11.19.2010

Feeling guilty.

I'm trying to decide between an 8:30am-5pm or a 6:30am-3pm work schedule. 

The first keeps me in a lot of traffic after work.
The second means I don't see Olivia before I leave in the morning but I get more time to relax and have fun with her at night. 

Have I mentioned that I've been feeling that crashing wave recently? 


Olivia & Jeffrey 15 November 2010 :)

11.14.2010

Ten Things

Yesterday, my amazing daughter turned 18 months old. I remember Thanksgiving 2009 like it was a few months ago, pushing around my wide eyed 6 month old while shopping, eating and getting coffee. These days doing those 3 things are not quite as easy. Here's my ten things about us (for lack of a more creative title):

1. Never underestimate the power of a mommy and daughter coffee date. Complete with a tall Starbucks cup filled with water or milk to make my 18 month old feel like the most special toddler on the planet. I get a big smile and laughs when I hand her that coveted cup, then as we sit and drink our "coffee" my little sass talks and points away.

2. My kid loves raisins, music, guitars, telephones, pictures and dogs. Do not expect to get one by her without her noticing and expecting to see/listen/talk/eat.

3. She loves green beans and pesto (not together). Occasionally she will eat mac and cheese or peanut butter and jelly but she gobbles up green beans and pasta tossed in pesto! I get worried about her nutrition but when I really take note of the things she does eat I know I have nothing to worry about. Lucky for me she does not expect a diet of cheeseburgers, fried foods, chips or sweets and even luckier for me she does not prefer it.

4. Every time I start thinking I will never wake up on my own terms again my love bug gives me that special gift and sleeps til 7:15am giving me enough time to clean up, brush my teeth and make some coffee.
Note: These mornings are rare and take place 6 or more weeks apart and are usually guaranteed to land on a morning I have to wake up at 5am to get ready for work and be out of the house before she is up.

5. They really do grow up too fast. Especially when you have an independent, fearless and sassy little girl. Sigh

6. Her laughter is music to my ears.

7. We will never leave the park clean. She absolutely loves LOVES sand and we do not frequent a park with the sand substitute (It's like soft, non-wood bark?)

8. As I write this Olivia is singing and dancing along to Sesame Street.

9. She is shopper and if allowed to walk around a clothing store will take what she can off the rack and examine it (front & back). It's hysterical and I am setting my self up for failure very soon.
Did I say she loves shoes? She is a girl after my own heart and her current favorites are pink sparkly flats, black mary janes and her "Ugg" boots.

10. I love this girl. I could not imagine a world without her in it.

11.12.2010

SHUTTERFLY

I LOVE their photo cards.
They make the kind of cards everyone finds themselves getting in the mail that make you wish you had spent more time on your own cards.
When I sent out Olivia's 1st birthday party invitations - I got a lot of positive feedback!
"Love the paper!"
"Love the matte instead of gloss!"
I still have 5-6 invitations stuck in Olivia's scrapbook. One for keeps and a few to use at a later date.
 My friends thought they were expensive. (I let them believe it.. Oops)
Shutterfly has so many great promotions - that it's easy to justify buying their products.
Examples: Right now they have Free Shipping on orders over $30 and $10 off a $30 purchase (Bonus:: They let you use them at the same time!)
 I hope Olivia looks back at those invitations along with the pictures and is reminded how much I love her.
I use Shutterfly because I'm creating memories. 
Find their Christmas cards HERE!
Looking to create something to last the whole year Find IT.
If you are having trouble figuring out what amazing card to use.. you're not alone. I can't decide either. Happy Holidays!



They are having a great give away for bloggers - 50 free cards! Here

11.05.2010

Emerson

"To laugh often, and much: to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition, or a job well done; to know even one other life has breathed because you lived; this is to have succeeded."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I came across this and it really affected me. It's hard to measure success in your twenties, in a world filled with beauty and horror, it put a few things in perspective. 

Happy Halloween!

 Despite this picture she was not a fan of pumpkins. She was more interested in throwing hers than anything else. And she definitely was not interested in the insides. I can hardly blame her, we both let the cleaning out of the pumpkin to Dada.


After the first two houses Minnie Mouse (sans ears) knew what she was doing! She trick or teated Grandpa's house last and happily put all his candy in her pumpkin :)

11.04.2010

Nothing Cuter.


Look at these two. Olivia's new friend Brandon :)


They are talked to each other alot (in their own baby language).

11.02.2010

NOV 2nd!

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Did everyone see that the SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS won the series last night!?!
Super stoked about that. 2002 is now just a faded memory..

It's ELECTION day!
I hope everyone gets out and votes!
We have the freedom to vote without fear of persecution - cherish it.
Of course I hope you vote for lower taxes (20% of my wages go to taxes - how are families suppose to make it?) and CHANGE (OUT with career politicians) in Washington, D.C.
"Less than 1 vote per precinct was the difference that put Carter in the White House" -- Heard this on NPR yesterday.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS