Our House

I got really carried away with the pictures - sorry. In a few months Michael will be finishing his residency and we will be moving, so it is now time to sell our house. I can't believe how quickly the five years have gone by! I am excited about moving, but I am a little sad to be leaving our house. It was our first house and we worked so hard on it. We really must have had a vision because the house was really awful when we bought it, but we loved it. The house had horrible wall colors and 30 year old nasty gray carpet. So over the years we have transformed it the best we could on a small budget! We do love it, but are excited to be moving on to a new chapter in our lives. That new chapter involves an apartment for a year in Ohio while Michael does his fellowship, so we will miss the extra space for sure! So I have posted some pictures of the house before and after. I still have not figured out how to organize the pictures in a order on the blog, but you will get the idea. We have an interested buyer already. A resident starting next year so the move out time should coincide perfectly! I am a little nervous about the inspection - the house is over 70 years old...

FINALLY!!!!!

I have been fighting with Blogger for two days now! No matter what I did I couldn't log in, couldn't leave or read comments etc. Was anyone else having trouble?

Poor Baby

So I have now experienced being a mommy to a sick baby, not fun. It all started with a cough and some congestion, now we are doing breathing treatments every four to six hours. The doctor said he just has a virus, but it is causing him to wheeze a little. Hence the breathing treatments, which he absolutely HATES! I feel so bad when we have to hold his arms down and hold this dragon mask (I guess they are trying to make it fun for the kid, whatever.) to his face. However, it is already making him sound better thank goodness!

Why Target Why

Why is it when I walk into a Target for one thing, I walk out with ten? Last night all I needed was a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (bought the Target brand, much cheaper) and you see what I walked out with. However I would like to say that I bought all of those goodies for $45. Let me explain how - first of all I love their "vintagy tees" they are so comfy $9.99, secondly I needed a rug by the back door in my den so I got the one in the photo for $3.99 and the rug pad for $2.99, bunny ears from the $1 section in the front. Now here is the fun part, you know how they have the "Global Bazaar" once a year? Well all of that stuff was 75% off. So I got the little oil painting, regularly $60 for $14.99 and the $24.99 pillow for $6. Love Target.

Not So Thin Mints...

That is what the Girl Scouts of America should call them. There is nothing thin about 7 grams of fat and 150 calories per 4 (VERY small) cookies. They have been chillin' in the freezer, perfect temp for consumption. I have already had half a sleeve. Do I go ahead and finish the sleeve and do the same with the second tomorrow? It is so hard to stop once you start especially when a have whole new gallon of ice cold milk. Anyone else taking down sleeves of girl scout cookies?

We're Back...

Michael and his fellow 5th years! They have worked so hard!
Michael and Will in the hotel wearing their hats!
Will and I overlooking the water in La Jolla.
Will's first plane ride! He was soooo good!

Will in the hotel bed, he loved sitting up on the pillows.
Us at the House of Blues for a reception! Will tagged along - it was non-smoking! :)
Rachel and I
All the girls at the Hotel Del Coronado (the oldest building west of the MIssissippi)
The 5th year wives! I will miss these girls!

We got back home today from San Diego, it was such a great trip! We took Will with us (I just wasn't ready to leave him for so long!) and, let me brag for a minute, HE WAS PERFECT! He slept on the flights and when he was awake he just looked around and smiled! We were able to take him out to dinner every night and you would never know he was there! We had a rental car that all the girls ran around in, so that was nice, I can't imagine having to get him in and out of cabs all the time! We shopped and went sight seeing during the day and he would just hang out! It was great, and I am sure that will probably not be the norm for future trips - but by then I won't be nervous to leave him for a short time!

San Diego is a great city, lots to do! The wives got to enjoy it a little more than the guys since they were in conferences for most of the day, but they were able to meet up in the afternoon, then go out to dinner at night! So that would be why there are many pictures of just Will and I and no Michael!

We went to La Jolla (pronounced "hoya") for the day on Saturday. Supposedly it is a place some stars like to frequent, but we didn't see any. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the recently "bald Britney," what is up with that anyway? Poor girl needs an intervention and a weave.

Oh yeah, they lost my bag. It still hasn't been located. Bummer.

Blog Withdrawl...

Hello from San Diego! We have been in San Diego since Tuesday for the AAOS Conference! Michael is a 5th year (the last year, hallelujah) orthopedic surgery resident, and their last year they get to go to the conference. The wives get to tag along as well and we have had so much fun! The weather here is incredible, so much better than what we have been experiencing at home! I now know why this is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. I have lots of pictures I can't wait to post when we get home. Anyway, we got internet access in our room and I had some time tonight to catch up on my blog reading which I have missed the past few days. Well back to the real world on Sunday - the trip has not been long enough!

My Vice

I had to blog something new so that the first thing that pops up on my blog is not the picture of Haley. It makes me too sad. So I have decided to share a recipe for the BEST cookies. I call them my vice because I make them so often and easily eat 5 or 6 in a sitting. I have actually been better about it lately as Michael is on a health kick and I have those last pounds of pregnancy to lose! Anyway, they are so easy to make and they are delicious. You can't overcook them though or they aren't as good, so be sure to keep a close eye on them in the oven! So here is the recipe:

Chewy Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies (I made up the name because I can't remember what the cookbook called them!)

1 brownie mix (if you use one with chocolate chunks in it already you can bypass the bag of chocolate chips)
2 eggs
1/2 cup of oil
Bag of semi sweet chocolate chips

Mix the brownie mix, eggs, and oil together. Add chocolate chips (you won't need the entire bag, unless you are a true chocoholic!) Spoon on to a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes (I always peek at them, I never use a timer) on 350. Enjoy!

Oh yeah, since I have made them so many times I even know the best brownie mix to use. Use the Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix, it has the Hershey's syrup packet in it. This mix makes the best cookies.

Goodbye Haley...We love you

Haley at Halloween as Elvis
Haley's first hike


Today has been a tough day. As many of you know, Michael and I have a chocolate lab named Haley. Last night she was hit by a car and died. We took her to the pet hospital and there was nothing they could do as she had internal bleeding. We are so sad, she was the GREATEST dog. We got Haley a month after we were married 5 years ago. She went everywhere with us, she was our "first baby." We loved that dog so much, it has been like losing a family member. I posted a couple of pictures, I couldn't do anymore, it was just too hard looking at them. She was such a happy, spirited dog. She loved to eat Nerds (one at a time gently out of my hand!), swim in the Belhaven pond, do her tricks (which included "speaking softly" which was a quiet bark, SO cute), hanging out in Michael's office, going for rides in the car, the list is endless. We have so many great memories with her, it is so hard to believe she is gone. So hug your dogs tonight, rub their bellies, bring them inside from the cold, and take them for that walk you have been meaning to take them on.

Cousins

While we were in Nashville we went to visit some of Michael's extended family. Dee Dee and Toby brought Abby and Beau as well and we got some really cute pictures of the cousins together! Beau really likes grabbing Will and Abby loves to hold Will! You can see Abby is trying to control the two boys in the photos!

Recent Pictures

Will getting ready for bed!
Will posing!
My little cowboy!
Will and his Grandi
Will loves his swing!
Will and Grandad
Will and his Bumbo (I know it is purple, it was a gift and the only color Target had left!)

Will and his daddy!

Just a hodge podge of pictures! We also went to Atlanta on our way to Nashville to see my parents! They ate will up - they are so crazy about their grandson!

This was fun...

1. What time did you get up this morning? woke up at 4:44, again at 8:00, then 9:15 (new life as a mother!)
2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the movies? Last Kiss (Zach Braff and Rachel Bilson, pretty good)
4. What is your favorite TV show(s)? 24 (obsessed), Lost, MTV reality shows (can't believe I just admitted that), oh yeah I love Talk Soup on E!
5. What did you have for breakfast? Nothing
6. What is your favorite food? Mexican food, Newk's Favorite Salad
7. What foods do you dislike? really greasy stuff
8. What is your favorite potato chip flavor? Jalapeno
9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Coldplay X and Y
10. What type of car do you drive? Honda Pilot
11. What characteristics do you despise? Fake and Conceited
12. Favorite item of clothing? citizen jeans
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? Back to Australia
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Can't name a favorite, I have too many
15. Where would you like to retire? Beach
16. Favorite time of the day? In the morning playing with my baby boy
17. Favorite color? Black
18. Favorite sport to watch? Football
19. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? My husband
20. Who do you expect to send it back first? no one, more of a blog topic
21. What fabric detergent do you use? All, Dreft
22. Coke or Pepsi? Coke
23. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Midday
24. What is your shoe size? Depends on how cute the shoe is! But usually 9.5
25. Do you have any pets? yes, Haley, our chocolate lab
**********FAVORITES**************** >
26. Shampoo? Dove
27. Summer or winter? Summer
28. Favorite Advertisement? Citibank identity theft commercials....shoot
****RIGHT NOW***************** >
29. Wearing? pink shorts, wife-beater
30. Eating? nothing
31. Drinking? Water
32. Thinking about?when Will is going to eat again
33. Listening to: SNL
34. Book - US Weekly magazine
35. Cried: first night Will came home
36. Drove a car: Yesterday
37. How many hours sleep? less than I used to
**********DO YOU BELIEVE IN**************** >
38. Yourself? Yes
39. Your friends? yes
40. Santa Claus? yes
41. Destiny/Fate? Sometimes
42. Ghosts? No
**********FRIENDS AND LIFE********** >
43. Who have you known the longest of your friends? Ryan
44. Who do you go to for advice? God, Michael, Mom, Dad, Lori,
45. When do you cry the most? When my feelings are hurt
46. Do you want your friends to do this and send it back to you? Well, yes

My Ebay Habit...

I have a problem, I can't quit bidding on items on eBay. I really don't know what made me start, but I can't stop. I don't know how many of you love to see your child in smocked clothing, but I do. The outfits are so cute and yet so expensive. So I have discovered on eBay that you can get brand new smocked outfit for a fraction of the cost they are in stores. I have bought numerous outfits that are $70 in the store and I get them for anywhere from $15 to $30 brand new. I actually hesitated to blog this information (you all have probably already discovered it) because soon when you all get addicted, you will be bidding against me on these precious outfits! :) It almost becomes a game when you get down to the last five minutes and you and another person want the same outfit, so you are going back and forth upping the bid a dollar each time. I get quite competitive and usually end up spending more than I want to on the item just so I can win it. It's sick... Anyone else obsessed with eBay?

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary

Michael and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Friday. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. We were looking through old pictures last night of us when we were dating and just married. We looked so much younger! It is so much fun looking back on all of those times. They are so easily forgotten. I posted a picture of us in Australia at Bondi beachabout a year and a half ago, it is one of my favorites! The sky was so gorgeous that evening the picture hardly does it justice!
We didn't do much for our anniversary, Will got to celebrate with us! However, we did go to our favorite sushi restaurant and it was delicious as always. We are going to Atlanta next week, so the grandparents are going to watch Will while we go celebrate our anniversary properly!

Check out my muscles...

Aren't naked babies the cutest!

More pictures!

Here are a few pictures of Will I have taken. I feel like I need to take pictures everyday because he is growings so fast. We had our 8 week checkup last Thursday, he is 14 lbs. 4 oz and 23 1/2 inches long! I can't believe it! He got his shots and was so brave :) He only cried when he received the shots and stopped when I picked him up. I am so glad I didn't have to watch him in too much pain!!!!
Today I went over to the school I previously taught at to say hello and clean out my room. They hired another biology teacher to replace me so I had to get my things out! It was kind of sad. I have been teaching there for almost 5 years (the whole time Michael has been doing his residency here), so I had made some good friends. Anyway I got to "show off' Will and they all say he looks like daddy!