Fun In The Sun!

Friday, the girls and I spent the day at the beach, with Hannah's friend, Emily, and her Mom (Mary Anne). We drove down to Southern Maryland, to a local park on the Chesapeake Bay. It was really nice, and I can't believe that I've never been there before!! They had some nets up, to keep the jelly fish out, so that you could swim. Though a few actually got through. Luckily, none of us were stung. The big attraction to this place was the hunt for sharks teeth! There are many to be found, that it didn't take the girls long to find some, once we arrived. They spent most of the day looking for them, along with sting ray fossils. Mary Anne also took them fishing on the pier, while I sat under the umbrella with a sleeping Amanda.

I have to say that Amanda seemed to enjoy the beach much more this time, than she did in Ocean City. I think the bay water was much warmer, and definitely more calm. Maybe this was the reason. I'm just glad she enjoyed it!

After the beach, we went to the local waterpark, which is rather small, but the girls had plenty to do. Here are a few pictures from the day!

This and That

It's been a while since I've last blogged! We've been busy with a home improvement project, so my computer time has been rather limited lately. That, in addition to Amanda being extremely cranky over the last week. I know it's her teeth trying to push their way in, but let me tell you, I'm ready for them! It's been very hard with her wanting to be with me ALL the time. Last night, I don't think I got a full hour of sleep! She just kept waking up, and just wanted to be soothed. She was a mess yesterday!

So, back to our home improvement project! We've been thinking about replacing most of the carpet in our house with laminate wood flooring. Steve and I bought some flooring at Costco a few days ago, and were able to save a lot of money, using a coupon they had. We installed this flooring in Rebecca's room a couple of years ago, so we were up to the challenge. First up was to be our bedroom, and then Amanda's, since both rooms still had the carpet that was there when we moved in to this house. In the end, we decided to do the livingroom/diningroom instead! So, we crammed everything from the livingroom into the diningroom, and ripped up the carpet! Actually, Hannah helped Steve do this. I WISH I had taken pictures!! I know, I know.. totally UNlike me. Guess we all have our moments, huh? LOL

Steve pretty much installed the new flooring in the livingroom by himself. I was no help to him due to the baby attached to my hip! All that's left in there now, is the trim, which he will be doing tomorrow. Here's a picture of Amanda that I took today.. you can see some of the floor in it. I'll be sure to take a picture once he's finished with the room.
Of course now, we are looking at our windows, thinking we want to redo them. The room looks so big right now, with so little in it, that we don't want to overload it again. We're thinking of simplifying, and that means window treatments too! I'd like to get wood blinds/shades, so as soon as the flooring is done, we'll be looking into that! I think the room will take on an entirely different look. It already looks great!

So I've been thinking lately, about Halloween! LOL I know, Summer isn't even over yet, but I had been taken by these cute little tutus that I've seen online for little girls.. mainly for photo ops, and saw one that would be great for a costume. So, I've decided that Amanda will be a ladybug this Halloween, and I'd make a red/black tutu for her. The girls and I went to the fabric store today, and I bought some tulle. Thought I'd play around, and see if I could manage with the no sew project that I found online. I think I did pretty good for my first time! :)

So tomorrow marks the beginning of the weekend! Hurray :) We've got a pretty busy one planned. The girls and I are heading down to a local beach tomorrow, to spend the day. The girls are mostly excited about looking for sharks teeth. Something they've never done. Not quite sure why we've never gone before.. it's so close! We may go to a local waterpark afterwards, too. Tomorrow, it's working on the flooring, then we're heading over to Heidi's for dinner for a cookout and drinks. Sunday, Hannah has a birthday party, and I'm hoping we'll get the dining room at least started!

I'm sure Monday's post will bring lots of new pictures to share!! Stay tuned! ~ H

Birthday's and Milestones

This past Thursday was Steve's Birthday. We celebrated with friends and family, here at the house. Here's Steve with his three little girls! (It was hard to get this shot, since Amanda was really interested in trying to grap the cake! lol)


Friday, Amanda officially turned 6 months! I took her for her well visit, and she's doing great! Her weight was 15 pounds, 9 ounces (EXACTLY what Hannah was at 6 months!), and she's 26.5 inches tall. A tall, skinny, little thing. I think she's going to be built like Hannah, but look like Becca! hehe

So she FINALLY has started to laugh! Yes, we've been trying out so many funny voices and faces, all with high hopes to get the little one to laugh.. of course with out much success. Well, today, we were walking into Toys R Us, and Rebecca, the little lady that she is, was on a burping kick.. Yep, you guessed it!! Amanda thought it was hilarious! LOL So, all through TRU, Rebecca was burping (we're so proud), and Amanda was laughing!! When we got home, we tried to capture the moment, and this is what we ended up with :

This and That

No one thing to write about today, but more of a mish mash of things. We've had my niece, Samantha-Joy, up here since Sunday afternoon, and the girls have been having a blast! Thought I'd just post a photo montage! :)

(now this is how her eyes really look! So blue :)

Our little Super Model :)

I took Amanda to The Picture People today, for her 6 month portraits. She actually will turn 6 months old on Friday! I can't believe how time flies!! I was pleased with the shots we got, however her blue eyes don't pop, or even look that blue in these pics. I'm already planning on taking her back next month, for another round. I'll be sure to get those baby blues to shine! :)

(sorry... it seems as though blogger can't handle the full picture, so part of each one is cut off :( )

From the Desk of Amanda Joy

From the Desk of Amanda Joy

Hi everybody! Amanda Joy here. I've been trying out my new keyboard that Ms Heidi brought to me. She heard that I like to help Mommy write emails and posts, and she figured I could use one of my own. I do worry, though, what Mommy will do without me now. I'll have to make sure I still help her from time to time, so that she doesn't feel like I'm neglecting her.

I've become very good at 'typing'. I figured out that the faster I bang my hands on the keys, the more keys I can push in! Mommy hasn't figured this out yet. She still types pretty slow, compared to me. And, would you believe, she only uses one finger on a key at a time! Imagine! I'll have to let her know my secret!

Here are some other tips that I'd like to share with all of you, that I think may help you at work! And, Mommy was so nice to help out with taking photos of me so that I could demonstrate them for you. Hope they help!

#1. No matter what, NEVER look surprised when someone approaches you at your desk. This only gives the impression that you were up to something! (Such as reading all the wonderful things Mommy writes about me, here!)



#2. Try to keep a pleasant look on your face as much as you can. Looking unhappy will just make everyone start talking in very high, silly, voices, and they'll keep asking you what's wrong. Then, they may very well start breaking out into some sort of goofy song, and make goofy faces, to try to make you smile. Save yourself! Just smile from the start!



#3. Always laugh at the Boss's jokes. If you don't, she's likely to sit there with that stinkin' camera for up to 30 minutes!


#4. Always look busy, and learn to entertain yourself when you're bored. Believe me, this will make the big guys really, really happy! It's like you gave them a million bucks! Well, almost! :)


#5. If you feel as though Mr. Sandman is getting ready to pay you a visit, whatever you do, GIVE IN TO THE SLEEP! Sleep is very good for you, and your mood, and if you fall asleep at your desk, the big folk will, after taking a few pictures and video, will rush you off to a nice comfy bed, in a nice dark, quiet room!...... * who's laughing now?

I will be okay, because I will be strong.

When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Many of you know, just before I found out I was pregnant with Amanda Joy, I had lost a bunch of weight. I was feeling really good physically, and was starting to enjoy clothes again! During my pregnancy, I didn't gain too much weight, which thrilled me, and after Amanda was born, seemed to drop the inches pretty quickly. I didn't hang on to that pregnant looking belly that most women carry around for months. However, even with all that good fortune, I still have not gone back down to my pre- pregnancy size. It's getting pretty frustrating for me. I've tried a few times, to diet again, but it's been hard. Nursing seems to increase my appetite. Well, Amanda Joy isn't nursing as much any more, since we've started her on solids, so I figure now is the time!! So, I'm starting off slowly.. not really depriving myself of anything, but limiting my portions, and trying to make smarter choices. Some days are harder than others, that's a given. But, I'm trying!

This evening, I met my friend Tammy, over at Heidi's house. Tammy has signed up for this Power 90 program, and is sharing the fun with us. The three of us got together and did one of the workout tapes. Let me tell you, it kicked my butt! BUT, I feel GREAT! I'm proud of myself for doing it, and it's motivated me to start exercising every day. I've got an exercise bike and an Ab Lounger sitting here in the house, collecting dust. I need to use them. So, I am making a promise to myself, to use each one of them at least once a day. Even if it's only 10 minutes. Every little bit helps, and it's better than nothing! I'll be sure to post my progress :)

Now, on to a cuter topic... Amanda Joy :) Yes, we all know she's cute, but you know I couldn't resist sharing a few pictures of the little angel :)

Yes, I know I'm a goofball, but I had to show off the cute outfit Mommy's friend, Ms. Kim gave me!

Having fun in my exersaucer!

Look what I decided I can do now! :)

July 4th Fun!

Hope everyone had an awesome 4th ofJuly! Ours was great! Since we had already seen professional fireworks last weekend, we opted to just stay home again, shooting them off in the street with the neighbors. Rick and Heidi came over, as well as Heidi's friend, Pam, and we had quite the spread of food and drink! We didn't go hungry, that's for sure!!!

We braved the rain sprinkles, that fell throughout the day, but when it started to downpour, we all headed inside. Sadly, our power had gone out ~ we think due to some idiots shooting off illegals, and blowing a transformer. So we all sat in the dark, well candlelight, and chatted. The kids decided to play in the rain, then lit their sparklers under the overhang.

Eventually, the rain eased up enough so that we could go ahead and shoot off our fireworks. There were people everywhere!! I sware, I love this street! :) Here are a few pictures:

Steve shows off our yummy frozen margaritas!! Which, by the way, were made with Heidi's new Magic Bullet! I want one!!!

Amanda Joy enjoys the days festivities too! She shows off her "Born in 2008" shirt here! :)

Part of our July 4th family tradition is to light small fireworks in the backyard. One of the girls favorites are the colored snake bombs.. which, in my opinion, look like big turds! lol

Rebecca, deep in thought! But beautiful! :)

Hannah Banana! Isn't she pretty!?

Hannah, and her friend, Emily.. who lives down the street. The whole block came out for fireworks!

Hannah, Emily, Rebecca.. you can see the fireworks going off behind them! Such fun!! And yes, Rebecca is in her PJ's! heehee


Party in the street!


Heidi, enjoying some freshly squeezed (and tweaked) lemonade ;)


Mary Anne and Amanda Joy

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone has a great 4th, and is surrounded by family, or friends. We're having a small gathering at our house, and then fireworks in the street w/the neighbors :) I'll update tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, USA!