5.23.2014

Memorial Day isn't a drunk-fest of happiness

Memorial Day weekend is not a time for celebration in our house.  Too many friends killed in combat and training for that. This article sums my feelings up nicely.



5.08.2014

17 months old

Our little bunny is 17 months!

She's still a peanut, at 20 pounds and 29.5 inches.

Has 8 teeth and is constantly gnawing on her hands, so more must be on their way.

Says lots of words, but mostly only the 1st syllable.  Says car, mama (FINALLY), dada, dog, thank you, please (pees), shower (shou), teeth (teeeeee), food (fffffff), brother (bra (for Mackie)), banana (nana), sit, jump, eye, nose, ear...etc.

Knows what noises some animals/items make. A lot of animals say 'rawr' ;)

Knows the basic body parts, and now we are working on things like elbow, fingers, and forehead.

Has zero idea about shapes and colors, but can count to three.

Has become a very picky eater.  Her food groups include all fruit, greek yogurt, cheese, hummus, frozen peas, Bunny Grahams, and tamales.  We have stopped giving her pouches and she only drinks water or breast milk.

Yup, still nursing. 2-3 times a day (bedtime, morning, and if she wakes up in the middle of the night and WILL NOT fall back asleep. Thankfully that only happens a few times a week).

She loves books, eating crayons, going to the park, following the "big kids" around, Mackie, and pulling out every toy she owns.

Has started climbing on everything and has zero fear, despite some impressive (scary) falls.

Gives older toddler hugs at the park, but doesn't like the kids that are smaller than her.

Not really into arts and crafts yet (see: 'eats crayons').

Tantrums have started this month, but are thankfully short-lived. Depending on the cause I either: ignore, give cuddles while talking about what happened (aka she trips and gets angry she fell), or remove her from the situation (while telling her she isn't behaving appropriately) and put her into a corner for timeout. Timeout can-and do-occur anywhere (Target being the most recent). She knows she can come out of time out when she is calm and is ready to say sorry, which right now is a big tear-filled hug.




4.28.2014

We're alive!

Here's a month-by-month rundown of our lives these past 5 months!

December: E turned 1! Her party was so cute and she was terrified of the cake smash.

January: E started walking on the 21st.

February: I had a 3 week stint as a nanny.  It didn't work out and I had to quit (sad). We all 3 got the stomach flu, and then I got the regular flu a week after that. I also stopped being a doormat to some family members. We went on a family vacation with B's whole family (Colorado) and his little brother got engaged.

March: Started a serious house hunt (FINALLY). Had the biggest medical scare of my life.  Got pneumonia and had a chest x-ray done.  The doctor saw a mass and said I need to see my regular doctor.  He also saw something.  Went in for a CT and it came back clear-it's probably just scar tissue (from what, they have no idea).  Longest 5 days of my life. Went to Chicago to visit my family and friends (two of my bffs hadn't met E yet). My bff from California came to visit.




















April: Still house hunting. Put in 5 offers between March and April. Was played by the realtor of our dream home. Found a for sale by owner and IT is our dream home (starter dream, not forever dream). Put an offer in this morning. Rnd a 5k in 34 minutes.  Well, it was 3.4 miles, not 3.1.  So still a 10min/mile, without walking, which was great for me!


House hunting has sucked, but being in a tiny apartment with a baby and lab for 6 months has been even worse. Praying our apartment time will be over in 30 days.

Honesty---> We have been trying to get pregnant since December. That's been really really depressing. God has a plan though and there's no changing that!

I've been super busy writing for MSW, but I've missed writing about our lives, too. I miss California (our church, the beach, friends, and food) and the Marines like CRAZY. I keep having to remind myself that that chapter is over. Maybe once a week I'll be sad about it all, but that's much better than I was a few months ago. I've been making friends and have started up with Stroller Strides again (yay!!). This has been a difficult season, but it looks like Spring is near and I'm very thankful for that!!

E updates: Still a peanut (20 pounds and 29 inches at 16 months old). A climbing, running, talking, fearless machine. She doesn't stop and I love it. She's so smart and loving.  It's the best.

B updates: Working as a contractor and loves it. He's the happiest I've seen him since flight school!!

11.21.2013

11 Months

Elizabeth Rylie, you are almost one year old!  You've blossomed this month and are much more a little girl than a baby.  You can stand on your own, eat adult foods, talk up a storm, and can manipulate your toys so that they do what you are trying to accomplish.  You adore books and will sit for many minutes just flipping through them.



Stats:  Just shy of 18 pounds!  You also have two very cute bottom teeth, with top ones on their way.

Likes:  Eating (mostly healthy adult food, with a few pouches thrown in a few times a week), nursing, terrorizing Mackie, slides, getting in to the cabinets, bath time, and climbing stairs.  You are an active little girl and are only still when you are asleep!

Dislikes: Diaper changes.


Milestones: Moving to TEXAS, trying to stand up on her own, cutting her two bottom teeth, going down the stairs properly, signs 'milk', 'more', 'all done', 'daddy', and 'dog'.  Knows many commands ('look at me', 'mommy/daddy does it', 'please leave it alone', 'come here').  In her own baby language says: 'dog', 'diaper', 'daddy', 'bunny' and 'milk' (no mama yet...stubborn girl).

Party sneak peak!

Since Elizabeth is a winter baby, I thought it would be fun to have a hot chocolate bar set up at her party!  Nothing Christmasy, just wintery!

Chalkboard signs are a must
via


And lots of goodies to add to your cup
via

And dipped mallows too!
via

I'm still on the hunt for the ultimate hot cocoa recipe, though.  If you have one, please share!

11.19.2013

Honest Co. love

I'm SO behind in life right now. 6+ articles to submit for MSW, I haven't even STARTED on Es 11 month post, and I have a pile of crap to take to the dry cleaners. And her 1st birthday is in like 3 weeks so that's all-consuming. Anyone want to convince my MIL to make a healthy vegan cake for my daughters smash cake? I sure don't :/

Anyways, if you have been on the fence about The Honest Co. products, just do it. Awesomeness.  The leave-in conditioner (I use it for myself since E has no hair), floor cleaner, dish soap, healing balm (CD safe!  Woohoo!), hand soap, and the bathroom and surface cleaners are all wonderful. If you use this link, I get 20.00 referral credit (just being honest)! They have trial packs that you only pay shipping on, too.

Ok, back to reality.  I would like to have all the laundry put away before B gets home from work. And maybe even have dinner finished cooking.  Maybe.

11.02.2013

Insta-roadtrip

Do you know how long Google says it takes to drive from Camp Pendleton to Colleyville, TX? 20 hours. Do you know long it took us?  28 freaking hours. 12 the first day + 16 the second day.  28. Oh, but we did get 4 hours of sleep in the hotel.  I woke up with a baby on my boob (I don't fully remember putting her there) and the dog taking up 3/4s of the bed. Hubby was in his own bed. Super fair, I know.

Did I mention it took us 28 hours? We must have stopped a thousand times. And only twice were because of E, and once due to my bladder.

8am.  And that's a venti.

It took 10000000 hours to get from El Paso to Dallas.

Stretching her legs.

Mackie freaked out every time I passed him. It was great.

Bye, home.  You'll be missed.