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!