Last night, we were out with friends watching the fireworks and I got all misty-eyed and had to hold back tears. I think that the 4th of July holds some of my most prized childhood and really, life memories for me. It also marks the day that I met my amazing husband.
Growing up, my parents loved a party. I think that it's safe to say that my whole family still loves a good party. We love throwing them and we love going to them. Well, my parents threw the best parties. People looked forward all year to our annual 4th of July party. This was when we lived on Bayberry and our backyard was a beach on the Great South Bay. Well, directly across the water from us was were they set off the fireworks. So we had the most amazing front row seat. It was as if it was our own personal fireworks show. The kids ran wild, the adults drank like crazy and everyone just had an amazing time. We ate hot dogs until we were ready to throw up, ran along the water like maniacs with sparklers and it was a child paradise. Sitting on the fence along the beach watching the fireworks go off to the chorus of 500 strong "Oohing" and "Aahhing" was pure magic.
I think that the 4th of July represents the golden days of my childhood. When I think of the days before the big D word came about, it's the 4th of July that I remember most. I hope that I can give my children such an amazing and special memory to carry with them forever.
Just seeing fireworks brings me back to those carefree days on the beach where my only worries were whether I could get a good spot on the fence for the show. I'm instantly transported back to being 6 years old with a sparkler in one hand and a hot dog in another. Life just couldn't have gotten any better at that point.
I've had some amazing 4th's even after the golden days were over. One year, I watched the fireworks on top of a building in NYC and had fireworks surrounding me. That was another beautiful 4th memory.
The 4th this year marks 6 years that I have spent with the most amazing man in the world. I will never forget the first time that I saw him sitting at my table at Woodys. I knew that he was special, but I never would have imagined that he would become the most important person in my life.
I've been thinking about the past 6 years and all of our great memories and all of the different stages of life we've gone through and different places we have lived. Right now, our amazing son is digging through my purse knowing that I'm about to yell at him. But last night at the fireworks, I was in tears watching my two favorite guys cuddled up laying on our blanket watching the fireworks. It was one of the most beautiful sights I've ever witnessed. Then I look down on the breathtaking baby girl that we've been blessed with and I just can't even believe that this is really our life. How lucky are we. How lucky am I!! I'm married to my best friend and the most amazing man in the world and I have the most beautiful and wonderful children.
I'm hoping to watch fireworks again tonight with my family and just reflect some more on this amazing life that I'm in awe of. It's a day for me to really count my blessings and realize how lucky I am. The song by Garth Brooks about unanswered prayers really comes to mind. Because there were so many things that I've wanted and dreams I've had over the course of my life that if they had come true, would have meant that I might not have had Kevan, Colton and Lillian in my life...
So Happy 4th of July to everyone. I hope that you're making a special memory tonight when the fireworks go "BoomBoomBoom"...
Friday, July 04, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Bargain Hunters Edition...
Hello all of my fellow Home Improvement-ers...
I stumbled across this and wanted to share it with you!!!
It's good for $10 off any $25 purchase at Lowes as long as you use your Visa...
Click on the link and then print out your coupon!
http://www.lifetakesvisa.com/?id=lawn_editorial2&
or
https://www.loweswinners.com/lifeTakesVisa/lowesVisaLanding.aspx
Enjoy those projects!!!
------------------------------------------------
Target Deal:
Target ad has 12 packs of A&W, 7-UP,Sunkist & Canada Dry & more on sale 3/7.00.
BONUS! Plus if you buy 3 you get a FREE Edy's 1.5qt ice cream .
Plus there is a $1 off pop coupon in the generator.
http://www.afullcup.com/upload/cmps_...upon_generator
So it will be $4 for 3 - 12 packs of pop and ice cream!
---------------------------------------------------------------
I stumbled across this and wanted to share it with you!!!
It's good for $10 off any $25 purchase at Lowes as long as you use your Visa...
Click on the link and then print out your coupon!
http://www.lifetakesvisa.com/?id=lawn_editorial2&
or
https://www.loweswinners.com/lifeTakesVisa/lowesVisaLanding.aspx
Enjoy those projects!!!
------------------------------------------------
Target Deal:
Target ad has 12 packs of A&W, 7-UP,Sunkist & Canada Dry & more on sale 3/7.00.
BONUS! Plus if you buy 3 you get a FREE Edy's 1.5qt ice cream .
Plus there is a $1 off pop coupon in the generator.
http://www.afullcup.com/upload/cmps_...upon_generator
So it will be $4 for 3 - 12 packs of pop and ice cream!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, June 29, 2008
another diaper deal...
The following was taken from a post from Gretchen, she's better at the bargain game than I am, but I wanted to share...
There is going to be a great diaper deal next week at Walgreens.
3 packs Walgreens store brand diapers at 5.99= 17.97
-5/2 instant value coupon in the monthly book (it should take off $2.50 for the 3rd pack) (these are located on a rack at the front of the store)
so -7.50= 10.47 + tax, get back 5.00 in the form of a Register Rebate (good for $5 off your next purchase at Walgreens. If you use it to buy more diapers, it won't spit out another one, so it's best to use it for something else.)
so 5.47 for 3 packs of diapers + tax or 1.82 a pack.
Or if you buy 4 packs it would be 8.96/4= 2.24 a pack
There is going to be a great diaper deal next week at Walgreens.
3 packs Walgreens store brand diapers at 5.99= 17.97
-5/2 instant value coupon in the monthly book (it should take off $2.50 for the 3rd pack) (these are located on a rack at the front of the store)
so -7.50= 10.47 + tax, get back 5.00 in the form of a Register Rebate (good for $5 off your next purchase at Walgreens. If you use it to buy more diapers, it won't spit out another one, so it's best to use it for something else.)
so 5.47 for 3 packs of diapers + tax or 1.82 a pack.
Or if you buy 4 packs it would be 8.96/4= 2.24 a pack
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Best Website E.V.E.R.!!!!
Any website that you can get the best form letters ever written is amazing in my book... I about peed my pants reading these... I hope that you enjoy also.
You can choose from a variety of emails to send to your friends who are contemplating bad baby names for their unborn child. For the parents suffering from "Creative Spelling", who insist on giving their child a good name but spelling it oddly, you can send this email:
Creative Spelling: For good names with bad spellings
Dear Expectant Parent,
We're told you want to name your baby (insert baby name). It's a good choice of name, not of spelling.
Why? Every time your baby writes "(insert baby name)", the little tyke has to work harder than average. For this example, let's put some numbers around it. Let's say the effort takes two seconds longer. That's two more seconds spent spelling the name than necessary. That's 102,200 seconds for the average person. That's 1.2 DAYS of your baby's life you've wasted by spelling the name "(insert baby name)".
What would you do if you had 1.2 extra days?
So, we're asking you to consider spelling your baby's name traditionally. Give back those 1.2 extra days. It's the gift of life all over again.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Heirloom: For family names that should be left on the tree
Dear Expectant Parent,
We've been informed you've selected the name (insert baby name) for your new baby. While we applaud the desire to pay homage to family, we're here to tell you your baby's name isn't the place to do it. Instead, consider these ideas for honoring your nearest and dearest:
1. Adopt-A-Highway. An excellent program that comes with a sign on which you can announce your goodwill is in honor of your beloved relative.
2. Name a star. You'll be able to point a twinkling (insert baby name) out to your child in the night sky.
3. Dedicate a wing. If you're a person with means, hospitals are more than delighted to give you naming rights to a wing in exchange for a generous donation.
So, we're asking you to reconsider the name (insert baby name) for your baby. Give the little tyke a name future generations may actually be able to pass on.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.co
General: General style suitable for most bad baby names
Dear Expectant Parent,
We're told you've chosen the name (insert baby name) for your new baby. Here are only a few reasons why this is a mistake of epic proportion.
* Teachers will struggle to pronounce it correctly.
* Friends will say it wrong just for comedic effect.
* The child probably won't have any friends (let's face it).
The truth is your little tyke faces a tough world. Bias abounds. People draw conclusions about each other in the first two seconds. As a parent, you're mostly powerless to impact these snap, often unfair, judgments. But before you get all depressed, there's good news. You have complete ownership over one crucial component of the first impression: your baby's name.
So, rethink (insert baby name). It's bad. Your friends and family won't say it, but they're thinking it.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Just Bizarre: For bad baby names fit only for celebrity parents.
Dear Expectant Parent,
You're pregnant! That's great. We love that. What we don't love is the bad name you're considering for your new baby.
We understand (insert baby name) must seem enchantingly unique and you probably spent days coming up with it. That's touching. However, we recommend against treating the task of naming your baby as a creative outlet for yourself. Instead, consider expressing yourself with one of these interesting hobbies, as you name little (insert baby name) something more appropriate:
* Scrapbooking the infant months (they go by like the flicker of a candle)
* Bronzing (you can't let the first pair of booties just sit there)
* Compulsive sweepstakes entry (college is just 18 years out)
* Raising emus (well, you just never know)
We hope you've found something of interest to you here. Now choose a name allowing for something other than "rock star" or "gypsy fortune teller" as future career opportunities for your baby.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Future Head Case: For bad baby names that are just too easy to mock.
Dear Expectant Parent,
We've learned that you're treating with reckless abandon the future well-being of your baby. You’re naming your new bundle of joy (insert baby name).
Picture this story on the seven o’clock news.
Luxembourg. Police have finally captured the person responsible for the identity thefts of at least 20 people worldwide. Identified only as (insert baby name), the criminal was quoted as saying, "I just want to be known by another name!"
You see, a name like (insert baby name) can set your baby up for a lifetime of relentless taunting that could one day unhinge the poor child igniting a crimewave anywhere in the world.
It's just not worth the risk. Rethink the name.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Seriously. I think that we've all heard a name that someone was thinking and we just had to stiffle a giggle. Some of you might have felt that way about my kids names, lol... I've heard from a lot of people that they thought Colton was silly and it's grown on them.
I remember when I was pregnant and we were thinking about names for Lillian. I decided to play a practical joke on my Dad and we had the following conversation one afternoon:
Brilliant Daughter: "So Dad, I think that we've decided on a name!!! We're going to call her Neveah!! Isn't it just beautiful! It's heaven spelled backwards!!!!"
Father who thinks his daughter is a nutcase at this point: "Oh Jesus Christ. You are giving me a headache. I'm hanging up."
Brilliant [laughing] Daughter: "Dad.... I'm sooooo kidding around with you."
I'm a weirdo though, any time that someone would suggest a name to me, I'd be totally bummed if it was a great name because it was out. I didn't want anyone else naming our kids besides Kevan and myself. I remember when my mom suggested that we name her Adeline. I immediately thought of a druggie wanting to add a line.... so that wouldn't work.
I really think that some people shouldn't be allowed to name their kids though. Have you seen some of the kids names out there?? Oi Vey. Someone should have sent them one of those form emails for sure.
You can choose from a variety of emails to send to your friends who are contemplating bad baby names for their unborn child. For the parents suffering from "Creative Spelling", who insist on giving their child a good name but spelling it oddly, you can send this email:
Creative Spelling: For good names with bad spellings
Dear Expectant Parent,
We're told you want to name your baby (insert baby name). It's a good choice of name, not of spelling.
Why? Every time your baby writes "(insert baby name)", the little tyke has to work harder than average. For this example, let's put some numbers around it. Let's say the effort takes two seconds longer. That's two more seconds spent spelling the name than necessary. That's 102,200 seconds for the average person. That's 1.2 DAYS of your baby's life you've wasted by spelling the name "(insert baby name)".
What would you do if you had 1.2 extra days?
So, we're asking you to consider spelling your baby's name traditionally. Give back those 1.2 extra days. It's the gift of life all over again.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Heirloom: For family names that should be left on the tree
Dear Expectant Parent,
We've been informed you've selected the name (insert baby name) for your new baby. While we applaud the desire to pay homage to family, we're here to tell you your baby's name isn't the place to do it. Instead, consider these ideas for honoring your nearest and dearest:
1. Adopt-A-Highway. An excellent program that comes with a sign on which you can announce your goodwill is in honor of your beloved relative.
2. Name a star. You'll be able to point a twinkling (insert baby name) out to your child in the night sky.
3. Dedicate a wing. If you're a person with means, hospitals are more than delighted to give you naming rights to a wing in exchange for a generous donation.
So, we're asking you to reconsider the name (insert baby name) for your baby. Give the little tyke a name future generations may actually be able to pass on.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.co
General: General style suitable for most bad baby names
Dear Expectant Parent,
We're told you've chosen the name (insert baby name) for your new baby. Here are only a few reasons why this is a mistake of epic proportion.
* Teachers will struggle to pronounce it correctly.
* Friends will say it wrong just for comedic effect.
* The child probably won't have any friends (let's face it).
The truth is your little tyke faces a tough world. Bias abounds. People draw conclusions about each other in the first two seconds. As a parent, you're mostly powerless to impact these snap, often unfair, judgments. But before you get all depressed, there's good news. You have complete ownership over one crucial component of the first impression: your baby's name.
So, rethink (insert baby name). It's bad. Your friends and family won't say it, but they're thinking it.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Just Bizarre: For bad baby names fit only for celebrity parents.
Dear Expectant Parent,
You're pregnant! That's great. We love that. What we don't love is the bad name you're considering for your new baby.
We understand (insert baby name) must seem enchantingly unique and you probably spent days coming up with it. That's touching. However, we recommend against treating the task of naming your baby as a creative outlet for yourself. Instead, consider expressing yourself with one of these interesting hobbies, as you name little (insert baby name) something more appropriate:
* Scrapbooking the infant months (they go by like the flicker of a candle)
* Bronzing (you can't let the first pair of booties just sit there)
* Compulsive sweepstakes entry (college is just 18 years out)
* Raising emus (well, you just never know)
We hope you've found something of interest to you here. Now choose a name allowing for something other than "rock star" or "gypsy fortune teller" as future career opportunities for your baby.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Future Head Case: For bad baby names that are just too easy to mock.
Dear Expectant Parent,
We've learned that you're treating with reckless abandon the future well-being of your baby. You’re naming your new bundle of joy (insert baby name).
Picture this story on the seven o’clock news.
Luxembourg. Police have finally captured the person responsible for the identity thefts of at least 20 people worldwide. Identified only as (insert baby name), the criminal was quoted as saying, "I just want to be known by another name!"
You see, a name like (insert baby name) can set your baby up for a lifetime of relentless taunting that could one day unhinge the poor child igniting a crimewave anywhere in the world.
It's just not worth the risk. Rethink the name.
Sincerely,
The caring staff of
Baby Name Intervention
www.babynameintervention.com
Seriously. I think that we've all heard a name that someone was thinking and we just had to stiffle a giggle. Some of you might have felt that way about my kids names, lol... I've heard from a lot of people that they thought Colton was silly and it's grown on them.
I remember when I was pregnant and we were thinking about names for Lillian. I decided to play a practical joke on my Dad and we had the following conversation one afternoon:
Brilliant Daughter: "So Dad, I think that we've decided on a name!!! We're going to call her Neveah!! Isn't it just beautiful! It's heaven spelled backwards!!!!"
Father who thinks his daughter is a nutcase at this point: "Oh Jesus Christ. You are giving me a headache. I'm hanging up."
Brilliant [laughing] Daughter: "Dad.... I'm sooooo kidding around with you."
I'm a weirdo though, any time that someone would suggest a name to me, I'd be totally bummed if it was a great name because it was out. I didn't want anyone else naming our kids besides Kevan and myself. I remember when my mom suggested that we name her Adeline. I immediately thought of a druggie wanting to add a line.... so that wouldn't work.
I really think that some people shouldn't be allowed to name their kids though. Have you seen some of the kids names out there?? Oi Vey. Someone should have sent them one of those form emails for sure.
Friday, June 27, 2008
My obsessions for the moment...
Okay... one more quick post for the day and then I swear that I'm done...
My new obsessions for the moment...
my sling...
my nursing cover.... (don't you want to buy one from me!!!)
COUPONMOM.COM the most amazing site ever!! If you collect coupons, you MUST check this sight out... it's the free version of the grocery game and soooo much better because they have Target on there!! I'm in love...
my scale (because I can't start the morning off without popping on it to see if it's gone down any more.... bring ON the nursing weight loss...)
but seriously.. if you haven't checked out couponmom.com you really need to head over there and check it out. It's amazing.
My new obsessions for the moment...
my sling...
my nursing cover.... (don't you want to buy one from me!!!)
COUPONMOM.COM the most amazing site ever!! If you collect coupons, you MUST check this sight out... it's the free version of the grocery game and soooo much better because they have Target on there!! I'm in love...
my scale (because I can't start the morning off without popping on it to see if it's gone down any more.... bring ON the nursing weight loss...)
but seriously.. if you haven't checked out couponmom.com you really need to head over there and check it out. It's amazing.
Words words words...
So life with two is going so much better than I had hoped. Colton really is in love with Lillian and sometimes loves her a bit too much... It turns into a fight when he can't pick her up, or when he's loving on her a bit too hard. But he's always running up to her and giving her kisses and just being a total sweetheart.
With me though, everything is a fight. He's hit his terrible two's super hard and that's been the hardest part so far. Not much is working as far as dicipline and I'm close to tears on many occasions because I just feel like nothing is working.
It's so frustrating to be running after Colton all day trying to get him to stop playing with outlets, or not to jump on the glass coffee table, or not to crawl behind the couch and stand on the heat baseboards etc... And forget about changing his clothes or diaper. Man oh Man is that the fight of the year. I end up getting kicked and pinched and just completely beat up. We try everything and I'm so ready for Kevan to get home at the end of the day so that he can take over on Colton duty.
But he is starting to go poop in the potty... so that is a plus.
I feel bad complaining because he really is suuuch a sweetheart and I fall more and more in love with him on a daily basis. I know that it's just the age and all of the changes happening right now and that he'll go back to being my great little dude again sometime... [go ahead and start laughing and insert your "Dream on Suckah" comment here...]
I've found that the best advice that I've gotten for how to handle two under two is to just get out as much as possible and it's soooo true. As long as we're out and about, he's a perfect angel. Or as long as we have friends over for him to play with. Our backyard is absolutely amazing and it's so nice to just sit under the covered porch and have the kids run all over just being kids. I just got what could possibly be the coolest kiddie pool EVER (Deb gets the title of the coolest backyard waterpark, but I can take the kiddie pool title...) and once I get that set up, I'll have pictures for sure. And Colton [& friends] love using sidewalk chalk to paint our fence and trees. They're so cute.
I have lost all of my pregnancy weight now!!! Whoohoo!! I am actually one pound UNDER where I was when I got pregnant!!! It took me just under a month this time which is such an amazing reward for me being so careful this time around with gaining weight. So kudos for me!!!! I have another 18.6 pounds to go until I hit my goal weight. I want to lose this weight for me, for Kevan and for my kids. I started thinking about it one day about how bummed I was that Kevan only got a little bit of me being a skinny minny. I can't wait. I'm down to a size 10 right now and cannot even explain how much I'm going to be jumping up and down when I am a single digit size again... oooooh boy...
We have had Christy's (the amazing photographer behind our pictures) two dogs here with us for the past week while she is off gallivanting around St. Pete Beach with her family. I told her that she had no choice but to eat at Crabby Bills for me. It's brought back a lot of memories for me since Grandma and Grandpa (my moms parents) used to live there and I have so many great memories of seeing them and seeing Greemmommy (my dad's stepmom) while being down there. It's been a week of just thinking about my childhood and about a lot of fun memories. A lot of times we focus on just the bad parts of our childhood and tend to forget about the amazing parts. It's been nice to just remember both Grandma and Grandpa (they've both moved on) and just the fun times that we had down there.
This was also a hard week because we just lost my Nana (my Dad's mom) last night. I am so happy that I'd gotten to spend more time with her in the last couple of years, but it's never enough time. We had a rocky relationship when I was younger (and a total brat) and I was always just looking for a fight. I'm happy that I got the chance to get to know her more and on a better level in the last couple of years [when I got over my rectal cranial inversion syndrome...). I think that one of my favorite memories of Nana were the stories that she used to tell. I remember one night when we were in North Carolina for Christmas around the time that I was 18/19 and we sat around the dinner table with Nana telling us stories about her childhood and Dad and Aunt Nancy when they were little. She just had so much stored away. I remember her talking about pies that night. She will be greatly missed.
Today is also my moms birthday... so Happy Birthday Mom!!! (I've been calling all day and still haven't gotten a hold of her... )
I've been finding a lot of relief lately in sewing. It is nice to have something that I can do where I actually can control it. With everything going on in my life, it's nice to have utter control over something. But I've started sewing nursing covers and I'm selling them now!! I actually sold my first one the other day and I'm beyond excited!! Here is an awful picture of one that I made.
It's lined with Poly Satin and just feels wonderful. It is beyond nice to have something that attaches behind your neck for when you're nursing around other people and you don't have to deal with a hot blanket that is always threatening to fall down exposing you and just not comfy for the baby... And I love that it's got boning in it so that you can look down at the baby.
Here is a pic from the side.
Lillian is doing fabulous!! She seriously is such a great baby. I really lucked out this time. Not only is she beautiful, but she is sooo wonderful and easy!!! She is a content baby who is just happy with whatever. She's sleeping between 4 and 5 hours a stretch at night which I'm obviously loving beyond belief. Colton was sleeping in 2 hour stretches until he was 4 months and eating for an hour giving me an hour break in between feedings.
She really has us all so in love with her!!!
Alright, I hear Colton is up from his nap, so this long winded post will finally end... He has learned how to flip himself out of his crib so I need to hurry up and get him before he tries that one again...
smooches!!! Hope everyone is well!
With me though, everything is a fight. He's hit his terrible two's super hard and that's been the hardest part so far. Not much is working as far as dicipline and I'm close to tears on many occasions because I just feel like nothing is working.
It's so frustrating to be running after Colton all day trying to get him to stop playing with outlets, or not to jump on the glass coffee table, or not to crawl behind the couch and stand on the heat baseboards etc... And forget about changing his clothes or diaper. Man oh Man is that the fight of the year. I end up getting kicked and pinched and just completely beat up. We try everything and I'm so ready for Kevan to get home at the end of the day so that he can take over on Colton duty.
But he is starting to go poop in the potty... so that is a plus.
I feel bad complaining because he really is suuuch a sweetheart and I fall more and more in love with him on a daily basis. I know that it's just the age and all of the changes happening right now and that he'll go back to being my great little dude again sometime... [go ahead and start laughing and insert your "Dream on Suckah" comment here...]
I've found that the best advice that I've gotten for how to handle two under two is to just get out as much as possible and it's soooo true. As long as we're out and about, he's a perfect angel. Or as long as we have friends over for him to play with. Our backyard is absolutely amazing and it's so nice to just sit under the covered porch and have the kids run all over just being kids. I just got what could possibly be the coolest kiddie pool EVER (Deb gets the title of the coolest backyard waterpark, but I can take the kiddie pool title...) and once I get that set up, I'll have pictures for sure. And Colton [& friends] love using sidewalk chalk to paint our fence and trees. They're so cute.
I have lost all of my pregnancy weight now!!! Whoohoo!! I am actually one pound UNDER where I was when I got pregnant!!! It took me just under a month this time which is such an amazing reward for me being so careful this time around with gaining weight. So kudos for me!!!! I have another 18.6 pounds to go until I hit my goal weight. I want to lose this weight for me, for Kevan and for my kids. I started thinking about it one day about how bummed I was that Kevan only got a little bit of me being a skinny minny. I can't wait. I'm down to a size 10 right now and cannot even explain how much I'm going to be jumping up and down when I am a single digit size again... oooooh boy...
We have had Christy's (the amazing photographer behind our pictures) two dogs here with us for the past week while she is off gallivanting around St. Pete Beach with her family. I told her that she had no choice but to eat at Crabby Bills for me. It's brought back a lot of memories for me since Grandma and Grandpa (my moms parents) used to live there and I have so many great memories of seeing them and seeing Greemmommy (my dad's stepmom) while being down there. It's been a week of just thinking about my childhood and about a lot of fun memories. A lot of times we focus on just the bad parts of our childhood and tend to forget about the amazing parts. It's been nice to just remember both Grandma and Grandpa (they've both moved on) and just the fun times that we had down there.
This was also a hard week because we just lost my Nana (my Dad's mom) last night. I am so happy that I'd gotten to spend more time with her in the last couple of years, but it's never enough time. We had a rocky relationship when I was younger (and a total brat) and I was always just looking for a fight. I'm happy that I got the chance to get to know her more and on a better level in the last couple of years [when I got over my rectal cranial inversion syndrome...). I think that one of my favorite memories of Nana were the stories that she used to tell. I remember one night when we were in North Carolina for Christmas around the time that I was 18/19 and we sat around the dinner table with Nana telling us stories about her childhood and Dad and Aunt Nancy when they were little. She just had so much stored away. I remember her talking about pies that night. She will be greatly missed.
Today is also my moms birthday... so Happy Birthday Mom!!! (I've been calling all day and still haven't gotten a hold of her... )
I've been finding a lot of relief lately in sewing. It is nice to have something that I can do where I actually can control it. With everything going on in my life, it's nice to have utter control over something. But I've started sewing nursing covers and I'm selling them now!! I actually sold my first one the other day and I'm beyond excited!! Here is an awful picture of one that I made.
It's lined with Poly Satin and just feels wonderful. It is beyond nice to have something that attaches behind your neck for when you're nursing around other people and you don't have to deal with a hot blanket that is always threatening to fall down exposing you and just not comfy for the baby... And I love that it's got boning in it so that you can look down at the baby.
Here is a pic from the side.
Lillian is doing fabulous!! She seriously is such a great baby. I really lucked out this time. Not only is she beautiful, but she is sooo wonderful and easy!!! She is a content baby who is just happy with whatever. She's sleeping between 4 and 5 hours a stretch at night which I'm obviously loving beyond belief. Colton was sleeping in 2 hour stretches until he was 4 months and eating for an hour giving me an hour break in between feedings.
She really has us all so in love with her!!!
Alright, I hear Colton is up from his nap, so this long winded post will finally end... He has learned how to flip himself out of his crib so I need to hurry up and get him before he tries that one again...
smooches!!! Hope everyone is well!
Dirt and Dog bones...
Alright, tons to write about, but I've been slacking, so here are some pictures of the past couple of weeks first... be prepared to be overloaded.
Lillian's one month shots
On fathers day, we surprised Kevan by taking him to the track. We had to lend out one of our kids to Adam so that he could get in free as a father. Colton obviously was beside himself seeing all of the horses and I have a feeling that Kevan is going to be going to the track again soon "for Colton"... But I have to admit, it was freaking adorable to see Colton hanging on the fence for dear life and screaming, "GO HOORRSIE" at the top of his lungs while frantically jumping up and down...
Next time I'll be sure to take a video. I can't believe that I didn't the first time.
I obviously was hearing about how Kevan was going to, "Triple it in an hour" the whole time... I bet you can guess how that turned out. I picked the winning horse one time, but my darling husband "forgot" to place the bet for me while I was in the bathroom changing Lillian.
Oh, and you can imagine the giggles when Adam showed up in a green shirt that day also...
How cute are my boys!!!
Here we are at the Cherry Creek Mall play area. It's filled with over-sized breakfast food and it's always insanity. If you are looking for a place to have stroller envy, this is the mall to go to... You'll see more strollers that cost more than my mortgage payment than you can handle.
"I own this yolk..."
Nothing like a big ole piece of sausage...
We were trying to get a picture with me and both kids... that didn't work, but I got this cute shot
Aunt Gwen and Aunt Jackie threw us a Meet'n'Greet bbq for Lillian on Saturday the 21st and we had an absolute ball. Colton was beside himself having so many of his friends over to run around and terrorize our backyard.
What, is it not normal to eat dirt and dog bones??
Here I am with both kids at a play date the other morning
phew... I think that's all of the pictures... I'll save the words for the next post... This one is long enough!!!
(the amazing professional pictures of Lillian up top are taken by the fabulous Christina Gray of Simply Photography out of Littleton. If you live in CO, you MUST get your pictures taken by her. She also makes the most amazing birth announcements and cards!!!!! )
crud, that reminds me that I have to get Lillian's birth announcements out in the mail... coming to a mailbox near you soon...
Lillian's one month shots
On fathers day, we surprised Kevan by taking him to the track. We had to lend out one of our kids to Adam so that he could get in free as a father. Colton obviously was beside himself seeing all of the horses and I have a feeling that Kevan is going to be going to the track again soon "for Colton"... But I have to admit, it was freaking adorable to see Colton hanging on the fence for dear life and screaming, "GO HOORRSIE" at the top of his lungs while frantically jumping up and down...
Next time I'll be sure to take a video. I can't believe that I didn't the first time.
I obviously was hearing about how Kevan was going to, "Triple it in an hour" the whole time... I bet you can guess how that turned out. I picked the winning horse one time, but my darling husband "forgot" to place the bet for me while I was in the bathroom changing Lillian.
Oh, and you can imagine the giggles when Adam showed up in a green shirt that day also...
How cute are my boys!!!
Here we are at the Cherry Creek Mall play area. It's filled with over-sized breakfast food and it's always insanity. If you are looking for a place to have stroller envy, this is the mall to go to... You'll see more strollers that cost more than my mortgage payment than you can handle.
"I own this yolk..."
Nothing like a big ole piece of sausage...
We were trying to get a picture with me and both kids... that didn't work, but I got this cute shot
Aunt Gwen and Aunt Jackie threw us a Meet'n'Greet bbq for Lillian on Saturday the 21st and we had an absolute ball. Colton was beside himself having so many of his friends over to run around and terrorize our backyard.
What, is it not normal to eat dirt and dog bones??
Here I am with both kids at a play date the other morning
phew... I think that's all of the pictures... I'll save the words for the next post... This one is long enough!!!
(the amazing professional pictures of Lillian up top are taken by the fabulous Christina Gray of Simply Photography out of Littleton. If you live in CO, you MUST get your pictures taken by her. She also makes the most amazing birth announcements and cards!!!!! )
crud, that reminds me that I have to get Lillian's birth announcements out in the mail... coming to a mailbox near you soon...
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I survived!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually left the house today with BOTH kids in tow and didn't have any meltdowns (either from myself or the kids...) or tears (again, from adult or kids...) and managed to get two errands done!!!
I'm loving the sling...
I'm loving the sling...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Isn't she looooovely.....
She really is wonderful. She's absolutely amazing. I've survived two days alone with both kids and they're both still alive... Colton has been testing me at every change possible and if this is a test, I sure hope that we pass.. and soon....
But all in all, it's going slightly better than expected (if that is possible...)
She has slept for 5 hours for the last 2 nights, so I'm really hoping that this continues...
And here is our first family shot:
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Importance of Being a Big Brother
Big brothers are super important... because if you don't have a big brother, you might not find out exactly what sounds animals make right off of the bat. And that is some seriously important information. I mean, how's a girl supposed to survive without knowing what a sheep says??
Here is our first morning at home...
Neeeeeiiiiiiiggh.....
QUACK QUACK...
Here is our first morning at home...
Neeeeeiiiiiiiggh.....
QUACK QUACK...
Our Hospital Stay
The hospital stay was really rough on Kevan... He was a very good patient... After playing Trampoline Dodgeball, he really needed a rest. So he took up my bed and cuddled with his daughter and went to sleep. I was sitting on the hard plastic chair next to the bed when one of the dr's walked in... They got quite a chuckle out of our roll reversal...
This little girl was NOT a fan of her carseat the first time that she went into it... less than amused... And notice the adorable hat on her?? I just might have knit that myself!!!
We had a busy day when we left the hospital (1-2 days early, I might add!!!) because we went right to Walmart for diapers and then up to Evergreen to pick up the Colton Monster... By the time that we finally got home, everyone was pooped!!!
"Oh Brother..."
"Umm... what is that thing....."
"You expect me to believe THAT is the alien from Mommy's Belly??"
"Seriously?? That's Baby Lillian?? I hope you realize this doesn't make much sense, Daddy."
"You've GOT to be kidding me... She's coming HOME with us??? I have to like, SHARE things with her?? Oh brother..."
"Oh brother... this is going to be rough..."
"She's stinky though... You're going to make her not be stinky, right???"
"Wait... what is this whole 'You must protect her' bit... I don't think that I'm going to like that part."
"Okay, but can I just tell you the reasons why this just isn't going to work for me??"
"Oh yeah, I get that you're saying that she's cute and all... but I sure hope that she realizes that I'm the real deal around here.. I mean, the shirt says it all... I'm kind of a big deal... watch where you're steppin little sister..."
"So you're serious?? She's really coming home with us? I have to just get used to it?? I'm going to need some time to digest this..."
"Well, I guess she's cute enough to keep..."
Here I am introducing the kids.
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About Me
- Lost in Tarnation
- I am a working mom of two trying to stay sane in the midst of our first house renovation. I am obsessed with bargains and making something fabulous out of a boring find.