This is a neat new virtual toy

I am having SO much fun with this toy. You can "clip" clothing from any number of sites and create outfits. This is my first set, the new line by Gymboree for Miss Aubrey. I am off to work on a Back-to-School look for RJ now too! Yay.

Gymboree Little Hearts by KatieQ89123 on Polyvore.com

WW, on Friday

Just a little request

OK, anyone who knows me well knows I am not very religious. I have dabbled (for lack of a better term) and do believe in something bigger... but not necessarily God as defined by any one religion and/or book. That being noted, please... this family needs strength and if you have any to spare in whatever way it is you do, please send it.

What I'm working on Wednesday

This blogging idea is from cute2carry! What I am working on Wednesday might just be the inspiration I need! Currently I am actually working on a bag from this tutorial! I have everything cut and interfaced, I just have to piece together and sew. Hopefully I can knock that out tomorrow night. I am still in a considerable amount of pain, but projects are keeping my mind off of it! Here are my fabrics:

I am also working on a cape for a precious little boy named Justin. I am not posting pictures of it until I have it perfect and have his mama's final approval. I can tell you it is blue and red and reversible though!

The other thing I am working on, as a personal aside, is potty training Aubrey. She did phenomenal today! She loves her big girl undies and refused a diaper all day. So a big way to go to her today... and a pat on the back for me!

I had to throw this one in just because he is such a good big brother. He holds her hand wherever we go. She will actually run after him and yell "hand!" if he forgets. I just hope they stay friends for a long, long time.

Yes I am

Our wedding story:


http://wackiestwedding.blogspot.com/

Days 4 and 5

Days 4 and 5 have been pretty bad as well. I think I am getting used to the pain. It has spread under my left arm now. I have a patch there and also some more lesions moving to the front on top of my left breast. The pain, it is hard to describe. It itches and burns like road rash, but it also aches like a bruise.

Day 4, Sunday

Day 5, Monday
You can sort of see some of the small blisters popping up on the front. So far, I have gotten some relief from after sun spray containing lidocaine and aloe. The oral pain relievers are relatively useless. Ibuprofen has taken down a lot of the swelling. The Valtrex seems to have slowed the spread some, but not completely stopped it.

Yuck

Yes, these pictures are kind of gross to look at. I have had a few people tell me it looks like heat rash. I can assure you it is not heat rash. The only logical explanation is shingles. The blisters are starting to form and should rupture in the next day or two. I haven't found any relief yet. My grandfather suggested anything containing capsaicin. I have been using aloe and some after sun care with lidocaine. It helps for a few moments. The rash has started under my left arm now and the sensitivity across my chest remains. I took a Percocet last night and all it did was make me nauseous, even with food before bed. So back to ibuprofen and plain tylenol... and lots of deep breathing. I think I'd rather go through unmedicated labor, at least that is over in 24 hours or less!

WTH are you feeding this girl?

It is a good question I suppose. I took Aubrey to get her chicken pox (varicella) vaccine yesterday to hopefully lessen the chance of her catching them from me. So we did the well baby check at the same time. She was 33.5 inches and 32lbs. 6 ounces! Yes, she weighs nearly a pound an inch. The doctor asked me what the heck she eats (she said heck, yes). I told her Aubrey is not picky (because she's not). She eats table food, veggies, fruit, grains, whatever it is I feed her. She is also still nursing. This is something I am struggling with, but in the meantime she is still being indulged. So I have a big, healthy, happy girl!

She stole RJ's breakfast off the counter when I took her out of her high chair. Maybe that is why she is so chunky?

Shingles! Not the kind on your roof...

Yep, I have shingles. I am 28 and other than being a little overweight, healthy. Stress, well yes, I have stress. So I suppose this is how it has chosen to manifest itself. It started with burning tingly skin. Then about 24 hours later the first set of rashy lesions appeared:
Another 24 hours later they have spread and hurt like hell and itch so bad at the same time. I am freaking miserable. I am on Valtrex and the doctor gave me a painkiller. Too bad that makes me super nauseous without relieving any discomfort.
I do not think I can handle months of this! Ugh, I will be updating here and there. I am mostly chronicling for my own record.

My first tutu!

So I made my first tutu today. I went to Joann's since the tulle was on sale (for $0.78 per yard). I only bought a half yard of each red, white and blue. I had the elastic waist at home and I had some red, white and blue ribbons in my ribbon stash. I'd read several places that all you need to do was sew the waist band and then slip-knot the tulle on. It really is that easy! I added some ribbon (I might add more) and I am done! I do have some blanket binding I may attempt to cover the waist with (to protect her skin). I also have a very cute red and white gingham swing top and white bloomers for her to wear. I am excited! I have 2 weeks to make it perfect.

A side view, it could be fuller and I would buy more material next time although I am super happy with the length.

From the top, I will be adding more ribbon and may change it out for the 1/8" instead of the 3/8" using it every spacing.

I took this picture as soon as we woke up Sunday morning.

Where did my week go?

It's Thursday already????


OK, I have no idea where my week went. I feel like I still haven't accomplished much of anything. I have a clean kitchen and porch, I got the kids rooms cleaned out. I have one of those 4 foot long 3 foot wide tubs full of baby clothes that no longer fit (having a girl was notgood for my budget). I scrubbed and scoured all day, but I didn't get anything done that I want to do. I have a finished dress that I am not happy with the top on, a half finished purse that I want to add grommets instead of button-holes one and about 15 scrapbook pages that just aren't quite right.


Am I being neurotic? Probably. I am also overly tired and stressed out about finances (who isn't anymore?). I mean, we're fine, we'll make it, it is just another thing that I am not happy with our position on.


Oh, and the lady at the front office gave Aubrey a peppermint patty when I wasn't looking and see what happened:

So we had a bath and tooth brushing in the bathroom sink (because I hadn't cleaned the tub yet).

Baseball practice went well, other than RJ running after every ball whether it was hit towards him (at third base) or the other way. Enough ramblings for the evening, goodnight.

Sigh, Sunday

So I have taken an emotional time-out for the last week. I think I am ready to jump back into things. We've had a lot happen this week, including a trip to the Emergency Room for a split chin. RJ is signed up again for baseball and will start on Thursday night this week. He is excited, and hopefully it will keep him busy for the summer. We just need to find a mommy and me class for Aubrey and I to take at the Community Center. She sure could use a little socialization (her skills are seriously lacking).

Today we went on a spectacular drive, which I wish I had the specifics for. Matt always seems to find the best trails. Here are a few pictures from the first stop, some petroglyphs and the family in Keyhole Canyon:

If you are into Geology at all then this is one heck of a place to go. There is so much variety and these rocks have been violently altered through history (eons). You can see the veins running through in some places and just the differences from one hill to the next (or in the same formation) are amazing. I won't bore anyone with specifics, but here are a few of my favorites:

We took a power line road over the mountain range (or through it) and to the Colorado River. It was a LONG drive with views to-die-for (almost literally, it was so steep) and lots of changing scenery. This was our highest point, we were so far up I swear I can see the Atlantic (well maybe not that far).

We played in the Colorado for a while before heading home. Right before we got into the town of Nelson I spotted some big horn sheep on the left side of the road. Matt walked barefoot across the asphalt to take a picture for me (is he a good husband or what?)

It was a great day all around, a much needed respite. The kids were exhausted (as am I) and Matt went to bed at least an hour earlier than usual. As for the rest of my day-to-day activities, they have been put on hold once again. I will resume, as scheduled, to the best of my abilities.

Oh what a Saturday

So, in good Irish Catholic fashion I decided to drink tonight. We had our lovely babysitter, Aunt Mandy. Mandy is a childhood friend of Matt and his sister, Regina. She is beautiful and happy and bubbly ... even Aubrey, hater of all people, ran into her arms this evening. She watched the kids so that Matt and I could attend a wedding reception. We came home and RJ had dressed himself in this:

Matt and I attended for about an hour. It was almost painfully uncomfortable. I know Matt would love to rekindle this friendship in another setting, so hopefully they will get in contact again soon. Hopefully it meant something that after 15 years, Matt attended this union. It really was a beautiful ring ceremony and reception. We kind of left early though, me being in an emotional state already, and went to the bar. Here is the dress I wore (although I had some spanx on to suck in the rest of the belly!!!):

The second picture is of Aubrey and I as we are about to leave. I think I over the fiasco that surrounded my attendance at the funeral. Let us hope so, because I have been angry and unable to focus. Matt (who is spiritually sensitive) says that grandma bears no ill feelings and understand my inability to attend at the hands of my father. So tomorrow, hopefully, I will be emotionally stable again and can get back on track with this and everything else. One more night to wallow in sorrow fits the bill.

Goodnight,