About Me

Jared and I have been married two years now. In November we will have been together 9 years. Crazy to think. We definitely grew up together and I think that's what makes us work so well. We had a daughter in June and we're not sure why we didn't do so sooner. We love her with our life. She is the best thing that's ever happened to us. I love having my own family. We live in Fayetteville and LOVE IT. We are always back and forth on whether or not we'll move back to Alma. I see us back down there one day but I see our life always being in NWA. If only we could pack our families up and move them up here!

Monday, July 23, 2012

It Could Be Worse!

So I have a bad habit of getting down and stressed out about the littlest things. I hate that about myself.

I've yet to master the whole being a full time mom and full time employee to someone else. Yes I said "full time mom" too! I know some of you think that's untrue but even when I'm at work I'm still mom. And to me no matter where you are or what you're doing you are constantly thinking about your child's needs and wants. Or at least I am.

So anyway, the whole working, coming home, cook dinner (I never do), take care of baby, take care of husband, home, laundry etc.. Well, I am just not good at it. My main priority is Ruby of course. I make sure I play with her, feed her, bathe her, rock her, etc.. Then it's "ok what are we going to eat?". Sometimes we eat with her but only if we have time to get something ready for us. She's on a pretty strict schedule/routine so it's Ruby eats at 6:00. Then do I need to do laundry. Do I need to scrub bottles and sippies. Oh my goodness. It's so much work!

Needless to say, I am so envious of all the mom's out there who work full time, have dinner on the table, and basically have it all together. It honestly brings a whole new meaning to my parents being exhausted.

I've been really struggling with leaving Ruby here lately for some reason. I mean tears on the way to work struggling. I don't know why it's getting harder and harder. I miss her so much. But I guess that's just part of it.

Then Jared has been at work for seriously 8 days straight. He has a project he's trying to get out. It stinks.

But!!!!! It could be worse right? I mean I have a husband, a beautiful daughter, a home, we have jobs, we have food. I know all this and yes I'm so so thankful for all of it. I thank God every single day.

I guess I just needed to blog about this because I've been feeling so overwhelmed with everything
there is to do as a full time working mom. Whew. Tears roll down my face as I type this. I know for sure that I'm not the only one dealing with this...so
if you're out there ladies, you are not alone! I am not afraid to admit IT'S HARD! It's not all peachy and happy and easy.

But eventually, I will figure it all out. Ruby might be 18 and going to college but I'll get it someday. :) I just wanted to complain and where better to do it than here?!

Ok that's all I have folks. :)

I'll leave you with this....

Saturday, July 21, 2012

13 Months!

Ruby turned 13 months yesterday. Sweet little girl. So I decided to write a blog on her stats and what she likes. It's crazy how often it changes.

We went to her 1 year check a little late. I put it off as long as I could. So at almost 13 months she is 21 lbs which is about 50th percentile, 31.8 inches---75th percentile and her head size is in about the 60th. Very healthy, smart little baby. The only thing Dr. Averitt's asked us to change is her car seat. So I we got one. Today was her first day in it, and even though it's going against every motherly instinct I have she is facing forward. I don't know why I don't like it. But we just can't face her backwards anymore. Every time we get her out she's sweating! It's too hot.

She eats great. She only loves a few things which is--turkey, bologna, green beans, bananas, apple sauce, grilled cheese and chicken spaghetti. Everything else I have tried has been a no go. We just keep trying and have turkey or whatever on stand by. She looooves whole milk. She'd drink it all day if I let her. She gets it in the morning and evenings and I give some to her after lunch if she wants it. She sometimes will down it before she eats then won't eat much.

Loves being outside! I think I've said that before. That hasn't changed. I just wish it wasn't so hot. We've been playing inside a lot.

She loves having her teeth brushed! Crazy. She hands me her toothbrush and opens wide.

She loves her cousins. She has so much fun when she's with them. And it's sweet to me how much they adore her too.

She's saying a lot of words. She says what's that?, daddy, mammmmmma, yes, doggy, and a lot of other things we don't understand yet. :)

I'm so thankful for my little peanut! Thank you God for her!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Weekend

Well it couldn't have been a better one! I started it out on Thursday on a girls night with my good friends Jenn and Bobbi. They felt I was in need (which I was) of some girl time. Jared too. I don't know what's up with me lately. I was actually almost in tears thinking about being away from home all day. But of course, it ended up being SO MUCH FUN! Thanks, friends.

Then on Friday Ruby and I just hung out all day. The girl has been extra clingy to me. She even had to sit in my lap while I blow dried AND straightened my hair. Talk about skills!

We went to dinner with the Thomas' at Shoguns for baby Sawyer's birthday. Ruby loved it. As I've said before she loves being in public. She loved looking at the grill and fire. She also apparently LOVES shrimp! I just recently started eating it a few years ago. It has to be cooked really good for me to eat it. But with every meal at shoguns you get a couple pieces of shrimp. So I tested it out and that's all she ate. Every bite she'd hum "mmmmm"... So funny! Thankfully the chef gave us his extra. Ruby just loves the Thomas kiddos and so do we. Sweet Lynnlee asked if we were coming back to her house. When I told her no, she said "well when can I see you again?". I've been playing those words in my mind all weekend.

Saturday morning we just took it easy. Jared and I took a little swim while R napped. Then we started getting packed up and ready to go to Altus for my cousin Christopher's wedding. What a good time! I absolutely love getting to spend time with my Dad's side of the fam.

The wedding was beautiful. It was in a little catholic cathedral tucked back in the sticks. Beautiful! Lacey (the bride) looked amazing. Her taste in everything was just so elegant and vintage.

I have to say my favorite part was the release of the doves. In memory of my aunt and uncle, and Chris' parents, they released two doves. It was beautiful. They flew off in different directions and joined back together side by side and flew back over us. It was like Brad and Kristi were telling Chris they were happy for him. We all miss them so very much. It's a constant struggle for me to even try to comprehend what it's like to lose both of your parents at such a young age. I think about Chris and his brothers on a daily basis.

Then on to the reception-dinner and dancing and cold drinks. :) So much fun! My mom took Ruby home when it was time for bed. Jared and I stayed in Altus at a little cottage with my grandparents. We met up with family for breakfast this morning before they all went back home (Heber Springs and Mountain Home).

Today we went to my sisters for a birthday party for Reggie, Joey and Dylan. More time with my family. We spent the entire day outside. Ruby was wiped out!

Tomorrow is Ruby's 1 year check up and shots. I am NOT looking forward to it at all. I'm off on Tuesday to spend the day with her. Kathy is out so I thought "perfect timing". I can't imagine someone else taking care of her after shots. I still have not decided if we will split them up or do it all tomorrow. I probably won't until go time. Please pray for us. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with it this time.

My sister and father in law gave us a ton of tomatoes. If the day goes well on tuesday I will probably make some salsa. Yum!

Everyone have an awesome, healthy, and happy work (or whatever you do) week.

Love,

Sarah




Friday, July 6, 2012

Favorite Things about You

Tonight your daddy told me as you were backing up into his lap to sit in it, "this is my absolute favorite thing she does, I can't get enough of it". I could cry when he says things like that. The way he loves you just melts my heart into mush! You love to back up into our laps when we're playing in the floor with you to sit in our lap and play with your toys. So sweet.

I then said "I have to start writing this stuff down, I'm going to forget!". So I made it a point to blog tonight.

My favorite thing is your kisses. I can't get enough of those. Especially when you walk over to me, pucker up, and lean in. Sweetest kisses ever.

My other favorite thing which is in a close race with your kisses is coming in your room in the mornings to get you. You get so excited and just bounce up and down. Makes me so happy.

I think your favorite thing is definitely playing outside. You cried for the first time this morning when I brought you in. You could stay out there all day long if I let you. It's just too hot.

You have a really bad temper. :) We were out to eat tonight and you were playing with the sugars and the canister that holds it. You kept banging it on the table very loudly so daddy took it away. As he did you threw the packet of sugar you had in your hand across the table out of anger. Not good precious thing. We then decided you don't have a chance in the temper area. We'll just have to learn how to manage it. :)

Yesterday you and I were shopping at Riffraff. A lady was admiring you and asked me how old you were. I told you to tell her and she said "if she can do that I'll be amazed". You threw up your finger telling her you're 1 like it's no big thing. :) Smarty britches.

You absolutely do NOT want socks on in bed, just like your mama! Every night it's the first thing you do when I put you in bed. I worry about your little feet getting cold but not anymore. When I came in to pray over you tonight your feet were warm warm warm. I will not torture you anymore.

Ruby, you are something else I tell ya. I say those seven words on a daily basis. You amaze me at the things you are already picking up at the wee age of 1. Your daddy and I love you more than you will ever comprehend. Well, until you have one of your own someday. Love you pretty!





Wednesday, July 4, 2012

"That!"

So Ruby has learned a new word..."that!". She points to whatever she wants now and says "that". How can you say no?!? Every morning when I go get her from her bed she has to have her lovie and her possum. Well now it's anything else she can point to and get me to grab for her: by the time we get to wherever we're goin -my bedroom if I'm getting ready for work or the living room- we have our hands full! She's just so darn smart.

It's the 4th of July. We are heading to my Dad's to spend some time with him and his side of the family. I very RARELY get to see my Mommo and Poppo so I'm really excited. Other than that we have no other plans. Jared wants to be home tonight to keep a close eye on our home. There are some fools that live around us that think it's still ok to shoot off fireworks so we're a little worried. We'll see.

I think we'll go to the back porch to hopefully see some fireworks out there. Ruby has such a strict sleep schedule I'm not going to drag her somewhere where she'll be miserable.

Jared has to go back to work tomorrow so Ruby and I will just be hanging out taking it easy. I sold my car last night so I'm car-LESS! I have purchased a new one though it's just not here yet. They said it will be here Thursday or Friday then they will tint the windows for me and I'll go pick it up! So excited!!!!!!!

Hope you all have a fantastic 4th of July!!!!

Love,
Sarah

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Stuff

We had a pretty awesome weekend. I don't know why they go by so fast.

Friday my mom came up and went car shopping with me. I think I've decided on something. It is completely different from what I had in mind when I went car shopping but once I test drove it I was sold! I'm pretty excited about having a new car but not at all excited about the payment. It makes it hard to get excited about having one when you know what's coming up every month for the next 4+ years. :)

Anyway, it was a great day with my mom. We had a few mishaps (which I won't disclose mom;)) but it made it a pretty entertaining day. We ended up only shopping at one dealership. I mean we worked with that guy (who I was referred to by our good friend Ellison) for 3 1/2 hours then it was time for a late lunch then it was time to get back to Fayetteville to get prissy britches so mom could see her. I know I probably need to shop around at other lots and I'm undecided if I will but car shopping is just the last thing I want to do. Then having to deal with the salesmen. Ick.

Then Saturday we went to The Elks Lodge with The Thomas' for the day. We met them out there at noon. We had lunch by the pool and swam for a bit. Then Emmie and I took the two babies to her house to nap. Jared, Derrick and Lu stayed at the pool. We went back after naps and snack and swam some more. Then we went back to the Thomas' to feed the kids and get them to bed. The adults cooked out, had some adult beverages, and finally some adult conversation. It was really nice. The sun zapped everyone so we were off to bed pretty early. We always have fun with them and hope to do it again soon!

We got home at around 8:30 this morning. We had breakfast then put Ruby back down and yes, I went down with her too. I had a two hour nap and it was wonderful! Tucker, Angie and Briana came up to swim at around 2. Ruby went down for another nap (poor thing missed her swimming today) so we swam all afternoon. Then we all went to eat at Olive Garden and for ice cream at Shake's. Yum!!!! Ruby just adores Tucker so it was a really good day. Just an all around awesome weekend.

Ruby is as good as ever. I really think her little gums are bothering her a little bit but she doesn't act terrible. That molar that's coming through just looks painful. Half of it is in and you can see the other side of it trying to get through. She is drewling pretty good and chewing on things normally she wouldn't. I just can only imagine how bad that bothers them.

I'm back and forth on whether or not I will delete my Facebook. I want to... But of course just like everyone else it's an addiction. I can't stand it! So many people on there just straight up irritate me. What I really need to do is just go on a deleting spree and get rid of the negativity. I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm all for that but I just don't understand why some feel the NEED to post negatively. I mean weren't they told the whole saying "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all"? I am guilty of it too don't get me wrong. Like I said....I just need to get rid of some people. And I FOR SURE need to spend a lot less time on there. Jared thinks I couldn't go a week without it which is horrible. He thinks I should delete it and just have my blog. It just kind of stinks when all your grandmas, cousins, and best friends are on there. Those are the ones I want to keep up with the most.

Well that was a rant if I ever saw one! I hope you all have a good week and Happy 4th!!! I only work two days this week so I'm pretty pumped. Everyone be safe!