Monday, May 14, 2012

Torn...

I am frequently torn…

between the creative, go with the flow and spontaneous side of me, and the organized, safe and simple one.
between wanting to be UBER productive, and desiring to seize the moment.
between being upfront about things, and being passive aggressive.
between seeing everyone's point of view, and standing strong on what I think.
between wanting to please everyone around me and doing what I want.

Sound like 2 different people? Nope, it's just one. Its me. And no, I am not bi polar! I am simply realizing that I have many different sides to myself that are brought out in different stages, situations and relationships. The tricky part, finding a balance to make up the general sum of who I am! Yep, I am still working on that one. Please help me if I ever stop :)




Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Life lately, Dittrich style!

Sooo…

Life has been pretty good lately, I can't really complain! There have been so many fun and treasured moments that I hope to never forget! Its crazy how life's 'fun moments' can change so much over the years. Sam and I met our freshman year of college, and what we considered fun then (not that we did anything that crazy) is so different than what we would love to do on a weekend now! I guess we really are growing old(er). 

Little miss Addie is already 5 months old! I cant believe it! Its bitter sweet because the newborn/ little baby stage is so precious but it is SO much fun getting to know her and watch her reach milestones! She is getting to be such a big girl!!



Updates for Addie:

-She is napping good in her crib 50-60% of the time (most of those times are when mom's home, sorry sam!)
-Taking 3 1 1/2- 2 hr naps a day
-Still sleeping like a champ all through the night! 
-Officially does not hate the car seat anymore, and actually WILL fall asleep or play quietly as we crank up the music and drive! YAY!!
-She is talking so much and laughing a lot too! It is the sweetest thing I have ever heard! (her thoughtful sounds makes my heart melt every time)
-She is still in 0-3 month clothes, but hoping to upgrade to 3-6 soon, I'm ready for some new clothing options!
-Officially (as of tomorrow) 100% switched to formula…bitter sweet
-Rolling over from tummy to back and working on repeating from back to tummy which she only did once a few weeks ago!
-Loving playing with Theo, where you find Addie, you will find him! They are such good pals already!
-She got Baptized on 4/22/12, and it was so very special :)


Baptism :)

I don't really have a whole lot else to reflect on/ say at the moment. As I said earlier, I feel like most things in life are just really good. It's really nice to finally feel that way :)

I've been waiting/ dreaming my whole life to be a mom, and it is so much more amazing than I could have ever imagined (not easier, just overall incredible!)

Loving life :)

Swimming for the first time! Loving her new froggy pool!

Loungin' in the "sun"

First softball game! Enjoying time with Grandma!

Showing off her big girl skills and holding her own bottle!


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Springtime bliss

Life seems to be moving along full speed ahead! I just want it to slow down a little bit so we can enjoy each and every moment of the day! Its a complete 180 from when I was pregnant, and I was just fine skipping ahead several months.

Recently, I have been getting scheduled 6 days one week and 0 days the next. Because I am a .6 now (6 scheduled shifts every 2 weeks) and my schedule is variable (they can schedule me when ever they wish, except my given every other weekend) I guess this is the trend I am going to have to work with! It is UNBELIEVABLY wonderful on the weeks I don't work… However, those jam packed weeks really get the best of me! Both me and (especially) Addie seem to go into shock being apart that first day or two back. It also seems nearly impossibly to get my "daily" and "weekly" stuff done. It seems like I do the bare minimum and BAM its 2:00 and time to start heading to work! Good thing I like my job :)

Life with miss Addison Joy lately have truly been a joy (corny but true). Her smiles, giggles, babbling, bubble blowing and thoughtful stares are so precious!



Addie conquered another Dr. appointment, and took about a week to get over the shots again :( She is weighing in small at 10 bs 13 oz (4th %) and 23.5 inches (23rd %) I was/ am always a bit worried that she is so gaining weight so slowly, but the Dr. assures us she is just petite and that she looks healthy!


She has now officially moved to her bedroom! Its sad not to have her in our room anymore, but it was time! It got really hard tiptoeing around in the bathroom/ bedroom when trying to get ready etc. So all in all, she will get better sleep (once she adjusts to her new crib) and we will be able to get ready without worrying about making a peep and waking her up! She is a sleeping champ at night, but we are still working hard at getting her to sleep well during her naps NOT IN OUR ARMS! We will get there, I have faith!


Easter was amazing! It always has been my favorite holiday! I of course love the meaning behind the celebration as well as the fact that it is NOT focused on gifts. I also love that it is usually sunny/ warm giving glimpses of spring and summer :) There is so much Joy wrapped up in the day!




I started training for the Twin Cities Marathon a couple weeks ago. I have only run small races, never longer than 6.5 miles…needless to say, I am quite nervous. However, I know that I am capable, I do enjoy running, and am really stoked to stretch myself mentally and physically for this race! So here we go! I will be running with a team from my church Team World Vision, raising money for various needs in Africa! In less than 7 months, I will have not only completed a life long goal to run a marathon, but will have the opportunity to make a difference in lives of others in need! Win Win! If you feel like donating, or finding out more about it, visit: http://support.worldvision.org/site/TR?team_id=37850&pg=team&fr_id=1640&et=kJxuBlJ_Req-V4yi64zSbg&s_tafId=19031

I CANNOT wait until summer :) I love the warmth of the sun, the warm breeze, the festivities it brings, and that I get to enjoy many firsts with Addie and our family!



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

It's all worth it!

Oh my little Addie, you are growing up so much!


She is growing up to be so strong, and everyday we get to see a little bit more of her personality! 3 and 1/2 months old and she is showing that she is a soft spoken, bashful, smiley/ joyful, yet determined sweet little one! She laughed for the first time this week with the help of her Grandpa! Oh and she LOVES her sleep… She is still taking five 1.5- 2 hr naps a day and sleeping 7-10 hours straight at night! It makes it hard to go out though because she will rarely sleep in her car seat (ya we are still working on that), so then she doesn't get her much needed naps in :( However, I am wondering how I got stuck with a husband, dog, and daughter who ALL love their sleep!? lol... I myself, do not share that passion!



We are loving every moment we get to spend with her! It's so much less stressful now that we feel like we finally "get the hang of it!"  She is especially enjoying her many hours of daddy and grandma time while mommy is at work! Its so neat to see her relationships grow with others!

Unfortunately, Addie is currently sick for the first time :( It breaks my heart to see her so congested, and feeling so sick…Hopefully this will be short lived and she will be feeling better soon :( In the meantime, hopefully lots of snuggles and kisses help her feel better...

The weather is so gorgeous!!! I am so thankful we did not have to deal with a bad winter and a newborn! I was scared of having to deal with the roads, cold, etc…but it looks like we had it quite easy! Now onward to walks outside, swimming, and adorable summer clothes for the little one! We are going to try and soak up every bit of summer this year as a family, and not forget/ put aside the things we love to do!



Side note: Things that are good, are true, and are right…well, they are worth fighting for. It is worth giving of yourself, your selfish thoughts, ways and desires. It is all worth it, and in the end thats what matters. Trying your heart out to let the important things in life (relationships, morals, others, truth) remain a priority.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Still thoughts...

As I lay here with my daughter sleeping oh so soundly on me (really the only way she sleeps good during the day) I am forced to reflect in the silence of our home.


I am feeling guilty for how crabby I have been all day, and I can't even tell you why I have been crabby, because I have no clue! I wish I could've snapped out of it so I could've enjoyed some time with my husband (who was gone all weekend)

 I am also continuing to remind myself of what life is all about. I mean the nitty gritty stuff, the sole of our existance. It's most certainly not the day to day stuff I stress about. It is bigger than that, so much bigger! However, we do have a choice in what we do with the small moments of each day. Those things build up who we are and what we will become. I just wish that could ring louder in my ear when I get all caught up in the day to day stuff and remind me what I should refocus my attention on!

If we ever stop learning or desiring to grow, that is when we should fear for ourselves. Instead, let us try our little hearts out each day to be more like Him, and live how we know we should.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Adjustments...

Whelp, we are doing it… we are adjusting to the new routines and ways of life without momma around 24/7!

Its been almost 3 weeks since I went back to work...and yes, we did survive, and are even starting to thrive! It takes a little (ok, a lot) of letting go, and help to not miss her so much, but we are doing it! The many pictures sent to me through the evening as well as knowing there are such good people (Sam and my mom) taking care of her make it possible! I just love my little girl so much my heart literally hurts every time I think about her! When I am home, it makes every moment with her that more special. I appreciate it even more now, and am very blessed to now only work a .6 (24 hrs a week) 

Momma time :)

On another note, we can proudly say little Addie has hit 10 lbs as of yesterday! We are so excited because her weight gain has been a slight worry since birth. She dropped more than usual after birth, was very dehydrated and very jaundiced. Since then, has had trouble (most weeks) making that growth curve actually move upward! However, I know I shouldn't worry so much, and that she will be just fine I'm sure… She is just showing us she is a slow grower and very petite!

Getting so much stronger!!
Brother/ sister love! Its so cute to see them interact!
For 2 nights in a row, we have gone 7 hours, yes, 7 HOURS between feedings at night!!!! I can't believe it, and really hope it lasts a little while! I actually didn't even mind waking up once a night (usually between 4-5) because we would both go back to sleep until 8 or sometimes 9! But hey, Ill take the "sleeping through the night" as long as she will give it to us!

Have I mentioned how blessed we are to be living where we are? Our house situation may have been/ is horrible and not fun, but we didn't expect (or deserve) to be blessed with such a great place to live now once we go out of there! Wow! God is good!

Other random facts about Addie/ life with Addie: she HATES the car and her car seat. She cries (and sometimes screams continuously) every time she has to go in the car for about 10-15 minutes. It is so sad! However, she does LOVE music, and sometimes I just need to crank it up and once she lets it, it seems to sooth her. Hopefully this hate does not last forever, and is just a phase. (fingers crossed)

Finally relaxed and dozing off in the car!
Until next time…. :)

Thursday, February 9, 2012

My little Addie...

My little girl is 2 months and 1 week old now! Oh how the time flies! It is crazy how fast each day, week, and month goes by… I am trying to keep the moments within those days/ weeks/ months to go by so slowly though! Got to soak up every minute/ stage with this little girl of ours! I love how her personality is starting to come out, it is so exciting!


-She is a definite cuddler, and if it was up to her, she would be wrapped around my shoulder or curled up in someone's arms 24/24 hours in the day. I so am grateful for this!
-She is a sleeper, and is still only awake for about 30 minutes after each feeding.


-She likes 1 on 1 time when playing, and thats when she will really get to talking/ smiling!
-She does a mood 180 in like 2.2 seconds. She is either super happy or ready to eat/ sleep. There is NO in-between.
-She knows exactly what she wants, and is very strong in letting you know that!
-She has mischievous little smiles quite frequently, letting us know she's up to no good ;)


-She continues to be an active little bugger, and has been able to scoot across her crib for about a month now!

-Her neck and legs are getting so strong and her eyes so focused…bring on the play time!

It is also so neat watching her and her 'big brother" Theo interact! Theo has been great with her from day 1... He is so protective of her and always wants to be right by her side. She is starting to notice him now too, starring at him, and reaching out to touch him.


I am going back to work tomorrow. I am of course nervous and sad... but I am also anxious to get it over with…I think the anticipation of it is worse than the reality of how it will be. Onward to create a new routine! (just when we were starting to get things figured out)


On another note, my best friend has set the date for her wedding! (Sept 1st) and I am so excited to be along the ride with her on this exciting journey! I couldn't be more happy for her and her fiance! Yay for LOVE!


…and she has just informed me its eating time for her, so it's time to go!