happy easter

we hope you all had a wonderful easter sunday. we had a great first easter together as a family. here are a few photos from our weekend - I made adelie a homemade bunny for her easter basket. nate & I dyed a few easter eggs...and we spent the weekend loving our little lady!

easter is a very special holiday & we hope you were all able to enjoy it.

happy easter! love, the cartwrights

Xs & Os from daddy

video: Adelie & shaggy monkey

loving life

I had no idea how exciting and rewarding parenthood would be. Ive said it many times since Adelie was born: I had no idea my capacity to love could be so great. I just adore her. I love everything about her. She's such a sweet baby, and I feel so blessed to be her mom. The two of us have been loving the sunshine the past couple of days. We go for a walk everyday. It's so refreshing, and I love our time together. While on our walk today, I heard a funny sucking noise and when I looked down at Adelie, I saw her SUCKING HER THUMB!!!! Silly girl! She's 2 1/2 weeks and sucking her thumb already! I was laughing so hard. I captured a few funny pictures on my iphone (not the best quality...or the best pictures...but you can see how funny this moment was!).

Also, we took some silly photos with a couple stuffed animals today. The cute bunny is mine (was a gift from Nate in my Easter basket a few years ago...it's my favorite stuffed animal) - and the crazy looking monkey is Nate's stuffed animal from when he was little. It's a little shaggy but Adelie didn't seem to mind.

I'm excited to make her Easter basket this weekend. I love being a mom.

our little jellybean

Heather & Ryan said that Adelie looks like a little jelly bean in this photo! I love it!! We have this picture in her nursery, and it makes me laugh when I think of the little jelly bean. It's a cute nickname for her. I think she likes it too! Our little Adelie, the jelly bean!

I was feeling crafty tonight & was hoping for an Ohio State victory (for my husband)...so, little Adelie was a Buckeye cheerleader tonight, with this little onesie I made for her. Nate loved it. So cute!

eyes open!!!

Adelie Ella

Adelie Ella is 1 week old today! I can't believe how amazing this past week has been. It's been the most incredible time of our lives. Nate and I are so happy, and are so in love with our daughter. I never knew my capacity to love could be so great. I love everything about Adelie. She is the sweetest little girl.

Giving birth was the most painful & difficult (and most rewarding) experience of my life. Nothing compares to it. I had no idea how incredible the experience would be. It was amazing. Nate was a wonderful support. He was so loving and took such good care of me, and made me feel loved. He is an amazing father too. Adelie just adores him. He's so good with her. I never knew I could fall in love with him more than I was - but, watching him with her makes me love him so much more.

My heart has been so full of love this past week. I have never felt such great joy and gratitude. I am so grateful for a loving, supportive husband, who is already an amazing father. And, I am so grateful for a beautiful daughter. I love her sweetness. I love her cute button nose, and little cherry lips. I love her little fingers and toes, and her soft blonde hair. There have been so many beautiful, precious moments this past week. I absolutely love watching Adelie sleep, and watching her look up at Nate, and seeing her little lips pucker up, and watching her wake up. These moments have made my life feel so enriched. Life has never been so wonderful. I had no idea how beautiful and powerful parenthood would be.

I am so grateful for Adelie Ella. She has brought such happiness and love to our family.

she's on her way!!!

we are at the hospital, anxiously awaiting the baby's arrival. progress has been a little slow so far - not too much action, but the baby should be here sometime today, since leanna's water broke at 11:20 last night. we are so excited to meet our little baby girl. we will keep you posted!!

read the chalkboard.

I was really hoping the little baby girl would arrive today. Sadly, it's now 5:00 and I don't think she'll be sharing a march 14th birthday with grandpa miller. positive thinking! positive thinking! (hence, the chalkboard message.) I actually am very happy right now, and feeling very positive about it all.

Highlight from this weekend: I made the baby girl's first toy: a hand sewn giraffe! So cute & fun!! It took me the entire afternoon/early evening yesterday (which was perfect, because we watched basketball all weekend long!!!!). It turned out really great. I love it. Such a cheerful little toy. It's now packed in the hospital bag for the little lady...hope she likes it! oh p.s. I repacked my hospital bag today - wishful thinking, I guess. my bag has been packed for so long now, that I thought if I repacked it with a purpose, the little lady would get the hint!! :)

Just got off the phone with Grandma & Grandpa Miller - I wish they were here with us to enjoy this time. They seem so excited for us. Grandpa told dad a funny story: Grandma & Grandpa went to the hospital for a checkup with one of their babies (my uncle Joe). The doctor told them that the baby would arrive within 3 hours...."and a month later Joe was born!!!!" hahahahaha!!!!!! Definitely made me laugh. 

Today's been good so far. I woke up with a bad cold this morning (hadn't slept after 3 am)  - had a really sore throat and stuffed up, and crying to Nate because I didn't want to be sick going into labor. I decided to stay home all morning & catch up on some rest...loaded up on vitamin C & mint tea...and I'm happy to say I'm starting to feel better now. Nate & I got outside for a wonderful walk together this afternoon. It's been the prettiest day of the year so far. It's about 55/60 degrees & sunny!!! We had a great time walking together (ok, confession: I even ran a little...not much, but I just wanted to feel alive!) I even beat Nate running (**note: he was running backwards & we were racing to a mailbox, and he slowed down at the end a little prematurely, thinking we had passed the finish line...so, I won!). It was fun racing him! It felt so good! ha. 

Oh, I posted the picture above of the sign because it's my favorite of Nate's contributions to the nursery - I think it's absolutely adorable...and I can't wait till we can share lots of memories together as a family!

Anyway, that's today's update. I hope the little chickadee comes soon!

march 11, 2010

it's thursday, march 11th. we are one day past our due date...and now we're playing the 'waiting game'. nate & I took a picture in the nursery together this morning before work...hoping she comes soon! I'm feeling great still - I have good energy, feel healthy, and I'm trying to stay positive and calm throughout these final days...I am really excited to begin this new adventure in our lives.

I'm hoping she comes sometime in the next couple of days. It'd be fun if she came on Sunday (grandpa miller's birthday)...or anytime before then! I went to the mall last night and walked and walked and walked - and then bounced on my exercise ball when I got home (I love that thing!)...hoping to try to get things loosened up & moving a little...who knows when she'll arrive, but I've never been so excited. I've also never felt such gratitude - I'm so grateful for this pregnancy, and I have such gratitude for this new blessing in our lives. I can't even imagine the love we are about to experience as a family, but I am so ready for it!!

3 days

my dad took a couple shots of my baby-belly this weekend...it's huge!!! 3 days till she's due...I'm hoping she'll come sometime next weekend (or sooner, obviously!). can't wait!!

nursery!!!

Here's a little sneak peek into the baby-girl's nursery. We love it. It's such a happy, bright, cheerful room. We'll take more pictures once she arrives - but here are a few shots.

I spent all weekend on her mobile (seriously all weekend!!). It turned out really great. I love it. It's pretty adorable. I'm so happy I made it for her. These pictures aren't the greatest (neither is the video)...but the video gives you a better idea what it looks like. It's really the prettiest in the daytime - in the sunlight. The little crystals twinkle & rotate sparkling light all around the room. I sewed all the petals by hand - each has a piece of the fabric pattern sewn on...super cute! It took a long time to sew all the petals, but they turned out just as I envisioned them. Then I wrapped the rings in raw-edged material...and strung it all together & hung the petals & crystals...and finished it off with some little green fabric bows. The crystals added a lot of charm to the mobile. Hopefully she'll enjoy looking up at it. I have some fabric left...so I'm trying to think of something else I can make her...and suggestions? I might make a stuffed animal...maybe a cute little bird or something. It's been good to occupy my time with these fun, creative projects. I'm getting so excited for her birth. I get more & more excited each day, as it gets closer & closer. I can't wait to meet her & to be a mom!

baby dandelion.

the nursery is done!!!!!!
the bedding is freshly washed & in her crib.
all her clothes are neatly hung & ready for her arrival.
all the baby necessities are set up. (I love the smell of baby shampoo/baby wash! I even think the diapers are cute - they're so little!! I'm sure they won't be quite as 'cute' in a couple weeks - but for now, they're pretty precious...oh! and nate practiced putting the diaper on a stuffed monkey - pretty hilarious!!)
the children's books are waiting on the nightstand to be read to our little girl.
the carseat is in the car...nice & snug!
our hospital suitcases are packed...

and...we finally came up with her name (actually, nate came up with her name - it's adorable).
I nicknamed her our 'little dandelion' last night. I think it's pretty cute!! and, I love her real name.

...soon-to-be mom & dad are so, so excited to meet our little baby girl...hopefully she'll come soon!

I decided I'm going to make her mobile - it should be quite the craft...but I'm really excited for it...I told nate last night that I 'have a good vision for it' - so, hopefully it turns out as I imagine it in my head. I'm hoping to start it tonight. once it's complete, we'll take some pictures of the finished nursery. It makes me smile, just standing in there, knowing that in a couple weeks we'll bring our little baby home! it's still very amazing to me. nate's going to be a wonderful dad. I can't wait to start this adventure together!

28...chain of love

People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one...and we've just begun.

And in the morning when I rise, you bring a tear of joy to my eyes...
And tell me everything is gonna be alright...

Now I see a family where there once was none, now we've just begun...
Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun...

Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup, drink it up, Love her and she'll bring you luck.
And if you find she helps your mind, buddy, take her home...
Don't you live alone, try to earn what lovers own...

And everything will bring a chain of love...

I am so completely in love with my husband...and I love the lyrics from 'danny's song'. It's been one of my favorite songs since I was a little girl, but I have really loved listening to it recently, because it reminds me of how exciting this time of life is for us. I love the lyrics - I love that they remind me of the true delights of life and simplicity of happiness.

I really enjoy birthdays because they allow me to reflect on the past year's experiences & memories and I get so excited looking forward to the next year. I know this next year is going to be incredible for Nate & I. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for all the joy I've experienced in this past year. It's been a year full of cheer & bliss that I never would have expected. I had no idea how much happiness I would experience being married to Nate. I truly feel so lucky to be married to such a thoughtful, loving man. The memories we've shared in the past year have been amazing...and last weekend added to the year's cheer.

My 28th birthday was incredible!!! I kept telling Nate it was one of my 'top 5' favorite weekends of all-time...really! It was amazing. He planned a perfect birthday celebration, and I felt so loved.

We stayed at my favorite place up north, on the Lake Superior shore- an adorable lodge that was so cozy & romantic! I love it up there! I feel so alive and refreshed up north. Minnesota's northern shore/Lake Superior area offers the perfect balance for relaxation for me: peaceful tranquility and rejuvinating and invigorating surroundings. It's truly beautiful.

I was beyond-happy all weekend!!! Nate planned a perfect weekend: a friday afternoon at the spa (my poor swollen ankles loved having an 1 1/2 hour pedicure/leg massage!!!), a charming birthday 'party' in our cabin, a frosty, refreshing saturday afternoon hike by some frozen-over waterfalls (I loved getting outside & being active!! it was so exhilerating...even though we didn't get to break out the snow shoes), a saturday evening walk through the adorable town of grand marais, followed with dinner at darling spot called 'the crooked spoon' (DELISH!!!!!)....and THEN...we started driving even further north (which, if you know where grand marais is, it's pretty funny...cause you're headed to the canadian border by going any further north....). We spent the next hour driving in this amazing, enchanted forest - SERIOUSLY!! I felt like we were in a completely different, fascinating world...driving through this forest of HUGE beautiful snow-covered trees....absolutely beautiful!!! I just kept thinking, 'we're really in a winter wonderland right now!!!!'. Nate wouldn't tell me where we were going...and I had no idea, until we were about to get on a horse-drawn red sleigh!!!! We snuggled up for an incredible sleigh ride on a red-velvet seated, old-fashioned-looking sleigh!!!! It was amazing. I just kept thinking, 'I am SO in love with Nate!!!!!' - we loved the romantic, chilly ride, looking at the stars above us, with 2 huge (2,000-pound) Belgian Draft horses pulling our adorable sleigh through the lantern-lit trails and huge trees. I loved kissing under the 'kissing tree' and cuddling up with my sweet husband. It was a memory I will never forget. I was thrilled. It was completely romantic, and adorable, and amazing.

My birthday was wonderful. Last year was amazing. I cannot wait for this next year! I know this cheerful life of ours is just beginning...and I am so grateful to be married to my very best friend. Thanks for a perfect birthday!