Ain't Life Grand?

A Day in the Life

2011-10-09T09:50:00.001-04:00

On Thursday Jason was worked a double shift, so I had no choice but to make the trek down to the first floor with children, quarters, soap and laundry basket in tow since Audrey's sheets and precious blankie were victims of an overnight accident.

But first, keep in mind that Jason was already gone when we woke up at 7. I was on my own to shower, feed and dress the girls and pack the diaper bag to take both of them on Audrey's 1st field trip to a local pumpkin patch. Great fun, but no pics since I forgot my camera. And my phone. Post-field trip (11am), we went to the playground. Post-playground, we came home, up to the 3rd floor, muddy clothes off, lunch, Alex down for her nap.

Our building has two coin-operated washers and two dryers. $1.50 to wash, $1.50 to dry. I was thrilled to have scrounged up twelve quarters to do one load, and when I was satisfied that Alex was settled into a deep sleep in her crib, I tip-toed out into the hallway with Audrey, locking our apartment door behind me before I realized that Audrey had set down the bag of quarters I'd given her to hold. Back in, found the quarters, back out, and downstairs. I descended the stairs slowly and awkwardly with my three-year-old quarter bag holder and pee-smelling laundry basket only to find that both washers were full of somebody else's already-spun-dry and just-sitting-there clothes. I couldn't sit and wait with Alex up sleeping alone in her crib so we headed back upstairs.

Thirty minutes later, back down. Same clothes still sitting in both washers. Thirty more minutes, same deal. On the 4th trip down I was mad enough to take the person's stuff out of one of the washers. Alex was due to wake up any minute, and although I had the battery operated baby monitor on my hip, I didn't want to have to sprint up to the third floor because Audrey can't sprint up stairs. Just imagine that for a minute.

Thankfully the offending party had left their basket next to the washer, so I put their stuff in it and set it on top of the 2nd washer that they were occupying.

Washed my load, back upstairs. Alex did wake up in time to make the trip down to the first floor with us to move the load to the dryer, and again all three of us down an hour later to retrieve the dry load. It was around 6pm at this point, and I realized we were almost out of milk. Bundled up the girls, trekked over to ACME for a $4 gallon of milk, and yes, we picked up some M&Ms to reward ourselves for getting through the day.

The M&Ms were clearly a bad choice. Like, the worst choice ever. Both girls whimpered and begged for them from the minute they went into the cart until the last bite of dinner that was rushed down in an effort to obtain said M&Ms. Let the sugar rush party begin. I can't even detail the zoo that was our bedtime routine. It was bad. I think that I got them both down around 10pm. Ugh. Sometime around midnight, Audrey woke up, came in our room and woke me up to insist that she needed some water. It was after 1am when she woke me up by yelling, "MOOMMM, COME WIPE ME!!!" Over and over again from the hallway bathroom. Which of course, woke Alex up. Alex wanted a bottle. I caved.

She'll be two next month and clearly doesn't need to be using a bottle anymore, let alone in the middle of the night, but what can I say? I thought, naively, that if I let her have a bottle, it would guarantee that she'd drift right off to sleep. When the bottle was gone, I carried her into the bedroom. She went into her crib with no complaint, but twenty minutes later was calling out, "Momeeeee, Momeeeee!" very sweetly, but definitely loud enough to wake Audrey back up. I went in to retrieve her, and brought her back into bed with me. Who knows how much later, I was half asleep, but realized that Alex had climbed on top of me- was straddling my neck, actually, and climbing onto my head, slammed a knee tino my chin. I firmly told her, "OK, baby, it's bedtime." Carried her back to her crib, where she went right to sleep. I think. Not sure because I passed back out the minute my head hit the pillow.

This is nuts, right? I need to get a grip and lay down the law with the nighttime routine, but HOW? It was so easy with Audrey, I just let her cry it out. Alex is so ... full of personality, that if I try to let her cry, she cries and coughs really hard until she triggers her gag reflex. Gross, and back to the coin operated washer and dryer on the 1st floor thing. Especially not helpful when you are dealing with barf, am I right?

So the best part of this whole story occurred the next morning, when I was clearly and exhaustedly at my breaking point, and Audrey's little wit and charm again made my day:

The three of us were on the couch enjoying a riveting episode of Caillou. Alex jumped up and down in my lap, and shoved her bottle into my face where it smacked smartly against my chin. I, like the ever-grace filled mother that I am, grabbed it out of her hands, and threw it across the room.

Alex: HEY!

Me: Well, you need to say sorry for hitting me on the chin with your bottle. *pointing to chin* Owie!

Alex: Sow-ee, Mommee. *stood up on knees to kiss my boo-boo*

Audrey: Mommy- when you throwed dat bottle, I ducked my head because it went right by my head.

One of those "Is this for REAL?" days

2011-08-10T23:57:00.002-04:00

It has been one of THOSE days. All day, I kept hearing myself ask, REALLY?! to no one in particular. The girls knew that I wasn't asking them- or at least I didn't get a response from my chatty 3.5 year old, so ... humph.

Now I love my husband dearly, but somehow he has worked out this deal where he gets ten to twelve hours of sleep per day. I know, RIGHT? What is up with that? He's been pulling this off since Audrey was born. He has this big important job to go to- if he makes a mistake, that could be thousands of dollars down the drain for the company, blah blah blah ... so he has to be well rested.

Granted, he works 4pm to midnight, so I'll give the guy some sleep in time. But every morning? Till NOON?

This morning was no different. I'm woken sweetly by that tiny little 3-yr-old voice that I love. "Mommmmmy ... the sun is up, it's time to wakey, wakey!" I've tried explaining to her that the sun rises at 5:48am, but that has had no reasonable impact on her desire to get up and start her day. Twenty-month-old Alex is never far behind. The girls and I have a nice little morning routine. They have their morning beverages in sippy cups while watching this that or the other thing on PBS or The Disney Channel while I sit blurry eyed with coffee in hand, waiting for the caffeine fairy to sprinkle some of her magic dust on me.

Breakfast is served with love. "Who wants strawberries and bananas?" Alex only has a few words in her repertoire, but hearing her tiny little timbre holler out, "I DO!" is pretty much the best part of my day. In case you were wondering what else she can say, here's the list:

Mama = I want you to hold me, Mom. Now.
Baba = I know I'm too old for a bottle, but I love it and you love me so ... what do ya' say?
Aww-eee = Audrey
Dada = That guy who sleeps or is at work most of the time I'm conscious
Stop = Stop doing that or ima bring the hurtin' on you.
I DO! = Yes, that sounds great, I'll have some!
I can, I can! = I'm one, and I can do this myself. Let me or I'll pitch a fit.
O doh O = "Go Dog Go" is my favorite book, and I'd like you to read it to me again.
peeas = please
ahk oo = thank you
ai oo = Caillou (kids cartoon that she's addicted to)

That's about it. She can also imitate all animal sounds known to man including but not limited to: monkey, bird, horse, cow, dog, cat, bat, moose, wolf, loon, sheep and goat. She's got her Baa's and her Naa's down, people.

So anyways- after breakfast, I showered (which is like juggling, at best, to do with small children trying to strip and climb in with you) and woke Jason so I could go tour a nearby preschool. YES, Audrey is starting preschool already. I know, I can't even go there.
On my way out the door, I got instructions from Jason on what to bring home from lunch and from where. I got home with the pizza, and I'm pretty sure Jason snuck off for a nap before he got ready for work? The rest of the day was just a blur. I got Alex down for her nap at some point, Audrey wasn't tired, so I let her play on the iPod touch in my bed so I could get a little nap while Alex slept- I think I was asleep about 7 minutes before Audrey woke me up to tell me that the iPod's batteries had died. So I said, "Well, OK, let's go out and watch cartoons in the living room."
Audrey, "Does the TV have good batteries?"
Me, "Yep."
Tried to doze on the couch, that didn't work. Got Alex out of her crib, let them watch cartoons while I fixed dinner, cleaned up dinner- herded them into the bathroom for their bath, and like the ever-cautious mom that I am- whipped off Alex's diaper while she was standing next to the tub- SURPRISE, it was filled stem to stern with brown nastiness. NOSE. Where are you when I need you the most? Seriously.
Sent Audrey to run and grab the baby wipes for me since I clearly had to stay there to ensure that Alex's hands stayed far away from her bottom- which I failed at anyways, gross. Audrey returned with a wipes container that only contained one wipe. Nice. So managed all of that- post-bath, I pulled a new one. dropped the bath towel INTO the bath water when I was trying to pick the baby up out of the tub.
Later, while I was vacuuming, I vacuumed up part of a super frilly tutu. It wrapped itself around the brush cylinder, so that was a 20 minute project. ugh. Bedtime has been chaos since returning from our big Minnesota family reunion. I've been doing my best to get them back in a routine, but it's not been easy.
Worth it all? YES. My sweet little girls! I love them so much it hurts.

Our New Life

2011-08-08T20:42:00.004-04:00

At some point last year, my husband was told in no uncertain terms that the area where he worked was going to be shut down, and he would eventually be laid off. At least they gave him plenty of notice! He started applying for other jobs right away, and after many stressful months filled with uncertainty, he was offered a position at the Merck plant in a suburb of Philadelphia.
So on May 12th we packed up our little life and said goodbye to our first home and many dear friends in Sanford, NC, and headed north in a Penske truck loaded with everything we own in this world. Quite the experience!

The cost of living is 3x higher here, so we traded in our 1700 sq. ft. two car garage home for a 2 bedroom 3rd floor apartment (with no washer/dryer or microwave?!). I'll admit it- minutes after we walked into our new 'home' I cried. I cried because I was homesick, and because I was afraid that we had made the wrong decision. I was afraid that our house in Sanford wouldn't sell, that I wouldn't be able to find a job that would come anywhere near rivaling my sweet teaching gig in NC, and I cried because this wasn't the life that I had envisioned for myself.

But guess what? This move has turned out to be pretty much the best thing that has happened to our little family. My husband loves his new job, we SOLD OUR HOUSE in Sanford after only 28 days on the market, and once we got all of our stuff moved into this 3rd floor pad, it really does feel like home! The pic is the view from our balcony. The girls LOVE having 'their own' playground, and yes, that's a pool behind those trees on the left!

Beyond all these miracles, I've already plugged into a couple of local moms groups and met some great new friends- not to mention the fact that I keep FINDING old friends who live in this area! No joke- a few weeks ago thanks to the miracle of facebook- I realized that some dear old friends (who actually sang in our wedding) live TEN MINUTES from us. Not only that, but their son is Audrey's age, and it looks like they might be in the same preschool class this fall! Seriously.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes ...

2011-06-09T11:05:00.002-04:00

We've moved to Pennsylvania! Woah, right? Big update coming soon ...

Poser

2010-10-09T23:13:00.002-04:00

I was looking through some pics of my oldest tonight because I miss her. She rode along with Jason to bring Granny back to West Virginia after her two-week visit.

We've been apart overnight before (like when I had Alex) (and emergency surgery 10 days later), but this is somehow different.

She won't turn three until January, but is able to carry on entire conversations via phone. This is a rough reproduction of our chat tonight.

Jason: Audrey, your Mom's on the phone!

Audrey: OK, Dad. (running over to Jason and putting the phone up to her ear) Hi, Mom.

Me: Hi sweet-pea! Are you having fun at Granny's house?

Audrey: Yeah, Mommy - I was just doing some puzzles!

Me: That sounds like fun, Aud! Want to know what I did today?

Aud: Yeah, Mommy!

Me: I took baby Alex up to my friend's house near Raleigh, and my friend has a little girl who is the same size as Alex, and they
played together on the floor ...

Jason: Em?

Me: What?

Jason: Oh, just making sure that you were still there ... Audrey wasn't saying anything.

Audrey: (in the background" But daddy, I was wistening to Mommy tell about her fun day!
Jason hands the phone back to Audrey.

Audrey: What else you do at yo fwends house, Mommy?

Me: Well, we ate lunch together, then when I got home, I took Alex and Honey on a walk around the block, and that's about it! It's been a busy day, and I'm almost ready for bed. Don't forget to brush your teeth before bed, OK kiddo?

Audrey: OK, Mom.

Me: Love you Bean.

Audrey: Love you too, Mommy!

Me: Bye, bye.

Aud: Bye, Mom! (phone disconnects).

Someone tell me where my tiny little baby girl has gone! Time i speeding by too quickly. I'm finding myself hoping that Alex wakes up in the night tonight just so I have a really good excuse to cuddle her before she grows up too!

Fair

2010-09-19T00:28:00.002-04:00

So we took the girls to the fair last night. It was hot - still in the 90's at 5pm, but we had a great time!

Alex was a little trooper in the stroller, and Audrey has been asking to go back since the minute we left. Times like this remind me how important it is to not take the little things for granted.

Nothing like watching a two-year-old enjoy a carousel ride to remind you how much you love your kid.

What is it with men, anyways?

2010-09-19T00:22:00.003-04:00

Today I found out that another friend is getting divorced. Is it just me, or are the men usually to blame? I swear, if I hear of one more cheatin' good for nothin' husband announce that he isn't happy in his marriage, I might just buy him some big girl underwear.

Marriage isn't easy for us either, MEN! Give me a break here. We're the ones that cook, clean, bear your children ... I'm truely at a loss. My poor friend didn't even see it coming. The man in question was a little grumpy for a few days prior to slapping her with the, "I don't love you anymore" line.

Seriously Mr. NeedsaGripOnReality? The world doesn't revolve around you.

Not Me Monday

2010-08-09T19:46:00.009-04:00

This week I did not watch my tiny baby turn 9 months old.

Oh, no, I did not! And I did not stand by and let her father feed her delicious licks of an ice cream cone at Syracuse's Bavarian Festival last Saturday.

Just like I don't feed her tiny bites of anything she grunts at with any kind of interest since she's such an itty bitty, nope, not me!

I didn't let her crawl under the exersaucer at my mom's while I watched, amused. I would never do something like that! I would rush right over and scoop her up before she got hurt.

I didn't stand by and snap pics while she giggled and played peek-a-boo under that exersaucer seat for five minutes.

I didn't pull my wedding dress out of mom's upstairs closet just to see if I could still fit it over my hips.

That didn't turn into an epic fail, then I didn't talk my two-year-old into trying it on. Not me!

Not Me Monday is a blog carnival was created by MckMama, congrats to her on bringing home baby #5 this week!

Syracuse Squirrels

2010-08-03T07:13:00.002-04:00

What is it with the squirrels up here? There are eight windows across the front of my mother's house. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a squirrel out of the corner of my eye - I'm about ready to jump out of my skin. At least they are outside ... right?

We have had a phenomenal time up here, I can't believe we have to fly home on Friday! Jason just drove home yesterday, the girls and I were glad that he was able to get away from work to enjoy part of our vacation with us.

For now, I have too much going on to slow down long enough to post pics, but they will be up when we get home this weekend. Yay for Grandma's house!

"No way!"

2010-07-22T08:11:00.004-04:00

I'm not sure where she picked this up, but Audrey has started saying, "No way" instead of no. And we are not talking about a simple statement, either. She says it passionately - with an undertone of disgust and an overtone of emphasis.

How many times do I gently encourage her to say no thank you before I step up my game? She's generally speaking a very polite and mild-mannered child, but this could get out of hand quickly.

In other news little sister is already eight months old. EIGHT.MONTHS.OLD. I can't stand it. She's started creeping (almost a crawl, but not quite) and my heart can't even handle her two little crooked bottom teeth. Love!

Little Things

2010-07-10T09:08:00.002-04:00

I am happy this morning!

The key to my mood must be getting some decent sleep, finally! Jason and I went to bed between 8 and 9 p.m. the last couple of nights and I feel like a new woman! Of course this is the first day of a 3 day work weekend for Jason, meaning he will sleep all day today, tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday, and work all night tonight, tomorrow night, and Monday night.
I'll get him back sometime late Tuesday afternoon, and it will be a glorious reunion!

Another reason for all the joy in my heart: I need a root canal! That's right, party people. Tooth #15 gets to STAY in my mouth. I found a wonderful dentist here in Sanford, Dr. Kelly Faulk, who put in a great effort to save the tooth with just a 'bigger filling'. I wasn't surprised with the news that the damage went down to the root, but thankful. When Audrey was born, I was told by a newbie @ Dr. Lane and Associates that the tooth was a lost cause and needed to be pulled.

Two years later, here I go for my root canal. Nice. Save the tooth!

Why did I wait two years? The question is more like why did I finally go to the dentist? My mom had a minor dental emergency when she was here in November and found Dr. Faulk herself. Knowing I needed some help with infamous #15, I made an appointment for a clean and check, and x-rays, hoping for a better outcome than, "It needs to be pulled." And I got it! He was going to try to expand the filling, worst case scenario, root canal.

I made my appointment for the filling, but then caught a stomach virus that week. Sent Jason for a clean and check instead.

Put it off, and put it off, then while we were in West Virginia (at a UFC Fight Night party, no less) my tooth CRUMBLED. I mean, I was eating a piece of one of those chocolate chip cookie cakes, you know, slathered in frosting? Between bites I suddenly felt this gaping hole in the back of my mouth. The tooth, beloved #15, finally gave up the fight. The filling (along with part of the inner wall of the tooth) was gone. Not good!

Thankfully I was in no pain, and was able to make it almost a week until I could get home and get into Dr. Faulk's chair.

I'll call the root canal specialist in Pinehurst on Monday to schedule the procedure, can't wait!

Crappy, Crappy, Super Happy

2010-07-08T14:21:00.003-04:00

I used to be happy all the time. All.The.Time. Then some crap fell on my head. OK, lots of crap. It didn't happen all at once, but in big ugly chunks. The first load of crap felt like it was never going to end. I'm of course talking about when I lost my sister. I was 20, she was 11 - died in her sleep. Shock. Crappy shock.

I thought the crap was never going to stop raining down on my head. She died in May, then I ended up saying goodbye to my "first love" that August. It truly seemed that we were simply headed in different directions with our lives, but it still hurt to say goodbye.

World tour, year in Colorado, summer in Ely. Met a new LOVE, finished college, married the love and moved to NC. Crap storm #2 starts with some fertility issues. After four years of marriage we were finally ready for our bouncing bundle of joy, but for the life of us could not get pregnant. Crappy enough right? Nope, dad up and dies from Pancreatic Cancer. CRAP!

Mere months after dad died, I got pregnant with Audrey, who was born just days before the first anniversary of his death. Healthy, beautiful Audrey. The following winter, my sister had her son, Dominic. This past winter, Alex Rose made her debut, and this fall, my sister will bring my first niece into the world. All beautiful, healthy babies. Life is good.

So why am I always so grumpy? I've caught myself consistently dwelling on the negative. Can I blame it on all the crap I've waded through? Maybe, but I shouldn't. Even after making a concerted effort to be positive (the end of my ER post), I haven't been, plain and simple.

On the not-so-rare occasion that Audrey gets really excited about something, she turns to me and says, "Mommy, I'm super happy!" How sweet is that? She knows what it means to be happy, and her childlike optimism and joy push her to what she considers above and beyond happy - super happy.

As I look around, I'm realizing that I have multiple reasons to be not only happy, but super happy. Honestly, I'm not sure how much of this crappy business stems from my growing tendency to lean towards the cynical, but crap be darned, I'm aiming for super happy!

The Bee Shouter

2010-07-01T20:56:00.003-04:00

You've heard of the whisperers, right? Dog, horse, ghost, baby ... it seems there is a whisperer out there for many of God's creatures.

Today we found out definitively that our eldest child does not have the title 'bee whisperer' in her future.

It seems like child, for all intents and purposes, straight up grabbed a bee in her little fist this morning as if she were intending to smoosh it with one hand. Go girl.

As life goes, I had (just prior to the incident) decided to relocate her away from the bee-laden picnic table. Of course I grabbed her snack container and sippy cup first while she was busy ... er ... bee chasing.

Nice one, huh?

Watch out Yankees, here we come!

2010-06-29T11:06:00.002-04:00

Not the baseball team, the NORTHERNERS. That's right, our tickets are booked, and we are Syracuse bound!

What is Jason going to do without us for three weeks? At least he'll have the dog to keep him company, right?

I found this shirt at Kohl's last week (LOVE KOHL'S) and couldn't resist. Of course it didn't hurt that it was a steal, $1.90something after it being on clearance and my 15% off. Gotta love a bargain, especially a bargain that is going to look cute on your kid and impress your mom!

We aren't flying to NY until mid-July because we are spending the 4th in West Virginia. It will be the first time we have gone anywhere with both girls AND the dog. Good times ahead!

Don't you just hate it when ...

2010-06-28T10:50:00.002-04:00

you go to get your precious baby out of her crib in the morning and her room smells like poop?

you want to send a friend a message on Facebook, and realize they've deleted their account?

you have enough energy to make home-made bread, but not the cleanup afterwords?

you get stuck in line behind some old lady paying for her groceries with a check?

you only run into people you know when you've got baby food on your shirt?

the FedEx truck pulls up to your house, but brings something boring?

it's too hot outside to drag your poor kids anywhere?

the highlight of your day is naptime?

Me too.

Fountain Fun

2010-06-26T12:54:00.004-04:00

My daughter thinks that she is a fish. Got water? We'll be there!

We braved the heat this morning and met some friends for some serious watery fun. Thanks for inviting us, Melissa, we had a blast!

Next time I'm getting in the water too. Despite having a beach umbrella for shade, baby Alex and I decided that we were ready for air conditioning after about an hour or so. It's been in the high 90's here all week, we are ready for a break from the heat!

Loving the Little

2010-06-23T21:04:00.003-04:00

Audrey decided to take her dad out to breakfast for Father's Day. She was a complete ham and kept saying, "Happy Favers Day, Daddy, I wuv you!"

Audrey has always been a mama's girl, but it is really neat to watch her realize how cool her dad is. It warms my heart to watch them enjoy each other's company. The last several days, Jason has volunteered to get Audrey up from her nap, knowing that if he catches her in the right mood (still sleepy) that she will cuddle with him in the rocker for a few minutes.

We both suddenly have a very acute sense of how quickly time has started to pass since we've become parents. These little people grow fast ... too fast. If anyone figures out how to slow the passage of time, let me know.

I am so tired of stupid.

2010-06-22T22:29:00.003-04:00

Now that I've calmed down a little bit more, I'd like to go ahead and share a little bit more about my experience at the Central Carolina Hospital's ER on Saturday.

CCH has a horrible reputation. A couple of local friends have lauded their new labor and delivery wing, but other than that I've heard nothing but horror stories. We actually have one of our own. A few years ago, I flew to the ER with Jason in the passenger seat, struggling to breathe after an allgergic reaction. I parked next to the door, and helped him in the main ER doors, and there was NO ONE THERE. The place was empty!
Jason and I had to walk through an intake office to find a triage nurse. It was horrifying to say the least.

When Alex fell on Saturday, she seemed OK. The real danger would have been a brain injury - or some kind of a brain bleed - something you can't see until it's too late. Time is of the essence in these matters, so we decided I should take her to the hospital here in Sanford as opposed to taking the time to drive up towards Raleigh.

I parked and walked in the front door. There were two people manning the front desk this time. Next to hysterical, I quickly told them what had happened and expected to be ushered back to see a nurse. Instead they handed me a clipboard to fill out. To say that they took their time entering the information into the computer is an understatement.

What I assume was a triage nurse came and escorted us to a mini staging area to the right of the front entrance. She looked at the paperwork, and said, "So she fell off the bed this morning?"
I said, "Yes. She did cry right away, but not as hard or long as it seemed that she should have, and she's been acting a little sleepy."
To which she immediately responded, "Oh, sweety, she's a baby! Let her sleep if she's tired! I'm sure she'll be fine."

Seriously? At this point I made a point to check out her badge. Under her photo ID in big red letters it said RN.

Common knowledge is to check to see if the pupils are the same size, and to keep the injured party awake. At least I thought that was common knowledge?
So (I'm not joking) I said, "Well, if you are sure about that, we will just mosey right back to our car and head home."

"Oh, no, well ... um ... we will let the Doctor decide that for sure," she said. OK then, but the encounter got even more interesting. Alex was still in her gown. With the seatbelt on, one leg was tucked up in the gown, and the other leg was completely out of it. I reached over and touched it, and it was ice cold. I pulled a little receiving blanket (light cotton) outi of the diaper bag, and put it over her legs.

The nurse reached into the baby carrier, grabbed the recieving blanket, PULLED IT OFF OF THE BABY, put it on the desk and said, "Oh, she doesn't need that. She's not cold, she's burnin' up!" She turned to Alex and addressed her in a southern accented baby talk, "They are just cookin' you well done, aren't they darlin'? They like you well done!"

Then she took her temp. It was normal. Without saying much else, she walked us to our room back in the ER.

The nurse hadn't been gone for more than two or three minutes and the doctor (Peter Messick M.D.) came in to take a look at Alex. His bedside manor was phenomenal; I surprisingly felt like we were in good hands. I'd recommend that ER doctor to anyone. He gave the baby a clean bill of health, and his parting words were, "Let me just get have them your paperwork together and you can get out of here." Wow!

Thirty-two minutes later, a woman came in with some papers for me to sign, and she told me our co-pay was $100. I gave her a credit card. She came back 15 minutes later with my card, receipt, and discharge instructions, and showed me the door.

As far as ER visits go, it could have been much worse. It sure seems like I should be working on my positivity. What has happened to me over the years, I used to be such a bright-eyed optimist! *eye roll*

Alex's Big Fall

2010-06-19T11:34:00.002-04:00

Well, mom of the year here fell asleep while nursing the baby in bed this morning. I woke up to a horrifying thud, can you imagine? Alex cried right away, and seemed OK, but we still took her to the ER for peace of mind.

She smiled and cooed at all the intake staff, nurses and the doctor. She smiled so much, in fact, that I noticed that her 2nd bottom tooth has officially broken through her precious little gums.

Slowly, smile by smile, my racing heart started to calm. For those of you who haven't experienced putting your child in a potentially life-threatening situation, I don't recommend it. Not sure if I'll ever stop feeling guilty, but it certainly helps that she seems to have come through the entire ordeal unscathed. I kept her guardian angel on pointe this morning, that's for sure!

Our Matchmaker

2010-06-18T20:54:00.004-04:00

No, not little Billy, his mom! Although from the pic you can see that Billy is quite the ladies man ...

We had a lovely visit last night from the girl who introduced Jason and I in Ely. KyLee was a fellow intern with Jason that summer, and when I waited on her one day for lunch she walked away thinking that I was the perfect girl for Jason, and she was right!

Her husband wasn't able to make the trip, but she has a little boy who is my nephew Dominic's age, so Audrey knew just what to do with him - fight over toys! No, just kidding, she did pretty good with little Billy, but there was an incident over a little piggy that we won't get into ...

It was so great to see Kylee and meet her little boy. Jason had to work last night, so we just sat up for hours and had some girl talk.

Another "Working" Weekend

2010-06-12T22:03:00.003-04:00

Jason is working this weekend, so the girls and I are on our own. Again.

His days off always fly by so fast, and his working days drag on and on to infinity.

My friend Julie came over to hang out with us tonight. We filled up the kiddie pool on the pack porch and chillaxed with a Little Caesar's hot and ready $5 pepperoni pizza. Audrey kept insisting that she was Max, of Max and Ruby fame, and that I was Ruby. She would not respond to us when we called her Audrey, except occasionally to say, "I not Audie, I Max."

When I came back downstairs after putting the baby to bed at 7, Julie had plenty to fill me in on. Apparently Audrey, er, Max - had fallen asleep on his princess towel, and Mickey Mouse kept waking him up - that naughty mouse!

At least we made some forward progress in potty training today - woke up dry after her nap, sat down, and scored! It is the small victories, people.

Potty training - HELP ME!

2010-06-08T14:11:00.002-04:00

OK, so I just put Audrey down for her nap and the day of potty training so far has been a resounding EPIC FAIL.

In a few short weeks, she'll be two and a half. Yes, I know age shouldn't have that much to do with it, so fine. She's READY. She's so ready it's embarrassing!

She is speaking in full sentences, with (mostly) correct grammar, but more importantly she's saying things like, "Mom, I need a diaper change, please."

Despite all my efforts - hyping up being a big girl, telling her about all the special treats and privileges she'll earn by staying dry and even better rewards for putting pee in her cute little pink potty - she hasn't put one ounce of anything in the potty!

She comes and tells me right away that she needs a diaper change. Mind you this is usually mere minutes after I've encouraged her that it's, "Time to sit on the potty!" where she obligingly helps me pull down her pull ups, and tries to go.

I'll gladly take any tips!

Water, anyone?

2010-06-08T12:12:00.003-04:00

One thing that we did a lot of at Granny's house was playing in the water. Now that we are home in the much-hotter-land of North Carolina it only seems fitting that we do more of the same.

Audrey and I spent almost four hours at Jordan Lake yesterday, and I have the sunburn to prove it. I had Jason sunscreen my back before we left. I re-applied sunscreen on Audrey two hours into our beachy day, and spent half the time under our beach umbrella, but still got a pretty bad burn on my back.

I'm tired, achy, and cranky this morning. Great time to try potty training again, right? Third time is the charm!

West Virginia Women

2010-06-07T21:33:00.002-04:00

We really did have a wonderful trip.

The only snag, if you can call it that, happened only two hours into our trip. The baby started crying, as if on cue, right as I was careening off an exit towards a gas station/subway for our first break.

Now for those of you who haven't road tripped solo with two kids in diapers, here's how it goes:

- park the car
- pull out, open and lock the umbrella stroller
- sling carefully pre-packed diaper bag over one arm of stroller
- unbuckle little one, place in stroller and re-buckle
- push around to the other side of car and unbuckle 2 yr old
- push stroller with one hand, hold 2 yr old's hand across parking lot
- enter through subway door, head to bathrooms in back
- hit corner of chip rack with stroller, smile at sandwich artist
- open bathroom door and crestfallen realize there is no baby changing station.
- briefly consider trying to change 6 month old on lap, scratch that and head back to the car
- put 2 yr old back in car so she won't get hit by a car,
- try to change baby on front seat, but it won't recline because of 2 yr old's car seat, baby won't fit
- remove infant car seat base in backseat so baby can lay across back and middle seats so I can change her POOPY diaper. Ew.
- pack everybody back up, get back into the subway bathroom, go, change 2 yr old standing up, wash her hands, wash my hands.
- order sub combo, sharing with 2 yr old while I nurse 6 month old, thankful the seating area is mostly empty because it's barely 11:30.
- strap baby back into stroller, but both girls back in car seats, fill tank with gas, road.

Now, the 2nd stop, two hours later was a repeat of the above adventure except:
- it was RAINING.
- there WAS a baby changing station.
- we didn't have to eat.

Phew. We got to my mother-in-law's in a little over six hours, which was great considering all.

We stayed @ Betty's for three weeks, and enjoyed every minute. Jason took a couple of days off, and came for a visit in the middle of our trip. Audrey was so excited to see him, it was cute! The time flew as we visited family, went camping, to a soccer game, a water park, a public pool, lots of shopping, and Audrey's favorite - our three trips to the Disney Store!

They also had one of those cool kid's play areas in the mall there, so now I'm bombarded with daily requests from Audrey to, "go shopping at the mall." Of course, what she means is to go play at the play area in the mall, and wander around the Disney Store until her heart's content, but whatever.

The Triumphant Return

2010-06-04T10:01:00.002-04:00

We are back from West Virginia, but more importantly, I am back to blogging.

My littlest darlin' is finally sleeping better, and I am online downstairs with our new laptop! Welcome to 2010, right? This is my first laptop, and I am in love. How did I manage so long without one? Clearly didn't get much blogging done (ahem).

What is on my mind, you wonder? In reality, the question is more appropriately what isn't on my mind. Potty training, Rue McClanahan, BP, McDonalds recalled Shrek glasses, coupons, facebook, grad school, teething, grocery list, dinner plans, and most prudently, the 37 magazines and stack of mail that I have yet to finish looking through.

Life is good, party people!

West Virginia Bound

2010-05-11T00:20:00.002-04:00

Our bags are packed and by the door. Bright and early in the morning, my two little precious girls and I will hit the road.

SIX HOURS. Between breastfeeding and diaper changes, this could be pretty interesting.

Did I mention we're driving through the mountains?

Oh, and my car is a stick shift? Hmmm ...

Should be fun!

Chocolate Milk Hair Treatment?

2010-04-22T23:23:00.001-04:00

We have all kinds of good fun that is funny while Grandma is here. The other day, Grandma decided Audrey (who is clearly malnourished) would intake a larger volume of chocolate milk if she didn't have to "suck so hard" on the sippy cup lid.

So Grandma gave Audrey the sippy cup WITHOUT said lid.

Audrey decided to dump the contents of the cup over her head.

Classy, Audrey, classy.

Woah Babies!

2010-04-22T21:18:00.003-04:00

My friend Sheri just announced she's having twins in the Fall - babies #3 and #4 for her and hubby.

Is it just me, or does it seem like every other person around me is getting pregnant. I hope it's not contagious. I hope that, right?

Right?

Come on guys. Reassure me here ...

Anyways -CONGRATS Sheri!!!

So of COURSE

2010-04-16T21:26:00.006-04:00

I finally got my iPad returned the day before news reports of sellers making $100 to $300 selling iPads on Ebay. *sigh* Oh well, knowing my luck it would have gotten lost in transit or something.

The last week was a whirlwind! My friend Jackie flew in a day before Mom, Val, and Dominic for a week of non-stop fun. Then my brother-in-law decided to fly down for the weekend last minute ... my head is still spinning!
Thanks to Jackie, we got some great pictures. Somehow Val and I have been less adept at picking up our cameras since we're so busy chasing little people around most of the time.

Before Steve got there, and one day while Jason was sleeping (after and before work, my poor night shift working hubby) All of us girls, and Dominic, went to the Marbles Kids's Museum in Raleigh.

Audrey was so excited - it was a complete sensory overload for her, but she loved every minute! The poor girl doesn't get out much.

Our first stop was the kid's neighborhood area. They had everything from dollhouses in a treehouse to mini-mail trucks, ambulances and fire trucks to play in. A huge thanks to Jackie for climbing up on top of the pirate ship with Audrey and her camera to capture my little pirate in action!

It was only $5 per person, and we spent most of the morning exploring the two floors of fun. All three of the kids completely conked out before we even got to Chick-fil-a for lunch. The Museum is a 45 minute drive from our house, but I think we'll have to consider a membership in a couple of years when both the girls will enjoy visiting multiple times a year. What a great find!

Saturday night Val dropped (and irreparably broke) her iPhone, prompting a last-minute trip to the Apple Store in Durham to discuss a repair or replacement. We caravanned up there in two vehicles and ended up having a nice expensive lunch at Maggiano's. The Apple experts told Val it was a $200 repair, if it would 'work' at all, so we let Audrey play for 30 minutes at the large indoor playground inside the mall, then headed home while Val, Steve, and mom drove to an AT&T store in Durham to buy the new phone. By the time they got home, the Maggiano's leftovers had been in the trunk for several hours. Mom ate some anyway, but spent the next day and a half sicker than a dog.

I couldn't be more thrilled that Mom is here until Wednesday - particularly since my closet is still a disaster, and Jason has to work all weekend! May 10th is the last day of class, then it's time for some summer fun with Granny and Grandma. It will be here before we know it.

iPad getting RETURNED

2010-04-03T12:08:00.003-04:00

OK, Apple, Epic Fail to you.

Nowhere in any of the literature or information available about your shiny new toy, did you disclosed that you need to be running the newest software on your iMac desktop computer to be able to USE your iPad.

First I had to update iTunes, fine. THEN the computer tells me "Your iPad can not be used because your computer needs to be running Mac OS X 10.5."

I have 10.4.11, also known as the latest before Snow Leopard was released. How much would I have to pay, I asked the Apple rep who I spent an hour on the phone with this morning, to upgrade to Leopard? $160.

A $499 iPad was an extravagant gift for my husband to get me for my birthday, but $659, BEFORE TAX? That's a little much.

SO. Now I get to either sleep deprive my husband so he can babysit, or drag a 2 year old and a 4 month old on a road trip (the nearest Apple retail store is a 45 minute drive) so I can return the dang thing.

NOT HAPPY.

It is here!

2010-04-03T10:20:00.001-04:00

Guess Who's Pregnant Again?!?

2010-03-31T22:12:00.003-04:00

No - I'm not - thank you LORD.

I am going to be an Aunt x2. It was my sister's turn, anyways. Between two of us, this makes four babies in less than three years. Mom will forever be able to say that her grandkids are "One, two, three and four" or, "Two, three, four and five." You get the idea. Kind of cool, huh?

Before you ask, no, I am NOT planning on getting pregnant next year to keep the trend going. Even mom says, "Four grandkids under three years old is PLENTY!" Let's work on getting the two that I have out of diapers, and then we'll talk.

In the mean time, let me leave you with the big brother to be ...

Isn't he just dreamy? They are flying down for a visit in less than a week, I can't wait!

A new stroller and a smile!

2010-03-30T21:40:00.004-04:00

Two lucky little ladies got a new stroller! Now the sisters can get chauffeured around in style side-by-side. My friend Julie tipped me off to a huge consignment sale in Raleigh on Saturday - held by mothers of twins and triplets. It was huge, and besides the stroller, I got some other great things. Lots of almost new books, two pairs of CUTE shoes for Audrey, and a couple of dresses, so fun!

Can you even handle this smiley little babe? PRESH! I have such a tough time catching her almost constant smiles on camera, it's crazy! As soon as she sees a camera, she stops smiling to concentrate and study the camera.

Got you this time, Alex Rose!

Spring break has arrived!

2010-03-29T17:54:00.000-04:00

Tonight is my last class before Spring Break. How has this semester
gone by so quickly? Only TEN more nights of class and it will be time
for summer!

Granny, Sick, Easteryness

2010-03-27T15:05:00.002-04:00

I am tired. Two weeks ago, Jason took Audrey with him on a road trip to pick his mom up (West Virginia). She was here for two weeks, and he just left an hour ago to drive her home.

While she was here I was able to get a bunch of regular household stuff done, as well as have some special mother-daughter time with Audrey, and some "Me" time for myself. What a relief! I finally feel like a human being again. That is really saying something considering half-way through her visit we caught a nasty stomach virus that is making the rounds. Luckily my mother-in-law was spared from getting sick, but the rest of us were down for the count for about 24 hours each. Yick. I'll be happy if we never have to go through that again, but we probably will.

In other very exciting news, my 14-month-old nephew finally has TEETH. Of course I found out about it on facebook. I know, right? Sheesh.

Mom and Val are flying down next week from Syracuse, and Jackie (who was one of my bridesmaids, and also stood up in Val's wedding) is flying down the same week from Philly so we are all looking forward to that visit.

Hmmm ... sounds like the baby is waking up after a 20 minute nap that should have lasted more like an hour and 45 minutes ... guess it's time to get her back on her regular schedule as opposed to the "Granny-cuddle-all-time-even-for-naps" schedule. I'm still smiling!

Becoming Babywise

2010-03-14T11:10:00.004-04:00

See where this child is sleeping? Right: mom's arms. That is where she always slept, if she slept at all.

I noticed a comment my friend Katie made on facebook when a mutual friend of ours was complaining about a familiar problem - a nocturnal child! No joke, Alexandria went for days in a row with only power naps or cat naps at the end of nursing sessions. I seriously was about to give up hope on ever sleeping more than 2 hours in a row for the rest of my life when I discovered that there was a new way to do things. Katie's comment mentioned 'loosely' following the principals of Babywise. I picked up a copy from Amazon, and my whole world is suddenly brighter.

To my shock and amazement, the simple concept of MOM being in control of the schedule instead of the baby works! Having made it through OK feeding on demand with Audrey, I started Alex out with the same game plan.

EPIC FAIL.

The kid never slept on her own. She'd conk out after nursing, but wake the second her diapered bottom hit the mattress. The concept behind babywise is to feed the baby, let the baby play, then lay the baby down for a nap, in that order, at fixed intervals throughout the day.

I feed her roughly every 3 hours. After feeding she's up and active for an hour or so, then I put her down for a nap. She cried - more at first - but then drifts off to sleep. It turns out that the little thing is a sleeping machine! The longer I've stuck to this plan: feed, play, sleep - the better she does. Many naps during the day she barely fusses now when I put her down.

Love her heart, I finally "let her" learn how to fall asleep on her own. It's a miracle. Thanks, Katie!

Our Day

2010-03-13T20:11:00.003-05:00

Jason left this morning not long after he got home from work to drive to WV. I packed Audrey, dressed her, and put pigtails in her hair. He was going to surprise Betty - she wasn't expecting him till late today- but the surprise was on him- he got there and she was nowhere to be found! Turns out she went to a scrapbooking party at her sister Joanne's church at 11am, and didn't get home until 2:30 or 3 or something- I think Jason and Audrey got to Betty's at 12:30, but were locked out! He had the key, but she had locked the storm door also. SO they went to lunch, and drove around. Audrey fell asleep in the back seat, and had a little nap.

When Betty finally got home, Jason tried to carry Audrey in sleeping, but she woke up and was WAY too excited to play with all of Granny's toys to keep napping. :)

Alex and I had a great day. I showered while she had her morning nap, then gathered up my coupons. When she woke up I fed her, then we went to Rite Aid together. I brought my baby carrier (the front pack 'Snugli' that baby Audrey is in on Jason's chest on the top picture of my blog) and Alex did GREAT. She loved looking all around, and I got lots of compliments on her. :) After taking the 3 packs of diapers and wipes to the car, I even walked back to Belk; two women I used to work with were there, so that was really nice.

Then we stopped at a consignment sale downtown. I went the other day after my dentist apointment, and only found a few things, today everything was 50% off because it was the last day of the sale. I got a 'johnny jump-up' for Alex for 4 bucks, she's ALMOST big enough to try it out - you hang it from a doorway, and there's a little seat for the baby to sit in and jump - too cute! and a Disney movie music CD for $1.

Alex fell asleep in the car as soon as I put her in her car seat, poor little thing was tuckered! We came home and I brought in all my loot, the baby woke up so I fed her again, then she happily played on her play mat and in her little chair (see pic). Then I got really lonesome it was so quiet! SO I loaded her up back in the stroller and we took Honey for a walk around the block. It was a little windy, but nice.

The baby loved it, and the fresh air pooped her out- I put her in her pack-n-play as soon as we got back to the house and she fell right asleep not a whimper- that's rare! I went on the front porch and called my mom, had a good talk with her- her and Val are coming April 6th, Mom's staying longer than Val, till the 24th or something? SO excited.

Then I laid on the couch and just as I was falling asleep, Alex woke up, so I fed her, then she played on the floor while I fixed my dinner and ate it, we watched "Millionaire Matchmaker" on Bravo while I ate, so funny. Have you seen it? Some of those Hollywood people are nuts!

Suddenly it was 7:30 already, how did that happen? Alex was looking sleepy again. I changed her and put her in a cute pink nightgown while I sang 'twinkle twinkle little star' and was going to sit and rock her for a while- she got fussy as soon as I sat in the rocking chair, so I figured "Fine, I'll put you to bed!" I put her down in the bassinet, she fussed for about 30 seconds and went straight to sleep!!! Hopefully she'll stay sleeping tonight.

Keeping my fingers crossed, this is going great so far! Before I know it I'll have eight hours of sleep a night again - miraculous!

Happy Birthday, Granny!

2010-03-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

My mother-in-law celebrates her birthday today! Audrey and I worked together early in the week to make her a very special birthday card. She was so excited to 'help' me put the letters on the card. After I spelled out "Happy Birthday Granny" with the pen, her fingers under mine, I asked her if she wanted me to write anything else.

"I wuv Gwanny!" So that's what we wrote. After being stickered to death, we sent it off, and it was happily received. What's even better is that after Jason gets his sleeping done tomorrow, he's heading to West Virginia to get her. She's going to spend two weeks at our house - we can't wait!

A Birthday and a Big Girl Bed

2010-03-11T21:51:00.003-05:00

March 4th marked my 31st birthday. I baked and frosted my own cake, but I did have help blowing out the candle. Truth be told, it was a perfect day.

My sweet husband wrote me a HUGE check so I can buy the Apple iPad when it comes out next month (WOW, dreams do come true!), then took us all out for breakfast at our favorite local breakfast joint.

Little Audrey wished me a happy birthday about 27 times, and I think she has said, "Happy Birthday, Mommy!" at least one time every day since my actual birthday.

And Alex ... well, if she gives me one more huge, gummy grin, my heart might just melt on the spot. That is a daily if not regular gift that she hands out freely, but I'm happy to count it amongst my birthday blessings.

My 31st year was a busy one. I can't say that I would want to relive it, but I am so thankful that it was lived.

In other news around here, Miss Thing got a big girl bed. She has been very much into "Dora the Explorer" as of late, so we happily bought this little gem on Craigslist.

After I sent Jason down to Ft. Bragg to pick it up, I decided to tell Audrey what Daddy was going to bring home with him. "Audrey, would you like your very own Dora big girl bed?"

She looked deep in thought for a moment, and out of nowhere came up with, "And how 'bout TINKERBELL!"

After Jason got home with the bed (which she was thrilled with despite the lack of Tink) I ran out and got a Tinkerbell poster to put on the wall in her room.

Despite some concerns that we would have a wild banshee roaming the house at night (she had recently figured out how to operate door knobs) the transition to toddler bed was beautifully smooth. She even actually stays IN bed until either Jason or I come to get her up in the morning.

Ain't Life Grand?

"I'm Working"

2010-02-27T22:41:00.002-05:00

This afternoon, Audrey was playing doctor. She had her little Sesame Street medical kit, and was pretending to prick my finger and squeeze blood out of it just like the nurse did to her at her last REAL appointment.

She was squeezing my finger tip very gently, but playing along, I said, "Ow!"

Around here we carry on the tradition of kissing boo-boo's. "Audrey, my finger hurts, will you kiss it?"

"No, Mom," she replied in a very professional and serious tone, "I'm working."

The Best Big Sister

2010-02-21T22:49:00.002-05:00

It was almost time for Audrey's nap. Not wanting to catch her by surprise, about ten minutes before it was time to take her up to her crib, I gave her a heads up.

"Audie, it is almost time for your nap." I said calmly, knowing she wasn't going to take it well. After all, she was VERY busy playing with her zoo animals on the ottoman in front of us. The baby was sitting on my knee, watching Audrey's every move, and it seemed that Audrey was only too happy to enjoy her audience of two.

"No nappa time mommy, me stay DOWN stairs wif my aminals!" Real tears came to her eyes and I saw a full-blown tantrum on the horizon.

"Audrey! Look - don't cry, or you will make little sister cry too!" I said. In a heartbeat, this precious first born girl of mine almost instinctively choked back the tears, looked right at her baby sister, and forced a smile.

Grandma's Visit

2010-02-20T21:44:00.003-05:00

My mom was such a God-send. I was sick while she was here, and I don't know how I would have made it through Jason's 'working' weekend without her. As you can see, it snowed while she was in town, so we took full advantage of the white fluffy to have some fun.

The previous snow was crispy and icy, not at all good for snowman making, but this snow was perfect. We actually made three snowmen - or to be precise two snowmen and one snowWoman. Mom and Audrey started off on the back porch while I snapped pictures and ran the camcorder from inside the sliding glass door with Alex-in-arms.
When I realized I didn't have any carrots, the MacGyver in me went to the toy chest in search of the Mrs. Potato Head that we gave Audrey for her birthday. Perfect!

As of this morning, there was a tiny chunk of white left in the backyard from the largest snowman. I'm so glad we have pictures to keep these memories alive forever.

Why, oh why??!?

2010-02-11T16:52:00.003-05:00

After anticipating mom's arrival for far too long, my body's immune system decided to give way to a nasty sinus head-cold type of thing. I feel awful. It really stinks to not be able to enjoy mom's company. On the other hand, I am completely relieved, of course, to have the extra set of hands to help care for the children. Phew for that!

Jason is off today, so wanted to take me out to dinner for Valentine's Day. Don't really feel up to that, either. The one time we have a free babysitter, I'm too sick to even want to go out? That's just wrong.

Back to bed with my Kleenex I go.

Fairies and Furries

2010-02-04T10:47:00.002-05:00

Audrey has a love/hate relationship with our dog. I've caught her lovingly petting Honey, and alternately, threatening her to within an inch of her life after several episodes of stolen snacks.

This morning, for example, after I handed Audrey a banana, as is her custom, she put a flat hand out towards the dog, "Get AWAY from me, Huh-ee, and my banana!"

I was thinking about despite all the drama we've gone through as dog owners, Honey is really a super wonderful fur baby. She is SO gentle with the girls, and most unbelievable of all, is REALLY good at not eating the millions of small toys laying around. She shocked me last week by eating the contents (read:not the outside tougher plastic with tabs) gel, and all, of one of Alex's little diapers. Even that turned out - or should I say came out - okay in the end, pun intended.

With Audrey's birthday on January 3rd, Honey's 6th birthday passed without much fanfare on January 5th. We love you Honey!

Aunt, Uncle and Cousin

2010-02-01T11:30:00.004-05:00

We had a fabulous week-long visit with Val, Steve, and baby Dominic. Audrey and Dominic did very well co-existing, if I do say so myself. Here's a pic of them watching Tom and Jerry together ... too cute!
Audrey is now officially a chatty cathy, every day stringing together longer sentences and communicating more clearly. She was able to say "Aunt Val" and "Uncle Steve" as clear as a bell, but Dominic is still something along the lines of "Dah-k" ... she'll get there eventually.

In other news, guess who is turning three months old this week?

Yep, Baby Alex!

And guess who is coming on Saturday to help us celebrate?

Grandma!!!

Cry Baby

2010-01-17T14:56:00.003-05:00

Who on earth took this picture?

I was looking through my recent photos for a picture to post today, and thought this one was fitting since Allie was up crying from 11 p.m. to about 1:30 a.m. last night.

She had slept amazingly well the night before, and even napped several times yesterday, but last night was terrible. I'm going to blame it on gas pains, since she had a major blow-out today. By major I mean poop ALL around her waist.

Perhaps it's time to bump up to size 2 diapers since size 1 are clearly no match for Alex's poop.

Both the girls are napping, so I should be too. This is day 2 of our first 3 day weekend without Jason. I mean, he's here from about 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., but that really doesn't count. Trust me. It doesn't.

The Most Giant Update Ever

2010-01-07T21:10:00.010-05:00

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I know there are faithful readers (Uncle Butch) out there who visit my blog daily because they love me and what to know what is going on in my life.

Speaking of my most wonderful Uncle, Miss Audrey got a birthday card from her Grunkle (great uncle) and Aunt tonight! She was SO happy, and opened it all by herself. --->

I can't believe my baby is TWO YEARS OLD! Time has gone by so fast, it hurts.

Every day Audrey impresses us with her expansive vocabulary and wit.

The bathroom humor is always the funniest, isn't it? When her diaper gets uncomfortably heavy, she proclaims, "Hey Guys, I'm sopping wet!"

If that doesn't beat all, she says, "I expelled GAS, Mommy" before "scuze' me."

I'm not joking, she's unreal.

So here are my official excuses for not blogging:

1. We had family here for Christmas AND New Year's.
2. Jason went back to work and left me alone with our munchkins!
3. We've been sick!

As a matter of fact, both Jason and I are completely lucky to be functioning at all. Monday night Alexandria DID NOT SLEEP at all from 11 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next morning. Well, honestly I guess she had like twenty or thirty 2 minute naps, so that's what ... 40 minutes or an hour of sleep?
But they say the power nap is more effective than a longer nap, don't they?

Anyways, Jason had worked on Monday, and came home sick enough to warrant a trip to the urgent care. He wasn't urgently sick, it was just after 6 p.m., so all normal doctor's offices were closed. He came home with antibiotics, eye drops, and steroids?!? Basically they didn't know what was wrong with him, so they threw all the possibly applicable prescriptions his way.

Since he was sick, he slept downstairs Monday night, and that was a smooth move on his part, since the baby and I partied hard all night long up in the master bedroom.

Tuesday morning, Jason sweetly volunteered to stay up and watch Audrey while I slept once I got the baby to sleep around 10 a.m. I wouldn't actually have known what time it was because I was so delirious, but Sesame Street had just started, so that's 10. Anyways, the baby woke up at 1:30p.m. I picked her up, climbed back in bed with her to nurse, then around 2 we headed downstairs.

This is what I found:

Audrey had stacked toys on him, then left him for dead and was playing with the Sesame Street kitchen she got for Christmas.
Jason has no recollection of the entire event, and swears he was awake the entire time. Thanks, Jason, but I'm not THAT good at Photoshop.

In other news, here's what we did on Christmas Eve:

Our church had a children's service at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and since we had the youngest baby, we were invited to portray the Holy Family in the living nativity scene.

Audrey got to be an angel! She was pretty antsy during the scripture reading, and kept climbing up and down the stairs in the front of the sanctuary, but nobody seemed to mind. :)

At home, we had a wonderful Christmas. Jason's brother Brian and his wife Mary drove twelve hours to spend Christmas at our house, Jason had driven to West Virginia to get his mom, and my mom was also able to be with us. It was a full house, and we wouldn't have had it any other way! :)

Group Pic- thank goodness Jason's brother had a tripod!

Here is Audrey eating the gingerbread house we made together:

And cleaning up the evidence:

Feeling all Martha Stewart-ish after the Cupcake cookbook that Mary gave me for Christmas we made these ladybug cupcakes for Audrey's birthday:

Turned out pretty good, huh?

Jason's cousin Shane, his wife Lora and their kids, Mason and Megan drove all the way from West Virginia to ring in the new year with us. Audrey was pretty thrilled to have someone to play with!

How is that for a giant update? Can't leave you without a recent picture of our little pumpkin. Can you believe she is TWO MONTHS OLD already?
Time flies!

Pregnancy Does WHAT to your Gallbladder?!?

2009-11-20T18:56:00.002-05:00

So I'm fresh out of the hospital (again) after being admitted from the ER Wednesday for an emergency surgery to remove my infected gallbladder. Pregnant women beware! After enduring this ordeal, at least five women that I know have come forward and said, "Oh yeah, that happened to me, too!" WHO KNEW.

The procedure was laproscopic, so although in a great deal of discomfort, I'm recovering nicely and expect to be back to my old self in no time at all. Minus the gallbladder.

On to the birth story, shall we?

Mom took this picture of Audrey and I the day before we headed to the hospital to be induced. She was so excited for little sister to come out of my tummy. Little did she know it would require mom to be out of commission for so long!

Jason and I overslept. He apparently turned the alarm off instead of hitting snooze, so we both flew out of bed and ended up only being 10 minutes late to the hospital. Not a bad start! After finishing registration, a nurse walked us back to our room, and gave me the famous backless gown to dress in. Someone else came in and started my IV, and before I knew it I had pitocin dripping into my arm and I was contracting like a champ.
My wonderful OB suddenly appeared and announced he was going to break my water to get things going. Having been through this before, I knew he wasn't joking. When I was in labor with Audrey, the breaking of the water was the moment that everything got really intensely painful. Luckily for me, he was UNABLE to break my water. After some heck-a-uncomfortable prodding and reaching, he announced he scratched the bag pretty good, so it may rupture at any time, but if not, he'd be back on his lunch break to break it.

What an interesting existence these OB's have. Breaking women's amniotic fluid sacs on their lunch breaks? Wild. Let me just add here that both my doctor and the nurse were literally ASTOUNDED at the amount of fluid I was carrying that baby in. No wonder I lost 40 pounds by 2 weeks post-partum! In two weeks, I've lost 2 gallons of water, plus another gallon I was carrying around IN MY FEET, a 10 pound baby, and a gallbladder full of stones. Back to the story.

As promised, we saw the OB again at noon, and this time around, I knew to put in a request for the epidural as soon as my water was broken. The anesthesiologist was there in no time, and got me back to feeling comfortable.

As those of you who are on facebook know, I was able to update my facebook status between contractions. In what seemed like no time flat, I went from 6 to 9 cm and was ready to push. Val got there just in time, and out came a healthy 9 lb 14 ounce Alexandria Rose. They put her on a blanket on my stomach and it was the most incredible thing ever. I highly recommend it, despite the obvious pitfalls of such endeavors.

So this story has a happy ending. We now have two beautiful, healthy girls, who could ask for more? Even when the going got tough, both my mom and Jason's mom were here to help us get through it, not to mention multiple offers of help from friends near and far. Thanks everyone!

Alexandria's jaundice/biliruben number went from a 10 to an 18 after we were discharged from the hospital, so our pediatrician had us rent this super little machine called a wallaby or something, that had a hose with a connecting light that could lay right on the baby's skin to help her break down the extra red blood cells in her body.

So somebody may be stuck with the nick name "Glow-worm" for the rest of her life. Cute, huh?
The name may stick, but the jaundice didn't. She got a great report at her 2 week well-baby appointment today, so we are ready to rock and roll into the sunset with our family of four!

Thanks again all for your prayers, well wishes, love, and helping us welcome our new little princess!

Baby Love

2009-11-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

Alexandria Rose is here!

2009-11-08T04:55:00.002-05:00

Surprised, happy, and exhausted, we are now parents to two beautiful girls.
More from home - expecting to be discharged this afternoon (Sunday).

Trick-or-Treat

2009-10-31T20:47:00.002-04:00

Jason didn't get home until 7, but he called at 4 to inform me that rumor at work was that our local Walgreen's was offering the H1N1 vaccination to high-risk peeps. That's me! Audrey and I jumped in the car and zipped over there just in time.

We got home minutes before we had our first trick-or-treaters, so I shifted it into high gear and threw Audrey's (wrinkly) costume on her and grabbed a bucket of candy for the front porch.

At some point, I grabbed my camera, but was so busy keeping Audrey out of the road and out of the chocolate that I never even got it out of it's case. Oops. We had plenty of fun, and walked up and down the street to the nearest 5 or 6 neighbor's houses. Although we had practiced saying trick-or-treat, the best I got out of the wide-eyed child was, "Teat!" and of course, "Tanks!" after it was prompted.

I am totally wiped out, and having the occasional VERY firm contraction. hmmm, time to lay down on the couch and take it easy.

There are about two reasons it would be great to go into labor tonight (I'm tired of being pregnant, and I'm ready to meet this little lady!), but five reasons that it would be NOT great.

1. I would really not prefer my poor mother to rack up several speeding tickets flying down 81 like her tail pipe is on fire.

2. I'm pretty sure my mother-in-law would be ticked that my mom would bypass West Virginia in an effort to make it to NC before I start pushing.

3. Who on EARTH would we deposit Audrey with since my favorite baby-sitting neighbor is suddenly M.I.A.

4. I am just too tired after trick-or-treating to birth a baby tonight.

5. I've been putting off washing my newborn clothes, so she would have to ride home in a diaper and her snow suit.

That settles it then. No exit strategy tonight, little one. Hang in there a few more days. I promise we'll show you a real good time when you finally come out. Love, Mom

T - 10 days

2009-10-27T10:36:00.002-04:00

Ten.

Ten more days of this.

Totally manageable, right?

Right.

At least Elmo thinks it's funny.

If All Goes Well

2009-10-24T12:35:00.003-04:00

If everything pans out like we are expecting, I'll be cuddling my newborn two weeks from today.

Val bought her plane tickets, she'll be flying in with Dominic a week from Wednesday (Nov. 4th), the same day Mom will be driving in with Betty from West Virginia. At this point, I'm planning to teach Wednesday night. We will have all day Thursday just to enjoy each other's company - the calm before the storm, so to speak.

Friday morning (Nov. 6th) I'm to report at 6 a.m. to be induced. Now let's not get overly excited about this, but I've actually been having some mild contractions this morning. Maybe they would even still be classified as Braxton Hicks, but still. Of course many women have REAL contractions on and off for weeks before going into labor. It is still nice to know that my body is gearing up for the big day. The more ready it gets, the easier things will go, I imagine. :)

The house is (mostly) ready, and my hospital bag is packed. I still have to decide what outfit to bring the baby home in. Not to mention the fact that Audrey has nothing to trick-or-treat in yet. It is always something!

Guess Who's Cute?

2009-10-16T18:30:00.001-04:00

Someone has learned how to smile on cue. Can you stand it?

Heading for Country Roads, Again.

2009-10-09T03:48:00.002-04:00

It's that time again, Jason's 3 day weekend! Even better since he got today (Friday off) so it's really a 4 day weekend.

What better to do than head to West Virginia? Doc said I'm fine to travel, within reason. A 6 hour road trip through the mountains is reasonable, right? Let's just hope so.

Speaking of my dear ole' doc, at my regular appointment Wednesday he dropped the bomb on me that he'd like to induce labor a week BEFORE my due date. WOW! Here I was thinking and hoping that I'd be able to actually go into labor on my own this time, and steer clear of that nasty pitocin. Oh, no. He's got to dangle EARLY INDUCTION in front of me.

One less week of being miserably totally pregnant, and a week earlier of getting to meet my precious new little baby girl? Not to mention potentially getting to use some of the TONS of newborn sized clothes that were given to us for Audrey but she barely fit into by the time her 9lbs 10oz bottom was squeezed into this world a week late? *sigh*

Yes, I understand induction is not ideal. Would it be worth it, abso-stinking-lutely! The nurse is supposed to call next week to schedule a tentative induction date. I'm due Monday Nov. 16th, a week early would be Monday Nov. 9th. Wait one hot second ...

Isn't today OCTOBER 9th? So November 9th is seriously ONE MONTH FROM TODAY.

Holy Crap.

Up Close and Personal With Grover

2009-09-29T08:29:00.004-04:00

The "Lunch with Elmo and Friends" was pretty much the best $40 I've ever spent. The buffet was fine, but the entertainment was amazing. After the Sesame Street characters finished their little song and dance, they spent at least an hour mingling with the audience. They spread out, and spent lots of time with each table, it was wonderful! The best part of it was watching Audrey. She was thrilled beyond belief. I thought her cheeks were going to burst from smiling!

Oh.My.Goodness. My daughter loves Grover. She used to be an Elmo girl, but since meeting Grover on Saturday at Busch Gardens, she's been a Grover girl, big time. We only have 2 books featuring Grover, and I think I've read them 20 times each.

We're on our way to Charlotte this morning to visit Aunt Dot and Uncle Manuel, so hopefully I'll have time to post some more pics after we return. :)

50 Days

2009-09-27T15:39:00.000-04:00

We're on the countdown now! According to my ticker, only 50 days remain until my due date. As we all learned from Miss Audrey, some buns like to bake longer than that, but I have a feeling this one won't. :)

Mom Week!

2009-09-24T01:19:00.005-04:00

I know it's so wrong, but I'm still reminiscing about our trip to Myrtle. Jason took this picture of Audrey and I just before sunrise on the balcony of our suite. Aren't we cute? Check out that baby belly!

Mom flew down this week - staying until next Thursday, actually. I just don't know what to do with myself! What? A nap, you say? What a great idea! Took one this afternoon, actually, and I'm pretty sure I'll get another one tomorrow since I'm up blogging at 1 a.m. due to pregnancy-related heartburn. Ugh.

No complaining here! We have a fabulous week planned. Thanks to my husband's all-too-wonderful employer, we're taking a road trip to Busch Gardens this weekend! We paid $5 for the tickets (as opposed to $60) so we don't feel too bad on splurging for the "Lunch With Elmo" buffet. Can you IMAGINE the look on Audrey's face when she sees her precious Elmo larger than life and walking around? Me neither. I hope it's not a look of horror. She's at that age where it can go either way.

Jason opted to stay home since he has to work 12+ hours on Friday. He and the dog will be spending Saturday napping, I'm sure. The itinerary for Sunday and or Monday will probably include a road trip to Charlotte to visit my great Aunt Dottie and Uncle Manuel. That reminds me of a good one. They are in their (late) 80's, and apparently take their much beloved weiner dog to cemeteries because she, "Likes to run around in the cemetery." (Leaving that one alone) Well, anyways, she RAN OFF, and they couldn't find her!

Happy ending though, I guess they got a call from a local pound the next morning. Someone had found her and turned her in. We'll get the full scoop this weekend. Drama!

20 Months, A Love Letter

2009-09-20T10:32:00.003-04:00

My precious, sweet, darling baby girl,

I can't believe that you are already walking and talking with the sass and pizzaz of a teenager. You melt my heart with each tender word, and seem to surprise me every day with a new one. Twice already this morning, you've responded with, "Okay, okay, okay." When I asked you to come eat breakfast, and later to pick up some books with me.

After Monday's somewhat humiliating Dr.'s appointment, your father and I were shamed into immediately weaning you from the bottle. You handled it like a champ. What were we so worried about?

Your dramatic flair has been interesting. Someone *not me!* introduced you to fruit snacks, and you are a true addict. "Sacks, Mommy, sacks, Meeease? (please)" This pleading request usually comes daily, some time before 9 a.m. When I explain to you that we wait until after lunchtime to have fruit snacks, you throw yourself to the carpet in tears, and I walk away. Seconds later you peek to see if anyone is paying attention to your plight, and when not, you hop up and go play with a toy.

The Doc said you should be watching no more than one hour of TV a day. Oops. Your favorites include Sesame Street, Super Why!, Dora the Explorer, The Wiggles, Backyardigans, My Little Ponies, (how many times have you watched the 30 minute DVD that came with your first Pony, Cherilee? 172) and you already enjoy watching a few kid flicks, including Finding Nemo (Me-o!), The Little Mermaid (Merma!), and Lady and the Tramp (dogs!)

In my defense, plenty of this TV watching occurred while I was WAY all-day sick with your little sister, and during road trips to Granny's and Raleigh for shopping and visits to my doctor. Thank goodness for our portable DVD player, right?

Speaking of Little Sister, only two more months of "one and only" for you little one! From what I've seen and know of you, I'm sure you'll be the best Big Sister ever. Besides me, of course. :)

And as I was just typing this, you walked in the room, waved and said, "Hi, Mommy!" then climbed into my lap to see what I was up to, and offer me a kiss. Life doesn't get much better than this.

Love you Audrey, and so glad you are mine,
Mom

Jason and his nephew

2009-09-17T19:53:00.003-04:00

Pretty cute, huh?

It's been several days since Val and Steve flew home with Dominic, and I think that Jason is in love with his nephew. He can't stop talking about what a good baby he was. I am not even exaggerating. That child is the most laid back, happy baby ever known to man. The only time he cried the entire week was on our drive back from a day of shopping in Raleigh when Val realized she hadn't fed him in a while. Oops!

Here's one of Audrey sitting in Jason's lap, and Dominic sitting in Val's in the surf at Myrtle. Steve was out swimming in the ocean, (I think he's the little speck on the right) and I was behind the camera as usual. :)

We had such a great visit, and thankfully since Val is going down to part-time, they'll be visiting several more times in the near future, especially since they will have a brand new niece/cousin to get to know.

Speaking of family visits, mom is flying down Tuesday for 9 days. We can't wait!

Myrtle Beach Beauty!

2009-09-15T20:54:00.001-04:00

Beach Bound

2009-09-11T14:52:00.003-04:00

After such an exciting trip to Granny's, who knew things could get even better?

My sister Val got a few days off of work at the last minute, so she flew down with hubby and precious 7 month old Dominic in tow. :)

This just happens to be Jason's weekend off, so we're headed to Myrtle!

First Mom-Daughter Road Trip

2009-09-01T17:59:00.002-04:00

After ruling out trying to fly with Audrey on my ever-shrinking lap, we've decided a drive to my mother-in-law's for Labor Day weekend is a great idea. Jason has to work all weekend, but since I teach Monday and Wednesday nights, I'm literally able to drive up there Thursday morning, and drive back Wednesday! That's a pretty long weekend, isn't it?

Betty is thrilled that we are coming. Audrey may have some minor melt-downs in the car since I"ll be putting 100% on the road instead of on her, but she'll live. We DO have that marvelous little creation called a portable DVD player, after all. :)

In light of the fact that I'll be leaving Jason for almost a week without home cooking, I've pulled out all the stops and have my FIRST EVER from scratch meatloaf in the oven, and real potatoes boiling on the stove for deluxe mashed. YUMMO. Green beans and sweet tea should round out the feast.

Anybody want to come over?

Passed the test, phew

2009-08-27T11:11:00.002-04:00

I just found out I passed my gestational diabetes test - what a relief! It seems like EVERY OTHER pregnant woman I know has failed it and gone on to that horrible 3 hour test that involves drinking more sugary crap and getting stuck with several needles. No fun!

I did, however, get my share of needles with that BIG ole' needle to the booty Monday @ my 28 week appointment. I'm RH- and Jason is positive, so a shot at 28 weeks, and another right after delivery to protect any future children from my body attacking it. Audrey was RH positive, so thank goodness for technology and shots I guess, right? Right.

28 weeks already, wow. I almost fell off the exam table when the doc said, "Well, we'll see you in ... 2 weeks."

"TWO WEEKS!" I totally wasn't prepared for that. In my little head, the once a month appointments lasted at least another month. Apparently not. Before we know it I'll be going every week and then boom, we'll have a tiny baby girl to adore. Amazing.

School started Monday night. I'm only teaching one night class this semester since I"ll be needing several days off in November. I think I have about 18 students, so that's not so bad. So far everything is going well. It feels good to be back in the classroom after a summer off.

Time to start thinking about lunch for my little peanut. Yesterday she ate an ENTIRE peanut butter and jelly sandwich, AND a whole chocolate pudding cup all by herself. When did SHE grow up?

Baby Blues - A Variation

2009-08-22T08:52:00.002-04:00

Don't be fooled by the fact that there are blueberries remaining on this child's tray. This was at the "end" of her FORTH serving of blueberries. The kid is a blueberry fiend! Of course, I learned later via a verrrry interesting diaper, that it is not a good idea to just let her eat as many blueberries as she wants in one sitting. I'm just sayin'.

I heart Gatlinburg (and Pigeon Forge)!

2009-08-20T15:01:00.003-04:00

We had a totally fabulous time in Gatlinburg, TN this past weekend. Jason's 30th birthday was a smashing success - we even got a surprise last minute visit from his mom for the birthday/Gatlinburg weekend! She hitched a ride down with her brother, who was on his way to Myrtle, and hitched a ride home with her nephew, who spent the weekend in Gatlinburg with his family. :)

Checking out the LIVE BEARS!

Katie the bear is sunning herself on a rock- you can see her in the top left of the window.

Big Daddy checkin' out the BABY BUMP. :)

Aren't we funny? It took us a while to get Audrey situated for her ride down the lazy river. She took a few trips around with me, then the pic below shoes Jason carrying her around. She loves the water - what a great vacation!

And just like that, it's over.

2009-08-11T15:48:00.002-04:00

I reported, as requested, at 9:30 this morning. I sat in a chair in the same room with my fellow jurors for a while reading my book, and then it came. The phone call.

The Clerk of Court hung up the phone, left the room, then promptly returned to announce, "Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for your service. The Judge is dismissing you permanently. You will not be called to serve for at least another two years."

Everyone cheered, and filed out of the room. Somewhere deep inside of me, the woman who wanted to sit in that jury box, Law and Order style, cried.

Jury Duty

2009-08-10T20:48:00.002-04:00

I'm 30 years old. Shouldn't I have been summoned to serve on a jury duty before this week? One would think so. I'm wondering how many other 30-somethings have never been summoned? Anyways, in North Carolina, they pay you $12 a day to 'serve'. No wonder they call it service!

I was told to report to the courthouse lobby at 9:30 a.m. this morning. I was asked to sign in and confirm my address before being pointed towards the "Jury Room" on the 2nd floor. There must have been 30 or 40 of us in that room, and it was hot! The AC must have been on the fritz ... did I mention it was 101 degrees here today? The clerk of court came in and gave us the ground rules. She had us watch a 10 minute video on the importance of serving on a jury.

Then we waited.

Almost two hours went by, when the clerk of court returned, informing us that the judge had decided to dismiss us, but we were to report back to this room at 2 p.m.

Now this presented a dilemma for me. You see, my dear daughter was at home with a new babysitter. She cried when I left, so somehow I couldn't quite justify driving home, loading her in her car seat to take the babysitter home since I'd have to go back and pick the babysitter up (remember it's 101 out) and repeat the cry-fest when I left Audrey for a second time. *sigh*

I called the sitter, and she said, "No problem! I totally don't mind just staying here. Why don't you go shopping?" Awesome!

By 1:50 p.m., I had made my way back to the jury room. The clerk of court took attendance again, and informed us that she was just waiting for a call from the judge, and she would escort us into the courtroom.

The call came around 2:15. She hung up, turned to face us and said, (in a really cute southern accent) "I'm sorry, Y'all, but the judge is dismissing you for the day. You are to report back here tomorrow morning at 9:30.

Luckily with Jason's new job he has tomorrow and Wednesday off, so the $12 won't seem quite as pitiful since I don't have to pay a babysitter. :) Keep your fingers crossed that my service will be done by Wednesday so I can spend Thursday and Friday packing for our big trip to Gatlinburg while Jason is at work.

26 weeks already?!?

2009-08-09T14:42:00.002-04:00

I just took this today when Audrey and I got home from church. Where is big daddy, you ask? Working! He's really enjoying his new position, and those 12 hour shifts Saturday, Sunday and Monday are a little much, but it's so nice to have him home some days during the week, and of course every other weekend! :)

Actually, speaking of Jason and weekends off, he turns 30 on Friday, so to celebrate, we're heading to Gatlinburg, TN on Saturday morning! He's been talking about getting back over there for months now. We've been there twice, both times for family weddings. This will be Audrey's first trip, and I'm thinking she's old enough to actually enjoy herself! We're staying at a Lodge with a lazy river, so how could she not!? :)

Big News!

2009-07-29T10:50:00.003-04:00

This is the summer of excitement! I'm proud to announce that Jason has been promoted at work. He will be making the move from a quality control scientist to a manufacturing supervisor on August 4th. Congrats, Jason!

We just got home from two weeks at my mother-in-law's in West Virginia. Jason drove us in two weeks ago, then drove back this weekend to retrieve us. :) We had loads of fun with all kinds of relatives, and Audrey is really missing her Granny! Luckily Jason's new schedule gives him a 3 day weekend every other weekend, so we'll be headed back soon.

In pregnancy news, things are starting to round out - literally. I'm 24 weeks along, so I get to drink that sugary junk at my OB appointment next week to test for gestational diabetes. Awesome, right? I think Audrey is starting to grasp the 'Big Sister' thing. At least she pats my belly really sweetly when I remind her that there is a baby growing in there. I keep trying to grab her hand when baby sister is being active, but that hasn't been very productive. After all, if Jason is too 'active' to sit still long enough to feel the baby, how can I expect Jasonette to?!? Ha. Pics from our trip soon.

Trip Pics!

2009-07-09T19:32:00.005-04:00

As promised, here are some pics from our big trip to NY. Our two weeks and two days at my mom's house absolutely flew by. The last several days of our trip we were in quarantine because SOMEONE caught a nasty cold in the church nursery on Sunday.

I'm just sayin'.

Other than the snotty finish, we had a great time, and can't wait to go back.

Oh wait, I've been called to jury duty on August 10th, so we may not be able to. *sigh*

Watching Elmo on the plane. :)

Straight from the airport to Panera to see Aunt Val and cousin Dominic!

Giving Dominic hugs - who can blame her? He is pretty cute!

Our kids both passed out in the back seat - priceless!

After church on Sunday, we went out to the cemetery to replace spring decorations with summer ones. Audrey had fun 'picking' the Easter eggs that mom had stuck in the ground on wooden sticks. Of course it didn't take long for her to notice the etching of Steph's face on her stone, pointing and exclaiming, "Mommy-Mommy!" Pass the Kleenex, please!

Dominic's first bite of rice cereal. He wolfed it down like a champ.

Splashing with our duck in Grandma's kiddie pool ... cute suit, or what? Yet another fabulous Craigslist find.

Gardening with Grandma

Who gave my daughter chocolate? Honestly.

Grandma held up a little mirror so Miss Audrey could see what she looked like with chocolate all over her face. Cute, of course!

Can you tell that I am slightly in love with Audrey? Both of my mom's sisters were in town, and somehow I have a camera full of pictures of Audrey.

We leave tomorrow for two weeks with Jason's mom in West Virginia - can't wait!

Busy Summer!

2009-07-02T10:12:00.005-04:00

We have been going non-stop since my last post! We had so much fun in WV in May, that Jason and I decided that this would be the "Summer of the Grammies", almost literally. Audrey and I are wrapping up a two week stay at my mom's, and after flying home Saturday, we'll drive to West Virginia to spend two weeks with Jason's mom.

There actually has been talk of flying back up to my mom's for another week in August so she can take a trip to Wyoming. Totally nuts, but Audrey and I are loving it.

The only downside is, of course, spending SO MUCH TIME away from Jason! He was sort of wanting to save his vacation days for the end of the year with the new baby coming, but I think he may take a few days or even a week to come spend time with us and the rest of his family in West Virginia.

As of Monday, I am officially half-way through this pregnancy. Hip-hip-hurray! Unbelievably, I'm still getting waves of nausea here and there, but it's hard to complain now that I'm feeling the baby wiggle and tap around in my tummy several times a day - such a miracle!

Our week here at mom's has been marvelous. As you can see, Audrey is quite the little water baby. She is totally into the kiddie pool and ducky sprinkler that Grandma got for her. We've been out on the front patio almost every day.

The other major highlight of our trip has been hanging out with this guy:
No WONDER Val is talking about another baby already - Dominic is an absolute doll! I was here about a week before I even heard him cry, and boy was it for a good reason - cousin Audrey grabbed the bottle right out of his hands!

Thankfully, that has been their only major squabble ... overall Audrey has been very gentle and sweet with her baby cousin. She is 18 months, and he is 5. Can't wait to see how she handles a tiny newborn in November!

Check back next week - I'll post more pics from our trip when we get home. :)

Back to WV

2009-05-15T13:55:00.002-04:00

I'm finally done with school- turned in the final grades for all three of my classes this week. To celebrate, Jason is driving us to West Virginia this weekend and leaving us there for a week. Lucky Miss Audrey is in for some major spoiling from Granny, and lucky me - I'm in for lots of R&R! :)

Another Bun in the Oven

2009-05-04T22:22:00.003-04:00

Officially announcing the reason I've been such a bad blogger lately ...

See that little squirming waving fetus on the screen Audrey? You may call it the end of life as you know it, but we are calling it our precious little miracle #2! ;)

Congrats to a soon-to-be big sister, a big daddy, and while I'm at it, I'm going to pat myself on the back for making it through SEVEN SOLID WEEKS (and counting) of horrifying, debilitating nausea. Hey, growing a baby isn't an easy job people!

The baby was actually measuring big - 13 weeks, 2 days - at our ultrasound today, but according to my due date, today is 12 weeks on the nose. I can't even believe it. Two kids under two ... what were we THINKING?!?

Blog, Smog

2009-05-02T19:23:00.002-04:00

I know, I know. I'm a major slacker. So not my fault, but more about that on Monday.

For now, I just had to sit down at my computer for one minute to ask the world:

WHO TAUGHT MY KID HOW TO POOP IN THE TUB!?!?!?

Thank you.

Take me home, country roads

2009-04-10T14:02:00.002-04:00

We've decided to make the trip to West Virginia for Easter. It's been a while since Betty has seen Audrey, and although Jason has to work today and Monday, the trip is long overdue.

I'm not looking forward to the 6 hour drive - over half of which is through windy mountain highways - however I am very much looking forward to relaxing while Granny dotes on my preshy little babe. Audrey is 15 months old now, and BOY is she BUSY!

West Virginia, Mountain Mama, take me home!

Contract, smontract.

2009-04-02T22:45:00.002-04:00

My sweet husband lovingly headed to Raleigh to buy me an iPhone on Sunday after mentioning something about how wonderful I was, and that I really deserved it.

Too bad since we BECAME AT&T customers over a year ago, our 2 year contract isn't up for renewal, and we'd have to pay an EXTRA $200 for the phone. WHaaaat?

Jason called me from the store, still willing to buy me one, but common sense prevailed. I can wait until October, right?

Refund, baby!

2009-03-23T11:47:00.002-04:00

We're RICH! Well ... sort of. Too bad it all has to go into the savings account in case somebody gets laid off. Wait a second, didn't we put last year's entire jumbo refund into savings as well? And hasn't someone's very loving and hardworking wife been begging for an iPhone for almost two years now?

Just remember Jason: Happy Wife = Happy Life.

Chillin' at Mom's

2009-03-14T08:33:00.005-04:00

This week was Spring Break at the community college where I teach, so Jason also took the week off and we headed north. We drove through the night Friday in an effort to spare our 14-month-old from 12 alert hours strapped into her car seat. We left at 5 p.m. Audrey fell asleep around 7 p.m. and woke at 2 a.m., ready to party.

Luckily she was happy to watch Elmo on the portable DVD player, and we arrived unscathed at Grandma's around 4:15 a.m. Saturday. By 10 a.m. we were headed to a baby shower. The mother to be was sick, and not able to attend, but we had a great time anyway. Actually, Audrey slept through half of it since she had been up since 2 a.m., but my beloved childhood friend Miriam stepped up to the plate and held her for me so I could indulge in the shower brunch spread.

Sunday we went to church with mom, and as is our custom, for both the shower and church, we were one of the last people to leave since we had so much socializing to do. After church we went over to Val and Steve's and hung out with that sweet baby Dominic.

I took this from the livingroom stairs yesterday. Val and Dominic are cuddled down in the recliner napping, and Audrey is zonked out in her pink bouncy seat with her hands behind her head as if she were napping in a hammock on Maui. Terribly cute.

Audrey seems to be quite interested in her cousin Dominic. Her interest hightens when MOMMY is holding the baby - she suddenly NEEDS to be in mommy's arms - the photo above being a case in point. Notice the pout parked on her little lips.

Our friend Jackie came up from South Jersey to visit. Here she is holding Audrey while Val and Steve worked together to give Dominic some gas drops. Poor little thing! That was the only time he's been fussy this whole week.

Audrey discovered "Gymnast Stacey" - one of Val's old Barbie dolls - and has toted her around all week, almost preferring Stacey over her more realistic doll baby that you can see here laying lonesome on the ground.

Kodak moment alert! Dominic was in Audrey's pink bouncy seat, and she came over and held his hand!

Ms. Audrey, attached to her cell phone, as usual. Chatty Cathy!

More pics to share, but I'm out of time since everyone's getting up ... I have more visiting to do before we leave tonight for the drive home.

The Cousins Finally Meet!

2009-03-13T11:39:00.001-04:00

The Big Three-Oh!

2009-03-04T03:53:00.003-05:00

Well, my sweet husband took me out to The Melting Pot for an early birthday dinner last night. We NEVER do the fine dining thing, but after finding out what a nice tax return we'll be getting this year, he decided to splurge. How great is that? I could totally live at that place. My purse and coat still smell like The Melting Pot - I've seriously considered quarantining them in plastic to retain the smell.

I'm 30. Happy Birthday to me!

It feels wrong somehow. Like, when you are little, and 30 seems really old? One of my elementary school teachers recently found me on facebook, and I was shocked, and I mean SHOCKED, to realize that she is only in her 40's. She obviously had just graduated when she was my teacher, but in my 3rd grade memory, she was OLD back then!

My beloved co-worker Michelle decorated my office door at the community college with a "Happy Birthday Emily!" sign with a birthday cake on it, and 3 colorful balloons. Excited, I called Jason to tell him about the sweet guessture, and guess what he said?

"Are the balloons black?" The nerd.

Thirty years ago today dad insisted on driving an in-labor wife almost two hours home from a beach trip on a quarter tank of gas so that I could be born in Longview, Washington. Rumor has it the doc barely caught me as he walked into the delivery room.

March 4th, 1979. A great day to be born!

Tax Time

2009-03-02T14:28:00.002-05:00

We have an appointment at 4 p.m. with Lib Kelly - our favorite local accountant. She is a tax law rock star, and we get really excited to see what she can come up with for us. Last year's federal return was somewhere in the ballpark of 4k, but now that we have a dependent to claim, the sky's the limit!

Big money, no whammies!

On a related note, I went online today to pull up and print out my itemized interest payments on my student loans since they are tax deductible. Sallie Mae first. Got it, *click* print. **Warning: Printer out of ink!**

Mom says, "Well, when my printer ink is low, I take out the cartridge and bang it on the desk a few times and get several more documents out of it."

Not being one to ignore the advice of my sage mother, I did as I was told.

I then spent 15 minutes cleaning blue ink spatter off of my keyboard, desk, and left hand. After all ink cartredges were properly cleaned, shaken, and placed back into the printer, I got the same message. "Printer ink OUT." Awesome.

I drove to the Community College, and headed for my office.

Sally Mae- check. I had the document stating I'd paid $573.54 in interest to them on my student loan balance this year up on the screen. I clicked print. WHhhhirrrrr. The printer spat out the sheet beautifully.

Then I headed to the other company/entity holding one of my student loans. I had originally gone w/ Great Lakes Student Loans, but they sold out to Xpress Loan Servicing. Awesome name, right? Just as awesome service. The web site, which was disorganized and cheap looking, informed me that I had paid $0.00 in interest in the year 2008. Yeah right.

800 number, here I come. You know the routine. Prompts galore, not a human being to be found. I just kept pressing 0 until I heard an automated voice say, "You have requested a customer service representative. Please hold while your call is being transfered. Estimated wait time is.two.minutes.

A very tired sounding girl picked up the line after the promised 2 minute wait time had elapsed. "This is Stacy, welcome to Xpress Loan Servicing. How can I help you today?"

After confirming my identity by asking me to verify my address, Stacy was able to verbally tell me that I had paid $252.35 in interest to them in 2008, but they didn't send out a letter since they were only required by law to do so if the individual had paid more than $500 in interest in any given hear. Great.

"Well, can you e-mail me some sort of statement saying that I paid $250 in interest?" I don't know why I asked because I already knew she would say no.

"I apologize, but it's a system generated letter and is sent via postal mail." She thanked me for calling, and we said goodbye.

*sigh*

Perhaps Lib the tax law rock star will tell me it's OK to claim it despite the lack of paper documentation.

I need a nap.

Furry Body Pillow

2009-03-01T22:54:00.001-05:00

Look closer ...

The Sicky McSickersons

2009-02-26T20:17:00.002-05:00

We're sick. The whole bunch of us. Even the dog has a runny nose!

Today was officially Audrey's last day in daycare, so perhaps we'll all get to feeling a little better around here.

Doll Baby

2009-02-24T04:53:00.002-05:00

It's official, my daughter is a girlie-girl.

Anything that resembles a purse or handbag goes over her shoulder, and anything that resembles a bracelet around her wrist.

Sunday morning before church, my normally very shy child actually took OFF across the foyer when she spotted two little girls who each were carrying a small doll. She walked (unashamed) directly up to the nearest doll holding girl, and reached out both hands as if to say, "Hand it over, please".

The girl obliged.

Audrey turned and headed back towards me hugging the doll to her chest with one arm and softly patting it's back with her other hand. I was watching her face, and her expression went from satisfied to ... lightbulb ... and she turned around, and grabbed the OTHER LITTLE GIRL's DOLL!

Oh, Lord, help.

Recycled Roses

2009-02-16T22:54:00.004-05:00

We had a wild, wonderful weekend in West Virginia.

Let me just start by pointing out something hilarious that happened to Jason at work last week. I had mentioned to him that we had reservations to go on a triple date with his cousins and their wives since we were going to be at his mom's Valentines Day weekend. Free babysitter - score!

So in casual conversation at work, Jason SO TOTALLY walked right into this one. Given the (mostly) ridiculous stereotype that marriage amongst cousins in West Virginia is commonplace, guess what Jason said when asked by a co-worker what he had planned for Valentines Day?

"Oh, I'm going on a date with my cousins."

Yep. He did. You'd better believe they are never going to let him live that one down.

***

Now about those roses ... we had dinner at this awesome Japanese Hibachi place. Thank goodness we had reservations because it was packed! I got some great pictures, but sorry I can't share. Why not? Because one of the mugs belongs to an undercover cop, and another to a secret service agent. No, I'm not kidding. With my mad photoshop skillz, I could probably blur their faces out, or replace their faces with Audrey's head or something, but I'm too lazy.

Anyways, after dinner we drove out to the Casino for some good old fashioned gambling fun. Please don't think poorly of me for gambling. Honestly, I think I gambled away like $4, and it came out of my entertainment budget, so get over it.

Since it was Valentines Day, the Casino was giving roses away to every lady who walked in the doors. Unfortunately, they ran out of roses by the time we got there. No big deal, who needs flowers anyway, right? We had a great time hanging out and losing our money. Actually, I think Heather won $23 something on her first $2 bet, so not all was lost.

There were six of us, and we had driven two cars. Since we never get to see each other, the guys rode together, and the girls rode together. Parking was crazy, so we parted ways, planning to meet @ TGI Friday's for dessert.

Unknown to us, one of our husbands (ok, it was mine) noticed a rose in a trash can en route to their car. He picked it out of the trash. Thrilled to have obtained a rose for his wife, he valiantly dove deeper into the trash can, hoping to locate 2 more roses, but alas, his efforts only produced one more rose.

Two roses, three women. Problem? No problem.

Keep in mind, we (the women) knew nothing of these roses all through dessert. They were in the back seat of our X-Terra in the parking lot. As we were leaving, Jason and I headed for our car. I guess Jason and Heath had been talking, or maybe Heath had walked to our car to claim Heather's rose, I'm not sure. Anyway, as I climbed into the passenger seat, Jason reached into the back row from the driver's.

"Here's your rose." He stated plainly. "I dug it out of the trash at the Casino."

I looked at the red rose wrapped in green tissue paper. It's bud was sagging sadly to one side. "That's OK," I said, "I really don't need one."

Heath was thrilled, "Really? Great! Now we'll have one for Heather, and one for Lora!" He grinned ear to ear as he walked back to the others who were already in their car.

We pulled out behind them, but ended up side by side at a stop light as we headed towards the highway. Jason rolled down his window, and Lora rolled down hers. I noticed the roses on their dashboard. Lora yelled over to us, "Awwah- aren't the roses so nice, do you love yours, Em?" Apparently she was under the assumption that the guys had gainfully obtained three red roses.

The light turned green. As both vehicles started rolling, Jason nonchalantly yelled "I dug them out of the trash!" towards the other car as he rolled up his window.

"Jason!" I immediately knew he had gotten the guys in trouble. "I don't think they told the girls that you guys dug those roses out of a trash bin at the Casino!"

He was unfazed. My cell phone started ringing. I started laughing before I even looked at the caller ID. I knew it was Lora. I answered the phone, but was laughing so hard I couldn't even talk. She was laughing too. They were ALL laughing.

I think we all laughed most of the drive home. That's how we do romance in West Virginia!

I'm Just Sayin'

2009-02-12T20:07:00.004-05:00

I know what you are thinking. "It's about time!"

True, I've been the queen of blogging slackers lately, but who can blame me? I've had a sick kid.

I should have seen this coming. I am a smart chick, and know that daycare centers are teeming with germs. Over the years, I've noticed daycare kids with what seemed to be permanent snot on their upper lip. I just didn't think it would happen to MY kid.

Thus far, we've had a raging stomach virus, a chest cold, a 'wet' cough, and more recently bronchitis and an ear infection. Well, the last two are exaggerations according to our pediatrician, but then she went ahead and wrote Audrey a script for Amoxicillin AND A-B Otic Ear Drops. Because it "Might develop into something bacterial in a matter of hours." That's really something.

This past weekend, I flew to Syracuse to meet my new nephew. Cute pictures of the cousins together? Nope, they haven't met yet because Audrey was too sick to bring! I wasn't about to expose baby Dominic to the evil daycare germs. As it was, I was paranoid enough about being a carrier of germs myself. I had to keep my distance. No kissing soft baby face for Auntie Em.

How was my trip? It was amazing. That little guy is so precious, and Val and Steve are clearly very much in love with their little bundle of joy. Dominic is three weeks old already, and thriving. I stayed at mom's, but we spent most of the weekend hanging out over at Val's.

Mom took this picture. It was so great to see Uncle Butch and Aunt Sue. Of course, Dominic was on his best behavior while they were there. :)
It was the kind of night you wish you could have at least once a week.

Luckily for all of us, we'll be back in March for a week! Can't wait.

She Speaks

2009-02-01T21:55:00.003-05:00

Seems that little Audrey has found her voice. Of course she is always stone silent out in public, and whenever I break out the camcorder, so I was able to trick her by taking a video on my camera.
Still nothing compared to her usual babbling, but I think you can imagine her chatty potential from the random verbal spirt she dishes out about 10 seconds in. So cute!

Showing Off My Nephew

2009-01-21T20:25:00.002-05:00

Just a few heart-melting pictures of my teeny tiny tender little nephew.

Announcing Dominic Michael!

2009-01-19T07:07:00.003-05:00

He's here!

He's here!

Dominic Michael was born at 6:15 a.m. after several hours of my sister enduring nasty back labor, and then enjoying the relief that only an epidural can bring. Thank goodness for modern medicine, huh sis?

I've never been a prouder sister, and now of course I'm a proud auntie! Auntie Em, if you please. :)

You are so loved already little one, welcome to the world! :)

How about Jan 19th for a birthday?

2009-01-18T23:49:00.002-05:00

Well, it's almost midnight, and I finally got through to my mom. They had been walking the halls - I guess Val is having some really ugly contractions, but is only 3 cm. Looks like this is going to be a very memorable MLK day!

My sister is in labor - FINALLY!

2009-01-18T22:50:00.003-05:00

After what seemed like a re-run of the end of my pregnancy, Val has finally gone into labor after being 6 days overdue. From what I understand, she took her dear sweet time getting ready to go to the hospital, so we may have a baby tonight! I'll keep you posted ...

Sick Baby!

2009-01-17T11:05:00.002-05:00

Well, we've made it through our first major baby barf-fest.

Blaming what I am assuming was a tummy bug she caught at her new (and otherwise fabulous) daycare center, little princess was already dressed in barf when I went to her crying at midnight, and she proceeded to projectile something nasty pretty much every hour on the hour the rest of the night.

After the first three crib sheet/pajama changes and baby wash-downs, I finally gave in and took her downstairs. We sat in our big red chair cuddling under a blankie and with any sign of a tiny pathetic little cough, I grabbed our little bucket and we did our thing.

Let me just say that I have never been more in love. I guess my motherly instincts have finally kicked in since I would usually be complaining about lost sleep. Instead, all I can think about is how sweet my little girl was at four in the morning - sitting there exhausted - giving me a soft, loving smile as I pulled yet another clean onesie over her head.

Pretty interesting that after spending over a year of dedicating most of my waking hours to caring for this little person that the most rewarding time came amidst the most challenging.

Lotsa Drama

2009-01-14T21:38:00.003-05:00

Where to start? Audrey and I flew home on Sunday. She slept on the first flight, but was VERY busy on the second. Luckily we had the row to ourselves, so we spread out and had a party.

Jason picked us up at RDU around 4, and insisted he take his girls out to dinner. We went to The Cracker Barrel, and had to take turns eating since our normally very well behaved in restaurants daughter was suddenly not so very well behaved. I wasn't surprised or anything - it had been a really long day, and she was just totally at the end of her rope.

Although exhausted, she was able to clearly display her pleasure at being back home. She toddled around the living room, pulling out toys and books like it was her job. She outright squealed when she saw the dog, and insisted on getting right in her face. Honey seemed to be just as pleased, licking (yick) Audrey every chance she got.

In other news- I had received an e-mail over the weekend from my boss, informing me that my Monday/Wednesday night class didn't have enough students in it, and was therefore being canceled. Super bad news since that means cutting my paycheck by 1/3.

Luckily I still had the two classes during the day Tuesdays and Thursdays. I had even found a great babysitter on Craigslist. A young mother named Haley Tolbert. She had given me 4 references to call, each one of whom went on and on about how wonderful and responsible she was. Well, apparently someone forgot to tell Haley how responsible she was. When I called her Monday morning, the call went straight to voicemail. I left a message - she didn't call back, and didn't call back. The later in the day it became the more nervous I got, so I actually also e-mailed her in case her cell phone was on the fritz.

Four calls later, I guess it is safe to assume that Haley Tolbert decided she no longer wanted to babysit for me, and that it would be completely fine to just NOT TELL ME, and ignore my efforts to contact her. Googling her name while checking her references was relatively fruitless, so I'm hoping to put this out there in case anyone is thinking about hiring Haley Tolbert, or putting her on your babysitting list, you may want to think twice. I'm just sayin'.

So as if that mess (has anyone ever TRIED to line up last minute child care? NOT FUN) wasn't enough, my boss called me Monday afternoon, and said she had another class for me to teach M/W nights if I was interested. Yes! Great news - only drawback being that I had to rush around to get clothes ready to go teach that night. Since I wasn't expecting to work, I had barely even unpacked!

Monday night's class is a good size - 16 students I think? It is going to be a good bunch. Busy, but good.

Tuesday, luckily, my friend Hilary was able to come over and watch Audrey while I went to teach my Reading classes. I went non-stop from 10:30 to 4:15. Exhausted, I came home, relieved Hilary, and chased Audrey around while I made dinner.

This morning I had to take Miss Audrey for her 12-month well baby checkup, which included a nasty blood draw, and 3 shots. Needless to say, that was someone stressful and energy sapping. On a last minute whim, I decided to swing by the daycare center near our subdivision, hoping against hope that they might have an opening.

THEY DID! They had several in fact, enough that the director was willing to take Audrey on a part-time basis until other full-timers show up needing daycare. Woo-hoo! Home to get dinner ready, and dressed again to go to teach tonight. I just got home and showered. Have any of you mom's noticed how suddenly a simple shower can be the most luxurious thing in the world. *sigh*

Time to go eat some dinner and start packing /labeling stuff for Audrey's first day of daycare!

A Messy Snack

2009-01-09T13:05:00.002-05:00

I gave Audrey a Gerber Graduates Apple Pinwheel to pacify her while I got her breakfast ready this morning. Not really sure how she managed to competely dissolve and smear it all over her face, but I got a champion smile out of it, so I'm not complaining.

Audrey's 1st Birthday Party

2009-01-06T08:18:00.004-05:00

In our family, it is customary to celebrate birthdays with an ice cream cake. For Audrey's first birthday, I wanted to let her have her own tiny cake. Not crazy about freezing her little fingers, we went with a cookie cake for her, and an ice cream cake for the rest of us.

I bought the cookie cake from Wegmans. I should have taken a before picture of it- it had white icing around the outside, and little blue icing flowers in the center. I scraped off the icing, and went to work with some icing of my own. Elmo turned out pretty darn good if I say so myself.

Yes, Elmo's eyeballs are huge plops of whipped vanilla frosting. How decadent!

Jason, who had to return to NC last week for work (somebody has to pay the mortgage!) was able to attend the party via webcam. Here he is patiently waiting for all the women in his life to get the party started.

First we opened her gifts. Here she is looking at one of her new books w/ her great Aunt Sue and second cousin Ali. Also in attendance was our favorite great Uncle (gruncle) Butch (dad's brother), my cousin Kim, and her two girls Ali and Lauren. We were sure glad they came to help us celebrate, since it would have been a pretty pathetic gathering without them. Besides Jason's web cam attendance it was just Mom, Val and I. Since it was poker night, Steve had to leave before the cake was served.

We were joking around the other day about how Steve might miss the birth of his son if Val goes into labor on a Saturday. Joking only, of course. Anyway = Audrey didn't get to stay in that dress for long because little did she know that there was a big mess in her immediate future!

Aunt Val taking a picture of the cake and Elmo party plates. We went all out and got an Elmo Happy Birthday banner from the dollar store.

The Carvel ice cream cake for the rest of us.

"Mom, I never knew Elmo tasted so good!"

Woah.

Finally after getting hosed off in the sink and jammied up, she got to see her real cake. It was pretty funny actually, because she reached for it a couple of times thinking she was going to get to dig into this one too.
We all sang happy birthday, and our cousins helped us blow out the candle. :)
Happy Birthday, baby!

Happy 1st Birthday Audrey Grace!

2009-01-03T07:24:00.002-05:00

Audrey,

I can't believe it. One year ago today, after 16 hours of labor, I pushed your 9 pound 10 ounce body into the world. At the time we thought you were a big girl, but look at you now! Twenty pounds of walking, heart-melting joy.

Your dad and I could never have anticipated the heart expansions we've undergone since becoming your parents. Watching you learn and grow has become our favorite hobby. It is true what they say - becoming a parent changes your life.

You've changed ours for the better, and we love you to pieces. So here's to celebrating your first year of life. Happy Birthday Baby! :)

A New Year's Eve Celebration like no other

2009-01-01T09:39:00.009-05:00

As you can see, we partied hard last night to ring in 2009. This was a New Year's Eve Celebration like no other. We started out with some belly watching, then after Audrey went to bed, we played Scrabble until midnight. Aren't we exciting? Our final game of Scrabble ended just in time to crack open a bottle of sparkling grape juice which we drank out of plastic cups as we watched the ball drop.

Now, just because I haven't had time to post much doesn't mean I haven't been taking pictures of my little darlin'. Enjoy!

Don't ask.

Mom helped Audrey try on a pair of Uncle Steve's shoes.

Is it just me, or is she pretty cute?

Happy New Year!

Val's baby shower!

2008-12-22T11:18:00.000-05:00

Val's baby shower!

Need a good laugh?

2008-12-16T18:13:00.002-05:00

There is a certain people group out there that has always intrigued me. That would be those who are tone deaf, but think that they have an awesome voice.

There are people who can sing, and people who can't. Most people who can't sing, like my husband, know it. They are loved for trying. Then there are others who can't, and are absolutely oblivious to that fact.

The following video was compiled to accompany a "Oh Holy Night" audition tape for entrance into a Christian music school in the Midwest. I know it starts out slow, but if you can hang in there until the two minute mark (2:12) you'll hit the pay dirt. Honestly, I usually try REALLY hard not to laugh at others, but home fry submitted this to be accepted into MUSIC SCHOOL. Come on now.

Each time I listen, I laugh harder. Bless his heart.