We have a screamer

And with that its the last day of August and the end of summer is on the horizon, although here in Texas the heat is still ever present.

Our weekend was pretty low key and by low key, I mean we barely left the house. It was full of some quality time with my little one. She played and played and played and screamed. I mean scream people. Little bit has some lungs, and she always testing them out. She screams at her toys, screams at the dogs, screams in the car just to well, scream.

 

She also loves to chew (as you can see by the fingers in her mouth). On everything. But, not a tooth in sight. Girl can conjure up some serious drool. I have to bib her just to keep her onsies dry.

 

And other than running a few errands and making dinner, I finally got started on my window project. This old window has been sitting in our garage for almost 2 years now. I had big plans to use it in the guestroom and then E's room and now I have settled on our dining room. But first, I need to scrap the years of old pain off of it in order to get it down to seeing some old wood. I am going for an unfinished look rather than the old paint look.

Three passes of paint stripper and its still has layers of old paint. But.... at least its a start. Once I get it down to some wood I am going to sand and then just clear coat it. Then I am going to put black and white photos on the panes and hang it in the dining room along with the antique table I have been gifted. The table, well it need work of its own as the veneer top is chipped and coming off and well I just have not figured out how to salvage it yet.

And that is our weekend! next weekend is Labor Day, which means three-day weekend, a birthday party for a friend's one year old, and the last day of white pants for the year! And... the start of college football baby!



Friday Fails

Oh hey it's Friday and the last one on August, say what? September is literally just around the weekend and I would like it to be accompanies by cooler temps. So, this Friday instead of Favorites, I bring you my Friday Fails. These are the highlights of my week:

1. Bows. Yes I have a baby girl. Yes she owns bows. No, she never wears them. First of all, she is sporting her way cool DocBand these days and well, no room for a bow. And no, I will not adorn said DocBand with a rather large bow. And lastly, said bow will make it all of 1.2 seconds at daycare. So.... even on weekends, no bow, cause we ain't going nowhere. #momfail #sorrynotsorry

2. Nails. I have been a habitual nail biter since well I can remember. I would literally bite my bails into the quick and they would bleed. I go through stages now where I will be mindful and let them grow. But, honestly, just never been into it. I used to have fake ones just to look presentable, but nowadays, just don't care. I do not have a stock pile a nail polish I use, unless I find the time to paint my toes.

3. Decorating. We have lived in the new house for almost 2 months and other than Evie's room, its still a hot mess. We have not hung a thing, the downstairs living room is naked and well until we sell the townhome and the rent house will remain so. But I got big plans people, BIG!

4. Dinner. I admit dinner is my job. I buy the stuff, plan what we will have and then life gets in the way and I find myself making risotto and steak at 8:45 p.m. True life people.

5. Blogging. I have been a bad blogger, commenter, etc... you get my drift. Finding the time to plan posts, take photos and heck even have anything other than my boring life to discuss has been a struggle. I mean I barely get laundry done let alone blog.

Happy Friday ya'll... the struggle is real, so let's all be real too! xoxo

Thoughts on a Thursday

I am a few hours late on this post, and well in general on posting. (and now days, as in I started this post yesterday and I am just now finishing and posting it).

Life has been on full speed as of late. Between getting in the flow of a new job, having a constantly growing and changing baby, and a rent house that has consumed us, I have not had a moment to breathe let alone blog.

Evie is doing well and rolling over and over and over, and actually slept on her tummy Sunday night. She is also going through a clingy stage, where when she gets home from school, all she is wants is to be held. It makes it difficult to get anything done in the evenings. She also insists on a late evening nap, well I am sure she would just sleep, but then I would be up at 2 to feed her. She is still waking at least once during the night, but is finding ways to get herself back to sleep, so at least I am not getting out of bed to soothe her.

As for the rest of life? My house, aka the rent house that had the pipe break, and ruin the floors, has just become a money pit. Not only do all the floors need to be replaced, but possibly the entire subfloor, which I know will be a fight with insurance. And we may have mold that has since gown due to the moisture, And all the water caused the foundation to shift... again, so I have a front door that won't close, huge cracks in walls and brick that has shifted. Oh, and the entire concrete front porch that is lifting away from the house. And insurance, well its only covering the cost of the floor. It's been a nightmare, and I now know why people sue insurance companies... this from someone who represented insurance companies for the past 4 years.

And lastly, prayers needed for my sweet brother. I am not sure any of you know (ok well maybe the BOFF) that my brother has been in a year long custody battle with his son's mother. He has not seen his son in over a year. We have had court date after court date rescheduled and Monday it happened again. This has hurt our family so much. My nephew has not met his sweet baby cousin, missed my wedding, and most of all, we have no clue with what his mother is filling his head. She has filed police reports, CPS reports, you name, she has tried to do it to my brother and mother. So, prayer for my brother to have patience to continue this fight, prayers for my nephew and prayers for his mother. To have her see what is best for her child and not her own personal vendetta.

TGIF

Thank goodness its Friday. This has been a well a week. Between me being sick, Evie having a cough and getting shots and trying to deal with a rent house mess (yes still working on that), we are glad its Friday. I'm heading out to a hearing but then its Friday and the weekend has begun.

E finally got her 4 month shots yesterday after our insurance snaphoo last week. She took them like a champ and slept wonderfully for 2 hours when we got home. She is also learning to get herself back to sleep at night. Mostly because I have put down the iron mommy fist and let her talk it out, cry it our, figure it out. Last night she gabbed for 30 minute before she started to cry. I turned the sound on the monitor off and 30 minutes later, girl was fast asleep. Call me a horrible parent, but sometimes you just have to let them figure out they are ok without you constantly popping a paci back in or rocking them.

E is also a roly poly lately. She just rolls all over the place. In fact, she did a complete 365 in her crib last night. Crazy girl.

Tomorrow I am taking her to The Little Gym to try out their music and play program for infants. I want her to be around other babies and experience music and play so hoping this might be a fun weekly event.

And I would photodump for you but 1. I left my phone at home and 2. I am a horrible mom and haven't taken any photos this week (sick, busy, sorry not sorry.)

Have a grand weekend ya'll.

Real Love Is.

J and I have been married for 8 months now. We have gone through so much in the last year-- my new job, marriage, baby, buying a house, selling a house, another new job, dealing with a rent house... you get it. So last night as I was laying on the floor dying (ok not dying just sick) I realize how lucky I am to have this man and our real love. Real love is....

• the husband who draws you a bath and pours warm water over your back while you soak
• the husband who then holds your hair back while your puke your guts out
• when he doesn't look at you like you're crazy when you say you need to go into work today just for a couple hours to get things done
• spending $1400 on your dog who had to go to the puppy ER
• letting your mom stay the night even though you do not always get along with her just so the two of you can get a whole night's sleep
• understanding why you need 3 "brown" pairs of shoes
• letting you sleep til 6am and feeding the baby when she wakes up ay 5:30
• going to World of Beer with your husband even when you don't like beer because you just like spending time with him.
• watching your husband kiss the baby before he leaves for work, and then making sure he pets both dogs
• Doing life together, the good, the bad, the ugly.

back in shape

If you have been around these parts for any amount of time or the previous parts, you know working out is a huge part of my life. Cue baby and all that went out the proverbial window. Well, most everything of any type of schedule went out the window when E came along. But low and behold, we are finally getting  back into some sort of schedule, which means getting  back on the workout track.

Before E, I was a 5 day a week workout girl. 30 minutes of cardio, abs and then weights. I was religious about it. I did my pre workout, had my post workout protein and watched everything I put into my mouth. Then I got preggo. I still worked out, but it was not the same. And then I hit 32 weeks and there went the workouts. I was just so tired.

So, when E came I was itching to get back in the gym. But I did not realize how hard it would be. First to find time, and second to actually get my body to work like it used to. Sure, the weight came right off due to lack of eating and constant walking and swaying with my bowling ball baby. But the muscle tone... eek... I was working out 2 times a week, but taking it slow. I found I could barely handle a 10 minute run. This from someone who ran 4 miles 3 times a week. I was out of breath and well, afraid I would not be able to hold things in, if you get my drift.

And then I went back to work. And there went workouts. I  had no time. Between driving, working and trying to be a mom, there was no time to workout. I missed a month.

So, now that I am back in Fort Worth and E is a tad more consistent on the sleeping (more on this later), J and I decided we needed to get back on track. I am back on morning workouts twice a week.

But let me tell you ladies, they just are not the same. I attempt 20 minutes of cardio and then hit the weights. But I feel so weak. My once curls with 15lbs are down to 10's and sometimes the 5's. Pull downs? Yeah measly weight of 45 instead of my 70. I do not even want to talk about what has happened to legs. I have not even attempted to squat or do the leg press yet.

I know it will take time and I need to allow myself to ease back into the routine, and I should just be proud I make it to the gym, but its hard. Maybe I need some new workout duds to get me in the mood, lol.

Either way, this is my public commitment to getting back in shape. I know I will never have the same body as I did before E, and I am ok with that. I just want to make it through more than 10 minutes of a run before I feel like dying (or peeing my pants.)

So, hats off to moms with find their way back to the body before baby or even workout at all after baby, its hard. And for those that don't, its ok too. We all make choices that are best for each of us. But for me, my day is just not complete until I have my endorphin kick from a good workout.

Flat Fixin

And its Monday again! Where did the weekend go? At our house, it went to helmet wearing, shopping and BFF visits.

So, Evelyn has a severe case of Plagiocephaly. Along with it came torticollis. It's been a lot to deal with, but all in all, its fixable. But, it means out precious angel will be adorning a DocBand for 6-9 weeks. Friday so received her custom made headgear and Saturday we got it all decorated. There is a wonderful organization in the DFW area called WrapBuddies. This non-profit decorates DocBands for free. I found a local wrap artist who partners with WrapBuddies since their wait list is rather long. Evie got a custom wrap Saturday.

Adorned by ladybugs, this girl is ready to rock her helmet. She had done quite well with it and other than it trapping in heat, she has slept in it and seems unphased. I am hoping these weeks go by quickly and when its all done, she has an even more gorgeous noggin to go with her personality.

On another Evie note, girl is still struggling with the sleep. Pretty much from about 3:45 on she is up and down and in and out of sleep. Help! When do I just bite the bullet and let her cry it out? Mama needs some sleep (and daddy too).

Saturday while her helmet got decorated, my mom and I and E hit up the outlet mall. We got some steals and deals for sweet Evie. I stocked up on 9 months (yes 9 months) clothes in the form of $6 pj's and onsies from Carter's, cute bibs from osh Koch b'gosh and the cutest swimsuit for next year from Janie & Jack. All I wanted was a pair of sandals, but alas there were none I liked. So J and I ran into DSW yesterday and I grabbed some on major sale (hello they have boots in stock. Did they miss that its still 100 here in Texas? and will be til um mid-October?).

Saturday evening  my BFF from law school arrived! We grabbed some dinner and headed to World of Beer to J could try something new (its kinda his thing and I love the atmosphere). We hung out til 11:30 and then headed home to bed.

Sunday was lounged around and got ready for the week. Well, we tried as again E was up from 3:45 on.

But I love these two anyway.

She's Grown

I have had the pleasure to watch one amazing young woman grow up before my eyes.

My munchkin came over last night to get her graduation present, see Evie and well let me hug her one more time before she left for college. And then it happened, I began to cry. And then the cry turned into a bawl and before I knew it was an all out mess. Blame post partum hormones, but honestly its because this young woman is pretty much the closest thing to a little sister I have.

The first time I met her, she was pretty much the same age Evie is now, and holy smoke she is 18! I babysat her through kindergarten and first grade, she watched my twirl my last competitive event, was in my wedding, and will always be so special to me.

 

 

I love you Haylee bug and cannot wait to watch you conquer the world!

She Rolls

Evelyn Ray is 4 months old!

This bundle of joy weighs 16 pounds and 4 ounces, (she is one big bundle) and is 25 inches long! That's 94% for height. She is giggling and talking up a storm like Mommy and growing tall like Daddy. She has spent a whole month at school and seems to be doing well.

This month we have seen so many new things. She has learned to grasp toys and her paci; watch TV, and roll over (well almost, she tends to get stuck on her arm). We also introduced some  solids. Banana was a hit... the sweet potatoes are another story.

We are still experiencing a slight sleep regression and Mommy will be ever so happy when it ends and she gets her nights back.

Our happy little peanut loves everything. She loves to listen to Daddy read to her at night, for Mommy to swing to her (albeit not the greatest), and enjoys watching her puppy sisters zoom around. She also likes to sit in her activity chair.

This will be the last pic you see of her sweet head of hair for while as she gets her DocBand on Friday and we will be on our way to fixin her flat and asymmetrical noggin.

Time sure has flown, but I would not change it for the world. We love Evie Ray. And Happy 4 months to our sweet friend Vivi! We love being almost birthday twins with you!

It's Hot in Here

Good Monday  morning to ya! We survived another weekend here in the Sahara Desert Texas. We reached 106 today, no biggie. It was also Tax Free weekend here, so obviously I avoided any major store, i.e. Target. So, what did we do this weekend?

Friday we FaceTimed J's parents so they could see Evie. She was not in the best of moods, but we managed to get her quasi-happy for a little grandma/grandpa time.

Saturday was lazy for the most part other than running a couple of errands and picking up a few cute things with a gift card at Loft and some new bras. I have fluctuated so much in the past year that I think I should buy stock in Vicki S. Then we headed to Miss Vicki's and Uncle David's for a quick dinner and catch up time, since it had been a month since they had seen Miss E. V and I gabbed out Nationals (for twirling) and listened to E tell everyone what was on her mind. She has become a total motormouth the past few days and will talk your head off. Finally, the one things she has gotten from mommy!

He is less than thrilled to get is pic taken

Sunday, my mom had the 38 anniversary of her 29th birthday. So, we took GroRo ( grandma name for my mom) to brunch! She then headed home and J and I did some things around the house and tried the third baby tub in 3 weeks on Evie. I think we finally found one she likes. Just so you all know, we had the 4Moms infant tub and LOVE it, but baby girl outgrew it in length, so that is why I have been in search of a new one that Evie will tolerate. And, E turns 4 months tomorrow, so we are going to slowly introduce some solids. She has been having rice cereal in her night bottle, but this time we did a little banana rice cereal.

It was a hit. Next  up, actual bananas.


We ended our weekend with a little Air Disasters and leftover birthday cake.

Thoughts on Thursday

Taking a cue from my BOFF and doing a little stream of conscience flow today.

• I went to a Camp Gladiator Bootcamp this morning. I used to do BC religiously with another provider, but when I got divorced and moved back to Fort Worth, I went back to my gym workouts. Well, now that baby came I need to get toned up. I have lost all the weight (and a tad more) but this tummy and thighs need a little love. So, off I went with a friend at 5:30 am. I do not mind mornings, but I cannot do a lot of talking or rah rah in the am. But the workout was amazing and I know I will be feeling it later, tomorrow and probably Saturday.
• I can wear jeans to work... everyday. Yes, lawyer in jeans. I love it. No more skirts, suits, dresses, etc... I am so much more comfortable and my wardrobe has expanded because I am not limited. Oh and sandals. Life is grand.
• The rent house stress. Insurance adjustor finally came yesterday and ta-da, all the floors are covered! Yes, all new hardwoods and tile is being paid for (well after our not so tiny deductible) but nonetheless, one less thing to stress about.
• New job is rocking and rolling.
• I told hubs that for my birthday I wanted one weekend of no baby night duty, aka two nights of uninterrupted sleep.

Have a great Thursday!

What's Hap-Pinning Wednesday

I am linking up with one of my blogging besties for the first round of...

With the purchase of our new home, I have been pinning home-related things like mad. Since E finally has a real room, aka a nursery, I have pinned my little heart out with nursery organization tips and cute décor like this:

Via

Via

via

 We also now have two living rooms, so we put our sectional in the family room and I get to design a new more "formal" living room. I know I want something neutral and probably in the grey family so I have been pinning these lovelies:

This is my fav at the moment

So, that's what's Hap-Pinning on my Pinterest these days. Hope on over and see what else I have been pinning and link up with the ever-stunning Jenn!

My Former Self

I have found that my former self, aka BE (before Evie) was quite the life. I could come and go as I pleased, take an hour to get ready, enjoy my breakfast (eat breakfast), nap to Lifetime movies all Saturday long... you get my drift.

 

Now, life AE (after Evie) has shown me what true time management and planning is. I take 10-20 minutes to get ready; eat cereal sitting on the floor next to her; I eat every meal in 5-10 minutes  because a melt down is inevitable during meal time; we go to dinner with the old folks because E is fed, changed, and awake and happy; and Saturday naps are short lived.

 

We plan everything. From meal times, to nap times, to who is picking up and dropping off. We have even planned workouts around pick up/drop off. I plan bottles, outfits and diapers for each day. Meals are often planned but not cooked because by the time I get home and she is fed all I want to do is cuddle her or sleep.

 

Life is just different. Yes we love our sweet baby and would not change that for the world, but no one can prepare you or the vast changes in your life. J and I used to be 5 day a week gym people, as in we lived for the gym. Now, well I went for the first time on a month and J has been getting maybe 2 workouts in a week. So, now we have scheduled gym time and hopefully we can both get in 3 workouts a week. We can't just both go at the same time anymore since E is still little and heck to the no am I leaving her at the grimy gym daycare right now.

 

It seems the only time I am not planning or stressing about baby is at work. And then its only because I am in a hurry to get all the stuff done I need to, so I can leave and be home with.... the baby!

 

It amazes me how much planning it takes just to run to Target, or grab a meal or do just about anything. I can't imagine what we would do with 2! Kudos moms out there, kudos to you.

Sleep Regression and such

Lordy, its Monday and I feel like I need another weekend. I also fail at taking photos these days, and the hubs is rocking it with his new found love for Instagram. Seriously, he has all the cute pics of E.

This weekend Evie found her voice. Girl babbled all day Saturday and Sunday from dawn til dusk. She has the gift of gab from her mama. Friday, we grabbed a quick dinner at a local Mexican food joint we love. We have such a small window to eat out with E these days. We have to go between her dinner bottle (4:30pm) and her I am so tired I am about to melt night night bottle (anywhere between 7:30 and 8pm). We are in transition period here, where she used to take a nap between her dinner and her bed time, but now that has pretty much turned into an earlier bed time. But, we are also in the dreaded 4 month sleep regression and sweet girl has been up again. Normally its about 2:30 am and then again around 4:30am. I'd really like my sleep all the way through the night baby back please.

Saturday hubs went to work and Evie and I tried to catch up on some much-needed sleep. When hubs finally arrived home, we did some laundry until my mother (aka GroRo) arrived. Hubs and I headed to a birthday event for a friend of ours.  I wish I had pictures. Only my friend Catherine will make a from-scratch tiramisu for her own birthday to share with friends. It was so nice to catch up since we have not seen her and her husband since before Evie was born. I mean we partied til the we hours of 10:30 p.m.

While hubs and I partied, Evie hung out with her Uncle and GroRo.

She sure loves her Uncle and he is just smitten with her.

Sunday hubs and I slept in while GroRo took care of little girl. Then we finally did some much-needed honey-do's. We hung a rod in the under the stairs closet for coats and finished decorating Evie's nursery. I promise a reveal this week. My mom and I also ran to Babies R Us for a quick trip to get a new baby bathtub.... Well, we came home with a tad more.... Oh well. Except the bathtub was a fail and I will be going back tonight to try again.

And then I woke up and it was Monday.