Lottery Madness

OMG - my parents have played the lottery for as far back as I can imagine.  Don't ever get me started on how much money they would have today if they had just put that money in a savings account, CD, bond, whatever... Alas, now that they are retired, buying tickets gives them something to do, and whenever they win (whether it be a $1 or more), they're super cute when they get excited about their prize. 

Anyhoo, the other day my mother allowed RJ to play with her laptop.  We don't know what my child did, but he reset something on her computer and the hubby has been trying to restore, reset, reinstall anti-virus software, etc. etc. etc. the past few days. 

As we work on "fixing" the computer, does my mom care that all the pictures that were on her laptop are gone?  No.  Does she care that she cannot access email right now?  No.  Does it bother her that she can't use her Magic Jack right now?  Of course not.  What DOES bother my parents is that they can't look up the winning lottery numbers a minute after the drawing... ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? 

As I work late in my home office (which is basically our upstairs hallway, next to my parents bedroom), with piles of paperwork around me (I used to pay a friend to help me with some admin stuff, but I'm trying to cut back on that to save money) one by one, on separate occassions, my parents ask me to check online for the winning numbers from today's drawing, "When you have time..." 

Oh my lottery madness goodness!  LOL! 

Red Shoes

Today I saw a woman wearing a pair of really great red heels.  I don't own a pair of red shoes, but if I did, I would want THOSE.  They were simple, yet so super sexy and classy.  The kind that could go with anything - jeans, slacks, a suit for work, a (rare) date night with the hubby, lunch with the girls, whatever.  I really wanted to ask the woman where she got her shoes from, but she was on her cell phone in what seemed to be an intense conversation... darn. 

I must confess, a few years ago, a girlfriend and I were in Bloomingdale's where I spotted a pair of red shoes that I absolutely fell in love with.  Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely NEVER ever pay full retail price for anything.  Something about those shoes made me break that rule, and after much contemplation, I purchased them.  However, when I got home, I instantly had buyer's remorse... I hated myself for spending so much money on one pair of shoes and returned them the following day. 

Now, more than ever, I think MORE than twice whenever I buy anything for myself.  When I see a price, I compare it to the number of diapers and wipes that I can buy for my son.  I think about the clothes my child will need since he's growing so quickly.  I think of the milk he consumes every day, and all the other items he needs.  I think of the fun books I could buy him instead, or maybe an educational toy he could benefit from.  Then somewhere in there I also think about his education and what it's going to cost me over the next 21+ years. 

So, I'm glad that said lady was on the phone and that I wasn't able to ask her where she got her fabulous shoes from.  I've got plenty in my closet don't need another pair.  Wow... never thought I'd feel this way about shoes... LOL!

SPHR

I did it - I passed the SPHR Certification Exam (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and couldn't be happier!  I'm so thankful that I took the exam before the holidays and am glad that I can now enjoy the Christmas season.  Hooray!!!! 

My Momma Said What?

OMG - I couldn't believe the words that came out of my mom's mouth... I had to ask her to repeat herself... twice! 

The other day, I was working really late at night from home, my mom walked by me and simply said "You lost weight."  I wasn't so shocked that she noticed, but that she actually said something.  Whoa...

Then today, she asked me how much weight I lost.  When I told her, she actually told me, "Don't lose any more, you need your strength to take care of RJ!"  LOL!  OMG, what????  My mother has NEVER told me NOT to lose weight.  Whoa!!!! 

But honestly, I really am glad that I've lost the baby weight, and a little more.  Thankfully my favorite store (White House Black Market) had a really great sale the other day, so I was able to stock up on some new pants.  It was so nice to buy a smaller size again!!! 

RIP Angelina San Mateo - September 30, 2010

Four years ago today we lost our baby girl.  I carried her for four-and-a-half months, and in that time, Rob and I fell in love with her.  We didn't know she was a girl until I delivered her.

After 4 years, we still have hole in our lives and we miss her very much.  Angelina holds a very special place in our hearts and she will never be forgotten. 

Rest in peace baby girl, we love you and miss you very much.  We look forward to joining you in heaven... until then we will remember you and will continue to pray for you, always. 

Congrats To My Hubby!

It's official - Chief Petty Officer San Mateo was pinned today, September 18, 2010

Family Time - At Last!

From the moment we got home from our vacation (last month) my hubby has been very busy with his Navy Reserves induction/training.  Today, finally, was the first time we actually got time to spend as a family - whoo hooo!  Highlights of the day:

(1) Cuddling with our beautiful baby boy and sleeping in this morning.  (Thank you, child of ours, for just laying there quietly and figuring out it was a better idea to go back to sleep for a few more minutes, rather than poke Mama and Papa in the face over and over again!) 

(2) Getting some tasty treats at Starbucks and enjoying them together.

(3) Visiting Angelina, together as a family (it was our first time since July!)

(4) Delicious goodness and fun at Stephanie & Brett's house - where both Mama and Papa got to enjoy a whole meal, uninterrupted - yay! 

(5) A nice visit at Uncle Andy & Auntie Patty's house where RJ took a much needed nap while Mama chatted with Auntie and Daddy received some words of wisdom from Uncle (a retired Navy Chief) who also signed Daddy's "charge book". 

(6) Watching our son as he "read" us a story.... SO super cute!

Can't wait for this madness to be over... in just a couple more weeks induction will be over and the hubby will officially be promoted to Chief.  Whoo hooo!!!!!

dayofevents.com

A few years ago I started my own wedding planning business, on the side.  I named my company "Day Of Events" because, unlike most of my competitors, I was a "day of" wedding consultant.  Basically what that meant was, after the happy couple planned all their wedding details, I was the person, on the "day of" their wedding, who made sure that everything went smoothly.  It was awesome.  I am forever grateful for my two bestest friends who were there for me when I needed extra help. 

It was hard at times since I would meet with my clients at night, or on the weekends, but - I loved it!  I really enjoyed making people happy and being a part of such a significant day.  Of course, some weddings were better than others, and some weddings were crazier than others... but I it was truly fun and I'm glad that I was able to meet some pretty awesome people. 

When I had my son I realized that I couldn't continue this business. Every month I see the charge on my credit card bill for the fee for my company website, and every month I mean to call to cancel it.  I will get around to it, eventually... but I must never forget the memories... Highlights from my website:

http://www.dayofevents.com/
This is a special time to share with your closest family and friends. Let me handle the details on the day of your event so you can relax. You carry the bouquet and I'll carry the clipboard to ensure your special day is an enjoyable experience!


As your "day of" coordinator my function is to make your day as stress-free and smooth as possible. Together we will create a master "day of" schedule. It's so easy to lose track of time, I will keep your day organized and running smoothly.

My services are especially affordable because I am a coordinator hired for your wedding day alone. Once you've chosen your vendors I will direct the events of the day and make sure everyone around you is doing their job. Should any emergencies happen I will take care of them.

Although I would be hired for the "day of" event, I actually work on planning your day many hours before. Before you walk down the aisle we will meet several times to go over the details of your day so that I can ensure it's just as you imagine it.
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I truly enjoy and love having the opportunity to work so closely with couples and their families during these happy times in their lives. I am always honored and privilged to be trusted with such an important day. It feels so good to make others happy - and even better when I receive wonderful words of appreciation!

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"James and I wanted to thank you again for the fantastic work you did on our wedding! ...As you know, I don't like spending lavishly, and James and I had a pretty tight budget for the event. Nevertheless, you were able to show us that we could have a very elegant and affordable wedding by being selectively cost-conscious. Looking back, I only wish that I had agreed to follow more of your advice! Thanks to your help, suggestions and oversight, James and I had a beautiful, classical wedding."

Irene &James - Chicago, IL
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"Just wanted to drop a note and say thank you for all your help with our wedding. We have gotten many compliments on how nice the wedding was and how the reception hall looked. More than one person has told us how much you were doing. The day was very smooth and easy, thanks for all the help."

Ben &Janet - San Diego, CA
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"Floremy, thank you so much for being our 'guiding voice' during our special day!! You gave us the wonderful gift of reassurance that everyone in the bridal party knew where they had to be during a very exciting yet hectic time! Bobby and I will always appreciate the words of encouragement that you would tell us throughout the day; to us it showed that not only do you provide your services for the 'day of event', but that you also bring a genuine warmth to give to the people you work with that will be remembered much later. I have already been spreading the word of your services to my other friends who are getting married!!”

Eileen &Bobby - Placentia, CA
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"We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did and everything that you were on our wedding day. It was your organization, proactiveness and care that let Phil & I blissfully float through our special day and enjoy it - like every bride and groom should. You were able to gracefully corral our friends and relatives to all the right places, get them there on time, and it was your direction and eye that resulted in some of the most amazing wedding pictures that we have! To top it all of you were a BLAST! I had so much fun with you that day! Thanks again!"

Melanie &Phil - Las Vegas, NV
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"We thank you for making our wedding day such a fun and memorable experience. You made the place look simple yet elegant. We appreciate your hard work even on such short notice."

Brian &Joyann - Escondido, CA
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"Thanks so much for all the wedding advice...you have such great cost savings ideas! I am definitely recommending your wedding coordinating skills to my friends."

Leilani Mike - San Diego, CA
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"I just wanted to thank you again for coordinating my baby shower. My family and friends all said they had a really good time. The food and games were especially great! I appreciate all you did and will definitely keep you in mind when planning future events. You're the best!"

Lenette - San Diego, CA
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"Thank you ever so much for your contribution to the success of my 30th birthday party. The invitations you made for me really took away some of the stress and they were very original. Look forward to doing business with you in the future."

Stephannie - San Diego, CA
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"Floremy, again Sunny and I thank you so much for all your help and advice with planning our wedding. We really liked the 'save the date' magnets you created for us and we received several nice comments about them. You're always one step ahead with your quick thinking and organizational skills and that just made everything that much easier. And your energy and passion are reflected in the great work you do. You're awesome!"

Jane &Sunny - Sunnyvale, CA
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"Many many thanks for your help with our wedding...You are life-savers!"

Suhyan &Tony - San Diego, CA

All the Single Mommas - Put Your Hands Up!

Let me start this blog off by saying that I am VERY proud of my husband who is in the process of being promoted to Chief (E-7) in the US Navy Reserves.  Only 3% of enlisted Sailors ever make this honor, so this a pretty big deal.  The official grand ceremony will be on September 18th.  Until then, he is in the training/induction phase and it's keeping him very busy.  VERY busy.  If he's not doing PT (physical training) he's in a meeting, a training session, conducting a fundraiser, giving back to the community, or studying.  So, for the most part, I'm pretty much pulling double duty around the house.

I'm so tired.  Don't get be wrong, I'm not complaining, I'm just saying.  I respect my hubby's duties, and know that he's tired too... but seriously, I'm exhausted!  These past few weeks remind me of what it was like when he was gone for a month on Active Duty. 

These past few weeks have really made me appreciate parenthood, and now more than ever, I have the utmost respect for single parents!  I can't even imagine what it must be like for wives who have husbands deployed for months and months at a time.  That must really suck. 

So when I'm tired, and think I can't do any more, I must remind myself of these strong women... then just keep on keeping on! 

Hawaii Vacation 2010

We just got back from a FABULOUS vacation and I'm cherishing every last minute before I have to return to work tomorrow.  While the hubby and I have returned to Hawaii to vacation several times, it was our son's first trip.  Minus a couple of crying spells when he was hungry or wet, he was an absolute angel on the flights there and back home. 

The icing on the cake was that my bestest friend joined us, along with her brother, hubby and daughter.  Ava and RJ had an absolute blast together!  It was super cute how they would look for each other whenever one was missing.  We always knew when Ava woke up before RJ because we would hear her call "Arrgee?  Arrrgee?" outside our bedroom door. 

Ahhhhhhh, the memories of  wonderful vacation...

Friday/Day 1:  Arrived in Hawaii, hit the Commissary for groceries, checked into our rooms, grilled steaks for dinner, put the babies to sleep, BFF and I enjoyed the jacuzzi and pool before going to bed. 

Saturday/Day 2:  Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium where we enjoyed some major shopping.  Went to mass, on base, at the church where we were wed.  Dinner at Maui Mike's where we had some delicious chicken goodness! 

Sunday/Day 3:  First hike, we went to Kaena Point where it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!. RJ did very well on this hike and enjoyed riding in his hiking carrier. After the hike we went to the North Shore where Daddy wanted to show his son some really cool turtles. RJ didn't care very much for the turtles, but did enjoy going into the ocean for the first time. (Yes, that was his first time in the ocean... while we live in SoCal, the water here is realy cold so we haven't taken him into the water out here yet.)  Dinner at one of the hotel restaurants. 

Monday/Day 4:  Hike at Haunama Bay.  It was very windy, which RJ did not like at all.  RJ did not, I repeat, did NOT enjoy this hike one bit.  We only made it half way.  God bless the individual that left a patio chair behind - it was chained to a tree overlooking the bay and was the safest spot where I could change a diaper.  Lunch at Keneke's in Waimanalo - kalua pig and shoyu chicken are my favorites there! 

Tuesday/Day 5:  Punchbowl Memorial, Shopping at the Navy Exchange, then all of us enjoyed RJ and Ava's first Luau! 

Wednesday/Day 6:  Honolulu Museum of Arts, Tour of Shangri La (courtesy of the Paraiso family - thank you!), and dinner at Helena's, which was featured on "Man Vs. Food".  Best short ribs ever! 

Thursday/Day 7:  Hiked Diamond Head.  It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect for this hike.  RJ truly enjoyed this hike - which included a poopie diaper that we had to change in clear view of many other hikers (we apologized to those that surrounded us).  Lunch at Helena's (it was so tasty, we had to go back!)  Later, RJ and Ava played in the pool together then enjoyed their first bath together, where many pictures were taken to be used as blackmail when they enter their pre-teen and teen years!  Afterwards all of us enjoyed some appetizers at Happy Hour where Ava and RJ danced and enjoyed live music.  We made sure they were very tired so we could pack in peace that evening! 

Friday/Day 8:  In the early morning we finally had the chance to take RJ to one of the lagoons.  He enjoyed the water but did not like being in the sand.  We said Aloha to our lovely 2-bedroom room, enjoyed our final Sourdough Jack at Jack in the Box (for some reason it's waaaaay tastier in Hawaii than it is here in San Diego), and flew home.  RJ was knocked out and we were unpacked by 1:00am.  Not bad! 

SPHR Exam = No Life

It's official - I'm taking the SPHR exam on Saturday, December 4th @ 12:30pm Pacific Time.  Hubby has Navy Reserve Duty that weekend, so I have a babysitter booked, as well as a back-up sitter.  I'm thinking about having a third one lined up, just in case, especially since it's several months away... last thing I need to do is stress about having someone dependable watch my child while I take an exam!. 

I'm registered for the review class and it starts in September.  When I prepared for the PHR exam I remember that I had no life for three months as all I did was study for the exam, go to class, go to work, and repeat... until I took the test.  Thanksgiving was a blur that year. 

That was then, when I didn't have a child, this is now.  I really hope that I'll be able to study well, that I'll be able to get a decent amount of sleep so my brain can fully recharge, and most importantly - that I pass the test!  I absolutely HATE taking tests... and this is a pretty important one considering it's a requirement for my job.  Of course it helps that there's a nice $ bonus in it for me when I pass. 

Soooo, my plan is to enjoy every moment of our vacation, because when we get back I'm going to need to get the whole family on a good schedule so that I'll be able to focus on preparing for my exam September through December.  Here's hoping all goes well! 

Momma's Joy

Having a child has brought me more joy in my life than I ever thought I could have.  Today has been the best ever - because today was the first time I heard my son call me "Mama"! 

It was after I gave him a bath - I was just about to put on his pj's when he looked at me and said "Mom".  I looked at him, and asked him, "What did you say?"  And he replied "Mama!"  I screamed, he laughed, I asked him to say it again, he did, and we both squealed in delight. 

Priceless!

Give Thanks

I'm exhausted.  Work has been taking a lot out of me.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful that I am employed and am enjoying my role.  However, the past several days have really taken a lot out of me... so to stay positive I must remind of myself of things I should be thankful for.  Thus, I give thanks for the following (in no particular order):

• My healthy, happy, beautiful son and his equally healthy, happy and handsome father. 
• My wonderful job and the exciting opportunity that I have to be part of a new market. 
• My paycheck and benefits that come with said job. 
• The faith and trust that my boss, co-workers and clients put in me each day.
• The "me time" I have in the car, baby-free, while I drive to and from the office/clients/home. 
• The kind and fabulous woman who is currently caring for my child while I am at work.
• My parents, and parents-in-law, who are still alive, healthy, strong and an active part of my son's life. 
• Our wonderful friends and family.
• Our beautiful home.
• Our dependable vehicles - although they're old with MANY miles on them, they're paid for and still run well (knock on wood!) 
• My health, as well as the health of my husband and child. 
• My daughter, who is resting in peace in heaven, but still holds a special place in my heart and life. 
• The especially gorgeous weather that we've been experiencing lately. 
• All of the love and support that we are surrounded with every day. 
• My new perfume - I love it and it makes me feel special when I wear it. 
• My clothes - that finally fit me now that I'm down to my pre-pregnancy weight (whoo hooo!!!)  
• My cell phone, that keeps me in touch with my friends and family.
• Facebook, which keeps me in touch with my friends and family. 
• My bed.... which I really should crawl into now to get a good night's sleep....

Another Funny Conversation

Tomorrow I leave for a business trip and will be away from my son for an entire week.  I'm excited about everything that I will learn on this trip - but of course, very sad that I will be away from my family.  The last time I travelled I was away for 3 days/2 nights - it was tough, but alas, such is work. 

Funny conversation that hubby & I had when I got back:

Me:  Can I bring our son with me when I go to GA next month?
Hubby: Sure!
Me:  Really?  Can I bring the Nanny with me too?
Hubby:  Of course! 
Me:  Are you serious?
Hubby:  Yeah!  As long as she pays for her own ticket! 

Boo!

Darth Boo Boo's 1st Birthday Party

This weekend we celebrated our son's 1st birthday.  To say that my hubby is a huge Star Wars fan is an understatement.  So, I decided to have a Star Wars theme for our son's first birthday party. 

I've thrown a lot of parties in the past - but I must admit this was my favorite party ever!  The kids really enjoyed the bouncy house.  I especially loved that I was able to find one that had a "Star Wars" theme on the outside of it.  Darth Vader came and played games with the kids - and contrary to popular belief, most of the kids loved him!  Okay, a few were scared at first, but towards the end they couldn't get enough of him!  The HUGE Darth Vader pinata (from Mexico, courtesy of a friend, thank you!) was awesome.  And the best was his R2D2 cake, Strom Trooper/Darth Vader cupcakes, and Death Star krispy treats (although they were delivered significantly late, but I'm over that now...) 

I'm exhausted, but overall I'm so happy that our son's 1st birthday party was a huge success.  We are so thankful for all of the friends and family members who joined us in person and in spirit.  What a wonderful day! 

(P.S. I can't believe we were able to entertain 90 people at our home!)

Self Soothing Sucks

Several months ago the hubby and I were so proud that we were able to transition our son from the bassinet in our bedroom, to the crib in his own room.  We thought we were rock stars because we were able to get our child to sleep in his crib with hardly any problems.  We didn't realize that we were kinda "cheating", because what we did was either (1) rock him to sleep in our arms, let him fall asleep, then put him in his crib; or (2) lie down with him in our bed, let him fall asleep, then put him in his crib.  For the most part, this worked. Until...



Hubby had to serve Naval Reserve Duty and was gone for a whole month.  I had just returned to work and really needed my sleep.  For the most part, our lil guy slept through the night.  But on the nights that he would wake up - I would pick him up, soothe him, and if he didn't fall back asleep right away I would put him in bed with me.  On the very last week, I got selfish because I knew when the hubby came home he wouldn't approve of having our son sleep in bed with us, and so I had him sleep with me the whole night.

When hubby came home, he was so excited to see his child and didn't mind sharing the bed with him at all.  Then our baby boy got sick, so he stayed in bed with us.  Then we were planning on going on a trip (where he was going to share a bed with us), so we kept him in bed with us.  We decided that when we got home, we would put him back in his crib. 

On the first night he cried for 15 minutes, hubby went in to soothe him, he cried for another 15 minutes, then fell asleep on his own.  On the second night he cried for 10 minutes, then fell asleep on his own.  On the third night, when I put him in his crib, he fell asleep immediately.  We thought we were making progress.  Now we don't know what to expect, but I'm not complaining because 15 minutes of crying is not that bad....

But it is.  Self soothing sucks.  It pains me to hear my child cry and cry and cry.  I hate it.  But I try to stay strong and resist the urge to rush in, pick him up, kiss and cuddle him, and shower him with all my love and attention. 

As I type this now, he just passed the 15 minute mark and fell asleep, on top of his seal pup stuffed animal.  If he wakes up in the middle of the night, he'll probably wind up back in bed with us because, quite simply, it's easier for all of us that way. 

Here's hoping my boy sleeps through the night and is blessed with wonderful dreams... 

2 More Firsts!

This weekend was pretty exciting as we experienced 2 more firsts with our wonderful child. 

Not too long ago, we decided to take a last minute trip to San Jose/San Francisco for a quick visit with family and friends.  This was our son's first airplane ride, and he did great!  Granted it was only an hour flight... but still - he was great at the airport and wonderful on the plane ride.  Here's hoping he does just as well on our 5 hour flight to Hawaii next month!

AND THEN... on Sunday, when we went to church with our friends, as usual, the boy got a little restless during mass.  His dad took him outside after communion, and by the time mass was over, the little guy had taken several of his first steps, all by himself! 

I am so proud of my son - I never felt so proud of anything ever before in my life.  Such a wonderful blessing!

Another First

This past week was my first time away from my son.  I went to Dallas for work, and although it was only for 3 days/2 nights, I couldn't wait to get home and see my boys (both baby and daddy).  It was hard to be away... every time I saw a child I thought of my son.  Every time I heard a child cry, laugh, coo, make any sort of baby-like noise, I missed him more. 

It was also a little weird not having to change diapers, clean bottles, prepare baby food, etc.  I was actually able to take long showers and could take my time getting ready.  I ate meals while they were still hot!  I enjoyed adult conversations with my boss and co-workers over lunch/cocktails/dinner/more cocktails.  Good times. 

As I sit here and type this, with my son in my lap fast asleep, I wonder how I'm going to handle being away from him for a whole week next month?  He's almost walking - will I miss his first steps?  He's "talking" a lot now too, might I miss his first real word? 

I must remind myself of all the things that I should be thankful for and be positive.  Easier said than done, but alas I must try!

Dad?

In all my 30-something years - I've rarely seen my dad excited.  Don't get me wrong, he's not a sour puss or anything - he's just really low key, super calm, etc. 

Long story short, both RJ's regular babysitter, and the back-up, were not able to watch him today.  Thank goodness for my BFF/RJ's Ninang, who welcomed him to stay with her (and his godsister, Ava).  So basically, my child was not home all day today. 

When we walked through the door - my dad jumped up with excitement at the first sight of his grandson.  He immediately rushed to scoop my child from me and greeted RJ with more excitement than I've ever seen in my entire life.  Awwwwww, my dad missed his grandson, how sweet! 

At first I thought, who is this man?  Then I realized, he wasn't just a dad anymore, he's a Lolo... and that makes all the difference in the world :)

The Pump Stops Here

It's official, I'm done pumping.  My last pumping session was Friday 4/23/2010 @ 6:15am.  I think my body knew the end was coming because I only pumped 70 ml (which is a little over 2 ounces). 

It's weird.  I cleared off my dresser of all my pumping supplies and am amazed by how much space I have now.  I dusted off the huge case that the hospital grade pump came in and will be returning it to the store that I rented it from later today. 

I am a bit sad that I'm no longer producing milk for my child - however I did a quick inventory check of my deep freezer and am confident that he has a good supply of frozen breastmilk that should last him through May.  Which is perfect, cuz my little guy turns 1 at the end of May and we hope to make a smooth transition over to cow's milk by then - fingers crossed! 

Things to remind myself are:  (1) I was able to pump breastmilk for my child for 11 months, not a bad record!  (2) We still have A LOT of milk frozen in the freezer that should last him over a month,  (3) Booboo and I get an extra 30 minutes of quality time to ourselves now that I no longer have to pump in the morning, (4) I can eat and drink whatever I want and not worry whether or not it's going to affect my milk supply! 

Most importantly, my child, my husband and I are all in good health.  So yeah, the pump stops here... but it's just the beginning of the next new adventure!

I Miss...

My son loves climbing the stairs.  Today he figured out how to go down the stairs.  I missed it when he did it for the first time, but he was happy to show me his new skill when I got home. 

I am so very thankful that I found a wonderful job, but I can't help but think of all the things I miss, like:

(1) Cuddling with my son in the morning, after his first bottle, and his smiling "good morning" face
(2) Play dates with his cousins, Kuya Kane & Ryder, and girltalk with Mel
(3) Taking my son for a walk and hearing him squeal with delight
(4) Taking afternoon naps with him
(5) Watching him discover new things
(6) Making him laugh and laugh and laugh during the day
(7) Taking him to Open Gym @ Gymboree and watching him play

....and just being with him in general. 

By the time I get home, I only have a few precious moments with him.  Right now he's asleep in my bed.  I'm tempted to leave him there instead of putting him in his crib.  I know it's selfish and I shouldn't get him used to sleeping with me, but boy oh boy do I miss this child of mine!

Boo Boo & Nana

This morning I'm working from home for the first time with my new job.  In a couple of hours I'll be leaving for a meeting that's about 2 hours north of my house.  Until then I'm working away on my laptop, upstairs, in my bedroom.

My door is cracked open and I can hear my son playing with the wonderful woman taking care of him.  I am so thankful that my Boo Boo loves his Nana Gladys.  Her personality, as well as being the 2nd of 10 children, caring for her own kids, grandkids, greatgrandkids, and many other kids inbetween, makes her the wonderful child caregiver that she is.  Of course it helps that my parents are home with him too - while they don't have the stamina to give him the same level of care that she can - it's good to know that they're around if she needs a break. 

Anyhoo, I can hear them playing downstairs.  When she reads to him I can't help but listen to the story she's telling him too.  From time to time I can hear him get fussy, but then somehow or another, she quickly distracts him with something else and he's a happy baby again.  What a good baby, I love my little guy!

I miss him so much during the day and I cherish the time we have with each other during the week.  I was a little sad that he fell asleep so quickly last night because I wanted to hang out with him just a little bit longer.  Part of me was hoping he'd wake up in the middle of the night so I could scoop him up and cuddle with him in my bed...but alas, he slept through the night. 

Here's hoping that my meeting won't run late so I can beat Orange County traffic!

SEPHORA PURE Natural Believer Palette - Star Gazer Edition

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P240017&searchString=star%20gazer#

The picture does not do this product justice.  I just got it in the mail today.  Only $15 - what a steal!  And to think I almost went to the MAC counter and would have spent way more than that!  Ahhhh, new makeup, such a nice treat.  Thank you to the hubby for giving me some "fun money" from his recent bonus!

Really? Thanks Conair!

About 5 years ago I bought my first hair straightener.  I didn't do any research - just went to Target, picked one off the shelf and paid no more than $40 total.  The next morning I tried it and... it sucked.  

Girlfriends gave me some advice, so later that day I went to a specialty store and painfully dropped about $200 on a CHI.  All I can say is.... BEST INVESTMENT EVER!  It was awesome - I loved it - and I've been happily using it ever since.  Until....

Well, before I had a child, I had plenty of time to get ready for work.  After showering, putting on various products, applying makeup and getting dressed, I probably spent 30 minutes blow drying, straightening and styling my hair, each morning.  (Or wore a ponytail on days I wanted to sleep in a little.)  Now that I have my lil guy - I don't have that luxury anymore. 

I heard of some hair straighteners that dry and straighten hair, so I did some research.  Thank goodness I did because just the other night I almost dropped $150 on a product that received a lot of bad reviews.  I decided to go to Bed Bath and Beyond and was armed with my 20% off coupon and $25 giftcard (thank you D!).  I found a product by Conair that cost less than $30 and decided to try it out.  

Long story short, I am impressed!  I really didn't think it would be a great product and was even prepared to return it.   Yeah, no, I'm keeping this thing.  Who knew?  Thanks Conair!

Ready Or Not...

On Monday I will become something I never was before... a working mother.  I don't know whether or not I'm ready for the challenge, but alas, I must be.  There are so many things running through my mind and I truly hope I make it through my first day okay. 

Between bedrest, giving birth, then getting laid off, I haven't been actively in the workforce in over a year.  I must remind myself that I am indeed a smart woman, that I know my stuff, and I am an incredible asset to the organization that I will be joining.  On a great note - I've lost weight and I am finally at my pre-pregnancy weight - whoo hooo!!!!!! 

Of course, I can't help but feel guilty that I'll be leaving my son.  We found wonderful and reliable women to watch him in our home for a few months.  (When he turns one, we plan on taking him to a daycare facility.)  Last week the babysitter came to our home every morning, and I left the house each day for several hours so that our little man could get used to not seeing me all the time.  He seemed to do okay.  He's a smart guy, he can tell something is up and seems to know that change is coming.   It probably doesn't help that the hubby will be leaving soon, for a month, for his Naval Reserve Duty, but that's another challenge I don't want to think about yet... 

Anyhoo, ready or not, the time has come, and I will make it work.  I will probably cry, and cry, and cry when I leave my little guy on Monday.  I will probably call to check on him several times throughout the day.  And I will definitely rush home to cradle him in my arms at the end of the day.  Millions of women do this, every day... if they can do it... so can I...

Hubby Sleep Talking, Again

Here's our conversation from this morning:

Me: Hey, your son is awake and is waiting for you.
Rob: Wait.
Me: For what?
Rob: There's someone in his room.
Me: Who?
Rob: A guy, but he's gone now.
Me: Where'd he go?
Rob: I shot him.
Me: With what?
Rob: My sniper rifle!

Hmmm, wonder if he was up late playing Call of Duty on his PS3 last night, eh?

Texting with my BFF

Cathy:  How are you feeling?
Me:   I think i'm gonna die...
Cathy:   I am sorry to hear that.  I guess that means you are going to bite me soon!  (Long story)
Me:  Didn't some celebs recently die of "flu like symptoms"????  Oh no!
Cathy:  Yes but you r not a celeb

Mr. Right

This time of year, 14 years ago, my best friend and I went to Hawaii for Spring Break.  Our other girlfriends went to Europe.  We didn't go with them because for whatever reason or another we didn't think our parents would let us, so we "snuck off" to Hawaii where we wouldn't need a passport.  I'm ever so thankful that we didn't join them, cuz if we hadn't, I wouldn't be where I am today...

One of the nights we were in Honolulu, my BFF and I went to a club, and at this club I saw this really cute guy.  He turned out to be a really nice guy.  The first few things I learned were:  (1) he was in the Navy, (2) he grew up in Germany, (3) I'm the same height as his mom, and (4) my birthday is the day before his brother's.  We hung out that night, and the next day, but the following day my BFF and I were going to catch a flight to Kauai.  So, we made plans to meet up again in a few days. 

We hung out right before I had to fly back to Boston, and before you know it Mr. Right was already making plans to visit me in Boston.  My first thought was, "yeah right, that's what they all say"... but sure enough, he stayed true to his word and visited me in just a couple of weeks.  When he visited me we learned more about each other, and I realized that I liked him even more.  We decided to try to have a long distance relationship and we have been happily married for the past 12 years. 

And they say you can't meet Mr. Right at a bar or club.  Well I did! 

I Shoulda Known Better...

For the past couple of weeks I haven't been feeling well.  When my back hurt and my body was achy, I just figured that I had "slept funny" and went to the chiropractor.  When I felt chills, I just figured I was sitting too close to an air vent and simply moved to a warmer spot.  When I felt run down, I just figured I wasn't getting enough sleep.  When I had headaches, I just figured I was hungry.  And worse... when my boobs were tender and I felt some lumps, I just figured they'd go away when I pumped (and I honestly thought they did). 

Yeah, no.  Turns out that in my attempt to reduce pumping, I developed mastitis.  While my OB couldn't see me today, my PCP was able to, and I now have prescription for some antibiotics that should help me out. 

It's funny how life works and it's absolutely true that the Lord works in mysterious ways.  See, a while ago, when I was contemplating when I should stop pumping, I prayed, and put my trust in the Lord to guide me in my decision.  The other day I decided to stop.  Today I was instructed to increase my pumping to help unclog my milk ducts.  So... back to pumping it is... for at least the next 2 weeks.  And, if by chance I need to continue to pump when I return to work, then I will do so!

The Final Chapter of Pumping (part 2)

I can't believe how much this decision is consuming me.  So to help me put things in perspective...

Pros and Cons of Pumping (in no particular order):

Pros

1. BEST MILK EVER that I could provide to my child.
2. Saves $$$ on the cost of formula.
3. The extra calories my body burns in the process.
4. Watching shows on DVR during my pumping sessions.
5. The 20-25 minutes I "have" to "myself" during my pumping sessions (hence #4).
6. The dessert I can treat myself to (see #3).
7. Unlike formula, which you can only be left out for one hour in room temperature, breastmilk can be left out for up to four hours. 
8. Even though he's bottlefed breastmilk, I still feel a special bond with my child knowing that only I can provide him with this special nourishment. 
9. The (ahem) greatest looking boobs that I've ever had. 
10. My son's breatmilk burps don't stink like his formula burps do. 

Cons

1. Lack of sleep (due to late night & early morning pumping sessions).
2. Having to clean the pump parts and all the respective tubes, caps, etc. after each pumping session.
3. The time it takes to pump.
4. Planning all my daily activities around my pump sessions.
5. Having to drag around a hospital grade pump, and pump in my compact car, if we're out and about for a long period of time. 
6. Suffering through really bad allergy symptoms because I can't take the allergy decongestant medication that I need. 
7. My poor baby gets stuck in his exercauser for up to 30 minutes while I set up, pump, and clean up. 
8. The time I'm pumping I could be playing with my baby. 
9. Losing #6 & #9 from the pros list
10. Once I stop, the milk supply will dry up, and when it's gone, it's gone, there's no turning back...

The Final Pumping Chapter

For the past nine-and-a-half months I've been pumping breastmilk for my son.  Long story short, my little peanut never properly/consistently latched on.  After giving it many tries (with the help of a wonderful Lactation Consultant) I decided to bottle feed my son breastmilk and supplement my supply with formula as necessary. 

The first several months I pumped 8 times a day.  That averaged once every 2-3 hours.  The longest stretch of sleep I got during those months was about 3 hours.  Many months later I dropped it down to 6 times a day, then 4 times a day, and most recently, 3 times a day. 

Originally I told myself that I would do this for my child's first 6 months of life.  Since I wasn't employed when he turned 6 months old, I decided to continue to pump.  I'm thankful that I did. 

In just three short weeks I'll be starting a new job.  Hubby assured me that there is plenty of milk stored in our deep freezer and that I really should stop pumping so that I can finally get a decent amount of sleep.  (Even though I only pump 3 times a day, I still get up at 4am to pump). 

Everyone's impressed that I've been able to keep pumping for this long - both my Lactation Consultant and OB praised me for my tenacity - but to me it wasn't an option, I simply did what needed to be done.  I'm looking forward to getting a decent night's sleep again... but a part of me will miss personally providing nourishment for my child.  I honetly didn't think I would feel this sad about my final month of pumping...

What Not To Wear

Other than maternity clothes, or post-maternity clothes (which were basically just a few pieces of baggy clothes that I could find on clearance at Target), I haven't shopped for myself in a really really long time.  Since I'm hoping to re-enter the working world again soon, I decided to treat myself to a couple of pieces at my favorite store - http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/home.jsp 

I've been keeping an eye on their sale items, and found two items that I thought were cute.  One was a black sweater (okay, I know I have what seems like a lot of black sweaters, but I swear, this one is different) that would be great at hiding my belly pouch.  The other was a denim jacket that would be perfect as either a casual or business casual piece.  So when the box came in the mail today, and I was super excited, until... 

I opened the sweater, which online looked to be a simple black color, however in person it has these silver strands in it which makes it kinda sparkly.  While I wasn't too excited about the silver thing going on, I have to admit I like a few things about this sweater:  (1) it's soft and comfy, (2) arm length is perfect, (3) it conceals my belly, and finally (4) clearance price is practically a steal.  So, I decided to live with the ever so slight sparkles.

The denim jacket, on the other hand, was not at all what I expected it to be.  The first thing that caught my eye were a couple of the sparkles on the jacket.  WTF?  When the heck did this store decide to bedazzle a classic piece such as a denim jacket?  I asked the hubby if he noticed the sparkles, and he responded, "Uh, which ones... you mean all the ones on the buttons?"  (Again, WTF!?)  To which I replied, "Oh crap, this looks like an old lady jacket!"  which made the hubby laugh, and laugh, and laugh, and, I think he's still laughing right now...  yeah, this one's going back to the store immediately. 

So now, more than ever, I'm really committed to losing my baby weight so I can fit in all my cute pre-pregnancy clothes.  Just had a delicious salad for dinner... here's hoping I can shed the pounds quickly!

Yay Me!

I had two awesome second interviews today. The first one went very well and I already have a third interview scheduled tomorrow. The second one went well too, but I won't know about the next steps until later this week. I held nothing back and made sure that my sparkling personality shined through with both interviews so that I would be memorable.

With the first company - the recruiter flat out told me I am currently "on the top of a very short list". She also told me that I impressed the hiring manager, which is something that is difficult to do. Whoo hoo!

With the second company, they made it clear that I was one of several candidates, however they did let me know that my background and personality make me the perfect fit for the position. They have other interviews to conduct and will get back to me by the end of this week for the next step.

Whatever happens, I must remember how good I feel right now - and how proud I am of myself for kicking ass on both interviews today - seriously, I was pretty bad ass if I do say so myself ;)

Crossing My Fingers and Toes!

It was a beautiful day today - a little too warm to walk in the park, so I took RJ to the mall so we could walk around for a little exercise. While I was there I received not one but TWO calls from recruiters.

I don't want to jinx anything yet - but long story short, both interviews went well and I already have second interviews scheduled tomorrow! One is a phone interview with the hiring manager as he's located in Dallas. The other is a live interview with the recruiting manager. Both opportunities are exciting and very different.

One is with my previous company's competitors and I'd basically be doing the same thing I did before but for a way better company. In this position I would be working in the field, be in the office just a couple times a week, and would have a lot of flexibility. (Again, just like my previous job, which I loved.)

The other is for a huge corporate office that has awesome perks and a lot of room for growth. The downside is that it probably won't pay the same and it's a desk job so I'd probably be in an office M-F 8am-5pm. However I'd be willing to take a pay cut and work at a desk 40 hours a week for the right kind of company.

I am confident that I will nail these interviews and hope that both go well. Fingers and toes are crossed!!!

Are you kidding me?

Okay, so I normally don't judge parents because I firmly believe that one cannot say anything about another unless you've walked a mile in their shoes... but I make an exception with this one...

Today, at a restaurant, I saw a mother discretely nurse her child. I'm guessing this child was maybe one year old or slightly older. Anyhoo, shortly after she nursed the kid, I saw her hand the kid a french fry. I figured it was just something to distract the kid with, but no, it was for the baby to eat! WHAT!? Oh, and it gets worse... later I saw her spoon feed her baby Coke. Are you freakin' kidding me? What mother gives her child breastmilk followed by french fries and Coke????

ARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming...

Well, 3 of the 3 temp jobs that were presented to me were filled before I even interviewed with the hiring manager. Wasn't meant to be. I must remember to stay positive!!!!

Finally...

Last week I was ever so thankful because after months of job searching, I finally got some calls to set up interviews for job opportunities. But then I was bummed because I found out that the jobs were only temporary and paid about half of what I made before. The hubby and I discussed whether or not these jobs would be worth it because after taxes my net income would basically pay for only two things: (1) day care, then if we were ultra conservative (2) groceries. I tried to stay positive and decided to go on the interviews to see what would happen.

Because I'm a planner, I asked around to see if anyone could refer me to some daycare providers who could watch RJ at our house (rather than us dropping him off at a daycare facility). I got a couple of good leads and could possibly have three or more people to choose from. While I'm confident that these ladies could do a good job, after spending so many months with my son, it was hard for me to imagine someone else caring for him... especially since I'd be leaving him to work at a job that would be WAY below my skill set and salary requirement.

Then, at mass today, I prayed. I reworded my prayers, ever so slightly, and continued to put my trust in the Lord.

Tonight, I was pleasantly surprised... I don't know what happened, but suddenly there are a lot of HR opportunities here in San Diego! So so SO many to choose from - many that demand my skill set - and even better they're for a whole bunch of companies that I would love to work for! I take this as a sign... and must remind myself to be patient.

As they say, good things come to those who wait.... I waited, and now is my moment to seize the opportunity - watch out now, here I come!!!

Just Dance

I found a great new way to workout - "Just Dance" on the Wii. Not only is this game SUPER fun, but man you can really burn a lot of calories! Can't wait to see other people play this game. Hubby did it and it was HI-LA-RI-OUS!!!!

To Do...Eventually

Things I eventually really need to do (in no particular order):

1. Start a coke rewards thingy and enter points - considering how much Diet Coke the hubby and I drink (well, me not as much now since I was pregnant and am now nursing) we probably would have earned enough for a super cool prize by now.
2. Do something with my Pampers rewards points... maybe the Shutterfly album???
3. Enter in the points for the Huggies rewards program, even though their rewards are crappy.
4. Go through all my wedding planning stuff in the garage, especially the invitations I've stockpiled through the years.
5. Go through over a year's worth of bridal magazines and update my "inspiration" binders.
6. After #6 I need to update my website with more tips.
7. Lose weight.
8. Regularly take a cardio class at the gym on base.
9. Use the treadmill again - I don't remember the last time I ran...
10. Figure out what I'm going to do about my HR certification that's going to expire at the end of this year.
11. Reach out to my MBA class and coordinate a Happy Hour/reunion/networking event.
12. Transfer my 401k funds from my previous employer to my IRA somehow or another.
13. Dust the curtain rods in my bedroom.
14. Ask the hubby, again, to organize his "corner of crap" in both our bedroom and in our closet.
15. Start setting aside baby clothes, toys, etc. for someone (shhh! not everyone knows yet!)
16. Call the place where we ordered the bear coins to follow up on the bear we're still missing.
17. Update my mom and dad's med list that I have saved on our computer.
18. Design and create Star Wars themed invites for RJ's first birthday.
19. Schedule a doctor's appointment for me and hubby - we really should get a physical and bloodwork done to find out how our cholesterol and etc. is.
20. Find out if and when the library does story time.
21. Regularly take RJ on walks in his stroller.
22. Book our airplane tickets for our trip to HI this July.
23. With the hubby, figure out a better system to keep our recycling organized in the kitchen.
24. Figure out something creative to do with the bumper from the baby's crib.
25. Oh yeah - get a good job that pays me at least what I was making previously.

Window Shopping

After a week of rain, rain and more rain, we had a beautiful sunny weekend. Today RJ and I joined some friends for lunch and a stroll through the Carlsbad Outlets. While my friends did some shopping, RJ and I enjoyed the beautiful day and walked around, enjoyed the sun, and ducked into just a handful of stores.

I have to admit, it pained me a little that I couldn't shop like I used to. I hadn't been there for a while and was pleasantly surprised to find that they now have a Michael Kors outlet store as well as a Ferragamo outlet store. I walked into Ferragamo first and went straight to the shoe section. I was practically drooling when I caressed the soft and smooth leather of many beautiful shoes. Of course, I hit the clearance section first and was shocked by how low the prices were on some shoes! My first thought was, "Wow! What a steal!" My next thought was, "But where am I going to wear these now?" (since I'm usually in flip flops or sneakers - I only wear dress shoes to church nowadays). My last thought was "Holy Crap! I used to spend this much on SHOES!!??"

THEN we walked by the Michael Kors store... my heart raced when I saw the signs - $299, what!? $199, whoa!, $99 (gasp, gasp, gasp!!!), and even a sign for $69 - whaaaaa????!!!! It was too much for me to handle ... I didn't want to be tempted, so I didn't even walk in the store.

Seriously though, I know that I don't need anything. I've got my health, a healthy and wonderful son, a fabulous husband... and many more things that money can't buy :)

Wish List

My parents have been playing the lottery for as long as I can remember. From time to time they "win". They're so cute - they get so excited when they win $2. I think the biggest my dad ever won was something around $2000. You'd swear he hit the multi-million jackpot by the way my mom was jumping up and down and screaming :)

I don't play the lottery. Well, sometimes I do when the jackpot is big, but that's maybe once or twice a year. Being unemployed and having a single income family is something new and foreign to us. We were never big spenders, but now more than ever we think twice, three times, or more when considering purchasing something new. If I were to hit the lottery tomorrow, these items would be top on my wish list (in no particular order):

(1) Of course, we'd start by putting away money for RJ and paying off debts. But then...
(2) A new King sized mattress
(3) Luxury linens, king sized pillows, and at least 2 sets of king sized comforters/bedspreads
(4) New bedroom furniture (when we moved into our house, we didn't buy a new set and
currently have an interesting mix of pieces going on in here)
(5) A new car for the hubby - and if there is $ left over, a new car for me
(6) 1st class tickets for my parents trip to the PI this year, plus pocket money for them
(7) 1st class tickets for our trip to HI this year
(8) A huge STAR WARS themed party for RJ's 1st birthday this year
(9) A new Dyson vacuum
(10) Remodel hallway bathroom to put in the bathtub, tiles, sliding door, and all the upgrades
my mom originally wanted when we bought the house

Oh What Fun

In 2009 we were blessed with the opportunity to take our son to the following:

(1) Legoland (awesome Military discount)
(2) Legoland Sealife (free with the Legoland tickets)
(3) Seaworld (free thanks to Military Appreciation!)
(4) Disneyland (thank you Mel & Phil for the free passes!)
(5) Birch Aquarium (another awesome Military discount)

Mind you, he was too young to remember any of this (which is why babies are usually free anyway), but nonetheless it was fun to take him to these places and watch his face as he witnessed new and exciting things. Of course, it was quite fun for Mommy and Daddy to go to these places too (Disneyland was our fav), and we'll definitely have to take our baby boy to these places again, sometime in the future, when he can really understand and appreciate these experiences.

Until then, we'll continue to take him on fun and exciting adventures... like today, we decided to check out Kohls since hubby had never been. Baby boy enjoyed being pushed around in his stroller while I dug through the clearance racks in search for good deals for Christmas 2010. The highlight of the trip was when his Daddy let him touch all sorts of different materials. It was fun to watch his face and hear him laugh and squeal when he touched brushed cotton, corduroy, wool, etc. The other day he enjoyed being pushed around the mall and looking at the lights - oh how the lights amazed him. Another time we ate at Wendy's (where baby boy dined on organic peas ala Gerber) and he was mesmerized by the signage, particularly the picture of a chicken sandwich.

Oh what fun he has with the most simple and basic things! I must cherish these moments... because I know in a year a plastic spoon won't entertain him the way it does now!

I Miss Drugs

When I was in college, I was introduced to a particular drug that, when I took it for the first time - I was hooked and it changed my life. That drug was.... CLARITIN!!! (LOL!)

For 17 years of my life, I honestly thought it was normal to blow your nose every day, to sneeze every day, and to only be able to breathe out of one nostril at a time. I seriously thought this was the norm. I always left the house with at least 5 tissues folded neatly in my pocket - and always thought it was odd when I asked someone for a kleenex and they didn't have one???

God bless my girlfriend who noticed my symptoms one afternoon and said, "You should see your doctor, I'm pretty sure you have allergies." She told me about Claritin and how it worked wonders for her and her kids. Sure enough, she was right, and boy did that drug work - it was amazing! I could breathe (out of both nostrils!), I stopped sneezing, and I didn't need to carry around tissue any more! I took this drug on a daily basis... until I got pregnant.

Thankfully my allergies weren't that bad during my pregnancy. Now that I'm nursing, the pollen count decided to go way out of control and I am miserable. I can take Claritin, which does the job - but what I really need is Claritin-D, which has a decongestant in it. BUT, if I take it, it'll mess with my milk supply, and I'm not ready to stop yet.

So, I will deal with my symptoms... I'm feeling a little nostalgic actually. I've got a pack of kleenex in my bag, and tissues in my pocket. The amount of snot that I blow out of my nose every day is crazy - I can't believe I was like this every day! I guess it's not that bad - it's the sacrifice I make so I can continue to make milk for my baby - but boy do I miss drugs!

12 Years

The hubby and I can hardly believe it - today marks our 12 year anniversary. What!? Really - could it really be - have we been married 12 years? Wow. That's amazing.

In the past 12 years so much has happened...

(1) We lived in Hawaii
(2) We lived in Chicago
(3) We moved to San Diego
(4) We bought our first home - a lovely 3 bedroom/2 bath condo
(5) We bought our first single family home - a lovely 4 bedroom/ 2.5 bath house
(6) My parents sold their house and moved in with us
(7) We went on several vacations, including a fabulous trip to Barcelona
(8) Hubby got his Associate and Bachelor Degrees
(9) I got my MBA
(10) Hubby and I finally got Confirmed
(11) We had 4 miscarriages, which included the loss of our daughter, Angelina
(12) We were blessed with our beautiful son

...and so much more. I look forward to many more happy years together with my hubby :)

Props to the Hubby

If I don't say so myself, my hubby is a pretty smart guy. No really, he is. He was a nuclear electrician in the Navy - which meant that he went through 2 years of intense schooling and training before he set foot on a submarine. Ask anyone who's been in the Navy what they know about a "Nuke", and the first thing they'll say is, "You gotta be smart to be a Nuke!" (or is its spelled n-u-c? I dunno...)

When we got married I was aware that he wanted to go to college after he got out of the Navy. I wasn't expecting him to, but the guy worked full time and when to school full time. He truly impressed the family when he graduated at the top of his class. Wow.

He's definitely NOT a suit and tie kinda guy, but don't let that fool you. Throw a complex problem at him and you will be impressed. The man's troubleshooting skills are amazing. I love watching his face when he's trying to figure something out - it's so intense, then when he has an answer, his face is like "duh, that's easy, just do this!"

When he decided to work for a nuclear power plant, we knew that the plant operated 24/7, 365 days a year. For the past several years he had the holidays off. This year, for whatever reason, he wound up having to work on Christmas and New Years days. Mind you, he doesn't have a choice, his schedule is what it is. (On a side note, as an HR professional I usually don't like unions, but I must admit that my hubby's union works pretty darn hard to make sure that these guys are compensated appropriately, are treated fairly, and most of all - are safe.)

Anyhoo, I overheard him talking to his mom on New Years Eve. He told her he was working on New Years Day, I assume she had something to say about that, and his response was simply, "Mom, do your lights turn on when there's a holiday? Well someone has to work to make sure that people have electricity. Not everyone can have the day off..." I don't know why, but I loved that he said that... so true. I wish my mom put it like that for me when I was a kid (she was a nurse and worked every holiday imaginable... sadly, she was rarely home...)

So, yeah, I gotta give major props to the hubby. He's working today so we couldn't enjoy the holiday as a family. It's all good though. No big deal, really. I just want to go on record to say that I really appreciate him. Today and always.