2011 has been quite a year for our household! Here are some of the good and bad that have happened this year:
- P joined the party! One of the most nerve racking and best days of our lives.
- I stopped itching! The last 6 weeks of my pregnancy were rough due to PUPPPS. I feel for all women who have to go through this!
- I signed up to do the Cleveland Breast Cancer 3 Day with Amy. Our fundraising efforts have been tough so far but we have 8 more months to go!
- J and I are as strong as ever. Having a baby is one of those challenging events and I am proud to say that I think that we have come out stronger.
- We had our 10th wedding anniversary. We have yet to celebrate officially (due to my diet) but we will be soon!
- J is one great dad! I never doubted his ability and he has proven to me day after day that I have the best partner in raising our daughter ever!
- P has had lots of firsts - Easter, back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the little things (rolling, waving, solids, etc).
- We have managed breastfeeding for all 9+ months - even through being soy and milk free.
- Based on the last one - I have soy back!!!! I am pumped to get back dairy but we have some more time for that!
This is not a complete list but some of the highlights from our year. My hopes for 2012 is to enjoy our family, watch P grow, and have fun! I hope that for everyone, especially those around me! Take care!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Fill in the blank Friday - New Year style
1. New Years is: a time to reflect, celebrate, and renew! We have already spent some time reorganzing and planning for more ways to keep it together in our house (which is one of my favorite things to do)!
2. One of my New Year's resolutions will be: complete the 3 day! I mean all 60 miles this time!
3. A New Year's resolution I've made in the past was to: lose weight (who hasn't made this one). I am over this at this point, I will excersize more and try to eat right 80% of the time.
4. The most time consuming resolution I ever made was: not sure. In my adult life I have resolved to do something positive so I hope many have become habit!
5. This year I will be spending New Year's Eve: home with J. P will stay on her regular routine but we decided to stay in and hang with each other. We normally get together with college friends but we just want to relax for a whole weekend!
6. If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be: to enjoy my family as much as possible. We have worked hard to get here and I want to enjoy it!
7. 2012 is going to be: so fun to watch P grow and learn! We have seen so much this year from her but it is just the beginning!
Hope you have a great New Years!
2. One of my New Year's resolutions will be: complete the 3 day! I mean all 60 miles this time!
3. A New Year's resolution I've made in the past was to: lose weight (who hasn't made this one). I am over this at this point, I will excersize more and try to eat right 80% of the time.
4. The most time consuming resolution I ever made was: not sure. In my adult life I have resolved to do something positive so I hope many have become habit!
5. This year I will be spending New Year's Eve: home with J. P will stay on her regular routine but we decided to stay in and hang with each other. We normally get together with college friends but we just want to relax for a whole weekend!
6. If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be: to enjoy my family as much as possible. We have worked hard to get here and I want to enjoy it!
7. 2012 is going to be: so fun to watch P grow and learn! We have seen so much this year from her but it is just the beginning!
Hope you have a great New Years!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
A great weekend
Christmas was good to us once again. Although Payton's first wasn't white, I am okay with that. We headed up to J's parents on Christmas eve. It was just the five of us for dinner and presents. MIL and FIL went to church and we put P down. I was in bed at 10:30 myself, worried that P would keep everyone up. She didn't! J and I got up before her!
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Then packed the car for the 45 minute drive home. She slept and we talked - about her of course. After unloading, we were off for Christmas with my family. We plowed through a lot of presents in about 2 hours. We let the 4 and 5 year-olds set the pace. After a whirlwind of paper and the dads loading the cars. We were able to sit down to dinner.
Back home We unloaded and got P to bed. Then we organized the piles so we could manage it a little better. We went through what needed to go back so I could start that process on Monday. Then we fell into bed!
Monday I was in my glory. First a few kidless hours (thanks J) to get some returns done and get wrapping paper for next year. Then the organizing began. P's and our closets are in much better shape, the toys are semi contained, and several kitchen cabinets are cleaned up. I have so e bins to buy to finish up the toys. We need to repair a cabinet shelf to wrap up the kitchen. But we have control of our house back!
It was a great weekend and will be a good week. I have some returns still to do and cleaning to take care of but I am home and J has a short work week. We are planning a quiet night at home for new year's but I will be around here with the good and the bad of what we have from this past year and what we have planned for this coming year!
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Then packed the car for the 45 minute drive home. She slept and we talked - about her of course. After unloading, we were off for Christmas with my family. We plowed through a lot of presents in about 2 hours. We let the 4 and 5 year-olds set the pace. After a whirlwind of paper and the dads loading the cars. We were able to sit down to dinner.
Back home We unloaded and got P to bed. Then we organized the piles so we could manage it a little better. We went through what needed to go back so I could start that process on Monday. Then we fell into bed!
Monday I was in my glory. First a few kidless hours (thanks J) to get some returns done and get wrapping paper for next year. Then the organizing began. P's and our closets are in much better shape, the toys are semi contained, and several kitchen cabinets are cleaned up. I have so e bins to buy to finish up the toys. We need to repair a cabinet shelf to wrap up the kitchen. But we have control of our house back!
It was a great weekend and will be a good week. I have some returns still to do and cleaning to take care of but I am home and J has a short work week. We are planning a quiet night at home for new year's but I will be around here with the good and the bad of what we have from this past year and what we have planned for this coming year!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Fill In the Blank Friday
Check out Fill in the Blank Friday originated over at the little things we do.
1. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is: say Merry Christmas! With a big grin!
2. The thing I love most about Christmas is: Christmas music. Especially the old cheesy songs!
3. The holiday season is a time for: family. As crazy and stressful as they can be, our families fill the memories of every holiday!
4. My favorite thing to eat at the holidays is: Starbucks holiday drinks. I know that is super trendy but I love them! I splurge more during this season than any other time of the year.
5. I will be spending Christmas: split between the in laws and my family. Most importantly I will be with J and P!
6. Tis better to (give or receive?): Give!! I love to shop for the perfect gift and this process starts early. Then wrapping - I love it! Finally seeing the person's face as they open it. I usually stink at waiting to give!
7. I'm dreaming of a: white but drivable Christmas. With traveling 45 minutes between families, I want it to be safe but I like the tradition go snow. The weather is not on my side this year though!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
1. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is: say Merry Christmas! With a big grin!
2. The thing I love most about Christmas is: Christmas music. Especially the old cheesy songs!
3. The holiday season is a time for: family. As crazy and stressful as they can be, our families fill the memories of every holiday!
4. My favorite thing to eat at the holidays is: Starbucks holiday drinks. I know that is super trendy but I love them! I splurge more during this season than any other time of the year.
5. I will be spending Christmas: split between the in laws and my family. Most importantly I will be with J and P!
6. Tis better to (give or receive?): Give!! I love to shop for the perfect gift and this process starts early. Then wrapping - I love it! Finally seeing the person's face as they open it. I usually stink at waiting to give!
7. I'm dreaming of a: white but drivable Christmas. With traveling 45 minutes between families, I want it to be safe but I like the tradition go snow. The weather is not on my side this year though!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Review: Keychain from Pressed Upon Designs
This year's Christmas for J was all about how much I appreciate him as a great dad. He loves P so much and he does a fantastic job taking care of both of us. One thing I really wanted was to get him a key chain. Enter Pressed Upon Designs! Jodi designed a few choices for me. Within days we had hammered (sorry for the pun) out the details and off to work she went.
In the mail, soon after, was J's key chain in a cute organza bag. He LOVED it and put it on his car key immediately. I loved it too.
Jodi was fabulous to work with. Check out her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/PressedUponDesigns. Happy shopping!
**I was not paid or compensated in any way for this review. The thoughts and opinions are all my own.
Review: hand embroidered onses from Eleanore's Treasures
Tell me that picture doesn't say it all! I wanted to have a cute, Christmas Oneses that P could wear after the holidays so I enlisted the help of Talia at Eleanore's Treasures on Etsy.com. I gave her the size, that I wanted the word joy, and I wanted it to be holiday print and she worked her magic!
It is beautiful and has been through the wash several times and it looks like new. We will be wearing this on Christmas morning too!
You can check out her current stock at http://www.etsy.com/shop/eleanorestreasures. If you have a special request, just message her - she is a dream to work with!
PS - she has gone a step further and offered to donate to my fund raising efforts for the 3 Day if you mention it at check out. :)
**I was not paid or compensated in any way for this review. The thoughts and opinions are all my own.
9 months!
Wow time flies! We are in that last "chunk" of year 1 and I can't believe it! Here are her stats:
Age: 9 months
Stats: we will know officially tomorrow but two weeks ago she was 19lb 15 oz. I a, sure we have tipped 20lbs but I am hoping to squeeze a little longer out of the infant seat. It goes up to 22lbs. I am very curious to find out her height. I feel like she is stretching out big time!
Size (clothes, diapers, etc): we are still in size 3 diapers. I think and hope we will be here for a while as we have our next couple shipments from Amazon mom coming in the next couple weeks. Clothes we are solidly in 9 months but things are getting tight on length. We asked Santa to bring us 12 month clothes so we will be ready.
Sleeping: STTN on a regular basis (as I type this at 2:00am). Naps are a little light but still 2-3 a day.
Milestones: sitting is a piece of cake. She can sign more and clap. We are working on waving. Food wise, I am back on soy! Next up milk. I will be talking to the pedi tomorrow about how that will go. Lots of sounds like ma, da, ba, go. She likes to hug and say ahh at the same time and it is soooo cute!
Favorites: Anything she can clap together, especially the rings from the stacking toy. Sophie is still high on the list. She loves to chew on her toothbrush (odd but it works) and teething rings. We got her My Pal Violet and the Zaney Zoo activity cube for Christmas and they have both been a hit!
Looking forward to: More solid food, dairy for mom, more talking, maybe crawling. Most of all Christmas! It will be a whirlwind weekend but I think she will love the paper and toys. I will love the new clothes and time with family. We are doing some professional pics later this week too but in the meantime...
Age: 9 months
Stats: we will know officially tomorrow but two weeks ago she was 19lb 15 oz. I a, sure we have tipped 20lbs but I am hoping to squeeze a little longer out of the infant seat. It goes up to 22lbs. I am very curious to find out her height. I feel like she is stretching out big time!
Size (clothes, diapers, etc): we are still in size 3 diapers. I think and hope we will be here for a while as we have our next couple shipments from Amazon mom coming in the next couple weeks. Clothes we are solidly in 9 months but things are getting tight on length. We asked Santa to bring us 12 month clothes so we will be ready.
Sleeping: STTN on a regular basis (as I type this at 2:00am). Naps are a little light but still 2-3 a day.
Milestones: sitting is a piece of cake. She can sign more and clap. We are working on waving. Food wise, I am back on soy! Next up milk. I will be talking to the pedi tomorrow about how that will go. Lots of sounds like ma, da, ba, go. She likes to hug and say ahh at the same time and it is soooo cute!
Favorites: Anything she can clap together, especially the rings from the stacking toy. Sophie is still high on the list. She loves to chew on her toothbrush (odd but it works) and teething rings. We got her My Pal Violet and the Zaney Zoo activity cube for Christmas and they have both been a hit!
Looking forward to: More solid food, dairy for mom, more talking, maybe crawling. Most of all Christmas! It will be a whirlwind weekend but I think she will love the paper and toys. I will love the new clothes and time with family. We are doing some professional pics later this week too but in the meantime...
Sunday, December 11, 2011
What a weekend!
I definitely have a love hate relationship with this time of year. Here are the good and bad if it for me:
The good:
- I love shopping and more importantly I love buying things for people that they want. I am usually good and remembering the little things that J wants but doesn't buy through the year and save some for Christmas.
- I love get togethers. I like to graze and chat and lounge! I love to host too.
- I love the cheesy decor that the holidays bring. Christmas lights are my favorite!
- Christmas day is my mom's shinning moment and I love that she revels in it so much.
- I love the traditions that J and I have started so far and am cherishing the new ones we have and will continue with P.
The not so good:
- Family drama. It is over nothing big but it always is there.
- Going nonstop! I feel like once Thanksgiving hits I don't sit until I go back to work in January.
- Feeling like the amount of money spent is more important than the gift. This is a hang up that I have since I am low man on the totem poke in terms of money in my family. I know that I need to let it go but...
- My type A personality getting the best of e and decorating. If you can't go all out on lights and do it right, then don't do it! I know that this does match the fact that I love lights but I like them done well and consistently on a house. Did I mention I am type A?
- (This year only) Being on a restricted diet. Do you understand how hard a cookie exchange is when you are milk free!
This weekend was one of those weekends where I loved most of what was going on but some of my bad list kept coming up. I need to look out our window at the good lights and smile with P and J.
The good:
- I love shopping and more importantly I love buying things for people that they want. I am usually good and remembering the little things that J wants but doesn't buy through the year and save some for Christmas.
- I love get togethers. I like to graze and chat and lounge! I love to host too.
- I love the cheesy decor that the holidays bring. Christmas lights are my favorite!
- Christmas day is my mom's shinning moment and I love that she revels in it so much.
- I love the traditions that J and I have started so far and am cherishing the new ones we have and will continue with P.
The not so good:
- Family drama. It is over nothing big but it always is there.
- Going nonstop! I feel like once Thanksgiving hits I don't sit until I go back to work in January.
- Feeling like the amount of money spent is more important than the gift. This is a hang up that I have since I am low man on the totem poke in terms of money in my family. I know that I need to let it go but...
- My type A personality getting the best of e and decorating. If you can't go all out on lights and do it right, then don't do it! I know that this does match the fact that I love lights but I like them done well and consistently on a house. Did I mention I am type A?
- (This year only) Being on a restricted diet. Do you understand how hard a cookie exchange is when you are milk free!
This weekend was one of those weekends where I loved most of what was going on but some of my bad list kept coming up. I need to look out our window at the good lights and smile with P and J.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
I entered a giveaway
I am hoping to win a Sodastream maker from The Mommyhood Chronicles. Check her out by clicking on her button below!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Milestone Monday and catch-up
It's been a little while sine I posted and it's Monday so I am combining my posts today!
First, milestone Monday - I ate a steak with a teriyaki marinade yesterday. FX that P continues to do well with reintroducing soy. I have successfully brought back soybean oil and lecithin. Enough that I had Chipolte too. Yum - eating out! Other than Wendy's chili, this is the first food I have eaten out since July!
Here are the other goings on in my life:
Basketball is back in season. I have always worked a lot of games, either running the clock or keeping the book. Last year, I joined our varsity and junior varsity teams as their full time book keeper. I even travel with them. Having P put my season into a little question but J rocks and has helped me keep this going. I did give up doing the freshmen games but I kept the important part to me.
The playroom ideas are running wild in my head! I am pumped to work on organizing it. I think that J will want it to happen sooner than later as soon as all the toys roll in from Christmas. Ikea - here I come!
I have been mentally playing with the idea of opening an Etsy shop. It would be a hodge podge of crafts. Some knitted items, some printed items, some paper crafts, and other goodies. I am really nervous about this. I think that I really need to organize myself and build some stock first, then try.
My friend and I have started our first 3 Day fundraiser by Wrapping for a Cure. We were able to set up a gift wrap station at a local open air mall. We have not had much traffic so we are trying to see if there are other locations or ways we can utilize the materials we have collected. I am bummed that this wasn't as good as we hoped but my mind is churning with some other ideas.
On a fabulous note, due to basketball and the wrapping J and P have been hanging at home without me a few hours each weekend day. She is really taking a liking to her dada. Since she had started becoming a real mama's girl, screaming when I left the room, even with J there, this is a great thing for all of us.
I think that sums almost everything. Oh, I am almost done Christmas shopping too. Thank goodness!
First, milestone Monday - I ate a steak with a teriyaki marinade yesterday. FX that P continues to do well with reintroducing soy. I have successfully brought back soybean oil and lecithin. Enough that I had Chipolte too. Yum - eating out! Other than Wendy's chili, this is the first food I have eaten out since July!
Here are the other goings on in my life:
Basketball is back in season. I have always worked a lot of games, either running the clock or keeping the book. Last year, I joined our varsity and junior varsity teams as their full time book keeper. I even travel with them. Having P put my season into a little question but J rocks and has helped me keep this going. I did give up doing the freshmen games but I kept the important part to me.
The playroom ideas are running wild in my head! I am pumped to work on organizing it. I think that J will want it to happen sooner than later as soon as all the toys roll in from Christmas. Ikea - here I come!
I have been mentally playing with the idea of opening an Etsy shop. It would be a hodge podge of crafts. Some knitted items, some printed items, some paper crafts, and other goodies. I am really nervous about this. I think that I really need to organize myself and build some stock first, then try.
My friend and I have started our first 3 Day fundraiser by Wrapping for a Cure. We were able to set up a gift wrap station at a local open air mall. We have not had much traffic so we are trying to see if there are other locations or ways we can utilize the materials we have collected. I am bummed that this wasn't as good as we hoped but my mind is churning with some other ideas.
On a fabulous note, due to basketball and the wrapping J and P have been hanging at home without me a few hours each weekend day. She is really taking a liking to her dada. Since she had started becoming a real mama's girl, screaming when I left the room, even with J there, this is a great thing for all of us.
I think that sums almost everything. Oh, I am almost done Christmas shopping too. Thank goodness!
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