Life as of now

I can't believe Amalie is 9 weeks old ! She is getting so big, every morning I wake up and feel as if she has grown so much overnight. Everyday she is discovering something new, making new sounds, smiling a ton, and bringing so much joy to our little family. Life is truly crazy around our house but I wouldn't have it any other way. Being a wife, a mother, a student and an employee takes a toll on me from time to time but I try to live day by day and be thankful for this time in my life.

I day dream frequently about a year from now... two years from now,.... a time where Chad and I will hopefully have full time jobs with weekends off, a house of our very own ( I don't care how small it might be or how run down) something to call our own! I can't wait to fill it with love and energy and watch our little girl grow up ! I can't wait to paint the walls (without having to paint them white again) I can't wait to have a sandbox in the backyard, to have a garden to plant vegetables, flower boxes outside the windows, an art room to encourage creativity and spend countless hours crafting my heart out, a kitchen to cook together, a dining room to sit around the table and share a meal with my family and friends, a fireplace to cuddle up next to in the winter... just thinking about the day when we get to look for our "First House" seriously warms my heart.

To make this possible Chad and I are trying to be really frugal with our money and save save save so we will be able to get to where we want to be. WE want to be debt free when we go out looking for a house and have a decent amount saved for a down payment. We will have student loans probably for as long as we live but besides those and paying off our hospital bill (giving birth is expensive !) we don't want to have payments each month hindering us from buying a house. Once our tax return comes our way we will have no outstanding debt ! I coupon religiously, we share one car, and do what we can to cut costs, but still our situation right now (being in school and only working part time) we spend all our money each month on rent and utilities about 1,350 ! So Alas we have made the decision to not renew our lease in May and make the move to house with the inlaws in their spare room. We understand it's not the most ideal situation..... it's not going to be overly comfortable (I have serious space issues) and it may feel like a step back instead of a step forward. We are both ready to make the sacrifice for more long term goals. A HOUSE! We hope to stay there until Chad graduates( a little under a year) hopefully we last that long, we will see how everything goes.... In this time we are going to continue to save all we make in hopes of getting a house.......

Amalie's stats from her 2 month check up today

Weight: 11lbs 12 oz 74 percentile
Height: 24 inches 94 percentile
Head: 15 1/2 inches 64 percentile

she did really good with all her shots, 3 pokes and an oral vaccine ! A lot of crying at first but I had brought a bottle so we fed her and she calmed right down, and has been sleeping all day long ! hoping she doesn't wake up middle of the night and ready to play.... fingers crossed for a repeat from last night. She slept 10pm-6:30 am then feeding and slept until 8:30 !

Also Chad and I are on weight watchers, it has been really great. I have never needed to diet before so this is kind of new but I have 28lbs to loose to get back to my pre pregnancy weight. ( Yes I gained a TON!) so dieting is a must ! I have lost 8 lbs and so has Chad. I worked out for the first time since Amalie was born and no words can explain how out of shape I am.... only huffs and puffs.

Well Amalie is starting to stir... we might not be so lucky with a good nights rest tonight.