Friday Activities

Well, we made it to Granny's safe and sound. It was so pretty and sunny in Fayetteville when we left, but by the time we made it to Alma it was cloudy and everything was wet where it had just rained. Crazy Arkansas weather!

Granny was excited to see her girls, and Grace was excited to see her Granny! We got the car unloaded and were hanging out in the living room trying to decide what to have for dinner. I told Mom on the way down that I was in the mood to cook, but I didn't know what sounded good. Granny had cooked a roast yesterday so we decided on that and green beans and mashed potatoes. I was craving some dinner rolls too so I made a run to Wal-Mart because I had to have diapers anyways too.

By the time I got back Mom had just about everything already ready, so we ate a FABULOUS dinner! It was so incredibly yummy. After dinner Grace and Granny went outside to swing for a little bit (it's a Granny/Grace thing)! She only likes swinging with her Granny, or will only sit still with her Granny! Too cute. I knew Grace wouldn't be excited about coming back in so I had all of her bath stuff ready so we could switch from one favorite activity to another! She was okay once she was in the tub. I've got to start taking pictures of these things to illustrate!

Anyway, Mom made a run back down to Wal-Mart to fill up on gas because everyone was in such a frenzy with the hurricane and gas not only sky-rocketing but also the possibility of running out. Grace was clean and happy by the time she made it back and then we settled in to watch the season finale of Monk, we love that show!!

Monk and Company

After Monk it was time for Psych, another favorite! Grace has been wandering around aimlessly trying not to fall asleep. She's so tired she can't stand it, but she's afraid to go to sleep because ya know she might miss something! Ha!

After Psych we watched the news and all the updates on Hurricane Ike. It's a nasty booger, and I am definitely praying for all the people who are going to be affected by it in not only Texas and Louisiana, but also in Arkansas. They're saying there's a good chance we'll get a good dose of it late tomorrow and early Sunday. Which of course is not good news to me considering my husband is in Hot Springs and is supposed to be home on Sunday.....on the motorcycle. He told me earlier that right now Jason's dad is planning to trailer them home if the weather is as nasty as they're saying it's supposed to be. Mom and I were planning to stay at Granny's tomorrow night too and just leave early enough Sunday for me to make it back to work but now I'm not sure if that's smart. I don't want to get caught out in the storm. So, I'm praying it doesn't get really bad.

That pretty much wraps up tonight so I'm going to go wash my face, brush my teeth, and try to get my child to go to sleep. Wish me luck!!!

Good Night!

Weekend Getaway

Just wanted to make a quick note, it's been a couple of days. Today is my Saturday and Mom, Grace, and I are driving down to Granny's house this afternoon. Mom has a doctor's appointment at 1:30 then she's coming to get us. I'm excited, it's been a while since we've been down.

This next paragraph is just for Megan and Aunt Cathy (hope you're reading this!). Yesterday while I was getting ready for work I was asking Grace if she was excited about going to Granny's house today and she just looked up at me with a big grin on her face and said " Caffy, Meegggaan!" It was sooo cute! Of course, I had to tell her that that they wouldn't be there this weekend, but she would get to see them next weekend! We can't wait to see you guys!!!

Anyways, this was a very long week at work and I'm so glad it's over. Gene and his friend Jason drove down to Hot Springs yesterday on their bikes to stay the weekend at Jason's parents' lake house. Yea I know, not fair! Apparently Jason's parents are very wealthy and have 2 boats and the huge lake house fully stocked with food for them. I guess there's a bike rally this weekend down there. I miss him, and he won't be home until Sunday. :( I know he needed a break though from working so much.

***Side note: I was just distracted by how quiet Grace was being. Well, I look over by the couch and she has found a pen from somewhere and has managed to get the lid off. She's playing Michaelangelo and drawing ALL over her legs and on the hardwood floors!! Oops! It's all good though, Clorox wipe got it off the floor and wet rag scrubbed it off her legs! Funny girl.

Ok, I've got most of our stuff packed up and I'm fixing to get in the shower so we're ready when Mom gets here. I hope everyone has had a good week. I know I'll be back on later this evening or tomorrow morning with pictures and stories from Granny's!

Taylor

Fall Attire

So, I know I've said before that I'm ready for cooler weather, but I'm going to say it yet again. I'm so ready for fall weather!

I love wearing long sleeve tshirts and big sweatshirts and blue jeans and tennis shoes! Plus Mom and I have already been buying stuff for Grace for cooler weather, which isn't always a good thing because they have so much cute stuff it's hard to say no. One of the last times we were down at Granny's and had gone to the mall she found this really cute outfit for Grace and was planning on going back and getting it for her. I posted a picture below of her wearing it, of course it's still a little bit too big and she will not stand still long enough for me to get a good picture but you get the idea. It's so precious!

A few weeks ago I was in Target looking around and of course I was looking at children's stuff. I found the most adorable pair of brown boots that I had already decided when it got cooler I was going to go back and get them for her. Well, after seeing the outfit that Granny got her I was even more determined to go back and get them because they will look so good with it!

Remember my new outfit I bought?! Well, I had planned to wear it today but I wanted some black flats to go with it. I have some black stilettos, but 1) they're not comfortable for working and 2) they're a little too dressy for it. So, I knew that Target would have something that would work. I was right!! Yesterday before work Grace and I drove up there and I found some really cute black ballerina flats with a little bow on them. Too cute.

I, of course, walked right on over to the childrens' shoes to see if they still had the boots. I found the section they were in but I didn't see Grace's size. I had given up and was walking down the aisle and down with all the big girl shoes I saw one more box of them sitting there.......and they were her size!!!! Yay! I was so excited. I was actually a little hesitant in buying them for her right now because they were $18 but them being the last one made up my mind. I knew I wouldn't get lucky next time if I waited.

I just tried them on her and they fit perfectly. They are tighter around her little fat calves than they probably would be on some toddlers, but they still fit and she can walk in them. She just stood really still when I first put them on her because she's not used to having shoes come up that high. She just looked at me like "now what am I supposed to do?!" Too cute! It didn't take her long to figure it out and then she didn't want to take them off!

Checking them out!

Are they not adorable?!

Ok,this picture I posted because I just love her hair!

The last picture was taken Sunday morning not too long after she woke up. She had had a bath the night before and when she fell asleep I guess her hair was still a little wet. I always comb it straight back when it's wet because it usually makes it lay better. Not this time! She had this big poof of hair on top and we couldn't get it to lay down. I love the paci smile too!!

On a side note, there must definitely be some type of stomach bug going around. Everyone at work just about has been sick, and Corey came home sick from school yesterday, and is still in bed right now. He's had a bad headache and stomach ache. Poor kid, I hate it when they don't feel good. Hopefully it won't last much longer, and he'll be better tomorow.

I'm off to take care of my whiny little girl now!!

Pictures

I didn't get any pictures taken with my camera, but Gene took a few of us with Steph's when we got home from the wedding. She e-mailed them to me yesterday so I could post them! Please excuse my red eyes, I seem to always have them in any picture taken of me!

Steph, Me, & Grace

Beautiful Baby Girl!!

The picture of Grace was taken after we had taken her bow out so it looks funny on top! Anyways, just wanted to share the pictures with you guys. I also didn't get a good picture of Steph's dress and my skirt, but I'm wearing that skirt to my cousin, Hillary's wedding also so I'll take more pictures then!!

Today I'm going to leave for work early and run by Target to try and find some shoes to wear with my new jeans and top, and then I've got to drop Grace off with Tanner and Dad so I can go to work. Gene works drug interdiction tonight so Mom and Dad get Grace!

Have a great week!!

Taylor

Girl Time

I had a really great weekend!! Well, Friday was not the best morning because Grace slept on her mattress on the floor again but woke up at 5 IN THE MORNING!!!! Oh my gosh. I only got about 4 hours of sleep because I wasn't able to go to bed until 1 am. Gene ended up getting up around 6 or so too so at least I wasn't the only one up with her. I knew there was no hope in getting her back to bed because the alarm clock would be going off at 6 to get the boys up for school so we just laid down on the couch. I was so incredibly tired, but luckily she fell back to sleep with me on the couch about 7 and slept until about 8:45. I was still tired.

We finally got up and around and drove up to Rogers to see Gene's cousin Wayne at Tri-State Optical. Wayne is the office manager and I needed some new glasses! I've had glasses since I was in 3rd grade and contacts since I was in 6th grade. I wear my contacts most often, but I wear my glasses at home and night and sometimes during the day to give my eyes a break. I'd had my old frames for over 2 years and it was time for some new ones. One of my lenses were cracked in 2 places and they just kept getting longer, plus the frames were in bad shape and the prescription wasn't up to date in them so I couldn't see as well with them as my contacts. So.....I told Gene I was needing some new ones and he called Wayne.

I ended up getting some Armani Exchange frames and new high-index lenses for only $150!! I am very blind! My prescription is so strong, and I usually don't have as many options as anyone else does as far as frames goes because my lenses are so think. Well, Wayne had the high-index lenses and was able to pick any frame I wanted! He helped me find some that would look good and then went back and made the lenses. He was able to do everything right there and I left with my new glasses! I was soooo excited. The regular prices on the glasses (frames and lenses) would have been $422.92!! Like I said, I only had to pay $150!!! It sure pays to have connections!!! I haven't taken a picture of me wearing them yet, but I will and get it posted. I really like them!

Anway, after my exciting purchase, we went on to Pig Trail Harley-Davidson of course because we were so close. Gene had to pay a visit, plus he also needed the matching shifter peg that I had bought him (I didn't realize I should have bought the set!). He was able to find what he needed and he spent more money than he intended. Ha!

We headed out of Rogers then and headed back to Fayetteville. Our next stop was Wal-Mart to do some grocery shopping. It was crazy busy. I don't know what the deal was, but there were so many people there and it took us, no joke, about 30 minutes just to check out. The lines were forever long and miss coupon lady in front of us was holding up traffic! Not only did she have a coupon for EVERY item in her cart, she also wanted it all bagged in those cloth bags they have now. Grrrr..... We finally made it out of there. We came home and ate lunch and Gene headed out to put his new stuff on his bike. Grace and I hung out inside doing laundry and putting stuff up.

The boys made it home as Gene was leaving for the gym, and Grace and I had fallen asleep on the couch. We were both tired from our early morning! She didn't sleep for very long though, and then was up playing with her bubbas. We made nachos for dinner and they were yummy!!

I had told Gene that we HAD to put Grace's crib back together and she was going back in it that night. I could not do another night of just 4-5 hours of sleep. We decided that she just isn't old enough/big enough for a toddler bed yet. I did take the bumper pad out of it so she couldn't us it for leverage to climb out of it. We haven't had any more problems.

Yesterday morning she woke up at 8, which was an okay thing because we were supposed to go pick up Mom and Steph at 10 so we were going to have to get ready. Gene made pancakes and sausage for breakfast which was yummy and then we got ready and headed out! We went to Mom and Dad's and picked her up and then picked up Steph.

Our first stop was the Pinnacle Hills Promenade. I love shopping there, but I rarely go to Rogers, so I figured that yesterday was a perfect excuse for driving up there! I had to find something to wear to the wedding.

We looked around in several different stores, and I finally decided on this skirt!!! I found it at Lane Bryant and I love it! The only reason I didn't buy it at first was because it wasn't on sale and the regular price was a little more than I wanted to pay. However, I didn't find anything else I liked so we went back and I got it. Steph let me borrow her brown heels and I wore a white shirt that I have with it. Steph bought a new black dress to wear, and we looked really great!! Grace of course looked precious in her pink dress that her Aunt Cathy got her for her birthday!

I also got some new Seven jeans!!! I love them and they're sooo comfortable! I got a really cute shirt to go with them too! I'll take a picture when I wear the outfit and post it too!!

We ate lunch at Mimi's Cafe and it was scrumptious! We spent pretty much all day at the promenade, until we had to leave so Steph and I could get ready. We made it home just in time to take a shower, and barely made it to the wedding on time!! It was at the Fayetteville Town Center and the decorations were beautiful!! The whole wedding was very pretty and Joe Giles and the Homewreckers was the band at the reception. They are sooooo awesome!! They're at Jose's all the time, so if you get a chance you need to check them out!!

After the wedding we went to McDonalds and ate then came home. I gave Grace a bath and then I had to take Steph home so I left Grace with her daddy. She was out like a light when I got home so I put her to bed and then passed out myself!! We were so worn out from a long day of shopping!!!

Saturday was such a great day. I loved spending time with 3 of my very favorite girls in the world. Thanks Mom, Steph, & Grace!!! I love you guys!

Anyways, Grace woke up about 7:30 this morning and we've just hung around the house. I'm not really wanting to go to work today because it's my Monday, but I guess I don't have a choice! I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Taylor

This and That

I'll start by saying that I'm feeling better, and today has been a good day! Except for the fact that last night Gene was trying to convert Grace's crib into a toddler bed (due to her climbing adventures...yes there were 2!) and wasn't pleased with how tall her mattress ended up being and it only has one small piece to put up to keep her from falling off. So, this weekend I'm on a mission to either find a toddler bed or find one of those guard things they make for kids and it goes on pretty much any bed to keep from rolling out!

Anyways, Gene didn't feel comfortable putting Grace to bed in it last night so he just put her mattress on the floor in the corner of her room where her crib was and planned to put her on it. Well, Gene has a few issues putting Grace to bed while I'm at work, because as I said in a previous post, we still rock her to sleep (bad I know). She's so used to me rocking her and putting her to bed that I'm not sure she ever really goes sound to sleep with him, and he gets up to quick to try and lay her down and she always wakes up fussing. That's exactly what happened last night....twice he said. He tried laying her down and she woke up screaming. So when I got home from work she was asleep on the couch and he was asleep in the recliner. I was frustrated I'll admit becaue I was tired and hoping I could go straight to bed. Well, of course when I pick her up she wakes up so I had to sit up rocking her till she went back to sleep. She did pretty quick and I was nervous about trying to lay her down, because her mattress was so low. I did it though, and she stayed asleep.

I then was afraid I wouldn't sleep because I just knew that she would start squirming and end up rolling off onto the floor, waking up, and then screaming for me. Another scary part is the fact that she's not quite tall enough to open her door, but I was so afraid she would get it open and then make it to the stairs. I didn't close the gate because she climbs on it, and I was afraid she would be too determined to get down to our room that she would make it all the way over and then fall that far down the stairs. Yikes! She's able to walk down the stairs by herself, just not very well yet. So, I decided that was better.

My worries were in vain because none of those things happened. Although, she did get woke up this morning when Colt was up getting ready for school and started fussing. I thought/hoped she would lay back down and go back to sleep considering it wasn't quite 7 yet. Hello! I didn't go to sleep until 1 this morning, because I had to stay late at work with my supervisor and trainee to discuss training and didn't even get home till after 11 so by the time I put Grace down and laid down to read till I fell asleep it was late. Too late to be up at 7 am. Plus, I'm not a morning person.......AT ALL!

She did not go back to sleep, she did get kinda quiet which made me nervous, but then she started banging on the door and jiggling the door knob. I took off for her room before she escaped!! She was very happy to see me. I think it scared her when she woke up and her room was in disaray and she wasn't sleeping where she was supposed to be.

So, we came downstairs and she talked to Colt for a minute and we laid down on the couch. I turned on cartoons and she laid there for a while. Corey wasn't up because he had to have a physical at 9 this morning for basketball, so Gene woke up about 30 minutes after us and got him up and ready. Gene fed Grace and they took her with them so I could go back to sleep! Thank you honey!

I put in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and laid back down, but I was texting Steph and Mom so it took me a little bit to go back to sleep. I did though, and was woken up when Gene and Grace got home. They left me alone though, and Grace fell asleep I think in Gene's lap in the recliner so I slept a while longer. Finally, I got up and Gene fixed Ramen Noodles for Grace for lunch. I took some pictures of her and posted them because she was so funny eating them. Forget trying to use silverware, she was perfectly content to use her fingers! She loved them, and ate almost all of them! I think it's gross, she gets that taste from Gene.

She's such a terd though when I try and taker her picture cause I kept tring to get her to look at me, and she'd just say "no!" and go on eating. Or she'd just look away. Grrr... Haha! I did get a few good ones though. I just love my baby girl!

Scrumptious!
Notice how she FILLS up her high chair? This just happened within the last week or so.
It makes me sad! Time for a booster seat and a bigger kitchen table!

To touch base about the football game, as you know it was pouring down rain here so the band didn't play or march. Gene ended up having to work late with DTF at the pd, so he wasn't able to get off in time to go. I had already decided I wasn't going to get Grace out in the rain, but she and Corey and I loaded up and had to drive to Bentonville to pick him up! It worked out okay though, because we stopped by Tim's Pizza to get dinner, and it was yummy!!

Today is my Friday!! Thank goodness, even though it's only been a 2 day week for me. I'm ready for a good weekend and a fresh week. Tomorrow I don't really have plans other than going grocery shopping and getting my eyebrows done. We'll probably also go to Target and Wal-Mart to look at toddler beds and stuff. Target is my weakness though, I really have to tell myself no when I go in there! Oh, and tomorrow is PAY DAY!!!! YAY!!

On Saturday, a good friend of mine, Amanda, is getting married so I've gotta go dress shopping that morning! Steph is going with me, and of course Grace and I'm hoping I can talk my mom into going with us!! I miss not getting to see her so much now that she's back in school. Plus, I know she'll be ready to see her girls! So, maybe we'll drive up to Rogers and check out the Promenade, it's been a while since I was up there. I'm sure after that Steph and I will come back to my house and get ready for the wedding. I know Gene's not interested in going, so Grace and Steph are going to be my "plus 1's"!

Ok, I think that's about it. I know there's more, but this has turned into a longer post than I expected. I'm such a gabber!!

Have a great weekend!!

Taylor

Feeling Yucky

Have I mentioned before that I am very ready for fall?! I so hate the hot weather, and am so ready for cool weather.

I haven't felt good the past few days. On Friday, as you know from a previous post, I did a lot of cleaning. Well, Saturday morning my back was hurting really bad from scrubbing my shower I guess and just doing so much. Mom & Dad kept Grace so Gene and I enjoyed a quiet evening at home. We drove up to the tattoo shop to visit Steve, but he was really busy and working by himself so we left him to it and ran to the grocery store. We came home and grilled bratwursts, and then I made tuna salad for Gene to take for lunch this week.

Gene fell asleep pretty earlier, and I laid on the couch watching The Devil's Advocate, which was a very odd movie. It wasn't horrible, but definitely not my favorite. When it was over I went to bed.

I didn't sleep great Saturday night, and I knew when I woke up Sunday morning it was going to be a bad day. I felt like crap all day, and didn't get up off the couch hardly at all. I didn't go in to work, and Mom offered to keep Grace again for me so I could just rest and not have to worry about chasing her around. I had a headache and felt queasy all day. It wasn't fun.

The boys were home with me, but Gene went riding with Steve and didn't get home till about 10:45. He had said that Steve and Jennie were wanting to ride to Eureka Springs this morning and have breakfast before we had to go to work. I agreed, because I hadn't had a chance to ride in a while, and I hadn't seen Jennie since we got back from our trip so I was excited about hanging out!

We got up around 7 this morning and I felt pretty good when I got up, but by the time we were leaving I was already not feeling like myself. I stuck it out, and was just pretty still and quiet on the trip there. Gene kept asking me if I was going to get sick! I didn't though, thank goodness. We made it downtown in about an hour or so and ate breakfast the the Main St Cafe. It was pretty good.

After we ate Jennie and I looked around in a couple of the shops, but I was starting to feel yucky again. Great! I was glad when it was time to load up and head home, cause I was afraid I wasn't going to make it much longer. It was hot when we were still and just standing outside talking. Once we got back on the bikes and were moving it was better because the air was cooler. We made it home without any mishaps, but by the time we made it home I had a horrible headache and I was rushing around trying to get changed and ready for work.

I went on in to work, but only lasted a couple of hours. I tried to eat something and felt like I was going to get sick, so I left and went and picked Grace up and came home. I'm feeling better because I'm in and still where it's cool. Grace has been screaming and squealing a lot because she's so happy to be home and to see her bubbas, so that hasn't exactly helped my headache but it's worth it to have my baby home!

I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll feel better. The first Greenland football game is actually tomorrow night for some reason and we're playing West Fork but it's in Bentonville (why I don't know) so I took off work so I can go watch Colt march for the first time!! He's super excited about it, and really hoping it doesn't rain! So, I'm really only having a 2 day work week which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I'm getting off here now though because the head swims are back. Have a great week!