Can I please have my good sleeper back?

First of all.......I'm a bad blogger. I want to be better. Maybe when I'm getting more sleep my creative side will pop back out...and I will write more.

Now, to the subject at hand. SLEEP.

I'm the mom that other mamas despised at 1month Presley starting sleeping in 5 hr stretches...and quickly progressed to 8 to 10 hours. Until about a month ago this was our reality. You could put her to sleep, move her, feed her, change her diaper. And she would hardly wake, if she did...right back to sleep she went. This was our reality for 6/7 months. And I know with babies/kids everything is a stage. I'm trying not to stress over this new stage. I know its related to many things. TEETH-DEVELOPMENT-Separation Anxiety. And her gaining a new found attitude to get what she wants.

So you know- what am I supposed to do. It breaks my heart to hear her cry/scream. I really don't want to CYO. But I 'm worried we can't go on much longer without some sleep. Working fulltime I can't get a afternoon nap in to recover from a bad night. I gotta suck it up till Thursday (my day off)- and don't even think I can make it up on the weekend. We always so busy.

Here's what we are doing in our house. Presley goes down easy (for me-fights her dad on everything)- 6:30p bath, bottle, play. 7p-7:30p snuggles, finish bottle up in her room in the rocking chair. Lay her down right as she is falling asleep. Check. This part goes well. Consistent bedtime routine. She goes down pretty well.

The problem. Between 12a-2a she wakes up screaming. pissed off. No tears. Just seriously, ticked. I come in pick her up- rock her. Back to sleep immediately. Wait a few. Try to lay her back down....body arching screaming! Try again. Look at the clock, almost 3am. Gotta be up at 5:30a (shit). Sometimes I can get her back down for another hour before screaming. Sometimes she just screams every time i try and put her in her crib. So usually after one sometimes two failed attempts. I take her to bed with me. She had been sleeping fine. In fact, Sun & Mon night this week, matt and I were both so tired I just went to bed with her in the guest room and he in our room so we could both get a good night's rest. (i know i know just reinforcing her bad behavior. people I am tired!)

So as if that scenario wasnt bad enough. The past two nights its gotten worse. (is that possible...YUP) After failed attempts at getting her back to sleep. I bring her to bed to find her waking and fussing from 3a-5a. What the heck kid. You are in our bed. Be happy and sleep! Oh no. Fussy. Hair pulling. Kicking. I know she is tired. She is rubbing her eyes. But trying to climb over me to get to edge of bed...wanting out to play. Fussing cause I'm not letting it happen. I know she isnt hungry. And I am not starting the middle of the night bottles. We got rid of that MONTHS ago. I do occasionally give her a little water. A couple ounces. For comfort.

We have tried some of Pantley's No cry techniques. (I don't own the book, YET). Pj changing. Routine changing. Food schedule changing. Bottle schedule. Amounts. In efforts to slowly re-create her habits. But it's not helping the middle of the night screamies!

I've read things online about trying to meet the need of the child. The fact is I feel guilty and at the same time my heart bursts. I know she wants me. It's just the stage. She wants and misses her mama. I am gone from her all day. And she just wants me and when she wakes up in the middle of the night....I can't bear to not be there for her. I love how much she loves me and I want her to feel the same way right back. So the rationale part of my brain declares she knows how much you love her. But my heart hurts to leave her there crying for me. Not meeting her needs. Of course this is one end of the spectrum. Yes, meet the need of the child. They are all different.

But this is not quite the best overall solution because the sleep of myself and the hubs is being impacted. Of course the other end of the spectrum is letting her cry. I know that might be the quickest route to fixing the problem. But will be the hardest for me and her. I hear so many of you say...you had to do it. It killed you, it broke your heart. But it changed everything for the better.

Is there a middle ground? Can I meet her needs, let her feel safe and loved- but re sleep train her to sleep 10 hours in her crib again?

I am open to all suggestions offered. I make no judgements on other mommy's choices. We will ultimately decide what's best for Presley. Whether it be CYO or something else. (i'm crossing my fingers for something else. But know the reality is, we all are better if we sleep :-)

In the meantime.......Presley is basically so cute. I can't hardly stand how adorable she is ALL. THE. TIME.

Chicken Dance with daddy at wedding!

Cherries! Yum!

Hey!

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Hi Daddy! Love my bath

Double fisted :-) With toys

Play date with our friend Madison

Madison might have been teasing her :-)

Grad School Or Not?

I have been trying now for the past 5 years to decide what I want to do when I grow up. :-)

I graduated with a B.A. in Dec 2005. This was in public relations and marketing. I haven't used my degree. I immediately got a job at the university I graduated from. This was a job in payroll. I went from payroll to being a workshop account for study abroad offerings. So basically, I've been in accounting mode since graduation. I never thought I'd being this kind of work. Lucky for me, my current position really helps me get in involved more with study abroad and undergraduate students and the faculty.

During college I desperately wanted to study abroad, unfortunately I had to work during the summer and holiday breaks and really couldn't afford the extra expense. But I was very involved in a student organization on campus that sent student aboard for internships and brought international students to the US for internships. It was pretty much awesome. :-) And I developed more and more love for cultures and travel.

So being in my current office lets me have a taste of this again. But my current position doesn't fully satisfy my long term job satisfaction or salary exceptions. I know the kind of position in my office that I really would want....but it requires a master's degree. And I don't have one of those. So, here I am with a 7month old, working full time, considering getting preggo with #2 sometime this fall/winter AND considering a Master's Program in International Education...Well it's actually in Educational Leadership, higher education, advising and international education focus.

I have a meeting on Monday with a faculty member in this department that I know and work with a lot for study abroad opportunities. I'm hoping she can point me in the right direction. Tell me if I'm crazy, or encourage me to pursue it...

I talked to the Hubs about it. He is fully supportive of me. I don't know if he knows the true extent I am going to really need supported. But he said go for it if I want it.

IF (and its a big IF) I decide to do this. 1st, I have to be accepted. (not so awesome undergraduate grades will be going against me.) 2. I need to do it before my kiddies are super involved in sports and activities. So, it's no time like the present kinda thing. 3. I can't decide to be a SAHM after baby #2...because I get free tuition being an employee. So I gotta do this while working full time. 4. The program has to offer a part time option. 5. The part time option must give me 5 years to complete it. Because I gotta do this slow. OR I will literally be freaking out and overwhelmed.

The good thing about choosing to do this now...is when its complete...I will be employable in several different offices on campus (or other universities, since the area we will in has several within 1 hr of us---not that i want to leave my current one). I could quit work for a few years with kiddies and re-enter the workforce with more ease than if i left with my current credentials (degree never used or have experience in...job experience but nothing i want to do long term....yes, i can be hired in the future as a over qualified secretary...and re-climb the ladder). Having the master's would allow me to enter jobs at a higher pay scale, which could make daycare much more affordable so quitting would be a choice rather than financially making sense because I don't make squat and daycare is hella expensive.

It sounds like a easy choice. DO IT. But, I don't know what impact it will have on me and my family. It's a HUGE time commitment. And I'm already strapped for time. I'd be back in the books, writing papers, staying up late, studying, cramming, exhausted, tired. I know it will be for the greater good. But man, I already hate missing the daytime hours with lil P while I'm working.

It's a hard choice. My mom went back to school when I was about 8. I really admired her for it. I have seen my aunts and cousins go back and complete, associates, bachelors and masters degrees with a house full of kiddies and no real time that I could see that they could have committed to their school. But they did. And they did it well. I know it can be done. But some things have to be sacrificed for it. Am I willing to do that? Do I want to do that? Should I do it?  I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it all.

Any other mama's out there go back to school with kiddies, growing families? Words of wisdom, advice?

So that was super long. Here's a few pics of Ms. Adorable. Love her so much!

Bathtime fun! She loves sitting in the tub like a big girl

She was so excited about a new toy. She was cracking us up!

Playing with one of her "friends". Madison is a bit older than her and was taking her toys and kinda teasing her. Presley didn't quite know what to think about it all yet. But she played along well. And didn't really get mad at her.

Wordless Wednesday!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Sneaky....loves to untie daddy's shoes

Caught ya!

Does anyone think she looks at all like her dad? ....nah. lol

Mommy/baby self portrait

turning from my kisses...stinker

lol. we were having some fun

How do you make time for exercise?

I have to find some way figure out how to start exercising. It's seriously a must in my life. Pre-baby, motivation was my issue...not time. Now, of course motivation is a issue (but I can work thru that)-  but it's time and energy that is my current dilemna.

Here is my schedule.Up at 5:15 get ready, drop baby off at 7a. Work till 5:30p. Pick up baby. Dinner and bath and playtime...put baby down about 7:30p. Sit down in chair....exhausted. I'm off on Thursday and home with Presley. Thursdays, usually- depending on how stinking hot the weather is...we typicaly get a good walk in or a trip to the pool. But most other days....byt 7:30p/8p when I get the baby down...I crash. I'm beat. And trying to find the energy to put in a Zumba tape. Heck, I can't get my ass off the couch to the dvd player.

How do you all make it work in your lives? How to get over the hump and firm up your booties and thighs and bellies? I need to lose 100lbs. (no joke) But frankly, if I dropped 30 it'd be an amazing accomplisment and a step in the right direction. I don't have to be super skinny (never have been).

Suggestions?

I really want to have it all. (the dream) Family, Career, healthly lifestyle. But I'm struggling witht he Healthy Lifestyle part.

MIA.....

As a typical summer goes, we've been busy. We've been gone on weekends and busy busy during the week.

You know...dealing with some sleep regression, crazy army crawling babe who stops at nothing to get anything she shouldn't have.

This past weekend we took a little time off work and went to Grand Rapids, MI to visit some friends. The Lipford's have a lil guy who is 6wks old and the Goldy's have a lil guy who is 8 months old. So things are changing when we reunite with college friends. We used to day drink and sleep till noon. This weekend, we went to bed by midnight (or earlier). Tried to manage to get all 3 families and kiddos out of the house and ready for a trip to the zoo before 1pm. It was quite humorous....we got out by 2pm. Kiddies on different schedules...parents trying to get cleaned up. Cars packed and loaded. Alas, getting to the zoo and realizing everyone in Grand Rapids was at the zoo that day. It was dollar day....yup. $1 zoo admission. Although it was a great treat and a cheap afternoon entertainment. I would have paid full price admission for less of a crowd. Good think Grand Rapids Zoo is a small zoo. And our kiddies (the older ones) were more interested in the people than the animals. The 6 wk old slept 90% of the time. We saw the entire zoo in 2 hours. Yup- that small.

The weekend before that, although we "stayed home" (slept at home). Saturday was spent with the in-laws. Sunday was spent visiting up with my family. It's just never ending...the running and visiting. As soon as we've seen everyone and caught up on the visiting time....we are behind with someone else. It's exhausting. And now, with P....the family kinda throws a fit if they have gone over a week without seeing her. SIGH.

The next 2 weekends we have weddings back to back. Luckily, I think only of of them requires us to stay over night away from home...and it's just one night at my dads.

The Hubby turns 31 on Wednesday. He's fretting as always...he hates getting older. I still don't know what to do for him exactly. We don't have much spare cash right now. He doesn't want anything. But I need to think of something special for him. He is pretty awesome.

A couple recent photos....cell phone. so poor quality.

P in her BIG girl car seat....(tear)
She is so stinking cute

P refusing to nap anywhere but  my lap.
Working on the sleeping issue.
Things are getting better....much better than this day

Nephew arrival

Joshua David joined our growing family at 1:46pm today. Weighing in at 7lbs 9oz and 22 inches long.

I can't wait to see him.

Such a blessing to our family.

Congrats Andrew and Michelle! You will/are be fantastic parents. He is a blessed little boy!

Mama's Night Out

So tomorrow night is gonna be my first night away from my baby....(tears)

It will also be my first real "girls" night out in ----well let's just say almost 18 months. (yikes)

As sad as I am to have my first night away from my sweet baby girl. I'm due a girls night and a little fun. So my dear friend Mel's bachelorette party has come at the most perfect time.

Mel and I go way back to like 9th grade. Playing softball together, and all sorts of high school classes together. Many many many very inappropriate conversations (almost always), lots of laughter, lots of late nights, cases of smirnoff ice and zima (back in our younger days) and she is always someone I can count on for a fun time, but will be there for you for the important things.

The past couple years it's been harder and harder for Mel and I to get time together. Relationships, marriage, babies, opposite work schedules, living over an hour apart, families etc. But when we do see eachother, she's the kind of friend where things pick up right where they left off. We have gone a year (recently) without seeing eachother....but things aren't at all different between us. She is just that kinda friend. I love her for it. One of my dearest friends (will always be) but our friendship is low maintenance and at a stage in your life where your family is growing, you work full time, keeping up with just our immediate family is hard enough. Friends are so important, but sometimes they aren't first on your list. So that's one of the many reasons why my friendship with Mel is so important to me. We might not see other....or talk often. But we always think of each other and we don't really "drift apart".

I'm honored to celebrate Mel's wedding with her and this Bachelorette Party.  Let the fun begin....and I hope she knows that since she ABSOLUTELY embarrassed me at my party....I saved something for her, and her "crown" will be returning......What goes around comes around girlie!

Me & Mel on my wedding day

Seriously

Linking up with Becky over at Mrs to Mama.



1.Seriously.......I can't believe this cute face has been so sick all week. Besides, the snot coming out her nose, she looks perfectly happy. But seriously, she's been pretty ill. Ear infection, terrible cough and wheezing.

2.Seriously..........nothing is holding this baby back. Although she isn't crawling she rolls to get WHATEVER she wants. lol Gotta get the gates up asap.

3. Seriously....although I'm glad she is finally sleeping unswaddled......she now wakes up 2 or 3 times a night. Because she moves so much. Can't wait till she gets the unswaddled sleeping down. But I know until she feels better mommy's sleep wont improve either.


4.Seriously................his is the first weekend in like 3 weeks we have been home. I've washed all the laundry of the past two weeks, but with a sick baby and working (A LOT)......Seriously, so glad to be home all weekend.
5.Seriously.........Has anyone seen Nurse Jackie from the Showtime series? Matt rented season 1 a week or so back and we started watching it. I can't decide if I like it or not.
6.Seriously........Breathing treatments four times a day till Monday at least. :-( poor baby.

7. Seriously...........this face :-)

8. Seriously........I can't believe we skipped a week of "Seriously". I missed it for sure.

9. Seriously........Will this severe heat let up at all?

10. Seriously.......My new nephew will be here by Monday! I can't wait to see his cute little face and hold him. He's got lots of love just waiting on him.

11. Seriously......My baby gives kisses. The lick your face kind. And we love them! She will grab your face and hold it and go in to kiss lick  my face was so sticky the other day....she kept giving me lots of love, right after I gave her her medicine. The flavored sticky kinda.

12. Seriously....In addition to the sicknesses Presley has been fighting....she had a reaction to her antibiotic and got a rash on her face. Poor thing. Seriously, 4 Dr. Appt's in 9 days. Thats too many. But seriously, look at this face! 

7 months!

29 inches
16 lbs 10 oz

We have a sitter! You learned to sit in the past couple weeks. You blow raspberries. You give kisses. You love your mommy, daddy and dog (ginger).

It's been an amazing 7 months! You are growing so fast, learning, changing daily. It's the most amazing thing to experience.

You've had your 3rd ear infection, a nasty cold and a possible reaction to an antibotic. It's been a busy month.

The limits on your infant carrier are : 22lbs, 29 inches. Well girlfriend....you are moving to your big girl car seat this week. You reached 29 inches this past week. You are so tall!

An "un" swaddling update.

This update is about 3 weeks late. At 6 months, 1 week. Presley decided she was done with the swaddle. It's was a big battle or long transition period. Basically, the week leading up to it we had been not swaddling her for naps. Or just doing it till she was really asleep and un wrapping her for the duration of the nap.

One night she was swaddled and I found her flipped over stuck on her belly. Oh no! She was way to mobile these days...and in one night swaddling became a danger for her. She needed access to her arms, now that she knew how to use them and roll over, back and forth. So the next night, she happened to fall asleep in my arms. (precious). I took her to her crib kissed her, said a little prayer. She woke up around 3am, gave her back her paci. Then woke up at her standard time 5:15am. That was how easy it was.

I was a little worried about the day when the swaddle ended but I really felt like when the time was right, we would move on. It's like that with most things baby related, one day your doing it one way....in a rythm, the next day it's different......This wasn't that different. She does tend to wake up a little bit more at night un swaddled, looking for her paci. But if she can't find it, we go give it to her so she doesn't get too mad and wake all the way up. It's not super often or every hour at night, once or twice.....on a bad night  times. But if she is feeling well then one .....maybe two. Heck, I was up more than that just to go check on her. (Yes, I'm that mom)

So the best thing about no swaddling. Presley prefers to sleep on her side, with her top leg laying over the bottom leg. (same exact way mommy sleeps) and she has to have something to snuggle between her hands. She looooves her "butterfly lovey". Its adorable to watch her sleep in her own way.

So, finally we have moved on from the swaddle.

Sick Baby :-(

Baby girl started to get congested with a lil cough on Sunday. Monday the Dr. said it was viral. Bring her back if she wasnt any better Thursday. Well she wasn't. I was pretty sure she'd have an ear infection. Seems pretty standard for her if she is snotty at all. Sure enough she did. But what is worse is she was coughing so hard and wheezing she needed breathing treatments. We got one at the Dr.'s office. And we are now the proud owners of our own breathing treatment machine. She is getting the treatments 4 times a day until Monday when we go back to get her re-checked. Poor baby.

I must give my husband some serious kudos right now. After the breathing treatment at the Dr.'s office (which took two people) I was nervous about getting home and doing them by myself or matt having to do them alone while I worked today and he was home with baby girl. So we did the first two treatments in the middle of the day together. These treatments don't hurt her and it doesnt taste bad. But simply she needs to hold still with a mask over her pretty face for more than 10 mins. This is a lifetime for everyone involved.  So the last treatment of the night Matt declared he'd do himself since he needed to them by himself the next day. At least if he needed me last night I could come help. He was a pro. I'm not sure I can do it as well by myself.  He really steps up when I need him in the baby care department. I'm blessed.

Although she is a bit cranky (for my seriously super happy baby), and isnt eating great. She still loves her playtime. Her nose was just pouring out snot yesterday afternoon. In between tissue wipes I caught a photo. You can see here she is soaking wet. Between drool and a snotty nose..we had many outfit changes yesterday.

June Goals Review

I don't think this past month was a very successful month as far as accomplishing all my goals. But here is the official review:
1. Weed and Mulch front flower beds! Came home from work on Wednesday and Hubs was in the middle of doing this all for me! He read my mind! It looks great now! Love him for taking that off the list. (and for a million other reasons) Also, Wed- the heat index was around 100. He started this project in the hottest part of the day. 3pm. I should have been the one sweating some serious lbs off. But he said he was happy to make me happy- and he had time to do it that day, so that was it. I'm a lucky girl.
2. Organize and clean up computer/desk area.  Still a mess. Move to July/August list
3. Organize and clean up Hutch in kitchen. Can't open bottom doors without things falling out on us Still a mess. Move to July/August list
4. Baby proof- gates up, things she can get to crawling- put up a few steps higher! We bought the gates. That's a step in the right direction. Installation should be compeleted before the end of the weekend. It' s half crossed off the list.
5. Starting working out agian. This is a hard one. It's something I MUST get motivated to do. There are a million excuses not to. But I need to jus remember the million reasons why I must.! Have not started a workout routine. However, ZUMBA is in the DVD player. Full intentions of shakking the booty yesterday, but P was so sick still I couldn't get her off my hip. Maybe this weekend.  

6. Have a date night. Let someone watch P in the evening. (i hate doing this. because I miss her so much during the day while I work....not being with her at night is hard for me.) But a date with the Hubs is long overdue. Our anniversary is 6-21, so I think that would be a good reason. ! We did have a date night at Lake Erie over the 4th weekend. We would have had one on the actual anniversary evening but we had some things come up that didn't allow us to have a baby sitter etc. Date night was fun. Another is in our future.

So basically, accomplished 2.5 out of 6 goals. That's definately a failing score over all. Oh well. Will try agian in the next 6 weeks to accomplish the remaining and a couple others. July/August goals coming soon.

Goals are important, but sometimes they don't matter that much when you'd rather just hang out with this cute face. Love a nakey baby!

Two things I want

So I'm not one of those people who is typically "Wanting something". I typically satisfied with what I have or don't have. And I am usually all about what we need. But lately, there are two items I want! (not need)

#1 .I want a Keurig coffee maker. We have one at work. Love it. Several people I know are getting them. (jealous, yes) Matt will occasionally drink one cup of coffee. Usually it's just me and I typically drink one cup, maybe two. So this makes a lot of sense for our house. However, I have a perfectly good 2 year old Bunn. I just can't see spending over $100 for a coffee pot when I have a perfectly good working one. Sigh. Maybe I will ask for it for Christmas. That's the time of year you get wants....right?


#2. I want a video baby monitor. One that the camera moves so you can move it via remote if kid moves out of original frame. Do I need this.....yes no. We have sound monitor. It works fine. SHe is literally in the room next to us. But now that she sleeps unswaddled. I find myself checking on her a lot more. The slightest whimper...and I'm up checking on her. If I had a video monitor...I would just have to look at it and then roll over and back to sleep. Basically, I just don't have over $200 to get the exact monitor I want. And I don't buy things if they aren't what I want. If I can't get exactly what I want. I don't get it at all. Typically, this works out...because I must not have really needed it.

Daycare is killing my paycheck. But it's all about having P in good care and since I carry the insurance...Well that's HUGE! 

4th of July Weekend (over due)

For the 4th of July long weekend we went up to Marblehead, OH. On Lake Erie.
I've been going up there for years. It where my dad has always had a boat. He loves fishing. He has a small charter business he does on the side. But mostly its just a fun get away to the lake. This trip was too short. But we accomplished our most important goal. Get Presley on her first boat ride with Papa (her birthday buddy!)

"Papa I can do this myself"

checking everything out

I'm a big girl in the captain's chair!

Love driving a boat

See dad I can do it!

Fear not. We were at the dock when all of these photos were taken. Hence, the lack of life jacket.

But when it was time to get out on the water for her first ride. We made sure she was 100% safe. (not that anything would happen....but u never know!)

Daddy thinks his hat is cool. hmmmmmmm.

Excuse the terrible pic, but Marblehead light house is in the background and our lil family is in the pic together!

good time for a nap!~

Passed out on the 4th. Not letting go of her toy though. So funny. She was WORE out!

Pedicure Tradition

Happy Saturday Morning!
I'm still lame and haven't downloaded my photos and haven't had a chance to blog about poop in the pool or Presley's first boat ride. OH sigh. I'm working on it.

Let me explain about our tradition. First as a background you should know I'm the oldest of 4, my three younger siblings are boys. So for years it was just mama and me to do girl stuff. I knew eventually this would change as my bros grew up and found some ladies to spend their lives with. I always was curious who they'd choose for me as sisters. Well I was blessed. They picked out some of the most fabulous women I have ever met. When it was time for grandbaby #1 to arrive (Byron and Lindsey) mom and I decided we must take LIndsey to get a pedicure. She can't reach her toes, and anyone who has to stick their legs in stirups and push out a baby....must have a nice pedicure. So so the tradition began. 2.5 yrs ago it was jus tthree of us. Now for grandbaby #4....there are 5 of us to go today. The girls....grandma, aunts and mama to be. I love that we do this. Not only because who doesn't loooove a fresh pedicure. But because its a tradition with sisters and my mom. I never had sisters growing up. I didn't get to create those memories/traditions with them as a kid. (I'm not complaining.....love my life and my brothers. it was perfect) But it's so nice now to have this sister thing. :-)

So we are off shortly. Presley is going to join us. (she won't be getting her toes done, but she will be hanging with the girls)

I'll have more pics by the end of the weekend, so i will probably wait for a photo dump till Sunday/MOnday.

Ahhh patience.

I will have beautiful feet by the end of the day.

MIA

So it's been probably over a week since I posted.

I'm a MAJOR slacker.

But, I guess it means a lot has been going on.

Last week was a rush to work as many hours as possible before Thurs. Then run errands Thurs and get to the pool for a bit (priorites here!) Pool adventure has its own story. Friday clean all morning so we could head to the Lake (Marblehead, OH) to spend the extended weekend with my dad and stepmom hanging by the Lake. Internet up at the lake was less than perfect and we were busy.

Get home Monday evening. Our friends are in town. Host. Monday eve and Tuesday eve. (work 11 hours Tuesday) have friends over for dinner cook/clean up play with baby. Get up at 5am and go to work today. (Wednesday).

I love our friends. We had a blast with them. Even if it was mostly just two evenings together. We take whatever time we can get. I don't care that I didn't get much sleep. It was worth it.

So all of these things the past week or so lead up to not having a chance to blog. 

Tomorrow is my day off. (thankfully) I'm hoping to get to bed EARLY! Then, feed P her 5/6a bottle....and cross ur fingers, back to sleep till maybe 8a ish? (in a perfect world)

We do have two things on the agenda tomorrow. A grocery trip is a MUST and get to the pool for a bit. I would like to get a new swim suit. I bought one last year, but cut the straps to help hold up the girls. Well this year it makes the suit ride up real high in the back and its a liablity when it comes being at the pool alone. The straps easily come off their hooks so at any given moment alone at the pool with a 6 month old. I could be flashing everyone. (must get something else!)

I have LOTS of pics. and Many things going on. Working on some postings.

Tomorrow hopefully get a few pics up.

Seriously.........

Another Thursday link up with From Mrs to Mama.

A lot of things have made me go......Seriously?!?!?! ...... this week.

1. Seriously.....I can't believe I've been married 3 years!

2. Seriously.....I actually witnessed someone pick a random fight with someone they'd never met. Some people are so odd.

3. Seriously....If my computer threaten's to "install updates and restart" on me one more time...I will throw it out the window. I will install the updates and restart with I am good and ready. I'm in the middle of something right now.

4. Seriously....Why would change a system setting to "apply to all" when you aren't responsible for ALL or make decisions for ALL. Seriously, people are trying to make my job harder. Seriously, lets use our brain just alittle bit people. What you do affects other people. You aren't the only user in the system. Seriously.

5. Seriously.........Why does Ashley want to see Bentley agian!

6. Seriously......Unnecessary drama is so annoying me this week.

7. Seriously....I have the best hubby ever. Mani/Pedi on Saturday.

8. Seriously.......I love being off on Thursdays. Me and baby girl slept in till 8am!

9. Seriously......If you give unsolicited advice, dont throw a fit when its politely declined.

Happy 3yr Anniversary

6.21.08
One of the best days of our lives

I always said if we had met any earlier in our lives, I would have NEVER dated Matt. LOL
It's true though. 


Our story goes like this.........
Me, 19, college freshman.
Matt, 22, college senior.


I always made friends older than me. Freshman year in college was no different. We had some mutual friends. I was dating a friend of his. And occasionally we ran into one another at a party here and there. The first time I met "Johnny Blaze or JB" (yes, only of the many reasons any earlier we would have never dated) He actually introduced himself to me as Matt. (odd. everyone else calls him JB)


Everytime we ran into eachother he made a point of saying Hey to me. But I knew a few things about him...1. His nickname was Johnny Blaze/JB. (enough said) 2. He liked to party 3. He was a flirt 4. He seemed like a nice enough guy.


Obviously, things didn't work out with freshman year boyfriend. He dumped me a week before Valentine's Day. (Yup. He sure did.) Then a week after, declared he wanted to "spend as much time as possible together" before he graduated. (i.e. endless booty calls.) I was young, but I wasn't that stupid. Of course, it took a weekend or two before I got all my strength together and quit hanging out with him all together.  We still had mutual friends and ran into eachother....almost daily, so wasn't the cleanest breakup.


Then mid-April came around. It was Ghetto Fest weekend. (big multi-block party on the north end of town..."the ghetto") My friends had an apartment there and we spent Friday night cutting fruit and soaking it in Ever Clear. for our Jungle Juice! (or harry buffalo...many names for it)  Makes for cool aide with a serious punch. So needless to say, this was a fun day.  Towards the end of the day Matt showed up with a few friends. We were chatting and hanging out a lot. It was time to head home, and I was feeling sober by then. (of course, I do not think I made a good decision, but the truth is what it is) So I decided I was going to head back to my dorm. Matt and his friend wanted a ride. No biggy. I drop the friend off first. Then head toward Matts. We get there and he invites me to hang out for awhile. I question this (it was possible to run into my ex here). But decide what the heck. We have a nice evening hanging out with his roommates. He is definately flirting with me, but I really stay pretty standoff ish. Since I am hanging out with friends of my ex with a new guy. I don't want to be seen as slutty or something. Cause at that point, I wasn't even sure if I liked him like that or not.


So eventually we part ways. He tries to kiss me. I tell him he will have to work harder for a kiss. We exchange #s and that was that. A week goes by. I haven't heard from him. I didn't call. We are busy anyway. I'm dealing with end of the first year and Matt is working on the end of his senior year (i.e. partying). But I run into him on campus and something that was completely unlike me at the time happens, I blurt out, "I thought you were gonna call me!" Then literally, put my hand over my mouth and laugh. The exchange is pleasant. He promises to call soon.


I'm back in my dormroom and about an hour after we ran into eachother, my phone rings. It's Matt. He's having a party and wants to invite me and some friends. I bring friends to the party. His roommate at the time was super lame and then a fight breaks out between some of his other buddies. (love these guys now)- My girlfriends leave. LOL I don't blame them one bit. I decide to stay. It's a good time. We hang out a couple more times before the end of the semester. It's pretty easy going. Agian, I'm not sold on anything serious.


I move back home for the summer and start work. And Matt calls me daily. (more than daily) He wants to hang out all the time. But I'm living an hour away. Taking summer classes and working. But we manage to hang out a lot. This is the beginging of our relationship..... By the end of the summer, I was staying with him all the time if I didn't have back to back shifts at my job. I moved into a town house in the fall. He basically lives there. And we've been together ever since. We didn't officially move in together till bought our house in 2007. But wherever I was, he was there...95% of the nights for 5 years.


We never broke up. (one time...almost, but we made up)
Things were relatively easy for us. I mean as far as "it just worked"
We fight disagree just like all couples. We've had ups and downs. But we've remained best friends and great partners in life.


Matt challeneges my uptightness on a regular basis. We see the world differently. But it's because of our differences that we are able to come together. I love that he reminds me to care a little less about what other people think.


Thanks for making me want to divorce you 2 hours after we were married.

This was not such a great moment.



This was a great moment. A "get you back" moment.
When I got my compsure and decided we would stay married (for now).



First married "make up" moment.
All transpired with 200+ people watching.

"By my side"
Thanks for being by my side always. And for being my best friend.

Thanks for always making me laugh.
Always embarassing me.
And always being inappropiate.
You never fail in this category.

Thanks for throwing snow at me in July.
Thanks for acting like a kid and being so excited to see snow in July
Thanks for reminding me that it's important to pull over and make a snow ball.
"What's the rush, babe?"

Thanks for extending our Del Mar stay...night after night after night.
We really never wanted to leave here.
Perfect weather for the both of us.
Honeymoon highlight!

Thanks for always being there for me. Thanks for making me feel special. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for putting up with me.

To many many more years. I love you forerever.

3 yrs

Today is my 3 year anniversary.

It's been an awesome 3 years. Good times and the times when we've learned :-)

Working on a full post. But it's not quite ready.

Happy Anniversary Matt! I love you more everyday.

But you lose serious points when you don't flush.

How many more years will it take to train you?!?!?!?!