Happy 2nd birthday Madelyn!

Today my little baby turned two. It is so bitter sweet. She is talking all the time. She loves to sing and dance and has been sleeping in a twin bed for almost two weeks now. I only have her diapers and pacifier to cling to that still keep her some what of my baby.

Her birth story:
She was several days late and I had really little patience left. I had already been scheduled to be induced (which I didn't want) but was so uncomfortable I went ahead to schedule a date. I walked my whole neighborhood the night before (my bday) to see if that would help. That night I went to bed early so I could get up and ready for Matt's cub scout badge ceremony. I woke up with cramping and because it started to get a tad bit intense I decided not to go to the ceremony. I didn't think I was actually in labor yet just experiencing Braxton hicks. So, as the contractions began to get stronger I finally called the nurse's line and played phone tag and answering the same 20 questions several times. FINALLY! I was given the go ahead to go to the hospital. Luckily, that was right when the ceremony part had ended. Ken had to pick up lunch for Matt to eat since they jetted out as soon as it was over. Some great friends came by to pick up Matt and have him stay the night. As soon as they arrived to get Matt we took off ourselves. For a Saturday afternoon the traffic was't bad. The pain was getting worse but we made it pretty quickly and to the labor and delivery wing. I was put in the same exact room we saw when we toured the hospital. It was a nice spacious room and then began the wait. I was in pain and SO disliked my overly happy nurse (I later loved her). She was back and forth between me and someone in for a C-section. I almost didn't get an epidural because the anesthetist was with that c-section person. I lost my nurse for awhile because of that person as well. Luckily the c-section went quicker than she thought and the rude anesthetist made it to my room in time as well. As soon as she left my nurse turned and said "I was almost sure she wasn't going to make it here in time". I have a high tolerance for pain and think that I could've done it without the meds but not sure if I will push my luck. I am thinking for my last one I will do it with no medicine just to say that I did it. We were in our room by 3pm and Mady was out by 8:38pm. I had to push more with her than I did with Matt. She was beautiful. Full head of black hair,pink skin,red lip and so chubby. Both Ken and I were instantly in love with her.



Her day today was low key. It was up in the 60's today but it was rainy all day. She opened her gifts after her bubba got home from school. She talked to Grandma Carol for a little while and later that evening we Skyped with Tia Kat and "Grandy". They helped us sing "Happy Birthday".

Day 16 ~ A photo from your childhood

I couldn't find one I liked but I guess that is childhood just one embarrassing photo after another.

Happy Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a great day! My morning started off with a breakfast prepared by my 8 yr. old. He made burnt toast,banana and soggy cereal...it was delish :) He also made me a birthday card. I got two of my gifts earlier in the week from hubby. I got my MIL's gift yesterday and it is so pretty. We went out for an early supper and just enjoyed the day. Originally hubby was suppose to work all weekend but he only had to work Friday night and spent Sat. & Sun. with me. Of course he is now switching shifts and will be working this coming weekend so I have to now change my plans...ahhh military life.

My pretty sweet gifts. Hubby bought a D&B bag and shoes and MIL and SFIL bought me a Tiffany's necklace.


The Birthday Girls :)

Day 14: A photo of your best friend (s). Day 15: A photo of you and a family member.

Day 14~

I wish I had my childhood photo album because I've known these two girls that long. It wasn't until middle school when we became besties. These are two of three girls that I have had arguments with and yet we've over come them and are still great friends. I think that is what makes a best friend. It is someone that you can argue with but find a way to talk out the disagreement not just turn your back on them forever and call the friendship over. Plus, even if I wanted nothing to do with them I'm pretty much screwed because they know too much ;)


I met Christine senior yr in high school and pretty much that first semester I didn't care for her. We were in colorguard and after marching season we didn't do much except throw out ideas for winter guard (didn't start til Jan.) and talk. I don't know what happened that made us two start talking but soon we were like two peas in a pod. She is one person that we can say certain words and we will start laughing like weirdos. She and I were in each others weddings. With her I can go a long time without talking or seeing her and we can easily pick right back up where ever we left off last.


Day 15~


My little sister and me this past Christmas :)

Day 13 ~ A photo of your favorite movie

My favorite quote from that movie is "Men aren't attentive to girls who wear glasses". Now my parents should know why I never wore my glasses from 5th-7th grade well that movie and an episode of Full House. Of course I am now paying for it since I am legally blind :(

Day 12 ~ A photo of when you were happy

Our wedding day was one of my happiest days. I have quite a few but this is one of three that always come to mind (as well as the birth of both my kids).

Day 11 ~ A photo of a night you loved

One night I loved was the night we got engaged. I went to visit him while he was stationed in Monterey,CA and he proposed at sunset on a beach. We later went out with one of his friends to drink.

Day 10 ~ Any photo you like for any reason

I love bathtubs and can't wait for the day when we get to house shop. The bathroom is one room I am picky about.

Day 9 ~ A photo of yourself from at least one year ago

Just a few days shy of one year ago :)

Day 8 ~ A photo of something you enjoy doing

I couldn't choose just one.


I really do love organizing and/or re organizing anything. I'm glad I have this trait because in the process of organizing I do get rid of a lot. So I'm pretty sure I won't become a hoarder. Sometimes,though, I get so crazy getting rid of all my junk that sometimes something important slips into the bunch and I throw that out :( I am working on trying not to clean/organize when I am in one of these moods.


I really love to jog. Not for staying in shape or training to compete. I just do it for the sheer joy of it. Whenever I am stressed,angry or I don't want to think about anything I'll go for a run. I prefer running outdoors when its warm. During cold season then I'll use the treadmill but it does take a lot out of me to actually want to go to the gym.

Day 7 ~ A photo of something that you stand for

Day 6 ~ A photo of someone that you love

I love all my family and choosing just one was very hard. I wanted to put my grandpa because I miss him very much. He is still alive just not doing too well. He doesn't even remember me or a good bit of the family for that matter. He hasn't been the same since his stroke in Nov.'05. I have so many great memories of both him and my grandma growing up. One of my favorite memories was how they always had a freezer stocked with Schwan's ice cream and he would always offer us ice cream no matter what time a day it was...right in morning,right before a meal and he would usually do it in secrecy. Somehow my grandma usually heard him and would yell not to offer since we had either just eaten or were about to eat.
I was lucky that one of my aunts posted this picture up of him. I have a few pictures of him here at home but they are all framed. I guess that's my mission this summer when I go back to visit. To find more pictures of my family and make copies of them for myself.

Day 5 ~ A photo that makes you laugh

I REALLY couldn't choose between these two.

One of our Girls Night Out. I want to say it was fall of '09. We were a little tipsy and I couldn't focus the camera...



One of the few pictures that I have from my bachelorette party. It was my friend,Patty,myself and Guadalupe Garza-Garcia-Del Barrio-Lopez-Martinez. He didn't last a whole night. Somewhere between that picture and early next morning he popped :( I still miss him haha.

Day 4 ~ A photo of a place you'd like to visit

There are so MANY places I really do want to visit and feel a tad bit silly about what I chose but it really has been one place that I have for years wanted to go see. It is Sanrio Puroland in Japan. How neat she has her very own theme park.

Website with some info.
Sorry if I come off a bit Mariah Carey-ish with my choice.

Day 3 ~ A photo that makes you happy

It was Mady's 1st birthday and her first time trying cake. She loved it. Ken got a perfect shot of her chewing.

Tiny Dancer

Sorry if it comes out side ways. Mady's favorite show is Fresh Beat Band and every time she sees them sing this song she practices her dance moves. This was taken a few weeks ago. I think we have a dancer in the making.

Valentine's Day

It was a great one this year. I got to spend the day with him and that alone qualifies for a great one :) Well, we started off our morning with pink chocolate chip pancakes and hash browns from Dunkin as well as a latte.

Mady got to open her gift in the morning after breakfast and she loved her Mickey Mouse toys and Minnie water bottle.



We pretty much enjoyed the afternoon with a quick trip to the commissary to pick up items for dinner. Matt returned home having had lots of candy at school. I didn't get to take pictures of him opening his gifts but he received a Cars bag with a Space book,candies and a Club Penguin plush (Fire Sensi). Grandma Carol & Grandpa Skip sent a huge Space book and he really liked it. It a lot of information that he had been asking me questions about. His Nana & Pops sent him a sweet card and a lolli. My parents sent us a big package filled with all sorts of Valentine goodies,clothes,home decor,sweets and a hot pink wig haha. Hubby did an EXCELLENT job cooking dinner for us 2.
He made surf and turf with a side of zucchini and for dessert we picked up some ice cream cupcakes. Matt saved his cupcake for tomorrow. He really wanted one of the candies that we got him in his bag. It was a chocolate dipped rice crispie treat.




Last but not least my Valentine gift. Hubby bought me a James Avery charm for my bracelet. I can't wait to go back this summer so I can take it to the store to have it added. I absolutely love my charm but not as much as I love him :)

Day 2 ~ A photo of yourself when you were a baby

I don't have any baby pictures of myself here in MD. My parents have them all. So, I was thankful for my uncle for posting this one in one of his Facebook albums. It was a family picture when I was the youngest on my mom's side at the time. My grandma was holding me.

Day 1 ~ A photo of you

This is the most recent pic I have of myself and its not even my picture. It was taken in Jan. at one of our Girls Night Outs. I was sitting next to a great friend/neighbor :)

30 day challenge

Thanks to my friend,B, I'll be trying to do this challenge and seems fairly simple. If I can do this one then I'll try E's challenge. I will start tomorrow :)

Day 1: A photo of you.

Day 2: A photo of yourself when you were a baby

Day 3: A photo that makes you happy.

Day 4: A photo of a place you'd like to visit.

Day 5: A photo that makes you laugh.

Day 6: A photo of someone you love.

Day 7: A photo of something you stand for.

Day 8: A photo of something you enjoy doing.

Day 9: A photo of yourself at least a year ago.

Day 10: Any photo you like for any reason.

Day 11: A photo of a night you loved.

Day 12: A photo of when you were happy.

Day 13: A photo of one of your favorite movies.

Day 14: A photo of your best friend (s).

Day 15: A photo of you and a family member.

Day 16: A photo from your childhood.

Day 17: A photo from a trip you'll never forget.

Day 18: A photo of your town.

Day 19: A photo of your favorite thing from school.

Day 20: A photo of something you ate today.

Day 21: A photo of somebody you find attractive.

Day 22: A photo that you associate a good memory with.

Day 23: A photo of something you want to do someday.

Day 24: A photo of what you want to be when you grow up.

Day 25: A photo that inspires you.

Day 26: A photo of your favorite subject in school.

Day 27: A photo of something you are looking forward to.

Day 28: A photo of something/somebody that made your day.

Day 29: A photo of your favorite person from history.

Day 30: A photo you find beautiful.

Gap Girls

I so use to love the Gap Girl skits when I was younger. Sometimes when people I know argue I feel like Lucy (Adam Sandler's character) in this SNL skit. "You guys could you stop fighting it's scaring me". I'm not sure if that is just plain sad on my part haha. Enjoy!

The Best Things in Life are (semi) Free ;)

About two nights ago I decided not to cook and just pick up drive thru (no don't take my Mother of the Year award away) and got Wendy's. While I was ordering I saw that if you purchased this Frosty's key tag then you get a free frosty with any purchase for a year (12/31/11). Sorry but my weakness is a frosty with fries (don't judge haha). I purchased it and can't wait to go back. It will definitely come in handy during that hot weather.

No more snow :)

It is hard to believe one year ago our outside looked like this:


This is what it is today outside our home:




I am so GRATEFUL that we did not end up burried in snow again. I am sorry but last year's blizzards was enough snow to last me at least 5 years. Come on Spring I need me some warm weather.

Cocktail cupcakes

I'd really like to make these for my bday but I doubt the other three family members would care for them. Maybe I'll have to make them for a girls night in instead. Either way they look pretty yummy :)


Margarita cupcakes




Cosmopolitan cupcakes -minus the SATC toppers.

Clothing Swap

My great friend,Barbie, had a clothing swap today. I got some great stuff but by far my best picks were a pair of brown Uggs (I usually feel like Cinderella's step sister in the shoe dept. at these things since no one seems to be a 7 1/2 or 8). Today someone had a pair of 8's :D and they were in great condition. The 2nd item is a free make up brush set from Arbonne. I had SERIOUSLY been in need of new brushes. Mine have seen better days but good brushes are so expensive. The cheaper sets are usually tiny versions of the full size brushes and full size sets are $$$. So, if I was going to buy new ones I wanted good ones that would last me awhile and I didn't want tiny brushes. This woman brought a box of unused Arbonne products and said one was a brush set. I had to have it. It was too good to pass up. I was very happy I had a new brush set and hubby was even happier because not a dime was spent. I didn't have time to take a pic of my clothing because I am washing everything so I decided to take a picture of my two happy finds :) Thank you Barbie for hosting one and thank you so much for taking me to my very first clothing swap almost a year ago.

Vera, Vera on my arm

I am really loving of some of the new Vera Bradley patterns that are out for Spring. I'm so glad my birthday is right around the corner ;)


My favorite has to be this pattern Blue Lagoon. Online I didn't care for it but when I saw it at the store I just loved it.



I really love the Weekender bag in Pink Pinwheel or Imperial Toile (both on sale...even better). Each bag uses two of my favorite color schemes. Plus with us leaving to TX for the summer I think it will come in handy for our short trips. We mainly stay with my parents but we do take trips to see my MIL and my grandparents. I am so tired of having to lug my big suitcase for a few days stay in one place.



I love the Imperial Toile pattern as well for the hanging organizer.

We've only bought one gift for Miss M right now. I am a tad bit clueless as what to get her. She received so much for Christmas. I am thinking of maybe a little car that she can use outside. She also loves anything she can push around. She isn't picky so I'm pretty sure she'll be happy with whatever she gets.

I'm dreaming of a white...sanded beach

It's cold out and there is still snow on the ground. My son's school was delayed 2 hrs. today going into school due to the ice on the roads. I am SO READY for warm weather. Right now all I can settle with is my new margarita scented candle to let me day dream about sunny weather.

'It's my thing, get over it'

DH is back to his late shift so that leaves me alone with the remote and indulging in one thing I loathe...reality tv (with the exception of cooking reality shows). I enjoy watching my dvr shows alone and without unwanted commentations (sorry hun). One show that I find myself DVRing and have been for a while now is Teen Mom.



Why? I honestly don't have a really good reason only that I think on some level I can identify with them (not ALL of them). I was 19 and newly single when I first became pregnant and 20 when I had my son. I had an up and down relationship with my son's father. A lot of these girls are in the same boat as I was and so I guess sympathize with them. I guess to admit that I like to watch it to others makes me feel the need to be a tad bit defensive like Miranda was on an episode of SATC. She liked to indulge in celebrity gossip and her response to others was "its my thing,get over it."