Hello Blog... My baby is 7 Months Old

It has been 3 whole months since I have made a post on my blog... I think it was getting lonely. But tax season is behind me know and my baby is 7 months old... 7 months old today actually, so I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light being "me time."

7 months... wow!!! I can not believe that my baby girl is that old already. It seriously seems like just yesterday she was a lump on my tummy. Now I cant get her to stay still unless she is doing something she knows she is not supposed to. My baby is now sitting, and crawling, and experiencing everything through the wonder of her mouth. She is trying to lick outlet covers and pulling down plants. She hates our tile floor and cries when she crawls on it in search of Mommy and Daddy. She has had her first head cold, but still no teeth. She has decided that she likes rice cereal and oatmeal, but hates green beans. She does not like being confined and has forced Mommy and Daddy to baby proof by covering outlets and locking cupboards because she is into everything. She is pulling herself up on the couch and has accidentally sat down while she was crawling. She pulls hair and Mommy's glasses when she thinks she can get away with it. She giggles and tries to talk but no "Mama" or "Dada" yet. She makes me laugh with her antics every day.... and when she smiles and crawls over to me and butts her head into my leg because she wants to be picked up, I dont mind putting down my book or giving up my "me time" for any bit of time. She will only be this little for a short time and I am enjoying every moment.

52 Pick Up

I decided to participate in a photography challenge over at ScrapStreet. It is a pretty simple one, 52 pictures in 52 weeks. Each Friday they post up a new prompt for your pictures and you have a week to do it. This fits into my busy schedule much better than the 365 challenges. So far I have managed to do the first three weeks in a timely manner.

Week 1 and 2 - An indoor and an outdoor picture.





Week 3 - take a picture without flash

One Word

I have been reading through several blogs recently of friends who are joining along with Ali Edwards and her One Word idea. The idea is that a single word can enrich your life and really bring a focus to your daily activities and your art. A word that sums up what you want to accomplish over the year. I loved this idea and thought it was great last year, but I never got around to thinking about what word would work for me. So when I saw the posts starting up again this year, I jumped on it. Sat down and did some thinging and decided on my word.



“What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.” - Buddha

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.” - Stacia Tauscher

“Today's opportunities erase yesterday's failures.” - Gene Brown

“Devote today to something so daring even you can’t believe you’re doing it.” - Oprah Winfrey

“Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by.” - Unknown

“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.” - Groucho Marx

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” - Leo F. Buscaglia

“Today is life-the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto.” - Dale Carnegie

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” - Charles Dederich

I chose today for many reasons....

I have a tendency to worry about things that might happen. I plan to start each day and take it as it is. I can not change what has already happened and I dont know about the future until it is here. In the mean time I want to spend more time enjoying my family and my time and less worrying about the things I can not change.

I get preoccupied with where I want to be and what I want to be doing. I want to spend more time just taking each day for what it is. That 5 year plan will get here eventually. It is okay to take time and work on dreams and goals, but I can not let them overrun the everyday things.

What most of it comes down to is that I have a small little baby who loves me and as each day passes she will never be that small and little again. So I want to take time each day to savor what I have. To enjoy just being with her. To hear her as she tries to learn to speak, to watch her as she tries to learn new things, to smell that baby smell that will so soon fade away, and hold her and lavish love and attention on her. I know that in the blink of an eye she will not be my little tiny baby girl anymore, so I plan to take time each day to savor what I have.

Since having my daughter I have seen so many things in new ways. Using today as my word to get me through the year I hope to slow down and spend more time just enjoying each day as it comes. Instead of looking off into the future and dashing towards it.

Have you picked a word to quide you through the year? I would love to hear about it and why you chose it.

4 Month Picture

Here is the 4 month picture of the baby.



I am taking a monthly picture of her with this bear. I figure that when she is one it will make a great layout to show just how quickly she grew in comparison.

My baby is 4 months old

Wow!!! I can not believe that my baby girl is 4 months old already. Time really does fly by when they are little.

She has her appointment all lined up to get her next round of immunizations on Friday. I am already feeling the mommy guilt because I know she is going to hate them so much, but she needs them.

I need to remember to take her 4 month pictures today. I forgot to take them on the 3 month mark, but remembered a few days later. The good news is that she did not have an overnight growth spurt before I took the pictures.

She is getting to be such an adventurous baby. She has already rolled over accidentally a couple of times. I am just counting the days until she realizes what is happening and starts trying to make it happen. That will be the end of the peaceful period. No more just putting her on the floor and trusting she will stay put. I just know that as soon as she realizes she can roll, she will want to crawl and become quite the moving baby.

Reagan is also practicing her flirting skills. When you hold her, she will make eye contact with someone else in the room that she likes (like her Daddy) and when the eye contact is made, she turns her head super quickly and buries it into your shoulder. Then she pulls it out again and waits until she can make eye contact with that person again, then buries her face again. She will do it over and over again, it is quite the fun game for her. And I am sure that I will miss this game once she outgrows it.

What little games did your baby play that made you melt inside?

Once Upon a Time

I had an entire room devoted to my hobbies. I had a huge computer desk on one wall, and a gorgeous scrapping desk on another. I had ribbons hanging from the wall and stacks of paper containers on another wall. The closet was full of fabric, and yarn, and beads, and paper, and ink, and paint, and canvas, and other random things from hobbies I have tried over the years. I figure at this point, if they sell it at the craft store I have probably tried it.

Then I had a baby. The ribbons came down to make room to hang the babies quilt. The computer was relocated to our bedroom to make room for the crib. The crib moved in, and the dresser moved in, and then the rocker moved in. All my pretty stacks of papers moved into the closet. Crafts I have not tried in years got boxed up and moved to storage. My canvases are all leaned up just begging to be painted on, and my pictures are stacking up on my desk begging for time to scrap.

And I have entered the world of scraproom envy again. I am already making notes to myself about what our next home with have. Since it will definitely have another scraproom for me. I need that. I am willing to let Jake have the garage (okay, most of the garage, I need my car in there somewhere, but he can have the rest), but I need my own hobby space.

What made me realize that I have scraproom envy again... was coming across this room. It is done with lots of pink and green accents, and I love the colors, and the organization to it. It does not seem overly organized, but you just know that it is completely organized at the heart of it. I just love how homey and comforting the room is. Like it is just begging to have you settle in for hours at a time and create. Go check out all the pictures she has up on flicker, totally drool worthy.

100 Things

Decided to join in a fun meme I'd seen floating around the blogsphere. This is one of those "100s" lists. It lists 100 activities and you are to bold the ones you have done and italicize five you would like to do most. If you want to participate, just snag and post to your blog!

1. Started my own blog - and here you are

2. Slept under the stars – in the mountains. Though I spent most of the time burrowing deep in my sleeping bag too afraid I would be bear bait.

3. Played in a band – I played the flute... what, it was junior high marching band

4. Visited Hawaii – I have been to the big island, even walked over the active volcano. I would love to go back and see more of the big island, or any of the other islands.

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than I can afford to charity – I used to give a lot to charity when I first started working... long before the husband and the baby came along.

7. Been to Disneyland/world - Both! Multiple times! I have been to Disneyworld twice and Disneyland more times than I can count. Love them both. Disneyland is a great one day trip, but Disneyworld has so much to offer. Loved Epcot the best!!!

8. Climbed a mountain - yup, the same one that I camped out under the stars on.

9. Held a praying mantis – once and only once... more than enough for me... ick

10. Sung a solo – only in karaoke and horribly off key.

11. Bungee jumped – not sure I will ever try this one

12. Visited Paris – I so want to go explore Europe, some day I hope

13. Watched lightning at sea

14. Taught myself an art from scratch – I taught myself painting from scratch... well, I started to, then decided to take a class to learn more about blending and really work on my art

15. Adopted a child – no, but have thought about it

16. Had food poisoning – yes, something I hope to never experience again

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty – No, though if I ever make it to that part of the east coast I want to.

18. Grown my own vegetables –

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train - maybe if I make it to Europe

21. Had a pillow fight – heck yeah... plenty of pillow fights in my past

22. Hitchhiked - No!!!!! Never will either

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort – it was a tiny little thing though, we gave up before we made it too far, though we did dig out a decent hole/wall combo to hide behind

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping – Ah, the things we do in our youth :)

27. Run a Marathon – Uhm, nope, so not a runner!!!

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run – Nope, only played one year of softball and I was never very good at it.

32. Been on a cruise – my Mom's 50th birthday party was on a cruise for a weekend. I would love to take more cruises in the future.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors – nope, but I would love to if I get to Europe some day

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught myself a new language – took 3 years of Spanish in school, but remember only the littlest bit of it

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - then I bought a house, got married, and had a baby... would be satisfied if the debts were all paid off these days

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing – only once, and it was more of a learning hill than a true climb

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke – only when rather buzzed and under great pressure from friends to do it... then they realized just how horrible I was and stole the microphones back

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt – A couple of times. It is awesome to see... but a bit on the stinky side.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa – Nope, not really a country I want to see though

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight – Yes, I love to do this while on vacation.

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had my portrait painted – Oooo... this sounds fun.

48. Gone deep sea fishing – No thanks, not a fish person

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling – have been snorkeling, but I kept trying to swallow water, so I had to give up. Totally thinking of trying out scuba one of these days.

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud – mud football :)

54. Gone to a drive-in theater – No, but thought about going

55. Been in a movie – Only the little homemade ones and one that we did for a school project

56. Seen the Great Wall of China – No, but I think it would be cool

57. Started a business – Nope... no desire too. Though with the work I do these days, I help other people start businesses.

58. Taken a martial arts class – no, but would like to

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen – Have never seen one either.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma – nope, cant donate blood because I pass out.

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter – Would love to do this if I ever make it back to Hawaii

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial – if I ever make it to the east coast

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone - yup, broke my arm when I was 10, and I am pretty sure I have broken my little toe on at least one occasion.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - does off road count :)

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car – my cobalt was brand new when I bought it... 48 miles.

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had my picture in the newspaper – Yup, when I got married :)

85. Read the entire Bible – thanks in large part to my old and new testament courses in college

86. Visited the White House – that east coast trip I am thinking of

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury – Nope, I was dismissed during the selection process the only time I had to report in.

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit - only through work, I have done exhibits and stuff

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee – twice... the same weekend

100. Ridden an elephant


Wow... 59 things done so far :) And if I ever make that long desired trip to Europe or the East Coast (New York and DC) I can cross off a bunch more.

Go ahead and snag this list... let me know if you post it on your blog so I can come check it out.

2009 Goals and Resolutions

I can not believe that 2009 is here already. I will admit that the end of 2008 was a bit of a blur, what with having a new baby in the house and slipping into the world of breastfeeding and sleep deprivation. But, 2009 arrived in all its glory. The husband and I ushered in the new year watching a movie and enjoying relative quiet while the baby slept away in the next room.

In July 2007 I started the 101 in 1001, sort of a long term goals and resolutions project. However, as my pregnancy progressed, my progress on those goals fell by the wayside. I just realized that I only did 3 updates the entire year in 2008. So, I was trying to decide if I roll the list over and start all over making the items on the list of a shorter nature and more likely to be obtained, or if I should just set a few new resolutions for 2009. In truth, any resolutions I am likely to set will be on standby until after tax season is over... so Mayish. But there are some things that I really dont want to see waiting that long.



I want to work on losing the rest of the baby weight. I want to take more time for myself each day and week to do the things that I enjoy, instead of all my home time being devoted to the baby. I need to spend less, save more, and do other frugal things as we are feeling the pinch of the bad economy and the additional expenses of a new baby. There is so much.

So I am thinking that I am going to have to go slowly and set one or two new goals each month. Spread things out a bit instead of trying to tackle it all up front.

For now, I am starting with eating better. My mom is planning to do a lose 20 in 20 from her store starting later this month. I think I am going to follow along. One, because I am all about supporting my mom's venture, and two, because I can use the reminders to eat better as tax season comes along. I am going to pass on the working out at this point, because history shows that workout plans and tax season do not mesh. I will save that one for May :)

My second goal starting in January is to take time out to do my hobbies. I am setting hobby goals to do 10 cards and 2 layouts each month. I also want to do 5 altered items and at least 1 painting over the course of the year. I think that the cards and layout are reasonable, especially now that I have all these great pictures of the baby. The hard part for me is going to be finding the time to do it. Now that I am back at work, it seems that I have no time at all for myself anymore. I feel quilty if I hand the baby over to her daddy so that I can have a few minutes to myself. I know that I need to take that time, it is just hard finding the balance in my new role as Mom.

How are your goals and resolutions coming? Did you set any for the new year?

December Roundup

Roundup Questions from Katie the Scrapbook Lady

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I read "Babyville" by Jane Green and I loved it. I totally "get" where the characters are coming from in their post baby lives, seeing as how I am still there myself. I decided to read a few more of her books as well, and started "Jemima J."

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
We saw "The Dark Knight" and it was okay. I am not big on the comic book movies in the first place, but I thought that the acting was good.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Christmas!!!! We celebrated with six difference gatherings. It was a bit crazy towards the end, and Reagan was definitely overwhelmed by the end as well. It did her good to have a few days at home with just her parents to get her schedule back.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Soooo many. But the big one. I got my new camera. So pretty. Jake got me a Canon Rebel xsi, and I love it. So far, all I know is the fully automatic point and click, but I have big plans to take a photography class and learn a lot more about the camera.

Reagan got a ton of really fun stuff for Christmas. I got her a really cute pink teddybear, some clothes, and some books of children's stories and nursery rhymes.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
Christmas!!!!

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
I bought gifts for Reagan's first Christmas, including the previously mentioned pink teddy bear.

What were this month's disappointments?
Losing our nanny the week before I was to return to work. We have been super busy finding temporary help that we trust while looking for a new nanny for full days. It has been a bit crazy, and I have had to miss more work that I was expecting as a result. But, hopefully we will have it all resolved soon.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Surviving Christmas and all the traveling with my sanity intact.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Baby girl is getting so much bigger. I think she is around 14 pounds now, and pushing 26 inches in length.

November Roundup

Roundup Questions from Katie the Scrapbook Lady

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I have been powering through my book collection. It seems that I have a ton of time to read during the day now while I am breastfeeding the baby. She does not let me do much else, so I may as well read. I have been reading out loud to her, since I am trying to encourage a reader.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
Still watching all the new fall shows.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Thanksgiving. This is babies first Turkey day. We celebrated the day with Jacob's family, then hopped over to my family for the dessert buffet.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
I pulled a muscle in my back, which really set me back. It was miserable for a good week, and then started doing better slowly, but surely. It made it challenging for me with the baby, since I could barely get myself up, not to mention the added weight of her. In the end, I had to call in reinforcements for a few days.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
We spent time with each others children. Jacob and I also went to a party. Our first night away from the baby. We left her with the in-laws for a few hours, to enjoy the party. We also went to a comedy show with friends another night, and left the baby with a sitter. I am pretty proud of myself for being able to go out without her.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
I ate at a hamburger joint here locally. Small, family owned place. It was pretty good. They had the huge wedge cut fries, yum.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
More Christmas shopping :)

Two Monthiversary

I can not believe that my baby girl is 2 months old already.

It seems like just yesterday I was in the sleep deprived fog at the hospital, in disbelief that this tiny little person actually came out of me. And here she is now... like 4 pounds heavier and 3 inches longer. I am just in awe of how quickly she is growing.

October Roundup

Roundup Questions from Katie the Scrapbook Lady

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I have been reading a bunch of books on breastfeeding. I have also been reading the what to expect your babies first year book. I figure I should try and be at least one month out on where I am, just so I have an idea what is coming, along with what is currently going on.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
I have been enjoying all the new fall shows. Fringe has been pretty good. Eleventh Hour is interesting. Worst Week is okay, makes me feel better about my own klutzy nature.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
Jacob and I had our second wedding anniversary. We did not really celebrate though, since I had not introduced the bottle to the baby, and she refused to stick to a feeding schedule. I just was not quite ready to leave her yet.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I received a few more items for the baby, but that is about it.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Trying to recover from the birth of baby girl.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
I took it pretty easy. Went and spent a few days with my parents when Jacob was supposed to be out of town. We have had a bunch of company since everyone wants to see baby girl.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Nope, barely making it out of the house these days, and cooking is all the old standby's. Though we have been eating a ton of Dinner MyWay meals. They have all been awesome.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
I have started my Christmas shopping and that is all I can say.

What were this month's disappointments?
None.

What were my accomplishments this month?
I made it. I have an adorable little baby girl, and we are doing better and better each day.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Baby girl is sleeping around 4 hours when she goes down to sleep :) It feels so good.

September Roundup

Roundup Questions from Katie the Scrapbook Lady

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
More baby books, and I started reading up on breastfeeding.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
What Happens in Vegas. This was a fun movie. Jacob and I watched the movie, and shortly after I went into labor.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
My baby girl was born on September 21st.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I had a baby shower with friends and another surprise shower thrown by my coworkers. I received a ton of clothes for the baby along with other essentials a newborn will need.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
None... baby girl arrived with no complications.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
The baby showers were a lot of fun. Otherwise, I took it easy and waited for baby girl to make her arrival.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Hospital food. It really was not too bad, but I was really glad to get out of there and have home cooked food again.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Baby stuff, baby stuff, baby stuff.

What were this month's disappointments?
None.

What were my accomplishments this month?
I gave birth to my baby girl in about 11 hours of labor. Only about 45 minutes of pushing. It went really well. I did not manage to do it completely without medication. In the end, the pain was miserable, so I went with a basic pain killer in my iv.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Baby girl was 8lbs 6 oz, 20.25 inches long, with a 14 inch head. She is beautiful. Born with a full head of black hair.

I have been scrapbooking

... At least occasionally. I actually did two pages over the holiday weekend. I cannot show either one of them though since they are submitted for publication. I will show them eventually though :)

What I can show you is a page I did last month. It is in the September issue of the ScrapStreet magazine. If you have not read it yet... you definitely need to check it out.


My layout is in the Unique Boutique article this month. I really love how it turned out. It was really interesting to see how the same inspiration piece was interpreted so many different ways.

August Roundup

Roundup Questions from Katie the Scrapbook Lady

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
More baby books and magazines. I am trying to get ideas for how the first few weeks are going to go. I got the "What to Expect the First Year" book at my shower and have it on my list of things to read in the next few weeks... along with the breastfeeding books. I think Septembers reading is going to be interesting.

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
"Walk the Line" was awesome. Both Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix did awesome jobs with this movie, I loved it. Even hubby thought is was good, and he is so not a fan of the musicals.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
My niece and nephew had their birthday part... she turned 4 and he turned 7. I can not believe that he is 7 already, it seems like just yesterday when I was meeting the hubbies family and he was only 1. Yup, I met the majority of Jacob's family at his nephews first birthday party. Oh, the birthday parties we have been through between then and now. My sister had her birthday too, but we were unable to go down and celebrate with her... doctor's restriction on how far I can travel, just in case baby wants to come early. We are planning to take her to dinner next weekend when she visits though.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I received my glider as a birthday present from my Dad!!!! I am super excited about it too, since I really wanted it and was not sure that I would get it. Well, eventually Jake and I would have bought it, but my Dad beat us to it, and I love it. It already came in and Jake got it all set up and everything, so comfy. My mom hooked me up with a gift certificate for books... sounds odd, but it is this like netflix for books place online, so that once the baby comes, I wont have to try making trips to the library with her to get my books, they will come to me in the mail instead.

I also had my family baby shower and received tons of little outfits for baby girl. We also got our bedding set from my parents, our carseat, stroller, and pack and play along with other little toys and things for baby.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
None, baby and I continue to do really well with the pregnancy.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
The kiddo's birthday party was fun in the dozen of young children running around and screaming and eating cake kinda way :)

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Boudin SF... this bistro type place that just opened. I had the broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl and it was awesome!!!

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
None that I can think of.

What were this month's disappointments?
My ankles continuing to puff up pretty bad. I am only able to wear my loosest of flip-flops these days. The doctor is not worried about it though, since the swelling goes down if I can get my feet up long enough. It is just water retention, but it is super uncomfortable when they are swollen.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Not really mine... but Jacob got the nursery all painted, the crib is put together, and the crib and dresser are both in the babies room. Now I just need to get busy with the washing and decorating and putting away of all the great gifts we have received.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Things are coming along well. I had my 26 week doctor appointment and am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced... so things are progressing well and the doctor is pleased.