Melissa's Blog

Bad Hair day?

2008-07-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

So this is Emily's new "style" when she wakes up in the morning...... I am sure my mother is looking at this picture with a look of horror on her face. :) Try and brush that one out mom! Just kidding! Love you!

Um.....hello again!

2008-07-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long! We have been so busy. With family coming to visit and us finishing out our basement.....we haven't had much time for anything else!

Here's pics of our basement! It was finished just in time for my sister and family to come to town....and it was a lifesaver!

Here's the before and after......

time flies....

2008-05-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

So, on Saturday Emily turned 1. I can't believe it. Time is flying way too fast. That also means that we have been up here over a year now! I will post pics soon of little E on her bday.....

I just can't believe it. I just love my little girls!

The grass is GREEN....finally...

2008-05-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Well, it may only be in the lower 60's during the day, but I'll take it! The grass is green now, and the trees are starting to bud.

I hope this will bring me out of my winter rut! I am cleaning out all closets and drawers and we are getting our basement framed out next weekend! Whoohooo! Guests anyone? :)

Emily's eczema is almost completely gone! So, no eggs, wheat, and dairy......I guess that did the trick! So now for her first birthday I need to find a cake..... without anything good in it.

New adventures in eating...

2008-04-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Looks like we have a new project.... changing the way we eat.

Since Emily has been welcomed into this world, she has had major skin issues. At first we thought it was just chapped all the time, then just sensitive skin, then she was just covered with eczema. Well, after deciding that bathing her in steroids was not a good long term option, we took her in to the doc again. She took some blood and checked for allergies. Thinking that maybe it was milk, I started thinking about non dairy....

Well, the results came back with very high reactions to eggs and wheat! She said to take her off dairy too for the time being as well.

As I chatted with my sister about this, we started reading the labels in our pantry. Hmmmmm, I was surprised.

So, no more cheerios, goldfish crackers, toast.....the list goes on.

Fortunately, since she is little, I can modify. She loves her veggies and meat so at least I can stick with that!

I am going to try and modify for all of us to an extent. We may get healthier too while we're at it!

Too much video games you think?????

2008-04-11T11:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, so since it's snowing.....again.....my children have learned to get a little creative with playing....

Kendall, my 3 year old....takes all the pillows from our couch and love seat and arranges them in the floor to be "rocks" and of course the carpet becomes hot lava..... They then jump from pillow to pillow of course..... Well, my oldest of course is laughing hysterically (yes, she needs the snow to melt desperately) and falls in the "lava" and acts like she is dying....

She then gets up and goes back to "start" and says, "Pretending I'm blinking and starting a new life". Nice.....

For those of you that don't get it, that's what you do in a video game when you have to start over....blink.

We survived....

2008-04-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well, for our spring break, we left the land of snow and decided to drive (yes, I know....I should have thought that one through) to Texas to visit our family. It wasn't all that bad but what a drive! This is all I got to look at during our breaks on the road.

Where the heck is spring?

2008-03-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

So.....you Texans are on spring break......this is why our spring break isn't until April! That last picture is our park.....

Some more pics of Emily

2008-03-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

Well, here's some fun pics of my little one playing around.....and yes....that is a "My First Christmas Outfit".....I need to do laundry okay?

Uh oh....look what she can do now....

2008-03-17T19:08:00.001-07:00

Yeah, so she crawls......stands up......cruises around furniture..... but you should have seen the look on her face when she figured out how to do this!!!!!

Update of sorts.....

2008-03-03T16:23:00.000-08:00

Well, I turn freakin 30 and I fall apart! :) Okay, so I have been on a huge working out kick for a while and I guess I was going a little too much......

About a week ago, while my mom was in town, I noticed that my back was really sore. No big deal....I'll just stretch it out a bit.... well, it kept getting worse, to the point I could barely unload the dishwasher at dinner time. Not thinking much of it, I got in the floor and tried to stretch. Then I could barely get up. So, I think.....maybe ice will work. Then I ice it for quite some time...... after I thought I was good, I tried to stand up. Now I can't even get up! Realizing that I truly am an old lady now and must have worked out too hard, I still blow it off. I have my mom and hubby literally carry me up the stairs because now I just need to "sleep it off".

Well, at 4 am I wake up realizing that my hubby is about to go out of town on a business trip and my mom will leave later that day. So....I think to myself, "I better get up and make sure I'm not too sore".

I can't even sit up. So, I force myself thinking I'm just stiff and start flinging myself out of bed. As I knock over most of the things on my nightstand saying every cuss word I know because I am dying, my husband of course wakes up. Thirty minutes later he is trying to help me down the hall with my mom to get me downstairs. No luck, I am back in bed and can only lay on my left side period. So, Roger decides that he needs to call an ambulance to get me. I of course start bawling....why?.....not because I am injured and can't move.....because we have nosy neighbors and I don't want them to see me carried out on a stretcher without having a shower! Yes, I am that sad. :)

Of course, they call anyway and I am hauled down the stairs in a tarp thing by police officers to the ambulance.....lovely. My dear husband let me know that he postponed his flight until 11am. Yes....he got a look with that comment.

After 3 days in the hospital, lots of drugs and now therapy, I am recovering and can type this blog entry.

And yes, my husband had to cancel his flight......and my mom did too.

Happy Birthday to me!

With all the things that have happened to us since we moved......I wonder.....is this a sign to come back? LOL

She is crawling!

2008-02-05T09:17:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to upload the video of her crawling but apparently I am not doing something right. She started crawling last week and now is all over the place! Oh why couldn't she have been like Kendall and not crawled until way later!!!!!

She got her braces......

2008-02-05T09:15:00.001-08:00

Well, she is now a metal mouth....of course she picked pink rubber bands too...... Oh the memories of when I had to do that....ugh.

Are you kidding me!

2008-01-17T11:47:00.001-08:00

Negative 3 for the high?!? And all they write below is "cold"? What about mind numbing freezing! I so miss Texas right now......

My apologies.....

2008-01-15T20:38:00.000-08:00

I've been such a slacker with posting! The holidays were a complete blur and now getting back into the swing of things is harder than I thought! My to do list for this week includes updating my blog! With pics too!

All is well here and the kiddos are running me everywhere!

And two becomes three....

2007-12-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

On this past Sunday, my middle one.....turned 3. I just can't believe it. I am finally able to upload some pics! Poor thing is doomed with the timing of her birthday.....but I think she enjoyed it.

The determination of a mom...

2007-12-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have had this Christmas shopping list looming over me for some time now and today was the day to conquer it.....no matter what.

This morning I called my neighbor to see if she needed anything from Target since her son had just had his tonsils removed.....because I was going to brave it with my kiddos and get this list done! My oldest is at school but my almost 3 year old is usually my "issue", especially with my little peanut in tow as well. But today I was revved up and ready to give it a shot!

Anywho...... my neighbor said she could use a couple of things so I was locked in to go. She then offerred the magic words.... "I can watch your two year old while you go". Whoooohooooo! I absolutely took her up on her offer. Taking just one baby can be much easier...much, much easier.

So I was beaming from ear to ear as I loaded the kiddos in the car and headed to my neighbor's to drop one off.

Well, as I drive to Target, I am thinking of a game plan.....since my baby is so huge...she outgrew her little bucket car seat at 4 months....so I have to figure out transportation issues.....

I figure I would find the grocery cart with the infant seat in it. No problem.

I get to Target and I grab the little one and my giant list and head on in. I walk up up to the door and notice that the lights are out......all out. The power had gone out. I walk in carrying my giant sack of potatoes, and diaper bag, and coat, and list, and blanket....you get the picture.

The Target guy tells me that the power went out and he doesn't know for how long. I am also noticing that there are no shopping carts with the infant seat either.......

Scowling, the Target guy noticed and informed me that if I don't mind shopping in the dark the computers to check out are still working.

Works for me.

So after searching both ends of the store for a cart, I started to realize there wasn't one. Again the Target guy noticed me again (why not right? He was scared I think) and told me that those carts were all broken.

So, I remember I had a baby carrier in my car.....soooooo....went and got it. I found a bench, laid a blanket on it, and laid my little one on it to get her situated.

Finally, after getting my little one on me.....coat, diaper bag, gloves, hat, list, blanket etc. in the cart, I was ready to go. In the dark we went.

And yes, I successfully completed my list thank you very much.

And how was your day! :)

I'm just so glad it's over.

The sitting pose.....

2007-12-02T13:48:00.000-08:00

Oh yes.....she can finally sit up now! She has been for about a week but I just now got the pics....

Yay! Snow!

2007-12-02T13:33:00.000-08:00

Well, it came......our first "plowable" snow....

We got about 8 inches all day Saturday and through last night. And it stinks so bad b/c all my kids are sick so they can't play in it!

We attempted to get my 2 year old in her suit from last year.....I died laughing and you can see why in the pic! Let's just say that we will be getting her new snow pants for this winter....

Update!

2007-11-28T08:43:00.001-08:00

Gosh, long time no post.....

Well, we have been busy! With Thanksgiving and my family coming to visit.....it's been crazy!

My sister and her family came to see us for a week which was awesome! My mom also flew in on Thanksgiving too! I just couldn't have asked for more! My little one, turned 6 months old on the 17th as well!

We have our Christmas tree up now and it's supposed to snow this afternoon!

I took my littlest one to her 6 month check up.....yes....she is still my huge monster!

She weighed 19lbs and was 27 1/2 inches long! She's my biggest one yet but at least she's proportionate! She still has a clogged tear duct, so I am hoping that will clear up soon. She has also been pretty fussy the past week and I was telling the doc about it. The doc asked if it could be teething and I of course had to "show" her that it couldn't possibly be the case. So I proceeded to stick my finger in her mouth to show the doc there were no teeth yet and rubbing the gums didn't help.....

and there was the little tooth sticking out......

So she has her first tooth!

I guess that really was the problem lately!

She is also eating solids now and she looooooves it! She starts waving her arms when I put her in the high chair b/c she knows what's coming!

My other girls are getting big too and my two year old is about to be 3! I just can't believe how time is flying!

Well, there's the update for now....hopefully I can start posting again.

Funny sayings by a two year old.....

2007-11-06T17:25:00.000-08:00

My middle daughter decided to use some "imagination" today.....

In the most "scary" voice she knew.....she told me that she was a butterfly (yes, I know...soooo scary) and I was the fruit.....she was "gonna get me"......

She then proceeded to chase me around the house pretending to eat me......oh since I was the "bad naughty fruit"...

I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Do you think I should have a talk with her about how to be scary? That a butterfly just won't cut it? Ha, ha!!!!

I just had to share.

Oh yes....that is definitely what you think it is.....

2007-11-06T10:10:00.001-08:00

Please excuse the nice construction shot of the house being built across the street......but I just had to take a pic of what I was seeing! Snow! Of course it didn't stick but it was our first flurries of this winter!

Apparently late too according to the weather guy......say what?!?

Halloween!

2007-11-01T18:33:00.001-07:00

Besides the weather being a little on the "chilly" side.....it turned out well! My middle daughter was getting it this year too so it was sooooo cute. She was even "practicing" how to ring the doorbell and say those magic words.....

Yay! It's fall!

2007-10-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we were out picking out our pumpkins and I brought my camera to capture the pretty trees up here! I think it's so pretty and this is considered "past peak" too! I love the fall.

My oldest has a habit....

2007-10-18T20:50:00.001-07:00

Okay, my oldest daughter has played soccer forever......she just wrapped up her fall season last weekend. I took some pictures but I just now downloaded them. As I was browsing through them, I noticed something she did in almost every picture.....can you tell?

I just about died laughing....my goofy girl.

ETA: The pics don't come out as clear on this blog.....so I'll tell you. She sticks her tongue out in almost every picture I take of her playing soccer!

Look! She's smiling!

2007-10-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to prove that she can be happy! She's getting happier by the day. Love my little one to death, but she sure started out grumpy! You go girl.

I just love these days.....

We got our new computer!

2007-10-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well, from our long list of "fried electronics", our main computer was one of them. I was pretty bummed b/c that's what I have all my photos stored on. Best Buy said that they can save the data though so I was relieved.

Then we had to figure out what to replace it with. I finally decided to try an iMac. We have a laptop so I figured I could try "the other side".

I have to say that I am definitely out of my comfort zone since it's a whole new system to learn, but I think I'm going to like it.

So for those of you tapping your foot at me and holding things ransom until I send pics...... They will be coming out soon!

I don't think this is why I should work out.....

2007-10-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, I started working out again and I was on a mission to get back in shape.

Yesterday my friend called me up and asked if I wanted to go to her gym and try out a new class. At first I said no b/c my goal for the day was to stay in my pjs so I wouldn't have to change before bed. Then, after realizing how pathetic my goal was, I called her back and said sure.....

Best workout ever.....I felt great.....anger was at an all time low, reenergized, ready to conquer the world......

Since this workout I have consumed too many halloween cookies to count, pizza (why not), chips....almost a whole bag I believe, and those little Hershey's Kisses....I won't even go there. Every time I looked in the kitchen I thought, "Hey, I worked out.....I can have whatever I want".

So when you see my Christmas pics and I'm the new Shamu, you will know it's because I kept "working out".

Whatever.

We have another thumbsucker!

2007-10-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

Head gear here we come! I was so lucky that my middle daughter loved her paci........

Not my newbie. She loves her thumb so much, she has sucked it raw! It's so darn cute though. I'm just having flashbacks of all the tricks I tried to get my oldest to stop......at age 5.

Saved by my mommy......again.

2007-10-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

With everything that has been happening to us up here......my mom couldn't have come at a better time! I was so stressed with just life in general lately.... She came in, helped with the kids and I got to have a break or too. Plus, I got to just hang......

As I took her to the airport today to go back home, I realized that we didn't do much of anything....which was exactly what I needed. We just hung out with the kids and had fun.

Mom, you are missed already but you came at the perfect time. Love you.

My baby is eight today.....

2007-10-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. My oldest turned eight today. Happy Birthday baby.

Holy Lightning Batman!

2007-10-03T17:37:00.001-07:00

Well.....I have not been able to post since Saturday b/c I haven't had internet, nor phone, nor power.....shall I go on?

Saturday night I took my oldest and her best friend out (with her mom too) for a girl night. Since my oldest turns eight this week it was kind of her party. We had a blast.....and we also invited her friend to spend the night.

Well, it was stormy all day and this continued through the night......of course causing some drama with the girls.

They kept waking me up all upset about the wind, thunder etc..... While at their 4th attempt to convince me that we were all going to die, I sternly lectured them that it's just thunder and lightning and that's not going to hurt anyone.....

~You see, last week we had a tornado warning and watched our first funnel/tornado go directly over our house....so she was already shaky....

They went back to bed and I did as well. About 2 minutes later it sounded like an explosion right next to me.

We were hit by lightning! Figures, the one time I was trying to make a point....it backfires.

The power was out and I was startled to death. The girls came running....of course and my dh was trying to find a flashlight.

To make this horribly long story short, tweedle dee and tweedle dumb (that's my husband and I of course) ran around the house like idiots trying to figure out what to do.....smelled burnt stuff, called 911 and rounded up the kiddos.....and yes, my middle one slept through the whole thing as usual......until the police officer helped me get her up and out of the house at 4am. LOL! She woke up outside with the fire trucks shining spotlights on our house and all I could think of to say to her was..... "Look honey, I got you a fire truck" ......

I blame that comment on hysteria.

Anyway, the house didn't catch fire, thank goodness.....no outside damage.

I did find out over the past couple of days that we lost the phones, full stereo/surround system (that was the burning smell), computer, sprinkler system, chest freezer, lights, tivos, 2 tvs, router......and then little things.

I thought it only snowed in Minnesota!

My sister thinks it's a sign to move back to Texas

My husband thinks it's a sign that we had too much stuff and God put his foot down

I think it's cruel and unusual punishment for the crap I gave my parents growing up

or, it could just be the crazy weather.....

Just so tired of the drama.....

2007-09-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

I love my girls but I will say that there are days where I just need to be done with the drama! I try so hard to be patient, talk through the issues, or anything else! But sometimes I hear a snap in my brain and I just yell.

Today was one of those days......

I was trying to help my oldest one feel "special" b/c she has had a rough week. She got home from school and we went to a neighbor's house so she could play with her best friend. After hanging out there for quite some time, we needed to get home...... which of course....started drama.

I ignored it and kept truckin..... We got home and tried again by letting her play her favorite game on the computer.... Then when it was dinner time.....more drama.

Fine, by now, I am forcing myself to ignore it and simply explain that we all eat dinner together. During dinner I told her that we might go back out to the cove if they have a bonfire again (which is usually every weekend). She gets super excited and then proceeds to ask about it every minute for the next 30. After dinner it's getting dark and it doesn't look like a bonfire so we tell her we're not going outside.....more drama.

Finally, I am at my wits end and my hubby shows me cheesecake that he bought on the way home from work for me. My oldest daughter sees it and of course wants it. I told her she could have half since it was bought for me.

Well, she walks over to me and hands me the plate with a bite sized piece left......with a smirk on her face and says "I'm sorry there isn't more for you to eat".

Snap......

I lost it. Now it was my turn for drama.

After I cooled down from throwing an adult tantrum about ungratefulness and the effort I made to make her happy......I talked to her about how that made me feel. She of course apologized and now I sit here.....tired and typing.

I just needed to vent. She is a wonderful girl, but it was just one of those days.

Bye, Bye my Explosion.....

2007-09-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today we said goodbye to my gas guzzling gigantic "Explosion" as we called it.

A little background... 2 1/2 years ago we decided that we "needed" a big car with 3rd row seating....of course with me being pregnant and hormonal and my husband wanting to make sure I got the best.....we bought a fully loaded Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, brand spanking new. An impulsive move of course.

As we drove it off the lot, we felt the value just fall off behind us. Oh, but I had my favorite car!

Starting last year, we had so many changes......a third child on the way, moved across America, big promotion for hubby, and a huge cost of living adjustment.

We also read the Total Money Makeover book by Dave Ramsey......that did it.

We were so lost! We needed an overhaul with the way we lived and spent our money. We immediately started feeling guilty about how much we spent a month and what we were teaching our kids. To top it off, the church that we started going to here started a series that focused on happiness and how to be content.....hmmmmmmmm.

So here we are, taking a big step for us and our new life (we're hoping!). We sold the giant car and bought a used car for cash.....we actually own it.

I was sad, relieved, and excited at the same time. It was very hard to do but I know it's the right thing and the right start.

We had been doing our new budget too, cleaned out closets and boxes....made donations, but this was the biggie.

No more big car payment. Whew.

Now if I can just learn how to live out of a cardboard box.......just kidding.

To the one that invented the Jumparoo......Bless You!

2007-09-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that my newest little daughter has been the "highest maintenance" of them all. Well today topped it all. This girl just does not nap! By this afternoon, she was just done with all of us.

I would put her in a swing, she'd cry
Bounce her on my lap acting like a dork.....she'd cry
Play with her on the floor.....she'd cry
Walk around the house.....she'd cry
Rocking?.....forget it

Finally, I tried the Jumperoo thing that we had brought up from the basement.....

That girl is jumping and smiling all over the place! I am able to post on this blog b/c of this wonderful invention! I didn't know an almost 4 month old could enjoy such a thing so early!

Thank you creators of this.....thank you.

So now with one daughter asleep on the floor in the other room, another jumping for life, and one still at school......I am off to clean. :(

Oh, the hard life at Mother's Day Out....

2007-09-13T13:33:00.002-07:00

My middle daughter started Mother's Day Out this week and she loves it. We came home after a long day of playing for her..... Since she was so good at school today, I told her she could watch some cartoons. Within five minutes, I am asking her a question and no response.....I look over and on the floor she had fallen asleep while playing with her toys.

What a life. At least she is having fun.

Fall is here......and I'm up north....

2007-09-11T20:20:00.001-07:00

I think it's hitting me that I live in MN now......

As I watch the weatherman gasp at the fact that this summer had 26 days above 90 degrees! What a scorcher it was......

My husband and I just looked at each other and laughed. I'll take that any day!

We're due for our first frost this week. Wow, jackets were on today and it only got to 62! I'm really not in Texas anymore.....bittersweet I guess.

I'm sure I'll revisit this thought in January, begging to move back.

The 3rd child really does get shafted.....

2007-09-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

I just realized how few pictures I have been taking of my newest daughter. I feel so bad. I guess with the other girls keeping us super busy, I forget to grab the camera....

So I finally did....here's some funny pics.

First day of school.....finally.

2007-09-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well, she has made it to second grade! My soon to be 8 year old was counting down the days to get back to school. All went well, she has a male teacher this year that shocked her at first (most of you know how girly she is), but after today....I think she really likes him. He seems fun so off we go into another year of homework! Whooohooooo!

Two down, one to go......

2007-09-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

My middle daughter is officially potty trained! She's been wearing her "big girl" undies for a couple of weeks now! As I made my grocery list today......I loved not having to write down pull ups!

Now if I can just potty train a 3 month old......I can dream.

We survived.....I mean the babysitter survived...

2007-09-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

On a side note, I don't know how everyone can post so often on their blog! I want to.....I just forget to!

Anyway, we had our first date night in a very long time and this time it was different....we had to hire a babysitter.

You see, we were so spoiled when we lived back in Texas with all of our family on a waiting list to babysit the kiddos... Now, up here, we needed a babysitter. Our realtor that helped us find our home has a teenage daughter that babysits, so we finally did it. All we did was see a movie, but it was great to get out and we came back to all the kids in bed and the babysitter was still there! We overpaid her of course so she'll come back one day.

We got back around 10pm and we were so excited to sit on the couch and watch football highlights......we're so old. Ha!

It was a good day today, I really needed a night off. Now off to bed!

Decisions, Decisions....

2007-08-13T20:29:00.001-07:00

Well, the time has come to make some more changes for the better. Since we have moved up north, I have tried to look at this change as a clean slate....or to "clean" the slate.

We have thrown away, cleaned out, uncluttered, sold off....you name it. Yet, there is still so much more to do! I won't forget looking out the window of our new house watching the huge moving truck drive away only to be replaced by our second one! When they told me we had to have to huge moving trucks....we're talking the mama moving trucks.....I about died.

We had too much stuff! It reminded me of the Veggie Tales "Stuffmart".....

Anyway, since then, I have been constantly cleaning out and getting rid of things that we have in excess.

We have come a long way and now we have turned our focus to the budget department. This is where we have been failing miserably. We immediately adjusted to the new promotion and life. Ridiculous.

So as I sit at my desk, cleaning it out of course, I realized that if we just made some simple adjustments and went back on our budget, we would be making some awesome progress.

So it's decision time. What can I live without! LOL!

Potty training fun....

2007-08-04T11:46:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's that time again.....round two for child two.....my greatest challenge yet. K is a stubborn one but today is definitely going better than yesterday. M&M's are the best bribe!

okay.....here we go....

2007-08-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start this.....really.....

I have started blogs over and over again and I don't keep up with them.....but this time will be different, I hope at least.

I need an avenue to vent or just type.