A Day in the Life-Photo Blog

2:38a.m. Poor Little has a stuffy/runny nose and isn’t very happy about it. Mommy and Kaelyn head downstairs to give the Hubs a chance at a few more hours of sleep. We clear out her nose as much as possible then she snuggles in and falls asleep.

6:30a.m. The Hubs comes downstairs and gives Kaelyn her bottle. (no photo) He and Kaelyn then play for a little while and Mommy dozes off.

7:30a.m. The Hubs heads off to work and Mommy and Kaelyn play downstairs. (forgot to take photo)

8:15a.m. Kaelyn is exhausted, but refuses to sleep in Pack ‘n Play, but as soon as she gets cuddles from Mommy, both of us zonk out for a much-needed nap after a rough night.

9:35a.m. Wake up and head downstairs for a bottle. I decided to try our 6 month + sippy cups. Kaelyn definitely knows what they’re all about, but the flow is too fast for her yet and a lot dribbled down her chin so we switched to a bottle.

10:08a.m. Bananas: Take Two. She did really well and is figuring out how to eat solid foods. She doesn’t love it yet, but the idea is growing on her.

10:55a.m. Time to play! Her dolphin ride-on toy arrived yesterday and she’s taken to it really well. She’s getting better at sitting up on her own and she’s got the handles thing down! (The Hubs says the dolphin looks like a mix between a dolphin and Shrek.)

11:05a.m. Frappe for Mommy and Story for Little! She loves this book :)

11:25a.m. Playtime—Leap Frop table (well, minus the legs)

11:35a.m. Bouncer/Getting ready for bath time (since the bananas were a bit…messy.)

12:28p.m. After getting dressed and another bottle, Little goes down for another nap…which doesn’t last long.

12:50p.m. Little sounds the alarm and joins Mommy in the nursery, where I was sorting through clothes that she’s outgrown that I’m setting aside for my brother and sister-in-law, expecting a little girl in January. I made a comfy bed out of the laundry basket so Little would feel secure, be close to me (since I was sitting on the floor), and hopefully go back to sleep. Yeah, didn’t work so we went back downstairs.  I put Kaelyn in the bouncer since she seems to fall asleep easier in it.  No go and she’s cranky.

1:45p.m. Still awake so we watch Baby Einstein’s Baby Bach. Kaelyn is riveted and kicking and bouncing and smiling.

2:12p.m. Kaelyn still refuses to sleep even though she looks exhausted. Baby Einstein is over and she’s not thrilled about it.

2:13p.m. Random discovery. Monkey’s had a rough few days. (This would be one of the dogs’ toys.)

2:14p.m. Toy Story 2 to the rescue!

2:26p.m. Little finally falls asleep. Note Lumpy over her face.

3:38p.m. Little wakes up, just in time for the end of the movie and commences bouncing. We chit chat downstairs while Mommy pumps and gets Frappe #2 (which isn’t typical, but I was desperate for the kickstart).

4:09p.m. Bottle time in the guest room.

4:25p.m. Playtime and practicing sitting…and playing dress-up for photos.

4:42p.m. So many toys, so little time…

5:03p.m. Picture book time!

6:14p.m. Snuggles on the couch watching The Pacifier, while Kaelyn decides to nap for awhile before the Hubs gets home.

All in all, despite some fussiness (which didn’t quite reach Chernobyl level), we had a very good day. I love my days off with her :)

Monthly Bucket List Check-in

Just checking in--quite a few things already off the list! Italicized=in progress Strikethrough=Done!


Start date: July 7, 2010
End date: July 7, 2011

1. Lose 65 more pounds. In progress--61 to go.
2. Complete the "Love Dare" from Fireproof.
3. Complete a full 30 days of the 30 Day Shred.
4. Make a master friends and family birthday list. In progress.
5. Create a master grocery shopping list.
6. Build up enough freezer meals so we don't have to "cook" for a month.
7. Do a full Whitestrips program.
8. Have a full day at the spa.
9. Get a new passport with my married name.
10. Do an Art Walk.
11. Do not use a computer for an entire week.
12. Create living wills.
13. Set up a nice workspace at home.
14. Clean out the flippin' guest room.
15. Learn how to change a tire.
16. Use up our dance lessons from the wedding.
17. Grow my hair out.
18. Do a non-modified push up.
19. Visit Denver.
20. Go to the beach.
21. Submit APGH for publication.
22. Blog "A Day in the Life" with photos
23. Make a list of 100 Things that make me happy.
24. Make a scrapbook for Kaelyn's first year. (The Hubs just cringed at the s-word.)

25. Take swim classes with Kaelyn. (Start in September!)
26. Clean out my clothes closet.
27. Make a play area outside for Kaelyn.
28. Make handprints art for Kaelyn's first birthday.
29. Create animal alphabet flashcards or wall display.
30. Buy a new bathing suit.
31. Remove the stupid, messy bouganvilla.
32. Get a front-loading washer and dryer with pedestals.
33. Hire someone to clean our house. Just once.
34. Have the Vue detailed, inside and out.
35. Make a wedding scrapbook. (Again, Hubs cringed.)
36. Take Kaelyn to an aquarium.
37. Go to a movie with the Hubs.
38. Make another list for the next year.

100 things that make me happy (Bucket list #23)

This isn't really in any particular order--just as things came to mind. I'll probably do more of these. It's a fantastic exercise to put you in a good mood and realize how good you have it.

Things that make me happy:


1. Little.

2. Little smiles.

3. Little laughs.

4. Watching Little discover things for the first time.

5. Little’s fluffy tushy in her cloth diapers.

6. Little’s coos.

7. Snuggles with Little.

8. Little snores.

9. Little bath time.

10. That Little LOVES water.

11. Kaelyn’s little hands and feet.

12. Her super soft skin.

13. Kaelyn’s feistiness.

14. Every little thing about Little, basically. I could write each out, but you get the idea: My daughter is awesome.

15. The Hubs.

16. The Hubs always wanting to make me happy/smile.

17. Being “like this” with the Hubs. (Inside joke—we’re usually on the same wavelength even with goofy things.)

18. Having a husband who’s willing to do whatever needs to be done around the house…without me asking.

19. The Hubs making me Frappes in the morning.

20. All the other little things the Hubs does that I take for granted most of the time.

21. Spending quality time with the Hubs, regardless of what we’re doing.

22. That the Hubs doesn’t drink alcohol.

23. What a genuine and thoughtful person he is.

24. Knowing I’m married to my best friend, who I can be entirely myself with.

25. The dogs and their quirky ways.

26. Doggie hugs.

27. How good the dogs are with Little.

28. Budaj’s “thank you” kisses before he’ll eat his food.

29. That Budaj turned out to be such a good dog.

30. Dogs following me wherever I go.

31. How much Gracie and Budaj love each other.

32. Our families.

33. That our parents love us as much as they do and we know they'd be there for us no matter what.

34. That my in-laws aren’t crazy. Again, not everyone in the world is so lucky. They’re wonderful and I couldn’t pick better ones.

35. That they raised the Hubs right and well. I know this has a lot to do with why he’s such an amazing husband.

36. Days off with Little.

37. Buying things for Little. It’s not as important as spending the time with Little, but it’s so fun to spoil her—er—I mean, “provide well for her.”

38. When I pick Kaelyn up from daycare and she gives me a BIG smile.

39. When she holds onto me tighter.

40. When she buries her face in my shoulder when she’s being shy.

41. Long weekends.

42. Vacations.

43. Planning things.

44. Using my creative/artistic skills…and that I have these skills.

45. Getting things really organized (and therefore, making life easier).

46. Being productive.

47. Feeling useful, knowledgeable, etc.

48. Being able to help others.

49. Situations that make me feel smart.

50. Beating the Hubs at chess. “Who loves ya, baby?”

51. Actually winning games in general makes me happy. I’m a lot more competitive than most people realize. I didn’t even realize it until a few years ago.

52. Knowing the Hubs and I are on the same page as far as priorities for Little.

53. Being a homeowner.

54. That I recovered from some financial pitfalls from a few years ago and now have excellent credit.

55. That I do seem to learn from past mistakes.

56. Memories of Sanibel Island. Searching for seashells, having my eyes open underwater, having staycations there, Jerry's Place shopping center, Cheeseburger Cheeseburger, Lighthouse Cafe, and hot dogs from the hot dog vendor in the beach parking lot that inevitably ended up with sand on them.

57. The beach/ocean.

58. Seashells.

59. That I’ve become a very strong person who sticks to her guns.

60. Bargains.

61. Kaelyn’s bright and colorful (and fun) playroom.

62. A nice cool bed to climb into at night.

63. Sunshine.

64. Rainstorms when I’m at home.

65. Good movies.

66. Good books.

67. Sitting in the shower and just letting the water fall on my back..

68. Pool days.

69. Time free of technology.

70. When Kaelyn grabs the sides of my head, pulls me toward her and attacks my face with her mouth and slobber. So. Cute. I don’t even mind the drool.

71. Learning how to properly use a SLR camera.

72. Feeling like I got the most out of a day.

73. Friends, new and those I’ve known for 15 years.

74. Inside jokes.

75. Acting like a kid.

76. Hole in the wall restaurants that have spectacular food.

77. Taking life at a slower pace.

78. Taking in nature—trees, sunshine, whatever it may be.

79. Seeing and feeling a difference when I make health-conscious decisions.

80. Clothes that fit well.

81. Genuine hugs.

82. Dancing with my husband.

83. Dancing with my daughter.

84. Going to the zoo.

85. Holding hands with the Hubs.

86. Comfort food.

87. Checking things off my to-do list.

88. Being asked for advice because someone respects my opinion.

89. Really soft, green grass under my feet.

90. A completely clean house, as rare as it is.

91. Completing a task I’ve been procrastinating.

92. Beautiful photographs/art.

93. Walking barefoot on the beach.

94. Getting my hands dirty/messy, whether it be dirt, sand, paint, charcoal, etc.

95. Having a shorter commute.

96. When the Hubs asks me for a hug.

97. Feeling appreciated.

98. The sound of ocean waves.

99. Beach music.

100. Flip flops.

101. Knowing I have far more than just 101 things that make me happy.

Bucket list...sort of.

A few weeks ago, I made the executive decision to get rid of the separate 101 Things in 1,001 Days blog. In fact, I decided to completely revamp the idea. I figured out that it's simply too much to keep track of if I do things that have multiple parts before they're technically completed. Sooo, I've decided to do a list for the next year and keep it simple so that when it's done, it's done.

Start date: July 7, 2010
End date: July 7, 2011

1. Lose 65 more pounds.
2. Complete the "Love Dare" from Fireproof.
3. Complete a full 30 days of the 30 Day Shred.
4. Make a master friends and family birthday list.
5. Create a master grocery shopping list.
6. Build up enough freezer meals so we don't have to "cook" for a month.
7. Do a full Whitestrips program.
8. Have a full day at the spa.
9. Get a new passport with my married name.
10. Do an Art Walk.
11. Do not use a computer for an entire week.
12. Create living wills.
13. Set up a nice workspace at home.
14. Clean out the flippin' guest room.
15. Learn how to change a tire.
16. Use up our dance lessons from the wedding.
17. Grow my hair out.
18. Do a non-modified push up.
19. Visit Denver.
20. Go to the beach.
21. Submit APGH for publication.
22. Blog "A Day in the Life" with photos
23. Make a list of 100 Things that make me happy.
24. Make a scrapbook for Kaelyn's first year. (The Hubs just cringed at the s-word.)
25. Take swim classes with Kaelyn.
26. Clean out my clothes closet.
27. Make a play area outside for Kaelyn.
28. Make handprints art for Kaelyn's first birthday.
29. Create animal alphabet flashcards or wall display.
30. Buy a new bathing suit.
31. Remove the stupid, messy bouganvilla.
32. Get a front-loading washer and dryer with pedestals.
33. Hire someone to clean our house. Just once.
34. Have the Vue detailed, inside and out.
35. Make a wedding scrapbook. (Again, Hubs cringed.)
36. Take Kaelyn to an aquarium.
37. Go to a movie with the Hubs.
38. Make another list for the next year.