A great day for fishing?

Kenny called me at work and said he was going to go fishing with his dad and siblings. Technically I was invited, but not really because it wasn't really a good place for the baby with the rocks, etc...and there was a storm on the way. Kira and I stayed home and watched Lifetime while daddy went fishing. I was slightly bumbed that I didnt' go..until the biggest storm ever hit. It rained, and poured...and kept pouring. While they were there, I guess, it was pretty....maybe next year I'll go when Kira's a little bigger...

Pretty....

Pretty....

pretty.....?

Awwh...Leah comes to visit!

So, Leah came to visit....She got into town and came almost straight to see us! Okay, so it was kind of on the way, and I know her schedule is way packed....so I jumped at the chance to go do dinner with her and Becca. Guess where we went? lol. Cafe Rio....did anyone guess wrong? Probably not. It's my favorite place ever...and well, they don't have those back east so we HAD to go, right? Ha! It's always fun to see her and I'm glad we got to catch up for a few. :)

Leah and Kira

It's a little bright...but oooh...I love the landscape backgroud...HA!
I love these girls!

Awwh...a little reunion.... :)

Kira Tag

Kira's been tagged by her little cousin Sayer! Here are 10 things about my sweet baby:

1. She says "Da Da" and even though I keep trying to teach her "MaMa"...I've accepted the fact that she says "DaDa" and I'm pretty sure she knows what it means.

2. Kira loves, loves, loves our puppy Duke. She crawls around chasing him and when he licks her she can't stop giggling. She's discovered that she can feed him from her highchair too..and that's not so good. lol.

3. Kira scruches her nose when she smiles...and she smiles at anyone really that talks cute to her.

4. She's eating big people food now. She loves eggs and pancakes. And, no, don't worry--she won't end up on a talk show with really fat babies--she eats in moderation.

5. She has 8 teeth already.

6. She is wearing 24 month, and 2T clothes...she has some of her 12 month too...but, really..she's a growing girl.

7. Her hair fits in tiny pig tails...that last approximately 1 hour each time I put them in. She loves to pull them out.

8. She has the cutest little baby language. I love to listen to her talk to herself when no one is around.

9. She's a good cuddler. When she wakes up in the morning or from a nap...she's really snuggly and I love it.

10. Okay, not to compare her.... but she's funny like my puppy. She'll be playing with her toys and as soon as Kenny or I go get something to eat, she crawls over, stands up, and opens her mouth. This is after she's eaten her dinner even. lol.

Kira is certainly the center of my world, and I couldn't ask for a more adorable, loving child. She's fun, sweet, and loving. I love to watch her grow and learn new things. I can't believe she's almost one!!!!

Can I go any shorter?

Yeah, so I know if I said I LOVE my hairdresser, someone would probably say "Why don't you marry her?"....well, Okay. Maybe I will. I LOVE my hairdresser Keelee and I'm so glad that a cousin I got when I married Kenny happens to be her sisterinlaw. I mean, really....I lucked out. I used to have a hairdresser who did great a great job with my hair, but Keelee is like a magic maker. I show up and say....Please no boy haircut, and keep it kinda light...and she just goes with whatever. I love it. I mean, some people may not like the short hair...and if you don't...sorry. I was a little nervous to do it...but I LOVE IT. I feel totally younger, and my hair is so much lighter, and let's be honest...not like I can get away with a ponytail because it won't fit in one anyways. So, anyone who thinks I may be a total pushover for letting my hairdresser do whatever with my hair (ahem, Brooke) ...you're kinda right but I look hot and you know it. lol.

Book Club

So, we had our first book club meeting at MacCool'sPub...and well, it was totally fun. Let's be honest-- I didn't even read the book. I was behind on the series, and couldn't catch up but I went anyways. Ha! It was fun just to hang out and really, we didn't talk about the book all that much. But, next time we'll have a professional book club meeting for sure, and this time I'll actually read the book. :)

McKayle and Shelby

Brooke, Me, Liz

Austin's Birthday Party

Today we went to Austin's 1st Birthday party!!! Kira got all dressed up (Austin is her boyfriend) and we went to Dave and Holly's for a BBQ.

Austin is older than Kira, but she's bigger than him...he's so darling though.

Kira was pretty shy at first, but after a little while she went to play with the other little kids. There were 4 kids that were within a month or two of each other.

When she wasn't hanging out and playing with the toys, she sat with daddy and just watched the other kids. She's a people watcher.

Kira is almost a year, but today was the first time she's been in a big kid swing with mom and dad. She was not entertained. In fact, she was terrified. But, after a few minutes she was having fun.

As usual, I like to take pictures of Kira and I...all the time. Dave happened to make himself part of this one. :)

We all came home a little early from the party. Dad and Kira needed a nap... So we didn't see the messy cake eating. That's okay though...we'll have one of our own in just a month!!!

Confessions of My Obsessions

In general, this blog as a whole is about my family. Usually it is about Kira, things we do, or Kira...or Kira..... If the post has nothing to do with my family, or is something that one could be offended by, I'll write it elsewhere. You get the picture. Today I am writing about me--Stephanie. This is my confessions of my obsessions.
For as long as I can remember...my college roommates, and every roommate thereafter, can atest to this--I have been obsessed with setting my alarm clock. I set my alarm, and check it three times. I check the am/pm on the alarm to make sure I have it set correctly. Then I check the sound level, check the time again, check the sound level, and then I'm done. This is annoying, especially because the volume is up loud so I can hear it. I think I just don't ever want to be late to work. But, I'm obessed with it.
I'm also obsessed with locking the doors. This generally is only when I'm home alone at night and headed up to bed. I check the locks, and go up to bed. But, before I get into bed, I run back down the stairs and check it again. In general I don't do this tooo many times because Kenny is usually home, but really, I'm obsessed.
I'm obsessed with the garage door. This includes when I go to bed, and when I leave for work. Every day that Kenny goes into the garage or through the garage, it's this mistrust I have in him or something that he didn't shut the garage door. I always have to check it before I go to bed. I open the door, turn on the light, and see that it's shut. Then, I do it again. When I go to work in the morning, I shut the garage door, and then count to 5 before I drive away. If I don't do this, I'll seriously be half way to work, and turn around because I'm afraid that someone will steal all the stuff in my house. When I was pregnant this was REALLY bad. I would go as far as to take a photo of the closed garage door because I would be so nervous and think that I just thought I remembered shutting it. Yeah, garage door. Obsessed.
And then there's the flat iron, and hair dryer. Who cares if the hair dryer is plugged in? Most people don't. I do. Why? Because I remember reading a story where a cat knocked a hairdryer off the counter, it got turned on in the fall, and got hot, and started a fire. That's scary, right? Well, seeing as I don't have a cat, I don't know what my issue with this is. The flat iron, the same thing. I am worried I'll leave it on, and it will burn everything down. When I was pregnant, I'd again, take a picture of the power outlet in the wall so I could show myself later when I panicked that there was nothing plugged in. I'm obsessed.
I'm obsessed with leaving the oven on, even if I didn't use it. Weird. I'm obsessed with locking my car doors. I'm obsessed with checking my lights in the car to make sure they are turned off. I'm obsessed with making sure I log of my computer at work. None of these things are really a big deal...but to me, they are.
Now, my friends know this stuff about me. They tease me, but at the same time, they understand this drives me nuts. Like, I have a friend, Ashley who would walk in with me to work. We'd walk through the parking lot and just about to go inside, and I'd hesitate and start to turn around....and she'll say "No, your lights are off and your doors are locked." I'm obvious. I know.
Well, as if this wasn't enough--I have a new obsession. It's about turning the water off. Why? I'll tell you.
So, the other day I was upstairs and went to make the baby a bottle. I started her bath water so she could have a bath, and then turned on the faucet to make her bottle. The water was cold, so I turned it to warm, and walked into my room. I got the baby, got her undressed, and just started playing with her. I had a tv show on and got sidetracked. I went back in the bathroom maybe 15 minutes later....and MY BATHROOM WAS FLOODED. I'm not talking a little leak on the floor. I'm talking the whole floor was covered in atleast an inch of water. Why? Because I had the sink plugged and had forgotten, and let the water just run EVERYWHERE. I was SO MAD. I took all of the towels in the closet that I had just washed. I used them to clean the floor. The whole rest of the day I kept looking at the ceiling in the kitchen to make sure there was no water that leaked down. It was terrible. Lesson learned, right?
Well, the next day I had something soaking in the sink, and turned on the water...and walked out of the room. What happened? The sink fills up again and luckily I caught it in time. I mean, really...how hard is it?
So, I share with you my obsessions...so that when I'm late to an appointment, or a party, or work, or umm...anything, you all will know the reason. Be sure I'm checking the garage door, or the locks, or my hairdryer, or....HELLO...now, my water. I'm only 31...this can not be a good sign.

She's Growing Up...

You know it's time to put the baby stuff away when your child can sit up....

Lean ALLLLLLL the way down to turn her own glider swing on and off. Wow--time flies.

Fun Day at the Park

Today Kira and I hung out with my friend Elvana and her son Mateo. Elvana will not be featured on this post because she made me promise that I wouldn't post any pictures of her. lol. (So, I'm keeping my promise.) I went to her house this morning and we chatted away. I used to see her more, but with our work schedules and lives, it's been forever!!! We went to the park and spent the day in the sun...talking and playing with our little ones. It was fun to see Mateo...he's getting so big....and it gave me a glimpse of how Kira will be in a year. My gosh that little guy ran all over.... Kira playing with Mateo's boxes

She's having fun with all of his toys

Little Mateo

Kira and Mateo talking...he was calling her "tawa" because he couldn't say Kira...awwwhhh

Kira resting in this funky chair that spins

She can stand like a big girl

Fun in the sun

Mom and Kira

Love her scrunchy nose

My pride and joy

Memories....

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

HAPPY MEMORIES!

(This can be for Kenny, Kira or I)

Is it just me?

Okay, is it just me or does my child look gigantic and toddlerish?? She's getting so big. SO BIG!

One more month...and she'll be one! This year has flown by! (yeah, and I know her hair looks crazy...she already is pulling out her pigtails dangit!!!)

Yay!!! Kira has pigtails!!!!!

My favorite thing ever...Kira's smile!

"Give me more...I'm still hungry"

Dangit,...why so sad?

Uncle Cody and Kira

I am thankful....

Last night was the hardest "Kira" night that I've ever had. And, really...in comparison to other nights that other mothers have, it wasn't that bad. But, for me...it's ranked up pretty high with nights I don't want to repeat.
We went to Grandma's house for the afternoon/evening --that was fun...and after a little bit of being home I told Kenny I'd hit "my wall" and to anyone who knows me realizes that I better go to bed or I'm not a nice person. Sleep deprivation, or getting less than my desired amount of sleep is generally not good for me. So, I go to bed I'd say around 9:30 or 10:00. At midnight I feel Kenny waking me up, and all he simply said was, "Your turn." I pulled out my earplugs to discover that Kira was starting to cry. Apparently Kenny had been up with her, just laid her down, and was so tired that he needed a break. So, I get up and go get her. This poor slobbering baby is screaming by now....her poor teeth hurt so bad she can't function. From midnight until 3am, I rocked her, I played with her, gave her tylenol, fed her, while she screamed.... I did anything I could until she finally drifted off to sleep. I slept until 4:30am when I had to get up to go to work.
Try going to work, being around people who are not extremely happy that they are even at your place of employment, I was short of staff, and the air was not working. It was HOTTER inside than it was outside. Are you kidding me? Today I was not happy. But, I am thankful that I have a job to go to so I can pay my bills. And I am thankful that it was only a problem that can be fixed and I don't have to work in a factory or outside...or somewhere that it's really hot every day.
I went and picked Kira up after work...so tired I was about to cry. But, when I went and got her she had just gone down for her nap. Thankfully, when I got home she went right back to sleep...and when she woke up she played in her crib until I woke up. I am thankful I have a baby who can play for a bit alone by herself. I picked her up and took her downstairs and sat her on the floor while I took the dog out. Then I flipped open the computer to read updates on my friends' blogs. I checked out Lisa's...and apparently she has a song that Kira likes because she looked up when she heard the music and smiled...she started bobbing her little head "dancing." I am thankful I have a baby who has good hearing. I left the music on and go to feed the dog, and when I walked back in the room, Kira had found a little clothes tag and stuck it in her mouth. I got annoyed for a second because I have no idea how she finds these things. But, I am thankful that she has good eyesight and can pick things up with her little fingers even if she does stick everything in her mouth. I watched her as she went to the end table and pulled the books out that I know I shouldn't keep there. She smiles at me as she starts to throw each one on the ground. I'm thankful my baby can pull herself up to reach things, and stand up as she throws things on the floor. And, thankful she has a sense of humor because she sure thinks that she is funny. I took the books away from her so she didn't rip them up and she started to throw a tantrum, and I'm thankful that she's fiesty like me. :) I turn on the t.v. and as soon as she sees it on she heads straight for the remote. I'm thankful she's crawling, pulling herself up, and progressing like she should. I call Kenny to ask him to pick up something for dinner and some medicine for Kira. I'm happy I have him in my life...to love me and to help me. I got a text from my friend asking how my day was. I am thankful that I have friends who check on me and make sure I'm okay. Kira starts to get frustrated so I pick her up to hold her--she immediately lays her head on my shoulder to snuggle...and I'm thankful that I have a baby who loves me and who has reshaped my world. I'm easily frustrated, and easily sleep deprived, but I'm thankful for my job, my family, my friends, my health, my home, my child...and my life.

My husband's name is Kenny, and he's an addict.

Alright, so really, I admit a few things. I'm an addict to let's say....Diet Pepsi. Well, and I'm addicted to ...well, a recovering addict from sugar. I'm addicted to sunshine. I'm addicted to COPS shows...really, that's all I prefer to watch. I'm addicted to Cafe Rio, Bajio, Costa Vida...the pork salad at these places is to die for. I'm addicted to exercise...haha, okay, I'm not but I thought I'd pretend. Thing is, if I'm addicted to something, I know it, I own it.
My husband, however, has a problem, and unfortunately has not chosen to accept it, or deal with it. He's addicted. And, I mean, this is a serious addiction. It's to the Olympics. I know you're thinking, not a big deal, right? No, it's for sure a big deal. From the time he walks in to the door, until the time that I wake him up to go to bed (That's right, I said WAKE HIM UP to go to bed) he is watching the OLYMPICS. I cannot tell you how much diving, bike riding, boxing, volleyball, etc...get the picture? that we have been watching since it started. He flips back and forth all night long, and all day long on the weekend to the different events. He says he hates the boxing, but he still watches it. Why? He's an addict. When he's not home he's recording in on the DVR so he can watch it...though I dont know when he'll have time! There is no reason for this post other than to tell the world, My husband's name is Kenny, and he's an addict. Is there a 12 step program for this?

Random Thursday Pictures

a little dark...but her cheesy smile

Taking a break from playing

Starting early...getting into mom's wallet

Playing with a favorite toy...the back to the TV remote

Lesson Learned...the hard way.

Okay, so Kira is cutting ANOTHER tooth. Yes, folks, ANOTHER tooth. I'm happy for her...glad she's getting in these chompers, but really...it's not the most fun thing in the world. Now, the runny nose...okay. The extra slobber...not a big deal. The extra crankiness...a little frustrating, but really, not a big deal. But, now I'm not trying to be gross...but the mess in her diapers... umm...yuck. It's... let's say..not as solid. And, right now I'm trying to decide if Kira's just teething or a little sick also. She's had way more than usual messy diapers...and the kind that's not fun to clean up.
Anyways, I go to pick her up from her babysitter's yesterday and she's told me that once again Kira is not doing so well on the keeping her diapers clean for very long. Her poor bum can't really take it. So, my babysitter says maybe when I get her home, just let her be without a diaper for a while. You know, let her bum air out. So, I'm thinking...okay that sounds like a good idea. I get the concept.
Yesterday Kira's had another rough afternoon ...poor thing. So, when Kenny's home and I've just changed her diaper AGAIN...I tell him that I want to let Kira just hangout in her playpen without a diaper, and could he please set it up for me. He tells me he doesn't think that's the greatest idea, but I tell him...no that's what I want. I'll just put a blanket down and if she makes a mess, no big deal... I'll throw the blanket in the washer... Right? I thought it was a great idea. Well, he goes to get the playpen and I start cleaning off my craft table so I can move it out of the way. Seriously, no more than 2 minutes after I'd taken her diaper off and she's crawling around the room I hear a big fart. Like, adult size. And, I start to laugh so hard because I know it's Kira until I look over and see what came out ON MY CARPET. Sad. So, I start calling for Kenny. He runs in the room...his face was priceless as he realized what happened. He takes her up to the bathtub, and brilliant me gets to work on the carpet. Okay, lesson learned. Yes, I'm a first time mom. And no, I will never do that again.

Kira's "Picture Smile"

So, Kira is turning out a lot like me when it comes to the pictures. I mean, this girl really has it down...I've trained her well. For some reason I love to take pictures....a lot of times just of myself. I never post them of course. :) Anyways, I always have the same smile, the same head tilt....etc. For those of you who know me, you know what I'm talking about, right? Well, Kira does the same thing now...but not so advanced. I have the red eye setting on my camera so before the picture gets taken, there's a red light that flashes before the actual flash goes off. My child, so young, but so smart...now scrunches her nose and half smiles as soon as she sees the red light. I don't even have to coax her. Haha I love it. (And, yes....she does have green beans on her face. This is a day when I let her feed herself. :))

Ashley and Kira watching softball

Grandpa Hart and Kira at Bajio

Aunt McKayle and Kira

Kenny and McKayle

McKayle went with me to the Corporate softball game...I think it was just a reason to get out in the sun for a bit. On Saturdays it's easy for me to stay inside and be lazy...and I wanted to work on my tan. :) We met Kenny and his dad for lunch. It was fun just to hang out and chat for a while.

A Summer Evening

So, Kenny got home from work and we decided to go to the park. I wanted to take Kira to swing, and we wanted to let the dog run around. Yeah, well...we went to FOUR parks and none of them had the little tiny swings for babies. That was lame. Apparently I'm not really knowledgable when it comes to parks, so I'm going to for sure study up on them. We just ended up going to a park by our house and let Kira crawl around and play on the slide and Kenny chased the dog around. Kira tried to eat the bark on the playground. Duke (our puppy) ran around until he tired himself out. It was a good night just to be outside and enjoy the summer evening.

Kira sitting on a park bench


Daddy helped her on the slide

Just enjoying the grass

Sam and Kira... our friend we ran into at the park

Mom and Kira

Kira and Kiera

Sharing the stroller

Kira pulls hair

Kira has a little doll named Kiera. Kiera goes where Kira goes. But, Kira pulls her hair all the time. She loves to have Kiera's hair tickle her face, yet she pulls on it all the time. They are cute together, and I think they will be best friends....as long as Kiera doesn't mind the hairpulling. That could get annoying in any friendship.