Introducing SW2

Hello Friends!

I'm not usually one to make New Year's resolutions, but I recently decided that I really miss blogging and have therefore resolved to start it back up again if for no other reasons than a) to be able to say that I have at least one hobby (to appease my husband who thinks I desperately need one) and b) to look back on it someday and share it with my family.

But who are we kidding? A new blog post after such a long hiatus can really only mean one thing: Genevieve is going to be a big sister! I'm 13 weeks along, due July 23. Apparently, nothing - not even living halfway across the country from each other for a year - can keep this family from growing! We are slightly surprised, extremely blessed, and beyond excited for our new addition. We can't wait to see G in action as a big sister!

In other news, Jonathan is in the home stretch of his 4th and final year of podiatry school. He has completed month-long rotations in Tampa, Long Island, Newark, D.C., and Brooklyn. G and I visited him while he was in Long Island and had an amazing time. Jonathan barely escaped Superstorm Sandy when he came home to visit us for Halloween (hint: 9 months from July). Hence, some of the nickname ideas for baby #2 have been Sandy, Hurricane baby, and Halloweenie (my favorite). For now, I think we'll go with SW2, short for Sugar Weenie 2.

Jonathan was able to come home for a week over New Year's and is now back in Jacksonville, FL until the end of March. April and May are still TBD for him. Graduation is at the end of May; we'll move in June; and SW2 will grace us with his or her presence in July. In case you're wondering, we're keeping this one a surprise too! And yes, Jonathan is still stuck on Bruce for a boy name. Ug! Will someone please give us a pet named Bruce so we can be done with this nonsense already?! (No offense to all the Bruces out there.)

Genevieve is 19 months old - unbelievable. She LOVES to dance, especially to Usher, Mariah Carey, and Maroon 5. She is working on her ABC's and can get to the letter P with help...I'm a proud mama! She still doesn't sleep through the night, but that's really my only complaint. She's pretty awesome.

Here's G and uncle Dominic practicing the ABC's

As for me, I finished up an internship with the United Way in December and am continuing my other three jobs with Edward Jones, Majestic Treasures, and Kohl's, all of which I enjoy in different ways. We said goodbye to my mom's dad, Poppa Tom, on December 1. He was 74 and ultimately died from pneumonia. He will be greatly missed and I'm sad that G won't remember him, but it gives me comfort knowing he's finally at peace.

Big Changes in the Rouse House

Hello, friends! It has been waaaaay too long since I've posted anything. Genevieve is finally down for a nap but I don't have much time. She's not the best sleeper...she'd much rather play. We've experienced a whole lot of changes in the past couple of months, beginning with Genevieve and I moving back to Nebraska in March. Jonathan started his 4th year of podiatry school which consists of seven different rotations, all on the East coast (see schedule below). For many reasons (financial, logistical, my sanity, etc.), it just made sense for G and I to move back home for the year. We're living with my parents and four of my younger siblings. Needless to say, it's a very busy household! Genevieve is loving all the attention from my family as well as Jonathan's. It's good to be home, but we miss Jonathan like crazy. We make sure to Skype every night. Genevieve still hasn't quite figured it out - she tries to touch his beard on the screen like she does in real life. It's the sweetest thing ever.

G at 11 1/2 months

Since our move on March 22, I've managed to stay busy with various things, but mostly just being a mom. I'm loving every minute I get to spend with my sweet Genevieve. Her favorite activities are babbling, scrunching her nose, shaking her head 'no', and walking! She took her first steps about three weeks ago and is getting more sturdy every day. It's so fun to watch! She is such a joy and I'm savoring this precious time I get to spend with her before I have to start working again. Which brings me to the job update...

I've been given three awesome job opportunities and decided to pursue all three. For the past two months, I've been working a few hours a week at Majestic Treasures Consignment Store & Gift Shoppe in downtown Grand Island. It's super fun and I love it! On May 30, I'll be starting my training for a part-time position with Edward Jones which I'm very excited about. I'm also going to work a few hours a week for a local State Farm agent, Lisa Willman; let me know if you need any insurance...she can hook you up! My hope is that with the amazing flexibility all of these jobs offer, Genevieve and I will be able to visit Jonathan more often and for longer periods of time.

Right now, we're visiting Jonathan in Treasure Island, Florida while he completes his rotation in Tampa. We arrived last Thursday night and leave on Monday, May 28. Jonathan works all day during the week, but we get the weeknights and two full weekends to spend as a family. It's the first time we've been together in seven weeks! So far, our visit has been wonderful. More details to come later.

...And she's awake. Already.

My AZ friends, I miss you all very much!!!

Side note: Don't be fooled. This actually took me 3 days to finish. Babies are great but they make it almost impossible to get anything done!

Here's Jonathan's schedule for the next year:

May - Tampa, FL

June, July, August - Jacksonville, FL

September - Long Island, NY

October - Newark, NJ

November - Washington, D.C.

December - Brooklyn, NY

January, February, March - Jacksonville, FL

April - ???

May - Graduation, moving to TBD residency location, and anniversary trip: 

WE'RE GOING TO VEGAS, BABY!!!

June - 3 year residency begins 

Giggly, Wiggly, Busy Baby G

Where has the time gone?! Last year at this time we had just announced our pregnancy, and now our sweet little Sugar Weenie is 6 months old! And my oh my is she busy! Since my last update, Miss Genevieve has found her voice (she's loud and "talks" non-stop just like her daddy), learned to scoot (on Thanksgiving day), slept through the night 3 times (woot woot!), and learned how to play peek-a-boo (cutest thing ever). She continues to amaze us with how much she develops each day. We are so very thankful for all the joy and wonder she has brought to our lives.

Here's a cute video of Genevieve and Daddy playing with Snoop and Sasha on Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

4 Month Update & Bathtime Fun

Time for an update!

September 1st was a big day for Genevieve. It was her first day at daycare (and Mommy's first day back to work); she had her first giggles for Mommy and Daddy; and she was so tuckered out from the day's activities that she put herself to sleep in her crib for the first time! She loves daycare and is such a happy baby. The whole putting herself to sleep thing was apparently only a one-time deal. But that's ok with me - she's growing up too fast the way it is! She rolled over once by accident a couple weeks ago (her wobbly little head propelled her right over onto her back), but she hasn't done it since. I'm sure she'll be rolling all over the place soon enough.

Genevieve's favorite things to do at 4 months old:

• smiling
• taking baths
• blowing bubbles
• drooling
• riding in the car
• going for walks
• grabbing things, especially Mommy's hair
• interacting with her doggies

Lessons from a New Mom

Now that I've been a mom for almost three months, I feel as though I'm finally getting the hang of it. The first few weeks were a huge transition, but I have loved everything about this new adventure called parenthood.

A few things I've learned:

1. A daily shower is a luxury, not a necessity.

2. Make sure you're fully clothed before leaving the house. (Since I'm nursing, I often have one or both of my tank top straps down past my bra and sometimes I forget to pull it back up. A few weeks ago, I took Genevieve on a walk and realized that one of my tank top straps was still down, thus exposing half of my bra to the whole neighborhood. Luckily they were both white that day, so I don't think it was too noticeable. On the other hand, my neighbors probably think I'm a crazy person for laughing hysterically at myself in the middle of the street.)

3. Gone are the days of wrinkle-free laundry for a while. Good thing Jonathan doesn't mind. He's lucky if he has clean clothes right now, let alone fresh-out-of-the-dryer clothes.

4. Baby poop makes me happy. Not that I like it, but if it means that Genevieve is getting plenty to eat and is not constipated, bring it on!

5. It's possible to fall more in love with your baby every time you look at her.

Happy Girl in the Morning

This is what we get to wake up to each morning. It doesn't get much better than this! If you listen closely, you'll hear a cough-toot, one of Genevieve's many talents. :)

Our Sweet Baby Girl

Sweet baby Genevieve's newborn photos are below for those of you who haven't seen them yet. I love all the different expressions she made...she was really working the camera! These pictures were taken at 17 days old. It's crazy to think that she's already 9 weeks old! Each day with her is truly a gift from God.