Panties

Mommy: "Haylee put your Daisy big girl panties back on?"

Haylee: "No, I want to put Minnie ones on."

Mommy: "No, you can wear the same ones. You don't need a different pair. Mommy wears the same pair all day and Daddy wears the same pair all day..."

Haylee: "Daddy doesn't wear Daisy panties all day!"

Mommy: "No, he doesn't."

Haylee: "He wears Minnie panties all day."

That I want to see.

Family Time

I was glad to finally leave the house this weekend after staying inside most of last week. Saturday morning Josh and I went to breakfast and finally got to see The Blind Side. We have been trying to see this movie for weeks but it has never worked out. I thought it was a great movie and the fact that it is a true story made it even better. Just seeing how one family can make such a huge difference in a persons life. Wonderful movie!

That night I had a girls night out while Josh and Haylee had father/daughter time. Us girls ate at Toby Keith's then headed to the Suns game. I'll save all the details, but 2 1/2 hours after leaving the game (and getting pulled over by the cops) we finally got home. I was exhausted. Meanwhile, Josh and Haylee seem to have had a more pleasant evening. Josh took Haylee to the mall and she got to ride the carousel 3 times (the eagle, gorilla and reindeer), go to the pet store, play in the play area, eat dinner at Chick-Fil-A, and then Daddy bought her a cookie and orange julius before heading home. I just think Josh is such a wonderful Dad!

Haylee is still going to bed very good at night. Sometimes she whines a little but calms down quickly after we leave her room and she stays in her bed. The last 3 nights she has slept straight thru till morning, usually 7am or later. I always tell her not to get out of bed till she sees the sun come out.

We have changed around our night time routine in order to make things easier and hopefully keep Haylee sleeping better. We start around 6:30, playing games and giving Haylee our undivided attention. This is our family time. Then at 7:00 she gets her bath. 7:30 we watch a short Mickey (or whatever Haylee chooses) movie and cuddle in our bed. We try to have her in bed by 8:30. I'll read her some books, Josh stays in there to cuddle a little longer, and then we leave and usually she'll fall asleep right around 9:00. This schedule has been working great. She would always cry that she wants to cuddle when we were leaving the room so we make sure she gets a lot of attention and cuddle time before bed now. I haven't heard any excuses lately either ("I need to go poo poo and pee pee") which has been nice.

Haylee loves her new elephant game.

Nap time has been going great too. She usually just sleeps one hour but it's enough to give her a rest yet she's up by 1:30-2:00 so she can be awake long enough to be tired again by bed time. Haylee hasn't been on a strict schedule for quite some time, but after the "issues" we had, I'm trying to keep things the same to help her (and me) and make things go more smoothly.

I really hope my good sleeper is back. I still can't sleep soundly at night because I'm on edge waiting for her to wake up screaming. Ugh! I'll never take Haylee being a good sleeper for granted again. Just when all of our sleep issues are resolved, Natalee will be here and I'll be up all night again. Oh the joys of being a Mom!

Stir Crazy

Since we were rained in all last week, we are a little stir crazy. Most of our days were spent playing dress up (of course),

and eating milkshakes.

Oh, and learning how to stay in bed all night so the door doesn't get locked. With a weeks worth of practice, she's doing good at all 3 things!

State of Emergency

I have thoroughly enjoyed the weather this week. The rain everyday was very much needed in our dry desert state. Yes, yesterday was a bit tense as the worse part of the storm passed through. Towns flooded, freeways and streets closed, and flights cancelled. Lots of rain in the valley and lots of snow up north. Parts of Sedona were even evacuated as Oak Creek was expected to flood parts of town.

Here in Queen Creek we just got some wind-

And some rain (3.23 inches according the the news)-

and some tornado watches. Luckily nothing became of those "watches" yet that was probably the scariest part for me.

Hearing our state be declared a "State of Emergency" sounds like we had a tornado rip through our state or something. We had rain, and some wind. It's kinda funny to see how some Arizonan's react when we get some rain. I know it's rare, but all this hype seems a bit excessive. Especially the "I survived the Arizona tornado scare of 2010" group forming on Facebook. That's the best by far!

Answered Prayers

I am extremely thankful today for all of my answered prayers. It seems Haylee is feeling more comfortable in her new room and is converting back to her good sleeping habits. Knock on wood. This past week and a half have been very difficult and trying on my emotions. There were days where I'd just sit and cry because I was so stressed that this would continue on and I was worried that things would just be chaos when Natalee arrived.

I had enough when I was having to sit in her room for an hour and 45 minutes till she fell asleep at night. Tuesday for nap I locked her door as a last resort. I knew this was the only thing I had left to try. She screamed and threw a fit for about 45 minutes then went to sleep. That night, it was a little worse. She threw a fit and screamed for about an hour and 15 minutes. I almost caved in so many times and I'm so glad I didn't. It broke my heart to hear her say, "I miss my Mommy so much. Please come cuddle with me just a couple minutes." What I would have given to just go in there and hold her but I knew if I did my efforts would be down the drain. That night she woke up once. I put her back in bed and left. She screamed for about 5 minutes and was out. Yesterday was so much better. I had to lock the door at nap again but she only cried about 10 minutes before falling asleep. Last night the door remained unlocked all night!!!! Josh put her down and she did the usually, scream and run for the door as he left. He put the gate up and explained he would leave the door unlocked as long as she didn't climb the gate or knock it down and as long as she got back in bed and went to sleep. After about 10 minutes, she shut her door, got in bed and went to sleep. She woke once 7 1/2 hours later but didn't scream when I tucked her in and left the room. She went back to sleep and I didn't hear another word till morning (almost 4 hours later). So we are making progress and I hope things continue to go better.

I know there will always be "bumps" in the road but so far we've always gotten over them. It takes a lot of patience (which I unfortunately don't really have) and a lot of prayers.

In other news, I can't believe January is almost over. I haven't even attempted to follow through with any New Year resolutions. With a sick husband, sick kid, and lack of sleep things have just been crazy. I was able to give my blog a makeover which was so important, ya know. But the couple resolutions I made haven't been accomplished yet. Good thing it's just the beginning of the year.

I'm in the middle of making a blog book with all the posts and pictures from last year. What a task! I hope it turns out adorable.

More to come soon......

Blog Makeover

With a TON of help from a patient, dear friend named Jennie, I was able to give my blog a wonderful makeover. I love it! Tell me what you think.

What a Week

I actually survived last week, I didn't think I would. With Haylee's sleep schedule being totally turned around and my nights spent tucking Haylee back into bed 10 times, I thought I'd go insane. I came to the conclusion that she is just scared of her new room and needs time to adjust. When I tuck her back into bad in the middle of the night I just cover her up and sit on the floor until she falls back asleep. Just having someone in her room is what she wants. We don't have to be touching her or sleeping in bed with her, just be in there. Hopefully she'll adjust soon and I won't have to resort to locking her in her room. Right now that might scare her more.

Also, she started getting a cold early last week which might be the cause of all the night time waking. It got so bad that she was coughing literally every 5 minutes Friday night so we took her to the doctor Saturday. She has an ear infection and a bad cough and she definitely feels horrible. On Saturday she didn't want to do anything except lay around and she even fell asleep laying with Josh twice. I think this might be the sickest she has been. Not only is her cough continuous, her nose is constantly running and she's sneezing like crazy too. She's just miserable. I am happy to say that at 7:30 yesterday morning I heard, "Mom, can I please get out of bed?" Ah, the old familiar sound. She stayed in her bed all night, never came out even once. Thank you cough medicine with codeine. Now if only it will last. Only time will tell.

While dealing with sleeping problems last week, I took Haylee's beloved Snow White dress away hoping that would make her stay in bed. She was having major withdrawals and had to resort to a made up Tinkerbell costume. I had dressed her in this Tinkerbell shirt and pants and she came out of her room looking like this...

She is always cracking me up.

On Wednesday, we took Haylee to Disney On Ice. We had a wonderful time. I remember when Josh & I would go before we even had Haylee because I've always loved everything Disney and I love ice skating too. I'd say, "I can't wait till we bring our children here and get them light up toys, cotton candy and snow cones." So it's so much fun to take Haylee now and see her face light up when all her favorite characters come out. There will be another Disney On Ice coming in April and we got our tickets for that too!

I might have mentioned this before, but I still get a kick out of Haylee when I find her sitting in the computer chair messing with the mouse and I ask her what she's doing. She responds, "checking my email and my blog." Wonder where she learned that.

Friday night we went to Justin (Josh's little brother) and Cami's wedding reception. They were married in Washington last month but were having a reception here for all Justin's AZ family and friends. They are such a cute couple and I love how happy and in love newlyweds are. It's crazy to think Josh and I will have been married 7 years this May. Life now is way different from those days when Josh and I could go out whenever and do whatever we wanted. I sometimes miss those days but I wouldn't trade the life I have now. Being a mom is difficult but I love my little girl.

Again, I had to laugh when Haylee insisted on wearing her clown nose with her beautiful dress and shoes right before we left for the reception.

Us with the newlyweds.

Merida & Jake (Josh's brother), Us, Cami & Justin (Josh's brother), Kaysi (Josh's sister), Kayanne (Josh's mom) & David, Grandma & Grandpa.

My sick little baby. She wasn't too sick to wear her Snow White dress all day but was too sick to play. I've never seen her pass out twice in one day after taking a nap. You can tell she's not feeling so hot.

Sadly, Haylee's Beta fish, Dory, has went to fishy heaven. We had her a little over a year. I think she hurt her fin because the last few months she has had a very hard time swimming and couldn't even get to the top to get food. She was suffering so I'm glad she gave up her fight.

Hopefully this week is better than last!

Special Visit

Josh's Dad Jim, and his step mom Kris came into town this weekend. We always enjoy spending time with them and were able to all day Saturday.

This is Jim with his AZ Grandkids.

and the whole bunch who met for lunch.

Haylee (wearing her Snow White costume of course) loves her Papa.

We had a wonderful weekend. We worked on our rearranging "project" upstairs and relaxed a little. These past few days and nights have become extremely frustrating to Josh and I because Haylee has started playing games at bedtime. For 4 weeks she has went to bed fine every night in her big girl bed (the crib we converted to a toddler bed). But all of the sudden she'll think of every excuse to get out of bed and she'll start crying and screaming. Her excuses are getting better each day. At nap today she came out twice. Once because her belly hurt and once because she wanted to brush her teeth. Usually it's, "I have to go pee pee and poo poo" or "My boogie running" or "I need my blanket on." She even freaks out if I leave the book I read at bedtime in her room. I have to take that out too. I had had enough the other night and I put the gate up because she kept getting out. Well, she just climbed right over it, 2 times. So much for that idea. I think it's funny now though because everytime we put her in bed she'll make sure we close her door and put the gate up, if not, she'll cry that the gates not up. It's very frustrating! I thought maybe she was afraid of the dark so I offered to leave a night light on or her closet light on but she doesn't want it on. I keep telling myself, "this too shall pass" but if it doesn't pass soon enough I think I'll go crazy. I'm calling Super Nanny.

24 weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Up 15 lbs.
Maternity clothes? All I wear now
Sleep: Am I suppose to be uncomfortable already?
Best moment this week: Spending time with Jim & Kris. They brought Natalee an adorable baby gift.
Movement: Mostly at night
Food cravings: Mexican food
Gender: Sweet little girl
Labor Signs: Nope...and hopefully not for awhile
Belly Button in or out? in
What I miss: Being able to carry Haylee comfortably.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery ready for Natalee.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't over-do it.
Milestones: I'm 6 months pregnant!


And just for fun, this is a picture of me when I was 24 weeks pregnant with Haylee (wearing the same shirt). I have gained about the same amount so far as I did with Haylee.

I am truly thankful

My heart is heavy tonight because of something a friend has done for me today and I just have to share my appreciation.

With the temperatures below 0 degrees, my friend Lance in Iowa went to the store, bought flowers and took them to the cemetery to place on my Dad's grave. He said he had to park on the street and walk through a waist deep snow drift just to get to his site. Then he had to dig it out since it was covered in snow. That is simply the nicest thing a friend has ever done for me. Without him, my Dad's grave would be bare.

Thank you Lance from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate each and ever time you have gone out of your way to take stuff to my Dad's grave for me. You're a true friend!

11 years

I can't believe it was 11 years ago today that my Dad was killed in a car accident. It seems like it was yesterday, I remember it all too well. It was a Saturday just like today and he was on his way to get his haircut when a huge truck coming downhill hit him head on. He was gone instantly. At least he didn't suffer but I wish it never happened. I will never forget the phone call as we were in a funeral procession for my best friend's Mom. It was my brother crying hysterical that my Dad was dead. The next 24 hours were sort of a blur but we made it to Iowa that next day. The rest just breaks me heart. Seeing my Dad. The funeral. Saying good-bye. It was all too much for a 15 year old girl to go through, but I had to. I'm thankful for ALL of my friends in Iowa who put their lives on hold and came to my Dad's funeral to support my brother and I. And I'm thankful for my Mom for being my rock during this most difficult time in my life.

I had to graduate high school without my Dad, walk down the aisle without my Dad, and give birth to his beautiful granddaughter, all without him physical there. Those things break my heart. 11 years of not seeing him, talking to him on the phone, laughing at how funny he is, no hugs or kisses and just not having him around. I miss my Dad so much and I just wish things would have been different that Saturday morning 11 years ago.

2010

Happy New Year! (I know, I'm a little late.) We have spent this year painting and putting together Haylee's new room. We are done painting, the chair rail is up and painted, the new bunk beds are in, and we now have bunk boards (my genius husband made instead of us spending $60 on each of them) and mattresses. Now the fun begins and we get to put all her toys back in and start decorating. She seems to like it and keeps asking if she can sleep in her "new room" so we'll see when that day comes.


Last Friday, my mom watched Haylee and Josh and I had a little date night. It's been awhile since we've seen a movie so we went to see the Blind Side which was sold out so we ended up seeing It's Complicated. We thought it was a good movie and laughed the entire time.


Saturday we took Haylee to see the new Chipmunk movie. She sat through the entire movie and was really good. She liked when the girl chipmunks sang "Single Ladies" since she loves to jam out to that song. That was a very cute movie.

Monday started the new season of the Bachelor. I barely watch tv but when the Bachelor comes around I'm addicted. I go to my Mom's every Monday to watch it and it gives me a little break. I'm so thankful Josh doesn't complain and I know he enjoys his Daddy-Daughter Monday nights.

I'll be 24 weeks on Sunday! I can't believe it's been 6 months already. Haylee thinks it's funny she is "sitting" on her sister everytime I hold her. I'm waiting for Natalee to kick her in the butt. It's crazy to think our 2nd little girl will be here in less than 4 months. I have so much to do to be ready!

I finally got my new phone tonight. My last one broke so I've been waiting to be elgible for an upgrade. I got a Samsung Gravity 2 and it seems to have a lot of neat features....now if only I can figure them all out!