A to Z Challenge

I came across this A to Z challenge yesterday and am so excited to get started in April!

The challenge is to blog about something each day (except for Sundays) in alphabetical order. So April 1, the blog post will be a topic that begins with A, April 2nd will have a topic that begins with B, continuing on until you reach April 30, and a topic that begins with Z.

Right off the bat I know I will have to be very creative with topics (q, x, y, and z!), but I am hoping that this challenge will spark some creativity and accountaibilty. I want to blog more and document my life, even if it ends up being just for me.

I just checked, and there are 1,041 people up to the challenge. I am excited to complete this challenge myself, but also excited to read what others come up with! All I want to know is, who's coming with me and taking on this A to Z challenge??



12 in 12: March Check in

It is March 12, and that means it is time to check in with my progress on my "12 in 12" list.

I'm going to be perfectly honest here, and let you know that for the past 30 days, I have been slacking on getting anything done on this list. So instead of going through each item and writing "no progress," I will just highlight the few things I have done.

1. I have now completed phase 2 of p90x! I feel like I have an increase in energy as well as some definition in my upper body (biceps are making an appearance. Make sure you get your tickets to the gun show.) I have missed a few days due to my hectic work schedule, but I think I am this close to being a workout junkie. Daryl and I just ordered p90x2 to begin once we finish this cycle.

2. I have seen these monthly onesies all over the internet. While I am slacking in the blogging updates, I decided to make these iron on onesies found here. I just printed onto iron on transfer paper, and ironed on to a white onesie. Easy cheesy! Look at how handsome my little guy is!

8. Last month was very busy at work for both of us. We ended up going to the bookstore to look for a devotional book for us to read together. Without any luck, we looked at a few other things and then headed to dinner. We went to a local Italian place called Lomontes. We had good food and good conversation, and then headed home. The date was last minute, but much needed. Bonus, I had a gift card, and we didn't have to spend that much money for a nice evening out.

9. I have some frames already, but not enough to create the look I want. Frames are expensive, but the wheels have been turning in my head when I read online about buying frames from Goodwill and then just spray painting them black. Not a bad idea.... now I just need to get pictures together.

Is it too late?

Daryl wanted to do a Winnie the Pooh themed room, and so everything for our little guy so far has gone along with this theme. I have been thinking of birth announcements and thought it would be too difficult much to create a pooh bear card, so I went online and searched for some inspiration.
 Since I returned to work, I wanted to create a card that would be really simple, and not as labor intensive as Madeline’s announcement. I came across this horizontal pocket card, and immediately decided I could make it work. I could do this. Mass produce a one sided card, adhere some decorative strips to make the appearance of pockets, and not have to do too much work to make it look impresive.

So, instead of an actual Winnie the Pooh card, I got my inspiration from the diaper cake my sister made for Nolan's baby shower: red, yellow, white and black polka dot. I found directions and tweeked a few things and started cutting away. After I cut almost of all of the red and yellow strips, I stopped and was scared for about 2.5 seconds that it looked too Ronald McDonald-y. Great. I called my sister and was reassured that it would not look McDonald-y, and that everyone would know it was Pooh bear inspired. I could only hope.

Fast foward about 2 weeks.

The birth announcements are still not completed. They are way more labor intensive than I thought they would be. I have done some additional stamping and cutting that I was not planning on doing. On top of this, the card is now going to be "double sided." Here I go again with my need to "Michelle" everything up and make it much more difficult than it has to be. (Thanks Daryl for coining this term :) love you babe )

I haven't even printed the sayings for the pullout cards or Nolan's pictures. I am way behind to say the least.

Nolan is going on 9 weeks, and his brith announcements have not been sent.

Complete.mom.fail.

Is there a time frame that I have to get them sent? When does it become too late to send birth announcements??

Pictures and updates to come.

Midweek Confessions

It's that time again. I am linking up with E, Myself, and I for a few midweek confessions.

Ok, so here goes:

- I needed a few moments to myself this week to relieve some stress from one of my classes, I totally wrote a blog post. My confession: I wrote the post at work during my conference period, instead of actually getting work done.

- My husband has been entering in the HGTV dream home sweepstakes. While I tell him the odds of us winning are probably very slim, I secretly hope we win.

- I went back to work just 5 weeks after having my little guy. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be docked any pay like I was last year. While everyone around me thought I was crazy, I felt like it was the right thing to do at the time. I probably should have waited a few more weeks.

- While I love reading about all the fun stuff moms are doing with their little ones, I envy the SAHM bloggers. As a working mom, I find it really hard to find time to blog. Not only that, but I have a hard time thinking of topic to write about. I would love to be able to do creative crafting projects and educational stuff with Madeline. I feel guilty that I don't have the ability to do these things "because I have to work."

- The parents who don't have their stuff together and are completely unorganized irritate me. Confession: Daryl and I have become those parents. Madeline and Nolan needed to have admission paperwork and shot records turned into the home daycare. I received Madeline's paperwork in August when she started. Long story short, her papers got lost and I had to get another copy of them when Nolan started. Their paperwork packets were mostly complete a few weeks ago and I just had to wait to get the immunization records and healthcare provider's statement signed by the doctor at their appointment last week. The babysitter called and reminded me on Sunday to bring these last two items this week. I could not find them ANYWHERE and did not get them turned in on Tuesday. She sent home yet another copy (the 3rd copy she has given us). I finally found them on Wednesday. They still have not been turned in. I think she hates us.

- Madeline broke one of her "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornaments. I have been waiting to superglue it back together before I put up the Christmas boxes. It has been superglued for about 2 and a half weeks now, and I just haven't found anything to wrap it up in to put it back in the box. Confession: The Christmas boxes are still in my dining room. It is February.

I didn't really think I had this much to confess this week. What do you have to confess?? Link up and get it all out there.

12 in 12: February check in

It is February 12, and that means it is time to check in with my progress on my "12 in 12" list for the new year.

Writing this list made me excited to get some things accomplished this year. I realize that some of these items will take some time and I am ok with  working on making progress.

A quick recap of how the past 30 days have gone:

1. I have completed phase one. Although I have not been compliant with the diet, I have completed 30 whole days of working out. There are a few exercises which are really tough, especially during yoga, but I am proud that I have been able to push myself and improve with every workout. Daryl and I have been working out together and are surprisingly really competitive with each other. We push. We work. We motivate. We get it done. 

2. I stumbled upon Kristen's chalkboard table and thought it was a really cool idea. I told Daryl about it and was really just making conversation about how neat I thought it was, and he was all about it. He said I should make that one of my projects to complete while I was still at home with the babies. So off we went to Home Depot to get the supplies to create a chalkboard table. I borrowed a sander from my dad and got to work. It was fun to make, and looks great in the kitchen (maybe even better than it did before). 

3. I have made a teeny tiny dent in the card I have in mind for this goal. I have been doing good with not adding new charges. Baby steps.

4. I have been doing well with keeping track of Nolan's milestones in his 1st year calendar, but that's really about it. I'm slacking on taking and organizing pictures, as well as crafting.

5. I have participated in a few linky parties, and have had more page views. I am having a difficult time with posting consistently.

6. Major accomplishment- organizing my gift bags and tissue paper. I couldn't believe how many bags this hanging organizer held! It has definitely made me feel good getting those bags off the floor, and being able to see the closet instead of that disaster.

7. In the process. I have only pulled my camera out once or twice. I'm proud mama, and this should not be happening.

8. Daryl and I went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at a "new to us" theater. It was nice to just have some "us" time alone. We are both really excited about making this a priority each month. We have been talking about other things we'd like to do for this month.

9&12. Unfortunately not a lot of progress here this month.

10. I haven't signed up for anything yet, but have seen a lot of events I wouldn't mind participating in. Toobabalooza. MS150. Muddy Buddy. There are a lot of events that seem really fun, and are inexpensive!!

11. We went to my parents house the other day for a family get together. After eating burgers and dogs, everyone was hanging out. James wanted to get a game of phase 10 going, but we were all so tired and didn't end up playing. I am trying to plan a game night at my house. I came across some really fun ideas from The Dating Divas that I could easily turn "date night" into "family night."

18 Months

My little Madeline,

Time sure is flying by. Literally. It seems like only yesterday that I held you in my arms for the first time. Today you are 18 months old. A whole year and a half! Let me just tell you that you have really grown to a very fun little girl.

Everyone warned daddy and I how hard it was going to be being a parent and all. We are learning and have had some tough times, but for the most part Madeline, you have made it fairly easy on us. You still sleep through the night, with the occassional rough night due to teething pain or bad dreams, that has landed you in our bed snuggled up close next to daddy.

You greet us with open arms and a smile on your face every morning. We get your diaper changed and you call out for "dada" or "mama" and then bring your hand toward your mouth signaling to us that you want something to eat. Whenever asked what you want for breakfast, you always respond with a very enthusiastic "nana" (banana).

Daddy always cooks really yummy food for you to eat. We haven't really found anything that you don't like yet. You are a big fan of peanut butter and banana sandwiches! You are really good at feeding yourself. You still prefer to eat with your hand sometimes, but are quickly learning to use a spoon and fork. Meal time can get a bit messy, especially when you start to get tired and run your hand through your hair. Good thing bath time is quick to follow your dinner!

Your language has taken off within the past few months. Your vocabulary is increasing and pronunciation is getting much better. Some words are a little tough for you to say, but mommy and daddy understand what you are trying to say. You sign "more" "milk" and "eat. Some of your verbal vocabulary includes: "Mama" "Dada" "Mommyyyyyyyy" (you tilt your head back when you say this, and it is usually followed by a "Maddiiiiiieeee" from Mommy) "Puppy" "Shooooes" (Shoes) (you pucker your lips out when you say this, and it is extremely cute!) "B" (blanket) "keys" "Show-wuh" (shower) "hi" "bye" "baby" "piiieee" (potty) "Mimi" (Mimi/ grandma) "Poppa" (Papaw/ grandpa) "nana" (banana, also what you say when you Aunt Dana) "juuuu" (juice) and "teeth"

You are quite the little fashionista. You often imitate Mommy as you walk around the house with your cellphone between your ear and shoulder, and your purse in hand. You have even found one of Mommy's old debit card and love to put that in your purse. You look at mommy's necklaces and respond with "ohhhhhh." You enjoy all things sparkly and full of bling. You and Auntie Liz are going to get along great!! Your Great Aunt Carole has bought you some very cute pairs of shoes, which you LOVE. She bought you this outfit for Christmas that had a cream colored shirt with silver polkadots, a brown furry vest and black boots with faux fur at the top. Madeline, you wore this to a jewelry party, and girl you rocked it! You eat up every bit of attention you get from everyone by flashing them a huge smile when they say how cute or beautiful you are!

We have been working on potty training. You get excited when you go "pee pee" or "poo poo" in the potty because it means you get to flush the toilet. You think this is the most amusing thing. We are getting close to being fully trained I think hope. You are starting to tell us when you need to go, you say "piiiieee" and start to tug on your diaper.

You have quickly progressed from walking to running. You have busted your lip a few times because you get so excited, and trip over your own feet when you are running. You tripped over "B" at Nora's and chipped your front two teeth. Luckily, they are baby teeth, and will fall out eventually.

Madeline, you LOVE to help mommy and daddy. You help us clean your room by stacking your books up and putting your dirty clothes in the hamper. You love to help mommy put clean daddy's laundry away, and put the washed clothes into the dryer.

 You have entered the "terrible two's" a bit early. You sure can throw a temper tantrum. These mostly come on when you are extremely tired and are trying to fight going to sleep. You had a major melt down in the grocery store, and no matter how much daddy and I tried, there was just no calming you down. You screamed and screamed, and your face turned red. I felt so bad because there was nothing I could do to help. My heart literally ached. I finally took you to the car and you grabbed "B" and that did the trick. You have thrown a few tantrums when you weren't getting attention or when mommy was feeding Nolan. I know you are frustrated and that this is the only way you know how to express how you are feeling, but holy cannoli do you have a set of pipes on you. These tantrums are not fun for mommy and daddy, and they hurt mommy's heart.
You became a big sister in December, and boy do you love your little brother! You look into his room in the mornings and say "baby!" as you get excited to see him. Whenever Nolan cries, you run over to him and try and put his pacifer in his mouth. Most of the time you are very gentle with him, but you get frustrated when he spits it out of his mouth. You bring him his "B" because know it will comfort him. You help mommy with diaper changes as you throw the dirty ones in the trashcan. When you are getting ready for bed, you get your milk, grab "B" and choose a book to read. You sit next to mommy or daddy and snuggle up close so they can read you a story and you help hold Nolan's bottle so he can eat his dinner. We brush your teeth and then you make your rounds giving everyone a great big kiss on the cheek.

Madeline, you are such beautiful little girl. You are always smiling, and very quick to offer hugs and kisses to those who love you. You bring great joy to mommy and daddy. We are amazed at how quickly you are learning things, and are excited to see what you have in store for us in the future.

I love you Madeline.

Love,

Mommy

Midweek Confessions

I have been reading these midweek confessions for a few weeks now, but have finally decided to participate.

 

My midweek confessions round 1:

- I eat peanut butter straight out of the container, by the spoonful.

  

-I sometimes pretended to be sound asleep when Nolan cried in the middle of the night, hoping that my husband would get up and take care of things. It never worked.

-I am currently doing P90X, and while the workouts make me feel good, I think my favorite part is the cool down. Not because I know the workout is almost over, but because I know I can eat something within the next few minutes.

- My children both have extremely long eyelashes. I am jealous of both the length and volume of their eyelashes. 

- I am going back to work next week (I'm an athletic trainer/ teacher) and am really nervous to meet my students and start this semester.  

There are my confessions for the week. What about you? What do you have to confess?