Little bits of information!

I haven't posted in a few days.  I'm trying to catch up around the house before leaving to New Mexico in two short weeks.  Here's what's been going on.

I went to a Mom-to-Mom sale and found some real deals, like a $10 stroller  and $8.00 Fisher Price jumping horse for Daniela to ride.  I forced myself not to look at any clothes, but did stock up on socks & bibs for her.  Also picked up a few new toys, who can resist good quality toys marked only $1.00, or great books for 25 cents, obviously I couldn't.

Later we took Daniela with us and went to Meijers where we ran into none other than Laura,her Hubby and the entire family.  It was so good to see them all.  I only had a chance to meet Anna & Jonas before they moved to North Carolina, and although my two oldest daughters have visited them there it never worked out for me, so I met the rest of the kids for the first time.  They are every bit as adorable as you see on their blog.  Laura announced they are expecting another baby, which will make eight.  My daughter informed me she already knew, apparently I somehow missed the revealing of that big secret on her blog.  Join me in praying for a healthy boy, although I know they'll be happy with whatever God gives them.

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary came and went without any fanfare, it was the 28th.  We will have to celebrate at a later date, when things slow down.

Ashley started college, so I will be in charge of the baby every Saturday and also every Tuesday, so it gives Ashley a little break from taking Danny along with her to her Nanny position.  The little girl she Nanny's for just turned one year old, and Daniela just turned 9 months, so it's like caring for twins.

No weight loss last week.......  Um perhaps it was the two Margaritas (separate days) or the night out to eat at the BBQ place, or the pumpkin bread Ashley made or any number of other things.  I'll make a renewed effort to get back on track.

I usually don't post about what's going on while I'm visiting the girls (because I don't want the world to know I'm gone from my home, but it will be occupied the whole time, since I'm the only one going), so I'll be able to blog all about my adventure at Audra's and the birth (if Rowyn waits till I get there) and the new baby photos I will post, which I know you will all be dying to see.  Please don't edit that run on sentence for me, I know it's bad and don't care, just trying to share some thoughts.

That's it.  That's all I have time for anyway.

Put Gramie in Charge...

What does she do?  Have a Photo Session.  Of course.

Rule #1 Contain the child.  This crib worked nicely.

Rules #2 & #3

Get close and take picture from a new level, like below the child.

Rule #4  Catch some action. 

Like Daniela walking along the edge of the crib.

Rule #5  Don't be afraid to try something new like this reflection photo.

Rule #6  Take advantage of unforseen oportunities.

(Our dog was coming into the room and caught her attention.)

Rule #7  Enjoy the process - every sweet minute of it.  I do!

WBW #19 More than half their lifetime

Okay, so it was just two years ago, but for these 3 1/2 year olds, 2 years is more than half their life time.

The caption reads: 

MAKING HISTORY Sydney Hall with best friend Sam Parker

wave to parade entries during Candor's annual Peach Festival parade. 

They are still best friends, but if you ask Sydney, she'll tell you Sammy Parker is her brother.

I wonder what Sam would say???  We will just have to ask and see. 

 They still look the same, just older.  A couple real cuties! 

I Got It!

Yes, I did.   The delivery of the ugly suitcases has happened, so has the buying of the airline ticket.  I'm very thankful that I was able to purchase the ticket with Award Points through my Delta Flying Miles.  That's how I could afford the travel gear, which was also very discounted.  You know my motto "Never Pay Full Price!"

I'm so tickled. I will be able to see this luggage on the conveyor with no trouble at all.  No more hunting for the black suitcase amongst all the other black suitcases.  I will be able to spot it when it pops up the ramp and to jockey into position amidst the other passengers all green with envy, because I know which one is mine!!!   Ha!  Ha!  Can't wait. 

Oh! This set is by Olympia, and ready for the name of it....Audrey.  Close, so close, I think it was meant to be.  Light weight, ugly, affordable and aptly named.

Audra went to the doctors yesterday and they told her it looks like she'll go at least to her due date, because the baby hasn't dropped nor has she dialated at all.  So sometime after 9/11, she will deliver.  I bought my ticket for 9/14, a Tuesday.  So in just three short weeks I will be in New Mexico for the first time, either meeting my new granddaughter for the first time or just in time for labor & delivery of grandchild number six.  I haven't gone through labor & delivery with any of my girls, I've always arrived after the birth to help with the new little one.  So it's exciting to think this may be my first (other than my own deliveries) to attend. 

Having one of these....

Yes, it's been that kind of a day.

I know it's Sunday, but I needed to work.

It was stressful....to say the least & tiring.

I'm gonna have a relaxing evening and get to bed early.

Tomorrow is Monday and the week starts all over again.

Have I told you lately?

Have I told you lately how much I love this dog?

She's just the sweetest, best - behaved dog I've ever seen.

Just how many people can say their dog is darn-near perfect?

She doesn't shed, drool, chew up stuff, dig holes, kill small animals or run away from home.

She's good with kids, and guests and is a great companion.

Easy to entertain. 

 Got a Frisbee or ball, you're all set. 

I love the way her ears flop up and down when she runs.

She's great entertainment for the baby. 

 Daniela loves to watch her chase the Frisbee.

 She loves to follow the dog around and the dog has learned to go lay in the grass when she's had enough.

Last month when my newphew John was in town visiting he rolled the ball to the dog that was lying on the floor near him.  The dog caught it in her mouth and then rolled it back.  They went back and forth several times, it was just the cutest thing.  I've never seen a dog do that before, play ball like a human.

She's awesome!  I just love her.

She's mine. 

 Have I told you lately, how much I love her?

Weight Loss Week #3

Why am I on a diet?   Because I don't want to fit in with this clique.....

Do the beauty contestants #1 & #3 have bathingsuit bottoms on? 

 That's what I want to know.

Although contestant #4 looks good compared to her competition; I don't want to look like that, so I'm sticking to the weight loss program I've started.

How's it going?  Good of you to ask.

Oh! so some of you still remember that you are suppose to hold me accountable.

Good to know.

Week #1     I lost

Week #2     I lost   

Week #3      I lost

For a grand total of......

Way Back When #18 Just a couple!

This couple has an Anniversary coming up in less than a month.

Way back then, they were just a couple.  These are their engagement photos.  Later they became man and wife.

**Just so you know, Amanda did not wear a dirty sweater with lint all over it, there must have been dust on the photo when I copied it.

Derek still had hair, and they had that I'm so in love look about them.

Can you guess how long they've been married?

They are about to become parents for the third time, in just a month or so.

Living in Maine,

happily married,

parents to two, almost three

both still working in this tough economy,

owners of one house, two cars and no pets.

Live, Laugh, Love!

A Married Couple...... and the story continues.

Baby's Boat & Minka

Do you have a favorite lullaby that you sing or sang to your babies?  This happens to be the song I sing for Daniela.  It is not one I sang for my girls, nor do I know exactly where I first heard this song, but it popped into my head one day and it seemed to calm her down faster than any other.  So this is what I sing......

Baby's Boat

Baby's boat's a silver moon

Sailing o'er the sky

Sailing o'er a sea of sleep

As the stars go by.

Sail, baby, sail

Out across the sea

Only don't forget to sail

Back again to me.

Baby's fishing for a dream

Fishing near and far
His line a silver moonbeam is

His bait a silver star

If you find that dream so fair

Happy may it be

This will always be my prayer

May God watch over thee.

Sail, baby, sail

Out across the sea

Only don't forget to sail

Back again to me.

 

 

 

This I sang for my girls

 

Minka

Russian folk song

From the Volga I was riding

On my great horse nobly striding

When I saw a shadow hiding

Minka, charming Minka

Minka, Minka I have spied thee

Do not in the forest hide thee

On my great horse I will ride thee

Minka, charming Minka

We are not Russian and it wasn't passed down through the generations, that would make a great post, but really I bought a cassette from Wee Folks Sing and this was one of the songs on that cassette.

Birthday Fun!

Birthday Fun.  Wish I could have been there.

Ava just had her birthday and Michael's will happen in just a few more days.  Gramie Lala has yet to spend a birthday with them or be there for their special day.  I know, can you hear the sadness in my voice, the violins or the pity-party about to begin?  You should.  Each year I either order something off the internet and have it shipped directly to them or I send a card & money and let Mom do the shopping.  Last year I sent talking cards.  It's hard to come up with things that your positive will be special, dear to their hearts, one of a kind gifts.

Here's Ava's pixie costume.  She went to the Pixie Ball this year and Gramie promised her I'd look for a pixie costume with wings, she could wear to next years party.   I wanted to get it big enough that she could at least wear it two years in a row.

I love the wings!  Aren't they adorable?  This is the site where I found outfit, it's called Heart to Heart.

I didn't pay full price, I had a coupon and stayed pretty close to my $50 birthday budget.

Michael loves vehicles of any sort.  He's crazy over firetrucks, ambulances, sports cars, and big rigs.  You name it he loves it.  But I didn't know how to chose one that he was SURE to love.  It took some thought, but finally came up with this Spiderman car.  Although his face doesn't portray it, I hear he was super thrilled with his new car and he wouldn't leave it home when they went on vacation and he even slept with it.  That's the sort of reaction I was hoping for.  If I can't be there I want them to know that I really wish I could.

Maybe next year, (if the girls don't pull anymore suprise babies on me) I will make it for a birthday celebraion with these two.  That would be a Gramie's dream come true.

Welcome to Daniela's House

My good friend, Natalie, gave Daniela this play house. 

Danny absolutely loves it.  She will play, and play and play somemore, there are so many interactive things to do.

Here, let me turn the light on for you.  We can listen to some music.  Open and shut the door and window, and twist the hands of the clock.  Oh and I can't forget to check the mail.

We'll thanks for stopping by my new place.  Hope you come again soon.

She loves twirling the flower in the flowerpot next to the door.  And she loves the drainspout that plays Itsy, Bitsy Spider.

Bye, Y'All!  I mean Adios!

A Drum Roll Please........

Yes, a Drum Roll............. not for the tons of weight I lost.  Nope, but one can wish.  I only lost a pound again this week for a grand total of two pounds so far.  No drum roll needed for that.

This is why ....   Ashley made this most awesome salad for us for dinner last night.   I'm trying to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and less carbohydrates.  This salad fits the bill very nicely.

One small bit and I announced it was delicious.  I loved the taste and consistency of the dressing.  It's colorful and filling.

Here's the recipe, with it's official and very creative name.

FRUIT AND CHICKEN SALAD

PREP TIME:  25 MINUTES

CHILL:  2 - 4 HOURS 

1/2 CUP FAT-FREE DAIRY SOUR CREAM (WE USED 1/3 FAT)

1/2 CUP FAT-FREE MAYONNAISE OR SALAD DRESSING (WE USED LIGHT MAYO)

1 TABLESPOON FROZEN ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE, THAWED

1/8 TEASPOON GROUND GINGER

DASH OF GROUND RED PEPPER (WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY)

3 GREEN ONIONS, SLICED (1/3 CUP)

2 CUPS THINLY SLICED CELERY

1 1/2 CUPS SEEDLESS RED OR GREEN GRAPES HALVED (WE USED RED)

1 1/2 CUPS CHOPPED COOKED CHICKEN

1/2 CUP DRIED APRICOTS, CUT INTO SLIVERS

4 LETTUCE LEAVES (WE USED ROMAINE)

2 PLUM TOMATOES, THINLY SLICED

1 CUCUMBER, THINLY SLICED

1) FOR DRESSING, STIR TOGETHER THE SOUR CREAM, MAYONNAISE OR SALAD DRESSING, ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE, GINGER AND RED PEPPER.  STIR IN GREEN ONIONS.

2) IN A LARGE BOWL TOSS TOGETHER CELERY, GRAPES, CHICKEN AND APRICOTS; STIR IN THE DRESSING.  COVER AND CHILL FOR 2 TO 4 HOURS.

3) TO SERVE, LINE 4 SALAD PLATES WITH LETTUCE LEAVES.  ARRANGE TOMATOES AND CUCUMBER ON TOP OF LETTUCE.  TOP WITH CHICKEN MIXTURE.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING:  264 CALORIES, 3 G TOTAL FAT, 44 MG CHOLESTEROL, 511 MG SODIUM, 40 G CARBOHYDRATE, 5 G FIBER, 21 G PROTEIN.

** OF COURSE THIS IS FOR THEIR RECIPE BEING FOLLOWED EXACTLY, NOT WITH MY UPGRADES OF SLIGHTLY HIGHER FAT INTAKE.

This recipe is from the Better Homes and Gardens, New Diabetic Cookbook!

WBW#17 Celebrating Meghan

Way Back When ---- Meghan was a small fry.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of her.

Her hair was so curly, but the curl didn't last long.

She was small for her age, and I carried her around longer than her older sister.

I was accused of babying her to much.

She had her sippy cup to long. She had her booster chair forever.

Well non of this hurt her a bit.  She was and still is very independent.

She's very intelligent and not spoiled at all.

Instead she's always thinking of others and doing for others.

She was my easiest child to raise.  People were always commenting on her big word vocabulary when she was little.  And this child was the cause of people telling me I should give parenting lessons and I should tell them my secrets.  The secret is......

some children are just easier to train than others.  I have no words of wisdom to share, unless it's let people's advice go in one ear and out the other, if it doesn't make sence to you. 

This child had an imaginary friend named "Jimmy" at the age of three.  Her favorite book was Harold and the Purple Crayon.  Later she'd play school teacher with her sisters and even hand out report cards to her students.  She had her own cooking show (The original Rachel Ray) and was big into ice skating for a couple years.

She played baseball one year on an all boy team, all but her that is.  She wasn't very good at it, but you had to give her credit for trying.  Whatever she did she gave it her all.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

She was a beautful baby, and great kid, and is an awesome person as an adult.

I was so very proud of her then and continue to be now.

Meghan you're awesome!  And your family and extended family love you.

The Waiting Game

Tomorrow will be exactly one month from Audra's due date.  We are waiting for Rowyn Gracie Jane to make her big debut.  It's time to buy my plane ticket, but I'm torn as to when I should go.  I've researched the percentage of first time Mom's that deliver early and late, and considered her sister's first pregnancies and mine and came to this conclusion.......  anything could happen.  I delivered all four of my girls 10-14 days early with Ashley induced one month early.  I would like to be there for the birth, which would be a first for me, but if I guess wrong I could miss the whole bonding experience with Rowyn and helping Audra out the most; by helping with night time feedings and such.  What is a Gramie to do?

And two and a half weeks later.... this little one is due.

Amanda's doctor will be out of the country on her due date - Ugh!

So she scheduled a C-section for when she gets back 10/4/10, but that's only if she goes past her date.  I wonder what the chances of that will be?

Oh! Litle Henry, you look like your Grandpa (Derek's dad).  Man oh man are you going to be loved in this family and in your extended family as well.

The good news is I have enough frequent flyer type miles for a free ticket.  Yippeee!  I may even splurge and buy myself a new suitcase, mine is ripped and zipper broken.  I want something light weight so I can pack more Gramie gifts to the grandkids in it.  And I want it to be good and ugly, so I can find it easily on the luggage turnstyle.  I found just the perfect set, but it was out of my price range.

This set was $349, but found it on sale for $284.  Guess I'll have to keep looking.  It will give me something to do while I wait.

Her Favorite Things

Here are just a few of Daniela's favorite things.

She just loves to ride on anyones shoulders, but after just a minmute or two she scrunches down to peak at the person in the face. It is too cute.

Baby Einstein holds her interest for about 20 minutes, and she definitely has her favorite shows. Right now it Baby Davinci.

She talks back and ties to imitate the sounds she hears.

And she loves to eat.  Daniela's favorite food at the moment is

Chicken.  Her favorite treat is Yogurt Melts.  Yum!