Lillian's Room

Yes, I've been a bit obsessive about this lately.

I feel I MUST HAVE this wallpaper.




And totally unlike me, I am loving this rug, even though it does not go with anything else other than the color pink.



If this quilt wasn't so retardedly expensive, I would want it for the foot of the bed, on top of a huge fluffy down comforter with a plain white duvet cover and some poppy pillows up top.



Unfortunately when you google 3/4 height shelf, you get shelves that are 3/4 inch thick or 3/4 foot long, etc. When you google beadboard or wainscotting and shelf you get small wall shelves made of wainscotting. This is as close as I could get to what I want, there is no shelf, but it is white beadboard on the bottom and a color on top. We're thinking beadboard 2/3 to 3/4 way up and then something up top with color, but not too much color to overshadow the cool stuff we plan on putting up there.




In the next week or so I hope to have all my art and frames done and I will photograph them

Links

The links are all corrected, organized, and added to. Careful, you can get off on tangents for hours!!!

Fantastic Fabric and Fanciful Finds

Whew, that took a lot of brain power.

Anywho, as you can tell, I've been spending a lot of time on the internet lately. I found this great site for fabric and other fun stuff. Their fabric is amazing and right up my alley.

Insanely adorable

These are perfectly impractical, horribly overpiced, yet insanely adorable shoes.

Design for Lillian's Room

NOTE: THE PURPLE TEXT ARE LINKS THAT YOU CAN CLICK ON.


I have been toying with the design for Lillian's new room (once we move and the guestbed is out) for a while. I want it to be fun and bright, but not obnoxious and childlike, but not baby.

I was doing some research online and came across a blog by Christine. She stated that you could email in your detailed questions with pictures and she would tell you her opinions. I did so, honestly not expecting anything, or at least in the next century. How surprised was I to get an email this morning telling me she answered my question on her blog this morning?

I think alot of her ideas are marvelous. My plan (as of now, without having any idea what type of room she will be in) is to:
Paint the walls white 3/4 of the way up
Put a shelf all the way around the room at that level (white)
Paint/wallpaper/something above the shelf in bright pink and/or orange
Place all the knick knacks on the shelf around the room
Paint the furniture (pictured above) hot pink
Yes, I said paint the furniture hot pink, isn't that just PERFECT?!?!
Get matching bedding for the twin bed and the crib as long as the crib is in her room
Get a nice bright rug, shag I'm thinking


Let me know your thoughts and ideas!!!!

Links

If any of you have tried the links on the right side, you will notice they are all messed up. I will fix this someday. Just wanted you to know I do know.

Great things

Great things...

1. Lillian is holding her own bottle.
2. Lillian is holding her own bottle.
3. Lillian is holding her own bottle. (Yes it is exciting enough to merit three spots.)
4. The new header on the blog, although its a little larger than I planned, but oh well, don't know how to change it.
5. My Binder!!!! I've already used it 8 or more times. I'd say it was definitely time I made one.
6. I put my wedding ring back on!! Its been off for about a year (not by choice) and it finally fit back on. Now it will be on forevermore, because I can't really get it off :-) But at least its on.
7. Diet coke. Nuff said.
8. We're starting the Five Love Languages study in Sunday School and I couldn't be more excited. Well maybe that my wedding ring fits, and maybe that Lil is holding her own bottle, but you get what I mean.
9. I have a gift purchased, wrapped and ready to go already for a bridal shower this next weekend.
10. I am going to a bridal shower next weekend and R is watching the monster.
11. I am going to a Kenny Chesney concert on Thursday (weather and babysitter-for the friend, permitting)
12. I got a nap today.
13. This...http://www.madebygirl.com/product.php?product=PR-13
14. And this...https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXbih9XviP5cQLVOQANIrXypoLa5EN86FR0-Xjc1W2lFdgTuK2F2y1YFt1ItMoRk1gbkVCo0-mTmQSWZRxqzIZ9fh_6I24a82yMgWcy6HSPoMPa1nrOnEcRVHfXXqtsU06AQevsUjfF2l/s1600-h/A-+Z+flowers.jpg

I've been toying with Lil's new room (when we move this fall or next summer) and I can't get one specific theme I like, but I'm playing around with Art right now and liking lots of what I find. I even made some here at home this weekend and even R said it turned out really well. Now all we have to do is move and PAINT!!!

15. We're moving!!! This fall or next summer, depending on what orders he gets and if we stay here, how soon we find a house or admit we cannot afford one and move into a three bedroom apartment or rented house. Finally, Lil will have a room of her own and I CAN DECORATE!
16. Dark chocolate.
17. Our new ottoman. I really should post pictures, but I haven't taken any yet.
18. The print about furniture that I have on a breakfast tray on my new ottoman.
19. Lillian is holding her own bottle!
20. I have my wedding ring on!!!

Home Management Binder

I reasearched and researched online and found tons of different bloggers who described their binders. I took ideas from each one and this is the outline I came up with that works for our family. (Edited to add: UGGGHHHH Blogger won't show my tabs in the post so I've color coded the list. Orange is the Categories/Dividers. Blue are the sections within that category. Purple are things within the blue sections.

Emergency Contact Info
Calendars
Birthday & Anniversary Calendar
Monthly/Yearly to do calendar

Cleaning
Stain Removal Guide
Monthly Cleaning Chores
Contact Info
People
Places
Emergency
Emergency Contact Info
Evacuation Checklist
Safe Box
Inventory
Contents
R Wallet
Inventory
Contents
S Wallet
Inventory
Contents
R Will
S Will
L Guardianship
Financial
Bank Accounts
Stocks, IRAs
Bills
Credit Cards
Food
Meal Options List
Freezer Recipes List
Angel Food Ministries Info
Health
R Medical History
S Medical History
Doctor and Hospital Information
L Medical History
L Immunization Record
L Measurement Chart
L Medical Authorization Form
Holiday
Christmas Card List
Christmas Traditions List
Birthday Traditions List
Other Traditions List
Gift Ideas List
Wish Lists
Home
Warranty Info & Big Purchases
Tax Information
Projects to do
Favorite Internet Sites
Lillian
Babysitter Info Sheet
Age Appropriate Chores
First Year Book
Travel
Summer Packing Checklist
Winter Packing Checklist
Upcoming Travel Tickets & Reservations
Vacation Wishlist
Vehicle
Truck
License & VIN
Purchase Info
Maintenance History
Military Base Sticker Info
Pacifica
License & VIN
Purchase Info
Maintenance History
Military Base Sticker Info
Inspection Info
Insurance Info

Now that is my Table Of Contents, I'll list it again and describe what each section/page is...

Emergency Contact Info - Anything anyone would need to get any one of us to the doctor or hosptial, or direct them to our house. Directions to our house, local hospitals, doctors offices, family contact info, local friends contact info, pharmacy and insurance info.
Calendars - I opted not to do a regular calendar in the binder at this time, I might add it later, but for now, our wall calendar works just fine. Another thing some put in here is a daily to do list but I prefer my white board for that.
Birthday & Anniversary Calendar -Birthdays and Anniversaries (with years) of anyone we want to send a card or gift to arranged by month. Addresses not included.
Monthly/Yearly to do calendar - Broken up into 12 lists of monthly to dos with one list at the bottom for things in upcoming years. Lists a couple specific large cleaning jobs a month, that only need to be done once or twice a year, as well as yearly doctors appointments, dentist, optical, car maintenance, tag and registration renewal, passport expiration, etc.
Cleaning - Several people mentioned that they put a weekly chart in here, with tasks to do each day. I find that I clean when I have time, sometimes all in one day, sometimes a little each day, so I opted not to add this section.
Stain Removal Guide -Becoming more and more necessary.
Monthly Cleaning Chores - A list of cleaning chores that need to be done once a month. I printed off several and labeled what month they were for so we could mark off what had been done already in that month.
Contact Info
People - A list arranged alphabetically, by last name, of anyone we correspond with or need to have information for. Lists: names, childrens' names, addresses, house phone number, wife cell phone number, husband cell phone number. Thought about adding email addresses, but didn't take the time.
Places - Doctor's offices, insurance companies, take out restaurants, car repair places, etc, anywhere that you would have to look up on Google more than once every two months. Mostly this is just name and phone number, but some listed working hours or a specific person to talk to.
Emergency
Emergency Contact Info - Same sheet as above, in both places for easiest reference in an emergency.
Evacuation Checklist - A list of everything we need to do and take with us in the event of an evacuation. The location of everything is also listed so there is no hunting for stuff.
Safe Box
Inventory - A list of everything that is in our fire/water safe box. Also tells where it is located, where the keys are located and what number the keys are in the event we need to get them re-cut.
Contents - A color copy of everything in the safe box.
R Wallet
Inventory -A list of everything in R's wallet
Contents - A color copy of everything in R's wallet, front and back of each card.
S Wallet
Inventory
Contents
R Will
S Will
L Guardianship - Legal document of who we want to take care of Lillian in the event we are both uncapable.
Financial Some people put a budget and their checkbook register in the binder. We don't use a budget per say and my checkbook register and savings account info is all stored on the computer and changes daily so I chose not to include that.
Bank Accounts - A list of the banks we have accounts at, and whether they are joint or single, savings or checking. The balances of the accounts that do not change daily. Account numbers for all accounts. User IDs and passwords for all online accounts. Phone numbers for each bank. Numbers of any cards issued by that bank: debit or credit.
Stocks, IRAs - A list of the different accounts we have, the account type and number, and balance as of today. The name and contact information of our financial planner.
Bills A list of the bills we pay monthly with the typical amount, website (id's & passwords also), phone number, account number, etc.
Credit Cards - A list of the credit cards we have, the phone number, website (ids and passwords), credit limit, balance. Thankfully for us, the balance is ZERO!!!
Food
Meal Options List A list of any meal we've made and liked, so we have options to choose from when we don't know what's for dinner. Helpful to look ahead when you're shopping and pick 5 meals for that week to shop for too.
Freezer Recipes List A list of recipes that can be made ahead of time and frozen.
Angel Food Ministries Info - Information on a ministry that provides food. Includes menu, distribution dates, contact info, etc.
Health
R Medical History
S Medical History
Doctor and Hospital Information
L Medical History
L Immunization Record
L Measurement Chart A chart of Height, Weight, & Head circumfrence any time they measure it. Percentages are also listed.
L Medical Authorization Form - An authorization form for someone other than R or S to authorize medical care for L.
Holiday
Christmas Card List A spreadsheet of our christmas card list. With checkboxes for the next five years of if we sent a card to them and if we received a card from them. Includes addresses for easy reference.
Christmas Traditions List - A list of Christmas Traditions our family has.
Birthday Traditions List - Ditto
Other Traditions List - All other traditions our family has.
Gift Ideas List - I am always listening for people to mention things they collect, like or want. When I hear something, it goes in this list and almost always, come Christmas or Birthdays, I have a ready made shopping list.
Wish Lists - Anything each of the three of us want, small things we've been wanting, large things we want "someday", as well as places we like gift cards to.
Home
Warranty Info & Big Purchases - List of Item, Purchse date, where we purchased it from (store, city, state and salesperson if known), price of purchase, type of warranty (if available), length of warranty, who to call for warranty repair or replacement.
Tax Information For us this is a folder which has three envelopes which house receipts: 1. uniform expenses, 2. health expenses, 3. donations
Projects to do - Any projects we want to do but haven't done yet. Obviously this list will grow immensely as soon as we move into a house.
Favorite Internet Sites - Addresses, login information and passwords.
Lillian
Babysitter Info Sheet - All the information any babysitter will ever need to know (and much more I'm sure)
Age Appropriate Chores - An amazing resource I found that lists age appropriate chores from 9m to 15 years.
First Year Book - I am doing a book for Lillian of her first year week by week. The book is online with a few paragraphs and a few pictures for each week. I have all the weeks of text printed out here for double safekeeping. And if I'm away from the computer, I can add a week in and type it later.
Travel
Summer Packing Checklist - A list of the typical things our family needs to travel in the summer. Columns for: Carry on, things L needs in a suitcase, things I need in a suitcase, things r needs in a suitcase, things we collectively need in a suitcase, things other people are bringing, things we will purchase there. If R is not going, we just delete his column and everything I need is still in my column or the collective column.
Winter Packing Checklist
Upcoming Travel Tickets & Reservations - Another folder to hold information about upcoming trips (tourist info, etc), reservation info, and tickets.
Vacation Wishlist - A list of places we wish to go on vacation.
Vehicle
Truck
License & VIN License plate #, VIN #, Registration renewal date and contact information (since its in Florida)
Purchase Info - Purchase information including dealer contact info, date, price, mileage and tax information.
Maintenance History - A history of all repairs. Listed with: date, repair or maintenance, place work was done at, cost, mileage.
Military Base Sticker Info -When our stickers expire
Pacifica
License & VIN
Purchase Info
Maintenance History
Military Base Sticker Info
Inspection Info - Virginia requires yearly state inspections. Expiration info.
Insurance Info - All car insurance information.

There you have it, my brain in a book. If you have comments, please leave them. If any of this spurred thoughts of other things that could/should be included, by all means, please share.

Home Management Binder

I have read lots recently about Home Management Binders. Lots of places sell kits you can either on CD to type and print off or paper that you fill in. However, none of these kits fit my (extremely anal) personality, so I decided to take ideas from all over and make my own. This is my project for this weekend, including Thursday and Friday when I don't have Kylie. I'm planning on typing it all on the computer and then printing it off for my binder and also keeping a copy on DVD in our fire box.

I went to Target and bought a pretty 3 ring binder and dividers. I'm starting by listing categories I want to include and pages I want to include within each category. So far, my categories are:
Emergency
Grocerys, Menus, and Meals
Financial
Health
Vehicle
Travel
Holiday
Cleaning

I'm sure I will have more when I am done, but that is my starting point. I had to stop myself to even come write this entry because I'm just itching to get to it. Now if only Lil would actually take a nap, it would help tremendously.

Long weekend

R had class on Wednesday, during the day, so he was able to be home in time for Bible Study here Wednesday night, and he doesn't have to go back to work until Monday night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoo hooo!!!!! We've been loving the time off and time together.

Thursday we did some errands and got Lilly some new toys, we also got her a sign language DVD that's supposed to miraculously teach her sign language....we'll see. We also purchased a new "coffee table" its actually a Leather Storage Ottoman. Its still rectangle but the corners are covered with padding and leather. Should be much better for a meeting with Lillian's forehead.

Yesterday Richard helped a friend move a hot tub in the morning and I stayed back with Lillian because she hadn't slept at all the night before and was cranky and I wasn't feeling the best. It cleared up a little by the afternoon and we had dinner with Brandon and Lindsey (and amazing food) and then tried to see the fireworks. However, they cancelled them because of weather. And then it took us an hour and a half to get the 6 miles home. NICE.

This morning we had a pleasant surprise in that, Lillian slept 12 hours straight last night, not waking up once, which has become a problem lately. Lindsey gave us a different kind of mummy blanket last night that we tried so I don't know if that was it or if it was just a qwinky-dinky. Only future nights will tell I guess. Anywho, whatever the reason, we were thrilled to get a full nights' sleep!!

Today and tomorrow bring........NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't it glorious????????

Back from Michigan

After a long and horrible flight from Detroit to Norfolk on Friday, we are safely back home. It was so good to get home to see Richard again and try to get back into a routine. Lil was a little devil Saturday but a little better on Sunday so hopefully it will go up from here. Its great to have Kylie over again, she's changed so much just in two weeks, as Lillian has too.

Michigan was good. The wedding went off without a hitch and was beautiful. We spent some time with R's family and even went up to see his sister Kim and her new house. We went to a "homemade" zoo which was quite an experience. With my parents we went swimming, visited with friends and family and did some shopping, Ikea even. Kristen and I made great plans for our time together at Christmas time.

Lillian got tons of new clothes, of course. She even has two outfits for Fourth of July (knowing how she goes through clothes).

Saturday brought tons of grocery shopping. Our receipt was almost two feet long!! Then we came home, put everything away, divided up and put away the meats and cheeses, and made several meals for the freezer.

Sunday after church, Lillian and I took a nap then we unpacked, folded four loads of laundry, and cleaned the house. Exciting stuff.

This week is supposed to be a really short working week for R, that will be nice if it works out.

We're (Lillian and Stacey) in Michigan until Friday the 29th. And we're crazy busy: Brian's wedding, seeing my family, hanging out with Richard's family, seeing old friends (well friends from before, but they're not OLD). Anywho, we're going to be busy and I'm not gonna update until I get back home probably. And then probably not over that weekend, because we'll be bonding with Daddy again. Maybe Monday.

Saturday and Father's Day

Saturday

Richard had to go into work for a little while in the morning, but got home around 11. Which was perfect, because I left then to get my hair done. We played some games together and cleaned a bit before leaving for the Tides game. We got tickets from Lindsey because she got four free tickets at work. We had a good time, even though the Tides royally suck. We got nachos and pretzels. We had to watch the game closely though because we were in the foul section. A couple balls came our way, which had us diving over the babies to cover them. The only one that came close to us though was one that a little boy caught in his popcorn bucket. It was supposed to be a fireworks night but because of a little wind and the fact that there are two wildfires nearby, the fire marshall said no go. The smoke was really bad all day all over town because of the fires, it smelled like campfire, even in the car and house. When we got home and were putting Lil to bed, while she was on the changing table she was in such a good mood, and I was tickling her tummy and laughing and she laughed! I screamed for Richard and he came in and we even got it on video once. The video is great and we posted it here - pardon our stupid antics trying to get her to laugh again.

Sunday - Richard's First Father's Day

We went to church and then went to Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. R has been wanting to go there for a while, but I've put it off since I don't like seafood. But we had a good time. Then we returned some pants to Old Navy and stopped back home to pick up the stroller we forgot. Then we went north, over the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (with fairly little backup even) and went into Hampton to the Virgina Air and Space Center. They have a Jellybelly exhibit R saw on TV and wanted to go to. The Jellybelly exhibit was large but kind of lacking. But the Air and Space Center itself was really great. 10-15 full size planes and tons of interactive displays and videos. Well worth our time. And money, since it was only $9 to get in and we had a buy one get one free coupon. We got Dairy Queen Blizzards on the way home and they were YUMMY. Now I'm trying to pack for Tuesday because tomorrow we're going to the zoo.

Laughing Lillian

ABCs 123s

Air and Space Museum - Where we're going for R's Father's Day present. ITS A SECRET - DON'T TELL!! Yes,its an odd gift, but he will love it, I guarantee it.
Bumbo- I COULD NOT live without it.
Craptacular - Upon closer inspection, that is the kind of job they did on our shower. But oh well, it'll last a year prolly and that's all we'll need it for.
Drool - Lilly is a super soaker.
Efficient - We were this and more this week.
Fireworks - They were awesome last Saturday.
Gaming - R is trying to teach me how to nerd it up. Not that I wanna learn mind you, but that doesn't seem to matter.
Homemade Sweet Tea - Our first time making it.
Insufficient - As in our funds.
Jello Pudding - Mmmm, cheesecake flavor.
Kylie - She's so much fun.
Lillian - She is perfecting her devil cry to show all the family next week.
Marriage - I'm coming to MI next week for Brian's wedding.
Nipples - Get your mind out of the gutter!! Lillian just graduated to size 3!
Organizing - We cleaned every closet we own!
Pool - My new favorite thing, especially the kiddie one.
Quick - Lillian is quick to scream.
Richard - He gets off work early tonight!!!!!!
Sloppy Joes - It's what's for dinner.
Tides - The baseball game we're going to tomorrow night.
Underestimate - We underestimated the time it would take to organize the closets.
Vista - As in Windows Vista. I HATE IT.
Worried - That Lillian will banshee scream all the way to Michigan.
X-ray - Gpa Harris had to get one after he dived off of a ladder.
Yolk - I give R the yolk's of all my hard boiled eggs. (We had them today).
Zoo- I'm hoping to go on Monday with the moms and babies from Sunday School.

1 We got Moe's last night and had a buy one get one free coupon!
2 Tea bags in the jug.
3 Hours it took to clean the downstairs storage room.
4 New tubs I bought at Wal-Mart.
5 Hours Lillian was with Brandon and Lindsey!!! (THANK YOU)
6 Bowls of cheesecake pudding, I just made.
7 How many gas stations I tried before I found one that wasn't out of gas.
8 How many diapers we use a day.
9 Hairs on Lilly's head...kidding. Kind of.
10 How many burp cloths we go through a day.

WHEE HE HEEEEEEEEEEE

We finally took everything out of almost every closet we own and started from scratch and cleaned, tossed, gave, and reorganized. You can see what a big accomplishment it was if you look at the before pics here.

Survey

Alright, Mom said she couldn't do it without pictures of the old backgrounds. Here ya go. But it means that once again, votes are at zero and everyone must vote again. Leave your name as a comment on this post after you vote so I know who has already voted.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Bathroom Update

Two contractors FINALLY came today and tore out the rest of the tile. They cut out the moldy bottom part of the drywall and replaced it. Then they put new tile up. And its white, not pink. We don't have a towel bar/shelf or soap dish now though. But it looks much better now. And the last photo shows the bathroom after we re-inhabited it.

Surveys, surveys, surveys

Three things that I'm loving lately:
Contractors tearing out my shower
The pool
brownie batter

Three things that are just down right crazy:
The heat
Kylie's blowout yesterday
The cost of gas! Its insane! Maybe they should make "forever gas" that we could prepay today!

Three things that I'm working on right now:
This list
An "I wanna" list
Framing a new print I got

Three things I love to hear:
The sound of pink, moldy tiles leaving my house FOREVER
Lilly making one sole squeak as she tries to laugh
Silence during naptime

COUNTDOWN
TWELVE things that I purchased this week:
Capris for me
Bermudas for me
Sippy Cup for Lillian
Water bottle for Richard
Twizzlers for Richard
Brown skirt for me
Supplies for banana bread
ARMY WIVES SEASON 1 DVD
Richard's Father's Day present
A book on Windows Vista for Richard
Mary Tyler Moore Season 1 for Gma Shipp who's having surgery tomorrow
A steering wheel cover so I don't burn my paws any more

ELEVEN things that I'm loving these days:
NEW TILEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE (I'm just a little excited, can ya tell)
Talking to Grandma Shipp on the phone yesterday
The pool!!
Helping a friend out by bringing dessert to bible study
That I'm going home next week!!
TiVo
Army Wives season 2
Begining of Design Star again
Facebook
Lillian
That Kylie is a good baby

TEN things that annoy me:
Moldy tile
Blowout diapers
That we don't have our replacement double stroller yet
That its 105 here and its only the begining of June
The elephants that live upstairs
Blankets that shed fuzz balls in the washer
Making bottles
That I can only take one suitcase home
That I haven't talked to Heather in FOREVER

NINE words that would describe me:

1. Concerned ~ Gma Shipp has hip replacement surgery tomorrow
   
2. Annoyed ~ I WANT MY NEW STROLLER so we can go for walks.
   
3. Pleased ~ The girls are such good babies
   
4. Grateful ~ i've finally made good friends here.
   
5. Overwhelmed ~ I really need to get crackin again on Lilly's week by week memory book
6. Sad ~ R isn't coming home to MI with us
   
7. Full ~ the strawberry cheesecake muffin was amazing
   
8. Excited ~ two days in a row at the pool!
   
9. Entertained ~ Army Wives is back on
   

EIGHT great old movies to rewatch about this summer:
Big
You've Got Mail
Follow that Bird
Cinderella- Rogers & Hammerstein
Gerbert or McGee & Me
Aladdin
The Rocketeer
Twister

SEVEN things that I've accomplished:
Folding 4 loads of laundry
Starting my "I wanna" journal
Losing 45+ pounds
Finding a great swimsuit
Watching two babies and even doing errands
Playing R's game with him
Walking 150+ miles
Getting Lil to sleep while they're taking down tile

SIX quick tips to simplify life:
1. When you're putting leftovers in the fridge, write what it is with a dry erase marker, then it comes right off when the dish gets washed.
2. Keep a sharpee and scissors in the kitchen.
3. Twice a year (or once a month if you're OCD like me) go through the entire house making three piles: trash, craigslist/ebay/consignment, goodwill. You will be amazed at how much you gather.
4. Put foil in the pan before you use it so you don't have to wash the pan.
5. Peel potatoes, shred cheese, etc on waxed paper then just pick up the paper and throw it away so you don't have to wash the countertop.
6. When clothes come out of the dryer, dump them on your bed, so you have to fold and put them away before you go to bed.

FIVE absolutely wonderful quotes worth remembering:
Life's not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon or tasted as good as brownies.
Childhood is that wonderful time of life when all you need to do to lose weight is take a bath.
How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.
When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.

FOUR things I said yesterday more than once:
It's hot.
When will my shower be fixed?!?
I got Army Wives Season 1 on DVD.
She's awake.

THREE things that made me laugh this week:
Lilly talking
The little girl at the pool, "she's pukin"
Lilly laying on my stomach and puking all over my shirt, cheast, neck, face, hair and carpet...yet not a single drop on her

TWO Books on my want list right now:
The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky
Change of Heart by Jodi Piccoult

ONE thing R's completely embarrassed about:
Falling through the step at a Friends' and breaking it

Monday

Yesterday, when Kylie left, Lil and I headed straight for the pool. (Since it was a mere 105 here yesterday.) We spent two hours down there and had such a good time. When we first got down there we were the only ones there and it was WONDERFUL. We just sat on the edge and talked to the Lifeguard. She is Sweedish or something and I imagine her name is Helga, although I'm sure its not. But that's what I like to call her in my head. Its funny when the pool is full and she blows her whistle and yells at some kid, she has to yell it three or four times for anyone to figure out what she's saying.

We played in the kiddie pool, then I read a book for awhile while Miss Lil took a nap, then we got back in again. This time, in the kiddie pool, we met a 3 or 4 year old girl and she was so cute. She loved to hold Lillian's hand and dance with her. She was talking to Lilly and Lilly was cracking up. She was so funny, she kept saying "she's pukin". I tried to tell her that's all she does all day, but she continued to keep sayin "she's pukin". It was too funny.

I just got an email from Lindsey at work that she has four tickets to the Saturday night Tides (baseball) game and asked if we wanted to go. Of course! So the six of us (Brandon, Lindsey, us, and the girls) will be going there Saturday night. The forecast is calling for 95% and 30% chance of thunderstorms though, so hopefully that changes before then.

Sunday I have a day planned for Richard's first Father's Day. Its all surprises to him, so he can't wait to find out what we're doing. He knows part of it involves lunch out at a restaurant, but doesn't know which one.

This morning, after I was woken by Brandon's knock on the door to drop Kylie off and I went back to bed (she was sleeping and so was Lil), THEN we got another knock at our door. Guess who?!?? Two contractors, not maintenance men, but real contractors, here to fix our shower, not just fix it, but rip it all out, tiles, mold, drywall, and even plumbing and re-do it all. I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!! They are in the middle of it now but said they would be here most of the day. I was hoping to go to the pool again today so I'm hoping they're gone by 3, but if not, its worth it to skip a day at the pool for a NEW SHOWER!!!! I made them muffins and gave them pop cuz I was so thrilled to see them.

Lillian telling you about her weekend

Saturday and Sunday

Saturday morning we went shopping and got some clothes for me for Michigan. I actually have clothes that fit now! Unfortunately, its still not the closet full of clothes I already own, but we're getting closer...SLOWLY. We had lunch at Applebee's and finally used the gift card mom and dad gave us for Christmas. Then we went home and just hung out, played a game and watched some TV. Saturday night, Lena and Landon came over and we went to oldetown Portsmouth and watched the fireworks at Harbor Fest. It was still about 100 degrees and very, very muggy, but the show was AWESOME. It was more than a half hour and had a great variety of fireworks. Lilly loved looking at them and the sounds didn't bother her at all. She loves seeing Aunt Lena and Uncle Landon too. And we loved the break, we didn't hold her all night long! Landon tried to help R figure out how to fix the broken double stroller but no luck.

Sunday we went to church and took snack: banana bread and cinnamon bread. They were huge hits. We came home and hit the pool right away for almost two hours. The pool was almost warm this time and I actually got in. Lillian loved it, actually being able to get in now that its warmer. We spent some time in the big pool, then Lilly took a nap and I laid out while R swam. Then we all got in the kiddie pool. I sat on the bottom and just let Lilly stand in front of me. She had so much fun. We attracted a crowd of small children and Lillian was putting on a show for them, smiling and talking. We had to run to Target quick but then came back for a quiet evening at home, playing games. Army Wives season 2 started but I tivo'd it and will watch it later today...I can't wait.

Today brings:
watching Army Wives
calling Gma Shipp
Folding laundry
Making something for dinner
Writing in Lillian's memory book
Updating the checkbook
Putting away all the stuff from this weekend
Calling girls to set up lunch tomorrow.

To Do's and Goals

Things to accomplish this weekend:
Pool
Exercise one day
Take snacks to Sunday School
Pick up new Pac-N-Play
Harbor Fest fireworks with Landon & Lena
Shopping for clothes for Stacey for MI
Start MI packing list
Play a game together
Vacuum Pacifica
Fix wheels on stroller
Call Grandma
Call Kristen
Buy teething tablets for Lil



Goals for this summer:
Lose weight
Consistent workouts
Family photos & Lillian's 6 month photos taken in July
Stace and Lillian be in Brian and Steph's Wedding
A whole family visit to Iowa in August!
Go to the Virginia Zoo
Encourage Kylie and Lilly's friendship daily
Read at least one book a day to the girls
Have houseguests
Tithe regularly
Have a child-less date once a month
Pool at least once a week
Have Lillian get on the weight chart
R get off work for bible study on Wednesdays
Not take money out of the house fund
Make a house video for insurance purposes
Update wills, life insurance, medical info
Pray everyday about orders for next July

Leave comments please

In the interest of changing up the blog a little and making it more useful...is there anything anyone would like to see added to the blog? Leave your comments below and let us know what you would like to see here.

We have also deleted the chatterbox feature that was in the right hand column, any time you want to comment, you can leave it under any post, where it says "comments" and it is automatically emailed to us.

Over the next week or so we will be changing the background a lot. When we are done, I will post a poll of which one you like best, so remember. And when the poll goes up, please post.

Shower damage

This was our problem.



















This was their solution.


Hmmmmmmm....

The girls

On Monday, we started watching Kylie during the days while her parents are at work. It gets crazy at times with two babies, 4 months and 3 months, but for the most part its really fun. And with R's schedule, as much as I hate it, he is home for most of the time that Kylie is here, so if things do get crazy, he's great about stepping in and taking either of them. Then between 2-3 Lindsey picks her up and Lillian and I start the long process of passing the time til R gets home at midnight.

Tonight though, he's supposed to be able to get off at 5 so that he can go to bible study with us. I'm still not believing it until I see it, but if it happens I will be super excited.

We're doing a "cleanse" that is also supposed to help you lose some weight. The main goal though is to clean you all out, decrease your appetite and decrease any cravings. We started Monday and we're supposed to go for ten days. Although R quit last night and had a meal of three double cheeseburgers and a large fry. QUITTER!!!!! I'm still doing it though. You're only allowed to have one glass of tea a day and as much water and the lemonade mix you want. The lemonade mix is water, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. It's delicious - let me tell you.

Prunes

"Prunes, Prunes, the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you poop!" This is what we sang all night while looking at that adorable, brown covered face. And everytime the word "poop" was uttered Lillian smiled and once she made a sound when she smiled. We keep waiting for a giggle, but not yet, soon hopefully.

She got a hold of the spoon (when we were done eating and I handed it to her) and she was so intent on feeding herself that I didn't have the heart to tell her the business end of the spoon was the other end.







Hi mom, aren't I cute?














She's not to sure about this new form of bath.










But it ends up okay.

Brill Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

Bottle Making Machine

Every other day we do the following:

I gather all the bottles and put them in the sink.
I take the tops of each bottle.
I take the nipples out of each top.
I put soapy water in the sink for them to soak in.
Richard (usually) washes the bottles.
Then he (or I) puts them on the racks to dry.

When they are dry...
I put all 24 of the bottles back in the sink.
I fill each bottle with either 4 or 6 oz of warm water.
I put one scoop of formula in each bottle.
I put another scoop of formula in each bottle.
I put a third scoop of formula in the 6oz bottles.
I put a nipple in each top.
I put a top on each bottle.
I shake each bottle, setting it on a towel after its shaken.
When all the shaking is done, I check each bottle for chunks.
I shake all chunky bottles again.
I take a second towel and dry each bottle.
I put all bottles in the fridge.

I do this every other day. Three or four times a week.

All of this to say: I would gladly pay for a paint shaker machine if it had a bottle sized adapter. Or even pay an energetic 5 year old. Too bad all my friends kids are 2 or under.

Has anyone but me noticed in this new picture of Lillian how much she looks like the baby in the ticker at the top of the page?!? A little freaky- all she needs is a little dress.

Double Stroller Woes

The double stroller came via UPS today. Box looked fine, no problems. However, after pulling out the stroller there is part of the metal frame that is dented, and because of that, paint is scraped, parts are rusted and the paint is cracking. There is another two spots where the paint is scraped.

Nice.

I emailed the store we bought it from and they are supposedly checking into what they can do. I'd be really interested to see what they can do BEFORE MONDAY which is when I need it by. I told them this and that I was counting on them to come up with a reasonable solution by Monday so that the integrity of the stroller would not be at all compromised when I put two infants in it.

I guess that is the reason R always makes me talk to people/companies who screwed up. My vast vocabulary. I have to say, so far, with other things, its worked miracles.

EDIT: The company is sending out a new stroller as soon as they can (2-3 weeks because ours was the last one in stock) and said we can use ours in the meantime and keep it when the new one comes. However, when R put it all together, the posts that hold the front two wheels in are also broken. I emailed asking if they can replace that part. We were looking forward to being able to sell this one on craigslist and make a small profit. Either way, they've gotta figure something out for us to have a stroller sooner than 3 weeks from now.

Richard got home from work early tonight and was home by six pm!!!!!!! We ran a couple errands, all had dinner together, and fed Lilly peas. She actually did great with them and ate a whole jar. Up next is prunes. We'll see how those go. She got a bath, we read Peter Rabbit and she's in bed at 10:17 pm!! Hopefully she will still sleep til 8 but I doubt it.

Tomorrow R is taking his truck in to get a once over to check everything out and to have them replace the antenna that the guy who replaced his windshield broke off. Thankfully the windshield people are paying for the antenna.

We got Lillian a new toy at Target tonight, its a giggle & jiggle cow. Its pretty hilarious. It's a round plastic ball, that looks like a cow with red pants on and his feet, hands, ears, tail and nose stick out from the ball. When you push its nose, it "giggles and jiggles". We were cracking up at it. She is not quite as thrilled, but it did garner a couple smiles, jiggling on her belly.

As a side note, Cyndi and I have been having facebook communication like crazy. Today was culminated with a funny comment from a family member who will remain un-named.

On the other hand, she ABSOLUTELY LOVES the theme song from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I am constantly trying to think of new things to sing to her as we seem to do the same ones over and over and today I came up with Fresh Prince (who knows from where). She smiled over and over and pouted her lip when I stopped until I started again. I would say her second favorite is "the song that doesn't end" but that can get a little repetitive if you know what I mean.

Richard's Father's Day present came in the mail today. Thankfully, it was while he was at work. I wrapped it up and put it on the table. He is going to be so excited!!!!!!!!!!! he saw it and wanted to open it of course, but nope, gotta wait.

We got Lillian two new pairs of shoes: black patent mary janes for Bri and Steph's wedding (and other things) and white sandles that match Daddy's brown ones for everyday. Now that she's standing so much more, she seems to be standing better if she has shoes on. She's growing so fast.

4 month update

She had her four month appointment today and got more shots of course.

She is now a whopping 10 pounds and 9 ounces, but is still at the zero percentile mark.

She is 23.5 inches tall and her head is 39.5 cm around.

The doc was pleased with her growth and all of her milestones. Said he expects her to be on the chart, at least in the 5th percentile by her 6 month appointment.

She is standing excellently now, on her own even, if she is against a wall or in front of a toy. She is growing up so fast. She likes everything we've fed her so far except for green vegetables.

We just put 300 new pictures on the web site. If you need the address, send me an email or leave a comment here.

Checking to see what kind of an audience we have. Not sure how long we'll keep this up. Comment below please.

Lillian got her ears pierced on Wednesday and has done great with them. No pain since then at all as far as we can tell. She doesn't even really mind when we clean them. They look adorable.

Richard has gotten a little break from work as he got to come home before ten three days this week. The week of the 19th he is taking some classes, so he will be on a day check schedule so we know we'll have time together that week.

Richard planned lots of special events for Mother's Day and Lilly was great all day, it was perfect!

Richard's mom is coming down next weekend to visit us (his dad's Mother's Day present for her). We can't wait to see her.

Lillian started sleeping in her crib this week and is doing great. We bought her a mobile and she loves laying in the crib and staring up at the moving animals.

My mother has been NON STOP nagging me to do another post.

The thing is, NOTHING spectacular is going on around here. Richard has been working approximately 70 hours a week, which leaves him home 1-2 hours a day while we are awake. It's been great..........

Little Lillian has been extremely clingy the last few weeks so that's been a fun addition to already feeling like a single parent.

Lilly and I were almost involved in a deadly car accident, but narrowly missed it, thankfully. You might have heard that a week ago we had ten tornados in our area, several touching down and doing major damage. Lillian spent several hours in her carseat under a crib mattress in the bathtub, but we got no damage. The base where Richard works had some cosmetic damage in a couple spots, but that's as close as they came to personally affecting us, thankfully.

Lillian is now eating cereal and food. She has so far tried bananas and sweet potatoes and loves them both. On to carrots and squash next. Then the green veggies. I am home making her baby food but its super easy and I love it. She is holding her head more steady every day. We got her a jumperoo and she generally loves to be in it. We think she is starting to teeth because of this clinginess, and the fact that she is starting to drool and chew on her hands constantly.

That's it. There's your update Mom.

an update on everything

Lillian had cereal for the first time on Tuesday night. It is supposed to help with the gassiness and her gaining weight. It is really early, but they said it will really help the weight. She was a complete and total mess, not knowing at all what to do with it, but she really liked it and cried for more.

She loves sleeping on her tummy and I'm wishing she could sleep that way at night, because I think we would get a full night's sleep. However, I'm not going to complain because 5 out of the last 6 nights she has slept from 12-7. But from 7 on its up every half hour or so.

I have been trying to attack the chaos Lillian left behind. We bought a treadmill. Yes, its right in the middle of everything in our house, but it's been worth it. Since last Tuesday I have walked 69,000 steps or 28 miles and lost 7+ pounds. Slowwwwwwwwwwwly, but we're making progress at least.

We're in the process of looking for a used Jumperoo, in other words a cheap Jumperoo, for Lilly. She isn't ready quite yet, still has a bit of the bobble head going on, but it won't be but a week or two and she'll be roarin to go. Yet another thing to move every time you want to walk through the house. Yay!

We actually had to put her first two outfits away because they don't fit. One was the preemie sleeper she came home from the hospital in and the other were a pack of Gerber onesies for newborns 5-8 pounds. But, we got a whole bag of stuff from Lilly's (younger) friend Kylie, who outgrew all her newborn stuff already so we're stylin now. She has more than a complete dresser full of newborn and 0-3 month clothes that she is wearing or will wear soon.

Her hair is not growing back in on the top yet but the back hasn't fallen out yet either. It's lookin like when that top hair does start to grow in we'll have the makings of a perfect mullet. Whee!

Richard's Grandma and Grandpa Abrams and his Aunt Penny and Uncle Mike are coming down for a short visit this weekend. It will be their first time meeting Lilly.

Richard earned his CDI Stamp which he's been trying for a while now. It means that he is signing off on the gear that it is safe to fly. You have to have one of these on each shift and before he had his there was only one guy on nights who was qualified. Now that they both have them, they're trying to work out getting short days every other day. We'll see if it really works or not.

We just looked at the calendar and realized Monday is our year and a half anniversary. It sure doesn't seem like that long, but it also seems longer. But it SURE doesn't seem like we should have a 3 month old!

We (Lillian and Stacey) just got back from Florida and we had a great trip seeing everyone.

Lillian had her "2 month" checkup this morning and she now weighs 8 pounds!!!! She is 21 inches long also. What a great grower she is. She has been a little piggy this last week and now its paying off.

Ashley's too short visit

A summary of quotes from our time together:

I should call the cops.

That's hot!

The tattoos I get take hours.

What did you do? Sleep with the boss?

That's time out of my life I'll never get back.

I will not let you take the baby in there.

Are you punking me man?

I have stuff I haven't even told you.

Wow, a full subscription to BET!

Another free subscription to BET.

Nothing like calling attention to ourselves.

Wow, I don't fit in and its a grocery store.

She looks hot doesn't she?

Parking garages scare me.

Firemen...hi! Ooh, there's a copper too!

Now that's gonna shoot right out of her butt.

I will if you pull over... NOT HERE!!!

Exotic boutique - we should go there.

I'm gonna do the butt out the front window thing.

That was the worst night of her entire life.

Key word: lopping!

When a girl my size gets hungry, its not pretty.

It's only cuz it doesn't have a dirty connotation.

All the people at work think I'm doing drugs.

You know I'm mad when I say flippin' and freakin' that many times.

Oh, we're gonna die!

I've been thru more tunnels today than in the whole past year.

Low fuel...WHAT?!?!

Stacey tried to kill me in the tunnel.

I want a cookie...and some more pie. Only one cookie?!?!

Effingham

Do you have spiders in your bathroom?

And after that he was no longer living as far as I was concerned.

He was just like "I have to rescue my Cinderella".

My stomach just went WHOP.

I just about peed my pants.

I just want to get on my suitcase and ride it.

It was a pleasure serving you.

I wouldn't want to be strapped in like I'm going to space either.

I wonder how many people heard you say you wanted to date your cousin?

ONONDAGA

He was really mad at you!

Pretty sure it was a shehe.

He was adjusting his tummy.

AND NUMERO UNO....

AAUUGGGHHH!! I thought you were a rat!!!!!

PS-Full details provided upon request.

We read Lillian her first book and she was completely unfazed.

We have continued to take her in the shower and she continues to love it. Water streaming down her face doesn't even make her cry. We're doing our best to create a waterbaby out of her. So far so good. We'll see how she does in a pool.

She got her first manicure and pedicure, much to her father's ridicule, but it looks so adorable.

Tomorrow night is her first sunday school party and Sunday night brings another dinner with Landon and Lena. Monday brings.....

ASHLEYYYYYYYYYYY

We're just a little excited.

I'm going to update her accomplishment list tonight, I promise. I wonder how long they'll let me get the list before they start cutting it off?

We took Lilly to the pedi again yesterday. He's quickly becoming her most frequent visitor :-(

She has just been overly fussy all weekend and that's not her at all. Turns out she has a reflux problem and so we're trying Zantac to see how that will help with the gas from both ends.

However, she has only gained 5 ounces in two weeks and is now only up to 6 lbs 11 ozs, which sounded good to me at first, until I realized that she still, at 7 weeks, has not gained a full pound form her birth weight. Hmmm.... So, we're back to the every two hour force feedings. Not fun. For me or her. She always looks at us like, "you're not seriously going to shove that thing in my face again ALREADY are you?!?"

I'm still having serious supply issues and we're working with the lactation consultants to try all our options to increase it. Nothing we've tried has worked so far.

Lillian Rolled Over!!!

March Mayhem

I can't even believe it's March already. Time has FLOWN by. We've just been hanging out in wonderment of Little Miss Lillian and somehow its March. This month not only will bring her 2 month marker, my 26th birthday (OH MY WORD!), and a vacation to Florida for Grandma Harris' 75th birthday, but it brings the arrival of ASHLEY!!!!!!! Other than the wedding and the birth, this ranks right up there with top most awaited moments of my life. I cannot wait. It will be three days PACKED full of fabulous fun.

Lilly is doing magnificently although she has perfected her banshee scream and I'm sure the neighbors debate calling child protective services daily, thinking we must be neglecting her. She has been eating up a storm, which is great for her weight issues, which we are hoping are a thing of the past. She has a bit of a cold still and she absolutely hates the saline spray we've been told to use. She has been sleeping in the swing to be upright and seems to be doing better.

The other most exciting thing ever...we actually found some pants that fit her-kind of. They are "skinny leggings" from Gap, meant to be skin tight like tights but at least they mostly fit her. They only had two colors, but we bought both of them. She finally has something to cover her little legs! And we got her a swimsuit and a sun hat too, both are big, but will work for vacation in Florida.

PS-Birthday lists available upon request :-P