A Day At The Beach

Man, this place is awesome! I can't wait to go back and build sandcastles and swim!

Thanksgiving Eve

I had a pretty decent day today. I accomplished a few things at work, had an interview that I personally think I did very well at, and came home to a crazy baby. I played with Miller for about 45 minutes. He was semi-fussy but fun to hang out with. He's been working on sitting. Then we had bath time, a bottle and off to sleepy sleep he went. Then I made one of the 3 dishes for tomorrow's feast and watched a movie with Ryan.

I am pretty excited for tomorrow. The plan includes cleaning up the house, picking up Andy from the airport, finishing cooking, and heading to Brian and Crystal's to part-take in the feast. Oh, I plan to have the parade and the dog show on tv too. Friday I may fight the Black Friday crowd to purchase a tree so I can decorate on Saturday. No other real plans other than not worrying about work and enjoying time with Miller.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

3 Big Steps

The first big step was Ryan unloaded his crutches and has been "walking" around the house. With this advancement, we decided to move "splasher" into the big bathtub rather than the counter in the kitchen. See how much more fun bathtime is when you can make a mess!


The next thing we tried this weekend was introducing rice cereal to Miller. Here is spoon #1 or 2. It didn't go well. He did not like it and cried. We managed to get a couple spoons in his mouth and then gave him some of his bottle. We switched back and forth for a few more tries and then gave up and fed him the rest of his bottle. I think he will be ok after a few more tries. He wasn't spitting all of it out...but morning feedings are about to get a whole lot messier!

Last Minute

How does a prepared, neurotic, planner turn into a procrastinator? Let's see...work overload with just in time management skills, a new baby, complacency? I don't get it. I normally am prepared, organized, and worried about doing the right thing the best way. Over the past year, I have perfected the "just in time" management theory and "half-assed approach" methodology school of thought. I hate it but I can't get out of it.

Take tonight for instance. I have a major presentation to give tomorrow and I haven't even started it. I owe about 5 people feedback on mutliple documents they have sent to me that were all due Monday (which I took off). My schedule is packed, I have lists, priorities, work time, etc. but things alway pop up and take me off track. Not to mention, I get ambushed by people at work. I am seriously debating going to work incognito to hide from people.

Anyhow, Miller's up and I need to prep him for a bath so I can put him down and get my presentation done. Will I get the other 50 things done, no. How about 25 things, no. Umm...10 things, no. Ok, maybe 5 emails...maybe!

Productive Weekend

I have to say, this was an extremely productive weekend for my parents and I. Here's the checklist:

1) Cleaned house before they arrived
2) Dad mowed lawn and trimmed
3) Erin and mom trimmed and weeded plants
4) Dad trimmed massive ficus tree and plants along fence
5) Mom, Dad, Erin bought 3 new plants for porch and 2 for out front and planted
6) Dad watered plants out front
7) Wrapped birthday presents for the twins (need to find a box and ship them)
8) Got cat litter and food
9) Got heart worm and flea medicine
10) Groceries bought and put away
11) Shopping in Boca (got some Christmas ideas for people)
12) Bought one present for Ryan and wrapped it
13) Miller got some new duds to wear (Baby Gap sale = awesome!)
14) Got two BRDs read and feedback out to people last night
15) Laundry done

I took today off to finish up some chores that can't be done on weeknights or on weekends. The plan is to finish some of those, reclean the house (looks like a cyclone hit), do an hours worth of work, and spend a couple hours reading Twilight before I have to pick up Ryan and Miller and start my evening of being mom again. Uff, I am tired after writing this. Must not sit down...must keep moving.

5 Month Miller Stats

Today we had Miller's 5 month check up. Here are the stats:

Height: 28 1/4 inches
Weight: 18lbs 5ozs

He's still maintaining his 100%+ height and 90% weight. So far, he's on track and doing what he's supposed to be doing. The doctor said we could think about introducing rice cereal this month but since he's doing so well, to hold out. BTW, the best comment was "This will make the grandparent's happy...you could start him on some rice cereal. I am sure they have been bugging you about it." That was right on the money.

The other funny thing is how the doctors at this office tell you the new "trends" and what used to be the trend. For instance, the doctor mentioned today that after we introduce cereal, to start on some veggies because Parent magazine is telling us that rather than the sweet fruits our parents fed us. I like how they tell us what the newest studies say and that sometimes it's ok to do the opposite.

Miller did well with his shot. He actually cried when the doctor checked his ears because he had to hold him down (wiggle worm). The shot was uneventful. Plus, I am pretty sure it helped he had the cute nurse. She thinks he's a cutie and came back for tickles while we were checking out. He also thought the paper on the exam table was the best toy in the world. This kid's getting tissue paper for Christmas and nothing else. LOL!

Enough about Miller. We came home tonight and quickly ate a great dinner prepared by our babysitters (Jess and Jerry), gave Miller a bath, and said "good luck." We went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert. It was fantastic (minus about 3 slow songs). The lights were amazing and I honestly am over stimulated from them. I am afraid to close my eyes because I think I will still see the flashing lights, lazers, smoke, flames, fireworks, etc.

The only poopy deal about tonight was that we actually paid to park at the BAC because of Ryan being on crutches. $20 to park is absolutely highway robbery. Oh well. At least we parked semi close, were able to use the escalator and the secret elevator on the way out. All in all, a good day.

Weekend Forecast

Saturday I cleaned up the house and finished all but one load of laundry. I managed to get a haircut, a new pair of black boots (mine pooped the bed), and stopped at the mall to pick up a few things. I also started looking around for birthday and Christmas ideas. The intent was to look for friends and family but the reality is I started finding things I wanted for myself.

Ryan escaped earlier in the day and found us a Wii Fit! Yippeee! I can't wait to start again. He had to get out and do a little retail therapy. He even came home with Chipotle. He must have been sick of sitting in the house.

We went out with the Malecha's for dinner last night. Miller was a great baby. I always get a little nervous going out to eat with him because let's face it, I like to eat. The idea of having to pack up my food in a to-go box because he was fussing wouldn't make a happy mom. Ryan and I vowed that we would not be that family that sat through dinner with a screaming kid. So far, Miller has not given us any trouble. Keep your fingers crossed it stays that way. We also play the safe card by trying to go to eat early, picking a time when Miller isn't quite hungry, and within a relatively close distance to home.

Afterwards we played a little rock band. Jess and I got the new dual microphone splitter thing so we can both "sing" at the same time. I put "sing" in quotes because neither of us have heavenly voices. That's ok. We both know it, try our best, and have fun doing it. I swear I sound better in the car when I sing alone! I think the memorable quote last night from me was "I don't need a shot to warm up this voice." That's the same approach I take to bowling and look at me, I am a bowling god (ha ha! Tons of sarcasm implied because I suck at bowling).

Today I wanted to attack my plants outside but I think I will wait until my parents come next weekend. I am going to read some of the books I have piling up on my nightstand and some magazines. It looks nice out so I may just have to do my reading on the porch.

Breaking Tradition

Ryan and I are breaking tradition this year. Normally we host Thanksgiving dinner for all the Florida peeps but this year with a baby and a gimpy husband, we decided we will take a year off and let someone else take a stab at frying/smoking/baking the turkey. I know Connie and Bryan have both voiced a desire to feed the hungry troops so they will have to work out the details. I will bring whatever dish is desired and plan on drinking several bottles of wine (to keep my tradition up).

Good luck and may the best cook and host(ess) win!

Parent's Night Out - Redo?

Ryan mentioned daycare is offering a parent's night out again this Friday. The last experience wasn't so grand so I am a little hesitant to spend the money for extra daycare to go to dinner and a movie when I could bring Miller home, put him to bed, order in and rent a movie. I think I will wait until the next round when Ryan is mobile. I am too exhausted to think about going out after a long-ass week of work. I wish it were Friday.

Also, is it odd that I pay for daycare and yet they want me to do fundraisers for it? I know they purchase supplies for learning activities and they do run more classroom oriented options than a normal daycare but my kid's 5 months old. How many new toys and art supplies does he need in his classroom? Granted, I know he will use them in the future but seriously? Doesn't my tuition cover this?

So, if anyone wants to buy a magazine, purchase cookies, or give a donation...let me know. I feel like I need to do something even if it's a small amount. I am not going door to door. For all of our friends and family-suck it up. This kid has years worth of fundraisers he will be approaching you with. Decide what your annual contribution will be and we will only ask once :)

Shout Out to Connie

Here's a giant THANK YOU to Connie. She delivered a delicious meal to us tonight to assist with our hectic schedule. After my bus incident this morning, I kept thinking the day was going to get worse but it didn't. I was able to get in the car to call in for my last meeting and make it home a little after 5:30 (which is the time I normally leave work or at least start thinking about packing up).

It's a good thing I did leave a little early because Miller has moved onto a new feeding schedule with less naps during the day. We kept him up until 6pm and then started the bath, feeding, story time routine. He was out like a light tonight.

Thanks again Connie. Dinner was delicious and we can't thank you enough.

Was it a Sign?

This morning, I thought I would stop and get an iced coffee from Starbucks. Then I thought, no, you don't need one. So I drove past Commercial on my normal path to work. At about McNab and Pine Island I decided if the line wasn't too long I would stop at Dunkin Donuts for one. I moved over to the right hand lane and spotted a bus ahead of me. Of course it stopped less than two car lengths in front of the Dunkin Donut entrance but I figured I was patient, no need to swerve out and back in. I sat for 2-3 minutes and looked around. What the heck is taking the bus so long? Did it break down? Nope-running down across the Walgreen's parking lot were three people. It was nice of the bus to wait for them but made me and about 4 other cars very impatient. Finally we all decided to move around the bus because the one lady was pushing a stroller and she wasn't going to get on the bus for another couple minutes.

Before I turned into Dunkin Donuts I checked out the drive through lane. It was blocked by a dumpster and the store was closed. Go figure. I have never stopped there and pass it every morning. There is always a line-somedays longer than others. So, I decided I would keep my eyes peeled for another one on the left hand side of the road. When I got to that one, I decided the u-turns and stop lights weren't worth the hassle. I would go without.

When I got to work, it was still a craving eating at me so I walked over to the cafeteria and paid for an overpriced Frapacino. It was good but now I have a tummy ache. Guess it was a sign I should have paid attention to. From now on, I will stick with Dt. Cokes for caffeine in the morning.

Weekend Warrior

Saturday was filled with chores around the house. Today included a trip to Sam's Club, Publix, and laundry. I didn't make it to the mall to pick up a few things or back to Jess and Jerry's to pick up the pack n play.

I am currently working while dinner bakes. I have put in a couple hours and could keep going for a few more but I might call it quits in half an hour or so. I need to finish the stupid laundry, feed Miller and put him down for the night, and then spend an hour or so on just me.

I wish weekends were longer so I could fit in chores and get a little down time in. Annie is mad because Grandpa Marshall used to take her on two walks a day. Now she's lucky if she gets two a week. I want to take her tonight but not sure when I will fit it in.

The saving grace to working this weekend is I have been able to do it from the porch. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right!

Halloween and Fall

After long anticipation, Miller and I got dressed up for Halloween. As you can see, he's an alligator and I was Robin Hood.

This is us trying to get poses out of Miller but he was one tired alligator. Don't worry, he's alive and kickin' even though he's doing a face plant.

See...he's fine.

After a long week of work and drama with Ryan's knee, he was told to stay off of it this weekend. He had no problem taking those doctor's orders since he bought a new video game. It's fine with me. It's a beautiful fall day. I have the windows and doors open and have been a cleaning machine.

I cleaned Miller's room from top to bottom, went through his clothes drawers and eliminated some too small stuff, did his laundry, and added a few things to his baby book. Then I proceeded to clean up the guest bedroom, my bathroom, the kitchen (including the stove and stainless), dusted, and have moved onto the floors. I also cleaned out the porch. All that I have left is our bedroom and Ryan's bathroom. Tomorrow will be laundry and plants day. If I get ambitious, there are a couple cupboards that need tending too but I don't want to put too much on my list. What will I do next weekend?

I do have a little work "work" to do but figure I will spend some time doing that tomorrow. I just don't feel like thinking today. We have a couple more parties to go to. Ryan's ready to go but I am still debating. I would like to just sit down and relax this evening (no 5" heels like last night-they were a killer).