There's an App for That

I have several friends with new little ones on the way or just arrived. When I was pregnant, I had absolutely no clue what kinds of things I might need as a new mom; I was pretty clueless when it came to baby care and gear. Luckily, a great friend who was a recent new mom graciously offered to take me to the baby store to point out the things she used along with the items that were a bit more 'superfluous'. Granted, I still ended up with many things we never really found great use for and inevitably we needed some items more than I expected. And most assuredly each new little life and their caregiver has unique needs and different things that work for them.

But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that there has been a clear number one baby gear item. It has the most wide reaching impact and has benefited not only mom, baby, and dad, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Yes, I am talking about the iPhone.

No doubt the most used tool I have in my aresenal on a day to day basis.

Caris fussing on a long road trip? No worries. Just quickly download the FREE rattle app and baby is mesmerized for hours.

Not so great at remebering a camera or taking pictures? You're in luck. The iPhone can doument any precious moment at any given time. And added bonus: looking through pictures and playing back videos can provid great entertainment for your little one.

Need to send the grandmas and aunties a baby fix? Simply utilize aforementioned function to email or text to latest cute new Caris move and the Caris fix is delivered in the matter of minutes.

Daughter a music lover? Well, we are in luck. Pandora App, iPod, all always within arms reach to play a little tune for our dancer. And recently added, a BABY PIANO. Seriously, now Caris can play the piano on my phone. (and she does)

Need to catch up on correspondence in the midst of newborn care and round-the-clock feedings? Email at your fingertips. And if you need a game, distraction, diversion, to help you through the long nights. Well, there are Apps for that too. Scrabble anyone?

Want to provide some education on the go? Simply download a phonics or alphabet game.

There are also baby monitors, baby care schedules, animal games, and flash cards. All available within minutes.

And with the internet always at my fingertips, I can always google 'Can my baby eat (insert food) at (insert age) ?' if we are eating out or 'Is (insert illogical concern) normal?' and all sorts of need-to-know-right-now questions.

Yes, I use my iPhone alot. And okay, Caris already knows how to swipe through pictures, use her 'forefinger pincher' to play games and to change songs. And, ya, I am clearly pretty dependent on its presence at my fingertips. And we are clearly a product of the technology era, love it or hate it. But you know what? I'm okay with that. Because on numerous occasions, it has been my saving grace.

And for a brief (scary) time period yesterday when I 'missplaced' my very valued item, I realized just how much I put it to use. And how much I DID NOT want to lose it. And the beauty that is the iPhone saved me again. By simply logging into my moblie me, I was able to locate it's whereabouts (still in the hospital), send a page to my phone requesting benevolence on the part of it's finder to please page me, set off a two minute alert, and lock it so it's valued contents could not be disturbed. And within minutes, a gracious woman belonging to the 'sisterhood of the working nursing mothers' paged me to let me know she had heard my phones alert and was notified of my pager number.

And all was right again.

So new mommies? Want to know my top recommendation? The tool that will become your 'right hand (wo)man'? That has tools you never knew you needed?

Whatever IT is when it comes to baby needs. Well, I'll just say it.

There's an App for That.

Magic and Secrets

First there was the 'Magic Crawl'. Caris would move around the room, getting to desired object, seemingly by magic. A little scoot, roll, semi-crawl, stand, unkown movement, and then there she was. Across the room. A no evidence of traditional 'crawl' witnessed.

Then there was the 'Secret Crawl'. Not wanting anyone (especially mom least she forge her carrying) to know, Caris would crawl in secret. When no one was looking. She was caught in the act crawling while mom did the dishes and dad worked outside. Busted.

And then came this:

She finally decided it was worth her efforts. Caris, as per usual, does things on her own accord; no pressure from social norms or peers. (haha)

And now she's speed racing with the kids at school.

Happy day

To the one who makes us laugh. The one who works harder than anyone I know. And who makes our lives better.

The one who perfects all endeavors, and is unafraid to pursue many. Who faces life with quiet determination and peaceful resolve. And is passionate about what he believes and and believes fully in his passions.

The one who loves his family. Who knows where quality time should be spent. And who's accomplished more in 29 years than seemingly possible.

Here's to the last of your 20's and the beginning of birthday's as a father.

Happy Day to you, G.

The Best

Does anyone watch Modern Family? Or know about the beauty that is Hulu? We don't have time for too much TV at home these days, so it has become my guilty pleasure when I need a 30 minute break for lunch at my desk.

So I indulged one day this week. And this episode literally had me laughing out loud. I thought it was a pretty humerous take tangentially related to some of the ideas I expressed in more serious tones recently.

I've uploaded the intro, but the whole episode is pretty funny if you need a couple of 20 minutes respite at your desk....



'Our kids are the greatest. But are they the best at something? I'll have to think about that.' 'And that leaves Luke.....We dropped the ball on that one, ya, a little bit.'



Too funny.

Quirky bird

It is so fascinating to watch the emergence of a developing personality in our girl. In the past few weeks, we have really seen Lil' C becoming a little one VERY full of personality. The overwhelming trait so far is that she is SILLY. FUNNY. QUIRKY.

It is almost indescribable, this little trait, but it sure is dominant. And although I am indeed partial, biased, what-have-you, even her teachers have commented on how they get such a kick out of how silly she is at such a young age. It is really quite humerous to spend some time observing this little one.

As examples, Caris will seemingly just start cracking up at herself for no reason. Like she is in on a little joke that the rest of us are not privy too. In fact, I think she already finds herself funnier than the rest of us who spend our days trying to entertain (with the exception of her Dad I think....they must have the same humor :).

She has this quirky little habit of rubbing her head on any new texture, to hear the noise and feel the movement. She does this all the time. And cracks up.

Her dance moves introduce themselves at an sign of a beat (even when the beat is the chopping of a knife...) and the moves themselves are simply silly.

But admittedly, she comes by this honestly. Garrett may just be the 'secretly' funniest person I know. And myself, well, I was quite a goofy little child and am full of my own random quirks. The combination lends itself to a most unique presentation of SILLY.

Caris, you are quite entertaining. Our silly little girl. And as your dad says, I have a feeling you are going to be hilarious in a few months... I can't wait to see what's in store.

My Funny Valentine

In a month of pink and hearts, Caris, you are most loved.

We were able to celebrate this fact over the course of a 3 day weekend, at home, with our little family of three and very few obligations. And it was just lovely...

I do love this little holiday, and (no offense G) even more so with a little one to shower with Valentine goodies. Heart sweaters, pink dresses, red jammies, loving all the clothes. Caris had her first two 'boyfriends': a valentine at school and a gifted Raggedy Andy doll (which she LOVED).

As is obligatory on this holiday, she received many treats, including cherry and strawberry flavored versions of her favorites snacks. Lil' C loves to eat puffs and yogurt bites for special snacks. YUMMY. We also let her indulge in waffles and strawberries for breakfast. This girl loves her some waffles.

All in all, the loveliest day of loving on our funny, funny little girl.

To B...

A letter to my daughter....


Although in the title of this little venture, the punctuation is left open ended, I hope our journey 'To B...' is one with purpose and intent. I feel, at times, I am constantly trying to be something. I do believe that who we are morphs as our journey takes us to new places, but I want to fully embracing the 'Being'. The imperfections, ambitions, failures, successes all make up who we are. And like or love it or not, that is our 'To B'. As parents, there is often talk of what children 'will BE one day'. I hope that we are not defined by what we will one day be, but for who we are in the present. And thus the letter to my daughter...


Caris, I want you to know that you already ARE. You are a beautiful creation. No matter where your journey takes you, I want you to know that. You are a daughter of the Creator Himself, loved by your parents for who you are RIGHT NOW, the little girl you are becoming, the teenage who will share our home, and the young lady who will come into her own.


You may become many things. A student, a friend, a mother, a wife, a sister, and whatever else you fancy. You may be quirky, sweet, funny, awkward, beautiful, spirited, and gracious. You may have great successes. You may have some failures. You may wish for things that are not to be.


But I want you to know that those things do not define you. Yes, they will be part of your story, part of the fabric that makes up your life experience. No matter what nature these pieces reveal, I want you to know that you already ARE.


My prayer for you is that you are able to see this. And in doing so, embrace the beauty that you uniquely hold. You are created. You have life. Right now. As a tiny baby, you are already so much.


You are You.


Caris Elizabeth - Your first name means 'Grace' and shares the origin for 'Caring' and your middle claims that you are 'Consecrated to God'. This meaning holds a promise. That you are one of God's children. Saved by His grace.


And who you are in Him is BEAUTIFUL.


And my promise to you, Caris, is that along your journey I will be there. I will try teach you virtues and instill values. Encouraging the development of your unique character. I will share in your experiences, good or bad. I will support you in your dreams, if they come true or not. And along the way, I promise to always remind you to embrace who you are. And to love that girl for who she IS.


With Love...

Dancing queen

I know I've mentioned several times Lil' C's love for music and dancing. Which I feel started in-utero :) Her crazy dance skills have really taken off as of late, as has her love of music. In fact, Caris' teacher's have gone so far to say the only time Caris fussed at school last week was when the music was turned off.

By chance, Caris was recently exposed to the musical stylings of none other than Ace of Base (hey 1998) which apparently is just the kind of beat the girl likes to dance to. Thanks to the Pandora music App on my phone, we now have 'Ace of Base Radio' ready to play. Which includes all kinds of 'fabulous' dance music. Again, evidently this is the dance beat that Caris fancies.

We have been unable to share the magic that is 'Caris Dancing' until G was able to capture this little gem.

I mean, I literally laugh out loud every time I watch it. It's a little lengthy, but I promise there is bonus feature at the end if you go the duration. It's worth it.

I meant, it seems like she's right on beat, no??

Thanks 1990 for offering up some great tunes to jam to.

Flashback : A Christmas Tale

Disclaimer:

I do realize January has ended. And Christmas was in December. But hey, it's been busy. And for several reasons, it took a while to compile pictures from our Holiday ventures. But I wanted to document for posterity sake.

So a 'Flashback' To Caris' First Christmas:

We spent Christmas Day in Gonzales at Grandma Blundell's. We had a wonderful morning and Santa came to visit Caris! He brought her a swing for her tree :) So exciting! We had a special time with Caris on her first Christmas morning. We then had a traditional Christams lunch; Grandma Blundell cooks the BEST dinners!! It was a beautiful, relaxing day. And Caris got in a good Christmas nap (the best kind of nap :)

Ready for school with her new back-pack!

Daddy G gave his daughter her first cross necklace, beautiful sapphires. A very special gift :)

The Blundell crew

Christmas Eve, although unfortunately the majority was spent in the car, began and ended with visits from Santa. We woke up at JJ and Susies' to see a beautiful white Christmas blanket and found Caris's wagon and pony! So excited. Then Enter: Winter Wonderland.

When we arrived in Gonzales late that evening, we went to the Boysen's for Christmas Eve celebrations with the extended family. Lots of Aunties and cousins to love on Caris! Such a fun gathering of family to play with Caris to celebrate the season for the next several days.

When we arrived, Santa had left Caris a beautiful rocking chair to open Christmas Eve (He contracted with Grammy Jane to do the work :) Caris loved checking it out, even though she was pretty worn out from the days adventures, she was ready to play in her rocker! We spent the week spending time with family and taking trips to the country to soak in fresh air.

A few days later, Garrett's immediate family came to our home to celebrate our 'personal Christmas :)' Grammy Jane prepared a wonderful dinner and we had a great evening celebrating. Caris was definitely spoiled by her Aunts, Uncle, and Grandparents! It was a very fun night and good time to spend with everyone.

Mittens and gloves! So fun.
Ready to bake with Aunt Alli! Such a cute gift from Natalie :)

A few days prior to Christmas, we ventured down to Albany the to celebrate with the Jones clan. Festivities included a Chili Cook-off with local friends where Garrett's lobster chili debuted, Jones family 'skit night' where the Blundell's placed second with our rendition of 'All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth', and Wii tournaments. We had several beautiful dinners and spent many hours in the magic of Christmas.

Christmas participated in her inagural time honered Jones girl tradition and received Jammies from Grandpa JJ (with back-up by Susie :)

We loved getting to spend so much time with family!! We took advantage of the fact that we were able to travel this year and made sure to make the rounds to visit as many people as possible; as we aren't sure how often we will have another opportunity to have this much time off for the Holidays. It was a really wonderful way to celebrate Caris' First Christmas. Thank you to our families for making it so memorable :)

A Perfect Day

Last week, I took a day off to take Caris to her check-up and spend some quality mommy-daughter time.

When G came home and asked how the day was, I was happy to announce

'It was a Perfect Day'

Yes, the perfection was highlighted by a FULL day of nothing but Caris and punctuated by some time with G in the evening.

But what I was referring to was a bit more superficial.

I had the kind of day where all things went our way:

Caris slept until 7:30. A perfect time to start our day.

She fed herself breakfast, which allowed me to finish some much needed kitchen chores.

Lil C took her nap at the perfect time and for the perfect length; I had plenty of time to shower and get ready before our appointment.

Her eating schedule was appropriately timed to meet our days needs (pre-appointment feeding, pre-playdate, etc.)

We hit ALL the GREEN lights on our drive to the doctor. (In the Houston med center!!)

We found a parking spot on the first floor right next to the elevator (In the Houston med center!!)

We were EARLY to our appointment, and seen right away.

Caris napped right before our time with friends. Equals HAPPY Caris.

I share things because I REALLY appreciate these things.

The moments where all goes right.

Because typically, we are a 'two-poopy-diapers-on-the-way-out-the-door-all-bundled-up-forget-(insert neccesary item)-running-10 minutes-behind-slightly-off-schedule-never-quite-ready-and-hit-lots-of-traffic' kind of operation.

And I am thankful for those days. For the imperfections. For the joy we find in each moment. For the chaos and the crazy.


Each day is perfect, in it's own right. Don't get me wrong.

But I was especially happy to have that PERFECT DAY.

We need those every once in awhile to handle the chaos that typically comes.
And it supports my theory that our Caris has a little of Lady Luck on her side :)

Truly, how can any day with this face be anything but perfection??