It's (A) Wild Life

Can you say SUN?!?! We are so happy to have had some really SUNNY and warmer days here this week! Despite being very thankful for the cold, snowy winter we had (since my internal thermostat was apparently set to HOT while I was pregnant), I am so glad the first signs of Spring are finally here! Mr. Quackers, the affectionately named white duck living on the lake in front of our house, is busy 'making his house' in a yet leaf-less bush that extends out into the water. The daffodil bulbs are beginning to pop open revealing their cheerful yellow blooms and the two swans on the lake seem happy to no longer have to walk on the frozen water! Apparently, it is duck (mating) season, since the mallards are often chasing after the brown female ducks.

We love our feathered friends that also make their home here - they are quite entertaining! While Daniel and I were out on a little stroll, I took a few pics of the swans... paddling along, often "diving" in the water for a nibble on a few tender green water plants. Bottoms up!

Little Things

I truly believe it is most often the little things that count - brief words of encouragment, offering some kind gesture to a stranger, a smile, little inexpensive (but loving and thoughtful) gifts. My husband is a master of so many of these little things. On our second date, he showed up at my front door with a bouquet of brightly colored gerber daiseys. The third date, he unloaded several grocery bags of fresh produce and fruit into my fridge (almost empty except for mustard, water, and coffee), explaining that "if I am going to spend much time here, we need some fresh food to eat". Ok, maybe that was just a matter of sheer survival. Nevertheless... it's the little things. Little things that showed he cared. As he does a couple of times a month, he returned from shopping with a bouquet of fresh cut tulips... beautiful red ones with yellow margins. He said, "You are the best wife and mom ever." For any guys out there who might be reading this, just know that he got BIG (actually HUGE) points for that ;-) ! Little things - the best of all!

First 7 weeks

It is truly amazing how fast our little guy has grown in only 7 weeks. Looking back over these photos makes me realize how fleeting time really is... and that we must cherish each and every moment.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Clocks Spinning Faster, Nights Shorter (Six Weeks in Review)

Six weeks? Really? I honestly can't believe it has been that long since we brought Daniel home. Wow - time is really flying! My days are a blur and I find myself looking at the calendar to determine the day of the week. My focus has completely changed, away from myself to our precious little baby, while trying to keep my priorities straight. God, Michael, Daniel - in that order. Sleep is a luxury, spit up on my shirt is no big deal, and each day brings new excitement as we watch Daniel grow so quickly. He has gone from just less than 8 pounds at birth, to now over 11 pounds! I am truly amazed that my body alone is able to sustain this little guy and such an amazing growth rate. If I did not know better, I would think someone was feeding him growth hormone and steroids! He has already outgrown many of his newborn clothes and is almost fitting into his 3-month-old size clothes.


Daniel's grandparents absolutely adore him! My mom came to visit us from the US for a week in January and we look forward to Michael's parents coming from Vienna next week. They eagerly await new photos on Daniel's website everyday, often checking it several times a day in anticipation of something creative and new. It is really sweet.


We are so blessed that Daniel sleeps as well as can be expected at night, waking only twice to nurse. From the first night we brought him home, he has been sleeping in his own crib, more restful both for him and for us. He STILL hates tummy time, but still gets some "exercise" on his tummy while lying on my chest when we catch an afternoon nap together, a wonderfully special time that I absolutely love sharing with him. He is beginning to smile at us and the interaction with him is indescribable. His little smiles and sweet cries melt me.

I can only imagine what the next days, weeks, and months have in store for us and Daniel continues to change, grow, and amaze us...

Welcoming a SON!

On Thursday evening, December 25, 2008 at 7:46 PM, we welcomed our first child, a beautiful baby boy named Daniel Tyler Cvitkovich, into the world. I could never have imagined receiving any better gift on earth and feel blessed beyond words. The birth of a child is truly a miracle. So many times this past week I have gazed into his blue eyes and wept sobbing tears of joy as I held him in my arms, his tiny fingers wrapped around only one of mine. I am humbled knowing that God selected Michael and me to care for, love, and raise this precious child. This labor of love is both an honor and a pure joy and I pray daily that God will give me the wisdom, strength, and patience I need to be the mother He wants me to be. I have always thought that raising a child is one of life's greatest responsibilities. The realization that Michael and I are now blessed with this responsibility is daunting.

Daniel is now 8 days old and the time since his birth has been a complete blur. I find myself asking Michael, "What day is it? What time is it? Oh, I haven't eaten anything since breakfast?" I have always been one who needed more sleep than not (often taking naps on the weekend even when I was not pregnant) and very much enjoying food (sometimes a bit too much). Sleep seems like a luxury now and I have no idea to where my appetite has escaped. That latter is actually ok, since my pregnancy was a bit more "healthy" than recommended and a missed meal will certainly not adversely affect my health. Fortunately, I have THE BEST husband on Earth who has taken care of cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, shopping, and taking care of Daniel during the day when I really needed to get a few more hours of sleep or take a shower.... not to mention the exception care of me that he provides everyday. We have decided I will take the night shifts since Daniel is only milk fed (naturally) and it makes no sense for Michael to get up with me just to change a diaper. Our system is working well for both of us and since Daniel has finally learned the difference between night and day, we are all getting on a good schedule. We consider ourselves VERY blessed with such a wonderful baby.

Today was our first day "out" as a family. We went to the little mall in our town and then for a nice dinner at the Chinese restaurant there. It was so nice to get out and I really loved feeling like a family! We had everything perfectly prepared to take him out (diaper bag, warm clothes, etc) and were excited to try out our new stroller with him. Funny thing was the stroller was quite wobbly. We had forgotten to check the pressure in the inflatable tires. Fortuanately, there was enough for us to walk around the mall, but we will definitely fix that little issue tomorrow. Michael so proudly pushed the stroller while we were out. Daniel slept the whole time we were out until he woke with a shrill cry less than 10 minutes after we arrived at the Chinese restaurant. I grabbed the diaper bag and walked like an olympic speed walker to the one place in the mall that I knew had a nice baby changing room. I felt like I had a flashing sign reading "NEW PARENT" hanging on me. I have not walked that fast since the last time I was at the gym a few days before Daniel was born. After a very messy diaper change, I emerged from the changing room feeling a sense of accomplishment and confidence that "I can do this!" Each day Daniel teaches us a little bit more about how to take care of him and so each day gets easier. Life is good, life is really good.