Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

We've only had our tree for four days...






and I just remembered to water it for the second time.

I don't think it's going to see Christmas.

Thursday Thirteen #3

Thirteen of my Pet Peeves

1. People who say "warsh" instead of wash. Can you tell I live in the south?

2. People who don't say bless you when someone sneezes.

3. When my husband takes off his clothes and puts them on the back of the couch. I could make a whole post about this one.

4. Smelly people.

5. Bad grammar.

6. People who, like, say "like", like all the time. Like Oh. My. GOD!

7. Women who wear ugly lipstick, usually purple or shades of hot pink, and they always have it on their teeth.

8. People who chew with their mouths open. AKA: my husband

9. People who breathe into the phone. Or cough, or sneeze, or clear their throat.

10. People who like to make a scene in public over stupid stuff. Like the woman at Wal-Mart last week who freaked out on the lady behind her because she rolled her eyes at her. Once again, proof that I live in the south.

11. Inconsiderate drivers.

12. Dirty fingernails.

13. Girls/women that wear small/tight clothes when they really shouldn't. We don't need to see all that.




Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

I heart the internet

Have I ever told you all about my girl crush? I totally have one, and my girl crush is Leigh over at Miss Doxie. Today she posted her annual holiday gift list, and I am in love with this website that she directed me to. I absolutely have to have this shirt, because? Ha HA!! Poor orange!

You can not act like that is not funny!

And also, I would be a total jerk if I did not tell you about Miss Doxie's very own brand spanking new website. Go buy something with short, mad, brown doggies on it.

Don't hate me because I made you spend money.

Tatertot Tueday #11: Busy Holiday Weekend

This is the first picture of the three of us. I know, the child is almost three months old, but what can I say? We are a little on the slow side around here. This was right before we consumed massive amounts of turkey and dressing. And pie.



And on Sunday, we went to the Christmas tree farm to get Aeralyn's first Christmas tree. She looks thrilled doesn't she?

Back to reality

I am so thankful that Thanksgiving is OVER! Whoa! I possibly consumed more calories in the past four days than Nicole Ritchie has in the enitre year. And turkey? I'll thank you to kindly leave until...I don't know, Christmas. I can eat no more turkey. Or stuffing. But the pies can stay. Please don't go! PIES!!

And I'll have you know that I? Lost my mind. Because I? Went shopping on black Friday. That's right people, I got up at 3:30am on Friday morning to go shopping while Aaron stayed home with all the other good daddies in the world who watch the babies so the mommies can go shopping. And he was scared. Because I? Had the Visa card. And also? The fever. Christmas FEVER! First stop along the shopping frenzy: Wal-Mart. Wow. Did you know that people will possibly break your arm for a 20" flat screen TV that is on sale for $79.99? They will, and maybe even worse than that. The women had this crazy look in their eye that said "Touch this TV and I'll rip your head off and feed it to the kids for breakfast!" No TV for us. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

I hope you all survived black Friday if you went. And apparently this is cyber Monday, so enjoy your online shopping. I will be back tomorrow with Tatertot Tueday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am thankful for:

My husband and his ability to make me the happiest I've ever been. For letting me yell and pout and stomp and scream anytime I feel like over-reacting, and letting me cry on his shoulder when the world decides to turn on me. For snuggles on the couch and nose kisses. For being my best friend and my soulmate. For splitting the last of the strawberry ice cream with me and always letting me pick out the movie. And most importantly being the most understanding husband anyone can ask for and the best daddy in the world to our little girl.

My daughter and her smile that makes my heart want to explode. Her slobbery kisses and bubbly giggles, and the unconditional love that she gives me. The sweet powdery smell after her bath and the softness of her skin against my cheek. For making my life complete and showing me what is really important in this world.

My family for being there no matter what. For loving me for me and letting me find out who and what I want to be in life. For the ones that I don't see and talk to often, and for the ones that I see and talk to every day. And for the ones that I know are looking down on me from heaven.

My friends who listen anytime I need them to. Who visit when they can and always have a door open in their home for me and my family. The inside jokes and silly memories, and all the things we learned the hard way together. For the bad choices and the good choices that taught us life lessons, and all the pictures we took along the way.

My sister for always telling me the truth and being there to share a good laugh anytime I need it. For giving me my nephew who never ceases to amaze me with his wit and humor, and my niece who loves me enough to say a prayer for me each night at bedtime.

My dog who snuggles with me at night and gets so excited to see me again in the mornings. For my cat who lets me pet him on special occasions and always makes me laugh when he plays with the twisty ties off the bread.

My camera that allows me to capture all the important moments in life so I can pass on pictures to my children and grandchildren to give them a glimpse of the past.

Chocolate pecan pie from Cracker barrell, blooming onions from Outback, sweet tea, and strawberry ice cream cones.

The Graco swing for being the only place my daughter will sleep other than in my arms, and the Fisher Price bouncey seat that lets me get a shower each day (and really, aren't you all thankful that I get to shower daily?)

And of course I am thankful for the health of myself and my friends and family, food, clothing, shelter and money and all the other stuff that gets me through the day that I am so lucky to have. I could go on and on, but Grey's Anatomy is two-hours long tonight, and I've got to prepare for the insane amount of shopping that will ensue tomorrow. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have full bellies and happy hearts. And for my non-American readers, I hope you had a terrific Thursday.

Tatertot Tuesday #10

She has been trying for several weeks to grab those dangling toys on her bouncey seat. She has finally succeeded and is now working on trying to get them into her mouth. And she also has lengthy conversations with that bird in the middle. I swear he must talk to her because she gets so excited!

It's been a year already??

Today is mine and Aaron's one year wedding anniversary. I cannot believe it has been a year already. This time last year everyone was breathing a huge sigh of relief because the wedding went as perfect as it possibly could have, and I was turning back into my regular self after morphing into the biggest "Bridezilla" anyone had ever seen. Thank God no one got hurt, but it was pretty close. Our wedding day is one that I will always remember. I'm pretty sure my feet didn't touch the ground the whole day. Aaron gives me plenty of things to complain about to all of you, but all of those quirks and imperfections make me love him even more.

Baboo:
I love you more than you could possibly imagine. I knew when I met you nine years ago that you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Thank you for letting me steal the covers and eat the last of the Christmas cookies. Your the special sauce to my Big Mac, the Derek to my Meredith and the sugar in my tea, but best of all your my sweet Baboo. I will always love you, even when you forget to bring the trashcan back from the road. I hope we have a hundred more anniversaries.
Love you bunches:
Sweet Pea

It's been one of those weeks...

Hi people! I didn't forget about you, hope you didn't forget about me. It's been one of those weeks this week. You know what I'm talking about: the kind of week where you just want to stay in bed all day everyday and wish that the world would just leave you alone. No such luck.

The baby? Won't nap. She is napping right now, and this is the first time since Monday. MONDAY!!! It's not that she won't fall asleep. She actually falls asleep pretty easily, but once I put her down? Wide awake and ready to be entertained. Am I the only person out there who has this problem? Surely some of you have been through this before, right? Or maybe it's just me. I'm the lucky one. I'm developing a permanent twitch in my left eye and my house is in dire need of attention. I need HELP! Somebody out there has to have some advice. I'm waiting.

Tatertot Tueday #9

Aren't you all glad it's Tatertot Tuesday time again? I thought so. But you should all know that I didn't come up with this idea on my own. I stole it from Beth who does the ever so cute Mia Monday. Today is Beth's birthday, so go on over here and here and wish her a very happy birthday!

This is the cold that doesn't end....

So, do you all remember that cold I mentioned last week? Well, I'm better now ( thanks for asking, psh ) But Aeralyn? She caught it. Her very first ever real live cold, and it's all my fault. It's not like I didn't wash my hands under scaulding hot water until they were red and raw, or use an entire gallon of hand sanitizer or anything. So, we have now been introduced to the snot sucker of DOOM, and it is not so much fun. She will tolertate the first couple of sucks, but after that? Get ready for the wrestling match of the century accompanied by blood curdling screams of horror.

But all I have to do to make it all better is pick her up and cuddle her close. Wouldn't it be nice if it would stay like that forever? Anytime she ever gets upset or hurt, or gets her heart broken, or comes home from school and tells me someone hurt her feelings, all I would have to do is give her a hug and the world would be right again. I know that won't be the case, but for right now? I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

Check Me Out Y'all!!

Hop on over and check out my interview. And once you're there, you can have some fun doing a bit of Christmas shopping at the Mom-Run Stores they have listed. If you have babies and little kids on your list, you'll find some fantastic educational toys and gifts.

Because You're Dying to Know

I found this over at Mommy are the toys on sale? and I decided to go ahead and do it since I still don't have enough brain power to come up with an actual post. Feel free to steal it and do it on your site, but if you do just let me know so I can come take a look.


The ones in bold print are the ones I have done.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa.
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (only about a hundred times!)
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk.
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe.
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured an ancient site
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played Dungeons & Dragons for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently well enough to have a decent conversation
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised (raising) children (child)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life
151. Finished a marathon

Brilliance

This Post over at Bread Crumbs in the Butter just made my day. Go read it. Right now!

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen Shows I Like to Watch

1. Grey's Anatomy: You know you saw that one coming.

2. How I Met Your Mother

3. Two and a Half Men

4. Dancing With The Stars : Go Emmitt!!!

5. Desperate Housewives: was this past Sunday's episode not THE BEST!! Oh. My. GOODNESS! I was just about to give up on this show too, but now I'm hooked again.

6. The Price is Right

7. Entertainment Tonight: The only problem I am having with this show at the moment is that it has turned into the Anna Nicole Documentary, but I'm sure that will be over soon.

8. Everybody Loves Raymond: This is my life in a TV show. No really, it is! My in laws live next door. No kidding.

9. Live with Regis And Kelly: Brightens up my morning!

10. Ugly Betty

11. Trading Spaces: Who doesn't love this show, really?

12. The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric

13. Bringing Home Baby on TLC: I used to watch this show while I was pregnant and it would scare the crap out of me. Now I can watch it and say "Thank GOD that is over with!"


Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Go Britney!

There is absolutely no possible way that I could come up with something good for you all today. You see, I am sick. The nasty cold has attacked my body, and right now? It is kicking my butt. My head weighs approximately 369lbs, and I have blown my nose atleast a dozen times in the last three minutes. But I didn't want to completely dissapoint you all by not mentioning the Britney Spears and Kevin Federline divorce. All I really have to say about that one is: Yay for you Britney! You finally woke up and realized that you were with a total jack ass. It's about time.

It is also about time for me to go rummaging through the medicine cabinet to find some sinus medicine. I hope to be back tomorrow with a lovely Thursday Thirteen for you all to enjoy.

Tatertot Tuesday #8: Smiling

I took these of her the other day while she was sitting in the swing. She absolutely loves her swing! She is practicing blowing bubbles with her tongue in the bottom pic.

Tagged

Erica has recently become one of my daily reads, and now I'm kinda regretting it because it means I have to do this meme. She told me my life depends on it. I'm just kidding, she's not making me, but she kinda guilted everyone who reads her blog into doing it, so here I am. And let me tell you a secret: I kinda like doing them anyway. Enjoy!

***************************************************************

1. Explain what ended your last relationship?
I found Aaron.

2. When was the last time you shaved?
Umm...you really don't want to know. Heck, it's been so long I don't even know!

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.?
Trying not to blow up my website while I was making it all new and shiny. Do you like it?

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Nursing Aeralyn.

5. Are you any good at math?
Absolutely not. I really suck at math actually.

6. Your prom night?
Was lame! There was a styrofoam fountain with red water pouring out of it. STYROFOAM people. Classy!

7. Do you have any famous ancestors?
Not that I know of.

8. Have you had to take a loan out for school?
Well, I didn't have to take a loan out for school, but I did anyway just so I could use the money. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made.

9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile?
Of course! It is one of my favorite songs of the moment. If you click that little link over to the right that says "Myspace" you can listen to it.

10. Last thing received in the mail?
A Parenting Magazine. I need all the help I can get!

11. How many different beverages have you had today?
Four. White Grape Juice, Sweet Tea, Coke and Water.

12. Do you ever leave messages on peoples answering machine?
If I have to, but not usually.

13. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?
Reba McIntire

14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
No

15. What was the most painful dental procedure you have had?
I had an abcess on one of my baby teeth one time, and I had to have it pulled. It was not fun.

16. What is out your back door?
The trash can and the chain saw that Aaron was using to scare the Trick or Treaters Wednesday night. Don't come steal the chainsaw if you're reading this.

17. Any plans for Friday night?
Nope

18. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
Oh yeah I love the way it makes it all salty and dry feeling. And the tangles just make my day.

19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns?
Yes, and could you really think of a more useless gift? I hate the popcorn that comes in those things.

20. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
Quite a few times, and it was awesome!

21. Do you re-use towels after you shower?
No

22. Some things you are excited about?
The Brad Paisley concert Saturday night, Aeralyn's first Christmas, Thanksgiving, My first Wedding Anniversary coming up

23. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO?
um..gross!

24. Describe your keychain(s)?
A mini flip flop and a silver one that came off of a pair of Nine West shoes.

25. Where do you keep your change?
In an empty water cooler jug. It's Aeralyn's college fund. Don't laugh...I'm not kidding.

26. What kind of winter coat do you own?
I have quite a few...as if it really gets cold here.

27. What was the weather like on your graduation day?
Extremely hot! Everybody got sunburn because it was outside.

28. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Not unless we have company.

29. Tag! You're it. If you made it this far you have to do this on your own blog. Make sure to leave me a comment so I'll know to come and take a look.

I love you Bob!

Y'all, I'm sorry for disappointing you and not doing a Thursday Thirteen entry this week. I know you were all devastated. No? You weren't? Well, fine then.

But really, I was too upset to do any kind of entry yesterday. Not because Aeralyn has decided to break-up with nap time (the child was awake for TWELVE AND A HALF HOURS STRAIGHT on Wednesday). You would have thought I had given her an entire bag of halloween candy or something. I guess she was just wanting to celebrate her two month birthday hardcore style.

But, like I said that is not the reason I couldn't post yesterday. It's because I heard the news that Bob Barker is retiring. I actually got a little choked up people. What shall I ever do at 11am on weekdays? Will they continue airing re-runs?

It's not even that I really like the show. It's actually pretty cheesy, and the people that get picked to play the games are clearly from another planet. A planet that's only purpose is to beam down idiots for the Price is Right. But the reason I'm so upset is because The Price is Right is all about memories for me.

My dad used to watch that show every single weekday. I've lived with it being played around me since I was born. And I remember being very young (before I was even in school), and when the show would start I would run from room to room pretending like I was Coming on Down to contestants row just like the players on the show. When I got older, I used to love to stay home from school on sick days and watch it. Even during the summer it would be the show I would choose to watch over any cartoon.

Then when Aaron and I moved away to college, it was a show that we started watching together when we came home for lunch. We would yell at the TV telling the contestants that if they only would have listened to us they would have won that trip to Hawaii. And we would have our own little game going on between the two of us to see who could get "nearest to the price without going over".

I can't believe it's coming to an end. When I told Aaron last night he said "Wow, that's crazy. It's one of those shows that has been there forever, and you just don't exect it to ever end. Now Aeralyn will never get to enjoy it like we have."

I'm sure it will run on TV Land. I'll have to make it a point to let Aeralyn watch it and tell her about all the memories I have.

Month Two

Dear Miss Priss:

Today you are two months old, and what a month it has been! This month you have started to show us more of your personality, which has turned our hearts into mush and completely wrapped us around your precious little finger. You have the CUTEST dimples in the whole world, and you are already learning how to use them to get your way.

Your crying spells in the afternoon are almost non-existent now. I contribute this to the fact that you have decided to embrace nap time. Don't get me wrong, you still have your off-days where you are definitely not about napping in any way shape or form, but mostly you take a few short naps throughout the day, and all is well. Thank you!! Now I just have to work on getting you to nap in the bassinet instead of the swing, but I'm taking what I can get right now!

You are happiest in the mornings. You love to be be propped up on a pillow so you are sitting like a big girl, and then you want us to sit and talk to you. You want to talk so badly, and we love to watch you try. You have learned that you can make sounds with your throat, and you like to click your toungue too. Your mouth is almost always moving. I have a feeling that once you learn to speak, you may never shut up!

You got your first round of shots this month and I cried right along with you. They made you feel yucky and run a fever for a couple of days, but now all is well and back to normal. Thank goodness because that was no fun for any of us.

On Monday you rolled over for the first time. I had you on your blanket for tummy time and I turned my back to look out the window, and when I turned back around you were on your back with a shocked look on your face. I immediately flipped you back over onto your tummy to see if you would do it again, and you did!! I was so excited. But, I have to tell you that we almost had our first disaster that day. You see, we haven't been strapping you in the swing because we didn't really feel there was any danger of you actually geting out of it. On Monday evening I put you in the swing for a second so I could go to the bathroom. When I came back into the living room to get you, you had flipped completely onto your tummy and you were half hanging out of the swing. Thank God I caught you in time! You will be strapped in to everything from now on.

I was in your room rocking you the other day, and I started thinking about all the times I would go and sit in your room while I was pregnant with you. I would sit and wish the days away, so impatient to finally meet you and hold you. It seemed like time was crawling back then. But as I sat and held you that evening, I found myself doing quite the opposite. I was wishing time would stand still so that I could hold you like that forever. The days are passing so fast, and you are growing and changing so much each day. I want to remember these sweet moments forever.

Don't ever grow up, okay?

I love you more than anything in the whole wide world.
Mama