Not As Long As Before

So it has been awhile between posts, but not as long as in the past year long hiatus or so.

Cory's parents flew in last Saturday, and we had a fabulous time. It was wonderful having them here and another set of eyes on the ever busy Adley. I know she is like every other toddler, but man, she is all over the place! We went to Zilker Botanical Gardens Festival, enjoyed walks to the park, dinner out as a family, and TWO visits with the ever wonderful family friends the Johnstons!

Cory is doing great at the Academy. Please pray for his shoulder as it is acting up a little bit but nothing serious. We are still loving our church and small group and looking to take its membership course this coming Sunday. We are incredibly challenged by the messages and body of believers!

I will try to keep posting more often too!

Week 1

Week1 of the police academy went decently well. Adjusting is still needed and of course, I got a cold that took my voice away. I mean it is completely gone. Starting day 3 today with no voice and it is annoying!! I can't talk to Adley and the dogs don't listen. And I can't talk on the phone to friends or family.

Friday evening was fun though. Friends, Tim and Brittney came over for dinner and cards. It was much needed relaxation time!

Bike Rides and Birthdays

First, today is sort of my birthday. I am a leap day baby, which creates more interesting conversations than I ever would have thought. People will argue that my birthday isn't until the day after February 28th but I argue my birthday is the day before March 1st. Besides, how do you explain to a 4 year old that this year her birthday is in February and then when she turns 5 it is March? Also, my mom claims she had a February baby, so a February baby I am! With the conundrum of when to celebrate, I end celebrating for about week. Presents come early and late, dinners are based on weekends, and different restaurants offer free entrees within the week of your birthday!

Bigger today than my birthday is Cory starting the Austin Police Academy. Thus, I decided I would be proactive and get up early to start my day. Let the dogs out (which means down and up three flights of stairs), had a great quiet time, and some work done before Adley woke up. Then I wanted to work out and thought what a great day for a bike ride. Cory bought me a great bike and bike trailer to go on long runs with him when he trained for his 50 mile race last year. So I thought, let's whip that out and go on ride. I start riding and see that the tires are little low; expected considering a move to lower altitude. So I ride to a gas station, pay $.75 and instead of getting air, it flattened the tire more! Thus, I walked the bike and trailer home to write this post.

Why is it the day you need to call your hubby is day he is completely unavailable? Not anyone's fault, but figures!

Calm Before the Storm

So we have grown accustomed to each other and being altogether all day long. That has brought some challenges, but such great fun family times! We are now preparing for Monday; day 1 of the Police Academy. Cory likely will be gone from 5:00am-5:00pm and return to eat quickly and begin studying before starting over. The blessing, the schedule is Monday through Friday. We are now just planning for this change as it will be Adley and me with no dad help! And how she loves her daddy! But, income will be fantastic and we have been so blessed by this brief, long overdue, and almost complete time together. A toast: Here is to the calm before the storm of lots of Netflix (Bones that airs on Fox is now a favorite show), lazy days of all pajamas and lucky if teeth were brushed, missing Austin traffic as we ran errands when we wanted, and me not changing every diaper!

Cory is prepared for week 1 with his uniform ironed and boots shined; he has read the required book prior to day 1 and prepared essay responses, and memorized ALL 100+ 10 codes. You have heard "10-4, over and out" type communication. In that case, 10-4 means acknowledged. Well, he has memorized 10-0 all the through 10-99 plus some extras with a new phonetic alphabet.

So I say, bring on the storm. It sure is a good thing Cory and I like storms. And if you know my husband; he really likes storms!

Update

Here's a pretty recent picture of the three of us in downtown Fort Worth just before the Super Bowl. Pretty sweet!

Adley is walking everywhere and loves the swing at the park.

Cory starts the Academy on February 28th.

Super excited about our church and small group!

Look, two posts in one week! Much improvement.

Maybe I am Back!

I am going to try to blog again, but we will see what happens. Obviously I feel off the planet since last June. Too much has happened to update. What you need to know: now living in Austin, TX and Adley is one. Oh yeah! GO PACK GO!

Pictures!

It has taken us forever but here are some sneak peeks of pictures in albums I finally put on Facebook. Check out my albums to see all the greats!

Pictures are from Giant Springs taken by our amazing friend John Mayer and the trip to Alabama. Enjoy!!

Alabama

Adley and I are in Alabama. I couldn't blog about it because it was supposed to be surprise to Cory's grandparents, Mawmaw and Pawpaw. Diane's brother Clint let a couple of this slip though that made Mawmaw suspicious. So instead of us surprising her, she was hiding in her own house when we walked in and she surprised US! It was so funny though. She says she may be getting old but she still think.

Cory's cousin Jessica is graduating high school and thus why Diane was coming home. After looking at affordability of tickets, and Cory's parents helping us pay for it, Adley and I are here! She did great on the flight, something I was terribly worried about being alone. Hopefully the trip back will be a smooth. We have been here since Saturday, May 15 and we get home on the 22nd.

I don't have the ability to upload pics here but can't wais fo you to see Adley with her Nana and her Great Pawpaw and Great Mawmaw.

Working with Adley

Since tons have asked, here is the answer. Coming to work with Adley is relatively convenient and she is pretty well behaved. We have had one day that was unbearable and we left early, but I think it was teething. No teeth yet but she is chewing anything she can get her hands on including her hands, my hands, dogs, toys, chains, and my personal favorite for the moment, the bottom of dad's cold energy drink can he was holding/drinking while holding her.

People at work love her and it is nice that I don't have to part with her too much yet!

My first Mother's Day was also great! Cory got me a food strainer that attached to my Kitchen Aid so I can make some baby food instead of buying it all. Not super concerned about making it all but some sounds fun and cheap!

Long time no post...

It is has been a little while and for that I apologize. Since returning from Texas, I have returned to work Monday through Thursday 1:30-5:00. I get to bring Adley with me until she is 6 months old. Then, my wonderful friend, whom all the Knops just love, will take care of her. Thanks Aunt Ellen!

Work has been nice as it gives us a schedule everyday. I love schedule.

Cory's interview went great and Austin wants him so we are not applying anywhere else. It isn't 100 percent yet due to process, but Cory and I feel peace about it and are still trusting.

Adley is sleeping great at night and we are working on consistent naps. She is more of a cat napper so I am working to keep her awake longer before going down for nap. Pray for her dry scalp here. Montana weather is not helping her out and when we were in Texas, her head was completely clear.

And just a quick pic for everyone...

TEXAS...

...is where we currently are visiting.
...is where Cory is interviewing on Thursday and Friday.
...is where we hope to move in December.
...is where Adley is having a blast with Nana and Gdaddy.
...is where we are enjoying 70 degree temps and the pool.

It is safe to say that I am not missing Montana. I do miss people though!

On Becoming Baby Wise...

I never had the opportunity to update my currently reading because I am still reading Harry Potter (currently on Goblet of Fire). However, I took a brief hiatus to read this book.

I can't guarantee it for all mother or all babies, but I can tell you my testimony. Adley will be 8 weeks old on Tuesday, March 16th, but she has been sleeping 7-9 hours at night for the last week of her life. She has always given us a 5 hour block but now she is clock work at night. I know it is early and certain days or night could change things, but so far, this book has made my short lived mothering experiencing wonderful. I didn't read it until Adley was already born but I highly recommend before a the baby comes to be ready. CHECK IT OUT!!

Birthday

A blog about me finally!

My birthday was pretty fun but I have decided birthdays become a bit uneventful after 21 as not much is significant after that. Except for me, every 4 years I get a real one that spices it up. We went to church, out to lunch to Rikki's Pizza and Pasta with the Mayers and Becky, and then to Half Time Sports Bar to watch USA lose the hocky match. Came home while Cory picked up the deep freezer we bought because we need to store the breast milk that has filled our freezer. Go figure the girl who isn't to set on nursing produces like a cow. Sorry if that is TMI! Then I took a bath and read. So nice!

Now, I am disappointed as Facebook said my birthday was on Monday but I was born in February so my whole life I celebrate on the 28th when it isn't Leap Year. HOw do you explain to a 3 year old her birthday changes months?? Go figure! The interesting about all this, I basically get birthday wishes and calls for two straight days!

I still can't get a post without a picture of Adley. She is too stinking irrestibly gorgeous...I do know I am biased though. At least I am in one of these pictures! Check out this for more pictures.

More Pictures...

Maybe I will post something other than pics soon but this is what is going on!

My Teddy Bear

What I know thus far...

I am working on new pictures, but we are a little busy...

What I know...

1. The help both sets of parents were incredible and I couldn't imagine what life would have been like without them.
2. Adley sleeps a minimum of 5 hours each night but is continuing to add on to it so that the last 2 nights she has slept 7+hours.
3. Adley hates being cold and thus wails during baths right now.
4. Adley will eat anyway we give her food. The ways she has eaten thus far are nursing, syringe, bottle, back to nursing. Now she nurses during the day and bottle before she goes to bed and in the middle of the night. However I don't know if 5 am counts as the middle of the night anymore.
5. I don't feel like a mom yet but I do know I love her a lot and know I can care for her. I know she is mine but it still feels surreal.
6. My delivery recovery tempts me to consider c-sections for future children. Let's just say it was rough and has including 4 doctor's appointments in 2 weeks to include more stitches and 2 rounds of antibiotics to combat fevers.
7. I never thought saying goodbye to my mom would be as hard as it was.
8. I never thought saying goodbye to Cory's parents would be as hard as it was either.
9. While I enjoy having my house back, I certainly wish parents lived near us to come visit, help, etc.
10. I must nap at least once while she naps in a day to make sure I stay healthy.

More Pictures...

Sorry about the short post before. I wasn't feeling incredibly well when trying to post the first time and thus only why one made it. She is doing awesome right now and sleeping 6-8 hours at night every night. We are counting our blessings!

Adley Hayden

8 lbs 1 oz; 20.5 inches long

Austin Changes

So of course right when I post about Austin, everything changes. Unfortunately, Cory found out today that we can not go to Austin in February anymore because the other LT here cannot get his TDY dates changed. So now we are going in March, hopefully.

Just thought you should all know. Please pray for my own peace in this situation especially with the Air Force.

Not yet...and Austin!

I have debated on blogging until the baby is born because I konw so many people are just waiting. I know because I am one of them, but I also keep getting facebook messages, text messages, phone calls, emails, etc. And, if I ever call someone, the first sound out of their mouth is either about the baby OR very expectant of news they want me to spill. Sorry, but no news yet. I have an appointment today and my doctor will schedule an induction date as she does not want me to go over 41 weeks.

On an awesome note, Cory and I will be going to Texas in February with new baby and Cory will have the chance to interview with the Austin Police Department. We have been waiting to hear about dates for a base inspection and FE Warren in Cheyenne, WY just got hit with less than 48 hour notice. Herego, Cory's leadership is granting us leave to go as we will have no warning of the inspection dates. I never thought God would answer the prayer that way, but I am okay with. We get to go and he gets to interview. That is what we wanted. Cory would prefer the inspection happen while he is here though, so now pray that the no warning inspection happens when Cory is available I guess!

Maybe the next post will have a baby picture. I can hope!