PreciosaMama

How did we get to Christmas already?

2011-12-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

The holidays always seem to fly once you become a parent. As a child it can't come soon enough.

So Thanksgiving flew by. A great family dinner, family pictures and a mark of 32 weeks of pregnancy for me. 32 weeks, at times it doesn't seem that long that I have been expecting but we are so very excited for a healthy baby to be added to our little family.

Right after Thanksgiving I started stripping down the simple decor and creating a Christmas feel in our home. Red ribbons, ball ornaments, trees, stockings, presents and a tree.

Pics to come soon, I should have all of it finished by tonight.

A Mostly Homemade Halloween

2011-10-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

Let's Adventure outside....

So little time, So much happening

2011-09-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

The end of the summer is upon us, a nice little Indian Summer has decided to show up just as we were thinking Summer wasn't going to heat us up. Surprise, what ever you may think about Oregon, it will change before your eyes or over night. Of course we had decided not to purchase any fans, thinking we were so smart and just saved about $100, the hot weather came and,well, we needed those fans. Pregnant ladies do not fare well in the heat and then I have to clean and keep up with these kids? No way. Thank goodness my mom found a new one at Goodwill for a very good price and that saved me a bit, plus the kids liked talking into it because it made their voices sound silly.

Halfway through I am, through this pregnancy, which has been very smooth and I couldn't ask for more. I guess I should show that pics I got last week of the Baby Sparrow. Though we are keeping the gender a surprise, Daddy thinks he may have seen something, Abuelita thinks she saw something in one of the pics and several people are thinking I am having a boy because I am carrying so low. Can't that be because my muscles never were toned after Chickadee?

It looks as though we may have a thumb sucker this time. Chickadee never took to her thumb or a binkie, I guess for the best, we didn't have to break any of those habits.

Speaking of Chickadee she is so very excited for the baby and for Fall to get here so we can decorate for Halloween. This year we are having a mostly Homemade Halloween, which is fun but more work for Mommy.

We, or shall I say I am, making these...

And tin luminaries with pumpkins, owls, ghosts, bats and other spooky things. All I need now is a can of black spray paint.

We have also cut out spooky ghosts and their friends and attached them to the mirrors that we have. It's a nice, affordable little touch of Halloween.

I would like to make some bat garland as well but I would have to get to the store to pick up more black paper....

And then I am going to make some of these to hang from a branch we found and placed outside our door, right now it has leaves hanging from it.....

Oh those spooky kittys and pumpkins. I would like to get a package of that spiderweb stuff and put it on the branch and inside on picture frames as well.

If I can find some cheap but decent looking simple candles this would be fun to do....

So many fun thinks to find and to make and so little time.

I am still reading and reviewing books over at DoubleshotReviews.com, though I have really slowed down, I would like to pick up my pace a bit. There are so many books of my own personal taste I would like to fit in as well.

Ah well.

A Few Weeks Behind, Let's Catch Up

2011-07-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been so darn exhausted from the crazy hyper children to the cleaning and baby making. Oh my goodness, you just say that and it doesn't seem like much but it is.

Let's do a late but better than never Boohoo and a Hooyah: Week 8

A Boohoo: well I guess I don't have much other than I am just plain tired all the time. I really don't feel motivated to do anything but to sleep in, take a nap and then go to sleep early.

A Hooyah: Well I have had two doctor's appointments already, this last one took place just yesterday. We were very lucky to get an ultrasound to make sure of how far along I am (11 weeks & 5 days) and to see a very active wiggly worm :) Fer and Chickadee were very excited to see the baby and to get a picture. How can you not be happy with that? Anyway, the approximate due date is January 16th, 2012

There's Baby Sparrow, snuggled right in the bottom left corner. You can see the bright spots on top of it which are the arm and leg nubs and the head is on the bottom right side. A little blurry but it is better than not having a picture of the new addition.

I am definitely feeling bigger with Baby Sparrow than I did with Chickadee.

Not the best picture ever but it will do. I just can't imagine how big I am going to get with this one.

A Boohoo & A Hooyah : Week 5

2011-06-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Boohoo: I know I have complained a bit on facebook but there really isn't anything big or life changing that I can Boohoo about.

Hooyah: I am super stoked that Chickadee and I finally were approved for health insurance and now I can go to my first appointments and get her 4 year check up planned out. What a weight lifted off of my shoulders!!!

I am also super excited by his reaction to how I am looking and the idea of another baby. I did this part long distance with him when preggers with Chickadee. I knew he would be excited but you never really know till it happens and he makes me feel attractive (no matter how I really feel at that time) and he is always touching my belly. I love it.

We are finally over our cold, boy, that thing attacked all 3 of us differently and both us adults had one full day of huge blahs, but it is over, still a few coughs here and there but nothing else but allergies.

Finally we had a beautiful weekend full of sunshine and warm sumer-like weather, it was awesome and it ended with a nice thunderstorm. This is the weather that I look forward to.

Participate and find more Boohoos & Hooyahs on over at Monkey in the Navy

Boohoo & Hooyah: Week 4

2011-06-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hah, I am late this week. Because of the long weekend I have forgotten a bit about time.

Boohoo: I am so darn tired now and all that 'yay for being healthy stuff' is totally over. Chickadee started getting a stuffy nose and it really doesn't seem to bother her. For one day during the weekend I had a sore throat but then it disappeared, surprise! I am getting that sickie feeling today, lovely. Fer also was attacked by this, he went to work anyway, but both of us crashed when Chickadee did last night.

Hooyah: We had great fun on our long weekend. Fer had 3 days and then I had an extra day, really cannot complain about that except no cleaning gets done and I am stuck with it when my week finally starts. On the bright side of cleaning, I think I actually have a chance to get a turn in the laundry room today. I am attacking it early, I don't care what they say.

Go on over and link yourself up at Monkey in the Navy for more Boohoos & Hooyah

Boohoo & Hooyah: Week 3

2011-05-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Whew, let's not forget to get to our Boohoos and Hooyahs or any other battle cry of your choice.

I have to say it has been a very busy past couple of weeks. Much to do and much that has been done. My daughter has had a family birthday party in the style of Ariel and then a friend party in honor of Rapunzel. Two weekends in a row. That is added to my already busy weekends of errands that I do not get to do during the week, plus trying to fit in some special family time. It gets stretched a bit but we fit it all in.

Ugh, I am trying to put up the cute pic for the A Boohoo & A Hooyah but for some reason when uploading it says that the server is rejected. Well, that would be a first. So I guess we will have to continue on without it, at least for now.

Boohoo: There really hasn't been that big of one. I could complain about several ittty bitty things but I don't think I will. Though I have finally paid it off, I guess I can complain about the price of health care. Especially when they don't do much for you.

Hooyah: Fer's back is no longer bothering him, we all in good health, great Spring weather has been happening and Chickadee's attitude is leveling off. Maybe it was the pre-4 year old sass that I was seeing but it seems, though she is still excited, that she is settling into her new older age.

Go on over to Monkey in the Navy and check out the other link ups for A Boohoo & A Hooyah

Boohoo & Hooyah: Week 2

2011-05-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

Yay for another A Boohoo & A Hooyah or any other shout out you choose.

A Boohoo: (only a little) My Chickadee is growing to fast. This past weekend she turned four. I can't believe that she is so big already.

A Hooyah: I wrote about this yesterday but I am still so very happy about it today. We are pregnant with a Baby Sparrow. (I never thought I was so into birds, but I guess I am cause they are becoming my children's nicknames.)

Link up to Monkey in the Navy for more A Boohoo & A Hooyah

Baby Sparrow

2011-05-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

I was thinking it was 'funny' how even after my miscarriage and what the doctors had called my 'monthly firend' that I would still be feeling pregnant. I researched and read and searched some more. I read of several women who had experienced the same thing. I also read of several women stating that you are most fertile after an mc.

So, this past Saturday I decided to test and there were two dark lines. (insert huge smiley face) I tested again in the afternoon with the same results, the second line was slightly lighter than on the first test but it is still registering strong.

After showing this to Daddy, he was a bit skeptical, he said that he wants to see it on a 'real test' , you know the expensive kind from the store and not just the strips, then he will believe it.

Sunday morning, we went to return bottles to Safeway and used that small pocket change to make the price of tests smaller. By the time we got home to test, he wanted me to do it Monday morning, but I did it in the afternoon and there was the 'pregnant' printed out on the display. So I am not crazy for being more than exhausted for the past 3 weeks and all of the other signs really are signs and not just my mind playing a sick joke on me.

According to a Pregnancy Calculator on American Pregnancy.org, my due date is around January 16th, 2012. Yay for a New Year Baby!

Now for taking those pregnancy vitamins, cutting out all adult beverages (that's easy when there is a baby Sparrow involved), cutting down on my coffee intake and being happier and healthier.

It is so sweet the way Daddy is acting too. He dances a little jig while saying 'we're gonna have a baby, we're gonna have a baby'. I really love the tummy rubs, hugs and baby kisses. Something I didn't get the chance to feel with our Chickadee.

I have to say, even though we owe a huge chunk of money for doctors to tell us we were no longer pregnant, we are happier than ever to learn that atleast our money will be going towards something very special.

Dear Baby Sparrow, Daddy, Mommy and Chickadee love you bunches!

Sunny days and Garden joys

2011-05-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was so very beautiful that Chickadee and I went for an adventure walk. It is the same neighborhood that we always go on adventures, maybe soem day we should try another, but it is always changing. There is always some new flower in bloom, a new plant discovered, a flock of birds that captures her attention. So we went and enjoyed the warm sun, she brought a small bucket and we went flower hunting. Most were found on the ground, I only let her pick a few that were at the very edge of a yard.

I found nice patches of spearmint poking up, not belonging to anyone and often treated as a weed, I pulled up a few small bunches to bring home.

As we got home, Chickadee dumped out her treasures adn used glitter glue to stick them to paper. I was in the kitchen cleaning, trimming and placing the spearmint into water.

Then I enjoyed trimming back my flowers, surpised in what is coming back, I thought this Hosta was toast but SURPRISE! I am so very happy. My bulbs are blooming, buds are waiting to open and my nice little grean corner is filled with sunshine and green.

Some plants are new to me this season, others are about 5 years old. Each and everyone brings me happiness.

Boohoo & Hooyah: Week 1

2011-05-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

So a childhood friend of mine is starting up this weekly meme of A Boohoo (something that is going on that you don't particularly like) and A Hooyah (a positive going on) or any other cry out you would wish to choose, her husband is in the service so she may choose one call over another. No matter the call shout out that there is something good in all the frustrating, emotionally draining and stressful life you may be leading.

She is on over at A Monkey in the Navy, and is setting this to take place on Tuesdays. Starting a day late on our first official week but you know how life is.

So go on over and check out her blog and her meme out.

Boohoo: Comcast is driving me up the walls. If my walls were higher I would be all the way at the top, thankfully the ceilings aren't to far up there.

Hooyah: At this time we are all healthy. No one is sick, no more injuries and allergies are under control. Just plain healthy and we need that break.

Something Forgotten in April

2011-05-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

I just knew that I would be forgetting something when I made the run down of April. And you know what happened? I did just that.

Fernando took 1 whole week of vacation, with pay (perfect sweetener to any time off), and then something that I had not planned and not sure that I could have olanned happened. I had a day off too. In addition to this sneaky luck it was beautiful outside and there is a place that we haven been to in over a year. The ZOO!!! I have to tell you this day was very lucky. We only missed about 4 animals, all of the others were out and about. The weather, the animals cooperation, all three of us and a camera. Really, that was a great day.

Catch UP : April

2011-05-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

I think it is time to catch up on all the fun and not so fun things that have happened in April....Let's start from the very beginning.....

I was pregnant :) We were so very happy, I think 5 positives in 2 weeks and a little monthly friend that was, at that time unable to make an appearance, made it pretty clear. It was like an early birthday present that was taken away from us the day after my birthday.

I did have a good birthday, lots of fun with the family and some pretty cool gifts such as my new Kindle!!! Super excited. Didn't think that I would like it since books have this wonderful feeling, the smell and the sound of the pages rustling. But I guess I was a little wrong and am now addicted to my e-book.

In addition to loving this new peice of technology, I have been downloading several e-books and reading them to continue reviewing over at Doubleshot Reviews.com.

Then we fall upon the weekend after my birthday and we celebrated my father's birthday a bit early. You know hoe Easter usually likes to come around the beginning of the month, yea, well it decided to mix things up a bit and land on my father's real birthday this year. So he got to celebrate early, nothing sad about that.

And then Easter. It was fun. Evelyn was beautiful in a yellow dress that she chose herself, it reminded me of Bell's dress when she dances with Beast. Of course the food was great and the company was perfect. How very nice.

Mixed in to this time I have collected a few plants and flowers. Some from my birthday and some in sympathy. Plants always seem to make me feel nice.

Ramsey, our betta, has moved into a new retro bachlor-pad. It's pretty sweet and he seems to enjoy all the little hiding places his new home offers. Yes, that is a sofa in there.

Towards the end of the month we received a very nice surprise from Fernando's family in Mexico. There was a family freiend that went there to visit for a bit and brought back homemade mole, a basket of yummy candies and a beautiful doll for Chickadee.

See that blue container? Hidden inside is the delicious mole that we will make up something with on Cinco de Mayo.

Mmmm, candies, how I have missed you.

Do you know what happens when you suck on a sucker and then place it on a counter?

I wake in the morning to find it stuck. It is still there and I might just consider it part of the decor.

To end the month on a very good note, Chickadee and I enjoyed a coffee date with my verygood friend, Heather. She is the Chick that I review books with over at Doubleshot Reviews and she is a pretty awesome gal. How do I know this? Just cause she is and out date started at 9 am and we didn't separate till about noon-ish.

Ohh, and we have this very spring-y and nice little plant that is climbing up our bedroom windo screen. It is so nice to see when we open up the blinds. So simple, but I love it!

Well that's about it for April. Next up, tackle May.

Spring cleaning twitterpation

2011-03-07T16:03:00.000-08:00

I am a bit twitterpated with spring cleaning. Things just get so dirty with living on the first floor apartment with messy jobs and lives. So much of it is stuff we don't see day to day, or if you do it just doesn't register with the ol' brain and say 'clean me' or maybe I just don't want to notice it so I don't feel like I have to clean yet another thing. Roll out the daily to do list and add the unseen to it and tackle it on top of all of the normal items that are scribbled on the note pad.

I am a bit obsessed with clean, if not really obsessed I am borderline. I have difficulty at times just sitting down and taking a breather. I don't know if it was the beyond-normal-guy roommate that left me traumatized with the piles of dirty clothes that hide the paper plates with moldy food underneath. One day it became so bad that the ants were even in the bed. I really do not know how I survived all of this.

Then maybe it could be the trauma of working at a child care center, the dirty things that so many of them did not see and yet kids were crawling on the floors and putting things in their mouths, bleck. Every summer there was this 'Fall in to Preschool' thing and we would have to clean the rooms top to bottom. Yep. Everything that everyone forgot about all the other days of the year needed to be cleaned and I have my doubts that it was accomplished in all of the rooms, but we will leave all of my suspicions behind.

So now, traumatized, I have a child of my own and provide child care in my home and what am I doing? Cleaning all the crap that you don't see. The walls are stripped, furniture moved, I sweep the walls and ceilings. Wipe clean those surfaces and the baseboards then vacuum like a madwoman. I have cleaned under and backwards and sideways in all of the rooms. The refrigerator and oven are not safe from my attack and I am disgusted by what I find. Surely not all the is from just us and then I feel a little sick knowing I am cleaning someone else's grime. Yuck! I thought apartments were supposed to be cleaned before new residents moved in.

I must say that someone will never know the cleaning I have done and the time and the effort that goes into it. Maybe they only notice the fresh scent of Pine Sol and dinner warm on the table as they walk in the door. They will never notice how white the paint is, the clean door jams, closet doors. The fan is free of dust and the baseboards are pretty darn bright. But I see it. I feel greatly accomplished and productive from getting 'down and dirty'. I know that tomorrow my hands will be extremely dry and hating me for cleaning so much. I just can't get things really clean while wearing gloves, another trauma from back in the day I am sure.

At times, I feel a little under-appreciated. How can someone really appreciate all that I have done if they don't 'see' it? They weren't here to see me huff and puff around. The only way they will know is if I tell them and then I wouldn't feel as proud pointing it out as a child would their block building or scribbles on the paper. Such is the life of a working mother. One who is on the edge fighting back the odors and dirt.

{ By the way, Pine Sol has a pretty cool coupon for $1.00 off any scent of 28oz to 48 oz bottles that now feature easy pour tops and a few new scents (you can print this 2 times) } I know I will go buy lots more now that Spring is here.

Mommy's Little Helper

2011-02-28T07:45:00.000-08:00

Chickadee has always been a helpful girl, when the mood strikes. But it seems more and more lately. I have this issue and it is called a husband. I will get the home all clean after caring for children and shipping them off to their parents. I deal with the apartment management and maintenance team and annoying neighbors. Still I manage to get the chores done in proper time. And what does he do once he steps through that door? He tosses off his shoes and socks somewhere near the door, drops his backpack and coat, which is occasionally accompanied by his hoodie. All of which are wet, greasy, muddy and sprinkled with plastic shavings. All I can manage, which is the nicest option of all, is a 'look' to declare I am not happy that I have cleaned that spot over and over and yet he still drops it all. It has been noticed by Chickadee, my very observant girl, and she has gotten on him a few times about it AND she is alot more pushy about it.

One huge 'But' about all of this is it only happens on her schedule so I guess I should really beaming when it happens.

The other night, like most, I am left to clearing the table and placing the dishes either in the sink or in the washer. I am also the one who wipes the table down and I quite often here "Just leave it. We can do it later honey, I will help you. Come be with us." Okay, but with some foods, do you realize that they are difficult to get off if you do not rinse then right away. Or that I know that if I don't do it now I will become lazy and not do it at all that evening and will have to wake to do it first thing in the morning.

Well to my huge surprise, Miss Helpful, said she wanted to help and this is what we got

I am hoping to have many more helpful moments from this Chickadee.

Weekend Washable Creations

2011-02-27T19:51:00.000-08:00

Well it has been another busy but enjoyable weekend. Just what I needed after we had a broken faucet in the bathtub that was spraying water in the wall leaking it into the neighbor's bathroom, all over our floor and soaking the carpet in our bedroom closet. Not the most lovely way to end the week.

That was the view, or the cleanest part of it, that I had the privilege to enjoy this past Friday. The whole shebam was like babysitting adults.

Moving on from that and being so very excited about it all being fixed, new and shiney other than our carpet that is still wet, we had a pretty typical weekend of errands. I did get to enjoy a coffee date with a good friend and we did this both Saturday and Sunday evening. Chickadee came up with this wonderful idea after watching an episode of Two and a Half Men (Men Men) when Charlie had a mustash drawn on him while he was passed out. Cue "Oh, I wanna do that! I wanna do that!" Warning: Purple washable marker isn't as washable as black.

Saturday Evening Line Up:
Chickadee draws Daddy
Daddy draws Mommy
Mommy draws Chickadee

Sunday Line Up:
Repeat of Saturday even though Daddy wanted to mix it up a bit, Chickadee refused.

Thank goodness Mommy guided a little cause there was a quiet mention of Sharpie. Yikes!

I am going on 3-1/2 to 16....

2011-02-23T06:23:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, ohmygoodness! I have known of Chickadee's fascination of this boy I provide care for since a few months ago. The silly girl had a crush on another boy but he started going to a provider closer to his older brother's school. Still we see them once in a while, it is obvious that their 'relationship' has changed.

Like many girls, and I was hoping that my Chickie wouldn't be this way (at least not this early), she is planning to get married AND she wants them to take her to Disneyland.

Example:

Last night the Great Wolf Lodge commercial came on, and as she has for many months now, she started getting excited and bouncing on the couch.

Chickie: "Ooooooh, I wanna go there!"
Daddy: "Well I know somewhere better than that."
Chickie: "Where? I wanna go there!"
Daddy: "Disneyland, we can go there some day."
Chickie: "No. Quinn is going to take me to Disney Land"
Daddy: "Why, honey, when we can go together."
Chickie: "Cause he LOVES me!"

Both Daddy and I looked at each other, surprised by what she had just said, with so much conviction behind it. We just started cracking up. Mostly me I think. This boy and Chickie have a love-hate relationship that appears as they have been married for years. Even the mother of this boy and I have said "why don't you get married and get it over with"

She said this as she slammed her fist down on her leg. You would have thought that we were talking to a 16 year old twitterpated girl. But no, she is 3-1/2 and she states that he loves her, they are going to get married AND (as if that isn't enough) he is going to take her to Disneyland. Probably for her honeymoon, I would assume.

It is so very funny and I am sure soon enough will become a reality, with probably a different boy. Chickadee has gone from 3-1/2 to 16 in a flash.

{Nice to See You Again}:: Catch up on our Happenings

2011-02-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

I have to say that we have been busy. I know, not the most original excuse or reason but it is the truth.
It would be nice if there was something exciting that would have been a good replacement for "busy" but it has been daily life keeping us on our toes.

Fer and I have been pretty lucky as Grammy and Papa D have been enjoying time with Chickadee and giving us date nights almost every weekend. Grammy and Chickadee just love each other. This has been lovely on our part, we know Chickadee is having a great time and we get some special time together as well. So we have enjoyed eating out, going out for a drink, walking stores without rush to the toy department and going to the movies. We have seen both The Green Hornet (not so great, a few laughs) and Just Go With It (a much better choice).

There isn't really anything new with me. Just work and cleaning with the usually childish things that I enjoy/put up with. I have been exercising more, I know again, and in just one week I notice a big difference and feel much better. Never will I be as I was before but I wish to be more comfortable in this new body.

I have been reading my eyes, brains and heart out. After I read, which seems to keep me a little more sane that usual, I write reviews of the books and conduct the occasional author interview for Double Shot Reviews.
I recently went through Chickie's room and cleared out at least 1/2 of her toys. Man, that was a few hours of work and now I have toys in my closet and on the patio. We haven't decided where they are going but hope that we do soon cause Mommy wants her closet back.

Soon I am going to be the mother of a 4 year old. Currently she is 3 and a 1/2 and don't you forget it or she will remind you. I am excited and sad at the same time. This year she wants a Rapunzel party and Birthday, she says both, so I am getting a little creative. More on this later.

Chickadee is getting into dancing more than ever and is really fascinated with being a ballerina, maybe one day she can take some dance lessons. She is also really good and playing "high yah", which is karate chopping daddy. She has very good aim and nice power behind her blows, be prepared if you agree to play this game with her. She also loves cutting, coloring, painting, stickers and going to the library to pick out new princess and/or pony books.

Next month Chickie is going to her first dentist appointment. I am not sure what to expect from her but I am a little nervous.

Fer is still busy at Plastic Machines though he feels he is working with a bunch of lazies. Can you believe that they wanted him to work on a Saturday? He already works 40 hours in 4 days and then goes to work on Fridays 99% of the time and they wanted him to shove in another day? If you are a hard worker you are never really appreciated, they just end up wanting more. He is also thinking about getting a second job again. A little sad since we have gotten used to having him around, but we have done it before and we can do it this time as well. But he is so good at what he does and so very dedicated to providing for us. I guess one can't complain.

My Little Ballerina

2011-02-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

Chickadee loves dancing. If she isn't dancing to the music from her shows, tv commercials or from our collection then you know that something is not quite right with her. She has great talent in dance moves that I wish not to see her do, though innocent and normal easy moves for a child they are what you can see many adults do. To my liking she has started dancing like a ballerina, getting on her toes and spinning, thus cutting back on the questionable booty bumping and shaking.

But beware, do not make this little miss ballerina upset or she may karate chop you. She has nice power and pretty good aim. Consider yourself warned.

Feliz dia de Reyes!

2011-01-06T06:35:00.000-08:00

She has been so very excited for this day to come, with our little reminders of 'the Three Kings do not like mean choices' and her remembering, changing and then stating that she wants sparkles (nail polish) and lots of toys.

Finally the night came last night to get ready for bed and to write a letter to the Three Kings.
Here is her letter, which I created special paper for using a picture of the Three Wise Men.

Hi, Three Kings, my name is Evelyn. Three Kings, I would like some toys. Three Kings, I would like some Christmas trees for next year.

I was a good girl. I was picking up toys, I watched a movie and relaxing.

Next Year I am going to listen more to mommy and I am going to brush my teeth. I would like golden hair like Rapunzel someday.

My last wish to take care of my Grammy, Papa D, Uncle Chris, Jake, Spencer, Mommy and Daddy. Please can you take care of my whole family, please. To be healthy and safe, please.

Thank you Three Kings and see you next year.
Evelyn

We placed the letter and a colored picture in a pair of her shoes under the tree and went to bed. Just like Santa they do not share their magic secrets.

Well, I guess she did a good job at being good because this morning after she woke and was reminded by daddy about the Three Kings, she raced into the living room to look under the tree. There underneath was a box full of sparkles, scented like Nerds candy, and Spongebob Operation, which is perfect for the first game for our first family game night.

Time for Resolution

2011-01-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

* to stop and smell the roses. Laugh at my daughter's silliness, hugs, cuddles and kisses. Have more patience with both her and the Mr.

* start a family game and movie night (separate evenings) during the week

* to finally loose these 25 lbs that have been hanging on

* keep reading books

* to be motivated (or at least pretend to be) ad I have been today, boy, was I on fire knocking out a 20 item to-do list in just 1/2 the day plus working

* clean laundry once a week and be serious about our quarters fund, no more 7 loads of laundry days, ugh!*

* enjoy the outside more with my family

* make more time for a very special friend

Burning

2010-12-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

I love candles, especially around holiday seasons. I will go around lighting them around 5 every evening. It makes me happy, relaxed and cozy.

The other night, as Fer and I were heading to bed, we made our usual rounds of tuning out the lights and blowing out candles. Yes, it is done in this order every evening that I have them lit. We headed off to bed but Fer had a 'feeling'. He came back out into the living room, stood in the darkness, feeling that we had forgotten something. He checked all the candles, re-checked the doors, peeked on Chickadee. Nothing seemed out of place or undone. So he headed off to bed.

The next morning he woke, turned on all the lights, no lie cause they blind me even with my eyes closed Monday - Friday around 4:20 am. It really is a wonder how I am able to go back to sleep and to have Chickadee barely stir. Anyway, as he came out into the living room he saw something. In his words, "the candle was bright, brighter than it should be with all the lights on. I checked last night in the dark and there was nothing." Our candle was still burning. A candle that we use for Dia de Los Muertos, I pulled it out for Christmas too. Jesus beaming, glowing bright even after being double checked the night before. " I saw you blow out all the candles on that shelf last night. I saw nothing when I came out to check." So now you tell me what happened?

He is slightly religious and I think my open mind about religion is becoming more open as time goes on. Was this a sign? A message that we need to give him more of our time? A blessing? We recently had a misscarriage, is this our green light to try again?

No matter what it is, there is something special about it.

{The candle in question is in the far right hand corner, Like you couldn't see that it was a religious candle. I'm just making the search easier}

{ Ornamental Favorites }

2010-12-17T08:27:00.000-08:00

Something Silly

2010-12-16T07:18:00.000-08:00

Chickadee is something crazy, especially at night after daddy has come home and we have eaten.

"I'm going to put on my pajamas."

She failed to mention *how* she was going to put them on and that she was going to race back and forth. She found herself quite amusing with her shorts on her head and her shirt on her legs.

Ahhh, blurry.

Hold up your..... shirt?

Daddy, making the set up. On your mark. Get set. Go!

After a few pictures, some blurry, I started to get this. It's like she pressed the turbo button.

And then some like this

Gotcha

Then there are plenty of these. Darn girl is getting too fast

I will get you again.

Ah Ha!

I had to move with her on this one

She got away

I see you

Will you just stand still and give me a smile, please. Just one.

But two is better.

{ It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas }

2010-12-16T07:05:00.000-08:00

{ A Huntin' We Shall Go }

2010-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ready to go

It started raining, huddle close.

The skies cleared and even allowed the sun to shine through a little

A look back, that's where we came from

*THE* Tree

The goats that wanting nothing to do with you if you had no food.

"I want alot of things"

All tuckered out

{ Holiday Cheer }

2010-12-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

This month will be so very busy, so much running around, decorating, purchasing, wrapping, baking AND I am having Christmas morning at my house this year. FIRST. TIME. EVER! Very exciting, but it just means I have more on my plate.

~ This Saturday is Tree Hunting day with daddy :) this will be his first time with us :)

~ Fill in the week with decorating, planning and working

~ On the 18th we shall be driving to Junction City and Eugene for our Holiday Cheer Get Together with the family. This is an overnighter and leaves me very little time on Sunday to get all the things I need to get doen before the week begins but I will jsut have to push the petal to the metal.

~Still decorating and planning Christmas morning the following week

~ Christmas Eve fun at Grammy & Papa D's house

~ Christmas Morning at my house :)

~ Christmas Dinner at Grammy & Papa D's

~ Another Christmas Dinner the evening after Christmas at Grandma's home... and stockings too

~ Maybe I will go to my appointment on the 27th? Or shall I cancel... maybe adapt it to find out what is going on?

~ Work Work Work

~ Then we fall into the New Year :)

It all kicks my butt just thinking about it. But ( :D ) it only happens once a year

Follow~Up

2010-12-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Well I guess there is no real rhyme or reason to my body right now. It is making me feel all of these things, it even gave me two faint positives but everything since then has been negative. Maybe I was pregnant and had a very early miscarriage.... maybe I am still regulating since i did just come of the iud.... either way I have serious doubts that I am pregnant at this time, though I would enjoy it so much. Just the other day Evelyn told me, "I know you have two babies in your belly." Maybe it is a sign for the future. Last night she asked, "how come your babies did not come out of your belly?" and I told her that they are not ready yet, but when they are we will be very happy. She seemed pleased with this answer and declined to ask her popular 'why' questions. We shall see what the future holds.

2010-11-19T10:06:00.000-08:00

So I have been a bit busy here and there stretched out further than I should be I am sure. But then where is the excitement in life if you do not challenge yourself? The latest thing that is added to the list is that I may be pregnant. Exciting and happy times if I was 100% positive. Unfortunately I have had 2 faint positives on 2 tests, called the doctor and explained the long list of symptoms and the test results and they did not want to give me a blood test as I would have liked them to. I have had a miscarriage before, I have also had faint positive tests while on Mirena and so I can not allow myself to get all worked up till I know that there is no chance that my body is playing some game with me. Every one says congrats and states how happy they are, thank you for that, I just can't join in till I know. When will that be? I have more tests to take, one I will be taking tomorrow morning and hopefully I get that strong sign or maybe just another faint, I guess I could be happy with a third faint positive.

Either way I have my 9 and 11 week appointments set up. The first is just with the nurse, which is supposed to last 1 hour... what the heck is just the nurse going to be doing? My 8 week appointment with Chickadee I saw my doctor and had an internal u/s and cam home with a pic of my peanut. I allow my mind to wrap around this and think these doctors are weird at that office and what is she going to do with me that we or let's say I am not going to see the doctor at all that day.

I wish I could relax my mind and just absorb it all but I fell like I would be in for a large let down if there was some misreading or mistake. I have read that there are false negatives and no false positives, it that true?

You would think that since I have been through this once before that all the questions would be locked away.... this time it is so different.

I guess I will just have to keep testing and following what I feel

Oldies but Goodies : ME

2010-10-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

It's getting SPOOKY

2010-10-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-04T09:52:00.001-07:00

More Sillies

2010-09-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is her super hero get up

Playing with her baby

"helping" mommy clean

She has big pants to fill

just a few things nice and a dash of spice

Boooooooo!

2010-09-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

There are 2 times a year that I LOVE to decorate for and they are for Halloween and Christmas. Oooooh, I just LOVE it so much!!!

Let's start outside shall we.

Now let's venture inside......

BEWARE of the Pirates. They are here to party

Weekend Must To Do-ings

2010-07-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

If you are a friend or family member that also has a facebook account you will know that I like to list off my daily to doings. I am a cleaner and a cooker, child carer and mmmm, gee what else?

Today & the Weekend Must To Do-ings:
- spray all items that come into contact with any part of a child at least twice today
- bathroom needs a little attention, these kids are potty trained but no go at aiming
- vacuum and spot clean carpets
- clean the back door
- wipe tables
- kitchen could use a little love too, especially the ever multiplying dishes
- create a reasonable grocery list
- print and load coupons, hopefully match to sales for ultimate savings
- MUST. GET. QUARTERS. again
- put away last remaining load of laundry that was folded nicely till he and I decided there was something in there that we wanted to wear. not like we don't have any other clothes
- attack her room. if she is sick it must come to an end so no one else catches the bugs
- attempt laundry. morning phlegm throw up is gross on the first day but after that eek!
- clean couch that morning phlegm dribbled on to. again, yuck
- clean and remodel Ramsey and Lola's condos (tanks)
- get to the bank, say good bye to paycheck that felt nice in my hand but is instantly spent on bills
- hit the grocery stores, make sure to grab their add and coupons before beginning the shopping
- if she is up to it, go to the duck pond and feed the ducks
- must fit in workouts on all 3 days of at least 30 intense minutes each
- don't forget salsa and meat from the Mexi market, always the last store on Sunday
- would we have time to wander the Saturday Farmer's Market?
- must rid house of dust in all rooms. this includes ceilings, fans and walls as well as the norm. surfaces
- maybe I should do that last step before first vacuum attempt
- read? I have a book started, I am on page, like, 23?
- umm, make sure to bathe child
- maybe I can fit in a few cuddles and hugs and kisses in there.
- price card stock and color copies that I will need for upcoming party
- plan Scentsy party and spread the word
- I am sure there is something I am forgetting
- (blank for future additions)
- (blank for future additions)
- (blank for future additions)

So there you go, it is a constant repeating cycle of stuff that happens every week. Some are successful and others I am just plain done with it all. I should really hand him a list since he is no longer working weekends. Hmmm, something to seriously think about.

Well, there you go. that is my like in a nutshell. and to think we canceled a birthday party that was supposed to fit in there on Saturday evening and absorb a few of your hours.

July & August Round up

2010-07-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

As usual nothing is boring around here and if it ever gets to that point it doesn't last for long.

Let's start at the beginning of it all :
The first Friday of July Evie had a sleepover at Grammy and Papa D's house. Nice, but we miss her and it really doesn't change much about what we do.

On the 4th we had a nice BBQ, my dad makes some yummy creations on his grill. They set up their drive way with chairs and parked the truck so that Evie can chill in the bed with blankets and toys. She has no problem with fireworks but I have done a nice job instilling a little caution into her about fire so there was never a worry about her getting too close. Papa D had bought some sparklers for her to try. First attempt was a fail, she was too unsure. But Papa pushed it a little with her and then she didn't want to stop. I think she was a little sad when they were gone. Then Grammy popped the question. So Evie had another sleepover that evening.

Two sleepovers in the same weekend. What are we gonna do with our selves? Be lazy.

Then Evelyn had her 3 year check up. She is now in the 50th percentile for height and 75th percentile for weight. My Chickadee weighs a whopping 32 lbs.

That weekend we and a birthday party to enjoy. Next weekend we went and watched Despicable Me on the big tv (theater). Super cute!!

We were supposed to celebrate Fer's birthday this coming weekend but he jinxed us. We haven been sick for a long while. I have thought it, never daring to let it form into words from my mouth. But what did he do? He said it. So guess what. I think lil Chickadee is getting sick. Lovely.

The last weekend of July Evie will be staying overnight at the Beach with Grammy and Papa D. I know she will have a blast, she asks to go all the time. What will us parents do? Well the 31st is Fer's birthday and we are going to pig out on some Red Lobster. After that? Who knows but we will have good food and be way beyond full.

August also holds something special every weekend other than the normal rush of groceries and cleaning.

The first weekend we are celebrating my brother's birthday, the 14th we are celebrating the re-scheduled party for Fer, the 21st is a Scentsy party and then the last weekend, the 28th is a Special Agent Oso End-o-Summer party.

During the week there is little sleep and very few evenings that I get the pleasure of snoozing straight through the night. I long for that blissful feeling but I know that it is a rare occurance.

Like the past 4 evenings. Evie has started letting us know she needs to go potty. What a huge step. She usually would wake dry but now she is getting the bigger message. But how does she let me know? By crying and fussing 'Mommy, I need to go potty'. Of course if I get up to assist my body too says, hmm, that's a good idea. Lovely. And then off to share the bed with 2 bed hogs for the rest of the morning.

Of course on the third evening, when Fer got her, she did not need to go potty. He got it easy. Seriously, what the heck.

Last night she wasn't feeling the best so she got to sleep in her tent which is just for naps. She woke right when I had snuggled into bed and was very ready to drift off. then I hear shifty little feet and then she whispers to me ' I have to go potty'. Scared the poop outta me but her message delivery was alot more pleasant. So off to the potty and I sent her off to her tent, which I have never made her do. And what happened? There was no fit and she fell back asleep. Awesomeness! So I get back into bed and could not find 'that' spot again. Hello tossing and turning. I was able to get to sleep for a little while before Evie came into our room. She was so excited that she had fallen back to sleep in her tent and she was wanting to share it with us. Shhhhh. It's too early. It is amazing how quickly 5:20 comes when your night was not dedicated to sleep.

Oh well. i guess that is what comes with being a mom.

A Serious Wet Case of Sillies

2010-07-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

One beautiful thing about having evenings off and it being summer is that there are sprinklers everywhere. I don't have to wrangle the apartment hose through the brush and prickly bushes and fight to get Chickadee in it for longer than 2 minutes, which always is a shorter time period than it took to set it up.

So forgetting about my wasted bush battles for the hose and a little fun water play we headed over to our playground that we have pictured several times before and... guess what! The sprinklers were on in a field that was not being used for practice. LOVELY!

Chickadee quickly forgot about the play structure and ran for it.

And here is the view.....

Just had to Share

2010-06-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

This post is too true to not share with fellow parents or people who have worked with children. You know that your world can be turned upside down in less than a second and the rest of the day revolves around that 1 moment.
Take a look at this post that was written by Suburban Snapshots .

Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party
*That one frat party I've ever been to, having gone to a Very Serious Arts College.

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.

8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.

3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

Boy Inspires Planting of 1 Million Trees

2010-06-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this with everyone. It is very moving and if all of us put a little more thought into it just as this 9 year old, the world would be a better place.

Boy Inspires Planting of One Million Trees

posted by Jake Richardson Jun 24, 2010 7:06 am

At the age of nine, Felix Finkbeiner hatched the idea to plant one million trees in Germany. He did a presentation in his school about the idea and people listened. He was inspired by the example of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist who has helped organize the planting of 30 million trees. Felix wanted to plant one million trees in every country he could. Three years later, Germany has an additional one million trees, and Felix’s organization called Plant for the Planet is doing work in 70 countries.

He made a great insight recently about climate change and the inability of bureaucracies to accomplish things in practical terms with swiftness. “We children feel really cheated because such a lot was done for Copenhagen and at the end, what was really achieved there?” Felix said.

The media picked up his story fairly early on, and the exposure has helped with donations. Also, his family has a strong environmental perspective. His father also started a conservation group, though not at such a young age. Today Felix is often invited to speak at conferences around the world. He keeps up with schoolwork but sometimes is away from home for weeks.

Plant for the Planet actually has a target goal of planting 212,000,000 trees. So far they have planted just over a million, and there are about 1.4 million pledged for planting. A humorous but pointed awareness campaign of theirs is called Stop Talking and Start Planting. Professional photographers donated their time and photos for the campaign.

Their campaign has a Facebook page you can join. They also have a YouTube Channel where you can watch the children in action.

Image Credit: Tico / Flickr Creative Commons

Fabulous Friday Steals

2010-06-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday to one and to all. I am trying to make the best of it and rememeber the joys of warm weather and sun that we had for 2 days in a row. That is not what I see outside right now, which makes me feel a little gloomy.

But let's move on to some Deals for Today and only Today.

Mentos is giving a coupon for BOGO FREE (buy one get one)
What do you have to do?
Go to Mentos Us on Facebook, 'Like' them and then you may go to the coupon tab and print off the prize.
This coupon is available only today as far as I know and the coupon is good till July 24th.

Note: This is a SmartSource coupon so make sure you are able to print from that site.

FREE Frappe Friday at McDonalds
I have heard that last year it was Free Mocha Monday now it's Free Frappe Friday at McDonald's.
Starting today (June 25) many McDonald's (please ask first to be sure) will be giving out sample size Frappes from 7am to 7pm.
This continues for July 2 and July 9 as well.
Go and get your coffee on!!!

Thank You Thrifty Mama B

Peter Rabbit Organics Fruit Pouch Giveaway

2010-06-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

I remember stumbling upon, well my daughter insisted, on Peter Rabbit Fruit Pouches at a nearby Starbucks. She just had to have it and like many things that are new and she has insisted on she tried it and decided right away it was not her cup of tea. Well, it is a different type of texture than she is used to and she is just that way. But after about 20 minutes of me trying to get her to try it again (like 50 times later) she grabbed it and gulped it all down and seemed a little sad when it was gone.

I know that it is now a snack that is a must have, now that it made it through the tasting process that she has developed.

A fellow blogger, The Unemployed Mom, is doing a review and giveaway of 10 pouches of this wonderful product.

Let's jump to the facts of it....

   *Peter Rabbit Organic Fruit Pouches come in 3 flavors: Strawberry & Banana; Mango, Banana & Orange;
   and Apple & Grape.
   *100% Organic
   *100% Fruit
   * No Added Sugar
   * Nothing Artificial
   * Anti-Swallow Cap
   * No Preservatives
   * BPA Free Pouches

If you haven't tried this wonderfully healthy and convenient snack yet you should!
Another thing you should do is jump on over to The Unemployed Mom and Check out this Great review and giveaway!!!!!

Last day of Sun? Fun Park Play

2010-06-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

I love how we are close to so many parks and then there are several we have yet to discover. A few of them we can walk to for week night enjoyment and then others to drive to during the weekends. We love to get out, enjoy the weather and I know Chickadee loves it too.

Let's start with our weekend fun at a Skate Park by Brown Middle School on Cornelius Pass. First we had to arrive in style before we could play.

Our main park is just across street from our home, how nice. There is the track and baseball fields, a playground and St. Mary's Park, which sadly is partly under construction, but there are still plenty of fun things to do.

Challenge for Change

2010-06-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

Diabetes runs on both sides of the family, well I have 1 diabetic person on my side and Fer has 2 on his side. In my situation it is not genetic as it is only passed on the fathers side but for Fer it it. Both his father and one of his brothers has diabetes, type is unknown to me, but it makes it easier for Fer to develop diabetes which then makes it easier for our children as well.

On top of that we are both over weight. We work long hours, eat yummy food that is not the highest in nutritional value and would rather be homebodies than try to make our hectic schedules more demanding by adding exercise.

Well, to come out and be completely truthful I am sick and tired of this body that is not in my control. I do not like the way I feel. I do not like the way I look. I was never the tiniest person ever but I used to fit into a size 5/7 pants (depending on the cut and maker) and small tops.

Now after having my daughter and just going through the motions of my new life I am a size 10 pants and M/L shirts.

I am not looking to demand a change in the size of clothes I purchase as it will be what it is when the weight disappears. What I am looking for is a trimmer body with a little less 'fluff' to it.

Let's compare the pre-baby to post-baby sizes:

Pre-Baby Post-Baby
Weight - 115 Weight - 153
Pants - 5/7 Pants - 10
Tops - XS/S Tops - M/L

I am not happy. That simple.

Goal
Weight - 120/125 That is a loss of 28 - 33 pounds.

Besides my personal view on myself, I need to set an example for Evelyn and our future children.

So here is my plan, there is no time limit. I want to make this a lifestyle.

Some days I will be exercising during the children's nap time in the afternoon and after my daughter goes to bed in the evening.

Week 1 - Kettle Bell dvd (Afternoon-workout #1, Evening-workout #2)
Week 2 - Pilates dvd ( I am not flexible at all so this is my challenge)
Week 3 - Prevention's Kickboxing dvd (Afternoon-workout #1, Evening-workout #2)
Week 4 - Prevention's Fight Cellulite dvd (Afternoon-workout #1, Evening-workout #1)
Week 5 - Legs, Butt, Hips & Thigh Makeover dvd (Afternoon-workout #1, Evening-workout #1)
Week 6 - Kettle Bell dvd (Afternoon-workout #2, Evening-workout #3)
Week 7 - Pilates
Week 8 - Prevention's Kickboxing dvd (Afternoon-workout #2, Evening-workout #3)
Week 9 - Prevention's Fight Cellulite dvd (Afternoon-workout #2, Evening-workout #2)
Week 10 - Legs, Butt, Hips & Thigh Makeover dvd (Afternoon-workout #2, Evening-workout #2)

I am changing the type of workout each week so that my body does not get too used to the current work out so that I can tone different areas of my body and keep seeing progress.

I have planed for 10 weeks but that doesn't mean I will stop there. For now I think that is enough planning and more can be done at a later date after this is accomplished.

Here is a current pic of me...

questioning of the world

2010-05-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Have you had a child and wondered where has the time flown off to? 3 years are missing, how did she become so big? How has she learned so many things? What an exciting and sad feeling.

I have wondered several times why I can have pregnancy symptoms for 2 and a half years and even have a positive pee test recently and not be pregnant. How can that be possible? Talk about an emotional roller coaster. And I am pretty sure people are rolling eyes and sighing when I mention it. I don't blame you. I have called wolf so many times.

How can I possibly tackle 7 loads of laundry and 7 children? No, I did not assign 1 child per load, I did it myself. And how? I am not quite sure of that myself. Are they behaving like perfect angels? No. Is it the roughest of days? No. But there are days when there are less children who are decently behaved and I can't manage to do any simple cleaning. Hmmmm.

How can I possibly keep up with the kids, cleaning, family, me? I don't know. I just get in gear and I go. Beware do not stop me or the mood will be broken sure to not return for a while. Just think, I want to add conscious eating and exercise to the list. Will it fit? Well I have tried 3 times, lost a few pounds only to get wrapped up in life and gain it all back plus more. I think the bigger question is how can I get Mr. Hubs on the same road as me? We did for a couple of weeks and then we got sick. That beautiful circle of sickness. As one is getting better another is beginning and over and over and over, sometimes catching the same cold more than once. Till finally we are absolutely fed up and I do crazy cleaning and finally it disappears and all returns to normal as if it never had happened.

Where does all the time go? Why are there only 24 hours in the day? I think I need at least 2 more. Not for working a job but to finish errands, chores and sleep.

so many questions and ponderings flooding my mind making it difficult to concentrate on tasks at hand.

Can you believe it?

2010-05-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness it is nearing so very fast. I am about to have a 3 year old. How did this happen? I must have blinked my eyes but of twice and then *poof* there she was as we see her presently.

I can remember talking to her and telling her that it was not yet time for her to come, to please wait. And she did so. I remember waking Mother's Day at 2:30am with contractions but I told her again. Please baby wait. Today is Mother's day and if you wish you may come tomorrow. Monday came and went with contractions sprinkled through out the day. Then she decided it was time to start working on her appearance at 3 am Tuesday morning. At 6:23 pm that Tuesday I met my baby girl, all 6lbs 13oz of her.

Wow.

Now I am planning her birthday party. She will be having a princess party for family the evening of her birthday this Saturday and then the following Saturday we will have a Mickey Mouse Club House friend party at our home.

She really likes her Mickey.

More details and mixed emotions to come.

Stay tuned.....

What have we done this past week?

2010-04-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

Well there hasn't been much time for rest but here is low down on our activities from this past week.

Night time snuggles with 'pretend' sleeping

Scribbling on windows with markers, well special window markers and they had permission.

Playtime loves

Playing tumble in the box. A good use for an empty beer box right? All was well as long as she aimed for the pillow.

Our radishes are sprouting, the beans have roots and we are still waiting on the carrots. Evie wants these to go to Grammy & Papa D's garden. She is very proud of them.

Enjoyed a few good movies.

And we celebrated a birthday!!!! Happy Birthday Papa D!

April Craziness Falls into May Madness Pushing all through Summer

2010-04-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

This month is proving to be quite busy. Besides working and trying to do all our normal doings we have plenty of weekend gatherings.

Fernando finally has received a raise, and quite a good one I might add, at Plastic Machines. They will be moving him from the type of machines that he currently works on to train him on the CNC machines. But before they hire someone to replace him, Fernando is given the task of testing any newbies to make sure they have the skills to fill his shoes.

Sadly but happily in a mixed emotion kind of way, he will be working 5 full days (M-F) at Plastic Machines (working 30 hours overtime in a month) and then M, W, F evenings and S & S full days at Jack's Box (working a total of 30-36 hours). This all leaves less time for family. But at least he has work and he is willing to do it.

Evie and I got news that we were accepted for new insurance. Evie's medical was costing Fer $220 per month and I have had none for a while now. So under this new coverage we will be receiving medical, vision and dental for the both of us for $250 a month. That is just $30 more than what Fer was paying for just her.

I am back on the loosing weight wagon. On Monday 4/5 I weighed 152.4lbs and then on my birthday, 4/9, the scale delighted me with the gift weight of 149.9lbs. Today, 4/15, the scale was so nice to lower that weight to 148.1. Yeah!!!!

April 4^th - Happy Easter!! We gathered for Easter morning to see what the Bunny had brought while we were sleeping, he is a very sneaky one. We had left him a rainbow muffin (made by Evie), carrots, celery and orange juice. He turned out to be a very nice bunny, leaving baskets for her at our house, Grammy’s house and at Grandma June’s house.

Evie was wearing her 'Snow White' dress for Easter morning and boy did she hate every minute of it. That is not me being sarcastic people, she really hated it. The moment I showed it to her she burst into tears saying she did not want to wear it but who's the parent here? That's right, it is me. I picked it out, I bought her that cardigan that cost more than the darn dress (figure that one out), and I say she is going to wear it even if it is just for a few pictures.

Later that evening we all returned for a family dinner of shrimp and risotto prepared by Papa D.

April 9^th - My birthday, thank you for the cards and birthday wishes. Fernando and I enjoyed a date night just to ourselves. We went to Macaroni Grill where I enjoyed lobster ravioli. Afterwards, we walked around the shopping area, bought a few drinks and returned home to relax and enjoy them.

April 10^th – Besides trying to get all food and supplies we had my family birthday party. It was very nice and we ate plenty of good food including my mom’s lasagna and garlic bread.

April 17^th – I am holding a Scentsy party. I sell Scentsy products part-time. They are scented wax products and warmers.

April 24^th – Papa D’s Birthday and family party. I will be hosting this gathering at my home for the second time. It is quite nice that we can have the family over here as well as at other people’s homes.

Finally we get a break on the weekends! Fernando is planning on taking the first weekend of May off so we can have time just the three of us. We do not get much of that and I know we will find some very fun things to do.

Then Mother’s day rolls around and we have little visits to make spreading smiles and cheer on a very wonderful blessing.

May 15^th – rolls around quite too quickly. This year Miss Evelyn is 3 years old. I just cannot believe it. She is now speaking clearly with sentences, singing her ABC’s and counting to 20. This evening we will have a family gathering for a Princess party at Grammy’s house.

May 22^nd – Evie will be having a friend birthday party at our home. Mickey mouse and friends is the theme.

We take a little break and then Grammy & Papa D’s Anniversary pops up. They want to go to a restaurant called Salty’s. I guess the price is pretty high, but the good food makes it worth it.

Then return to our normal every day rituals until Fernando’s birthday rolls around on July 31^st. Perfectly it lands on a Saturday, which is most likely when we will have a family party for him. He wants ribs for his dinner, which my dad makes pretty darn well.

And then yet another break until Chris’s Birthday in August, I am not quite sure on the plans for that yet.

There will most likely be another Scentsy thrown in there during one of the ‘breaks’.

I also may be providing care on the Saturdays mixed in with all the other plans, possibly date nights for the parents as well. Not only do I provide care Monday – Friday 5:30am – 5pm, I also provide care Friday and Saturdays 6pm – 11pm and Saturday mornings 10am – 1pm.

So it is quite crazy and mad at times but you just gotta roll with the flow even though the roads are bumpy.

March in a Nutshell

2010-03-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

Sleep deprivation and illness

2010-03-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

It is happening again as it has already three times. We are sick. Seriously, what is going on? We will go through the motions, the sickness, share it and complete the 3 pointed cycle of Evie, Fer and then myself. Finally to feel better for about a week and be horribly surprised when we notice symptoms yet again in our daughter.

Again we hope, maybe we won't get it and it won't be as bad as the other times. But no, that is not how it is seeming to be. Though it is not a horribly disabling cold, it is just that, a cold. A cold with the stuffies, runnies (perfect for Evie since she has a new found fascination with boogies), the coughs, sore throat, slight fever here and there and then you are just plain exhausted.

Any why? Well my reasoning which matches quite well with my mother's, is that since I provide childcare, no one is completely getting over it and it is really bigger than our 3 points. We are weakened for the fight against it and just as it has begun to cease someone with the slightest itty bit of grossness enters and lovingly shares yet again.

So how big is this cycle? There are 3 of us and then a total of 6 others. Unfortunately, you cannot always tell that it is a cold. It is the beginning of allergy season and those symptoms are very similar to this cold. Dashed on top are a couple of teethers that can have very similar symptoms as well. So I guess then is the question. How can you tell if your child is really sick and not just cutting a new tooth or suffering form our seasonal 'bliss'. Well, that is tricky and I am sure I will never master this all knowing power.

Sadly I am working today, a full shift with 2 extra kids on my ever shrinking weekend. I sit here calculating and planning how I will be able to get all things accomplished. How we will find rest in this yucky time. How to battle this war of germs.

I am declaring today as Cleaning Overhaul day. I have a 5 gallon bucket outside ready to be filled with diluted bleach solution making the perfect bath for all washable things of kids interest. And then to move on to the washing machine and the dishwasher. Dry. Rinse. Repeat. Till all is clean. Or at least much cleaner then the previous clean.

Sheets shall be changed, pillows shoved into the dryer. ALL WILL be TACKLED!!! And, I hope, it shall finally be defeated and left dead in it's disgusting tracks.

I am just too exhausted to really get going at the moment though. We had our normal Saturday morning alarm at 4 am to take Fer to work by 4:30. I usually get home 10 minutes later and cuddles with Evie in bed for another 2 hours but today I had 15 minutes before I had to rise and get ready for the 2 other children coming.

Well these days, with this economy, with the dreams and plans that we have, you take what you get and though you feel like crap you just do it. And does it suck? Hell yes, but the light at the end of the tunnel is shining on a home and a life that we have be talking about, building in our minds and setting in our dreams. Soon enough to no longer be just a dream, but our reality.

But UGH! I really could use the strongest cup of coffee anyone near can brew and deliver, a toasty blankie and a wonderful snuggly and cuddly toasty nap with someone who needs more rest herself. But I guess that is what Sundays are for.

forget the calendar, Spring is here

2010-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

My Beautimous Flowers

Chocoholic Evie

A Rock Star is Born

Sweet Loves

Our Barn Yard Fun

Adventures to the Duck Pond 2/21/10

2010-02-22T10:10:00.001-08:00

A Picnic at the Park

2010-02-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

Last night was so beautiful we decided on a last minute picnic to enjoy the wonderful sun and a chance to play at the park. So we made peanut butter, banana and pear honey sandwiches with sliced apples and carrots to enjoy while watching the sun set. It really was a wonderful time.

This time, though it was a little chilly, it was great fun. Evie wanted to do everything herself and most things she could.

a room fit for a princess

2010-02-18T07:49:00.000-08:00

flash before my eyes.

2010-02-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how fast babies grow to be wobblers to toddlers to the terrible two's and beyond. It is like a flash before my eyes. I remember, like it was yesterday or maybe the day before, waking to find my water broken and thinking, well I guess I am not working today. I remember rushing to remember all that i needed or wanted for the hospital and frantically trying to get ahold of daddy. Then to end the day with a 6lb 3 oz baby named Evelyn Marie Nelson Liberato, such a large name for an itty bitty thing, in my arms.
I made it a goal to be able to stay home with her, to provide her with experiences that would assist her through all the stages of childhood.
I homeschool her for now, she is 2 1/2, preparing her for preschool outside of my care. I want to socialize her and make her comfortable and secure when I need to leave.
We have started going to the PlayLand in Fred Meyers almost every weekend. Not for me to shop without her bugging me, she does really well, but because she asked and begged to go there and I know it will help her when it comes to her attending preschool and beyond.
We also try take an adventure to the playground in the Beaverton mall, or so it used to be named, to play around other children.
And then you ask, she doesn't get to play with other kids? well, yes she does but in her comfortable home setting, which is great, but she needs to be open and comfortable to playing with other kids in different environments.
Going through all this preparing and loving and teaching it has made me realize that she is no longer a baby anymore but a little lady. I become sad that she is growing so fast thought I have been here nearly every moment.
All of this makes me long for another baby, and yes, another baby is in the plans it doesn't feel soon enough. I long to be pregnant and it becomes very difficult handling those feelings and then to find so many friends are either just finding out they are pregnant or have been pregnant for a little while.
I know it will all happen in time, the right time for us. Believe in god or mature, fate or just our choices. I t will come at it's own pace. Knowing that does not make me feel better at this moment but it is known.
So on I go again, another day with my baby and other children and I hope to not feel that emptiness. I hope that I can enjoy every moment.

An Artistic Night

2010-02-11T06:55:00.000-08:00

She has gotten back into the artsy fartsy phase, which I love. And she is making 'love art'. First, we started the night with making, she helped alot, blueberry and raspberry muffins topped with sprinkles, red and clear.

You should have seen the crumbly mess all over her, the chair and carpet. :)

Then we moved on to painting, she really wanted pink paint, but sadly we had none so we learned that taking red and white and mixing them made pink.

Notice that both the blue and yellow were not touched.

Later, we moved on to her idea of scrapbooking and all while enjoying toy Story 2.

What a nice night.

Silly Goose!

A New Do for the Princess

2010-02-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

A nice bob, with bangs and a slight A-line. I think one of the most perfect little girl hair cuts out there. It allows them to still look girly and play with their hair without it having to be a hassle when they get rough and tough playing.

2010-02-09T08:10:00.001-08:00

Please bear with me as I adjust the theme and layout of my page. I am looking for the perfect style, and though i like many templates that I have seen they just aren't quite right.

First Family Car Show

2010-02-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Let's Play Catch Up

2010-01-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

Ok, Ok. I know I have been slacking here quite a bit lately. So now let's play a game of catch up :)

photo journey

2010-01-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

Red and White and shaped like a Heart

2010-01-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

Love is in the air, our next holiday is Valentine's Day. I don't need all that candy and romantic stuff, but it is also one of those days like a few other holidays, to remember to show love and appreciation towards your friends and family.

What a Man ~ A Continuation

2010-01-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

I love how he sits and listens to my evening rambles and on goings about something I heard on tv. I could seriously talk his ear off.

I love how he has the drive to fight for the things that will enrich our lives and our children’s lives. The goal of making it a better childhood/life than what we have had for them.

I love how we are on the same page about babies. 3 is perfect, 4 is an option, twins run in his family (he is one), if we do have twins it will most likely be the last “trying for 1 more” which would make a grand total of 5.

I love how even if our plans for a baby right now have changed a ‘surprise’ would be lovely and warmly welcomed

I love that now he is trying to show me his “at home handy man skills”, such as replacing a vacuum cord

I love how he knows I get a little crazy by always being inside and he tries to help us get out of the house with delicious food as a reward

I love how he knows how I like my tea, my coffee, my food to be seasoned and preferred sweets

I love how he thinks about me on his way home and grabs a starbucks double mocha from 7-11

I love how he forces me to slow down and sit for a bit

I love how he respects my job

I love his love of music

I love how I feel more comfortable than I thought I would working out with him, adapting our bodies together

I love how he drops his dirty clothes and work shoes wherever, I may get a hmph-ed at the time, but I love to know he was there

I love how he always searches for classic trucks and VW Bugs but he doesn’t plan on replacing his Einstein

I love how it doesn’t take money to make him happy

I love how we can enjoy our weekend newspaper together, so….. old fashioned? Now all we need are our coffees and doughnuts, slippers and robes

I love that he appreciates my cleaning, organizing and small amount of cooking

I love how we don’t have to say “it”, we just know

I love that we can sit down and watch a whole game of futbol together and yell at the tv

I love that though he maybe forgetful about it, he does not fight or argue about taking out the recycle and garbage

I love how he can allow Evie put various stickers all over his face and walks around like nothing ever happened, she is always very proud

I love you Bunches.

Always

Puzzle Time, hummed to Hammer Time

2010-01-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

It is Puzzle Time this morning and I just am in love with this one. This puzzle is a Circo wooden Alphabet puzzle that teaches all the fun puzzle things PLUS it has pictures of items that start with the letters to help with further development of recognition.

I had bought this wonderful puzzle at the most addictive store ever, Target.

It was a great price, can last forever since it is a wooden puzzle, it is educational and she has a blast with it.

There she is dancin' with the N for Nest.

You go girl!

The Three Kings

2010-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Oh, those wonderfully sneaky Three Kings came last night after Evie wrote a very nice note to them and slipped it into one of her shoes and placed it under the tree. Perfectly she chose her Ghost shoe.

Magically, this morning, there were presents.

Then where is the fun just looking at them? You have to rip them open!

Oh, what nice those Three Kings were. She received adorable shoes, a Tinkerbell and a Cinderella game that you can hook up to the tv.

Now on to a resolution of no more presents for a while and to start taking down the Christmas tree and other decorations.

Project 365

2010-01-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

I know another project and thing to add to my list of never ending things but this sounds fun and I know I can do it. How ? I took over 70 photos at the tree farm, over 80 for our first snow and if you think I can't take 365 photos this year and find a realistic way of posting them here maybe it is you who is a little crazy.

I just love taking pictures with our new camera!!!!

So the idea of this Project 365 is to take a photo each day and post it. Though there are no set rules on posting them every day, I think I will be taking a photo a day, or more :), and post them all on one day.

And so it starts another project. Today's Title? Morning Faces of Evie

Sunday at the Playground

2010-01-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

Please excuse the blurry pics, I only had my phone on hand and well, you see what the out come is.

Park Play

2010-01-04T10:27:00.000-08:00

So Saturday was a decent day for this time of year and we decided we needed to break in our new soccer ball. Off we went and then guess who decided she did not want to walk, run or play?

A New Year for Life Changes and Goals for the Future

2010-01-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Well hello, it has been a little bit. You know how the holidays get all crazy and stuff. So here we are in the New Year meaning we need to set up for some changes.

*Note:

Most changes will be done as a team effort with my hubby :)

Change #1

Loose baby weight. It is official, today is the first day of our changing of eating habits and upping our physical activity level.

More veggies and fruits, less fast food if any, no more soda, no more beer, less frying and smaller portions.

Yesterday 1/3/10 we weighed ourselves

Evie: 30.6 lb (she will not be on the loosing wagon but on the gaining on of course but she wanted to join in on the 'fun')

Fernando: 155.4 lbs

Myself: 148.8 lbs

Goal Weights~

Fernando: 130 lbs

Myself: 120 lbs

Change #2

Save. Save. Save.

We have worked out a new budget, keeping log of all payments received and payments made, totaling at the end of the month and adjusting where we thing we can.

Savings for emergencies, fun, college and future projects.

Change #3

Well it isn't really a change but something to work harder on.

Live. Laugh. Love. Health and Happiness.

Change #4

I would enjoy recycling more than I do. I know I can. I already can fill a grocery bag full in one day, sometimes more is found.

Change #5

I would enjoy more crafty time and exploring time with the babe, one on one and as a family. We have parks, playgrounds and a nature trail close.

First Snow of 2009

2009-12-29T16:57:00.001-08:00

Last year we battled snow and ice before Christmas, Now we get a small taste of it in between holidays.
In 2 hours the snow fell quickly, coating all that was not protected.

A Chilly Christmas Night

2009-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

This year there has been a change that will probably last forever and become a part of our tradition.

For my family, we spend Christmas Eve together eating, drinking and opening presents only to return back to my parents house by 8 am the next morning to do the same all over again. It used to be that we had dinner that night as well but now with an almost 3 year old on our hands that ends up being alot of juggling and fighting the excitement to shove in a well needed nap.

So now we skip the family Christmas dinner and enjoy a relaxing, slower paced evening that we spent admiring the beautiful lights at the Beaverton Library...

and the Beaverton Mall area....

The weather was very chilly with a very nice breeze to it making it even chillier. But the lights were beautiful.

A Christmas Eve ~ 2009

2009-12-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

The Stockings were all hung, by no chimney, but with care. And we were all excited about the tear. The tearing of paper so crisp in the air, flying about and landing every where.

This was Evelyn's First Christmas to remember.

Yummy snacks were left for the man in red and his reindeer to chomp. A special strawberry milk was added by her highness.

Special jammies were worn, just for Christmas eve and for standing in front of the Christmas tree.

A Buzz Lightyear is in Box #1, and a beautiful picture of me - LOVE IT!

And an acrobatic Woody in Box #2

Soft Princess Tiana Book and Princess Baby toys and products to care for your own little Princess

Tinkerbell foam puzzle, Ariel camera, Dress-up Bell & Cinderella, Spiderman bubbles, Princess tattoos and Princess stickers. What a lucky little lady!

wrapping hero

2009-12-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

There is an interesting story of wrapping presents and running out of paper and trying to find the masterfully hidden new roll of tape I gave daddy to wrap 3 presents with. Creation was in order and so it was done.

Crepe paper and to/from tags are used in a way, that only one who was desperate could say. The presents needed to be hid under the tree and so she did. Wrapped with one little roll of red, the rest in green, happily this matches the festive theme.

The paper is green checkers so, i guess it all could work, taped all together with to tags. You could never forget who this is to and who gave it to whom.

All was finished with white curling ribbon, adding that finished touch. Interestingly festive wrapped boxed for a special little girl, each hiding something very special for her.

Fellow Followers, Family and Friends

2009-12-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

I may have mentioned somewhere on here that I am now selling Scentsy. Wonderful smelling waxes that are melted in warmers that you plug in. That's right, you plug them in, meaning no candles. This is perfect if you have children, pets or clumsies around the house. Nothing dangerous to touch and it is healthier. No more worries about the type of wax or wicks that are in your favorite candles, no more soot marks from a smokey wick. No More!

Scentsy is here and I am representing this product with full force. These warmers come in 3 sizes, many designs or you can purchase a basic warmer and add your own touch of style by sticking decals on them.

Don't forget about fragrances on the go. There are room sprays, travel tims and car candles in all of your favorite scents.

You don't have a favorite scent? And why not? Now is the perfect time to find one. I am holding an Introductory Scentsy Brunch. All of the scents are available for smelling, I will demonstrate with a Full-size warmer the process and smells of the wax when melted. Coffee and the works will be provided, snacks, and chit chat.

I want to introduce this product to as many people as I can next month, Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 10:30 am.

If you are interested in attending please jot a quick message or email my way and I will be sure to give you more information.

For now, I will leave you with my websites so you may have a little look around and familiarize yourself with the products before the party.

www.scentsy.us/rachellen

scentsyscents.blogspot.com

Enjoy.

A Case of the Sillies ~ Photo Journey

2009-12-15T08:35:00.000-08:00

Just a normal night in our house. A magic is created when these two get together.

Laughter, squeals of delight and a little tickling mixed in.

Silly girl! She tries to pretend to be camera shy and then she strikes a pose.

SMILE!!!! And then smile with your eyes, Tyra Banks would be so proud.

Back to sweet cuddles, just for a second and then she tries to attack the camera.

Getting ready to strike and .... there you go. She has accomplished her goal and now has the camera.

Playing Princess ~ Photo Journey

2009-12-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

The most amazing thing...

2009-12-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

....happened last night. Santa appeared in our bath tub.

Now I know this sounds crazy, but it is very true. There was a Santa in the tub.

Santa might have been lost or confused. Or maybe in need or a good washin' and relaxin'.

First there were smiles on Santa's face...

Then I think confusion started to set in....

Santa flashed a smile here and there, I'm sure he still doesn't quite get it...

Maybe a little frustration from all the flashes and pictures snapped...

Hey, check yourself out. You are in a bath tub, Silly Santa...

Happy Santa one again. Clean and bubbly Santa.

Lady in Motion

2009-12-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

With all of this very chilly weather no one wants to go out, not unless we have too. This is how we burn off our energy and lower mommy's heating cost. Beware child labor in use :)

Back and forth they go from end of hallway to the door.

Squealing with joy...

Bursts of laughter

and completely worn out for nap :)

Something Smelly

2009-12-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

I am making something smelly. Can you guess what it is?

Seasoned Reading

2009-12-10T10:34:00.000-08:00

Along withe the halls being decked and mistletoe being hung there is story time filled with wonder. Tales of a jolly plump man and the spirit that he spreads with cheer. Here is our Seasoned reading collection.

We LOVE Stinky Face and all of his questioning as his Mama sets up for Christmas.

We are also reading about bing nice, which shouldn't just be taught during the holidays but what a great time to encourage it even more, hoping to develop a habit to last all year long.

Early Princess Surprise

2009-12-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Oh, My Goodness it is a princess castle tent for a lil bit that LOVES princess.

Of course daddy had to come in and play princess, who else? "C'mon daddy, Play me"

Look at that crazy hair. I think princess needs a stylist.

Peeking Princess. She is no longer taking photos.

Trouble in Wings _ A Mixed Adventure

2009-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas is in the Air - Holiday Decor

2009-12-08T07:54:00.001-08:00

The chill of the wind, the short days and dark nights. Christmas is coming and we are ready are you?
The tree, the room decor, Evie's room, Bathroom decorations and outside cheer.

Helvatia Lavender & Christmas Tree Farm ~ 2009

2009-12-08T07:35:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful day, my mom has a special gift choosing days for outings I guess. Daddy could not make it, grr at blackout days, days that are not available to be taken off. But we had fun any way. Thank you to Grammy for showing Evie how to get Ariel to attack the tree, now I get the pleasure of breaking that habit with the decorated version of it, a nice battle.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Holiday Photos- Takes & Outtakes

2009-12-08T06:46:00.001-08:00

Take pictures as a family can be fun, a nice moment in time till some one blinks or is talking while the flash blinds you. Geeezz, take the picture all ready.

Fall 2009

2009-12-08T06:41:00.001-08:00

I finally received all of the Pumpkin Patch and Flower Patch Pictures the other day. YAY!!!! It was such a beautiful day.

Holiday Family Photos ~ 2009

2009-12-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

Here we are. Mommy, Baby & Daddy

Four generations of ladies.

My side of the family including the furry brother, Jake.

Every Thanksgiving we gather for family photos, many photos will be sent out as Christmas cards and others that include blinking and talking as the picture was being take will be treasured with the persons in that picture.
This past Thanksgiving was not a very pretty day and so we took pictures inside, but on those rare Oregon Fall occasions that it may be sunny, we will shoot outside.
Many things to be thankful for.

Holiday Baby

2009-12-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

Crashed on the Bathroom Floor - Confession

2009-12-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

In this confession of mine you could either find me as a good mommy supporting the sleeping needs of my babe or could find me to be a horrible mommy for what I am about to say.

Ready?....

I let my babe sleep in the bathroom. Yep. I do.

It all started when Fer was not yet here and I was a new single mommy. The babe needed sleep but she refused, I'm sure the whole Jaundice glow worm treatment and waking her every 2 hours for feeding did that. I set myself up but they were insistent that I kept up with the feedings. Babes usually loose a tiny bit of weight after birth, normal, but Evie was having a hard time getting it back. So every 2 hours on the dot, keeping a feeding journal of the length of time and who, what, when and where. During this time she was a glow worm, needing to keep this light belt on as close to 24/7 as I could so we bunked in the living room. Her in the bouncy and I on the couch. I should have know this was just to set us up for sleep failure till she turned 1 when she finally slept through the night in her own room.

Anyway, she needed sleep, I needed a shower. So I would take the bouncer with vibrations into the bathroom, strap her in, snuggled with a blankie. The heat lamp was on and combined with the toasty steam form the shower and the fan she would pass out. I never wanted to wake her, to get her to sleep was a large task so I would leave her there with the light and fan on till she woke.

So now, lets skip forward till the present and she still sleeps in the bathroom.

Evie wakes whenever she hears either Fer or my alarm in the morning. If she wakes with Fer's alarm I get her, state that it is too early and we need to snuggles in mommy's bed, usually she does not go back to sleep, then my dreaded alarm rings way too early though it is right on time and she has an option. Sleep in mommy's bed or come into the bathroom with mommy. Bathroom it is 99.99% of the time. So I grab a pillow, her little blankie (burp cloth), big blankie (mine :( that she has taken over) and her kitty named Spencer. She lays there on the rug, snuggled and toasty and 99.99% of the time she passes out. Today she slept for about 1 hour.

I want to be a good mommy and allow her to get the sleep she needs, she obviously feels comfortable there and I keep my bathroom pretty clean.

But I let my babe sleep in the bathroom. I know that when I am done in there and I were to bring her out she would wake and stay that way. Then should would loose that sleep and she could be cranky as she is very good at that.

So there is my confession. Good or Bad. I let my babe crash on the bathroom floor.

Off to Save the Day

2009-11-30T15:28:00.000-08:00

It was a decent fall afternoon this past Saturday, the day before our sunny adventure to the park, we had decided to go to the new PetsMart to see the doggies, kitties and fish. We had parked, a nice space, and got out of the car getting ready to cross over to the store and there was a boy. Doesn't sound different or weird until I mention he was about 4 years of age, alone, and calling for his Mommy.

He had come so close to crossing our way, in the flowing lot traffic and I hoped loudly that he wouldn't cross. As soon as the traffic cleared we briskly walked over to the boy and asked if he had lost his Mommy. "yes" he said not quite a fuss but definatly a worried tone. I told him it all was okay, reached for his hand and he held mine.

Handing Evie over to Daddy so I could lower myself to his height more easily, I asked where his Mommy was. Fer told me he saw him coming from the side of the store. So we decided, hand in hand, to wait a few minutes to see if anyone would show.

He spoke well and about coming from all directions, well that's confusing. After a few more minutes of pointing and discussions we decided to walk towards the side of the store, these few minutes ended up being about 10 in total.

Just as we rounded the corner a woman, looking frantic, exited Java Mama, eyes met and she ran to us.

Oh my gods were whispered and almost shouted, where was he, who, when and why's were asked and stated. then I received quite possibly the most satisfying but painful hug ever. Tears ran down her face, and thank you's were given.

A slap of reality that I ponder as we walk away and Evie enjoys the animals. A fear and happiness. A crazy mix of overwhelming emotions that almost brought tears to my own eyes.

Now the wonder of happiness and health for that family.

A Few Views from the Park

2009-11-30T08:22:00.000-08:00