Oops. I forgot I had a blog.

It's been almost a year since I posted last. I do miss having my journal.... but to be honest, I get busy, then I forget about it completely. And it wasn't until the girls is the wine club decided to start a blog about the wine club that I actually remembered that I had a blog.

Is this the start (re-start) of my blog? If I'm honest, probably not. I'll write a bit.. then get busy with life, and forget.. then pop back in. It's the way of life. I am starting a full time job, which will have me working evenings. My sister and her nephews are moving in with us, which is going to make for some very big adjustments for us all, but I am happy to be able to offer her a place to go when she is going through some personal issues.

Moving along.. I ran a 5k in the fall, and haven't ran a step since. Not sure HOW I fell off the wagon, but I did, and I just CANNOT catch back up to it. I'm hoping a little bit of consistency with my schedule and new job will allow me to get back into a good routine. I know once I can get there, I'll get into the shape I want to be (which, BTW, is NOT round..) The hubby isn't as helpful with dieting (which I don't do anyhow) as he is a junk food junkie. He doesn't seem to gain weight, either. Stupid boy metabolism. I just try to make healthy choices and not eat a gallon of ice cream all at once. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't.

My daughter is growing so fast. She amazes me all the time with how much she knows, and what she can do. I think she's pretty amazing. She also has an amazing attitude. By attitude I mean foot-stomping, hands on her hips, door slamming, screaming attitude. I'm in for a HELL of a ride when she gets older. For now, we are trying to manage it by not yelling back (truthfully, it's SO HARD but it really works best). And acknowledging how she is feeling to help her to understand her anger. I think it's important for her to know that we understand WHY she is angry, and to try and help her to work through those feelings. Often times she ends up in her room, but it allows her time to calm down (and me, too) and we talk about it after we are both not angry. She loves arts and crafts and dancing, and horses and My Little Pony, and playing with her friends. She's in gymnastics and Ballet.. and isn't quite coordinated for either.. she totally gets that from me. But she enjoys it, and that's all that matters.

Going back to work full-time is scary. Stressful. Exciting. All of the above. We have big plans for this year, and to achieve them, I HAVE to work full-time. I'm looking forward to a normal routine, but also sad about it. I enjoy the flexibility of my every-day life. Since the shift is in the evening, we're going to need a sitter a few times a week, at least until my sister gets here. I think we may still have the sitter come in to help wrangle three kids into bed on the nights my sister will be alone. That way she isn't overwhelmed by it. I know I would be. I'm still looking for another job, something with hours that will work better with our family schedule, but until then, I am thankful for what I have been offered. =) I know that this is the first step in being able to reach our goals. It's an adjustment, but it's one I'm willing to make. I know things won't always be difficult or as stressful, and I just keep my focus on what really matters. Everything will work out.

That's pretty much all I have to say. It's cold and sleeting out. Pretty gross, and I do not wish to go anywhere today at all. We are staying in and just hanging out and watching movies. I think that it is a perfectly acceptable way to spend a Friday.

I want another baby.. badly.. desperately. We all know that I just can't pop them out like most people... the way we have to bring a child into this world, or into our family, if through IVF/ICSI or by adoption. So.. we started this fund.

If you are able to donate.. I'd appreciate it. We are hoping to have enough to start a cycle in 2013. (or adopt).

Potty Training.. it's hit or miss..

Yes, We've reached the point of Potty Training. Bella finally isn't revolting against sitting on the potty, and we are working on it. She's doing really well, and although she's having misses at least once a day, I think that it won't take her long to get it all sorted out.

We started bare bottom. I just, one afternoon, decided to see what would happen and, well, there was some pee in the potty, and some pee on the floor. I do have to say, potty training is one way to slowly sanitize your floors! We have gotten to the point now where I've got her in panties, and she's going and pulling them down. It takes reminding to get her to pull them down, but she's getting it, slowly but surely, she's getting it. We use Butterfinger bites and lollypops as rewards for going poop on the potty. Sparkly star stickers for pee. She puts the stickers on her potty, or on herself, or on mommy or daddy. She's also decorated her John Deer toy tractor, which I told her was the only toy she could put the stickers on. So far, I haven't found then stuck to anything else...

When we go out, she gets a pull-up on, also at night and naptimes, although, today I'm testing the waters and left her in her panties during naptime. I'm certain she will go in them, but, I think if we do it a few times, she will get it, and know what her potty is there in her room for her to go in if she needs to.

Any other tips/ideas for potty training are welcomed! I'm excited to get rid of diapers! Even though I still have to work on going #2, I'm still thrilled that I'm not having to change her diaper!

Cake-Pop GIveaway by Beckaboo's Cakes!

If you love cake, and who doesn't, and you live in the Winchester/Shenandoah Valley area, then you want to enter to win this fabulous giveaway. Beckaboo's cakes are sweet, delicious, and leave you wanting more every time! She specializes in cake pops, and if you've never had one, let me tell you a little about them. They are the PERFECT bite-size piece of cake on a stick. In a word: heaven. At least, I think so! She can make them in any flavor you want, and make them to look like pretty much anything you want (within reason.. I mean, they are ROUND to start with..)

If I've got your attention, go here ------> Beckaboo's Cakes <------- Like the page, then enter to win in her notes section!

And, if you AREN'T from the area.. you can still enter to win, and just gift your winnings to me ;) Just a thought.

Are you high?

If you are, you're an idiot.

I'm not saying I never did.. but, now I'm an adult, and getting high is stupid. When I see/hear about grown people getting high, especially those with families/careers, I just want to slap them and tell them they are freaking idiots and to just grow up already.

This thought comes from a good friend of mine recently experimenting with it. I don't think they will make it a habit, but the temptation is there. I told them it was dumb, and they shouldn't do it. For pete's sake, they have kids and responsibilities to think about.

So, in short, if you are an adult, and you are still getting high, you're an effing moron.

New Beginnings!

Well, the move is complete! We are mostly moved in and settled. There is a lot to go through in the basement, and a few small boxes here and there of small odds n ends that just need to be sorted, but overall, we are in and settled and loving it. I've driven a little around the city, and I really love where we are. We are close to everything and yet don't feel like we are in the city.

The townhouse is really cute, and despite my original thoughts that it might be too small, we fit nicely in it, and its cozy and absolutely perfect for us. Of course there are things I'd like - a larger fenced in yard, bigger spare rooms, an office/craft room... but; for a place to get our roots down, settled in the city.. this is just perfect. It is a great city.. we'll see how much I like it when school starts. With three large colleges in the city, the population grows tremendously in the fall. JMU, EMU and Bridgewater all bring is thousands of students.

Anyhow, I'm just super excited. I just need to find a moms group, or start one, and get aquainted with some other people in the area for myself and for Bella. =) Thats next on my agenda. oh, and a part time job. I need to get my spare room cleaned up so I can start writing again!

My Review of Butterfly Cake Topper

Originally submitted at The Knot

A symbol of joy and transformation, the butterfly is a perfect expression of your new life together. Made of glass, this self-standing cake topper features two butterflies encircled in a heart accented with white and silver leaves. 7" w x 6 1/2" h.

Butterfly Cake Topper

Beautiful!

By Michele Argiro from Winchester, VA on 6/21/2011

 

5out of 5

Pros: Theme Oriented, Unique, Well Made, Attractive Design

Best Uses: Theme Weddings, Indoor Receptions, Outdoor Receptions, Large Weddings, Small Weddings, Destination Weddings, Gifts

Describe Yourself: Bride

I absolutely adored my Glass Butterfly Cake topper. It was pretty, elegant, and I have nothing negative to say about it. I am on the hunt for another one, as mine got broken a couple of year ago (not fixable!) I'd love to order a new one if anyone can help I'd appreciate it!

http://momtobella.blogspot.com/

(legalese)