Girls' Day!

Emma and I had soooo much fun today on our girls' day out!

Last night, however, Emma decided to wake up at 3:50 and stay awake until about 4:40 when I brought her into our bed. Naughty, I know. But you will do many things you say you will never do when sleep (or lack thereof) is involved. Moving on-she promptly went to sleep and I woke up at 5:30 in a panic-I don't like sleeping with the baby-I get nervous. I put her back in her crib. She lasted for all of 30 minutes-then woke up crying because she bashed her head on the side of the crib-isn't that the reason for bumpers? She can move around, so I am considering putting her bumpers back in. Anyways, we got in the guest bed because husband was snoring. We slept together until 7:30! Very nice, considering I normally get up at 5:45.

So, we had my observation meeting at 10:00-we went to that and Emma (who was clad in a pink gingham smocked dress-no pics unfortch) threw up on the principal's carpet. Oh well! :D I did great on my evaluation. Next, we went around visiting all of our teacher friends who haven't seen Emma since she was a newborn!

We left about 11:30 and went to run errands. Emma was so tired, she was practically holding her eyelids open with toothpicks. She passed out immediately. We went down to Babies R Us to do some returns/exchanges. I am a heinous friend and bought my bestie a newborn boy's outfit in December. I still haven't given it to her! I had to exchange it-I got him some six month outfits. At the rate I'm going, I won't meet him until close to then! Sorry Em! Love ya!

Next we went to the bank to make a deposit-big mistake at lunch time. It took us about 20 minutes! When we were finished, we ran by the Christian bookstore where I picked up two prayer books-Power Prayers for Women by Jackie M. Johnson and Building your Personal House of Prayer by Larry Kreider. I am excited to start these two books as part of my "reverse" Lent. The Power Prayers book is more for specific prayers-like "stress" or "trials" or "joy." The other book will be my new devotion. I am finishing up Purpose Driven Life and that will have its own post. (Weird note-I woke up in the middle of the night-when Emma was vacillating back and forth between sleeping and staring at the video monitor-and just started randomly praying. Then I felt like my prayers were "junky." I thought to myself-go to the Christian bookstore when you are out today. Then I went back to sleep. Weird-I guess God was trying to tell me to get on the prayer train. I needed to step it up!)

After shopping, we went to eat lunch-husband couldn't meet us due to interviewing peeps, so we had a girls' lunch at Subway-more like I ate while Emma slept. :D Then, it was back to school to pick up all of the papers that the kids completed today-I have GOT to catch up on some grading. The end of the term is near. Like in a week. Ewwww. My class got to see Emma for the first time-one of them asked me if she was my daughter. Really? Yikes.....

We started bee-bopping home, and Emmabear fell asleep again. We got home and had some pear/blueberry/oats and then some exersaucer time. This is what she is doing below-partying it up!

We just finished a bottle and Emma is working on her crawling skills. Srsly-I am going to lose 3 pounds a week once she really starts crawling! She is already into things and all over the place!

We are going to continue our girls' day until about 7:30-then it's bedtime. Husband has to work late tonight-it's month end in the accounting field.

We don't have much planned for this weekend-I have a skin cancer check at 8:15 in the morning-VOMIT! What was I thinking? Then I am going to workout and we have a birthday party to attend! Alright, I've got to go, Emma is trying to eat the Oriental-I don't even want to know what could be on there with two dogs and some messy parentals!

Have a fun weekend!
xoxo

PS-she looks seriously thrown away in these shots!
I did not take her out in public looking like this (mom).

Paci ring around the mouth!

Orange nose??

Famous expression-it's almost like, "I know you dit-unt!"

I'm reading.

It's really hard to take a self-portrait using a D-SLR.

Weight Watchers Wednesday

Well, by some miracle, I am down 2.2 lbs. Again, not sure how that happened. But, I'll take it.

How did you all do this week?

I know if I would just track like a mack then I could lose this consistently each week. If I would quit messing around and gaining 1 then losing 1-2, I could be at my goal weight by April. Whatev self. I also need to buckle down and go buy the Shred this weekend and make a commitment to do it as much as I can.

Debbie Downer, sorry! No work for me tomorrow, I am taking a personal day off and get to hang with my Emmabear all day! We have lots of plans and I'm excited! Happy early weekend!

Hugs!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my dear mommy and daddy, born one day and five years apart! Daddy's birthday was yesterday, and mommy's is today! Happy Birthday to the two best parents! (And yes, they are so hip, they read my blog!)
Love You!

Disqus

I am thinking of switching my comment moderator to Disqus and wanted to get all of your thoughts on this. I LOVE replying to comments, and you can't do that through blogger. I know you all have this issue too, but what are your thoughts on Disqus? I was intimidated by it when I first started blogging cause you have to sign in and stuff-but it is so much easier/better to reply to people! I also love comments (who doesn't???) and don't want to diminish those.

Thoughts? Ideas??

Do share please. In the comments of course! :D

xoxo
Happy Hump Day!

Menu Monday & Stuff

It's a crazy week/month in the Edwards' household! As for my menu.....

Monday-WW chicken fajitas with baked tostitos and homemade salsa
Tuesday-grabbing dinner from somewhere-late night at work!
Wednesday-turkey burgers with baked Lay's and broccoli
Thursday-turkey chili
Friday-WW sausage and pepper pasta with broccoli
Saturday-WW honey mustard pork chops with green beans and brown rice
Sunday-WW beef stew
Monday-spaghetti with green beans

Lot's of menu planning happened this weekend! Sorry I haven't posted anything lately, life is crazy busy! I have my annual evaluation at work, and it's due on Wednesday. I have to take Friday off of work to stay home with Emma, and we have all of our other normal life stuff going on. Busy but fun! Hope you all had a great Monday and have an even better week-I am still reading and commenting, so I'm around. See you soon!
xoxo

Lent

Well, I have been reading so much about Lent on other people's blogs, I decided to face the inevitable post and just do it. Now, I hesitantly write about this because of the religion factor, but after all, it is my blog, so I shall write about whatever I want.

Now that we have that cleared up, I hope no one finds it necessary to leave an ugly comment on what I'm about to say. Cause there is that little red X in the corner-and you can click it if you don't have anything nice to say. My mother used to quote that to me all of the time, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all!" I agree. Amen.

Moving on. My thoughts on Lent. I believe that most people are under the impression that Lent is for giving something up. While that is admirable, the point is not to necessarily give something up, but to grow closer to God. What can you do to grow closer to God? It could be giving something up, or taking something on. You see, God doesn't care if you give up Cheetos or Diet Coke if you aren't learning and growing in Him. The Lenten season is meant for sacrifice. What can you sacrifice to understand 1/1,000,000 of what our Lord did for us on the cross?

If you giving up Diet Coke equals more time for God, then giving up something vice like is for you. However, I tend to think that I could take on something to grow closer to and understand the sacrifices my Jesus made for me.

So, this season I am going to pledge to spend 40 days in study with God. I am finishing up Purpose Driven Life (which is its own post for later :D) and will be finding a new devotion to work on. I have a hard time with a consistent devotion time. I always do it at night before bed, because I am selfish and cannot fathom getting up any earlier. Maybe I should work on that this Lenten season too. Anyways, I am going to take on the task of spending more consistent time with God.

What does Lent mean to you? What do you plan to do for God this Lenten season?

Please know that I am not saying you shouldn't give things up. I've done it for years! It's always chocolate or something like that. My point is, I never grew closer to God, I just was miserable for not having my chocolate or caffeine fix for 40 days. Last year during Lent, I heard a homily that spoke about taking something on to help you in your walk, and that really stuck with me. It's a lot harder to do something more for God, and the Christian walk is never an easy one. It takes a lot of time and effort to have a worthwhile relationship. I hope that my taking on a period of study will help draw me closer and to learn more.

:D

Awards!!!

I puffy pink heart awards (to steal some lingo from my dear ♥ b.e.g.)

I "won" two awards from some awesome bloggers! First up, the Beautiful Blogger award from Jaymie @ the Krakowiak Family! Thanks, girl!

The rules of the game:
1. Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.
2. Pass this award on to 15 bloggers you’ve recently discovered and whom you think are fantastic.
3. Contact said Blogs and let them know they've won
4. State 7 things about yourself

SEVEN RAD (RECENTLY DISCOVERED) BLOGGERS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT! I don't have 15 "new" blogs to share-I shall start getting out there more and finding more!

The Only Journey is the Journey Within

Confessions of a + Sized Girl

For the Love

HaHa. Wait. What?

Life of a Doctor's Wife

My Chihuahua Bites

Stuttering Shell

SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I workout on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. If I miss a day,
I go on another day. I am very OCD about getting in those workouts!
2. I love cheese-ridiculously so. It is my WW cheat food-real cheese!
3. I like to be in bed by 9:00. It's 8:59 pm right now. Epic fail.
4. I am still breastfeeding. I plan to keep it up till August!
We will see what happens when I get off the breastfeeding help drug, Reglan.
5. I wash clothes almost every day-not today cause I got home at 6:30,
but pretty much every day.
6. I read my google reader every day while pumping my boobs during planning period.
7. I do not fix my hair at all anymore-I am too lazy. It gets slicked back into a wet ponytail. Daily. Yuck. I actually have pretty nice hair too. I would just rather sleep till 6:00 than get up at 5:40.

Added number 8: Why can I never think of cool/interesting/longer things to say when it's my turn to share "facts?" My facts are boring. Boo me.

Moving on:

Also, I was gifted with the Sunshine Award from my "tribe leader" :D Mrs. Potts @ Experiments in a Galley Kitchen. Thanks, tribe leader! Pink heart comin' your way.

The rules, once this award is received, are as follows:
1. Post the logo on blog.
2. Pass the award on to fellow bloggers.
3. Link the nominees' blogs so others can get to know them.
4. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from.

Sunshine is being sent to the following peeps:

The Life Accounts

The Life of Blights

Wanting What I Have

Wringing out my Sponge

The McMommy Chronicles

The Cone Family

Love this Life

It's Such a Perfect Day

I love you all! Mu-ah! I am going to make it a point to try and go through all my followers and visit their website if it is listed and open to the public. I want to read up on some new peeps! :D

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go email/comment on all those blogs up there and let them know they have "won" some awards! :D

WWW, MM, & SS

What are all those abbrevs you may ask??? Weight Watchers Wednesday, Menu Monday, and Sunday Sayings. As promised! First up:

OK, I gained back the 1.6 I lost last week. Boo. What did I expect after eating at Outback and Provino's last weekend? I mean take a look at the culprits: burger, fries, something with seafood and cheese all over it, Italian salad, Outback house salad with ranch, and pounds of garlic rolls later, I'm lucky it's only 1.6 lbs. Srsly-back on the tracking wagon tomorrow. Moving on.....
(PS-does anyone else have a semi blow out after they gain b/c they know they are about to start over the next day?)

And for the quote of the week. Let's see who can get it:

Character: “Well, um, it's actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time.”

Guess it please!

And, last but not least (someone really needs to make a button for this!), Menu Monday. I think a lot of people would consistently participate in MM, I know I would. I can't take on any more "blog-ibility" right now. Any takers? A button and a McLinky each week? No? :D I know, it's super late, but here is what we have had/will have this week.

Monday-Easy lemon chicken pasta with salad
Tuesday-Swiss chicken with lemon green beans
Wednesday-Leftover turkey chili with tostitos
Thursday-Turkey burgers with baked Lays and lemon broccoli
Friday-Buffalo chicken salad
Saturday-Beef stroganoff with salad

Can you tell that I am in a menu rut? I think it's lack of planning time. So, this week I have started planning early, using the WW cookbook more. Hopefully I will see a loss and have tastier dinners. I am really relying on the crockpot lately, it is super easy and very helpful!

Sorry for the lack of posting too. It seems I go through times that I have it all together (figuratively speaking) and times that I am a hot mess! This is a hot messiness time. I need to take time management classes. I think it's being off my routine from being out of school on Monday and Tuesday. Gotta rock the inclement weather days! One question for you all: What is the hardest day of the week for you to get it together? Why?

Mine is Wednesday because of WW meetings. I feel like a crazy chicken running around on Wednesdays!

Stay tuned though. I am working a super awesome giveaway-I am just putting some finishing touches on it, it will debut soon. I hope you are all having a great week and getting ready for the upcoming weekend!

xoxo

I'm Still Here....

I have had a super busy couple of days, starting on Friday when my parents came in town, ending not in sight!

I will do a real post soon-starting with a WWW, Menu Monday, and Sunday Sayings, all rolled into one, probably tonight!

I have been off work since last Thursday, went back to school today, dented in about 2 inches of the 4 inches worth of papers to grade, and have been super busy! So, I shall try my darndest to get up a combo of three posts tonight!

Love!

Post in Pictures

This is what is going on:

This is my RIDICULOUS stack of papers that I have to grade.

It is 4 inches tall minimum.

These are the flowers my hubby sent me at work. Two dozen roses. Beaut.

It's SNOWING! A lot-we have about a foot right now.

This is the Southern way to cool our beer. :D

"Angelina" Edwards-:D

As husband called this shot, "Spawn of Satan" look-she does look a tad evil.

Mommy and Emma at a friend's birthday party. The wings were the party favor!

Peace! Have a fun snowy time!

Weight Watchers Wednesday

This will be a short post, but I am down 1.6 pounds this week. I don't have a CLUE as to how that happened, because on Friday I ate about 10 mini snickers, then had a birthday party on Saturday, then proceeded to eat about 10 more mini snickers on Monday. What the what? I am OOC (out of control) on some mini candies! I had to give the entire bag of birthday chocolate from my team to my students so I wouldn't eat them! Redic I tell ya.

So, I have two questions for you all.
1. Do you think your weeks "catch up" to you in WW the following week?
2. I can't remember the other one now-oh well.

Hope you all had a great week of loss too!
xoxo

Happy Superbowl Sunday! and some Menu Monday

Greetings dear friends! What a whirlwind weekend we have had! All day Saturday we attended 2 birthday parties for my bestie Jill's kids and then ran errands. We got my sissy a super baby shower gift then went to Barnes and Noble for some coffee and books!

Happy Superbowl Sunday, hope you are having a blast cuz I'm not really doing a thing! I have my MIL in town to care for the baby for 2 days. Our daycare angel had a tragedy, and will not be able to take the babes in until Thursday, so MIL is here to watch Emma and husband is taking Wednesday off to hang with his girl. SO, we are not partying for the Superbowl (not like we would be).

I am so lame-paying bills and drinking some wine while roasting chicken. I hope your team of choice wins, because I don't have a pref. But anyway, on to the menu-

Sunday-Roast chicken, Weight Watchers mac-n-cheese, grilled asparagus
Monday-Weight Watchers crockpot chicken paella with lemon green beans
Tuesday-Spaghetti and salad
Wednesday-Lemon chicken pasta and salad
Thursday-Buffalo chicken salad with Italian bread
Friday-Steaks with grilled asparagus and twice baked potatoes (my parents are coming in town!)
Saturday-Provino's Italian Restaurant-parentals anniversary!

Yay! Four day work week for me-teacher workday on Friday, sweet. Anyways, I shall share recipes if you desire, just let me know. Hope your weekend was fab!
xoxo

Six Months

Dear Emeline,
Yesterday you were six months old. I remember six months ago being one of the happiest days of my life. You have really changed into a baby now. Let's look at your stats:

Weight: 14.14 pounds (25th percentile)
Height: 25 1/4 inches (25th percentile)
Head Circumference: 41.2 centimeters (10-25th percentile)

You are on the small side for right now. I don't have a clue where you get that since none of your family is small. You have started eating 2-3 jars of baby food per day, and you are eating 6 1/2 ounces of milk per feeding. Today, Dr. C. gave the go ahead for stage 2 foods, namely meat and yogurt. Sorry to say little lady, but this momma isn't feeding you canned meat. Sick out. We will try yogurt and other new flavors soon. I am going to try my hand at making you some baby food after reading the book Super Baby Food. You are also practicing using a sippy cup with water in it. It's pretty hilarious. :D

You continue to have play dates with your girlfriends, and even some boys too! We went to my friend's house last weekend and you hung out with an older man-he was 18 months! You are going through your "stranger anxiety" stage. It makes mommy feel bad, but I will do anything for you, especially make you feel safe! You are taking your time getting to know some people that you already know. (Don't freak Nonnie, she still loves you.)

You are also rolling over like crazy. Gone are the days of me leaving you laying on your boppy while I fix dinner/clean up something. Now, you will roll right off! You have to go in your crib or pack and play while I get things done. You are talking like crazy now too. You recently started saying "mommmmma" when you are crying and really mad. It's actually quite pitiful-I can't stand hearing you cry and whine my name, even if it is new and somewhat exciting.

Little girl, you are changing every day! We are so proud of all that you are learning, and love watching you grow. I adore you sweetheart.

Love,
Momma

Smiling on demand now

Goofing off

The solemn face

Ignore the snot coming out of my nostril

Woman, are you kidding me? Stop flashing my eyes out.

I'm over it

Yes, may I help you? (I sooo love this expression!)

What is this thing? A cup you say?

I love to lay on the Auburn blanket and chill.

Weight Watchers Wednesday and Sunday Sayings (late, I know!!)

First, the important stuff: I lost 2.4 pounds this week. Yay! I have now lost 20.4 pounds. I tell you what, I am seriously going through the three WW "stages" we learned about in our meeting today. First, the honeymoon phase, then the whatever phase, then the get your act back together phase. Obvs these aren't the real names, they are my made up names. I am soooo in phase 3 after my two gains a while back. I mean, everyone knows if you really track (not the crap in your head) and you exercise, you will lose weight. Duh. So, I'm back in that phase, self and I had a little come to Jesus about 2 weeks ago. And in those two weeks, I have lost almost 6 pounds. Just tracking and exercising. Now, be patient with me next week when I haven't lost so much and am whining. Kthx. :D




Next, I haven't done a Sunday Sayings in foreva. Do y'all even remember how to play? OK, it's not hard, just tell me the character and movie the following quote is from. I may or may not have a prize since it's been 48 weeks since the last one. :D

You wanna fight? Why don't you stick your head up my butt and fight for air.

You guys got somethin' to say to me? Why don't you say it in the microphone. I got a backup mike right here. Check one two, testing, testing. Yup, they both working and guess what? they don't like no feed back, what's up?

This one's for you, Dad. Right on, it is sooo easy. I know I will have a winner before 9:00 (it's 8:20!)

Also, I have a little foodie blog to share-my BIL (who rocks!) has started a nice little collection of recipes blog. Check it out if you are into great Southern recipes.

And one last plug: my bestie IRL is having her first bloggy giveaway! Go enter now! It will make your Valentime's Day. :D

Folks, tomorrow my baby will be six months old! I cannot believe it! I need to go write her a letter and choose an outfit for her photo sesh that is sure to ensue. Look for that blowout next. Hope you all are having a great week, and yay for it almost being the weekend!

What Up???

Hello sweeties! I am still alive! I did not post a Sunday Saying (it's been a while!) or a Menu Monday (major leftovers after weekend company), but I will post a WWW on Wednesday. Sorry I've been slacking, just give me a few days to get back to my "normal." Emma is turning 6 months on Thursday, so we will have that post to look forward to as well!

I promise, I shall return! Hope your Monday was swell.

PS-I came home to a big ole crockpot of ..................raw chicken and potatoes. Awesome-forgot to turn it on. This was after taking Emma to the doctor for her "cold." Deets later. What a day. I'm out.
xoxo