Have a great 2007!

(pic taken by Sru P. in Austin)

Happy New Year! Be safe!

Merry Christmas from Aunt Helen and Uncle John

Sorry for the lack of lighting on my part and my giggling, I had a good time visiting with them, and hope that you enjoy the Christmas greeting!

The weather outside is...

a BLIZZARD!

These are the best ever!

Lil S (this picture was taken in Austin by Sru P.)

Halo of hair (This picture was taken by Sru P.)

Out to dinner

The hubs is taking me out for dinner at Buca Di Beppo, and then to see Andrea Bocelli!

I am so excited!

Another happy tummy!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

(though I think Lil S would object over this picture)

Memory Lane

Me in my winter gear in Kansas

Me in a Sari (mom's)

me in a pavada (pretty Indian outfit)

me attempting

to cook chappathi

(indian tortilla)

Here are the pics I promised!

Cold

So it's about that time of year again. I can't believe how freaking cold it's gotten within the last couple of weeks.. snow is coming here.. my last snow for a while.. it's going to be weird without it being cold for about 6 months of the year.

Just getting ready for the week ahead, and looking forward to our trip!

I will get a pic up sometime on Sunday. I will... really I will. :)

AACCCCCK

oh this time. I was out.. man.. i wanted to post everyday, but i forgot last night... :( Maybe I will still count in this contest..

Yesterday was Lil S turned 15 months old. I can't believe it. I will upload some pics to her blog later.. maybe even this one, since it's been a while.

We went out to the Pawnee Butte National Grasslands yesterday. It was really pretty out there, but quite chilly too. We took the dog to, and she LOVED it.

Ok will update later.. the LIL Boss is calling me, must go now.

I couldn't think of any title (Day 8)

You would think that life is perfect, but then something comes up and you are back at the beginning, wondering if there will ever be a day when everything's perfect.

I have always thought that... like in High school, I finally was cool enough, but then we graduated and went to college, and I was a no-one, albeit cool anyway cause by that point I didn't care anymore.

I wonder if it's just something that happens that eventually you don't care what people think of you, because some days I care, but lately more and more, I just don't give a damn. I don't care what people think of my clothes, my weight, my profession, my life.

I care what I think, and maybe my immediate family. I am usually an agreeable person, but lately I get the feeling that the world is a dog eat dog type of place. You gotta look out for #1.

Despite all best intentions, there are days that you don't give a damn. I don't today.

Favorite Shows (Day 7)

What's is going on in Grey's Anatomy? I just got to watch it last night as well as 7th Heaven. I hope that Eric will be okay on there, I can't imagine they would have him croak. I am so liking the DVR cause you can have all the shows you watch stored up, and when the kiddo is asleep going downstairs with a bowl o popcorn and catching up on your favorite shows. I hope my sister gets that soon, then she isn't so stressed if she misses one. I heard someone gets shot on Desperate Housewives.. i really haven't gotten into that show much, but I do love Felicity Huffman's work. She is a great actress.

Ok gotta go and nap. I am tired from MOPS today.

Holy Moly what a day! (Day 6)

So it's been a long day, teething almost 15 month old, clean house (which I stayed up late to help D with), and bath time was so not fun, I got drenched, and after I toweled the lil one dry she pees everywhere... ah, so these are the fun times they are talking about.

How does some little baby get 4 teeth coming in at the same time? I can't imagine the pain.
Poor lil one :(

I am going to clean up and go to sleep. It's been a long long day!

We are coming... (Day 5)

I found out what my Christmas present is.... A trip back to the homeland.. yes we are going to Texas!!!

(and no i don't vote republican!!!)

I am so excited I can barely sit down and concentrate to type this!

Lil S is going to go and meet all our friends and family. I am so so so so so so so excited, and hopefully one day we won't have to leave!

It's still on time (Day 4)

It is still 11:56pm on 11/4/2006... so I am still in under the time for posting for the 4th...

So we had a great day, and we got to see our good friends... it's going to be hard on us moving, since we know nobody there, but I am going to try to stay optimistic.

Not much else.. we are exhausted, and ready to sleep, sorry this post is so late in the evening, i know you were staying up to see what I posted.. but here it is in all of it's not so glory!!!

My computer has a different time than the blogger time listed below :)

Happy Birthday Dad! (Day 3)

My dear dad's birthday is today! Yeah!!! We called and wished him well (we sent a card earlier, and he gets to see the lil one almost every day (we web chat).

I wish we all lived closer, it's hard when we are thousands of miles away, and soon will be tens of thousands of miles away. I am sure my family will rack up the frequent flyer miles real quick. I can't imagine flying 20 hours but will soon find out.

Ok gotta go and help D with finishing up Lil S's bath!
Whew... and then go and work on my NaNoWriMo book... oh did YOU know that D is writing one too? and he said he may be able to do it in 2 weeks rather than the month it's going to take me.

We'll just see about that!!!

Happy People Read (Day 2)

So Nanoing is going well. I am feeling the creative powers somewhat. I don't know where I am taking my characters, but we will see.

In other news we are all still sniffly. And it's been so cold here that it take an hour for me to dall asleep. Why? Because that's how long it takes me to warm up with my sheets.

Wow.. this is what I am trying to write to update my site... no wonder no one ready my site.. HHAHAHA...

I will try to get some pictures updated here later. Keep the one person that reads the site happy!

Yippie Yay (Day 1)

Wow.. here I am... 1 hour into November, and I am feeling a bit creative. I hope this will continue.

Halloween was good, and we got most of our candy in the hand of kids, but we actually had some left and it will be great to have some to nibble on. The only thing that happened was some hooligans smashed a pumpkin on our driveway and the street, but hey that's part of the day...

Lil S went to a few houses near us and she got some candy, she was more excited about holding the candy than eating any of it. I am sure that's not going to last much longer. She does have a little sweet tooth.

Ok Auf Wiedehersehn for now, but I will be back, hopefully as creative as ever when the sun rises, either that or I will only be updating as a vampire if all my creativity leaves during the day.

Halloweening time

Here we are at Almost Halloweening time! We have a couple parties to attend with the lil one, and then the ghouls and goblins come to our house! We stocked up with lots of candy! It will be our last one in CO... kinda sad, but nonetheless exciting. I can't wait to see the lil one's face when people keep ringing the doorbell! We ran out of candy last year, hopefully 4o bucks worth of candy this year won't let that happen this year.

Also I am updating my posts all month long. So everyday unless I am abducted by space aliens I should have a new post/picture/anything up, and I am also trying to write a 50K novel. We will see if I can do both. That is what I am pushing for, along with taking care of an almost 15 month old, and a 27 year old that's about 3!! haha

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Me Writing a Novel? ????

Ok so I have officially done it, and bit the bullet. I am going to be a participant in the 2006 NaNoWriMo this year. I know it will be tough, and I will have to carve out time to do it as I have OTHER responsibilities. I am excited, and have NO clue whatsoever as to what I will write. I hope I will be able to finish. Wish me luck

long time

Oh wow.. it' s been over a month since I updated... whoops...

It's been crazy.. just things are happening, and things are changing.

We are all doing well. Lil S has 4 teeth now, it's exciting, and she is so full of energy!

D is working working working.

In other news, we will be moving next year. While I will be sad to leave all my friends out here and near Bumblebutt, I am excited about the next journey we will embark on.

Other than that, not too much news. Just getting things packed away slowly. You know how much procrastination I have in me... so had to get started now.

Another great picture

Spent the whole day with the munchkin, and couldn't resist taking some pictures! I can't believe I am so lucky to see this cuteness all the time!

Daddy's new hair cut

Ahh the gratuitous picture blog.. there's not too much going on in these parts.. we did end up going to Grand Junction last week... a very scenic and gorgeous landscape on the way there as well as in the city itself. The area near it called Palisade is know for their vineyards and we even bought a bottle of wine.. we have yet to try it though...

Here is a gorgeous shot of the hubs as well as Lil S....I love it. I think it is my best picture yet!
More pictures of the trip are up on Flickr. Enjoy!

She hit it right on the head!

I just got back in town this evening and was catching up on my blog reading, when what I read paralleled somewhat with my own life.

Sarcastic Journalist's (She's under what blogs I read), her August 26the entry I really understood, though the circumstances are different, I completely understood what she was saying.

More to come later... must go to sleep!

Alpaca

I am still alive here.. just hate updating her birthday post.. it's so cute, and I LOVE that song.

D cut all his hair off. It looks good, he says it feels weird, but I think it looks good on him, he has a good head.

Not too much going on here, just the usual, gearing up for the fall to start. I can't wait for the cooler weather, and sweaters. I like sweaters. I might have to look into alpaca. I heard it is even softer than cashmere. And warmer than wool. Sounds toasty and cozy.

Happy 1st Birthday

What a Wonderful World

Create your own video for free at http://www.onetruemedia.com

Chilled wine and Cheerios

D once told me after he read some entries in my blog (post having lil S) that I shouldn't be writing about the baby all the time that the readers (if I still have any...hehe) want to read something very witty and clever about my life. And that's the conundrum. My life is my family, and during most of my day involves taking care of our little girl. She's there every moment when she's awake, taking up my time where I could be out there taking over the world. She just takes over my world. Cheerios and milk have become staples instead of chilled wine and caviar (not that I would have ever tried caviar, I do have a weakness for wine though)

It's coming up on 1 year, and I can't imagine my world any different. It feels like I have conquered a tiny portion of the world. I might not be perfect (there are days that I feel like I am). I am still human and have my own weaknesses, but I have grown up a lot in the last year.

I just feel like I get it now. I am happy being a mom and a wife. I will get a professional life soon, but I know my kids and husband are my lifeline. I know that in my heart of hearts.

When I look back on life I want to make sure that my kids and husband know that they complete my picture of what family means to me. I know this entry is a bit mushy, but I never really understood the whole unconditional love thing that parents have for their kids. I just thought it was overrated, and never thought that I would be one of “those” parents. My parents must have been saints to put up with me from 13-18 years old, day in and day out.

I love you dear Lil S. I hope you know that even when we ground you when you’re a teenager for whatever rule you happen to break.

No matter what this child does I will love her. It’s been an amazing year, I can’t wait to see what her next stage is, and be there for all the ups and downs.

New additions!

Our good friends J and A had a baby boy today (this morning)!
We are so happy for them! I can't wait to meet the lil one!

4

happy anniversary.

Up, Up, and Away

So friends and family in the area: Aug 8 is when we will be celebrating the lil one's big day, so come over. The 9th is actually her birthday, but D is off on the 8th (and not the 9th)...

I can't wait! I know the 1st birthday is more for the parents than the kiddo, but it will be her 1st one, and I want her to enjoy it, and I want to capture it on my camera and preserve it forever.

There are tons of things happening. Our good friends J and A are about to have their baby any day now. Our other friends in Denver (B and G) had a baby girl at the end of May.

Our anniversary is coming up (it's the 4th one for anyone counting) and then D's b-day, then Shiv's b-day. Next year it will be 10 years since D and I have been together. (Yes yes relatives, I know, that would make me 18 years old, back then.) It really feels like we just met. He's the best guy a girl could have. I don't usually mush about stuff like that. But he's just perfect.

(If you're reading this, don't get a puffed up ego. I know we're crazy, but you're a good egg)

Happy Anniversary, Birthday, Lil S's Birthday, almost 10 years together!

Dream Dog

We are home, and alive.. it's just been a little hard to get motivated about unpacking and cleaning the place up... so as soon as some of that gets done I will hopefully get the pictures up and running here so you (if you want) can see some of our vacation...
the first night was rough, as lil S only slept for about 5 hours total, she was so excited.. the next 2 nights she was great and slept 12 and 10 hours respectively... it's definitely different traveling with a baby.
Trinity (the dog) was the best behaved on the whole trip, she is a dream to travel with. She was sweet, and didn't bark or howl at anyone, and slept at night... We were so surprised because we thought she might freak away from home.
All in all it was a lot of fun, and pictures are up on flickr!

Green is her favorite color

and NO she didn't drink it... My parents have a picture of me as a baby lying next to a Coors can.

Happy 4th of July!

My Jell-o Flag cake, I should have put this on a white pan, so you could see the berry blue jello. It was super easy to make!!! and tastes delicious!

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy 4th of July!

Rain Sweet Rain!

SWEET!!!! It's finally raining... and cooling off! Thank goodness!

ART ART ART

this is a piece we got for my parents. It's a house

This one is titled "A Secret Place". This is one of Todd's first pieces with stairs on the outside of his work. I love it!

Art in the city!

We went to the arts festival in the city. It was so humid. I can't believe how bad it was, but it was gross... come on usually it's at about 2% humidity or something like that here.

We saw our friend at the festival where he had booth and bought a piece! We are so excited. We have to find a place to put it in the house, whenever we get a chance to take pictures I will post some, otherwise they will be on our flickr site.

It was a great day. We had a good time, but BOY are we pooped.

Rain anyone?

Every once in a while I keep wondering why I have this blog. In the beginning I started it as a way of mapping out the pregnancy, and lil S's early days.

Now I think that it's a place to keep in touch with my family and friends, also I just feel that I can say what I need to here.

I hope that you (any readers that I have) understand that this is just MY blog. Not anyone else's.

I have been having a great summer. Got to see family, then family has visited, and friends are coming to visit, and it's just been a great summer, minus the fact that we have only had 2 tenths of an inch of rain in these parts. It's tough in this desert-like area. Hope we get some rain soon! (and yes my east coast blog friends, I know you wish you never saw any rain, and if I could ship it back here I would)

Wars with Kittens

THIS just made my day!

If you love cuteness, then you will just freak when you see it!

Thanks Blonde Eskimo, I thought that was so adorable!

Thanks for a wonderful golden birthday!

YEAH!!!! It's my birthday! hehehehe...

So far so good... I am up watching the Teletubbies with the lil one. She is thrilled!

D got me some of my favorite frappacino for part of the breakfast he is making for me... (where did I get so lucky to get a good man!!)

Did I say how much I am so blessed with the family and friends that I have.

I love you all! Hope you are as blessed!

EDIT :
D made me breakfast in bed (toast with jam, maple syrup flavored sausage, and a fried egg) and OJ... and I got a candle (an ocean breeze type) at breakfast..

We went to the mall and I got a pair of Crocs.. (*black, so they go with everything)... and then came home and we all napped...

ANd then right before dinner (steak, corn on the cob and a baked potato) he told me to go and fix a snack, and when I went to the fridge there were flowers and a birthday card filled with lotto scratch offs.. but we didn't win.. )

And I got the Bambi DVD (i had been bugging him since Christmas)...

So it's been a wonderful day! Just hearing from friends and family, and getting spoiled rotten from D... but then again he always does. He's a prince.

Lil S even gave me a gift.. she let D and I eat dinner together.. she played for about 20 minutes by herself in her play pen.

It's been a perfect day! Thanks again for all the well wishes! I hope everyone had a good day!

Golden birthday...coming up!

And he didn't believe in such a thing as a golden birthday! Mine is coming up! I can't wait!!!

I told him that I didn't make it up.

I might get a pair of Crocs.

We miss you!!

Thank you for coming to visit Aunt A! We miss you already!

Grow Up

Sorry usual readers, this is just something gnawing at me, and I needed to vent.
EDIT : If you do not like what is written below, please do not read it. I have to vent, and this is somewhere I feel that I can.
***************************************************************
I can't sleep anymore since this has happened.
I don't understand why you can't take your "issues" and problems to someone else that actually cares.

If you have issues and/or grievances with me, why don't you call me, you have my phone number. Why do you have to involve my family? Why do you have to take your inane saved up twisted around petty stories and try to make them into some attack on your family.
Why don't you ever hear yourself talk? Do you have friends anymore?
What/Why do you feel that we owe you? Why that sense of entitlement?

I don't know what she ever did that you ever had to talk to her like that. We cared about you all. Once a not so long time ago. You and your family alienated many people, and now that no one calls or cares you take "issue" with that?

Respect is something that is earned, it's not something handed out depending on the birth order of the family. I have said this TIME and time again. None of you listen to anyone but yourselves. You need to grow up. Your whole family. Time and time again we have let it go, or said that they don't know what they are doing. And time and time again something stupid like this happens.

She just hoped that MAYBE this conversation was going to be a patching up. She hopes. We told her not to go. That she would be disappointed, unfortunately we were right. Almost 30 years and she gets to hear about what you think our "issues" are?

Let me tell you something. There are many things we can tell you as well. But we don't care. We don’t want to play this pathetic game.

We don't want to be talking to you anymore. We don't want to hear what you have to say anymore. We just want you out of our lives. We have made so many excuses as to why you say and do the things you do.
Take your venomous half-baked accusations and leave. We don’t want to hear from you.

People that are two-faced don’t have room in my life.

Aaaaachoooo!

Allergies are punishment enough in and of themselves.

It's been baking hot out here, and baby's and my alleriges are going full throttle!

I can't wait for winter now... and I am sure 6 months ago that I was wishing for the heat to come here! Never satisfied I tell ya!

Ooooooo! Thunder.. it might rain.. that would be nice. Every time we see the sprinkler on here we see little dollar signs coming out instead of water, weird isn't it?

Is C for Cookie? If you have been watching Sesame Freaking Street as much as I have you will say HELL yes it is. hehheeh.... sorry... But I did find this GREAT rap song... Tell me if you like it...

Updated my pics on flickr, if you want to see them, I need to have you added to my contacts. Email me and let me know if you want to be added. You have to create a free account there.

had to do it

I just had to write something to say that I have an entry for 6.6.6

By the way Happy birthday P!

Where are these people from???

We are back home, and never leaving again. It seems like every time we travel it ends up horrible! We had a good time, and the lil one was fine in about 2 days since we got her on an antiviral asap! So anyone that ends up with it, get the kid *or yourself* on an antiviral.
I am tired, just unpacking, and trying to stay out of the heat. We got spoiled in Seattle with the cool breezes and the rain, the endless glorious rain! Here we are huddling in front of the fans and outdoor sprinklers...

In other hilarious news.. as we were driving to our friend's house to pick up the dog, we were driving by a house.. the kids were playing outside.. the dad was sitting in a lawn chair, and the mom was..... (THIS IS FOR REAL) she was SHAVING his back in the FRONT YARD.....
I almost fell out of the car laughing so hard.

When it rains it really pours!

So here we are in beautiful Seattle, the setting of Grey's Anatomy... and we even got in a hospital (well the doctor's office at the local hospital.. sorry no Mc Dreamy) Anyway... about 1 day after we got to town, the lil one has CHICKEN POX... so that's how we're starting off vacation. The lil one has all her medicine, and all her family around her, so she will be better soon.. just itchy now...
Please send some get better soon vibes my way! Thanks

Summer's almost here!

I've updated more pics on my Flickr acct, so if any of you want to see more pics of her royal cuteness you can swing by there.

My MIL and FIL came by this weekend to visit. We had a great time. We went on a day trip to the mountains, and then the next day we had a BBQ, and on Sunday went to church.

Only a few more days and we are off on vacation again, this time it's only a 2 hour flight, so I am confident that I can keep her occupied for 2 hours.

I will try to update some pictures while we are gone, but if not, see you in June!

Gah!!!

I can't believe the girl is 9 months old today. It just seemed so quickly that I found out that I was pregnant, and then had her, and then saw her roll over and smile. It's going by too fast. I am glad she is growing up, but could there please clue me into where the slow down button is? I feel like time moves faster the older I get. I think it's true.

Onto other great news. The mother's group (MOPS) that I am a part of... I am now their publicity person. I am the one that write the bi-monthly newsletter and gets advertising. I am very excited! I can't wait til September when we meet up again. I have so many ideas. This is good, since I still can spend tons of time with the baby, but still get my creative juices going.
I love working on the computer, sometimes I think I am just such a geek!

The Worst

*EDIT : the corporate office called, and they are going to mail us "certificates" and would like us to try the place again, and let them know how it did. I think we will do it again. But if this happens again. we.are.never.going.there.again.
*********************************

If there is anyone out there still reading this and thinking "hmmmm I wanna go out to eat tonite with my honey... hmm where should we go?"

before you answer that question.. let me tell you.. never ever let yourself go to Biaggi's... it was awful. There is one other place called Bare Bones in Maryland that rivals it.

Today D and I were thinking about having a day out sans baby girl. So we went, and our friends babysat. We were very excited. So we get to the place (I can't even say the name now without wanting to puke) and we order the stuffed mushrooms for appetizers, and get our drinks. Our waitress looks a bit frazzled.. but the place wasn't even half full. This should have been our sign to leave after the appetizers. The next sign should have been that it was about THIRTY MINUTES to get our meal. People that came in 15 minutes after we did had their meal before we did. My iced tea by then had all melted to a nasty watered down version, and D and I were fuming and ready to leave.

Well along comes Mr. Manager in his tie and nice pressed shirt, and says here are your plates, and sorry about the delay..

Any of you that know us know that we are polite and we say we understand. We are still at that point looking forward to the food. It all smells good around us.

So we get the plates and what do we see????
D’s looks edible. Well that turns out not to be the case. It turns out that the noodles were so dried out that we couldn’t tell if they were cooked or not.
If you think that we are snooty about our food let me just tell you about my meal.

I ordered the Penne Sardi… if anyone goes to the link of Biaggi’s up there you can read what it’s supposed to be… well mine looked like a pool of oil and breadcrumbs… it looked like a pig vomited in my food. It was so sick. I am not even pregnant anymore and I thought morning sickness was coming back.
I asked the waitress, when she came by to ask how things were, “ I thought this was supposed to be a tomato sauce?”

She replied, “ Well there is tomatoes in it.. you just have to mix it up”…
MIX IT UP??? WTF?? Am I the damn chef?

Ok so I do mix it up.. all the so-called sauce settles back to the bottom.. it is no match to all the oil and fat fighting to get to the top…

So I try like 2 bites, and the noodles are all greasy and they are either dried out or not cooked…
What D and I think happened is that someone forgot our order.. and then left it either in the oven or just under the heat lights or whatever they have nowadays.. and we got screwed.

So when the check comes I mention to the waitress that I couldn’t eat it as it was too covered up in oil and it wasn’t tasty.. she asks me what she could replace it with, I tell her that we are going to see MI3 (which was excellent by the way) and she said ok and went to get the check…

As she leaves us with the bill, she looks at me and says “I hope this didn’t ruin the experience.”
IF she had just shut her mouth it would have been fine and we would have not been as peeved I think. But HELL yes it DID ruin the experience.

She should have comped the meal. We also probably should have complained to management. But you know what. Even if they gave us free meals I don’t think I will ever go there. It was that bad.

The Bare Bones story is for another day. But it too was awful.

And I will post about what a great flick MI3 is later… even though Tom Cruise has gone a little bit overboard in his personal life the movie kicked ass… I recommend watching it in the theater!

Sorry if there are any typos!

More freaking pictures of the (cute-as-a-button-totally-adorable) child

(so hungry...must eat!!!! and then I'm going to a BBQ)

I am going to the city, and I look too freaking cute!

I can't stop

she is just too cute!

IDing every stinking animal? what next ???

This is so true... Well in my opinion... and if you read the 6th paragraph down you will understand why. I don't usually get into politics (cause I learned that it's not polite to do that in public) but I couldn't help it, and the author of this site is just so dead on on this issue.

Read on and let me know what you think. if you want to :)

Unretired and cute

Ok since there is popular demand. I won't retire. Just cut back a lil for the summer... the lil one is now a little drama queen. D thinks she should be a Gerber model. She loves to pose in her new outfits.

Moo

Oh it's been great weather lately. I am glad that I have less allergies here than when I was in Texas. I am ready to be running around outside than cooped up inside.

I think I might not keep updating this as much any more, busy with the kid and hubby and all the projects around the house. If there is anything important to me I will update, but otherwise I just don't have much to say I guess. Not that I had too many readers.. lol

Big Favor!!

Hey there everyone.. I have a big favor to ask you... if you go here to Genuine's blog and post a comment.. it will really help out. This story real hit me hard, and if you can show support via a comment I would really appreciate it, and I know the family would also.

Doing this will help a family purchase a plaque with their son Ben’s name to put in the Memorial Garden at the Anschutz Cancer Center. You can help with that too. For every comment Genuine gets from you today on this post, he will donate one dollar to the Steadman’s so that they may buy the plaque in Ben’s honor. Help me get to their goal of $240.00 for the price of the plaque. He’ll show them each of your comments, so take a moment and show your support. If you want to read about Ben and his life, please go and visit the Steadman's site here. He was a 6 year old boy who has a lovely family.

Oh lovely Cheeseburger

Shivani and me

Ammuma, Appupa, and Shivani at the park

So baby and I went to get the mail today... beautiful day, a little windy...

We had a nice surpise in the box... the mothers group that I go to 2 times a month sent us a veggie tales tape... and I know what you are all thinking.. but S loved the songs.. she just thinks it's fabulous.. and the lessons in there are just good. I would rather have her watch that than the million episodes of What not to Wear (WNTW) that I love to watch.. I should totally enlist myself for that show... WNTW not Veggie Tales...

Also at the mailbox we saw that Appupa(gramps) sent us the pictures we took when we were on vacation. Can't wait to see them!

There is some type of Gourd singing a love song to a cheeseburger... weird... even in my dreams I would have never thought of that... S is mesmerized

House Blahs

OMG... D is reading Three Cheers for Tacky to the lil one... it's oh so adorable... well toot.. she just decided that she was going to have a fit and that she MUST eat RIGHT THIS SECOND when it was so cute.. the reading I mean...

she is wearing her mickey outfit that ammuma and appupa got her.. and MOM it's still BIG on her... so it will be a while before she fits in the 12 month old clothes...

So actually made a good (if not somewhat bland) dinner, and he topped it with SALSA.. sorry about the caps.. but I guess salsa on plain rice is good... I grew up with lots of spices on everything... but it was good...

Tomorrow I want to have a plan about changing up some of the rooms and PAINT.. painting the baby's room gave it personality... so I want to think about doing our room the guest room and all the bathrooms...WILL not touch the living room other than to repaint it white.. it's got like 18 foot ceilings.. I don't want to do a color.. and it's just a huge project...

we'll see.. the first prioity house-wise is to get the trees in the front planted... the irises and tulips are starting to bud.. so spring is right around the corner.. well after it stops snowing here...

ah house ownership... so rewarding and yet so many levels of frustration!

Oh yeah before I let you go... did I mention she peed on me.. but it was my fault... I guess when she decided jumping on mommy was a fun exerecise.. I should have made sure that she had a "clean" diaper on... it was a good laugh and we both had to clean up and change clothes... ahhh the good times!

Shades

Here are some snapshots of our trip.. this was a great trip, and Shivani really got to bond with her ammuma and appupa (grandma and grandpa)... it was hard to leave since they were all so teary eyed! Don't you just love the shades? Very adorable, that's my girl!

Long vacations!

ahh vacation... it's nice... and we are staying a lil bit longer with grandma and grandpa.. having a good time, and since D was so nice.. we get to stay a bit longer... :)

Hope everyone is doing well.. it's going to be in the 70s this weekend here! yeah!

Sigh...we made it

We made it... which in and of itself isn't a huge deal... but the first time that I fly with a 6 month old, we are delayed 2 hours which felt like 2222 hours... and then once we get to the state in which we are visiting on the east coast... we are like 6 inches from landing when all of a sudden the pilot pulls the plane STRAIGHT back up into the air.... kinda freaked me out, but it was because another plane was on the tarmac still... everything delayed.. luckily no harm... than goodness.. the flight attendants doted on baby, and totally helped me out and made my flight bearable even with the delays etc... baby girl was just fine.. upset a little bit because mommy did not get her the bottle right at the stroke of 3:30.... but otherwise just played.. she slept like 30 mins on the flight..

My parents FINALLY got high speed internet... last year i was dialing up when i visited them.. so there was only one post when i was on vacation...

we miss d, baby misses daddy... but we will chat with you soon!
Hope anyone travelling with kids really needs to... it's really tough, and definitely draining, but to see the smile on grandpa and grandma's face was SO TOTALLY worth it.

Sorry about any spelling or other grammatical errors...

Tips please

Edit 2/19/06 : Do I need a bassinet for a 6 month old.. she doesn't lay in the one at home... She only lays in her crib at night? The doc said to give something to drink to the baby on takeoff and landing..? Anything else.. and yes we are flying coach... I wish we were getting in firstclass, wouldn't that be nice. It's like that line from Jerry Maguire, " First class used to be a better meal, now it's a better life"!

Any tips on flying with a 6 month old? Anything essential that I should bring with me? What worked for you? I have always been the person that never wanted to sit next to the "kid" on the plane.. especially the one that was crying.. and now that it's going to be ME... I just wanted to know what's worked... Any advice is appreciated.
**************************************
So D is recovered, took some time off work, and is on the mend. It was kinda worrisome, but I just wanted him to feel better. So I made sure that he walked around more, held the baby. I hope he is feeling better.

The baby has liked having D home all week. It's been funny, anytime D comes up to her, she lifts her arms up, thinking she is going to get picked up. He thought that was funny, and kept walking up to her, and then away.. she kept lifting her arms up and then let them down.. and then when she figured out what daddy was doing, she started to get upset and fake-cried, then she was picked up and giggled like crazy.

I wish there were jobs that we could be at home for. I am glad I get to stay home and see my baby grow up, but I know that there are days that D wishes he could see more moments. I know there are also days that I wish I got to spend more time with adults and work. I think that this is the best for now, and maybe when she is a bit older that I will work as a nurse.

Thanks for all the comments for D's recovery! Each and everyone was appreciated.
D's co-workers were so awesome and send him a bouquet of yellow (Texas) roses! It was so nice, and family and friends sent cards. We are so lucky with the family and friends we have!

Update on the Hubs

Ok so D had a "gallstone attack"... very painful, from Friday late night into early Saturday morning.. he has had these before.. and though they are not life threatening it is very painful.. this is one of the things that you can equate with the pain of childbirth.. it's also similar to trying to pass a kidney stone...
anyway so sometime in the afternoon on Saturday he calls a family friend (read : doctor) and she tells him to get checked out in the local ER.. so off we go.. and when we get there we wait.. they do their x rays and all that fun stuff.. and then we find out he will get admitted.. and last night to this morning is was feeling better.. the gallstone was passed..

The surgeon comes in to look at all his numbers, and while they are going back to normal, they stated that it was better that the gallbladder come out.. so about 11:30 or so.. they went off.. he was really nervous.. but did well.. the doctor was done in about 1 hr. Said the surgery went very well.

Before baby and I left, he was able to eat dinner, and take a walk around the hospital with us. He is very sore, (understandable) but ready to come home and rest and be around his girls!

Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and support!

News about the Hubs....

ooo... so we were going to try to do something romantic for Valentine's day... well didn't quite turn out that way... D is in the hospital tonite.. he is going to get his gallbladder out (well most likely) they are still checking him out.. but that's what it looks like.. so those of you who come by this and are inclined to do so.. please say a quick prayer.
Thanks. Will keep you updated!

Joaquin!

Sorry for the lack o posts... I have been catching up on my shows after the lil one is asleep.. yes.. til MIDNIGHT.. yes I know I should just go to bed.. but I can't sleep... so i flip on the tv.. and it's so nice seeing all those old sitcoms.. I was flipping through yesterday.. and saw CNN and headline news... it's all BAD stuff.. all the time.. who the hell wants to watch that.. why can't they have a good news channel? Or something better than who does what, who was shot, etc... it's so depressing. I can't watch news anymore.. really haven't watched much of the news sinec 9/11... I think a lot of ppl haven't... it's just too hard to watch.. too much...

So any good movies lately? I really have been wanting to see a few... but don't want to go by myself, and the lil one is not ready to accompany us to one.. Oh but I am DEFINITELY getting WALK THE LINE when it comes out on DVD on the 28th... I am so excited for that... Oh Joaquin!

Was it a mohawk in the making?

While the wee one and daddy are listening to U2, I have to post this totally cute picture. I know that's why you all come back, to see this adorable child!

(she is teething, and drooling, so that's why her chin is so raw)

Wishes

Oh wow! it's almost my one year blogging anniversary! How neat.. I kept up with something other than the baby. That makes me very proud! I have always liked to write, and I know having a blog (well ME having a blog) is pretty narcissistic, but oh well I like to blab. It's fun, it's like talking to all your friends, but not really, they just come by and comment, and then they blog about something and you go there... but it's free! well actually unless you pay for your internet, which we do, and it's then close to 50 bucks a month to visit your friends, and if I just saved that up for like 6 months I could just fly out there and see them anyway. Was that a run-on sentence?

My wish list for this year:

To see Aunt Helen (Helena - for whom we gave the middle name to the baby) and Uncle John - she is the raddest great-aunt in the whole world! I love staying up late and talking with her about when she grew up (the 30s and 40s)... She is one of the most amazing women I know. I love to hear all the stories, and look at their picture albums of the eras... it's like a world away, but at the same time you feel a part of it when she and Uncle John tell the stories. I love all of Hub's family. His great aunt and uncle are unequivocally the best! They are the most generous and loving people. They know so much about the world, and the way it works. I hope that when I am older that I will be like them.

Beauty and the Betta

("Really Mom, I will guard him, I promise.")

This is our youngest cat. He always liked to go and try to drink the fish water. So naughty. The betta that we had in this picture, Gunther, died when his water was changed. We had him for over 2 years. Even though it's a fish, I still miss him. He was good and just was there, when D was working late or just to harass the cats. I know that might be weird even to pet lovers.

I don't know if it's just me, but we just got cable, and it's soooo much overload. We had just the basic channels. Like maybe 10 channels, but OMG since we got the digital stuff. It's craziness, I watched ER docs pull a pole that was impaled in 2 girls in a car crash on TLC, watching Robot Chicken, watching a show about tatoos, Trick my Truck... it's just too much! I feel so crazy trying to figure out what to watch after the lil one goes to sleep. So crazy instead of choosing I just fall asleep. Sad, isn't it?

So I hope Seattle wins the Superbowl. Gotta go for the team that has their debut at SuperBowl. Sorry Steelers.

School and Baby

Here is Hub's and my decision : (this was something that I just wanted to get of my chest)

I thought about it for a long time, and I will never get the time I have now with her back. I won't get her 1st times. I am of the philosophy that it's never to late to finish school. So I will be an older student, but I will never get the chance to see my baby's 1st time doing all the things babies do. Plus day care is so incredibly draining to one's budget, when one (namely me) is not working.
I just think for the best interest of baby S, and the way I feel about it. I just am going to be staying at home with her. It was really a hard decision as the program for nursing is spectacular here, and I had an excellent chance of being accepted into the program. The thing that did it for me, is that I knew that I would regret not being with Shivani at this point in the long run. I don't think I will regret not working right this second.

The way I pictured being a mom is the way I was raised, by an SAHM. Once this one (and any other sibilings) get into school I will go back and work.

Not trying to justify my decision to anyone, just wanted to let it be known. I think people are going to think whatever they want to, but in the end it's my decision, and what's best for my family.

Woe is me

I feel so bad... I know that i have been such a slacker and no one should come and comment on my blog anymore, but I have a good reason... It was the holidays, and I was so busy.... WAH...

Ok that's over, just noticed that no one has commented (and I guess I take that as a sign that no one has visited me) but that TOTALLY my fault cause I haven't updated much.

SO I apologize internet... it's that whole catholic guilt thing!

Ok... so where was I ... oh yes... tomorrow I start my drug class (it's called pharmacology).. the reading looks interesting... I have only taken OTC or prescription, and never DONE any "drugs". So I wonder if the prof will get into the effects of "drugs"... I mean I know a lot about them from TV, and other ppl talking about stuff, but I guess I was a sheltered kid that just never did them. Never wanted to, plus I would have probably been addicted. So I just steered clear.

Not to say that I was any angel, but I guess it intrigues me the people that do "drugs" and the reasons why....

Ok, well that's as meaningful as I am going to get tonite, in other news the little girl is now 5 months old... TIME IS FLYING!

Party Pooper

Here is the sweet and cute poop maker!

This was BEFORE she soiled herself. She has picked up this new thing, where she gets new clothes and and any new clothes she makes dirty. Must be something in the water!