Sugar

Some days are just so hectic. Today was one of them. I spent most of my day driving around to various meetings. All the while, it was dumping buckets of rain. At one point I hydroplaned which made my heart skip a beat and I think at the same time I sprouted my first gray hair. Ugh. So when I finally was able to settle back at my desk, the first thing I thought of to mellow out the stress of the day was look at this. Sometimes a little sugar is all I need to unwind.

The Big Man

A first meeting of the Big Man....Not so sure what to think of it.

The Time of My Life

We have just entered a new phase with Sonya. Now that she is walking I feel like I have a little sidekick. We are a little duo the two of us. She follows me around. I look for her, she looks for me. It really clicked for me the other day when I was getting ready in the morning. Hubbs was “watching” her in the office and she walked right into our bedroom and was watching me getting ready. I turned around to get something and there she was! I love the sound of her feet as they go pitter patter through the house. Hide n’ seek has never been more fun for me. I am realizing how much fun this age is. She keeps me on my feet, always getting into things, constantly exploring what is in that cabinet or around that bend. But then, she will come to a rest and lay her head on us to rest for a second. I never thought she would ever get to be a cuddler. And now, with the flip of a switch, she snuggles. And I love it.

Things I Never Realized I Can Do Onehanded….

…While carrying a 25 lb. 1 year old

1) Empty the dishwasher
2) Feed the dog
3) Feed the cat
4) Make my bed
5) Cook dinner
6) Eat dinner
7) Make a pot of coffee
8) Make cup of coffee
9) Put my jacket on
10) Put my shoes on
11) Type an e-mail
12) Look for the cat under the bed
13) Bring cat in from outside after she escapes
14) Open a bottle of wine
15) Start a load of laundry
16) Bring in groceries from the car

Really, I don’t hold her THAT much, but of course there are just times where you have to multi task. She would rather be walking instead of be held (most the time). She actually has become quite the cuddler these days. Which I am ELATED about, I might add.

Last weekend Miss S starting patting her ear. I shrugged it off as more freaking teeth coming in (there are) since for the most part she was in an okay mood. On Monday morning she was super fussy with no fever and the same with that night. Tuesday morning, fussy again but over the top fussy with no fever. I took her to daycare and drove to work with a feeling in my gut that she had an ear infection, despite her lack of fever. Got her in that evening with the doctor. She had a 102 temp and ear infection. She has been on some antibiotics and keeping her on the Tylenol when needed and she is getting better very slowly. Of course this all went down while Hubbs’ was away on a short business trip. Last week was stressful, to say the least.

Birthday Bash

Okay, so a bit out of order. Still crafting my summary/letter for the past year. Here are some pictures of the festivities of Miss S's birthday party this past Saturday.

P.S. Not sure why these pictures are looking so goofy.

Minnie

Mouse, that is.

Loogy Nation

I have been sick for about two weeks. Just an annoying and pesky cold. I thought it was over with about 5 days in, and then it reared its ugly head AGAIN and I can’t seem to shake this dark junk in my nose, throat and lungs. My eyes are itchy and I don’t know how to hock up loogies. I’m gross. What can I say, it's a loogy nation at home.

Sonya still has a crackly cough, had a bout of horrendous diaper rash which I think was sparked by spaghetti I gave her. Maybe too much acidity? I used Bordeaux Butt Paste, didn’t work. Desitin burned her tooshy too much (poor thing) and Aveeno cream was just too gentle. My mom finally dropped off some Rosebud Salve which seems to be working. An oldie but goodie!

I recently discovered an awesome toy store in our town. It has the coolest things. I went in yesterday on my lunch and wanted to buy everything but had to contain myself since Miss S’s birthday is this weekend! That is a whole other post.

It has been hard for me to blog at work lately due to my new flat screen monitor which easily displays Blogger when I in it. So what I just started was writing my posts in Word and then dropping them right into Blogger to cut down on the time I am in it. I know, so sneaky folks. Who am I fooling? And blogging at night after Miss S is in bed is just not realistic lately. I have been running errands at the night hours or working on unpacking or just sitting my ass on the couch to sip on some Carmenere.

Aight fools. I need to post pics from Halloween. I will do that before this weekend because I have a monster of a post coming up in just three days... In THREE DAYS I will be posting her 1st Birthday Post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I Learned Traveling with My 11 Month old

1) Coordinating flight times around nap time is money
2) Take advantage of the airlines and request a couple extra plastic drink cups for your baby to play with
3) Bring plenty of useful toys. Not just lead laced ones from the dollar store such as a pink pig sponge.
4) Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize
5) $12 umbrella strollers from Target are not made for anyone taller than 4 feet tall
6) The Family Line at the Security Check Point is not that VIP-ish. In fact it is sometimes more of a pain in the ass depending on the number of squirrelly kids and sleep deprived parents are in front of you slowing things down.
7) Traveling with other people (i.e. other family members) is a life saver
8) Pack n’ Plays are a pain in the ass to carry folded up
9) McDonalds French fries taste like heaven on earth to your child
10) Your “no bare feet on hotel room floors” goes out the window immediately
11) Sticking to nap times is money
12) Bring a thermometer in case your baby has a raging fever at midnight the night before you are supposed to fly back
13) Raisins are the gift from God.
14) No matter how hard you try not to be, eventually you will be “that family” that childless passengers glare at on the plane. Heck I used to be one of them.
15) Airplane bathrooms are not contusive to changing your baby’s diapers
16) Check your baby food or else you are going to get grief, I know big DUH, but I forgot folks, I forgot!!!
17) Despite a hectic trip, my little one still was a doll and beautiful all dressed up for the wedding. Despite being sick and getting another tooth, she was the ultimate trooper.

Pandemonium Larry!

I am in a panic. Full on panic. This Swine Flu business is making me sick with anxiety. What the heck is a mom to do? Normally, I don't give a rats ass about the regular flu, but this???? Has me freaking the f^&* out. I don't care if I get it, I will kick it's flu-ass, but I am worried about my girl getting it. Plus, we are Flying.On.An.Airplane in a mere two weeks to So Cal. We will have to be in the dirty airports, in a stuffy plane with recycled air spewing in our faces. Sonya will want to mouth everything in her site. There is not enough Purell in the world to keep up with that one. I am totally not one of those people against vaccines. But I am a bit uneasy about this vaccine they have (which they don't have yet for her age in our city). Today on Good Morning America they were discussing how they would be looking for side effects on the first users of the vaccine. Um... no thanks. She hasn't had her flu shot yet either because our office ran out. WTF???? Are you moms out there freaking like me or am I just getting my knickers in a knot?

Jiff- You know health care- are you giving Bayley the shots????

Fall All Around Us

-Within a week we have used our air conditioner and our heater. Sonya is back in her sleep sack at night and we have thrown an extra blanket on our bed.
-The new season of SNL has started up. Sat night belonged to my heartthrob Ryan Reynolds. So hot. He might be in my Top 5.
-Saturday we moved a load of crap over to our new house. On Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch with my bro and sister in law and my nieces and my mom. It was fun. Miss S enjoyed looking at the cows and chickens.
-I had an important meeting I was stressing over today at work. A lot of the Big Wigs were there and I thought I would have to "talk numbers" about some of my brands, but my boss did majority of the talking, so I didn't sweat much. Although, some serious thought went int what I should wear. I was going to wear a gray and black shift from Target with some patent faux Croc pumps, but figured that might be a bit too sexy, so I settled on a very Michelle Obama-ish outfit. very cute. Wide leg black/gray slacks, tucked in fitted black collared blouse, open bright blue longer cardigan, long black beaded necklace and those same heels. My motto with work attire is dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Which I pretty much do, if I do say so myself.
-Miss S is standing unassisted. UNASSISTED!!! When did this happen? Overnight! It was Overnight! Hubbs thinks she will be walking within a couple of weeks. We'll see.
- I mailed out invitations for Miss S's FIRST BIRTHDAY party. She is almost a toddler!!! This must of happened overnight too. I can not believe it. She is such a doll.

Alright, I'm out!

Current Events

Sonya has a cold with yellow snot and everything. Glad I am working from home with her today so she can take it easy and rest up.

I have a 3 year old's birthday party to attend with Miss S tomorrow, we'll see if we end up going, guess it depends on if she still has a cold. Don't want to get other kiddies sick too. Hubbs will be attending a golf extragaganza.

My big toe nail has cracked half way down. It doesn't hurt...yet, I am sure I will stub my toe on something which will then yank back the crack thus resulting in serious F-Bombs.

We are going to Target today to get more toys. Miss S is starting to get bored with a lot of her toys so it is out with the old, in with the new!

I finally got my eyebrows waxed yesterday. Phew! They look so much better and I don't look like I have been living in the Amazon.

It is hotter than heck around these parts, the worst part, it's H-U-M-I-D. Our heat is usually dry so I don't know how to handle myself around this moisture.

Aight, the little one is up from her midday nap. Enjoy the weekend!

"I want more toys!"

Happiness

I met up with an old friend yesterday for lunch. We had a falling out back in our college days and recently reconnected at a mutual friend's wedding. He was one of my best pals back in high school. Looking back on it, I had three close guy friends which I rotated through the years. Of course I had girl friends, but I just got a long better with the guys. They didn't get jealous and catty like those girls did.

So anyways, it was fun seeing this old friend. He used to be a heavy drinker, would be a jerk when he was drunk (which I think is why we stopped talking) and could be just obnoxious, but the most of the time he cracked me up with his humor and wit. It was nice to see he has really matured and has settled down with his long time girlfriend. He asked me what it was like now being a parent, and it made me think for a minute.

This is something I think about all the time, but it is just so hard to get the words right and out correctly. But it just came to me.

Each day I wake up happy. I am happy about the day ahead, week ahead, even months and years ahead. Because now that we have Sonya, problems I might of stressed over a year ago, just don't faze me as much anymore. I look forward to everything. When I get down, I just think of her smiling face and the three of us as a little family unit. It is so strong, it is what makes me happy. After dropping Sonya off at daycare, I pass by an elementary school where parents hold their kindergartner's hands as they prance up the walkway. Watching them, brings a smile to my face. Such a simple thing, but just so wonderful.

9 Months

Dear Sonya,

I can't believe you are 9 months old today. How the time has flown by. Each day my heart is so full of love for you. Each day, I can't believe how much fun you are. Oh, the things that crack you up. When Puss or Lucy are in the room, you crawl right over to them to pat and pet. Your love of peek a boo and hide n' seek is hilarious. Your squeals of delight when you find me around the corner and when I sneak up on you are just priceless. I could listen to your giggles all day long. Today you said Dog as I pointed Lucy out to you. You are so smart.

You not only love to giggle, you love to play and get into everything. I know when I see that twinkle in your eye and you purse you lips, you are about to take off crawling to find something you shouldn't play with. You are constantly on the go. Pulling yourself up to the couch is your hobby. You eat anything and everything, even if you don't like something, you will at least try it. Your favorites are peaches and avocado, and you recently discovered ice cream.

I recently was watching some home videos of you when you were a newborn. How little you were! With those big cheeks and black hair and your steel grey/blue eyes. Now your cheeks are a little less pudgy but a dimple has appeared on your left cheek and your hair is a honey brown with a hint of red in the sun. Your eyes are a beautiful green hazel. You have two teeth on the bottom and two teeth on top. And your favorite toy is the squeaky wood monkey your Gigi got you for Easter.

Your dad and I are so in love with you. You make every day something to look forward to. Everyday brings a new adventure. You are my love, my life, my girl.

Gettin' All Girly

My Girly Peanut at 8 months.

Four Years

Four years ago today, I was 23 years old and walking down the aisle to the man of my dreams. I remember the way he looked at me as he got his first glimpse of his glowing bride. I will never forget that moment- his look of awe and genuine love. That's my hubbs, and he hasn't stopped showing that for me ever since.

I have to admit I am quite lucky. I found my soul mate at a young age. We made it through the trials of college together, a nasty car accident, insecurities and just overall stress that it seemed natural we would get married to each other. We have now been together for over 9 years. It's crazy to me to realize that some people get married barely after a year of dating. I think about how I am still learning about what makes the hubb's tick and him too, learning about me.

This past year we have gone through so much together. Our marriage has been tested but we have become so much stronger from the obstacles we have encountered. Maybe a little blessing named Sonya had something to do with it :) Having a baby together has been the most exhilarating thing I have ever experienced. To watch her grow and know that the two of us created her with our love, just fills my heart.

So enough of the sappiness. My man is my rock, my shrink, personal trainer when I want him to be, partner in crime, food critic that rarely criticizes, reality tv watching confidante, best friend, but most importantly my love.

Here's to many, many more together!

Relief

On Friday I packed up Sonya, hubbs and and the three of us with my mom drove up to the coast to my aunt and uncle's house (the one's who passed away last Memorial Day weekend). Since it was the one year anniversary to the accident, all of the family gathered on Sunday to spread their ashes around their property. Then wildflower seeds were tossed over them so that flowers will be blooming all the time.

I thought it was going to be really hard for me to face my emotions that have been boiling up for so long. But it was thankfully, very refreshing to do this. Of course we had moments full of tears and sadness, but for the most part we had a really good time. Come to think of it, that was the most fun I have had in a very long time. I think my spirit has been cleansed. My cousin was amazing as difficult as it was for her. I am so thankful to have this family.

I spent the weekend eating, drinking and eating and drinking. Right when I say "no more food for me" apple pie is brought out and I end up eating a slice and polishing it off with a sliver of devil's food chocolate cake. Lay off! I'm Hungry!!!!

Sonya was a peach and the star of the show as always. How could she not? Look at this face.


I am so relieved this weekend is over, but boy did I have a great time.

A Lady Who Lunches

I am on vacation this week and therfore have filled up my social calendar. Well, not really, but it seemed cool to say that. Yesterday Sonya and I met up with an old friend from high school for coffee. She is married and has no kids and does not work much. More like 2 days a week. Must be nice, right? She's rich, so there you have it. Today I am "lunching" with another friend who just had a baby a little over a month ago. Tomorrow we plan on visiting the Wednesday night Farmer's Market. On Thursday I plan on working in another coffee date with another pal. After that, I'm all out of friends so good thing I don't have two weeks of vacation or else I would be screwed! Although we aren't doing much this week, it still is nice to just fart around with the little one, especially since the weather is nice. I could get used to this being off thing. Hubbs' definitely appreciates it. In fact, he was quite thrilled that I made him a fried egg sandwhich today. We get excited about the small things around here, people.

This weekend was hotter than heck. We ran the AC and tried to stay cool. We checked out the Rose Parade on Sat. morning. Sonya loved it and took in all of the different floats and bands walk by in her jogging stroller. On Sunday she had a "play date" with my friend who has an 8 month old. They have a cute baby pool that squirts up in different places. Sonya was all ready to go in her cute swim diaper (cloth swim diaper, trying to be a little green) and her adorable bathing suit. She had her 70 sun block on but when the time came to put her in the water, she wanted nothing to do with it. She burst into tears as soon as her feet touched it. I think it was too cold for her liking. I know, already a princess. Meanwhile, her friend had a blast playing in the water. Sonya was okay to play on the blanket but was just not into the water. I guess we just need to get a pool of our own so she gets used to unheated water.

Friday Wrap Up

I have very fair skin (especially next to my Italian husband). I don't have the cool fair skin (like a Swedish girl) with the very light hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, no I have the medium blond hair (like a German girl), dark brows and lashes therefore I can look pasty. I am okay being fair, I don't think it is worth damaging my skin by sitting in the rays. But since it is almost summer and I have busted out the shorts and skirts I decided I needed a bit of color so I bought some self tanner. I have done the spray tan thing and I really liked it but at $25/pop I can't be doing that every week so I decided to go with the "do it yourself version". I got the Nuetrogena "Build a Tan" self tanner which is supposed to be more gradual. I applied it on Tuesday morning right out of the shower and within a couple of hours I could already see a noticeable difference. Maybe it were the dark streaks around my armpit or the patches of white skin on my knees. Either way it worked way quicker than I had anticipated. Despite the streakage I have reapplied since then and I definitely look a lot more sun kissed. I already feel more sexy with a little bit of a tan.

Sonya's bottom front teeth are cutting through. They are like sharp razor blades. She is going through bouts where she is in pain and must chew on everything. Yesterday, her daycare called me saying that she was having a hard time with the teething pain. Me, being such a good mom, forgot to send her her Tylenol and Orajel so hubbs had to bring them to her since he was working from home. They are taking forever to come through, I just wish to would do it already!

On Wednesday night she got up on her knees and proceeded to try and crawl. She wobbles around and pushes forward with her feet but still can't figure out what to do with those things called hands. I know she will be crawling so soon so I will be baby proofing the house this weekend.

How great was the Reunion of the Real Housewives of New York City? I couldn't stop watching it. That is definitely the most entertaining Real Housewives group out of the lot. I love Bethenny (most of the time). I am saddened the season is over but it's okay because Bravo quickly threw us the New Jersey housewives which look to be just plain tacky and a bit Soprano's-ish. Maybe it was when one of them says, in her Jersey accent "My family is thick as thieves". I don't know, but you can count on me watching it every Tuesday night this summer. Capeesh?

I am off all next week! Whoo Hoo! Company mandated vacation time. Don't have a problem with that! Okay, got to get back to work.

My Peanut

My Girl,

The past 6 months have flown by. Just yesterday your dad and I drove home from the hospital. You were asleep in your carseat in your snug 3 month sleeper, your dad driving super slow making sure not to drive into any potholes while I glanced around making sure the carseat was secure.

I never realized the love a mother could have for a child until I had you. Every day you take my breath away with your preciousness and your beauty. Sometimes I just stare at you as you sleep in your crib, sleeping so peacefully. When you fall asleep on my chest, I love to breathe in your fresh baby scent. I love that you look for me when I am not around you. You are such a momma's girl but you also have your daddy wrapped around your finger.

You make a funny crazy face when you get super giggly and frisky. It comes and it goes but I know when I see it, I know that frisky Sonya has come out to play! You are getting so big and so full of personality. You find my dancing hysterical, belly tickles hilarious, bouncing on the bed- the best thing ever and love to stare at yourself in any mirror.

You rolled over and smiled at 4 weeks, giggled and rolled to the other side at three months, and the milestones continue on. At four months you started crunchies and it has become your favorite trick to showoff when company is over. You now sit up with the help of your hands, push up on your chest and try to crawl. You babble "ma ma" when you get impatient in your exersaucer. As You love to eat carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and peaches. I keep trying new things every day. It is so fun.

There are so many things I have to look forward to with you. So many moments to share, memories to experience. I am loving every minute of it. For the first time in my life, I feel complete. I love every ounce of you. Your dad and I could not be happier. You are my everything.

Happy 6th Month Birthday Sonya!

Rambling Rambles

Finally a spare moment to catch up and read some of my blogs. This week has been crazy, fools. Now I am camped out on the couch with the ol' laptop while hubbs watches I Am Legend. No thanks, I will pass on that.

Work has been nuts. Why are people always scheduling meetings? Don't they know that when I am in meetings I don't get anything done? Jerks.

It's been rainy lately but warm and humid. My hair has a constant 1/2 layer of frizz on top of my flat ironed straight hair and the cowlicks in my bangs are in full effect. I think bedhead would look better than this humid head.

I need to grocery shopping so bad. I keep on putting it off. We are down to just the minimum. There are only so may days that you can bring canned soup or PB & J on stale bread to work.

I have officially stopped breastfeeding. I must say I am a bit depressed about it. Being back at work really did a number on my supply (even with pumping) and Sonya was just too hungry for me to keep up. I slowly weaned down to mornings and nights and then once a day. I kept on wanting to hold on but realized I just needed to stop it. I feel guilty for some reason, like I should of tried to go on longer. If I wasn't working, I would of kept going for much longer, but that isn't the reality so why do I keep beating myself up about it? I really enjoyed breastfeeding. It was tough in the beginning but it was such a great feeling knowing that no matter what, it would always calm her down when she was wailing. I just can't stop thinking about it. Ugh. I need to leave it alone. Why are we so hard on ourselves?

All of this whining has led me right into some sugar cravings. Off to go ransack our pantry to look for some sweets, even if the only thing I have is Christmas candy or dried apricots.

Peace out.