Lonely in Casper

So, here I am, alone again in Casper. Mike was gone most of last week for a conference in Denver, he came home for less than 24 hours, and now is gone again for another week-long conference in Houston. The worst part is that he gets to have fun in sunny, 70 degree Texas while Alayna and I are stuck here in cold, snowy Wyoming.

Mike really likes his job and I am so grateful for that, really. He is doing great and just got a big promotion to a supervisory position, and I am extremely proud of him. I try to be a understanding, supporting wife, really. But to be honest, it is difficult to be alone so much with a baby and no family and very few friends around. Last year, just before and after Alayna was born, Mike was traveling to his field site (2+ hours away) on Monday and then he would stay in a hotel in a nearby town for the week and come home only on the weekends. That was the worst, especially after Alayna was born and after my mom left and Al had cholic.... Oh man, don't get me started on how hard that was...

Things are definitely better now. First of all, Alayna sleeps through the night and she got over her cholic pretty quickly, thank God, so I am much more emotionally stable than I was during her first few months! Now, Mike doesn't stay in the field all week but rather drives there and back each day. It's nice to at least be able to see him and hug him and talk to him each night, but he doesn't get home until about 8 or 9 pm and then leaves early in the morning, so Alayna doesn't usually see him at all.

The best change this year, though, is that the geologists are now working 4 10-hour days a week, so we get wonderful, blissful 3-day weekends together. Now that he's the field supervisor, he doesn't get 3-day weekends every week, but when he does it's SO nice. He lets me sleep in while he takes Alayna in the morning, we go to the library together, go shopping, go out to eat, take walks, watch movies, and just play and have fun. But, of course, he always seems to have some conference or class or something that he has to fly off to, and then we're stuck here alone again.

Don't get me wrong, I love being with Alayna and being a mom. She's so sweet and fun, and it's so exciting to see her grow and learn every day. But she's a total Daddy's girl, and she really misses her daddy when he's not around. I can tell a noticeable difference in her mood when he is here vs. when it's just her and me. I really feel for all of those single parents out there because despite all of the love you have for you children, it's hard and it can really get lonely.

I am planning on starting a part-time job as a Speech Language Pathologist for the local school district soon. I am a little bit scared about the job and feeling guilty about putting Alayna in daycare, but I think it will be good for us. I don't really have a choice about going back to work because I have to do a Clinical Fellowship within a few years of graduating in order to be certified as an SLP, and my time is running out. Despite that, I realize it's important for me to do something that is fulfilling rather than just sitting around missing Mike all the time. I'm excited to meet new people and interact with other adults again. I think it will be good for Alayna to interact with other children too. So, hopefully I'll love my new job, make some great new friends, and my days of being a lonely stay-at-home mom will soon be over. Wish me luck!

Christmas 2009

We had a very nice Christmas this year. We just stayed home and had a nice, relaxing Christmas and New Year. We had quite a bit of snow, so I was glad we didn't have to travel. Mike's dad Ralph came to spend Christmas with us, which was very nice. We were hoping his brother Jason would come too, but he wasn't able to. Maybe next year.

Mike decorated our house with lots of Christmas lights and it was beautiful.

Alayna was so excited about all of the lights and Christmas tree ornaments. She loves pulling all of the ornaments off the tree and lying under the tree looking up at all of the lights.

She is also fascinated by all of the snowflakes I hung up on the ceiling.

Alayna got so many nice gifts. I can't believe how much she has already, and she's only one year old! She got a rocking horse, a bean bag, blocks, books, stuffed animals, and lots more, and she loves everything!



Mike and I are so blessed to have each other, our beautiful daughter, and our home, health, family, and friends. Thank you all for being a part of our lives and may the new year bring us all more of God's blessings. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Snow Snow Snow

We flew back to Wyoming on December 1st and had to drive through a huge snow storm to get home. Alayna and I got all bundled up in our snow pants, boots, hats & mittens, and matching UT coats, ha ha!, and we went out to play in the snow for the first time. She was so overwhelmed by it all, she just stood there completely paralyzed the whole time. I made a snow angel and tried to make a snowman but the snow was too powdery and wouldn't stick together. So, we just took a few pictures and went back in after a few minutes. As soon as we got back inside and took off all of our winter clothes, Alayna started crying like crazy to go back outside! The snow has mostly all melted now, but we're expecting another snow storm for Christmas, so we'll have to go back out and try again then.

Thanksgiving in Tennessee

First off, I have to apologize for taking so long to update my blog. I have been so busy with the holidays and a sick baby that I just haven't found time to get on the computer much in the last month. But now, thankfully, Alayna is well, I have all of my Christmas decorations up, crafts are all made, presents are all bought and wrapped, and cards and packages are all sent, so I finally have time for blogging!

We spent Thanksgiving in Tennessee with the Simpson family. Mike flew out the weekend before Thanksgiving and we were so happy to see him after two whole months of being apart. He said he couldn't believe how much Alayna had grown and changed. My brother Patrick and his wife Becky were there in Tennessee too, and it was really nice spending some time with them.



We had a bonfire where we roasted hot dogs and went golfing.



Since Grandma is living at Mom & Dad's house now, the family came up to their place for Thanksgiving. Like always, Mom made an amazing meal, Dad carved the turkey so he could eat all he wanted, and we played lots of Hand and Foot and Ping Pong.




The day after Thanksgiving, we went to the Dollywood Dixie Stampede to kick off the Christmas season. It was a Christmas-themed dinner show with horses, dancing, singing, etc, and Alayna absolutely loved it. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Knoxville Zoo and Library Fun

Mom, Alayna, and I went to the zoo a couple of days ago. It was nice because it was in the middle of the week so there weren't many people there and it was cool but not too cold. Alayna loved seeing all of the animals! She's a total animal lover like me. Her favorites were probably the birds, monkeys, otters, and the camel who reached down and gave her a kiss!





We have also been going to the library about once every other week. There is a huge bear there that Alayna loves to go up and hug. She has also been learning how to put puzzles together.