Wednesday, June 5, 2013

June Update

So I'm just going to quit acting like I visit and write often, because it is quite apparent that I don't.  Not too much is going on around here, just the same ol' same ol'.

Mason:
She turned 9 months old last week and got her ears pierced.  Yesterday I felt her first tooth cutting through.  I hate when they get teeth...not because of the pain an suffering they go though, but the teeth never go away, and then they are big, not babies anymore.  I'm a sucker for a toothless grin.  She is also doing the worm/belly flop crawl.  It is working for her and she is getting around the house with no problems.  I'm ready for her to start crawling on her knees though as she gets quite covered in dog hair. Which, I know, is nasty.  I'm running the stick vac once or twice a day to try and keep it somewhat clean.

Harper:
What can I say about Priss Pot?  She is 2 years old and wonderful at it.  Tantrums, shouting orders, making demands...I think she would win an Oscar for her perfect performance of a two year old child.  We are doing much better now that she has adapted to Mason being around and she sometimes asks for things instead of demanding it first.  Being a good parent is hard...it is much easier to let her have her way than make her ask nicely or demonstrate good behavior before getting the reward.
She really likes to sing.  Her current favorites are Baby Mine, Theme from Teletubbies, Old MacDonald, BINGO, Twinkle Twinkle, and to top it off, the Theme from Barney the Purple Dinosaur.  It sure is a treat to get to sing all of those songs with her each night before bed.  After the shootings in New Town, I made a promise to myself to try and cherish more moments with her.  So we starting singing Twinkle Twinkle and now we have to sing at least one line from all of the aforementioned songs or else she cannot go to sleep.  I do love her so.  

Me and Tommy:
We had a small scare that Tommy was going to deploy a few weeks ago but have not had any followup.  So we are just waiting for the final word.  I've put it behind me and will face it if I have to when I have to.  I know that it will happen sooner or later and I'll deal with it then.  We are really enjoying our house.  We have plenty of room and the yard and porches are nice for spending time on.  We need some outdoor furniture for the back porch.  The front porch has a swing and we put Harper's water table and Mason's baby swing out there.  It is in the shade mostly all day and relaxing even when I'm out there with the kids.  

Hopefully this round of pinkeye that we have all caught will go away soon and we can get back to our regular routine.  Hopefully I'll be back around sooner than 4 months!
WE

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Things In My Head

Good Evening Loyal Readers:

We have finally moved to New Bern, NC and we are almost all unpacked.  There are probably only 5 or so boxes left.  We purged a ton last July when we unpacked in Pensacola and there was not much to throw away here.

So far I'm really happy.  Our house is fabulous and we finally feel like we can spread out and live.  Our neighborhood has large wooded lots with nice wide streets for walking the dogs.  Harper has already been out to play in the yard and on the driveway.  I really took these luxuries for granted before we lived in the roach motel.  Now I'm trying to appreciate every little morsel.

Speaking of appreciation, I am at a point in my life where I feel that things are going so well that I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop.  I am trying to be present in each moment, because I feel that it will not last.  I'm trying to be more careful, even while driving.  I think I can only describe my feelings as wanting to be around for my children as they grow.  Sickness and accidents and other morbid thoughts have been weighing on my mind and I just want to be healthy and alive for my kids.  Maybe it is that time of the month, but I'm aware of my need to raise them, much more than I ever have before.

On a lighter note, Harper started preschool two days a week at a local church.  She is so sweet.  She didn't even cry.  But, the first day could have been such a whirlwind that she really didn't know what was going on.  So we will see how tomorrow goes.

Have a nice night and Happy Valentine's Day!
Whitney

Friday, January 18, 2013

Transitions

Good Morning:

The move is looming in a week or so and I can't wait!  I can't believe this is MLK weekend.  I am ready to get unpacked already.  There are tons of decorating and organizing ideas swirling around in my head and I am ready to implement them in our new house.  Good thing we get a little extra money from the Navy so that Harper can get some big girl furniture, including a big girl bed.  I hate to take her out of the crib while it still works so well.  But, Mason is ready for the crib and I'm ready for her to be out of our bedroom.

Harper sleeps very well in the crib but I guess you have to start growing up at some point.  I'm not looking forward for her transition into a little girl's room, but we've got to start sometime.  Also, the ol' bobby (pacifier) will be going bye bye pretty soon after we move too.  Once we get used to our new house and room, the bobby will be saying adios.  

Mason has her 4 month check up today.  I'm sure she'll have to have shots...my favorite.  I don't mind the shots but I know how crummy she feels afterwards.

I have cut my hair off recently and thought that would fulfill my hankering for change.  It did for a little while but I'm still not happy.  I love my hair, but I think my feelings for change root deeper than wanting just a new look for myself.  I think my uncontrollable longing for change is tied to my weight.  I am unhappy with how I look in the mirror and even more unhappy about all of the clothes in my closet that I cannot wear.  Granted, I am not morbidly obese and I did just have a baby, but I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight...and that is too heavy for where I want to be.  Tommy and I are going to scope out some gyms in our new town and hope to join up soon after we arrive.  I feel so lazy and cooped up down here.  There is not a good place to get out and walk, much less play outside with the kids.

So, I'm hoping that when we move, we will all have a smooth transition into our new, but familiar and improved, life! 

That is enough rambling for the moment. 
I may be out of touch the next few weeks, but I'll be back eventually!
Whitney

Thursday, January 10, 2013

North Carolina

Hi Everyone!

I know it has been a while since my last post, but there is always a long time in between posts because my life is crazy.  We had a great holiday season but as always, I'm glad that it is OVER!  Family and traveling is great, but it is so nice to come home and get back into our schedule.

We won't be on schedule for much longer though.  At the end of the month, we are moving to New Bern, North Carolina.  Tommy has been stationed at MCAS Cherry Point.  We will be renting a sweet house with lots of yard and space, which I'm very excited about.  Our new house will have double what we are living in now.  Check it out here.  I can't tell you how excited I am to get out of Florida.  I'll miss the great beach at Perdido Key, but that is about it. 

Right now it is looking like Tommy will have to deploy at some point.  We will know more about that soon I hope. 

That's about it for now.  We are just gearing up for the big move. 
Laters Baby,
WE

Monday, December 17, 2012

Reflections

Hello Loyal Followers:

I am trying to keep it together, but struggle with all of the emotions that I'm feeling regarding the latest school shooting.

In case you don't know, I was attending Virginia Tech and on campus when the shooting occurred 4/16/07.  It was all so surreal at the time...it seemed like it could not really be happening to people that I knew, just across campus.

After yesterday's shooting in CT, I have been broken down completely.  Also, being a parent now compounds the grief that I'm feeling.  I cannot help but imagine those helpless children.  Call me morbid, but the thought of those little lifeless bodies just makes me weep.  I don't know what it is about me but I wanted to know what happened to Austin too.  She worked as a lifeguard for me while I was at VT and was killed in the shooting.  I was able to talk to her parents and find out intimate details of her death and somehow, it comforted me.  Knowing that she did not suffer...knowing that she did not know what was happening, made it more bearable for me.  I cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering that her family went through.  I think about her mom often and ache for her.  Just the other night after "Parenthood", I thought of Rene.  Austin is just gone.  Never to be again.  Her mom has to deal with that everyday. 

So, after yesterday's shooting, all of the old feelings have been brought to life again and I am forced to grieve for the families that lost a child and for all of my Virginia Tech family too.  It's not just this Christmas, it's every Christmas from now on.  It's every birthday and every occasion that they will not be there.  It truly breaks my heart.

On another note, I'm going to try and appreciate my family this year and hope that we don't have a nuclear meltdown.  I'll tolerate Christmas Eve with a smile and be glad that everybody is alive and well.  I'll try not to talk bad about them afterwards.

This is just another reminder of how precious life really is.  Be grateful that you are alive and have those to love in your life.

Love,
Whitney












Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Surrey with the Fringe On Top

Hi Everyone:


So in my last post I was talking about some boots that I have been coveting for a long time.  Much to my dismay, I tried them on and they just didn't cut the mustard.  But then these came into my life:









You can get your pair here and we can be matchy matchy.  They are Luccese Women's CafĂ© Glitter Carthage Lazer Design with Cream Inlays Boot.  I just love them.  If I were rich, or awesome like Pioneer Woman, I would give a pair away to somebody that leaves a comment below.  But I'm neither of those things, so I'll just wear my own and hope that you get a pair too.

Just in case you are not familiar with how your cowboy boots should fit:
  1. They should feel like a firm handshake across the top of the foot
  2. You should have some heal slip when you walk.  I know this sounds strange, but its the cowboy boot way.
  3. If they are too snug but the next size up is too big, ask your seller to stretch them for you.  Your local tack store can do this too. 
Then you wear them, wear them, wear them.  Your new boots will be broken in and you will be the most stylin' person on your block.  Rest assured, you will not look like a redneck in these boots!

On another note, what production is "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" from?

Give up?  It's from OKLAHOMA!  It also made an appearance in one of my fvorite movies, "When Harry Met Sally."  Check out the clip here.

I love that link bar...it is so cool!

Finally, I can type like a regular person now.  I've been chicken pecking while holding baby Mason Jar.

So, back to the title of this post.  I'm talking about the big O State because Tommy might be stationed there at Tinker AFB.  Then maybe I could meet the Pioneer Woman and we could be BFFs.   I doubt that.  But, Tinker and Eglin AFB (in Destin, FL) are our top two choices from the preliminary list that we were given a few days ago. 

I'll be sure to keep you in the loop.

Good luck with your boots!
Love,
PW Wannabe


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Life Update (aka Baby Pictures)

Good Morning!  Today we are headed off to the pumpkin patch at Holland Farms here in good ol' Pensacola.  I am super excited today because it actually feels like fall.  Instead of being the usual balmy 85, we are in the 50's right now! 

Since the weather has cooled a bit, it might be time to reveal what I am coveting...new boots!  I know that you are so shocked that I want a new pair of boots.  Here they are:



They are almost as pretty as my kids!

 Speaking of the little hellions, here are some pictures:

7 Weeks Old
Hi Mommy!

Thank you, thank you very much! (Said in Elvis voice)

Lady you are so boring!
 8 Weeks Old

You are weird.

Look at those chins baby.  You can't get those just anywhere.





I thought that I had some Harper pictures to add, but all I can find of her are videos.  She can be the star of the next post.  Hopefully I'll get some good pictures today at the pumpkin patch.

Happy Fall Y'all!
Whit of the Nee