I just got my new Athleta catalog in the mail and *sigh*.  I’m so drooling over some of their new stuff…

So here’s my wishlist:

It’s a swim dress!  You swim IN it!  How cool is that?  I would puffy heart (with major glitter) to have this for our Jamaica trip…I can wear it on the beach in the evening AND out to eat AND it’s cute.  I want.  ($59.00)

These.  In brown.  ($89)

This totally makes me want to start playing tennis.  ($64)

I had a list of bathing suits, but I’m gonna give that one up for now.  lol.  They have really cute separates BUT they’re like 50 bucks for JUST the top.  I really can’t justify a $100 bathing suit at this point – not that I can justify any of my list…but hey.  It’s a WISHlist.  Maybe I should just call it a INMYDREAMSlist.

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Please please please click the button above and find this picture:

And click on it.

Please? I’ll love you forever and ever. Okay I will anyways…but please?!?

I’ve read that around now, I’m supposed to be “weaning” baby L from her bottle…and also switching to non-formula milk (cow, goat, rice, almond, etc.).  But, since we still had a bit left of formula, and a whole week until she turned one – I figured the switching of milk could wait.  Just a bit.  The bottle thing, though?  Yeh, we’d need to start NOW.

I read that some babies give up their bottles on their own.  But, some babies don’t.  In fact, some babies would be happy if they could toddle into preschool with their bottles.  Yeh.  Not gonna happen.  And, out of fear that my baby would be one of those who stubbornly held onto her bottle for dear life (if her disposition is to be reflected by myself or her father, I have much reason to fear), I chose to start weaning her now – rather than wait a few months and have an even more stubborn toddler.

My “sources” told me to start one bottle feeding at a time – her least favorite – and wean her from it.  So, for her…that would be the lunch time bottle.  I mean, technically…they are all her favorites.  Technically.  But, I figured lunch time would be an easy time to distract her.  So, today…I meant to only give her 3/4 of her usual bottles.

She had one this morning.  Then, around lunch time she had her regular food and wanted out of the highchair!  She didn’t even whine for the bottle!  So, I got her up and we went outside to play for an hour.  She napped.  Then, she got back up and “ate” (resorted to slinging food at me.  APPARENTLY this kid doesn’t like brown rice).  She wanted down again.  No bottle.  Again.  Then, supper came time and she had her wheat biscuits and a bottle.  She began rubbing her eyes like she was tired and was being super grumpy.  Until she saw our food come out.  Lasagna.  Her eyes lit up.  And she took two steps…right up to my plate!!!  – And pretty much ate an entire “big person’s” serving!!

Right.  So, no on brown rice and yeh for lasagna.

I concur.

Last Saturday was one of Lorelei’s little friends birthday parties.  She turned one!

It was a fun little party, but it was more than that.  Lorelei saw all of these little kids doing things …and she wanted to do everything too!

Most of them were walking…so, she wanted to walk (keep in mind that up to this point, if you tried to get her to walk, she’d pick her feet up off the ground and try to sit!).  They were pointing, so she wanted to point.  They were playing with balls…so she wanted to too!

Here are some pics of Lorelei having fun at her first birthday party (and it wasn’t even hers !)  lol…all the while learning new things…

Lorelei doing her “old man” face…

Not entirely sure what this face was for.  She was watching kids trying to shoot hoops.

Hilarious!

Lorelei and her new buddy, E.

So so sweet…

Baby girl smirking.

Ball?  Ball!!

Baby L and Daddy (hers, not mine)

I was just dinking around on my blog, and happened upon my “incoming links” section.  Generally, I don’t even pay attention as I’ve been trying to spend more time OFF the computer…you know, living.  lol.  I really am trying to overcome this internet addiction thing.  Seriously (despite the fact I’m like always on).  Anyways, I saw something on their from Building Camelot…so I trucked on over…

and guess what?!  Tyler (from Building Camelot) gave me an award!!!

Tyler, you totally just made my day   Thank you SO SO much. 

And, here are the rules for the award:

Re-present it to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blog land. Let them know through email or by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times yourself, and if you do, consider yourself really, really loved.

So here we go…here are 10 blogs I’d like to present the You Make My Day Award to:

1.  Huckdoll’s Hood

2.   Momo Fali’s

3.  Nissa’s Niceties

4.   So grateful to be mormon

5. Such Simple Pleasures

6.  Whiskey in my Sippy Cup

7.  Jogging in Circles

8.  Momisodes

9.  Busy Dad Blog

10. Seeking Sanity

For one reason or another, I love visiting each of these blogs.  Some are inspiring and thought-provoking, some make me laugh, and some are wonderfully lighthearted and cute.  Either way, I love the blogs and the wonderful bloggers behind them.

As many of you know, I’ve been scouring the WWW for meals under $4, preferably under $2 (for 4 people). True, there are only 2 people and an almost one year old…but leftovers are my lunch. So…yeh. That, and I only had less than $50 to plan 2 weeks worth of meals.

In order to SAVE money (out of necessity, not because I intentionally like to eat CRAP), I’ve began planning my meals. Really planning. Meaning, cutting coupons and visiting Kroger.com just to find out what’s on sale and THEN plan kind of planning.

And, as much as I bitch and moan about it all…it’s kind of cool to know that I CAN buy food for a family of 4 UNDER $50 for 2 weeks.

Saturday (last Saturday): Ate with my mom, she paid. Pizza Inn. She rocks.

Sunday (yesterday): Grilled Chicken over Brown Rice with a sprinkle of cheese and some Ranch. We buy the boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen)…so we eat a LOT of chicken

Monday: Stouffer’s Lasagna. Have I told you my mother ROCKS? She also surprised me with a couple of bags full of groceries Sat night.

Tuesday: Chicken nuggets and fried potatoes. (B,S CB cut up and breaded and fried)

Wednesday: Spaghetti (noodles and Ragu sauce…total for this meal? $2!)

Thursday: Spaghetti…again. (Leftovers)

Friday: Bertolli Pasta for 2 (because my mom rocks)

Saturday: Hamburgers and hodogs (L’s first bday party!!!)

Sunday: Dirty Rice (Zatarain’s mix)

Monday: Lasagna (my mom still rocks)

Tuesday: Hamburger patty (no bun) and fried rice

Wednesday: Lasagna leftovers.

Thursday: Chicken quesadillas (B, S CB shredded or cut into strips, cheese, and tortillas) and beans?
Friday: Potatoes and eggs

Saturday: Chicken crescent rolls

Now, that’s thrifty.

And no worries…Lorelei will be eating a complete balanced meals with all her dairy, grains, fruits/veggies, and protein (before any concerned family asks).

Woke up to husband singing this song this morning:

“Something in your eyes…makes me want to kill myself…stick it to myself…”

Over and over…

Wondering if I should check my food for today?

Most people get their “new start” in January.  New Years.  They make lists (Resolutions), and that’s the beginning of a whole new them.  Suppo

sedly.

Well, I made that list, and I do plan to stick to it, or complete the goals (most, if not all) by the end of the year.  But, now it’s April and I feel like I’m almost suffocating.  It’s horrible.  I know of some of the reasons, but I think I have a bit more self-discovery and outside-my-self discovery to do, as well.

So, here goes.  I found this list on RealSimple.com

MY INCOMPLETION INVENTORY

Here’s a place to get started.  Jot down your unfinished business, and don’t forget to assign a completion date: N, for “now” (which means now); L, for “later” (but also add a date); C, for “complete”; or NTL, for “not in this lifetime.”

Unfinished Business

1.  Things I want to start but haven’t started: 

I would love, love, love to make Lorelei some awesome clothes…

C, but I want to do more…so L also.  No dates for this one.  I do                                                                                                                                             want to get at least 4 pieces done this year.

I would also learn to sew well enough to make some things for me.  Not ALL of my clothes.  But I like having the option of making some really cool pieces.

Later…maybe towards the end of this year?

And, I want to do some improvements on the house.  French doors, new floors downstairs, updated bathroom, deck, garden…that sort of thing.  Oh, and paint the cabinets white in the kitchen.  No dates.  This depends on Steven’s paycheck and all that jazz.  ALTHOUGH…I need to scrape some cash together to order some seeds for my garden.  Heck, I’ll just go to the Farm store   I want the garden THIS year and I’m gonna do it!

2.  Things I want to change but haven’t changed:

I’d like to tame my usage of certain curse words.  That’d be a good start.  And, I really need to start working out.  Now.

3.  Things I want to stop but haven’t stopped. 

Curse words.  I think that is it.

4.  Things I started but haven’t finished. 

No.  Not really.  Everything I have started on, I’m either still working on, finished, or changed direction.  I’m good on this one!

5.  Things I want to do but haven’t done. 

I’d like to travel more.  Of course, this depends HUGELY on cashflow.  But, it can wait.  Otherwise?  I think that’s it?

6.  Things I want to say but haven’t said.

I’d like to tell someone that they were an AWFUL friend.  They let me down in ways they will never understand…and at a crucial time in my life.  And, although I may forgive them (someday)…I will never be able to be the friend to them that I once was.  You (she) hurt me deep.  (And, I will probably never say the words I feel.  There is no point, it’d make things worse).

To someone else, I’d love to tell them that although it was nice being their friend for the time that it lasted, I feel that this cycle is up.  I want to remain friendly, but, let’s face it…it became pretty one-sided months ago.  Since, we barely speak.  I’m sorry, but I need to surround myself with good friends.  People who I can count on as much as they count on me.  Hope you understand.  (And, I dont plan to say this either…I’m just going to quietly let go)

And then to several people…I hope you understand, but I have to let go.  You string me along and are only here for me when it is convenient for YOU.  That’s not friendship.  It’s toxic.  I’m done.   (Once again, I’m just quietly letting go…I’m not planning to confront anyone…I doubt they’d even notice, honestly…maybe 6 months from now…)

7.  Things I want to learn but haven’t learned.

I want to learn how to use all of the great settings on my digital camera.  I need to get that manual out and read up.  My friend promised to give me “lessons” once I read that!  Yahoo!  Thanks TH   xoxo

 8.  Things I have felt but haven’t expressed.

Okay…this is going to be long.  But, if you love me, you’ll keep reading.  If you don’t, who cares.

I’ve expressed all of these feelings, just never to ONE person.  I have a really hard time trusting people, so I give people PIECES of me.  There it is.  I’ve said it.  I’ve outed myself.  Certain events have transpired in my life, that make it hard for me to TRUST people.  I’ve been betrayed more times than I can count by the people that were CLOSEST to me.  But, damnit.  I’m tired.  I’m ending this NOW.

Everyone comes to the table with their own baggage, their own set of issues, their own history.  My story may not be worthy of a book, but it’s mine.  And until you know it, you will never know me.  And, if you never know me…all of me…you can never love me (all of me).

So, that’s your PIECE that I offer up to the blogosphere.  I don’t know who’s reading…who’s not…or who even cares.  But, if you are truly interested in getting to know ME, stick around.  Piece by piece, I’ll lay it out.  The story that is me.

Because…until I deal with what lies behind me, I will never truly move forward.

…………

Anyone else wanna do the list?  If you do, let me know so I can read!

Glanced up from the laptop, and what do I see?…

Nevermind WHY, but HOW?  -She is SO proud.

13 Fun things for my almost-toddler to do to mommy (who’s passed out laying on the floor).

1.  Crawl over and stick her fingers into mommy’s eyes.  Which were shut.

2.  Push up into standing position.  Plop down on mommy’s back and then bounce up and down.  Because mommy is like a pony.  Except not.

3.  Show mommy her new trick.  Putting things INTO containers (not just pulling them out anymore!).  And, then slinging the entire tin lunchbox at mommy’s face.

4.  Crawl over to mommy and sit down.  Poke her lips while making smoochy noises (yet never giving her a kiss).

5.  Crawl over to mommy and pat her head when her eyes are closed.

6.  Crawl behind mommy and pull her hair.  One strand at a time.

7.  Hit mommy’s arm while saying “Ow!” “Ow!” and giggling.

8.  Move on to mommy’s face.  “Ow!”

9.  Grab mommy’s nose and explore it by trying to put fingers in.

10.  Lick mommy.

11.  Hurry.  While mommy’s not looking, let’s go pull EVERYTHING off the shelves.

12.  And out of the closet.

13.  Then, back to hitting mommy.  “Ow!”