Thursday, November 29, 2007

Links on the chain!

I added some new links to my blog! Click away, and enjoy!
These are all great blogs that I have been meaning to add for a while and have been too lazy, I mean BUSY!
In house news, the new floor was put in for the den/dining room today and I HATE it. I mean, I am trying to be open minded and non bratty. But every time I go in there my stomach hurts and I get all disappointed. SIGH. I can't replace it, so I am going to try to "make it work"....as Tim Gunn says. I hope tomorrow I can scour Garden Ridge for items that will make my once potential-filled room decent again.
Did I mention I can be over dramatic?
Ohhhh- and one last tidbit. Charlie now points out to people where his balls are.
Thanks, Daddy.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Up Up UPDATES!

Wow it has been a busy few days! We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! Charlie had a blast with both of our families. He totally loved his first Turkey day plate at Granny Martin's house. The food was amazing as usual. At my aunt Janice's Charlie got to play with his SIX cousins! My cousin Jill and her hubby Garrett were up from Alabama, and it really made the day special. We don't get to see them often enough. They are inspiring as parents, and as a couple. Not to mention they are just awesome people. Did I mention that Garrett does tattoos? Hehe....I have wanted this tattoo since Jill got hers...Red stars for the gals in the family, blue for the boys. It turned out great, and I love it! Thanks Garrett, for the tat, and thanks Jill and Marlena, for holding my hands! OW! We also had Margaritas. Hmmm...tattoos and cocktails. Happy Thanksgiving!! ;)



We finally got the den/dining room painted! My wonderful MIL, Alice, worked her boodie off getting it done. I love the color. They are coming to put in the new floor this week! We're getting so close. Also thanks to Alice and her Wallpaper 101 class, we finished the kitchen! It's so bright and cheery and I love it too. Man, I just love every darn thing these days. :) One not so happy thought. I almost friggin electrocuted myself putting up wallpaper. Yes, I did. I was being SO bright and poking a pair of scissors through the paper to trace a line around the outlet. Guess I poked too hard and BOOM! Blew the fuse, the spark was HUGE and scared the crap outta me, and the house went dark. Thank you again, Alice, for buying plastic handled scissors. EEK!!!




Gotta get that tree decorated! Think Charlie might have a few no-no's? Hmmm....


Oh, Charlie. It's impossible to describe the hilarity and love that is our son.
Some new cute-isms for ya:
*The other day, Charlie was kneeling into a mirror and fake crying. The face he was making was a riot, and the little moan was pretty funny too. He looked at us and said "Charlie crying!" It's almost like he wanted to see what he looks like when he cries!

*He now has 2 happenin' dance moves. Also, he can shake his boodie. So funny. He gets really mad in the car if we turn the radio down. Kid likes to rock!

*The favorite food of the week is far and away...the BUGITO. (burrito).

*His favorite movies are the Fish movie, the Car movie, and the cookooloo movie, and....Ratattouille. Yep, that's the only one he calls by name.

Okay....it's getting late and I am getting tired. But I wanted to share one more happy thing with you! My fellow photog and friend, Catherine, took our first family photos today. It was very special to me. She did an amazing job, and I will always treasure the beautiful pictures. (Catherine and her family are at the very beginning of thier journey to their Ethiopian daughter. Go on over and give some love!) Looking at the photos, it is hard to imagine the ache of waiting for him to be here. We are so lucky and amazed every day.
I am going to post a bunch of them because I love them all!
















Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanks...

I could sit here and list all the things I am thankful for. But then I would miss the meal...there are people in my life whom I know I could not make it in this world without. Family and friends that make the world seem brighter, problems seem smaller, and laughter a constant activity in our days. I know my time on this earth will be relatively short, but the love I have right here, right now, is enough to last a lifetime.

Hope you all have an amazing holiday! To my friends who recieved big news this week...Congrats, again. Love to all of you!

Here is Charlie, all ready to go to his first Thanksgiving meal!







Thursday, November 15, 2007

I fear I am becoming the sweatpants lady....

I have always cringed at the thought of becoming a haggard looking woman, trudging through the grocery store in a baggy top, sweats and flip flops. Baby in the cart or on her arm, constantly nagging "no!" ..."don't touch that!"...."you can't have it because I SAID SO!". Rolling her eyes and brushing her disheveled hair out of her face as she looks to heavens for help.
It's not this bad yet, but I am afraid. Very afraid.
About 2 weeks ago, in the thick of my I-am-just-working-around-the-house-so-all-my-clothes-have-paint-on-them-but-maybe-it-looks-artsy? phase, I actually took the time to look in the mirror for a second. And there they were. At least 10 of them. Yep, you guessed it...gray hairs. Sigh. Now, I am NOT a terribly vain person, and I KNOW it's not the end of the world. I actually think it looks awesome on some women when they pull off the all over shiny silver look. I am just not that woman...yet! But for me, at 27, it sucks pretty bad. To top it off, that same day, I noticed a disgusting sound my knees made as I descended the stairs from our second floor. Then the pain joined the sound. Imagine crinkling up tissue paper. For those who know me well, I cannot stand the thought, sound, idea of cartilage or bones moving in unnatural ways. When people pop ANYTHING around me, I cringe and my stomach hurts. So now, I can't walk down our stairs without focusing on that sound. I have started counting the steps out loud to mask it.
Finally, I decided to do something, at least about my hair. I had my appointment this afternoon with Tyson, whom I love. I got a color, highlight and cut, and a brow wax. I left the salon thinking this was just what I needed to feel better...Now, I will go home, put on makeup and start wearing my heels again!
Instead, I took a nap with Charlie, threw on my black loungy pants and a brown, yes brown tank with, yes...turquoise paint on it. Threw together a LOVELY dinner of chicken (frozen, mind you) sandwiches and instant pasta (Garlic shells).
I need to know how off the mark I was when I envisioned myself as a mother. Strutting through the grocery store in pointy boots and flared jeans, baby happily riding in the cart or in my trendy Ergo carrier...Great hair day, my bag matches my shoes, I'm buying only organic, extra broccoli, because it's baby's faaaaavorite. I'm even wearing jewelery! ...Obviously the envy of all the other moms in the store.
Okay, I am being a little silly. Of course I did not think it would be that easy. I am just struggling to find the balance between the girl I was not long ago, and the mom I am now. I still want to be the same, to a point. I don't want to recede into this hole until I surpass the horror of being the sweatpants lady, and become (GASP!) the spandex and old band tee shirt lady.
Sorry is this post sounds horribly vain. It's just been on my mind lately, and I am sure on the minds of the people who see me daily and wonder whether they should say something or not. Tomorrow I will TRY to get ready for the day like a normal human and maybe hit that grocery store. :)
Good night, all!

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Our "Getting There" Photos

Here we go!
See the last post for Before pics.



My pretty office. Figure if I have to work, this color will keep me happy!



Um, that would be a no-no!




Charlie's room! Yes, he is playing Waldo in all these pictures. And somehow, his outfit matches his room? No, I did not plan this. There is also a cute red dresser in here.



Our room! Finally our bed doesn't take over all our space!



The living room...New paint and carpet. Yay! Can you find CF?



From the other side. I love this color!



Kitchen isn't done, but this is the big wall.



Not going anywhere for awhile??




THIS ROOM. Grrr....It will be awesome though. That's the color for the whole room. That's as much as I have done in 2 weeks. Notice Charlie going "up, up, up!" Yikes!

Hopefully soon we will be completely settled in!

Monday, November 5, 2007

I will not be moving ever ever ever again. (Stomps foot).

I. Love. Our. New. House!
The backstory, for those of you who haven't heard it, is this. Adam grew up in this house, and a few years ago, his parents sold it to Adam's brother and his wife. They lived here for a few years, but decided to pack up and head west! So, we jumped at the chance to get this house. It has everything we need, and we like being close to the family. C and R, we love you guys and hope you are having a blast. My sis in law, Carrie, is amazing, and you SHOULD check out her blog entry on the journey to WA. Beautiful! See it HERE.
Okay, I am going to do this in 2 blog entries to make it easier for me. (Yes, it is all about me.)Everything in the house is pretty simple, so you know me...I have to make it...a little quirky. ;) These are the BEFORE shots:



The living room. Please note the funky crazy sofa. It is soooo old, and hands down the most comfy thing you will ever sleep on. (Not that YOU personally will, but hey, if you need to, just call first.) We are so keeping it.



Fireplace in the Living Room



Walking into the kitchen from the LR



Kitchen (duh)



The foyer



The Den/Dining Room....my biggest challenge. We are putting in new hardwood in half, and carpeting the rest. And the color is a $#@%! to paint!



Come on upstairs!



The master bedroom! I love the color Carrie used. Thanks, C!!



Charlie's room...We had already painted it, but I will post an AFTER when it's all done.



HOME!



The pool area...needs a makeover, but we have a pool! :)



Messy Garage



The fenced in backyard with the pond behind it. YAAAAAY!



The hubs tearing down the porch (it really needs rebuilding).



Providing work fuel. (Don't worry, it's safe to walk on our porch. He only had 2.)
And yes, he likes that beer. Blechhh. He's sure cute, though. ;)

That took a long time. The "Getting There" photos will have to wait until tomorrow's nap time. Please try to find something to help ease the suspense of waiting. Haha.

OH, in non-house, non-CF related news...they freaking made me sing karaoke at the bar I work in last week. EEEEK!! "Busted flat in Baton Rouge...."

Oh, this boy....

I just can't believe how lucky I am to see this every day....and to hold him, to laugh with him, kiss his "ow-ies", teach him, love him, feed him, dance with him...Amazing...There are no words for how much I love him, so I'll leave it at that.
Here are some shots from naptime, and after, when he woke up sweet and playful and all love and sunshine.