Day 30 (and 5 months)

Ohmygosh you guys, it's over. The 30 day challenge is over. Can you believe how fast that went? It was alot of fun & I definately want to do another one, maybe once spring comes. Thanks to everyone who participated!!!!

So without further ado, Day 30: A picture.

Speaking of things going fast, Sweet Emily Kay is 5 months old today. FIVE. Look at her! She still has the munchalicious cheeks (and thighs), but my little newborn/infant is looking like a little person. It's crazy how fast this is going.

This has been a big month for Emmy Kay. First of all, she is sleeping in her crib! YES she's still swaddled and believe me, we've tried to wean her...and we've failed. She's restless and wakes up from a dead sleep in our arms when we put her down. We swaddled Brookie until she went cold turkey @ 5.5 months, I'm hoping Emily inherits that. Anywho, Emily is down for the night around 745, 8 where I nurse her to sleep in our bed. She then goes to her crib with her beloved womb bear and our livesaver, the baby crack machine. (This is the greatest thing since boxed wine. Brooklyn still has her projection on the ceiling in her big girl room every night.)

Emily will sleep anywhere from 3-5 when she wakes up for a dream feed. And I've gotten lazy this time around. With Brookie, I always sat in the rocker in her room and nursed her back to sleep. With Emily, I take her into bed with us so I can nurse & sleep at the same time. This Momma will do anything for extra ZzZzZ's. So, she then wakes up for the day around 830-9. Thank Goodness we are out of the 4 month wakeful period!

Nap wise she does pretty well with putting herself to sleep. Her favorite place to nap is someone's arms, but she also likes her vibrating bouncer.

She is rolling from back to belly all the time. But still isn't rolling belly to back (I think her little hernia is causing discomfort, poor girl.) She still hates tummy time, but has gotten a little bit better at it. Especially if Brookie is keeping her entertained.

Remember Emily's 1st veggie experience? We're all better there now too...see? Evil Doctor Carrots!

So far she's had squash (which she loves now), sweet potatos, and carrots. Next up is green veggies--bring on the peas & green beans!

We also introduced Emily to the jumperoo....as you can see, she isn't too psyched about it yet.

What else is going on with Doodlebug?....She's sitting up unassisted (only for about a minute, but it counts!) She had her first Thanksgiving and is gearing up for her first Christmas! I had to pack up all her 3-6 month clothes a couple weeks ago because this pretty lil chunk is in size 6 months. She has Marv/Kramer/Harry Dunn hair & it cracks us up. And it looks like I'm going to be out of the equation color wise again. Under the lights, her hair is turning blonde like Brookie's (and Daddys.)

She's such a sweet baby girl. So calm & quiet, only gets fussy when she's hungry or sleepy. And smitten with her sis. I love watching her with Brooklyn. Emily knows her so well & lights up whenever Brookie jumps or sings for her. When Brookie tells me "I love her! I love my seester!", I melt.

Happy 5th Monthday, Emily Kay! I love you so much, Buggy <3

Day 29

Day 29: 3 wishes.

{one} I WISH Dustin & I one day celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. That we watch our children grow, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren. That he sneaks a feelski in every once & awhile. That we have that happily ever after.

{two} I WISH to live a mainly debt free life. Yes, we have a mortgage and I have a couple months left to pay on my car and 1 school loan to finish up, but other than that, we are debt free. And that's a really great feeling not having that burden.

{three} I WISH that my girls grow up the best of friends. And that they also see me as not only their Momma, but their best friend as well.

*and I'll sneak it a vain once just for shiz & gigs....I wish for a tummy tuck. Yep, that's right, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'd take a tummy tuck over a boob job anyday. 2 c-sections in under 2 years=no hope for this belly*

Day 28

Day 28: Something that stresses you out.

I'd say the 2 biggest things that stress me out are being late and being lost. I hate driving anywhere unfamiliar (and to me, that's anywhere outside of my hometown), I'm always nervous I'm going to take the wrong exit or wrong turn and end up in Michigan (speaking of which, how 'bout that game yesterday? :) Sorry, had to figure out a way to get that in there!)

I remember one time I took the wrong turn on a shortcut to work & got lost. I called my Mom (of course) in almost hysterics because A. I was lost and 2. I was going to be late to work. Not a good combo in my book.

Shutterfly Giveaway

I LOVE Shutterfly. I got Brookie's 1st birthday book there & we got sooo many compliments on it. I can't wait for to do Emily's :)

And we've also ordered our Christmas cards there the past 2 years. The selection of cards is amazing, as you can see above. I love all the colors! I'm a total slacker and haven't even taken any pictures for our Christmas card this year. Last year I followed a trend & did Brookie in her Christmas jammi's in front of our fireplace at our old house eating Santa's cookies. This year, who knows?!?

Back to Shutterfly. You can get your christmas photo cards here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards. Or if you throw an awesome Christmas party, get your invites here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations. And if you make some amazing sauerkraut and pork for the new year, invite everybody by getting an invite here http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/new-years-cards.

And now this year, Shutterfly is giving a huge high five to all bloggers by giving away 50 cards FREE for us. So all you bloggers/bloggettes, high tail it here! Only 28 days left til Christmas!!!

Day 27

Day 27: Pets

Dustin & I have been together for 7 and a half years, and we've never had as much as a goldfish to call a pet. I don't know why we've never gotten one together, the timing has never really worked out right. We lived with his parents right before we got engaged, then moved into a pets free apartment, then got married, and started popping out those cute babies.

It's funny that this was the topic because we were just talking about dogs a couple days ago. Dustin is determined to get a male, due to the "abundance of estrogen around these parts." We were originally thinking of getting a boxer, which his mom & stepdad had 3 of and we adored, but now he's leaning more towards golden retriever or yellow lab.

All I can think of is hair hair everywhere. I shed enough myself, I don't need a dog to add to the equation. But Brookie is absolutely obsessed with dogs & has even started asking for one. Maaaaybe once spring comes, Dustin will finally get that extra dose of testosterone.


Oh, and whilst I'm here, I'd just like to be a bit of an attention whore {it is my blog, no?}

Meet my new friend =)


I am like beyond pee my pants excited! If Brook & Emily thought I was their stalkerazzi before, just wait til I master this bad boy.

Day 26

Day 26: A picture of your family.

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of four. We had such a great day with three dinners to go to.

The girls looked absolutely adorable & had a great time with all of our family.

Emily hung out with PawPaw Dwayne....

and found her hand fascinating. {and we all found her belly munchalicious!}

Brooklyn assembled her own Noah's Ark {and even Belle gets in!}

Pretty soon they grew tired of Mommy's camera shenanigans....

so we jammied them up and Brookie ate popcorn with PawPaw Chuck.

They were spent when we came home. Brookie slept for 11 hours last night & Emily...well that's a whole other story. She sleeps fantasticly...when she's in bed with us & up against my chest.

We skipped Black Friday {shudders} but this morning we're getting breakfast {at the Pelican, MmM!} and decorating our house for Christmas. And putting up the tree! Dustin's as giddy as a little school girl, he'd have that tree up 365 if it didn't register us as straight up bumbkins.

Hope ya'll had a great Thanksgiving! The Christmas season officially starts TODAY! =)

Day 25

Day 25: iPod shuffle, first 10 songs.

Hi, I'm 2010...have we met?!?

OKAY! So I don't have an iPod. I've never owned an MP3 player (are those still around?), and up until like 2007, I still listened to CD's on a portable CD player with big ol muff headphones.

But I do listen to alot of music on the computer. So I shuffled it up and here's what I got....

"Smooth Criminal" Michael Jackson

"Jackson" Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon

"Last Night" P.Diddy

"If" Janet Jackson

"10th Avenue Freezeout" Bruce Springsteen

"Gone" N'Sync

"All or Nothing" O-Town (bwahahaha.....ahahahah!)

"Angel of the Morning" Juice Newton

"Time of the Season" The Zombies

"Lucky" Britney Spears

Put your random 10 here!

Day 24

Day 24: Something you've learned.

That's a pretty vauge question. But I'll give it a whirl.

I've learned that you're crazy to go shopping on Black Friday, but even crazier to try and return/exchange things the day after Christmas.

I've learned that 'liquor before beer, you're in the clear. beer before liquor, never sicker'.

I've learned that you always place a clean diaper under the dirty one while you're changing a babe. Alot can happen in those 5 seconds it takes to cover that tush.

I've learned pretty much nothing in my 4 years of Spanish in high school. Dora & Diego have taught me much more.

And lastly, I've learned to never take a moment for granted. To cherish the days you have with your loved ones. Because before you know it, the baby you just brought home from the hospital will be doing this

::siiiigh:: Did I mention how much quicker it goes with your 2nd?

Day 23

My apologies for being so friggin late on this post today. I was going to write & schedule it last night, but Dancing with the Stars pulled me in....and then I got enticed in an ebay bidding war {I won!}....and then Brookie called for me from her bedroom about 20 times....and then I fell asleep watching Christina Aguilera Burlesque it up on Conan.

Soooo better late than never, I give you

Day 23: Your favorite vacation.

It's a vacation we've yet to go on but it's definately a vacation that's in the works. In May, Dustin & I are going to Vegas, baby!

I am beyond excited...well about 75% of me is. The other 25% of me is already missing my girls & having hellacious Mommy's guilt. But Dustin & I SO need this vacation together, to reconnect as a couple. We've never been on a plane together, we've never really gone on a vacation together (besides our honeymoon.) And what better place than Vegas? We juuuuust might even renew our vows with Elvis {omg...that would be shamazing!}

The countdown is on to my favorite vacation....5 and a half months to go!! A woo hoo!

*considering it's almost 9 at night and DWTS time (TEAM KYLE!), no clicky. but thanks to everyone who posted today :)*

Day 22

Day 22: What's in your makeup bag?

I've stuck with my favorites for years & they seem to do the trick (although I'm thinking of putting some Bare Minerals on my Christmas list just because I've heard such great things about it.)

First is a good foundation. I like L'oreal True Match in color W5. I think it blends really well & it hasen't ever caused my beyotch of a T-Zone to break out, even though I don't think this is oil free.

Next is a dusting of loose powder to set the foundation & I'm fond of Physicians Formula Powder.

Now if I'm running behind in the morning, I'll just slap on some mascara (my fav being Maybelline's Falsies Volume Express)

and some bronzer on my cheeks. Again, I love Physicians Formula Bronzer. Very non Snookie-oompla loompa-ey.

Now if I'm going on a hot date with my stud muffin hubby, I like to get a bit more dolled up. For my eyes, I LOVE these little Cover Girl Eye Enhancers with 3 shades. My favorite is Shimmering Sands

but I've also tried Cafe Au Lait & loved it as well.

I put the middle color all over the eyelid, dark on the left in the crease, then the hightlight under the brow & in the inner corners of me eyes with the lightest on the right.

And if I'm going for a smoky eye effect, I use Cover Girl's Perfect Point Eye liner. I like the lil smudger on the end. Usually I'll use the charcoal color.
 
I have the worst chapped lips in the winter, so I'm always using Carmex. I seriouslly hate the taste, but it works so well. And at least it stops me from licking my lips all the live long day.


My favorite gloss is from Victoria's Secret. Best flavor is Candy Baby, tastes awesome. Not that I actually sit there sucking on the tube, but...oh you know what I mean.


These are definately on my Christmas list. Right now I only have one big ol' poweder/blending make up brush from Target, but I want these from Bare Minerals.



What's in your bag?

Day 21

Day 21: Picture of yourself.

I'm the picture taker around here, which means I'm barely ever the takee. Pictures of me are usually done Myspace style via Droid. Like here in my work's bathroom Thursday...

Not the greatest shot, but that's me in all my 8am, white scrubed glory. Aaaaaand styling a new do. Whatcha think? My lovely cousin does hair & took a good 5 inches (and 2 lbs) of hair off me. She also took about an hour off of my wash/rinse/repeat/dry/style routine and what Mommy isn't grateful for the gift of time? I didn't have time for a color with Emily (and her lil guy Jaxon) crying and Brooklyn feeding the dogs fruit snacks, but I'm thinking of going for a warm chestnutty color with maybe some highlights, or lowlights? Stay tuned for a follow up post!

Day 20

Day 20: Nicknames

Day 20 already?!? the end of November already?!? Holy.Canole.

The girls are finally asleep upstairs (yes, I usually schedule these posts the night before. CuttaMomma some slack) and it's been quite the night. Drool, irritability, fevers, extra doses of sass mixed with Tylenol, ahhh the joys of motherhood.

Anywho, let's get to the point of this post, shall we?

Nicknames

We all have nicknames in this house....most of them don't make sense to anyone else, but they do to us. So we'll start with Brooklyn {aka}

Brook
Brookie
BrookCakesMagoozers
Cakes {or Cakes Grace when she's in trouble}
Brook Baby Grace
Da Goozer {short for Ma Goozer}
Baby G
Sis
Brookie Bright Eyes {Daddy's nickname for her}

Emily's still new to the Shenanigans, but she has a pretty good list going for her.

Em
Emmy
Emmy Kay
Emmy Kay Doodle
Doodlebug {or Doodlebuggy or just Buggy}
Chunkaroo
Sissy

Moving onto Dustin {aka}

Dusty Jo {I know he hates this}
DJ {or Deeg a la Candace Cameron}
Dumpstin
Babe {a classic}

and lastly, good ol me {aka}

Ash
Ash-K
Babe {so original}
Babsullah {my fav. and it has a story. When Dustin & I first started dating, he always called me Baby. It was shortened to Babe, which still gets used often, then down to Babs, where it took a turn towards Babsullah ::pronounce Babs-You-La:: We strive to be you-neek around here.}

What are your nicknames?!? Share them here, even the ones that made you cry (like Ashtray did to me in elementary school.....*bitches*)

Day 19

Day 19: Something you miss.

This is gonna sound crazy, ya'll......

I miss my pregnant belly.

NO it doesn't mean that I want to get pregnant again anytime soon. And I know you all are probably thinking "Oh sweet Moses woman! You just gave birth 4.5 months ago. Give your body more than the measly 13 month break you gave it last time!" But the fact of the matter is I miss the feeling of my daughters inside. I miss the kicks & nudges. I loved my pregnant belly, I embraced it. It was the best accesory. Sure, towards the end I was bitter and ready to be dunzo. But in the 2nd tri/early 3rd tri, I was smitten with it. So here's my favorite pic with each pregnancy.

With Brooklyn @ 27 weeks (helllllo sunburn! still my fav though)

And with Emily @ 30 weeks.

So what do you miss? {I know other momma's out there miss their pregnant belly! I can't be the cheese sits alone, right?!?!}

Day 18

Day 18: Something you regret.

I'm a "what if" kind of person, mainly because I'm also a second guesser. I try not to live my life with regrets, because it has made me the person I am today....but I think everyone has at least a few they can name.

I regret not experiencing true college life. I stayed home & went to a community college, which is fine. But I've always regretted not leaving the comforts of home & being on my own, even for just a year. No roommate, no dorms, no parties, sororities, none of that.

I regret losing touch with friends, especially those from high school.

And lastly, I regret not buying the girls Christmas dresses last month when I saw them on sale because now I can't friggin find them anywhere!



Day 17

Day 17: Something you're looking forward to.

Thanksgiving makes my heart giddy. It's during my favorite season, it's tastykins, and it's a day of family togetherness. Last year I was 7 weeks pregnant on Thanksgiving & wasn't able to partake in the annual food induced coma {curse you all day nausea!} So I'm looking forward to being able to get my favs in {curse you breastfeeding apetite!}, and I'll have plenty of opportunities. I believe we have 5 Thanksgivings to sneak in next week. {J Oy!}

Another thing about Thanksgiving that makes me squee is our yearly tradition.....

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!! We play Christmas music & put up our tree and all of our decorations around the house. I just put in our order today for new personalized stockings & I'm so excited for them to get here. And I am so behind with our Christmas cards {I usually already have them ordered by now, but I've yet to even pick a picture for them...Eeeek!} Note to self : Get on the friggin ball!

What are YOU looking forward to?!?