Saturday Fun

Today has been a real trying day! Samantha and I went EVERYWHERE this morning trying to put together a baby shower gift. I did the whole Get Samantha out of the car to only put her right back in thing oh about a million times! I am a strong believer of if you have to get out to look at the hours of a business that you can't see from your car, TAKE THE BABY OUT OF THE CAR! I am not going to end up a statistic! I have waited too long for this precious baby for that too happen. OK enough of my ranting and raving! LOL. So in reality she was really good but it is sad to say that I am just now realizing this as I type it. The shower gift turned out pretty well. and Sami had fun at the shower with Peyton and Teegan! Those are some cute little girls!!! and a hoot!! We took pictures of Samantha at the shower but I will have to upload them later. UGH I am getting back about not posting pics. I am just proud that you got three posts in a relatively short time period! HA. OH OH WAIT!!! random insert of thought here.. We did accomplish to go to Wal-Mart without Samantha climbing out of the cart!! and I got some grocery shopping done! So I am officially declaring this a win win day and not a trying day! I soo forgot about that! Lesson Learned! This is why I blog to realize lessons missed!

Quiet Time

Nothing special about this post..No pictures I have been up since 11:00. Samantha and I went to bed about 9:00 and I woke up at 11:00 thinking it was around 5 or 6:00. Guess that is a good thing. I feel refreshed!! We had a pretty rough evening. Thursday night went really good for the Downeys! Ha! Samantha helped me clean for a good hour! Did we make a dent in this house. NO! but she was a BIG help to me and we didn't fight at all! Since she gave me a break I thought I would return the favor and take her to Toys R Us to pick out some toys. HAHAHA..she has been crawling out of the shopping cart so I opted not to fight with the cart and just let her walk around! SHE RAN EVERYWHERE!! THREW FITS!! SCREAMED! But I was determined to get her a toy for her good behavior from Thursday. Sometimes you have to pick your battles..this is an old saying and I am trying hard to remember it from hour to hour. Samantha is a very strong willed little girl and sometimes (most of the time) I have little patience. I am working on that too. I call this whole process..The Trial and Error Twos!! As I type this Samantha is tossing and turning and I figure she is about to get up!! SO I am typing fast. A little bit ago she was saying "NO" in her sleep!! Probably telling me that..but then she started giggling..these are the moments that make up for the TRIAL AND ERROR TWOS...thats the end

The Pictures in My Head!

Today on Kelly's Korner, she is doing a Show US Your Life on things that we make and hopefully will sell. Here is the link to her page.
http://www.kellyskorner.com/2010/show-us-your-life-what-do-you-make-and.html.
I have been following her blog for a year now, Kelly's little Harper is about a month older than Samantha. It is fun to watch her grow up!
So I thought I would post some pictures of things that I have made and would like to sell but never got around to doing it. I am hoping this post gets some attention and maybe get me the motivation that I need. So if you would like to inquire about either of these things, just shoot me a message.
The first thing that I have made and thought came out to almost like the picture in my head were these invitations. Girls, you know the pictures in our head that are BEAUTIFUL, but when we actually attempt to make something it turns out less than steller...ya you know what I am talking about. So here are a couple things that turned out like the pictures in my head.

I have another 1st birthday invite that I have done, if you would like to see that just ask. I haven't edited the picture yet so I can't post it. These were really fun to make, I can do pretty much anything you like. I don't have prices yet, if anyone would like for me to make you an invite then just ask. Right now, I do not have set prices, maybe I will just price on an individual basis, as to what is wanted on the invite.
For halloween this year my daughter was a Veterinarian. She LOVES her puppy and can pretty much be seen with it everywhere. So I dropped the ball this year on buying her costume. I decided to try and make it. I think it turned out pretty well. So if your interested in next year for Halloween, I can make your little on this costume OR it would make for some cute dress up clothes!!

If you would like for me to make you any of these, feel free to email me or message me. I will work individually with you on prices and what you would like. I am down to earth and I am just trying to be a creative mom for my little one. I understand being a parent and having to pay ridiculous prices for homemade items, so working individually seems like it would be a good way to start! Who knows it might turn in to a business?! Enjoy!

It's FALL ya'll!!!!

This is Westen, Sami's best boyfriend!! They love to play together!

I must say I LOVE this time of year, where its still hot, but yet cool at the same time! I remember a little road trip a friend and I took up north! LOL...This is "sweatshirt" weather!! I remember being SOO cold and laughing because down here it was just "sweatshirt" weather..not 40 degrees below zero-five blankets wrapped around us!!

No but really Fall I think is my favorite time because of all the family activities I know are coming up! You have all the fall festivals, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.

I have to bring out the sweaters and long sleeved shirts pretty soon!

Sami riding on the carousel, I think she loved it! It was pretty scary for mommy, being as it was rickety and I am trying to hang on and take pictures!! OH where OH where is your Drememine(SP)


This was at the ranch over the Labor Day weekend! Sami LOVES the ranch because she gets to "hunt" with Daddy! Notice she has her best friend with her!!



Sami's favorite saying is "I LOVE YOU"..which comes out " I LOVE JU" she will say this over and over and over..and lately she has gotten in the habit of saying it REALLY LOUD! It makes me laugh.

She is quiet the little lady always saying "thank ju" and "ju welcome." Girls are soo fun! I will always have a friend to share things with! I can't wait till she is really older, I always wonder what that will be like? Sharing stories with each other , cooking at the holidays, sharing life's special moments!! Parenthood is amazing!! This holiday season is going to be wonderful. I am proclaiming it! Have a spectacular Fall, ya'll!

I've got all my life to live..I've got all my love to give and I'll survive...I WILL SURVIVE..

Ok so with all the things that have happened today, I didn't get any pictures..but Samantha can now:

Open the cabinet doors THAT have the child locks on them.
Is getting quicker and quicker, I will get up from my chair and walk two feet only to turn around and she is sitting in it!
She can Climb on EVERYTHING! Kitchen table, up her dresser, out of her bed.
She can dribble(soccer) ball better than I ever could! I don't know what I will put her in, gymnastics, dance(she watches So you think you can dance-while turning in the living room floor), voice lessons(always sings) I think she is going to be well rounded! At least I hope she is going to be well rounded
OH and the biggest one, She decided to talk most all day today!

She is growing up way too fast!!

Oh did i mention she didn't want to sleep in her bed so she climbed out and packed her puppy, sippy cup and was heading to Aunt Tammy's(Midland)-what this bowls down too-ME PAYING FOR MY RAISING-with her attitude!! SHE IS 1 1/2 yrs old!!! oh man oh man..

I need another child!! Oh and did I mention I need a job to do all this!! Pray that the places I have applied call me back, the city in particular!

What a day of learning! Glad it wasn't a Monday. I wouldn't have survived (:

Strolling the Mall

While Samantha is still asleep I am going to post a new entry real quick. The other day we went to the mall to go to VS. Oh yes it is that time when they give you a free panty..So we get to the mall and Samantha is doing EXTREMELY well. We were there for awhile. I have lost some weight and ALL my pants are falling off literally. So I am searching for some crops. Apparently the instyle thing is rolled up tight jeans ,shorts, etc (1. if your already fat, this doesn't work. 2. I have been through this stage in the 80's-don't care to go back)

(I just typed a book-looked up and it is GONE)

ok so paraphrase-Finally found some crops at New York and Company. Love that store it never fails me. AND THE BEST PART-They are 3-4 sizes smaller! I knew I felt like I had lost. AMAZING DAY! HA!HA! This whole time I have been searching for some jeans, Samantha is being a wonderful trooper. So I decided to get her some candy at the Candy Wrapper. Well first thing she sees are the balloons. She screams "BOOOOO" HA! everyone looks so I HAVE to get her one.. They have these balloons on a stick! if the balloon pops you can just put another balloon in it. $1.07. She was a happy camper. Another little girl was getting one too but she was a mess screaming b/c she didn't want to hold hers. The mom made the comment to me " your daughter is precious and look (her kiddos name) she is holding hers, I may have to give yours to her" Sad!

This is Samantha with her Balloon, she doesn't look too happy to have her pic taken. Trust me she is though.

This is her death grip on her balloon when I tried to take it away from her right before we went outside so it wouldn't get away!

So I actually didn't make it to VS, totally forgot about the card until the next day. Was too excited about my "skinny jeans" HA.. We will have to venture back to the mall today!

Update

I finally found some time to post to my blog. A lot of things have changed since my last post. I am currently a Stay at Home Mama! I am going to use my time with Samantha wisely! I do not know how much time I will have staying home with her. She has been such a blessing to me. My rock when times are hard. When I am down all she has to do is lean over and lay her head on my shoulder like she knows I am having a horrible day. It's like the only thing she can do is just give me a hug but you know most of the time that is all I need to brighten my day.

This past Sunday we had a play date with her best friend Brianna! They had soo much fun at Legacy Play Village! Here are some pictures from that!

The second picture is of Sammie escaping!! She tried REALLY hard to go play with the big kids.

These next set of pictures is of Brianna trying to show Samantha how the slide works! Look at her cheering Samantha on in the second picture..What a cute lil cheerleader!!

We had a great time playing and will do it real soon!!

Thanks BFF!!

Toast w/ Jam, and a play date with her stuffed animals

I have been extremely busy lately, I apologize that I have not posted in awhile. Today was one of the days that we actually have not had anything to do except a follow up pedi appointment at 9:15. Before our appointment, we managed to get in a piece of toast with grape jam!! This I believe is Samantha's favorite breakfast!! These are a few pictures I snapped of her enjoying every bit of that piece of toast!

This afternoon, we played in her room a little bit and I caught a couple of really good pictures of her being Samantha!! They show her personality well. She is such a joy and a blessing! I thank God every day for getting this chance to raise her!

After we had to hug every stuffed bear she owes, I got a great picture of her in her "big girl" rocking chair. I think this has to be one of my all time favorite pictures!!

Adenovirus

I am posting this b/c I am a first time mama and when your kid wakes up screaming with a 104 fever, you FREAK out!! Samantha and I have been soo sick lately. It has been a little over a month. We both can't get better, the past few days it has gotten way worse for Samantha! All I have been doing is crying because She is feeling just crummy! There is nothing I can do, we spent yesterday morning in the ER and thankfully GRANDma took her for the day so I could train Shawna at work ( Got a new job, Thanks be to God -Back at the Bank ). I just want to post some information about this virus.

About Adenovirus Infections
Adenoviruses — a group of viruses that infect the membranes (tissue linings) of the respiratory tract, the eyes, the intestines, and the urinary tract — account for about 10% of acute respiratory infections in kids and are a frequent cause of diarrhea.

Although these infections can occur at any time of the year, respiratory tract disease caused by adenovirus is more common in late winter, spring, and early summer. However, conjunctivitis and pharyngoconjunctival fever caused by adenovirus tend to affect older kids mostly in the summer.

Signs and Symptoms
Depending on which part of the body is affected, the signs and symptoms of adenoviral infections vary:
Febrile respiratory disease, which is an infection with fever of the respiratory tract, is the most common result of adenoviral infection in kids. The illness often appears flu-like and can include symptoms of pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx, or sore throat), rhinitis (inflammation of nasal membranes, or a congested, runny nose), cough, and swollen lymph nodes (glands). Sometimes the respiratory infection leads to acute otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. Adenovirus often affects the lower respiratory tract as well, causing bronchiolitis, croup, or viral pneumonia, which is less common but can cause serious illness in infants. Adenovirus can also produce a dry, harsh cough that can resemble whooping cough (pertussis).
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Urinary tract infections can cause frequent urination, burning, pain, and blood in the urine.
Eye Infections:
Conjunctivitis (or pinkeye) is a mild inflammation of the conjunctiva (membranes that cover the eye and inner surfaces of the eyelids). Symptoms include red eyes, discharge, tearing, and the feeling that there's something in the eye.
Pharyngoconjunctival fever, often seen in small outbreaks among school-age kids, occurs when adenovirus affects both the lining of the eye and the respiratory tract. Symptoms include very red eyes and a severe sore throat, sometimes accompanied by low-grade fever, rhinitis, and swollen lymph nodes.
Keratoconjunctivitis is a more severe infection that involves both the conjunctiva and cornea (the transparent front part of the eye). This type of adenoviral infection is extremely contagious and occurs most often in older kids and young adults, causing red eyes, photophobia (discomfort of the eyes upon exposure to light), tearing, and pain.

Contagiousness
Adenovirus is highly contagious, as indicated by the occurrence of multiple cases in situations of close contact, such as childcare centers, schools, hospitals, and summer camps.
The types of adenovirus that cause respiratory and intestinal infections spread from person to person through respiratory secretions (coughs or sneezes) or fecal contamination. Fecal material can be ingested through contamination of water supplies, poor hand washing between the bathroom and the kitchen, eating food contaminated by houseflies, or poor hygiene after handling diapers.
A child might also pick up the virus by holding hands or sharing a toy with an infected person. Indirect transmission can occur through exposure to the contaminated surfaces of furniture and other objects.
The types of adenovirus causing conjunctivitis may be transmitted by water (in lakes and swimming pools), by sharing contaminated objects (such as towels or toys), or by touch.
Once a child is exposed to adenovirus, symptoms can develop from 2 days to 2 weeks later.

Treatment
Adenoviral illnesses often resemble certain bacterial infections, which can be treated with antibiotics. But antibiotics don't work against viruses. To diagnose the true cause of the symptoms so that proper treatment can be prescribed, your doctor may want to test a sample of respiratory or conjunctival secretions, a stool specimen, or blood or urine sample — depending on what condition is being considered.
The doctor will decide on a course of action based on your child's condition. Adenoviral infections usually don't require hospitalization. However, infants and young children may not be able to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose during vomiting or diarrhea and may therefore need to be hospitalized to correct or prevent dehydration. Also, young — especially premature — infants with pneumonia usually need to be hospitalized.
In most cases, a child's body will get rid of the virus over time. Because antibiotics are of no use in treating a viral infection, you should simply try to make your child more comfortable.
If your child has a respiratory infection or fever, getting plenty of rest and taking in extra fluids is essential. A cool-mist humidifier (vaporizer) may help loosen congestion and make your child more comfortable. Be sure to clean and dry the humidifier thoroughly each day to prevent bacterial or mold contamination. If your child is under 6 months old, you may need to clear his or her nose with a bulb syringe.
Don't give any over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies or cough medicines without checking with your doctor. You can use acetaminophen to treat a fever (your doctor can inform you of the proper dose); however, do not give aspirin because of the risk of Reye syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
If your child has diarrhea or is vomiting, increase fluid intake and check with the doctor about giving an oral rehydration solution to prevent dehydration.
To relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis, use warm compresses and a topical eye ointment or drops if your doctor recommends them.

Duration
Most adenoviral infections last from a few days to a week. Severe respiratory infections may last longer and cause lingering symptoms, such as a cough. Pneumonia can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
In cases of pharyngoconjunctival fever, sore throat and fever may disappear within a week, but conjunctivitis can persist for another several days to a week. The more severe keratoconjunctivitis can even last for several weeks. Adenovirus can also cause diarrhea that lasts up to 2 weeks, which is longer than other viral diarrheas.
Prevention
There's no way to completely prevent adenoviral infections in kids. To reduce the risk of transmission, parents and other caregivers should encourage frequent hand washing, keep shared surfaces such as countertops and toys clean, and remove kids with infections from group settings until symptoms subside.
When to Call the Doctor
Most of these adenoviral conditions and their symptoms are also associated with other causes. Call your doctor if:
a fever continues more than a few days
symptoms seem to get worse after a week
your child has breathing problems
your child is under 3 months old
any swelling and redness around the eye becomes more severe or painful
your child shows signs of dehydration, such as appearing tired or lacking energy, producing less urine or tears, or having a dry mouth or sunken eyes

This is a nasty virus!! I just wanted to let people know about it. I will post pictures in my next post. Goodnight Moon!

Birthday Girl!!

This was a glimpse at what her decorations was. I actually ended up not taking ANY picutres with my camera!! So I am relying on Nanny's pictures!! When I get more pictures I will post them!!

Samantha turned 1 year on Thursday, so we had her party on Saturday. There were sooo many friends and family there!! It was AMAZING! Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us. Samantha loved see everyone. She had a blast with all the kiddos!!

Her big present from us was this wagon! SHE LOVED IT! It will get good use at the acre and on the ranch!! I can't wait for warmer weather!!

Her Aunt Tammy made a fabulous smash cake!! She is taking orders!!

Samantha was poking at her smash cake then finally realized she was allowed to dig in!! TOO FUNNY!! So she leaned over and took a bite!

This was was the before picture of her smash cake ( I actually don't have a picture of her smash cake. when I get one I will post it)

Her 1st birthday went really well again thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate. and to the guests( Krystal , Shawna )who came and didn't know they were going to help decorate!! THANK YOU!! Love you guys!!

Blessings at Daycare

Today as I was dropping Samantha off for daycare, her sweet teacher Jessica asked me if I babysat for a girl named Lauren. I stood there racking my brain, Lauren, Lauren..Oh my goodness..surely it isn't the same Lauren!!!! Yes it was. Well many years ago ( almost 11) I baby sat a wonderful girl who lived across the street. Her family was just precious! She was a doll to watch and very very mature for her age! Just an over all blessing. Well turns out she works at the daycare I now take Samantha too! Another blessing from her many years later!!
It is funny how things come back around and God places you back in peoples lives at the funniest times. I babysat her and now she is watching my daughter! It was really good to catch up with her and learn about what her family has been up too all these years!! I hope I get the chance to visit with her parents! I love surprise blessings!!

Samantha Updates

My goal is post more often. I have decided to get rid of my facebook account, so I will HAVE to start posting now. I am hoping it will keep me more accountable. I hate to say it but right now my posts will be short on pictures, being as I have lost my cord to the camera and my computer will not read my card ): But I will try to remember to take them with my phone.. Samantha's birthday is this week, I am very excited!! I hope the party goes well. I hope she has a wonderful time with all her friends that are coming. She has gotten so big lately. I asked her where her puppy was (it was just a few feet from her) she turned around and looked at it and said "over there." She doesn't carry a baby doll, she has this stuffed puppy. That when you press his paw he barks. She will squeeze it and love on it. I will have to get a picture of her loving on her puppy.

A friend's son turns 5 Monday and his party was today. We stopped by the store and picked him a present. While we were shopping, I was visiting with my sister on the phone, she wanted a picture of her. This was the picture I took. If you will notice her shirt says smile. She didn't. But it still was a good picture for the randomness of it. ( Yes we are at Wal - Mart)

This is a picture I took with her riding her horse that Santa got her for Christmas! She loves this horse. I have a video of her riding it. Soo cute but for some reason it won't let me upload it. I will try again.

I am also going to try to post a video of her walking. YES she has started to walk!!

Ok sorry for the poor quality of this video. It is taken in her room and the lighting in there is HORRIBLE. plus I have to remember to turn my phone around!! lol..but she is walking pretty good even if it is only a few steps. I had to hurry and move back so that I could catch her. and I only got her walking a brief moment.

Birthday Preparations...

Today Samantha turned 11 months!! That means next month our daughter will have her 1st birthday..and Birthday preparations are already under way!! I don't know if I have a theme because it is her 1st birthday and she really isn't into anything yet. So I just went with A Posh Theme( I guess that is what I would call it)

Here is part of the "Happy Birthday Banner" I made.

This is her invitation. I am proud to say I made this!! I think it turned our pretty good! I might even start making invitations.

I even made her birthday outfit!! I have felt very Martha Stewart lately!! I am not done with her outfit yet, I still need to embrodery "My 1st Birthday" on it. But you get the idea.

90.1 and IPods

So this afternoon while I was leaving work, I was trying to get the IPod to work in Shane's truck-my car's A/C Heater died yesterday-well it kept going to like 90.7 on the IPod well Shane's radio stopped at 90.1 and then I tried to tune to another station 88.3 and the radio went to 88.1. I kept trying this for another 2-3 times. It wasn't tuning and I was getting very frusterated! These days I am soo impatient, due to all the stress at work I have to deal with.
So one of the times I was trying to tune the IPod, I heard on the radio
                               "God puts you into situations for reasons"
This caught my ears, so I listened more closely to the radio and what the gentleman was saying. I don't know who it was that was talking-radio station was 90.1 .The gentleman was talking about how God puts you through situations that make you grow. and tests you as to how you deal with those situations. He will never put you in a situation where he won't lead you through it.(there is a Bible verse from that statement-anyone know it-my mind is blank?) He was saying God throws you in the fire and he doesn't take you out until your done. How  does he know your done? He pulls you out and if you're singing, he will take you out. If not, then he puts you back in. What this means is that if you'r complaining about being in the fire then he is going to leave you there until you see the good in the fire. Well I prayed last night for God to find me a better job. This one to say the least has been my fire. So I know God answered my prayer through the man in the radio and I must find the good in this job and stop complain how bad it sucks and how I hate it.

WOW!! This hit me hard and was very convicting. So I MUST sing through the rough times and know that God has bigger things for me and that this is just one of the many fires he will throw me in!

The year off to a start

Well they say what you do on January 1st, you will do all year long....

I locked myself out of my house and had to sit in the car. I called everyone I knew to see if they had a key. Then I finally got the courage up to call Shane and tell him I did it AGAIN...afte the last time I locked my self out of the house, he kinda got mad, so I was reluctant to tell him. I was even thinking to break the back window and have it fixed before he got back into town. HA!

He called a friend to come "break" into our house!! THANK you to that friend!! Your awesome, I owe you one! or 30..HA! HA! I hope I didn't ruin their plans and I hope they found a place to eat black-eyed peas!!

What else did I do on the first, I went shopping after I got up and going again. I returned items I "didn't buy" but got charged for anyway. I actually did buy the jeans, just only bought them once. To finish the day up, I hung out at my in-laws house, ate a yummy plate of black-eyed peas and cabbage. I had never had cabbage but it was pretty good. (after I got past the mouth burning hotness of the 3 jalapenos my father-in-law put in it.HA!)

Looking back, I had a blessed holiday! Thank you everyone to made it great! I am still looking forward to what 2010 brings! I am ready for anything!

Hello 2010, Reflecting back on 2009!

Another year had slipped away. But lets take the time to reflect on 2009. This is something new for me. I have always rememember what the last year brought, but I have never actually reflected on it. To remember what it brought, the good, the bad and use those to have a better year in 2010.

Looking back on 2009 and what it brought to my family and the lessons we have learned from it.

In February, we welcomed our daughter into the family!! What an amazing addition! I don't know what life would be life without her! Very boring! Ha! She amazes me every day. Having a child is a struggle and very difficult no matter how hard people say it to be expect it to be 10 times as hard. Reflecting back though, I would do it a hundred times over. I think the unknown of raising a child is what was the hardest and that is why it seems so hard.

The year also brought new friendship for Shane and I. I pray that 2010 brings even more of those friendships. I know I have let friends slip away this year and I so did not intentionally mean for that to happen. I think I have been so consumed with raising Samantha, that I have pretty much neglected everything else.

I know I always say I will do it this year, and never seem to get around to doing it. Well I have a feeling that 2010 will be different. I wanted to get my weight in check last year but this year there are already a few festivities planned where I want to look and feel awesome! I need to start early on conquering my weight so I will be ready for anything that 2010 has in store for me.

I want to get more involved in a church, I think that is one thing that has been missing from our lives. Samantha is understanding how life works more every day and I want her to know God. I want her to have that friendship. So I will be looking for a family of believers in the next few weeks.

I am going to take opportunities as they are presented to me and not wonder if they are the wrong decision. I let a handful of opportunities pass in 2009 and I regret that.

I am also going to get a hobby. Any ideas will be appreciated! Ha! I don't know what but I need a hobby to pass the time when Shane is at the deer lease!

In 2010, I want to pray, laugh, love, cry, run, sleep, sing, watch, wonder, enojoy more than 2009!

These are, I guess, my New Year Resolutions. I am going to take it one day at a time and see where this year leads my family! With God by our sides, we will have another year to celebrate!

We made it to 2010. This is going to be a unique year! Why? 2010 is going to be a unique year because if you will just say the year twenty ten, it's sounds so space like? "WELCOME TO THE YEAR TWENTY TEN" So far in the future but yet here it is, we are embarking on this mysterious journey. What will the year 2010 bring your family? So hold stead fast and get ready for another year of amazing memories!