Happy New Year!

Wow! I celebrated my first New Year's Eve last night at my Aunt Chandy and Uncle Keith's house. It was a great time! I got in a couple hours of sleep but made a point to wake up at 11:30 pm so I could enjoy the festivities...

Home from FL!

Yes, I was without cell phone and Internet for most of our trip. It was actually kind of nice. As soon as I get ALL of the pictures downloaded from the camera, I'll put some updates on the blog.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Crackerz

Hanging out at the huntin' camp!

On our way home, we made a pit-stop at grammy and papa's hunting camp. It was fun!!

Christmas at Charmie's

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day at Charmie's house with my uncle David, Charmie and Mimi. Charmies' friend, Dave, and his family came over for Christmas dinner that daddy cooked. It was DELICIOUS! Thanks for the great gifts!

Christmas at Grammy and Papa's

Christmas at Grammy and Papa's house took place the morning of December 23. Everyone showed up in their pjs...sure beats getting ready. We opened presents and then my daddy cooked breakfast! It was so much fun! Thanks everyone for all of my great gifts! I love them.

Christmas at Granny and PaPa's

On Sunday, December 23, we celebrated Christmas at my granny and PaPa's house. Almost the entire family was present. The only person missing was Barbi and her family. As always, the food was YUMMY!

Day Two - Christmas Trip (and Mommy's birthday)

Happy Birthday, mommy! I won't tell anyone how old she is.

We woke the next morning (early as usual) and I had some cereal and fruit for breakfast. Briana, my friend, woke up and we both were so excited to see each other. Not too long afterwards, the rest of the family woke up (Aunt Brenda, Uncle Brian and Bradley). Oh yeah, daddy was going through the kitchen finding "goodies" so he could fix breakfast. We had coffee, waffles, bacon, eggs and grapefruit...yummy! Since it was mommy's birthday, daddy made her plate first. Isn't he sweet?

While daddy was finishing up breakfast, I opened my presents. I received a beautiful Lenox Christmas ornament and Webkinz. Thank you so much, I love my gifts!

After breakfast, we showered and dressed to finish our trek south to my grammy and papa's house. It took us about 4-4 1/2 hours to finish the drive. I slept and played most of the way. We only had to make one stop to feed me and by then we were only an hour away.

We arrived at my grammy and papa's house to find it empty. Everyone was still in town finishing up their last minute shopping, mostly groceries. Daddy unloaded the car and we hung out by the pool until the family arrived.

I sure was glad to see my grammy, papa, Cayleb and Devin. I think they were happy to see me, also.

My granny and PaPa (great grandparents) live down the road so we took a trip to see them. I hadn't seen PaPa in a couple of months and I sure have grown since then.

Day One - 2007 Christmas Trip

The trip started on Friday, December 21 around 2:00 pm. Our bags were packed and we headed south. I fell asleep almost immediately after the trip started. So, my parents agreed not to stop until I woke up. I slept a good two hours and boy was I hungry when I woke up. We stopped at a Hardee's in North Carolina...a good resting place (diaper change, dinner, potty break). After about a 30 minute stop, we were back on the road. Our next stop was to change me into my night clothes...my parents were trying to stick to my "routine". After the nightclothes were on, I "crashed" and slept until we made our last stop for the night in Jacksonville around 12:30. Uncle Brian invited us to stay with them on our way down. We did and it sure was great seeing everyone! Yes, we stayed up to visit and finally got back to sleep around 1:30 am. Mommy and Daddy were tired...I felt fine. :-)

Pitstop at Uncle Brian's House

Countdown to Track Santa

Click on the picture above to track Santa on Christmas Eve! It's really neat! You will need Google Earth on your computer!

CC Boogie

Get your own at Gizmoz.com

Cool and FREE Websites

At work today, I learned about some really neat websites. They are:

www.elfyourself.com
www.meez.com
www.gizmoz.com
www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/
www.trunkmonkey.com

Have fun!

I love the camera!

I just love this picture of CC! Yes, that's her personal keyboard in the background. This is the only way I can get work done is to give her a keyboard of her own to "type".

Aunt Chris and Uncle Larry

Tonight, my Aunt Chris and Uncle Larry came over for dinner. Daddy made a yummy dinner and dessert. For dinner, we had Vodka Chicken Penne and for dessert we had Mocha Mousse and an espresso. I sure hope mommy isn't up all night.

Be sure to check out the WIKI for all the recipes!

Dinosaur Play "Thingy"

My grandma and grandpa from MI sent me this really cool dinosaur "thingy". I'm sure it has an official name but I'm not sure what it is. As you can see from the pictures, I really like it a lot. Thanks grandma and grandpa!

New Pictures in the 6 Month Album

Mommy's gone crazy with her new camera. She's learning about all the features and is using me as her test subject.

Gift Wrapping

This afternoon, mommy and daddy decided to wrap some gifts. Look what my daddy did to me...

Brushing My Teeth

Mommy's already teaching me how to brush my two teeth.

Let's hope...

we're on to a new sleeping pattern. CC slept from 7:30 pm until 6:15 am this morning! At 4:30 I checked on her and at 6:00 her daddy checked on her. We'll see...

Mommy's New Camera

My daddy and I decided to give mommy her birthday/Christmas present early. We thought she might like a week to practice with it before the big parties. Oh yeah! We gave her an Olympus E-410 digital camera...it's nice and she really, really likes it!

Gift Exchange with Bella

Bella and her mommy came over for lunch today. While they were here, Bella and I exchanged gifts. She gave me this great Hawaiian monkey, puppet book and a hat and mittens. For some reason, Bella thought I was really funny and giggled a lot! I guess I'm going to be like my daddy...a cut up! As always, mommy was there to snap up LOTS of pictures.

Auntie Anne's Christmas

Today I gave Auntie Anne her Christmas gifts...I sure hope she liked them. Mommy took these pictures to capture the moment. I REALLY like the wrapping paper.

Follow-up to previous post..

As mentioned in the previous post, my things are everywhere. To keep from having to carry my exersaucer up and down the stairs, mommy ordered this Baby Einstein exersaucer...it's great!

Toys, books and more toys and more books...

Daddy commented to mommy last night that we don't have any rooms left without CC "stuff". Yes, that is true. My things are everywhere! I love this picture of me on the living room floor with all of my goodies.

Smokey Bones

After our pictures last Saturday, we had a late lunch/early dinner at Smokey Bones. Yes, I am sitting in a highchair now.

Dewey Guys

As you know, last weekend we had our pictures made (and they sure were good). We took a few pictures beforehand. Check out this one of my grandpa, daddy and me! They are handsome fellows!

I'm going to be a chef!

One of my favorite places to be is in the kitchen with my mommy and daddy! Okay...so daddy does most of the cooking.

Here are just a couple of pictures of me in the kitchen...

Don't hold your breath...

but CC slept from 7:30 pm until 5:00 am with NO interruptions. As any good parent would, I woke up in a panic around 3:30 am because I hadn't heard from her. She was snoozing away! However, mommy couldn't go back to sleep so I hung out in bed until 4:30 and then got up...had some Christmas "stuff" to work on.

Stay tuned to see if we get a repeat tonight! Keep your fingers crossed.

6 Month Checkup

Today I had my 6 month checkup. I weighed 17 1/2 lbs and was 27 3/4 inches long...I think the nurse wrote down the wrong length last checkup. According to the records, I've shrunk.

In good family tradition, we went out to dinner afterwards...we had Mexican. After dinner, we went shopping at the NEX and then to the Botanical Gardens to see the Christmas lights. Even thought it was getting close to my bedtime, I was a good girl...I even fell asleep in the car.

Mommy went crazy taking pictures so enjoy!

Miss Amy's Christmas Present to Me

I opened my present from Miss Amy today. She gave me a new book, Grandma and Me, and a subscription to Babybug. Here are some pictures (and a video).

Frustrated!!

Yes, I'm going to use this forum to vent my frustration! There are some days when I feel like I can't get ANYTHING done. Exercise? What's that? I guess I could sleep from 7-midnight, wake up, work (I feel like I'm so far behind that I'll never catch up), and go to the gym during the "work day". Oh yeah! I still have a baby who nurses (hence the reason for the mother to be around in the am, lunchtime, dinnertime and bedtime). I love being a mom but anyone who tells you that being a working mother is easy, is LYING!!!!

Yes, I have the type of job that allows me to work from home, if needed, and with flexible hours. However, today for example, I had someone who needed me to help them with a problem. Yeah right! That's going to happen with a crying baby in the background (she was tired but wouldn't take a nap). So, I asked the person to call me back after 4...Nutz would be home by then...or so I thought.

Oh well! I know I'm not the first working mother to feel this way but for someone who is a focused worker, it's very stressful. It's really hard to try to finish a project with many interruptions. I'm used to sitting down and not getting up until my task is complete. You should see my to-do list; I never get anything marked off.

Thanks, Amy, for taking such good care of CC so I can go to the office for a couple of hours a day. I can actually get some work done when I'm there.

Vent over...

Working Moms

How many of you working moms have experienced this?

Granny and Grammy Visit from FL

This past week, my grammy (mommy's mom) and granny (mommy's grandmother) came to visit. We had a nice visit! I think my granny is so funny! Remind me to tell you the "sweet tea" story about my grammy...okay, I might have mommy post it here later.

CC and Ben Video

Hanging out with Ben!

Today, Ben's mommy and daddy went horseback riding to celebrate their anniversary. So, Ben spent the afternoon with me. We had a great time. My mommy and daddy got a "taste" of what it would be like to have twins. As always, mommy took lots of pictures.

6 Months

Today is my 6 month birthday. As a treat, we had our pictures made. Lucky for me, I had several grandparents and a great grandparent visiting...check out the pictures.

Watch me grow!

Mommy added my 6 month pictures to the slideshow...check me out!

Cool Site!

While we were visiting my family in MI, Aunt Stephanie showed my mommy this cool website. Here are just a couple of things you can do with your pictures on the site.

Santa Claus Visit

This afternoon, I had my first visit with Santa Claus. He's a really nice guy and I was a good girl...I didn't smile like I normally do but no crying either. Enjoy my picture!

Uncle Wormy is Getting Married!

Well, the last of my mom's siblings is getting married. My Uncle Wormy (not his real name) popped the question to Tiffany last month and they finally set the date. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4. I'm sure it will be a grand time! I wonder what my dress will look like?

CC and Ben - Video

Uncle Tony took this cute video of Ben and me...I kinda like him.

Check it out on their blog.

FL vs FSU - GO GATORS!

We had a FL vs FSU party this afternoon! I still like Ben even though he showed up in an FSU outfit! Florida wins 45-12!

Christmas Cards...

You may have seen the email below...According to Snopes, the US Postal Service will not accept anything addressed to "any soldier", "recovering soldier", etc.

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to the address below. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much will get.

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

Instead, the American Red Cross has said that small gifts can be sent to patients in the facility to them. The medical center is ONLY accepting phone cards, CDs, individual small packets of candy, etc. You may send your packets to the address below:

American Red Cross
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5000

My First Thanksgiving

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving at my Aunt Chris and Uncle Larry's house. Daddy deep fried a turkey and mommy made cornbread dressing, sweet potato bake and pumpkin soup (a new recipe). Aunt Chris made beer can chicken and other goodies. It was all yummy...or so I've been told.

Here are some pictures of our day.

My First Christmas Tree

While I was visiting my friend, Brooke, in MI, mommy learned that Brooke and Kal have their very own Christmas tree in their bedroom. Each Christmas, they get a new ornament for their tree. Mommy liked the idea so much that she got me a tree for my room. It's silver with white lights. We put a mermaid as the topper, ribbon as garland, and a couple of ornaments.

Here are some pictures...

My looks are always changing!

See any resemblance? Here are a couple of pictures of my mommy (and her granddaddy) when she was little.




Here's a picture of me and my papa.

Sunday Afternoon...

Today, I had a nice lunch and walk with my friend, Ben. He's only 11 days younger than me but he likes older women. I'm glad because he sure is cute! My mommy and daddy took some pictures of us.

Johnny Jump Up

Today, my daddy put together my Johnny Jump Up. Mommy says I can hang out here while she showers (I try to tip over the bouncy chair now).

Cooking with daddy!

Watch Me Grow!

My First Trip to Cabela's

My daddy needed a gun case so we stopped at Cabela's in Hammond, IN. Mommy (aka Mommaratzi) took some pictures while we were there.


Click on the slideshow to see the picture album.

Grandpa's 90th Birthday

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Grandpa D turned 90 on Friday, November 9. To help celebrate this exciting time, we attended his birthday party in MI. We took lots of pictures, so enjoy!


Click on the slideshow to see the picture album.

My first trip to the "Great White North"!

This past weekend, I flew to the "Great White North", as my daddy refers to it. I got to meet a lot of new family members and help celebrate Grandpa's 90th bday (a separate blog post).

Here are some pictures from the trip...enjoy!


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Click on the slideshow to see the picture album.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my 5 month birthday. A lot sure has happened this past month. Let's see...

1. I got my first tooth and my second tooth isn't far behind.
2. I learned to roll over from my stomach to my back...both sides.
3. I started eating cereal, and most recently, green beans. Yummy!
4. I took my first "jog" with my daddy in my jogging stroller.
5. Amy taught me how to turn the bathroom lights on and off.
6. I went to my first pumpkin patch with my friend, Bella.
7. I celebrated my first Halloween as a Hawaiian girl...wearing a pretty blue outfit that Marybeth sent to me from Hawaii.
8. I started taking baths in the bathtub upstairs instead of the kitchen sink.
   
9. The addition on our house was finished so I finally got a crib in my room. It sure is nice being able to stretch out. However, I do look forward to the mornings when I lay in bed with mommy and daddy.
10. I went to my first oyster roast at the Monahan's.
11. I went to my first pee-wee football game...got a little suntan.
12. The most important one to my mommy...I started sleeping through the night (knock on wood). I usually go to bed around 7 pm and wake up between 4-5 am...back to sleep until 6:30 am. :-)
    
13. I'm sure there are more but mommy's tired and can't think of them right now. If she does, I'll have her add them to the list.

We had a 5 month photo shoot today. Enjoy the pictures.

How we communicate!

New Foods

So, mommy has me trying a couple of new foods. I've tried sweet potatoes (only once...they stopped me up) and green beans. The green beans are yummy and I've been eating them everyday since Saturday.