As 2009 comes to an end

As I'm sitting her at work (no worries, I'm on my lunch break), I'm reflecting on 2009 and what a year of change this has been. We welcomed the new addition to our family, Ms. Sophie Elizabeth, but we've also had to adapt to being parents. Let me tell you, this has NOT been easy for me. I fear change :) Working and being a mommy is VERY difficult! I know it will get easier as she gets older (I've seen how my sister is with my nephew and she's been a great role model for me), but that was the hardest thing to have to adapt to. I hate sending her there everyday and missing out on all the cute things she does. Even though I get her at home, it's usually eat, bath, and then bedtime. I don't feel like I get enough time. It's not even the fact that I have to work, it's the fact that I have a long and stressful commute to and from work. An hour in the morning, sometimes longer in the evening because of rush hour traffic. PLUS I have to worry, is there going to be a wreck? What if I don't pick her up on time? Who wants their child at daycare 9, 10 hours a day? That's hard!

I've been pretty stressed out this year. Financially it's been the most difficult year we've encountered. You throw daycare dues on top of that and I feel like we should be driving a Mercedes because of how much we pay a month. Juggling being a mom, a wife, and an employee is very difficult. This has been the most difficult part for me. I'm working on it. I can't say that I've been the happiest person at times, but I've always put on a smiley face for my daughter. I don't want her to see her mommy unhappy.

With that being said, I'm turning over a new leaf for 2010. No more being stressed (well a little stress is ok and I can't help that I get road rage). I'm going to try to take things in stride. I can't change the traffic situation so I'm going to have to learn how to grin and bear it. Ideally I would love to move closer to my job (would L-O-V-E to move from Summerville) but I'm not optimistic that we will be able to sell our house. We can try, you can always try, I'm just saying with 2 dogs and a baby, how the heck are we (1) going to keep in clean and (2) show it with the dogs around? I'm just being realistic here. We probably should have moved before we had a baby but why think about that now? Oh yeah, plus the housing market was crap before I got pregnant.

So de-stress my life. I can't keep getting upset over every little thing. It'll be hard but I'm going to give it a whirl. The other part of my New Years Resolution is to stay positive. Things don't always work out like we plan (if you're a Miller then things NEVER work out as planned). One day we will be able to sell our house, it may just not be this year. BUT we can start fixing it up, right Ricky??? Instead of always talking about doing things... LET'S DO IT!!

2010 is going to be the year of the upswing. We're going to get back on track, be happy, and stay healthy.

2010 is also the year of the half marathon. I'm still doing it, no backing down for me!! Training is going well, I drag my butt out of bed at 4:15 in the morning about 3 days a week to run and workout. I'm up to 5 miles and need to be at 6.2 in 2 weeks. Riverfront Race Festival, 10k, January 16th!!

I'm happy that 2009 brought me Sophie, but I'm looking forward to watching her grow in 2010! Ricky and I will be celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary, and I'll be turning 30! We have lots of things to look forward to. I can't wait to get Sophie on the boat or to the beach. She's going to be such a little beach baby.

Happy New Year's to all friends and family. I hope 2010 brings everyone health and happiness!

Sophie's 1st Christmas

Finally home and we've celebrated Christmas with all the families. Sophie's 1st Christmas was so much fun and very special. She got a ton of presents, lots of clothes and some really cool toys! Christmas Eve we drove to Stanley, NC and spent the day and night with my family. Then on Christmas Day we spent the day with my parents in Charlotte. Today we drove home and had Christmas with Ricky's family at Maegan and Doug's house. Needless to say we are all super tired but had a wonderful time. I can't wait till next year. I mean she loved the presents but was very intrigued with the wrapping paper. 2010 is going to be a great year with her getting older and learing so much everyday!

Braved the Bridge

Yesterday I ran the Cooper River Bridge with my friends Pam and Nikki. It was about 40 degrees and windy as hell but we braved the elements and kicked butt! Ran for 5 miles total (2.5 up and down and then another 2.5 back). Time was about 58 minutes or so and I only stopped once to walk for about a minute.

So proud that I did this. Makes me much more confidant to run the 10k in a few weeks. Needless to say I have a blister the size of Texas on my right foot (the instep). So before I can venture out I need to let this heal and then figure out how to prevent blisters while running. I seem to get them often, first on my heels, and now that the skin is all toughed up I'm getting them on my toes and other areas. I think it's the socks..... Good thing Ricky's not a foot guy because I'm going to need a heavy duty pedicure before it's time to wear flops again.

More Mommy and Sophie

Just a few more pictures of Sophie and me from Thanksgiving Day (credit goes to Maegan Bell, thanks Maegan!).

Mommy and Sophie

Just wanted to share this picture of me and Sophie on Thanksgiving Day (taken by my sister-in-law, Maegan).

6 Months Old!

Tomorrow, December 12th, Sophie will be 6 months old! I know I say this every time but I still can't believe how fast time goes. Today Sophie had her 6 month well baby check up and she's doing awesome. 14 lbs 13 oz (30th percentile for weight) and 26 inches long (75th percentile for height).

She's sitting up all by herself (only wobbles a little bit) and she's getting better at it everyday. Actually when I lie her down to play she'd rather be sitting and tried to pull herself up into sitting position. She's grabbing things left and right, loves to touch different textures. Food. Let's see, she's eating veggies, fruit, and cereal now. She usually has cereal in the morning and evening and then fruit and veggies for lunch and dinner. Fruits, loves them all. Not too fond of squash and HATES peas, although we're going to work with her on that and see if we can change her mind.

So we're still waiting for a tooth to pop up. You can see the teeth in her gums, they're right there top and bottom! Just can't seem to get one to cut. She's been a tad on the fussy side that last week or so but luckily it hasn't affected her sleeping.....yet. At the doctor today, he predicts that the bottom right tooth will be the one to come up first (that's just a guess, but he says it looks close). Maybe she'll get her two (or four) front teeth for Christmas :)

I have been very slack about pictures lately. Ricky was out of town three days this week so I was doing the single mom thing. It's tough!! Anyway, I'll be sure to post some pictures this weekend. Oh and Saturday night is the first night without Sophie. We're going to Ricky's company Holiday Party and she's staying with her Aunt Amy. So nervous but I know she's in good hands. Big step for the mommy!!