More time with my baby girl!

Last week I gave my two weeks notice at Blue Nile and accepted a new marketing position at Starbucks. I have been at Blue Nile for over six years so deciding to leave was a very hard decision. After weeks of thought I decided it was time for me to make a change. I am excited about my new position at Starbucks and look forward to a new challenge.

AND .. . the best part about it all is that I get to be home with Kallie for three more weeks!!!

Kallie and the Spoon

Kallie will start eating her food foods when she is six months old which is only a few weeks away. I have noticed over the last week that when Eric and I eat dinner she watches ever bite from the plate to our mouths. After talking to a friend she suggested I give her a baby spoon when we are eating to see what she does. Kallie really didn't know what to do with the spoon so I decided to pretend to take a spoonful of food and give her a bite. The results were hysterical!!! Kallie thought her "pretend" food tasted horrible. Check out these faces . . . I still laugh watching this video and can only imagine the faces we will get when she tries her first "real" food!

Back to Work

Today I returned to work at Blue Nile after five months of maternity leave. Going to work this morning was one of the hardest things I have ever done. After minimal sleep I decide I would get up early and give myself enough time to feed Kallie and spend some quality time with her before I had to leave. I had the hardest time walking out the door. I found any and every excuse to leave later and later. When I finally decided it was time to go I gave Kallie the biggest hug and lots of kisses. I made a promise to her that mommy would always be there when she wakes up and when she closes her eyes at night. I know she had no idea what I was saying but it made me feel better just saying it out loud.

Of course I cried when I walked out the door and pretty much the entire drive to my office while continuously wondering if I made the right decision by going back to work. Every ounce of me wanted to turn the car around and go back but I knew I had to give it a shot. The only thing that has helped me get through the day is the picture that daddy sent to me this morning, it reminded me of how lucky I truly am!

Five Months Old

Today Kallie turned 5 months old. I know I say this every month but wow that went way too fast. Kallie is truly the light of my life and I feel so blessed!

Kallie has become so interactive over the last few weeks. She loves to smile and giggle at both daddy and I. She loves grabbing her toys (especially her Sophie & crinkly blanky), finding her toes, and she is just starting to rollover although I am not sure she really means to since her head seems to pull her over but hey that counts right!

We love you Kallie Elizabeth Bates~

Happy New Year

Last year on New Years Eve we found out we were having a baby! It is crazy to me that was one year ago. So much has changed over the last year. 2010 was the best year of my life. . .I feel so blessed to be married to my hubby who is also my bestfriend, have an amazing daughter, and of course the best yellow lab in the world. I am not sure how I got so lucky but I am thankful for every bit of my life. I can only hope 2011 is just as good . . . Here is a picture of our party animal daughter around 7:30pm on New Years Eve (oh how times have changed).