a long, long time. Today it's Saturday. The day we normally force ourselves into doing the dreaded housework. But not today!! We almost don't know what to do with our free time.

I think I might go take a nap!

3 days to my weekend

We're going to my pastor's wedding tomorrow night. Totally excited for it because I am so happy for them AND it will be a wedding where we actually know plenty of people. Weddings are definitely more fun when you know others. We have a tradition with a group of us from church that whenever there is a wedding we always have a get together after the reception for champagne and pizza. It's wonderful.

Anyway... I didn't really need to take tomorrow off from work since the wedding isn't until 6, but I decided I could use a long weekend. Things at work are extra crazy right now and some days it feels like breathing is all I can do to help keep my head on straight. Fortunately, I love my job and I love the people I work with. That helps me get through it as well.

Another first...

Today we went to the zoo. General Mills Employee Club sponsored the event in celebration of their 35 year anniversary. We were given free entrance to the zoo with $15 in zoo bucks for Dan, Sadie and me. Pretty neat deal really. One we couldn't pass up. Now, I don't think Sadie gave one ounce of interest to the zoo and its animals. She was more interested in the strap on her stroller. I guess all I can really say about that is at least we didn't pay anything for it. I hope GMI sponsors something like this again next year when Sadie will appreciate it a little more.

While were at the zoo we ran into one of Dan's old co-workers... still works at GMI, just in a different department... she too had an 8 month old. But let me just tell you... that little girl was a moose compared to Sadie! :o)

Sadie's laugh...

It's infectious. Trust me and watch.

Me in mosaic

My friend Liz has inspired me to do this...




1. #6 Jana and kayak in the sunset, 2. Egg Tart Plushie, 3. GSA Grocery, 4. vintage tea set with cupcake, 5. Jim Halpert, 6. Oil Wrestler, Edirne, Turkey 2007, 7. Tree of Light, 8. Dark and White Chocolate Cheesecake, 9. Health and Happiness, 10. Day 66 of 365, 11. Joy of life, 12. Gizmo

How to do this for your very own self:
A. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
B. Using only the first page, pick an image.
C. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into the mosaic maker. Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One word that describes you?
12. Your favorite animal?

Glossary
1. Jana
2. Chinese food
3. Thomas Jefferson High School
4. Pink
5. John Krasinski (Jim from the Office)
6. Coke
7. Hawaii
8. Cheesecake
9. Educator
10. Dan and Sadie
11. Blessed
12. Puppies

2 days are not enough...

I am thoroughly convinced after today that two days are not enough for weekends. I love my job, don't get me wrong, but I am never ready to go back on Monday. I have never accomplished everything I hope to.

Now... it is only Saturday night, so I should be grateful for the one day left in the weekend. Sundays, however, seem to get eaten up before they are even here. We'll start our morning getting ready for church. Church happens, followed by lunch, and before you know it, it's almost 2pm. Then we'll get home, get a call from the in-laws and our afternoon/early evening will be shot. Sunday night we'll get some laundry put away, get lunch ready for the next day, put Sadie to bed, and then try to find a little piece of hubby/wife time before our tired heads hit the pillows.

If Obama picks me as VP, I'll work on passing the 3-day weekend bill... just you wait.