..and House-y Halloween!

This morning we met with our realtor- who happens to be my best friend's mother-in-law- and looked at a few more potential Home Sweet Homes.

Let me just say that the search for our home has been a little stressful on me. I went into it wanting to find our dream home- and quickly realized that wasn't going to happen. This is our first home- not our last.

So. Today I think we really did find the house. You know, our first Home Sweet Home. It just so happens to be the house that K said he didn't even want to go look at for the longest time. It isn't really our ideal curb appeal and it's pretty close to the highway, but it has so. much. potential!!! It's huge (2200 square feet!) and there are no sexual predators anywhere close. Isn't it sad that that is something you have to consider? We really like that it's fully upgraded and yet has so many opportunities for us to make it our own. We already have plans to knock a few walls down to make it more open.

Is it weird that I am already having buyer's remorse? Newsflash: we haven't bought it yet. It's just such a big decision. And I am pretty much a commitment-phobe. Yike.

Anyway- that's what we did this morning. This afternoon we dressed sweet baby Cham Cham in her Halloween outfit (see below) and giggled. A lot. Then, tonight we drove through the neighborhood again tonight to check it out and there were SO many young parents walking their toddlers around for Trick or Treating- which was very encouraging to us! It was the nail in the coffin. We are putting an offer in tomorrow... So cross your fingers, toes and anything else that can cross (eyes, legs, whatever) that everything goes through and we get this house. Please. Thanks.

-ps- K bought me a Flip. I have been wanting some kind of video recording device- without having a bulky handheld camcorder to carry around. Wah-Lah. K and his techy self to the rescue. It's amaze-balls. Who says that? Apparently I do. I'm not myself. I'm about to buy a house. YIKE.

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Hoppy Halloween!

...From the most beautiful, wiggliest, happiest little bunny wabbit there is.

Until Next Time,

The Guff

All Thumbs

Who said all thumbs was a bad thing? Have you seen how many blogs I've posted in the past 72 hours? Here's why:

Chamblee has found her thumb(s). And I don't mean her fist or her fingers. I mean her thumb. She loves it. This is going to sound crazy- but I think she prefers it over the boob now. I have to make the little girl eat. And forcibly remove her thumb out of her mouth to do so. It's all she lives to do. I have busted her with the camera a few times:

And today, when her nap was running longer than usual and all I heard on the monitor was a strong sucking noise, I went to check on her:

That's right. She's got both thumbs in there. Gettin' her money's worth I guess.

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Press-On

I'm a nail biter. Always have been. Except the times when all my nails are gone. Then I am a cuticle biter. I know it's gross, everyone tells me that. Get in line.

I decided that when my friend B got married that I would have nails to paint. So I grew them out- just for her wedding. They looked nice. I bit them off the day after, I think. But I liked having them.

I get these urges to have nails, though. You know, to not look like I have little boy hands. So usually I go and get solar nails, spend $50 and then seriously break one or bite one off within the week. Plus they look really funny on me I think. I'm not the french manicure type.

So last week when I was house sitting for my peeps I got the urge. I took the little hoot with me to get a pedicure and in an instant I decided I was going to get nails, too. Even as I was telling the guy at Ruby Nails that I would like a full set, I was simultaneously and internally giving myself the side eye and furrowed brow. "You really think you have time to upkeep those things? Right. How are you gonna change a diaper with those long things in the way? You're insane. What a waste. K's gonna roll his eyes at you as soon as he sees the white tips. Haven't we been here before? You know you hate how they look." Yes, I am even stubborn with myself.

No sooner had I picked out a color baby girl woke up. This meant I had no time for both. What would it be- Mani or Pedi? Duh. I nixed the nails. She's already saving me money. And regret.

I still had the itch for cute hands so I stopped by Target on the way home and bought some press-on nails. Yes, I can see Mrs. U and Nay Nay shaking their heads right. now. What? I am now convinced that they are the perfect solution to my problem. Here's why:

• They are $6
• They make my hands look nice
• They don't ruin my real nails
• They are easy to replace if I lose or break one...and the paint won't chip!
• I can easily take them off whenever I want

And most importantly...

• It's a fun activity

So, while I am trying to grow out my real nails, I will continue on the press-on path.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my tip for the day. Get it? heh heh

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Thought I loved him then.

Saturday was 6 years to the day K and I started officially dating. We had been spending all of our time together for the past month and I think both of us were scared to ask the other one where we stood. So, I spent my entire month's allowance on tickets to the Alabama/Tennessee game. That'll do it. He had always wanted to go, and I so wanted to impress him. Who cares if I didn't eat that month. It would work itself out. Surely my parents would give me more money for food...no matter how mad they were that I had made a very, very poor financial decision...I wouldn't go hungry... right? So I got the tickets. (sorry dad!) I surprised K. He was impressed. When he asked how I got them - knowing I was a broke college kid and these tickets were $$$- I told him I had connections. What an idiot. I guess it was kind of true, if connections were my parents. Giving me money to live on, not impress boys with. Really, what's the difference? Anyway, we went. The seats were way high and away, but he insisted that there wasn't a bad seat in the stadium. What a nice guy. Alabama lost by 4. That was lousy. We ran through Krystals (of course) after the game and started back home. After a while of driving I couldn't help it. I had to know what the deal was. I liked this guy. I mean, I think I already loved him. So I just said it: "So, what are we?" No beating around the bush, no easing my way into it. Like a blunt force trauma. Are you surprised? And the rest is a long, passionate, twisty, curvy, roller coaster of a romantic history. It's exhausting to think about really.

I never, ever would have guessed 6 years ago that we would be here. Insanely happily married with the most amazing daughter that there could be. Like, whoa. I'm so glad I got those tickets. Aren't you daddy? :)

I have thought several times throughout the past 6 years that I couldn't love K any more. It wasn't possible. Yet, every time I see him - sleeping in the morning, making me coffee, yelling at the TV during football season, playing the guitar, pushing the grocery cart, or holding, kissing and giggling with our sweet baby girl- i get a little knot in my throat. And there it is. A little more love.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2007

2008

2009

2009

2010

2010

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Oh, October.

Annnd...

This month. has been. insane.

Between our trip to California, a series of Braves games, house hunting, furniture shopping, dinner dates and house sitting- We figured we have been home together 3 days this month. That's right, three. And it ain't over yet. It's amazing how time flies- Baby is almost 3 months old!!! When did that happen?!

We have had a fabulous month, but I think I can speak for both of us when I say it's good to be home. If not for a few days. This week is already stacking up in plans and appointments so we'll see if we can get a handful of days at home together this month... or not.

Chamblee has really taken a hard hit to all of the travelling. We were getting in a pretty good routine and she was finally getting to where she could fall asleep on her own in her crib for nap time without a fight. Since we have been travelling sans crib I have been holding and rocking her to sleep- which I love love love to do- And mostly doing the sling thing. This entire month. So now, upon our return to the homeland, she of course wants to be held and rocked to sleep every time. I can't do it. Now that we're back there's laundry to do, and lots of it, lunches to make, shirts to iron, dishes to be loaded, dogs to be walked, and yes, DVRs to be watched. I can't hold her all of the time- as I try to affectionately tell her every time I lay her down wailing. It kills me.

When she's not blowing serious drool bubbles, break dancing, rolling over, laughing hysterically at...everything... or setting the record for fastest growing finger nails, she is laying around holding her head up on her own. She really doesn't need my help anymore. Which is sad. But awesome.

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Castrated & Dipped in Acid

The readers have spoken.

And I agree.

Chamblee's Halloween costume has been ordered:

it's almost too much.

So, we have been house hunting. Today we went out and looked at 12 houses. Yes, 12. It only took about 2.5 hours actually. We fell in love. With one. We did research on the area after we got home. We found something disturbing. A convicted child molester lives on the same street. A few houses down. Really. Well, it's annoying that we will never buy that house now with that knowledge- but it's more annoying that there's a child molester- period. Who does that? It makes me physically ill. And the fact that he served virtually no time makes me angry. What we think should be done to these people is pretty clear. Did you see my title? Ugh. Looking at the NSOPW we found that there are over 300 sex offenders in the zip code we wanted to raise Cham in - for the schools. I mean, can we get away from these people? Doesn't look like it. Home School it is! ;)

In the mean time we are expanding our search and hoping for the best. We are so over living in rented spaces. Wish us luck!

Until Next Time,

The Guff

My Little Bunny Rabbit

So, there's a reason that I call my daughter my little bunny rabbit. When she first got home I kept calling her "buddy". You know, like I was talking to my dog. Or a boy. I hated that I kept doing it, so I made an effort to say "bunny" instead. Then, it stuck. My little bunny rabbit. Now I don't know what I would call her if it hadn't stuck. She is definitely a little bunny. A soft, sweet, wanna squeeze-til-it-hurts bunny. rabbit. I don't squeeze her that tight. Freak out.

As you know... Halloween is coming up. I have been thinking about making my little bunny a ballerina outfit out of a onesie and some pink tulle. I also thought about going the pumpkin route, as it seems most babies are pumpkins for their first year. Then it hit me: Why would my little bunny rabbit be anything but... a little bunny rabbit? Duh.

I did some research, and there are some a-frickin-dorable bunny rabbit costumes out there. I need your vote! Which little bunny should my bunny be?

Adorable.

Are you dressing up for Halloween? I don't know when the last time I dressed up was. Lie. Last year, Patti Mayonnaise. I even had a Doug and Skeeter. And Bailey was Pork Chop.

This year? I think I'll just be a mom. Or Travis King circa 1989.

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Hotel California

Well, I haven't been cooking lately. Nor have I been sewing. I have been in Northern California visiting my brother and his beautiful fiancee! It had been well over a year since I saw him last- my wedding to be exact- and since then he got engaged and I had a baby. We needed to get together~

Chamblee was a dream. We left our place at 4am Sunday morning, and started our 9 hour travel day. She didn't cry once, in fact, she slept the entire flight and layover. And I went through all of my nursing pads- I could've fueled the plane with my leakage. Ouch. Once we arrived in California, she awoke- chipper and excited to meet her Uncle J. And I was excited to feed her. And see him, of course.

We stayed right downtown, so it was easy to get right to it: the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival at Golden Gate Park. Chamblee- still sleeping- loved being carried around in her sling and rockin' out to some of our favorites. Her favorite? The Avett Brothers. Ever since she was about 2 weeks old we have put her down for nap and nite nite with their album on the iPod. She knows every song by heart. We found a tree trunk up on a hill and sat for the shows. A year ago my wine-stained lips would have been singin' along to every song and my fresh feet would have been doing the 2-step- not sittin' on a log breastfeeding and swaying a sleeping baby. Oh, how times have changed- for the better.

The rest of the week really flew by... We drove up to Arcata and spent lots of quality time. We went to the beach, the redwoods, downtown Arcata and had lots of chill time around the house with the doggies and the baby:) You know I managed to squeeze in some shopping for sweet baby guff. Uncle J mentioned a little shop with recycled baby clothes and I was all over it. Lil' hoot got some really adorable "new" things. Yes!

It was such. a nice. trip. I don't get to see my brother enough. I miss him. He's too far away. Or am I too far away? Either way, we aren't close enough. I'm glad that he got to see my little girl while she is still little. Before she grows into her butt crack and is embarrassed to poot louder than thunder.

Most of my pictures are on our camera- but since I am in a hotel watching the Braves and trying to blog before I get too far behind- (There's so much to write about lately!) I'll leave you with a few pictures from my phone- for now:

Uncle Justin makes me laugh. A lot!

My sweet baby girl.

Big Ol' Trees! And me attempting to climb up a trunk after my big bro.

Didn't happen.

Morning snuggles

Afternoon Snuggles

Nite Nite Snuggles

Headed back to San Fran:

Excited about the road trip with her Best Friend!

Wait. This means we're going home?

I'm not down with that.

Can't wait to get back out here next year for the sure-to-be beautiful wedding. Chamblee will be walking by then. Right? Scary!

By the way- Happy 2 month-day to my sweet Chamblee Ophelia! I love you more every second, sweet girl. If not more often than that.

Until Next Time,

The Guff

Opt for option 2...mostly.

So. At night there are 2 options:

1. She doesn't sleep. At all. Until I can hear cars crankin' up and people going to work.

2. She sleeps beautifully. I get to go to bed with my husband and stay there all night long.

There's no grey area- it's one or the other. When does this end? When is option 2 the only option? The only problem I have with option 2 is when she is not sleeping in her bed. When I put her in her swing or on my shoulder for what I think will be a quick nap. And she sleeps for 6 hours there. Which means I don't sleep. Sure, you might say, "Just pick her up and put her in the bed." Right. I don't know how many times that's happened and she wakes up and switches over to option 1. I would rather her get sleep than me, so I let it ride.

Right now, she's in her swing. She's been there for 3 hours. It's not lookin' good for me to sleep in my bed tonight. Is this normal? At least I can catch up on all my DVRs. And finish my sewing for the day.

I don't mind watching her sleep all night. She's the cutest. Especially since she started sucking her thumb. I'm sorry, it's the cutest thing I have ever seen. Her thumb is so. small. that when she finally gets it in there she holds on tight... ... ... until it falls out again. Rinse, repeat. Adorable.

Do you think I can move the swing into our bedroom without waking her up? I think I'm gonna go for it.

Just to prove that she's the cutest:

Until Next Time,

The Guff