Monday, November 30, 2009

"Its a Mom Thing..."

"...Real World Insights for Profoundly Imperfect Mothers"

(shotty iPhone pic)


I got that book from someone at one of my babyshowers. Im sorry to say I can not remember who got it for me, seeing as E is almost 2 (WOW how time flies).

Anyhoodle- I totally forgot about this FANTASTIC book until a few days ago when I found it while I was doing some slight cleaning, in preparation for all the packing I will be doing for my impending move.

When I got it I remember flipping through it, but I was still in school and E was born very soon after my shower so with the hustle and bustle I got busy and the book got pushed aside.

If you have a babyshower for anyone coming up I recommend this as a gift for mom, its a cute lil something. I got this book for a friend of mine b/c I remembered thinking it was funny. I know she enjoyed it.

Well a few days ago when I found it I decided to re-flip through it & I couldn't stop laughing. Even if you're not a mother, you will find some of these "insights" funny. Over they next couple of weeks I will be posting more from the book so keep checking back.

Enjoy: (you dont get the full effect w/o the cute pics)

-I still buy cute underwear, but not too cute because what do you think got me into this mess?

-There's no place like home, unless you can get a baby-sitter. Then, Go! Get out! Hurry!

-The longest distance between two points is a 2-year-old who wants to walk all by herself. (my fav)

-Moms need friends, because you gotta have someone you can cuss in front of. DAMMIT!!!

-Those last 5 post-baby pounds are IMPOSSIBLE to Lose! Especially when you haven't lost the first 20.

-Weird how having a baby makes you remember to take that birth control pill. And sometimes TWO, just in case.

-Yeah, I'd say being a mom has changed my style. Obliterated is a change, right?

-So, if I become a stay-at-home mom, does that mean the kids have to stay home, too? -Just checking.

and lastly (for this week)...

-Wow... I must've kidproofed the cleaning supply cabinet a little too well. Apparently my husband can't get into it.

Hope everyone is having a great (cyber)monday...

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!
-Kelli-Sue

"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Friday, November 27, 2009

"The Day After..."

Also known as:




For retail workers thats exactly what it is. This is quite possibly THE WORST DAY OF THE YR! Yes the sales numbers are great but the people & the level of crazy is enough to drive some workers into hiding.

I think retail workers should be getting HOLIDAY PAY on this horrendous day, but unless you work a double your not getting anything extra.

Back in early 05 I worked at the Starbucks located inside of a Target, so there for making me a Target employee, not Starbucks. Everything was made the same etc but I was paid by Target b/c they owned that franchise of Starbucks.

So my first BLACK FRIDAY experience was in 2005. OMG. I opened in Starbucks I had to be there at 5a. Store opened @ 6am. There was none of this opening at 5 nonsense.

This was back before the economy sucked ass, don't forget.

The parking lot had a good number of cars in it when I got there @ 5!! What the heck you crazies! GO HOME! Well by opening time people were lined up.



Guess where they come FIRST. To get COFFEE. I wanted to shoot myself. That was the longest shift & shortest lunch of my life.

Then as I am clocking out one of the Managers, Brian, asks me if I could work a cash register, someone called in sick. It was just until they could find a replacement Brian assured me that it would only be for 2 hrs MAX. Okay, how could I say no its only a few more hrs and its extra $$.

When 3 or so hrs had passed and I had barely had time to breathe I see Brian coming towards me. "Can you work the last 2 hrs of this shift? We couldn't find anyone, but we're covered later" Yah sure what the heck... I was there making money and I didnt have plans after work but to SLEEP.

OMG if something didnt ring up w.the sale price ppl freaked out like it was the end of the world. I swear I had my blinky light on for help soo many times. I had to keep telling myself "Kelli this shift puts you over, you will get OT for this" Or I would have lost it.

Seriously people come into the store with this crazed look in their eyes.

I left Target not long after BF & went to work in a REAL Starbucks, thinking it would be more low key and such, plus I got paid better & we got tips.

Well the store I applied for wasnt hiring but their "sister location" was, awesome. Well turns out the "sister LOCATION" (not store) happened to be located in a MALL. I took the job, it was Feb. Thinking I would request BF off well in advance.

WRONG.

We got a letter stapled to our tip envelopes in the the END of SEPT/BEG. of OCT. saying that NO ONE (if they hadn't already requested it) can have BF off. If they "called out" or missed their shift as a No call/no show THEY WOULD BE FIRED. Gasp. We even had a meeting/setup for BF the day before Thanksgiving.

Yah. Im serious.

Do we even need to ask how that day went down. LONGEST 8.5 HOURS of my life. Target was a cake walk compared to that. To top that off my boss asked me to stay after my shift was over. Hell no. I learned my lesson the yr before @ Target.

That was my year WORKING BF. I left Starbucks before the next one came around. I couldn't handle that... plus my boss, Lori, was a little overbearing and bitchy. No thanks. I loved working at Starbucks but I didnt love some of HER antics.

I would rather spend BF relaxing or shopping in the AFTERNOON... I will never be one of those AM crazies. I'll leave that up to the more seasoned shoppers, esp now that I have a child. Sleep is essential.

Hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving... You may NOW start decorating for/ celebrating CHRISTMAS. Thanksgiving had its day. Although it was very much overshadowed by and [not appreciated] overbearing Christmas.

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!
-Kelli-Sue

"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

"Convo w/a Toddler"

I GOT PEED ON TODAY!




I haven't been peed on in OVER a year!! E is almost 2 yrs old. Keeping that in mind [we've been back and forth w.the potty training, at first she was all about it, the lost interest so I was not going to push it well these last 2 weeks she re-gained her interest] this is how I GOT PEED ON:

After breakfast while playing & intermittently watching playhouseDisney:

E: PeePee Mama.
Me: You have to go peepee?
E: Yah [in her super whiney voice]
Me: Okay, lets go to the potty. [I lean down to pick her up]
E: NOOOOOO! [shaking her head violently]
Me: You said you have to go peepee baby?
E: No ore [ore=more] mama.
Me: Okay honey, Mama loves you. [she kisses me and runs off to play w.some noisy toy...lol]

**Not even 2 minutes later--

E: Peepee!!
Me: Did you go peepee?
E: No mama, peepee!!
Me: You need to go peepee?
E: [running to the babygate] Yes.
Me: [as I am leaning down to pick her up] Okay big girl, lets go doodles.
E: No ore, no ore... I want down... down!!!
Me: You need to go to the potty baby.
E: No ore.
Me: Let me check your diaper baby. [I wanted to see if she went in her diaper & thats what she was trying to tell me, I can understand her words but not always what she is trying to get across]-- Diaper checked... DRY.
Me: Okay baby. Your good to go.

**About 3 mins pass--

E: Mama?
Me: Yes E?
E: ook (either look or book im not quite sure)
Me: Oh yah!! [shes bringing me a book to read her, she climbs up on the couch & I start to read to her...ONE PAGE IN:
E:Peepee
Me: Okay, lets go. [at this point I am past the questions, I figure she either has gone, has to go or has to go and is learning how to hold it and that is NOT good at such a young age]
E: LOUD SIGH... mama [very whinny] mamma...
Me: We're gunna go to the potty so you can peepee.
E: Okkkkkkkkk

**We get to her room and I put her down and she stops in front of the changing table, grunts & points.
E: UP UP UP UP UP
Me: You don't want to go potty? [[she has a bathroom in her bedroom [baller, right?]]
E: No mama, up up up!!
Me: Okay, do you need a new diaper?
E: Yah mama.
Me: Big girl for telling mama!! [like I said we're just getting back into the potty training so if we have accidents, its no big thing, brush it off & try again later,shes not even 2]

**I pick her up and put her on the changing table, as I am pulling down her pants:

E: Peepee mama peepee.
Me: I know baby, We're gunna get you a new clean diaper.
E: Peeeeeeepeeeeee

**I am unfastening her diaper and I wipe her and her diaper looks pretty dry, but I don't want E to think I don't believe her. Plus the "peepee" thing had been going on for a while, so I pull the old diaper out and Emmy exclaims "PEEEEPEEE!!!!" and Goes... ALL OVER MY ARMS/HANDS, the changing table. She bursts out laughing.

All I could do is smile. Im sure she finally felt better. Got it ALL out. Part of being a mommy is getting peed on, thrown up on, etc... I love every second of it too.

WIth this witty tale... Go enjoy your TURKEY, STUFFING & CRANBERRIES!!!




Don't forget to come back next week for more Convo's w/a Toddler!

***HAPPY THANKSGIVING SWEETPEAS!***




Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!
-Kelli-Sue

"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

"It's MY birthday NOT theirs!!!"

Yes you read that right... no need for a double check.




Hayley over at Blue Eyed Blonde & I have noticed a trend lately... Not only buying a gift for the birthday person but their siblings as well.

This has always bothered me but it really got to me when I was at my family Wal-Mart last week, getting my little cousin Luke his b-day gift (no i didn't buy anything for his sibling, who is still in mommys belly). Just Luke.

Well while E and I were Looking at all the toys, it was just her and I in the isle when all of a sudden this family comes flying down the isle. This woman had 4 kids under 6 (give or take?) and one on the way. Her husband? Boyfriend? whatever he was, was on his phone chattering away not helping, not paying attention. She says to him:

Her: We need to get Sammy's birthday gift.
Him: Okay. Pick something, I am busy.
Her: What should we get him, hes your bestfriends son.
Him: Woman you pick.
Her: How old is his sister? We need to get her something too.
Him: Why? Its not her birthday.
Her: You can't just get him something and not her, she will feel left out.

He rolled his eyes. She asked her son to help her pick a gift:

Her: What do you thin Sammy would like Jesus?
Jesus: This Elmo boat toy here...
Her: Okay. We'll get that.
Jesus: I want that Yo Gabba Gabba toy mom!!
Her: Okay, sit down. [now the other two that can talk join in- one is a baby and unable to speak]
Daughter: Mom if Jesus gets that I want a doll...
Mom: Fine, just be quiet, we will go get it in a second & we will get one for Sammy's sister too.
Younger son: I want chalk mom.
Mom: William, no that is too messy.
William: Then I want legos.
Mom: Okay, here [hands him the legos].
Daughter: What does Mark-Paul get ma?
Mom: Well hes a baby. Nothing.

She finally turns to the man:

Her: Mark! Okay we got a gift, we just need to get a bag for this and a card and we can go.
Him: Why do they all have toys?
Her: They are quiet aren't they?
Him: We came for ONE thing, why are we leaving with 5 toys?

[[I can tell him why! He wasn't helping with his kids.]]

We picked our toy and squeezed out of the isle. Im not one to stick around for domestic issues. No thx.

But anyways I don't get this trend of buying for siblings. It makes the birthday person feel less special & doesn't teach the sibling that you wait till your day for special gifts & special "spot-light attention".

Well you might ask what if someone buys a gift for the sibling, what do you do? You say thank you, don't give it to the child at the birthday party or on the birthday persons special day. Don't take away from their day. Also tell that person that the only person who gets gifts on birthdays is the birthday person. Then when enough time has passed you can give the sibling the gift from the gift- buyer & explain who it is from.

-OR-

you can say thank you but no thank you & explain about how birthdays work in your home and kindly ask them to return their gift.

If I remember correctly every kid leaves a party with a little something? The "goody" bag. Give the sibling one of those bad boys! They are loaded w/tons of goodies!

**Birthday gifts for siblings= A BIG NO**... that might go on birthday invitations when I have another child... right by the RSVP.

Until then I will continue to only buy for the child whos birthday we are celebrating. It is THEIR special day.

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!

-Kelli-Sue

"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

"Book Worm"

I read. A lot.




It's not news to yall I am sure. Remember I got a Kindle for my birthday back in June.

Since then, I have read 2 books on my lovely & 4 regular books. Some books I just want the actual books, if its by a certain author or if its a book like PostSecret or Cake Wrecks

When I read I let myself get completely lost in the book. I feel like I know the characters & I think about who would play them if it were a movie. I think that is the best way to read... to loose yourself 100% in the book.

Once I start a book I must finish it, no matter how slow the book is when it starts or how boring I think the book is. I can't not finish one, usually I am not disappointed & when I am, I always say I will never do that again. I always do anyways.

When I was in school, it used to boggle my mind how quickly I could fly through a book of my choosing but a book assigned to me (or a textbook) I dreaded & would get tired and fall asleep. No matter how UN-TIRED I was.

I think my daughter is becoming quite the book worm too... she has tons of books, for someone under the age of two. Loves when I read to her and you can catch her at any given time sitting on the floor or in her chair "reading" on her own. They say children learn by example. I guess that is true, she sees mama reading so she reads. Smart girl.

It has become a lot harder to read since E has gotten older, but it is something I love so I make the time for it. Less TV at night or during the day E and I will have "reading time" where we will both read. She loves that time of the day, usually after lunch. I will read to her first then she will 'read' on her own and I will read too. But just b/c I have a toddler does not mean I have to put something that I love and that relaxes me on the back burner, you learn how to make time for it.

I have a couple of authors that I just love. For example, I have read all of Nicholas Sparks books except his newest one "The Last Song" ( its on my list of "books to buy") he is an author I have to have the actual book. No reading NS on the Kindle.

Another author I love is Elin Hilderbrand , I have read 2 of her 8 books and I am working on a third. I read her on my Kindle. I like her style of writing and will continue to read her books in succession of how she wrote them, until I am done with all eight. I stumbled upon her by accident, I am glad I did.

Thats just two of my many favorites, we don't have all day for me to go on & on. Thats another post for another day. :)

While I was on bedrest with E I read 13books. I was also in school. I would rather read then watch TV.

I guess I like to leave reality for a while, but hey! who doesn't. I will read some books more then once but that is rare, but I also WILL NOT get rid of books either. I am a "book pack rat" in that sense.

One thing I love about books is you can tell where I was and what I was doing in that time of my life by the types of books I was reading & that is how they are on my bookshelves. By my "life-periods". I don't discriminate. I will read all kinds of books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Biographies, Auto-Bios, etc...

I love to share and swap books w.my bestie Hayls ... I esp like it when we're reading the same book so we can gossip about it... our own little book club.

Right now I am reading: Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand

**WHAT ARE YOU READING?***

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!
-Kelli-Sue

"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Friday, November 20, 2009

"Wire-hanger to the Rescue!"

If you follow me on Twitter (or even if your my friend on FB b/c my incessant tweeting goes to my FB) you might remember back on Nov 11 (last week) seeing this:

"E broke a toy she rarely plays w.yestdy and now she is freaking out bc I havn't fixed it yet... GO PLAY WITH THE MILLION OTHERS YOU HAVE!!!"


Well I have been trying to fix said toy.



Emmy shoved one of her little people



Into the curve of the toy. After I put her to bed, I got scissors and since my hands/wrist/lower arm is so small I stuck my hand in there with the scissors slightly open and tried to grab the little persons head to pull her out. GREAT LOGIC, right? WRONG! My hand slipped and I pushed her even further in!

This is where little person started out:


After I the scissors pushed her further in:


& I gave it a second try & this is where she ended up:


Then she was stuck, b/c of her little arms that stick straight out to the side!! OMG. What do I do now? E plays with her little people all the time. She has like 5 of them and a little dog & loves them.

So then after trying numerous things I took the ball popper apart and turned it upside down and started banging it on the ground. She was stuck. DAMN IT. I was video chatting w.Hayls and she was like use a wire hanger, duh. Why hadn't I thought of that.

So I took a wire hanger... (stock photo)



and I bent it to look like this:



and I GOT THE LITTLE PERSON OUT!!! She is FREE & Back w/her friends! & E is one happy little girl.

Happy Family...



It took some finagling but I got that sucker outta there. When I told M the story after he was done laughing he told me Im "supermom" < I'll take that title, with pride. Till I mess something up.

Have a great weekend & I will see yall back here, bright-eyed & bushy tailed MONDAY AM.

Bye lovvers!!


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Thursday, November 19, 2009

"Convo w/a Toddler" && "Thanksgiving Thursday"

After E's nap yesterday I changed her, per the usual routine. As we were walking out of her room for lunch, we walked past this hanging above the light switch by her door:


(ultrasound pictures of E for those who don't know- 1 from each trimester to show the amazing change/growth)

E points to it and says her name. This (saying her name) is no big feat, but the fact that she realized that, that was her was! Granted we have been walking past that frame numerous times EVERYDAY for 19 mons & everyday I tell her "thats baby E, when you lived in mommys tummy" and we walk on, b/c she never seems to interested.

Well NOT today. Oh no. E was interested. She wanted to talk. So talk we did. Hayley , over at Blue Eyed Blonde, witnessed this convo via the speakerphone feature on the iPhone:

E: Memmy!!! Memmmmmyyyy!!!!!!! [pointing at said frame bouncing while I hold her].
Me: Yes baby that is you. That's when you lived in mamas tummy.
E: Yah.
Me: Do you remember that?
E: Yah baby. [hugs me].
Me: Did you like it when you lived in mamas tummy?
E: YAH!!!! YAH!!!! [rubs my hair...roughly, but she is trying to be nice, I hope]
Me: Was it comfy and warm in my tummy?
E: ...[quiet like she is thinking]... umm... NO mama. No [shakes her head].
Me: It wasn't?
E: No ma.
Me: [clearly thrown, I said bye to Hayls as she was cracking up like it was the funniest thing, ever.] Baby you want lunchies?
E: Yah juicey juiceyyyy!!!!
Me: Okay you can have Juice too honey.
[[She hugs me again and we are off to the kitchen]]

E & I have tons of fun convos daily. She is at the age where I can finally start to understand 85-90% of what she says. Her words are clearer, she says a lot more words now. 2-4 word sentences and she repeats [almost] everything. I love when she toddles up to me and just starts going on & on.

A few hrs later during tubbies I said:

"you know what? I love you." "Can you say I love you?"

E: Yes. [she made a kissy face]

I gave her a big wet hug and took my kiss. Now when I say E I love you... she makes a smooches face!!! I love it.


------------

Instead of posting TWO blogs one day, I am trying a two-in-one... I started a "series" last week called "Thanksgiving Thursdays" and said it would run till Thanksgiving... and I need to follow that through. So without further ado:

"Thanksgiving Thursday"

I have been so blessed my entire life. So this week, 7 days Thanksgiving, I want to go traditional in the listing of things I am thankful for:

- My toddler, I can't call her a baby anymore, b/c she isn't a baby. Although she will ALWAYS be my baby she isn't a baby, shes a BIG girl. She is my reason for waking up every morning.

-To be a mom. It has changed my life, for the better in ways I never thought possible.

-My family. They can be crazy, eccentric (ily you Aunt Pam) at times but they raised me right. I was raised by a wonderful beautiful SINGLE mother, a strong southern baptist grandmother (who was also helping to raise my 5 other cousins about the same age as me) she also raised her son (and 2 other children), my dad, a United States Marine.

-My friends who ARE family. W/O yall I would be lost.

-The fact that I "found" myself over the past 20 mons while being back home and now know what my true calling in life is: to teach, to help. (69 days!!)

-My boyfriend, My bestfriend, my everything. M I love you baby! You are helping me make so many of my dreams come, you're the best. I can't wait to see what's in store for us!!

-My blog friends. I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!! You all know what to say and when to say it. Yall seriously rock my corner of the interweb.

-GOD. He made all of this possible. With out him I would have nothing.

**We are one week away from Thanksgiving... Share with us-- WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?**

------------


**Look for MORE Convo's w/a Toddler next week!**


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

"No Need to be Nasty"

Yesterday I wrote a very personal blog that I felt needed to be shared. I thought It might get some attention due to its nature.

I have the option for anon. comments for 2 reasons. 1) so my non-blogger friends can comment (thx guys! love the support) 2) for those who like to comment w/o leaving a name b/c they are private people (usually they are nice comments or constructive or a question...) Until yesterday!

In yesterday's post, in case you missed it you can click here , I mentioned in the LAST little blurb, about how I want to be a surrogate. My blog was about PPD, NOT being a surrogate, but it tied in at the end. Just read it if you haven't.

Well anyways I got one of the meanest comments,which happened to be anon. from someone who seems to think surrogating is disgusting. This is the comment:

"First of all I have a child. From adoption. I think this "PPD" stuff is a bunch of crap, so you cried a little after you had a kid big deal, I think you were pill searching. As for the women who kill or hurt thier kids or themselves- they are just weak. Or they just realized they don't want the kid. Its plain and simple. Then you jump subjects at the bottom to how you want to surrogate. DISGUSTING. If a couple can't have a baby, adopt. Why in God's name would you want some other woman's fertilized egg implanted in YOUR uterus? The thought makes me ill. That really is sick if you think about it long and hard and why would your husband want to watch you carry another couples baby? You are nothing but an incubator to the people anyways, they will probably treat you like crap and put you on some crazy diet because that is THEIR baby in YOUR body. They couldn't have a baby for a reason. Adoption is the way, I chose it for a reason. I couldn't have a child with my boyfriend of 9 years. We didn't try fertility treatments or anything, adoption was always what I wanted anyways and we would never consider a surrogate, thats gross beyond belief. You should really think about it you should young and uneducated."

After I read that I cried for about 45 minutes. Then I had to re-read it bc there is no way someone can be so rude, cruel.

She calls me uneducated, she sounds uneducated herself. She also sounds bitter about not being able to have children. I feel bad for her child, lord knows how she treats him/her.

I think it takes a special person to be a surrogate. I am not saying everyone can do it or should do it, but I feel I can and if I can I want to help a family have a child, biologically.

Adoption is wonderful. My daughter is eventually going to be adopted by M after we get married (he has to purpose first) so I am all for adoption!! But some prefer biology. Its all PERSONAL preference.

Grow-up people. Don't leave mean comments on my blog anymore.


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

"PPD"

Why are some most women looked down upon for admitting they have or feel that they have postpartum depression or the "baby blues"?

I will be the first to admit that after the birth of my beautiful little angel I had a little case of the babyblues [bb]. I cried, alot. I had anxiety attacks that kept me from sleeping & I had hard time asking for help (my aunt had come in town for the soul reason to help me out for a week) I felt overwhelmed. I was a SR in college, so this was an issue.

I called my Dr, he got me right in & told me it was perfectly normal, praised me for actually calling him. Gave me some meds for my anxiety & monitored me.

After 2.5 weeks, I no longer needed meds and I was sleeping on my own again.

I don't think that the little bout of PPD/babyblues makes me any less of a mother. I think I am a stronger person for 1) calling my Dr. 2) getting it under control 3) being strong enough to talk openly about it.

I know Brooke Sheilds has a book out about her struggle with PPD called "Down Came the Rain" . Her Struggle was far far worse than I can ever imagine. She contemplated suicide and didnt bond with her daughter, Rowan, at first. I never had suicidal thoughts and I instantly bonded with E. I have heard wonderful things about Mrs. Sheilds book and when I am done with the book I am currently reading I plan to read hers.

PPD or the BB is nothing to be ashamed of & I feel that a lot of women feel that they should be ashamed of it and not talk about it.

I plan to have more children (1 maybe 2), God willing, one day. Then if my health & age permits (& If my husband is okay with it as well) I would like to be a surrogate, once. Its not a guarantee that I will have the same experience with all my pregnancies & I am not going to let the fact that for a few weeks after delivery I was "sad" deter me from having more children and helping another family achieve their dream of having a child in the future.

For more info on PPD & how to get help you can visit this website


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Monday, November 16, 2009

"Tag! You're It!"



So the rules for Kreativ Blogger are:
1. List 7 things about myself others might not know.
2. Award 7 people with the award.

So I have gotten this award before... But I am honored to have been awarded, again!! Thx Jess .

1. I am ALWAYS cold... it can be 90degrees outside & I will more than likely have/be in a sweatshirt... That's the truth.

2. I like OJ w.LOTS of Pulp.

3. I want to see the shuttle launch in person at KSC before they do away w.the program.

4. I would rather wash dishes (by hand), mop the floors, vacuum, dust, etc then put away laundry.

5. I make lists (almost daily)... and hate when I don't cross everything off by the end of the day.

6. I hate change but I am about to make the biggest change ever and I am excited about it.

7. I believe happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.

**I am going to Tag: Hayley , Katie , Elizabeth , BB (Courtney) , The Urban Cowboy , Ashley & Erin ENJOY YALL ;)

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NEW MOON COUNTDOWN: 4 days - Just sayin is all :)

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!

-Kelli-Sue

"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

"Thanksgiving Thursday"

There is ONLY 14days (2 weeks) till Thanksgiving.

So for the next 2 Thursdays I want to do a list of the things I am thankful for.

This week I want to do it with a twist.

The twist: @ first I did not quite see it as blessing, but in the end it was.

- Not finding a [fulltime] job after graduating college... this was a blessing b/c it led me to look into GRAD school. I start in 76 days!!! God works in mysterious ways. :)

- M moving back to PA... this was a blessing b/c it brought us so much closer together and showed us how strong our relationship really is.

- Moving back home when I was 20+wks preg... I know this was almost 2 yrs ago now but @ first I was mad about this but now I am more than THANKFUL I had a great support system when I needed it the most. My daughter got to know her family (and extended family... ie my friends who are her aunties and uncles) & I got to REALLY discover who I am as a person.


I am going to stick with three for today...

Now its YOUR turn!!! Give me some things your THANKFUL for but with the TWIST... G-O-!


Stay tuned to see how we do it next week!!! When the count will be t-miuns 1week till TURKEY and FOOTBALL & MACYS TGIVING DAY PARADE!!!!


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"I was bawling like a baby"

...When I saw this video... this reminds us that even the littlest of us are affected too... Grab some Kleenex!!!



HAPPY VETERANS DAY to all that have served & THANK YOU to all currently serving.


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

"Love Letters"

Dear Veterans,

THANK YOU for your service to this wonderful country. My words can't even come close to how thankful I am for you. I was raised in a military family so I do know how much you really do give. Today is YOUR DAY!

Lots of love,

KS

ps- baby I LOVE you soo much!! Thank you for being my HERO! Thank you for your service to this country!! Thank you for "just doing your job" the day you got shot. You deserved your Purple Heart. I love you. Happy Veterans Day!!!


------------

Dear Swine Flu,

You scare people, me included. But your vaccine scares me even more, for some reason I don't trust it. My gut says no way jose! So please stay far far away from me and my family!

Onk Off,

Concerned Citizen

-------------

Dear Head Cold,

You hit me like a moving bus Sunday night/Early Monday AM & you suck so bad. You make me irritable, my taste buds are all out of whack & my head feels as if it might explode. Trying to keep up w.a toddler normally is exhausting, but doing it while sick is even more exhausting. I would like for you to politely go away & with out getting my baby girl sick. I don't need her sick.

Kthxbye.

Sick Mommy in need of some pampering

-------------

Dear Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ida,

You are very very UNFASHIONABLY late to the party. Did you miss the memo that hurricane season ended like umm 11 days ago. You are so disappointing, plus you were so fickle, first a tropical depression, them storm then Hurricane Cat 1,2,1 then back to a TS. LAME! If you're gunna come late, do it right, honey. Oh well you seem to be the last one of the season.

You hear that Florida? You can BRING ON FALL now,

FL Resident Jaded by Hurricanes/TS

-------------

Dear Traitor aka Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan,

You deserve to be hanged in public. I would attend. I am disgusted by you. If you were "conflicted" then you should have killed yourself. You should have never harmed anyone else. You are NOT a hero, I don't care what "they" tell you. What made you join the US MILITARY in a time of war if you are radical Muslim? You killed 13 INNOCENT people and wounded 29. This veterans day I sure is very emotional. I hope you get what you deserve.

Signed,

a DISGUSTED daughter,granddaughter, niece, girlfriend, friend & cousin of MEN who served or are serving in the US military

ps- I have not read enough about the Orlando Shooter to write him a love letter. it will come I promise!

-------------

Dear OPI Nail Polish,

I love you & all your options. Esp your darker colors, I feel so edgy when I wear them. Makes me urn for cooler weather even more!! Please Fall come to us!! I officially sick of the 80s.

Missing my Boots & Sweaters,

Kelli-Sue

-------------

Dear Green Bay Packers,

You broke my heart into soo many pieces Sunday. How could you give that game away? TO THE WORST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE?! You had that game! It was yours! What happened? I am sad. Heart broken. Please redeem yourselves. Soon. I will ALWAYS be a fan but please come back to me with a BIG FAT WIN!!!!

Lovingly,

A heartbroken fan in serious need of a WIN

------------


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

"New Chapter"

45 days till Christmas... 46 till I move outta my parents house, it been 2 years coming... 78 till my first day of grad school.

It hit me like a ton of bricks last night that in less then 2 months I am going to be starting a new very exciting chapter in my life.

Usually I am not a fan of change but I am actually looking forward to this one. A lot of things are going to happen & change so quickly, for both E & myself. But they are for the best.

Not to mention in TWO short years I will have my MASTERS degree in Early Childhood Development & Special Education. I am so eager to get into a classroom both for my studies & to be the one teaching.

People say when you start a new chapter in life you should completely start off fresh & new. I understand the reasoning behind that but there are some aspects of my current life I want to take w.me when I start my new life.

For starters my bestfriend is like my security blanket. I don't want to start my new journey w.out her. I tell her everything as it happens. We have done such a good job staying close when we don't live close & I hope that can continue.

My family is another thing. This needs no explanation.

Other than those two very large things, I feel like I have been in a sort of limbo lately and haven't really been living just kind of going though the motions and in 46days I will begin to really live.

E will have TWO parents full time, versus getting daddy for a few days every couple of months. I am so excited for her to have that, every child deserves TWO parents that love them. I know M is excited about being a full time daddy too.

I am anxious to see how everything pans out, I know there will be an adjustment period. M & I have talked about that, we are expecting it and are ready to take it head on.

Trust me yall, it will all become material for this here blog.

Also on another note, I might be changing my name from Urban Cowgirl soon. My URL will not change but rather my blog name as Urban Cowgirl will soon not be fitting. I will keep you all in the loop. I might even take suggestions. We shall see.

**Have you ever started a New [life] Chapter? How dod you feel just before you began to "write" that new chapter in your life?**

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

"Happy Birthday!"

Happy 234th Birthday Marines!



For all the [special] Marines in my life:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Normal people have 1 birthday... Marines have 2.

If you have already celebrated I hope you were S A F E. If you are Celebrating tonight or this weekend... please be safe, but have one HELL OF A GOOD TIME! (DRINK 1 for ME!)

SEMPER FI...


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Monday, November 9, 2009

"Q&A"

Hey yall. Sorry I have been MIA. I found myself in a funk. I hit a bloggersblock if you will.

But back in Oct. I asked all of my readers to ask me questions. They could have been Anom. or with your name.

I was expecting a lot of questions. Well I got just a few (3) so then I asked my twitterfam too! Well I only got two from them. So below are the 5 questions yall have asked.

Please feel free to ask me anything and I will save them and when I get enough (about 5) I will post the answers.

On to the questions at hand:


**Comment Questions**

-Why do you blog?
I started my blog as a way to update people on the progress of my pregnancy. I was having some placenta/blood flow to baby problems where she was not growing. I was having Dr. apts weekly by 30wks & ultrasounds every other week. It was just easier to blog and have everyone read it then have to tell & re-tell everyone what the Drs were saying about E. At one point we thought they were going to take her 8 weeks early she wasn't growing and barley weighed 3lbs. I was a mess & I was lucky to have this blog b/c there was no way I was going to be able to re-tell that over and over. I was so worried about my baby. But As time has gone on I feel it has morphed into a place I go to express my feelings, vent about different things & throw my opinion in there. I am sure it will continue to grow and change as I grow and change.

-How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging since Feb 2008. So almost 2 yrs!!

-Whats your fav part of blogging?
I have a lot of favorites, some of which re the release I get from writing, I have never been the best writer but I am decent when I actually try and put my mind to it, I mean I have been a "writer" since sophomore yr in highschool when I was on yrbk staff- Although editing is more my thing, I digress. I like to blog b/c I can just let it all hang out good or bad, its really just another way to express myself-- that takes me to my next fav... MY READERS!! Good or bad they still read (I think! Yall do, right?!) Yall make blogging all worth it. Yall pick me up when I am down-- My next fav is reading all my favie blogs, without writing I would not have found all the AMAZING bloggers that I love so much... these are the SAME bloggers that pick me up when I am down & I try to return the love. I love my microscopic corner in the interwebs and I love everyone who drops by for a visit.

**Twitter Questions**

-Whats one regret/ whats one part of your life you could take back?
I have been thinking about this question, a lot. I have thought about numerous things I would possibly change. I keep coming to the same conclusion... NOTHING. NOT A THING. Yes GD was a huge mistake but I got the best most amazing gift from that mistake, E... and she WAS NOT by any means a mistake. Everything I have done & experienced in my life whether I liked the outcome or not. Wether I think "Man I wish I wouldn't have done that" all brought me to where I am today. Without my past decisions I might not have my pretty, I might not have met M, none-the-less be w/him. I might not be 80days from starting GRAD SCHOOL & being that much closer to my dream of teaching tomorrows future. Although I am not proud of everything I have done in my life I am proud of where I am now. So I wouldn't take back a single thing.

-Could you live w/o social media (bloging, twitter, fb, etc)?
In a word- NO. Sad isn't it. I have an iPhone. It is my life line. I almost had a freaking fit when I realized I forgot it at home last week when I took E to swim refreshers! I get a lot of local/national news from social media. I stay in touch w.people who live all over the country via social media. I connect with other mothers, some I know most I don't and get tips and tricks on how to deal with temper tantrums, finicky eaters, etc... All sorts of things. Sometimes it can cause drama but most of the time it is a wonderful tool. If these sites are used correctly there is no limit to what you can do with them or who you can connect to!


I hope you enjoyed this little peak into my head. Feel free to ask more as you think of them or if you were to scared or timid before remember you can do it anom. if you would like.


Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Thursday, November 5, 2009

"They just don't know--"

How lucky they are. I don't know if you remember a few weeks ago I wrote about the 30something year old mother of two , Scarlett, who acted more like a child then a mother. How she pawns not one but BOTH her children off on anyone w.in an arms reach.

Well this past weekend she attended a family birthday party and upon her arrival her newborn, Olivia, was asleep in the babycarrier so she set the carrier down in front of a bedroom door and walked away. It wasn't until a family member came up to her holding the child did she know the child had awoken. She said "Oh would you mind changing her and then feeding her?" and went back to her conversation.

People, I can't make this stuff up.

My point is there are so many deserving people out there who would never in a million years act like this. I understand being tired after having a baby and wanting some help but she doesn't ever do anything, her mother is there at 7:45a and doesnt leave till 7:45p. Scarlett lies around all day and does nothing all day. I have actually never seen her hold Olivia.

Trust me I do know tired after a baby. I was still in school when E was born. But there was never a time when I just sat her down and basically had someone come up to me say "hey your baby is awake". Never. I obsessively checked on her, to the point where people told me to relax.

I feel for Olivia. She was not wanted. By that I mean she was by all accounts an "oopisie" baby. I hate saying that about any child, but she was not planned for. Scarlett and her husband Marcus were having marital problems and hadn't done what it takes to make a baby in some time-- if you get my drift. Then they got grandma and grandpa to watch their at the time 1yr old for the weekend to try and patch things up and went on a little weekend getaway. Well guess what happened? Olivia happened.

Scarlett was not happy while she was pregnant, miserable is more like it & made everyone else around her feel the same way.

This alone made me very upset, even more after I began to read Katie's Blog . I actually cried on occasion b/c its really not fair. (Im an emotional person and I get emotional for/ because of other people)

Although some might say who are you to decide who does and does not deserve a child? I am not saying that S&M don't deserve Olivia, I am not saying that by any means, they just take for granted the gift of being able to have children as it doesn't come so easy to everyone. They should learn to see how truly blessed they are.

Scarlett and Marcus are the type of people who will raise Olivia with resentment b/c she was a mistake and she will grow up feeling that and that is just not fair b/c she didn't ask to come into that family and to be treated as such.

But I know God has a plan for her and he will do miraculous things with her life. She has a wonderful set of grandparents too who I hope will help buffer that resentment, b/c I don't see Scarlett growing up anytime soon.

Thankfully she got her tubes tied, b/c at 38 she doesnt need to be having anymore children (hes only 28).

I hope I didn't offend anyone.

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

"Un-Paid Surrogate"

"Hey hon, Shes KICKING for the first time. I'm in line at the post office. I will be right over when I am done. Okay. I love you too. Bye"

That was one side of a phone convo I heard today while at the postoffice w.E. The woman behind me was if I had to guess about 20w pregnant. Give or take (and from the info in the call just kicking for the first time I assume I am right)

So I turned around and politely asked "When are you due?"

She said "Oh no sweetie... This isn't my baby... I am an unpaid surrogate for my brother and sister-in-law. I was just on the phone w.my SIL. Their daughter just kicked for the first time. I want her to feel it."

I was over-come with emotions. I recently started reading a friend of a friends BLOG . It is her and her husbands journey to starting a family & their troubles with infertility.

The woman went on to explain that her SIL was raped repeatedly as a small child by her step father and that the abuse pretty much destroyed her womb but that her eggs were just fine. Her and her brother are very close and that she has no desire to have children of her own but wanted to do whatever she could to help her brother and SIL.

She told me that thus far everything has gone smoothly & that she is more then willing to do it again for them when and if they wanted another child.

She said that she could in no way accept any money from them. She just couldn't fathom that. She said she feels she was put on this earth to help people, esp her family. She told me how their insurance covers all her medical expenses (she was temp added to their policy) and that they are present at all her doctor appointments.

She also told me about how it wasn't just about IVF-- she had to undergo numerous therapy sessions and right after the IVF was a success she had few more therapy sessions. But before the IVF happened she had to have a physical, bloodwork and have her womb checked to make sure she was healthy enough to carry a child to term.

I never realized how much went into being a surrogate. I thanked her for being so candid with me & wished her the best of luck with the rest of her brother & SIL's pregnancy. She smiled and said she loves to talk to people who are genuinely interested and who don't judge her the minute she she says "Oh this isn't my baby"

I have always thought about surrogacy & would I be able to do it? The answer is I don't know. It all depends on who it is for & what the circumstances are.

I would love to help out a couple who are having a problem having a child, her eggs and his sperm are fine but say something is just not clicking. I would love to be that person. I can honestly say I think it would have to be someone I am close to/know.

I would love to give the gift of a child to a loving couple who genuinely wants a child.

Since reading Katie's Blog I have educated myself on infertility and my outlook on alot of things such as mothering, unfit parents & such has changed drastically! I believe you will see a change in my posts.

I hope I don't offend anyone.

Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

"Bad Blogger"

Okay No excuses. I have been a bad bad blogger. I just basically dropped the ball.

Last week was a busy one. I just couldn't find the time.

I fail. :(

I had to get my stuffs ready for my GRAD SCHOOL interview & Get E's stuff ready for my mom.

It was the first time I have ever been away from her from more then 24hrs. I was very rough on me! I cried.

Then I had to go to the airport... There was miscommunication on who was picking me up. It ended up being dad :) -- hes a hoot. We talked about it & decided that he wanted to show me how to get to the school while it was still like out. All-in-all we had a good time.

Then we got to the house and got my stuff inside and there was some serious bank drama with M & his mom. Then I had a few E-mails to send before my interview the following day. Then we went out to dinner. Then it was off to see Andy! & Kdawg! For the 1st game of the series (like I cared... I dont do baseball... thank God for iPhone) Then bed. I was beat.

When I woke Thursday and after talking to my babygirl... I was like "Ok time to blog!" Then I got sidetracked b/c I was so nervous. I was like I will shower to relax and then it was downhill from there.

I got to the school & everything went great... besides the rain & I was w/o an umbrella, but I just brushed it off and carried on.

You're on the edge of your seat, I know, wondering... YES I got in!! haha.

I start Jan 25, 2010.

After getting that good news...

M I went to dinner --mmm OLIVE GARDEN mmm -- & he was like "Baby after dinner we gotta run over to the mall" I was like sigh more tools... he just laughed. Well we def. didnt look at tools. As we were walking we passed sears & I was like "honey... isn't that where we're going?" & He was like "No baby.. just come on" well we ended up @ ZALES!!!!! Squee!! He just wanted to get my very important finger sized & see what I liked & didn't.

I had no idea he "was there" I mean we talk about it all the time but that was huge & ALL HIM! Talk is cheap & he was showing me some action. He told me he's "been there" for a while now. Wow! Had no idea.

Anyways I didnt get back till evening the night before halloween... E & I had to carve pumpkins and such. Family time trumps blog.

So as you see I was busy last week I apologize. E is back in swim lessons... its jus refreshers! She did great.

Nicole won the contest... let me know girl.

I will be answering questions tomm so get you last min ?s in!!

I want to apologize now... for the next 53 days life is hectic so if my blogs are sporadic... thats why!
Thx for sticking with me [us]... the journey REALLY has just begun!


-Kelli-Sue


"Im on twitter!" ... Are you following me yet?