Special anniversaries

Today, March 31, has 2 big anniversaries:

1. One year ago today was my last day as a working woman for Corporate America. I had stopped working in preparation for my upcoming baby!!! Man, my life sure has changed since then!

2. Three years ago today was another key life-change in our family. We had heard that our neighbors had rescued a beagle from a storm drain up in Kannapolis and was trying to find a family for her. We decided to go look at the dog and found her to be SOO cute! After much talking about it, we decided to adopt this little beagle, who was so sweet to have been caught in a storm drain! That night, Cayman was ours...and our lives have NEVER EVER been the same. Tonight, we're celebrating with a can of dog food rather than the dry stuff. Isn't she lucky?

59 cent tacos!

Last night, we went to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant which promotes 59 cent tacos on Monday nights. We found out about this deal from some friends of ours and enjoyed a cheap dinner with them. The chips and salsa were SOOO good, the queso was excellent, and the tacos were great!!! And since my cravings have been for the salty and crunchy foods, I was very satisfied at the end, though the indigestion was brutal afterwards!!! We were very impressed with fare and are DEFINITELY planning on making this a regular event, since it was cheap and good!

Mallory enjoyed her first taste of refried beans. I let her play with the spoon I served her with and she made an absolute mess, but loved every minute.

11 Months old

I can't believe Mallory was 11 months old this past Monday. I was a bit behind in taking her pictures, but it's better late than never!!! At 11 months, she crawls all over the place, pulls up on anything and everything, cruises like a champ, plays well with almost all her toys, sleeps all night, and says "ba ba", "ma ma", and "da da" (though they don't "mean" anything in particular). At 11 months, she doesn't wave or clap, she doesn't drink milk out of a sippy cup, and has become a pretty finicky eater. She's a joy and delight and I'm looking forward to celebrating her 1st birthday really soon!

I can't decide which picture I liked best. I would post all of them, but here are my favorites.

Near-meltdown at the Wal-Mart

Yesterday was a day to run errands. I had a bunch of things to do in a limited time frame after Mallory's nap and before her lunch. Since she's become a finicky eater, I like to have her eat at home so there is MINIMAL distraction. So, I had about 45 minutes to do my grocery shopping and since I was by the Super Wal-Mart, I decided to go there.

Mallory and I strolled around picking up items from our grocery list, which was quite large since I had run out of all the non-food essentials...diapers, trash bags, papertowls, etc...and I was low on other essentials, like milk, eggs, and olive oil. So, we had a lot of big items in our cart and it was full of a few things that weren't on my list that I had forgotten to put on my list.

So, Mallory and I finally made it to the check-out counter, stood in a LONG line behind a few others, and we patiently waited for our turn. I lugged all the big items on the check out counter, lugged them back onto the cart, and followed with all the other $100 worth of items in the cart. I looked in my purse to pay the bill when I was shocked to discover that I had forgotten my wallet. I quickly realized that it was in Mallory's diaper bag...the bag that I left at home because it needed washing. I was relieved when I saw my checkbook and wrote a check, grateful to know that I'd be going home with my groceries, saving myself the embarassment.

When the clerk ran my check through the check machine, the man asked for my driver's license number. Um, I don't have my driver's license number. I forgot to bring my wallet. I sucked in my breath, remembering that they asked for those kinds of things. By the way, I NEVER pay with checks, so I forgot about all the info they want on them. Anyway, while I was standing in the check out line trying to hold it together, I remembered a post that my friend Kelly wrote about the same type of experience at Aldi's. The manager at Aldi's willingly took a check without a driver's license number and I figured that the same would happen here. I mean, it's Wal-Mart!!!

Well, the clerk said that he definitely needed my driver's license number. I calmly asked if I could call him when I got home with the DL number because I forgot my wallet. No, they don't do that. Well, could you call the manager? There was no need because the computer wouldn't allow a DL number override. Well, is there anything you can do? Um, I'm doing all I can for you ma'am (as he stands there, arms crossed, looking at me like I have two heads, as if that was all he could do). That's when the tears started.

I asked him what I was supposed to do with my groceries? The ones I chose so carefully? The ones that were now mine since they were in my buggy? Well, I could go home, get my wallet, come back and get the groceries. No, I couldn't do that because I had to feed Mallory, allow her SOME kind of play time since she had been in the car all day, and give her a nap. Plus, it would be another hour to drive home, get the wallet, drive back, get Mallory in and out of the car... but WAIT!!! My husband's name is on the check! Could I call him and get his DL number? No, ma'am. He has to be present to give the DL number. More tears.

Well, I guess I'll just have to leave my groceries. When I said it, another clerk came and took my buggy to customer service. There they went. And I watched them go with my mouth agape, trying to believe this was really happening. I followed my groceries to the customer service desk and pleaded my case with them. No avail, but of course they did all they could. I'd have to leave without my groceries. I was crying pretty hard at this point. Mallory was my tissue and didn't know why I was hugging her so tight and burying my face in her neck so no one would see my smeared mascara. At this point, I didn't WANT to come back for the groceries. I was so mad, upset, embarrassed, and everything in between.

All day, I had thought things like "I'm going to have some grape juice" and I'd look in the fridge for it, remembering that it was probably still in the buggy by the customer service counter. And since I was down to our last trash can liner, I knew I couldn't put off grocery shopping until the next day. So, after a nap (which I REALLY needed at that point), Mallory and I went to Food City and did our shopping. Though it was a little more expensive, it was faster and I didn't forget my wallet this time. And my grape juice is now chilling in the fridge.

What a day.

Various updates...

1. My first OB appointment for Baby #2 is tomorrow. Yeah! I love these appointments.

2. We're under contract with a house that we both really like. We should close around the first of May if all goes well with the construction. I picked out my paint color on Wednesday. I picked out the kitchen cabinets and vanities on Friday. I'm still hoping to hear from the builder that granite countertops is an option (it should be according to the house description). If I can have granite, then I need to go pick out my stone. I get to pick out my light fixtures tomorrow, in addition to picking up the floor samples from my real estate agent. Fun Fun!!! I'll post pictures soon! It's been really rainy and cold here lately...it even snowed yesterday! Since it's been overcast, I haven't taken any home pics. I'll get some soon!

3. Patrick's job is going well so far, though he's had his stressful moments. He's still in a transition mode and will be in this mode for a few more weeks. He gets a new laptop, though, and a cell phone, which he's excited about. He has more conference calls now and is going to be more office-based come mid- to late-March. He's hoping to recruit a new therapist in the next few weeks...pray that it happens soon!

4. Mallory is doing MUCH better, though she's still nursing a cough. We've had a few rough days, but she's gradually on the mend. I'm still having trouble getting her to drink her bottle. She only eats about 3-4 ounces per sitting rather than 6-7, which means she's only getting about 12 ounces a day. Not much! She was rejecting all food on Friday and Saturday, but is gradually getting her appetite back. I'm concerned about her milk intake, though. She's a skinny minny and I don't want her to be mal-nurished, though I know she's a long way from that (she's got NO ROLLS on her at all!). I've tried to give her other dairy products (yogurt, cheese, etc), but she's just not interested (spitting out of her mouth, throwing them on the floor, crying if I stick a dairy product in her mouth, etc). She also doesn't like milk in her cereal. She's a pesty little chick when it comes to dairy, though it doesn't seem to upset her tummy. Do any of you have suggestions? Tips? Words of encouragement??? Should I be concerned about her dairy intake?

4. The Gators are still in the NCAA tournament!!! Gators all the way!

Care for a slice?

Most of you know my folks own a pizza restaurant. I enjoy keeping up with any pizza news, and Patrick ran across this article that we both found very interesting. I think my parents should add this one to the menu...

Would YOU spend $1000 for a pizza?

Going to the Pediatrician

Mallory has been battling a runny nose for about a week and a half now, which eventually led to some chest congestion around Monday. This morning, she woke up with a fever and a thick layer of nose crusties. I feel so bad for her! Her chest congestion seems to have gotten worse overnight and she coughs when she cries. It's so pitiful! I called the nurse Monday and have been giving her a generic brand of Robitussin DM, which she absolutely HATES! I've also done the Vicks-on-the-feet thing, which helps with her cough, though she's not coughing a ton. She's just pitiful and it breaks my heart!

Anyway, please keep us in your prayers. I will let you all know what her Ped says...

Noon Update:
We just got back from the Ped and she said that Mallory has a sinus infection. She's been perscribed amoxcicillin, so please pray she doesn't have a reaction to the antibiotic and that she'll heal quickly.

Humbled by God's Abundant Blessings!

This has been such an amazing week for Patrick and me (Mallory too!). Though Patrick has been battling a sinus infection and Mallory has a raspy cough, we rejoice in the Lord and His abundant blessings.

Last week, we found out that our household will be blessed with another family member in November. Yes, Mallory will be a big sister. Yes, I am pregnant with my second child. Yes, our "quiver is getting full", praise God! Though I was surprised, I wasn't shocked at the news. Patrick and I are both thrilled and are looking forward to cuddling this newborn baby around Nov. 7th!

Three days after we found out about our new baby, Patrick was offered a new position at work to be a Director of Physical Therapy, which included a nice raise! What perfect timing! God knows what we need and knows how to provide and does so beyond what we ask. We're so humbled by this opportunity for Patrick. This new position will be a challenge for him and will cause him to stretch his skills as a worker, but I have the confidence that he will succeed beyond his expectations!

We've also found a house that we like that is in the process of being built. We've decided to move forward on making an offer and will be meeting with the builder today to try to work out some details. We're hoping this contract will go through and possibly be moved in the next few months.

So, we have much to rejoice over! I will continue to post updates about the baby, job, and house.

Lets Do Lunch!

Question about eating...

I have a few questions for you experienced moms out there regarding feeding your children. First of all, it's my goal to one day gather around the dinner table as a family, but it's very difficult to do that now. I'm trying to figure out a good schedule for Mallory to join us eathing, but I'm afraid she'd be eating too close to her bedtime and won't take her bottle before she sleeps.

So, here's a little sample of our evening schedule:
4:30pm - Mallory usually eats her dinner-time bottle
5:00pm - Mallory eats her dinner
5:30/6 pm - Patrick gets home from work/gym
6/6:30pm - Patrick and I sit down to eat for dinner
6:45pm - Mallory gets her bath
7:15pm - Mallory eats her final bottle
7:30pm - Mallory's bedtime

In the past, I've let Mallory sit at the table with us and eat some Puffs while we're having our meal, but she often doesn't take enough of her bedtime bottle, and thus will wake up EARLY and is a hungry baby. But, if she sits at the table with no food, she gets impatient. I know she's still pretty young to be eating with our schedule, but I was wondering when that will be? What should I do to move toward a family dinner time?

As she gets older and I start to wean her off of formula, how much whole milk should she get? How many ounces per day? When do those start tapering off? What are your suggested meal times/snack times...specifically for 12-18 month olds. I've searched the net for some suggestions but haven't found any that have helped. I figured I'd ask my mom-friends!!!

Bring on the suggestions!

Pretty eyes

Happy Birthday, Pops!

Patrick, Mallory and I were up in Culpeper, VA this weekend celebrating Patrick's Dad's birthday (his birthday is actually today, though). This was the first time since our wedding that we've gathered together with all of Patrick's family. Pops had all of his grandchildren with him, which is probably the best gift we could have given him. It was so much fun to spend time with everyone! We were at Patrick's sister, Karen's, house for the entire weekend. She and her family built (themselves!!!) a beautiful home on a lovely piece of property in northern VA. They have 3 horses, 3 goats, several chickens, a rabbit, 2 dogs, and 2-3 cats (I don't remember how many there were!). We had fresh eggs one morning...straight from the chicken coup!!! YUMMY! We had such a nice time and are looking forward to when we can go up again.

Happy Birthday, Pops!

(L-R Mallory, Skye, Colton, Ray, Michael)

Outtakes...

As I've been posting pictures, I always sort out the best ones for you to see. I recently started cleaning up some of my pictures and figured I'd let my guard down and expose you to some of the "outtakes" of my photo collection. Enjoy!