I Couldn't Even Make this up Even if I Tried.

Last night after the family and I went out for dinner we stopped at Corn Country's local beer and liquor store to pick up a 20 pack of beer for a bbq we are having tonight. It was close to Gianna's bed time so I decided to stay in the car with her while Hubs went in to pick out the beer.

While sitting in the car waiting for Hubs a man in his late 70's with a plaid shirt, blue jeans, a brown baseball cap, and a cigarette in his mouth, backs in his LAWNMOWER in the parking spot next to me. Yes, you read that right.... LAWNMOWER! He gets off his lawnmower, takes the last hit from his cigarette, stubs it out, and goes into the store. I couldn't help it. I start cracking up.

Hubs comes out and walks to our car and immediately sees the lawnmower parked in the spot next to us. The expression on his face was priceless. He opens the door and finds me laughing my butt off. I asked him if he saw the older man walk into the store and he said that he did, and in fact the old man was behind him in line grabbing a 30 pack of Bush Light. I told him that that older man was the one who pulled up to the beer store in a lawnmower. He then starts cracking up.

Having the mentality of teenagers Hubs and I decided that there was no way that we could leave the beer store without seeing how this man was going to manage a lawnmower and a 30 pack of Bush light. So Hubs did what anyone in this situation would do.... he pulled our car out of our spot and parked in the the spot across from this mans lawnmower for a better and inconspicuous view. Hubs pulls out his phone and says that he has to get a photo of this to share with his friends... then remembered that he could do even better..... He could video tape this awesome event.

& being the amazing friend that I am, I am going to share this video with you all. Please do not mind all of our laughing. (Even Gianna was cracking up, which was probably due to hearing Hubs and I in hysterics.)

I swear, only this stuff only happens in Corn Country.

For Those Who like Bathroom Humor...

I heated up spinach pie for lunch on Friday for Gianna, Hubs, and I and we all pigged out on it.  Well, a few hours later while shopping at the mall I was doubling over in pain and had to use the little ladies room... more than once.  I came home and told Hubs and he said that he too felt awful afterwards.  We teased that it was only a matter of time before Gianna would have a massive blowout.  (If only I knew...)

Hours passed with no problems for Gianna so we all go out to dinner with my IL's.  Gianna is sitting and eating nicely in her highchair when she starts grunting.  Her face gets all red and she was really really working hard on her business.  After she was finished I went to go change her and I notice a massive portion of the back of her white shirt is now all brown and green. When I further inspected I found that the stuff is all oozing out of her diaper and pants.  I immediately pick her up and with my arms extended out run to the bathroom.  Once I get there I find that I only have two wipes.  No joke this is a 10 wipe job.  What do I do?!  WHERE DID MY WIPES GO?!

So I literally scoop up as much goop as possible with the one wipe and throw that into the toilet. I have one whip left to clean up the rest of the mess that is basically covers all of Gianna's front to all the way up her back.  I did the best I could.  That wipe just didn't cover it.  In a panic I could only think of one option... I brought her naked body to the sink and I washed her.   My mother-in-law ran into the car and came back with an extra outfit and we dressed her.  I then told my waiter what had happened and  profusely apologized but thought they should know so they could bleach the sink.  

I was thanking my lucky stars that this place is a family atmosphere type restaurant and the waiter was really good about the whole thing.  Dinner was over and we go to pay our bill.  I do what I always do when Gianna eats out prior to us leaving ... I clean her mess under the table.  Then I see it.  There was a glob of poop on the floor under her high chair. Nothing got on her chair so I had no idea that some plopped onto the floor.  I wanted to DIE!!! I of course cleaned that up, told the waiter so they could bleach the floor, left that him the biggest tip known to mankind and then sprinted myself out of that restaurant.  

My Neighbors are Corn Husks.

Gianna, Zoey and I have finally moved in with Hubs in Corn Country on the 18th.  (For those of you who do not know you can catch up on what I am talking about here & here .) I have been living here for a little over 10 days and finally have our place situated the way we like it.  Hubs moved into this place the week prior to us and had all the furniture and kitchen stuff in order by the time we got here. (I have such an awesome man.) There was still tons of stuff that needed to be done as always the case when you move into a new place so I have kept pretty busy these past ten days.   I am going to give you a quick evaluation of our new digs cuz I knew you are all dying to know.

The Pro's of Corn Country:

• I really really love the set up of our new place.  It's a bit larger than the home we own in Hometown and is much larger than anything we have ever rented.  This place has a very open floor plan and could have easily been a three bedroom unit.  We have a family room, a dining area, two bedrooms, laundry room, large kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, and a large play area/craft station/guest area.  

This area right here is ALL MINE!

• The amount of storage in this place is amazing.  Both bedrooms have not one, not two but THREE closets.  My clothes and shoes die of happiness.  This does not include the cupboards in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room and the built in patio storage unit outside. For once we are not storing things under our beds and couch.  
• We have a gated outside patio area.  I can go outside with Zo and Gianna and have everyone contained to one area with plenty of space for us all.  
• We live in a nice area/neighbor hood.  We are a few miles from the downtown area and in a really safe part of town.  From the looks of it all of our neighbors are senior citizens so it's really quite and clean.

The Con's to Corn Country:

• We have a laundry room that has no washer or dryer so Hubs and I had to purchase one.  This was an expense that we were not planning on but with the amount of laundry we have there was no way I could go to the laundry mat every time I need to wash clothes.  It was a must.
• We had to purchase a microwave because this place did not have one either.  Not too big of a deal but yet again another expense that we were not planning on.
• There is no bath tub or laundry tub in this unit.  This posed a problem for bathing Gianna.  Hubs bought a handheld shower head and the duck tub so I can bath her, but Gianna is WAY to big for the duck tub. We are making due until we can figure something better out but as or right now its all we have.  Its like washing Gianna in a puddle.  

Duck tub + Gianna = giant fail. 

• Our place smells like cigarettes.  The past tenants must have smoked.  It's slowly going away or I'm just getting used to it.  It's the worst in Gianna's room.  Gross. 
• This town is really really small.  There is not much to do and not a whole lot of nothing going on.  I walked around the down town area on Saturday and it's really cute but like most of America it's hurting.  Many of the businesses are closing up or have already gone under.  It's really sad to see these beautiful historic buildings empty like that.  I have to shop at Walmart for my everyday needs, which is a crime in itself.  
• I cannot find good produce.  I have gone to one farmers market in town, Walmart, and the only other grocery store and everything looks like it's going bad and is super expensive.  I do not know how you can be surrounded by farms and not be selling fresh fruit and vegetables at a reasonable price.  Next time I need fruits and veggies am going to drive out of town to the local farms to get my produce. Hopefully I will have better results outside of this little town.
• It's so far away from everything.  It's an hour car drive to the two largest cities.  Eight hours + to home town.  So anytime we have errands major errands to make we have to make a day of it.  I have a lot going for the rest of this calendar year in Hometown which will require me to travel a lot back and forth btw Corn Country and Hometown.  I am so not looking forward to it.  Traveling back and forth multiple times with a little one is going to be very tough on all of us.  

Neutral Ground to Corn Country

• This place is like Mother Nature's own personal green house.  Its hot, so dang hot, and humid.  The sun will be shining one minute and then the next minute out of nowhere a thunder storm will roll though and then just like that.... poof.  Its gone.  It has rained here everyday since I have lived here but it usually only lasts for 20 mins tops.  Then the sun comes out and dries everything up like it as if the rain never came.  I can see why there are farms everywhere in this area.

Regardless of the Pro or Cons its good to be back living with Hubs.  I get my kiss goodbye in the morning before he leaves for work every morning while I am still sleeping.  When he gets home from work Gianna squeals with such delight that it melts my heart.  She then tries to crawl to him as quickly as possible but many times it results to her getting semi upset cuz she just can't get to him fast enough to her liking.  Hubs will then scoop her up in his arms and kisses her all over.  The smile on my loved ones faces when they embrace fills me up with so much love and happiness.  We then finish off the night with dinner with Hubs and snuggles on the couch.  Perfect.

Conversation Between Father and Daughter

This is the adorable conversation I heard betweend Hubs and Gianna over the intercome this morning as I was making breakfast while he was changing her diaper. 

H: "Okay Gianna, I am going to change your diaper.  I think I am going to have to strap you in like Momma does because you move around too much.  You are tooo wriggly".

G: "Dadadadadadada".

Then I hear the diaper changing process begin.

H:  "Gianna when you turn 15, or maybe 18, I am going to get one of these strap things and buckel you into bed at night so you can't sneak out of the house".

G:  Squeels and laughs "Dadadadadada".


Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July filled with family, good food, sunshine, and fireworks. 

Summer Fun.

This weekend was the perfect summer weekend. It was one of those weekends where you do not have anything overly spectacular planned but in the midst of it all you think to yourself this is what it should be all about.  Spending time with those you love, exposing your child to new delights, and enjoying your weekend to the fullest.  


It started with Hubs coming home late Friday evening from Corn Country and surprising me with a bouquet of flowers and a 12 pack of beer. What a man, right?!  We both had semi difficult week and so we both jumped into our pjs cracked open a beer or two and snuggled into bed to watch a movie.  Never have I thought I would be watching a movie and drinking beer in bed but it was fun, comfy, and felt like home with Hubs next to me.  Regardless of where I am in the world when I am next to Hubs I feel at home. 

My cousin recently graduated from High School and my Uncle and Aunt threw her a  graduation party on Saturday in their back yard.  They rented a bouncy house so all the little ones would have something to do.  For those who personally know me know that I was all about having Gianna "jump" around in this bouncy house and Hubs was all mother hen worried that she was too little.  Well, Gianna "jumped" around in the bouncy house and she loved it.  Lesson to Hubs, listen to your wife.  She knows what she is talking about. 

Then the bouncy house deflated with Gianna and Hubs in it.  I have never seen Hubs scramble as quickly as he did trying to get himself and Gianna out of that bouncy house.  Not gonna lie.  I laughed.  Hard.  Shortly afterward I asked my 2 year old nephew who broke the bouncy house and he said his Uncle did.  Priceless. 

Sunday we got up and went to Hubs hometown festival and spend the afternoon with his side of the family.  They had a carnival in the small downtown area and a parade.   

It was interesting to see what Gianna was and was not afraid of.  The roller coaster made too much noise for her taste but she enjoyed pretty much everything else about the carnival.  It was super hot and humid but she sat contently the whole afternoon just looking around at all the lights and moving machinery.  Her favorite thing to look at was the big ferris wheel. 

Afterwards we all sat in the street to watch the parade.  I am so proud of my little Pretty Girl.  The day just kept getting hotter and muggier and it was nap time but Gianna was a trooper.  She quietly watched the parade pass by while noming her sophie and sippy cup.  We waved at all the pageant queens and HS dance squads.  Her eyes got big and round when the police cars came by with their loud sirens and flashing lights followed by these army like trucks with their loud banging guns.  It was such a fun fun afternoon.  

So much so that I told Hubs as we were driving home in our car from yesterdays events that this weekend was the type of weekend I always envisioned we would have as parents, as a family. He agreed.  


Later that evening after Hubs left to drive back to Corn Country my parents and I went on a walk with Gianna through their subdivision.  Gianna was being unusually quite so we peaked around her stroller and this is how we found her.

Its Easier Yet it Isn't.

Gianna turned 8 months old Tuesday. This past month has been filled with so much joy and yet so much frustration.  In many ways having a 8 month old has gotten so much easier and yet it just as difficult as having a newborn.  I am guessing that being a single parent Mon through Friday plays a major role in most of my frustration.  I am alone during the week and never get a break, but I also know that it's not 100% the reason.  Gianna is just getting older, exploring her world and understanding her surroundings.

When she was a newborn I had to deal with sleep depravation and that alone was enough to make me go crazy.  I do not do well on little sleep and am not a person who can nap during the day.  I was a walking zombie.  There was also the "getting to know your baby" period.  Is she crying cuz she is tired?  Is she hungry?  Is her diaper wet? What is her deal? How can I make is stop?  Another difficult hurdle was getting her naps down. Do I swaddle do I not swaddle?  I know she is tired so why is she screaming as soon as I put her in the crib?  Then I rocked and rocked and she screamed and screamed.   But in the end she was a good baby.  An easy happy baby.  Most of the time she cried when she was hungry, slept when she was tired and cooed and smiled when she was awake.  I didn't know how good I had it even if everyone told me so.

Gianna now sleeps through the night and has no issues going down for her two daily naps which is awesome.  No matter how rough the day prior was I start the following day refreshed and ready.  Even when she is teething she sleeps through the night and takes her naps without any issues.  That alone is a miracle in itself.

She is mobile.  She is everywhere.  She is pulling up on things.  Pulling things down.  Eating the dogs food and toys.  Pulling the dogs hair.  I cannot take my eye off of her for a second.  She is climbing the walls, literally.  No matter how much baby proofing I do, unless I keep her in a bubble or have her in a full bodysuit made of styrofoam, there are bumps, bruises, and tears.

I am going to get that laptop!

She has found the power of her voice.  She has learned that her crying and hollering to me is like kryptonite to superman.  Mix that with her recent development of separation anxiety, oh my goodness!!!  Separation anxiety is the devil.  If I am not in Gianna's eyesight the screaming and crying ensues.  She crawls to me and once she gets to me she will claw at my legs screaming with these massive crocodile tears until I pick her up.  It gets me every time.  This makes it impossible to get anything done when she is up.  I can no longer be in the kitchen unloading the dishwasher while she is happily playing with her blocks in the family room.  She can see me and she can hear me but its not enough.  If I am not sitting right there next to her she is not having it. Not only is this mentally exhausting to me but it's physically exhausting too.  Who needs to go to the gym when you pick up a 20 plus pound baby every 15 mins?

Fear.  If separation anxiety is the devil then fear is his partner in crime.  Gianna has developed fear of the strangest things.  Just as an example she is scared of the vacuum, the hair dryer, and most men.  When she is scared her lip starts to tremble, then her whole body shakes and she cries.  If I am holding her she looks away from whatever it is that is scaring her and holds on to me as tightly as possible.  If she is on the floor she will scream and cry and reach for me.  How do I handle this fear?  Do I keep exposing her to what scares her the most hoping that with time she will begin to loose these fears as she gains more exposure?  Do I stop vacuuming my floor while she is awake and a month later try again and keep doing so until she is fine with it?  Do I rescue her every time she throws a fit when her grandfathers hold her or look her way?

Gianna is too smart for her own britches.  I think that its just that as she gets older she is has become more aware of her surroundings.  And this is where MY difficulties lie.  She is doing what she should be doing at her age.  She is aware that her great grandmother is someone new and doesn't want to be held by her.  She knows that Grammy's crib is not her own crib and will stand up and chuck her chooch (pacifier) clear across the room if you so much as think you are going to try to make her sleep in anything that is not her own bed.  She knows that if she screams she is going to get your attention asap.  There is no fooling her.  Gianna is a big girl now.  She has a personality and she know what she wants and what she doesn't.

Yeah right, Zoey.  Your pillow is now MY pillow. 

But with all these new challenges that month 7-8 have given me its also given me so much joy.  When she is scared or upset she reaches for me.  She looks for me.  I am her person.  How scary and totally awesome is that?  To be someone's person? She is also learning something new everyday and to see the sense of accomplishment splash across her face when does something new is amazing.  Afterwards she looks for me with pride on her face as if she is saying "Did you see what I just did, Momma?"  It makes the total meltdown an hour earlier a distant memory.  I love see the concentrated expression she makes when I give her something new to eat.  Like she is trying to figure out what it is, how to chew it and if she likes it.  99% of the time results in a big smile followed with her mouth opened wide begging for more.  I love our morning snuggles.  Its about the only time she will lay and cuddle with me.  She wakes up in the morning and I go into her room change her diaper and bring her to bed with me to feed.  She will snuggle up close to me and place her hand on my chest as she eats.  It's the best way to start the day.

 

In some ways its easier now because we have a routine.  Things run more smoothly.  I feel I better understand her wants and needs, but yet at the same time it isn't.  As she gets older I am faced with new challenges and hurdles that together we learn from and get through.  I love it though and wouldn't change a thing about it.  I can totally foresee that 12 years from now I will be laughing at myself for thinking that this is anywhere close to being a difficult time when Gianna wants to wear that short skirt out to the movies.

I've Been Unplugged

Hubs took my laptop when he went back to Corn Country after my sister offered to lend me hers until his return.  We figured this was an offer we could not refuse since he has yet to buy a web came and our laptop has one built in.  The plan was that he was to use mine so he could continue to Skype with Gianna and I while he is far away and we were to use my sisters.  Well, while it lasted it was awesome but a few days later my sister needed her laptop back.  AWESOMENESS!

So I've been unplugged.  No e-mail, no facebook, no blogs, no bumping, nothing.  At first I was dying.  Only able to check my e-mail via my crap phone and then to NOT be able to respond due to said crap phone.  It was like someone cut off my right arm.  Then after a few days past you know what?  Surprisingly, I actually started to enjoy it.  I know!  Who would have thunk it?  Not me, that is for sure.

Well, Hubs came home late last night after an 11 day absence due to being stuck in Corn Country over the last weekend for work.  He is going to be here for a long weekend and then will be returning to work far away in the corn fields while his girls stay here in Hometown.   So I figure that although I may have my laptop back I am going to continue to stay unplugged for just a little bit longer and enjoy my family.  :)

Goldilocks and the Three Pools.

There was once a pretty little girl with strawberry blonde hair who was in search of the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. 

This water was much too cold.

This pool was much too big

This pool was PERFECT!

Swimming is fun.....

but exhausting!

New Beginnings.

Our little place among the hills.

Well, tomorrow is my last day at our place in Hill Country.  It feels all very bitter sweet.  This is the place where Hubs and I became a little family of two to three point five.  This is the only home Zoey and Gianna have ever really known.  Can't believe that we spent over a year and a half here.  It all went by so quickly.  We have been here longer than we planned but we have enjoyed our time in Hill Country.  Among many of our other memorable firsts it's the place where we potty trained our puppy, hosted our first holiday dinner with family, the home where we brought Gianna to from the hospital, and the place  where we documented her first smile.  Do not get me wrong, The Hubs and I constantly bitched about it just like I think anyone renting a place would.  It's not entirely yours so you cannot do as you please with it, but I am going to miss it.  It will always hold a special place in my heart for all the sentimental reasons and the memories that we made here.  Although if am I am going to be 100%  honest I am going to be glad to not live among these any more....

We have too much CRAP!  (Another pic taken from my phone cuz I am w/o a camera... AGAIN)

As corny as this is going to sound, I feel like our little family is closing a chapter in our book and beginning a new one.  It may not be the easiest road but what good book has easy simple plots with no challenges?  None that I enjoy reading.  Little by little we will figure it out and in the end do what's best for our family.  I know this chapter will bring us new challenges and new adventures, but my little family is up for it.  We will make it work. 

Picture Perfect Weekend

We spent a nice and relaxing weekend in Hill Country.  We got a chance to bond just the three of us and enjoy our little family.  The weekend was filled with projects, good food, basketball, and love.  :)

Note:  I am sitting on the couch, G is sitting on my lap, and Zoey is sitting on G's lap.  This picture was not posed.  My crazy dog does this all.the.time.  Thank God she is only 7 lbs. 

So we meet again, Mr. White Hair.

I first met Mr. White Hair in 2007.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was recently married and getting ready to start my day.  I was curling my hair when I saw him.  I was in shock.  Total disbelief.  Yes, I know that it is VERY normal to have white hairs, but I was 25 years old and a granddaughter to two 80+ year old grandmas with heads full of black hair.  White hair just shouldn't be happening to me, especially not so early, or so I thought.  I pulled that bad boy out and wrote my sisters and best friends a super long e-mail about how grief stricken I was that I found my first white hair.  They all rightfully laughed at me, told me to get over myself, and to stop being a drama queen.

This did not stop me from looking out for Mr. White Hair every time I blew out my hair.  If he showed his ugly face again I was ready to pull his ass back out.  I haven't seen him again until today.  3.5 years later I find him.  He is only a couple inches long so I figure he has not been growing for too long.

Can you spot him??? (Yes, I know I am a weirdo who takes pictures of my white hair.)

I did something I did not think I would do if I happen to come across him again.  I left him in.  I figured that at the rapid rate that I am loosing my hair I would be silly to pull any out on purpose, even if it is white.  

In a funk

I decided recently that I need to take more of a stand in my own personal life.  I have found myself getting into a rut, a funk.  Far too often lately, I take my morning shower, turn on the tv, open up my laptop and cozy up with G and Zo and do almost nothing.  As the day progresses my energy dwindles.  At some point during the day almost everyday I am struck with an immense feeling of loneliness to the point where I just want to cry.  It's only gotten worse since snowmageddon hit here in Hill Country because before that I would at least try to get out once a day.  It's depressing the crap out of me and I need to snap out of it.  I told myself that as the snow melts I should be making more of an effort to get back into my life. I am lighting a fire under my own ass.

I have joined pilates.  The class is held on M and W from 7pm - 8pm.  It's my time regardless of what the day brings me to get the hell out of my house and surround myself with adults.  Its also making me do the one thing I dislike but need to do, exercise.  I do love pilates but I suffer from the lazys.  Too lazy to start exercising but love the feeling after I do it.  It's also a nice break from G, Zo and The Hubs too, because once in a while everyone needs a break.

I am restarting where I make a list every night of what I want to accomplish the next day.  I need to get back into the routine of getting out at least once a day.  I told myself that, yes, I may not know anyone here in Hill Country but that does not mean that I need to sit here and watch the days past by me.  I think setting myself small tangible goals everyday will help me immensely.

I am also getting out of the house and going for a walks.  Once G gets a bit older and the weather gets nicer I plan on taking her to the parks.  Fresh air never hurt anyone and who knows maybe we will both meet friends.

I am going to try to cook one new recipe a week.  I love cooking and I need to get back into the things I love.  I plan on setting aside some time once a week so I can figure out what I want to make and then just go for it.

The last thing that I need to do but have been holding off for a while now is joining a mommys group.  We may be moving yet again in April/May so as soon as I know what's going on with The Hubs job status I will either join the groups that I know exist here in Hill Country or research groups in the next city/state that we will be moving to and join them.

Hopefully this will all help unfunk myself.

Spring has sprung.

Its beautiful here in Hill Country and I enjoyed it to the fullest today.  The sun was shining and it was a  perfect 70 degrees! I told myself the dishes and laundry could wait.  Errands are for another day.  My girls are and I going for a walk.  I leashed Zoey, put a hat on Gianna's head and glasses on her face, and out the door we went.

I loved it.  As I was strolling along with my two girls I thought to myself that this is what I always dreamed motherhood to be.  It's the small things, like walk around the neighborhood, that matter.  I have to say, I think they throughly enjoyed it as much as I did.

Please note Gianna noming on her fingers.
Who needs teethers when you have such yummy fingers?

Let it snow!

It's snowing yet again in the hill country.  These little white demons that fall from the sky will not let up.  First it was 20 inches then another 10 and then another whatever inches.  I've stopped keeping track.  This weather has brought our lives to a complete halt.  No way am I taking out my 3 mth old in this windy wintery mess.  Instead we have been cozying up on the couch. Catching up on our DVR, playing in our jumperoo, and cooking homemade hot veggie soup.

Even Zoey is feeling its effects. When she goes outside to do her stuff she has trouble keeping all four paws on the ground due to the cold and the wet.  First one paw comes up then another.  If she could hop on one leg I bet she would do it. With every few steps that she takes she stops and licks one of her cold paws then walks some more.  And again, lick lick.  You would think by now she would have it figured out that instead of stopping to lick her paws every three steps she would be better off running towards the house as soon as she is done doing her business.  Nope, not my dog. Gotta love her. 

Although its nasty out there from the inside of our little home it sure is pretty.  But so would it be if we lived on a beach in the Gulf somewhere...