30 Day Challenge - Day 11

30 Day Challenge - Day 11 - A Picture of Something you Hate

Hate is a strong word and I don't like to use it often. It doesn't roll off my tongue nicely, and I sometimes cringe when I hear it.

But, that being said, there are certainly things (not people) that I hate:

• I hate that there are kids who go hungry each day; in 3rd world countries and in our own communities.
• I hate that there is such thing as animal cruelty and that our shelters are full of deserving animals.
• I hate that there are elderly people, everywhere, who don't have family or friends to visit them.
• I hate cancer.

But I am going to address today's challenge on a much lighter note:

I hate it when people abuse and overuse the "reply all" feature.

I really, seriously, down-to-my-toes hate it! There are certainly times when "reply all" is necessary; my family uses it a lot when we want to include everyone in the conversation. That's fine. However, it certainly should not be used for such things like, "thank you," "congrats," or my personal favorite, "remove me from this list-serve."

It's amazing how much better I feel now that I got that out! That is all!

30 Day Challenge - Day 10

30 Day Challenge - Day 10 - A Picture of the Person you do the Most Messed Up things With

Okay, so, I don't do very many messed up things, but this topic made me laugh and made me think of my BFF Beth. If you've been reading the blog for a while, you have read about Beth and her baby, Sadie.

Beth and I met in college playing softball for Pima. We ended up living together for years and have been through a lot together. During those "living together years" we had a lot of fun. Seriously, A LOT of fun!

We took random trips to Vegas, we colored our hair A LOT, we partied a lot, we laughed a lot, we spent a lot of time on 4th ave...you know, all the usual college stuff.

The rest will stay between us, but here are a couple pictures for your enjoyment:

This one was at my parent's house for some party....I think it was my graduation party? or maybe our softball party? Not sure but from left to right it's: me, Roni, Beth, and Heather.

This one, I think, was at a random P&H party, I think. If you look closely you can see the pink in our hair. I will never forget Coach's reaction when we got on the bus with pink hair! Roni and Heather were also in the picture but I cropped it. I'm pretty sure this picture was taken in the courtyard of Star Ranch where we were living. I'm pretty sure this night was filled with jungle juice...or perhaps that was another night?

Sorry about the flash on this one, but this picture was Halloween. We were Army Chicks, or something. If I remember correctly, Beth got sick that night with a migrain...or pink eye...or something.

Anyway, B, I love you and miss living with you and am so glad we are besties. I will always treasure the memories of the "messed up" things we did and if our daughters only do those things, we will be very lucky!

30 Day Challenge - Day 9

30 Day Challenge - Day 9 - A Picture of the Person who has gotten you through the Most

That was easy! My mama!

30 Day Challenge - Day 8

30 Day Challenge - Day 8 - A Picture that makes you Laugh

Okay, there are others that make me laugh more but I've been wanting to share this one anyway. A few days ago while in time-out in her bedroom Shyla found the baby powder and went to town! We got it cleaned up, but we never found the bottle of powder.

This past weekend she was playing in her room (not in time-out this time) and then came out, leaving a trail behind her and all over her.

She smelled really good the rest of the day!

30 day Challenge - Day 7

30 Day Challenge - Day 7 - A Picture of Your Most Treasured Item

Meet Peaches:

Peaches was given to me by my Grandma Sonntag when I was three years old and when I opened the package I exclaimed, "Peaches and Cream! Just what I always wanted!"

From that day on we were together always. She went on travel with me for vacation and for softball. She made every move with me, even to student housing when in college.

Oh, and she has no neck; a true testament to how much I love her and used to squeeze her in hugs.

Eventually I hope Shyla finds some sort of lovey that she loves the way I do Peaches. So far she is rather uninterested in stuffed animals and blankets.

30 Day Challenge - Day 6

30 Day Challenge - Day 6 - A Picture of Someone You'd Like to Change Places With

When I started thinking about this post, I really couldn't think of anybody with whom I'd like to change places. I really love my life and I am really lucky.

But, this is called a "challenge" for a reason so I knew I had to pick someone. So, as long as it was for just one day, I would change places with Jennifer Anniston.

And all because of her hair.

FGF 3-25-11

So, as I mentioned before, I am incredibly blessed and this week I have 4 things that really made me feel good.

Here they are in reverse order:

4) The UofA beat Duke and is headed to the Elite 8! Both me and my hubby, my sister, and my parents all went to the UofA and it is pretty much understood that our kids will go there too so, bear down cats!

3) Today my husband was moving pavers from the front yard to the backyard. Shyla and I were keeping him company. Two totally cute things happened:

-When I told Shyla "Daddy is moving these blocks to the backyard" she promptly went over and tried, without success, to pick one up to help.

-Once she discovered that she was unable to move Daddy's blocks, she brought her blocks outside and constructed with them while he continued working. Too cute!

2) Today Shyla got two new cousins! Auntie Kirsten delivered identical twin girls (named Simone and Sophia). All are healthy and doing well!

1) We found out on Tuesday that our little fetus is a little girl fetus! We saw her on the ultrasound, sucking her hand, and she appears to be thriving! We couldn't be happier!

Hooray for good news and good feelings! Tomorrow my good friend Emily is coming over for breakfast! Emily lives in Chicago so we don't see her often enough so we are really looking forward to it!

30 Day Challenge - Day 5

30 Day Challenge - Day 5 - A Picture of Your Favorite Memory

Arr! Too many to choose from!

In general, though, many of my favorite memories take place at our family's cabin in Pinetop. Whether we are there in the summer or winter, with family or friends, we always have the best, most relaxing times there.

These pictures are from the last time we were there as a family (way too long ago!) in December 2009.

Our little Shyla May was 7 months old!

Stevie made this fake Dad to throw off the roof to scare my mom!

We took a family picture!

Pancake joined in all the fun!

And my mom and Lilly made this snowman whose head eventually fell off!

My pregnancy and the arrival of Shyla's twin cousins is preventing a summer trip, but we look forward to many more good memories in Pinetop and we thank my parents for holding onto the place!

30 Day Challenge - Day 4

30 Day Challenge - Day 4 - A Picture of your Night

Well, I don't have any pictures of my nights, but I'd love to tell you about them:

Every new mom expects to have a few months of sleepless nights. I was no different. I didn't go into this motherhood thing expecting to maintain my 9-10 hours of beauty rest each night. But...on the other hand, I didn't expect to have 18 months of sleepless nights. Oh well, that's what we got (sidenote: it took us leaving town and leaving Shyla with my parents for the weekend for her to finally sleep through the night, for that I am forever grateful!)

However, just last week (literally 7 days ago) Shyla decided that sleeping through the night was no-bueno. I think she may be having night terrors. She is waking up 2 or 3 times each night screaming "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...." you get the idea. It's been rough, but much better since Stevie has been back in town. Listening to her scream for me, and not being able to do anything about it, is one of the worst feelings I can imagine.

The good thing is that she wakes up as happy as a clam and doesn't seem to remember anything from the night.

So, task #4, that is my night: I go to sleep early because there is no telling what the night will hold in store for you.

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As I was thinking about the post, however, it occurred to me that it could be interpreted as:

30 Day Challenge - Day 4 - A Picture of your Knight

In that case, here you go:

This was before our good friend Brett's wedding last month.

Here's to everyone that reads this getting a good night's sleep.

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

30 Day Challenge - Day 3 - A Picture of the cast of your favorite show

I couldn't choose just one, so here are three:

BH 90201 - I loved this show when I was younger and I love that it is on twice a day on the SOAP network!

My husband and I love Big Brother! It's only on during the summer (and writer strikes) but we have a lot of fun with the 3x/week show! We've been watching since Season 6, I believe.
And if I had to choose just one show, my all-time favorite would be Friends. Nuff said.

Tucson Children's Museum

Shyla and I spent this afternoon at the Tucson Children's Museum with Auntie Beth and Baby Sadie!

Shyla really enjoyed herself, at least until we had to leave!
We had to literally carry her away from the play veggies and fruits (I love the miniature shopping cart, so cute!) However she was referring to everything as an "apple" and got angry with me when I corrected her.
Although Sadie slept through a lot of the visit, she did enjoy looking at herself in the mirror.
Amongst other things, there was a music room.
And even a rope maze.

Thanks, Beth, for the great idea and the change for the parking meter! We look forward to many more play-dates like this!

30 Day Challenge - Day 2

30 Day Challenge - Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest

This is my sister Chelsea:

...After Ragnar, our 203 mile relay race across AZ...

...With me and Shyla last Easter...

...And with me as Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Halloween in 2009.

30 Day Challenge - Day 1

I am going to take on a blogger 30 day challenge. Each day there will be a new "task." They will likely be shorter posts, but there will be one daily so check back often, if you are interested!

PS - I'd love it if some of my blogging friends took on the challenge with me! hint, hint!

30 Day Challenge - Day 1 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts

(that's me on the left)

1. Both my husband and I are native Tucsonans, born at the same hospital, three days apart.

2. I have a slight obsession with Starbucks, not only the coffee but the atmosphere.

3. I was on the 2004 Pima College National Championship Team.

4. I am a daddy's girl.

5. I have completed six half-marathons. And haven't trained for a single one.

6. Traveling out of the country intimidates me, but there are many places in the US I'd love to visit: Bend, New York, San Francisco, Disneyland/world....

7. Most of my best friendships were formed in high school or before.

8. I like to open chip bags from the bottom.

9. I love to snow ski, and have no desire to water ski.

10. I want to learn to sew, how to use sign language, and how to use my new camera.

11. The only thing my husband and I fight about is dirty dishes.

12. I hate clutter, but you probably wouldn't know it by looking at my house.

13. I like to name my animals after food: Pancake, Muffin, Peaches.....

14. I signed a letter-of-intent to play softball for D1 Fresno State, and then backed out of it.

15. I've never had a cavity.

Have you ever....

Question of the day:

Have you ever done this?

Or this?
Or this?
in public?

Okay, technically I haven't either but I did officially split my pants, in public, last Friday at the zoo. Here's my story, sad but true:

On Friday Shyla and I met our really good friends at the zoo: Tessa with Ayden, Alexia with Allessabetta, and Lori with Collin. We had a blast!

About half-way through the trip Shyla decided she wanted to play in the play area. And by "play" I mean scare me half to death. For some unknown reason this particular play area has about a 3 foot drop/jump off. I turned around just in time to see my little daredevil perched on the edge of the drop, knees bent, arms swinging behind her, ready to take the plunge.

So I reacted.

I did just what any other pregnant mother would do...I lunged forward with my right leg, kept my left leg on the ledge and grabbed her little arm. It was beautiful. Except for the sound of the ripping fabric.

Yep, that's right. As my friends were celebrating that I had caught her in the nick of time and commenting on how fearless she is, no one seemed to notice that my purple undies and pale leg was now fully in the open. (Hence, why my situation was different than the pictures above: there was no butt action. It is amazing what "google images" will show you when you search for ripped pants. Consider yourselves warned.)

Eventually I got Tessa's attention and she brought me one of Alexia's baby-blankets to tie around my waste for the remainder of the trip, while Lori watched Shyla (it was a brilliant team effort). We had to go straight home, however, instead of stopping at the grocery store to buy dinner fixins'.

All in all, a very memorable trip to the zoo. When are we going back?

Big Steve & Pop's Birthday Celebration! (& UofA game)

As I was typing the title of this post, I realized I didn't get any pictures of either of the birthday boys. Geez, someone fire the photographer!

Anyway, this afternoon we had a lovely birthday celebration for Big Steve and for Grandpa Pop. There was also a UofA game (they won!)

Before we get to that, though, I should probably give a "shout-out" to my husband for winning this trophy in 8th grade for being the best student-athlete. Big Steve has been doing his own Spring Cleaning and coming up with all sorts of stuff for Stevie! I'm a proud wife!

So, yes, there was cake. No, Lilly didn't make this cake no matter what she tries to tell you. This was our 3rd celebration for Big Steve's birthday and his 3rd cake! There was also neopoliten ice cream which Shyla ate with her hands instead of her spoon.

There was ample playtime in Happy Land! We were so happy that Anne, Ira, and Benny were able to come to the party and Benny had a great time in Happy Land!

Shyla, too, enjoyed herself and made it all the way across the balance beam!

Lilly and Zac posed for quite possibly one of the cutest pictures of all time. I guess with shots like this the photographer can have her job back.

Happy belated birthday to Grandpa Steve and happy early birthday to Grandpa Pop! Thanks for celebrating with us!

Visitors from The Sunshine State

A few weeks ago was Big Steve's birthday! His sister, Marybeth, and her husband Jim came in for a visit from Florida.

We were delighted to be able to visit with them and so happy that they were able to come all this way!

On Steve's birthday we had them over for a Lenten dinner of salmon! And, of course, playtime in the backyard followed by chocolate ice cream cake that got all over everything!

Shyla, Grandpa Steve, Marybeth, and Jim.

We hope they enjoyed their visit as much as we enjoyed seeing them. And we'd like to thank them again for the Donald Duck Bunny toy they brought Shyla! She loves it and plays with it almost everyday!

FGF 3-18-11

This evening we had our good friends Becky and Andy over for dinner (a good, Lenten meal of spinach lasagna, bread, salad, and strawberries). Becky and Andy live in Oregon. We don't see each other nearly enough and we don't talk often enough either, try as we might.

Becky and I go way back....to sophomore year spanish class. We also lived together in college and were in each other's weddings.

Shyla was a really good girl, especially considering she opted out of her afternoon nap for the first time. She took a liking to both Becky and Andy right away. In fact, with the two of them around she didn't want me to do anything for her! She wanted Becky to change her diaper... and help her from her high-chair.... amongst other things.

And she thought having Andy read to her was really funny! He was also the only one who could make the bubbles work!

Thanks, A & B for coming over tonight and for taking such good care of my girl!

***Those of you who'd like to hear about me splitting my pants today at the zoo, check back tomorrow. You won't be disappointed.

The Woman I have become...

Little girls always envision what they will be like when they are older. Perhaps I have selective memory, but this is what I remember from those visions, for better or for worse.

I was going to be married to a great guy.

Check.

I think being married to my husband is amazing. He works hard to make me happy and he's a great daddy. If Shyla finds a husband that is anything like her daddy, she will be in great shape.

I was going to be a mommy.

Check.

Soon to be double-check.

How many checks will there be in the end? Most likely only 2. But 2 is a good number and only time will tell.

I was going to be a teacher.

Check.

I'm still not sure if I wanted to be a teacher only because that was what I knew. I enjoyed school and I wanted to help others enjoy school. I have learned that it is harder work than I ever realized with less praise, but I have also learned that the schedule is pretty good for raising children (especially easy for me to say right now since I am on spring break.)

I was going to drive a SUV.

Check.

I always resolved to NOT drive a mini-van, but I knew I would need a large car. Truthfully I always envisioned it being red, but close enough.

I was going to always have perfectly manicured nails.

Weird, I know, but I always thought that would be the case. This, unfortunately, is a serious no-check.

I was going to be that mom who did laps around the park while her kids attended practice.

Semi-check.

Shyla doesn't have practice yet but the un-pregnant me does a lot of laps around the park and I look forward to making this a full check within the next few years.

I was going to have matching drinking glasses.

Check.

Not sure why this was important to me (other than the fact that my family never used matching glasses) but we do have a nice set of glasses.

I was never going to worry about my weight, because I would easily be fit all the time.

Un-check and bummer.

I will always have to work hard at it, and I'm looking forward to doing that in about 5 months.

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I'm sure there was more that I envisioned, but that's all I can remember for now. When I think of my life the word "lucky" comes to mind. I always try to replace that word with "blessed" or even "deserved" when I am feeling vain, but I must say that I have been very lucky.

When I start to feel envious of others, I simply look around at what I have. Because I have it all.

Easter Pictures!

Yesterday I took Shyla to have professional pictures done for Easter. Shyla is not easy to photograph. She is so beautiful and so animated, but she also gets overwhelmed and timid in front of strangers and in new environments.

It took all my strength to get her cookie away from her and then her binky away. The photographer did a great job with what she had to work with.

Here are some of my favorites, with the exception of my most very favorites which I ordered.

Enjoy!

Jumping, hoping, jumping!

"uh, oh!"

This looks like a head-shot for a model's portfolio!