Where does the time go?

Wow, so where does the time go? I know I am horrible at keeping up with this darn blog but there are just not enough hours in the day sometime! Things are going well in the Hill household. Here is a little recap of some things that have been happening lately!

Natalie: Well she turned 1 on November 10th! I can't believe she is 1 year old already. The past year has flown by so fast and it is so much fun watching her grow and learn. We had a birthday party for her at my parents house and she made out like a bandit. More toys of course, a few outfits and a little money. Not bad for only being 1! She had a great time and was a trooper throughout the day. I didn't think she would last being passed around but she did! I tried getting a picture with her and all of her little friends but definitely wouldn't work. Maybe next time? We started her on swim lessons yesterday. She LOVED them. She loves the water. I can't wait until next week. It is a 6 week course so I am sure she will enjoy them each week!

For Josh and I, work has been keeping us busy and of course race season will be starting again before we know it. We had the racing banquet on Friday November 7th and had a blast. Our good friend Gregg ended the season in 8th place so we were happy with that! I actually had to call off work on Monday the 10th due to me pulling some muscles in my lower back. It is still pretty painful but I am dealing with it. The doctor says it will be something that could continue to happen unless I start lifting Natalie in a different way, or should I say correct way. I hope it feels better till Monday since we will have another swim lesson for Natalie. The first one my dad took her into the water and I was disappointed it couldn't be me but for her safety, it was a better move!

Other than that, nothing to exciting. Just gearing up for the holiday season that is approaching quickly and enjoying our time with each other. Natalie is growing to fast and learning so much each day it is hard to recap everything! I hope to post some pictures next time and of course, the next blog, not sure when that will be but I will try to continue these more frequently!

Until next time.....

Where has the summer gone!

Where has this summer gone? This coming weekend is Labor Day and it has been forever since I posted an entry! Things are going really well, however we are keeping very busy.

My new job is AWESOME. It is so nice having a set schedule and much more relaxing. It can be some very long days right now since we are not that busy but thats okay with me, I enjoy the relaxation!

Natalie, oh where do I begin! She is getting bigger each day and before I know it, I will be planning her 1st birthday party! She of course is crawling up a storm but is also pulling herself up! We think she will be walking by her 1st birthday! So scary! I remember saying, come on, crawl. I couldn't wait. And now, whew, sometimes I wish she would just stay in one place! hehe :) Below are some pictures that I took for her 9 months!

We have been keeping busy this summer. Josh is of course busy with racing and I am looking forward to that ending. We have visited the Philly Zoo and Chocolate World with Natalie this summer and definitly had a good time! We really didn't get a vacation but thats okay, maybe next year!

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and I promise I will try and post more often!

It has been been a few weeks..

Sorry for such a gap in our posts, but things have been busy with weekend trips, my new job, and the daily tasks around the house!

Things have been going great! I started my new job at LANCO on June 16th and have been LOVING it. It is such a great move for me. I have a set schedule, which has helped Miss Natalie into a routine, great team members and a less stressful environment. The new branch in Willow Street is looking to open on the 21st of July so I can't wait for that and be much CLOSER to home! I do miss many of the gang at the bank, however I do not miss my position or the stress level. They understand that and I hope to see them again soon!

Two weekends ago, Natalie had her first night away from home. My mom offered to babysit so I can attend the races at Williams Grove with Josh. She did WONDERFUL for my mom and it was her first overnight :) We missed her greatly but it was nice to have a night out with just the two of us and see some great friends! We hope to take Natalie sometime to the races but first, must find some ear protection! Natalie is growing up so so fast its amazing! She is getting ready to crawl and once she does, I am in trouble! She is getting closer and closer each night, it is just a matter of time.

This past weekend we headed to Potter County with my grandfather and mom. It was a nice weekend away and relaxing and my grandfather enjoyed the company of Natalie. You can just see how much he loves her and she loves him! We visited with the Furlow's in hoping for mom to see bear but they decided to not come out and play. Mom was bummed of course!

This coming weekend we are heading to the beach for the 4th of July! It will be a great time, as long as the weather is good! We are looking forward to taking Natalie to the beach and seeing what she does with the sand and water. I am sure I will have plenty of pictures to post after the weekend!

We can't forget about Maggie...Maggie is doing great with Natalie and Natalie loves her to death. Over the past two weeks we have been giving Maggie run of the house while we are at work. She has gained our trust and we enjoy knowing that she is not penned up all day. She loves laying out in the remodled room since the windows are lower and she can look out them. It is funny that in the morning, I can see her watching out the one window as Natalie and I leave. She has been a wonderful dog and I am so glad she has learned to enjoy Natalie.

Overall things have been going great and we are enjoying the summer. We hope to have a picnic sometime this summer, it is just a matter of when! We wish everyone a great 4th of July Holiday!!!

Off to a new start...

So starting on Monday, I will be starting my new adventure..a.k.a....new job at LANCO Federal Credit Union. I am super excited but super nervous too! I know this is the best move for me, however I will miss all my old co-workers greatly! Friday they bought me lunch and gave me a wonderful gift basket and cake. I know I will keep in touch with many of them, but I do not think it has sunk in yet that I am not going back to what I am use to on Monday! Wish me luck for Monday!!!

Natalie is doing wonderful. She is growing so quickly that I can't believe she is 7 months old already! She continues to learn new things and amaze me at the things she learns each day. We have her drinking out of a sippie cup and today for the first time she did a little wave for hi or bye. I don't know if she understands what she is doing but to me, I was beyone amazed at that!

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I am sure Josh is excited to be celebrating his first Father's Day! I guess I better sign all of the cards tonight before bed so we can give them to him tomorrow. For now, we got him a picture frame that you can record a voice on it so he can take it to work and I will probably tell him an I owe you for whatever else he wants since he could give us NO ideas! He goes to Richmond in a few months, maybe I will just tell him to buy himself something there as a late gift :)

Alrighty well I better go, sign the cards and soon head to bed...as always enjoy some updated pictures!

After 8 years....

I have decided to pursue a new job! This past Monday I have resigned from my role at Bank of Lancaster County and will be starting a new role at a local credit union on June 16th! It was a very hard decision but with the changes at the bank with the merger with PNC, it was not a place for me. I have been working to many hours and pressured with to much sales and corporate feeling. For those that know me, I am not the corporate type and rather the more relaxed office type or for the saying the bank use to have, make money, have fun..My new job will give me more of a set schedule, more time with Natalie at the holiday's and even weekends. It was one of my hardest decisions because of the people I work with but in the long run, I will and hope to be much happier. So feel free to come visit me at my new job at LANCO Federal Credit Union!!!

Natalie is doing well, growing each and every day! She is starting to show signs of wanting to crawl so I think it is just a matter of time!!! She has her two bottom teeth through which is fun. The teething process wasn't to bad yet, but she has many more teeth to come!

Our first long weekend away with Natalie..

Happy Memorial Day everyone! What a great long weekend with beautiful weather!! Josh, Natalie and I spent the weekend in Potter County at the home of the Furlow's. We had a wonderful time relaxing, catching up with our friends and meeting new people! Natalie did great, except for the last night. I think she was worn out and exhausted from the weekend on top of being congested AND having another tooth coming in. Lets just say the only way I slept was if she was in the bed with me and that's what we did :)

I always dread going back to work after a long weekend. I always say that I need a day off after a mini vacation to relax from the vacation..lol. I think the best part of the weekend was getting to see some bear in the woods behind where we were staying! It was awesome to watch them and see how daring they were since they came pretty close!

Maggie spent the weekend at a kennel, a.k.a. Doggie hotel. We assume she did well, we can not pick her up until Tuesday. They are closed for the holiday on Monday so we are doggie less tonight. We miss her greatly but we are sure she is enjoying her time outdoors and all. We wish we could have taken her with but she is just not a good listener to take to a place like that and to keep her on a lease at all time!

Nothing else to exciting right now..same stuff different day. I hope to be sharing some exciting news by the end of next week. And for those that are thinking, NO I AM NOT PREGNANT AGAIN...LOL. Some of you may already know but I don't want people getting those crazy thoughts of another baby yet...No way I can handle another one anytime soon!

I think that is is for now. Below are some pictures from our weekend!

Natalie's first 4 Wheeler ride

6 Months Old!!

WOW, where has time gone! Natalie is 6 months old today! It feels like yesterday that I was pregnant and preparing for her arrival and now, she is here and growing up so fast! Natalie has brought such joy to our lives and our friends and families lives. She continues to amaze me at how fast she is growing, how much she is learning and how I don't remember what my life, or should I say what our lives were like without her! I took her to Picture People today to get some pictures taken and she did such a great job! They got some really good shots of her and it was so hard to choose which ones to get. They are expensive but I was lucky enough to have a gift card and coupons so all I had to pay out of pocket was around $8.00! Here are a few pictures that they took. Sorry for the Zazzle across them, but they do not let you save them to your desktop :( Oh well!

Thank you to everyone who is a part of our daughters life and continues to support us! We love you all!!!

Welcome Baby Carson!!

1. This week, Josh and I became aunt and uncle again! Josh's sister Deanna delivered Carson James on Thursday. He weighed 5lbs 5.4 ozs. He is so tiny but so cute! We couldn't be happier! I never pictured myself being an aunt since I grew up having no brothers or sisters but it is awesome having two nephews!

DeAnna and Carson came home yesterday and are doing well. Josh has yet to meet his little nephew but I am sure he will soon! He makes Natalie look so big since he is sooo small! It feels like yesterday that we had her and she is already 5 and 1/2 months! Where does time go!

Natalie is already for summer! Grandma has decked her out with her own sunglasses! Here is miss hollywood!

Josh's mom had her surgery on Friday. She is doing well and is scheduled to come home either Sunday afternoon or Monday. Once the doctors opened her up, it was worse then they expected but she is doing much better! She has a healing time of 6-8 weeks and then she should be as good as new to babysit on Friday's. I know it is killing her not seeing Natalie every week like she planned but she has to remember to take care of herself first! Natalie made her day today when we got to the hospital to visit!

I have entered the blogging world....

Hi everyone! Since Saturday nights are mainly spent at home with Natalie while Josh enjoys the races at the dirt track, I figured I would see what this blogging is all about and maybe even give it a try! I know for some of our friends, we hardly see them anymore, let alone hanging out like we use to, but trust us, you are all close to our hearts and we hope to find more time soon to spend with our friends!

Some updates in the Hill household:

My new room off the porch is getting closer and closer to being finished. For those that don't know, Josh and my dad, thanks to Josh's idea, has been working on a remodeling project for me. Josh decided that I needed a place to scrapbook and I loved the idea! We are redoing the room and it is coming along great! I can't wait for it to be finished and these Saturday nights that I am home, and Natalie is in bed, I can be out scrapbooking! I have all these pictures of my pregnancy, let alone of Natalie that I won't know where to start!

Oh and Miss Natalie. Where do I begin, the past 5 months have been wonderful being a mom. Yes, thats right folks, 5 MONTHS! I can't believe how big she is getting and how quickly time goes. She has learned to roll over and before we know it, she will be crawling. We call her our little monkey because of how she likes to hang off of someone's lap if she is laying on it. I don't remember what our life was like without her and being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world! I know you can post pictures in this, so at the end I will give it a try, but can't promise anything!

Natalie has been trying out her fruits and veggies and has been loving it! So far she has had sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce and started pears tonight. It is so much fun feeding her and watching her try new things. She isn't to keen on drinking anything but milk but thats okay, we will get there!

So since Natalie was born, I was exclusively breastfeeding. Over the past few months since I have been back at work, I have noticed our freezer stash of milk slowly dwindling. I also can not pump as often as she eats so I normally only get 2-3 bottles a day to freeze and she can typically use around 4 a day. I wanted to introduce her to formula so when and if the time comes at the sitters house, she will be somewhat use to it. Well I had to work today and Josh gave it a whirl and he calls and was like it was a no go! The second feeding he mixed breastmilk and formula and she took it. Well tonight I wanted to try and wa la! She took 5 ozs of just formula for me. I know he is going to be upset as to why she didn't take it for him, but I am just glad to know she will take it!

Well I think I will call it a night for now. I hope to keep up with posts but stay with me until I get into a routine of posting!