A year without my mommy and daddy...

Thanksgiving 2007

Today marks the one year anniversary of my mom's passing.  I would be lying if I told you that it has been an easy year.  Don't get me wrong, the knowledge I have that I will be able to be reunited with my parents after this life helps with my perspective on some days, but on most days--it just plain sucks that they are not here.

I know that they are watching over me and my new little family.  Sometimes I see a sparkle in CC's eyes that tells me they are surrounding us with love at that very moment.  It does makes me feel comforted to know that I can feel their love still each day.

I miss my parents deeply and often feel sorry for myself and think of how unfair it is that they don't get to be a part of Claudia Cate's life here on earth.  They don't get to be with her during her first laugh, her first step, or to take her for an afternoon date.  All of these things I know they would love to be a part of and I wish that for CC.

What's also been hard is the number of times over the past year that I've thought, "oh, I should call and tell mom that."  or "mom and dad will know the answer, I'll ask them."  It is still surreal to me that they are gone.

As each milestone of 2011 goes by, birthday's, holidays, family trips, I take moments to remember.  I am so grateful for all the memories I do have with my parents and how lucky I am that they were part of my life for nearly 32 years.  I know many people aren't that lucky--so I am grateful.

No one loved Christmas like my mom loved Christmas.  As a child we would often be surprised by her gifts---not because we didn't like them, but because we loved them and couldn't believe that mom had remembered from earlier in the year something we mentioned we would like--she remembered and would surprise us with it.  She was always good with surprises.  She was always giving thoughtful gifts to her friends and neighbors--all throughout the year--but especially around the holidays.

I will say as the Christmas  Season--the time of year my mom loved so much-- has approached, each day I think of her and how she LOVED Christmas, the music, the tree, the endless surprising, the family gathering, and all that goes with the special holiday--I want to make those magical moments and memories for CC.

Mom loved Christmas.  I love Christmas even more now that she's gone.  As I prepare to bring the joys and start traditions in our little family this year I am so thankful for a mom and dad that celebrated in the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and who honored him during this time of year--and at all times.  There is no better way for me to remember and honor my mommy than to keep her Christmas spirit, traditions, and joy in celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ alive.

This year, as we hang ornaments on our tree, string lights outside, play Christmas music, and celebrate as a family--we will honor my parents and remember them.

CC will know her Grammie and Pompa.  She will know them because of the legacy they left behind  here on earth; at Christmas and all throughout the year.

Christmas Memories -- Alabama

There's a blanket of snow coverin' up the old road to the house where I was raised

Through the window I see the lights on the tree and a glow from the old fireplace

Though it all looks the same so much as changed from the way it used to be

Christmas memories of happy years gone by

They come back to me and keep me warm inside

Still those Christmas memories make me cry

Now the stockings are filled; the house is still and the kids are dreamin' away

There's that old easy chair, me and Daddy sat there waitin' for Santa's sleigh

Now Daddy's gone but we carry on 'cause the little ones will need...

Christmas memories of happy years gone by

They come back to me and keep me warm inside

Oh they mean so much to me

Those Christmas memories make me cry

December 4, 2010 Leavenworth, WA
Holiday Lighting Ceremony

November 2009
Rochelle * Dad * Mom

November 2009
Holiday's at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance House

2 Month Birthday- November 2, 2011

So despite our excitement that CC turned "two months old" the Doctor said that two month birthday doesn't mean anything! 

Au contraire Dr. Nick!  CC has had several significant experiences on this milestone of life.

*CC has been rolling over since 5 weeks (As of late, since she mastered it already, she can't be bothered with the effort any more...we are trying to convince her it is worth the extra effort!)

*CC loves her tummy time!

*CC gained weight...making progress!
*CC gets to sleep uninterrupted (thanks to a breakthrough in all our feeding issues from birth she no longer had to be awakened up at regular intervals)

*CC had some serious immunizations in the legs--that alone is enough to warrant mentioning the date.  She is RAM tough (as Daddy would say) so it barely phased her beyond the intial 2 or so minute scream.

but most importantly....

*We took pictures of CC identifying the day as her 2 month old birthday!  That means it is of the upmost importance, right?

Gotta love this girl!  She is darling, eh?

Schultz Family Photo...short one...

The title was not a dig at the fact that some of Paul's family members are short.  That's not my job but Paul's job to tease them...I am simply indicating that we were missing one family member...Tony Lacy

Amanda, Paul's sister came west from Jersey for Mike's 60th birthday (Paul's dad) and brought Rowan too!  Tony had to work so wasn't able to make the trip.  While they were visiting we thought it would be a good idea to try and get a family picture.  Who know's why I decided to orchestrate that mere weeks after giving birth...I am hardly happy about the way I look in any of them.  I am posting a couple not because I think I look great, but because I can't believe how much my baby girl has grown since then!!

These pictures were taken on Sept 26, 2011. So CC was a little over 3 weeks old. Some of them are quite humerous!

This first one cracks me up...see if you can find the peek-a-boo game that is in session.

L-R Lauren, Bryan, Mike, Teresa, Amanda, Rowan, Paul, Rochelle and Claudia Cate



All of us together




You mean you don't want your headband in your face?  Is that why you are crying?
There are many other shots of this scenery...family posing, baby crying, 1/2 of us focused on baby, 1/2 on smiling or zoning...



The Sibs

Our little family

Me mid laugh, but Paul and CC are looking at the camera

"I'm Hungry NOOOOOW!"

"Does she want her binkster? Why don't you..."

Still cute even though you are upset

BEWARE bare-naked baby belly!

Don't look if you don't want to see a baby belly!


I was in my 9th month of pregnancy and had this overwhelming desire to see what my "baby belly" looked like from another vantage point besides looking in the mirror, straight on or at my profile.

That looks like a mighty large Canteloup!

Paul peering at me

Can you believe that she fit in that belly? The miracle of life...

Bathtime Shenanigans!

Monday September 12 was a big day for little Claudia Cate.  She got to have a real bath!  It was so cute!  I wish I would have had Paul record video of her first bath, we have probably 40+ still photos, but CC's reactions to the water and getting washed up were seriously so adorable!

Here are a few of the photo highlights.

We are Family...

Here is a picture of CC and I and I'm A) dressed in something other than loungewear and B) smiling and my hair is semi-done for the day.  I could add a C) that my eyes look a little wiggy, but I can't be too picky!

Daddy getting geared up for Seahawk Football.  This was Seahawk Blue Friday--first one of the season! Daddy got to watch pre-season Seahawk ball with CC in the hospital and since they won, he is convinced CC is his secret weapon.

His theory didn't work.  This Sunday, Seahawks did not win despite the two of them dressing in their Seahawk gear.



Newborn Size is not OSFA-Newborns...

Many people warned us that we should not purchase many newborn sized outfits.  So we didn't.  But we did purchase one cute dress that we hoped would fit her for the first week we went to church at least because it was just so darn cute.

We decided to have her wear it on her 6th day here on earth...well we were unable to button the back.  This is odd to me because she wasn't that big of a baby and quite frankly still isn't!  But since I thought it was so adorable and we wouldn't be able to have her wear it again, we attempted to take her picture in it.
Here are the results--none very successful.  You can see the progression of her tolerance or lack thereof.  The headband was a little bit too big.

Happy "One Week" Birthday to CC!

Little CC was born 7 days before her Grammie's birthday.  Grandma Rich's birthday was September 9, 1946. 

September 9, 2011 is Claudia's 1-week birthday!   I'm excited that we will always get to celebrate Claudia's birthday while honoring and remembering her Grammie each year.

I can barely stand that she was already a week old here!  Daddy got her dressed in her pink Nike onesie that is a tad too big for her.  We are looking forward to the many weeks and many noticable changes as she continues to grow up.

She loves to interact with her Daddy!

How cute are those legs?

An odd angle, but honestly....that tongue sticking out is priceless!


Happy Week Birthday Claudia Cate!

The Guardian

 Kiki our 11 1/2 year old pug has taken on a new role besides "Big Sister."  I must admit we were a wee bit worried about how should react to little CC.  We prepared her by having her get used to Claudia's scent via a receiving blanket before we brought Kiki home to meet Claudia.  It was actually really cute to see her initial reaction.

CC is well protected by Kiki.  Kiki doesn't allow more than one person between her and the baby girl.  She sleeps between the bed and the cradle on the floor in our bedroom. She leaves her bed to protect her throughout the day.

Kiki does her "rounds" at night to make sure the family is okay.  If I have gotten up in the night to feed or change Claudia, and snuck past Kiki without her noticing, when she awakens and doesn't see us in the room.  She paces the house without looking at us until she finds where we are hiding out.    We call her the guardian out at night protecting our home doing her security sweeps regularly to ensure our families safety.

I am relieved that Kiki has not become jealous of Claudia.  Let's hope that she doesn't suddenly change her tune.

"I got a feeling...(woo hoo)...

That tonight's going to be a good night, that tonights going to be a good good night!"

Can I just describe to you how much better and BETTER each night gets?  I know I'm probably in the "dream like period" of her babyhood. I am still haunted by that first Monday, but despite all of that, we are really sooooo lucky!  She sleeps in long stretches and actually I have to sometimes wake her up (Dr.'s orders) to feed her in the night! 

Showing a little love for the "West Side of WA"

She loves her morning time in bed with us--sometimes we love to just sit and watch her that we don't start the day as early as we should...oh well, she's only this little once!

Sleepy Morning Time

How many patterns can you find in this picture?  I count 4!

Manicure Anyone?

So in addition to this little bundle having long fingers and toes...she was born with sharp little claws too!  So we were having a filing session while she was sleeping.

I think this will have to be a ritual we do often!  She didn't even flinch at all!  Here's momma working the nail file.