We're Off!

Got A Little Story For Ya

2010-12-30T16:03:00.002-05:00

Matt, in a very rare instance, left the door unlocked while, er, peeing the other day. Brantley, with her normal disregard for closed doors or other people's privacy, walked in. The conversation that followed went something like this:

Brantley: "Dada, why are you peeing out of your bellybutton?"

Matt (turning his back to her best he could): "Brantley, wait outside for Daddy."

Brantley (VERY concerned): "But Dada, why you pee out of your bellybutton? Why Daddy? (Touching her bottom) I pee out of my bottom Dada."

Three days later when she is getting ready to go potty:

Brantley: "Momma, Dada pees out of his bellybutton."

Me: "Oh really?"

Brantley: "He pushes on his belly and pee comes out of his bellybutton. That's how he does it."

Love my girl!!

Coming Soon

2010-12-30T15:38:00.004-05:00

I guess I should make an official announcement here that the Helbig's are expanding. Hard to believe (and unsettling, exciting, nerve-wracking, hopeful...) that Matt and I will be the parents of two children. Two. Not one, but two. I know for many people two is a walk in the park, easy breezy. But oh-my-goodness I just don't know how we will do it. I know we WILL do it and it will be wonderful - I'm just missing the "HOW" part. The logistics. The PLAN. The routine. And how to make the routine seem not so, well, routine.

I think this recent development of anxiety is due to the non-stop pace my life seems to have taken on the past couple of months. It just so happened that work and personal family / home life decided to kick it up a notch at the same time. I am usually good if it is one or the other but both gets me a bit on edge. Like wake up in the middle of night and go over and over and over scenario A, B, and C again and again and again...

But let's be clear here - I am so thankful for this anxiety and sleepless nights because of what it is all stemming from. Another baby girl. A sweet sister for my little B. Another round of first smiles, words, steps, and birthdays. Another reason to celebrate the life Matt and I are creating together. Oh yes, I am so looking forward to bringing this little one into our family and growing our hearts again.

Worth it. Every little bit.

Brooke Jordan Helbig - coming March (or April?) 2011.

How Much Is Too Much?

2010-08-05T12:32:00.003-04:00

1 bowl of Heart to Heart with large handful of blueberries + 1 stawberry / banana smoothie + 1 fruit and nut granola bar + 2 slice of veggie pizza + 1 package of honey mustard pretzel nuggets finally ='s one satiated belly. And it is only 12:00.

Reminds of that time I was home in TX and I had a couple of friends visiting in the same day at different times. That day I consumed a stack of Dad's applesauce pancakes, Grandmom's Sunday dinner (roast, okra, rolls, fruit salad), AND a monster burrito from Freebirds! Makes me want to relive that day and take a nap at the same time.

Wonder what Matt is cookin' up for dinner?

Raise Your Hand

2010-07-30T22:08:00.001-04:00

If you've ever messed up instant pudding? Anyone with me? Anyone?

Glad to report that 3 hours of soaking, 30 minutes of scrubbing, and 2 SOS pads later, the pot has been restored to its original shine and lustre. Phew.

Aahhh.

2010-07-30T17:13:00.002-04:00

I am digging the new blog template feature. Or maybe it isn't new but just newly discovered by me. A breath of fresh air it is.

Now

2010-07-24T16:03:00.008-04:00

I love this time of day on a Saturday - Brantley is napping peacefully, Matt is at the farm getting some pent up stir craziness out, and I get me time. Thanks to my neighbor Abby I now have *i*Tunes* to keep me happy during me time. I have had an *i*Pod* for years now with a whopping 7 songs on it - 7 songs that we played over and over again. Now a whole new world has opened up and I am lovin' it! Abby left me with a stack of CDs to download - most of the music I would never purchase on my own but I am so happy to get to add it to my growing collection. Currently getting mushy listening to Marc Cohn's True Companion - ahhhh.

My other newly discovered love are books on CD- at least this book on CD: The Help. I cannot wait to get in the car by myself so I can listen to it. Bliss.

With the weather hot as blazes, about the only thing we can do outside is eat popsicles on the front porch. We were using popsicles as a reward for pooping on the potty but I swear she started creating poop from nothing just to get one. And now that I am fully addicted to them myself, the only thing she has to do to get one is pass a bathroom. Oh, B walked by a potty? Popsicles all around!! I seriously love this time on the front porch with the dogs running around and B constantly asking me to make her more juice. Bare feet, sweating, the pure joy on her face. Sometimes we get lucky and a massive thunderstorm will roll through. Then we get the added bonus of screaming every time a big boomer roars. Yesterday I literally jumped 2 feet in the air - kind of like that time with Doug and the armadillo...

Now is good.

These Faces

2010-05-11T10:06:00.004-04:00

These little people...

reminded us all of what this man...

helped create. And spread a little joy when our hearts were breaking from having to say good-bye to him too soon.

I've learned that some of my best memories are made during the saddest times of my life. Maybe because that is one of the two circumstances when my whole family gathers together. This picture, for instance, is one of my all time favorites - taken on the playground of Houston Hospice.

Nammy really needed that kiss right then. I'm glad B was there to give it to her.

Easter

2010-05-05T09:51:00.002-04:00

Glorious weather, glorious time with family, glorious time sowing some seeds, glory be to God.

The Beautiful and The EEEEKK!!

2010-05-02T15:07:00.006-04:00

The Beautiful:

The EEEEKKK!

Brantley found this guy enjoying his dinner on our front walk. I am trying to find my big girl panties but am not having much luck.

I Will Not Be Discouraged, It Does Not Have To Be Perfect

2010-04-29T09:27:00.002-04:00

So, I posted an old draft of a post and this Blog thing is smart enough to put it in the order in which it was created. However, it isn't smart enough to put a space where I enter a space. Or change the font size when I change the font size. Whatever, Blog. You are not going to get me down when I've only just begun - again.

Let's Back This Bus Up.

2010-04-29T09:18:00.003-04:00

I have been shamed (very thankfully so!) into vamping this blog up again. So we're off! Again!

I've spent a few moments reading some old posts and I will admit a few tears have been shed. Take for instance the 18 month update - I had completely forgotten all of those little tidbits. You think you will remember. But you don't. Thus the beauty of the blog.

And I had started some posts that were never posted so I'll get those up shortly. They are old but I'm in charge here and we're throwing sensibility and order out the window! Crazy, I know.

Here we go...
xoxo

Whoa.

2009-12-11T14:55:00.004-05:00

Extended holiday in the Swiss Alps? Nope.

Short stint in the witness protection program? Nope.

Coma? Ummm....sort of?

Oh blog how I've thought of you over the past 5 months and just could. not. get. to you.

This is what I DID get to:

Went under contract on a house - one that we had been searching for for over 2 years.

Rented a storage unit. I know that sounds menial but trust me when I say that it was a big whopping deal. One that took FOREVER. Selling our house took less time than renting that storage unit.

Put our house on the market on a Wednesday.

Received an offer on Thursday.

Went under contract on Friday.

Shceduled a closing date.

Scheduled another closing date.

Had a freak out.

Scheduled another closing date.

CLOSED!!

MOVED!

Threw up in my car...while driving. Found a Japanese Wasp in our house. Found poo in our toilet (not Helbig poo. someone's poo).

RENOVATED!

Lived with almost everything we owned piled into one room for 6 weeks.

Fast forward to May, 2010 - we survived but re-reading this post (which was written way back when and just now getting posted) I still get a little nauseous. Moving took a toll on me that was completely unexpected. How my mom survived moving her family the seven times in just my life, not counting the numerous times before I came along, I will never know. But, the fact that almost every day Matt and I express how happy and thankful we are to be living in our new home makes every part of the journey to get here worth it.

Will post more pics when I can find them! This is the side road that goes down to our shed, and as of a few weeks ago, our garden. More on that to come as well!

Under

2009-07-26T13:55:00.003-04:00

Matt and I have been looking for a house for almost 3 years now. We currently live in the house that I bought before I met Matt. It's a little ranch, close to downtown, in a "transitional" neighborhood. When I bought it in 2001 the transition was beginning. I would say that the hood is now in phase II. A couple of people have done pretty big additions, quite a few have done renovations but there are still some homes that could use some TLC. This little house is where we lived when we met, when we brought Lola home, then Gunner, got married and is where we prepared for, and had, our first child together. I'm really proud of this home and proud that I bought it when I was young and single. But it is not where we need to be. The people in this neighborhood are wonderful...but we are flanked on 3 sides by not so great apartment complexes. The foot traffic we get are the type that throw their McDonald's bag and Bud Light Lime bottles in the road or, better yet, our yard.

And it is small. It was great for me and Matt and even Lola fit fine. But add another 100 pounds of black dog and baby...and an office for Matt to work in and you have CLAUSTROPHOBIA. And a TIGHT CHEST every time the baby is sleeping and Matt comes home, or moves, or the dogs bark...or move. It just isn't working for us.

Matt has never felt like this is his "home" and has always wanted to live in the country. To live in the country means moving out. Way out. I work downtown, my gym is downtown, my 5:15 a.m. running buddies are downtown. And I have a baby that I don't see enough as it is. How is adding an hour commute time before and after work going to be ok? It isn't.

So we talked, and looked, and talked, and fought and looked, and looked, and looked. And prayed and prayed and prayed. And then we found it. Our perfect compromise. Our meant to be home. We both had a good feeling about it from the time I learned about the house and sent the listing to Matt. We knew not to get our hopes up but this was different - this feeling that "this was the place" had never happened to us before but we both had it now. BOTH of us. I think our realtor is the only other person who understands the poingnancy of that term - "Both of us."

We saw the house and made an offer that night. A long and agonizing 6 days later we hear that our offer has been accepted as is. Yay! But the contract was not signed or dropped off like the seller said it would be. 1, 2, 3 days later, we hear that she wants her attorney to look over the contract. So we wait again and at last hear that we're good. The attorney is fine with this standard NC real estate contract. But again, the contract is not signed or dropped off. Another restless night of sleep and we get the word it is done. The contract is signed - we're on! Now we just have to sell Fenton St...

We clean, put excess furniture in storage, take down personal items and pictures and mentally try to prepare ourselves for the months ahead. We have to have a system: dogs stay outside as much as possible, have Ti come every week to clean while the house is on the market, I do a, b, and c every morning and d, e, and f, every night. Matt has his list. Swiffer, vacuum, mop, mop, mop!!

The house goes on the market at noon on Wednesday. Our first showing is at 1:00 on Thursday. We go under contract 9:00 pm Friday. Say what?!? Yes! Yes! Yes! Fenton St. is under contract!

We are scheduled to close on August 21st and will rent Fenton St. from the new owner through September 18th while the renovations on our new home are being done. We are thankful and thrilled and so looking forward to our fresh start in this new home - that we searched for and dreamt about together. Both of us.

18 Months...A Little Late

2009-07-01T09:11:00.007-04:00

I started this post when B turned 18 months. Fast forward a month and here we are finishing it up. And so it goes...

B is a very busy little girl. She is in constant motion, constantly changing directions (and sometimes mood) faster than you can blink, and always a big source of joy. I think I've said this before but I'll say it again - my biggest surprise in birthing and raising this child is how much I laugh with her around. I didn't know I would find her this amusing, especially as early as I did. I love watching her wheels turn.

Some things little precious has been up to:

The girl is obsessed with shoes. You better watch your big toe if you're hanging out with the Helbigs. You never know when a little hand is going to grab it and try to shove it into her size 4 white sandals. She has, on occasion, thrown a fit when I take her shoes off. And the other morning she was adament about only wearing the left shoe. I suppose the right one got her right mad about something. Last week I saw her put her shoe on the leg of my desk chair.

Our new favorite game is "shoo fly, shoo". Flies really gross me out and I don't know why but for about a week we had quite a few hanging out in the house. She now calls anything that flies a fly and waves her hand and says "shoo, shoo, shoo". I love it.

Watch out Gunner...I see tutus in your near future.

Last week I caught her licking the dog bowl...which was just licked clean by Lola.

She finally pointed to me when I asked her "where is your mama?" Up until this month she would always point to herself, I'm assuming because I would always point to myself when I said "I'm your mama." I love hearing her call me mommy.

Is repeating everything we say and starting to string words together.

Is stepping down into the playroom unassisted.

Knows where Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut go on her USA puzzle.

She is officially a climber - can climb into her highchair by herself now. This feat made her SO happy.

Has added some hip action into her dance moves. I have no idea where she picked this up.

Is pretty much guaranteed that she will whine and want me to hold her from the time we start dinner until she is sitting down to eat.

Is still chasing boys and finally found one that can't run from her...yet. And Ozzie gets as tickled by getting her kisses as she does about giving them out.

Jackie had to put her in time-out for the 2nd time in her short little life. The first was an "emergency" time-out because she had climbed the stairs without supervision. 2 weeks ago it was for hitting Jordan because he was sitting in the chair she wanted. After Jackie let her out of time-out, she got up and hit the coffee table. That temper is SO Helbig. Jackie saw her hit the table but did not look at her. B stood there for a second then ran to Jackie to hug and kiss her. She didn't mean to do it...

I have found that saying a firm "no" and then staring at her is pretty effective in curbing bad behavior. She stops and stares back, then her eyes get shifty while she contemplates her next move, then will look back at me. If I stay stern, 9 times out of 10 she makes the right decision to stop the mischief. And then she gets a big grin and says "hi" to me.

She has started climbing into her chair in her room and reading books out loud. Oh my gosh. She looks like such a big girl doing this. It kills me.

Yesterday we went to the park and she does not want to be touched after you get her going on the swing. It had been a while since I took her to swing so I wasn't real sure of her skills. She did really well until she decided it was time to get off and did a face plant into the mulch. Oops.

And lastly, she went through/is (hopefully) finishing the stage where when she can't do something, whines incessantly until you help her. We were very consistent in saying "help, please" during these moments and I taught her the sign for "help" as well. She modified the sign so that it looks like she is in the final game of volleyball beach Olympics, setting up for the winning point. And now that she can say "help", the enthusiasm with which she asks and signs for help is undeniable. The only thing you can do is drop EVERYTHING and RUN to her aide.

Mama loves you baby. Love, love, loves you.

Dr. Jekyll & Miss Hyde

2009-06-29T13:16:00.005-04:00

Jackie is taking care of Brantley at our house today since the Brocks have all been stricken with the stomach bug. It is great having her at our house and being able to spend more time seeing them interact. Brantley adores "Ja-gee" and I believe the feeling is mutual.

It also gives us an opportunity to compare notes. For example, I came home for lunch and while Jackie washed Brantley's hands and got her in her highchair, I made her lunch - pb&j, yogurt, blueberries and milk. I set it down in front of her and she immediately pushes away her plate and rolls up her mat and tried to undo her seatbelt. Jackie wonders what she is doing. She has never seen this behavior from Little Precious. Apparently Little Precious wanted Jackie to prepare her mid-day meal since she immediately began eating once Jackie gave her a napkin and placed her sandwich on that for her to enjoy. Ok...

Next up, the "ahuum, ahuum, ahuum" at the sight of Matt eating his lunch. This is the sound she makes when she begs for food...even though she just ate. Jackie asked me what she was doing. "What? She has never begged you for food?" "No! She's never begged me for anything!" Hmmm...well, that is her begging for food. Lovely isn't it?

Last up, the "anh, anh, anh". We hear this whenever she wants something but can't get it. "You've heard her do that, right? She does it quite frequently. I'm sure you hear it at least 10 times an hour, right?" "No, no! I've never heard her say that! She comes over and grabs my hand and takes me to what she would like to have." Ohhhh...ok.

You get the Jekyll - I get Miss Hyde!

PS: Do you see her contemplating her next move in the photo? I'm onto her now!

A new low. Even for us.

2009-06-14T15:30:00.009-04:00

A few Monday's, we dropped Lola off at the vet for her knee surgery and brought Gunner in because he makes like a cow pretty frequently, grazing on grass in the backyard and eating sticks, and then throws up in Matt's office at night. I think it is his way of showing his love for Matt but boy, does it make for a not so pleasant morning when Matt finds Gunner's calling card. I never quite understood why Matt would get so bent about it. Yes, it's a nuisance and gross but let's just clean it up and move on. Then Matt told me to think of how I would feel if I walked into my office every morning and had to clean up a pile of vomit. Well, if you put it that way...

Dr. Jon gave Gunner some acid reflux meds and we have not had an issue since. Great! That was pretty easy.

Now Lola, easy is not the word for her. Nor is calm, normal, fun, clean, or good. She has been ok about staying on her bed or laying in the kitchen. But every time she does move, her incision bleeds and it got to the point where we thought she had ripped her incision open. So back to the vet we go. The joy that dog finds in going to the vet is off the charts. So excited in fact that poop flew out of her rear end right there in the lobby. There was no warning before the flying poop. No squatting, no whimpering, no attempt to get outside. She did not miss one beat. One second there was a clean floor 2 feet in front of me and the next there was a pile of poo. I told you we had a hit a new low.

Dr. Jon checked her out and assured us that the incision was fine and the blood/fluid coming out was normal. And, by the way, would you like me to prescribe her a sedative to get through the next week? Huh, YES. YES PLEASE. I asked him if she was the worst patient he had ever seen and he said, "If by worst, you mean the most exuberant, yes, she's in the top 10." That's our girl. Of the thousands of dogs he has seen in his career, ours gets on the Top 10 Bad Dog List. We're so proud.

We were looking forward to a nice peaceful evening with Lola laying down calmly and getting the first good night's sleep since Tuesday. We gave her that sedative and not 30 minutes later she is unable to get up and her eyes are glazed over and bloodshot. We don't think this is normal. We place a call to the emergency vet who said that is was ok but if we see any vomiting or labored breathing to bring her in. Or if it didn't look like she was coming out of it in 6-8 hours. At 11:30, 5.5 hours into it, Matt notices that every time she breathes in, her whole body quivers. Off to the vet she goes. Matt has to carry 103 pounds of dead lab weight out to the truck. Miracle of all miracles, she walks when she gets to the vet - because she LOVES the vet.

Thankfully, the Beanster is ok. Nothing can keep that dog down for long. As much as we joke about giving her the blue needle, we will be devasted when her time is up. We love her just as much as she gets on her our every last nerve. We love her for her zest for life, her unbridled joy for the simplest of things, her neverending desire to just be near us. And that face? How can you not love this face?

Sabbatical - Part II: The Not So Fabulous

2009-06-08T22:42:00.003-04:00

Where the heck did my font option go?

Anyway, we had a couple of not so fabulous things occur the last 3 weeks but, thankfully, I had to rack my brain to remember what they were. I almost hate to even write about them but...such is life, right? I'll keep it short and to the point so if you're in a good mood while reading this you have a good chance of staying that way.

First, our AC didn't work in the condo for the first week and half! Long story short, there was a mix up and what should have been a 3 day inconvenience turned into 10. I feel a bit wronged here and am thinking about writing a letter to the rental company. It seriously would not have been a big deal except that (a) I had more than one restless night of sleep due to the 747, also known as a portable AC, they installed to keep the master bedroom cold. I mean cool. I mean borderline warm; (b) I missed out on 4 nights of sleeping to the sound of ocean waves; (c) Our guests did not have the benfit of the 747 and really were pretty warm; (d) Meeting the AC techs and coordinating with the rental co. took precious, precious, time; and (e) The rental company just was not that apologetic about the situation. They definitely handled it the best they could but I still feel like I paid for something that I did not receive.

Second, Matt called me the first Monday I was there to let me know that Lola would need surgery on her knee when I got back. She tore a ligament and was limping badly. The vet gave her some pain meds to get her through the past few weeks and Matt and I dropped her off this morning for the surgery. Thankfully, she came through fine and, as Dr. Jon reported, "She is on narcotics and is enjoying the ride." It is VERY weird not having her here. Our shoebox actually seems bigger but the house just seems empty without her. We pick her up tomorrow at which time we will beg Dr. Jon for a 4 month supply of narcotics so that we can keep the Beanster calm during recovery. For those of you who have met Lola, you know that calm is not in her limited vocabulary.

Third, and this is the most freaky although I'm pretty sure it was harmless, I received a message through my Flickr account that someone wanted to add me as a contact. I did not recognize the name so I logged on to check him out. His profile came up "Single" and "Male". And "Child Photographer". If you watch Oprah you know how those 4 words in this context can FREAK YOU OUT. I looked at some of his current contacts and he really did seem harmless but who is he and how did he find my stuff? I thought I had made all my photos for "Friends and Family Only" but apparently not. I denied the request and am now in the process of making sure everything is for "Friends and Family Only". Such a sucky feeling.

So that is a wrap for the Not So Fabulous. Am really thankful that the Not So Fabulous was really not so bad...

Sabbatical - Part 1: The Fabulous

2009-06-03T21:00:00.008-04:00

I CANNOT believe that I have only 2.5 more days left at the beach! I seriously tried to slow time down these past 3 weeks and here we are, shocked at the reality of how it has all gone way too fast. Fast but fabulous. For the most part.

Brantley...what can I say? I love that little being with every once of myself. The week that just she, Matt and I were together was perfect. B thinks that Matt is the most hilarious person ever and he LOVES that she thinks that. And I love all of it. Lots of love going on here. The cool part is that we think she is the funniest little thing we've seen. I would say that my biggest joy these past weeks is that I really got to know my baby. That is fabulous and so, so, so sad to me at the same time.

Taylor and Joel came for a visit which was super fun. 2 pitchers of margaritas and watching Joel run from B as she tried to lay kiss after kiss after kiss on him - good times.

Mom and Dad are here to round out the beach vacay. It is great to be with them and have them get to know B. I think she knows they're special people in our lives. Today on the beach, M&D went for a walk and as they were walking back towards us she caught sight of them pretty far out. They were just figures walking but she knew it was them and she wouldn't stop looking at them until they got closer at which point she got up and ran to them. Sweetness.

Matt and Dan fished and we feasted on Mahi Mahi - delicious!

As far as hitting the beach goes, the weather could not have been better. Boating, not so good but we're sticking to the fabulous here.

I cooked! Once...but it was good...

Finished Pillars of the Earth. Great, long read. Some parts were very disturbing to me but overall I would recommend it.

I actually have some color for the first time in years. I know it isn't healthy but IT FEELS SO GOOD.

We're off...to the beach!

2009-05-17T20:01:00.005-04:00

In 12 hours I will officially be on sabbatical. Can I get a heck yeah? Alright...

The last month has been a bit crazy - I've had the general feeling of wanting to either (a) run. Run fast and far and furiously. Or (b) drink and drink and drink...and drink. I didn't do either which is good since it would probably take my whole sabbatical to recover from both options. Instead, I just ran around in a general state of tension but it is going, going, almost gone.

Here's the gist:

(1) Had to prepare to be out off of work for 4 weeks. Don't think I've been that on task since nesting with B.

(2) Put an offer on a house.

(3) Got hopes up about said house.

(4) Didn't get house.

(5) Went to dr. for a pain in my side that had been nagging me for about a month.

(6) Dr. said "hmm".

(7) I said "Dr. S. - let me tell you what patients don't want to hear when you have an ultrasound probe up their mo...

(8) Dr. S. thought it was an etopic pregnancy.

(9) Peed in a cup.

(10) Test inconclusive.

(11) Gave blood to make sure I was not pregnant....and to test for cancer.

(12) Not pregnant. Not cancer.

(13) Went back for 3rd ultrasound last week - cyst? bi-lobal ovary? Hmmm...

(14) Don't know but hopefully Duke Obgyn will. We'll find out when I get back. But I'M NOT WORRIED. We've ruled out the bad so...

(15) Talk with boss. Things are changing...more on that later.

(16) B's nanny's dad passed away after a long illness. Very sad for Jackie.

(17) Would have celebrated Jamie's 9th birthday on the 14th. 9 years. 9 years...

(18) Somehow I did it. Brantley, Matt and I got to the beach yesterday and we are settled into our home for the next 3 weeks. Cheers to that!

In just 24 hours I feel like a different person. Matt has been traveling so much this past month and this disconnect was beginning to get to me. We needed the past 24 hours like Lola needs her tennis balls.

So, our biggest plan for the next 3 weeks is to not have a plan! I'm real excited about that but a little nervous at the same time. I am a person that operates on plans and schedules. The Known is my friend. I'm comfortable with her. The only known I know right now is that I am really geeked to be able to soak up every minute of Brantley. She is growing up so fast and I feel like I'm just holding on to every piece of her I can because tomorrow that piece is going to be something different - bigger, smarter, funnier. Just different.

I am really, really thankful for this sabbatical. It could not have come at a better time. God hit the nail on the head with this one. Not only am I am thankful for this time off, this 4 week paid time off!, I'm really thankful that I work for company that values their employees. I know a lot of companies tout the work/home balance but SP literally puts their money where their mouth is. More companies should do this - can you imagine how happy all the worker bees would be?

Pictures from our first day coming soon...

Miss Poppy

2009-05-07T08:46:00.005-04:00

Jackie gave this outfit to B for her birthday. We headed up to the historic neighborhood around the corner and let her run loose for an hour. Oh, the joy of being free to roam! Once again we're struck by the similarities between our 2-legged child and the 4-legged beasts we also claim as offspring.

Note To Self.

2009-04-15T19:49:00.004-04:00

If the little person you're batheing has major gas in the tub - wash body and hair as fast as possible and get a diaper on that kid.

To my reader's relief there is no picture to commemorate this moment.

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler

2009-04-11T13:49:00.004-04:00

Last weekend Erin, Summer, Naomi and I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in DC. Can I just say I had no idea how pretty DC is. I don't know if I didn't appreciate it the many times I've been there before or the city has had a little face scrub or the cherry blossoms, sunshine and warm weather just made it glow. Anyhow, it was really pretty.

I met Summer and Erin in Richmond where I left my car and hopped in with them. I am so glad Summer drove...and even more glad that we arrived there and home safely. Summer lived in DC for a couple of years so she knew her way around pretty well. And drives like you would imagine someone from DC or NYC driving - like a bat out of hell. She mentioned that she has become a calmer driver since becoming a mom. Hmmm....glad I wasn't a passenger pre-mommyhood. The great thing about her driving was traffic was horrendous and we were doubting whether we would make it in time to pick up our race packets. Because of her awesome skills, we made it with 10 minutes to spare. And the line that was wrapped around the block when Naomi was there earlier in the day was non-existent. Sweet.

We went to this place called Olives for a drink and appetizer and to check out the dinner menu Saturday night. As the oh-so-lovely waitress complained about all the tourists in town (after we told her where we were from) and then daintily tour off her fingernail and through said nail on the floor behind the bar, we opted out of dinner. The manic bartender and the other waitress popping cheese and olives in her mouth not 2 feet from us only confirmed that decision.

So we walked to the Italian place the concierge had recommended. I suppose every other conciege in the city recommended it too because it was packed. We passed this place called Rumors which Erin and I remember going to back in the day but cannot for the life of us remember with who or why (anyone?). We did finally find some good eats and then headed to bed for our early wake up call.

We were close enough to the start to walk to the race. We met up with Naomi and were off! It was perfect running conditions. The Cherry Blossom trees were so pretty - I was kicking myself the whole time for not bringing my camera. The race was great - we ran it in about 1:45 which I was pleased with considering my longest run during "training" was 5.3 miles.

We were in a rush to get back on the road so there was no time for walking around and taking pics after the race. The only photos I got were hanging out of the car as Summer sped toward home.

(Cherry Blossoms - waaayyyy over there.)

(For my dad.)

(Post, post race. That's it. Momma is getting a haircut.)

And the Freak Mom Award Goes To...

2009-04-11T13:29:00.004-04:00

Last month while I was brushing B's teeth I noticed a dark spot on the back of her bottom front tooth. I scrubbed and scrubbed for a couple of days without being able to remove the spot so I called my dentist who I l-o-v-e. I've been going to him for over 10 years, his wife is the best and I worked his dauther's 7th birthday party back in the day when I had 5 jobs in one year - one of which was at a paint your own pottery store. She is now in college which says just one thing - I AM OLD.

So I was freaked out that precious B had a cavity at the tender age of one. The thought was horrifying because, as I think I've mentioned here before, I'm a huge fan of good oral hygene and pride myself for having zero cavities. I talked to Kelly (Dr. Greenlee's wife) and she said to bring her on in and he'll take a look. Kelly and all the ladies there are crazy about babies so B received a huge welcome. She was cool with everything until Dr. Greenlee started poking around in her mouth.

Dr. G saw said spot and pulled out the plaque scraper thing. I had to hold B's arms down which added to her fury. Less than a second later the spot in question is gone. What??? Yeah, gone. Just took a little more umph than I was giving it apparently.

Crazy mom? Perhaps. But Dr. G did give me props for even noticing the spot and being so diligent about brushing her little pearls.

And she officially became the youngest member of the No Cavaties Club. An honor worth noting I'd say.

It Gets Better.

2009-04-07T08:28:00.002-04:00

I was telling my friend Jessica about the Lion / Tiger confusion and my comment that I totally understand how Jessica Simpson was confused about the Tuna / Chicken of the Sea thing. Well, ends up that just the weekend before, her husband was making tuna salad and Jessica asked him what kind. He replied "Chicken of the Sea". And she said, "Oh no, honey. That is canned chicken." He assured her it was indeed tuna and she played it off and then secretly snuck into the pantry to read the label. Ends up Jason and Nick were right.

At least I'm not alone...

Anyone?

2009-03-25T19:39:00.002-04:00

Did you know that the tiger is not the female version of the lion? Just wondering...

Luky Me.

2009-03-20T10:38:00.002-04:00

Ahhh, thank you ladies. Your answers to my questions made me laugh and lifted a weight off of my shoulders. I don't know if things will change as she gets older, but for now I will do every other possible form of parenting/discipline that I can think of before tapping my baby - see, I can't even say the words hitting, hand-slapping, spanking when I'm talking in terms of my sweet B! I really thought about it last night and she is SUCH a good, sweet baby. And this is a normal phase for her to go through. I just don't feel right doing it but am glad I put some feelers out to get a pulse on the situation. And thank you, Di, for the no judgement comment. I can't say that I will never spank her but at this stage, that is not the path for us to go down.

And on the bright side, we're saving money on dog food. Lola and Gunner are wishing Brantley had come along much sooner.

Questions...

2009-03-16T20:22:00.003-04:00

(1) Do any of you other bloggers have as many issues as I do fomatting your blogs? Note the non-spaces between paragraphs and the different font size in "Piece de Resistance". Knowing that 3 of my 3 readers are perfectionists, this is completely unacceptable. And it makes me coocoo.

(2) How do you discipline a 15 month old who continues to swipe her food off of her plate onto the floor when she is done eating. Knowing good and well that she knows how to sign "all done"? (a) Firmly saying "no. not nice" - doesn't work. In fact, she thinks those 3 words coming out of my mouth at these instances are HILARIOUS. (b) In addition to (a), taking her dinner away - uh, yeah, that is what she wants you to do because she is ALL DONE. (c) Not reacting with any verbal cues and calmly taking dinner away - fine and dandy with the Bster. (d) Matt very firmly saying "no brantley" - quivering lip, big tears. (e) Holding her hands firmly mid-swipe - more laughter and completes the swipe the second you let go. Pisser that girl is.

(3) Given question (2), I pose question (3). Is it time to pop - swat - firmly pat her hand when she does this? Is this how I want to discipline my child? Will it teach her to hit? Have I tried enough positive reinforcement? Have I tried every other option before resorting to this one? A lot of times I can see when it is about to happen - can I intercept the the swipe before it is in full force enough times that she forgets how fun it is to throw your food on the ground? When do you put your foot down on behavior that they know is wrong and do anyway? AND WHY THE HECK DOESN'T SHE BEHAVE LIKE THIS WITH JACKIE?

(4) Why did my flickr uploader stop working and when the heck am I'm going to get that fixed?

(5) Was getting tatoos REALLY that smart?

(6) Is crying in front of your boss a sign of weakness?

(7) Who knew that being without Matt for 8 days would make me miss him this much?

(8) Who will never, ever, never, never, ever, ever, ever, ever be moving to Seattle? ME

Piece de Resistance

2009-02-22T14:39:00.010-05:00

She arrived. I've been waiting for weeks and she was finally delivered. I see a lot of things happening here - paying bills, which doesn't sound fun, but in addition to that, getting control of our finances, writing, getting some ideas into something more than ideas, maybe getting a baby book done for my now toddler, getting organized. It's all going down right here and I can't be more pleased.

There are a few key items to note in photo #1: the Vaseline Intensive Care Lip Therapy and the Banana Republic credit card next to the tube. We'll start with the BR CC. I am a BR fan. I'd say 99% of the time I walk into their store, I spot something I would like to purchase. Their clothes just fit me (although, something is going on with their Martin pants b/c the last couple pairs I bought, I could stuff socks down the sides into the hip area to fill them out. Now I KNOW it is not my hips that have slimmed down so it definitely is the way they are sewing those puppies up. Not a fan. But I have yet to find a suitable replacement.) So, I am such a faithful BR shopper that I am a LUXE card carrying member. Cream of the Banana Republic credit crop. Up until Friday I have enjoyed my card and the privileges that come with it. Then came my lunch hour on Friday when I decided to buy B some spring clothes from Old Navy (BR and ON are sister companies...along with Gap and Piperlime - which, if you haven't heard of Piperlime, I suggest checking them out.) I painstakingly went through the site and picked out some cute dresses for my B. Was satisfied with my Shopping Cart and excited about the 30% discount I was receiving and proceeded to Checkout.

That is when it all went wrong. My card would not work. The LUXE was denied. And I was all WHOA. NOT GOOD. I tried the whole process again thinking it was a technical glitch but alas, it was not. Something was up. I promptly logged on to my account and found everything seemed to be in order. What the heck? That night I received an automated phone call wanting to confirm that the activity on my card today was legit and there was no fraudulent activity going on. Uh, yeah, there was not only no fraudulent activity going on - there was NO ACTIVITY going on.

I try to give it another go this morning and once again, nothing. So I call customer service and she said to let's place the order over the phone. After 20 minutes of giving her the item numbers of the 12 things in my shopping cart - while Brantley is intermittently crying and feeding Gunner Cheerios - the card is denied again. ^%$@*!!! She then tells me that I won't be able to use my 30% discount b/c it is a one time only deal. Fuming, I tried in my most polite voice to inform her that I HAD NOT USED THE DISCOUNT!! Then Sophia the supervisor came on. Very professionally she said that she created a draft purchase of my items, she would transfer me to the CC department, I could get it straightened out and then they would transfer me back to her and we could complete the order. I said that sounds like a wonderful plan. But, I told her I had tried calling the CC department on Friday and was either (1) cut off or (2) not able to even get through so what was going to happen if by chance (1) or (1) were to happen again. She assured me that she would stay on the line until I was talking to a live person. I said ok. I'm ready. I wait....and wait...I ask B to please stop crying for just 5 minutes...I wait...I tell Gunner for the umpteenth time to GET OUT of the playroom...I wait...and then...BEEP - BEEP - BEEP. Oh you blankety blank blank. Earmuffs Brantley.

Screw you LUXE card. I'm not sure what it is going to take to win me back but I suggest you get your gameplan together. If is wasn't for this piece de resistance I'm sitting at, I would be so HOT.

And the Vaseline Intensive Care Lip Therapy - that, I just can't live without and have them stocked everywhere.

Va!

2009-02-22T13:31:00.003-05:00

About 6 months ago, Brantley started pointing at the dogs and saying "Va!". We paid attention for a couple of days and decided this was her word for "dog". Then she started saying it whenever she saw a dog and whenever she got excited. But she's come back around to just using it for dog. And, I have to say, the day she begins to actually use the word "dog," I will be so sad.

Other Brantley updates:

*Pointed to the bears in "Goodnight Moon" - has been pointing to the cats for a while now.
*Barks when asked what dogs say.
*Walks! I can't believe I didn't post about her first steps and really walking...I'll try to get that down soon before the memory gets edged out by other milestones, grocery lists, and work projects.
*Signs milk, all done, hi, bye-bye, and will rub my chest to say please - sometimes
*Says "bee" for baby - and will pretend to wash her baby, "dee" for deer, "du" for duck, "da" for dada, "ma" for mamma, and a whole bunch of other sounds that we have yet to figure out.
*Oh yeah, and my favorite: "ni, ni, ni, ni" along with the two index fingers going Red Raider style.

My little bug is growing up so fast. Which is why I'm so excited about this year. My sabbatical from work has come around again (crazy!) so this May, B and I are headed to the beach for 3 glorious weeks! I cannot wait!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

2009-01-22T21:46:00.003-05:00

We had our fingers crossed that this would be the year the snow would come and we were not disappointed! All of the stars were aligned and we watched as green and brown turned into inches of pure white. Beautiful.

Unfortunately, Brantley is cutting a tooth, or teeth, and was not her happy little self. We were able to pry her little, needy body off of me for a quick romp in the snow.

Blob to Crazy in 12 Months

2009-01-20T16:10:00.004-05:00

Cake

2009-01-19T22:20:00.002-05:00

I hit checkout.

2009-01-19T20:02:00.003-05:00

And I feel like a new woman. You may think I ordered a rejeuvenating face cream, made an appointment for a full body massage, or bought a scrumptuous bath oil with thoughts of relaxing in the tub with a good book and a glass of wine. You would be wrong. I just found it. A desk/glass door hutch that is going to change my life. I am going to have a place. A place for my stuff. For being organized. For keeping pretty things. Yea me!

And I'm going to make curtains...me...making curtains. With grommets!!

Piggies have a price.

2009-01-13T21:37:00.003-05:00

Before:

After:

Sweet, sweet baby

2009-01-11T14:45:00.003-05:00

I'm so sad and happy and thankful and joyful and scared all at the same time. My sweet, sweet baby has turned one. It feels like yesterday that I was writhing in pain and Matt was asking if he just had time to eat the Rotel he had heated up. If I could have said anything it would have been NO...NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

And it was like yesterday that you were born and I saw your daddy cry.

And I think it was yesterday that I would jump out of bed at 2:00 in the morning so excited to spend more time with you.

And I would cry while feeding you because your new CD player not only plays music and shows the time, but it also shows the date. I watched that date click away day after day and become petrified that I had not burned into my memory every aspect of you. That you had changed in some way and I had missed it.

And it seems like yesterday that you smiled at me and rolled over and babbled and I had to go back to work and trust someone else to care for you in my absence. And you laughed and you crawled and you belly laughed and you threw your whole dinner on the floor and laughed REALLY hard when I told you no (ok, that actually was yesterday).

Everyone told me that time would go by so fast and I never had a doubt that wasn't true. I was, and still am, ultra aware of it and it kills me. I know that working is the right thing for me and our family but it just plain sucks sometimes.

I'm not sure what we did to deserve you but it must have been really, really good. If they had a Best Baby award, you would so walk away with that trophy. Not only do I love you with this love I didn't know I was capable of, but I really like you. I like you because whenever I'm easvesdropping on you, you are cracking up at whatever it is your saying. You're kind of like a puppy who is always so excited to see me. You have this playful sense of humor that I was amazed to see at such a young age. You give lots of unsolicited kisses and until last week in the dressing room of Nordstrom's, you knew no stranger. You love a party. You play well with others. Lola and Gunner are becoming your best friends - they make you laugh but already you let them know when you've had enough. You like THE PRETTY (aka jewelry), but you've also developed a fondness for the mounted deer heads in your daddy's office - I will continue to support this behavior for you, and for him. And, I'll be honest, one of your most endearing features is you hardly ever cry. We know something is wrong if you're crying and I thank God daily that the worst thing you've gone through is growing some teeth. You're a rockstar my little Bug. I LOVE YOU.

So, sad - that time goes by so quickly.
Happy and joyful that you are happy and joyful.
Thankful - EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.
And scared. Or fearful. That one day it may all change. Which brings me back to thankful. I'm thankful for my faith and for the woman who told me "If you're walking in fear then you're not walking in faith." Oh, how many times I've said that to myself to get me straight again...

Pictures coming soon....

Get out your Bibles.

2009-01-07T16:22:00.002-05:00

I'm working - ok, I really was working up to the point that I looked up and out my window and saw a rainbow. I haven't seen one in ages. The last time I remember talking about rainbows was in my college Bible Study and there was this kind of annoying girl in there (I know, not very Christian-like of me but if someone can tell me where in the Bible it says that we have to LIKE EVERYONE, I'll take the appropriate actions). She was going through some stuff and one day was walking across campus with her head hung low when she happened to look up and saw a rainbow. And from that moment on she vowed to, and I quote, NEVER WALK WITH HER DOWN AGAIN because there is hope in the world. Now, I love that she had that moment with God and I love that she saw that rainbow and her spirits were lifted. It is just the dramatic telling of the story that I didn't care for.

But before that memory came zooming in, I had my own little moment. I saw the rainbow, I paused and I gave God a little smile, nod and thank you. And then I got curious about the rainbow and how it is referenced in the Bible so I headed for our universal friend the Internet. From what I found it looks like it was God's way of telling Noah there would be no more flooding...which I think you could interpret further as troubles are behind you and there is hope for calmer waters. I love that.

Furthermore, everyone around here has about had it with the Seattle weather we've been having FOREVER. And wouldn't you know it, I watched that rainbow until it disappeared, started typing, looked up again ,and stretched before me is a CLEAR BLUE SKY! Hallelujah!

And again...

2009-01-06T15:53:00.002-05:00

At 2:30 I went to the ladies room for the first time today. The Hanky Pankies are on - but they're on WRONG SIDE OUT!

Uhhhh....

2009-01-06T09:31:00.001-05:00

Made it to 11:00 yesterday with my shirt on inside out at work.

It's quiet and I like it.

2009-01-03T14:15:00.006-05:00

It seems like this is the first time in a month that I've been is silence. I almost want to cry it is such a relief. Not that I'm not thankful for the noises that make up my life, but a girl can only take so much before the urge to stuff mashed potatoes in her ears becomes more of a reality than a passing fantasy.

So I'm a big Christmas person. I love everything about it - Christmas Eve church service, carols 24/7, lights, trees, stockings, giving....receiving, food, wine, cheer. Love it all. Well this year the Helbig's had no tree. No tree, no lights, no baking, no Christmas parties, and no Christmas Eve service. I did manage to get the stockings hung which was less than satisying b/c we have 5 members of the family and I only have 4 matching stocking holders. This glitch in perfection made me crazy. Not to mention we don't have 5 matching stockings. Lola and Gunner actually have the best stockings out of all of us. But that is just the tree topper on the non-existent tree. For the 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas we kept talking about the tree that never came to be and when I realized we were going to have a treeless Christmas, I decided we had failed as parents. My little brain was telling me that this Christmas was going to set the precendent for all Christmas' to come. It was Brantley's first and the kid had no tree. Now I know that Christmas is much more than a tree but come on. NO TREE?!?! So sad for me and Bug. Matt has come away unscathed.

The upside of all of this is that it took all of 3 minutes to put Christmas away!

Our holidays in as few words as possible:
Mom and Dad spent a month on the east coast and were a huge help in taking care of B while Jackie had some time off and and Matt and I had to work.

My Great Uncle JC passed away. We were all very thankful to have spent Thanksgiving with him and he is greatly missed.

Christmas Eve Eve we drove 9 hours to NJ. Hit freezing rain during the 7th hour. Ran out of windshield wiper fluid. Realized windshield wipers needed to be replaced.

Christmas Eve we celebrated with the Helbigs.

Christmas Day we celebrated with Granny. Ate filet mignon. Yum.

Day after Christmas celebrated B's birthday with all of Granny's super nice friends. B ate a not so pretty but delicious chocolate cake. Drove 7 hours, 45 minutes home that night.

All 6 dogs, yes, it says 6, were really well behaved.

Matt's brothers were really well behaved.

Mom, Dad, Trudi, Doug and girls came to celebrate B's birthday. She dove face first into her cupcake - no hands - thought it was real funny. We did too.

Worked when I was supposed to be off. Am slightly bitter but thankful to have a job. Am more thankful than bitter.

Had the forethought to postpone B's birthday party with friends to next weekend instead of today. Every now and then I have a brush with genius.

Took a long, needed walk on the river with hubby, baby and dogs this morning. Ahhh....

Had date with hubby while parents were here. Saw Marley & Me. Bawled. Came home and loved on our furry children. Decided it was like watching our life on the big screen but they lived in much better houses. And Jennifer Aniston is way hotter than me.

Am trying to find a computer armoire. Can't understand why it is so hard. Trying to figure out some tax stuff. Not suprised that it is hard but don't understand why it has to be.

Am trying to find some material for some curtains which will finish up our playroom / guestroom / Matt's closet.

Am waiting for flickr to download 235 pictures. Am contemplating going back to blonde - don't want to due to upkeep, money, and time. Want to so I don't feel like a hag.

Competed the 12 days of Christmas wellness challenge through work. Don't think I get anything except the satisfaction of knowing I may have staved (is that a word?) off some holiday poundage.

My time is up. Matt just pulled in and Brantley just woke up. Bye bye quiet time. Hope to see you again in less than a month.

Buddy Boy

2008-12-13T14:46:00.001-05:00

DSC02283
Originally uploaded by lolagunner

This photo almost make Buddy look pretty.

Stuff

2008-11-29T14:33:00.000-05:00

B is down for a nap and I really should be doing the same to try to rid myself of this sinus headache that has been creeping around with me the past couple days. At first I thought I may have a had a bad glass of wine and then I thought the Chinese food I had may have contained MSG but today I leaned over to pick B up and my whole face hurt. Including my teeth. Ouch.

But I don't really feel like sleeping. I keep thinking about things (maybe that is why my head hurts?) and am hoping if I write about them my brain can rest.

#1 I'm not real political and generally I know just enough to sound really dumb but I love listening to what people have to say. The other day I learned that Barack Obama would not be able to get a job with the US Defense Department because of his affiliation with that Ayers (sp?) guy. You know, the terrorist. So my question is how can he now be the boss of the entire department that would not hire him?

#2 I won't get into specifics but both of my receptionists were let go - justifiably so - while I was in TX. We are a very trusting group of people. I don't think we'll be so trusting in the future.

#3 The Cole's brought home their baby girl, Ruby! I'm really happy for them and I'm really happy for Ruby. What a blessing!

#4 My house is closing in on me. I'm ready for my adult house. My adult house will be laid out to accomodate dogs and children and adults and guests.

#5 How can I swiffer every day and pick up the same amount of grunge? I mean, our dogs are outside (unless it's raining) from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. When they come inside, they do their loop around Brantley's high chair, get their raw hide and then hit their beds. How then does dirt and dog hair get to every nook and crannie that B crawls on?

#6 We had a really good Thanksgiving - so much to be thankful for. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is when my Dad's side of the family gets together. Often times we would meet at my Great Uncle Russ and Aunt Margaret's beach house on Emerald Isle. Sometimes it was Ahoskie. Once it was in Hampton when we lived there. The past 5 years or more, we've gathered at Uncle JC's house. I knew this tradition was at least 20 years old but I learned this year it goes further back than that - maybe 50 years or so. Once one of the youngest members of the family, I now have the youngest member of the family. But so many of the people I looked forward to seeing every year are no longer with us - Russ, Margaret, Uncle Pete. Others aren't able or don't come for other reasons. I don't want this tradition to die but I already feel it is dwindling. And I'm afraid I'm the only one of this generation to be worried about it.

#7 It's been 5 hours and 16 minutes since I started writing this. It has been a long 5 hours and 16 minutes. Matt is hunting, the weather turned cold and rainy, and Lola, Gunner, Brantley and I all came down with a bad case of cabin fever. Days like this I feel like I have triplets. God bless people with triplets.

Oops.

2008-11-22T19:40:00.001-05:00

So, the title of the last blog (Done....Sort of.) was referencing the fact that SA was supposed to be my last 1/2 marathon. Since Monica had to go and get herself knocked up, I now have to run at least one more. Mon, I will hold this against your #3 forever. It's a good thing your kids are way cute.

Done...Sort of.

2008-11-22T14:02:00.000-05:00

Brantley and I are back home from our big adventure. My girl is such a trooper. Not sure what I did to deserve such an easy kid but I thank Him every day for her.

Matt got us all packed up and out the door to the airport last Thursday morning. He was questioning my sanity, and my skills, of travelling half way across the country with a 10 month old by myself but, once again, I confirmed what we all know - women are rock stars. He admittedly would never think about doing a trip like that and after the first 3 hours in the plane I came to the conclusion that he probably would have strapped her into a seat and headed for the nearest emergency exit after the first 30 minutes. She definitely was on good behavior but just very, very, very....very busy. We were slightly delayed getting out of Dallas because of FAA regulation #0383720 (ie. a stopped up crapper) but once they got that situation handled we were off. Pop picked us up from the airport and we headed straight to Freebirds. I'm salivating just writing this.

We took our burritos to go and headed to Nana and Pop's where Sadie and Pappy were waiting for us. The second we walk in Sadie starts barking that high-pitched, ear screeching bark that I love so much. B looks at her for 1 second and then lets out an ear screeching bark of her own. I imagine her little brain was saying "Eeek! A dog head!! Where the heck is the other 90 pounds of it?" Or that Matt had coached her to do that so he would have someone on his team. Either way, this was going to be a really long week if the 2 of them were unable to come to an understanding. Needless worry. After a good meal and good night's rest, B. was ready to make nice. We couldn't keep her away from Sadie the rest of the week.

Friday, we drove to San Antonio and everyone else came in Saturday morning. SO fun! There are only 3 people in the world who make me laugh till I'm crying and Monica is one of them. And I had not seen or really talked to Maurie in almost 10 years but it was like it was yesterday. I love that.

Sunday was the big race. We were really jazzed about running. Seriously. So excited. Couldn't wait to get up at 5:30 and wait for the shuttle in 34 degree weather for an hour. So fun. I was hoping to wait our there longer but the shuttle arrived and we had to go. Met a NCSU grad on the bus (go Wolfpack!). Got dropped off and walked, um, half a mile to the start line. Finally, we were off. Folks, I hate to knock SA but it is so not that pretty. I'm assuming the route planners took us through the best of what SA has to offer in the hopes that some of the 30,000 runners may want to come back. I think they missed the enchilada on that one. Anyhoo, we were running and it was fine, lots of angry bands along the way to keep us going. We got to mile 8 when Monica began to feel the effects of her delicate condition. Instead of push our luck, we decided to walk the rest of the race. It ended up being great - gave us more time to hang out!

We crossed the finish line, snagged all the free food we (ok, I think it was just me) could and then started the 2 mile walk back to the hotel. We finally got to a point where traffic could get through and called Dad to come get us. Yea Dad!

We decided that our next trip to see each other would (1) not involve running 13.1 miles (2) would be girls only (3) not be in SA and (4) involve more wine. Can't wait!

Sunday afternoon we load back up and head back to College Station. Brantley wakes up about an hour outside of town and is really over all the planes and automobiles she has had to endure the past 4 days. We're able to entertain her for the most part until we get home and then I leave that task up to her cousin, Tarn.

Monday we head out to the barn to introduce B. to Lucky, Bonnie and Buddy. Love at first sight? Not really. Scared they were going to eat her? More likely. She was fine once we had a fence and about 50 feet of pasture between us. By Tuesday our city baby had become a cowgirl. Her daddy was proud.

Wenesday we go to Freebirds - yes, people, we went again - and then head to the airport. For those of you who don't know College Station, it is a pretty small town with a really small airport. But they are SERIOUS about their security. I was packing a couple of bottles, water and food for Brantley plus Tylenol and Ambisol, water for myself, Vaseline Intensive Care Lip Therapy, and lip gloss between my purse and her diaper bag which, by the way, took me SO long to get packed and organized that morning. Not only did they make me unpack all that stuff and put it in a clear plastic bag (if anyone knows how putting it in a clear plastic bag is going to stop it from working if it has been tampered with to do evil, please let me know) but they also made me unscrew all the tops to her bottles and water and they held this test paper over each one. We passed and were allowed to board. I'm surprised they didn't test her big fat heavy wet diaper.

Our seatmate from DFW to RDU was a God send. Brantley pretty much loves everyone she meets and this lady was no different. In fact, B. made friends with almost everyone around us. All along our journey people were really nice and helpful. So refreshing.

Wednesday night I literally woke up multiple times and cried at the thought of having to go to work instead of being with Brantley. After having her for so many days in a row I wasn't looking forward to getting back into the normal routine. Happy to report - I survived. And I think Jackie was really happy to have her back. Who can blame her?

One Down, One To Go

2008-11-04T20:36:00.000-05:00

Ran the Raleigh 1/2 marathon on Sunday. It went so much better than expected - not the best run I've ever had but definitely not the worst. Time now to get psyched up for San Antonio. How brilliant am I that I saved the flat 13.1 miles for the second race. Yes, brilliant.
Actually, Maurie is really the brilliant one - she's coming to SA to hang out with us but is not running the race. I believe she wins.
I can't wait to be home.

I'm Marlee Helbig and I Approve This Message...

2008-11-04T20:34:00.000-05:00

VOTE!

Wow

2008-10-26T14:19:00.000-04:00

Almost 2 months since my last post - ugh. I was about to get upset at myself for slacking on yet another endeavor but looking back at "Par for the Course" (I would link you there but I don't have time to figure that out right now) I have let more time than this lapse between posts. So, while not good, this certainly isn't me at my worst.

So what the heck have a I been doing that has taken me away from blogdom? Ummm...work has picked up in the past couple of months with multiple evening functions and working through lunch. We're going to do a really quick pity party here and ask why am I always so busy at work this time of year when there is so much fun stuff to do outside of work - running season, upcoming holidays, pumpkins, mums, pansies, the state fair, football season, etc., etc., etc. Ok, party over.

I talked Matt into taking a weekend off hunting and going to visit our friends in Wilmington. So beautiful there and we had a great time. They even let us bring our 200 lbs. of Lab. Now that is what I call n-i-c-e.

Erin and her friend Naomi came a couple of weekends ago to do a practice run for next week's 1/2 marathon. They were both a little nervous about the hilly terrain here since there are 0 hills in Norfolk. They survived the hills for 8 miles and I survived pushing Brantley for 6. Just hope next week goes as well.

Matt gave up another weekend of hunting this weekend (put this in the record books ladies and gentlemen!) and I'm really thankful he did. He watched Brantley yesterday morning so I could get a 10 miler in with some friends. We went to lunch at Watkins where BLH ate her first pancake. Great until she started hacking and we thought she was going to barf (not an uncommon occurance since we started trying adult food...we never know!). Thankfully she held herself together and we are still welcome there. After an afternoon nap we went to the State Fair which is right up her alley. The girl loves to be out and about. Although Matt had given her a bath that morning I had to do the deed again - if you've ever been to a State Fair you understand why.

Sometime in the past couple of months Brantley and I headed north to walk to raise money for the VA SIDS Alliance. Hard to believe Jamie would have been 8 years old this year. They have signs along the walk with photos of all the angel babies and usually seeing these signs does pull at my heart . But this year was more like someone ripped my heart out and stomped on it a few million times. Maybe because I now have a baby of my own...maybe it was just one of those times where out of the blue you think about the unthinkable and you're just overcome. Overcome with the saddness and the loss and the why? why? why? And then Faith knocks on your door and you're so glad to welcome him in.

Photos and more news to come. Have to get some work done before the bug wakes up.

But before I leave, just want to tell Diana how much I've been thinking of her lately. Partly b/c I just don't see how she does all she does but mostly b/c her brother Christopher is fighting for our country in Iraq and I've been horrible about letting her know how thankful I am for him and that Brantley and I pray for his safe return every night. I think the general public becomes immune to the sacrifices our soldiers and their families make for us on daily basis. Shame on us. And lots of love to you, Christopher and your family.

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-07T13:45:00.000-04:00

We spent Labor Day weekend at the beach with Beth, Dan and Miller. The boys went fishing Saturday and struck out. The first time EVER that has happened. My mouth was watering with the anticipation of fresh fish for dinner but sadly, it was not meant to be. Instead we spent 3 hours preparing steak. Yes, 3 hours. The condominium complex only has charcoal grills and let's just say we (ie Matt and Dan) overestimated the amount of charcoal needed to grill some ribeyes. We actually could have grilled them the next morning for breakfast - they used that much charcoal. But no worries - we drank plenty of wine as we waited and waited and waited. By 10:00 when we actually sat down to eat I had even forgotten my disappointment that it wasn't fish I was shoveling in my mouth.

Brantley had the best time at the pool! It was so fun playing with her. And it solidified our need - yes, need - for a place at the beach. What kind of parents would we be if we denied our child this simple joy? We're working on it.

Hurricane Hanna brought us some much needed rain but nothing too severe. I believe the latest news on Ike is that it will miss us as well. We're kind of due for a good ol' hurricane whooping - it is just a matter of time. My guess is it will hit right after the ink dries on the contract for a beach place. Bets anyone?

So, training for these upcoming 1/2 marathons is not going as well I'd like. Here is my pickle: since all my friends moved away, Andrea and I are left to carry the burden of maintaining the schedule by ourselves. And I'm a fanatic about maintaining the schedule. The one time I did not maintain the schedule I wanted to actually jump out of body and not return until it had undergone some major massage and rehabilitative therapy. Since it is just Andrea and I, if one of us can't go, the other usally doesn't make it. I'm too chicken little to run at 5:00 a.m. by myself. My alternative is to go the gym instead and run the treadmill. It's better than nothing but it is really unappealing. I've asked Matt to physically push me out of the bed. That's the thing - once my feet hit the floor I'm ok, not great, but ok. It's the 5 seconds it takes for the covers to come off, the legs to swing out and the knees to straighten in order to bare the weight of my exhausted body that is the hardest. Do you feel sorry for me yet? I think in writing this I've talked myself out of being such a wuss. Time to put the big girl panties on and get to training!

A quickie

2008-08-26T19:57:00.000-04:00

Last 10 days:

Saw Tift Merrit at the NCMA - love her!
Granny came for a visit - love her too!
Am missing my Bug a lot these days.
Friday, was headed to Maine.
Saturday, trip to Maine cancelled.
Have to travel for work tomorrow - first overnight stay away from the Bug.
Wipeout is my weekly laugh therapy.
Taught Brantley some dance moves I learned from "So You Think You Can Dance". She especially liked my Popping.
Hired a house cleaner - love, love her!
Brantley left this morning for the Funny Farm with one tooth, came home with two.
Bought Puma's - they make me run fast.
Cried multiple times. Why? you ask. Hormones? I'm crazy? I'm a mom? I'm a working mom? All of the above? I don't know...

Gotta pack.

Micheal Phelps

2008-08-15T22:10:00.000-04:00

7 golds?!? Seriously? And counting...

Year 3

2008-08-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

This week was our anniversary. I knew the date was fast approaching and thought about it fairly often - what should I get Matt, I can't believe it's been 3 years, we've accomplished quite a bit in 3 years, I would marry him again today (even knowing what I know about him), should I tell him the date is approaching or should I not? I decided not. Until the day before. He had no idea. This does not bother me at all. One more reason why I'm one of the coolest wives ever.

I do love this man. I love the baby that we created and the life we have together. People weren't joking around when they said marriage is work but it is the best, most meaningful, most rewarding work I've ever done. I would not trade this life, this man, I have for anything.

I wouldn't even take a less farty version of this man. Yes, I love him that much.

Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch

2008-08-15T21:06:00.000-04:00

It's Friday night and I'm at home blogging (shocker) but I'm proud to say that there is a good reason this is my activity of choice for this start-to-the-weekend-if-you-were-a-cool-kid-you'd-be-out-on-the-town night: The muscles in my fingers are the only muscles in my entire body that aren't writhing in pain. Seriously.

My company is doing a really cool wellness program as an incentive for our employees to get healthy and in turn, hopefully, reduce medical claims and the ever rising cost of insurance. We've had a wellness program since I began working there 10 years ago which, until this year, consisted of $100 a year going to every employee for them to apply towards a gym membership, diet program, quit smoking program, glasses, etc. This year we stepped it up a notch. We were assessed at the beginning of the year (I was declared obese - mmm-hmmm), have wellness coaches who are available to meet with us on a monthly basis to set goals, keep us motivated, feed us healthy information, walking programs, health resources and so on. We accumulate points for things like walking, exercising, getting massages, volunteering, and eating our fiber. If you get x amount of points a month, an extra $35 shows up in your paycheck. Not too bad considering you just have to eat breakfast 5 times a week to get your points for the month. Luckily they don't deduct you for eating 2 breakfasts every morning which is the program I've opted for. I can't help it - I'm STARVING!

So, yesterday, Wellness Coach Erin was in town and we had her for 30 minutes to do whatever - talk about goals, nutrition or workout. Jessica and I decided to workout and John ended up joining us as well. This is where I started hurting. She had us do 4 exercises for 1 minute each and then rest for 1 minute. We were all screaming for our Mommas by the end. I love and hate Wellness Coach Erin at the same time. There are many great things about this deal: Discovered John is a big whiner, Jessica and I totally kicked his arse. The 30 minutes is fast and furious - it doesn't even feel like you're working out...well, you definitely FEEL it but you're not hating it. Wellness Coach Erin caught us up on the dating world and I again thanked God that I am not in it. I felt like I was going to barf at the end. Seriously. That isn't a "great thing about this deal" but it's the truth and we're not holding anything back here.

So, today, ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch. It has gotten progressively worse. And the longer I sit, the more it hurts when I try to walk. Note the word "try" there. I'm not sure my method of getting to point A to point B is considered a walk exactly. It's a little reminescent of a donkey in labor. I've never actually seen that but I imagine that is what I look like.

7 Months Con't

2008-08-10T13:51:00.001-04:00

I'm able to post pictures. All is right in the world again.

7 Months

2008-08-06T19:59:00.000-04:00

My baby. Such a busy little bug. I'm pretty sure it's been a while since I updated you on her bag of tricks so here is the latest:

She realized popping up on her hands and knees gives her a whole new perspective on the world. Peas, good - cereal, bad.
Scrunching up her face does not keep Lola from going in for the Big Lick.
The Big Lick sometimes causes hives (of course that is the trait she inherits from me).
Diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Momma has 2 ears...both of which come with a diamond.
Dada does a monkey impersonation worthy of an Oscar nomination.
Target is even better than Momma said it was going to be.
Shopping carts - dude, shopping carts rule.
You smile at the world and the world will smile back at you - especially if you're a little bundle of joyful chub.

I would insert a photo here but I can't get it to work. And I would have put an expletive between "can't" and "get" but I'm trying to live cleaner these days.

Must...feed...the addiction

2008-07-26T21:19:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed the new addition on the left hand side of this blog - the "People who don't know they're my friend" category. I've only added my best friend who doesn't know who I am but there are more from where she came from. Before you pass judgement, check Heather B. out. I mean, you can't tell me you don't want her to move in next door, join your book club and go Targeting together. Ahhh, the fun she and I have had in the short week she hasn't known me.

My other addiction is a little less creepy. I love jumping from my Peeps' blogs to their friend's blogs. Some of them I know (honestly!) and others I don't but I'm so intrigued by the lives that many of you are leading. Some are exciting, some are heartbreaking, some are so outrageously different from my own I can't help but live vicariously through you. But the common thread woven throughout them all is how inspiring each one is. I love that.

Anywho, since it looks like all of you have better things to do than update your blog on Saturday night, I'll feed my wine addiction instead and put myself to bed. xo

Hawaiian Punch Pizza

2008-07-25T09:46:00.000-04:00

My readers, (ok, reader) wants to know the greatness that is Hawaiian Punch Pizza. I'm happy to share the joy:

Go light on the red pizza sauce
Top with a generous helping of mozzarella
Layer on Canadian bacon, pineapple, mandarin oranges, ricotta cheese (dollops of ricotta - not spread out over the whole pie) and parmesan.

Matt calls it disgusting. I call it a little gift from God.

I love games!!!

2008-07-24T20:53:00.000-04:00

The game: Scattergories
The rules: Use the first letter of your first name to answer each of the following. Theay have to to be real places, names, things - nothing made up. You cannot use your own name for the boy/girl names.

1. What is your name? Marlee
2. A four letter word: Mayo - did you know they make it with olive oil now? Can't decide if I'm grossed out or excited about this.
3. A vehicle: Miata
4. A city: Milan
5. A boy's name: Matt - duh
6. A girl's name: Michelle, what my parent's were going to name me
7. Alcoholic drink: Since Monica listed them all we're going to have to go with margarita here
8. An occupation: Maid - I NEED one
9. Something you wear: Makeup
10. A celebrity: Mr. Rogers
11. A food: Mandarin oranges, like the ones I had on my Hawaian Punch pizza last week - delish!
12. Somthing found in a bathroom: Mirror
13. Reason for being late: My wardrobe - or lack thereof
14. Something you shout: Me toe! As in "I just stubbed me toe!"
15. An animal: Muskrat...oh, Matt just corrected me. It's Meercat.
16. A body part: Mouth
17. Word to describe yourself: Madly....in love. I can hear the collective ahhhh.

Next: Diana, Dana

Help...or something like that

2008-07-22T15:05:00.000-04:00

So, I am really, really thankful for all that my parents have done/do for me. I feel very blessed with the upbringing I had: got to take dance lessons, they bought me instruments, I got a 10-speed when my best friend got a 10-speed, piano lessons (which I didn't really like but my parent's sacrificed in order to give them to me). Always had more than enough food in my belly, love a plenty, family vacations, homemade chocolate chip cookies, lived in a typical middle America suburb...you get the point. Now at the time I thought I never had enough - I didn't have the coolest clothes, I didn't get a car given to me on my 16th birthday, we drove on family vacations, never flew, we rarely had babysitters which I always wanted, Birthdays and Christmas were never as over the top as some of my friend's experiences. But the older I get the more thankful I become for how I was raised. And the more I realize how much my parent's sacrificed in order to give us 3 kids what they did - which is a lot.

Which brings me to the discussion some girlfriends and I had over the weekend regarding "Mommy Peer Pressure." We thought we had outgrown the peer pressure phenomenon but apparently it never goes away and I suppose some people can never stop giving into it. People are throwing these outrageous birthday parties for their toddlers (hello MTV - here is your next star of "Sweet Sixteen"). Anything from the coolest baby gear to what private school they go to. Where are our values people? And how come you care more about what that mom thinks of you than what is best for your child? And what kind of expectations are we setting for our children? Suffice it to say it just sends me to a bad place.

But I totally digress. This is where I meant to go when I started typing...

My parents make it East at least once, sometimes twice a year. I always like to think of projects for them to do while they're here (1) because I always seem to have more projects than time to do them, (2) because Matt hates projects and (3) if they're engaged in a project, chances are they are not looking over Matt's shoulder watching him work. Seriously, I've seen Dad do it and for the sake of my marriage it shouldn't happen again.

I'm always very thankful for the help...well, I'm always very thankful for their good intentions. Project summary follows:

Rake leaves: Friday - Leaves raked into huge piles all over yard. Saturday - M&D leave to go home, skies open up for a week straight. Following week: Matt gets half dry/half soaking leaves bagged. Result - Big dead circles of grass all over yard.

Hang faux wood blinds: Monday - blindes are hung. Tuesday - M&D leave. A year later - 4 inches of excess blind slats are still on blinds.

Paint wall where player piano used to be:
Me: "Dad, I think this is the right paint but I'm not sure."
Dad: "Ok"
Mom and I leave for the mall, grocery store, etc. Arrive back a few hours later.
Result: Big blue square, and multiple "touch-ups" on non-blue walls.
Me: "Uh Dad, it wasn't the right paint color was it?"
Dad: "Nope."
Me: "Um, so I guess you needed to paint the whole square just to be sure it wasn't the right paint color?"
Dad: "Well, you said use this paint and I just figured it would dry to the right color."
Me: Laughing...beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep "Hey, Hera. I need you to come paint a room for me. Next week? Yeah, that's great. You'll know which room it is when you walk in the door."

My parents. I LOVE them.

Catch Up II

2008-07-20T20:58:00.000-04:00

At this rate, every entry is going to be labeled "Catch Up". Anyway, here we go...

At the end of June, my parents started their 4 week East Coast Tour. They were totally road tripping which I think is great. They were here, VA, the Jersey Shore with old friends, camping with my sister and the girls and the beach with Matt, Brantley and I. I want to go on a road trip.

The last weekend they were here was for Brantley's baptism. Trudi, Doug and the girls came in as well as Godmother Erin and Godfather JC. Brantley did fantastic during the service. It was right during her normal nap time so I was expecting the worse but we didn't hear a peep out of her and she ended the service nestled up on Erin's lap asleep - so cute. She really prefers to fall asleep in bed on her own which is wonderful but sometimes I wish she would snuggle a little more. So Erin got a rare moment which was really sweet. Everyone came back to the house afterwards for BBQ and hamburgers. Jackie came to both the service and lunch - she was proud of her girl.

Our week at the beach went by way too quickly. Matt got us settled into the condo but had to come back home to work. So it was just me and my babe for a few days which I loved. I had no idea she tends to squeal and talk ALL day. We took walks, we made it down to the beach by ourselves, toting umbrella and baby supplies and all. Getting down to the beach, blanket laid out, umbrella staked, lotion on, toys available - not a problem. How to pack it all up on this pretty breezy day without dumping baby in the sand or dumping sand in the baby - problem. Luckily, a really nice family was close by who aided in the endeavor. So nice.

Our parenting skills at their finest...

Mom and Dad came in on Wednesday, Matt returned on Thursday, M&D left on Saturday and we left on a rainy Sunday. It is much easier to leave the beach on a rainy day.

Took bug on her first run. If I were hip I would put an "OMG" right here. Does running 3 miles pushing a jogging stroller equal about 10 miles? I think so. She did great - didn't even break a sweat in her workout outfit.

Last week, was Brantley's 6 month check up and shots. She must have known it was coming b/c she woke up screaming (which she never does) at 4:00 the night before. She finally went back down at 6:00, just in time for me to get in the shower and start the day. The mean people at the doctor's office stabbed her little sweet legs 3 times with 10 inch needles. Why do they have to do that to a little girl? I know it's better than the alternative but the poor thing. It got her all of sorts and the rough jagged tooth tearing through her delicate, soft, pink gums was not helping the situation. But, we have rounded the corner and ended the week on a much better note. She is back to her normal squealy self. Praise God.

I have a huge case of the Monday dreads. Huge.

I take that back

2008-06-24T22:19:00.000-04:00

Ok, Wipeout was hilarious for the first 10 minutes but then it got a little redundant.

On a different subject, I have a love / hate relationship with our cable / DVR or whatever it is. Channel 6 just doesn't work. Don't know why, it just doesn't freaking work. And just a second ago, the only channel that would work is 14. Nothing is on channel 14. If it is going to get stuck on a channel why couldn't it be a good one like SoapNet, HGTV, E! or the Food Network. Matt said to push a bunch of buttons and it should get back to normal. My techno savvy man was actually right.

This girl has to hit the hay. Busy rest of the week but vacation is right around the corner! Wahoo!

Catch Up

2008-06-24T20:21:00.000-04:00

Yikes, life just got quite busy. What happened in the last month? This may be a little out of the order but here's the gist:

Brantley rolled over - yay!!
Worked as the "photographer" for my co-workers vow renewal. So stressful but so fun! Wedding photographers totally earn their money. Thanks to Nora for letting me share your special day!

The day after the vow renewal, Nora and Ron hosted an Open House. The Tiki Hut was in full swing but, I'm sorry to say, I missed the adult's turn at the slip n' slide.

Went to Atlantic with Beth & Dan for Father's Day weekend. The boys caught a lot of fish which is always so tastey and we took Brantley on her first boat ride. When she wasn't sleeping she was crying. Thankfully she slept most of the time.

Sunday was my day to deliver the altar flowers from church. The family I delivered to just had a baby girl, Rebecca Kelly, who was so precious. I had to get a picture of Bug in her church dress since she's growing like a weed. She won't be able to wear this one much longer ;(

This weekend we also had to say goodbye to our good friends who are moving to Milwaukee. Did I mention that all of my girlfriends are moving away? 3 in the past 6 months! That's like half the friend pool - gone. So I'm recruiting heavily. If I don't get some new friends quick I may end up like Lola:

Crazy.

New Favorite

2008-06-24T20:15:00.000-04:00

Y'all have to check this out - my new favorite show is Wipeout. I'm about to pee in my pants. Enough said. Oh, and I wish Monica and Erin were here because they're probably the only ones who would think it is as funny as I do.

Firsts....

2008-05-26T20:35:00.000-04:00

This has been a week of firsts for us. We celebrated Matt's re-employment with dinner out - just the 2 of us. We've been talking about going to this neighborhood restaurant for years and we finally did it. We have totally been missing out! Matt's steak and my crabcakes were delicious. But the icing on the cake was, literally, the icing on the 8 inch tall icing on the coconut cake. Oh my.

Since it was just the 2 of us that meant getting a sitter for the Bugster for the 1st time. We were very proud of ourselves - we didn't worry about her and we managed not to talk about her until after the coconut cake. That's not to say we didn't high tail it out of there so we could be home where we belong.

Matt left Saturday for the coast (not a first). He and the Perry's went deep sea fishing on Sunday and caught a boat load of Mahi. Just one of the reasons I think our relationship works - his hobby to hunt / fish / cook subsidizes my hobby to eat / eat / eat. Anyway, I left Sunday morning with Brantley and checked into the hotel. Amy met us there and we hit the beach - my first time back at the beach in almost a year and Brantley's first time at the beach ever. She loved looking at the water - a girl after my own heart. This morning the whole family took a walk which was the best. It's one of my favorite times to be on the beach. We dreamed about the day we have our own place there. I can't describe how happy this would make us - both individually and as a family. I'm actually really happy with my life the way it is - I love my husband and bambino and even my job (well, I really like my job. love is pushing it.) But Monday thru Friday would be even better knowing I could be back at the beach every weekend.

Our little weekend getaway facilitated another first - we had a dog/house sitter come take care of baby #1 and #2. We're pretty over the top when it comes to our dogs - I mean we really love them and it kills us to leave them. Especailly when they realize we're going somewhere and think they think they're coming with us but we know they're not. It totally sucks. But knowing they were in good hands made it much more bearable. We'll definitely do it again - unless we get a beach house and then they can come with us. One big happy family.

Matt just reminded me of another first - we purposefully and pre-meditatively slept in separate beds at the hotel this weekend. How old are we????

You Dern Goat!

2008-05-23T21:22:00.000-04:00

Our new favorite show? My Big Redneck Wedding. 2 minutes into the current episode: goat eats wedding arch, guy proposed at a gas station, 15 month old daughter needs to get used to snakes (she does live in the country afterall), "I need dem hogs. They are the main source of meat for the wedding." "That's Georgia style y'all!" Brantley has more teeth than the groom...and, wait for it, bride got her nails done at Walmart! Who knew? Oh, now they're going mud boggin. Oh, so sad. Did you notice the date of this post? It's Friday night. That's right. Monica, you want to hang with the cool kids? Come on over.

This is how we roll

2008-05-17T19:55:00.001-04:00

Matt is fishing this weekend so Brantley and I hit the art festival going on downtown. The weather was glorious, we saw some really fabulous pieces from some talented artists and grabbed my favorite sandwich - grilled cheese with avocado and tomato - for lunch. Yum. Clearly the whole experience took its toll on the Bugster.

I'm glad to report that Matt is re-employed. Yay! Let's keep our fingers crossed that this one sticks - at least for a few years. I have to say that it has been a little stressful being a one income family. Monetarily we weren't worried. Let's just say it will be nice not to be the only adult getting up and getting going in the morning. And surely the fights over who should make coffee will end. That isn't to say that Matt not working has its perks - he performed quite a few honey-do tasks which I'm really thankful for. I should have made more. Oh yeah, he doesn't start his new job until June. Where's is my pen?

4 Months

2008-05-17T08:54:00.000-04:00

This baby makes me SO happy! She hasn't been sleeping through the night this past week (That does not make me happy. Just ask Matt). This morning she decided 4:00 would be a good time to get up. She was having a big conversation with herself so I let her be and she would doze off and on until I got up at 6:00. I open her door and say good morning and she just cracks up laughing. Like I said, this baby makes me SO happy!

Blue Dog

2008-05-04T09:28:00.000-04:00

I like this guy. I had not heard of him before but he has had much commercial success and is now being featured at the New Orleans Museum of Art. I just saw an interview with him on the Sunday Morning show and this is what I like about him - he paints what/how he wants to paint and not how the galleries tell him he should paint in order to get people to buy his work. That line of thinking has apparently worked for him. Now he is a multimillionaire so obviously he can live by this philosophy without losing any sleep about where his next meal will be coming from. But I think he stayed true to himself in the starving artist years as well and it paid off. Good for him.

Another interesting story from today's show was about a woman named Wendy who was diagnosed with MS ten years ago. She decided she better live life now before she was relegated to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. So she ran a marathon which was great...but not enough. She set her sights on climbing the highest mountain on each continent. I think she was living on the east coast at this time and decided to move to CO in order to train. Along the way to achieving this goal she came across this 4th grade class who has embraced her and her goal. They track her progress and she calls them when she reaches the summit of whatever mountain she is on. She often tells them to Climb Your Own Mountain. I love that. These kids are learning to set goals, go after them and if at first you don't exceed, try and try again. We need more Wendy's in the world.

And one last thought for the day. Matt and I read an artlicle about an epidemic sweeping the nation - videoicisis. More and more youth are foregoing a good old game of kickball, riding their bikes, going to parks, hiking, doing sports, fishing - you get the picture - to sit in front of (1) the tv, (2) video games, and (3) the computer (not necessarily in that order). I can see the effects of this becoming so far-reaching - generations of unhealthy, overweight, vitamin D deficient people. And on top of that, who is going to care about our green spaces? No one. So do your part. Get off the couch, get your kid off the couch and go climb a mountain.

Bright, Sunshiney Day

2008-05-03T21:04:00.000-04:00

The family took full advantage of this first sunny Saturday in 6 weeks. We started off our morning with a hot cup of coffee and bowlful of Kashi Go Lean - my fav. We had big plans to go downtown since so much was going on there but we had to get the ya-ya's out of the pups first. So we headed to the river. The pure unbridled joy that Lola and Gunner exude when they realize they're headed to utopia. If only we as humans could find half as much pleasure in the small things.
So we were headed back to the truck when I spotted this baby turtle. Let me just say that I'm always so impressed with Matt's ability to spot anything wild - ducks across a pond, deer tracks, gophers, you name it. I on the other hand could probably step on a snake and not know it. So I was really proud of myself for spotting this turtle. The poor little guy was really far from water so I took him back to the bridge so he'd have a chance. I hope he makes it.

We also saw ducks and a rare spotting of this elusive japanese sleeping bug:

Dusting off the sports bra...

2008-05-02T14:54:00.000-04:00

It's time. The running shoes are being laced up, new bra is being purchased, my head and wrist bans are ready. I'm hittin' the pavement in preparation for the San Antonio Rock & Roll Half Marathon. I'm totally psyched! Monica got the ball rolling by committing to do the full marathon, I got to thinking about doing the half and since then Kelly has jumped on board and Maurie has at least committed to being there and drinking 'ritas with us. All the roomies from A&M together again. I'm so bringing my Cranberries CD.

Texas A&M Family

2008-04-26T08:12:00.000-04:00

There was a news story of a tragic accident in the news this week. A biker was hit and killed by a drunk driver at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The driver was a 21 year old who had just celebrated his birthday the night before. The woman, I found out a few days later, was the wife of a Texas A&M alumni.

What I found particularly compelling about this story is the compassion the woman's husband has shown the young man who killed her. "I feel bad for the guy. I was young once, and I remember getting [drunk] before. I don't think it was at 11 a.m., though."

I am sad for this fellow Aggie - his wife seemed like a very smart, caring, involved woman. And I'm sad for the driver who took her life away. To live with the guilt of this tragedy the rest of his life...I can't imagine.

I think about how life can turn on a dime often. We've all been there, going along our merry way and then the phone rings, or you make the wrong turn or you lose concentration for just a second...or you decide to have just one more drink and get behind the wheel of a car. And this is where faith comes in. I'm a huge believer in everything happening for a reason. And I find great comfort in knowing that God has his hand in all the goings on of this world. And that often times, amazing acts of love, depth, and a deep sense of connection come out of the worst of times. And that we may not understand it all now, but one day we will.

So my prayers go out to both the families and friends who have been affected by this tragedy. God bless and strengthen you in the days to come.

Road Trip

2008-04-24T21:41:00.000-04:00

Brantley and I hit the road last Saturday. My good friend Abby is having twins. This is amazing in and of itself - bringing new life into the world. The fact that Abby weighs as much as my big right toe is what really makes this feat spectacular. Anyhoo - yeah, I know anyhoo is really spelled anywho but I like it this way better - we hit the road and it was so fun. I won't brag about how perfectly perfect Brantley was...but she was pretty perfect. The girl loves a party.

3 Months

2008-04-06T20:40:00.000-04:00

Time is a flyin'! I can't believe Mini McGee is already 3 months old. I wish I could stop and start time at will.

Brantley found both her thumb and her voice this weekend. She babbles like no one's business. We just crack up which makes her smile, laugh and give us even more.

It's been raining and/or cloudy for days now. It is much needed and giving us some relief from the drought. But, I really would like to see the sun shine, even if just for an hour or two. We're all going a bit stir crazy. Lola and Gunner did get a trip to the river this morning and are acting like perfect angels curled up on their beds tonight. McGee is tucked safely in. Life is good.

Par for the course

2008-04-03T20:56:00.000-04:00

I've been fighting it for years but it has come time to accept the cold hard truth - my intentions are admirable, my follow through, well, it sucks. It's been 5 months since my first and only entry on this blog. I guess I should cut myselft a break since I do have a 3 month old and have just recently gone back to work full time. I'm reminded of my dear friend Monica's wise words when we just young college students - "Do it, then talk about it." I guess she had to learn something in her 8 years of higher education (sorry Mon!).

On to the good stuff - we love our Mini McGee. She is such a happy baby and we have both been pleasantly surprised at how easy she has been. Don't get me wrong - it has been an adjustment, a major adjustment, but every day is easier and just when we think we can't love her any more. we wake up and we do. Love, love, love it!

Lola and GG are digging her too. Lola never passes up the opportunity to steal her socks right off her feet. This is especially entertaining for Lola and I - Brantley is not too sure what is going on. Gunner is still our gentle giant. The first few weeks of Brantley's life, he would lay outside her nursery every time I fed her. Very sweet. He still needs to practice sharing his bed but he'll get there.

Do other new moms feel like they're on crack or is it just me? We've been blessed in the fact that Brantley started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks so it isn't that I'm sleep deprived. It's quite the opposite. I feel like I'm more efficient now than ever before. Maybe as a mom you know you have to be thinking at least 3 hours ahead, and when you're working full time, it's more like 24 hours ahead. And at least have a vague idea of what is in store for the next week. I'm waiting to crash but will ride this out and thankful for it as long as it lasts.

Speaking of crashing, I need to get some shut eye. Early call tomorrow...

We're Off!

2007-10-18T15:49:00.000-04:00

We're Off! My friend Dana has inspired me to do a blog - I'm feeling very 21st century like. So, I'm about to embark on a lifelong adventure of parenthood. Wahoo! Since so many of you live far away, I thought this would be a good way to share with you what comes our way, baby related and otherwise.