7 months...WOW! Badly needed update!

Madison, 9 months "Helping Momma at work"

Madison 8 months playing with her new toy!

Madison 7 months "First trip to the salon!"

Madison 7 months "Red Robin"

Doyle and I at Jessica's "Dirty 30"

Hello everyone!

Wow, I can't believe that it's been SEVEN MONTHS since my last post!!!! Yikes!!! I have no excuses, other than claiming to be a busy work-at-home mommy! =)

Things are going fabulous here!! Madison turned 9 months old last Friday, and Monday she had her checkup, she is 19.4lbs (60 percentile) , 28-1/2" long (90 percentile), and right on track where she should be with her health and development!!! She is doing FABULOUS!!! She is crawling ALL OVER the house now, and its rare that I can sneak a moment away from her, she always finds me! She is so smart!!! She is pulling herself up on furniture and I know it won't be long now before she starts to walk! She has her two bottom and two top teeth in, and her other four on each side are mostly in, she didn't even get her first tooth 'till 8 months...then it was ALL at once, literally! It was definitely a crazy--and uncomfortable--couple of weeks for all of us!

I am back to work now in the office--2 days a week--and the rest of the time here at home. I am so lucky to be able to do that, my daddy is the most amazing boss EVER! I love my job! I have lost all of my 'post pregnancy baby weight' and am back down to 130---I even put on a good 3-4lbs in the past month (blame that on Papa Murphy's cookie dough and strawberry mochas!!!). I am between a size 2 and 4, which is hard, but am super excited to be where I want to be...now I just need to focus on TONING! My wonderful neighbor, Mel, and I have become great friends, and we have motivated each other to work out---jogging 2 miles and doing my Bow Flex. We've been sorta on a break here these past couple of weeks, but I am hoping to get back to our routine here next week!

Doyle took his test for Commercial Journeyman Plumber in Sept. and passed it with flying colors...which meant promotion AND a raise! Woohoo!!! That has made life easier! He is also working MUCH closer to home now, so gets home at 4 in the afternoon vs. 5 or 7!!! THANK GOD!!!

We are still planning our wedding for summer 2009---although the place is still undecided. Stay tuned for further information!!!

In August, my Tuffy-cat went missing. I put up flyers all around the neighborhood twice, and no luck. He followed Melanie and I jogging one morning and the next morning sleeping on the couch was the last time I saw him. I think he must have ventured a little bit too far. I hope that he found a good new home and did not end up in the belly of some hungry coyote!! Tuffy was a part of my family for 5 years, since he was a kitten, and as much as he was an independent little bugger, he was such special kitty and had a special place in my heart. I will never forget him and I miss him dearly. =(

In May I traded in the ol' Nissan for a 2008 RED Mazda 3 (note the emphasis on the red!!)...I absolutely LOVE this car! It has made life A TON easier with baby!! =)

Also in May, my brother got married to his girlfriend of 5 years, Stephanie. Doyle and I were both in the wedding, it was a beautiful wedding and wonderful day for our family!!! Congrats, Mike and Stephy! I have gained a sister!!!

In June, I took my first ever real girls getaway---to fabulous Las Vegas--with three of my bestest friends ever, Brookie, Jennie, and Anni!!! We had a terrific time and spent the days laying by the pool and soaking up the sun, and our nights out clubbing and partying it up in the city. It was much too short of a weekend, but I was ready to be home, I missed Madison TERRIBLY!

Other than that, not too much else has happened...life here is pretty hectic most of the time! I haven't had any time to focus on my writing, but I have tons of ideas constantly floating around in the back of my mind! I am hoping to one day be able to get back to it. My friend and crit partner, Trish, in Louisiana, has finished her third book in her first series, a short story, and has even started another new series!!! Her work is amazing!! I am reading her second book now, and can't tear myself away from it!! I have it on my laptop so I can sneak into my office here and there and read a tidbit every time I get the chance! She is such a talented writer, I KNOW I will see her name on the New York Times Best Sellers list one of these days! Kudos, Trish!

I have made some amazing new friends this year, discovered the true meaning of life in my amazing daughter Madison, and am so very blessed to have the family and friends that I do!

I will try to be better about updating this a bit more frequently than every...um...7 months! LOL Sorry ya'll!

Until next time,
xoxo!!

Whew...badly needed post-holiday update!

Wow how time flies! Has it REALLY been a MONTH since I've been on here?? Sheesh! Sorry, ya'll...but well, you know how life goes. Baby on the way (due in 16 days!), setting up a home office to work from home, Thanksgiving, 29th-birthday, Christmas parties and Christmas itself to plan for...wow, this past month has gone by in a BLINK!

For the most part, since Thanksgiving, we have had something going on EVERY weekend and MANY week nights. Thanksgiving, a friend's baby shower, prenatal classes every Tuesday night for 5 weeks, MY baby shower, Hanukkah party to attend for some in-laws, my birthday, company Christmas party, Christmas shopping and decorating, Christmas Eve party at my house, Christmas Day (bouncing back and forth between my folks' place and his ma's house), and now, whew...finally time to catch my breath and get ready for the little one's arrival. Is it that time already??! I can't believe it! I am 37.4 weeks pregnant. There is only 16 days left 'til my due date of Jan 13. I can't believe it! The room is ready, my diaper bag is packed, the kitchen has been rearranged to accommodate a set of cupboards and drawer for all of the baby stuff like formula, bottles, bibs, pacifiers, etc. and pretty much all that's left is me packing MY hospital bag. What's the delay you ask? Bleh...the fact that I have NOTHING that fits that I can part with as a "spare" for the hospital bag! Honestly. I have gained a whoppin' 30lbs. And I am ALL baby. All out front. Nothing but sweatpants are comfortable these days...and let me tell you, Victoria's Secret or not, I am SICK TO DEATH OF SWEATPANTS!!! I can't wait to wear just jeans and a darn hoodie again!!!!! Wwaaaaaahhhhhh!!! Okay, that's me crying...pity party is over, there isn't much time left now, I know, and I can make it through!

Especially considering that I started working from home earlier this month. What a HUGE relief! It's SO nice to be able to sleep in, especially when I'm not sleeping more than 2-4 hours a night. It's also nice on said sleepless nights, to be able to get up and work! I am getting more accomplished here at home IN THE HOME, and working for home, in much less time! Granted, some day's I don't get my shower 'til 3PM, but well, small sacrifice, I suppose!

What else....hmmm...birthday was good, rather uneventful, just went to dinner at my favorite restaurant, THE KEG, with my family--and got some gift cards for post-baby delivery shopping!! WOOHOO!!! Nothing beats that! Christmas was much of the same, again, more gift cards and some cash! And a gorgeous pair of princess cut diamond earrings from the boyfriend! Awwww...I know... =) He's a keeper!

Today I had a routine OB appointment, all was well---and right on track with weight gain, blood pressure, and baby's positioning. I have not dilated yet, but soon. Today was a bonus because my doc also did an ultra sound so I got to see my little girl for the first time since the 20-week ultra sound on August 31 to determine the sex!!! As you can imagine, I was pretty ecstatic! I just can't wait to meet our little one!!

So what's new with everyone? How did you survive the holidays and plan to ring in the New Year? Fill me in!!

Happy Monday Morning!

Hey Everyone! How was your weekend??! Mine was...productive! And certainly not relaxing! In fact, I was glad to come back to work to "rest"! =) Today is supposed to be 85 degrees and near 100 by Wednesday!! =) Now that's summer! But certainly not by Washington standards!! I'm not complaining, I'll take it! Heh heh, so says she who has central air conditioning in her house, at work, and in the truck! =P

Anyways---I spent the whole weekend, from Friday night 'til Sunday night, cleaning and organizing the house. My man, who I jokingly refer to as the Cleaning Nazi now, really cracked the whip and we were able to spruce the place up quite a bit! Lots of donating to Salvation Army, downsizing, and making room for "baby", which is only a frightening 6 months off!! My office is actually an office again (slash guest room), rather than cluttered storage room, and the "nursery" is just about empty of well, misc junk! You can actually walk in my walk-in closet and see the tops of my dressers!! I packed away all of my pre-pregnancy clothes that I wanted to keep for after the baby is born, essentials like my Seven jeans, Silvers, cute tops, and work clothes that just don't fit comfortably anymore. The rest I donated and gave to friends.

The back patio is once again a patio--the dog kennel got moved to the garage (which we cleaned out as well!)--and the cats will be joining Ellie May in the garage before long as well as adventuring outside in the yard! I will soon have my house back to ship shape!! I didn't realize how much there was to do!! Guess that's what three years of being married to a closet drug-addict will do to a person!