My Fingers are Waaay Better!

She's On Her Tummy, but Not Too Happy

Elise isn't too fond of tummy time.  Although, she wants to roll over pretty bad!

She's In Awe...

Playtime With Daddy

I was in the kitchen cleaning and looked over and saw this.  Jason was setting up a "tent" and playing in it with Elise.

German Chocolate Cake, Take 2

And that's how it's done!

Well, sort of.  It was supposed to be 3 layers, but the third layer wouldn't come out of the pan.  Well, actually it came out, just in a bunch of pieces.  So this is as good as it gets.  And for the record, I will never make this again.

The Cooking Gods Hate Me!

I started a fire this evening.

As if the cookie failure wasn't enough, I attempted a German Chocolate cake (Jason's favorite!) from scratch today.  Well, when I didn't have 2 or 3 9in. cake pans, I decided to improvise.  I used 2 8in. pans. After a while I started to smell something burning.  I checked in the oven and saw that they were overflowing.  I didn't figure it was that big of deal, but I started to worry after the smell got worse and I saw the batter start a little ember on the burner. There was cake batter EVERYWHERE.  I told Jason we might want to take them out.  He helped me slide them on to a cutting board.  I noticed smoke was pouring out of the oven, so I opened it up and in the calmest voice I said "it's...on...fire."  I guess the batter in the bottom of the oven caught on fire.  Well, Thank God I live with a fireman because in about .3 seconds he went over to the sink, turned the water on full blast and pulled the sprayer out as far as it would go and sprayed it like a water hose into the oven.  The entire kitchen and living room was engulfed in smoke.  The poor dogs were trying to escape.  So, I turned the heater off and we had to open all the windows and doors and bundle Elise up.  The house was 65 degrees.  Jason cleaned the oven and everything around it because it was all wet.  What a nightmare!  Jason said he wanted a fire this weekend, he just didn't want it in his own home.

So, as if I didn't feel bad enough about all that... I was rinsing out the sink and accidentally let the measuring spoon go down the drain... WHILE THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL WAS RUNNING!  At that point I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  I was really questioning if I should even THINK about cooking dinner, Jason said it would be an opportunity for me to redeem myself.  We ordered pizza.

New Toy!

My Unpopular Opinion

Let me first start out by saying that I gave a lot of thought about whether or not I would actually post this.  But I figured I would since this is only MY opinion.  It’s not to say that I am right or wrong, or anyone else is right or wrong.  Before anyone sends me any emails or messages accusing me of being the anti-Christ, please bear in mind that I am only expressing what I have experienced and this not a popular topic of discussion.  With that being said, this is my blog and we are fortunate enough to live in a country where we are afforded the freedom of speech and religion.  So, as you continue reading, should you feel your blood pressure start to rise please repeat to yourself "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and you should not judge unless you have been in their shoes."

The question was raised to Jason and me, would we be baptizing Elise?  I said no and I guess Jason thought we would.  I am not baptized myself and did not grow up attending church regularly.  Yes, I went to Vacation Bible School, was in the church youth group and choir, and was a member of Freshman Young Life.  However, my family did not go to church every Sunday.  I grew up outside of Houston where religion and what church one attended were not routine conversation topics.  There were so many people with diverse beliefs and religions, that it wasn't an important issue.  We moved to the Texas Panhandle ( aka "The Bible Belt") when I was in high school.  I could NOT believe every single person I met at school asked me what church I was going to go to.  Well, I wasn't going to church and that was almost unheard of.  I was invited to attend several different churches with different people and I agreed.  Let me stop here and say that I don't feel like I HAVE to go to church to be a Christian, have faith, or go to Heaven.  I think if I live my life in a positive way with good morals and follow the straight and narrow, that's enough.  Anyway, in my experiences with attending various churches I have come to realize there are a few different types of people that go to church. I am not any of these, nor do I intend to be.

There are those people that love church and God all the way to their core.  That is great for them.  They genuinely live their live according to the word of God and want to spread the message to everyone they meet.  They do not drink or swear or sin, and are present at EVERY function and are very involved.  So, basically I could not be myself around these people at church.

Then you have those people that go to church because it's a big show... socially expected.  They sit there and pass judgment on everyone else.  They judge the lives of the people that go to church with them and they judge the lives of people BECAUSE they don't go to church.  I have known people like this so it's not a stretch from the truth.  Passing judgment on someone because they do not attend church is NOT what religion is all about.  It's about NOT judging and being accepting and open-minded.  I am an open minded person and these people only feel their way is RIGHT, when in all actuality they are not heeding the words they are being taught in church.

Last but not least, you have the hypocrites that are in church every Sunday preaching about not sinning, but were out the night before getting drunk and sleeping around.  If you're gonna be out making an ass of yourself for the whole town to see what's the point of going to church and pretending to be the Golden child?  This was the majority of the high school football team.

Like I said, this is all in my experiences and I can only speak for myself.  Also, I realize that not all churches and religions are this way, but my experiences after moving have left a bad taste in my mouth.  I cannot see myself starting to attend church for the sole purpose of baptizing my daughter.  I think it should be a choice she decides on her own.  I wouldn't even know what church to choose.  I don't think it's right to start going to church for that reason.  It should be a personal decision that each individual has the right to make.  It shouldn't be forced upon or made some to feel inadequate because of their choices.  It's the luxury that we as Americans have to choose, and no one needs to make that choice for us or judge us because of our personal preferences.

After discussing this with a friend of mine, she completely understood where I was coming from.  She too has had similar experiences and converted to Catholicism.  She invited me to attend her church with her family if Jason and I wanted to.  I have already been to so many different churches, what's one more?  And like I said, I'm pretty open-minded so, who knows maybe?

I hope I haven't offended anyone and want to reiterate that I am not putting these labels on ALL churches and religions.  This is just what I have observed firsthand.

Why You Should Learn Your Fractions!

As you all know, I'm pretty close to being the next Paula Dean.  But, many of you also know it took me several attempts at college algebra.  I never knew the importance of learning my fractions until last night when I tried to cut a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe in half.  I'm still not sure I know what half of  3/4 cup is or which half of the egg you are supposed to put in.  The yolk or the white?  Anyway, something went haywire and I ended up with something that did not even resemble a cookie.  Lesson of the story, kids... learn your fractions!

All That I'm After Is A Life Full Of Laughter

Elise always keeps me laughing.  Between her cooing and funny faces she keeps me entertained.  Even when she isn't trying to be funny, I can't help but laugh when I'm changing her diaper and she pees everywhere just as I lift her legs and butt up.  I had to tell her last night she had a deep belly button like her Daddy to be able to make a puddle of pee in it!


I have been trying to get her to laugh, but she hasn't yet.  I guess I haven't found the ticklish spot just yet.  She talks up a storm now.  I'm glad she can finally communicate without crying.  However, she knows how to work me!  If I put her down for a while to swing or play, she will be content for a little while.  But then she starts that fake crying business.  It's like a warning to say, if you don't get over and pick me up soon I'm going to have a full blown screaming fit.  So, when I get her picked up.... viola!  Quiet and content once again.

Sometimes I worry that I am "spoiling" her by holding her and picking her up and not letting her cry, but I have read about Attachment Parenting and it builds strong relationships between the child and parent.  The child builds trust and confidence and says that eventually she will become more independent because of it.  When she cries for me if someone else holds her, I hope that she will outgrow it.

 

Another Reason To Hate Momma When I Grow Up

SERIOUSLY, Dog?!

After I spend ALL that time trying to get Elise to take a nap, I come back to find this? Gimme a frickin break, would ya? Don't bother getting up... I'll pick it up when you're done. Enjoy your nap, Precious!

SO Much To SAY!

Last night Elise was in her swing just talking up a storm!  I caught a little bit of it on video!

This Day Was A Nightmare!

We had some more snow last night.. four more inches.  Elise has been pretty fussy the last couple of days and my mother's intuition new something wasn't right.  I didn't know what was wrong I knew it was something.  She has been drooling a lot and putting her hands in her mouth.  She has been really unhappy...crying alot, and I have been at her mercy.  It's exhausting taking care of a sick baby and discouraging when you don't know what to do to help them.  I know it's a little early, but the Dr. Sears Baby Book said they start "pre" teething on and off around 3 months.  Well I had been checking her temperature often and thought she been running a little bit of a fever.. 99.5, 99.8, 99.9.  I called and talked to a nurse about what was going on and decided to go ahead and make an appointment with the pediatrician today.  I wanted to see if it was just teething or maybe an ear infection...  After four hours of running around in the cold and snow... here's the situation.

I get to the doctor's office early.  This never happens.  I am usually always late, but considering the weather and road conditions I left the house 40 minutes before her appointment.  I was trying to get her out of the truck and had the driver's side door and 3rd door open when some girl decided that she wanted to park in the spot right next to me.  I guess the other 45 parking spots weren't good enough.  So, I just decide I'll get Elise out after this chick parks, so I'm huffing at her and shutting all my doors so she can get in the spot.  Well, she decides to give me the wave indicating that she will wait for me to unload and then she'll proceed with parking.  Fine! Great! Whatever!  I pull on the handle and it's LOCKED.  OH. MY. GOD.  I am staring at the diaper bag (that usually contains the keys).  It is sitting in the driver's seat and my baby is in the truck.  You know that panic that comes over you when you realize you have locked the keys in the car?  Well multiply that by a thousand when you realize you have locked the keys and THE BABY in the car.  On my way to having a panic attack and losing all control, I put my hand in my pocket to get my cell phone and what do I feel?  THE KEYS!  Thank you Jesus!

Okay... I get myself together and get us inside and checked in.  Elise weighs 12lbs. 12oz.  Temperature was 98.8....no fever.  I told the doctor about her fussiness, restlessness at night, lack of appetite, "fever", etc.  I asked if she could be teething.  She said she COULD be, but didn't think that was the main problem.  The doctor listened to her and she was wheezing.  She got a breathing treatment and was doing a lot better.  The diagnosis was Bronchiolitis, something to the effect of a chest cold.  Come to find out, anything less than 100.5 is not a fever, but it was a good thing I still took her in.  They sent me home with a breathing machine and a prescription for Albuterol.  Elise gets 4 breathing treatments 4 times a day for 4 days, then 3 times a day for 4 days, then 2 times and then 1 time for 4 days each.  The nurse said she was going to put in a request for the insurance company to buy the breathing machine because given her age and where we live, she might need these routinely.  I had to wait an hour with a screaming baby for the prescription and then drive 20 minutes home.  Hopefully Elise will be on the mend, and it won't be long before I have my happy baby girl back!

Obviously with a fussy and sick baby, I have not done any shredding... bummer.

Working Out From Home

When I'm not shredding, I've found some of the techniques below quite helpful and inspiring.  I also try to employ these strategies when I am not near a DVD player.




** Stole video from another blog**

What I Wish I Was Doing...

Instead of working out...

Day 3: I made myself do The Shred today, even though I can still barely walk.  My legs are mush.  They were shaking through every single lunge.  You know what's funny?  I happened to read that warning they flash on the screen before the work out starts and it said "If you experience pain or discomfort do not continue."  Well, I wish I would have read that on Day 1 and I would have quit half way through.  And another thing... Jillian, how about you tell Natalie and Anita (you know, those 2 broads working out behind you) to wipe that frickin smile of their faces because no body likes working out THAT much!  Oh!  And while I was mid-push up, the dog walked by and farted in my face.... perfect.  Just perfect.

30 Day Shred

Day 1:  I hate you, Jillian.  Those jumping jacks looked easy enough, but I was already breathing hard doing the warm-up.  And you can take those push ups and crunches and shove 'em!  While you were babbling your "encouragement" I was on the other side of the TV giving you the bird in between boxing jabs.  And I don't need YOUR encouragement because I had my own little cheering section... that would be Jason & Elise.  Note to self:  Do NOT Shred unless you are home alone.  The last thing I need is Mr. Sports & Exercise Science Degree critiquing my push-up position and telling me to get lower.  Oh yeah, and just because I'm working out doesn't mean I'm going on a diet.  I'm still going to eat whatever I want.  Including chocolate chip cookies.  Thankyouverymuch.

Day 2:  Can. Not. Walk.  My legs are shaking.  The 30 Day Shred was an appropriate title for this work-out DVD.  My body feels like it has been put through a shredder and spit back out.  Jillian, you and I will not be meeting today.  I fear I would crumble to the ground at the first attempt of a jumping jack.  I can't even lower myself onto the toilet (I get half way there and just fall and hope I land on the seat) let alone do a squat.