Addition to the Froh Family

We are happy to announce that we just purchased a new SUV - thank goodness!!! No baby additions. . . .just a roomier, safer truck for me!!! I am sad to see the good ol' rice grinder take a hike, but this is better for us. The past 7 months have left me bruised and sore from banging my head on the roof of the car trying to get Maddie in and out! We got the carseat and everything switched over yesterday and she is ready to ride!

Im ready for the snow now. . . . .BRING IT ON! Well, not too much. . . .

7 Months. . . .wow

Just a few short days ago someone hit their 7 month mark - wow! This little fireball is full of so much energy that it is so much fun! She keeps us on our toes, but we wouldnt have it any other way! 1 challenge I have with Maddie is getting her to take a nap in her crib. . . .she doesnt want to lay still . . . .instead she wants to roll, climb, and rip things apart. . . .

Her bumper was tied to the crib. . .she got it undone and rolled around in it! Notice the smile on her face - what a stinker!

I mentioned a few posts ago she likes to wrestle. . . .here we are wrestling in our bed.

Maddie upside down and loving it. . . .still makes me a little nervous!

Briella's dedication. . . .Pat is a proud godfather!

The Froh clan. . . .its tough to get 11 people to look in the same direction - especially when 3 of them are little ones! Oh well!

Maddie loved Briella's jumparoo. . . .so what does that mean?

We had to get her one of her own. . .she is a wild child in this thing! (Video to come soon)

Sunday was spent as OUR day. . .just the three of us. Both Pat and I feel that it is important to do that from time to time with how busy our lives have gotten lately. We have a few busy weekends coming up so we wanted to take the day to hang out together. I love this picture of Pat and Maddie!

More to come as the week continues. . .

Life Seems a Tad Slower. . . .

Thank goodness!! Now that the month of September is coming to an end I feel like things are slowing down some what. We are starting to get ourselves into a routine and don't feel as overwhelmed. Over the weekend I did have to work my first weekend shift. . . . .have not worked a weekend in a LONG time! I had mixed feelings about it, but after sitting there thinking about it, I realized that it was a good thing. So what if I am working on a Sunday, it gives me the opportunity to be with Maddie during the week vs daycare! And, on top of it all, I don't do it every weekend! It is a small price to pay to enjoy the system we have set up right now. PLUS. . . .since I was working on Sunday, Pat brought Maddie into the Y to swim - she LOVED it!!! I will admit, I was wishing I was in the water with them, but none the less, she had a great time! I think she may have been born with gills!

With how busy things have been, I didn't even realize what time of the month it was until I logged onto the blog today. . . .Maddie is almost 7 months old!!!! Is that possible??? Here are some new shots of our big girl as of recent. . . .

Hanging out with mom and her camera!

We headed to the Cedarburg wine and harvest festival over the weekend!

A tiny preview of what is to come on 10/31!!

Uncle Ryan & Aunt Kari made a surprise visit and helped feed Maddie! I love how she is staring at him! Probably thinking. . ."Uncle Ryan, that is MY food, don't try anything!"

A Summer-Like Weekend!

Morning -

What a beautiful weekend!!! With how busy things have been lately, Pat and I couln't wait for this weekend to be here! We couldn't have asked for better weather. . . .and we spent about 85% of our time outside! It was a great way to relax after a stress filled week last week, as well as prepare for another busy week this week. There is a light at the end of the tunnel though! This is my last week of classes/trainings, so things should start to slow down a little bit for us. Our weekend was filled with Tosafest (Wauwatosa's summer fesitval), walks and outdoor playing, and wrapped up with a trip to the zoo! It was a great weekend for us!

Us arriving at Tosafest - what a doll!

We took a break from walking around to catch the end of the Badger game!

Maddie and Daddy at Tosafest!

There was a variety of music playing so Pat danced with Maddie - she loved it!

A beautiful Sunday at the zoo. . .we compared Maddie to a baby monkey - pretty close in size!

Maddie and I checking out the cow exhibit!

Pat and Maddie watching the train go by. He got to know what it feels like to be pregnant for about an hour - I didnt feel bad for him one bit!

Checking out the goats at her level!

Teaching Maddie to cheer for the Packers before she went to bed last night!

A bath wraps up the weekend. Our bald little baby is starting to grow a little hair - check out her mini-mohawk! . . . .ok, very MINI!

Have a great week!

Only a Week Late . . . .

Morning -

Well, I am tad behind in getting the blog updated with how things have been going with the Froh family now that I am officially employed part-time! There are a flood of emotions that I have been going through over the past week which has in turn made the past week filled with a great deal of stress. . .I am not going to lie. I'm not going to sit here and say that the past week has been hell 100% of the time or anything, but it hasnt been rainbows and sunshines either. I like to think of myself as a very organized person, but even I need to step it up a notch now. Last Tuesday went well as Maddie was well behaved for Grandma Tammi. . . .gave her a good workout - an hour and a half walk around the neighborhood, thats my girl! My day at work flew by. . . .there were a few times throughout the day where I would wonder what Maddie was up to but that came to a quick stop as I was busy all day long! I doubt I will ever be able to report that I bored at my job. . . .thats awesome! Since Maddie is still nursing, I have to pack up the good ol' pump and haul that to work with me. So far it has been working out well, but it is an adjustment to say the least.

Wednesday I had to work as well and Maddie got her first taste at the daycare at the Y. I'm so happy that she is in the same building as me, however, that also means I can hear her when she cries. . . .that is heart breaking to say the least. I ended up going in there to get her as it was a tough adjustment for her. She will continue to go there on Wednesdays and I pray to God that it will start to get easier and easier for the both of us. Baby steps Jamie. . .baby steps. . . .

Life has been nuts lately which has left me laying in bed at night asking myself a flood of questions. . . .did I do that transaction right at work . . . .did Maddie get orajel before bed. . . .how am I going to find the strength to get through tomorrow . . . . .thoughts, fears, dreams . . . . .I wake up in the morning feeling the complete opposite of rested. I understand that this will be a work in progress for all of us. I definately appreciate more and more my quiet time . . . . .my me time. . . .and the few opportunites I take to put my head back and close my eyes if Maddie falls asleep on me.

This weekend was filled with anything but rest. . . .but that is life at the moment. It has taught me a few things recently. . . . #1) I would do anything for my daughter, and if that means staying up until midnight to get everything done so I can hang out with her the next day, then so be it. #2) My life partner is the best teammate I could ever ask for . . . .we are able to achieve anything together. #3) No one is ever going to understand what you are totally going through, accept it and move on #4) Take that hour to yourself and dont feel guilty about it!

There are some of my feelings and emotions poured into a long blog posting. . . .wont be the last time that happens. . . .

Here are a few shots from the weekend. . .

Maddie is starting to wrestle a bit (or so we call it). . .here is Maddie vs Giraffe

A little girls night. . .much needed!


Mmmm. . . .I love to eat!

An Alpha Sigma wedding rounds out the weekend. . . .

Here we go. . .

Morning,

Well, this week is it, my first "official" shift at the YMCA is tomorrow. I have quite a few emotions that I am feeling right now. Im sure that this is a tad premature, however, I feel a tad overwhelmed right now and it is only Monday. I'm trying to anticipate this weeks needs now so that we are not rushing around mid week. I keep telling myself that I just need to take a step back and roll with the punches, but this is me we are talking about here! I am excited to head into work tomorrow knowing that Maddie will be in good hands while I am away. Before I made the decision to stay home, I would honestly have a knot in my throat thinking about her going to day care. Im sure it was just a first time mom feeling, but I had a hard time shaking it. Im happy to report that I dont have that knot when thinking about tomorrow. Whenever I work, Maddie will be watched by my mom and Pat's mom which is a HUGE sense of relief! **Thanks in advance moms** The month of September is all over the board with my trainings and such, but I know that my obsession to plan ahead, as well as a good support system, that we will make it through like always.

In anticipation of our busy week this week, we spent the weekend relaxing for the most part. We ran some errands, got caught up on laundry, planned meals for the week, ironed clothing, etc . . . .but most importantly, spent some time kicking back just the 3 of us! It was fantastic!!

Maddie showed us once again how big she is getting! She is sitting up for long periods of time on her own, attempting a sippy cup (crazy, I know!), and spending a good amount of time keeping herself occupied.

Maddie sitting up on her own for a good 5 minutes!

I finally got her to look at me. . .she was busy playing! **Side note, not sure what the heck is on tv, but I swear we were watching TLC**

Maddie attempting water out of her sippy cup! She is starting to get the hang of it!

A cold Sunday. . . .and yes, she is in a sweatshirt on AUGUST 30th! Pat loved the hood up!

More to come later this week. . . .

Maddie's Pictures

Morning -

Maddie's pictures are posted on our photographer's website. . . .check them out!!!

http://www.spottswoodphotography.com/wordpress/?p=1355

We love using this couple, they are so much fun to work with!!!

Enjoy!

Jamie