Bless This: Family

  The Zimmerman Family Last week the Zimmerman family was on vacation.  I like to call it time away from work and not vacation.  When Olivia can take care of herself or I'm not with her, then it's vacation.  I did get to lay out when she was napping and got to have a few Bloody Mary's and wine, too.  It was a blast to spend the week with everyone and watch the kids have so much fun. Grandma on her 60th Grandpa with Eli and O Rachel making O laugh Shauna and Kate Olivia LOVES playing in the sand and water!  Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Grandma and Cara all swam with her.  I wasn't about to take my cover up off and show off the bod quite yet.  It does suck being the fat person on a summer vacation by at least 25 to 50 pounds.  Next year will be my year.  Everyone will say, who is that with the six pack?  No, the answer isn't Mike carrying down a 6 pack of Miller Lite either.  It will be my abs!...

Well, Miss O is now 9 months old.  Today we had her check up. She is 19 pounds 8 ounces-62% 29" long-91% She is right on track with her gross and fine motor skills.  Taking after her mommy with a jabber mouth, according to Dr. Don. She has been crawling EVERYWHERE!  Crawling around, on top of, under, etc.  She loves to go fast to get somewhere.  She's also pulling herself up on EVERYTHING.  Including her crib.  She thinks it's funny when I walk in to get her in the morning and she's looking up at me and laughing.  Look at me mom!                                                    A few weeks ago, I got to meet up with some old high school friends for dinner and a few drinks and LOTS of laughs...

July 22nd, 2007.  We were in Door County for the weekend.  Patrick, Shawn and Todd were in their 1st triathlon together on Sunday morning.  We were there with my parents, Aunt Jude and Uncle Bill, Uncle Tim and Aunt Millie, MC and Larry, Christine and Payton and a few friends.  We enjoyed a nice weekend together.  Then we were all at the finish line.  Todd came through.  Then Shawn...quite a while later, it was Patrick.  He was holding a sign and running down the final stretch.  The crowd errupted with cheers.  I had no idea what was going on.  I saw him cross the finish line.  The announcer started talking.  Then I knew.  I was in the middle of a proposal!  I couldn't believe after almost 5 years that we were finally going to be engaged.  I was so excited to marry the love of my life.  That night we went to a bed and breakfast in Door County.  I'd been asking him for years to take me there....

One year ago on the 26th Patrick came with me to get my hair done with Krista.  I had to get my hair cut and colored.  He waited.  He played on my iPhone, made friends in the salon and chatted with us girls.  He waited for me.  Who would do that???  Patrick would and he did.  After we left, we made our way to the grocery store and picked up a few things to bring to the Piotrowski's house for a BBQ with the Licht's.  We cooked out and ate too much that night.  Patrick made me get non-alcoholic wine.  We both laughed that we paid $10 for bad tasting grape juice.   We came home and went to bed. The next day it was just him and I.  We hung out all day and watched movies and snuggled on the couch.  A normal Sunday.  Monday, he got up early and went to work out and I got ready for work.  I came home to steak and asparagus on the grill.  Same for the next day.  Then it was Wednesday, June 30, 2010. On...

Last year Patrick had his official first Father's Day.  I was 4 months pregnant and we were about to find out the next day that we were going to have a girl.  We celebrated at my parents house.  Patrick got 2 cards. One from me and one from my parents-which I still have both.  I also gave him a dress shirt that was purple and white gingham.  I will be having that shirt and one other of his made into a dress for Olivia.  I remember the ride back to Milwaukee after dinner.  We talked about how this was his first official, yet unofficial First Father's Day.  It turned out to be his only one.  We talked about how excited we were to be parents and find out if it was a girl or boy.  He guessed girl and I guesses boy.  He was right:) Patrick opening his Father's Day card with Rachel and Eli This year on Father's Day will be a little different.  Olivia will be celebrating Father's Day with Grandpa and not her daddy.  I'm su...

Many things have been making me smile recently. I have been lucky to have some time with my friends on the weekends instead of just hanging out with O. The Blessing girls I had my friend Kelly's bachelorette party last weekend.  I got to spend time with Kristeen, Christine, Jess, Gail and Amy.  We had such a fun time catching up.  We had a few drinks and got silly like we were kids again. (Not really kids, but maybe like 10 years ago.  Mom, I didn't drink when I was a kid, ok?)  We visited some fine establishments in Chilton, Stockbridge, Sherwood and St. Nazianz.  It was a great night had by all.  Now, when we talk about the next day...that was a different story.  Ladies, we're not able to bounce back like we used to.  I had Doritos and Starbucks for breakfast that day.  I came home and took a nap. The longest nap since before I had O. An hour and a half!  (Thanks to my mom for keeping Olivia longer, so I could rest.)  ...

I have a love hate relationship with my daily commute to work.  I love listening to the morning radio shows and having my coffee.  It's a good way to think about my day and plan for work.  It's good to decompress on the way home so Olivia has my full attention.  I have good phone conversations to pass my time as well.  I also see the same green truck at least a couple times a week with the fake bullet hole stickers on it.  I laugh every time I pass it. See the "bullet holes" on the tailgate? The part I hate the most are the memories.  It's mostly on the way home.  I cry almost every day on the way home.  It may be for a minute or two or even longer.  I'm not sure why and sometimes I don't know why I'm even crying.  It's either a song that comes on the radio, passing by every landmark on the way home that reminds me of all the driving we did together, not having my usual after 5pm call to Patrick about dinner or just memories f...