Say What You Mean to Say

There are several occasions when I wish I possessed the ability to be quick to react verbally. Many times someone will say something or make a joke and I have a retaliation, but after 5-10 seconds or so. It's just too long of a pause to then make my remark. It is so frustrating because I have something very witty in return and it never gets heard and begins to just eat me up later. Then, my thoughts only get more developed and perfected the more I ponder on what you could/should have said.

Scenario:
The daycare worker places Brooklyn in the jumper once I begin to walk out. Brooklyn immediately starts crying, but I hear the lady say to another worker, "I need to sweep this area right fast."
So, I think it's only temporary placement and then she will be down playing, etc.
I know that if she continues to cry, they will come and get me after 15 minutes (policy), so ride it out.

I spend 40 minutes on the elliptical and wanted to check on B again, get a drink and weight lift afterwards. I walk by and she is STILL in the jumper watching another baby scoot around with the worker right beside. I decide to end my workout and rescue my child from zero activity time.

Worker: "Done already?"
Me: "Yes. Has she been in the jumper the whole time?"
Worker: "Yes. (pause) She likes it in there."
Phantom Me: "That's strange because she hates being in her exersaucer at home. Now that she is mobile, she wants to be crawling around and moving, not stationary."

Instead, nothing. My head is screaming....LIAR!!! You are a lazy worker!!! I literally had this "phantom" statement in my head 4 seconds after the fact. URGG! I gave an eye twitch (the I'm-not-pleased but don't appear completely pissed off look) to the lady and walked out. I was so disappointed in myself.

This happens to me and I wish I had the gift of saying what I am thinking immediately. I know that there have been times when I am able to do this and would give anything to have a "take-back," so in that regard maybe it is better this way?!?

Coming Soon

With Brooklyn's first birthday fast approaching, I am getting anxious about the "toddler" stage. I can't believe it is just around the corner. She is crawling all over the place, pulls up onto everything and then cruises around. I now feel like a mere bystander during playtime; she goes from toy to toy by herself, plays with her animals, pushes every button for music and movement and takes books off the shelf to look through them. It is crazy to think how much she has changed. Now, I am getting things in order for her birthday party and sending invites soon.....ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? I also just ordered her new "big girl" car seat!! Oh dear!

The Safety 1st one that I purchased converts from rear-facing to front-facing, all the way to a booster for 80lbs. I wanted one that would make it for the long hall and Aaron wanted a light-colored material because it is too freakin' hot in Texas.


Brooklyn goes in for her 12 month check-up on her actual birthday, so I can't wait to find out how much she has grown! She certainly eats enough :)

Congrats Grad Dadda!!

Aaron finished his final class tonight for Graduate School!! He has successfully completed his MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington after two gruesome years. Commencement will be held in December.

I am so incredibly proud of Aaron for his determination and commitment to this. Normally, when I think of being proud of someone, I associate it to the accomplishments of your own child, but in this case, I am truly PROUD of my hardworking hubby. He amazes me sometimes....working full time, carrying a full load with a long drive, raising a child, helping around the house....WOW!!

Brooklyn and I are very lucky girls....Dadda really is Superman :)

Morning at the Park

Here in Texas, it has to be an early "outing" otherwise, you will fry like an egg!

I love to swing!



Where are we, Momma??


Look at this!



I like it here!

Love Dare Project

As you know, our love dare this week was to work on a family project together. Aaron and I decided to revamp (again) his old toy box to make it more suitable for Brooklyn and future siblings. He and his dad built this many years ago and once I went to college, we transformed it into a cushioned end-of-the-bed blanket holder. HA!! The fabric was changed once more to match our guest bedroom.
Equipped with wainscot, new trim, fresh paint, animal fabric, and decorations!!

Out with the old.....



In with the new!



Great teamwork!!

Yummy, Spaghetti!

Brooklyn eats mostly "big girl" food now. She likes feeding herself, for sure! Anyhow, here are a few shots of her eating Momma's homemade spaghetti for the first time.....hehe :)
(yes, she has a black eye, she fell about a week ago)

Ha! Awkward...

Funny Story!
Aaron and I were invited to his co-worker's Poolside Party last night in Downtown Dallas. They moved lofts, so they were having a little get together. Anyhow, I am not a social butterfly by any means and typically when you put me in an environment where I don't know anyone, I need a few drinks to help myself out!

We headed downtown and happened upon an open meter for parking. We were about 20 minutes early, so we walked around and stopped off at a bar for a few "calm-my-nerves" drinks.

I have met Jose, Aaron's co-worker, briefly at our baby shower, but otherwise know nothing about him. When we arrived, Jose came down and met us at the corner to show us upstairs. We were standing close to the entrance door and chatting for a moment and there was a lady standing at the door also. She was holding the door as we slowly approached and was looking at us. A few seconds later I put my hand out and introduced myself to this woman. (Jose and Aaron exchanging looks at this time.) Then Jose put his hand out and introduces himself to this lady as well!
Oh dear.....I thought it was Jose's wife the whole time!!!! When he shook her hand, I had to turn as red as a chili pepper. I was so embarrassed that I just introduced myself to a complete stranger.

Jose is a jokester, so he ragged on me for a while and it was a hilarious story to share later, but I mortified at the time. It was so AWKWARD!

Needless to say, I had a few more drinks during the night :)

Sister-In-Laws

Spending a week with my sister-in-law, Jen, (who I consider my sister) really got me thinking about the amazing "girls" in my life. My mother-in-law is wonderful and my mom is outstanding! I could go on for days about how loving, thoughtful and supportive my mom is.

But my sister-in-laws are all moms and are so unique in their own way. Tonya is going to school full time now, taking care of a new home and has done an awesome job with Charlie. He is such a sweet boy. Dan's Amanda is informative and knowledgeable as well as a working mom. Nick's Amanda is patient, super kind and very driven. I love getting together with her and chatting. And she takes the time to email me to stay in touch. And Jen is my role model, totally. If I could do the things she does with Addy and Kate, I know it would be perfect. She also looks fantastic because she finds the time to workout (who can with two kiddos?!?).

Being at home this summer makes life much easier when it comes to getting things done, cleaned, playing, the whole nine yards. I am dreading my return to work, but these woman all have their challenges too. Looking up to them helps me think, "I can do it too."

Thanks girls!! You all are amazing!!

Vacation to PA

Brooklyn and Momma left for Bethlehem, PA on June 30th to visit the de Wolfe-side of the family. It was her first time on an airplane and she did wonderfully; great traveler. Brooklyn was able to meet several of my aunts and uncles, cousins and more. Best of all, she met her great grandparents for the first time!! Dadda arrived on July 2nd and the rest was a blur.....food, company, drinks, fun! It was so nice to see everyone again.

We packed up and headed to Pittsburgh (back home)on July 4th with Jason, Jen, Addy and Kate. What a blast we had!! Again more late nights, company, drinks and fun times. We had a babysitter one night to allow the four of us some time off. We visited a petting zoo and the pool while we were there. The night before we left, we got introduced to Mah Jongg (tile game) and it was love at first play....thanks Jen!

Home sweet home on July 9th.



Visit my picasa photos for fun pictures of our vacation :)