The WEDDING

My sister got married...Proud Daddy...

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Sturhahn!

More pics from the wedding. Meghan got married at Star of the Sea Church in Bremerton on Saturday, February 2 at 12 noon. Father Cihak was the celebrant.

Ready to go...

Saturday morning, February 2, at 430 AM the girls all went to the hair salon to get their up-dos and have the bride get her make-up on....they all looked beautiful and they were so thankful it hadn't snowed!! They were ready to go and the gorgeous limo took them to the church!

First round of pics...

Ok, so I am slowly getting pics organized from my sister Meg's wedding and events. Here are the pics, some getting all the favors ready, getting the GORGEOUS lillies delivered...the rehearsal and dinner, the fun ladies day at the spa salon for manicures and pedicures, food & bubbly....Friday night pizza dinner at the little clubhouse by my parents house, and the bridesmaids all putting their hair in rags and getting the dresses ready....

Good sign...

Well, after a long weekend...I ended up getting a fever and horrible sore throat...went to the doctor to find out I had nothing, just something viral. But today am feeling much better....and Angel took her usual two and a half hour nap for the first time in over a week!! It was wonderful!! So hopefully this is a sign that she is feeling better, that maybe she will sleep tonight in her own bed and that the sicky tides are turning!!

First "legal" drink....

My sister Caitlin finally was able to sit in the "adult" section of Applebees and ordered her first legal drink....I think she enjoyed it!! However, after trying a couple shots, I think she has decided to stick to the fruity drinks instead.....love you sis!

Too much of a good thing....

So I have definetly realized that as wonderful as the past month has been with all kinds of family and friends visiting and the fun events we have been participating in with wedding plans etc, that when you have two girlies under the age of two departing from their schedule is NOT a good thing. It has really been a roller coaster since Emma was born. We had the holidays and trying to adjust to two kids and a new little baby...then we had bridal shower and company...then Emma's baptism and more company...then all the wedding festivities. Thursday night at the rehearsal dinner I should have seen Angel's motor starting to run down. She woke up that night several times which she barely ever does anymore....and along with her nice little blue-purple eye from a fall, her eyes were looking so tired and run down. Saturday morning at the church getting ready she only wanted mommy and was so fussy....I should have known she wasn't feeling good...but just thought she was only tired and overwhelmed. You can tell from the wedding pictures that the poor kid was NOT herself. So Sunday night when we finally came home, I took her temperature and she had a fever....this continued all week with a BAD runny nose. At least she is good at letting us suction the yuckies out. But the severe cold made it hard for her to breathe so she was "sleeping" with mommy a lot in bed and would not go down for her naps which she usually does for 2-3 hours. (Man, how I have realized how much those nap times make a big difference for mommy as well!) Friday I finally took her in to the doctor becasue things were nto getting better....and the cold had caused an ear infection. Poor baby, but she wasn't even acting like her ear hurt. The doctor was amazed that she hadn't been into the doctor's yet (which he realized shortly because she screamed thru the whole visit)...and said being around so many people probably caused the cold which then turned into the ear infection, but luckily we got it before it got too bad. So she started medicine and I am hoping maybe SOON will be able to get some sleep by herself!! Luckily, Emma has been just fine so far...I am sure nursing helps wtih that though too. So while I thought this week would be a week to get back to "normal" and rest up some....I am hoping beyond hope that this next week might bring us some relief...these are definetly times I am grateful to be Catholic and I can try and offer up all these little "sufferings"....

(I will try and get wedding pics up soon....)

Happy 21st Birthday Caitlin!!!

My sister, Caitlin, turns 21 today!! Hard to believe....we miss you so much when you are away at school and so glad we at least get to see you quite frequently during the year. You bring us so much happiness and laughter. You have such a generous and caring spirit and I know you always there for us. I hope you have a fun and happy birthday and know that we love you so very much!! (I remember having my birthday fall on Ash Wednesday...hope you celebrated last night...hehe :)) Here are some fun pics throughout your years to look at!

We miss you already Meme and Pepe

My grandparents, Meme and Pepe, came before Emma was baptized and stayed thru my sister's wedding. They had to leave to go back to Florida this Monday. We loved spending time with them and letting the girls get to know their great-grandparents. Pepe made a beautiful bookcase for Angelica and Angel got very good at saying their names. We miss you so much and here are some pics from you visit.....hopefully we can see you again soon!

Aunt Alli loves her girls...

Emma at 2 months...

Emma just had her two month check yesterday (a little late because the last two appointments were cancelled due to snow). She weighed in at 11 pounds 8 ounces (75%), 23 1/4 inches long (75%) and head 41 cm (95%)...must be the smart brains. She is a healthy little girl!!

Our Angel...

Thanks Joanie for this beautiful photo. It was great having you stay with us for the wedding....your visit was WAY TOO SHORT!!! Miss you already.

Sorry.....so busy!

I know a lot of folks have wondered where I have been. let's just say, it has been a crazy couple of weeks, fun but busy!! After Emma's baptism, my in-laws were here for a week, and my grandparents were here, then my sister Megs came home from NYC. She just got married this past Saturday!! So with all the last minute to do lists, and family and friends coming in and the week of wedding events, we stayed busy!! My two little ones were a bit overwhelmed with all the people and places and irregular schedules. But they are troopers.....however, Angel girl decided that she would get her first boo-boo the week of the wedding.....she crashed and burned over a toy and hit her eye on her chair. The lovely multi-colored bruise blended not so nicely with her pretty blue flower girl dress. oh well. She also now has a low grade fever since Sunday night.....and a horrible runny nose. Hoping it is just a virus and cold and she can get better soon.....not sleeping well because she can't breathe, which means mommy isn't sleeping so well either. Emma had her two month check yesterday and got shots so she isn't very happy right now either.....but hopefully once the kiddies feel better, we can start to get to a new normal around here. I feel like it has been one big roller coaster since Emma was born, so it will be nice to create some sort of schedule again. Sorry to all of those that I haven't got back to yet....I WILL.

Baptism Day

Our sweet little Emma Catherine was baptized on Sunday, January 13th at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Bremerton, WA. My dad, "Poppy", is the godfather, and Jason's mom, "Grammy", is the godmother. We were so happy that so many friends and family could be with us to help celebrate our newest member of the Church. It was a beautiful day here in WA and we enjoyed every second of it with everyone. Thanks to all who celebrated with us, especially Meme and Pepe for coming from FL and Mom and Dad Hartsell for coming from VA. Also, thanks to everyone for the prayers on Emma's special day!! Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for her.

Sweetness

Pretty outfit from Sophie...

We miss you Grammy and Grandpa!!

Jason's parents were able to fly out here from Virginia to be with us for Emma's baptism. Grammy is Emma's godmother. It was so nice to have them here for the week. We mostly relaxed and enjoyed all of the cooking mom did when she was here!! Glad she left me the recipes and leftovers!! We enjoyed playing games, going out to eat, and having the girls get to know their grandparents...hope to see you again soon!! (will get pics of the Baptism up soon I hope!)

Two months old!

Hard to believe Emma is already two months old and getting so big!! We love you sweet girl!

Happy Birthday Lauren!!

Our niece, Lauren, turns 6 today!! Happy Birthday sweetie....we hope to see you soon!

Happy Birthday Mamasan!!

My grandmother, Mamasan, would have turned 86 today. She passed away in 2005. We miss you Mamasan so much...especially the special memories:

-those back rubs down our spines you would give

-the after dinner walks

-the special Irish names you gave us, mine the Irish Shamrock

-the smell of your English Muffin bread

-freshly squeezed orange juice

-helping you pick your fresh herbs

-watching you ballroom dance

-watching you put on your bright lipsticks

-your listening ear and encouraging words

-your very contagious laugh and smile

...so much more and missing the times I could go lay my head on your lap and close my eyes and feel so safe and loved. I am grateful and blessed to have had so much time to spend with you and so many wonderful memories to reflect on and share!! We miss and love you!

Motherhood....

While I was checking my favorite blogs today, I was reading the ongoing conversation and discussion that has been going on between Danielle Bean and Dr. Greg Popcak. Very interesting, to read click here. I totally agree with Danielle Bean and if you go to her site here, you can read more about the ongoing discussion. As a new mother, I have personally (along with my husband), wrestled with all the decisions about raising children brings. Do we vaccinate or not? Do we co-sleep or not? Do we let them cry? Do we breastfeed and for how long? etc. There is so much information and research and OPINIONS out there, it starts to get overwhelming. After doing much of our own, I agree with Danielle that in the end you take it all in, assimilate it the best you can and for your family and each individual child decide what works for you. I have gotten quite insecure sometimes in my decisions when pressure from others starts to contradict and explain why they disagree with your decision. It started to make me feel like I wasn't making the right choice or that I was putting my child in some sort of danger or "second best" environment. In the end though, I realize that we have to be comfortable with the decisions we make as parents for our children. As long as they are healthy and holy ones. As long as they are not neglected in any way, I believe children flourish in all different environments and families and none are "better" than the others because they have chosen one certain way of raising them. Danielle's responses came as a breath of fresh air to me and really gave me some good things to reflect upon. AP and strict ecological breastfeeding are not for everyone....not even ALL catholics and I don't think they should be made to feel that way, which is how Dr. Popcak comes across to me. After all, I wouldn't have my sweet little Emma if I had followed his advice!! I say, take what you want and create the family and child rearing system that works for you.....I don't think my girls have "suffered" or not received the best care by our decisions.....thus far!

Elegant Eggnog Dessert

I made this for Christmas dessert and it was yummy....click on picture for recipe. It is more of a pudding than a cheesecake when you serve it....but it even worked for Jesus' birthday cake....enjoy!

Emma pics...

This week, she will focus on us and SMILE!! Already getting so big!

Already dressing alike....

Baby acne....

Well, just like her big sister, Emma has started to get the dreaded baby acne. I feel I need to tell people that when they see her as to ease any thoughts of some weird disease she might have....poor baby. So to all your moms out there.....any tips and tricks to help fight this lovely little stage of babyhood??

Good but sad memories....

Today would have been the 55th wedding anniversary for my Mamasan and PopPop. They were blessed and fortunate to celebrate 52 years together before Mamasan passed away. PopPop is lonely without her but glad to with family members to help remember the good and special memories. I only hope I will be as fortunate to share such a long and happy marriage with my husband. I am so lucky to have two sets of grandparents who were able to celebrate 50+ years together. Here's to you Mamasan and PopPop!!

Happy New Year

If you had told me last year that we would have another little one ringing in this new year, I would have said you are crazy. Now that Emma is here I cannot imagine starting 2008 any other way!! We hope that all of you have a healthy and happy new year...with all the surprises and blessings it will bring!!

Emma's video debut...

...with some interruptions and stolen lime light from the big sis...of course!!

Meghan's Bridal Shower

Yesterday we had my sister's Pampered Chef Bridal Shower. She gets married in February but this was the only time she was home from NYC until the wedding. Thanks to Maria and Theresa for all your hard work!! It was a lot of fun...please don't laugh (TOO HARD) at the silly song we did for my sis!!

Our counter girl...

Emma gets changed a lot on the counter...and she always seems to enjoy laying there and looking around...silly girl!