A Rockin' New Years Eve!

Well, rockin' was how I felt at the end of the evening :) I think the room was rockin'! Hee hee!

Needless to say our neighbors party was a blast! Mr Man spent the night with Nona and Poppy and Hubs and I partied it up! You know... every now and again we are allowed!

Our next door neighbors decided to throw a bash that was well worth the walk! We arrived at 8 pm to Kamakazi shots and red wine in large quantities. Needless to say things got fuzzy and fun from there!

Our adorable hosteses!

The culprit

My new friends!

Hey we're normal...

Well... almost!

Hope you all had a fab New Years Eve! Happy 2009 folks!

Questions for my freaders :D

This is the first new years eve (in 6 years I may add) that Hubs and I will be partying it up! Normally, we go to a restaurant, drink some fab wine and just chill. However, this year, my neighbors have been kind enough to invite us to their annual New Years Eve party. I am totally stoked! Plus, I get to wear one of my new dresses...

Hopefully, Hubs gets over the cold of death before Wednesday. Lord knows I had it for about 8 days and I am STILL not over it completely. Blugh! Oooohhh... and I have to bring an appetizer. Does anyone have a fabulous recipe that I can impress them with my cooking skills?

I have this Chihuahua (Mochachino) who is adorable, but stupid as anything. Actually, I think he may be smart, but he doesn't want us to know, just so he can do stupid things and we won't be mad. You know... like those guys who pretend not to cook because they don't want you asking them to cook dinner every once in a while? Sorry... I digress. So... lately (well, actually, ever since B was born) he has been peeing in our formal living and dining room. At first I thought he did it because our cat was peeing in there and we didn't know. But now that the cats are gone :( Stupid Mocha is STILL peeing. And I am FED UP! I have steamed cleaned the carpets and now I am having to keep him gated in the kitchen. He has access to his food and water, his bed, and the dog door. I still feel bad though, but I can't let him out and be a pee monster. Any suggestions? I am ready to call the damn Dog Whisperer. Ceasar... where are you?

And finally, I have so many new outfits and nowhere to go. I got scarves, dresses, sweaters, 3 pairs of shoes, earings and 2 new handbags, but I don't have anywhere fab to go? I feel stupid dressing nice when I am with B, because he wants to eat my sweater, my purse, and my earings. Do you think it is ok if I get dressed up and take B to the mall? Or do you have any ideas for me to get some use out of my new outfits?

OMG seriously, is anyone excited about the premier of The City tonight? I feel lke I am 14 and I have no idea why I love these shows, but I am totally excited :)

Hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Can't wait to read your answers! Ciao Darlings!!

One exciting day!

Yes... he is wearing a sweater. It's cold over herah!

First, I have to start off with yesterday, when I was cleaning the kitchen, watching the news. I was minding my business, watching B in his walker, when I took a look at this cute news segment that was talking about which celebrity hairstyles would look best with a certain face type. I was vaguely paying attention, when I glanced at the new pixie cut that Rhianna made famous, when (to my surprise), my friend Tanja, showed up on the TV screen. She looked BEAUTIFUL! And I couldn't believe she just showed up. It was so awesome!!

-----------------------------

Today was equally splendid because I got to spend quality time with my mom, while B's aunt watching B. My mom and I went to a warehouse sale. I don't know if you have ever heard of this, but my Mother In Law introduced us to these things, and they rock! It is a little difficult to get used to, simply because you really have to speed shop, but you get the most AMAZING prices. Today, I got an ADORABLE dress (that retailed for $350) for $30, a denim jacket (that retailed for $285) for $30, and a cute long sleeve tee (that sells at Sacks for $150) for $24 bucks. You can't beat that with a stick!

-----------------------------------------

Then, later in the evening we gave Mochachino his first taste of pasta (which is hte picture above). I about died of laughter at the way he just gobbled it up and it looked like Lady and the Tramp. Hysterical!

----------------------------------------

Not to mention, this evening in the bath, Mr Man found the water. Normally, in his baths, he just sits there, chewing on some toy and letting you watch him. But tonight... he splashed in the water, smiled at the camera and thought he was such a big boy!! I got in on our video camera so we could cherish it forever.

----------------------------------------



What an amazing and fun day! Hope yours was equally blissfull!

About to Pass out!

Had the garage sale today, and tomorrow we are headed for our first Christmas family photos.

We made out pretty well with the yard sale. The only problem was it was pretty cold and windy, so there wasn't much traffic.

Overall, I would say it was fun and a success. Not to mention I made out with the cutest suede coat (thanks Olivia!!)

Hope you all had a fab Saturday!

I'm headed for bed!

A Wine Festival with a little Ike!

The band boys!

The newly engaged couple with hubs

Moi


Hubs aka the hottie!

Yesterday, we headed to the local wine festival with some old friends (who are newly engaged) and drank some beer (strange, I know, considering we were at a wine festival) and partied the night away. It was fabulous seeing the band mates again and partying with their gals!

Last night was also the first night B slept at Grammie and Grandpa's. I was hesitant but hubs assured me he would be in good hands, and when we arrived this morning, he was happy as he could be. He apparently slept well, ate well, and was an all around good baby. Go B! Thanks Grammie and Grandpa for letting us get a night out on the town!

The only unfortunate thing that happened that evening is the newly engaged couple was up from Galveston. They have a house down there and they drove up for a little vaca. The problem being that they didn't know Ike was about to hit them, so they boarded no windows, didn't take all their cars and had to leave their stuff.

We are not sure of the damage, but we are praying everything will be ok. I would ask you to keep them in their prayers that all their stuff was not lost in the flood!

Hurricanes Starting with I...

Back in 2004, when Hubs and I got married, Hubs planned this amazing honeymoon to Jamaica. It was at this beautiful 5 diamond resort in Ocho Rios, adult only, with only 70 rooms.

When we arrived, we drove down windy roads, and finally ended at this iron gate. It was the most beautiful hotel I had ever seen. It was quaint but grande. It had paintings and when we pulled to the entrance, 2 bellman came to greet us. One grabbed the bags, the other opened the door and asked what we wanted to drink.

"A pina colada" I said, and hubs followed suit.

As we sat in the lobby, we could hear the swish of the ocean. The cool breeze came in the through the back and we closed our eyes for a minute, just enjoying the moment. This was going to be awesome!!!

We were headed to a room (ocean front of course - that's all they had) and we saw this spectacular view!

It was heaven. The pina colada was slowly taking its effect, the breeze was the perfect temperature, and the room was gorgeous! We couldn't wait to head to the beach!

So, hand in hand, we walked down to the beach to scope it out! It was simply breathtaking.

After only 2 days there; however, we noticed we could be in for some trouble...
Hurrican Ivan was possibly heading our way.

Nah, we thought. It's not gonna hit us! What is the possibility of that?

But... on the night of the 3rd day, all the guests were called in the lobby for a "meeting." Hurricane Ivan WAS going to hit us, and it was quickly picking up speed. Possibly a catagory 5.

We were scared but calm, until we saw the owner of the hotel tell us, while gulping a glass of wine, if the weather man was right, we were in its direct path.

We all stared at the board and saw the path - DIRECTLY on top of us.

OMG!!! What are we going to do? Leave, stay?? We started freaking out.

We tried to get a flight, but unfortunately the airport had shut down due to the hurricane. We were stuck and we were in it for the long haul.

The 4th day quickly came and we really starting noticing the weather. While out on the beach, we saw men in trees cutting coconuts out of branches, we saw the chandelier being tied to the railing, and we saw the weather become darker and darker!

This is the day before it hit.

We had "meetings" every night to prepare us. We were supposed to take our clothes and put them in our suitcases and put them in plastic bags and lay them on the bed. We were supposed to bring all valuable items with us. We were to wait in our rooms until they told us we had to go into a bunker.

The hurricane was due to hit us in the middle of the night, so we were told to dress comfortably and for very warm weather. If the hurricane got up to winds of 60 miles an hour they were going to have to turn off the generator.

So... we waited. Then, shortly before 5 pm, all guests - including hubs and I - headed to the bunker.

At first, it was a blasts, we drank champange, ate shrimp cocktail, and talked with other guests. But soon, we could hear the wind ripping outside the doors. We heard things crash and things fall to the ground.

Then, at around one in the morning, they told us the winds had become too strong, they would have to turn off the generator.

The bunker

We sat, with 50 people, from all over the world, in blistering heat. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever been.

You couldn't sleep, because of the heat, and the people that did sleep were snoring so loud it was crazy!

Finally at around 10 am the next morning, we were able to grab our things and head to the room.

This is what we saw:

The damage had been done.

As we walked to the room, I thanked God no one was hurt and for keeping us safe.

The rest of the trip was just as amazing as the first days.

There were beaches, dinners and laughter, only now we knew every guest intimately!

We call ourselves the 04 bunker squad!

So, as hurricane Ike prepares to hit Texas, I say bring it ON!!! Catagory 3... you've got nothin' on us!

My first thank you note!

Today, I recieved my first thank you not from my buddy Grayson!

I am not quite sure what it said, as I can't read, but it looked good... to eat!

Oh! What a sweet note. I am so glad Grayson liked his toys. I can't wait until I am one and everyone comes to my birthday party! So far, life isn't so bad though ;-)

~B

Babies, Babies and More Babies!!

Here we all are at lunch :) What a group!

Today was SO much fun! My BF's and I went shopping for a dress for B's christening, and we found the most perfect dress! I can't wait until Saturday and all the pictures to show you all!


Plus, B's godmother, Michelle, got B the MOST amazing gift! It is a James Avery cross and it is so beautiful. I can't wait until he can wear it Saturday. It will look so beautiful on him and go with his Christening outfit so well.


Not to mention, B was blissfull during lunch, letting me eat while he slept. And I got to catch up with all the ladies and their babies while shopping.



Overall, we did a lot, but we had so much fun! B is sleeping as we speak and his godfather and his great aunt are on their way here this evening.

Baby Showers and Such!!!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day! My 2 favorite people, Missy and Michelle, threw me the most amazing baby shower! It was filled wtih delectable food, fun games, and great company!! Those 2 girls really did an amazing job with EVERYTHING! It was truly a special day! Not to mention, it was about 65 degrees, so everything was just perfect!

-------------------------------

On another note my Houdini cat has done it again! After the last fiasco, hubs and I decided to put bird netting all over the yard, so he couldn't jump out. This worked for quite sometime, until yesterday, when we went outside and realized he must have tried to jump through, failed, and knocked some of it loose, only to try again and succeed. Now, keep in mind the cat is de-clawed, and he has a belled collar, but he has brought me multiple bird or grasshopper presents, so I don't think it has slowed him down. Normally, we walk outside and he is meowing in the neighbors yard, for us to rescue him.

However, yesterday, he was no where to be found, and last night a kind neighbor dropped by his leash. Apparently, their dog sniffed it out and they wanted to return it.

We have not heard or seen from out little guy since Sat night, and I am getting increasingly worried. I understand cats get lost and if he is gone for good I will have to get over him but I am just a little heartbroken. If you would keep Sammy in your prayers for a safe return, I would appreciate it!!

-----------------------

And finally, I need some advice...

When I got married, back in 2004, I had an entirely different set of friends. I didn't have too many close girlfriends... actually, I only had one. So at my wedding my maid of honor was that friend, and my sister in law was the other bridesmaid.

Anyway, over the years, me and my MOH (maid of honor) have drifted apart, but always tried to remain as close as we can be. You see, she keeps a different schedule. She is a waitress at a very busy wine bar, downtown, and I live in the burbs, with a husband and I have a corporate job. Not to mention I am very pregnant.

So, when I was making the baby shower list, she was, naturally, the first person I invited. I was excited to finally see her and spend some time with her. However, about a week before the event, my friend said there was no RSVP from her. I got worried. I know she would have to request it off, so I texted her to make sure she was coming. She said she never got the invitation, which made me feel horrible, and I told her the details and she said "Of COURSE, I will be there, its your baby shower for gosh sake!" I was so happy that was all clear, I told my friend and waited for the day.

Well, yesterday, while at the shower, I get a text saying her phone did not spring forward automatically, which to be honest, I had a hard time believing, but went on with the day as if it was no big deal. You see, she is always late, or has car trouble or something happens. She is just kind of one of those friends that it comes with the territory, not the most reliable if you know what I mean. There have been numerous occasions where I will be sitting at the restaurant and she will text me saying she just left, sorry. And, after years of knowing her, I have tried to put it behind me to the best of my ability. Now don't get me wrong, I used to bitch and bitch about it, until I realized it solved nothing. So... as time went on, as I got older, I just let it go. And yesterday, I did the same. She was going to be late, no worries, I just let it go.

So, the party goes on, the games are played, the cake is eaten and the presents are opened. No sign on her. I looked around and I got a melancholy feeling. I mean, she was my MOH, I thought she would at least be here for this. As I am getting in the car, I see I have another text: It said got into a car wreck, headed to xyz hospital, sorry, call you later. So now, I start to worry... is that REALLY what happened, OMG I feel horrible. So I call. No answer, which is as to be expected if your in the hospital. SO I get home, call the xyz hospital and ask for the ER. They tell me no one has been there with that name and no one is here now with that name. Truthfully, my heart sinks. I don't know what to believe. Did she just not come? (I mean it wouldn't be the first time she flaked out on a party or something important) or did she really get hurt? So... I call her phone again. No answer.

Then, about 20 min later I get another TEXT saying I should wear my seatbelt and something to that effect and call you tomorrow. I have a bruised rib but really it was more mental than physical. Which, at this point, I don't know how to respond? Why was she still texting me? I mean if your in the hosptial, I would at least like a call. So I text her back, get well and call me tomorrow.

There are 2 problems I have with this:

A. Everytime there is an event or a party or something we have planned, she has car trouble. A flat tire, its in the shop, or whatever. (Plus, she doesn't have a junk car, she has a nice, new car!)

B. If she really made it up that she was going to the hospital, and made me worry even worse than before, that would be horrible. Plus, why would you only text? I called twice... don't I at least deserve to know if you are ok? To me, my gut told me it was a person TEXTING in sick to work. I just didn't have a good feeling about it.

So... I don't know what to do if she calls. Should I tell her my concern about her not showing up? Should I ask her what happened? What should I do? I feel like this was a really big event to miss, and I understand if your going to be late, but this kind of feels like the last straw... you know? What would you do if it was your friend?

Mural, Mural on the Wall...

Who is the baddest of them all? MY MURAL!! Woot!!

E and Olivia came over on Saturday and started this mural for Brady's nursery. I cannot tell you how exciting it is to see this go up on the wall. Things are really coming together! Plus, they aren't even done. I just couldn't NOT show you what they have come up with so far. I cannot thank them enough! And do worry my dear freaders, I will post a pic when the finish product has arrived :D

Feel free to tell me what you think! I LOVE feedback!!

This is E and Hubs in the very first stages. Just adding the clouds.

A little more detail now...

Standing back to watch the artists at work!


Almost done for the day...

Completed for the day, *Squeee!



Feel free to click on the pic to make it bigger!!

Have a happy Monday!

Kinda in a Funk?

You see... I have this friend. She is very near and dear to my heart! And each week we try to get together to grab some lunch and catch up. But with the NY shower and the holidays, it seems we haven't been able to see each other in close to 4 weeks. Which, is really not a problem, I just kinda miss her :)

The issue I have, is that every week, I drive down (about 30 min) to pick her up and take her to lunch. My schedule is easier to manage (since working from home) and I like to get out of the house and drive a bit. The drive is not the problem.
You see she works for this company that I think treats her pretty badly, but I understand... a job is a job! So I make those kinds of "sacrafices" (if you will (don't know if that is the right word)) just to see her, because she means that much to me.

Well, there have been occasions where we have had to re-schedule do the company saying they were taking everyone out to lunch or surprise birthday lunches and so on. Really, at that point (I was normally in the car drivng and halfway there) there was nothing I could do. So I didn't sweat it, I just got over it. Sure it was a bit of a pain in the ass, but I knew it wasn't her fault, so whatever.

So our standing date is normally today. Every Wed we say. I mark that date on my calendar and just plan stuff around it, so that I don't have any scheduling conflicts. Well, Mon I email her, make sure we are on for Wed and she confims. Great! Can't wait to see her!! But then, yesterday, I get an email saying someone for the company needs her to help with treats for a meeting, can we move it to Thursday? Well, this week is booked solid. So I ask if her employee and her can go to do it Thursday (as the meeting is not until Friday), she says no, the other woman doesn't want to do that.

Now, to be honest, that hurt my feelings. I don't know... but I feel like, I have a pretty busy schedule with life and having a baby and so on... right? I mean, I am sure we ALL feel this way. But if we plan (on Mon) to have lunch (on Wed), wouldn't you tell that co-worker you already have plans? Or am I just blowing this out of the water? Am I just getting bent out of shape for nothing (probably b/c I am hormonal and pregnant)... you tell me???

Diaper Dude

I have to admit, as NaBloPoMo progresses... my blogs are getting more and more random by the hour. Not that I write a blog every hour, but you catch my drift.

A couple of things.

Yesterday, I ran into a very old friend. It was SO awesome to see her! She just had a baby boy (7mnths) his name is Cannon. SO CUTE! And quite large. (25lbs, and 34 inches long... I am like WHAH?) Anyhoo, she told me about the coolest sites. 1. Diaper Dude - ok folks, I consider myself a stylish person (I feel weird saying that, because I know deep down inside I am such a dork that just buys nice clothes) simply because I have always had my "own" sense of fashion. Nothing too flashy, mostly classic and basic colors. So I have been looking for Diaper bags, and I want something no one has, but I want to be practical too. I don't want some Juicy Couture fuzzy white bag, that my child is going to puke on once, and poof... RUINED! I swear, I know someone who had that problem! But, I also want something my hubs can be proud carrying. He is a pretty versatile man... I have put him in many a pink shirts (looks great with his complexion) and he wears it with a smile! So then, she tells me about this site and TA-DA! this is where I will be purchasing the D Bag... and folks check out the prices... CHEAPPY CHEAPPY. Yippee!

2. She also told me about this amazing place where all the celebs design their nursery's, Posh Tots. If I have a boy, I am totally copying this room. Not gonna spend $500 on a lamp (are you kidding with that??) but totally going to copy what I can!

3. All you "Christmas Procastinator's" (as Julie Q put it so kindly ;-) Apparently you are unaware that I have begun to work Part Time for the first time in my LIFE! I have never had this much time to do... Stuff! Hence the reason for the tree, Christmas cards, wrapped presents and so forth. Also, my hubs travels, a lot, and I have lots o spare time to sit and be with the tree and the presents. so don't feel bad my dear bloggy friends. As someone pointed out yesterday, it isn't even December! Just know that I am bored out of my wits here in Texas and need stuff to do!! I have WAY too much energy to sit on my bum and sleep!

If you have any suggestions of fun, cheap, time consuming stuff... that I can do solo and not look like a goober (no movies please) feel free to suggest them. I am dyin' over herah!

Ciao for Now!

A Ruined Evening :(

So yesterday I was SO excited about our ladies dinner! Missy put together this awesome dinner for just the ladies. Apparently when your a new momma it is a rare occasion to wear earings, a necklace and lipstick (love you Michelle!) So all 6 of us headed to this nice Pizzaria for dinner. I showed up first and put our names on the list to wait for a table.

As I sat there I had a pretty bad headache, but I tried to ignore it and think to myself that it would go away if I just didn't think about it. I don't know if any other preggo gals gets headaches, but I get these headaches that really knock you for a loop. Plus I am allergic to Tylenol, so I can't really take anything for them.

As all the girls started to arrive, I realized my headache wasn't going anywhere, but I was having so much fun I just didn't want to leave. We finally sat down and ordered some apps. As we waited for the appetizers I realized things were progressively getting worse! The smells of the restaurant were really getting me nauseas and no matter how much lemon I put in my water (Docs say the tartness of lemon is a natural way to cure nausea - the best is lemonade) this wasn't going away!

As I sat there in the corner I thought, I am going to hurl. I quickly threw some money on the table, grabbed my bag and jetted out the door, wishing my friends goodbye as quickly as I could. I ran to my car and just sat there trying to regain my composure. I buckled myself in, called my hubby, and set to head home.

Unfortunately, while in the left turning lane onto the highway, I just started throwing up. It was so weird, it was non stop and no matter what I did it went everywhere. All over me, my beautiful car and there was no stopping it. I finally got home, took a shower, and went to bed.

It was just so sad that I had to leave a great night of laughs and ladies.

Shopping, Babies and Friends!!

Today was so awesome. As most you know I have these two amazing friends... who are also mommies! They really get me ready for what I am about to experience with the baby. I see boobies and crying babies. Happy babies and sleepy babies. Babies that only want Momma and babies that are happy to see almost anyone.

So one of those amazing women decided to get us gals together and go shopping at this 380 trade days! I have to say I have never been, but it was SO awesome. I bought this beautiful cross and got to just walk around on a gorgeous day! We had 5 women, 2 pregnant, the rest with children. It was so much fun to hang with the baby brigade.

As a mom to be... my advice to you ladies is soack in all the wisdom of Moms. They know more then they could ever share and you can see it in their eyes just how their lives have been altered by such a little beautiful thing!

Ciao Bellas!

Childlike Instinct??

I think when your young you automatically gravitate towards people that interest you. Make you questions things in life, and generally amuse you! In my case, since we moved so often, I had to figure that out pretty darn quickly.

What I have come to realize, in my 26 years on this earth, is that the friends I had when I was young, seem to be TRUE friends! Now I say this in the kindest sense. It is not that I don't have friends, that I have met recently (in the scheme of things) that aren't amazing people to be around!

I just feel an amazing connection to the friends I once had, who are friends yet again. I know I am probably not making any sense... let me summarize... I truly believe that kids have an inate instinct about people. They can call it like it is and don't really care what the other person thinks. When I was 0-9yrs we lived in VA, and me and these 2 girls were THE BEST of friends. Why... who knows?? One lived down the street... yes... the other, our parents met in lamaze class?? Now, as I have re-connected with them, we have SO much in common, and we generally seem to get one another.

It just seems to me between the ages of 16 to 19, maybe you don't know yourself as well as when you were 6-9? Who knows? I just know, I am experiencing some of the best old friends a girl could ask for, and some newer friends that just don't cut it. But also some newer friends that are completely amazing and I wouldn't know what to do without them!

Children... absolutely amazing!

Here's to you Chad...

I don't even know where to begin. I guess from the beginning...

I moved here in 2000, I got a job as a waitress and met my best friend, Steph. On my 19th birthday party we ran into a couple of guys, who happened to have gone to high school with Steph. Chad and M(aka HUBS). We all know what later happened with M:) Chad, on the other hand, is a different story... I remember we all meet, over a game of pool, and there was just something unique about him. Something I had never met in anyone, in Texas. He was wordly, had a great personality and loved the same things I did. We were the best of friends, from day one.

I remember we used to do everything together. We used to take Neil (his black lab) to the vet, & on walks. We used to go grocery shopping, out to eat and golfing. Litterally, we were inseperable. There was never a romantic connection, just an amazing friendship.

As I look back, I realize that Chad has been at almost every important moment in my life. He was the best man at our wedding, he was the first one we called when we found out we were pregnant, and he was the first one to comfort me (besides my loving hubs, M) when we found out we had lost the baby.

Chad has been an amazing friend to both M and I! M has known him for 30 years, I have known him for 7, but it would not have been the same had we all not shared those moments.

This Saturday Chad leaves for Med School, near Houston. Although it is only a 5 hour drive, I feel as though I am losing, one of my very best friends!

All the luck in the world, to you Dr H! You will be greatly missed!