Daily Archives: June 7, 2009

Babysitting and photo fun

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For those who know Cody and me, it is safe to say that when it comes to babies, we have absolutely no clue what we are doing. Although I have a brother and a sister and a nephew who is more like a brother than a nephew, I grew up an only child, and Cody grew up the oldest of three. I remember when I was eight years old I begged my mom for a little brother or sister because my friend who lived down the street just got a new baby sister, and she was so cute, I wanted one too. Needless to say I never got my wish, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I liked my life growing up as an only child- it’s not as lonely as people who grew up with siblings will try to make you believe, I promise. And while we all have our issues, I would like to think I’m not a total screw-up as a result.

Yesterday, Cody and I spent the afternoon with our friend’s little 7-month-old, Cruz, while his parents Jason and Jessica Williams were out doing a photo shoot for their new business, Session 9 Photography. Jay and Jess are two of the best people we have ever had the privilege of calling friend, and their little boy is so adorable you could just eat him up. So it was a no-brainer to embark on our first babysitting adventure as a couple with Cruz at the helm. 

What a day! We had fun rolling around on the floor with him, keeping him entertained with his toys and various ridiculous faces, watching Finding Nemo, taking him for a ride in his stroller through their neighborhood, marveling at the sheer volume of spit-up that a single child can produce, and learning that baby wipes aren’t meant to be thrown by themselves into a Diaper Genie (definitely something I will NEVER FORGET AGAIN). Cruz is such a happy baby that even when he’s fussy he’s still a joy to be around. And I am so happy that we have this particular family alongside us through this totally unpredictable journey we find ourselves on, because their own experiences and uncertainties parallel ours in so many ways, and things have turned out more than fine for them. It’s such an encouragement to both of us.

On another note, Cody and I are going to start taking belly pictures in the very near future. I’m not showing yet, but it will be fun to document the progress over the next several months. If I were funnier and more creative and also 25 weeks further into my pregnancy, I would have thought of this first, but I digress.

We have our first photo shoot with Session 9 next weekend and we are SO EXCITED. I say first shoot because they will be doing our maternity and hospital shots as well! The only experience I have had as a “model” was at our wedding- and funny story, I was so barfy at our wedding that I spent half the time that would have been spent taking pictures in the bathroom, and now I’m in my first trimester and am feeling barfy all the time… so I’m 0 for 2 at the moment. Good news is that I haven’t actually “finished the job,” if you know what I mean; I just constantly feel on the brink of it. It will be fun to get all decked out for this shoot since these days my favorite thing to do is not wear makeup so I don’t have to make the effort to take it off at night, because that is A LOT OF EFFORT. I am anxiously awaiting my blood test results from the doctor so they can tell me that yes, I am indeed anemic, and then they will give me a magical pill that will take the edge off the simply unreal fatigue that is brought on by this building-a-human-being business, and I can finally wake up from this haze I have been living in for the past month and start to feel normal again.

And yes, I am fully aware that “normal” as I once knew it has ceased to exist. This “new normal” will be quite a ride.

About

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Alley 6
I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona
before it became the $40,000 millionaire capital of the world. The
Scottsdale I remember is quaint, western, and scenic, and up until I
graduated high school the outskirts of town were not yet connected to the
town of Carefree, which is halfway to Flagstaff.

I will admit that in my early twenties, after graduating college, I
fell prey to a lifestyle that led to a lot of stupid choices along the
way that did a lot more damage than I could have known at the time. But
it was those mistakes and getting sick of the lame wannabes that
surrounded me that led to a curiosity that there is indeed something
bigger and better out there… and that something is Jesus. He grabbed
hold of me in 2003 and has never let go, never let me down, and never
ever left my side.

I met my husband when I was working as an academic advisor at Grand
Canyon University in Phoenix. He claims that he knew I would be someone
very special to him from the moment we met… well, the line worked. Haha! We got married in November 2007 at the University
Club in downtown Phoenix. It was a fairy tale wedding, except for the
fact that I couldn’t stop vomiting the entire time. Other than that, it was great. I wouldn’t change the
outcome of that day for the world- I love my husband more than words can say.

DSC_0056-1b
Our marriage has been a fantastic adventure ever since. We have
lofty goals and dreams of wild travels that may have to wait a while,
but we’re working on fulfilling our dreams in other ways in the
meantime.

We have two dogs, THOR! and Hanalei, both of which are Cavachons, or
Furry White Bolts of Chewing and Pooping Thunder. I lovingly refer to
them as my “fur-kids,” and I their “fur-mom,” but Cody isn’t having any
of that crap. They are our “dogs,” and we are “dog owners.” Bah
freaking humbug.

My husband and I weren’t planning on having a baby any time soon, but TA DA! God had other plans. My own little surprise is
the inspiration for this site, where I plan to document all the ups,
downs, hormone-induced breakdowns, and inevitable joys that are sure to
accompany my husband and I on our journey toward parenthood and beyond.
They say that taking baby steps is the best way to accomplish a
daunting, overwhelming, and totally worthwhile goal… hence the name
“Baby Steps to Mom.”

IMG_6659-2
Our daughter, Linnea Joelle, was born in the middle of the night on my husband’s 30th birthday. You can find our birth pictures with a link to her birth story here. She is simply the most amazing gift either of us has ever received. 

Alley-Delivery-107 

Linnea-Alley-66-950x633
In 2009 I started my own business called No Strings Virtual Solutions, helping creative entrepreneurs with the administrative tasks of running their companies. I work from my home office, giving me the opportunity to not only bring in some bacon but also be here to care for Linnea.  It’s a blessing to be able to contribute to our income and enjoy watching our daughter grow up. I wouldn’t want to miss a second of her life if I could help it.

I love NesQuik, hot fudge sundaes, and sewing- preferably all at the same time. I also dig thrift shopping and Chuck Taylors. And my favorite color in the whole wide world is pink.

IMG_7146-2-950x633 

Welcome to my blog.

Babysitting and photo fun

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For those who know Cody and me, it is safe to say that when it comes to babies, we have absolutely no clue what we are doing. Although I have a brother and a sister and a nephew who is more like a brother than a nephew, I grew up an only child, and Cody grew up the oldest of three. I remember when I was eight years old I begged my mom for a little brother or sister because my friend who lived down the street just got a new baby sister, and she was so cute, I wanted one too. Needless to say I never got my wish, but I wouldn't change a thing. I liked my life growing up as an only child- it's not as lonely as people who grew up with siblings will try to make you believe, I promise. And while we all have our issues, I would like to think I'm not a total screw-up as a result. 

Yesterday, Cody and I spent the afternoon with our friend's little 7-month-old, Cruz, while his parents Jason and Jessica Williams were out doing a photo shoot for their new business, Session 9 Photography. Jay and Jess are two of the best people we have ever had the privilege of calling friend, and their little boy is so adorable you could just eat him up. So it was a no-brainer to embark on our first babysitting adventure as a couple with Cruz at the helm. 
What a day! We had fun rolling around on the floor with him, keeping him entertained with his toys and various ridiculous faces, watching Finding Nemo, taking him for a ride in his stroller through their neighborhood, marveling at the sheer volume of spit-up that a single child can produce, and learning that baby wipes aren't meant to be thrown by themselves into a Diaper Genie (definitely something I will NEVER FORGET AGAIN). Cruz is such a happy baby that even when he's fussy he's still a joy to be around. And I am so happy that we have this particular family alongside us through this totally unpredictable journey we find ourselves on, because their own experiences and uncertainties parallel ours in so many ways, and things have turned out more than fine for them. It's such an encouragement to both of us. 

On another note, Cody and I are going to start taking belly pictures in the very near future. I'm not showing yet, but it will be fun to document the progress over the next several months. If I were funnier and more creative and also 25 weeks further into my pregnancy, I would have thought of this first, but I digress. 

We have our first photo shoot with Session 9 next weekend and we are SO EXCITED. I say first shoot because they will be doing our maternity and hospital shots as well! The only experience I have had as a "model" was at our wedding- and funny story, I was so barfy at our wedding that I spent half the time that would have been spent taking pictures in the bathroom, and now I'm in my first trimester and am feeling barfy all the time… so I'm 0 for 2 at the moment. Good news is that I haven't actually "finished the job," if you know what I mean; I just constantly feel on the brink of it. It will be fun to get all decked out for this shoot since these days my favorite thing to do is not wear makeup so I don't have to make the effort to take it off at night, because that is A LOT OF EFFORT. I am anxiously awaiting my blood test results from the doctor so they can tell me that yes, I am indeed anemic, and then they will give me a magical pill that will take the edge off the simply unreal fatigue that is brought on by this building-a-human-being business, and I can finally wake up from this haze I have been living in for the past month and start to feel normal again. 

And yes, I am fully aware that "normal" as I once knew it has ceased to exist. This "new normal" will be quite a ride.