Loving Ruidoso

We have been loving our time up at my parent's cabin in Ruidoso, NM. We have done so many fun things in such a short amount of time. Cora and I flew into El Paso Monday morning where my mom and middle sister picked us up to head to Ruidoso. This was pretty much a last minute trip for Cora and I. My parents invited us last Wednesday and we of course said yes!! So Sunday when we got back from Abilene we washed and repacked everything and were on a plane by 9am the next morning. Crazy but so worth it!


Monday we did lots of hanging out at the Cabin. Tucker ( my sister's boyfriend) and my Dad skied all day while we cooked, watched movies, and enjoyed the cool mountain air. Cora has not lacked for attention while we have been here as you can see from the above picture.


Tuesday we enjoyed a day of shopping downtown while the boys enjoyed another day of skiing. Cora got some super cute clothes. Have you heard of the Tea Clothing Collection for kids? It's new to me and now I'm totally in love with this brand. We also stopped at some of my favorite places for homemade bath salts, great local wine, and the best local balsamic vinaigrette.


Then this morning I decided to join the boys for a morning of skiing. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous as we headed to the slopes. I hadn't skied in about two years AND I had a baby just 12 weeks ago. I was nervous with how my body was going to handle the physical requirement of skiing. I had to take it slower, but overall my body did pretty good. And of course I had to take my little side kick with me- the girl has gotta eat.


It was fun to ski the mountain with my Dad. We had not skied together since I was 19 years old. Overall, it was a great day of skiing- or in my case a half day. I am going to be one sore mamma in the morning but I loved every minute on the slopes.


The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. The conditions where not the best but hey, I got to ski. There is nothing like riding a lift up a mountain decked out in full ski clothes anticipating a sweet run.


I love how skiing is like riding a bike. No matter how long you have been gone, it's pretty easy to pick back up.


Cora was the cutest ski bunny up there today. Can't wait to get her on her own set of skis soon!

Tomorrow we leave super early to head back to El Paso, then onto Houston. It went by too fast, but we are so ready to see Daddy tomorrow!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

We Went To Abilene To Meet Ellery...

Thursday morning we loaded up the car to head to Abilene. Cora did great on her fourth trip in five weeks:)!


Above is one of our feeding/diaper change/Diary Queen stops. You can't do a road trip with us and not have at least one DQ Blizzard stop!


We got in Thursday in time to see Miss. E in the hospital- all 5 pounds 14 ounces of her! Love the cousin picture. How fun for Cora to have a cousin 11 weeks younger than her.


Friday and Saturday we got lots of snuggles and naps and good time with family. Did you know it was freezing in Abilene- loved it!


Cora was well loved on of course. Above is a picture of Cora and her great granddad playing- so sweet.


We stayed at Molly's wonderful house. I got to spend some good time with Molly which is always good for my soul and we were well taken care of.


Now Cora and I are in the mountains for a week with my family. We sure do miss Daddy but are loving the mountains! Cora did awesome on her third plane ride today. I have carted this girl all over the last 6 weeks- she is such a fun little traveler.

Now I am off to breathe in this wonderful mountain air. Happy Spring Break!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Look Who We Are Going to Meet Today...

Ellery Senet Sargent born March 7th at 1:28pm weighing 5 pounds 14 ounces. She is beautiful and we can't wait to hold her today!! Abilene here we come..

This is important- what will you do...

Sharing Ideas...

One of the main reasons I love blogs, Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy, basically the internet, is the opportunity people get to share their ideas with others. I have so many random people's blogs starred in my Google reader because I want to remember that recipe or those children's books. My Pinterest account is full of craft ideas and home make over pictures. My Etsy favorites consist of numerous neat ideas I am waiting to create on my own or buy. Facebook not only keeps me connected to people but it pointed me to shows like Downton Abbey and gives new reading ideas. So in honor of shared ideas, today I am going to share a couple things I have found in my corner of the world...

The above picture idea came from Pinterest. I love it. If you are pregnant and looking for some fun photo ideas this one is super easy and fun. The preggo pic was taken 2 days before I went into labor (glad we took it when we did!!) The baby pic was taken when Cora was around 9 days old (I wanted one were her eyes were open). Can't wait to show this picture off in my home. Speaking of pictures in my home- can one have too many photos? If so, I may be closely approaching the too many mark:).

Speaking of too many- I also have a ridiculous thing for bags. My family has always given me a hard time about having lots of purses and bags and I have always blown them off, but I think I am starting to come to terms with this obsession- I love bags. Right now I am REALLY into Vera Bradley bags- my collection is growing:). Do you love Vera Bradley? Check out the website- you might just fall in love.

You know, another thing I have too many of: nail polish. I am kind of a nail polish snob- I only wear OPI and China Glaze. BUT that changed this week, I have found another nail polish that is pretty and durable- Essie. The Walgreens down the street from me sells it so I am sure you can find it pretty easily.

Have you heard of The Talking Kitchen? We have cooked so many yummy things off of it this week. Since we eat mainly vegetarian, sometimes I have issues finding good recipes- this website has given us great ideas and meals.

Steve and I tried the new show Awake on NBC. We really liked it, you might too. I am always careful when I say I like a current show on TV. Some of the shows I have started following in the past did not make it. Remember Journeyman? I loved that show and grieved deeply when it was cancelled after half a season.

I have found some new apps recently and I am really enjoying them: foodgawker and craftgawker. You may have already heard of them but they are new to me. My mother-in-law introduced them to me a couple weekends ago. It is kind of like Pinterest but topic specific. There is also a weddinggawker but I am little past that stage in life and a dwellinggawker but I have not downloaded that one yet; I may be gawking enough as is. And the best part- the Apps are free.

And last I leave you with this article. This is a topic discussed often in my counseling office and a question asked often when I speak to parents of teenagers. My favorite part- the emphasis on finding your identity in Christ, not the world. May Christ's face shine upon you... what a great thing to be reminded of.

May you have a blessed week full of new ideas...

Stepping Back...

This is currently my favorite picture of my girl right now. It is the screen saver on my phone. I literally breakout into a huge grin every time I open my phone. I think this captures her personality wonderfully right now.

I love March. Nothing exciting happens in March for me, but the month just brings newness for me. Spring is coming, the weather is warming, and the days are getting longer. Every year I get a spring cleaning bug. Now, what I do with the sudden desire to have a spotless house is an entirely different story. Today I washed all the windows inside and out in our house. I did it on a whim and it felt good. But that is as far as my spring cleaning went for the day. I have a confession to make- since Cora being born I have not really cleaned my house, gasp! I hate cleaning- and I mean that with everything in me. I do not mind laundry, dishes, picking up the house or making beds, but I really do not like cleaning. But alas, it has to be done. This week I am slowly going to start getting back into the swing of cleaning- starting with our floors! I am also thinking about getting a lawn service to come (just one time) for our front yard- that will be an indulgence for us, but one I think I want to make. I just have no desire to get out there and pick up all those dead leaves...

Cora and I have started a workout routine every morning- we go walking in our neighborhood. Well, I walk, Cora enjoys the ride in her Baby Bjorn. Hope is also loving the daily walks. Speaking of Hope, she really has been a trooper since the birth of this precious life. We had to go through an adjustment period but I think we are coming out of it now and I look forward to seeing the relationship Cora will have with Hope in the future. Every kid needs a family dog.

Once I found out I was pregnant with Cora I began to prepare myself for what was to come. I read books, I got advice from friends, I talked to mentors and over all I felt pretty prepared for the change that was to come being a first time parent. Over all the transition into parenthood has been what I thought it was going to be: hard, but worth it. That being said, I decide a long time ago that I was going to give myself a pass from life for 3 months. I was not really going to commit to much, do what I can, and mainly just focus in Cora. I feel fortunate that I have had the opportunity to do that and it has been one of the best decisions I have made as a new mom. It has not made things easier, but it has (for the most part) taken pressure off me to feel like I have to do things, be places, and commit to other things besides my family. But as March roles around and I get to know this little person better and the 3 month mark is within weeks I know it is time to start stepping back into things I use to do- like working out, going to meetings, monthly dinners, spending time with our youth, etc. I am ready, but I am still going to be gentle with myself as I ease back into life (whatever that means!).

Cora update- we still aren't sleeping long stretches during the night- except once where she went a whole 7 hours- what a tease! I have started to pick up on a rhythm with her during the day. I basically know when she is going to be a sleep and awake and playing during the day. We have finally made it to a consistent 3-4 hour eating schedule (that in it's self has been somewhat life changing!). Over all I am just trying to let Cora give me her natural cues and go with it. I am learning all sorts of valuable life lessons in selflessness and patience:). Quick mom question- Cora is busting out of every swaddle we have tried. Any tips on what to do next? We tried the sleep sack last night- I am not going to say much other then last night was not fun. Her startle reflexing are so strong and wake her up if she is not swaddled. Suggestions would be oh so helpful:).

It is starting to get rather warm here in Houston. Tonight I broke down and final succumbed to turning on the AC. By turing on the AC I have final expected there is no more cold weather- oh Texas summers...

Work has been crazy busy for this new mom. What a blessing and some what overwhleming. I planned to step back and take a whole month off- that did not happen. I also only planned on seeing 3-4 clients a week in February- that did not happen. But over all it feels so good seeing clients and going to office for a couple hours a day. The break from Cora is good for us both.

Well that's all. I am now off for my favorite part of the day- Cora's bath time:).

The Last Photo A Day Post...

Here it is, the last photo a day post- I know you all have been waiting:). Below is the complete list. I found this pretty fun and plan on doing the following months on my Instagram account (csargent is my user name). Which by the way, I am loving that little app.

Day 21: Fav photo of yourself. I love this picture. It was taken in Aug. 2009 on our end of the summer weekend vacation to Austin. It was one of my favorite weekend/bed and breakfast memories with Steve.
Day 22: Where you work. Here is the chair I sit in to counsel. I love my cozy little office.
Day 23: Your shoes. My Ugg slipper- I wear them EVERYWHERE- no lie.
Day 24: Inside your bathroom cabinet. Here is where we keep all our Sam's stock pile:)
Day 25: Green. This has two meanings- green bins for our recycling. One of the many ways we try to be green:).
Day 26: Night. Watching the Oscars with Cora on Sunday night.
Day 27: Something you ate. Vegetarian lettuce wraps from the Pioneer Women- sooooo good!
Day 28: Money. Here is the caveman way I keep track of when we have paid our bills each month. Fancy, I know.
Day 29: Something you're listening to. Gavin Degraw's new album. It is my work out music at the moment:)

Below is the March list. Feel free to join in on the fun!