Update

We've been so boring lately! Colin steals my iPad if he sees me using it and I hardly get on the laptop so thus, no blogging!! 

This past weekend we went to our old town to check on our still for sale house. We tried to drum up some interest by advertising it on Facebook. We had several people stop by and look at it, which is awesome, just not sure if they really want to buy right now.

This week I've just been catching up with laundry from our weekend away. We had two play dates and went swimming one day and had a park date another day. We met a friend for lunch who happened to be in town and went to the children's museum this week, so Colin and I've been pretty busy!

On the home front Ryan and I've been battling bugs. He is after the wasps and I'm after the ants. Living further out of town and closer to the country has its pluses and minuses! Lol  I've been trying to do this the natural way and deter them safely,  but the ants made it in my house last week, so I went and bought poison, no more Mrs. Nice!  I get some sort of sick satisfaction from watching them bring poison down their little holes! Lol I'm pretty sure we have a ginormous colony and I'm hoping the poison at least calms it down a bit. I don't mind ants, but we have waaaay too many!   Ryan also bought poison after repeatedly knocking down wasp nests. He had 29 confirmed a last night!!!  Waaaay to many!  Hopefully we will be wasp free soon and our ant population will be normal instead of out of control.

We are all doing well adjusting to life here. I've been a SAHM for almost 6 months and it has gone by incredibly fast! I can't believe it! And wouldn't trade it for the world!  Will do a Colin update next week as he will be 21 months!!!  Almost 2, say what?? Make time stop!

When to have another baby

I've been asked like a million times over the past few weeks when we are having our next kid. I guess as soon as your kid is walking and talking people assume you need another. Now I'm not going to lie there have been quite a few instances lately where I've thought about another. Anytime i see a newborn baby my heart flutters. Colin is still my baby but he is soo big compared to a newborn and sometimes... Just sometimes I miss it. But then reality will hit and my crazy child will throw a tantrum and I'll be like... Nah, I'm good!!

Ryan is convinced that the perfect age gap is 4 years. That is what he and his brother are and they get along marvelously. Plus, that is all he knows... Well , that and his 13 year gap with his sisters. But ain't no way I'm waiting 13 years! As for me... I don't have siblings, so what do I know?!

I must admit I am a bit intimidated by the terrible twos. Colin has already started acting up a bit more and adding a baby to that scares me! I had initially thought maybe after he turned two we could try again. Last time it took 8 months of trying so if it is anything like that Colin very well might be 4 by the time he has a sibling! Lol But what if it happens right away and I'm too sick and pregnant to chase a wild crazy 2 year old around!! I think I will wait a bit, maybe try a little closer til 3 and just see how it goes.

But there are also other things to consider. Right now we still have 2 mortgages and only one income, so it is definitely not an ideal situation for another child. Another issue is Ryan's job. His mine is being sold in 3 years and the future of it is still up in the air. I'd hate to have 2 children, 2 mortgages and no jobs. Of course that is worst case scenario, but it is something to consider. I'd like to make sure our financial future is ok before I considered another.

So for now we will wait and enjoy our only child. But some day we would like him to be a brother and do all those cool sibling things that I never got to do!! I'm also really excited to have a baby again because I feel like with Colin I had no clue what I was doing. I didn't know how to breastfeed, how to hold him, change a diaper or swaddle. I was always second guessing myself and thinking I was doing everything wrong. Yet, here I am with a happy healthy 20 month old, so I obviously did something right! I'm excited for a second child so I can feel confident in my parenting from the very beginning and feel like I know what I'm doing!

Fashion post white AE shorts

I love American eagle, mostly because they fit me perfectly and I wear a size 6 there! Lol. I went shopping for my bday and wanted to get jean shorts. My sister in law suggested I try these white ones on and I didn't want to take them off!! I was in love! 

So here they are with a few different outfits. I was too lazy to use my fancy camera and Ryan put up a full length mirror in our closet, so these will have yo do! Lol. And don't forget the dressing room photo!! Lol 

Royal Baby is coming!

I'm totally excited about the Royal baby. Why? I don't really know. I've been obsessed with the royal family since I was a kid. My mom bought me a book on the Princess Diana and her boys... so we can go ahead and blame this obsession on her. I believe I am in between the two boy's age and  I used to dream I would marry one of them... Didn't every little girl??  Anyway, I grew up and realized I probably wouldn't marry them and  met my own prince... Ahhh... plus William is going bald and Harry seems a little wild.

It is an exciting time in history. A royal baby, an heir to the thrown. This kid, whoever he/she is, is our future and is going to a very powerful and adored individual. Judging by this kid's mother, I'm assuming it will be the best dressed kid around and not only will clothes be a trendsetter, but the baby's name and everything else they do will be!

I'm secretly hoping Kate becomes a breastfeeding advocate. If anyone could change breastfeeding, it could be her. People look up to her all over the world and I think she could really change the perspective of it. If only I could call her and tell her that... although now may not be a good time...

So stay tuned people... the baby is coming today.

Update: HE is here!! 

http://blogs.babycenter.com/celebrities/prince-william-kate-middleton-welcome-a-boy-name-not-known-0722201/

I'm back!!

Whew! What a whirlwind of a few weeks! I've literally driven to Albuquerque and back FIVE times in the past few weeks! I'm beyond over that drive and traveling and so happy to be home!

We enjoyed spending time with our families, but I think we are secretly ready to be back to our normal routine and family of 3.

My jogging stroller got a flat about 2 weeks ago and so my exercise went out the window. I did a few online videos, a few swimming sessions with the sister in laws and one day of hiking, but nothing regular. That and with 2 teenage girls visiting... I ate a lot of ice cream that I normally do not eat! So... needless to say I gained some weight. Boo!! But Ryan and I both ran this weekend and we were back to our normal diet and I've already lost 2 pounds! Woo Hoo!

Colin has been a holy terror since we've been home. I'm not sure if it is terrible twos starting or if he is just adjusting to being back home without company. Either way it is not fun. Today is going a little better, so I'm hoping it was just an adjusting phase!

I've got a few topics I'd like to blog about so, stay tuned!!  That a few fashion posts up my sleeve!

Phone dump!!

Sister in laws are still visiting so I haven't had much blogging time!! Here are pictures! I got a swing for the backyard for my bday, which is awesome! Took the girls shopping, for pedicures and hiking and boy was hiking an experience!!! It not only dumped rain, but hailed on us!!! 

4 th pictures!!!

AUNTIES

We are having soo much fun hanging out with Ryan's sisters! Yesterday we did a photo shoot at a park, went swimming and then had Froyo!!  Can you say perfect day... oh yeah and Colin slept until 10 this morning... guess we wore him out! Lol 

Here are some of the pictures from our nephew/aunt photo shoot!!

Birthday weekend

 Well I am officially 28 years old...er young????!!! Lol 

We had a mild 4th and barbecued at home, drank some wine and lit a few sparklers for Colin. He was asleep before the fireworks shows, so I guess we will save fireworks for next year. 

We had a nice lunch on the 5th, my actual bday, before heading to Albuquerque. We picked up my brother in law for the weekend and then the next day picked up my sister in laws. They get to stay with us for a little over a week! I am soo stoked to spend time with them ! 

We had a nice bday dinner and a coldstone dessert courtesy of my good friend Dawn!  I had more ice cream this weekend than I have in months!! But I will exercise like a mad woman this week to make up for it! 

Here are some pictures of our fun weekend! I feel very blessed to have such great family and friends!!

Love

The love I have for my child amazes me everyday. 

We've had a rough several weeks having 2 funerals in 2 weeks. The first being Ryan's great grandma and the second being Ryan's college roommate. 

Ryan's great grandma's funeral was sad, but she lived a very long and fruitful life. Ryan's college roommate was another story.

Seeing a family lose their son at a young age was incredibly hard. Perhaps even harder was watching a mother mourn her child. Parents aren't supposed to lose their children. That just isn't how it is supposed to work, but sometimes life isn't fair. 

But it definitely puts things into perspective. I was thinking on our drive home that I am not even sure I knew what love is or how much I could love someone until I had a child. Sure I loved my family and I loved my husband, but I'm not sure that love quite compares to the love I have for Colin!

He is a part of me. A peice of me. 

Not only that, but my heart explodes with joy when I see him learn, love and laugh. 

He is my world and I never knew this world existed before him.  

The past few weeks made me squeeze my loved ones a little tighter. Life is too short and you will never know when your time is up. I am soo incredibly happy that I get to stay home with Colin right now and watch him learn and grow everyday. These are years I will never get back and I treasure every moment! I am so lucky that this is my reality and my life. I feel more blessed than I could ever imagine. 

I've changed more in the past 2 years than I have in the 28 Ive been alive and I owe it all to motherhood. It has taught me more than I can put into words, but the most important thing is selfless, unconditional, crazy LOVE.

So soak it all up, every single minute of it because life is short and comes at you fast!

Finding myself and being happy

I read a quote the other day about things you need to do to be happy. I know it sounds silly... why do we need to be told what we need to be happy. But it is true. We struggle being happy because of silly little things that we cannot let go.  As I began reading the quote I assumed I would be able to say I did everything on the list... but then I got to one and I stopped.  It said, Stop comparing yourself to others.  How many of us do this?? I think especially women have a hard time with this. So I set out to work on it.

Whenever I catch myself comparing I can now acknowledge it and dissuade it. I do it often so at first it was a challenge. I see someone and I think Oh look at her outfit or look how skinny she is... and I want to be that and I get envious or even down on myself because I don't look like that person. Now I try to channel that differently and just say, Oh she is really pretty and has an awesome body or outfit and end story. There is no need to compare myself with her, because I am not her. I am me.

If I can be happy with who I am and what I am doing with me, then there is no need to compare with anyone else. It will just make me unhappy. It is a daily battle, I must admit, but I feel like I'm making progress. In  fact, this is a sad but true story... I would see myself without my hair done and without makeup and just think, yuck! The other day I was getting my hair cut and the lady had my hair all pulled back in a towel and I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, I'm pretty. Where usually I would tear myself apart somehow. We are so mean to ourselves sometimes and I wish we would learn to love ourselves. Nobody is the same, we are all unique and beautiful in our own way.

I feel more confident now than I probably ever have in my life. I am comfortable in my skin. It may have taken 28 years, but I am. I am me and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So challenge yourself to be happy. Find something that you know is holding you back and try to work on changing it so you can be happy inside and out. Life is too short for any other way.

I've been scouring the internet to find that quote, but I can't find it... here is a close second. And when I read it, the next thing I need to work on is Forgiveness. I am a grudge holder and have a lot of people that I haven't forgiven for some reason or another. It is hard for me to forgive... but I will work on it! ;)

Weekend!

This weekend I convinced my hubby to take me out hiking! I can't even tell you how much I miss hiking! I went maybe several times a month for work in my old job, some months more than others and I've only gone once since January! Sad!

So when my hubby asked what I wanted to do this weekend, I quickly piped in, hiking! We went up to an area in Colorado I've been wanting to explore for a few weeks. It was north of Durango a bit and a few rough miles on a dirt road. The trail head was at this cute little pond filled with lily pads and beaver dams. Not something you see in New Mexico! The trail was about 2 1/2 miles round trip and the mid point was a beautiful lake! Spud lake is what it is called. Now I am not a big fan of lakes.. They are usually deep and dark and creepy. I'm always afraid there is some monster that is going to eat me underneath that dark water.... But this lake was different. Maybe cause we hiked uphill it was that much more rewarding and a refreshing sight, but the water was soo clear! If I had brought a bathing suit I probably would have swam in it!

It was a neat little adventure and I will definitely go back! I can't wait to explore more of Colorado! Also, we need to invest in a backpack to carry Colin in! It probably took us triple the time because Colin wanted to hike, which is fine, but he is a dangerous hiker and doesn't always stay on the trail. So I was constantly hovering him as he tried to climb big rocks and sticks... Doing everything the hard way! I love that he is a little adventurer, but if we plan to go out hiking often, we need a backpack! Here are some pictures!

The lessons we learn in church...

Going to church with a toddler is always an adventure. ( No, my church doesn't have a nursery or anything of the sort)

Anywho, I come to church every week armed... Armed with: Sippy cup, snacks...several, in case one isn't what said toddler wanted, books... Lots of books and toy cars that can be driven all over the pew and kneeler with minimal noise.

Colin *usually* does ok in church. He gets a little antsy, but we manage to make it through every week with little chaos. He is loves when it is time to shake people's hands and has started folding his hands to pray which is very cute... But occasionally something out of the ordinary happens and today was one of those days.

We got to church a few minutes late and my husband spotted some seats near the front (where we never usually sit... Don't judge it is easier to leave with a fussy kid when you are in the back!) and we quietly made our way to the seats. We were doing pretty well... Then... Right before communion... Everyone was quietly praying and the deacon was kneeling at the front of the aisle. Colin drops his jeep car and not only does it fall, but it rolls... 5 rows.... and right through the middle of the aisle... Only stopping a few inches from the deacons foot. My heart starts racing and I go in panic mode! I was going to just wait until we were done praying and then go grab it, but then I realized the deacon could easily step backwards on it and fall... And I did not want to be responsible for that! My husband encouraged me that while everyone was praying would be the perfect time to go snatch it! So I did! Judging by the dirty looks I got from some of the older ladies, it may not have been the best time. And yes, people watched it all go down and we had a few chuckles!

Moral of the story... Only vehicles with 3 tires are allowed in church from now on! And Jesus is The Lord! Yeah, we still managed to get a little out of mass! I thank The Lord everyday for blessing me with this angel who makes our, days, nights and especially church much more interesting!

Clingasaurous Colin

Colin has turned into a clingy monster. He was always really close to me, but it has gotten much worse since we moved and I stay home with him 24/7.

I've only been away from him twice since we moved her... Maybe 3 times. And he used to handle it well, now not so much. The other morning I wanted to go for a run without the jogging stroller...so I had Ryan watch him. He literally screamed the entire time I was gone and when I walked through the door he gave me a big hug and didn't let go for about 30 minutes. Sweet, but Daddy didn't think so!

When we were visiting our family last weekend we went out for a little date and  and he was distracted, but very sad the whole time.

I really hope this is just a clingy phase, but I fear I am ruining him forever! I am not ready for him to do daycare or anything, I am thinking maybe a half day or two after he turns 2 and mostly for socialization.  

What do you all think? 

Are your kids clingy or do they go through clingy stages?

In our old town, not only did I work, but I had the next door neighbors babysit a couple times a month so I could exercise.  He loved it and had fun playing while I got my breaks and here in our new place we don't have that.   We still don't know very many people and I haven't met anyone who would be a good sitter yet. I mean I'd trust our neighbors and some friends I've made, but they have their own kids and hands full and I would feel bad asking, unless it was an emergency.

I've heard they go through clingy stages around 18 months, so I'm hoping that is it. And I know the fact that we are still nursing is probably a major factor in this. I just hope he isn't totally clingy his whole life... Then again when I see how scary the world is sometimes I think I will be ok if he never wants to leave my side!  ;)

Here is a phone dump of me and my shadow!