Well hello old friend...

Yes you.

My little ol' blog.

I've been negleting you as of lately, and for that I am sorry. Life just gets busy doesn't it?! And finding time to blog? Well, that just sometimes goes out the window. Bravo to all you out there who post daily. I am in awe.

The problem with getting off track on my little blog world here is the vast openness that sits in front of me when I finally do find time to sit down to write...where to begin?

So much has happened, so little has happened. Changes, updates, goals, fears, highs, lows...I want to get them all down on "paper" here, but then at times days pass and I find it hard to find the words to start. How will I remember years from now the week that she finally started tolerating food with chunks? or started taking her first legitimate crawls? Will I remember the wonderful challenge it is to got out to eat with a 10 month old? Or how lovely that over-due dinner gathering with girlfriends was? I hope that I will. Many times I'm certain these memories will be prompted and enhanced with the help of photos...one of the many, many reasons why I'm so thankful for my camera. And so, life as of lately. In pictures.

One is never enough.

...particularly when it comes to toys.

What dinners out look like now:

and ultimately end up like this when she gets tired of sitting by herself.

My messy eater.

Don't let this smile fool you...

She may look dainty, but this girl can make a mess with the best of them.

A weekend with family.

Cute boys in boots. Oh, and a red door...love.

Playing with the big kids...

Queen of Hearts? Nope, Go Fish!

True love...reinspired.

Spent said weekend with family tinkling these gorgeous ivories. No, not ours. My auntie's, and it plays just as beautiful as it looks. I am determined to play more now... it was rather depressing to pick up pieces that used to be effortless to find them, well...difficult.

Total adoration.

Her adoration for him. His adoration for Nick...waiting and watching for him to come home.

First crawls.

...that remind me quite a bit of this little friend when she first began crawling

You can't tell as much from these pictures, but Charlotte has the funniest little hook-leg crawl is so similar to Addy Mae's initial crawls. Quite cute.

Sharing.

For some reason, when the toy belongs to someone else it is SO much cooler.

So good to spend time with you tonight my friend. Let's do it more often.

But next time...don't be so annoying with the formatting. AAAgh.

GUESS where we are going???!

Here's a hint...

Paris, France!!

I can hardly believe it. For what seems like forever, I have wanted to go to Paris. I contemplated studying abroad in college...even took a year of French in hopes of getting there...and now, the most perfect opportunity has presented itself!

Nick's mom is going to live there for about 4 months (a dream of hers!) and will be renting a little apartment in downtown Paris. Soooo, with a free place to stay, airline miles, and the additional help of some extra miles from my special Auntie...there was no way we could pass up this opportunity and are booked for next January.

Three tickets.

That's right, we'll be traveling across the globe with a one and a half year old. Call us crazy...maybe we are...but I'm choosing to look at this as an exciting adventure for our little family. People do it all the time right??!

Oh my word are we ever excited!

So here's the thing...

There are easy weeks, and there are hard weeks.

This week fell in the category of the latter above described weeks.

And it's hard, because for me I want my blog to focus on all the wonderful and truly meaningful aspects of our lives. I don't want to write about the days that are tough...the times there are tears...or the struggles I feel.

But then again, maybe I do?

Because if this is truly my outlet for sharing our life, to "document life and to reflect" as my bio says...when I reflect, there is no denying the fact that this week was tough. And I do think in sharing, and reflecting, and speaking the truth...well, I think there is something healing in that.

Our little miss suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, came down with a case of croupe this Sunday. And let me tell you, if you've heard a little one with a cough that sounds like the bark of a seal eager for some food, you know how heart breaking of a sound it is.

Long story short, we ended up at Children's Hospital. If it would have been a week day we could have just gone to the doctor, but being the weekend and in the evening, the emergency room was our only option (and the recommendation of the on-call nurse). After four hours, some steroids (to reduce the swelling of her throat) and some tylenol...we were on our way home. A rather painless first trip to the emergency room compared to what so many families deal with...but still, it was our first time...and I can't say I loved it.

Cue the re-arranging of schedules.
Thankfully Nick's practice allows him the flexibility of staying home at times more easily than I can, assuming he doesn't have court. So he stayed with her at the beginning of the week while she healed. And as much as I am so thankful for a husband and daddy who happily stays home to take care of his girl...I wanted to be with her.
And I was upset that I wasn't.
And I didn't want to go.

Yes, there were tears to my sweet co-worker when she asked if I was okay.
Because no, at that moment I wasn't.
At that moment, I wanted to be home with my girl.

It's hard to write that because I know how blessed I am in the career I have. I love my job.

I love my boss and my co-workers. I love what it brings to my life. I love the sense of accomplishment it brings to me. I am truly, truly thankful.

But, as I mentioned,...there are easy weeks, and there are hard weeks.

I think and I assume this is something that working moms deal with daily. The push and the pull. And this week I just struggled more with finding my balance.

Even as I write this, I realize that my hard week is absolutely nothing compared with the hard week that the thousands of families in Japan have experienced. It is impossible to imagine the devastation they are experiencing and my heart goes out to them.
It certainly puts life in perspective...

I'm feeling happy that tomorrow is Friday...and looking forward to a weekend of restoration, and cuddles, relaxation, and healing.

And because I can't leave a post without some positivity, I share with you with some happy pictures from last weekend with family and a 90th birthday celebration.
How's that for perspective?!

Closer and closer to crawling...

Sometimes

Sometimes I still can't believe she is ours.
I look at her in amazement...wondering how it's possible she is already nine months old, how she could already be the same number of months old as the number of months she lived in me.

Lately my favorite time with her has been bedtime.
After eating together, we have about 30-40 minutes of cuddles and laughter.
And here's the best part...she thinks I'm hilarious! As in, I'm the funniest person in the world. Quite the ego boost I must say. Because soon enough she is going to realize that her daddy is the funny parent in this household...but right now, it's me and I can't get enough of it.

At nine months the separation anxiety has really set in, and though sometimes it can be difficult to get anything done because she doesn't want me out of sight...it's also a pretty incredible feeling. To be needed so much by this little person.
I remind myself that one day she won't need me like that, and I hold on to these days.

Because they are pretty much the best ever.

Best Friends

Love/Hate

Okay...so maybe love it a strong word to use here, but atleast she isn't hating her tummy any longer...

There is hope that crawling might actually happen one of these days.

Colds, Coughs and Coordination

That kind of sums up what life has been like here at the Juhl household as of lately.

Between the colds, the pink eye, the dr.'s appointments, figuring out who was going to stay home from work, bringing squish to client appointment, late night cough sessions that leave me questioning how there can't possibly be more to help besides humidifiers and drops of applejuice...throw in there a leaky outdoor faucet (read: water bill 2 times the normal amount at the height of summertime) and a dislodged car window that mysteriously dropped into the car door (yes, that really happened)...I was oh so ready for a three day weekend.

It's tough stuff having a sick kiddo...and the thing of it is, that life continues...and you have to find a way keep everything else coordinated and moving forward, when all you really want to do is stay in your pj's in bed and snuggle her all day long. Because certainly if you could just do that, everything would be just fine.

Okay, so not really...but it sure feels like that sometimes.

Not to worry my friends, we are on the mend (still battling the night cough attacks) but what I've mostly walked away from this past week with is a deeper appreciation and thankfulness for my husband. He is so active, and involved, and present, and available as both a daddy and a husband...I sometimes wonder how we got so fortunate.

Don't get me wrong, we have our struggles and challenges just like any couple does...but with the ups and the downs, he always helps me remember that the ups outnumber the downs by about a million...and that helps me get through the rough weeks. How couldn't it with those stats right?

Happy Hearts Day

Wishing you all love in expected and unexpected places today!
XOXO

This & That. And the loveliness of ordinary.

Tonight is going to be a random post. A glimpse into our daily lives. Our day-to-day.

Because sometimes I don't have anything really important to say (I like to think that sometimes I do...right?? no?)
Life has been ordinary. But not ordinary in a negative way at all...actually quite the opposite. Ordinary in the most wonderful sense of the word. Ordinary in the best way possible.

With recent news of some very special people being diagnosed and affected by the horrible C word, the important things in life are once again put in drastic perspective.

These special individuals diagnosed? Well not to worry. They are fighters. They are going to be just fine. But even still, it makes me stop...pause...

and feel thankful for...

Our little miss curious...



Game nights with friends...
Because there certainly can never be enough game nights. I intend on really increasing their appearence in our lives.



Followed by deep talks amidst play kitchens. It's how we roll these days.



Family walks around the lake...
And the heavy February fog/mist that frequents our city.







Naked babies on fur rugs after baths...
No more explanation needed on that one I don't think-



Morning stories...


Hey mom, why are you taking pictures right now...it's time to eat...



Okay I'm not kidding...you see how close I am to your blanket right now...I'm not against spitting up on it to get what I want...

Seriously??? WHY aren't you listening to me?

*For the record, that was the last picture taken that morning.

The sweet comfort that comes from finger/thumb sucking...

As only we former thumb suckers know...


Toes in the sand and best friends...

No, that is not a recent picture, and yes I realize this is most definitely not my normal day. But it does represent something special... a picture to use in anticipation of times ahead. My best girl Michelle is engaged...and getting married...in Mexico...and I am a co-Matron of Honor. And I couldn't be more honored! When I got married, I gave my girls this little sign that said, "Friends are our chosen Family". It couldn't be more true than with you M...you are my family and I am thankful for you daily. So looking forward to our toes in the sand again.

And of course, this smile...
Always this sweet, sweet smile.

So I head to bed tonight, feeling so very thankful for ordinary days.

The City by the Bay.

San Francisco.

That's where we went. A total shock. He said be ready by eight, but if you know anything about me...when I'm given a time frame, I give-or-take about 15 minutes. I'm not one of those really late people, just one of those teensy bit late people. It's something I've learned
to accept about myself.

So when he said be ready by 8, I figured in our household that meant 8ish.
Not the case.
He woke me up before my alarm even went off with weather.com pulled up on the iPad, revealing the wonderful news that S.F. was having some unseasonably wonderful weather. As I tried to focus on the screen through my groggy, no-contact eyes I couldn't believe it.
S.F.? Really? We aren't that couple that hops on planes for weekend get-aways all the time.
No sir, this was something special.
And I needed to hurry, having neglected packing my bags the night before.

And special it was. We walked, ate delicious food, sipped delicious sippers, took a two hour nap (yahooo!), did a bit of shopping, and enjoyed uninterrupted time together.


Why is this picture so bright you might ask? Because my friends, that is the sun on my face. It was legitimately really warm/almost hot while we were standing in line for the cable car...truly a San Francisco treat!



And an added treat to the weekend? A lunch date with my Kricky! Having not seen her and her fiance Kevin since they moved from Seattle, I was so thrilled they were available to meet up!

It was indeed a special weekend. A very welcomed time together.
But what makes going away even better? The knowledge that you are coming home.

And reunions certainly are sweet.

Lucky me.

He's taking me away.
A surprise get-away location.
One night. Just me and him.
I can't wait!

Odds and Ends.

Okay, seriously...how is it already January 19th?! I feel like it was just New Years! Clearly the month is getting away from me.

The knuckle dimples just kill me!

What we've been up to:

Hanging out with our tongue...

Oh heeeey there belly!

Growing some teeth...

...sprinkle in there a little round with the stomach flu which was apparently the most contageous bugger ever. Charlotte to me to Nick to Paul...yikes. I have officially disinfected ever corner of our house. Don't be scared to come over. We're good now. Promise.

...and some MLK playdate fun with babies and girlfriends

Cabe has quite the playroom set up-

"I'm SOOOOO happy to hang out with my main squeeze Easton!"

Life is busy. Life is good.

We are now 9 days deep into 2011 and I feel the urge, as I always do, to think about the year ahead and the hopes I have for it.

I'm not making any resolutions in the traditional sense of the word, but I'm thinking about goals I have for the year...things I'd like to focus...what my priorities will be.

Of course I have the usual get-healthy/workout more/eat well goals which are very important to me as well, but what I've been thinking about the most is more of a mantra. An outlook on life. A goal to see the everyday.

I was introduced to this lovely magazine, Seeing the Everyday, a few months back from an equally lovely blog I read. It isn't your usual magazine...there are no advertisements (shocking I know!) and the pages are filled with gorgeous photography and stories about finding
beauty in day to day life.

This is what I want to focus on. Living in the moment, whatever that moment is...and really being present for it. Present for my family, my friends...and most of all my girl.
It's going to be a good year.


Our lives are the sum
Of each moment and interaction.
Each day we work, eat, laugh, play, read, remember...
And work at it all again the next day.
Within seemingly small moments we find opportunity
To build relationships, develop character, find joy
For the price of our time.
LIFE'S MOST ESSENTIAL POSSIBILITIES ARE REALIZED AT HOME.
Where we share, teach, grow, learn, serve, give
Our best without praise or fanfare.
Because every effort, every moment matters
In the development of a person.
Nothing is really routine.

To all who SEE THE EVERYDAY.
-Seeing the Everyday, number seven