Pumpkin Carving

On Halloween Eve we carved our pumpkin.


Mommy drew the face:


Daddy carved the pumpkin:


Chayleigh wasn't so sure of its "guts" (and saying Eww):


Liking the guts:


Final product in the light:


Final product in the dark:

Funny Picture

I had to post this one because it looks like Chayleigh is practicing to be Santa Clause. Of course it is only the ranch she was using to dip her corn dogs in, but it still looked cute.

Blowing Bubbles

Chayleigh and her Daddy are blowing bubbles. She got into it and refused to stop until we ran out of bubbles.

Clothing Pictures

Pictures of the outfit that my friend Barb gave Chayleigh for her birthday. It is an adorable Minnie Mouse outfit, but she HATES the hood.



This picture is of her NEW Strawberry Shortcake outfit. I just love it, so had to share it.

How Brutally Honest Are You?

Taken from Leslie.

You Are 36% Brutally Honest

Honesty is nice, but only when it's convenient. You rather be nice than honest. You figure it's important to be honest about the big stuff, but little lies never hurt anyone!

How Brutally Honest Are You?

Seems to sum me up pretty well, imo.

New Toy

We bought Chayleigh this table and chairs set so that she had a place to color. It isn't the best set, but it was inexpensive, so I don't really care if she colors on the table too. I will try to get a picture of her sitting at the table, cause it was cute, but until then, at least you can see the set!

Doc Appt

I went to the specialist today. I absolutely LOVED him. He took the time to talk to me and to answer my questions. It was a great appt. He said that because of my numbers and the fact that my thyroid issues started after giving birth, he is pretty sure that it is post partum related. Therefore, he told me to to go off the drugs for the next 6 weeks. We will retest the blood in December and see where they are at that point. Worst case, I have to go back on the drugs, but he seems to think that it is trying to regulate itself. Here's to hoping he is right!

Excellent book

I just read Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields. It is a WONDERFUL book on PPD. I was amazed after reading it just how horrible the PPD I went through with Chayleigh was. I only wish that I would have read this book sooner. Maybe the guilt I felt over the lack of feelings towards Chayleigh wouldn't have been so major. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has had a baby or is going to have one.

Big Girl Bed

Chayleigh transitioned to a Toddler Bed this weekend. She calls it her "Big Gurl Bed". She absolutely adores PLAYING in it, but sleeping in it is another matter. She will, but it takes about twice as long to get her to bed now!

Outfit #2

Chayleigh received this outfit from Jennie and Jackson from our BIO board. It was finally cool enough to dress her in it. Those aren't the shoes that came with the outfit, but I can't seem to figure out where DH hid them.

Outfit #1

We bought this outfit from Misty - a wonderful BIO member. She is very creative and does great work. Chayleigh LOVES this outfit.

Front:


Back:



Shirt - Chayleigh is embroidered on it.

All grown up!

Look how much she has grown! We were cleaning out the "junk" room and came back to see Chayleigh trying out her infant seat. It was cute, so of course we had to snap a picture!

Accident

For you Leslie, I will post pictures of my "accident" I got into today. I guess that I got a little close to the ticket window when I was leaving the parking garage. I hope that Shawn is able to salvage the paint.

Update

I did reschedule my appt. I had to go with yet another doc, but it is rescheduled. Due to my bad luck with talking about it beforehand, I am not going to mention another word about it until AFTER the appt. Hopefully that way I don't have to reschedule for a fourth time.

Very little silver lining in this cloud

I was supposed to go to the specialist about my Thyroid on Thursday. Found out tonight that Shawn's parents - yes both of them - have to take care of his sister on Thursday. Guess she decided to be a doctor and go off her medication and collapsed at work. Yeah, that is bad, but I am sorry, I just can't feel any sympathy for someone who did it to themselves, imo simply for the attention. I am a little pissed right now.

I will call tomorrow and try to schedule one during the day where I don't have to depend on anyone's schedule but mine. Daycare is closed this week, so unfortunately not an option. We already know that DH's job is way more important than mine, so heaven forbid he go in a few hours late. Oh and I have a head cold that is making me extra pissy this week.

End of sob story.

Chayleigh is better at least.

Party Summary

Chayleigh's birthday went very well. We had about 25 people there. I wasn't able to get many pictures, but we got it all on video this year at least. The DVD was a huge hit, so I am very glad that I spent so much time on it. She got a ton of presents and had a great time. She didn't have any breakdowns and was super friendly with almost all family members. All in all, it was a huge success!

Cake and table decorations:


Opening presents with Cousin Alex


All of her presents. Not too bad of a haul!


Her balloon boquet. She really loved the Strawberry Shortcake and we even got her on dvd holding SS's hand. Super cute!

Chayleigh's cake(s)

The big cake that my mom decorated for Chayleigh. Didn't she do an awesome job??

Chayleigh's individual cake

Party Favors

Here are the party favors we used at her party. Everyone seemed to really like them. Thanks for everyone's help. I couldn't have done it without you!


Candy bar labels were made by Sharon.



This is the DVD I made using the lightscribe burner that we have. If you are in the market for a new dvd burner, I recommend that one. It was super easy to use and it is definately original.


Little Candy bar wrappers that Leslie made.

Chayleigh's Birthday

We celebrated her birthday Friday night with just the three of us. She got to open her presents from us and she blew out her candle. Yes, she blew it out on her own. We were absolutely amazed.

Happy 2nd Birthday Riley

Riley is an adorable little girl and the oldest DD of one of my bestest internet buddies! I hope that you have a wonderful day Sweetheart and I can't wait to see pictures of your Elmo Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl!!!

2 Years ago today Chayleigh came roaring into the world at 1:23 am via emergency c-section. We should have known by that entrance that she was going to be a hurricane in our lives. The first year was filled with stress and sadness due to her hip, but also with a lot of joy. Her second year was full of fun as she learned to walk and run and play. She talks extrememly well for a 2 year old I think and appears to have a maturity beyond her years. I am so grateful that she blessed our lives and wouldn't trade any of the last two years for the world. I love you Sweetheart andI hope that your birthday is as wonderful for you as it is for your Daddy and Me.

Now for some pictures!

Newborn


1st Birthday


2nd Birthday

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexander

I hope that you have a wonderful day! Hopefully the road trip isn't too much for you!! Hopefully Mommy is still enjoying Sponge Bob!

More Birthday gifts

Chayleigh also received an adorable pair of sandals from Natasha. She LOVES shoes so much she had to put them on even though it was only 55 degrees that day.

Birthday Gifts

Chayleigh received a birthday gift from her friend Zachary the other day. I am just very lax about uploading them. She LOVES Strawberry Shortcake and Kristy (Zachary's mom) made Chayleigh an adorable purse and hat and then sent Chayleigh a DVD that she has watched three times already. Thanks again you guys!!

Bad Day

At the end of August, I was accosted at a local department store by a salesman selling a traveling photographer's services. The picture(s) are for the vintage look - clothing included. It was a great deal only $14.95 for a 10x13. I asked how much for the "real" pictures, he told me they were "reasonable" and that I would love them.


Fast forward to today when I got to go and see these "reasonable" pictures and prices. They are adorable, I give them that. However, the prices were not.




Cheapest package - $90 - One Pose
1 - 8x10
1 - 5x7
4 - Wallets
2 - 31/2 x 5

To get all of the printed pictures (5 poses) - $250
6 - 8x10
6 - 5x7
24 - Wallets
12 - 31/2 x 5

Needless to say, I left with just my 10x13.

What breaks my heart though is that now I am worried about what happens with the extra pictures. They told me that they "discard" them, which they "usually" shred them. What happens when the unusual happens? Is some pedifile going to end up with pictures of my daughter? Ugh, I am so freaking unhappy right now. Guess that is what I have for having "Sucker" printed on my forehead.

2 Year Pictures

We took Chayleigh to get her pictures done yesterday. It was tiring, but we got some cute shots that made it worth it.