Bye Bye Mom!!

Adleigh's a big girl now! She is growing up so fast and the last few weeks she has done so much such as

• wave bye bye and say it


• say Mooomm (very cute and always gets me..I stop and just smile like yeah that's me!!)


• started doing the da sound, doesn't say it together but we are getting close


• feed herself with just a little mess

• move into crawling position from sitting down...soon she will be crawling
  
  
• pull herself up in her crib


• clap when we say yeah and make an ahh sound
  

I can't help but be so proud...she is truly an angel and so fun to be around, always happy and ready for a good hug/kiss. And as for TR, he is completely wrapped up in all her goodness...she is such a daddy's girl!

Sock Monkey...thanks for always being there.

Don't you wish life was as simple as it was when you were a baby? This sock monkey has been such a great toy at our house...it is light so Adleigh can move it around, it is soft so she can bang it around without knocking herself out, it can be used as a teether, and it keeps her entertained in the morning when I am getting ready for work. Sock Monkey...we love you!!



I love this pic because she is playing on a quilt that my great grandma had made for me and it is the softest thing ever!! Yesterday, we had to do some rearranging in the living room due to there not being enough room for her toys.



I have had this decoration for awhile (Karye's MIL got it for me), so with the help of my sis, I was finally able to get it up. It was originally going to go in Ads room, but the pale pink walls made it impossible to see. Parts were put on and then had to be removed, so there are a few minor glitches but I love it against the red wall in the bathroom.

Odd fact about me: I do not like birds, but I love birdhouses. This is the first one I have made and it is being displayed above the cabinets. I also got two new ones last week from my friend, Jill...one is a beach house and the other is a old fashioned looking house. Thanks, Jill!!

Have a great week!!

How does Chocolate Cherry sound?

Well, it is the new color of my hair. It was pointed out to me recently that when a thought comes in my mind, I just run with it and think about it later....so (gasp) I dyed my hair myself!! TR loves it and I love it and it was cheap!! Maybe I will get a pic up soon! As for now, it is time for little Adleigh Grace to venture off to dreamland.

Hubby I love you!!

I just have to get it out there that I sure do love my husband. We have grown so much in the last year individually and together. Along with the growth of course comes the growing pains, but all is worth it.

TR gets up earlier than me each morning and gets Ads out of bed (can you imagine an 8 month old who likes to sleep, my type of girl), he then puts her in bed with me and each morning I wake up to her angelic, smiling face. Definitely the best part of each day due to my husband's strategic planning. We then play around for a little while (i end up running late always!) and then I begin to get ready. Yesterday morning, TR was watching us and on my way to work he called and said that if he had to go out in the world and hand select a mom for his child, it would be me!! My heart melted and I was speechless. It is the sincerity in him that I admire so much.

I love this man more and more each day and cannot imagine life without him. He is the best husband, father, and friend a wife could ask for...I tend to be a little bit of a handful (haha) and he loves me for me...even when I fret over closing all closet doors, preparing the living room each night for living, and keeping the sheets wrinkle free at my toes!!

You should see him with Ads...she is a complete daddy's girl. At times (sigh) she even prefers to be held only by him...that is a true testament of what a great man he is!!

Just a note, we are no longer able to enjoy one of these on a cold evening anymore due to causing Adleigh to cough...we will surely miss these!!

Just a thought...

Here is a Bible verse that Pastor Rick used this past Sunday and I thought I would share it...seems appropriate.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (New International Version)
3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Basically, last Sunday we were talking about Walls and how everyone has them...I know I do!! I feel blocked a lot of times and rather than try to take out the wall, climb over it, or turn around...we should let God take care of the Wall. Another point was given that most when arriving at a wall rather than doing what they know is right, talk amongst others, themselves and so on to reason that the right choice might not be the right choice. Personally, I think of the common scenario of Angel/Devil at each ear. I just hope that my family can put this message to good use and remember that impossible is not impossible with God and that the only way is the Truth!

Dunder Mifflin is where it's at!!

So, I am an Office lover... and my friend/coworker, Em, is an Office lover and together we talk about episodes as if we were there. TR loves the Office, too...kinda a deal breaker if he didn't...not really but definitely a bonus!

Last night, was hilarious...I hurt after watching it...I know I am out of shape!!

Here are some good Office quotes...
Dwight (in a singing voice): Learn your rules, you better learn your rules, if you don't you'll be eaten in your sleep ARRGH!!!

Pam: Dwight mercy killed Angela's cat. It's very complicated. It's caused a lot of unpleasantness between Dwight and Angela. Who are both already prone to unpleasantness.

Pam: He's watching Million Dollar Baby. He's going to try to kill me.

Angela: Plan a party, Angela. Oh! And the entire world will see it. Oh! And here's $65 for your budget. Oh and here are four idiots who'll do nothing but weigh you down. Oh. And your cat's still dead.

Dwight: Someone forged medical information, and that's a felony.
Jim: OK, Whoa, all right 'cause that's a pretty intense accusation. How do you know that they're fake?
Dwight: [reading from a sheet] Uh, Leprosy, Flesh Eating Bacteria, Hot Dog Fingers, Government Created Killer Nano Robot Infection.

Michael: I guess the atmosphere that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second, and probably an entertainer third.

Michael: The most sacred thing I do is care... Today I am in charge of picking a great new healthcare plan. Right? That's what this is all about. Does that make me their doctor? Um, yes. Like a specialist.

If you do not watch the Office, you should start. It is belly shaken hilarious!! Maybe it can count as a workout?? J/K...kinda.

Oh here is a quote from my hubby last night...probably one of my favorite quotes ever:
Hubby (lying in bed last night): I don't need anything else.
Wifey: Huh?? What?? (confused)
Hubby: All I need is you. (aww, I am turning into a romantic)

Brrrrr!!

I met up with the hubby today for a down home southern lunch and all I can say is Brrr!! I should have warmed up my car before I left, but it most likely would have been gone. Unfortunately, my work neighborhood is a little sketchy...part of the whole nonprofit thing. Anyways, I am looking forward to cozying up to a nice, warm fire (thanks bubby for the firewood) with Ads and TR.

Speaking of Adleigh, I dropped her off at daycare this morning and for some reason they are concerned about her because she gets so upset when she finishes eating. I do not know what to do with her and am positive that she is not hungry (she has a cup of cereal, at least 4 containers of fruit and/or veggies, and 6 full bottles a day). Does she really look like a baby that has missed a meal??Man I love her and she is a girl that takes after her momma!!

What a Week!!

Hip Hip Hoorays:
-TR got a job promotion this morning and will be a six sigma black belt!! I (and Adleigh though I am pretty sure that she does not understand) could not be prouder of how wonderful TR is doing and how much he has accomplished!!
-Adleigh waved at me on Tuesday night when I was coming in the bedroom, but we were not sure if she meant to, but yesterday, she waved goodbye to her teachers at daycare and when TR got home from his work dinner she waved at him, and when I went into the kitchen from the living room she waved at me...I guess you get the picture. My baby is growing up!!
-Due to TR getting a promotion, we got to go eat sushi tonight!! We sat at one of those tables with cushions were you take off your shoes. We love us some Seki Sui.
-My mommy will be in town this weekend!!
-I get to see my brother on Sunday for the boys soccer league games!!
-I finally started a grief support group at work today and am so excited because there are not a lot of options for those that are grieving in that community.

Boos:
-The weather is getting really cold here.
-TR will be traveling a lot soon for training and I do not get to go to France with him because he will be so busy!
-I have a killer headache that will not go away.
-I got so nervous today about changes that I literally took out my fingernails (what a nasty habit that I need to stop).

So long for now, I am going to play with TR and Ads for a little while before bedtime...wait it should be bedtime now...oh well.

Goodnight and Sweet Dreams...

Hmmmm....

Where do I want to be right now??


Maybe here with my hubby....



Or maybe here with the fam....




But, instead I am at work at my computer on lunch eating this...


Don't get me wrong..I love my job but it is always nice to dream!!

Today has been one of those days, where I am a little off, ever have that happen?
Let me list the things I have almost done today and the day is only half here...
-Almost forgot to brush my teeth (gross, I know) had to run back in once I got in the car
-Almost shut the garage down on my car and no I do not have a sensor
-Almost forgot my wallet, put it in Adleigh's diaper bag this weekend and forgot to put it back in my purse
-Almost missed my exit this morning because I was talking on the phone with my mom
-Almost took Adleigh to daycare and realized when I was about to miss my exit that I did not have her with me and that TR took her this morning
-Almost saw a coworker naked (in my defense I was checking on how everything was going at work and some coworkers were looking at another coworker who for some reason has posted some controversial pics on facebook THANK GOODNESS FOR THE STRATEGICALLY PLACED CENSORSHIP SIGN)
-Almost spilled a bowl of hot soup on me OUCH!!

Things I did do today
-Forgot my lunch
-Arrived to work early (who would have thought)
-Wore a turtleneck that is snug at the neck (why did I do this to myself?)
-Remembered that I had soup in my desk (thank goodness)
-Spilled hot soup on my hand OUCH!

Now I am looking forward to the downward spiral of the day so I can play with Ads and cuddle with TR (though he is working late or rather going to dinner with his work group BOO!).

Sorry this is random I know, but I am a random type of person.

Oh yeah, I have decided to try knitting...not sure how to do it, what I need, or when I will start but I am sure that I want to knit scarves, hats, blankets and such. Wish me luck!!

The Tubes are In and All is Well

This is how we started out our morning...at 1 a.m. Adleigh could not sleep and was crying so we took turns holding and bouncing her like this until 3 a.m.



Bright and early about 6:30 a.m. this morning at the Otolaryngology clinic. Of course, being cute right before the procedure. There was a baby across from us that she was smiling at and watching.

Sitting with dad before tube placement and surprisingly very calm (and sleepy) considering she did not have her morning cereal or bottle. Rule was nothing after midnight...reason behind the 6:45 a.m. scheduling.

After a bottle, a nap/car ride, and home things are looking up and we are excited for NO MORE

ear infections!! She is already for her morning snack.

Just a cute pic of her in her new hoodie and Nikes.

A little of this and a lot of that bringing in the new week!

I cannot believe that the weekend is already over. Sometimes, it literally feels that Friday night to Sunday night breeze right by and before I have realized it, it is Monday all over again. Does this feeling happen to anyone else, I always wish for just one more weekend day!!

We had such a wonderful weekend of nothingness. Friday night pizza and playing, Saturday lunch at Bosco's (my fav) and a drive, Saturday night my sissy preggers and Bret came over and we watched Deathrace (not sure how I felt about it yet) and I made yummy white pizza dip (preggers helped herself to seconds and there was no more for the rest of us), and today church and the dreaded laundry. I tend to be a perfectionist about a lot of house things, but never with the laundry. I am not really sure if I even do it right...I need some help. First, how many piles should I have? How should I divide out the colors? What is the best detergent? How can I keep my whites looking brand new and my colors not looking dull? I always keep Adleigh's separate, not sure why but I do and after learning the hard way, I have figured out that bibs cannot be washed with other stuff because they always ruin cute outfits!! I need some major help...any and all suggestions are welcomed!!

Tonight we had to go by Walmart and I have been looking for something to keep my mail/bills, my keys and just some junk. I was not able to find what I was looking for...I found one that I liked with a dry erase or chalk board, my choice, at Kohl's and it hung on the wall, however, it was almost $100. I just cannot spend that much money on something to hold paper...what do you do to keep your stuff organized? Has anyone seen something somewhere that would work?

Tomorrow, Adleigh gets her tubes in her ears and I am just praying that this will end the ear infections!! We have been battling the infections for over two months and have gone through 7 antibiotics....so say a prayer for Ads because the girl deserves a break!

I hope that everyone had a great weekend and here's to a Monday fun day!!

Ready for some fresh, green grass!!

Today, I met my hubby for lunch and we had a pretty in depth conversation...which I personally find to be the best, but anyways, basically we were talking about how we are tired of living life on a superficial level. Hallelujah!! I am in no means trying to say that is what we have in our relationship, but what we want to cut out of our lives. We are both individuals who are constantly seeking out meaningful bonds with those around us. Since moving from my hometown a few years ago, I have had to realize that what I know and am comfortable with is not always what is best for me. I am living in a home I love with my two favorite people, however, I do not have the friendships that I need (of course, I have a few close friends, but I am missing the girl bonds that I use to have). There are so many bonds that have been lost due to time, distance, and life which I miss, but know are not as important as I once thought because those things have taken them away. So, we have decided to stop doing things or indulging in friendships that do not make us better or happier. I have always been one to believe that it is better to have a few best friends, than a bunch of acquaintances. TR, fortunately, has the friendships here that most always dream of...his friends which are very close are connected on so many levels and they are men that inspire him to be a better man, husband, father, and person. I feel so blessed for this and because of it feel inspired. My mom has always said that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side, but rather the greenest where you tend to it. This is our new mantra. We have decided to stop giving of ourselves, when there is no return and to stop allowing ourselves disappointment in those around us who do not have the same objectives. He even made the statement to me about me that though I expect 100% from those that I love...it is because I am one of those people who give 100% to begin with...well I am going to continue doing this for all that is important to me, but I am cutting the fat (so to speak) and not stretching myself to thin. It is so nice to have someone by my side, who constantly seeks out a deep relationship with me and for me. We were talking about how the only thing that is important in this life is to love Adleigh unconditionally. We are going to be the parents who are always there cheering her on and letting her know that no matter what she is our top priority. We know that this can best be demonstrated by loving each other and showing her what true love means. It also means going the extra mile as well as not always agreeing with her, but rather seeking out for more along with her.

I know this is not the most extreme upbeat post, but it is where we are at and what we are striving to obtain. I know there is so much talk about what the year 2009 will bring, but most importantly I am learning that this year will be the year for growth.

On a much lighter note....I am going to be an aunt!! I've never been an aunt, TR has never been an uncle and Adleigh has never been a cousin, so we are pumped for these new roles!! So please keep my sister and brother-in-law in your prayers. They have been through a lot recently and we are ecstatic for our new addition!! They will be amazing parents and are already an amazing aunt and uncle. Adleigh cannot get enough of her uncle Bret & her aunt Karye!!

Is this really January?

Today, we packed up the stroller and went to the park. There is a park near our house that has a small lake and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the woods and on the bridges. Ads loved the bridges (we forgot our camera), however, a camera could not have captured the glow on her face!! Back to the title of this post...it was 77 degrees according to my car. It was such a wonderful day and shocking to us to be January!! We walked and talked about how when we were dating we would visit the same park and walk around it and talk about our future...so much as changed. We also talked about our future a lot today and have decided to go on a budget and get rid of debt!! I am putting this on here for some accountability!! I also discovered that I have become extremely lazy and need to get in shape...the little stroll wore me out. I guess the whole "I just had a baby" excuse is over...she is almost 8 months old. TR has decided to play on a soccer team these next few months so he is starting to get himself back in shape and I guess I need to too....though I hate to admit it, I know I need it and will eventually enjoy all the benefits of fitting back into my clothes properly. Wish our family luck with all of these endeavors...I am sure that TR is already losing weight by just thinking it...he always drops it so fast and from what I can see it never seems like he tries!! Lucky duck...oh and these are not New Years resolutions but rather get back to business decisions.

Contemplating...

What is it with New Years resolutions and all of the talk of fresh starts? Does one really believe in a start over when the clock hits 12:01 a.m. or is it just a thought of nostalgia that makes one sit back and think last year this or that happened, but now that the new year is here I will do this or that?

I know that I live a charmed life and trust me, I have had/are having my share of worries and frets, but I have to say that God has blessed me and my family so much that when I look back or look forward all I can think about is how God is perfect. There are so many times that I have wondered if this is meant to happen and why, but being the believer and dreamer that I am, I am thankful for the good, bad, scary, happy, and just plain weird. Here is to hoping that my family and friends can say the same now or soon. Happy New Years!!

**There will be no resolutions in this house, but definitely a strong urge to continue to bring us closer to God, each other, ourselves, and our loved ones.

Here is an interesting article that I found and definitely believe is true...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97831171