Regrets & Resolutions...

So with the New Year right around the corner, I've been spending the last few weeks reflecting on 2009 and looking ahead to 2010. I read a recent article that talked about regrets and it got me thinking about the things in my life that I would like a "do-over" for or need to apologize for since I don't think people should live with regrets... I've also included some of my resolutions for 2010...

1. I really regret not fully appreciating my HOT pre-baby body when I had it!! Looking back on pictures now, I remember always thinking to myself I needed to loose about 5 pounds... BOY- was I delusional!?! I WAS F***ING HOT IN MY HAY DAY!! What I wouldn't give to look like that again! If I could go back, I would probably walk around naked a lot more & have sex with the lights on... in front of a big mirror! LOL ;)

So my resolution for 2010 is to continue to loose my pregnancy weight and to get in better shape. I only have about 10 more pounds to go but I'd like to be more active in 2010. I want to exercise, start doing Pilates again, and walk at least 30 minutes on the treadmill 3 times a week.


2. I'd like to apologize to my vagina! ;) Those 9months leading up to the delivery of my sweet baby girl, I had no idea truly what would be in store for you! I'm sorry I neglected you towards those last few months of my pregnancy {I guess when my ever-growing belly expanded to the point I could no longer see you, I forgot about you :( }. At the time, being on bed rest & barely having the strength to stand up in the shower for 10minutes- much less taking an extra 5min to shave, groom & trim my legs or "my lady" on a regular basis was not really at the top of my priority list and honestly didn't really bother me at the time {I had way too many other things to worry about}... but looking back now, those gruelling 6 hours in labor, legs spread wide open under those bright hospital spotlights shining where the sun is not supposed to shine, was not at all how I wanted "my lady" to have her big debut!... On that note, I should also apologize to all the nurses & doctors who had to stare at my "not camera ready va-jay-jay" for hours and hours while I pushed a life out of it!

So in 2010 I'll be sure to keep "the little lady" in immaculate order for all close-ups! :) LOL... seriously, I do want to take better care of myself this new year. I feel I do a good job when it comes to taking care of my skin on a daily basis, drinking a lot of water, & eating fairly healthy but in 2010 I'm going to make sure I get more massages, facials, & pedicures (tough work right! ;) ... I also need to make sure I go to the dentist & doctor on a regular basis for normal check-ups & cleanings...


3. I bought A LOT of crap in 2009 that I really didn't need!... Going through my closet this year made me realize I seriously need to stop buying clothes (and purses, and shoes, and make-up, etc...boy I could go on & on). I basically need to stop wasting money!! So my resolution for the new decade is to be smarter with my purchases & with our finances. Now, I didn't say I was going to stop shopping ;)... I'm just going to think more carefully before I buy... Having a little baby, definitely helps puts certain things into perspective so before I make a purchase I am going to try to say this affirmation:
"My family is more important than stuff! Will this thing I want to buy move me closer to the vision I have for my family, my home, my marriage, or will it move me farther away from that?"...


4. There are a few times in 2009 where I didn't think before I spoke. Sometimes my mouth & attitude gets me in trouble ;)... I'm also a very honest person (which is a good thing) & don't hide my disapproval for certain things but sometimes with my honesty I think I can be a little harsh... so going in to the new decade I'm going to try really hard to be a lot nicer. {I said TRY!} LOL I'm also going to try and not judge people!... Wish me luck with this one, cause I'll probably forget about this resolution by the end of the week! ;)


5. Another thing I plan to do in 2010, is to live more in the moment & enjoy life... I'm the type of person who while doing one thing, is thinking about the 10 other things that need to be done next. So this new year, I hope to be more "present" in my life. I want to soak up all those special moments I have with my sweet husband, baby girl, family, and friends while I can and learn to not sweat the small stuff.

SO that's it... bring it on 2010!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! MAY IT BE A BLESSED NEW DECADE FOR US ALL!!!

30 Things you may not know about me...

1. I am an only child & a little spoiled

2. I am deathly afraid of snakes! I can't even look at them on TV without freaking out!

3. I can't swim... and don't really care to learn

4. I am anal-obsessive about organizing my closet! Everything has to face the same way & is arranged by color then by sleeve length. ;) ... and no wire hangers allowed!

5. I watch WAY too much TV, especially reality TV!

6. I'll knock your grandma down to get home in time to watch Gossip Girl or the Real Housewives!! >=]

7. I love to sing & dance! I sing & hum all day long but hate to sing in front of people other than hubs & baby girl.

8. The smell of fresh herbs (especially basil) makes me happy.

9. I am a total germ-a-phob!

10. My dream job is to be a fashion stylist like Rachel Zoe!... or to own my own wedding dress shop!

11. My favorite pizza is Margherita from California Pizza Kitchen with a little sprinkling of red pepper flakes... Mmmmm!!!

12. I am the most impatient person you'll ever meet!...

13. And stubborn too!!!

14. Mani/pedis make me uncomfortable!

15. I would love to grow my own fruits & vegetables but I kill everything!

16. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all things Christmas!!!!... I listen & sing xmas carols all year long & love wrapping presents! I can totally see myself getting a part-time job as one of those elves in the mall that wrap gifts all day long! What a merry little job!

17. I threw up in front of everyone on the first day of 2nd grade all over my pink dress when the teacher asked me my name!... My friend, Suzanne, and I would still laugh about that over a decade and a half later!

18. I don't know who my biological father is...

19. I am so scared & have anxiety that all the people I care about will leave me someday so I have a hard time getting close to people... (I'm no psychiatrist but it's probably because of #18)...

20. I am obsessed with my iPhone!

21. I'm afraid of heights.

22. I love playing boardgames!

23. I refuse to watch scary movies! I even look away during some scary movies comercials.

24. I was on the cross country team in high school for a day!

25. I still sleep with my "blankie" from when I was a baby.

26. I don't like talking on the phone unless I'm sitting in traffic.

27. I'm clostraphobic when it comes to certain things... I can't stand having my bed sheets tucked in, don't like wearing necklaces, or even like being hugged for too long because I feel trapped & suffocated.

28. It takes me a really long time to fall asleep.

29. I'm afraid of the dark.

30. I have a scar on the top of my right foot from when I fell off my Strawberry Shortcake bicycle when I was 4 years old.


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Black Friday Update

So let me update you all on how my Black Friday shopping went...
On Thanksgiving night, I had gone through all the Black Friday sales ads & determined Target was going to be my early morning destination when the doors opened at 5:00am. They had the Bissell steam mop I wanted marked down from $100 to only $50!! It was one of their early morning doorbuster deals!... I was so pumped!

On Friday morning, I happily woke up at 4:00am threw on my clothes & contacts, brushed my teeth & headed out the door coffee in hand. Since the Hubs & I were out of town visiting family for Thanksgiving, I didn't know my way around but my trusty iPhone's turn-by-turn directions were a breeze to follow so I found my destination without any problems! :) The whole way there, I was so excited! I was listening to Xmas music, drinking my coffee & eating the pumpkin spice muffins I baked the day before we left. I was in a great mood for it to be so darn early! It took everything I had not to speed because I couldn't wait to get my shopping started! I was SO excited!!

I got to Target 30min before they opened at 5:00am and the line when I got there was literally a football field long! But I merrily walked to the back of the line & stood in the freezing cold & waited patiently for the doors to open... :)
When 5:00am hit, the line moved fairly quickly & I was in the store with cart in hand by 5:05am.
Since it was an unfamiliar Target, I didn't quite know the layout so I had to ask for help... I got to the right aisle where the steam mops are and this is what I see...



ALL SOLD OUT!!!!! And it was only 10min after the doors opened!! I had been defeated!! (let's face it, this whole Black Friday madness is all about the thrill of the hunt!)...
I was SO disappointed! On the empty shelf, you could see they probably could only fit 4-5 boxes in that empty space! I was SO irriated!
Then I looked for the steam carpet cleaner & that Target didn't even carry the one I wanted... Ughhhh.....
I made my way to the toy section (which was complete madness!) to get the things on my list for Anniston. None of it was on sale-of course! I grabbed her Learning Purse, a DVD for my niece & some wrapping paper & made my way to the checkout... I had lost my mojo & it wasn't even 6:00am! At that point, there was nothing else worth fighting the crazies over. I just wanted to get back in bed & snuggle with my hubby & little lady...
I got to the express checkout line which didn't seem too long but after standing there for 30-45min I realized people from the next line over were cutting into our line halfway up! >=[
At that point I contemplated just throwing my stuff down & not buying anything at all but I could not, NOT participate in Black Friday!! I HAD to purchase something!!.. It was tradition!! And I had waited in line for this long, I needed something to show for my troubles!...
So waiting in line an hour & a half later... I FINALLY get checked out & I'm on my way back to the hotel before 7:00am... With far less shopping bags than previously planned...
As I'm pulling into the hotel, I get a phone call from my friends Stephanie & Beth who were at the Nashville Target... And they had the steam mop I wanted!!! So they got one for me... And one for each of them too!! YAY!! We had been twittering each other all morning so they knew about my steam mop devistation so they came & saved the day! LOL! :)

P.S. I found Anniston's pink activity center the other day on Amazon.com for 1/2 what the stores retail it for plus free shipping! (-thanks Brandon for the tip)... I'll definitely be doing more Amazon shopping in the future!!
And as for that Tea Set, I got it at Target the day before Thanksgiving cause it was on sale then... So now I just need to get my carpet cleaner & Christmas will be saved! ;)





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My humbled thanks...

The Hubs and I went to the Goodwill last week to buy some tacky Christmas clothes for our annual tacky sweater party. While I was there I couldn't help but notice all the people doing their regular shopping- especially the kids who were picking out toys, clothes, & winter jackets... It was very humbling!
After we left & were in the car, I looked at my husband, squeezed his hand real tight & told him how thankful I was for the life we have been blessed with!
Ever since then & with Thanksgiving coming up, I have thought a lot about the things in my life that I am thankful for...

1. I am so thankful that my husband, baby, and I are togethet & healthy!

2. Thank the Lord my sweet baby girl is growing & thriving every day! I love her so much & feel so blessed to get to be her mommy!

3. Not a day goes by that I don't feel so thankful to be married to such an amazing man! When I think he just can't get any sweeter, he does! I am so thankful that we found eachother... and that he puts up with my sassy attitude!

4. I am thankful to be able to be a stay-at-home mom! I don't thank my husband enough for allowing me to have this gift & providing such a secure life for me & baby!

5. Thank goodness my grueling pregnancy is OVER!! No more throwing up everyday, no more being in the hospital on bedrest, no more hospital food, needles, or bedpans and I can even see my "va-jay-jay" again! (I sure missed you gurl! )

6. I am thankful to have such honest & caring friends! I feel so blessed to have longtime friends like Jana, Elicia & Crystal who have been there for me through my ups & downs over the years & who I know I can go to for anything.
I am thankful for my new growing friendships with Beth & Stephanie. Over the past couple years they have shown me what caring & thoughtful people they are.
I am also thankful to have MY Rhiannon back in my life and that we get to share our lives & babies together!

7. I am thankful to have such a wonderful family to spend the Holidays with! With my side of the family living so far away, we don't get to see eachother that much so it's nice to always have a place to go for the holidays and feel so welcome!

8. Thank God I don't have psycho in-laws! LOL! The "Weber" side of the family is actually more relaxing to be around than my loud & looney family! ;)... & I have the nicest Mother-in-law in the world! I've heard horror stories of MILs gone crazy so I really lucked out with mine!

9. I am thankful for my iPhone!! & my DVR!! (I love you guys!)

10. I am thankful that I get to put out all my Christmas decorations this weekend & I have a roof over my head to put them in!

I know there is SO much more I could write about that I am thankful for but I'll leave it at these 10 for now!
What are you all thankful for this year!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My 2nd favorite day of the year...

It's almost that time of year again!!!... We are just a few days away from one of my favorite days of the year... The day after Thanksgiving (aka BLACK FRIDAY)!!

I LOOOOOVE BLACK FRIDAY!!!!! Its the only day I am more than happy to wake up at 3:00-4:00am to fight big crowds, long lines, & deal with no customer service... WHAT A FUN DAY!!!

For the first time ever, this year I will be venturing out into the unknown all by lonesome!!! Since we have a little preemie princess baby that cannot do big crowds of craziness, the Hubs has volunteered to stay with her while I celebrate my 2nd favorite day of the year (my 1st favorite is Christmas! ;)... which means I will be UNSUPERVISED!!! {Oh Lordy- watch out!!}

For those that do not know me very well, I have a bit of a shopping problem!... Okay, a BIG shopping problem!!!... bottle that up with a good sale = absolutely no self control!! {Don't worry though- no credit cards allowed in our house!} :)

I do, however, always have a "hit list" of items I am on the hunt for each year {meaning: I will elbow a girl in the face if she gets in my way} ;)

These are the main things on my list this merry little shopping day...

1. Steam Mop-I've got my eye on a couple different ones, but one thing's for sure is I HAVE TO HAVE ONE!... The thought of my sweet girl crawling around on the floor has me obsessed with getting my floors & carpets as clean as possible & without the use of harsh or smelly chemicals! I stumbled upon steam mops when I was searching for a Steam Carpet cleaner... and I hate the sticky residue my Swifer Wet Jet leaves... my floors never really seem clean unless I get down on my hands & knees and scrub!... The steam mops just use water & heats the steam to over 200 degrees to kill 99.9% of germs!

These are the two I'm considering... The Haan or a Bissell... (If anyone out there has one or has an opinion, please let me know!)

2. Steam Carpet Cleaner- My friend has this one & LOVES it!... and the regular price is only $80 so if it's on sale on Friday I'll be doing the happy chicken dance all the way to the cash register! :)

And of course I can't forget my sweet little girl's first Christmas!... These are on my shopping list on Friday too for her Christmas presents...

3. This pink activity center

4. Fisher-Price Learning Purse (every girl needs a purse that talks & sings right!?)

5. Fisher-Price Say Please Tea set


{I think I'll have just as much fun with the last 2 things as she will!!} ;)

I'll be sure to let you guys know how successful my day was! Oh, and if you see me coming GET OUT THE WAY! >=[ ... Heehee LOL :) j/k

But I'M not ready...

So my little girl turned 4months old this week!! My, my time is just flying by! She is getting SO big!!!... I know the time is here that we need to move my sweet little baby girl out of the bassinet she sleeps in inside our bedroom and move her into her crib down the hall...



I didn't expect how hard this was going to be for me!?... I always thought that around the 3 month mark was when we would start transitioning her into her own room, then 3 months came and went and I just couldn't do it... I wouldn't even humor my husband with a discussion about it... I just said I'm not ready and my sweet husband politely dropped it....



Since I'm mainly the one getting up with her at night, it's just easier for her to be within an arm's reach away... but aside from the convenience of it, I just love having my little girl so close!... I love that I can just roll over and touch her and that I can hear her breathing in the middle of the night... but most of all I love it when my husband leaves for work and moves her into the bed with me. Her & I will usually stay in bed til 9:00-10:00 and for those 2 hours we are together are some of my favorite moments of our day... just nursing & napping together... I love it that every time when she wakes me up from our early morning nap, I just look over and she is smiling at me with the biggest, tooth-less grin!... She is SO happy in the mornings! We'll lay there together in the bed for a few minutes just talking & giggling before we start our day.



But now the topic is being raised again because she is getting too big to sleep in her bassinet now... if we waited until she could no longer fit in her bassinet, then I have probably a few more weeks, but in all honesty I know it's not going to be any easier the longer we wait... I've been joking with my husband that we should just move her crib in our room! ;)

... But I guess I'm going to suck it up and be a big girl... to her crib she will go!... I'll let you all know how that works out for me & her ;)

Prematurity Awareness Day

Today is Prematurity Awareness Day. All day I have been reminiscing & looking at pictures from when my sweet little baby girl was born.




Anniston was born 6 weeks premature and only weighed 4lbs 15oz! She was born just shy of 34 weeks & had to stay in the NICU for 12 days. Looking back now, those 12 days while she was in the NICU were some of the most emotional & grueling times in my life.

In honor on Prematurity Awareness Day, the March of Dimes has asked bloggers to share their story... so here is mine about the emotional roller coaster a parent can go through when their sweet baby is born entirely too soon...




When you give birth to a little baby, you are filled with so many emotions... happiness, joy, excitement... but when you have just given birth to a premature baby, your happiness is a little clouded with worry, concern, and SO many questions {Will my baby be okay? Is this a life-threatening issue? Will there be any side effects as a result of being born early? How do I care for a preemie when I barely know how to care for a healthy baby?}





Being pregnant, you create this life inside of you & carry it around everyday for months... you and your baby grow together with every kick, every trip to the bathroom, and every hiccup... that baby IS a part of you... then the day comes that you have dreamed about for so long. You FINALLY get to meet that little person you helped create & spent hours in labor trying to bring into this world... and then, like a flash, you get a quick glimpse of her and then she's taken away... to the NICU... and your left feeling so empty and uncertain...





I remember my first trip to visit her in the NICU after she was born... it was HOURS after delivery, I was tired & in pain... I turned the corner to see my sweet baby girl and she was covered in wires, monitoring devices, & an IV. She had a bandage on her foot from where they drew blood. There was tape-residue on her sweet little face because she riped off her feeding tube... it was a sight the entire time being pregnant that I did not picture for my sweet baby... it is a sight you don't wish any parent to see...





The days following are still so vivid... I remember being released from the hospital and having to leave her there while I went home empty-handed. My sister-in-law came to pick me up & I cried basically the whole way home & until my husband got home from work... I remember being in so much pain the days to follow because I refused to take my pain medicine so I could drive to the hospital to be with my little girl... I was there every day... most days I spent just sitting in front of her incubator while she slept just staring at her and crying...





I remember the feeling when out of no where, the alarms on her heart monitor would go off & in seconds being surrounded by nurses and all I could do was stand there completely helpless just praying "Please God! Please get her heart rate back up!"... I will probably never forget the sound of those alarms...





I remember the first time getting to hold her... I was filled with so many emotions that my hands were trembling & being so scared because she was so tiny! I remember how painful it was for me to hold her because I was still not healed after delivery & being on bed rest for so long but I was determined to hold her as long as they would let me no matter how bad I was hurting...





I will always remember that feeling of NOT being able to hold her too!! Having to be at home while she had to stay in the NICU was like being in my own prison... I remember spending a lot of time at home sitting in her nursery in the rocking chair, listening to a lullaby CD, & looking at her pictures on my phone... I remember how it felt the times that I WAS allowed to hold her in the NICU... that feeling of being watched while trying to bond with your new baby... I couldn't wait to bring her home just so I could finally cuddle my sweet little baby girl without someone looking over my shoulder... That's probably why I spend most of my days now holding her, hugging her, kissing her, & smelling her because I know that feeling of not getting to do those things...



I know all these bittersweet memories I have of Anniston in the beginning weeks of her life are things that I will always remember and feelings I do not wish a parent ever to experience... We are so blessed that our sweet little preemie will be 4months old this week & doing well but the sad truth is that 1 in 8 babies born in the U.S. are born premature and that premature birth is the #1 killer of newborns. Please donate to the March of Dimes (http://www.marchofdimes.com/) to help them improve the health of babies who are born to soon so that a parent never has to have these feelings again...