Who needs toys?

When you have a box, water bottle full of glitter and gems and an old vatamin bottle w/rice?

Here is a video of her playing with the water bottle and vitamin bottle.

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9 Month Well Baby visit

Today was Ryleigh's 9mo. appt. For the most part it went well, but in the end I did get some bad news. First off her height and weight are doing fine. She's 17lbs 5.5oz (25th%tile) and 28 1/2" (87th%tile). The nurse said shes "long and lean" LOL. I talked the Dr. about her physical development. She isn't pulling up, crawling, standing, putting weight on her legs. Normally I wouldnt be concerned, because I know all babies do things at different times. But for a month or so, she would stand next to things if we put her there. Now she will not at all, and that worries me. Anyway her evaluation is on wed. at 3pm (the 5th).

Hard decision

I have a hard decision to make. When I go back to MOP's this year I was told that mothers of babies over the age of 6mo.'s are going to be encouraged to send them to the nursery. :( She will be 9mo old tomorrow and Im very proud to say that I have never left her with a stranger. When Bobby and I decided to try and get pregnant we had a long talk. We decided that he would work and I would stay home with the baby. We knew it was going to be hard and we would have to make several sacrafices, but we were willing to do that. (I do realize this isnt an option for every family, so please don't send me hate mail. This is a chioce that was made for my family). We also made the decision that my mom or his mom would be the only ones watching the baby for a while. There has only been 1 occation that she has been left with someone other than my mom or MIL. Anyway, about MOP's....last year we met in a room downstairs in the building and the nursery was upstairs. I didnt feel comftrable with that at all. This year I was told that we would be right beside the nursery and I could tend to her whenever I wanted to or they needed me to. Which is better. The first meeting that we have back in the building is Sept 14th. Im going to go early and check out the nursery and talk with the staff that will be in there with Ryleigh. Im sure I will have a list of questions. After I meet with them and check everything out I will make a decision. I will let you know how it goes.

BSM

I have 2 pictures today. I know its supposed to be best SHOT, not shots....lol. But they go together and thats what makes them cute.

Chopper and Ryleigh. Chopper vary rarely lays beside or plays with Ryleigh. This day he was being so sweet and it was as if they were the bestest friends. I love how he's looking at her in the first picture, and then how he sneaks a kiss in the second.


No co check out Picture this for more Best shots.

Busy day yesterday

Yesterday was a busy day. We decided to go to church with Ryleigh. We haven't been there in a while. I want to start going every Sunday again. Anyway, we go to the 11:30 service. That way DH can sleep and we don't have to rush around getting ready in the morning. Ryleigh did very well. She loved the singing! When It came time for the preacher to talk she got a little restless. We sat her on the floor and gave her some toys and Bobby would give her puffs. We were there for about an hr, then she was getting tired, so we left. The service was coming to a close anyway, so we didn't miss much. Bobby and I are contemplating dropping her off at the nursery. I'm not comfortable with leaving her there the whole time, but when she gets tired it would be nice to let her lay in a crib and sleep if they have them. Next Sunday we are going to go in early and check out the nursery and talk with them. Not sure if we will leave her there or not though.

After that we ran an errand and came home. Bobby slept on the couch, and Ryleigh took a long nap. Then we got ready to go to Heathers graduation party. I went to HS with her and some college. She is now a doctor in Audiology. WTG Heather! Ryleigh was sitting in a high chair for at least 1 1/2 hrs and did great. It was a dinner party at the Bella Via....mmmm! She played with her toys and ate her dinner and some of mine. At one point there was a little boy, almost 2yrs, that started crying. Ryleigh started mocking him and making crying/whining sounds. Then the little boy got louder and Ryleigh started to cry! I was laughing of course! Below is a picture of her sitting in her high chair at the table.

Blossoming Blogger Award

My great friend Laura at Synchronization of Us thought I deserved the Blossoming Blogger award. She picked ME!! Can you believe it?? I'm still in shock. Me....who never wins anything! Yay! This is my very first award.

Thanks so much Laura. I definitely love to blog. I never really thought anyone that I didn't know would be sending me comments though. Ive meet a lot of great people through blogging. Thanks to all of my faithful readers who send me comments. I love hearing what you all have to say.

“The Blossoming Blogger Award should be bestowed upon one worthy someone whose blog you have read and watched develop and 'blossom' into something you feel is special and award worthy.” Please visit Kimberly's blog to read what the award is all about.

Now I have to decide who to give this award to. *Thinking * I will choose My good friend Mandy Jo over at Our A-Mazing Family. She has recently joined Blogger. Mandy Jo is a second time mom. I met her over a year ago in an online group for moms that were due with babies in November. I recently had the honor of meeting her in person. She was just what I expected! So very nice, and definitely has an A-Mazing Family! So Mandy Jo, this is for you...

A week full of "firsts"

Little miss Ryleigh is on a roll this week!! So far shes gotten her first tooth, clapped and says "ay" (her version of Yay!), waves, sits up on her own (from laying down) and today at dinner she stuck her tongue out and spits...lol. My mom and dads friend Don taught her that one.

Im on a roll this week!

So far I have called 3 people yelling at them. #1 Netzero. I cancelled with them on MARCH....yes you heard that right MARCH! I noticed I was still getting billed monthly for $7.45 a month. That might not be alot, but it adds up! The lady said "Mam your account is still active" I said "No, some moron didnt cancel it when I called in MARCH. I bet if you check your records you will see I was paying $16 something and they just dropped it down but didnt cancel it! Pretty sneaky! I want the money back in my account TODAY!" I got my money back!

#2 A medical bill for Bobby that was from JUNE and they STILL have not billed the ins. company for it and for some reason they think im going to fork over almost $300 for it! THINK AGAIN!

#3 My stupid nerologist! I went in on july 17th for an appt, and STILL have not been called back and told whats wrong or how to fix it! Thats been about 5 weeks ago. They have the nerve to send me a bill though! I called and said " I just recieved a bill. I have 3 problems with that #1 I have a charity card that should have paid for it. #2 I have insurance. and #3 your billing me and STILL havent told me whats wrong with me. " The responce "Well your chart is on his desk" Me: "You told me that the last 3 weeks! I understand that hes busy, and I understand that its not your fault, but 5 weeks is ABSOLUTLY REDICULOUS!" Ao now im STILL waiting on that call back.

What I've learned

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many years you have lived.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.


I came across this on the internet today, and I thought it fit with things I have going on. (I didnt write it, and it didnt say who wrote it)

Teeth!

Finally Ryleigh has 1 tooth, and another one on the way. 3 days ago I discovered them under the gum, and yesterday the bottom left one broke through. Now we are waiting on the bottom right. Here is a picture.

BSM

Here is this weeks Best Shot Monday. This was taken yesterday. She has so much fun in the swing. Everytime shes swinging, shes laughing and all smiles!





Go check out Picture this for more best shots!

This weeks goals (updated 8-22-07)

* Fold / put away laundry (done)
*straighten the house daily (M-T-W done)
*Go through Ryleighs clothes. Put away what doesnt fit. Hang up fall clothes (done)
*Walk 4+ times (so far it has been rainy, Hopefully I can walk tonight, if not I will walk on the treadmil at my moms)
* Vacuum (done)
*Dust
*Make out bills
*start shopping list (I have a few things written down)
*go through coupons (done)
*do Laundry
*Fold it
* Put it away

This is what I have so far. I will update it daily with what I have accomplished.

Last week I got everything done except folding the laundry. I walked 6 out of 7 days. 4x over 1 1/2 miles and 2x 1 mile

Bobby's Company Picnic

Today was Bobby's company picnic. (for some reason I thought it was yesterday) For a big corporation like walmart, the picnic part of it SUCKED big time! There were about 50 people there (thats including family members). All they had to eat were hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, macaroni salad, chips and cake. They games for the kids were dropping a clothes pin in a jar, and hula hooping. The prizes were crayons, markers, pencils and pen, and bubble gum. The adults and kids that wanted to compete for a door prize were given 4 tickets. We had to walk 1 mile. Every 1/4 mile there was a milk jug and you would drop a ticket into it. The picked the winners later. We will see if we won tomorrow when Bobby goes to work. There was an awsome playground there. So we ended up having alot of fun with his mom, sister and her 2 kids. Here are some pictures. Check my myspace page for more.


Me LMAO because that slide clearly wasnt ment for a 26 yr old!


Me and SIL on this stand up teater toter thing.

Im Queen of the mountain! (No how in the hell do I get DOWN!)

"Im the princess of the mountain mommy!"

Play Date

Today was Ryleigh and Ryleigh's 2nd playdate. We went to Oglebay this time. The girls had a great time swinging and playing on the blanket with the toys. Jaclyn's Ryleigh had a cow toy that said "moo" My Ryleigh looked at it and started to cry! I wasnt sure if thats what she was crying about so later I showed it to her again. Her lip started quivering and she cryed again and looked at me like "MOMMY HELP!" LOL. How mean is it, that I thought it was funny? Here she is terrified of this stuffed cow and Im laughing. Here are some pictures of the girls. They are so darn cute together!

Ryleigh Nicole and Ryleigh Lynn


"Hello mister Giraffe"


Flying

Ryleigh Nicole (Look at those Big beautiful eyes!)

The beautiful girls playing on their blanket of toys.

Does God's name really matter??

A Roman Catholic Bishop seems to think it doesn't and wants everyone to call God, Allah! I am outraged! He says that it will "generate greater understanding an acceptance of Muslims." I will NOT call my God, Allah, just to please another religion! (If you want to read the article, click the above link, and let me know how you fell about the Bishops comments. Its sad if you ask me!

Busy day yesterday!

Yesterday I has an eye appt at walmart. (Follow up to see about the contacts) I picked my sister up at 10am, so she could keep an eye on Ryleigh while I went back to the appt. After the appt we took Ryleigh to see daddy and talked for a little bit. Then we looked around walmart. Rona had a few things she needed for school, and I needed a few things to start my sewing adventure. After that Rona went into Bed, Bath and Beyond. I stayed in the car with the sleeping princess. Then it was off to ToysRus to return the umbrella stroller. The rubber handle broke. Then I found out that that stroller was discontinued and the only way to get the same one was to wait 3 + weeks for a store to store transfer, or get the plain dumb purple/black one. That was the only one remotly "girly". So we went with purple :( (I learned a return trick from Carly. Create a registry and put that item on it as "bought". It makes for a hassle free return! Thanks Carly)

Then, off to Gabes to get more stuff for Rona, and to look around for Ryleigh things. The only thing I found was 2 red doggie collars for $.49!!! Great deal! Then off to DHHR so they could copy a paper they needed. After that I dropped Rona off at the house and went HOME. By that time it was almost 3pm! I put Ryleigh down for a nap and asked Beverly to help me with the sewing machine. To make a long story short I was on the phone with her and looking at her web cam for about 30 min or more and it didnt work :( I did find a free manual online for it, I just have to find somewhere to print it out. Its 20 pages....yikes! I have a printer with ink, but its not compatable with Vista. So anyway, the sewing is on hold till I figure out the machine. I did find out that my machine is 15 years old! WOW. Older things seem to be made better, so Im hoping it still works. I really want to learn to sew!

Contest Picture

I had my friends vote on which picture they liked the best for the contest, and this is the one that won, hands down! Out of 15 total votes this one recieved 11!!! I would have to say I agree! I think she looks so darn cute in this picture, but then again I think that about most of her pictures . She has her head tilted a little bit and she has this cute look on her face.

Contest

I am entering Ryleigh in a local contest. The deadline is the 31st. Ive been taking some pictures of her this week trying to get that "perfect" shot. Ive gotten some cute ones, but nothing that screams "im the one". All the pictures of all the contestants will be in the september issue of the Ohio Valley Parent. (the magazine she was in this month. Click here to see her article) The readers then get to vote on who they think is the best. If you would like to vote for Ryleigh, I will post on September 1st or 2nd how you can vote for her. I think that you have to send them snail mail, which is the downside of it. I hope they have something online that you can just click, but I doubt it. It would mean the world to me if you would vote for her. If she wins she will be the COVER GIRL on the October issue! How cool would that be! Next stop....HOLLYWOOD...lol.

Motivation

One of my online Moms groups is turning out to be very motivational in many ways. They have always made me want to be the best mom I possibly can to Ryleigh. They have always helped me in whatever questions I threw at them. Now we are turning a new corner and helping others get motivated to do things like loose weight, and set goals and stick to them along with helping answer questions about the babies. Today one of the members posted her daily goal and her weekly goal. Quickly several others followed suit On Friday I will check in and see how they did with their goals and tell them if I accomplished mine or not. My daily goal was to straighten the house and fold the laundry that I washed friday. (yes, you heard me right. I washed and dryed 3 loads friday and only folded 2 loads friday. I got board what can I say...lol) My weekly goal is to walk at least 3 times this week. So far I have accomplished my daily goal. I walked last night, and I am planning on walking again tonight. If you would like to join in and set daily/weekly goals email me at Kipani4jc@aol.com.

Weight Loss

Ive been trying to loose weight ever since I have had Ryleigh. I managed to loose all the "baby weight" very quickly. By the time I had my post partum check it was almost all gone. I was so overwhelmed in the beginning that I would forget to eat all day. Bobby would come home from work at 4:30pm and I still hadnt eaten anything! It wasnt that I was starving myself, I just simply got busy and forgot. Anyway, not I have to get the fat off. I would like to loose 15-20 lbs. I have a weight loss buddy, thanks Shay, that is going to keep me motivated. Also I figured if I wrote it on here, I might be more inclined to stick with it. So here goes! Tomorrow is the big day. I will take pictures of myself in my skivies, then give them a good look. That will be my motivation. Every 2 months I will take new ones. No, I will not be posting them on here. I will take pictures that I can post on here though. I will also be starting a food journal. I want to try and walk at least 3x a week, and do some ab, butt and thigh workouts also. I will post a weekly update and let you know how im doing :)

Davids Bridal

I met Tammy at Davids Bridal today to go dress shopping. She found a beautiful white dress with red accents. Click here to see it. It looked beautiful on her. She didnt buy it yet. We want to check a few other places and see if she can get it cheaper. When I got married I found a dress at kaufmans and Dee at Dee's Country Bridal was able to get it cheaper for me. A lot cheaper! Hopefully she can do the same for Tammy. I love helping her plan the wedding. Maybe once Ryleigh goes to school I can go to school for that.

Doggie Funnies/Temperament

Harley has a new trick. I think we may have given him a complex about his weight. We've been calling him chunky, chunker, Chunky monkey, etc. Now whenever he needs to go through a door he will nudge it open. It opens about a foot. Plenty of room for his little body to get through! Nope, that's not enough room, so he thinks. He nudges it again. Still not wide enough. He isn't happy until the door slams against the closet doors!

Harley and Chopper both LOVE the water. Harley is very calm in the water. He will walk around the tub, sit in the shower, swim around the pool (he can barley touch) and run in the hose water and jump to get to the water. Chopper on the other hand is a WILD MAN when it comes to water. he cant just stand in the tub and let me have a bath, he has to dig at the water. He doesn't stop digging till there isn't anymore water. Showers, forget it, he stands there and snaps at the water, jumps and goes psycho. The same with the hose.

Its amazing how different both of them are. Harley is very gentle with how he does things. When he drinks water in the dish he gently laps it up. He doesn't spill a single drop. Chopper gulps that water and there is a puddle of water a foot around the dish

At night Chopper turns into a little snuggler. I think he feels bad for me, because the baby snuggles about as good as rock does...lol. He curles up next to my chest and hes sound asleep. Harley will go under the covers and lay his head over my feet keeping them nice and toasty. I love my dogs very much! They aren't too spoiled are they? Do you have pets that you spoil?

Friday Fill in

1. My commute is very short. I get out of bed and walk across the hall.
2. Peaceful best describes my neighborhood.
3. My neighbors keep to themselves.
4. Red Lobster is my favorite place to eat that's close to home.
5. If there's one thing I'd change about my community, it would be more moms with babies my daughters age.
6. The thing I miss most about the town (city/area/swamp) I grew up in is the freedom we had. You didnt have to worry about people snaching your kids, or molesting them.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to peace and quiet after my darling goes to sleep, tomorrow my plans include shopping and Sunday, I want to go to my moms for dinner!
Don't forget...have fun!

Go check it out and praticipate here

Random Photo's

Something about Ryleigh...lol (She did that to her hair)


The calm before the storm. That was a scary site!!

Chopper attacking the hose.
Harley trying to get the hose. (Chopper in the background)

Eye Exam and New Friend

This morning I had an eye exam at 8:30am. Its so hard to get out of the house and be at an appt. that early, but we made it. My eyes have gotten worse :( but then again, I could have told you that. It sucks not having eye insurance also. Anyway, I have 2 different brands of contacts in, and I have to go back to the eye Dr. in 1 week and tell him which one I like best, then we order them.

After the appt i went to the park to meet a lady named Jaclyn. I met her online. She has 2 girls. Her youngest is 6 months old, and her name is Ryleigh. Spelled just like my Ryleigh! She seemed very nice! The babies swang, and sat on a blanket and check each other out...lol. Hopefully we can set up some more play dates and hang out. I need some friends that have kids Ryleighs age. There are a few other moms online that live around here that Ive been talking to.

Bored in the car.

This is what happens when you are coming home from a long, hot day at the zoo.


This is Ryleigh Laughing at daddy being silly.


This is Bobby being silly. Its been forever since we have heard this song! We were hitting the scan button on the radio and found it...lol

Columbus zoo Part 3 The final Chapter :(

After some more animals the day was coming to an end. Mandy Jo and John has an 8 hr trip back home and had to said they had to go around 3:30. We took a group shot of the moms and their babies. I had such a wonderful day with everyone, and It was so nice finally getting to meet people that I have shared my pregnancy, birth and motherhood with for the past year and a half. When I met them, it was like we had known each other forever and we were just catching up. I hope we will be able to do this again sometime, on a cooler day, and have more people be able to join in on the fun! At 430pm we were back on the road headed for home. After we got on I-70 we found a McDonalds. We went through the drive thru and parked. I fed Ryleigh and Bobby ate. We got back on the interstate. Aboutut 30 min later I saw this Blue Ford truck with a PA Liscens plate and an full cab. I told Bobby that it might be Mandy Jo. The truck was already driving over the speed limit, so we couldnt pass to see if it was. I took a picture of it to show Mandy Jo and to ask her if it was them. Then the truck shifted lanes and I saw a car. I read the liscens plate and it was Mandy Jo's Last name! I started yelling "THATS MANDY JO! THATS MANDY JO!" Bobby said Are you sure? I said "It has to be! Thats her last name! Who else is going to be traveling the same time we are, going the same direction with there last name?" Bobby sped up a little and we got beside her. We waved and giggled and waved and giggled, and waved and giggled some more...lol. I knew they were traveling the same interstate, but I never thought we would see them. I thought they were stopping to eat somewhere, and then we stopped at McD's for a few min. When I went back and looked at the picture of the blue truck I realized that her car was in the picture! I was too focused on the truck to see it...lol. Anyway after that we had some fun in the car. I will have to save that for another blog though. We passed the Mall in St. C and we thought we were Home free! Little did we know after we passed the bridgeport exit that traffic was at a STAND STILL. There is a bridge in the distance in the picture above. Thats the bridge we needed to cross! Our 2 1/2 hr trip home turned into a 4 hr trip! Cars were turning around in the construction lane and going back up the interstate in the wrong direction. A car decided to cut us off at the on ramp and it was either stop the car and let him in unwillingly or be hit by the S.O.B. Had Ryleigh not been in the car we would have made a scene. All in All we had a great day and we made it home safe and sound. The end.

Columbus Zoo Part 2

After the carousel we went to see some kangoroos and orangatans. The orangatan looked like he was having a rough day! Then we went to see the Otters and went to lunch. Ryleigh was alittle mad to see that she was getting buttered noodles and not daddy's Sandwich or Mommy's yummy pizza. Poor Ryleigh :( Then it was off to the Gorillas. Then it was off to the Chimps. Now that was GROSS! Ive never seen a room full of people clear out so fast. Heres what happend... First he catches the poo coming out! Then he proceeded to EAT the POO and play with it! Dont they feed these animals? After that we saw some other animals then went to see the Manatee tank. After that all 3 babies were awake at the same time, so we sat them down for a group shot. Do you know how hard it is to get 3 babies to look up? Here is Ryleigh looking confused, Nicholas looking at someone, and Jacob saying "Thats it you took too long, Im outa here!"

Columbus Zoo Part 1

Yesterday, Aug. 4th, was the BIG day! I finally got to meet Mandy Jo, Cathy and their families! My Day started at 5:45 with my darling Ryleigh waking me up. At 7am we were on the road for the 2 1/2 hr drive to the Zoo. The trip there went very well! At about 9am Ryleigh started getting fussy, so I made her a bottle and gave it to her. She drank a little then threw it. Since she wasnt fussing and we were almost there, I just left her be. We go in the parking lot at 9:30am. Got everything laoded into the stroller, fed/changed Ryleigh. Put sunscreen on everyone and we were off to the zoo. We were the first ones there. About 5 min later I spotted little miss Kenzie! Then I saw Mandy Jo, John and Jacob!!!! WOO HOO. Mandy gave me a big hug and we talked for a while. Cathy called and said she was running late so we started walking around the zoo. We planned to meet her at the carousel in about 25 min. We walked through the reptile room and saw snakes, turtles, the white alligator, more snakes, Lizards etc. Nothing really that interesting. Then we saw some Penguins and Tortuses. Then we went to the Carousel to find Cathy and her kids. After she came, we all rode the Carousel (except for Bobby who gets sick on spinny things...lol) Ryleigh seemed to like it. I think she liked the big gold shinny pole the most.