My New Obsession...Taralynn!

Of course the New Year brings big hopes of weight loss, scouting for a new job, and household organization.  I came across this blog recently and can't see why I couldn't do what this little star has done.  Taralynn, even being as young as she is, has a wealth of ideas and is extremely motivational...especially for me.  If you're interested in doing the Taralynn Challenge with me (click here)...Pah-lease let me know!  Happy goal setting!

Ashlyn's First Words

And so it happened again...

Happy Holidays

My little presents!!!! One serious and one happy!

Here is our medium sized Christmas tree...the big one we have will work in our future mansion *wink*.  This one will do for this itty bitty house!  Kelsey had so much fun helping me put the ornaments on...I should have taken a picture, but I asked her to put the candycanes on the tree and when I came back and looked, 24 candycanes were hanging on the bottom branches! It was too cute!  I found her a little tree, which is in her room,  so we could practice tree decorating.  She really didn't want any of my help and actually did a pretty sweet job.  I'll have to get Ashlyn one after the holidays so they can do it together next year!  Lovin' the holidays!

Ashlyn's 6 Month Stats

I have to say...watching the girls get their shots has NOT gotten easier.  I can't stand to get them myself...so I fell so sorry for them.  Ashlyn's perfectly healthy...lyrngomalacia is better, but she's still a little pugsly ;)  Here's her new stats:
Weight: 15 lbs. 5 oz (72%)
Length: 25.5 in (40%)
Head Circumference: 45 cm (97%)  BIG BRAIN...of course ;)

**Kelsey was 15 lbs. 3 oz. at her 6 month check up!  Looks like little sis is going to be a carbon copy of big sis.

Elf Yourself

It's that time of year to "elf" yourself again!  Click here! Makes me laugh every time!!!

Guess Who is Rolling Over???

Yep...This Girl!!!!

We are so proud of you baby girl!  We can't believe how fast you're growing up...slow down please!

Halloween Critters

Or should I say...NOT SO MUCH Halloween!  It could only be blamed on the neverending rain. Poor little Kelsey, my bitty butterfly, who was highly anticipating knocking on doors and saying "Trick-or-Treat" to get her own basket of candy, had to go with me to the mall (mainly because I didn't want to let her down).  And what a DISASTER that was. It was jammed pack full of people with the same BRIGHT idea.  Unfortunately, no one in the mall even had candy to give. Kelsey finally said after 45 minutes of candy hunting, "Mom, there are too many people.  Let's go home!"  She's so smart...it was like she read my mind...and that's what we did. 
I filled her bucket up with our stash since we didn't have any trick-or-treaters either.  Little Ash was a cuddly ladybug and looked super comfy in her costume.  She was definitely a little trooper for her firstie!

Fall Festival

K and I went to my school's fall festival!  K got to play with her new friend Jayden as we hung out in the music room since my grade level was in charge of the cake walk (PS...we were 2nd place in making the most money for our school)!!! 
K's favorite station was the fishing station, mostly because she won something "every time" she got to fish!  That's my kind of girl...why waste time on something that reaps no reward?!?!  Hmmmm!

Ashlyn's Baby Blanket and Big Girl Blanket

Thank you mom for making Ashlyn's BEAUTIFUL blankets!!! I love love love them!!! The turtles are super cute and all the little details just shows that I have the most creative mom EVER!!!  I love how Ashlyn's big girl blanket is just like Kelsey's...with purple accents instead!  I can't wait for her to use them both!  Hugs and kisses!

Baby Blanket

 Big Girl Blanket

Pillow Sham

Helping Grandma Move

Happy to help my Grandma pack...not so happy knowing she's leaving soon to move to Florida!  I will miss you Grandma!

Baby Edith (Edie's) Shower

We, being the girls, went all the way down to Greenville, NC to see Shelley, one of my besties, and her  new...and adorable...little addition.  Edie was so tiny and calm the entire time.  I wasn't able to hold her while I was there...my hands were a little full myself, but she seemed to have such a sweet little spirit.  Congrats to the Keith's on making this world a better and more beautiful place with your little angels!  *I had to borrow some pictures from the hostess because the decorations were so stinkin' cute!!!*

Wishes for Edie...I loved this idea!

Ashlyn with Future BFF (boyfriend or best friend...either way) Grantham

 Once all preggo...now all prommas (proud mommas)

 My little Super Stars

Updated Pics

 

 

 

Smooth Talker

Ash will talk a whole bunch, but once I put a camera in her face...I get pretty much nothing.  Here is a clip with some of her super cute cooing.  Please ignore my super high-pitched baby voice and the laugh out loudness. 

My New Little SuperStars

Check out my new class of 23!!!  They are a pretty awesome bunch...I'm happy they're in my room this year!

http://www.buchananstars.shutterfly.com/

The Zoo

Kelsey and I went to the Asheboro zoo for Zoe's birthday and had such a blast.  I brought the big stroller thinking Kelsey would probably get tired after walking awhile (it's pretty much uphill half the way, and downhill the other half).  I also thought about all the junk I wanted to bring: camera, snacks, extra clothes, cell phone, etc and wanted to have a place to store it all.  Little did I know I would be hauling not only Kelsey and our belongings, but everyone else's too.  Don't get me wrong...I offered...but I never knew how out of shape I was until I was pushing a super heavy stroller up and down hill.  Whoa!  Mental note to self...only take the bare minimum. 
Kelsey loved seeing all the animals....and it was such a nice (but hot) day out, all the animals were hanging outside, so we got to see almost all of them.  Kelsey said her favorite animals were the elephants...but she was loving some monkeys too! 
She really enjoyed the 4D Dora & Diego movie.  She kept reaching out for Dora and Diego...I'm thinkin' she might enjoy the Lion King 3D movie coming out soon. 
I enjoyed spending the day with Kelsey.  I love when we get some good quality time together.  She has grown up so fast...I can't believe Pre-K is just a year away. Here are some pictures from our Mommy/Daughter day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep up with the Chores

I have to admit...during the week, especially after work, all I want to do is come home and do absolutely nothing.  But the effect of exhaustion only leaves me with a ton of chores come the weekend.  So I found this awesome site http://www.flylady.net/ which breaks down housework into tasks for each day and week.  That way you'll only have to put in 30 min to 1 hour per day to maintain a spotless home.  Here are the daily tasks if you're interested...its worth a try...right?!?!?

Day 1

THE ENTRANCE
• Clean cobwebs
• Dust window sills and front door
• Clean hand prints from switch plate and walls
• Put plants in the shower and rinse
• Dust furniture
• Dust baseboards
• Straighten coat closet
• Sweep, vacuum or mop the floor
• Put back plants
• Add personal touches to table

THE DINING ROOM
• Clean cobwebs
• Dust window sills
• Clean window
• Clean doors of china cabinet, straighten dishes, dust
• Clean and straighten drawer
• Clean off top of dining table and polish
• Rinse plants in shower
• Dust the bottoms of chairs
• Dust baseboards
• Move furniture and vacuum underneath
• Add personal touches to table

THE FRONT PORCH
• Sweep down cobwebs and spider webs
• Sweep off porch furniture
• Sweep porch
• Throw away any dead plants
• Prune back unruly bushes from entrance
• Repot planters if necessary (in summer)
• Refill bird feeders
• Wipe off tables, banisters and light fixtures
• Get rid of unwanted items
• Add personal touches to welcome friends and family

Day 2
THE KITCHEN
• Empty refrigerator, clean thoroughly
• Clean microwave inside and out
• Clean stove and oven
• Wash canister and knick-knacks
• Straighten drawers and cupboards
• Wipe fingerprints off walls
• Wash inside windows
• Clean fan, vent filters and hood
• Scrub down cabinet fronts (only a few at a time)
• Clean light defusing bowls (glass globes over light bulbs)
• Clean under sink / throw away old rags
• Clean pet dishes

Day 3
THE BATHROOM
• Wash area rugs
• Scrub and wax floor
• Straighten drawers and cabinets
• Wash shower door
• Clean medicine cabinet
• Clean scale
• Throw away empty bottles

THE EXTRA BEDROOM
• Polish furniture
• Straighten drawers and closets
• Clean cobwebs
• Wash mattress pad and dust rug
• Flip mattress
• Wash curtains
• Wash windows
• Clean bath tub
• Clean top of sewing machine
• Straighten bookcase
• Straighten computer desk
• Clean out the closet
• Put away stray items
• Fertilize plants

THE CHILDREN'S BATHROOM
• Wash area rugs
• Sweep, scrub, wax floor
• Straighten drawers and cabinets
• Clean shower, tub stall
• Wash shower door
• Scrub bath toys
• Wash down outside of toilet
• Throw away empty bottles

CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS
• Polish furniture
• Straighten drawers and closets
• Clean cobwebs
• Wash mattress pad and dust rug
• Flip mattresses
• Wash curtains
• Clean windows
• Straighten toy shelves
• Clean under bed
• Clean out closet
• Put away stray items
• Sort out-grown clothes
• Vacuum under bed, closets
• Dust baseboards
• Clean fingerprints off door and walls
• Rearrange videos, games, books

THE OFFICE
• Clear off the surface of your desk
• Throw away pens that don't work
• Put items to keep in a pending file for Wednesday (desk day)
• Do not stop to pay bills
• Straighten one drawer at a time
• Toss out old receipts from over 7 years
• Clean off monitor screen
• Fill printer caddy with paper
• Establish a place for current bills
• Vacuum under desk and the whole room
• Dust furniture
• Clean windows
• Remove cobwebs
• Check supplies of paper and printer cartridges, stamps and envelopes

THE LAUNDRY ROOM
• Wipe down top of washer and dryer
• Clean gunk from under washer lid
• Throw out empty bottles and boxes
• Empty garbage can
• Check supplies of laundry detergent, softener and spot remover
• Sweep and mop floor
• Remove the cobwebs
• Put away all clothes
• Look behind appliances for odd socks

Day 4
THE MASTER BEDROOM
• Polish furniture
• Clean off the desks
• Clean cobwebs
• Wash mattress pad and dust ruffle
• Flip mattress
• Empty trash
• Wash windows
• Cull some books from bookcase
• Straighten drawers
• Clean under the bed

THE MASTER BATHROOM
• Wash rugs
• Straighten up makeup
• Straighten drawers and cabinets
• Clean shower stall, demold
• Wash shower doors

THE CLOSET
• Straighten the top shelves
• Arrange the shoes
• Take suitcases to basement
• Dust shoe bookcase

Day 5
THE LIVING ROOM, FAMILY ROOM, OR DEN
• Clean cobwebs
• Clean windows
• Straighten bookcases
• Wash ornaments and what-nots
• Clean out end table
• Straighten closets and drawers
• Wipe fingerprints from walls
• Polish furniture
• Clean out magazine racks
• Clean phone
• Clean under cushions
• Clean out fireplace
• Move furniture and vacuum
• Shampoo carpet

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out FlyLady's website and join the free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections published by Random House and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter published by Simon and Schuster.

3 years and 3 months

Schools getting ready to start next week.  I have mixed feelings. I was hoping to have found another job by now...but I know good things come to those who wait :) At least that's what gets me through the week.

Jon and I got off Facebook awhile ago...and I have to admit...not being on Facebook is kind of a great feeling.  I don't feel bound to getting on the computer every night and I'm actually spending more time with my family.  I never realized how much control FB had over me.  Plus, I got to say goodbye to the drama.  Social networking...that's all it is...to find people and stay in touch.  I don't think its the place to handle private issues, but that's just my opinion ;) Who would of thunk of picking up the phone to talk to someone...I've actually talked to my friends and family more recently than I had before.  Thank you Christine and Connie for persuading me to get off!!!

Kelsey had her 3 year appointment this week. Dr. Chip is pretty awesome and quite the entertainer.  Kelsey didn't even realize we were at the doctor's office.  She must of thought we were at the circus with all the juggling and disappearing tricks that went on.  He asked if I had any concerns...of course I mentioned the potty training and asked for a shot to cure it *wink*...but he told me that the best way to get her to potty train is to let her tell me when she's ready.  Not so sure if I'm just going to "give up" and wait on her, but now I don't feel the pressure of time anymore.   Its hard when people compare her to other kids all the time...I have to stop and remember there is only one Kelsey...and she's going to figure things out when she's ready too.  Anyways, enough of the potty training soap box...here are the 3 year stats:

Weight: 30.5 lbs (50%)

Height: 37 in. (50%)

Ashlyn is growing so fast.  Our neighbor told me yesterday that Ashlyn is the size of the 8 month old across the street.  Its all those cute rolly-pollies she's got everywhere.  And those chubby cheeks that are so squeezable and kissable...I just can't resist. She is smiling a lot now and trying to laugh. 

Laryngomalacia Update: Her breathing only sounds bad right after she's eaten,overall it sounds like its getting better.  Maybe this whole ordeal will clear up sooner rather than later ;)  Yay!!! 

Kelsey (3 yrs) and Ashlyn (3 mon)

Durham Bulls

Kels went to her first baseball game today.  She was pretty much entranced by the entire stadium, the noise, and the mascots. All of Jon's co-workers were there and I finally got to meet everyone for the first time.  Great people, great food, great fun!