It's a BOY!

Oh my! Yes, our #2 is going to be a boy. That means we have a lot of redecorating and shopping to do. We saved everything from our little peanut but it is all pink! 

We are so excited and thrilled for our new little one. Still working on a name but will let you all know once we decide.

Baby #2!!

Yes, that's right...our little patch of heaven is going to grow by 2 feet in April. We are very excited but can't seem to wrap ourselves around loving anyone as much as we love our little peanut! We of course know we will but it is just foreign to think that...our little peanut is our world, our sun, our moon, and stars!

Stay tuned to find out if our #2 will be a boy or a girl!

Vacation!!

So my DH, our closest friends, and myself all went on vacation and let me tell you...it was wonderful! Woke up at our own leisure, had the butler (yes I said butler) bring up my coffee, lounged by the pool which was heated to the perfect temperature, and enjoyed great meals without having to cut up something into little pieces for my peanut. Yes, she stayed with Grandma and Grandpa who thoroughly enjoyed having her but were totally exhausted. 

Aside from just getting out of the heat, the main reason for our vacation was so my DH and I could reconnect. We put everything we've got into our marriage on a daily basis but sometimes the hustle and bustle of life can leave you feeling drained. We decided long ago that our marriage would always take precedent and we would do everything we could to keep it strong. Going away without our peanut allowed us to focus on our marriage completely. Before we left I mentioned that we were going away just the two of us at my ladies bible study and all of the women really supported and encouraged it. It really made me feel like I was totally doing what was right since most of those women have been married to their husbands for MANY years! 

I deserve a sticker!

Being a mom, especially to a toddler, can be a "verbally" thankless job unlike the corporate world where you constantly receive praise in one form or another. Yes, I know I get paid in hugs, smiles, giggles, kisses, and the occasional love bite, smack, or jab (yes, we are working on the no biting or hitting.) However, today I decided to keep a small list of things that I did today that I deserved a sticker, cookie, or at least a thank you for.

1. I rescued a packie from certain destruction when my peanut tried to throw it into the running garbage disposal.

2. I did not say unkind words to the old grumpy woman screaming to the poor little girl working the return counter at Target. (Yes, I do not like the Target return policy but there are ways of asking politely to speak to the manager - and that would not be screaming so everyone in the dollar section can hear you!)

3. I gave my peanut the can of Little Crunchies while she road in the cart at Target. (DON'T WORRY, I PAID FOR THEM!) 

4. I laughed out loud in the card section when I looked at my baby, who had 3 Little Crunchies stuck in her mouth, crumbs all over her face, and then decided to try and talk. It was so darn cute but reminded me of the Gremlins movie when one of them has like 4 cigarettes hanging out of their mouth.

5. Got Father's Day stuff and birthday stuff for my mother-in-law

6. Made my weekly trip to Sprouts for double deal Wednesday, clipped coupons, and just saved our family a boat load of money.

7. Took our little money pit of a dog to the vet as she was would not put weight on her front leg and did not freak out when the vet told me she won't know if it is broken for a couple days. (I really wanted to say, well I will pay the bill when you tell me something worth that kind of money - but I guess I wouldn't get a sticker for that response!)

8. Did not smart back to my husband when he piped off about the vet trip. 

9. Locked myself in the bathroom to try and have a conversation on the phone, only to find myself laughing about my peanut banging on the door and sticking her little fingers under the door. So cute!! 

10. Made no comment when my DH asked why our peanut can not just sit on the couch. 

But, I would give back all the stickers, cookies, and compliments just so I can see her smiling little face every morning! There really is nothing better than that!

My gift is my song and this one's for you

Music is something that is very constant around our little patch of heaven. At any given time we either have the laptop, ipod, radio, or tv playing some type of music. We are pretty much a fan of all kinds but there are certain songs that just stick with you. Here are some songs that remind me of people in my life:

DH: Son of a preacher man - "the only one who could ever reach me, was the son of a preacher man."

Our peanut: Maneater - this song would ALWAYS put her to sleep in the car when she was little. A guess a little Nelly Fertado never hurt anyone. 

My Mom: Anything by the Beatles - we would listen to them in the car all the time. I have her to thank for getting an A in the History of the Beatles in college. My DH has her to thank for the same reason!

My Dad: I fought the law and the law won - I gave up trying to fight the law in my early teenage years because he would always win! It is no fun trying to argue with a lawyer!!

My Brother: Anything Guns and Roses - he was the only 8 year old on our block who actually convinced his mom to buy him Appetite for Distruction when it came out. She was always a push over for him!

Ton: Pour Some Sugar on Me - On our way to Maui we were listening to the radios on the airplanes and this song came on. We both love it and have danced to it at many a clubs and weddings. So hearing it and being on the plane was not going to stop us from rockin out in our seats. I am pretty sure the boys were totally embarrassed.

Miss M: See you again by Miley Cyrus - Probably just the name reminds me of her but I also change up the chorus to say "My best friend Kinley said oh she's just being Miley."

My father-in-law: Amarillo Sky - "And he takes the tractor another round and pulls the plow across the ground, and sends up another prayer. He says Lord I never complain, I never ask why, please don't let my dreams run dry."

Cheri: Shook me all night long - her anthem! 

That is about all I can think of at the moment. What about all of you out there...any songs that remind you of someone?

Can't believe I am going to admit this...

but I really hate getting flowers now! Me, the eternal feminine romantic, and I don't want flowers anymore. My DH brought home some flowers the other day and I saw them and actually thought "great, something else I have to take care of." In fact, they sat on my counter for a day and a half before they made it into a vase. I didn't even remember to put more water in the vase; they just wilted away. 

I think being a mom has just changed what I view as a romantic (or apologetic) gesture. So honey, if you are reading this and want to be romantic, bring me home something I don't have to care for: like SHOES, HANDBAGS, OR JEWELRY!  ;)

A true Spice Girl!

The other night I made homemade salsa which always goes over well with my DH! However on this occasion it also went over very well with my little peanut! We gave her one little bite on a crumb of a chip and she was hooked! She actually started eating the salsa by the handful (then I busted out the swiffer!). The next morning I mixed some in with scrambled eggs for breakfast and she eat them as fast as she could. Guess that is one way for her to get her veggies!

You know you are a parent when...

it is your 4 year anniversary and you made plans to go out just the two of you. The day before your little one pukes all over you and then acts like she feels terrible. The morning of your big day, she wakes up perfectly fine. Then 1 hour before you start to head out, she pukes all over you again. To top it off, you can't find anyone to teach your class at church so you need to go to church but you can't bring your little one. So your 4 year anniversary date looks like this: drop off your little one with Grandma, go to church and teach other kids, on the way to pick up your little one get In and Out Burger and eat it in the car. Don't worry my DH up sized my drink to a shake for our anniversary! We have plans to celebrate this Friday at a resort here care of my husband's work (he will be there at meetings all day, I will be at the spa!). However, I am sure before I go to leave our little miss will probably start throwing up  =)      

Yes, I know that In and Out Burger is not going to help me get into a swimsuit or rather feel comfortable in my swimsuit but it was SO GOOD! 

We are going on vacation!!!

For the first time since before we had our little peanut, my DH and I are going on vacation alone! Well, not really alone, with our best friends who we really consider family but without the girls (Miss M is our best friends little girl). Ton and I know that as the moms we will certainly cry as we pull away from the house and will need some movies to watch in the car as distractions. 

That being said, here is my real dilemma, we are going to a very nice resort where time will be spent on the beach. Ton is expecting baby #2 and is absolutely glowing. I never really saw a woman glow in pregnancy until Ton got pregnant. I think maybe I glistened but it was really just sweat! Anyways, she will look absolutely adorable with her little baby bump in her swimsuit, but I sadly will not look that cute. I have flab and no baby bump to fill it. So now I need to start really getting in shape again; I took a break after the Tillman Race. However, I just left my super nice gym due to the God's Miracle Campaign at church. We decided that getting rid of the gym membership would be one sacrifice we could make for the campaign. I did talk to my old gym (the one I went to before I was pregnant with Kinley) and I can get a membership there for less than half the cost of my super nice gym but I have to commit to 18 months. Oh what to do...I am in need to a swimsuit and a body to wear it.

Doctor? Lawyer? MOUNTAIN CLIMBER!!!

Our little peanut is turning into the biggest climber! She has absolutely no fear and will climb on just about anything. Yesterday I heard her into something so I turned the corner to my office and she had pushed her little pink tractor to my craft table and was using it as a ladder to reach stuff on the table. I just saw all of the future ER visits flash before my eyes!

Just one more reason...

Yes today I discovered yet one more reason why I just love my little peanut! Ok, so she is named after my mom (middle name anyways) but today she kind of started acting like her. My little peanut is crazy about wanting to push the swiffer! Yes, she is a clean freak like her Grandma Char!! Um, can it get any better that she wants to sweep my floors every day and she is only one?! In fact, I finished all my chores yesterday (with her help) by nap time. So you know what I did during nap time...I freaking watched a movie!! 

Pat's Run 2008

Well, we did it! Today we ran in what will probably be our first of many races for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Certainly we have learned some things which will no doubt come in handy in the future. However, let me give you a brief run down of the events leading up to the run, the run itself, and the after thoughts.

First, the night before my DH and running partner for this race, asked me numerous times if I really wanted to do this. Of course I said yes. I had not been running for the last 3 weeks for my health...hello! I was in training!!! My loving husband (who had not been running and sprained his ankle 3 weeks ago) really just wanted to sleep in. Um no...I have running for weeks and we shipped our little peanut over to Grandma's to spend the night for this race (which by the way all we did was talk that night about how we should probably just go get her...such rookie parents I know!). 

At any rate, the alarm goes off a couple times but we finally make it out the door at 6:30. My DH feels we are running "late" so proceeds to fly down the freeways, swear at other cars and police officers who are directing traffic, and work himself into a bit of a tizzy. I am thinking, drop me off, I'll do this by myself. Well he settles down once we find parking and get settled. His ankle is kind of hurting so I think to myself "Oh my gosh, with his injury and lack of training, I could for once maybe beat him!" My DH is extremely athletic and determined and never have I beaten him in anything. Although if I challenged him in a cooking contest I would totally kill him!! Anyways, so I am thinking, yep this is the day I will beat him. Of course we start the run and walk about a tenth of a mile before I break into my run. He is right next to me. Mile 1, he is still there. Mile 2, yep there he is. Mile 3, telling me we can totally run up the hill, no need to walk it (the voice inside my head said "Oh Hell!! A hill, where is the smooth course!!"). Mile 4, he is running backwards talking to me (I turn my IPOD up louder). The end of the race and we are in it together, him in front and me in the back. We enter the field and all I care about is that 42 yard line (the finish line). I cross and look at my time and that is when it happened...Kevin was not with me! I see him just barely approaching the finish line. OH MY GOSH...I JUST BEAT KEVIN!!! Not because I was anywhere near faster as I was exhausted and he was energized...nope I was focused on the finish line and he saw the ASU Football Team! He decided to stop and have a chat with the team and I decided to finish the race. Yes, I finished in 48min 12sec and Kevin finished 48min 20sec. 

That being said there was one extremely touching moment for both of us. As we turned toward the stadium we saw a veteran who had started in the group a half and hour before us. He was in his 50's and had prosthetic arms and legs but he was out there doing one heck of a job. We both decided that we wanted to finish the race along side him, no matter how slow we had to go. If you know any service men/women, give them a big thank you! There were so many at the race and they were all inspiring. 

So to finish the post, things we learned from the race and will do next time

1. Don't think old injury and lack of training will help you beat your super athletic and competitive husband. Enlist the power of his favorite college football team!

2. Don't try a new variety of energy bar the day of the race. It may not be too helpful during the race!  Yucky!

3. Bring Patton next race. Put a vest with compartments on him and use him as a Pack Mule for water and such. Seriously saw one dog with this and thought it was genius!

4. Buy new shoes a month before the race.

5. Relocate the race to Texas or someplace with a flat course. Actually the hills were not too bad but for some reason I just wasn't expecting them.

So get ready for next year...we are thinking we should have a Team Rhino next time! We just need 3 other people to make our team. 

Our Nanny!

Shortly after we were married we knew we wanted to fill our home with the first of our Baby Rhinos; the 4 legged kind! My DH knew that I was going to choose a little furry Pomeranian so he decided he was going for his sporting dog. This dog would be his pal; they would hunt together, they would work in the great outdoors, and they would just be manly men! So we got a German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) from a rescue. His name is Patton after General Patton. By all accords he is that manly man; he can run like no dog I know, he swims, and he of course loves birds. Shortly after Lola came along. She is our little fur bucket of joy!

Anyways, when we brought Love Angel Baby Rhino #1 home, we wanted to make sure the dogs would love her. And they did! They are so sweet with her. But once she started walking, things changed...no longer did Patton (or Pat Pat as we sometimes call him) just love Baby Rhino, he totally and completely nanny's her! He follows her everywhere she goes and just watches her. And she totally loves him back. If for some odd reason he is in the kitchen with me and she is in the playroom, she comes in and calls him (Dat is how is comes out) to come join her. 

Every morning when our peanut wakes up, I tell the dogs "Lets go get the baby" and he goes right to her door. He is the first one through the door in the morning and sticks his nose through the slats on her crib. She thinks it is the funniest thing ever! Then during diaper change he proceeds to sniff her all over to make sure everything is exactly the same as when she was put to bed. We don't allow him in her room at bedtime but we actually have to shut the door to make him stay out! 

Not that Lola (or yaya as our peanut calls her) does not love her because she does. But she loves her because food is always falling Lola's way during the day. Lola is not the most maternal dog! But who would have known that my DH manly man sporting dog would have turned into the best Nanny we could have ever found! He loves her, would never hurt her or allow anyone else to, and is generally interested in what she is doing. Nana from Peter Pan (who was actually a Landseer Newfoundland in the original and changed by Disney to a Saint Bernard) doesn't have anything on our General Patton!!

Why we delegate

As a ministry leader at church, it is crucial to delegate responsibilities to others in order to prevent burn out. We delegate to also make sure others are included in the work of the church. We delegate to make sure people feel involved and have input on what they would like for their church. We DO NOT delegate so that one week before an event you can put it back on us and expect us to finish the job! 

Sorry, needed to vent. As my mother-in-law said, "I feel like the plate spinner on the Johnny Carson show." I have so much going on right now that the last thing I needed to was to pick up the slack for someone else. That being said, I need to sign off...I have more delegating that I need to do. 

Keep Runnin, Runnin, and Runnin, Runnin....

So many of you may or may not know that my DH and I are signed up to run the Pat's Race in Tempe. It is a race that benefits the Pat Tillman foundation. We had the bright idea last year to run it but seeing as I was 1 month out of my c-section, my doctor said that was a no-no. So we committed to running it this year. Well, that was all fine and dandy until last month I realized I had less than 2 months to prep for this 4.2 mile run...yes that is 4 miles and a little extra as a kicker! So I bought the jogging stroller and love angel Rhino baby #1 and I would go running in the mornings after she had breakfast. Problem is (but let me first preface this is absolutely not a problem with me but for the sake of this story we will label it so) my little peanut does not get up for the day until 9 or 10 am...what can I say; she is her mommy's girl!!!  ;)   Moving on, here in the lovely way out west, it had started to get a bit hot around that time of day. So I had to bite the bullet...I had to take her to the childcare at the gym. Yes, I know that someday when I am not a rookie mom and more a veteran, I will relish the idea of my kiddos playing in the EXTREMELY nice facility at the all too lavish gym we pay for. However for the time being it kills me! But let me tell you what, there is no better motivation to run a bit faster on that treadmill than having the last memory of your child be a tearful plea to come back. 

That being said, my goal for the race is to run it in less than 1 hour. No small feat for someone who has not been training very long. I am currently at 2 miles in 25 minutes. However that is treadmill time not course time. So I am in need of some help from my readers...I need songs for my ipod that will keep me going on the run. Please send suggestions!

Food for thought: why is it that we go to the gym to get a great work out but still circle the parking lot looking for that perfect up front parking spot?! Seriously?! 

On a personal note: DH is starting to ask when we are going for love angel baby Rhino #2...not sure if that question will hurt or help my chances of getting a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Anyone with experience in this situation, please advise!

mirror images

My DH and our love angel baby Rhino #1 are the funniest things to watch sometimes. They are practically mirror images of one another. Don't get me wrong, she totally looks like me (at least the eyes anyways) but personality is all her Daddy! 

So last night we are sitting in her play room and she was causing a commotion (as usual). So my DH told her no and then she came and sat in my lap (I was sitting on the floor of course-as a mom I have realized couches are for looking at longingly to sit in and rest but knowing that if you do your little one will want up to, only to do God knows what to your beautiful couch!) Anyways, so she is sitting in my lap but still fussing so my DH again tells her no. She slides off of my lap onto the floor but really is quite comical and dramatic about it. So DH starts to laugh at her. Well she found this quite insulting and with out skipping a beat "spit" at him (technically I believe this is called blowing raspberries but we call it spitting because she is teething and spit flies everywhere. If you don't know what blowing raspberries are think of the sound you would make if you were playing cars with a little boy.)  

Needless-to-say I found this to be SO HYSTERICAL because they are so alike. It cracks me up when he asks me "why can't she just rest, or turn it down a notch" or "does she ever stop".  For those of you that know my husband, I hear the laughter coming through the computer. Of course she can't rest, turn it down a notch, or stop...she is you in the female form!! She is B-U-S-Y just like someone else I know. 

At least now he can recognize that she is exactly like him (I take that back she has a pretty good amount of patience) so I don't really have to answer him when he asks those rhetorical questions...a simple look of "are you kidding me" ends the conversation. 

On a side note, I don't think the minivan will be coming our way until we actually decide to have love angel baby Rhino #2. However, I still felt it fitting to get some new shoes this weekend...I will post photos of them!

It's official...I am a mom

Please help me everyone, I am coveting a minivan! I see them in a whole new light now that our little one is here and facing front in her car seat. I looked in the backseat and totally said "Um...if we have another baby, where are we going to put the car seat?" Not to mention, I know have the climb in the car to get her in the car seat. And with as busy/gifted as she is (see earlier post. After research I did not like the behaviors that "spirited" child show around the toddler age, so I decided she is gifted as I like those behaviors better. It is wishful thinking that gives me a bit of hope.), having sliding doors that self close would be oh so nice! However, I am spoiled by my Nissan and therefore would need a minivan with all the same bells and whistles.

Don't worry fellow style moms, I am not trading in my "stylish mommy card" just because of the minivan. I have decided that if I get the minivan I will have to step up my shoe wardrobe...that's right Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik here I come!!! 

On a side note, Sex and the City movie comes out in about 2 months.

Spirit, Spirit...Lets hear it!!!

Ok, for those of you who have met our little one, you may have noticed that she is...busy. We should have known we were in trouble when at our 12 week appointment, while trying to listen to the heart beat, our doctor said "wow, your baby is busy!" Or maybe we would have caught on when we were having the ultrasound and our little miss would not cooperate. In fact, Kins used the ultrasound devise to push off of as a means to try and escape. I guess it kind of hit us in the face when she walked at 9 months and is practically running now. So I decided to do a bit of research thinking she was a "spirited child." After researching for about 5 minutes, scaring myself about what might be to come, I have made a decision...she is gifted.

The Importance of Family

I have always found family extremely important in my life but since our little bundle of joy came along, it is not just important, it is vital. We both want Kins to know her family and for her family to know her. Family is more than just blood relations and trustworthy babysitters, it is who we are. Every member of our family molds and shapes us in some way. Even if there is very little contact, that creates who we are. So that being said, take the time to create lasting memories with your family! Don't sit in another room and watch the game, interact. Get creative...send letters, pictures, art work. Share with people your favorite memory of them. Plan to get together (especially over food!!). Don't take a moment with your family for granted. Treat every second like a precious gift. So, stop reading this blog and go send a e-mail, text message, make that phone call, or just go hug your family. 

Meltdown in aisle three

As the manager of our little patch of heaven, I pride myself on being a very informed shopper. I spend much time price shopping various staple items that we continually buy; cereal, milk, bread, and most importantly baby stuff! Yes it was time consuming having to buy things at various stores but trust me it pays off. So, last week we ran out of Puffs which our peanut loves. So off I ran to Target who has them priced at $1.69, which is about $.30 cheaper than the next cheapest store. Yeah I know wow...30 whole cents but again trust me, it adds up! So I am in the baby aisle, go to grab Peach Puffs and immediately pull my hand back like I touched something hot and gasped...they were $2.44!!! WHAT!!! I can get a box of cereal for that and Kins can kill a whole can in less than a week. How did the price of Peach Puffs go up 75 cents in less than a week. Oh, but if I want the Cherry Puffs (which no baby likes) I can get those for $2.14. So needless to say, I am having to price compare again. However, in the mean time, Target has Puffs (and all Gerber Graduate food) on sale this week for get this....$1.69. 

Our peanut turns 1!!!

In times past I would here mothers say something like "enjoy it because they grow up so fast." Of course I would smile and say "oh yes" but I didn't really mean it. My little Kins was so little and she was just going to stay that way. She looked the same to me. But I must say this past weekend it hit me like a ton of bricks! I ordered a bunch of her pictures to place around for her 1st birthday party. Thought nothing of it, went to the store, picked them up, brought them home, and set them out. Then I sat down to look at them...my peanut is SO BIG now! It seems like ages ago that I actually saw her for the first time but it was only a year ago. In fact, at this time last year I was at the hospital in triage hoping to finally have this baby...I had already been in labor for 36 hours!!! (On a side note, I am convinced that I served my time and when we have baby #2 it will practically fall out!) That being said, it seems like yesterday that I was still pregnant with her. How can time seem to have flown by and almost stopped for an entire year?! On one hand I was so consumed with her for the past year it seems like time stopped and on the other one year went by in the blink of an eye. Am I just super sentimental right now (which is entirely possible as I sobbed through an episode of Oprah today) or is this what it is like to be a parent; relishing them and not wanting to miss a moment that you glance up and a year has gone by and finally look back at where you all have been and see that little 7 lb 2 oz light of your life has tripled in size, been to 3 different states, rolled over, crawled, walked, talked, and made you the person you were meant to be in a blink of an eye. Regardless of whether this past year was the tortoise or the hare, it is to us the best year ever!

Yes we are officially blogging!

Ok, maybe because we read so many or maybe because writing is a good outlet for stress; we are bloggers! This will be our blog site dedicated to our family. Read it at will and with a grain of salt!! Some days it may be used as a pure venting tool so consider yourselves warned. Hopefully this will help us all keep in touch and get to know one another a bit better...well at least you will get to know us a bit better!!  :)  Again, welcome to our little blog