Shootin' The Poop

Stuff

Remember when I was telling y'all about how I've been running? Well, a few weeks later and surprisingly I haven't given it up yet! I am dragging my feet on buying a gym membership and also buying some new running shoes because I swear it always seems like I go off and spend money on stuff for my new "hobbies" and then they go out the door! Anyhow, I'm up to running 22 minutes straight and actually starting to enjoy my runs! There are a few of us at work who are participating in a fitness challenge and have been spending our lunch hours in the gym. It's so much easier to stay focused with friends helping you along! Also awesome is that I totally scored at Target the other night. I've been wanting a jogging stroller but haven't wanted to spend a lot on it. I found a decent one on clearance for $25 - regular price $100. YAHOO!

I also wanted to post a few pictures from Abbie's birthday party at the zoo. All of the kids had such a great time - it was so fun! These kids are hilarious when they get together. I love that they're finally at the age where they're interacting so much with each other and being so cute!

And lastly, a few pictures of Maddie clowning around and catching air outside a few weeks ago!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Ferdie was walking around with out his shirt last night and Marley said, "Daddy, I can see your pimples!"  And then she proceeded to pull up her shirt to show him her "pimples"!

CHEEEESE!

This kid is killing me!  Maddie spent the entire weekend with gross baby poop.  Finally that is pretty much done with and now she has a cold.  BOOOOO!  Hopefully she gets over this quick because I feel so bad when she's all stuffed up.  I owe all three of you who read this a seriously long post but sadly today won't be the day.  MK and I are overwhelmed with work right now as our huge special event is this weekend.  I have a bunch of pictures from Abbie's party at the zoo.  The kids had so much fun!

Here's a video of Maddie from a few weeks ago.  She's such a ham!  She now sorts of gets what the camera does and everytime she sees it she gets the cheesiest smile on her face and says "cheese"!  Hilarious!

Cheese! from Nicole on Vimeo.

B'day Wrap Up

First, I want to thank all of you for the B'day wishes and thank my "Girls" for THE.BEST.GIFT.EVER!! 

B'day festivities started out Friday night at Pierce Street Annex for a combined B'day party (of sorts).  My Hubby's B'day was the 15th as was our friend Michelle's.  We ended up with a group of about 12 or so and we had a good time.  Thanks for making it out Sammy!  My husband had a little more fun than I though he would so I had to be the responsible driver.  (Why can't we just be $$ and have a driver when we want one?!?)

Saturday we were lucky enough to join Abbie at the Zoo for her 2nd B'day.  She was such a good girl, so much going on, no nap, and still in good spirits.  Marley had a blast and we even got her on the elephant this time!  After the Zoo it was straight to the in-law's for a B'day Dinner for me n' Ferdie.  After that it was on to the Clipper Game.  By the time we got there I was ready to leave, I was SO BEAT!  We made it to 1/2 time before heading home.  I'm sorry we left, we had nice seats in a Suite and the game was a good one, it even went into overtime.

Sunday was brunch at Taps.  Marley's favorite!  Mine too!  Funny how that happens, isn't it?  Then it was off to Pechanga.  Ferdie and I went for a few hours and came home with more than we came with, so it was a good day.

Monday?  Work, nothing exciting.

Yesterday, I took the day off to go run errands with Ferdie.  We are working on something pretty big for him that requires a lot of OFFICIAL paper work.  So we spent time at the DMV and Social Security Office.  Not my idea of fun, but it was great to spend the day with my honey!  A nice dinner at Claim Jumper topped off my day.  So there you have it a re-cap of the 4th Anniversary of my 29th B'day!

Happy Birthday Andrea!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!  You deserve it!  We love you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Abbie!

I can't believe that you are 2 today!  My mind has a hard time wrapping around the idea.  Where is my little baby?  All I see now is a beautiful, funny and independent toddler.  You fill my heart and life with laughter and love each day (Your Mom is a huge sap so get used to it).  Thank you for all your hugs and kisses and letting me be your Mom.  I wouldn't want any other girl but you.  You have brought your Daddy and I closer and truly created our family.  I can't wait to see you with your brother so soon.  Happy Birthday baby!  Your Mommy loves you with all that she is! I couldn't ask for a better daughter.

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I promise that I will post pics later.  We are having a small birthday party for her at the Zoo tomorrow with family and some of her friends.  I so badly wanted to do another big birthday party for her, but I didn't have the energy this year and I am trying to stay tight with money with the baby coming so soon (I hope everyone is understanding of that - we hate to not include everyone).  She is so excited to go to the zoo with her cousins and friends.  It is all we have been talking about the past few days.  I am also looking forward to the fact that it is not at our house this year and there isn't much for me to do!  yeah!  I will be back this weekend with birthday pictures!

Dancing Queens

Maddie and Abbie from the other night.  Or as Maddie calls her... Oobbbbbbiiiiieeeee.

Dancing Queens from Nicole on Vimeo.

Early B'day Gift!

First, I want to say a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ferdie!  Not that he actually reads our Blog, but that I am happy to be celebrating it with him!

This weekend, my Mom surprised us with a joint B'day gift in the form of some home electrical work.  She works for an electrical engineering firm and she got one of her friends to come over for a side job.  When we moved into our home, 2 1/2 years ago, we bought it "as-is" for a GREAT Deal (from Niki's x-step-dad).  With this GREAT deal, came some issues with the house, nothing HUGH, but things that we are knocking out one by one.

Our first major upgrade was to get new kitchen appliances.  The next was the windows.  After that we added a pass-through from the kitchen to the living room, painted, and replaced the baseboards and door casings.

This last project was to get some of our outdoor lighting working.  We had a porch light that did not work (the wiring was cold) and there were 2 coach-lights on either side of the garage (with bulbs but no wiring AT ALL!)  Really didn't get that one.  So Mom hooked us up for our B'days!  After 3 trips to Home Depot (the cashier was beginning to think it was Groundhog Day) and 5 hours we have a matching set of outdoor lighting.

Behold!

  You may notice that the bulbs hang a little lower than the fixture, but that will be fixed.  We need a part that Home Depot did not have, so the electrician will bring it over when he completes the rest of the home (after tax returns!)

3 Little Monkeys

Bridget was in town this past weekend and a few of us got together at my house for a quick dinner.  Andrea's Marley, MK's Abbie and my Maddie were HILARIOUS together to say the least!  Enjoy!

3 Little Monkeys! from Nicole on Vimeo.
3 Little Monkeys Part 2! from Nicole on Vimeo.

Resolutions

I'm not normally one who makes resolutions at the first of the year because, well, I suck and by about January 5th I usually see a cupcake with my name on it and the resolutions are down the drain. I have been on a "diet" since January 2nd. I didn't start on January 1st because hello I was still off work and that was my last hoorah (Mexican food, people)! Anyhow, I'm really not trying to call it a resolution because they suck. I'm more trying to treat it as a changing of my lifestyle. This year I want to take better care of myself. I feel like since becoming a mommy I've been taking care of everyone else but me and something has gotta change. Don't worry, I'm still planning on taking care of Maddie (and Alan!) - I'm just trying to carve out a few more minutes in the day for me.

So far I am on a roll! While not on any one diet I am using all of the points knowledge that I have learned while doing Weight Watchers a bazillion times. Now normally eating better is all that my weight loss goals have to stand on but not this time. I've been running people. Yes, running. I've never been a big runner but let me tell you - I'm actually beginning to enjoy it! After Maddie goes to bed I go out to the garage and run on the treadmill. Right now I do 30 minutes... could be better, but hey, could be way worse too! My ultimate goal is to be able to run those 30 minutes all in a row and I'm slowly inching my way there! As of last night I was able to run 15 minutes in a row. Holy shit! So proud of myself! I don't know how it happens but I just get into a zone when running and there's no turning back. It doesn't hurt at all. No huffing or puffing, just a lot of sweating. Now when I get off of the thing that's another story... hello, jello legs! I've also got a great support team at work of people that like to go walking or workout during lunch. Yippie!

So here's to a change of lifestyle! Cheers!