Who's sick of rain? I AM I AM!

Is anyone else out there sick of rain this summer? Have we really even had more then a few days of sunshine since like MAY? UGH! I bought a stroller to take Aerie for walks and I've barely used it. BUMMER! It's either raining or it's like 90+ degrees and humid as can be.... and although I wouldn't mind sweating off a few extra pounds, I'm sure it's not good weather for my beautiful little baby.

So this week, the high chair was built for Aerie! HORRAY! Next Monday she starts on cereal after her 4 month check up. I'm so excited! I've already bought the bowls, spoons, etc for her and have the cereal as well. We have some plain and some flavored (apple and banana) cuz I like variety and I'm sure she will too!

Aerie's already getting so big... yet she still has no rear end so NOTHING FITS HER! She hasn't so much filled out as she's gotten really, really looooooooooooong. I think she's going to be tall like her Daddy.

Her eyes are still changing color so we're not quite sure what they are going to be. They don't want to make up their mind between a hazel brown and a hazel green.. and then sometimes they are steel gray. Matthew's eyes change color a lot so perhaps she'll be like her daddy with randomly changing eye color .... his change depending on his moon.... I swear!

So life's been pretty good. Aerie's pretty well set on a schedule of eating and sleeping. She sleeps so well and will sleep through anything. Last night when we had some pretty crazy storms.. my little angel was fast asleep (now if only I was too... but nooooooooooooooo). Stupid Thunder!

Next month our whole family is going to Baltimore while I'm there on work business. I have a meeting and rather than leave Aerie at home which would be somewhat troublesome with the breastfeeding..... I opted to just bring her (and daddy) with me! I'm so glad my company is so amazingly wonderful.

Well time to jet.

Kindermusik Here We Come!

Saturday I took Aerie to the Early Learning Expo at Babies R Us. I knew they were going to have a kindermusik demo and I really wanted to check it out. She absolutly LOVED it. I was amazed at how enamoured she was with the kids, the motion and the event itself. I knew I just had to sign her up in the fall for the actual classes, which I did as of yesterday!

I enrolled her in Village which is a combo class of Dream Pillow and Zoom Buggy... The class is geared for Newborns-18 months. Here's the web description of the class:

Kindermusik VillageEach week you'll dance with your baby in your arms, share songs, and celebrate the marvelous transformations of the first 18 months.

Features include:
-Musical play that stimulates your baby's physical and mental development
-Establish soothing routines
-Social interaction with other Moms and babies
-Age-appropriate instrument & prop play
-Weekly Foundation of Learning tips for Parents

Zoom Buggy! - Swoosh, vroom, and clickety-clack your way through this delightful unit. Babies and adults will dance, sing, and play instruments to the theme of being on the go. Through a variety of songs, chants, and instrumental selections you and Baby will experience the rumbling of a baby buggy, the squeaky stroller, the bumpa bumpa bumpa of the wagon, the train chugging up the track and much more.(Weeks 1-7)

Dream Pillow - Baby is the star in Dream Pillow, with each activity carefully planned to stimulate his developing brain, thereby promoting physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and language development.

But it is the parent who is watching and guiding this little star on the rise, and Dream Pillow, like all Village units, is written with the parent very much in mind.(Weeks 8-15)

At Home Materials for each of the units: Home CD, Baby's Board Book, Featured Home Instrument for music-making at home, and two Art Banners.

I'm so excited for Septemember now. Both Aerie and I start school! I hope Aerie likes the class as much as she seemed to enjoy it at the store. It'll be a fun experience for the two of us! Not to mention its time that we get to spend together ever week doing something fun with other babies her age! Plus, I'll also meet some other moms with kids her age for possible future playdates!

I've been looking for a while for a mommy and me style group so I could meet other moms but unfortunatly most of what is in this area meets during the day while I'm at work (not helpful!) so I was thrilled when I learned Kindermusik had evening classes. Sadly, the evening one is in McMurray, but at least it's not that far away. They have classes in Washington starting up as a trial and hopefully in the spring they might have some evening classes. Either way, I'm sure it's going to be a very worthwhile experience for the two of us!

Sunday, Aerie and I went to a baby shower. She met some family she hasn't met yet, but that were at my shower. I was so proud of her for being such a good baby. She didn't really fuss or scream at all! I'm so lucky!!!

This week has been pretty enteretaining thus far as well. Monday was pure insanity with a major proposal due and I ran around like a nut! Then Tuesday was such a great day. It started with a phone call from Y108 saying I was chosen as mom of the week ... but the mystery is who in the world entered me! No one wants to own up to it! Thank you to the mystery person though! I am the proud receipient of dinner for two at Texas Roadhouse, a massage at the Health Pyramid, and tickets to the Improv at the Waterfront.

That started my morning off with a smile... then it continued when I found out my raise went through today (YEAH! MORE MONEY!) So overall, it was a pretty good day for me! Now if I could just hit the powerball tonight.... man would that top it off!

If you haven't done so, check out some of the new pictures I've posted of Aerie. There's a very amusing one where she's riding Artex (thanks to Matthew for picking on my poor little kitty). He didn't seem to mind though.

Well that's about all my time for today. Until who knows when....

Vacations are nice.....

So it's Sunday and unfortunatly it's back to work tomorrow... bummer. Matthew and I have been off for 4 days and we've really done NOTHING! And to be honest, I couldn't have been happier.

Friday was Matthew's birthday (yes the 4th of July). We went to a picnic and then came home. Other then the one trip out we've done nothing but hang around the house and play with Aerie. A vacation well spent! It was just nice not to have to be anywhere, go anywhere or do anything..... just relax.

Sadly, it rained for most of our vacation or we might have ventured out to a park or something with Aerie for a picnic but by the time Saturday and Sunday rolled around we just didn't want to do anything.

I just posted some new pictures (Yea ... I'm a bit slow this week) so check them out and enjoy! Nothing really new to report other then another beautiful Sunday. Perhaps Aerie and I will go for a walk this afternoon if it's not too hot. Currently she's passed out on her gym mat after playing for the last two hours.

July Already? Where is this year going?

Wow, It's already July. We're more then 1/2 the way through the year.... can you believe it? It seems like only yesterday Aerie was born.... but it's really over 3 months ago! What a trip! Life just seems to fly by and there just isn't enough time in the day.

So if you haven't heard the news, Arabella's on a roll.... literally... we just can't keep her in one direction anymore. Once she figured out how to roll over there's no stopping her she's on the go.... this kid wants to be mobile and fast! YIKES! Time to start really looking at baby proofing because I don't think it'll be long before she's crawling.. she already pushes herself up so well... it's only going to be a matter of time.

We had a busy weekend.... Saturday we went garage sale hopping and then Sunday Aerie spent the day with Grandma Nadine Beatrice so Matthew and I could go to a mini golf tournament. It was the first time we've been out alone since Arabella was born and I must say... it felt weird! Both of us did ok in the tournament but not good enough to win. After golf, we swung by the meadows to blow through some free play slots.... nothing like free money to gamble with... I lost and Matthew won (of course).

Matthew's birthday is Friday.... I finally got his present together (well mostly together).... I have to finish up one more part of it before Friday which is no biggie since we have Thursday off anyways. Ah... nice long weekend... I can't wait!

My company picnic is also coming up on July 18th... then next month starts the craziness... why is August always such a busy month for me? Weddings, parties, festivals, you name it... I've got it in August..... plus I scheduled another mini vacation for my birthday... figured I've earned it since I was pretty miserable on my birthday last year because of morning sickness. It also was great my birthday fell on Labor Day weekend so I get an extra day off with no used vacation days.

I've got some new pictures of Aerie. I'm going to try and post them this week... probably while I'm off. I've been so busy I haven't had the time to get them off my camera and uploaded to the website but they'll be there soon, I promise!

UGH! I could seriously use as nap right about now... I'm so tired and I don't know why... I slept pretty good last night (as good as you can with a young baby). Aerie is getting on an ok schedule for the most part.... as a breastfed baby though you can only do so much because it's just not going to sit heavy like formula. But I don't mind, she's worth the lack of sleep any time!

Ah, what a busy, busy week. I'm still in recovery mode even though I was off work last Friday to have my wisdom teeth out (FUN FUN). I spent the majority of Friday sleeping off the pain which actually wasn't too terribly bad.

Saturday, Aerie went to her first series of graduation parties. It started with Miranda and then ended with my cousin Dannys. She did really well until about 20 minutes into Danny's party when she got a bit cranky and let us know it was time to go home. We didn't mind though, we spent ample time at each location.

Sunday we did nothing. I made one short trip to Toys R Us to return a few things but otherwise, we spend the day just enjoying relaxing before going back to work on Monday.

Next week is vacation time and trust me, I can't wait. We'll be celebrating Matthew's birthday as well (YEAH).... Aerie got the most wonderful present for him. I can't wait to give it to him (it needs to arrive first though).

Well, that pretty much recaps the weekend... off to insanity.

Updates Updates Updates....

Well here we are already most of the way through June. I can't believe Aerie is almost 3 months old. We've had a busy month! Aerie attended her first festival and the zoo this month! Though, she slept through both of them for the most part! A few weeks ago, she rolled over... but I believe it was truly a complete accident. I had her on the floor on her belly and one arm gave out and she just toppled over and stared at me with a confused look on her face as to why she was staring at the ceiling instead of the floor. It was kinda cute.

Every day is full of giggles and smiles! I love it. Hearing her laugh makes everything in life worthwhile. Since she's been more active and playful lately, we haven't read as much as we use to - but we still do read almost every day! Often, I sit and talk to her instead... she looooooooves to talk. She talks to me, Matthew, the grand parents and anyone that wants to sit and listen. I swear sometimes she's going to say some kind of understandable word... she tries to so hard!

For Father's Day this past weekend, Arabella and I took Matthew to the zoo for the Dragon Reniassance Festival. It was a lot of fun, but Arabella decided to sleep through the majority of it. We did wake her up while in Kids Kingdom to see a deer up close and personal. Matthew even took a picture - it was priceless! I'm sure it'll be more fun with her next year when she's a little older and can actually see things far away.

We have a few graduation parties this weekend so Aerie is going to meet more of the family. I'm sure there's some people hoping like crazy I show up just so they can see the precious angel.

If you haven't seen her pictures recently, make sure to check out the new photos... there's lots of good stuff there.

Well, I've got a million things to do.

Arabella Chasing Butterflies

By now, everyone knows my daughter's room is covered in butterflies, fairies, and unicorns! It's what I loved and I loved decorating the room with my trinkets and pictures. Even though the room is done, we're always finding little trinkets to add to the collection for her since most of the collection was actually mine. Apparently a while back, my mother's friend Rita saw a beautiful Marie Osmond Fairy doll on QVC. The doll was dressed as a fairy with butterflies on her dress and legs and a big butterfly net. She was simply beautiful.... and then we discovered her name....

Arabella Chasing Butterflies

Well once Rita told my mother about the doll, it was a no question the doll would be purchased for Granny Beatrice's beautiful granddaughter Arabella.

The doll has finally arrived and she's stunning. I didn't know anything about it until my mother brought her over last friday. She was perfect, just like our little Arabella!

The doll now sits on a shelf in my daughters room. Due to the small items on her, I put her up out of reach until Aerie's a little older. She's so precious! I'm so happy Aunt Rita found this wonderful item. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Here's the picture of the doll.

Reunion Class

Ah finally Thursday. Only one more day on this week. It seems each week gets long and longer probably because all I want to do is spend time with Aerie!

So we had our child class reunion last night. Sadly, only 3 couples showed up (probably because of the Pens game). At least we got to see a few of the babies. It was really interesting listening to the other couples tell their stories. Everyone had such a different experience. Of the three of us, I was the only C-Section, one girl had a 4 hour labor... one had a 26 hour labor! What a difference. I felt bad for the one couple as they've just had an insane experience. Their baby didn't like the bottles, formula, toys, clothes, etc. They also had some crazy health problems that landed her in Children's for a week. Thankfully, she's better now.

It was kinda neat being on the other end of the class. I remember sitting there listening to the other new parents and the different stories. I loved being on the other side. It was nice sharing what we went through and of course seeing all the other babies. I just wish more people would have came to the class reunion. I was so looking forward to seeing all the other new parents.

In other news, I'm about to use my daughters adorable cuteness to my benefit this weekend. Froggy is having a photo contest for an opportunity to be Luke Bryans official photography on stage and off during the Kenny Chesney Concert. Plus you get pit tickets and a meet and greet privately with Luke... basically an all around amazing day. You have to take a photo "showing you're froggy" and my mother and I have cooked up one hell of a photograph (provided my daughter will cooperate). I will post it once it's taken. If the station people like it and it's gets selected as one of the 5 finalists, I'll be calling on my friends to vote vote vote as the most votes is going to the show. Here's hoping Aerie wins over the hearts of all the listeners and station people at Froggy!!! I think she can do it!! I know she can! But even if she doesn't, I'll love dressing her up for this photo and it will most definitely go into the scrapbook.

Ah, this day is almost over and I can head to Grandma's to pick up my daughter. I missed her so much today. I just want to hold her all the time and be with her and play with her. Everyday is just an experience and I don't want to miss anything! I know sadly, I probably will miss some things because of working full time but that just means I make every hour of every day with her precious! She is my life now!

Well time to get packing!

Is it really only Tuesday? UGH! It feels like a Monday... and I wish it were Friday. What a week... well really what a night.... how about the Penguin game??? WOW~ granted... I fell asleep for most of it.. then woke up when Matt and Debbie started screaming when they tied it up with 30 seconds left.... I stayed awake for most of the 1st OT.. then passed out watching the game on in the bedroom while Matt, Debbie and John watched in the living room. No worries though, Matt woke me up to tell me they won!

It's been kinda funny all day... so many people are dragging after watching that game .... crazy! The drive to work was empty with what I'm sure was a ton of people going in late because of the game. It was nice for me though!

In other news, Matthew and I have our baby class reunion tomorrow. I'm really excited about going as well. I can't wait to see everyone else's babies! Of course the class had to fall on the next pens game too! At least it'll be over around 8:30pm so we'll still get to come home and watch most of the game. Perhaps I'll even make it through the whole thing (I haven't as of yet.... ).

So I've determined that I'm cursed with Kenny tickets.... I'm just not meant to go to the show. I've been trying to win them every day on the radio and I've been just about every caller BUT the right one. Actually one time in one ticket giveaway I was caller 1, 5, 8, and 11.... Man was I mad! How that happened - I have no idea... but whatever! Perhaps I'm just building up to win a really good prize???

Next week is the St. Pat's festival in Canonsburg. I'm so excited. Matthew and I have enlisted my mommy to babysit so we can go down. We'd take her with us but Matthew and I want to gamble and those games don't usually start until 8/9pm and Aerie doesn't need to be out that late. It'll be the first time Matthew and I have been out together without the baby since she was born. I'm not sure I know what to do......

We've also put in the request for my mother to babysit on June 29 so Matthew and I can compete in the mini golf tournament like we do every year at Red Carpet. Perhaps we'll have to get a babysitter one Sat/Sun for a few hours so we can grab a couple of practice rounds prior to the tournament. Either way, we'll go down early that Sunday and have a ball before hand.

Has everyone looked at the new photos posted and the new organization of Aerie's photo albums. I've made it much easier to find pictures. If you haven't checked out the new pictures - make sure you do because they're great shots! You'll just love the ones with her sunglasses compliments of granny beatrice!

I think this weekend I'm going to spend some time scrapbooking. I've had some pictures piling up and I want to get them into the book. I've also got some pictures with family members that I needed to fill the blank pages in one of her albums. It's hard to believe (no not really) that I've already got four albums for the baby and one is about to be completed.

Well, it's about time for me to go pick up Aerie. I miss her so much. Everyday seems like I want to see her more and more. I just love my little girl. She's the best thing in the world!

Grandma Beatrice - get ready to scrapbook this weekend! And yes, I just had to write about you in my last blog! BECAUSE I CAN!

Ask My Mother About Changing Diapers....

So for those that see my mother on a regular basis, you should ask her about changing diapers..... because apparently 20 some odd years after I'm out of diapers... she's apparently forgotten an important rule....... The diaper goes OVER the rear end of the baby.....

and now the story...

On Fridays my mother watches Arabella at my house (cuz it's just easier then dragging the baby out to hickory).... so Matthew and I arrive home around 6 or so and she's eating ... dressed all cute (because my mother ALWAYS puts her in something cute) and today it just happened to be a little blue dress (That was Waaaaaaaay to big) ....

So after we eat and what not... my mom and I look at some new pictures I took on my computer and Aerie starts to cry.... Matthew tends to her and realized that her diaper is no where near covering her rear end.... in fact her little bum bum was hanging out all over the place...... apparently my mother forgot the the purpose of a diaper was to keep what comes out contained until changes......... whoops....

so anyone that sees my mom can ask her about changing diapers to hear the funny story about NOT covering my daughters rear end........


In other new.... the weekend flew by! It was disappointing that the pens lost. Aerie seemed quite disappointed (Yes, she watched the game with us). We actually had laid her down for a nap, grabbed the baby monitor and headed upstairs to John and Debbie's to watch the game when only moments in... she started crying... so rather then run up and down the steps all night Matt just brought her up with us... as soon as she was there she was fine sitting in the chair with me watching the game..... kinda cute! I can't wait to see if she likes football too! Actually, I think she was just lonley since it was just her and Artex in the apartment. She wanted to be with everyone where all the action was! OF COURSE!

Today, we mostly sat around the house. Our goal this weekend was a bit of cleaning and quality time with Aerie which sometimes it feels like we have no time with her because of our busy work schedules. But this weekend we did manage to get a lot of great time with her and I'm honestly thrilled about it.

Wednesday is our baby care class reunion. I can't wait. I'm excited to see what all the other parents in our class had ... should be quite intersting.

Well, my facial peel is about dry.... so it's time for me to go so I can get this facial done before Aerie wakes up to eat.

Holiday Weekend and Aerie's Eight Week Birthday

Ah finally, an extra day off! I can't wait!!! Only one more working day until a 3 day weekend with my daughter, boyfriend and kitty cat.... (better known as Pain in the Butt). This has been a crazy week....

Over the weekend, my car decided that I am not permitted to have a radio to drive with (it stopped working) so Tuesday it had to go to dealership. They told me the radio is shot and they have to order me a new one (yeah... new radio) but it'd take a week or so to get there (boo.... no radio for like two weeks)....

Tuesday I also attended a meeting for the Society for Professional Marketing Services - an organization I plan on joining through JMT. I checked out their new member breakfast and it totally rocked. I met some great connections and even one girl whom I've got a lot in common with (background in music... ended up in the A/E/C industry instead... ) kinda funny! Anyways, this organization is all around a great thing for me and I'm so stoked about joining.

I went to the dermatologist yesterday to try and get my acne under control. It's gone NUTZOID since I've been pregnant. My doctor had hoped it would have tamed itself after Aerie was born, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO (I'm sure the breastfeeding has something to do with it.....). So off to the Dr. I went to get something that would work since I can't take anything off the shelf with Benzolye Peroxide (which is pretty much 99% of acne control products over the counter).....

Tomorrow Leeanne and I are going to Saddle Ridge. It's been over 10 months since I've been there on a Friday. I'm so thrilled to go too! Leeanne's really getting into dancing and that rocks cuz now I've got someone to go with me. She really wants to learn and that is awesome! I'm ready to teach her!

Other then Saddle Ridge, I plan on spending my time with Aerie. We're just starting into a new book after finishing the Princess Bride last night. I let Matthew pick out the next book. His first choice was To Kill a Mocking Bird but I said no .... so then he Picked The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. Can't wait to start reading it tomorrow night!

Well, back to work.... lunch is over.

Wow Time Flies

Can you believe Arie is exactly 7 weeks old today. Man, time's already flying!!! We've hit some milestones this week. On Monday she went to the doctors. She grew over an inch! She also weighs 9 pounds now. My gosh! I didn't realize she was so heavy. My arms knew it though! I need to start lifting weights or something. I am horribly out of shape again. I went from dancing constantly to dancing nothing :(.... I went to Saddle Ridge on Saturday with Leeanne and barely made it three hours without hurting. Gotta get myself back up to what I use to be! No worries there! Matthew is wonderful and doesn't mind watching Arie while I go get healthy and have some fun (plus I know he secretly is thrilled I'm no longer annoying him to go to Saddle Ridge with me)...

Moving on, this week marked Arie's first real Smile - no longer Gas smiles. She's only done it a few times but we know they are finally real smiles. The first one was Tuesday night with Matthew and then last night with me. Last night she even giggled a bit... well it was more of a squeal but it was a new sound for her we haven't heard. We're so happy!

Being back to work has been crazy. I called off Monday after an exhausting night with Arie... I believe the culprit was gas... and she just kept us up. It was fun being home with her after some well needed rest. Monday also marked a really funny moment. As I was sitting on the floor with her in the bouncing chair... I was gently bouncing her a bit when Artex decided he felt the need to be involved. After spending ten minutes nuzzling me on my lap he moved to the other side of the bouncy chair and watched as I gently pressed the chair down to make Arie bounce. After watching for a few minutes he started putting his paws on the chair and made it bounce himself. It was really cute. Then later when I was washing dishes and she was still in the chair, he did it again... unbelievable! Pets are truly amazing! Now if we could just teach him to change diapers we'd be completely set!!!

Saturday I think I'm going to take Arie to Boarders in south hills for their book event. A lot of the books they recommend for children will be on sale and some even read by celebrities .... I think it'll be fun to go and check it out. Saturday Toby tickets also go on sale. I'm so totally buying them the moment they go up. I've got two friends going with me too. I can't wait - should be a blast!

Well, I've got a million things to do...

Now I'm Exhausted!!!!

Wow, life just became a blur! I feel as though rest is not in my vocabulary anymore! Back to work is quite a change. It feels as though there are not enough hours in the day - of course it doesn't help that I have a 45 minute commute each way to work and have to get up extra early to pump and feed Arabella and somewhere in the mix find time to eat and shower... what a morning routine! And then if Arabella wakes up even earlier, it throws everything off course.... like my sleep!!!!!!!

Speaking of sleep, it seems as though the only way I'm getting any is by going to bed at 9pm. I hope this won't last forever because I feel as though life is passing me by completely. I'm missing my shows (Thank God for DVR) and I'm missing out on time with Matthew because he's barely home from work and I'm ready to crash for the night. I know it's going to get easier, but my gosh!!!

So Saturday is the big day! We finally get the view Arabella's pictures at Brownlees! I am so excited! I just know they are going to be gorgeous!!! It was such a thrilling experience going there. I don't want to go anywhere else to have her photos done because they are simply beautiful!!! She's so creative and pleasing!

I can't believe it's only Monday .... if feels like I've been awake for days. I think it's the lack of sleep because of all the pumping and if I don't pump it hurts sooooooooooooooo much. I would just love to sleep for 8 hours and be done with it.... but I can't :( gone are those days , at least until she starts solids and I don't have to make as much milk!

Arabella goes to the doctors on Monday for shots. This should be an interesting experience. I'm both excited and nervous. I'm excited to see how much she's grown but scared to see her get those painful shots! I hate needles so I'm sure she's not going to want to see them either. My poor baby.

If you haven't checked out the pictures recently of Arabella, defiantly do so. There's a really cute one of Artex looking at her in her playpen (which finally got built). Artex is such a great big brother. He even wakes me up at night when she's fussing. I think it's more because he can't sleep with her crying... but it's still sweet.

I won a phone on the radio yesterday. Really made my day too! Unfortunatly, It's a sprint phone (I didn't hear that part of the contest) so now I gotta figure out what I'm going to do with it. It's a Palm Centro phone retails for like $200-$300. I think I'm going to try and sell it and then take the money to get myself something nice and then put the rest away for something useful (like more pictures of Arabella since she goes back every 3 months). I may just save all of it for the pictures and use it towards getting what I want. Anyone interested in buying it??? It's pink so guys, be warned!

Leeanne and I are planning on going to Saddle Ridge on Saturday. It'll be the first time I've been out dancing since August. God I've missed it. I heard they remodled the place... should be interesting. I'm itchin for some dancing.... SERIOUSLY!!!

Well my time is up. Enjoy the new photos.

Back to work

Ah back to work. It's actually not so bad. I did enjoy the reutn to chaos and over 200 unread emails! That was a fun sort at 8am yesterday morning.... took over an hour to filter through them and I'm still reading some.... I may be reading emails until next week!!!

Arabella's adapting well to life with Grandparents! I'm glad too! I got through yesterday well. Everyone told me it was going to be the longest day of my life, but it raelly wasn't that bad. I didn't have time to think about anything other then work and that actually isn't a bad thing - made the day fly by!

I'm joining a marketing association at work. I just picked it out today - the Society of Marketing Professional Services. Sounds like fun. They have lunches and seminar and all kinds of interesting Marketing related things! I'm looking forward to joining. My first meeting with SMPS is going to be on May 20th for the New Member Breakfast! I might take the seminar on the 21st too but I haven't decided yet. I need to talk to my boss about it and it's potential to really have value in my job (which I think it does).

This weekend is going to be nice and quiet. We don't have anything planned and I aim to keep it that way. Leeanne is coming over tonight but then I'm relaxing for the weekend before going back to work 5 days for the first time in over a month.

Well time to get things done! Later all!

Last Day Home....

I can't believe it's my last day home and I return to work tomorrow. It's been weird being off work for so long.... the longest vacation (if you want to call it that), I've ever had. I thought I'd be ready to go back to work, but I'm starting to wish I could stay home longer.... like forever (come on powerball numbers)... but I gotta go make money to buy Arabella all kinds of wonderful things!

Today's my check up with the Doctor. Finally an end to these appointments for me. Now that I'm not pregnant anymore, I'm going to go back to the dentist to get some things fixed up they couldn't do while I was pregnant. That should be fun! I'm getting myself together now that I have insurance. Going without for so long wasn't great... but it's all better now.

Arabella goes to Grandma M's house tomorrow and then Granny Beatrice comes to our house to watch her on Friday. I hope she adapts well without me around. My mom watched her for a while yesterday while I went to the walmart with my dad to get a few things. She seemed to do ok. I hope it all goes well. She's still in sleepy mode anyways so all she really does is eat and sleep and of course make wonderful messy diapers! Actually, they're not so bad.... just gotta watch for the sneezing!

So far today, I've continued rearranging things... I just can't seem to find an order and organization I like in her room so I just keep moving things. Eventually I think I'll find something I like. I think my biggest problem is as I adapt to life as a mommy, I realize better ways and places for some things so I keep moving what I think will work better somewhere else, and then I find more things and more things and it's just a process that may never end. I do it all over the house too! It drives Matthew nuts because he always tells me he can't find things. Ah well!

Time for me to get back to doing things. It's going to be such a busy day with my doctors appointment and I want to spend as much time with the baby as possible. I don't think I'm going to be an emotional wreck tomorrow, especially since I've been away from her for periods of time while going shopping with friends and what not, but I'm still gonna miss her.....

Later all!

Last Week Home

Well, it's my last week at home and I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad. I return to work on Thursday (alright! Short week!) and I've got mixed feelings. I've enjoyed my time home, but lately I started climbing walls of boredom. It's rough when all Arabella wants to do is eat, sleep, cry, and poop... so playtime hasn't really been too much. I've been reading to her a lot... but you can only sit and read for so long, especially when the books make her fall asleep.

At the same time, I've been craving interaction with other people. I haven't really done much over the last month other than a few outings to the mall and what not.... so in one sense, I'll be happy to get back to a normal routine (well, develop one anyways). But of course I'm going to miss her..... I'm actually glad I won't be home much longer. A lot of moms told me the longer you're home, the harder it is to go back to work emotionally.... at least I have that going for me.

Life has been going well. Arabella had her pictures done at Brownlee last Saturday (April 19th) and I can't wait to see them. We'll be viewing them on May 10th (The first Saturday appointment they had). She did such gorgeous pictures and work so I can't wait to see them! I know I'm going to end up wanting tons of them, they looked so beautiful... she even did a Fairy picture with me with Arabella and purple wings...... I can't wait!

This last full week at home was hectic. I tried to get a lot of cleaning done before I went back to work. I started reconditioning my body to get up like I would for work, dress, pump, shower, feed her, etc. etc. I must say it was helpful as each day was a little better. I continued the process this week as well. Thankfully, if Matthew feeds her around 1:30am when he's usually up anyways, she sleeps until 5:30 which is when I get up .... so it's working out rather well.

Yesterday, Arabella did something rather interesting. When we were just waking up in the morning, she was laying down with Matthew after she'd been fed, changed, etc. All of the sudden she let out a squeal that sounded like a monkey..... actually it sounded exactly like her rain forest swing which has a monkey sound on it! It was hilarious!

Well, I've gotta get more things done. More pictures have been posted - check them out!

Great Day

Ah what a great start to my Saturday! Arabella goes for Pictures at Brownlee Portrait studios today. I can't wait. I just wish I had more clothes for her to wear but unfortunatly she fits into minimal outfits and most of them are onesies. I did manage to find one dress that will fit her ... so one dress it is!

I've been up since 7am getting ready. It takes a lot to do things now. Matthew and I will be in at least one picture because I wanted a family portrait.. so I had to get ready long before I get Arabella ready.

Martina McBride tickets also went on sale this morning. Leeanne and I are going and I just HAD to have good seats for once. I've loved Martina for so long but could never actually afford good seats since she always played at AJ Palumbo. She's at PGP this year with JMC and well... I've been wanting to see him up close too so now was my chance. I must be the luckiest person in the world when it comes to tickets because in 10 minutes I had bought 4th row center stage.... good enough for me!!!!!

So it's shaping up to be a great day... now if Arabella is cooperative at the pictures I'll be such a happy person today! She was a little cranky this morning but hopefully she's gotten that all out of her system now.

In other news, Arabella went for her first real outing yesterday visiting Black Box and JMT .... she did well til we got to JMT then started fussing alot. I think it was just a long day and a lot of people. Overall, she did very well though.

Check out the pictures from yesterday in the photo section.

It's hard to believe it's been almost 3 weeks since Arabella was born and less than three weeks before I return to work. Time sure flies.

We had a busy weekend about us with some visitors .... Friday night Leeanne and I scrapbooked and I finished up her first album. If you saw the book at the shower.. that's the one I finished. I ended with pictures of Matt and I at the hospital.. and now I'll start her new one from when she came home and pictures with the family.

Friday night also was the night of Arabella's first real bath. Her cord fell off on Thursday but we didn't have a chance to actually give her a bath until Friday night. She enjoyed it, I think... there wasn't any screaming or crying... at least not until we took her out of the nice warm water. I think she liked laying in her hammock bathtub .... it looks comfy. Why can't they make those for older people... that'd totally rock to lay in a nice warm tub in a hammock....I'd so fall asleep!

Saturday Nathan and Jackie were in from New York to meet their new cousin. Arabella also had a visit from Uncle Dave and Aunt Diane for a few moments. She had quite a busy day. Sunday, Matthew took some babysitting duties so Leeanne and I could go out shopping for a little while and find a dress for Arabella's pictures on Saturday. It's not that I don't have any clothes for her... it's more so that I don't have any beatiful dresses that actually fit her right now. She's still not into the 0-3 month clothes yet so pretty much everything is huge for her.

So Sunday Leeanne and I set out to find some dress that would actually fit her reasonably well for the pictures. We ended up going to Pennys to raid what was left of the easter dresses and I think I found one small enough (and not poofy) that would fit her well. I haven't tried it on just yet (gonna do that today...) but I think it's going to work.

Of course, there was a sale on the dresses and the more you bought the better the price so naturally I had to go buy three dresses instead of one. Basically, I paid a little more for three than I would have buying only one. They're so pretty too! I can't wait til she can wear all of them (and all the other gorgeous outfits people have bought her). Here's a few pictures of the three dresses I picked out. This first one is the one I believe will fit her now. I'm going to try it on her this afternoon and probably snap a few pictures in it. I'll try the others too to see if potentially they might fit ok to take a few pictures in (they'll probably look like ball gowns on her).

These two I bought as well. They are 0-3 months but look poofy and a little big for her right now. Hopefully within a month or so she'll be wearing them for Summer.... I love the yellow one... it's absolutly gorgeous! She'll get there sooner than I think I'm sure though! It seems like she's not growing.... but I know she's going to start growing and fast... faster than I can keep clothes that fit her in the closet (at least I've got a great selection to start with).

Well, back to baby duty..... she's crying and is probably hungry, wet or just wants some attention this morning. Enjoy the new pictures posted in the album.....

Two Week Check Up

Arabella had her two week check up today and everything is great! She's a happy, healthy baby!!! She didn't even scream too much at the doctors office - a blessing! She's back up to 7 lbs. 8 oz. and is still 21 inches long. Exactly where she should be!

Overall this week has been good. She's sleeping through the night (and we're thankful) and she hasn't been too fussy during the day (she has her moments though). Unfortunatly, life doesn't allow me to take too many naps during the day (and sometimes none at all). Between pumping, feeding, changing, and consoling the crying.... I'm pretty much spent until Matthew comes home and then I can lay down for a while.

I don't mind though - I have to get use to the lack of sleep and running on empty for when I return to work in only a few short weeks. It's hard to believe she's already two weeks old at this point... and I go back to work in about three weeks.

Matt returned to work this week, but I know he wishes he could stay home with his girls. As soon as he's home, Arabella starts wanting attention from him. I know she misses him while he's away all day. Yesterday she was crying and the minute he picked her up she went silent. I knew that she wanted him to hold her.... for a while. She also loves to sleep on him... just like in this picture.... she curls up in a ball on his belly while he plays video games. It's really cute... she sleeps so soundly even with all the noise from the game and Matthew talking in the microphone....

I can't believe how fast time is flying... it's almost time for me to return to work. I'm actually looking forward to going back to work because then life will return to normal and we can adapt to real life. It's nice being home and all but it's not reality.... I'm not balancing work and a family on then will I truly adapt. And then in the fall a whole new world comes through when I balance work, family and school .... I'll manage though....

I'm looking forward to this weekend .... Leeanne will be over and we plan on Scrapbooking.... Matthew has agreed to take care of parenting during that time period so I can stay focused on making a beatiful baby book. Of course, I'll be around to help as needed though .... :)

Well time to go back to the routine.... :)

Silence......

You never appreciate the silence of a house until you have a screaming baby....... actually ... it hasn't been that bad. Arabella is relatively content most of the time. I just put her down to sleep again about 20 minutes ago and she's passed out... so I thought I'd eat some breakfast (finally....been trying to eat it since about 7am) and jump online for a few.

Life is going well. Matthew and I are adapting to change really well. Sleep hasn't been all that lost... but I'm sure we'll have a few nights of those to come in the future. Thankfully he's pretty much a night owl and I'd rather go to bed early so we kinda worked it out well. Arabella so far is actually on a good sleep/eating schedule that will coincide with me going back to work rather easily. Hopefully she'll stay on it when I go back. Keep your fingers crossed!

Matthew will be going back to work tomorrow and I'll be on my own with Arabella. I haven't been alone with her for more than a few hours at a time so tomorrow should be interesting. I think it'll be ok plus Matthew is only 5 minutes away anyhow!

I'm getting around really well at this point. The staples came out on Friday and man did I feel a lot better! They were what hurt the most sticking to my skin and then standing up... OWIE! Unfortunately I had a bit of redness around the incision which my doctor said is common when you're in labor for a long time and then end up with the C-section because you're body is just exhausted! They put me on some antibiotics and then last night I discovered I'm allergic to them and broke out in a rash! WHAT FUN! Matthew was thrilled at the 11pm trip to CVS to get some benadryl and cortizone because I was losing it with the itchiness!

All better now though! They're going to call me in something else and hopefully I won't be allergic to that either! UGH! I'm so sick of taking medications and seeing doctors! After my six week check up at the end of the month, I hope I don't need to see a doctor again for a long time - other than Arabella's!

Artex is adapting to having a baby around rather well. He hasn't gotten himself in too much trouble! We caught him in the crib one night and then Matt built the tent the next day. He hasn't attempted to jump in the bassinet thankfully. He has taken a liking to trying to sit on our lap when we're feeding her. He's done it to me a few times and Matthew as well (once last night). He also likes to sleep on the bed and just look at her bassinet. Overall, I'd say he's been really good! I know he's a little starved for attention but we're both trying to give him as much attention as possible right now in between everything else.

Well, it's time to get some things accomplished before Arabella wakes up hungry which should be soon.... I think she's in her growth sprut because she's eating a whole lot more.

Until next time (whenever that may be). .....