Frumps

I have a bad bad case of the frumps.

I feel fat.

I miss my baby son all day while I am at work.

I miss my husband since he works so much and gets home late.

I seem to be extra affected by each and every thing that happens.

Too many chores.

Too little time.

Too little money.

See, I want to stay home. It's an ache in me that I need/want and it can't happen. So I drop Logan off every morning, head to work, upset.

I pick him up and I get 2 hours, if that, and a lot of that is feeding him and cooking dinner. The only quality time is weekends.

How do people balance this? How do people balance this with multiple kids?

I am thankful for all the things in my life. I am thankful that I have a great job, husband, healthy baby, and sweet friends.

So why do I feel so...

frumps?

First....

This weekend was traumatizing.

This weekend was....

Logan's first haircut.

He was getting a bit shaggy and we knew it was time. It was in his eyes and really uneven since the back rubbed off quite a bit while sleeping.

To add to the emotions of this day, I left the damn SD card to the camera at home. So all these were taken with my phone. MAJOR Mom Fail. 

First they put on the cape...

We brought the Bumbo for support....

Then they wet his hair down..

MA! MA! They are cutting off all my hair!!!

It's friggin short. I am crying my eyes out.

 I managed to keep my composure until we hit the parking lot, then I cried "It's so short! No one will eve say "look at his hair!" again!" Pretty pathetic, I know.

Then we went to the grocery store and I tried to take a photo of the finished product...

He is so shamed and won't look at me, I know it...

I am still a little on the fence. I know he looks sweet but I loved that mess of hair on his head!

Hey mom, it's cool. I look grown up now!

Excuse me... I think there is something in my eye....

Budget Update

Remember when I told everyone that I was challenging our household to 2 months of watching our spending? I thought since it's been 2 months, I should do an update!

The first round, we went to Costco and then Kroger and I made those groceries last 3 weeks, with exception to formula and baby food. They do sell the larger formula containers at Costco and those last us about 9 days on average and are about $8 cheaper than the same size online. In those 3 weeks, we also had guests several times.

We have now gone to Costco 3 times and I have made the food last longer each time. I am getting better at knowing what I need from there that I can use to make meals for a month. A whole month! That means I am not browsing the grocery store every week buying things I don't need. In fact all our Target's had upgraded to have more grocery so I really only have to run through there for odds and ends when I am already buying baby food.

Here is evidence of our last haul:

An overview of it all piled up ready to be put away.

 Chicken (breasts and thighs) Pork (loin and chops) Ground Turkey (4 of them), large cans of crushed tomatoes, a pack of diced tomatoes, trash bags, 2 whole chickens, olive oil...

Cheerios (there are 2 bags in there) chicken stock, black beans, green beans, asparagus, red bell pepper, 3 containers of formula, pack of tomato paste. Somewhere in the room is a large bag of potatoes.

These are the staples. I have a few large containers I can pour the rest of a can of crushed tomatoes into when I open it to make something.. (you know, like my favorite meal of all time). I use these to make Spaghetti, Heuvos Rancheros, even tortilla soup.

Now the challenge - putting it away...

Yes there is chocolate in the drawer. And?

All the veggies live in these 2 drawers.

I still have to go to the store later in the day for fruits and odds and ends.

I have had to take over the cabinet above the refrigerator and gotten very creative on how we use the pantry.

All in all, this works for us and it does save us money. Again, I am not in the store tempted by bottles of wine ( don't worry, I still get bottles of wine!) I only get what we need.

There are things that carry over from some trips. For instance, I bought pasta last trip, so we didn't need any this trip. Same with ziploc bags, paper towels, toilet paper, and dishwashing detergent. Then this trip may have things I don't get next time (probably... tomatoes!) I put money from one paycheck in savings and then pull it out before the trip. That way, we aren't blowing $400 out of one pay period.

I think I have our actual grocery shopping down to about $450 a month, including baby needs.
Diapers are $30 a month from Amazon.

Lee still buys his beer. I buy wine but not as much. All in all, we like this method.

What about you, what things do you do to save money?

Wordless Wednesday

What do you think Logan is saying/thinking?

Sticks and Stones

You know that saying... "Sticks and Stones my break my bones but words can never hurt me?"

I don't think that's true. I think words are just as awful as sticks and stones, and the bruises take much longer to go away, if ever.

This is a story I have been trying to find a way to tell, but have been struggling with it. I am going to be as vague as possible because my intention is not to call anyone out, it's to get some emotions out of my system and tell a story that made enlighten many to some of my deepest fears.

At a job I had, I became close with 2 girls I worked with. We had lunch together nearly everyday, talked all day while at the office, even did things outside of work like movies and dinners. After a few days of having a funny feeling, I investigated and found a very long, very vicious instant messenger conversation they were having during the day at work - and it was 90% about me.

I was floored. How could they sit and say these terrible things about me and then turn around and go to lunch with me and we all laugh and have fun? It was one of the worst feelings I have ever felt.

I am very sensitive about what people say about me. I want everyone to like me. When I blog, I hope that everyone likes my silly stories and photos.

I am not a confrontational person at all. I didn't call anyone out but one girl figured out quickly that I at least had someone seen something. I explained that I was hurt and that I had done nothing to bring on this kind of behavior. She apologized but that felt half assed.

This really came to light the other day when reading Chloe's Blog about jealousy. I am not the kind of person that thinks anyone should be jealous of me. Not one bit. I am pretty meek and tend to be quiet until you get to know me. I am not flashy, I am not high maintenance, I do not do anything to bring attention to myself. I usually follow someone's lead...

I know you are dying to know what they said. Here are a few snippets.

In regards to my work out ethic:
Girl 1: She is holding me back on our workouts because she doesn't like spin class and only likes the elliptical. 
Girl 2: Well she only wants to be skinny, not be in shape. I would work out with you they way you like because we both played sports and she didn't - it's painfully obvious.
Girl 1: in fact the other day we were late getting to the gym becuase she was waiting on an email from [a client]
Girl 2: Ugh I am so tired of her ass-kissing. Like the other day when she rushed back to the office because she had to do something. I suppose she just wasn't getting enough male attention.

Really? If Girl 1 didn't like how often or how I worked out, why didn't she just say something? I hate working out. HATE IT. I don't keep that a secret either. I tried spin class and couldn't keep up. I like treadmills and elliptical. Then calling me an ass kisser because I was trying to make sure a client was taken care of before I left the office for the day to go work out? I don't even know what to say about the male attention comment.

Other things they touched on was how the boss's new baby isn't even cute, but I was drooling all over it to be an ass-kisser. They talked crap about everyone else in the office. They talked about a coworker with a baby and how she is rude and they are sick of her. They talked about our admin's, they talked about the boss's. It was awful.

They go on to talk about my eating habits, and then start talking about what they want for lunch and it does include cookies. Hypocrites, much?

I guess my point in bringing this up is that even though it's been a good amount of time, I remember these comments almost every day. When someone new is hired into our office, I am immediately nervous that this could happen again. When a coworker schedules lunch with a boss, I wonder if it's about me, did I do something? Say something? I worry that any time, someone I am on good terms with at the office is going to turn on me. It's very unnerving.

I could understand if I said something that came out wrong and they were talking about that, but they were all over the place from my competency at my job, to the personal attacks on my looks.

While I realize they never intended on me seeing these comments, I am still at a loss of why they did this. I bet neither realizes how bad it hurt me and how it still affects me to this day. Neither one of them ever came acknowledged what they did.

What do you think? Words are pretty hard to forget, aren't they?

Work - Sneak Peek

A lot of times, a project goes out the door - into a contractors hands - and that is the last I see of it.

Then there are projects like this, where I manage it through construction and watch it come to life.

I went to punch out the project (meaning make a list of all the little things left to be done) and snapped some photos. When better photos are taken, I will snag a few.

Until then, here is a sneak peek to something I have been working on for months.

Stained concrete floors...

Open trading area with carpet tile, open ceiling

Fancy ductwork

Front coffee bar (kitchen behind) with glass tile backsplash and Ceasarstone counters

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peak. There is so much to this space but since it was still covered in contractor junk I didn't want to ruin the visualization.

**I would like to note that I did have help on this project. We collaborate in our office and I had a lot of help on documentation (construction drawings and such) and often asked opinions from fellow Designers in the office. It was my baby and I was the lead Designer, but I never want to take credit away from those who also helped out. I couldn't have done it without them...

Questions...

Tell me about the shirt you’re wearing?
It's a super old Margaritaville shirt I bought on our honeymoon in Key West. I have 3 or 4 shirts of Buffett but this one is worn and comfy and my favorite.  

Hi Lilly.

What’s currently bothering you?
I am super tired because teething man woke me up like 5 times last night.  

What do you currently hear?
A TV in the kitchen and Logan chewing on his giraffe.


When was the last time you had your hair cut?
Maybe 3 months ago. It's beginning to bother me. A. LOT.


When were you last outside?
Other than walking to and fro to my car, I was outside on Sunday pushing Logan in the swing with Lee and Kelly.


Are you wearing shorts?
Yep.  Grey maternity night shorts. Man they are comfy.
 

Does the thought of marriage scare you?
No. I LOVE being married.


What did you do today?
Well since I am writing this at 7 am, let's write about yesterday... I went to work all cute in white pants and sandals only to be called into a construction meeting on the job site... usually you can't walk a job site in open toed shoes but since they just cleaned it up the allowed it. I wasn't planning on this meeting so it was a huge time-suck in my day. Otherwise I had lunch with a coworker, sent out a few space plans, and answered a zillion emails.
 

Look to your left, what is there?

Logan in his High Chair. Want to see? 

HI!!!

What time did you go to sleep last night?
Around 10:30.


When is your Birthday?
October 14.


The way to win your heart?
Buy me wine.


What are you going​ to do this weeke​nd?
We need to get the dogs haircuts, otherwise no real plans!
 

Were you happy when you woke up today?
Yes, but very tired


Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes I sure have. I got grounded later. I didn't really go anywhere, but since I scared my mom that was enough.


Would you ever donate blood?
I did in High School. Then I stood up and walked towards the snacks and passed out. My cousin was there and he caught me. Then, even though he was only 14, he drove me home. Good thing we lived in a small town!


Has anyone ever mistaken you for a family member?
Well, no. But my grandmother does the roll call of names before she finally gets to mine. It's pretty funny. It goes like this "DianeTerryBillyBryantAudreaBREANN!" That's only when she is flustered.


Do you have reason to smile right now?
Shall I show you what's to my left again? He makes me smile even at 3am.


What do you do when you’re stressed out?
Drink wine.


Would you honestly say you’d risk your life for someone else?
For Lee or Logan, in a heartbeat.


Do you open up to people easily?
I do after I get to know someone. Then I am an open book.


Has anyone upset you in the last week?
Not really. I get pissed off at work all the time but who doesn't?


What is the last pill you swallowed?
Aleve on Satruday.Dang #wineparty on Twitter....


What was the first thing you thought this morning?
UGH&$&)(#U()&%&()#&@!


Who do you blame for your bad mood today?
I’m not in a bad mood


Where is the person you like right now?
One is to my left, the other is in the bedroom getting dressed. SLOWLY. I need to get in the shower and it's already 7:30!


What was the first thing you did this morning?
Snuggled Logan after Lee went and got him from the crib.


Do you care of what people think of you?
Too much. Yes.


Who was the last person you took a picture with?
By myself for this post


What are you looking forward to right now?
More coffee.


Do you miss someo​ne?
Been missing my Grandma. Need to go see her soon and take this little guy.


Does your crush like you?
Most days. Was this survey taken from Cosmo magazine?


If you could go back in time and change something would you?
Maybe. But it all happens for a reason.


Do you hate smokers?
I don't hate them, I just don't like to be around the smoke.


Ever had a near death experience?
Nope


Something you do a lot?
Drink coffee. And wine.


Last person you cried in front of?
Probably Lee when I had a "holy crap I gained some weight" moment.


Have you ever been to a tanning bed?
Yes. Many Many times. I no longer go.


Does anyone hate you for no reason?
There were those girls I used to work with but.. who needs them?


Have you ever kissed someone whose name starts with the letter J?
Jason. In high school


What are you stressed out about?
Bills. That's about it.


What was your favourite grade?
I guess my Senior Year of High School because I didn't even have to think and made all A's. Again, small town. I also skipped class a lot and had tons of fun. Otherwise maybe my last semester of College where Donald and I hung out at IHOP instead of going to class. I never liked school much, can you tell?


When is the next time you’ll see your best friend(s)?
I just saw him last night.


Favourite number?
I don't have one...

Ever been in love?
Yep. Currently.


Are you wearing make-up?
Only what's left from yesterday. I know I know.


What were you doing at 11:30 last night?
Sleeping. Or stumbling down the hall. Who knows.


What’s the last thing you said and to who?
“I only have a couple left."



Do you sleep on your stomach?
Yes, and I missed it while I was pregnant!


What do you hear?
Logan playing, the TV, and Lee clearing his throat.


Are you ticklish?
Yes, but don’t ever tickle me.  You will get hurt.


Last time you saw fireworks, with who and where?
Last year at 4th of July.
 

Cookies and Naked Babies

I did it, guys. I made the sand dollar cookies..

They were....

Not good.

I mixed the ingredients and cut out my little cookies...

uneven.. I don't have a round cookie cutter....

Then I put the almonds and cinnamon sugar on them...

So far so good...

And I baked them..

Pretty!

Then I ate one.
Dry...
Not sweet...
But pretty no?

Next time I may just make a simple sugar-cookie recipe and freeze the dough in a roll so I can just cut cookies. Same effect, more yummy-ness.

In other news, Logan had his first diaper rash and I was advised to let him "air it out."

So we got on the play mat, towels ready, and played.

Not shamelessly showing baby butt, but you get the point...

He peed. twice. and squealed and LOVED being naked.

Yep, he's my husband's son allright...

I have a bit of blogger's block.. I am working through it so bear with me!

I love you, fellow Bloggers

Each morning, as I stumble into the kitchen, I do a few things in a certain order:

• Make the day's bottles
• Give Logan his breakfast bottle
• Make a cup of coffee
• Open the laptop

The first site I visit? Google Reader.

Many a morning, it says I have over 100 unread items. My first thought is usually "How am I going to get through all these!?"

Part of the high number is the feed from one of my favorites, MamaPop. I love this site and it's affiliates because you get tons of different kinds of news and the articles are written by bloggers.

Another feed filler that I can't get enough of is The Stir. Another news-ish site written by bloggers who also keep up their own blogs. The articles are unique and funny, one of my favorite sites to visit each day.

Then there are all my friends! Let's list a many as possible, shall we?

• Marriage Confessions
• How to Be a Dad
• Momma Kiss
• Diary of a Mad Woman
• Airing My Dirty Laundry
• Cowboy Boots and Baby Booties
• Doubling the Dewitts
• My New Life as a Housewife
• Ramblings of a Sailors Wife
• Short Fat Dictator
• Kelly's Breakroom
• Vive Le Nerd (And my Button of the Month!)
• Yeah, Good Times
• Handflapping
• Adventeroo (and her helpful site MomComm)
• Bake at 350
• Rubber Chicken Madness

There are so many others. So So Many. I can't list them all! These are by no means listed in any order or favored over blogs not listed, this is just a sample....

I also keep up with For the Love of Blogs, which is a great way to network.

Yesterday, I talked about my obsession with Sand Dollars. Today, Tiffanie mentioned she is going to blog about something she is obsessed with... check her out! Pineapples and Pickles.

Have a great weekend and I hope you enjoy reading these!

Obsession

First - Check this out! I was featured at For the Love of Blogs!

Ever since the website re-design.. I have been a little bit obsessed with Sand Dollars.

Want these cookies? I may make them this weekend...

Recipe: Sand Dollar Cookies

I covet this necklace:

Stella and Dot

 Did you guys know Sarah is a Stella and Dot sylist? Check her out here: Stella And Dot. I hope I can wear this to her wedding....

I can even further my beach lifestyle persona with this:

I have even gone so far as to re-design my debit card....

Recognize this particular sand dollar?

It will be here in 3-5 more business days!

In fact growing up, I remember my mother loves sand dollars so she was especially happy with the site design.

Summer is halfway over which is bittersweet. I hate this heat but love the feeling over summer - carefree and happy. Soon the Holidays will be upon us and it will be all about presents and twinkle lights.

What do you love about summer? Is there something you are a collector of?

**all images from Pinterest.

I am also participating in a wonderful link up today over at Some Kind of Wonderful! Check it out!

I cheated on Target...

I feel dirty.

Really dirty.

See, I have been looking for those fun puzzle piece foam squares for Logan to play on in the floor. He is a scooting machine and his play mat was bunching up under him. I priced some on my coveted Amazon, but was put off by the price..

Then, I saw that Jessica had put a photo of Callen on one on her Facebook. I texted her immediately and asked her where she got it.

Not Target.

Not Amazon.

Walmart.

I groaned. NOooooo. Walmart?

See, in Houston (not the suburbs but REAL Houston) Walmart is downright SCARY. We have been to the one by our house maybe 3 times. When we lived out by Lee's office, we went all the time because it was nice and new.

I knew that if I wanted this damn mat, I had to go to Walmart and quick. She had found it under the $5 seasonal section.

Lee headed off to Ben's and I went to Walmart with my security team, Mom and Tony.

Low and behold we found them - you got 9 pieces for $5! Amazon had 6 pieces for $45!!! Look, I am sure they are higher quality on all that - but this guy is growing fast and won't use them but for a few months.

So I grabbed 4.

Now, thanks to Mom and Tony forcing me to let them buy this, Logan has a 4x8 playmat, plus a few extra squares for my poor knees at the tub, in the Living Room.

 Now he can scoot and scoot and it doesn't bunch up underneath him!

Have you ever found such a deal that you went out of your way to get what you wanted?

I hope Target and Amazon forgive me...

4th of July plus Family Visit!

Our 4th of July Holiday Celebration began on Friday afternoon when we picked up Mom and Tony (A.K.A Pogo and Pappy) at the airport. The last time Pappy had been here, Logan was only about 4 weeks old... Needless to say, Logan was a lot different!

But he still had fun riding the pony!

 The first night we went to dinner and caught up, and started planning our weekend. We figured we could get Logan a little pool for the backyard since it's about 150 degrees outside. We decided to try on his swimming hat the night before...

That's right, I am super cool...

 The next day, Logan was NOT himself. I look and saw that there is a tooth right below the gum and we figured that was the source. However, we felt like he was up to his swimming play date, so outside we went!

Yeah! Swim time with momma!

 Don't worry, he was safe...

Momma Lola never stopped her watch...

SPLASH!

 We added the hat and kept on playing until his feet were pruny!

Mommy is so white.. SO WHITE.

 The next day, he was feeling much much better, just in time for the 4th!

Pogo, Logan, and Pappy

 

 

 After breakfast and some shopping, Pappy put up Logan's new swing and we didn't wait one second to try it out.

 He.

LOVED.

It.

YEEEHAW!

They were watching the knot to make sure it was holding..

After a bit, I wanted to push him!

Forgive my whiteness, once again...

I hope you all enjoyed your 4th!