I know I've been lagging on my Bucket List - so here's a preview of what's to come:
Weight loss updates - it's not going so well. In fact, it's going terrible. But I am committed to this, so I'll post the embarrassing truth...one of these days.
Recipe updates - I know that I still owe you that Mac n cheese recipe, and I never got to make the so-simple dinner * See below. Yesterday, I did make some delicious Whoopie Pies though.
Making a difference - I'm going to do something special for heart month starting tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that - just hammering out the details.
Last week, my new recipe was going to be a roast dinner called "So Simple Supper." But, the bottom of my roast (that I had bought the day before!) was green. So we returned it and had chicken patties. I'm doing 2 new recipes this week to make up for it.
We had a great weekend - Saturday, we walked around Sunset Place and just enjoyed the lovely weather. We grabbed some dinner and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Sunday, Brooke couldn't wait to get out of the house - so she had to settle for grocery shopping, ha.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
So frustrated
Tonight was Brooke;s 18-month appointment, and I am so frustrated.
1) She has another ear infection. She's been clear for about a month, and last week at the ER, she had fluid in her ear but no infection. She's been on an antibiotic for the last week - and it somehow still got infected. She has to switch antibiotics and have a follow up on 2/19/11.
2) According to the nurses, she's only 32.5 inches and 24 lbs. This is frustrating me because at 15 months, she was just over 32 inches and 23 lbs 15 inches. I KNOW without a doubt that she has grown more than that because the clothes from around her 15 month appointment do not fit - but they will not listen that the numbers are wrong, what do I know, I'm just Mommy! Instead, the dr. said that it's nothing to worry about at this point, Brooke is probably just "re-adjusting" her height and weight - some kids do this and adjust back down to the curve they were originally on. I.E., Brooke was on 50% curve for height for a long time, then she went up to 75% for several months, then jumped to 93%. If she stayed in 93%, she would be over 6 ft when she's an adult! So she's probably readjusting to 75% or even 50% - and that's nothing to worry about. But Dr. C. wants to see her in 3 months to check height and weight.
Normally, the re-check wouldn't bother me - but I KNOW their numbers were off. I weighed her when we got home - she was completely naked - and it said 26 lbs. As far as the height goes, I think the numbers were off for her 15 month appointment.
I'm very happy with our pediatric office, and they've taken great care of Brooke. They're usually very good about listening to me, and they are great at explaining things. I don't even really mind the taking her back in 3 months. I just can't help but worry about it, even though I know that there's nothing to worry about. Does that make any sense??
On the plus side, Brooke is scoring above a 2-year old level in all categories (language, problem solving, gross/fine motor...). She is doing great!
1) She has another ear infection. She's been clear for about a month, and last week at the ER, she had fluid in her ear but no infection. She's been on an antibiotic for the last week - and it somehow still got infected. She has to switch antibiotics and have a follow up on 2/19/11.
2) According to the nurses, she's only 32.5 inches and 24 lbs. This is frustrating me because at 15 months, she was just over 32 inches and 23 lbs 15 inches. I KNOW without a doubt that she has grown more than that because the clothes from around her 15 month appointment do not fit - but they will not listen that the numbers are wrong, what do I know, I'm just Mommy! Instead, the dr. said that it's nothing to worry about at this point, Brooke is probably just "re-adjusting" her height and weight - some kids do this and adjust back down to the curve they were originally on. I.E., Brooke was on 50% curve for height for a long time, then she went up to 75% for several months, then jumped to 93%. If she stayed in 93%, she would be over 6 ft when she's an adult! So she's probably readjusting to 75% or even 50% - and that's nothing to worry about. But Dr. C. wants to see her in 3 months to check height and weight.
Normally, the re-check wouldn't bother me - but I KNOW their numbers were off. I weighed her when we got home - she was completely naked - and it said 26 lbs. As far as the height goes, I think the numbers were off for her 15 month appointment.
I'm very happy with our pediatric office, and they've taken great care of Brooke. They're usually very good about listening to me, and they are great at explaining things. I don't even really mind the taking her back in 3 months. I just can't help but worry about it, even though I know that there's nothing to worry about. Does that make any sense??
On the plus side, Brooke is scoring above a 2-year old level in all categories (language, problem solving, gross/fine motor...). She is doing great!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday
I <3 payday. I'm just sayin'.
Brooke is doing better. We had a little vomiting incident in the daycare parking lot yesterday, but my car is now scrubbed and fresh smelling again. Her congestion is much much less. She's done with the oral steroid and continuing the antibiotic and nebulizer treatments.
Her new thing is singing...it's too cute. I would get a video, but she clams up when she sees anyone but Jim and I are paying attention. She asks for "ABC's" and sings A-B-B-B....L-M-N-up (when it's time). She loves to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - she sings the "How I wonder what you are" and "up above hiiggghh" and she just started trying to get out "like a diamond in the sky" even though that line is mostly just moving her lips. She does Itsy Bitsy Spider and does the "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah...." in the Lemon Drop and Gumdrop song (I don't know the real title --- you know, if all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops.....)
In just 4 months, we will be leaving after work for Disney World! I am super excited ;-) The hotel is booked, we are going to purchase the tickets in February, and we already have meal reservations with the characters (breakfast at Chef Mickey's and dinner at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends).
Brooke is doing better. We had a little vomiting incident in the daycare parking lot yesterday, but my car is now scrubbed and fresh smelling again. Her congestion is much much less. She's done with the oral steroid and continuing the antibiotic and nebulizer treatments.
Her new thing is singing...it's too cute. I would get a video, but she clams up when she sees anyone but Jim and I are paying attention. She asks for "ABC's" and sings A-B-B-B....L-M-N-up (when it's time). She loves to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - she sings the "How I wonder what you are" and "up above hiiggghh" and she just started trying to get out "like a diamond in the sky" even though that line is mostly just moving her lips. She does Itsy Bitsy Spider and does the "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah...." in the Lemon Drop and Gumdrop song (I don't know the real title --- you know, if all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops.....)
In just 4 months, we will be leaving after work for Disney World! I am super excited ;-) The hotel is booked, we are going to purchase the tickets in February, and we already have meal reservations with the characters (breakfast at Chef Mickey's and dinner at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends).
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
18 month update
Brooke is 18 months! It's hard to believe that in 6 months, we will be celebrating her 2nd birthday. I'm not sure yet what we're doing as far as a party - just something small for our family that can get here and some friends - won't be too big because I don't know many people with kids here in Miami, and I don't intend on inviting her whole daycare class (only a few that she really seems to get along with).
Anyway, I digress.
She is an amazing little girl. She LOVES to talk, and she is doing great with names especially - now she can say Mommy, Dada (or Daddy), Grandma, Pappy, Nana, Poppop, Emma, Lilly (Wilwy), Riley (Ri-wey), Averi, Jenna, Thad (Daaaaaaad), Heather (Head-ah), and Ron (Rooon). She tries to say Kelly, Kevin, Leslie, Ethan, Megan, Negesti, Amanda, and Arianna. She knows her Sesame Street characters and says their names, and points to Disney characters. She still loves her books and Barney video. She loves her Disney Princess sofa.
She is definitely a runner, not a walker, and she's starting to climb on everything now. Nothing is safe anymore. As far as eating, she is still picky about veggies but is doing much better. Sometimes she gets school lunches now, and she seems to really love them! She's still sleeping through the night and taking one 2-hour nap per day, right after lunch.
I won't know her "official" stats until Friday - at the ER the other day, she weighed a little over 25 lbs, but she was dressed and had a diaper on (at the dr office, she was 26 lbs), so somewhere in that range. I know she's tall because she doesn't fit under our dining table anymore.
I always knew it would be amazing to be a mother - but I don't think I ever imagined the amount of love I could feel in my heart - in my very soul - for one person. It's truly an amazing feeling.
18 months ago, we were only home from the hospital for a few days at this point, still trying to adjust with (thankfully) my parents there to help. We've come a long way, baby.
Anyway, I digress.
She is an amazing little girl. She LOVES to talk, and she is doing great with names especially - now she can say Mommy, Dada (or Daddy), Grandma, Pappy, Nana, Poppop, Emma, Lilly (Wilwy), Riley (Ri-wey), Averi, Jenna, Thad (Daaaaaaad), Heather (Head-ah), and Ron (Rooon). She tries to say Kelly, Kevin, Leslie, Ethan, Megan, Negesti, Amanda, and Arianna. She knows her Sesame Street characters and says their names, and points to Disney characters. She still loves her books and Barney video. She loves her Disney Princess sofa.
She is definitely a runner, not a walker, and she's starting to climb on everything now. Nothing is safe anymore. As far as eating, she is still picky about veggies but is doing much better. Sometimes she gets school lunches now, and she seems to really love them! She's still sleeping through the night and taking one 2-hour nap per day, right after lunch.
I won't know her "official" stats until Friday - at the ER the other day, she weighed a little over 25 lbs, but she was dressed and had a diaper on (at the dr office, she was 26 lbs), so somewhere in that range. I know she's tall because she doesn't fit under our dining table anymore.
I always knew it would be amazing to be a mother - but I don't think I ever imagined the amount of love I could feel in my heart - in my very soul - for one person. It's truly an amazing feeling.
18 months ago, we were only home from the hospital for a few days at this point, still trying to adjust with (thankfully) my parents there to help. We've come a long way, baby.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
18 months
I had a great post planned for tonight about all of the amazing things Brooke is up to these days at 18 months old. But that's going to have to wait.
For Brooke's 18-month "birthday," she tookd her first trip to the ER.
She's had a cold for almost a week, and she's had some congestion that she was able to clear up by coughing. Yesterday, she started having a yellow discharge from her eyes. Today, it all took a nosedive.
She went to the dr for her eyes this morning and had 3 - yes, THREE - nebulizer treatments - and was still satting 97 (which isn't too terrible) and was super congested. Jim called me and mentioned the words "respiratory distress" and "ER" and I was on the road.
We spent nearly 8 hours in the ER room - Brooke had suctions taken from her nose to check for RSV and a chest x-ray to look for pneumonia (both negative, thank god). It was tough holding her down for that. She also received another breathing treatment, shots of antibiotics, and an oral steroid - and had to be observed for several hours to make sure she was good enough to come home. FInally the dr said she was breathing "beautifully" while calm, and home we came with a slew of meds.
She's now sleeping, and I have to wake her every few hours for a nebulizer treatment. My poor baby girl - here's hoping it gets knocked out fast :(
For Brooke's 18-month "birthday," she tookd her first trip to the ER.
She's had a cold for almost a week, and she's had some congestion that she was able to clear up by coughing. Yesterday, she started having a yellow discharge from her eyes. Today, it all took a nosedive.
She went to the dr for her eyes this morning and had 3 - yes, THREE - nebulizer treatments - and was still satting 97 (which isn't too terrible) and was super congested. Jim called me and mentioned the words "respiratory distress" and "ER" and I was on the road.
We spent nearly 8 hours in the ER room - Brooke had suctions taken from her nose to check for RSV and a chest x-ray to look for pneumonia (both negative, thank god). It was tough holding her down for that. She also received another breathing treatment, shots of antibiotics, and an oral steroid - and had to be observed for several hours to make sure she was good enough to come home. FInally the dr said she was breathing "beautifully" while calm, and home we came with a slew of meds.
She's now sleeping, and I have to wake her every few hours for a nebulizer treatment. My poor baby girl - here's hoping it gets knocked out fast :(
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Update
I made another new recipe on Sunday - Deceptively Delicious Macaroni and Cheese (hiding butternut squash). It was good, but I have a couple changes to make - I'll post the recipe when I'm home for that. I'm also making one this week called "So Simple Supper."
Two other items from my bucket list will be checked off on May 27, 2011! We are taking our first family vacation....to Disney! Jim's sister and her family will be at Disney at the same time, so we'll be spending some time with them and a lot of time on our own! We found great hotel rates and are so excited about going. When we ask Brooke if she wants to go see Mickey, she brings us her favorite Disney book, Farmer Mickey....it is too cute!
I've been worried lately that I might have missed my "window" for potty training. Sigh. Brooke was so interested in it, and she peed several times around Thanksgiving - then, when I went back to work, I didn't want to push too much and it ended up that she rarely got put on the potty (the daycare won't start working with them until they're 2, unless the child starts asking for the potty before then) and now she's more interested in using it as a stepstool. I had intentions of starting over Christmas break, but just never did. I think we'll start introducing it again this weekend and see if she shows any interest.
Two other items from my bucket list will be checked off on May 27, 2011! We are taking our first family vacation....to Disney! Jim's sister and her family will be at Disney at the same time, so we'll be spending some time with them and a lot of time on our own! We found great hotel rates and are so excited about going. When we ask Brooke if she wants to go see Mickey, she brings us her favorite Disney book, Farmer Mickey....it is too cute!
I've been worried lately that I might have missed my "window" for potty training. Sigh. Brooke was so interested in it, and she peed several times around Thanksgiving - then, when I went back to work, I didn't want to push too much and it ended up that she rarely got put on the potty (the daycare won't start working with them until they're 2, unless the child starts asking for the potty before then) and now she's more interested in using it as a stepstool. I had intentions of starting over Christmas break, but just never did. I think we'll start introducing it again this weekend and see if she shows any interest.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Strange feeling....
I had a strange feeling this morning when I dropped Brooke off at daycare. It was happy, proud, and sad, all at the same time.
Now that she's wanting to walk everywhere, I've started letting her walk in/out of school as long as she's holding hands. (I'm hoping that holding hands there - she does great - will lead to her always hold hands while we're out so that we can avoid a "leash" for her). I digress. This morning, she walked in and upon reaching the classroom, let go of my hand and ran to Ms. Negesti - exactly how she normally runs to me when I pick her up.
Happy? Yes - she obviously loves her school.
Proud? Yes - she's so grown up and running to give Ms. Negesti a hug is such a show of affection.
Sad? Yes - She's my little girl and I can't help but worry that, if she's that attached to her teacher, maybe she spends too much time there (she basically goes on a regular school schedule - even longer. 8:30 am - 5 pm mostly every day - Jim doesn't get to keep her home too much anymore).
Mostly, the happy and proud are winning out - she's grown into such a sweet girl with a big heart.
I hope the next 5 hours fly by so I can see her running towards me like that ;-)
Now that she's wanting to walk everywhere, I've started letting her walk in/out of school as long as she's holding hands. (I'm hoping that holding hands there - she does great - will lead to her always hold hands while we're out so that we can avoid a "leash" for her). I digress. This morning, she walked in and upon reaching the classroom, let go of my hand and ran to Ms. Negesti - exactly how she normally runs to me when I pick her up.
Happy? Yes - she obviously loves her school.
Proud? Yes - she's so grown up and running to give Ms. Negesti a hug is such a show of affection.
Sad? Yes - She's my little girl and I can't help but worry that, if she's that attached to her teacher, maybe she spends too much time there (she basically goes on a regular school schedule - even longer. 8:30 am - 5 pm mostly every day - Jim doesn't get to keep her home too much anymore).
Mostly, the happy and proud are winning out - she's grown into such a sweet girl with a big heart.
I hope the next 5 hours fly by so I can see her running towards me like that ;-)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Bucket List: New Recipe, Week 2 (and 100 posts!)
How fitting that my 100th post would be another new recipe!
Tonight was Jim's pick:
TACO CHILI
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
2 cans (15 oz each) seasoned chunky tomato sauce (I used crushed tomatoes - would definitely do diced next time)
1 can (15 oz) chili beans with chili gravy
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning.
Brown beef & drain fat. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low 4-6 hours.
I topped mine with shredded Mexican cheese.
I'll be making this again because Jim loved it. I prefer regular chili, as this doesn't seem to have a lot of spice to it, but I really did like the corn in the chili. That being said, we're both having leftovers tomorrow for lunch. ;-)
Tonight was Jim's pick:
TACO CHILI
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
2 cans (15 oz each) seasoned chunky tomato sauce (I used crushed tomatoes - would definitely do diced next time)
1 can (15 oz) chili beans with chili gravy
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning.
Brown beef & drain fat. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low 4-6 hours.
I topped mine with shredded Mexican cheese.
I'll be making this again because Jim loved it. I prefer regular chili, as this doesn't seem to have a lot of spice to it, but I really did like the corn in the chili. That being said, we're both having leftovers tomorrow for lunch. ;-)
Monday, January 10, 2011
A whole lotta nothin'
Today is Brooke's first day in a new "class" at daycare. They call this class the "Twaddler" room, and the kids are all 18 months - 2 years old. Brooke is now the youngest in her class again. She really likes the teachers - Amanda and Negesti - so I think it will be a good move :-)
Last night Brooke woke up at 11 pm and didn't go back to sleep until 2 am. She would start to fall asleep and then wake up screaming, like something was scaring her. I have no idea what it was. Jim had to stay late at work, so I was on my own. It was rough. I would get her calmed down, lay her back down (she goes to sleep better laying in her bed than if I try to hold her) - and she would doze off for about 20 minutes. Just as I was almost asleep and she was about to go into a deep sleep, it would start all over again. She's been drooling and chewing on her fingers and I felt some bumps in her mouth - I thought "teeth," and gave in and gave her Tylenol at midnight. No go. I could tell she peed, so I changed her diaper and gave her some milk - still didn't work. Finally, I just let her scream bloody murder and call for me (Momma, Momma, Mommyyy, momma) in her sad crying voice - while I sat in my bedroom and cried myself. It took 25 minutes and she was out like a light.
I'm pretty sure Brooke's going through a growth spurt now - she's eating a ton, all day, every day. WAY more than normal - maybe that explains the crappy sleeping? I'm open to suggestions!
We spent the weekend doing nothing at home. I finally got all my Christmas decorations down. I enjoyed it - I drive so much during the week that I love having "downtime" with Brooke and Jim on the weekends. Jim starts overnights Wednesday, so he'll be working/sleeping this weekend, but the weekend after will be a 4-day weekend for him and I'm looking forward to finding something fun to do that weekend! I would love to do a little roadtrip - any suggestions for a road trip in Florida that's relatively inexpensive and involves kid-friendly activities?
Today is officially the start of my diet. I got on the scale this morning - so disappointing. I'll update every week using this format:
Wt loss this wk:
Total wt loss:
Notes/observations:
Never will you know my true weight ;-)
Also, my face and SCALP are broken out. Worse than a hormone-driven teenager. I have no idea why - it's been so long since my skin was this bad. I have combination skin - more on the dry side. Any suggestions what to use to clear it up? I'm trying to avoid salicylic acid products........
Last night Brooke woke up at 11 pm and didn't go back to sleep until 2 am. She would start to fall asleep and then wake up screaming, like something was scaring her. I have no idea what it was. Jim had to stay late at work, so I was on my own. It was rough. I would get her calmed down, lay her back down (she goes to sleep better laying in her bed than if I try to hold her) - and she would doze off for about 20 minutes. Just as I was almost asleep and she was about to go into a deep sleep, it would start all over again. She's been drooling and chewing on her fingers and I felt some bumps in her mouth - I thought "teeth," and gave in and gave her Tylenol at midnight. No go. I could tell she peed, so I changed her diaper and gave her some milk - still didn't work. Finally, I just let her scream bloody murder and call for me (Momma, Momma, Mommyyy, momma) in her sad crying voice - while I sat in my bedroom and cried myself. It took 25 minutes and she was out like a light.
I'm pretty sure Brooke's going through a growth spurt now - she's eating a ton, all day, every day. WAY more than normal - maybe that explains the crappy sleeping? I'm open to suggestions!
We spent the weekend doing nothing at home. I finally got all my Christmas decorations down. I enjoyed it - I drive so much during the week that I love having "downtime" with Brooke and Jim on the weekends. Jim starts overnights Wednesday, so he'll be working/sleeping this weekend, but the weekend after will be a 4-day weekend for him and I'm looking forward to finding something fun to do that weekend! I would love to do a little roadtrip - any suggestions for a road trip in Florida that's relatively inexpensive and involves kid-friendly activities?
Today is officially the start of my diet. I got on the scale this morning - so disappointing. I'll update every week using this format:
Wt loss this wk:
Total wt loss:
Notes/observations:
Never will you know my true weight ;-)
Also, my face and SCALP are broken out. Worse than a hormone-driven teenager. I have no idea why - it's been so long since my skin was this bad. I have combination skin - more on the dry side. Any suggestions what to use to clear it up? I'm trying to avoid salicylic acid products........
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Bucket List #5 - New Recipe, Week 1
Yesterday, I made my first new recipe of the year - Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 Cup dried bread crumbs (I seasoned mine with a little garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley)
6 chicken breast halves, skin removed (I used boneless skinless chicken breasts)
1 jar (10.5 oz) pizza sauce (I used my normal Delgrosso's spaghetti sauce - I used half the jar which is about 12 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
6 slices mozzarella cheese (i used shredded mozzarella)
Beat egg in shallow bowl & place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in eggs then coat in bread crumbs. Saute in skilled coated with cooking spray (I used olive oil instead). Arrange chicken in slow cooker & top with sauce (you might have to layer to get it to fit - I did). Cover & cook on low 6-8 hours, or until chicken is tender but not dry.
Sprinkle with cheeses and cook another 15 minutes.
I served mine with pasta and salad. It was delicious! We have leftover chicken, which I'm going to use for chicken parm sandwiches on Monday.
This is definitely going in my "Favorite Recipes" cookbook that I got for Christmas.
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 Cup dried bread crumbs (I seasoned mine with a little garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley)
6 chicken breast halves, skin removed (I used boneless skinless chicken breasts)
1 jar (10.5 oz) pizza sauce (I used my normal Delgrosso's spaghetti sauce - I used half the jar which is about 12 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
6 slices mozzarella cheese (i used shredded mozzarella)
Beat egg in shallow bowl & place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in eggs then coat in bread crumbs. Saute in skilled coated with cooking spray (I used olive oil instead). Arrange chicken in slow cooker & top with sauce (you might have to layer to get it to fit - I did). Cover & cook on low 6-8 hours, or until chicken is tender but not dry.
Sprinkle with cheeses and cook another 15 minutes.
I served mine with pasta and salad. It was delicious! We have leftover chicken, which I'm going to use for chicken parm sandwiches on Monday.
This is definitely going in my "Favorite Recipes" cookbook that I got for Christmas.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Bucket List - 2011 edition
One of my WTE momma friends came across an idea that she shared, and I just had to jump on the bandwagon.
Obviously, the idea of a bucket list is nothing new. But, the thought of sitting down and making a list of what I want to accomplish before I die - it's overwhelming to me. I'm only 27 - I have a lot of life ahead of me, and everything changes - what I want to accomplish might change a year from now.
So, I'm going to do a bucket list for this year only. I think it's a great idea - much more realistic that you can actually accomplish everything on it, yeah? So here's mine:
I'll be sure to keep you posted on how it's going ;-)
Obviously, the idea of a bucket list is nothing new. But, the thought of sitting down and making a list of what I want to accomplish before I die - it's overwhelming to me. I'm only 27 - I have a lot of life ahead of me, and everything changes - what I want to accomplish might change a year from now.
So, I'm going to do a bucket list for this year only. I think it's a great idea - much more realistic that you can actually accomplish everything on it, yeah? So here's mine:
- Spend more time with my family. It's hard living so far away. Like, really hard. It's hard to get time off of work to travel (us there or them here). It's hard making travel plans for the entire winter because you never know what the weather in PA will be like, and the closest airport is REALLY expensive. It's expensive to fly for a lot of weekends! That being said, I really, really miss my family - and this includes my friends back home, too!
- Lose weight. I know I say this all the time. And I've had problems. But I need to do it. Like, I have to force myself to work out (hopefully the Wii will help with this) and watch what I eat. Because even though I'm healthy now (for the most part), all this extra weight is going to really hurt me in the long run. I'm going to try (again) to use this blog to hold myself accountable.
- Take our first family vacation. Yes, last year we traveled to PA for Brooke's birthday pary and Becky's wedding. That was visiting family. This year, we're going on a real family vacation - just the three of us.
- Take my husband and daughter to Disney for the first time! Yup, you read that right, Jim has never been to Disney World. I haven't been since the high school trip that turned disaster in Animal Kingdom (LOL) so this is our year - we're going to go at least once.
- Try new recipes. As I've blogged before, I get into huge ruts with dinners - so this year, I'm going to make at least one new recipe a week (contenders welcome).
- Be a better friend. Not that I'm a bad friend (at least I don't think I am). Just, sometimes I'm bad about keeping in touch - not calling, emailing, texting, etc., nearly enough. There's always an excuse - I'm tired, I'm busy, Brooke's sick, I'm sick....no more. And this applies to friends near & far.
- Finish my CLE credits! I really don't have a choice about this one - I have a year left to finish my credits for my first reporting period, LOL.
- Plan Brooke's baptism. No, our girl is not baptized yet. At the beginning, it was because we were dragging our feet looking for a church, etc. Then, her godmother needed the stem cell transplant and there is no way in hell we are having the baptism until Jacqui is well enough to not only be there, but to enjoy herself - I mean, really enjoy herself - without a care in the world. :-)
- Spend more time outdoors. Brooke loves to be outside. I find it stressful because I haven't found anywhere to take her that I feel is safe to let her run & play. There's a park by work, but Jim and I are hardly ever that way on the weekends - often we're too busy running errands like laundry and groceries on the weekend because of my long commute during the week - not to mention, Jim works a lot of weekends. This has to change.
- Be more involved. If you've been reading my blog, you know how much I've written about HLHS babies. My heart just breaks for these families. My goal for this year is to find a way to become more involved with spreading awareness and bringing attention to CHDs.
- Buy new electronics. By the end of this year, I hope to buy a new camera, a new laptop, and buy a video camera.
- Get more pedicures! I love pedicures but I rarely get them - I think I deserve this treat ;-)
- Take a date night. Yes, this is on my bucket list. Since we've had Brooke, I can count on one hand the number of "dates" we've gone on - the Clarks concert, Becky's wedding. That's it, two. When family comes to visit, they always offer to stay with Brooke, but we want to spend time with them and don't go anywhere (see item #1). This year, I'm going to try to find a babysitter we trust and take some nights to focus on our relationship.
- Get a massage. The last time I had a massage was....Valentine's Day 2004 or 2005 (whichever year I was studying for the LSAT). I loved it but haven't had one since - I think I deserve this, too!
- Get my hair cut. Yes, this too is on my bucket list. I haven't had my hair cut since June 2010 (and before that it was Nov. 2009). I need to find a great place down here.
- Paint a piece of pottery with Brooke's handprint. Jim promised to take me to one of those paint-your-own pottery places as a belated Christmas gift (we didn't really want to go if it was busy over the holidays). I fully intend to take him up on this offer SOON.
I'll be sure to keep you posted on how it's going ;-)
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011
It is hard to believe it is 2011. I think 2010 was the fastest year of my life.
We celebrated the new year quietly, as a family of two. Brooke went to bed around 10, so it was just Jim and I for midnight. We had some snacks, played some Wii, and celebrated at midnight with some champagne. Exciting, right? Maybe not, but it was a good night, nonetheless. We would have liked to go out somewhere, at least for dinner, but Jim had to be up for work at 6 am on New Years Day - oh the joys of retail management.
I've read almost all the books Jim got me for Christmas. I love it. So far, I've read the new Nicholas Sparks (great as usual - and the main character is from Altoona, PA!), and James Patterson Women's Murder Club series # 4, 5, and 6. (I had read 1-3 a few years ago when my mom got them for me). I'm working on #7 now and will read #8 next. I'm only missing #9, but I always wait until they're in paperback to get them and that one is still hardback only. I know they're works of fiction, but they remind me how much I want to work in criminal law - someday.
Brooke's eating is starting to really frustrate me again! She's still refusing veggies unless they're mixed in spaghetti sauce or pureed and hidden (again, I'll plead for recipes, haha). She won't eat meat except lunchmeat and McDonald's chicken nuggets, but I'm not so concerned about that. But now, she's starting to ONLY want applesauce or pears for fruit. I know she's not as picky as some kids, but it's frustrated because she's obviously going through a growth spurt right now - yesterday, I swear she ate non-stop from when she got up until bedtime. Every two hours, at least, asking for snacks or fruit. It was crazy. What is really crazy is she uses all those calories for getting taller but not heavier. Right now, most of her 24 month clothes are just about the perfect length but too big around her.
Last night, I asked Brooke if she was ready to go back to school, and she ran around yelling "Emma! Wilwy!" (Lilly). She got mad when I told her she had to wait until morning to see them, haha.
She is talking so much it is crazy. And she's doing great with names! She can now say Grandma, Pappy, Nana (this doubles for banana haha), Poppop, Mommy, Dada, Head-ah (aunt heather), Ronnie (Uncle Ron), Mae Mae (Madison, my sister's dog), Daaaaaa (Thad), Jed-da (Jenna), Leslie, Duff (Dave, my sister's boyfriend), Nonna, Poppa, Emma, Abby (meaning Abby Cadabby, but she also says this when trying to say Gaby!), and Wilwy (Lilly). She tries to say Kelly, Kevin, Ethan, and Megan, but they're still a little tough for her. She pretends to read her books now, which is the cutest thing ever! I still can't believe how fast they learn.
We celebrated the new year quietly, as a family of two. Brooke went to bed around 10, so it was just Jim and I for midnight. We had some snacks, played some Wii, and celebrated at midnight with some champagne. Exciting, right? Maybe not, but it was a good night, nonetheless. We would have liked to go out somewhere, at least for dinner, but Jim had to be up for work at 6 am on New Years Day - oh the joys of retail management.
I've read almost all the books Jim got me for Christmas. I love it. So far, I've read the new Nicholas Sparks (great as usual - and the main character is from Altoona, PA!), and James Patterson Women's Murder Club series # 4, 5, and 6. (I had read 1-3 a few years ago when my mom got them for me). I'm working on #7 now and will read #8 next. I'm only missing #9, but I always wait until they're in paperback to get them and that one is still hardback only. I know they're works of fiction, but they remind me how much I want to work in criminal law - someday.
Brooke's eating is starting to really frustrate me again! She's still refusing veggies unless they're mixed in spaghetti sauce or pureed and hidden (again, I'll plead for recipes, haha). She won't eat meat except lunchmeat and McDonald's chicken nuggets, but I'm not so concerned about that. But now, she's starting to ONLY want applesauce or pears for fruit. I know she's not as picky as some kids, but it's frustrated because she's obviously going through a growth spurt right now - yesterday, I swear she ate non-stop from when she got up until bedtime. Every two hours, at least, asking for snacks or fruit. It was crazy. What is really crazy is she uses all those calories for getting taller but not heavier. Right now, most of her 24 month clothes are just about the perfect length but too big around her.
Last night, I asked Brooke if she was ready to go back to school, and she ran around yelling "Emma! Wilwy!" (Lilly). She got mad when I told her she had to wait until morning to see them, haha.
She is talking so much it is crazy. And she's doing great with names! She can now say Grandma, Pappy, Nana (this doubles for banana haha), Poppop, Mommy, Dada, Head-ah (aunt heather), Ronnie (Uncle Ron), Mae Mae (Madison, my sister's dog), Daaaaaa (Thad), Jed-da (Jenna), Leslie, Duff (Dave, my sister's boyfriend), Nonna, Poppa, Emma, Abby (meaning Abby Cadabby, but she also says this when trying to say Gaby!), and Wilwy (Lilly). She tries to say Kelly, Kevin, Ethan, and Megan, but they're still a little tough for her. She pretends to read her books now, which is the cutest thing ever! I still can't believe how fast they learn.
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