8 months!

Autumn turned 8 months on Saturday. Yes...I'm slacking on my posts. A serious post might arrive in the coming weeks when I find the words to describe the overwhelming amount of work and stress I've been under. Anyway...let's make this a HAPPY post:oD

How they get mobile so very very fast! Autumn, in the matter of practically one week, went from scooting herself on her belly with the strength of her toes pushing her forward, to rocking on her hands and knees, to full on crawling. And it doesn't stop there! She's can also pull herself up onto her knees...and...HER FEET! The girl pulls herself to a standing position! CRAZY!!!! Needless to say, the crib got dropped this weekend. All the way. We cannot have children doing somersaults out of the crib, no no.

I think my favorite thing is just watching her play. I love when she crawls to a toy and then props herself into the sitting position and then just plays with her toy, then moves onto the next. It's so simple and so adorable. She LOVES paper. And plastic. We play the "peekaboo" game with a light blanket that I throw over her head and she pulls it off with big smiles as if to say, "PEEKABOO Mommy! Here I am!" She also has a new game...Daddy puts a foam toy letter in his mouth and blows it out. She thinks this is hysterical and has tried to imitate, but all she can accomplish is a bunch of rasberry sounds with the foam letter hanging from her lips. Highly amusing for all. I might have to get it on video.

We recently went to a consignment sale and got a bunch of new toys...and picture frames, clothes, etc. She has a new walker/ride-on toy for $2. Be jealous;o)

She weighs approx. 17.4 lbs! It was done with a digital scale at home, but I think it was pretty close to accuracy.

She is NOT sleeping through the night. That's all I'll say about that. Hrrumphf!

I still have to do her 8 month pictures. I'm also planning on getting a free collage from Sears with her in her halloween costume. Guess what she's going to be. A MONKEY! Shocker, I know.

So, that's about it. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get from Wordless Wed. pics up:o)

Wordless Wednesday: FIRST MOUNTAIN TRIP!

Thankful Thursday! (x2!!!!)

(This is a post-dated post from last Thursday night. I was just about to finish it when an emergency came up and I had to go to work. So you're getting two Thankful Thursday posts! ENJOY!)

September 23 --

~Yummy bacon & cheese biscuits that my husband spontaneously made tonight. It was dinner. It was not a single bit of healthy and I loved every bite!



~Hubby for watching Autumn tonight so I could attend a teaching program info session tonight. I know...he's the daddy...it shouldn't be a big deal, but it is. I'm slowly but surely starting to take steps toward becoming a career woman and he supports me every step of the way and will do whatever necessary to help me get there. I love him!



~Wine.



~The fact that hubby already did some of our laundry. Yea...he's been earning brownie points this week.



~A 92! on a research proposal for one of my papers this semester. It wasn't deserved. Professor knows it and so do I. But she knows the work I CAN do, so I'll be making better efforts in the future for the rest of this paper.


September 30 --

~Adorable, healthy newborn babies!!!! My brother and sister-in-law had their first baby a few weeks early, but everything went very well and Madison is just a beautiful baby girl. I'm SOOOOO excited for them. CONGRATULATIONS!

~VACTION! This evening we leave for vacation. I'm very excited. I'm NOT excited about the homework I still have to finish (maybe I should be doing that instead of blogging? Hm...), the packing that's not done, Autumn's first ear infection:o( or this crummy rain that will make the roads awful this evening. Other than that, I'm VERY EXCITED!

~caffeine. it's what i live on these days. coffee & sweet tea!

~Rainy days so the hubby can stay home with monkey. Even though it means less work and less money, I prefer to look on the bright side!

~Oh, and my birthday! It's Saturday. I actually could care less. I keep forgetting that it's here. However, the thought that I'll be relaxing on my birthday instead of home and stressing about everything makes me very happy:o)

Wordless Wednesday!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Being a Mom is like...(Blog Hop!)

I'm going to try to do a bloghop. This might fail miserably, but sooner or later I'll get it right, right?! I was thinking about this last night and then I thought, "How cool would it be to read what OTHER people thought?" So I decided that instead of just a plain old blog entry, I'd spice it up to see what others think. So we're blog hopping. I look forward to ANYONE who wants to write an entry!

All you have to write about it what "Being a Mom is like..." and link up. Here's mine:

Being a Mom is like...

Wearing a HOT pair of high heels!
We make it look easy
We make it look GOOOOOD
We make it look fun & trendy!

But at the end of the day...
Our feet hurt!
Our legs ache:o/
And we're just damn tired!

Men will never full understand.
Even if & when they try to walk a mile (ok..just a block!) in our shoes...
They try hard and they do their best
But they don't have the style and they don't have the grace
Give them their props for doing it their own way, but they can't do it like us, girls!

And other women wonder, why? WHY?
Why put yourselves through it all?
Because they too may not understand now (or ever)
That it's the self esteem boost,
The sense of accomplishment
And the pure joy we get...from wearing our "pair of HOT high heels!"

That's what being a mom is like. For me:o)

Looking foward to reading yours!

This is a Blog Hop! 1 entries so far... you're next!

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What Being a Mom is like. . .

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Thankful Thursday!

(1) Beach Weekend!!!! It's hubby's birthday and we're heading for our first weekend at the beach WITH BABY! Wish us luck. Thanks:o)

(2) 3 years at a wonderful job with wonderful employers...excuse me...friends (who pay me to watch their children) and the two best, most well-behaved children ever!!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ANN & ROB!

(3) Anniversary bonuses that is making this beach weekend possible (thank you thank you thank you)!!!!

(4) A beautiful, happy daughter. Just because she's made me smile so much this week. I love her!!!

(5) Playdates with my bff. Even if her child does puke and spread icky germs. Because shit like that happens and when it does, it just makes for funny memories!

(6) Flowers. Like the ones I received for my job anniversary that are sitting on my kitchen table. Their pretty:o)

(7) Sleep. I don't get enough of it. But I'm thankful for it when I do get it. It's so underappreciated.

(8) My big brother who is letting us borrow his beach-accesible vehicle and taking care of the dogs this weekend while we're away. He is awesome. But you don't need to tell him - he already knows;o)

(9) Washing machines. Seriously. I could NOT imagine doing all the laundry I have (especially icky, gross dirty diapers) without one. Handwash WHAT? I DONT THINK SO! People back in the day were brave, brave individuals! (I know...they didn't have much of a choice...but still!)

(10) In case I didn't mention it before................BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Pasta Theory

Autumn is obviously not on food yet, BUT I mentioned to my bff that I have a theory on why most children love pasta of any form. Pasta requires less chewing. Really. Think about it! Spaghetti, mac & cheese, shells, raviolis, etc. All a LOT less work than say, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or chicken nuggets! It may not be that they necessarily like pasta better (although, it could be that b/c pasta in all forms is just awesomeness anyway), but if they have to chew less, it means their mouths are less tired from eating, which means they will eat more!

I'm a genuis. I know. I really must write & publish my own book:oP

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I have a ton to be thankful for:o)

~Vacations. Nuff said!

~My best friend. Without her I'd probably be very lost in this world<3

~My best friend's family. They have always and will forever be my "home away from home." They love me and care for me as if I've always been their own and they truly are a blessing in my life. I am thankful for their hospitality this week (food, shelter, and hot tub!) and the joy they feel just for having us here. I do love them so much!

~My loving husband who, despite missing me and his little girl, understands the importance for me to just get away for a few days and relax. I'm sorry he couldn't make this trip with us, but I'm so proud of him for working so hard this week in this unbelievable weather to help support us.

~Days when my child seems to adore sleep.

~Double stuffed oreo cookies, doritos, and hot dogs with cheese;o)

I'm a happy girl this Thursday!

Highway Shoe-Losers...come in please

How do people lose odd things, like A SHOE on the highway? Not a pair. Just one.

I understand hats - people driving convertibles or open top Jeeps or something similar.

I understand baby socks, shoes, toys, etc - children like throwing things out the window (although I'm not a fan of open windows for children on a busy street for this very reason and others).

I understand cds since I've lost and witnessed several other occassions where they go flying out the window when you're searching for one very specific cd (how often is it the one that just flew out the window?).

But do tell...how do you lose ONE shoe? If it's a situation where your trunk opened and your suitcase came unpacked - then why did you pick up everything BUT that shoe? I'm just curious. HOW THE F*^&@ DO PEOPLE LOSE ONE SHOE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET?!

And that's your random thought for the day:o)

Hopping on the Thankful Thursday Bandwagon

Sure...EVERYONE seems to be doing it, but what is not cool about taking a day to remember that there are things to be thankful for?! And since today is a ROCKIN Thursday in our home I think I'll start today:o)

1. My little girl who slept til from 10pm to 630 this morning! FLAME ME...I don't care...hahaha!

2. Opportunities that present themselves at the most needed time! Prayers do get answered! Just recently things have worked out for my bff & her family and things are also starting to turn around in our own home. I'm just so happy for all of us.

3. A husband who tries his very best to be everything to his family...I love him whole-heartedly<3<3<3

4. "Violet" the Puppy from Leapfrog! A gift from our friend, Sandra. OMG it's so freakin cute & it's says Autumn's name & sings songs & talks...I want one for myself!!!!

5. Coupons to dept store picture places so I can get lots of picture for REALLY cheap prices!

6. Italian food. Nuff said.

7. A job (& employers) who are just simply awesome. I try to never take for granted the flexibility I have with my job...the simple fact that Autumn comes with me is the just the start of it. The flexible hours...the well-behaved children...and the boss-lady who is more like a big sister...what more could I ask for?!

8. Chunky baby thighs to tickle!

9. Wake-up smiles:o)

10. Microwaves, so I can heat up my italian dinner from last night! And on that note...I'm going to eat lunch and pack up to go to work!

I hope you find something to be thankful for today!

I got an AWARD?!

Holy macaroni & cheese! First & foremost, I totally feel undeserving of this award because I've neglected this blog except for maybe once a month...however, perhaps this will inspire me to write more;o)

So, Sara from NinjaPanza nominated me for an award. She has little Oliver, 7 months, who just has the cutest laugh ever. I dare you to watch her post "Gigglefest" and not grin from ear to ear! It can't be done...it's so stinkin cute!

Here be the award:

The rules? List 10 interesting, random facts about ME! & then nominate other blogs!

So, please keep all hands and feet inside the ride at all times...and try to refrain from jumping out at any particularly boring moment:oP

1. I have never lived on my own. Parental household -> dorm room -> apt w/ brother -> living with boyfriend...who became hubby. Sometimes I wish I had, at one point, lived completely alone so that everything would be MINE and decorated/organized the way I wanted it.

2. I would stay in school forever. At times it's stressful, but I love staying busy and having something to focus on. ESPECIALLY research papers. Sick, isn't it?

3. My favorite dessert is tiramisu. ::drooling now::

4. I know how to latchhook. And I enjoy doing it! But I have NO CLUE what to do with the projects when I'm done with them, so I refrain from doing them.

5. The last advice my grandmother gave me: "Just keep laughing." Words.I.Live.By

6. My first dog's name was Snoopy. And no, he was NOT named after the cartoon character.

7. I have a strong desire to write a book, but have yet to figure out what it's going to be on. I just have this overwhelming feeling that one day I will be presented a great question to research and I can't wait to find out what it will be.

8. I don't like cabinet doors open...even the littlest bit. Call it a tick or OCD or whatever. But if a cabinet door is open, I MUST shut it.

9. I'll sweep and then get lazy and leave the pile in the corner because I couldn't find the dustpan fast enough and I don't feel like dragging out the vacuum. My husband always tells me to get rid of my new "pet" (lots of dog hair) or he just picks it up. Hey...if the dustpan was where it was supposed to be, we wouldn't have this problem to begin with!

10. When I shower I go in this order: wash hair & rinse, wash body - left arm, belly, right arm, left leg, right leg, back, shave & rinse, condition hair, wash face, rinse conditioner out. Random...I know...but now I bet you're thinking about how YOU wash and you do it differently, don't you?

So, now to nominate other blogs....

~~Becky at Caleb Hudson...my best friend, a terrific mom, & an all around beautiful woman who inspires me to be a better person. I.LOVE.HER

~~Jen at It's A Domer Baby...I was sent a link to her blog when I was researching natural birth (she did a homebirth) and I was inspired by her birth story and now I love reading up on how she's raising little Joseph

~~Nate's Mama at Living like a bunch of dirty hippies...my local internet pal (who I still have YET to meet!) who pointed me towards the birth center I went to and answered all my never-ending questions about natural birth & such

~~Ruth at The Jones Brouhaha...a "knottie" from way-back-when who recently had a gorgeous little baby boy...OMG I just want to snuggle him and give him kisses (note to self...remember to put his gift in the freakin mail already!)

~~Becki at Our Sweet Pea...my girlfriend from back home who is currently pregnant. She is fun and crazy and if pregnancy doesn't kill her (j/k!) I think she'll make a damn good mommy!