Tuesday, August 3, 2010

too much of a good thing

It is at least a good thing to me. I am talking about The Bachelorette and upcoming Bachelor Pad. For some of you, you could care less but I get so involved in these shows and start rooting for people and I want to see the outcome. Last night as I was watching the season finale of The Bachelorette, I saw countless ads for the upcoming show The Bachelor Pad, which just happens to start next Monday. Don't get me wrong, this will be very entertaining and full of drama which I love but can't we take a break. I actually said that to myself. AND I love these shows, so it must be time for a break.

On to my next topic. Last night Ali picked Roberto, and they are cute together but I feel so awful for Chris. He looked like he really had his heart broken. Poor guy, this does happen in everyday life to great guys and girls all the time. This is just public so it makes it hurt more I am sure. I am hoping that Ali and Roberto make it work, this show needs more positive outcomes. That is my opinion. What do you think??


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

catching up

I have been slacking on my blog. I know, I know, it doesn't take much time to sit and write something. It must be the fact that I really don't have much to write about. Since our trip to Jamaica, which was amazing and everyone needs to go, we have been busy with various things. Kayle is back in school two days a week, Brandon started back at school, and Makenna and I have started going to a class for babies. Well, sorta babies, the kids in the class range from 18 mos to 3 years. BUT I will still call Makenna a baby until she starts talking to me more.

Nothing big going on in our life until September when we go house hunting. I cannot wait for that!!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

this is all I can think about...


We have worked so hard at saving our money for this trip for the past year and as it is now about a week and half away. I am getting very anxious!! Just Brandon and me!!!! Jamaica, here we come!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPVV)

My most recent posting was about doctor visits and my aging. Well, I am pleased to say I am not dying :) I have BPPV which is annoying but easy to treat. I was concerned I had a tumor or brain aneurysm the way I was feeling. I find this video very interesting so I thought I would share it. This is the technique I had done to clear it up. Today was hopefully my last treatment. Watching this video kind of freaks me out to know my eyes were moving like that and I had no idea. SO WEIRD how the body works together!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

I am getting older... and my body knows it

I will be 29 in a couple weeks and as much as I love birthday's, I am really not looking forward to this one. In the past 5 months I have been to the Doctor, for various things, more times than I have been in the past 5 years. Of course minus the children. That was a different kind of Doctor. I had a horrible lung issue, and then my regular check-up which included a blood check. Then I went to the dentist for my regular checkup and found a cavity and a dead tooth. JOY. So, that lead me to an endodontist to get the root canal done. That took 2 visits to complete. Next, my dentist completed my cavity filling and started bleaching my dead tooth (it was 2 shades darker than the ones next to it). This took 3 separate visits to the dentists to complete. So, I am good with my doctor visits right????? NOPE! I thought it would be fun to have my eyes checked. No, really I am getting dizzy and feeling nauseous, that meant back to my primary Doctor to get checked out. After various test there I was told to go back to the hospital lab for more blood work and told to see an *eye man. OH, not to mention somewhere in there I have been going to the dermatologist to clear up my icky skin. AND that is not to my liking, I don't think my regimen is working.

As I near the 30's I see nothing but bad news in the health department. It is really aggravating to me. At least I have a great husband around to watch the kiddos!!

*My appt. is next week, who knows what that will involve...

Monday, April 26, 2010

Kayle ballet recital

This is Kayle's ballet recital. I took the video on my camera so it is not good quality but I am proud of her!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

something new

We took an outing to Target today to get a few things, just like any weekend trip to Target. We really just want to get out into some fresh air and we need one thing which turns into a handful of things. Anyway, walking down the aisle of hair stuff I said to Brandon, "I want to dye my hair and his response was, "your not happy or you, you want a change?". Yes, he is right. I want a change. I want a change in my undesirable and un-pretty hair, a change in where we live, and a change in my life. I don't know what I need. Something new. I am happy with Brandon, Kayle, and Makenna but everything else is kind of blah. Maybe when we move to Northern Virginia in Decemeber things will be better. Monterey is nice but it is not great and I am thankful we only have 18 months total here.

I am bored here. I loved gong to jazzercise and I always feel great afterwards but I just need something else. I miss a mall. I miss walking around the park with Erin and Dominic. I think I actually miss Virginia. Who knows what will happen when we move but I am ready for the change.


On another note, my kids are so cute!








Thursday, March 11, 2010

Nap time joys

I am passing time right now typing away waiting for Makenna to fall asleep. She needs to nap and it is nap time but for some reason, she is fighting it today. I have things I need to get done; clean the bathroom, sweep the floors, and other random things. All which involve walking on this creaky floor that makes loud noises in her room. I can't stand this house. I am all for the money we are saving, that has allowed us to enjoy ourselves in Cali, but while we are in the house, oye! I just have to remind myself it is not permanent and be thankful we have a roof over our heads.

On to my next topic in my head. I need to brag about Kayle... that is what mother's are supposed to do right??? Brag?! Well, Kayle is writing her name (not all the time but it is happening more and more), she is putting her jacket and socks on by herself, and she is also setting the table at night. I am so proud of my little girl! She is still in love with preschool, it is the best thing to her. Besides her daddy and mommy! She has two boys that she talks about non stop and almost blushes while talking about it. I think it is cute, not sure how Brandon feels though.

Makenna is still crying... but it has turned into a wine with sudden outburst of screams. I can understand this cry, "Momma, you have forgotten me and I am wanting you now!". That is what I hear. ahhhh, this is the though part of parenting. Makenna is attached to me and follows my EVERY move. I need to stop this, I love that she loves me, don't get me wrong, but I don't want my kids to not be able to function without me. Kayle was never like this with me, I am hoping Makenna will grow out of it.

OK, I am rambling.

Monday, March 8, 2010

NPS= Masters degree and mini vacations


We just got back from another mini vacation. We are exploring California and taking advantage of the free time Brandon has while getting his Master's at NPS. This past weekend we drove down to the Santa Barbara area and met our good friends Keith and Chrissy Schwennesen and their adorable 3 kids. We have not all been together for awhile now so this trip was well overdue. We met at a cabin in the woods by some Lake (I cannot remember the name of it!!) The cabin was what we all needed! We saved money by staying here because we were able to cook our own food instead of going out for every meal. It was great! It was also very relaxing. Even with 5 kids around us, we all talked about how easy going the whole weekend was. We did not have cell phone service where we were and there was no cable. We just had ourselves, kids who played GREAT together, good wine, and games.

On Saturday we decided to venture out and headed to Slovang, a Danish town near Santa Ynez. We walked around and did a little shopping and ate some danish food. The yummiest was the aebleskiver, which is a puffed pancake ball drizzled with rasberry jelly and powdered sugar. The restaurant wasn't the greatest but the food was good. It was a really cool town to walk around and I highly recommend anyone exploring that area. On Sunday before we left, we explored Santa Barbra a little bit and enjoyed a face full of wind and sand (it was extremly windy that day), we ate lunch on the pier and then said our goodbyes. We had such a great time and I cannot wait for the next get together!!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Back across we go....

In December of this year Brandon graduates from Naval Post Graduate school which mean it will be time for something new. Yesterday we found out he will be working in the Pentagon. That means we will have to trek across the United States once more. AND I know this will not be the last time, SIGH, but we will enjoy our time there. I am excited to go live near all the museums and cultural things that Washington DC has to offer. I know that there will be a ton of things to offer for all of us.

However, this was Brandon's third choice to do a tour in Arlington, VA. His top choice was Sydney, Australia and second choice was off the Island of Sicily in Italy. We really wanted to go out of this country! The thought of living in Sydney was really exciting. Brandon's detailer, (the guy in charge of his next orders), even told Brandon verbally that he was number one for Sydney. That made us really excited. We didn't talk about it much because we worried that if we did, it wouldn't happen. Well, that didn't matter. We didn't get it obviously. Apparently, both of Brandon's top two choices needed him sooner than he could get there because of school... bummer... something out of our control. Brandon needs to graduate!

SO, here we are ready for our next adventure, which is still months away!! I am ready to start looking into schools and the good areas to live. It kinda freaks me out, by the time we leave, Kayle will be in second grade, AAAAAHHHHHH. I am excited for the shopping and good food. It will be nice to even be closer to some friends I made while we lived in Virginia Beach. It will be good for Brandon to work in the Pentagon with the top military guys too I suppose. Although, he said his job will be not desirable I have to be thankful to be with him!


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lake Tahoe trip with a 15 month old and 3 1/2 year old



Sounds fun right???? It was at some points but not at others. It was an adventure that Brandon and I will never forget for several reasons. Let me start with our drive up there. We left Thursday afternoon and the drive was great until we hit the mountains and it started snowing, and it is dark. For anyone who knows me I don't handle weather conditions well, even when I am in the passenger seat. Our windshield wipers were acting weird and semi trucks were passing us and kicking up dirt and ice. I was FREAKING out. I was trying so hard to stay calm and let Brandon focus on the drive and I started shaking and could not stop. I get really freaked out, it is silly, but that is what I do. Thankfully we made it to our hotel with no problems.

Friday morning we woke up ready to go hit the snow, we headed to Squaw Valley for the day, excited to see this place for several reasons. One, it is big and fancy and second, the Olympics were held there about 50 or 60 years ago so it has to be cool!. We got there about 9 am and sat in the car for about 30 minutes trying to figure out how we are going to carry everything we needed for the day. Here is what we needed: a baby, a toddler, 2 bags full of random things, my skis, boot, and poles and Brandon's skis boots and poles. Brandon decided to come back for our ski stuff at some point and we set of to figure out where we would sit for the day (because not having anyone to watch the kids we would be skiing separately). I was walking with Kayle while he had Makenna who is getting pretty heavy these days. Brandon took off while Kayle and I were chugging behind. I look up at one point and Brandon is no where to be found! UUGGGHHH I start getting really upset because this place is big, how could he loose us. Kayle and I search for him everywhere and I honestly have no clue where he went. So, we sit down on a bench and just wait. Finally Brandon came out and found us.

Anyways, after we finally get settled, Brandon went back to the car to get out skis and stuff, he put them in our sled and drug them behind him. He said they kept falling out of the sled (HAHA) and had a hard time. I had to laugh at something. We were exhausted and frustrated at the day. Now it was lunch time. Kayle spilt her drink everywhere, fun! Next onto Kayle's ski lessons. She loved it, THANK GOODNESS! Brandon actually got to ski a little bit during her lessons while I watched Makenna nap. Then we left. In a nutshell; Squaw Valley is not the best place if you have little kids, it is way to spread out and hard to manage.

Saturday, Alpine Meadows. We knew what to expect. We put Makenna in the stroller and stuffed as much as we could in that thing and managed to walk with everything in one trip. I went skiing for an hour while Brandon watch the girls. Alpine Meadows has an indoor play area for kids that was exactly what we needed, Makenna and Kayle both loved it and played ALL day long while Brandon and I took turns skiing. Kayle even got to go out a couple times with Brandon and LOVED it, she wanted to go fast down the hill with him.

We left Sunday after a quick trip to the sledding hill. We had fun but I highly suggest going when were kids can be in a all day ski program or day care!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Potty Training

It has been one year since I started potty training Kayle. I feel like it has been forever! When we first started the process I knew we would be moving soon and I wanted to try to get it accomplished before we left. That gave me about 5 months to do it, plenty of time I thought. I had no idea how time consuming and involved potty training was and still is!

We started just introducing her to the potty chair and watching videos or reading books about the potty business. She showed little interest but we just kept it up. Eventually she would sit on the potty, which she got a little 'treat' for. I wanted to reward anything!! I cannot remember the first time she actually did any kind of business in the potty chair but I was really excited! After that, she began refusing to go near her potty chair. SO, my genius and creative sister (who was visiting at that time) suggested decorating it and bringing in the potty fairy! We put gems and glitter glue all over that thing! Then, that night we put a note on her chair from the fairy potty saying she would bring Kayle something special if she peed or pooped in the toilet! Somehow, that worked and she peed in the toilet. The potty fairy came for 3 nights and it seemed to get her going.

While we still had many accidents, Kayle was starting to show improvement. It came time to move and Kayle traveled in Pull-ups, occasionally peeing in a public restroom. Once we settled in we got into a routine and she had 2 months to get it down because once she was in preschool she had to be potty trained, (that is what I told her). Well, preschool started and she got it down. It is funny but it is almost as if she was just waiting for preschool to start. I don't know.

We maybe have an accident once a month, maybe! Night training is another story but I am happy to say that a year later, we have success!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Goal jeans

Everybody or maybe every woman has a pair of jeans or pants that are her goal size. Mine are my jeans from Banana Republic, they fit great and are really comfortable. I like the size on the label so they have been my goal since Makenna was born. I lost all the baby weight months ago but my hips weren't back to normal when I tried last month. Today I tired them on and they fit! I jumped up and down full of excitement. It is really something when you reach your goal, whatever kind of a goal it is. It makes you feel good. Everyone who has had kids says give it a full year to get your body back to normal. The hips and pelvic region take time to get back to your pre pregnancy body. Well, 15 months later I am happy to say I made it into my goal jeans. It is a good day :)

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Tuesday night work outs

The new season of Biggest Loser started last Tuesday night and I made the suggestion that for at least one hour during that show Brandon and I should work out together. Do something. I don't care what. So, last week we worked on our abs, I was sore for 3 or 4 days after that! I think we might work on our abs again tonight since I really need to firm up the mommy tummy. Brandon is the only person who can motivate me enough to do the abs stuff. I cannot stand it!! I would rather do lunges all day long than sit and do 10 minutes of abs work, so this is not fun. However, I do enjoy doing this with Brandon. It also helps while we watch other people working out.

I think it is good to do something like that as a couple rather than sitting on the couch. Both Brandon and I get Women's Health/ Men's Health magazines so we can come up with some good abs stuff from there. I don't think I realized how much you can do with that area of your body. Maybe someday I will learn to enjoy it... Maybe!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Time for something new

It is a new year which calls for a new me! I am done breast feeding, my body is getting back to normal finally, and I can finally do whatever I want and not worry about harming my baby. It is a great feeling knowing we are done having kids and it makes me want to focus more on my self now. SO.... with the new year that is what I am going to do!

I have decided I want to grow my hair out, maybe just to around my shoulders. That is long for me! Then maybe add in some highlights, who know where I will go but my hair style needs a change. I also want to start cooking better things for my family. I love to cook but I need to start healthier recipes. I say this as I have chocolate chip cookies in the oven. Sweet treat are still important though, occasionally!

I am excited for the new year!