The Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch!

It's hard to believe that next week Miss K will be 11 months!  I have no idea where the time has gone, and everyday she is acting more and more like such a big girl.  I am in full-on party planning mode and since her actual birthday is on Christmas Day, we are going to have her party the weekend before.  She's walking on her own a few steps at a time and has gotten really good at standing up from a sitting position without holding on to anything!  She loves to walk with anyone who will hold her hand, and will walk forever if you let her.   She is not a picky eater (yet), and will eat pretty much anything I put in front of her.  She's a pro with her sippy cups and I am going to work on weaning off the bottle and on to a sippy cup with her formula soon.  Any tips from seasoned mommies on this one are much appreciated!

I wanted to share a few pictures of Miss K at the pumpkin patch.  We went as a family, but of course got no family pictures!  There were some great ones of her and we actually got a few pictures of her and I! 

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Well, it seems like fall has finally decided to grace the ATL with its presence!  At least enough so that Casa de D has had the heat turned on for a couple of weeks, much to Big Poppa's dismay.   It's been a busy fall so far, hence the lack of posts.  We've had something going on every weekend and our calendar is packed until Christmas.  Literally we have (and have had) something every weekend!  Two weekends ago, Big Poppa and I went to New York City to celebrate our 8th anniversary.  It feels so weird to type that!  It seems like just yesterday we were getting married.  Now here we are eight years, four states, two dogs, and a baby later.  Insanity I tell you.  Where does time go?  Since all our wedding pictures were on film (there was no digital option then) and I'm too lazy to scan, here are a few from over the years!



Niagara Falls 2004



Florida Keys 2004





Napa Valley 2005

 



Puerto Rico 2006



Puerto Vallarta 2007



Padre Island 2009 (with Miss K in tow in utero)



Sadly, there are no pictures from NYC...we took some and then left our really nice camera in the back of a taxi for the next passenger. 

Happy Anniversary, Big Poppa!  Along this wild roller coaster ride that is our life, I love you more now than ever.  Thank you for being my best friend, my partner-in-crime, my biggest cheerleader, and the best baby daddy in the world!  I am so thankful that you picked me to love.  I can't imagine riding this roller coaster with anyone else.  I love you!

Happy Birthday to me!

I'm not usually one to get all crazy-celebrate my birthdays, or make big deals of them.  I've never thought of them any more than it's just another day, but I am always thankful for each birthday that rolls around!  For the past few years though, it seems like each year I get more festive about it.  Go figure that Big Poppa is out of town this week, leaving Miss K and I to celebrate together!  I made a pan of Halloween brownies last night in a bit of a pity moment but have decided that today, all you lovely readers get to celebrate with me by listening to my list of 33 random thoughts, thanks and reflections!  Enjoy!

1. Ten years ago (at the oh-so-young age of 23) I would have never imagined my life would be where it is now.  Four states and three teaching certifications later, I wouldn't change a single thing about it!  I truly believe that life is about the journey, not the destination.
2. I love that as I get older, my relationship with my mom gets better!  We've always had a great relationship, but it's been neat to watch it evolve into more of a friendship.
3. I really enjoy New Age wine.  If I could drink it every night without guilt or feeling like arse the next day, I would.  Does this make me a wanna-be alcoholic??
4. I find myself watching shows like Biggest Loser and Thintervention and thinking that I need to really jump on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon instead of dragging behind it holding on with one hand.  Then I go and make a pan of brownies in a moment of self-pity.  SIGH
5.  I miss working.  Don't get me wrong, I love being home with Miss K and am blessed that we are in the position for me to be able to stay home, but I do miss working.
6. I am slowly realizing that I don't have a lot of self motivation or accountability when it comes to my fitness.  Is it bad that I need someone to hold me accountable?  Any takers?  Inquire within.
7. I am really excited for our trip to NYC in November.  Big Poppa and I are going for our 8th anniversary and it will be the first trip that we are both away from Miss K overnight.  I love NYC but have never been there in the fall so I am super excited! 
8. Glee.  No other commentary needed.  I am a GLEEK!
9.  Did you know that I am now 33, and have never been to Las Vegas?  Is that wrong? 
10.  Staying at home, I am getting more into the whole cooking thing, but I feel bad taking it away from Big Poppa.  My idea of cooking dinner involves recipes and planning while Big Poppa's idea is a meat, veggie, and starch.  He's always been the cook and enjoyed it, but I think there might be a non-hostile takeover soon.
11. I am planning Miss K's first birthday party and really have no clue what I'm doing.  We're doing a Winter "One"derland theme, but event planner I am not.  Any pointers or ideas are much appreciated!
12.  Miss K has been going to a Mother's Morning Out two days a week for about a month now and while I said I was going to relax and enjoy myself during that time, the reality is that I use that time to clean.  I am still trying to come up with a daily cleaning schedule so that I don't have to marathon clean, but it hasn't happened yet.
13.  Speaking of marathon....I have had to pull out of Disney in January.  Between the move and the constant nag in my left knee (that showed up post-Miss K), there is no way I'll be ready.  My original goal was to run one by the time I turn 35 so I still have some time. 
14.  I am actually scared to have a second child because Miss K is such a good kid!  She is incredibly easy-going and I don't know if I could handle anything different!  Some would say this is a sure sign that I'm not ready for another one.  I whole-heartedly agree.
15.  I'm in a clothing funk.  I only like a few pieces of clothing in my closet, but when you don't pull in an income, it's hard to justify buying new clothes that aren't really necessary.  I have however devised a plan on how to make them necessary- I need to get my butt in gear and lose the 20 pounds I need to lose.  Again, accountability nazi needed.
16.  Are you still awake?  We're only halfway there!
17.  I think caffeine should be categorized with meth, crank, and crack cocaine.  I am an addict.
18.  Sister Wives.  Intriguing show.  A lot of questions arise for me from this show... If Kody rotates every four nights with his wives, does he really have "you know what" every night?  Think about it.   The show is like a train wreck.  I can't help watching.
19. I don't drink near as much water as I should.  I know that this is an essential key to dropping weight, but I don't drink a lot during the day to begin with.  Plus, Diet Dr. Pepper tastes so much better!
20.  I love our new neighborhood!  So far, everyone is so much fun!  Great ladies and lots of fun!!
21.  One thing I do want to do better (or need to do better) is keep in touch with friends.  Since we have moved so much, I have some wonderful friends scattered among a few states.  I unfortunately let life take over and don't keep up with friends like I should. 
22. To piggyback on previous, I really want to put myself out there to meet more people here!  We've been in Casa de D since July and I can't make any more excuses.  My only thoughts are going up to people that look like fun and asking them is they want to be my friend.  What do you think?  It works on playgrounds!!
23.  I notice I use WAY too many exclamation marks.  Sorry!!!!
24.  I seriously can't wait for Breaking Dawn to come out.  I read the Twilight series last summer after a lot of resistance and was hooked. 
25.  Miss K has just cut her 8th tooth.  She'll be 10 months on the 25th.  I think that's a lot of teeth for her age.. am I wrong?
26.  It's been awhile since I've had a really good laugh.  Like the laugh that makes your stomach hurt.  I need to have one of those soon, I love them.  Any takers?
27.  I really hate to clean bathrooms.  If I could hire someone to just clean my bathrooms once a week, I would.  With 4 of them to clean, I dread it four times as much.  I don't mind all the other cleaning, just bathrooms.
28.  I recently got a gel manicure for the first time.  I've heard how great they are and decided to try it.  LOVE IT!  I'm on week 2 of the manicure and they look like I just got them done.  And I am not easy on my hands.  Definitely worth it, no?

29.  I know you are all wondering how my Zumba-ing is going!!  It's getting easier, but I haven't been going as much as I want because the girl I like only teaches on Tues/Thurs and those days I have been walking 5 miles with my friend E and her little one.  Honestly, I enjoy our walks more and feel just as good! 

30.  I miss the fab frozen yogurt place back in NC.  The fro-yo places here don't compare.  Getting the daily flavor updates on Facebook makes me sad and miss it even more. 

31.  Big Poppa sent me flowers today for my birthday.  I'm not a flowery-type girl so he knows not to waste spend money on them, but when he does send them, it makes me smile. 

32.  Miss K is SOO close to walking on her own!  She loves to walk while holding our hands or holding on to things and she can stand on her own.  As soon as I step away for her to step towards me, she sits down.  It's too cute!

33. The last one is a picture.  Of the two most important people in my life.  I love these two with all my being. 

A pretty good reason to enjoy birthdays, don't you think??

White Girl Can't Dance

Until this week, I thought I had pretty good rhythm.  I enjoy dancing, frequented the clubs in college, have taken ballroom dancing lessons, etc.  While I have plenty of junk in my trunk, I have always been envious of those that can shake their junk and not look like a total moron.  Anywho, I have been proven TOTALLY wrong in thinking that I have had any sort of dancing ability by a little craze called Zumba!  I went to two separate classes this week at the Y and managed to make myself look like a total and complete arse.  I kid you not.  There wasn't one thing cute or remotely sexy and sultry about myself trying to Zumba.  Picture Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air trying to look sexy while attempting to salsa, tango and belly dance to super fast music.  That would be me- red faced, sweaty and all. 

As stupid as I looked, I will go back next week and hopefully make it to three classes.  Because while I look like the picture above, I am determined to look like the picture below:

But with shorter, blonder hair.  And a little whiter.  But you get the point.  So even though I looked like a goofball, I burned over 300 calories in each class per my Mio.  And I had fun.  And I want to learn how to shake the junk in my trunk.  I think those are all pretty good reasons to return, no? 

MIA, LOL and WTF?????

OK, so I know that some of you think that I might have fallen off the face of the world, but alas, I am still here!  This summer has been crazy to say the least.  With the exception of the two wonderful weeks at the Outer Banks, summer has been pure craziness at Casa de D.  And hotter than hell.  I am so ready for fall!  My chubby, white arms and legs are ready for fall too.  Oh, and my muffin buffet top is ready for fall as well.  Not that you came here to listen to me whine... So here are the key points that have made up the Summer of 2010. 
1. Notice the insanity of boxes.  Multiply what you see in this picture by about 20,000 and that's what I spent the better part of a MONTH doing.  No lie, there were 273 boxes delivered to our new house.  That's just boxes.  Do you know how hard it is to unpack, clean and put away 273 boxes of crap with a baby? 

2.  I think I will be finding and pulling these stickers until at least 2018.  While there were 273 boxes delivered, there were 404 of these lovely things.  On boxes and all the other items not in boxes.  I just found this gem the other day...and we moved in over a month and a half ago.

3.  Do I need to tell you how cute Miss K is? 

4.  A now-laughable mommy moment (no so funny at the time.  Well, maybe a little bit)- a few weeks ago, Miss K was protesting her morning nap by standing in her crib and banging on the rail.  I have been trying the whole "cry it out" or not going in at the first sound she makes when trying to go down so I let about 30 minutes or so go by before going in.  Mind you, she was not fussy or crying, just banging and talking loudly.  We had gone to the Y that morning and when we came home, I changed her diaper and put her to bed in just her top and diaper because her leggings had gotten dirty.  As I got to her crib to soothe her and put her down, I noticed that she had proceeded to undo one side of her diaper and was not only standing in a puddle of pee, but poo as well.  Nothing like a complete crib and baby strip down with midday laundry and bath time.  All that excitement = no morning nap.   It's one of those things that I again didn't learn in child birth class or any books I read.  Ahhh, life lessons.

5.  While Miss K gets cuter each day, she's also becoming more mobile which means that the D's have had to install not one, not two, but three baby gates at all the staircases!  You would think that gates at the top of the two staircases would be enough, but here would be why we already had to put a third gate at the bottom of the stairs in the great room.

She made it all the way to two stairs from the top...that's 14 stairs.  And yes, I was behind her the entire time.  Which is why we are now officially a three gate family. 

6.  I heart the Outer Banks.  Never mind that it now takes us a good 9 hours to get there, but it was well worth the trip both times.  Big Poppa and I have already decided though that next year we will either go for 2 weeks straight, or at least not twice in the same month.  That was a lot of wear and tear for us back to back like that.

7. A running update for those of you interested.  I'm getting in some runs when I can, primarily on the treadmill at the Y, but we have hit the greenway near our neighborhood a few times.  I'm still having some knee issues that seem to flair up after 5 or so miles.  Can't figure out the cause...have new shoes, had gait and mechanics analysis done.  And it's only the left knee.  Every time.  To the point that I can only go up and down the stairs one stair at a time for a day or two after.  Any suggestions or possible remedies would be appreciated!  I'm trying to avoid a doctor visit and to NOT wipe out our health savings account this summer!  One health issue at a time.

8. Which leads to the final acronym in the title, WTF?  A little medical background about yours truly: I've had stomach issues since right after college that spawned from a trip to Playa del Carmen that Big Poppa and I took after graduation.  I basically "caught" a nasty bacteria while we there, and I blew off the symptoms for a few months until it became unbearable.  An upper and lower scope showed that the bacteria had created a plethora of ulcers in my intestines, thus wrecking havoc on my digestive system.  A wicked dose of antibiotics cleared it up, but I haven't been quite the same since then.  Pair this with the fact that I have a family history of colon cancer (grandparent) which makes gastroenterologists a bit on edge and tend to error on the side of caution.  Enter about 4 months ago.  I was having some stomach issues with similar symptoms from years ago, but add in carrying a child for 9 months then having my insides removed and replaced after having such child via c-section.  I decided to be proactive and go see a gastro here in ATL and she scheduled a scope pronto after review of my medical and family history.  No ulcers, but low and behold a  polyp was found and removed that turned out to be precancerous.  WTF?  That was my reaction too.  I'm 32 years old, eat a fairly healthy diet, in good health and shape, don't smoke, and rarely drink.  I truly thought she'd say that I had some ulcers return, or at worst-  IBS.  But precancerous was not a word I expected or was prepared to hear.  At a follow up appointment a few weeks after the procedure, I was reassured that it would have been 10-15 years before that polyp would have become an issue, but if you think about it- recommended screening age is 50.  In 10-15 years, I'll be 47 at the oldest.  What if I would have held off and chalked it up to stress and all that my body has been through?  Talk about putting things into perspective.  Lesson learned- we as women have been blessed with wonderful intuition.  Although we may choose to initially ignore those little taps on the shoulder, eventually we listen to our gut.  Ironically, I believe that my "gut" saved my life.  I now have to go for a scope every five years, but this will keep everything in check.  My point in sharing all this?  Listen to your body and your intuition and be an advocate for your health. (Exiting soap box now).

I promise to be better about posts, even if they are mindless ramblings about nothing important!  If anything, you'll at least get to see cute pics of Miss K!!! 

New addiction...Groupon.com

This is going to be a short post, but I wanted to share my newest addiction with everyone!  We are on vacay at the Outer Banks this week so I will post some pics and stories when we return.  Also show some updates on Casa de D!! 

I found this website one day whilst tooling around on the world-wide web and became hooked!  I have been trying to become more cost saving savvy lately and I belong to several baby saving sites, but this site is by far my fav!  The neat thing about it is that they have savings for TONS of different cities, not just the typical major cities.  I signed up to have them email me the daily deal so I won't miss out on anything!  I have included the link below, so enjoy my fellow penny pinchers! 

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu4748087

What are some of your favorite deal sites??  Do share!

Happy Half-Birthday, Miss K!!

It's hard to believe that 6 months ago today my world changed forever!  At 1:38 AM on Christmas morning I received the best gift ever- my so sweet and adorable Miss K!  For the last ten years, I didn't think it was possible to love anyone more than I love Big Poppa, or even love him anymore- Miss K has proven me wrong on both.  Every day I find myself wondering how on Earth I could ever love anyone or anything more than I love my little girl.  I've always dreamed big and pushed myself to be the best I can be- student, wife, teacher, friend, daughter, etc.  A lot of my self worth and who I am has come from knowing that I have hopefully contributed to and made a difference in those people that I have been associated with in the various facets in this game of life.  And while I am still that same person driven to succeed, my focus for success has changed.  I will always strive to be the best of those listed earlier, but now I have a much more important role to succeed in.  That of being Miss K's Mommy.  I can only hope to be a tenth of the mother that my mom has been to me, and I pray everyday that Miss K knows just how much I love her.  There are no words that can describe a mother's love and I only hope that one day Miss K feels that kind of love herself.  I think only when a woman becomes a mother does she truly realize how much her mother loves her.  So to my wonderful and sweet baby girl, Happy half-birthday!!  I love you more than you will ever know! 

Happy Birthday, Miss K!

One month

Two months

Three months

Four months

Five months

Six months

Big Momma!!

So I just recently ordered a gazillion prints from my Shutterfly account that go all the way back to the beginning of my pregnancy.  I know, I know... slacker mommy is in the house.  Anyways, we took pictures every 4 weeks or so of my belly throughout the pregnancy but I stopped at 36 weeks.  Even then, I only took one because my sister wouldn't quit bugging me about seeing the belly (love ya M!).   By that point, I was pretty much over being pregnant.  Don't get me wrong, I probably had the easiest pregnancy known to mankind- no morning sickness, hormones relatively in check, only gained 27 pounds, and all that jazz.  But I remember around week 37 or so being so uncomfortable and calling my mom on the way home from school and crying that I just wanted to not be pregnant anymore!  I prefaced the comment with how bad I felt even thinking that, more the less saying it.  I know that there are plenty of women who would give their right arm just to be able to get pregnant and trust me, I can empathize on a certain level.  We struggled for 2 years, through a miscarriage, and Clomid before being blessed with Miss K.  But I think at some point, every pregnant woman hits the "this rodeo ain't fun anymore" wall!!  Looking back, no wonder I was miserable...I was ginormous!  I knew I waddled instead of walked, and I knew I had a big belly; but when you look in the mirror, you still don't see it from a third person perspective.  Until you see it in a picture.  I didn't know until recently that Big Poppa took a picture of me (from the side) the morning we checked in to the hospital (Christmas Eve morning) to be induced.  Holy baby, Batman!  I was freakin' huge!!!  I am SO glad that I was unaware at how big I really was those last few days because I was already a raving lunatic.  Being 8 days overdue before they finally have room to bring you in will do that to a person.  In crazy snow.  During the holidays.  Carrying a very large baby.  I can't believe that all this was almost 6 months ago. 

                                            Do you see where my legs are in relation to my belly?!!

                                                                          (and yes, that IS a maternity shirt!)

This would be why I was so huge!!  9lbs 2oz and 22 inches, and absolutely beautiful!

Water Baby

Given that Atlanta is already miserably hot, the D's have taken to the pool!  Miss K had her first pool adventure Memorial weekend and has been in the pool almost every day since then.  We only go for maybe an hour at a time, and always in full sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat (Miss K, not mommy)!  She is becoming quite the water bug.  I figured she would be all about the pool since bath time has always been one of her favorite times!  She loves to kick and splash and when Big Poppa or I bounce her in the water.  I've looked into signing us up for some Mommy and Me swim classes once we get settled, and the neighborhood pool at Casa de D is superb!  Here's two glimpses of the adorable Miss K at pool time...

Mi Casa es Su Casa...almost

HALLELUJAH!!!  We are officially under contract on our home!  Our final offer was accepted and now we are moving on phase 2 of replanting our roots.  Inspections are this week and as long as everything goes well we are clear to close.  We know there will be a few things needing attention and/or fixed since the house is a foreclosure that has been vacant since October.  But it is in a great neighborhood, on a cul-de-sac, and was well taken care of so hopefully the all the fixes are minor and not deal breakers!

It's a huge house- 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.  We will be able to stay in this house as long as we are in Atlanta and not have to worry about outgrowing it.  It also has an unfinished basement that we will finish over the next year!  I will keep everyone posted as we progress.  Here are a few pictures of the future Casa de D.  Keep your fingers crossed that it all works out!!

Casa de D

We LOVE the screened in porch...ceiling fan and all!! 

   Big Poppa's favorite part of the house 

              

My favorite part of the house

Teething Beauty

So much going on the D household these days!  We put in an offer on a house about a week ago and have been negotiating back and forth since then.  Hopefully we will have a final answer sometime today -I am SOOO ready to be have my furniture and things back and just get settled.  I think I can speak for the rest of the family, including the dogs.

Miss K is growing like a weed!  She is becoming such a big girl, it makes me sad.  We started solids about 2 weeks ago and so far she's a fan of peas, squash, and sweet potato.  Avocados, not so much.  HATES cereal.  Green beans are on the menu next week to try! 

I know I posted a while back that Miss K was cutting her first tooth.  Honestly, I would have never known that she was cutting a tooth.  I was just feeling her gums one day and felt it poking through.  None of the real obvious signs that you read about- a little drooling and some ear batting but that's it.  Since then, the tooth is in and visible!  It's so cute  :)

However, my sweet Miss K has disappeared.  She is now Teething Monster Beauty.  We have a second tooth coming in right next to the first one and I think it's made of Kryptonite.  We are in full on nasty mode.  Bless her heart, I know it has to hurt and Tylenol isn't helping.  Today we are going to buy every teething remedy out there in hopes to find a winner.  Wish me luck.  Between this and still no "me" time or running, I'm turning into a monster myself.  I tried to go get that much needed mani/pedi last week with Miss K in tow.  Just one word.  Hu-freakin-larious.  And not in a good way.  There was nothing relaxing about the experience listening to Miss K scream and the poor nail people clucking and talking to her in Vietnamese all the while trying to paint said nails and toes Dutch Tulips.  What stinks is she was an angel the first 10 minutes, just long enough for me to quasi-relax.  Sigh.  And to top it off?  I completely jacked up my thumb while trying to load her into the car, still screaming.   Did I go back in to have it fixed?  Nope, accepted defeat and drove home. 

I promise to have two other posts done this weekend, but right now I need to go tame the monster!  Any suggestions from other mommies on teething wonders would be much appreciated!  :)

Leaving on a jet plane, Part Deux

If you recall, on our flight to Texas my mom was with us making it a little less stressful for me.  However on the return flight home, it was just Miss K and I.  True panic ensued about 2 days prior to the flight as I tried to plan ahead and make sure I had as minimal carry on baggage as possible.  I had booked the same time frame for the return flight to coincide with morning feeding and nap.  Remembering the trauma of the first flight, I was up and we were out the door almost two hours before our flight!  Of course we get to the airport and realize there is no curbside check in for Delta.  My mom helped get everything out but since she was just dropping us off I had to pull two suitcases, push the BOB with all contraptions attached (for the complete run down see Part One post) all while trying to get my ID out.  Have you ever thought about the concept of pushing something while pulling another?  It's about as easy as it sounds.

We finally got checked in and bags made it in the legal time limit.  Our flight was delayed about 15 minutes; no problem, that would allow me to grab a bite with time to spare.  We made it through security, no toiletries were taken and Miss K was wanded and once again declared free of any explosive devices.  At this point we are still a good forty minutes until our new departure time so we browse the magazines and make our way to the gate.  Good so far, yes?  Yes.  My blood pressure had remained pretty stable and I was almost getting a bit cocky thinking I had this trip in the bag. 

Our boarding time comes and goes.  The plane is at the gate so it wasn't a flight delay.  Our departure time comes and goes.  Miss K is beginning to get a bit squirmy and fussy and decides to take a snooze.  UGH...here we go again.  My friend Murphy is back.  We are told that there is a small mechanical issue with the plane and they are just waiting on the paperwork and we should be about 30 more minutes.  OK, I can handle that.  At this time, a very nice, older businessman sitting next to me strikes up a conversation asking about Miss K, telling me about his kids and just shooting the shit.  Thirty minutes come and go.  By this time, it is nearing 9:00, what would have originally been halfway through our flight had we left on time.  Another announcement is made- (the following is my translation of the what was said) "Hi folks! That small mechanical issue?  Well, it's actually not so small, more like a slash in the tire and whoops...we can't fly with that tire.  So, we have to wait for a tire to be flown in on the next incoming flight so we can change it out.  We should have some more news around noon."  WHAT THE FRICK?  NOON?  Let the water works begin.  I try to call my mom, no answer.  Of course this is the one day she's volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and not at work.  Sister.  No answer.  Just Miss K and I left to fend for ourselves for three more hours.  How in the world am I suppose to keep Miss K entertained with minimal toys for three hours?   That and I only have one bottle with me.  I have enough formula, but I am super weird about reusing bottles without washing them thoroughly.  Call it first baby syndrome, but I just got over the paci dropping and not sterilizing it before popping it back in her mouth.  All other flights are completely booked so no hope there.  We ended up departing at 11:30 and Miss K did great.  She got fussy a few times, but crap, I wanted to get fussy because I too was bored!  She slept the entire flight and how crazy is it that the seat next to me was the ONLY seat open on the entire flight!  That made it nice because I was able to stretch out a bit and not have to worry about bothering someone else.

Everyone on the flight lauded how great she did and were super impressed that this was her first flight!  While we survived and it wasn't as traumatic as it could have been, I'm not planning on making any more solo flights in the near future!  The lesson learned from this adventure is to expect the unexpected.  I think that may be the motto of my life these days.

Life

I know I have a few of you wondering what happened on our return flight from Texas and I promise I'm working on it, but here's a snapshot of what my life has been like the last 2 weeks....

We have moved from our cozy, uber-comfortable home in NC to a blah, smelly, furnished apartment in ATL while we find a house to buy.  The normally angelic and happy-go-lucky Miss K is completely out of whack, has a RAGING diaper rash and has cut her first tooth.  Add to the mix two super neurotic dogs that have displayed their utter disgust in the move and apartment by throwing up and then going on a hunger strike.  Plus I now have to take the dogs out on a leash (ughhh) with Miss K several times a day AND pick up their poop- gross.   I have also decided to start my own business (more on this in another post) and to top it all off, Big Poppa was in NC all weekend supervising the movers packing up and getting the house ready to close so my usual few minutes of freedom on the weekends didn't happen.  That and I need a pedicure more than a druggie needs their fix.  If I don't get some "me" time or at least a pedicure soon I might just lose it.  Oh, and running??  What is that?  I think my running shoes have cobwebs on them...sigh.  Runner friends out there, please send some good vibes my way.  Thanks!

The good news in this craziness?  I think we are down to two homes.  We go out again with our realtor tomorrow afternoon to revisit the two and then discuss.  Hopefully we'll have a decision this weekend and an offer out next week!!  There actually may be some sunshine on the horizon folks!

Is anyone else's world crazy these days?  If so, feel free to share the insanity- I love reading your comments and now that I have a tracker, I KNOW people are reading. So share!

Leaving on a jet plane, Part One

**WARNING** This post is more of a vent/mommy fist pump recap of Miss K's first flight.  Please feel free to stop reading if bored.  I will try my hardest to make it funny while keeping it real.  :)

To all the mommies out there in blogland that have ever flown solo with an infant, you will probably find yourself nodding your head and maybe even giggling empathetically as you read this.  For those of you that still get to travel lightly or have yet to make that first flight...consider yourself warned. 

Miss K and I went home to Texas at the end of April for two weeks.  I needed to get home for some TLC (Texas Love & Comfort) and with Big Poppa commuting to and fro to Atlanta every week, I was about to lose my ever-loving mind.  Enter Maga, AKA my mom.  (No, I did not pick that name for her.  She's been Maga for almost 8 years before Miss K.  That's what happens when you have grandchildren last- no say in their nickname.)  We were going to Charleston, SC for the weekend, so she flew in for that and then drove with us to Atlanta where our adventures begin.

I planned our flight to coordinate with a morning feeding and then nap.  7:30 AM flight.  Perfect.  We'd board, take off, feed, sleep, land, and be in the Lone Star State.  No hassles, right?  Almost.  No one told me in the hospital after Miss K, or in my child-birth classes before Miss K that when flying with an infant the travel gods hate you.  You know Murphy's Law?  Yep.  He was on our flight that day.  And believe it or not, he was on our return flight.  Bastard.  To try and make it as easy as possible, the night before our flight we stayed in a brand new hotel at the airport that let us jump on the tram to the airport.  This was perfect as Big Poppa did not have to park at the airport and allowed him to escort us to check in since he is Mr. Platinum on Delta.  After an unsuccessful 10 minute try to check in at the kiosks, we get to nanny-nanny boo- boo all the poor folk in line and go to the special "no waiting"  Plantinum line.  Picture it though- one mommy, one daddy, one Maga, one super sweet Miss K, one BOB stroller, one Teutonia car seat and base, one rolling suitcase, two extra large shoulder bags, a diaper bag, a purse and a laptop.  No, we were not going to Mars.  Just Texas.  For two weeks.  As we were getting checked in and letting the agent know that we are checking two of the three bags (my bag and Miss K's bag- neither packed to be legal carry ons), we are so politely informed that Delta has a 45 minute prior to flight cut off to check bags.  Excuse me?  It was exactly 44 minutes until our flight and had we bypassed the kiosk debacle we would have been an hour early.  Yes, I am aware that you are suppose to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight but I'm 32 years old, not 82 plus I have yet to get anywhere on time since having Miss K no matter HOW early I get up or HOW far I plan in advance.  At this point Big Poppa/Mr. Platinum gets very business-like and puffy chested trying to negotiate with the agent.  No budging.  If you counted the number of bags and crap I listed earlier (9,345,567) and divide by the total number of ticketed passengers in this adventure (2) you will realize we were screwed.  No pretty pleasing the agent to make an exception, no later flights available to get on, no way to check our bags on a later flight.  We were one important suitcase over the limit so Big Poppa took my bag and said he would overnight it to me.  Please note that my last two flights home to Texas have resulted in delayed or lost luggage so I was actually looking forward to having clean underwear the first day home.  Enter my friend Murphy- no clean underwear for this momma the first day home.  But I was smart and packed my toiletry bag in Miss K's suitcase so I had the necessities.  After some tears and profuse sweating due to an almost breakdown (me), we made it to security.  Prior to Miss K, I had the routine down pat.  Shoes off and laptop out before I even hit the bins.  Not as easy now.  I got Miss K out and put our 25 bins on the conveyer belt.  We go through and guess who has illegal liquids in their bag?  You got it, muoh.  Remember how I said that I didn't pack our bags to be carry on friendly?  Let's just say I lost about $25 in face moisturizer and lotions.  Whatever.  After determining that my baby was not a terrorist in hiding and I was not carrying an explosive device in the BOB we were on our merry way to Concourse Z, Gate 1,000.  We literally walked up as they were almost done boarding.  I must say though, throughout the madness of our morning, Miss K was an angel.  I love that child.  All smiles and giggles as mommy is drenched in sweat and in need of some prescription drugs.

Twenty minutes into our flight we are fed and sleepy.  I get Miss K as comfortable as I can to take her nap and as she is settling down would anyone like to guess what happens next?  I'll let you think and guess............yep, massive poop.  Smelly, soy formula, massive poop.  With about two hours left of the fully packed flight.  What in the crap am I suppose to do?  Thankfully there is a changing "tray" in the bathroom that is above the toilet.  It is however within a very curious Miss K's reach of everything dirty in a bathroom.  I can now check off changing a poopy diaper on an airplane.  Does this mean I get to join the mile high club?  :)

The rest of our flight is uneventful, both Maga and Miss K slept the entire time while mommy's arm went numb from the elbow down trying to keep Miss K comfortable.  We get to Maga's house after a quick swing by Kolache Factory (oh dear..heaven)  and relax.  I call Big Poppa to let him know that we made it and I didn't have to be Baker Acted.  He proceeded to tell me that my bag was taken care of and overnighted to Maga's house.  It only cost $121.  Seriously.  No bull shank.  I got off the phone and asked my mom if it was too early to have a drink.

Lucky for the USPS, my bag did arrive the next day (albeit later in the day) so no one was hurt.  Miss K and I had a wonderful time at home relaxing, spending time with family and friends, and eating great food.  For those of you still awake at this point, I am going to leave you pondering about our return flight.  I will save it for a separate post tomorrow.  Two words to keep you hanging...mechanical difficulties.

Run Forrest, Run!!!

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that I am trying to fall back in love with running again.  Pre-Miss K, I was running three to four miles a day during the week and then a long run on the weekends, usually 6 or 7 miles.  For some of you reading this, my long runs are your daily runs.  But for those of you that know me, I have never been a runner.  Ever.  However, it's always something I've been envious of and really wanted to be good at.  I also had this crazy dream to run a marathon before I turned 35.  And ever since hitting the milestone birthday of the big 3-0 a few years ago I decided that I just needed to do it.  So I did.  I found a women's running club and joined their 5K school.  After a few months of what felt like self-torture, I was getting pretty good at it.  Mmmm, that's maybe exaggerating a bit.  I was getting comfortable with it and actually enjoying it, but I wasn't committed.  I found plenty of excuses not to run when I didn't feel like it. 

During this time, Big Poppa and I were trying to get pregnant.  We tried unsuccessfully for two years.  After a miscarriage in November 2008, my doctor decided to do some tracking and testing and we realized we (I) needed some help so we (I) started Clomid that following January.  We found out we were pregnant in April and had Miss K on Christmas Day.  What in the WORLD does this have to do with running????  Well, it's what started my running journey.  I started running seriously after my miscarriage as an outlet to be able to think.  And cry.  Alone.  Those runs allowed me to run out my frustrations and it gave me a purpose when running.   Somewhat cliché, yes?  But slowly my purpose changed from a way to grieve and run away to enjoyment.  Through that process I learned to enjoy running.  Plus the fact that my legs looked outstanding and I was able to drop about twenty pounds was just icing on the proverbial cake.  When we found out we were pregnant with Miss K, I had to stop running per my doctor's orders.  My heart rate has always been high when I run and she didn't want me to overdo it.

That leads me to today.  I had been itching to get back out and run since before I had Miss K.  Once I got the go ahead from my doctor, I slowly started back on the dreadmill at the gym.  Not my fav, but what can you do when it's piss cold and rainy which is what the weather was until about a month ago.  I knew that it was going to be a struggle to get my running mojo back after pretty much a year of not running.  I was actually scared to start again because I knew that I would have to go through that hump of falling in love and that I now have many more excuses to not go for a run.  Knowing that I wasn't going to have my running club to help get me through this transition, I called Liz, AKA my running Yoda for help.  Liz is the brilliant owner of Janes On the Run, the fabulous women's running club that helped me fall love the first time.  If anyone was going to be able to help me the second time around, it was Liz.  I explained my situation and goals to her and after a meeting over breakfast I felt reassured and ready to run!  She has drafted me a new base building plan through July to regain my original running base, and then....wait for it......I start training for my first marathon in August!!!  You got it!  I am signed up to run the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 11, 2011!!  Two years before my goal. 

I have just finished my first week back in the program, and I must say it feels great!  Not great like I pink puffy heart it great, but I think I'm getting my mojo back.  I will keep you updated as I rekindle the flame and get ready to kick some Mickey butt!  Here's a quote from author/runner John Bingham that I have always found encouraging.  If you're looking for inspiration and motivation to start running, I highly recommend his book, No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running.  A must read for any beginning runner!

                “The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
                                                                                                -John Bingham

Run on friends, run on!!!

Why?!?!?!

Author's Note: Make sure the above title is read with a slight empathetic whine (think Annie Lennox singing the song with the same title!)

So, Miss K will be four months old this coming Sunday!  I can't believe that it's already been that long- it seems like just yesterday we were impatiently awaiting her arrival and now she's such a big girl! She is laughing (which by the way is the sweetest sound I have ever heard), blowing bubbles and raspberries, "talking" to us and her toys, sitting up with assistance, and rolling over.  Yep, rolling over.  This milestone has now become the bane of my existence.  The game has now changed, literally overnight.  Now, Miss K has been sleeping from about 6:30 at night until around 3:00 in the morning, eats, then sleeps until about 7:30.  This has been working seamless for us for about a month and a half or so.  Our old friend Mr. Sandman, who I thought had forgotten where we lived, has been back in our household making life happy!

Last week while we were in Atlanta, I put Miss K down one night and after an hour, she sounded like a wild animal in the brush. Grunting, thrashing, and just plain miserable. After a sleepless night (for both of us), fast forward 24 hours back home in North Carolina.  I go in to feed Miss K at our normal 2:00-3:00 time and in my sleepy haze I realize as I'm picking her up that my hands are not on her back, but on her stomach!!  Oh crap, she rolled!!!  Normally, this is not a scary thing for most parents.  But for this over-cautious, OCDish mommy, this new milestone sent me into panic mode.  See, Miss K until this point slept peacefully in her SwaddleMe, aka burrito.  For those of you unfamiliar with this wonderful contraption, see below.

(that's not Miss K by the way!)

No matter how fussy Miss K is prior to night-night time, once the magic burrito is velcroed, WALLA...happy, sleepy baby.  See any problems with rolling over in the burrito?  Yep, fast forward to the now.  Sleep- sans the burrito.  My friend Mr. Sandman has alas left us again!   Leading me to the post title...WHY?!?!  Big Poppa and I had just started talking about weaning Miss K from her burrito, one arm at a time.  We figured we had a few weeks to get her used to sleeping commando before rolling happened.  But once again, Miss K is showing mommy that it is futile to try and plan ahead for anything. 

So now, we're back to a not-so-happy Miss K that takes awhile to go down at night and is waking up at least 4 times a night.  Oh, and naps?  Naps are just plain silly.  SIGH...... and yes, I know that it will get easier and once Miss K gets accustomed to her new found freedom she will be sleeping again.  But I miss my friend.  So Mr. Sandman, if you're reading this please come visit soon!

Cuz I Know, One Thing

...I love music!

As promised, I mentioned that I had found a new (to me) artist that I am a HUGE fan of!  I have always been a music buff- so much, I could probably tear up some VH1 Music Jeopardy.  And not just one specific genre, but all kinds.  My iPod selection would make some people scratch their heads- I have everything from Pavarotti to America to Black Eyed Peas, and everything in between.  I've always been a diverse music fan and some would say that I have an old soul when it comes to music.  Big Poppa thinks my music selection is a bit whack, and I feel the same about his...if you can call what he listens to music.

So on to my new favorite!  He happens to be the current opening act for John Mayer and we were fortunate enough to score tickets to the ATL concert in the company suite compliments of Big Poppa's company!  I've added a clip of one of his more popular songs that you may or may not have heard.  If you like it, all his albums are on iTunes and he sang a new song at the concert that has yet to be released...it rocks as well.
Oh yeah, Big Poppa is not so much a fan.  He says it sounds like a bad Nickelodeon song...whatever.

For your listening pleasure...

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Let me know what you think.  Team Transplant or Team Big Poppa?

Starting Anew...

I find this title apropos given that like this blog, the D family is starting anew, once again. I deleted the previous posts from last year since they were a bit anti-climatic and didn't give me the ability to lead into the now.

As some of you may or may not know, we are in transition of our fourth move (yes, I said fourth) with Big Poppa's company. His division has been moved to their company headquarters in Atlanta so we are officially on the move again! I am somewhat sad for this move since we are about to hit the 5 year mark in North Carolina, which is the longest we've ever lived somewhere. We've come to love the Tar Heel state and have both said that we could see ourselves laying down roots here if possible. While we will be bidding adieu to NC as permanent residents, we have agreed to continue our 4th of July trips to the Outer Banks. Big Poppa is very sad to be land-locked again and not able to make weekend suicide trips to the beach to fish.

On a positive note, this will be the first move that we will actually know people where we are moving to!! We have yet to move somewhere where we have friends already there so this will be a comforting change. Another big plus is that I will actually get to see my husband on a regular basis! His travel will be cut way back since his main account is also based out of Hotlanta. We are planning on renting for six months until we get a feel for the area instead of jumping in feet first as we did here in NC. I'm very proud of us for making such a mature, adult decision!

I'm sure in the next few weeks as we make our transition to becoming Georgia peaches I will have plenty to gab about. I'm also excited to talk about some new music I have found and rekindling the running flame. Stay tuned!

So just let me introduce myself...

For those of you following out in blogland that don't know me, strap on your seatbelt for a wild ride into my world!  For those of you that have the pleasure of my acquaintance, have patience and indulge me in this post as I share a bit of who I am!! 

I am going to be somewhat lame and use something that I have seen on numerous blogs that I follow and list 10 things about me.  Before I do that though, I need to clarify the players in this game we call my life.  Because there are freaks out there and this is a public blog, my family's names are off limits and instead have code names.  My oh-so-hot, partner in crime in this adventure is my husband of seven years and now my baby daddy, Big Poppa.  Yes, you read correctly, Big Poppa.  Most of you are either giggling out loud, or scratching your head in confusion.  Real simple yet funny- when I got my new iPhone in February, I had to download new ringers for everyone.  Prior to baby, Big Poppa's ring was "You Shook Me All Night Long" by ACDC.  As I was scrolling through iTunes, I was calling out possibilities and stumbled across "Big Poppa" by Notorious BIG.  We both paused and then laughed hysterically as I made that his new ring.  Since then he has sent flowers signed with this moniker and sometimes even refers to himself as that.  OK, that story should have been a separate post, but I digress!!

Now that we have who Big Poppa is established, the other player in this game is the little lady herself, Miss K.  She's the absolute most wonderful thing in my world and blessed our lives on Christmas Day 2009.  Other players in this game will occasionally pop up and I will introduce as needed, but for now you have been introduced to the two most important people in my life.  We also have two crazy dogs, Bella and Bailey that I may occasionally write (or rant) about.  So let's see what I can tell you about me  :)

10 Random Things About Me......

1. I am a Texas girl through and through.  I was born and raised in the Lone Star State and didn't leave until I was 25.  Even then, I left kicking and screaming.  All my family and most of Big Poppa's family are all there, and it will always be home. 

2. I am a big fan of spa days.  Every January I let myself go for an entire day of pampering without feeling guilty.  This guilt that I could feel is minimalized by the fact that Big Poppa goes on his annual duck slaughter to Arkansas that costs about 3 times as much as my spa day around the same time. 

3. I could seriously eat pizza and only pizza every day for the rest of my life if I had to.  My favorite food, hands down.

4. I love to read.  Unfortunately this usually only happens during the summer when I don't have to stay up until 11 o'clock grading papers or doing lesson plans.  I make a running list all year of the books I want to read and then literally pound them out in two and half months.  Last summer the list was 12 books long and I had that done by the beginning of August. 

5. As you may or may not deduced from number 4, I am a teacher.  Until December I was a third grade teacher.  Now with the move and having Miss K, I am taking some time off. 

6. While I love teaching and am actually quite good at it, my dream job would be to own a boutique.  Yeah, I know...that's why it's called my "dream" job!!

7.  I am fluent in Spanish.  I minored in it in college and was only one Comparative Lit class away from double majoring.  Stupid, I know...but I have never even read Don Quixote in English and after 4 years of busting my butt in college I didn't want to have to read and analyze it in Spanish. 

8.  I am currently obsessed with this new frozen yogurt place, Feeney's Frozen Yogurt Bar.  It's heaven on Earth and ingenious.  Self-serve, pay by the ounce and you choose from 8 flavors and a gazillion toppings.  LOVE IT!  Big Poppa and I try to beat our total ounces purchased each visit. So far 18 ounces is the record!

9. Before having Miss K, I loved to run.  Now post-Miss K, running is not so easy.  Trying to fall in love with it again! 

10.  My favorite adult beverage is New Age wine.  It is an Argentinean blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Malvasia and it is delish!  If you are a sweeter white wine drinker, you must give it a try!!

I hope this little introduction gives you a better idea about who I am and draws you back to read some more!