Life: Simply Complicated

Operation: Christmas Card Slacker

2010-12-01T21:22:00.002-06:00

Yea, thats me! Today is December 1st and I still haven't taken the kids pictures for our cards. I could say that its because I don't have Brayden's sweater, but a look in my kids closets and they have other uber cute things to wear. I just dread designing the card. Point. Blank. Simple. BUT! This year, I'm relying on the designers at Shutterfly! All I have to do is photograph a two year old and a three year old. Easy Peasy...NOT!

Had I even thought about it last year, I would have gone through their Christmas Photo cards and picked instead of driving myself crazy with a design. Woulda Shoulda Coulda.

Another one of those oops moments was the birth of Aslynn. Poor girl got jipped. She didn't get a birth announcementlike Brayden did. BUT!! Shutterfly does those too just incase I ever needed another one!

And another thing that I may just honestly have to hit up Shutterfly for is their thank you cards because, I don't know about you, but I detest picking them out and writing them and blah blah blah.

So! if you are a fellow blogger like me, hop on over to Shutterfly to see how you can get 50 of their Christmas Cards free!

And if you don't mind, I have a card design to pick out!

Could it be???

2010-08-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

I very much think it could be! I completed a crochet project! Actually, I completed 3 while Momma was here. But, alas, they weren't any that I had started prior to her arrival.

I still did it though, d@mnit!

I made her a washcloth, and well following the pattern, it turned out a little larger than your typical washcloth. But it is ooh so soft. As far as the size, lets just say that for a while it was used as a blanket by my tea-cup chihuahua.

I also made her two little, random motifs. She wanted a flower, so I made her a little flower out of Sugar n' Cream cotton and I also made her some other pretty as well.

I'm thinking of trying Tunisian Crochet...because we all know that I have failed now multiple times trying to knit. D@mn needles are too long and get in my way. I may have to make my own needles...CRAFT PROJECT!

Splish, Splash, Two Toddlers in the Bath

2010-07-30T23:22:00.004-05:00

And yes, that is shaving cream. I love those two!

My life is.....

2010-07-30T22:33:00.000-05:00

a sweet little boy with so much love to give

and

a little princess who knows she rules the world at 2

That is my life. Throughout the drama, the anger, the pain, everything, they are what matter. I look at them and instantly my day gets better. I know what they mean when they talk about giving your life in order to let them keep theirs. I would do anything for these two.

I got 99 problems and my weight is one......

2010-07-23T12:31:00.002-05:00

I used to think in high school that I was fat. Compared to my friends who were size 0's and 2's, yeah, my size 14 self was bigger than they were. I'd love to go back in time and smack the past me in the head. I look back at pictures and realize that I wasn't that bad. It was just because I wasn't as small as they were. I still could wear American Eagle and Aeropostle. And oh how did I have a love affair with AE's petite flared jeans. It's like they were made just for me. They were the perfect length for my little 5 foot self.

Fast forward through the freshman god only knows how many, two children and postpartum depression.

I no longer am the size 14 that I hated, which now love. I'll put it out there. I'm a 20. Gah. I got an ass that would rival most. And not in a good way.

I'm starting small....cutting back on what I eat, I gave up 95% my love affair with coke and started drinking more water. I've added in a protein shake here and there. Baby steps.

My initial goal is 25 lbs. When I get brave enough to step on the scale, I'll let you know because it's all about being accountable. I need to do this.

I have found a new love for my drinks. Ocean Spray makes the little water packets in Blueberry Lemonade and Blueberry Pomegranate. Swoon. The second is just to die for. I'm still finding my love for the lemonade, but only because I never have been a lemonade person.

25lbs.

I can do it. Now, who wants to get me a gym membership or Zumba????

Invisible monthly friend??

2010-07-22T21:43:00.002-05:00

So, shortly after I popped out Aslynn, I knew something had to be done because two babies in two years was more than what my uterus wanted. Me and my uterus, we have this connection, that's how we roll. After consulting my family oracle, aka my sister, we decided that an IUD would be my best bet because obviously that fabulous little pill didn't want to be my friend.

So, me and her trek into my OB's office on that fateful day. Monica could honestly tell you how many times my eyes rolled back into my head as Dr. Aguayo either pulled out some cervical clamps or even so much as played with the IUD insertion wand.

So...fast forward. I spotted for a while and then what once plagued me every damn month like clockwork was gone. No, I am by no means crazy enough to complain.

But I'll be damned if mother nature doesn't like to play games. She is a sneaky little b*tch if I do say so myself. No, I may not bleed every month but lord, if I don't get pissy and break out still. Damnit, I want my cake and to be able to eat it to, but again obviously that is mother nature's way of telling me my ass is too big.

Now, yes, my significant other is a lazy bastard but out of nowhere today, after coming home from the grocery store, I get pissy. WTF and where did that come from. I no longer wanted to cook, yet alone look at my kitchen or any room for that matter. I just wanted to leave out the back door and vanish. I was pissed. I was spiteful through every fork that I washed or any other chore that I did.

And in looking at the calendar I notice that yes, had I still bled to death every month, it would be starting roughly in the next few days.

But in all other words....I.Love.My.Mirena!

Fictional Reality

2010-07-22T00:09:00.002-05:00

That's the perfect oxymoron right there.

When I was little, I dreamed of what life would be like when I was older. I'd be happily married with kids and wouldn't have to worry about pretty much anything.

BAH!

What the hell was I thinking??????

Seriously though, if I could go back in time, I would smack the younger me upside the head and drill some sense into me.

Now though before I go any further, I love my children and I wouldn't change having them for anything in the world. I don't regret them.

Life doesn't go according to plan. Aren't we always told that? Well, shit no, obviously it doesn't. Because if it did. I would have a fat Nuclear Engineering Degree from UT-Knoxville hopefully working somewhere making a career.

Instead, the only perfect thing in my life are my two children. I spend my days teaching and learning from them or deep in my crafts. Children and crafts...hmm...that wasn't part of my original plan either.

Damn.

I've made a promise to myself that this roller coaster ride is about to end. My emotions can't take anymore and I can't pretend to be happy. It's actually starting to hurt.

I don't like change. AT.ALL. I need this change or else I don't know what will happen.

Fictional Reality. If only..right?

Holy Jesus, I'm alive

2010-07-21T21:28:00.002-05:00

I know you missed me. My loyal, what, 3 readers or so? And really, I have 2 that I talk with on a near constant basis, and I just spent a month with one of them so really, 1 loyal reader who is out of the loop.

To give you a brief update on my life since my last post

We had the kids joint birthday party. My aunt and uncle who live in Myrtle Beach came. Asshat and stepwitch didn't. Surprise, surprise. That's another post for another day. Trust.Me. The kids were loaded up with toys and clothes galore. They had the best present ever of having their Grammy there to see it all.
90% of the world learned, that already didn't know, that I am unhappy in my situation. Again, another post, another day. I'll keep you wondering for now.
Stating the obvious, I have the most precious children on the planet, and without them, I would be lost.
And this one actually happened prior to my last post, but it was still a little on the down low. I became an aunt to an angel. My lovely sister, after 4 years of trying, conceived, only to have discovered butterbean nesting nicely in her tube. It's a grieving process for her and I try to be there when she wants me. And no matter what others say, she became a mother and I an aunt.
I'm currently blogging with the giggles of two supposed to be in bed children as my background noise. I.Freaking.Love.Those.Kids.
I've laughed. I've cried. I've slept. I've not slept. I've crafted.
I've been a mom to two children in diapers. Potty training is a slow process.

Happy Birthday Aslynn Grace

2010-06-23T09:52:00.003-05:00

Dear, sweet, Aslynn Grace, where do I begin. Ever since I was pregnant with you, you have definitely shown that you are a princess and demand attention. I shed many tears over you while you were growing inside of me. First there was the excessive bleeding, which caused me to think I was losing you. That turned out to be a bigger scare for me, Placenta Previa. At that point in time, I dreamed of nothing but having another wonderful vaginal birth, which it seemed I wouldn't get this time. I was put on modified bed rest to make sure that you stayed put and safe. Monthly visits turned into high-risk bi-weekly visits to monitor the movement of the placenta if any. Your Aunt MiMi tried to convince me that it was alright to have a c-section, bless her.

Here is where you decided that you wanted to be stubborn and not let Dr. Aguayo see everything she needed to see to make sure you were developing properly. That led to a frantic call to MiMi and a trip to the Center for Imaging Excellence to see what the Radiologist could see. That hour, sweet girl, should have been enough to send me into labor right then. I remember how the Radiologist and the tech were oh so quiet and just stared at the screen as they scanned. It would be days before I knew anything, even if you were alright. You just wanted attention. You were just as healthy as you needed to be. It was observed that my previa was worse that they thought but we would just play it as it came.

You grew and grew, and boy did my belly show how you were growing. Countless trips to L&D for countless, serious false alarms were made but because I still had the previa, no contraction could be ignored. At this time, I had convinced myself that as long as you were healthy, I didn't care how you came into this world. I think you heard me and took that to heart.

Your brother's first birthday came and went, and thankfully, I was still pregnant with you. The question though was would you make it until your due date of July 4th. I knew I didn't want a holiday baby, but it was up to you. On the night of your brother's birthday, I broke my toe, and not just any toe, but my pinky toe and it just so happened to be the bone in the foot. Fabulous. By now, we were 98% sure that the previa had cleared, so I was given the go ahead for another vaginal birth with the disclaimer that if I started to bleed or anything showed you in distress then I would be whisked off to the OR.

I knew from word of mouth and such that the 2nd time goes a lot quicker. I took that to heart but I had no idea. The morning of the 23rd I started having serious contractions. They were unlike the ones I had experienced with your brother at that. I decided that it was time to go in. We got to the hospital around 6am. We got checked in and I was changed and confined to the bed. Oh dear girl, you were an interesting labor. You refused to allow us to keep a monitor on you, but we needed to because your heart was scaring us to death. Dr. Aguayo came in roughly around 7 and I was 4 and 50%. My water had already somewhat broken so she finished it off and we got an internal monitor on you. You didn't like that one bit. By 8 my contractions were completely unbearable. I needed that epidural. You had other plans. Between 8:45 and 11:59, I had had 4 epidurals, none of which were working and you weren't making labor any easier. Your poor father had never seen me like that. There was no channeling my thoughts to get through the contractions. Their were fierce and painful.

On the last attempt at an epidural words were spoken of a spinal. I was game for anything at this point. The Anesthesiologist and the nurse spoke, the nurse was okay with it because currently I was 7 and 100%. I had time she said. I had time for the Dr. to get there. Famous.Last.Words. No sooner than I was told I would be getting the spinal, I stopped her mid-sentence and "I think I have to push". "No you don't, you just think you have to." "No, I've done this before, and I feel pressure, I HAVE TO PUSH." I think at that point as the nurse was flying to check me she may have said " Oh Shit"

So needless to say, I went from 7 to 10 in a matter of seconds. You wanted to make your arrival something. You succeeded little girl. Although Dr. Aguayo's office was just behind the hospital, she didn't have time. You came out into the world like a rocket, only after 3 pushes, into the hands of the nurse with the Anesthesiologist serving as the nurse at 11:59. We won't even remind you of the fact that I still had this broken bone in my foot which I had to push against your fathers hand which. Yea, that hurt. So, sweet girl, lets recap the days events. Fast labor-roughly 6 hours, completely natural-that was an experience, broken foot bone and pushing and being delivered with no OB in site. Dr. Aguayo won the bet of when you would show up. She said before lunch, and well it was before lunch.

You weighed a dainty 6lbs 7oz and was 21 inches long. You had a head full of dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. You were so tiny. You still are to this day. Dainty. Although I think you might just pass your brother in height over the next year.

You no longer have brown hair, but your eyes are still as blue as the day you were born. You've been a princess since the day you were conceived and I don't foresee that changing anytime soon. You love having your nails painted and your hair done and love wearing pretties.

I love you, Aslynn Grace, more than you will ever imagine. You and I share a connection that your brother will never understand.

To the sweetest boy in the world

2010-06-07T10:02:00.006-05:00

Today, 3 years ago at 3:59 pm, I had the pleasure of becoming a mother. I gave birth to a beautiful little boy who weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and was 21 inches long. Little did I know that during the course of these next three years he would have the ability to steal my heart over and over, time and time again. Over these past three years we have overcome many obstacles with him, some more heartbreaking than others, but I wouldn't have it any other

way. Little did we know that over this course, at just a fragile age of a year and a half, you would be attacked by a dog to the face and require your first major surgery. Little did we know that just after you turned 2 would we start speech therapy because you wouldn't talk. Little did we know that just a year later after the attack you would be diagnosed with a conductive hearing loss bilaterally that could be fixed by surgery for tubes. You, Brayden, since then have blossomed into the sweetest, most loving little boy who knows who his family is and isn't afraid to show them love. You try and speak non-stop now and are just a heartbreaker. You will start pre-school in the fall and I just don't know what to do. You are growing up entirely way to fast for me. I will never forget the feeling I had the first moment I looked into your beautiful blue eyes that June afternoon. I knew then that I was in love. Granted you were a "stinky boy" and not the little girl I was told I was having, I wouldn't change it. I may have cried to no end on the day I found that out but I love you more than I ever thought I could.

I want nothing but the best in life for you, Brayden. I want you to grow up smart and strong and with a fierce determination to succeed in life. I want you to want to take life by the horns and show it who is boss.

I love you Brayden Victor, more than you will ever understand!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T01:15:00.004-05:00

*a preview

10 on Tuesday

2010-03-23T19:28:00.011-05:00

We took our first family vacay the first weekend on March. We went to Gatlinburg/Knoxville for my old college buddy Jon's birthday. We arrived on Sunday and left that following Tuesday. It was just long enough. We took the kids to the Ripley's Aquarium up there and they just loved seeing all of the fish. Like a goob, I left my memory card OUT of the camera and didn't realize it until we got out tickets and what not. Thankfully and not so much the gift shop had one. Granted I really hated paying $31 for a 2gb memory card but it was worth it.

I've slowly started working on the kids birthday's. I've gotten a date picked out and some other smaller things worked out. I really can't believe that they are going to be 3 and 2! It makes me sad at how fast time has flown.
Yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary of Brayden's dog attack. I'm thankful every day that I have my little boy to love on and smother with kisses. His scars have healed up nicely and those on his head have given him the wonky-est cowlick ever. It's a pain to cut but just minor than what it could be.
I have everything needed for the kids for Easter. Which is a major plus for me! Brayden's outfit should be here tomorrow and Aslynn's is hanging up waiting. Hopefully it will be nice this year and I'll be able to take some good pictures of them.
I've been crocheting odds and ends of things as well as their blankets. I've got a bunch of dishcloths and hot pads waiting for me to sew the ends in and give them to their respective owners.
I can only really think of 6 so the rest will be pictures. :D

This was a road sign in Sevierville where they are currently doing road construction.

Obstacles

2010-03-02T00:57:00.002-06:00

Many of you know that we have been working over the past 6 months with Brayden and speech therapy. We also for the past 6 months have had an audiology appointment for him. That was Feb 16th and needless to say we didn't get confirmed answers. We just got more theories. The audiologist pretty much said that Brayden has conductive hearing loss in both ears. But what she couldn't answer was how come or why. She guessed that Brayden, from the looks of his ears had a double ear infection, which he may have had, but that doesn't change anything because his hearing has been the same regardless of one, two or no infections. Currently Brayden has to hear things at 25% higher of decibel volume. She said we should treat the infections if there are, she actually stated something different that has escaped me and we could have it retested in 2 months to make sure the infection is indeed gone or we could seek the opinion of an ENT.

So, devestated none the less, I called his Ped. to get a referral for an ENT. Well she called back and said that she would like to check Brayden over just to make sure but the soonest appointment was a week out. No biggie, I didn't care because Brayden tells us when his ears hurt and he had been the same Brayden and never did his normal ear infection clues, so I didn't believe he had one or two even.

Our main reason for seeking the opinion of the ENT is to see what he/she thinks would be our best option. If tubes are that route, so be it. If tubes aren't then I want answer and help on how to allow my child to hear and speak to me.

We currently are waiting to hear from the ENT's office about an appointment.

I just need answers because right now is the time for Brayden to learn so much. Speech Therapy isn't doing him any good...out of the past 2 months the only thing he has gotten out of it is the sign for more and he really doesn't do that. What.the.f*ck.

It doesn't help, and I know she can't help it bless her heart, that Aslynn is little Miss Chatterbox with her Momma, thank you, love you, cup, please, bye, hi, night night, nummy, granna, mimi, ect.

I've wished for answers for so long and now I'm starting to think that there are no answers except that he can't hear all that well. If that is the answer then so be it I just want to know for sure, 100% for sure.

Catching up

2010-02-15T11:28:00.002-06:00

Honestly the only excuse I have for being MIA in the blogospehere is that I have been submerged in Brayden's blanket. Yes, I said Brayden's. Aslynn's well, for right now is sitting in two piles, waiting for more pieces to be completed and for the completed ones to be blocked.

Brayden's has given me more of a challenge and I love it. I actually checked out from the library Jan Eaton's book 200 Crochet Blocks. I love love love this book, and I checked it out because I couldn't find it anywhere except online. Well, now I have found it at Michael's but I am going to wait to buy it, because this book is a must have!

When I get my pictures on my laptop, I'll post current pictures of both blankets.

And yes, I said laptop. We broke down and bought two new HP laptops, 1) since are desktop was on its last leg anyway and 2) because with Brad leaving soon to go to school to get his CDL its a form of communication for the both of us.

Most of my time though lately has been either cleaning and taking care of the kiddos or crocheting. I actually even took a break from both blankets and starting working on other things. :D I won't divulge just yet since part of what I am working on is for both my mom and Monica. Nothing too big, just an aching to work with another type of yarn and to test my skills. BTW, I absolutely love working with Cotton yarn. LOVE IT!!

I did get a new book for Valentine's day. It's called Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman. I am loving that book and cannot wait to get my hook going on some of those patterns.

I will, though post pictures when I am done and they have gotten theirs.

I'm starting to think that Hell has frozen too. I live in Alabama. And I will be damned if before this past year I could count on all my fingers and toes how many times it has snowed since I was a wee one. Now, 2010 is a different story. In just the past 2 months, it has snowed 5 times. That isn't normal here. People run out and clean the stores of milk,eggs and bread. WTF are they going to live off of French Toast if they get snowed in?? I'm not complaining, I love the snow, I honestly wish it would snow like it does back in Michigan.

Other than that not much. Brayden has his hearing tested tomorrow, the 16th, to see if he needs tubes and if that is indeed is what is causing his delay in speech. We have his meeting with the school system on March 3rd for Pre-school for the Head Start program. And we will start his transistion from his at home services to the pre-school program and in the fall he will start Pre-school!

Aslynn is Aslynn. We've given her paci's for naptime and bed because her two fingers that she sucks on could use a break. She sucks on the so much that they are cracked and everything. She picked out her own pacis and doesn't mind them one bit.

Aslynn's blanket

2010-01-21T10:47:00.004-06:00

Her blanket is coming along rather nicely if I do say so myself :D I have 16 hexagons finished as of right now. With the rate I am going, it will be done before her birthday so I decided that I will make Brayden a different blanket for his birthday as well. Here are pictures of the first 5 hexagons that I made. They are all some sort of color pattern using the same 5 colors.

A close-up of one of the hexagons. The yarn I got at Hobby Lobby and is called something like " I love this yarn!" It it super soft and I love it.

A picture of the first 5 that I did.

I'm rather proud of myself, I'm now able to produce the rounds rather quickly and am getting better and it as time goes on.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-20T12:31:00.000-06:00

Granny-ing along

2010-01-15T10:53:00.006-06:00

Make any sense?

I'm crocheting. Again. After a 5 year hiatus. The first time was a horrible attempt and looked nothing like what I wanted. And it was just a scarf. I had previously fed my scarf addiction by knitting with a loom, which I loved and could quickly spit out a scarf in no time flat. Aslynn and I both have quite a few, lol.

So I got a wild hair and decided to trying and figure out what I was doing wrong. Well, long story short, I figured it out and even mastered a few other things to become rather proud of myself.

So, you may ask what is this granny-ing along....Granny Squares. Fell in love with them at first glance. They can be colorful! Which if you know me that is just well ME! And they can be any size, shape, pattern. They don't have to be square. They can have flowers in the middle, ect. The possibilities are endless.

So I have taken it upon myself, to spend my time, I guess, making Aslynn a Granny square blanket. I have chosen white, peacock blue, pink, lime green and purple. I wil be posting pictures and blogging as I go along, so that you can see my progress as well. I decided that I wouldn't make her a traditional square blanket. I am going to make her a blanket using a 6-sided granny square at which I found the pattern that Crochet Mania. She also has tutorials of each of her patterns on youtube, which has helped my out rather immensly.

Food for thought

2010-01-14T14:12:00.003-06:00

Cooking

It's a seven letter word that I love. I love to cook. I love to bake. I love to try new things. I LOVE LOVE LOVE cookbooks. It's almost become a problem my love of cookbooks. I have some that are older than dirt that belonged to my Grandmother. I have some ones that I just really won't cook anything out of. I have one that moved with me from Dads house that I always claimed as MINE. I cooked things for the family out of it as a trial and error in cooking. They didn't always rock but they were good sports and told me other-wise.

I love to bake and honestly that I think comes from my Grandma J. She was a baker. I would love to get my hands on her baking recipes. That will be a great day. Just to look through them and copy the ones that I remember as a child.

Last year I stumbled upon what is now one of my favorite websites. The Pioneer Woman. End of Story, hooked. I spent countless hours deep in her website. Many of those spent drooling over the dishes she cooked and blogged about. Then, but what could have made my world better, was her announcing a cookbook! WHAT?! How did she know that that was what I dreamed of.

It was released and I waited patiently to purchase it. Until my sister, Monica, promised me that very book for Christmas. JACKPOT!!!

I have now read it cover to cover and even tried a few of the mouth-watering recipes that call my name such as the Marlboro Man Sandwhich and her Potato Skins.

I think I may have a problem... :D

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-13T10:33:00.000-06:00

Our Christmas

2010-01-10T10:09:00.007-06:00

Christmas around here is usually a packed day or two. On Christmas Eve we go to Brad's parents for a steak dinner and to open presents. Then on Christmas morning we wake up and do our Christmas, play for a while and then get ready to eat brunch at Brad's Aunt's house. We usually spend a few hours there before we pack up to spend the evening with my Aunt and Uncle and MiMi and Craig. The kids always have fun and usually crash on the way home.

Aslynn with one of her many babies she got for Christmas

Brayden finally got into unwrapping the presents.

Aslynn opening her Cabbage Patch baby from Grandma!

Brayden with MiMi opening his Tag Jr. books.

Aslynn playing with her Tea-pot from MiMi and Craig.

2009-12-17T22:05:00.000-06:00

Updates and what-not

2009-11-27T10:10:00.002-06:00

Honestly, I don't know where to being.....hrmm...

Brayden started Speech Therapy and Developmental Therapy back in Oct. Developmentally he has come a long ways. He now puts on his socks and shoes, takes his shirt off himself most of the times, and puts his pants on. He also is starting to point and recognize things in books or on the TV. As far as his speech, we are actually just starting that but it is going well. He now says puppy, momma, daddy, Aslynn, MiMi, Max, ball, baseball, wow, come here, hello, bye, i love you(somewhat), and car. We are working on getting his hearing tested. We have an appointment with Childrens Rehab but it isn't until Feb 16th and honestly I'm not waiting that long. So his speech therapist is seeing if she can get him in at her place and if she can't then we will get his Ped. to refer him to Children's Healthcare down in Birmingham which is where we took Aslynn when she was oh 6 wks old.
Aslynn, well, she is a diva. Aunt MiMi cut her hair for the first time, I was in denial. What can I say. Shes pointing to objects that she either wants or recognizes. She can say momma, daddy, bubba, MiMi, Max, puppy, ball, oh no, ew. She is a little spitfire. She puts on her socks and shoes as well as Brayden shoes and everyone elses shoes. Girl likes shoes just a little. She loves her baby, she can say baby too.
I recently joined the ranks of the unemployed and am starting the search again for another job. I got screwed pretty much at my old employer. I've enjoyed spending time at home with the kiddos for now :)
My car, Bessie :), is almost 10 years old. Wow, I can't believe that. Shes got just a little over 112,000 miles on her but she runs as if she were brand new. Me and her have been through a lot. Like when a Deer side-swiped the drivers side, or when I hit a concrete corner and banged her up pretty good.

My birthday is coming up and it is hard to believe that I am almost 24. Its more like I dont know where the time went from when I graduated highschool.

I'll leave you with a picture of the kiddos :)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T22:09:00.001-05:00

New Adventures

2009-08-23T20:50:00.002-05:00

My new adventure starts tomorrow. For the first time in forever I will be working my first 40hr/week job. I'm a little uneasy about it because I still long to stay home with Brayden and Aslynn. These past two weeks have be wonderful and I wish I could do it forever.

Another new adventure is speech therapy. Brayden has his evaluation tomorrow at 3 and we'll go from there. Brad and I both, along with others, believe that Brayden's first problem is his ears and that he could possibly need tubes. So I guess all we can do is see what they say tomorrow.

I also start school tomorrow. For the first time in 3 years I am a college student. Thankful to the goodness of my sister and brother in law this was possible.

So prayers that I survive working full time and being away from my babies, that Brayden's evalutaion goes well tomorrow and that I don't let anyone down in school.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T16:52:00.002-05:00

Hello World!

2009-07-24T22:38:00.002-05:00

So much has been going on that lately all I do is come home from work, play with my babies and go to sleep only to repeat the next day.

I have been working days at work now for about 2 weeks and I'm so thankful because now I get to see my children at night and give them their baths and their snuggles.

I also have registered for College yet again with the help of MiMi and Craig. Without their help and love I would not be able to. I'm just taking 1 class but that is what I believe I can handle and give my full attention right now and work and take care of my family.

I also have a 2nd interview at another company on Monday which I'm hoping works out. Not only will it bring me more hours and a constant schedule but it will also mean insurance for my family as well as more income...woohoo! Wish me luck on that because I really need it. I feel good about how its gone so far but we will see.

As far as the babies go Aslynn and Brayden both are trying to talk up a storm. Aslynn trying to talk has sparked Brayden into wanting to communicate more. Poor guy he tries his hardest sometimes.

Aslynn still only has those same 4 teeth but I'm not hurrying that one bit ;) She started walking around her birthday as well! Now she is a walking fool...she still has her sea legs sometimes but she tries.

Brayden loves loves loves to swim in Toni's pool now!! He is like a fish! I love it!

Happy 1st Birthday Princess

2009-06-23T07:43:00.004-05:00

Aslynn Grace,

A year ago today you came into this world and have slowly evolved into the princess that you are. You captivated hearts and stole some the first moment they saw you. I know you stole mine.

This past year has been so much fun with you and with your brother. You two love each other so much. You just start giggling the moment he holds your hand.

You are so dainty and delicate in appearance but your inner strength shines through. You gave us a scare when you were first born. I guess you thought it would be a great joke to fail your hearing tests a few times. But we know now that you can hear just fine. The echo you have in one ear will eventually go away and all will be wonderful.

You started walking on me. That just means you are growing up into a little girl and not my baby.

I love you so much princess,

Mommy

Puppies galore

2009-06-14T10:47:00.003-05:00

Ever have a serious, and I mean SERIOUS case of denial??

Guilty.

What exactly was I in denial about....my dog being pregnant.

Yes, she was pregnant, and as a matter of fact gave birth not but 24 hours AFTER I had accepted that she could possibly be pregnant and that we still may have a mere few weeks left.

HOURS left was the correct guess.

The puppies were born on May 20th while I was at work and throughout the night after I got home.

Can we say "oh holy shit!"

But alas, our sweet 2 year old Sophie is now the doting mother of 7 puppies who are now a ripe age of almost 4 weeks.

While yes the yelping and whining get on my nerves they are the cutest things I have seen puppy wise.

And another bad thing...

Puppy breath..

I.CANT.STAND.PUPPY.BREATH!

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

My kitchen reeks of puppy breath....ewww

Happy Birthday sweet Brayden!

2009-06-07T09:00:00.004-05:00

Two years ago today you blessed our family with your life. You have so many people that love you and would do anything for you. You are one very special little boy.

Each day I am thankful that you are a part of my life. You are my son, my creation.

I can't believe how much you have grown and changed and go through i your short 2 year existance.

I love you sweet little boy and I look forward to many years and many new things with you!!

Sweetest Angel

2009-05-12T20:01:00.002-05:00

If you have a moment please stop over at the Freeman's blog because they need all your love and support.

http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/

Their wonderful little one pound miracle Kayleigh passed last night after an 11 month long battle.

Kayleigh and Aslynn were born on the same day so I think about them a lot when I look at Aslynn.

Ten on Tuesday

2009-04-07T12:11:00.002-05:00

Brayden is healing beautifully! I have a few pictures that I need to upload of him in the healing process but work has taken over my life currently. Dr. Gray said that he should heal just wonderfully and that most will be hidden by his hair or the natural fold of his eye.
Aslynn babbles nonstop. Her current favorites are Mamamama and Babababa. She is also cruising the furniture and trying to stand on her own.
Brayden is sleeping in a big boy bed. I too need to post pictures of that. We started the transition earlier last week and while it was a little rough he now loves his bed. He loves his freedom of being able to just walk out of bed when he gets up in the morning and come into our room to snuggle for a few more minutes.
Me and the kids went and spent the day with NiNi and Craig yesterday and also made some stops at Aldi's and Papa Murphys for pizza for dinner.
Brad is the father of about 200 crickets for fishing right now and since it's brr shiver cold right now they are currently living in their cage in my bathroom. There was no way that they were going to be in the living room or the kitchen when I sleep with my door open..nope.
I applied to go back to school :)I've finally sat down and decided what I want to do.
I've chosen to be an EMT. Now ask Monica and that makes little to no sense since I don't want to be a nurse but essentially do the same things..I simply explained to her that while I can't do those things while a patient is calm and relaxed I could easily do it to them while they are in any other sort of pain that it wouldn't matter much if I honestly sucked. :)

So yea..8 will have to make do:)

Chicks dig scars...

2009-03-23T09:53:00.006-05:00

I know this I just didn't want to have to use that phrase about my little man. Yesterday while Brad and the kids were at a friends house, their dog attacked Brayden. I got a call at work from Brad saying that he was taking him to the ER and of course being that my manager had to talk to him, by the time I got to the clock out clock to do so he had already done so for me. So off I rushed thinking the worst for Brayden.

When I got back to the ER and everything Brad wasn't with him, he can't handle all the gross, bloody things. So I went back there and calmed my boy as best as I could while they looked him over and everything.

He ended up having to have surgery last night and was in the very good hands of plastic surgeon Dr. Gray. He did very well throughout the surgery they said and was a trooper coming out of everything.

He has two gashes in his hair. One is about 2 inches long and the other is about 6 or 7 inches long. He has multiple bite marks all over his face. He also ended up with a few stitches on his right ear and on one of the bite marks.

His worst wound is his eye. The dog came ohaboutthisclose to his actual eye. He has a gash that is probably the length of his eye, its hard to tell with all the swelling but I got a good look at it while they were looking at it. The ER Dr. said that his eye looks good but to make sure he can see and everything that we need to follow up this week or next with an Optometrist.

He's back to his normal Brayden self with the exception he can't walk too well since he only has one usable eye right now.

Here are a couple pictures that I took this morning, I won't dare show you the pictures we have from the ER room.

Toofer picture

2009-03-21T11:18:00.002-05:00

I took this the other day for grandparents and aunts and uncles alike ;) Its come through much more now but its still there.

My little girl is growing up so fast. Next thing I know she'll be walking and then it will be her birthday. or Vice versa :(

21 months later

2009-03-21T11:09:00.002-05:00

I love this little boy. More than I could ever tell him or show him. I love him in a different way than I do his sister, which I love just as much just differently.

And just because I want to embarass him when he's older I had to post this on the internet. He was taking a bath the other day and was dancing and turned around and started shaking his butt at me. I couldn't resist getting my camera. :)

We are going to talk to his pediatrician about his hearing. I'm just not satisfied with his vocabulary. He only says a handful of words and he should be saying much more. He babbles just incoherently.

Toofers!

2009-03-12T23:08:00.001-05:00

That's right, my little Princess has sprouted her first tooth. She doesn't look the same, it just adds to the cuteness that she is.

Geeked

2009-02-19T17:39:00.002-06:00

I normally don't like to spend money unless it is absolutely necessary, but I had to this time. I set out and picked out a ton of ribbon and everything so that I can finally make Aslynn some more bows. I'm a nerd because I'm geeked about ribbon and crafts I know.

I did make a new blog though specifically for bows and other things I make for her just so I don't clutter up this blog :)

Ten on Thursday

2009-02-05T08:11:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow I am going to pack of the kiddos and trekk to Monica and Craig's house. Poor Craig hasn't seen his Princess since Christmas and I think he's starting to have withdrawal. He even wooed me with his fabulous home made pizza...mmm good stuff. Plus it's aslo an Aldi run so I am super stoked about that.
Brad's sister had her spawn a week ago. Now if you had been reading and kept up with the story you would know how not thrilling this was. But she was clean and did get to keep the baby. But she has to appear in court soon for the two charges of possession so we'll see what happens with that. I hate to admit it but the little girl is starting to grow on me. I mean after all she is a baby and I'm a sucker for babies. But you can tell that she is mixed, she came out black.
I'm counting down the days to our purchase of a Wii and Wii Fit. I've already cut out the majority of my Caffeine Free Diet Coke out of my daily ritual, but I still allot myself no more than two, which I am hoping to cut out period. I've also cut back on my sweets and my portion sizes. I'm playing around with new Weight Watchers recipes.
Aslynn is almost to the point where she can sit up on her own! Woohoo. Atleast she's crawling so that makes up for the skipping of that milestone :)
These days my hair style has consisted of being in either a pony tail or curly. My straightener croaked while we were up in Michigan and if you know me then you know that my straightener is my bestest friend in the whole wide world. I've seriously missed that bad boy and know that once my tax return gets back I am investing in a new one. That one was 5 years old so I wore it out :)
Speaking of hair, I also need a good recoloring. Because I have the greatest hair stylist in the world, back in July she died my hair but was able to make it so that my roots weren't all too horrible. They are just now getting to that e'ghad look.
Brad still hasn't found a job job but he's been webmastering it for two companies. So that's brought us in a little income to get bills paid.
Brayden has taken a fondness to feeding the animals from his high chair. It's rather funny and we can't get made at him.

I'm running short of things...its the thought that counts

Michigan

2009-02-03T20:00:00.002-06:00

Granted the reason we were in Michigan in the first place was a rather unpleasant one Grandma Garner gave us poor snow deprived southeners just that. Lots of snow. And I mean lots. I'm roughly 5ft tall and the snow came up to my knees.

It was beautiful. It sparkled like diamonds when the sun hit it. There was this sense of serenity all around Caro just because of the snow.

Motivation

2009-02-03T19:43:00.002-06:00

Over the past two years I have gained a total of 75 lbs and lost 80lbs. I really wish I could say that it wasn't due to the fact that over the past two years I have been pregnant. I wish I could say that I lost those 80lbs and never gained the 75lbs.

Here in the next few weeks we will be investing in a Wii as well as Wii Fit. I'm starting a new way of life simply because I look at photos from when I was in high school, and thought I was fat although I wasn't and I miss that Brittni. I can do it. Its a far shot goal, but its still an attainable goal.

80lbs

That's my goal. Once I step on the scale and weigh myself I will make myself accountable for all of my readers to see. I dream to fit back into those American Eagle petite flares that I wore all throughout high school or that one pair of Tommy Hilfiger jeans.

I can do it and I am.

"The most fattening thing that you can put in an apple pie is a spoon"

2009-01-30T17:59:00.003-06:00

So I've made a new vow to myself to blog more. Now granted it may just be a picture and a few words but I figure that that is better than nothing.

As the previous post state about Aslynn, she is no longer with the immobile crowd. Just a few weeks ago she decided that she needed to keep up with Brayden. So a usual sight in our house is Brayden running around with Aslynn trying to keep up behind him.

She completely skipped over the sitting up stage and so we're trying to work on that. At 7 months old she weighs 16lbs. So she's still tiny.

Pimpin ain't easy

2009-01-30T17:52:00.000-06:00

On the move

2009-01-30T17:46:00.001-06:00

MIA

2009-01-22T10:03:00.002-06:00

So I've been MIA for a little over three weeks. A lot has happened in those weeks such as an unexpected trip to Michigan for a few days. My only remaining grandparent, my Grandma Garner, passed away on the 16th. So thanks to the graciousness of Brad's mom and dad we packed up her van and made the 14 hour drive up Saturday night after I got off of work.

The kids were wonderful on both they way up and back home, of course there were the moments where they wanted out of the car seats but other than that we are both very proud of how the kids handled the ride.

I'll have plenty of pictures to follow of the snow and everything that is my past in Caro.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T19:17:00.003-06:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas, as I know myself and my family did!

Aslynn wasn't sure what to think about her first Christmas

"aw Mom, these puzzles are cool!
"

zonkered out on Christmas!

Pretty girl on Christmas!

hmm what the hell am I opening?....

.....a BLUE KITCHEN-AID MIXER!

Dr's appointment...

2008-12-23T23:36:00.003-06:00

for Aslynn went wonderfully. I just love her Pediatrician more and more with each visit.

For comparison purposes....

at birth:

6lbs 3 oz
19 1/2 inches long

6 months:

15lbs 3oz(30th percentile)
27 inches long(90th percentile)
42cm head circum(95th percentile)

We've started on actual baby food as well. So far we've ventured into sweet potatoes, sweet peas and applesauce. She eats off of a spoon so well. She's starting to teeth, slobbering like a Saint Bernard. She rolls all the time, constantly exploring and taking in new things. She's attempting to crawl also!

Shes growing up so fast :(

Happy 6 months Princess!

2008-12-23T23:29:00.002-06:00

The day you were born

One of my favorite pictures of you

Sitting so big in your Bebe pod

Another one of my favorites...your facial expression and hair :)

It's so hard to believe that you have been here for 6 months. Soon it will be your first Christmas, my how these 6 months have flown.

I love you more and more each day little girl and I honestly don't know what my life would be like if you weren't a part of it.

Ten on Thursday

2008-12-18T21:58:00.003-06:00

Despite my wish of getting a birthday card from dad this year, I was disappointed. I really wasn't for the simple fact that I knew I would be holding my breath on even getting one. Oh well.
Saturday kicks off the Holiday week for me. Saturday we have Brad's parents Christmas party, Sunday we have Christmas with Brad's paternal step-grandmother and family and then me and the kids will head to Dad's for the gathering at his house. Thursday of course is Christmas and we will be starting the day at our house with the kids, then trekking over to Brad's parent's to open gifts, then we will venture to Brad's Aunt's house for Christmas with his mom's whole family. Think we are done??? NOPE. Then of course we will venture back to Decatur to spend the evening with NiNi and Craig and hopefully Auntie Jo.
Speaking of dad....haha. Long story short, Dad became a married man yet again back sometime in September and they also went out and purchased 20 or 30 acres of land out in B-F-E. Can we say "grandma J money"??
I've officially been a working woman for a month now and honestly I love my job. I work every Saturday and its wonderful, a little slow now and then but I love it.
Monica has a surprise for me tomorrow when I get to work and I've been dying to know what it is since yesterday. I'll post what it was I'm sure this weekend.
Aslynn is eating off of a spoon like a pro!! I can't believe she will be 6 months old soon. AND she is trying to crawl. Where did my baby go?
We took the kids to see Santa tonight and well, my normally laid back, loves everyone son decided he wanted to scream bloody murder the moment he sat on Santa's lap. Aslynn just looked at him like he was silly. He calmed down once the Jolly Ol Fat man gave him a candy cane. Atta boy!
Our sweet little kitten has successfully broken 3 tree ornaments and unwrapped all but one present under the tree....Atleast she hasn't knocked it over yet....
The kid's Christmas presents from Grandma Garner were stolen from us the other day. The delivery man dropped it off at the house while no one was home and someone came to visit our neighbor and saw the box there and took it. Thankfully another person with this person was wonderful enough to bring them back once he saw that there was Christmas presents for children involved. We have pressed charges and are just waiting now. I'm thankful that they were brought back to us.
I am so stoked about my mixer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Prayer Request

2008-12-16T10:33:00.002-06:00

If you have a minute please say a quick prayer for a sweet little girl named Kayleigh.

Her story has touched my heart and she needs all of our help to continue to be a little miracle. It also touches my heart because her and Aslynn were born on the same day and yet they are so different because she was born at 23 weeks gestation. She's fought a long battle and if the Lord says its her time, so be it, but yet I want her to make it through this.

Ten on Thursday

2008-12-04T10:08:00.002-06:00

I am officially one year older. Monica bought me a chocolate sheet cake and it was much needed and loved!
My bestest buddy Amelia came down from Knoxville to see me for my birthday. She's currently staying with us for a few days and I love it! I haven't seen her since August and before that it was last year.
Amelia brought me Jimmy Johns for my birthday!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! OMG you just don't even know the love that I have for those sandwiches! mmm they are so entirely yummy and good. The closest JJ is in Franklin, TN or there is one in Birmingham. mm Jimmy Johns. They satisfied any midnight craving while I was in college...they were right down the road from my dorm and better yet, they delievered until 3 am!
I still have a plethora of pictures to upload but am still lacking my camera cable, ugh.
The countdown to Christmas is finally up and going!!! WOOHOO!
I can't wait until Lauren has little baby Rory! It's getting close!
I got the kids Christmas shopping done the other day and I'm honestly excited about this one toy that I bought Aslynn.
I'm having a hard time coming up with 10 things so I think that I'll just stop here!

Lost

2008-11-25T09:44:00.002-06:00

That's where my cable for my camera seems to have taken off too. I've got tons of pictures to upload and yet I can't because I can't find it. We'll blame the toddler. :)

And of course, I have three other cables just the same as this one for my Nikon but alas none work. I also have a SD card USB reader where you just stick the card into this thing and then stick it in the USB slot but alas I have WAAAAY to many pictures on the card to allow that to function properly.

Ugh. I'll find it later when I'm not looking for it.

Crazy 8's

2008-11-19T09:24:00.002-06:00

8 TV Shows That I Love To Watch
1. Ace of Cakes
2. Food Network Challenge
3. Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee
4. The Secret Life of The American Teenager
5. Army Wives
6. Gray's Anatomy
7. Dinners, Drive-Ins and Dines(I watch way too much Food Network ;))
8. How Clean is Your House?

8 Favorite Fast/Sit Restaurants
1. Big Ed's Pizza
2. Olive Garden
3. Red Robin
4. Tokyo
5. Lisa's Cafe
6. Taco Bell
7. Fried Tomato
8. Five Guys Burgers and Fries

8 Things That Happened Yesterday
1. I got violated by my OB
2. Brayden peed in the potty!
3. Worked on my cookbook
4. Read my blogs
5. Saw NiNi
6. Watched Brayden never get off his motorcycle
7. Woke up at the buttcrack of dawn
8. Did laundry

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To
1. The kids getting pictures done
2. Christmas
3. My new key chain wallet :)
4. Brad and I's first date night since well before Aslynn was born
5. All the milestones the kids are reaching!
6. Strangely enough, working on Friday
7. Turkey Day
8. My Future!

8 Things On My Wish List
1. A new, bigger car
2. A new Vera Bradley key chain wallet
3. New Pots and Pans
4. A House
5. A KitchenAid Mixer
6. Snow this winter
7. A Birthday Card from my dad
8. Happiness

Ten on Tuesday

2008-11-18T09:11:00.000-06:00

I started working at Monica's employer this past Thursday and I'm excited to say that after only two days of training I was released on my own on Saturday to brave the masses. It was great. I admit I was in tears and scared on the way in on Thursday but within a few hours I was better. It was hard to leave my babies. I hadn't worked away from Brayden in his entire life, same with Aslynn.
Just because I'm slightly weird but WOOHOO we passed the 4 month mark and I AM NOT PREGNANT! Sorry about that. Just a little excited, cantcha tell?
Both of my babies have been battling a cold. Its one thing to hear Brayden cough but poor Aslynn hers is just pitiful.
Thursday the kids are going to have their Christmas/6month(somewhat)/18month(again somewhat) pictures taken. I'm excited. After literally a few weeks of planning and picking out the right outfit and the perfect dress we have decided! Now lets just hope the kids cooperate.
I went to the Dr last week for my annual and I am happy to report that I am down my 35 lbs of baby PLUS some. Woohoo for me! Don't ask me what I did...oh wait its called not having money.
It's been 5 months since my dad has seen the kids. For Brayden it was on his birthday on the 7th of June...for Aslynn it was on her birthday on the 23rd of June. I have mixed emotions about that. It angers me for my children that they don't have him in their lives. It confuses me as to why he allows that to happen. I'm just thankful that they have NiNi and Craig and Nana Jo.
I'm really getting in the mood to bake. I've got plans to make homemade cinnamon rolls and raspberry pinwheel cookies for everyone for Christmas. Who knows what else will roll into that as well. And also take into account that I have never EVER made homemand cinnamon rolls(I'll try atleast once before giving them away, promise) and well the only cookies I've made are the butter cookies, sugar cookies and regular chocolate chip cookies. Call me Martha.
I just realized yesterday that I didn't have to manually put in the numbers or dots to make a list. WOOHOO!
Oh and also channeling Martha, I've been making bows. Nothing major just yet but I think I may try and venture out into a bigger bow to match Aslynns picture dress....
Brayden and NiNi need a spendanight. Minus the closet :)

Butter Cookies

2008-11-17T17:11:00.003-06:00

So I tried my hand at channeling Betty Crocker the other day and I have to say that I am pleased with the results. Brayden, my butter cookie eating fool, didn't seem to mind them so obviously I did something right :) Here's the recipe that I used...

Butter Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tsp vanilla (I used a little more)

In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and then stir in the vanilla.
Combine the flour and salt. Stir into the sugar mixture.
Cover and chill for one hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and press dough onto cookie sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden(it can also vary by the size of your cookie)

And Viola!

Hey NiNi do the plates look familiar?

My new theme song

2008-11-16T10:43:00.000-06:00

Big and Chunky - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - video powered by Metacafe

Growing up quickly

2008-11-10T17:53:00.000-06:00

Just a few short weeks ago I found myself blogging about how I can't believe that Aslynn was 4 months old. Now I catch myself saying that about her being 5 months old soon.

Now, not only is she growing in size but shes eating solid foods! Just this past Saturday we started her on cereal. Where did my little baby go?

I know she still has many things left to do to "grow up" but I can't help it. I want her to stay little forever.

Or atleast thats how I feel right now

4 month check up

2008-11-04T22:10:00.002-06:00

We took Aslynn to meet her new Pediatrician today and have her 4 month well baby check-up. I love her new Ped. They are all wonderful people on the office and they are so friendly. They even play with the kids! How could you not. I'm hoping to get Brayden into her office as well.

Aslynn at 4 months:

13lbs 4 oz(50th%)
25 inches long(75th%)

just to compare...

Brayden at 4 months

16lbs 4oz
26 inches long

While she is dainty in weight compared to her brother, she will be talk just like him. Brad's sister is tall as well as his mom so I somewhat figured she would be but me and Monica were hoping that she would be on the shorter side of life like us :)

Oh well...here's to hoping!

Halloween 2008

2008-11-01T10:23:00.001-05:00

As Brayden sits here devouring a entire small bag of M&M's I figured I'd blog about his second Halloween and Aslynn's first...and yes I even took her out trick or treating :)

He had such a blast last night. I got to experience my first "Trunk or Treat" last night and those are honestly the best thing to do now a days.

He was such a fierce little lion. By the end of the night he no longer wanted to walk so he chose to ride in the stroller with Aslynn, but his face still lit up each time

And Alsynn....she was the sweetest little puppy dog around. She sacked out at Trunk or Treat #2 and slept for 20 minutes and then she was ready to go on some more.

She wasn't really too sure about her costume at times she hated it and at times since it kept her so nice and toasty on that frigid night she liked it. I don't think she necessarily thought that it tasted too yummy though.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

One year difference

2008-11-01T10:07:00.004-05:00

The above picture was taken October 14th, 2007

This picture was taken round about October 14th, 2008

Lyon Farms

2008-10-23T21:59:00.012-05:00

So about a week ago we loaded up the kiddos and made the trek to Taft, Tn to Lyon Family Farms. We figured that since everyone goes to Tate Farms we would try a different pumpkin patch and I'm glad that we did. It's a fairly new pumpkin patch so it doesn't have all of the glitz and glam that Tate Farms has. It's really down to earth.

Of course there was the slides, the tire swings, the corn wagon, the corn maze, petting zoo and of course the pumpkin patch.

Brayden had a field day. He loved, loved, loved going down the slides. At first he wasn't too sure about the whole corn wagon thing but he eventually warmed up to it.

He successfully led all 4 of us through the corn maze. It took a little longer with a 16 month old leading the way but hey thats all in the fun of letting him do it :)

He was amazed to no end with the animals. He ran up to this sheep and just gave him a hug, scared the sheep half to death but other than that. He even fed them himself. Gosh, he is growing up so much on me.

Then it came time for the pumpkin picking.

We loaded up into the hayride, minus Aslynn's wheels for the day, and off we went through the bumpiest field I've ever been through, haha. Aslynn zonked out during the ride and thats how she spent the time we were in the patch.

As soon as Brayden got off the ride, off he went, and of course he picked his own pumpkin. And he then proceeded to pick sisters, which is really actually cool looking. And since he was having so much fun we let him pick our pumpkin as well.

My boy has good taste and high hopes let me tell you.

By the time we left we were all ready to crash and eat. Brayden of course had to try and help push the wagon out to the car and needless to say he didn't get very far in it and prefered to ride.

holy 4 months Batman

2008-10-23T00:25:00.006-05:00

How can it be that my little Aslynn is 4 months old already??

I honestly feel as though I just gave birth to her and not in the physical ailment kind of feeling either. I feel as though she should still be in her preemie clothes and diapers, not trying to roll over or laughing or smiling. Just laying there like a log.

Oh dear.

My sweet little girl. Your Aunt NiNi prayed hard that you would be delicate and dainty and you are just that. You can't weigh more than 12 lbs and you still fit in most 0-3 month clothes.

Your eyes are this beautiful shade of blue that just light up with life when you laugh and smile.

I could stare into you eyes forever, they draw people in.

Your hair, what was once this dark brown has faded into this beautiful light brown that sometimes has a red glow to it. It's getting long, especially in the back, I joke you have a mullet. You are getting those same whisps of hair that Brayden had that told us his hair would have curls.

You laugh now, its the sweetest, most angelic thing that I have ever heard.
Not even Brayden's laugh sounded like this.
You talk endlessly in your bed when you wake up in the mornings. You don't cry bloody murder. You are attempting to roll over. You can flip on your side with the greatest ease, its just that last little umph that you haven't gotten yet.

Your sweet little feet and those little rolls on your thighs are my two favorite things about you. I have a feeling those feet will get you into trouble one day because just for the mere seconds that you stand with my support your eyes double in size with excitement.

Are you going to terrorize your brother or is it going to be vice versa?

Are you going to skip this whole learning one word at a time and come at me with full sentences?

I still cannot believe that already 4 months have passed since we welcomed you with open arms into this world. If everyone thought I freaked out about being pregnant with your brother they were wrong. Finding out I was pregnant with you while your brother was only 6 months old landed me on the floor. I doubted myself as a mother of one, but adding another into the equation I REALLY doubted myself. I've surprised myself.

I love you little girl and promise me you won't grow up to quickly.....

Brayden

2008-10-08T10:16:00.004-05:00

Oh son....

What can I say about you besides how over the past 16 months you have changed my world.

You were a huge surprise when we found out that we were pregnant almost two years ago and I didn't know what to think or how I could do this whole new thing called parenting.

I doubted myself from the start but each time I look into those gigantic blue eyes I know that I did something right and still am.

Each milestone passed and you achieved it.

You walked a week before your birthday, stumbled more so really. Now you run around with such excitement.

You babble to no end with only certain phrases like " What's up" being audible.

You constantly go, even in your sleep where you end up on the complete opposite side of the crib from where you were placed.

You've taught me patience and given me the ability to calm my own fears.

I questioned your ability to be a big brother at just a year old. You proved me wrong. You are the best big brother to Aslynn.

I smile every time you make her laugh, hug her and give her sugars. You rarely steal her bottle but instead to try and feed her or give her her pacifier.

My new baby

2008-10-01T10:20:00.001-05:00

I broke down on Friday and purchased a double stroller.

I did so because I realized that there was no way in hell that I could manage both kids by myself in public without one.

So I got a great deal on a Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller. They regularly retail around $250.00 and I've lusted after once since I found out I was pregnant but ultimately we couldn't afford it at the time so I moved on and found another but I never bought it.

I found this one at Baby Depot for $190.00. I was geeked!

So I bought it.

Then came the fun part.

Until we are in a better financial spot to purchase a van I'm driving my family around in my 2000 Mustang. Now this car has been my baby from the day Daddy got it for me back in '01. So I'll hate to see it go but if you see all 4 of us in that its rather funny.

Well I was determined that it would fit in the trunk in the box. Well it didn't. So out of the box it comes and it fits.

I get it home put it together while Aslynn sleeps and Brayden tests out his new ride. Then I decide to see if I can get it in the trunk. NOPE.

Not with the wheels on atleast.

So If we are driving around in the Mustang and want to use the stroller we have to put the wheels on each time we get it out. A slight hassel but in the end I sure do love this stroller.

Turns on a dime and its not heavy to push at all. Brad can even comfortably push it...all 6'5" of him! With our other strollers we've got he would have to hunch down a little to be comfortable but not this bad boy!

I LOVE MY STROLLER!

Ah the saga continues

2008-10-01T10:01:00.002-05:00

So because I have nothing better to blog about I'll continue to talk about Brad's sister.

Well Friday she ended up having to go to the hospital because her Ulcerative Colitis flared up due to being preggo and oh shes just ya know a big fat pansy. I won't go into that whole pansy-ness just yet. That is another blog.

WELL..new Alabama state law that if you are pregnant and end up in the hospital for ANYTHING they blood test you.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Sorry

She tested positive for Weed and probably other things but she left those out.

So ultimately the nurse had to call DHR on her. Well last year her hubby called DHR on her because he didn't want his daughter with her when she smoked. So this is the second time DHR has been called on her.

So of course they had to check and make sure her daughter was somewhere safe and ok and talk to her and everything. She's with Brads mom during all of this and she is LIVID. Perfect!

Well, ultimately this just ends up being another damn slap on the wrist for her because all she has to do is have it tested every time she goes to her OB and when she goes in for her C-section. And then only if she tests positive at her c-section then will they take the baby.

Now if you know Brad's sister like we do then you know that shes going to get away with it. She always does, always has.

But the kicker is that she SHOULD be on probation. That violated her probation.

See about 4 months ago she was arrested TWICE in 3 weeks for possession of marijuana. So who knows what the pathological liar left out about all of that.

OH and the baby now has a name since its so a girl and I hope it pops out a boy.

Harleigh Jewel H.

Bitter? Petty? Selfish?

2008-09-25T11:08:00.002-05:00

Yes,Yes, and Yes.

I'll admit those three things before I even so start into this rant.

Brad's sister is not roughly 5 months pregnant. While I was excited she was the situation soon turned into feeling pitty for the child she is pregnant with along with her 4 year old.

Shes almost 28 and doesn't need one child yet alone two. To this day she still smokes cigaretts AND weed AND AGAIN SHES 5 MONTHS PREGNANT.

She lives with Brad's momma. And has since she left her husband. Oh yea..shes still married and pregnant by another man. Who is a whopping whole 6 months older than me. I'm 22 almost 23.

She has a college degree but refuses to work in that field and has decided that waiting tables at two restaurants is better.

She can't even afford to get her own place yet alone keep up her car payment.

And her baby daddy..

Well, he's a cook at one of the said restaurants where she works..

They've been together roughly since maybe April.

He's got a son he never sees who is Brayden's age.

Didn't graduate high school.

Used to be a coke dealer.

Oh yea and hes got no where to live and isn't allowed to live with Brad's sister in her parents house so where does he sleep at night? Outside of Brad's parent's house in her car.

Yea so why am I bitter, petty and selfish?

Shes having a girl. Her second and none deserving of. I'm pissed because this little girl who deserves so much better..will ultimately trump my two children in the love that Brad's mom gives them.

She showers Brad's niece will more gifts than I've ever gotten in my life while my children just get a few things. She feels bad because "she has no father" UM YEA SHE DOES...HE LIVES IN HUNTSVILLE AND IS DOING RATHER WELL FOR HIMSELF DESPITE STILL BEING MARRIED TO BRADS SISTER.

I prayed so hard for it to be a boy simply because she doesn't want a boy.

SHES STILL BLOODY MARRIED! She doesn't want to do better for her children obviously by working these jobs and not using her degree which her parents help pay for.

Now I'm all for state assistance because without WIC we would have been broke with Brayden and now we have it for Aslynn as well as Medicaid for her as backup insurance.

But don't flipping abuse it. Milking more foodstamp money out only to have them find out...hahah.

And yet my deserving sister can't manage to get pregnant but this heifer can with no regrets.

Happy 3 months little girl!

2008-09-23T13:28:00.003-05:00

Honestly were has the time gone since Aslynn was born?? I still can't believe that shes here after months of moaning and groaning because I honestly didn't think that my belly could get any bigger than it already was.

Miss me?

2008-09-20T14:04:00.001-05:00

So for the past week I've been MIA in blogger-world. I've been babysitting a 9 year old. Brads parents went out of town early Wednesday morning leaving Max behind because of school. So that supposed left Brad's 28 year old sister who is living there in charge of Max....bwahahahahahahahaha RIGHT.

I have seen her a total of maybe 2 hours since Wed. So that leaves Brad and I and our two kids over at Toni's watching Max until Leslie leisurely decides to come home from work with her baby daddy v2. Which ultimately means that Brayden doesn't go to bed until about 1030 or 11. Which is an hour or two after his normal bedtime. Might I add that I had to be there when Max got off the school bus around 315...right in the MIDDLE of Braydens nap. So ultimately he's only been sleeping an hour at Toni's compared to the 3-4 he usually does. Aslynn hasn't been affected by this at all thankfully.

Oh and I have to be over there by 4 this evening so she can "go to work" hmmm last I knew she didn't have to work tonight...hmm.

It wouldn't irritate me much if she hadn't taken the money that Toni left for us to feed Max with and ran. Yup so with what little money we dont have we've had to buy food to cook at their house because there is never anything to make a complete meal in that house.

End Rant.

Poop?

2008-09-12T11:39:00.002-05:00

Never in my almost 23 years of existence did I imagine that I would wake up in the morning to not only my son jabbering away but to find him diaperless and to be covered in poop. Thats what I woke up to this morning. He proceeded to take off his pants and diaper and THEN poop on his bed. How do I know that he didn't do it in his diaper after he pooped in it? Well for the simple fact that it looked like there was this massive explosion on just one spot of his sheet. Both his crib and him were covered. Ugh, blech.

Ten on Tuesday

2008-09-09T21:36:00.002-05:00

1) It's been almost 3 months since I've seen dad. It doesn't seem like it but its been that long because Aslynn is almost 3 months old.

2) Ahh Aslynn is almost 3 months old. Seriously where has the time gone? I'd like to say that I've adjusted to having 2 under 2 but that would be a lie. I really haven't gotten a smooth routine down except for while Brayden naps.

3) I'm in the market for a spare pack n play for when Brayden sleeps somewhere else other than here. Yesterday we moved Aslynn into the one we had because she was just getting too long to stay comfy in the bassinett. If you know of one let me know, I'm keeping a watchful eye on Craigslist in hopes that I'll find a good deal.

4) I'm ready to cut some wires on my neighbors stereo. Seriously if its loud enough that I can hear it in my bedroom which is two rooms from their living room then its too loud. Hell my pictures rattle on my wall. I had to yet again today to go tell them to please turn it down...good grief it was hell enough getting Aslynn to sleep at that point.

5) B.B. King is coming to town on the 21st and I really want to go. Brad wants to go as well but we don't know if it will be financially wise to do so but on the other hand we havent really been out just the two of us in God knows how long. We are still talking about it.

6) Momma has joined the world of Facebook and she is addicted to the Apps on there that its too cute.

7) Brayden is working on 4 teeth, two of which are his top molars. So when these 4 bad boys come in he will have 6 on the top and 2 on the bottom. Poor kid I hope it isn't 6 months before the next one comes in.

8) Brayden said "stop" yesterday when I was picking on him...hmm too bad for him I didn't.

9) Next week I am going to order his halloween costume. He is going to be a dragon and it is the cutest little outfit. I still have no idea on what to dress Aslynn as. Last year Brayden went as a little devil. hmm...I'm sure I will come up with something that will suit her in all her princess glory.

10) I'm itching to cook again. Like cook cook. Don't ask...lol.

Les Rizieres

2008-09-03T10:28:00.000-05:00

I've decided that on Wednesdays of each week I'm going to blog about a favorite place I've been or stayed and hope and dream to one day go back. Today I've chosen a hotel by the name of Les Rizieres. It's located in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, Provence France. Its absolutely beautiful and serene. Its located just south of Arles and Nimes and the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct.

I went there in 2000 when I went with a bunch of classmates and teachers from middle school. There are only 27 rooms and they are all close by on one level. It is hard to put into words how beautiful this place is. By looking online I have found that they have since remodeled all the rooms and everything.

Great American Seafood Cook off!

2008-09-02T16:44:00.003-05:00

Coming up in November is the Great American Seafood Cook off in New Orleans and I'm really excited. I am a serious seafood lover. During the cook off 5 chefs will create their masterpiece for a slew of judges only to have one chosen. You should really head over to www.greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com website and pick your favorite recipe out of the five.

My personal fav. out of them is Louisiana native Chef Brian Landry's Shrimp and Andouille Cassoulet. Now I am no culinary great by any means but to me the mix of shrimp, andouille sausage and beer are a great combo. I mean c'mon beer in a top notch recipe, I'm still getting a kick out of that. Not only does that appeal to me but the use of spices. Now I am a serious spice user, no doubt about it. I love love love them!

My dream place to live would be Massachusetts. I would love to be able to wake up early in the morning and go pick out fresh fish and seafood. To me it just tastes so much better and I think it would be easier to cook with then what you buy at the store that might sit there for a few days. As strange as this may sound I dream about the day that I can get a fresh salmon or trout and filet it.

What can I say, I'm a girl not only obsessed with cooking but seafood. I'd cook with it everyday if I could :)

All of my faithful readers that you are you need to hop on over to the Great American Seafood Cook off website and pick your favorite recipe out of the five and vote in the cook off!

I love this picture

2008-09-02T14:54:00.000-05:00

This picture just makes me smile. I wish I had one of Brayden like this when he was that little.

Ten on Tuesday

2008-09-02T14:40:00.001-05:00

1) Why is it that when men get sick its like they are dying?? Brad is sick and I just want to tunk him on the head for acting the way he is...oh well the ogre is asleep right now during MY nap time.

2) Speaking of Brad being home he is now on 3rd shift which completely ruined my little schedule I had. ugh. Hence why I'm not napping. Now I have to cook two meals for him? Uhh no fix it your own self.

3) I'm a little bitter about the whole 3rd shift thing. I preferred it when he was on 2nds because I could enjoy time by myself during the day.

4) I'm exhausted. Luckily Aslynn has started sleeping atleast from 11/12ish-5ish. Kudos girlfriend. Brad is no help what so ever for the most part even after asking him and snide remarks under my breath. Nothing new but hell I thought maybe this whole 3rd shift thing would work in my favor...bawahahaha I was smoking crack obviously.

5) Brayden can now when he wants to give kisses and snuggles and says "Dood it" for I believe "I did it"

Ya know what.. I'm too tired mentally to type 5 more things so 5 will just have to do.

My big little petite girl

2008-08-25T15:54:00.000-05:00

Aslynn had her first real well baby check-up today and also got her first round of vaccinations.

Shes growing beautifully and everything looks good.

She weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 12oz (25th%) and measured 22.5 inches long(50th%).

So she is my big little petite girl.

Rip Van Winkle 0 - Aslynn Grace 3

2008-08-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

Over the past 72 hours I have been able to ring in a whopping total of 9 hours of sleep.

This morning for example...Aslynn woke up at 5 after having woken up at 12:30 and 4. When did she proceed to finally decide to drift heavily away into dream land? oh 8:30. And just as I laid my head down on my pillow, which I knew I shouldn't have even done in the first place, Brayden decides hes had enough of playing quietly in his crib and he wants out.

You may be thinking that that isn't too bad....well let me add in the times and numbers.

3 was the number of hours she cried last night until 9:30 when she finally found her way to dream land.

10 was the minutes that I was able to shave my legs and shower.

She was also up at 10:30 falling back asleep at 11:30.

Now on a normal given day Brad would so graciously wake up with Brayden and let me get in just a few more winks. Oh but hell hasn't quite frozen over again. Nope not today.

So I'm back to the daily grind yet again with some serious baggage.

And just where is Brad......asleep in the bed.

Tagged

2008-08-21T21:28:00.000-05:00

Monica has tagged me to do this meme!
I must reveal six unspectacular quirks about myself and challenge other bloggers to do the same.

The rules are:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag six bloggers by linking.
5. Leave a comment for each blogger.

1) Kitchen appliances and designs get me all excited. Inner chef in me I guess :)

2) I have a fear of needles yet I have 3 tattoos.

3) If I'm not eating but someone else around me is I will either go to another room or turn the TV up so I can't hear them chew.

4) I used to be all artsy-fartsy. I was in the Art Guild in middle school and I loved to draw. I used to be good at it.

5) I wash my pillowcases every two days.

6) I could spend hours in Books a Million or Barnes and Noble just reading books. I love to read and wish I had more time.

So I am tagging:

Mia-A day in the life of Aria Faith

Antigone-Antigone Lost

Breanna-The Smith Family

Anelys-Life with my Flowers

Lauren-The Abby Adventures

Holli-Living Without Brenna

Must be nice

2008-08-21T11:59:00.000-05:00

Honestly it must be nice to only have a 8 hour job. You get to leave and get a break from your job. You come home only to go right to bed and to sleep until 11am, causing your toddler and newborn to remain silent. Heaven forbid if a noise is made.

Dont get me wrong I am in no way knocking being a mommy. I love my job but just like with any job you need a break. I don't get that break. I never did when it was just Brayden. Sorry, yes I did and that was when Monica would have Brayden over for a spendanight.

While you have an 8 hour manual labor job I have a 24 hour manual labor job. I am Mommy. I tend to their every beck and call, every tear, every diaper-wet or dirty. I am lucky if there is a silent 10 minutes between the hours of 8am-8am to shower and shave my legs.

Give me a f'ing break. Don't moan and groan to me about needing more sleep..HELLO I am up every two hours feeding our daughter while you take a trip into la la land.

Must be nice.

Celebrating the life of those with Alzheimer's

2008-08-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

My grandmother who passed away earlier this year suffered from Alzheimer's. She would have turned 90 in September. No one really knew the extent of her case until the moment she fell and broke her hip and had to have surgery and then stay in a Rehabilitation Home. They classified it as Sundowner's Syndrome. All that means is that her Alzheimer's mainly affected her at night or in the early hours of the morning. When my Aunt stayed with her she said her bad nights were horrible and her good nights were only so bad.

Social Spark has teamed up with the Alzheimer's Association this year in the Alzheimer's Memory Walk.

All around the United States this fall walks will be conducted to help raise awareness for this disease and raised money to hopefully one day find a cure. And to also honor the memory of the lives claimed by it.

A typical walk is anywhere from 2-3 miles so its not that far of a distance. And with atleast 600 communities holding walks I am sure that there is one near you.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

You too can make a difference by setting up a team of walkers in your neighborhood. Go ahead and do something good. Walk for your neighbor, your own family member, a church member.

Ten on Tuesday

2008-08-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

1) Momma left yesterday to go back "home". As hard as it is I'm trying not to dwell on it too much simply because when Momma left last year after Brayden was born, that was when my PPD hit big time. I had been fine up until then. It just sucks that she has to leave us.

2) Brad's first night back to work was last night and that was an adventure in itself. Since Aslynn was born I really had yet to be by myself with these two. I'm worn out to say the least.

3) Aslynn has her 2 month appointment tomorrow. She also will get her first round of vaccinations :( This is my first vaccination without Aunt NiNi there to make me feel better.

4) Brayden is FINALLY getting another tooth. That makes 5 now. 5 whole toofers.

5) I'm tired of waiting for this guy from Church to come around and answer our calls about buying our car.....so....Anybody want to buy a 2000 mustang???

6) I have a feeling that an Aslynn spendanight might be coming soon. We will have to get in touch with Aunt NiNi about that one.

7) More than likely we will be moving in a time frame of 60-90 days. It all depends on when they get done building. Woohoo for 3 bedrooms but I'm tired of moving. I want to be in a stable place for more than a year and I'm not even Military.

8) Kids Market in Huntsville is coming up in Sept. and I am super stoked about that! Brad went back to work at a wonderful time:)

9) Aslynn was tortured Saturday by two cameras. LOL. Monica was able to take some pictures of her for her announcements in my Christening gown from years ago. Momma and Monica said that she looks just like me when I was a baby so I'll take their word on it.

10) Our neighbor is moving back to Decatur soon and it sucks because I'm going to miss her and her little boy. She was awesome!

Ta Da!

2008-08-15T08:32:00.000-05:00

Brayden got a haircut, hence the ode to his beautiful curls!

An ode to Brayden's hair

2008-08-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

A boy and his puddle

2008-08-07T20:22:00.000-05:00

We had a nice little rain today that allowed puddles to form in our parking lot and Grandma thought that it was a perfect time to let Tater play in the puddles.

There was one puddle that we now will call "Lake Tater" simply because it was huge. Oh he loved that puddle the best!
On a completely different note I FINALLY figured out my manual settings on my camera. We are still playing around but I found the setting that best works with me and everything.

Aslynn and her hearing

2008-08-06T21:58:00.000-05:00

I feel so much better after our trek Birmingham yesterday. Dr. Wooley and everyone at Children's South is so wonderful and nice.

She essentially can hear in both ears with no difficulty in her left but in her right she has a reverberation in her right and a low decibel hearing loss. The reverberation makes everything she hears on that side a little muffled and she lacks the ability to pop her ears when she yawns.

We go back in February so that she can be tested in an isolated room to see if she can turn to sounds and what not.

So needless to say all is good with her hearing and a I feel tons better.

10 on Tuesday

2008-08-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

1) We are going to Birmingham today to have Aslynn's hearing tested at Children's South and hopefully ease my mind and give me the answers I want that Dr. Murphree(if you want to call him that) couldn't give us.

2) I went for my six week postpartum check-up yesterday. Hard to believe it has been that long already. Dr. Aguayo couldn't believe it either. Everything looks wonderful and I am down a total of 35 lbs. Woohoo for me! I go Sept 2 to have Mirena "installed".

3) Words just honestly can't express how excited I am about Brad going back to work. The main reason for this excitement is because that means that I won't have to go back to work for a little bit longer. We all thought I would be going back first even though Brad promised I could stay at home with the kiddos.

4) I love my momma being here. I get "custody",as Monica puts it, of her again tomorrow.

5) Aldi's....'nuff said

6) We inherited back a cat. Opitmus from Momma kitty's last litter was sitting on our doorstep two nights ago when we came home..they decided that they just couldn't deal with a cat anymore...so wtf are you returning him to us for?? If we wanted him we would have kept him. So needless to say after finally beginning to enjoy being kitty free we have him who will be finding a new home this week.

7) Aslynn is in size 1 diapers now. *sniff

8) Brayden is a hoot. Now when I go into the kitchen he'll stand at the gate and lean over and start saying " nummy nummy nummy" that's what I ask him if he wants food..."do you want some nummies" He has recently become obsessed with his penis. We now have to keep shorts on him at all times or else he will strip naked to play with it or his hand will be stuck in the side of the diaper playing with it.

9) I am praying for Aslynn to start sleeping through the night. She did the first night that momma stayed with us but it has yet to happen again. So I guess its every 2-3 hours for now.

10) I'm back into my prepregnancy pants and its fabulous!!

Congrats!

2008-08-01T08:39:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Lauren on her little GIRL!! bumblebee!

We have a date!!

2008-08-01T08:38:00.001-05:00

Brad goes back to work August 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aslynn at a month

2008-07-28T23:23:00.000-05:00

It's so hard to believe that Aslynn is already a month old. Where did the time go? I honestly feel like I was just lying in the hospital bed waiting for my 4th epidural. At one month she weighs 8lbs 8 oz and is 21 3/4 inches long. Thats up from 7lbs 1oz and 19 1/2 inches at two weeks and 6lbs 3 oz and 19 1/2 inches at birth. Shes growing fast!

Brayden just loves his sister. He slightly can say sister which more comes out sounding like "ister" but hey! He rubs on her head and is the first in the room when she cries. It's sweet.

Me on the other hand......this is a good day after juggling two under 2. I actually had a day of beautification that day! Aunt NiNi was nice enough to treat me to some color to bring back her "Bubbies". I love my hair!

And after Aunt NiNi's eventful morning that day she and Craig both needed some Aslynn therapy. Monica just took it in the form of taking pictures of my little miss.

So here is to her first "photo shoot" per se.

Baby feet are the best!

She was actually half asleep in this picture..lol.

I can only imgaine

2008-07-28T17:01:00.000-05:00

God blessed me with two wonderful children that I am able to love on and kiss on everyday. And everyday I do just that. I couldn't imagine first of all the heartache of dealing with infertility issues but mostly I can't imagine getting pregnant and then losing that miracle.

Being a mommy and hearing these stories of mothers and fathers who have lost their baby breaks my heart to know end. And I end up saying "I can't even being to imagine the hurt".

I can't put into words my exact feelings. I can't tell you how many times that when I love on Aslynn or Brayden I have said a prayer for these families that have angel babies. I don't pray that they move on or get pregnant again. I pray that one day through all of this hurt and sorrow that they can find closure. I know they will never forget their baby and the time shared with s/he.

The past few days my thoughts have been surrounded by these families and their losses and how God is taking care of their little ones while they can't. All they can do is grieve and remember and wait for the day when they get to hold their angel again.

I just can't imagine...

Great gear for the man in your life

2008-07-27T13:15:00.000-05:00

I am always looking online for great gifts to give people since the holidays are right around the corner. I found Luminox watches which are a definite plus for a manly man. If you think the prices might be a little steep for you, just think about how much he spent om those diamonds that you have on your finger. I think he'd be stoked to open a gift and have one of these watches.

Happy Shopping!

Can I be the bigger person??

2008-07-25T10:09:00.000-05:00

Yup, sure can be.

Will I today or this week even?

Nope.

Who knows what I will be but I have the ability to and I think it will come down to that.

My children have a maternal Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle that love them the world around, they have paternal Grandparents and an Uncle and Aunt that love them as well. But what they don't have is a maternal Grandfather.

Physically they have one but not emotionally.

I'm tired of it.

Aslynn is a month old and he has seen her once. She was fresh out of the oven. Brayden hasn't seen him since ooooooooo can't even remember when. But it has been this year.

I'm tired of him being too busy with his companion(that's what we'll call her) to see his blood. He'd much rather spend time with her family than us or Monica.

Pardon me but WTF did we do to get the shun from our own father???

If not me and my sister then what did my innocent children do to deserve this treatment.

At church last night our Pastor preached something on Wednesday night that struck home and I couldn't help but to cry and pray for Aslynn and Brayden and my father. I think I prayed more for my dad than my own children.

I want my children to know Mike. The man who helped bring me into this world who after my mother left raised me with help from Monica.

I'm done with trying to cover up my feelings about this whole situation and him and his companion. I don't like her. I don't like who he has turned into since being with her. In return for him being happy his daughters hearts were broken. It's gotten even worse since Grandma J died.

I'm done. When he wants to see his grandchildren he can stop acting childish and return emails and phone calls instead of ignore them.

At 3:30 AM I thought I was losing my mind

2008-07-23T03:27:00.001-05:00

I was up after feeding Aslynn finally reading everyone's blogs when I hear this crackle. So as bright as my screen is I moved the laptop to see if there was something there. I didn't see anything. I hear it again and shine the area again with my laptop and lo and behold there was Hammy. Hammy is our little brown and white Teddy Bear hamster. He had somehow managed to survive the trip off our dresser onto the floor AND not get eaten by the dogs. Lucky animal! I know exactly how he got out therefore I'm not worried about it happening again...I left the cage open after feeding him.

Part of me thinks it would have been better to be losing my mind!

I still cant get over it

2008-07-20T11:20:00.000-05:00

I still can't believe that Tater is walking. It is so cute and he'll just come running to you. Ugh it makes my heart melt. And what is even cuter is when he has on his sandles. It makes him look so grown.

Completely random post I know :)

Lovin' me some Oopsie Dazie

2008-07-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

Over at Simple the girls are giving away 2 clips/hair band/bows of YOUR choosing from Oopsie Dazie. These are absolutely adorable and not to mention that the fabrics are oh so cute! Right now since Aslynn doesn't have long hair I'm sticking to bows and its a must to be adorable 100% of the time!

So go on over to Simple and check it out!

My new toy :)

2008-07-18T12:40:00.000-05:00

Brad bought me a new vacuum yesterday. Mine bit the dust literally and well wouldn't suck up crap. So we had some errands to run in town any ways so we added a stop to Wal Mart. My only demand was a pet hair remover vacuum because Sophie sheds, BAD, and my beige carpet was kinda black from her.

Isn't it pretty? So light weight compared to the 8 year old brick I was pushing and actually it somewhat moves forward on its own.
So after Brad put it all together he told me to give it a whirl. I vacuumed that area right behind the vacuum in the above picture. Its not even 10ftx3ft and I sucked up the below picture. EWWWWWW.

I had even vacuumed the day before and I knew then that my old one still worked. I guess just not that well.

Needless to say the carpet in there looks FABULOUS!

Not completely girly :)

2008-07-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Brad and I went fishing.

Yup...FISHING. I mean I hooked my own line with a CRICKET and even waded in hip high water to catch these fish. I used to fish a lot when dad had the boat, which was ages ago, and I enjoyed it..not so much then as now but hey I was little.

The last time I went fishing, it was catfishing and that was down at the country and that was 4 years ago I'm sure. Before that time though, umm I believe mom and dad were still married. And thats been atleast 10 years ago.

Ten on Thursday

2008-07-10T20:25:00.000-05:00

1) I'm sad because all 4 of my USB ports on my laptop are in the process of going kaput and well it saddens me because I can't webcam with momma. I was able to for a little bit today and she was able to see Brayden walk but then thpt.

2) Did you know a little boy could expel lime green waste? Now I have honestly seen all colors of the rainbow come from his butt. WTH did he eat to cause that is what I am still trying to figure out.

3)Right now, as of this second, I have come to terms with the possibility that Aslynn might have a hearing issue. Ask me how I feel about it at another time and I can't honestly say that the answer will be the same.

4)As strange as this is I am actually looking forward to getting back to work. Where ever that place may be. I wish that I could work for Curt again and be able to bring my children to work after Brad goes back to work but I know that isn't a possibility right now and I don't think it ever will be. But I will also miss spending time with my snugglebugs.

5)I have my 6 week post partum check-up on August 4th. That is just a few weeks away and I don't want it to be. I don't simply because that will also mean that Little Miss will be 6 weeks old. :( I don't want this to fly by like the pregnancy did.

6)I can't wait to take a bubble bath and go swimming.

7)Someone I know that is pregnant is risking losing her daughter and the child she is pregnant with if she keeps up the crap she is doing. Why do people like that get pregnant while my sister is having a hell of a time?

8)I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have watched Over the Hedge today. WAAAAAY to many times.

9)As of Tuesday I am down 24lbs, which actually puts me past my pre-preggo weight. Now only 6lbs 3 oz of that was actually baby so that means that all of that was BLOAT. LoL. Because Lord knows that I haven't done jack squat aside from chasing a Tater to lose the actual fat part.

10)I found the cutest website with some of the cutest baby things for sale. Baby Star honestly has some adorable things. And the girl things are feminine. And the products that they make are better for the environment, and no this isn't a sponsored post...but hey if someone from Baby Star sees this :) *wink wink* Who am I kidding. Does anyone read this thing???

Gone by all too fast

2008-07-09T10:42:00.000-05:00

Aslynn had her two week check-up with Dr. Carter yesterday and he said that she looked wonderful and as long as she is eating well he's happy. She weighs in right now at a whopping whole 7 pounds 1 ounce. "So big" as Grandma would say :)

She also had her re-evaluation of her hearing. She failed the initial test done in the hospital and Dr. Murphree wanted to see her back in two weeks. Well she failed the second test as well. From what I gathered by watching the computer during the test, it is her right ear the he is concerned about. Her left ear did okay but I don't think it passed either but it still did better than her right.

So we go back again on the 16th to have it tested yet again.

I know that everything happens for a reason but right now I am having a hard time coping with the fact that this happened to my daughter. I know that nothing is set in stone yet but I still have to sit on the fact that she could possibly not hear. I just keep catching myself asking the question "why?". That infamous question.

In my eyes and heart she is perfect. There is no hearing flaw or anything. But it still worries me that she may never fully be able to enjoy music and movies and the complete conversation. Then I find myself questioning if she will be able to talk properly down the road.

Why did my daughter get chosen? Is this His plan in making her unique? I mean seriously if it is His plan then he could have atleast given me a little bit of warning so that I could better prepare myself for this.

Rub a dub dub Aslynn is in the tub

2008-07-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

Aslynn got her first "big girl" bath on the 5th. Her umbilical cord fell off on the 3rd but with the festivities of the 4th it didn't happen then. Hers took about a week. Brayden's took two weeks so I was a little surprised when hers just fell right on off.

Bathing her was so different. Right now I am used to the massive Tater who doesn't much like to sit still so I end up wrestling a 21lb chunk for a bath myself. But bathing Aslynn was like holding air. I had to be so gentle and that required some serious focus lol.

4th of July fun

2008-07-09T10:13:00.001-05:00

Brayden wanted to scope out what Hannah was eating. By the time the night was over he had had two baths. He managed to dump a bowl of ice cream all over him and Toni as well as dump her Mt Dew all over him later that night.

This is how Little Miss spent her first holiday. She was quite content just sleeping away in Amy's arms. Here is when she ventured outside while everyone else was in the pool.

Brad's cousin Zach just absolutely adores Brayden and he had the best time just playing with him in the pool.

Who would have thought??

2008-07-08T22:34:00.000-05:00

I wonder what woman actually stopped to think about what positivity a woman's menstrual cycle could bring. It definitely wasn't me. I never stopped to think, "Hey, maybe Aunt Flo could save someone's life." Everyone knows that Stem Cell Research is the big, hot topic now a days. The controversy lies at where to collect stem cells from and it seems that one company has turned those hellish menstrual days into something that may one day save your very life. Who would have thought it. It is almost scary to think that one day, a scientist thought, "hey let's see what is going on in my menstrual secretion. Boom, a new research idea was born. I am leaving my opinion out of this and just sharing with you a new method of continuing medical research.

But you know, there are people that plant their left over placentas, so why not search in menstrual fluids for something that might save a life?

Taking Control: Future Therapies for a Host of Serious Diseases May Be Found in Women's Menstrual Blood

July 07, 2008: 01:28 PM EST

OLDSMAR, Fla., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With today’s hectic lifestyle, where most women are juggling careers, family, relationships, and a host of activities, the idea of possibly facing a serious illness in the future is not something that readily comes to mind -- especially when a woman is in the prime of her life. But what most women don’t know, is that the key to treating a number of possibly life-threatening diseases that she, a parent, a sibling or even her children may face in later years, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, may be found within her own body -- in vital stem cells, which can now be harvested from her own menstrual blood.

Now, thanks to the revolutionary research and technology of C’elle, a service dedicated to providing women with a safe and easy method of collecting and preserving stem cells found in her menstrual fluid each month, even the busiest woman can take control of her future, right in the privacy of her own home. With C’elle’s non-invasive collection process, menstrual cells are processed and cryo-preserved (stored at a very low temperature) for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future. These self-renewing cells one day may even be used for sports medicine or cosmeceutical treatments, such as anti-aging therapies.

"C’elle enables and empowers a woman to take control of her future health, and possibly of those genetically closest to her, in a fast, painless and stress free way," said Michelle Kay, Marketing and Sales Manager for C’elle. "We live in exciting times, as science and technology are discovering how extremely valuable menstrual blood stem cells really are, and the enormous treatment potential they represent for future therapies. C’elle’s ongoing research is supporting these promising findings."

For more information about C’elle, please call 1-877-892-3553 or visit www.celle.com.

If you are curious about this new research, check out this CNNMoney article. See what I can find when I scour the internet?? What will technology come up with next?? There is absolutely no telling. I guess that's why they leave us to be amazed when they make a new discovery.

two weeks

2008-07-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

Aslynn is two weeks old and after a rather quick 24 hour refresher course, I remembered what it was like to have a newborn who was solely dependent on you.

I find myself just staring at her. Again I'm in awe of what I took part in creating. I know most families are partial to their children and their dashing good looks but she is beautiful. She has this head full of hair that in just the right light its red but its also brown and blond. She has the most dainty little fingers and hands. She loves to snuggle and when she isn't being snuggled she would much rather love to be wrapped up tightly.

I was in awe of Brayden when I had him but not so much as I am with Aslynn. I think it is because she is a girl, the little girl I wanted the first time, and after spending the past year raising a rambunctious toddler it is nice to have a baby who is laid back .

That feeling of awe is something that I wish everyone could experience with their own child. That feeling is the feeling that I pray that someone gets to experience.

I've got pictures from the 4th and her first "real" bath since she was born that I will post later.