Love the long weekends!

So Friday night we had the Goodrich Thanksgiving. Presley was extremely whiny all day...and she continued that night as well. She pouted if anyone would look at her, wouldn't let anyone hold her. It was fun, as long as everyone left her alone! :) Occasionally she would crawl over to take toys away from her little cousin Ava. Ava, is 3 months younger than Presley but only weighs 1 lbs less! Here is Ava posing for the camera!
Presley had done a very good job of sleeping this weekend and that makes us very happy! I think I might be more tired now that I'm actually getting more than 8 hours of sleep a night. She went to sleep at 8:15 pm Friday night and didn't get up till 8 am Saturday morning! Yeehaw!!!
Saturday we just hung out, got some errands done and went to dinner. Presley loves getting water from a straw!

She thinks she is such a big girl!

Here is Presley walking behind her walking toy. She likes to walk back and forth across the room, sometimes she goes too fast and ends up face-planting onto the ground but usually she doesn't cry. One tough cookie!

I don't want to show you her Christmas dress yet, but we got a cute little headband and bow to matcher her outfit. Here is a sneak peak at her bow! :) I'm not sure I like this picture or not, but either way I think it's funny!

We haven't done any bows or headbands yet, for one she hasn't had enough hair! and they always seems like a pain in the ass. So now that she is getting hair and she is pretty good about leaving hats on, I'm hoping we'll use more bows now.

Saturday night she slept from 7:30 pm to 7:15 am! Goooooooo Presleeeeyyyyyy!!!!!!!! But so far today, she has been extremely whiny again! I'm going to see New Moon with Holly, so good luck to Steve this afternoon! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a good time in Creston Wednesday night, we were able to see a lot of people that we don't get to see. Presley slept pretty good considering she was in a different place. She did decide that she was going to wake up at 5:30 Thursday morning. Ugh. So we got up and ready and headed back to Des Moines for Moeller family Thanksgiving.
Presley got this super cute, first Thanksgiving outfit from her great-grandparents! So we had to get a picture of her with her first daycare art project! :) a turkey, made by tracing her cute little hand. She was proud of her work!

Presley was very good at my parents house, she wore that ridiculous hat all day and her afternoon nap was perfectly timed with our dinner! That was nice and convenient! ha!

Here is Grandma Becky and Presley, so happy!

Wife of the year!

So this past weekend was a busy one. Steve went to Iowa City all weekend...two nights...to go to the game and hang out with his friends. Aren't I a nice wife? A bunch of his highschool friends were going and he doesn't get to see them that often and it sounded like fun to me, so how could I expect him to stay home and miss out? I don't want to be one of those wives who doesn't "allow" her husband to do anything. I wasn't going to be mad, we didn't get in a fight about it....I just don't like those couples, and feel sorry for them. I want to be able to go out and have fun, why shouldn't he?
In addition to Steve being gone, I also helped plan a babyshower for my good friend Cindy! My mom was nice enough to watch Presley for a couple hours so I could get prepared and help set-up! It was a success and Presley was very good at the shower, once she got used to everyone.
Overall Presley and I had a good weekend without dad, despite the fact that she didn't want to take her afternoon naps. She did sleep from 7:30 pm to 7 am both nights! Praise the Lord, my baby will sleep!!!!!

Well we are off to Creston tomorrow night to hang out! We don't even have Thanksgiving in Creston, but we always go back to see everyone who is home for the holiday. Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Kathy are being nice enough to watch Presley for a couple hours while we go out! I really need to download and post pictures soon!
Everyone have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Couple pics

We had girls night last Friday, here is a picture of Holly and our wonderful friend April! Aren't they adorable!
Here is Miss Presley hanging out in her onesie and socks. Very stylish!

We made cinnamon rolls for dad Sunday morning (yeah right, really we made them for me and he got what was leftover). She wanted to help, she did a good job.

Exercise?

So I never used to run until about 5 years ago. I started running with my friend Cindy, she kept me going. Not very often I ran very far without her, she was a machine and that helped motivate me, though I still can't run as far as she can. I actually liked running! I ran two 5K's at the Dam to Dam, I felt good about myself. Even when I started out and I could only run 1/2 mile then 1 mile, I felt a sense of accomplishment because I never thought I would be able to run.
I always thought it was ridiculous when people said the first mile is the hardest, but they are right. I don't know if you just get used to breathing right or going thru the motions of running....or if you just go numb!
Well I haven't been running or really any continuance exercise for a little over a year, I hate it. I weigh more now than I ever have (not pregnant), which is now about 10 pounds heavier than before I was pregnant. I watch the Biggest Loser, usually on my couch eating something I'm not supposed to.
I realize when parents say they don't have the time, they really don't. Sure I could work out after work, I could join a gym. I drive by Aspen every day.....hell, I have a treadmill in my basement! But I literally only see Presley for 2 hours a night. That is not enough time. I could workout after she goes to bed or get up in the morning before work but let's be realistic that ain't happenin'. I don't get up early by choice and after I get comfy at home in my sweats, yeah I don't move from the couch.
So I've decided to take time and walk over my lunch hour in the skywalk. It's actually kind of nice to get away from my desk with some time to think by myself. So my goal is to walk 20-30 minutes at least 3 times a week. I know it isn't a lot, but it's better than nothing!

9 month stats at 9 1/2 months

Presley had her 9 month appt today. She was pretty good, she likes the nurse alot more than she likes the doctor!
She is 19 lbs 11 oz which is the 65th percentile, up from the 50th % and she is 27 1/2 inches tall which is the 49th percentile. We joke that she is short and fat, but really she is just right! :)
The doctor was happy with her growth and development. She was happy that Presley will stand flat-footed since most still like to stand on their tippy toes. The doctor said she wouldn't be surprised if she was walking by her 1st birthday b/c she is so strong-willed. 1) Strong-willed is definitely a good word for Presley. 2) her 1st birthday? yeah right, and we thought she'd be crawling by 7 months, that didn't happen.
Presley also got her flu shot, we skipped the H1N1 shot. I'm just not convinced that she needs it. Hopefully, I won't regret that and she'll stay healthy! She was very good for her flu shot, she cried more when the doctor was checking her over than she did for the shot! That's right, she's one tough cookie!
I had to make her 1 year appointment for the first week of February. :( That makes me sad. Times really does go too fast!

Attitude

I put my 9 month old in size 12 month pajama's tonight. They were a little big on her, but not too big that she couldn't wear them. My baby is growing too fast! Someone make it stop! She is so fun right now, I don't want her to get older!

She also loves grandma! She doesn't want to leave grandma when I pick her up! I figured this would happen eventually, and I'll try not to take it personally! :)

Presley is starting to throw fits. Isn't she too young for this? She was eating yogurt bites and they were gone, she got all tense and starting screaming and crying b/c she wanted more yogurt bites! I gave her Cheerios instead and in between every Cheerio she cried and swung her arms around, b/c that is not what she wanted! Calm down child!

We tried to watch Sleeping Beauty this afternoon. I never realized that Sleeping Beauty is 16 years old and falling in love. They need to rethink her age. She needs to be about 25 before they make her falling in love and getting married! What are these Disney people thinking? :)

Tis the season...

to be thankful!
Seems the new trend on Facebook is to post something you are thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. So I'm going to condense it all into one blog to make it easy. 11 days until Thanksgiving, so here are 12 things I am thankful for....in no particular order! :)

1. My Husband- You are my rock. You keep me from going crazy and drive me crazy all at the same time. In the last 9 months I have learned that you have much more patience that I do and that you are a wonderful father. You make me laugh, and I am lucky to have you.
2. Presley Grace - Even though I have complained about you more than once, we are thankful that we have such a beautiful, happy, healthy baby. You amaze us! You are more work than we ever expected, but seeing that smile every day makes it worth it!
3. My parents - I am thankful that we are lucky enough to have you so close to us. You are great role models, in both marriage and parenting. You have always been there for us! I am thankful that Presley will get to grow up close to her grandparents!
4. Family - I am thankful that both our families are so close. That if we ever need anything we know we can count on them. I am thankful that we are lucky enough to plan reunions and vacations so that we are able to spend time with each other. We are also thankful that both of our families conveniently celebrate the holidays at different times, that way we don't have to pick and choose who we are going to spend time with!
5. My sisters and girlfriends- You all rock! I am so lucky to have wonderful sisters and awesome girlfriends! You all have been more than willing to babysit Presley (some of you may regret offering after the time you have spent with her! :). I am thankful that we started Girls Night Out about 3 years ago and that we can still get 15 girls out for dinner, drinks and talking. You guys make me laugh, you relax me, you make me happy. Whether I have known you for 10 years or 10 months, I am thankful to have you in my life!
6. Our jobs- I am thankful that we have both been lucky enough to maintain our jobs thru all the layoffs going on.
7. Health insurance- I am thankful we didn't have to pay the full medical bill after having Presley. Other people aren't so lucky. Either way the epideral is worth it, insurance or not! :)
8. Daycare- We are thankful that we have the best babysitter/daycare provider in the world. Who doesn't charge us full price even though she probably should, given the difficult child we have. We are thankful that we didn't have to place her in a daycare center, the level of care might be the same but the level of love can't compare to what we have. Thank you!!!
9. People who inspire me - as I mentioned in my previous post, there are a lot blogs from people that inspire me. They make me want to be a better, nicer person. Most of these people I don't know, but I am thankful for the people I actually know who inspire me. Susie - You are the most determined person I know. Holly - You shaved your head, need I say more. Colleen- I wish I had your drive and energy. Jay - You and your wife deserve the best. I could go on and on with details about these 4 people and others but there just isn't time right now. I am thankful enough to have ALL of you to look up to.
10. The ability - the ability to do what we want. the ability to have things we want or need. the ability to have cars, cell phones, internet, cable, a house. the ability to perform our every day activities with no problems or challenges. Everyone takes these things for granted, but I am thankful we have the ability to live our lives the way we do.
11. Technology - I am thankful for the technology that allows me to take pictures and videos of my baby. To be able to post them on this blog so my family out of state can watch her grow. To have Facebook and reconnect with people that I haven't talked to in years. It is great to catch up and be nosy! :)

There is a brief summary of what I am thankful for during this Thanksgiving season. There are so many other things I could list out! Basically, we have a pretty good life. I need to stop my complaining and realize that we have things pretty darn good!

Why?

Why does the dentist ask you questions when they have your mouth pryed open?

Why do I love when someone is driving fast and bobbin and weavin thru traffic and they get stopped at a red light. Or they are in the lefthand lane and get behind someone waiting to turn left. Sweet satisfaction rushes thru me!

Why is it every year about this time we struggle with money? Every year! and we haven't bought any Christmas presents yet....and then February hits and we get our tax returns and we get back on track for another 9 months. It's annoying!

Why are there some people that you just can't get along with? I know different personalities, beliefs, opinions....blahblah. There is one specific person at work that I DO NOT mesh well with. I don't know if he feels the same toward me, but I purposely walk the other direction or avoid my own desk if I know he is looking for me! I think I'm nice to most people at work, but he just pushes my buttons and irritates me. He is the one person that I will be mean to! I'm not the only one who feels this way about this person, so it's not me!

Blogs

As you might have noticed I have a list of the blogs that I follow. Some of these blogs are about friends and family. Most of my list are about people that I have never met, but I feel like I know these families! Some of them I have been following for a couple years, I have seen their children grow! I don't know why everyone else's lives interest me so much, maybe it is the way they write, or the jokes inside their stories, or the struggles of their every days lives. A lot of these people are an inspiration to me, if you get the chance to read some of their stories, I highly recommend it. Some of these people have been thru life changing events, some are struggling for their lives every day...they are courageous enough to write their stories where we all can read and be touched by them.

More laughs!

Sorry, but I had to post another video of Presley laughing. It just makes me so happy! When there are so many negative things in this world, at least this can make me smile!

A Night Away!

So we got up at 4:30 Saturday morning to drive to Iowa City for the Iowa football game! Grandma Becky was nice enough to come over to our house that morning so that we wouldn't have to wake Presley up! They also watched her overnight for us! This is the second night in nine months that she has stayed overnight away from us. We knew she would do great and she did!
We started tailgating early, Steve got in a couple games of tippy-cup and bean bags. It was fun to get away and pretend we were young again! ha!
We had awesome tickets for the game, thanks to Stalker Chevrolet Cadillac in Creston! You could see everything. I heard Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher were there too, can you find them?

This was before we started to lose the game :( Boo

We stayed with Ryan and Randi, so after the game we headed back to their house. We hung out by the fire pit and had a nice dinner! Here is their little man Wyatt, who is freaking adorable! Yes, he is eating chip dip with a spoon....courtesy of his grandma! :)

We actually were up fairly early Sunday morning, it's always hard to sleep at someone else's house. We were home by 9:30 and Presley was in the middle of her morning nap, so we used that time to get some things done before we went to pick her up. Since we were the last people in the neighborhood to rake our leaves, we figured we better get down to business in the front yard. (the backyard is another story!)

We then got Presley in her overalls so we could take some pictures in the leaves! She wasn't too sure about it, but didn't try to eat as many leaves as I thought she would!

See, there are advantages to living in an older neighborhood with big trees and lots of leaves! You get pictures like these! :)

We put her to work. She was a good helper!

.........................and then she tried to get away!

Overall, it was a fun and tiring weekend! We are too old to do this all the time, that is for sure! Plus, we missed our smiling baby! But it is good to get away once in a while to be Steve and Jessica, instead of Mom and Dad! :)

Laughing Presley

She just cracks me up! Thought I would share and spread the happiness!

3/4 = 9 months

Wow, I actually think Presley has really changed in the last month. She is learning and doing a lot these days! On Tuesday she will be 9 months old! OMG!!! She is so fun now! Though she can still be a pain in the butt....we'll go ahead and keep her! :) We don't have her check up for another 2 weeks, but we are guessing she is still in the 50th percentile.
Our 9 month old:

• plays pat-a-cake.
• likes to clap, mostly for herself after she does anything!
• will wave goodbye, but usually ends up just clapping for herself.
• actually crawls now! Can go from sitting to crawling but isn't so good at sitting back up again.
• pulls herself up to anything and everything! and prefers to be standing a majority of the time, likes to walk along the couch, the chair...or anything she can reach. She now likes to stand up in her crib too, which is kinda a pain in the butt!
• finally got her two bottom teeth!
• makes babbling sounds....finally!
• likes to play ball, when she 'throws' the ball back...she of course, starts clapping for herself!
• does fairly well sleeping thru the night. As long as she isn't teething or getting a cold!
• loves bath time! She can be crying her eyes out and the minute she sees the bath water running she is smiling and excited!

Trick or Treat!

We decided to take Presley to Earlham to go trick or treating with her cousins on Saturday night! Since Presley can't walk and can't eat candy, it was just an excuse to get her dressed up and have all of us participate in the fun! Earlham goes all out with their trick or treaters! There are so many kids, the parents just sit on their front steps b/c there is no time to go back inside and wait for the next kids to arrive! Many of the houses give out beer to the parents! It was the first time I actually thought it would be nice to live in such a small town! haha!!
Here is Presley in her ladybug costume and her cousin Ava as a peacock! Aren't they cute!!
Presley was less than thrilled to be in her costume but this was one of the smiles we got out of her that night!

Mommy and Presley, since we don't have that many good pictures together...mainly b/c mommy looks stupid in most pictures!

Once we left Earlham we went to Holly's house for her house-warming/Halloween party. It was fun! Lots of good people and food, decorated for the holiday and she doesn't live too far from a cemetary! Spppoookkkkyyyyyy!!!!!
This was my Aunt Ann in her creepy baby costume, I couldn't look at her in the face with this thing on! It just creeped me out!

Here is Steve dressed up as Slash! Presley wasn't too happy about dad looking like this!

Since we got the set the clocks back this weekend, you would think we'd take advantage of the extra hour of sleep. WRONG!!!! Keeping Presley up past her normal bedtime was obviously a hug mistake since she decided she was going to cry from 1-3 am. Mommy got very little sleep.

Despite Presley being cranky most of the weekend, we did get a couple cute pics of her smiling!

It just makes you smile, doesn't it?