Bob

It's Monday again and I cannot believe how fast time flies... Our weekend wasn't too eventful although we got a lot done.
Saturday I got my hair cut and loved it SO much I told everyone I knew how great I looked. I got a longer bob cut and did chunks of blonde and brown...
HOWEVER...
why is it that your hair always looks SO much better when the stylist does it? I have not been able to recreate what she did and its ticking me off. I loved it on Saturday and now its just bleh. So annoying. I guess I will just have to keep practicing...

Yesterday I took the girls to finish getting everything for their Halloween costumes. They are both going to be ballerina's. Addison is a pink and white one and Kirstynn is a blue and white one. They are going to look adorable. And, of course, I bought my fangs so that I could continue with my obsession with vampires..

Speaking of, I finished book 2 last night and am onto the third, Eclipse! I am going to start it today and am excited but getting more sad that it's half way over...

Lastly, my sister told me about this texting thing called"cha cha". It is the coolest thing to me since sliced bread. Seriously. If you know me, you know I am addicted to texting. And this allows you to ask anything and everything to a REAL person.... Everything from "what should i dress up as for Halloween?" to "Whats the number to the Walmart by my house"...
they keep track of the questions you ask and write you back. You get a different person everytime but its awesome. Try it.. it's free as long as your wireless provider doesn't charge you to text!

We are kicking off our United Way campaign today for work. And Friday I am going over to the state school to volunteer for the day and put on a Luau bash for the people who live there. I am in charge of teaching them to hula. This should be very interesting considering I have no idea how to do this myself... :)

And the planning begins....

What a week this has been so far!

Monday night I spent all evening at the emergency pediatric clinic cause Kirstynn had a fever. Turned out she had ear infections in both ears. Poor baby.. We got her some antibiotics though and she is on her way to feeling better! But that night, she was up screaming the entire time and it was rough...

Tuesday was an extremely busy day... But the most exciting part of it (again maybe TMI, but I have a lot of girlfriends who will want to know) - I got my new copper IUD. I was so nervous all day that I almost backed out until right before. Luckily as I have said before, I am totally crushing on my OB/GYN, so that was a little bit of an incentive. lol. I thought it was going to hurt so badly. It didnt. And it is the most effective and widely used birth control method in the world. And it is hormone free. So it doesnt interfere with breastfeeding, no pills to remember to take and it last for something crazy like 10 years! Best thing on top of that was my insurance paid for it and it only cost me $30!

I sent out the invitations to start the process of getting ready for Addison's 3rd birthday party. It is such a struggle because Thomas and I love throwing parties and having people come, but its such a large party that during present time, it seems absurd to have that many people there. I always feel like the guests must think that we are spoiling her and asking for more presents than any toddler needs. But with family, it seems like if one brings something, another has to...etc. But, its a celebration and we decided to invite everyone and leave it to them how they want to proceed. Addison is just going to be excited to have a cake. She has been talking about her birthday cake since the last one!

I'm in the middle of my second book in the Twilight series... its called New Moon. And yes, I am still obessed. And now Thomas is too. He was up until midnight last night reading. He couldnt put it down either. They are on sale at Walmart people. Get out there and get them! :)

Just get it...

Well, I finished my first book in the twilight series. It is amazing. I am NOT exaggerating! Go buy it. You will be hooked. I want people to read it so we can start a fanclub and sit around drinking wine and talking about our love for Edward. And trust me, you will love him. I even got a guy friend to begin reading and he admitted almost having his first "guy crush". If you dont want to bw with him, you want to be him. Just get it.....

Wanna hear something weird? As I was laying in bed last night finishing it, I heard this posycho laughter coming from my bathroom.... it went on for about 20 seconds. My heart just about jumped out of my chest.... I think I may have even stopped breathing for a minute.
Once it stopped I realized it was one of Addison's babydoll's that went off. But it's not supposed to laugh unless it is squeezed. Spooky... I am blaming it on possible failing batteries but come on... how may scary movies has there been about this type of thing?? Either way, I still havent gone in to touch it or move it. I am too scared. lol.

Well, off to take care of my weekly grocery shopping. Just off the hook fun I tell you! I live on the seat of my pants these days... :)

Kirstynn is 7 months old!

Well Kirstynn is officially 7 months old today! I can hardly believe it. It has gone by so quickly. Too quickly. I wish I could make time stand still for just a little bit. Ok, a lot bit. Even with the complaining about sleep and tears and messes, I know this is one of the sweetest times in my life. And it just slips you by...

I have booked my flight and hotel for Portland and Seattle in 2 weeks. I am starting to look forward to it. Of course I will miss my girls and my husband, but it will be nice to get away. My sales rep called me today and asked what, if anything, specific I want to do for our last night in Seattle. Our company is really cutting costs and has decided underwriters will no longer be travelling. I am trying to think and the 2 things I most want to do is eat at a really good local seafood restaurant, head over to the Space Needle and walk around Pike Street Market. I doubt I will have time for all of that because work keeps us pretty busy, but at least my rep loves a good martini so I know I am covered there.

We have been in our house for a year this weekend! So, Thomas stayed home from work today and got all the last 1 year warranty items fixed. After this, we are fully responsible if something goes wrong. At least any of the cosmetic stuff. Foundation work and big stuff is 10 years, but still!

Went for a good run at lunch today. I am getting to where it is truely enjoyable because I am so in shape now... well my heart is anyway. You don't quite dread it like in the beginning. Plus, the weather has been so nice this week that it is amazing what a difference it makes. I am off to run 6 miles this weekend! The half marathon is only 2 months away!

Also, got some pictures from our fun night out last weekend. Thought I would post.

Twilight

Wow, even as I write this my eyes hurt more than I can explain!
Kirstynn was up from 2am until 5am last night. And not just up and being her normal chipper self, but crazy mad and upset!
The only way we could get her to sleep was to lay her on our chests - skin to skin! And that is fine for her - but there is no way to get comfortable with a 16 pound baby laying full on dead weight at 3am.
I still am not 100% sure what her deal was but I really really hope it is better tonight. And something is telling me that it is finally teeth! And she is now (all by herself) going from laying down and then sitting up. No help from us! We are in big trouble!

Ok - side note. I am reading this book called Twilight right now and I am absolutely entranced. And I am in love with the character. His name is Edward and he is an amazing, sexy, articulate VAMPIRE! It is a series of 4 books and I am only half way through the first, but I am hooked. I even think I am going to make my husband dress up as this man for Halloween. Seriously - I am not going to spoil any of it, but if you read. Even a little bit - go get this book!

I stayed home from work on Tuesday because I was in mourning and also not feeling well at all. If you have a weak stomach or think girlie things are gross - stop reading HERE.
But since most of my readers are girls and mothers at that. I have to post. This was a momentus and sad day in my life.

Ok - so I have been without a period since I was pregnant with Kirstynn. That was June 2007. Breastfeeding keeps aunt flow away and I took it for granted how much I like her being gone. Well, with my milk flow dropping a few weeks ago and all the stress of our house lately, TOM (time of the month) came back. Yes, all you women out there who feel my pain... let's bow our heads. I can only hope that since my milk is back on, maybe she'll just stay for a short visit and be gone again.
Ok - enough of that.

Speaking of milk though, a friend who came across my earlier posts gave me a wonderful recipe for lacation cookies. She also said they were delicious. I thought I would post in case anyone was interested in trying them:
Lactation Cookies
·
· 1 cup butter
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
· 4 tablespoons water
· 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
· 2 eggs
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 2 cups flour
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 3 cups oats
· 1 cup chocolate chips
· 2-4 tablespoons brewer's yeast
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.
Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let sit for 3-5 minutes.
Beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar well.
Add eggs and mix well.
Add flaxseed mix and vanilla, beat well.
Sift together flour, brewers yeast, baking soda, and salt.
Add dry ingredients to butter mix.
Stir in oats and chips.
Scoop onto baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes.
Let set for a couple minutes then remove from tray. Makes 4 1/2 dozen.

Enjoy!

Sunday Funday!

Sunday, Funday... and I am just totally depressed that the weekend is already almost over! :) Last night was a definite adventure. We went out for a bit with our brothers and a good friend from work after the kids fell asleep. It ended badly with some blood, bile and break ups... None of them mix.... I will save the names to keep from incriminating anyone... We've all been there though...

The girls are still sick. We have a house full of snot and more dirty kleenex's than I care to think about it. I think all the congestion is finally breaking up though... I toted both of them to the doctor's office Friday afternoon to get them checked but of course I got the same old "it's just a cold - let it run its course" song and dance. Paid a pointless copay. :)

We have so many people in from the Houston area who can't get home to their stuff still because of all of the hurricane damage. They say a lot of them won't have electricity for weeks. I feel so bad for them. It's so hot here and humid and just gross.

Well, I need to head off and start cleaning and doing laundry. Oh the exciting life of a mommy of 2!

My milk came back!

Well, it's almost the end of the week again and now we are on our way to a rainy windy maybe tornado-filled weekend. Ike is supposedly heading this way at one time or another. And everyone is kind of buzzing and looking forward to it. I guess that happens when you dont really get rain on a regular basis. The funny part is I am not worried, but excited and my family, including my husband, is running around for batteries and flashlights. Oh the drama. :)

Both the girls have their colds back and that also means Kirstynn isn't sleeping through the night again. It's a lot to take, but at least I know it is short lived. I'm definitely tired though...

Great news... my milk came back!!! I was on a mission and with the help of some cool herbs and the night waking, I am back up to my old self. I am definitely proud! And I decided Keeks will just have to get formula for the 5 days I am on travel and I will pump out there and just resume when I get back. I really want to feed her for a full year and it looks like I am going to make it.

It sure is amazing the amount of people who just don't really appreciate the benefits of it and like to make the "well i guess it's just time" and "isnt she a little old for that already?" comments. In my mind, I'm like she is still a baby! She isn't even crawling yet! Give her some time to be a baby! lol.

I just know now from my previous daughter Addison that time just flies and this time when they are willing to cuddle and just be close to you is so short lived. And I am going to take advantage while I can!

My mom picked up the kids last night from school cause we had an appointment and accidently scratched her with her ring. It was nothing but Thomas thought it would be funny to send this to her cause she tends to feel overly bad about everything! lol

Well, off to shower and get ready for another late day 10am - 7pm. Ugh. It's just awful....

Flies and Chucky - oh the madness!

Well, this weekend was a full one!!!

Saturday morning we had our coffee and fully committed to cleaning the house top to bottom! And I am proud to say we did it. From dusting and vacuuming to toliets and mopping the floors... It took about 4 hours, but was worth it because the heavy stuff had been neglected for a little while.
Of course, there are already toys everywhere, but I'd always rather have messy than dirty any day!


Then following the cleaning spree, we attended 2 family birthday parties. The first was at Chuck e Cheese and was a mess. Addison hates it - she is just absolutely terrified of any people dressed up in the big cartoon characters.
As soon as Chucky came walking out, her head was buried in my sister's chest and wouldnt come out until we left... Who knows why she is scared of it. But at least it gave us a good reason to get out of there quickly.

Our second party was a little better except it was outside at Chris Madrids and Addison is also terrified of flies and was not having it. There were lots of the black flying friends and she couldnt focus on anything but that. It didnt make for a relaxing time, that's for sure.
And, to top it off, you know I am a complete celebrity addict! Come to find out, Thomas Gibson (from Criminal Minds and Darma and Greg) was sitting right next to us the whole time and I never even got to see him. I was too busy chasing away flies and feeding green veggie glop to Kirstynn. :)


Finally, on a very very sad note, I am having a really hard time with my breastmilk. The last week has been a little stressful and it has all but dried up. I could tell Kirstynn was upset and still hungry all day yesterday and when I tried to pump a little last night, it was literally just tiny drops.
Not even a full ounce after 20 minutes. I was a full on mess.

I read somewhere that you can take fenqueek, this herbal supplement, to increase your milkflow and I am trying that and not ready to give up yet. She is not even 7 months and I am determined to make it to a year. I am going to do my best to get it back until Friday and if, by then, I am still struggling, I guess I am going to have to quit. Ugh. Just writing that bring tears to my eyes.....
I have to start getting more though because I found out I have to make a trip for 5 days to Seattle at the beginning of October and if I dont have enough pumped, she will have to go on formula.
I dont even have enough now to feed her for today, much less pump for later....
Any ideas or anything that worked for you????

Austin

Well, Kirstynn is well on her way to making my life completely nuts. As you can see from the pictures, she is sitting up and now can get up on all fours and rocks back and forth. Once she actually starts crawling and I have to keep up with both her AND Addison, it's done.

The good part is I signed up for a weight loss challenge here at work with about 40 people. We each put in $20 and the one with the highest percentage wins 90% of the pot and highest number of pounds wins the last 10%. I am on a mission and with 2 mobile children that can't really take care of themselves yet, I am bound to run it off.

Austin was tons of fun last weekend and it was great being back there. I can honestly say it is one of my favorite cities in the world. There is just a completely different aura when you drive into it. I want to start getting the girls up there to enjoy some of its culture as soon as they are old enough to start appreciating it.

Here's a few more pics that I haven't posted.

Sitting up

Sorry haven't been able to write for those that are keeping up. We have a lot going on at the Donbavand house, but I wanted to post a few pictures of Kirstynn starting to sit up and a few from the game on Saturday!