Random Nothings

I got discouraged.  I had this great post all written out, with links and pictures and everything.  And then I deleted it.  I didn't mean to.  But, it made me really mad.

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In other news, we got a new entertainment center last night.  Holy assembly nightmare. It took around 6 hours to put together, but we got it done.  Even though, they sent us two left legs! 

I like it a lot. It looks a little odd in our living room right now.  We have what I lovingly refer to as hobo furniture. It's all hand me downs that don't go together and are looking a little sad.  So, even though this is the only piece of  black furniture in the room right now, it's definitly the direction we're going.  I love it so much!

Now, I just need to figure out the best way to style it.

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I'm so disappointed.  I ordered Aurora's Year 2 photo book last week and it looks like it is not going to get here before her birthday party.  I thought it would be really great for all of our birthday guests to be able to look through it an reminisce.  Oh well. 

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Only 2 days of work left before Thanksgiving and the 4 day weekend that accompanies it.  I am so stinking excited.  My job only offers vacation time after a year's employment.  So, for the past 10 months I have had no time off to speak of.  Going from being a stay-at-home-mom to working full time with no paid time off has been a huge adjustment.  Especially for someone who likes her sleep as much as I do.

Jaymes has promised, since he is blessed with 2 sleep-in days everyweek, to let me sleep in every day this weekend.  There is one thing about me that has never changed, no matter how many mornings I have to get up for work or how many times Aurora gets me up too early, I love sleep.  No seriously. I would almost always rather be sleeping.

Quick Note

Holy Macaroni!

I need to figure out this whole blog layout thing.

Mine is looking pretty sad.

Here. This is cute to look at.  Forgive me.

Almost 2 Years Old. Help me.

My goodness.

Aurora is turning 2 in 9 days.  Let's just let that sink in.

I can't believe it's been so long.  It feels like I was just pregnant with her.  Let's not even focus on the fact that I haven't lost my baby weight yet.  I should really get on that.

She is so much fun!

As much Mommy-guilt as I've had this year, I really think that putting her in daycare was the best thing for her. A year ago, she wasn't even speaking yet. Now, she won't shut up! haha

Here is a list of all the new things Aurora has learned in just the last month or so:
-All of her colors. Wow.
-How to count to ten. Most of the time.
-Basic shapes.
-Starting to get her letters.  She has A, B, C, F, M and O down pat.

I work with her a lot at home but I think the daycare has to get most of the credit here.  I have never been a good teacher. I struggle with how to present things in an efficient way.

My favorite thing she does right now is how she asks "What happened?"  Whenever, there is a strange noise, or something falls or doesn't work.  It cracks me up!

 

She's just the bee's knees.

Motivation: Such an Aggravation

I have no motivation.  It's a problem.

Sometimes, all is good and the house is put together, the baby's happy and dressed, I'm caught up on school and I look presentable.  Actually, for awhile there, this was the norm.  I was cooking dinner every night and even baking!

Then, there are days like today.

The baby never got dressed.  I got her out of her pajamas, but somehow she never quite made it into clothes.  She just hung out in a diaper all day.  She didn't seem to mind.

While she never went hungry today, I got lazy and didn't give her any solids at lunch, just formula.

I have a mountain of homework due on Sunday, but I can't bring myself to start.

I've had a document open on my desktop for an entire week, where I started revising my resume.  I haven't touched it in days.

The kitchens a mess.

And while I did cook dinner tonight, I went the easy route and just made spaghetti.  Even though I told Jaymes that I would make shredded beef, I didn't. 

In fact, I've put off making shredded beef for so many days now that I'm worried the meat has gone bad.

I haven't showered in 3 days.  That's embarrassing.  But, to be honest, I haven't left the house in longer than that.

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Jaymes is trying hard to convince me to go see the new Harry Potter movie tomorrow. I would love to go! I haven't missed an opening day of a Harry Potter movie ever. But, I'd have to go by myself. Jaymes would have to stay home with Aurora. I don't know if I want to go to a movie alone. I wonder if it will even be fun...

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I was so proud of little girl today!  She actually ate one of her sweet potato puffs!  I've been giving them to her for about a month now and whenever they make it into her mouth she makes a horrible face and spits them out.  But, tonight she popped one in there and mushed it up like a champ!



Aurora is getting so good at standing that Jaymes and I decided the time had come to move her mattress down.  Her crib doesn't look like a little baby's bed anymore.  But, seeing her peering over the rails is absolutely adorable!!



Jaymes had an inventive solution to Aurora's constant exploration.

What I'm Loving Right Now

I am so incredibly infatuated with my family right now.



My beautiful daughter seems to be changing every day.  I'm afraid if I blink I'll miss it!

I love her bedhead in the morning.  When she first wakes up and her eyes are still droopy and she has sleep crusties in her eyes.  Ah.  So sweet.


I love the way she's exploring now!  She's trying to pull up on everything!!



I love the moments she has with her Daddy.  For the record, she never sleeps on my chest.  This chick is so not a cuddler.  She doesn't like to be rocked to sleep or held very much, but somehow last night while I was out of town Jaymes got some cuddles.



She was fascinated by the fish at the pet store.  We've added the Shedd Aquarium to our itinerary for our vacation to Chicago.  I hope it's a big hit!

I even love this guy.  Even though he gets on my very last nerve all day!!



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Aurora had her first big boo-boo this weekend.  She was pulling up to stand on the wall and her hands slipped and she hit the wall hard with her face.  I was sitting right next to her, but I wasn't quick enough. 

Now, don't get me wrong.  We're getting used to Aurora bumping her head and falling down.  It seems to come with the territory of getting older and learning how to get around.  But, this time she was just in the wrong place to be falling.  I should have realized that it was dangerous.  The wall that she was pulling up on is the wall that houses the big A/C vent, so when she fell into the wall she fell into the top of the vent where a poky screw lay in wait. 

When I scooped her up, she had a screw shaped dent in her forehead.  It was terrifying!  I just kept imaging that she would have this horrible screw shaped scar for the rest of her life.  I ruined her flawless face at only 7 months!! 

In hysteria I called Jaymes home from work.  I didn't know if we should take her to the ER or not.  It was a Sunday and I couldn't call the Pediatrician for advice.  But, by the time he made it home and we cleaned off her forehead, it was obvious that the wound was no where near ER worthy.  There was only a pinprick sized open spot and otherwise it was just scratched. We watched her very closely for a few hours before she napped to make sure she hadn't hit her head too hard.



Now, she's been sporting an adorable tiny band aid on her forehead.  I doubt she even needs it, but I don't want her boo-boo to get infected.

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Overall, life is good. 

Over the weekend we drove down to Grove to see Jaymes's Dad, Step mom and sister.  They've just opened a franchise of CheeZies's Pizza.  It was a quick visit and they were SO busy, but it was really fun!

The took us to this really yummy Mexican restaurant for dinner and I loved it so much that Jaymes and I went back the next day for lunch!

I had to drive back home to Joplin to take my Senior Major Assessment Test last night.  It's one of the very last things I have to do before I am finished with my degree.  The test was simple and quick so I was able to go and spend a little time with my family.  My mother made meatloaf.   My favorite! 

It was so strange to be away from Aurora.  I don't miss many of her bedtimes, so that was a little hard, but Jaymes did a great job.  Actually, I think he kind of loved being at home by himself with Aurora.  That never happens!  Mostly, because I have no where to go!

So, life is good.  I'm loving it!

Independence Day

Aurora's first Independence Day was pretty awesome.

At first it was tiring.

I spent weeks picking out a cute outfit and making a matching hair bow.  She kept spitting up all over the outfit and ripping up the hair bow.  But, I guess that's just motherhood.



The hair bow I made.  It's pretty giant.  But, it's only the second one I've made.

But, then the day turned for the better.  Aurora pulled up for the first time!!  I swear she's doing something new every day!! It's so exciting!



When Jaymes got home we took off for Freedom Fest!  It was a disappointment.  It was a million degrees and there was not an inch of shade to be seen!  There wasn't anything that Aurora (or Jaymes and I) would enjoy.

We left and went out to dinner.  We went to Cheddar's, one of our favorites, and went all out!  Apps, entrees, dessert, even a virgin daiquiri! Yum!

When it was starting to get dark we headed back to the festival.  We laid out our blankets and waited for the show to start.

We were so nervous that Aurora would be scared of the fireworks, but she wasn't!  She LOVED them!!  She also loved all of the glow sticks that kids were playing with.

After, an hour of barely moving traffic we made it home exhausted.  We all fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.



As an added bonus, Jaymes got up with the baby today.  Ahhh.

Happy 4th of July!!

Feeling Very Lucky Tonight

I am in love.

Often I get too caught up with the worst parts of my day.  I focus on Aurora's whining, Jaymes being late, Stanley having an accident, Loretta jumping on the counter for the 80th time... and I miss out on all the good stuff.

Today was full of good stuff.



Aurora let me sleep in until 8:30.
Jaymes got home 2 and a half hours early.
Aurora crawled! 
Not just a few feet, but all across the room and into the hallway. 
It was amazing, and Jaymes was home for it!
We took a big family nap in our room.  Dreamy.
Aurora crawled right to me when I put my hands out and then was so excited when she reached me. 
That's some good stuff.



What a great day!

This Forth of July is one of the first holidays that Jaymes, Aurora and I are spending on our own.  We plan on attending FreedomFest and watching the fireworks.

I'm excited to see Aurora's reaction to the fireworks.  My guess is that she won't be a huge fan.

But, it should be fun to watch!