Tuesday's Top 10 - Artists/Groups

I couldn't think of 10, so today it's Tuesday's Top 9! ;) Here are my favorite musicians/bands...can't wait to see y'all's!!

9. Nickel Creek

8. George Strait

7. Gavin DeGraw

6. Sarah McLachlan

5. The Beatles

4. The Beach Boys (It would kill my father-in-law to know I put The Beach Boys on my list AND rated them higher than The Beatles)

3. Randy Rogers Band

2. Queen

1. Dixie Chicks

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Napkins

He makes eating wearing carrots look good!

No Words

Man oh man. Looking at this face...I have no words. Only a full and happy heart.

Seriously Mom

Put some clothes on that kid!

Nope. Sorry. Not gonna happen.

Not Quite Right

Already breaking the rules...{grin}

P.S. - If you zoom in on the first pic, you can see his 2 itty bitty cutie patootie teeth!

Grow Baby Grow - 7 Months

It's the 'funny faces' edition. He looks so cute in these pics! {Of course when does he not look precious!}

At 7 months, you are:

• Eating stage 1 baby food 1-2 times a day (You like squash, applesauce, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears. You tolerate peaches and do not like green beans.)
• Sleeping on your stomach almost every time you go down. You are a pretty good sleeper (sometimes the days are just too exciting for you to take more than 30 minute naps) and have even gone 4 nights IN A ROW without needing me to come in your room.
• wanting to crawl SO BAD but can't quite figure it out.
• sitting up and playing without any assistance.
• loving peek-a-boo and giggle constantly.
  
  

Random Musing

Trent has been randomly waking up crying. Not every night, just every once in a while. He is usually so upset that I need to nurse him to calm him down. That works like a charm everytime. {Sidebar - Isn't that so typical of a boy? Boobs in the face distract 'em every time.} Anyway, after putting him back in his crib, I told Brent 'When in doubt, whip it out.' Made me laugh, and I had to share.

Have some cute pictures and videos to share (of that boob loving little boy), but I have to get back to work right now. Something to look forward to on your Friday!

To Relieve 'A Case of the Mondays'

Picture this: I am currently sitting on the floor of my client's bathroom (it's a one-seater) pumping. The dress I'm wearing is not as stretchy as I thought, so I had to take it off to pump. That's right, I'm sitting on the floor without any clothes on. Luckily, I'm wearing a long sweater over my dress, so I have that on. So, right now, my total outfit is: knee-high boots, underwear, milking nursing bra, sweater. Trent owes me...big time.

On the wall in the women's restroom at another client: 'Women are like teabags. You never know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.' WHAT? Please do not compare me to a teabag. Thanks.

Happy Monday!

Master of Blogging and Friendship

Shut up! I love when I get awards! And I especially love when they come from someone I love! (Thanks Dezzy!)

(This award is all about recognizing friendships that have been made while blogging.)

The Rules:1. List 6 things you are a master in. 2. Pass it on to 6 bloggers you think are masters at friendship, and make blogging so awesome.

My Six Things:

1. I am a master reader. I would choose to read over almost anything. I have been known to do nothing but read for hours on end. I actually read 2 novels in 1 day once.
2. I am a master of celebrity gossip. I am definitely stealing this one. :)
3. I am a master talker. Sometimes I just don't know when to shut up. I think that's a good quality to have in a blogger.
4. I am a master friend. I really value my friendships and know all my peeps know how much I love them. {See #3 - i.e. I never stop telling them.}
5. I am {trying to be} a master of green. Brent calls me his hippie, and my sister calls me 'Mother Earth', but I really do have a passion for trying to be more and more green. I mean, I cloth diaper/g diaper my kid!
6. I am a master crier. I have always been tender-hearted (as my mother calls it), but since becoming a mother...geez! I tear up at anything. I want to adopt all of Haiti!

And now for the other Masters out there:

1. Val
2. Courtney
3. Kristen
4. Emily
5. Heather
6. Zack Blair

My Bad

I just realized I haven't posted new pictures of Trent in 2 weeks. Let me remedy that with a few more shots from his 6 month pictures. Okay, I feel better now. :)

It Finally Happened

Someone walked in on me while pumping today (at work). How was your day?

Tuesday's Top 10 - Favorite Songs

10. Dixie Chicks “Let Him Fly”
9. The Beach Boys “God Only Knows”
8. Billy Joel “For the Longest Time”
7. George Strait “Baby Blue”
6. Sheryl Crow “I Shall Believe”
5. Sarah McLachlan “Fear”
4. Queen “Killer Queen”
3. Freda Payne “Band of Gold”
2. Cat Stevens “Moon Shadow”
1. Peter, Paul and Mary “Leaving on a Jet Plane”

I always joke around that I was born in the wrong decade, my list probably proves that somewhat! :)

Card Carrying...

...nurser! I just love the Milk Bank more and more.

I got this card and thought it was too cute. Apparently, it's the law that a woman be allowed to nurse in public. Seeing that made me think. I have nursed Trent in public and have a super cute nursing cover. But it's still awkward. As Trent gets bigger, he likes to grab the cover and pop his head up randomly. If I haven't already exposed myself, I wouldn't be surprised if I do someday. While I know it's totally normal to need to nurse in public, it's still not my favorite thing in the world, and that is kind of sad. I wonder what it will take to make all women comfortable to nurse in public? What's the most unique place you've nursed? Mine would have to be Alcatraz!

FAIL

Can you see it? What makes this simple container of honey a fail?? Look closely...

Yup! My honey is...'made with real honey'?!?!?! I have been eating this since I was pregnant and finding things that were low in sodium to help with the swelling. Just noticed the label the other day. Cracked up. Had to share. :)

Steam of Consciousness

I am copying MckMama with this. It is just such a fun way to jot things down (since this is supposed to be an online journal and all).

Trent fell off our bed yesterday. Bad mommy for leaving him up there while I brushed my hair and teeth. He is okay, but I learned a big lesson. :) We picked a 'school' for him (not going to call it daycare). I am really pleased with what we chose. Similar to buying a house and finding my wedding dress (although infinitely more important) - I just KNEW it was the right place. Was pumping at work on Tuesday, Controller of client almost walked in. Can we say awkward as I tried to put myself back together knowing he was just outside the door? Planning for a trip to Dallas this weekend for cousin Connor's FIRST birthday. Time flies! In my car with be my parents, my sister, Miles and Trent. I hope we survive. ;) Picked a convertible car seat for Trent. How is he old enough for that? Forgot Tuesday's Top 10 this week, will remember for next week. Going to do Top 10 songs. Pumping right now at work. Wonder if the people in the offices around me wonder what that noise is? How is your day?

BABIES

Cannot wait to see this movie! Anybody want to go w/ me? Check this out...if you don't smile...you aren't normal. ;)

Daycare, shmaycare

We are picking daycare for Trent right now. I HATE it. I never imagined I'd be this type of mother. I have to work, we are a 2-income family, it's the way things have to work. But I HATE looking for a place to send my child for so many hours of the day. While doing some research on Saturday, I was practically hysterical. I know he'll get great care and he'll make friends and there will be things he learns there that I wouldn't be able to teach him. I know I went to daycare and was fine. I know it's what we have to do.

But not spending my entire day with my BooBoo? I HATE it.

Cereal, Anyone?

Anyone? Anyone? I'm sure Trent would share!

Gurley Math

A + B = T

**Allena - 6 months**

**Brent - 6 months**

**Trent - 6 months**

Tuesday's Top 10 - Movies

I almost forgot Tuesday's Top 10!!! I think (hope) some people will participate or at least give me some good recommendations for my Netflix queue. :)

10. Old School (might be replaced by 'The Hangover'...still deciding)
9. Dances with Wolves
8. The Little Mermaid (I can still probably sing all the songs - I even had the soundtrack to this one!)
7. Robin Hood
6. The Princess Bride
5. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Hey SJP!!!)
4. Beaches (Cry everytime)
3. Lonesome Dove (Brent and I can stay up all night watching this. Anyone ever noticed the naked wee in one scene? If you ask nicely, I'll tell you where.)
2. Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightley version)
1. Steel Magnolias (BAWL my eyes out during the cemetary scene but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie)

Okay, tell me yours!!! (please)

TMI?

So I debated sharing this story...but finally decided it was just too funny not to. It might be in the 'oversharing' category...but I think that's one of the things I do best. :) Moving on. Friday morning I woke up at 3:00 AM (my child was talking to himself in his crib) to a clogged milk duct and a weird tingling/burning in my nipple (I can't really think of a better word to use for nipple but it kind of makes me feel dirty - ha). It felt like it had been rubbed raw, maybe from the 4 times of pumping I had to do that day from being at work all day?? There's really nothing to do for a clogged duct at 3:00 AM (or at least nothing I'm willing to do at 3:00 AM), so I tried to go back to sleep. Very tough given the discomfort I was feeling. Anyway, Trent woke up a little after 6:00 AM, so I quickly nursed him to help relieve some of the pressure on the duct....OWWWWWWWW!!! I definitely rubbed the n----- (better?) raw! Then I found my heating pad thingy that I use for clogged ducts (thanks Mom!) and heated it in the microwave and AHHHH relief. 30 minutes later I'm about to take a shower. What are those red marks all over my breast? Oh geez...did I burn myself with my heating pad thingy? Apparently so. Get out of the shower, where's the lanolin (haven't had to use that since about 2 weeks after Trent was born)? Find the lanolin...geez...it is most definitely Friday! I went to work with red welts on my breast (covered up of course), lanolin slathered all over my n----- and some intense discomfort. Reason 1,805,630 why Trent better put me in a good nursing home when I'm really old! Oh the joys of motherhood! How did you end your week?

Rant

Does anybody watch 'Teen Mom' on MTV? These girls drive me absolutely bananas. Farrah is a spoiled brat. I can't believe she talks to her parents the way she does, given she still lives with them and everything they do for her. Amber is a lazy mother - I swear everytime I see her, she's in bed or eating. Yet I keep watching this show... I think maybe it bothers me so much because I'm a new mom and have no problem putting Trent ahead of myself. These girls seem to not want to do that...not that I probably would have at 16...but it still just really upsets me!

Holy Cow!

Guess who slept through the night last night?!?! It has been over 6 months since I have had a good night's sleep (longer if you consider the multi-pee-trips of the end of my pregnancy). Hallelujah! Allena is back in the house!!!

See? He's happy too! {grin}

This Year...

...I resolve to:

• Get more organized around the house (so my husband doesn't leave me...well not really...but this is truly the only thing we ever argue about)
• Learn to play the guitar (kind of cheesy...but I do NOT have a good singing voice but love to sing to Trent...and I can picture playing the guitar/singing and having so much fun with him)
• Donate milk to the Austin Milk Bank (got my initial approval - yay!)
• Reclaim my body {grin}
• Continue to grow in my faith and become more involved in my wonderful church

In the Hot Tub

This was one of Trent's Christmas presents. Doesn't it look like he is so chilled out in the tub? {I keep singing the SNL skit song with Eddie Murphy 'in the hot tub'} I wish they made this for adults! HA!

Totally lounging

Grow Baby Grow - 6 Months

Weight - 17 pounds, 1 ounce (25-50%)
Length - 26 5/8 inches (50-75%)
Head - 44.3 cm (50-75%)

Let's take a stroll down memory lane....1 week old.... TINY baby!!

Now look at this MONSTER!! :) I cannot believe how big he is - I guess because I see him every day, so I don't notice the change. When I look back at these pictures, it amazes me!! What a ham!

I was a little shocked by Trent's weight because he was born in the 75th-90th percentile. Our doctor isn't concerned and said she thinks he's just leaning out. He still looks healthy and rolly polly. :)

• Has 2 tooth (and is drooling like a mad man, could a 3rd be on the way?)
• Can sit-up by himself (mostly - we have a tip-over every once in a while)
• LOVES the remote control
• Is grabbing for everything
• Really enjoys playing with toys but standing up is still #1!!!
• Giggles and grins like crazy! Still more of an observer and only talks a little. Likes to go 'mmmmm'
• No longer nurses in the night (We had 1 nasty 'cry it out' night, but Trent has adapted really well), wakes up about once a night, sleeps 12 hours :)
• Still takes 3-4 naps every day
• Started eating cereal

He is such a BIG BOY! Brent and I are in heaven with him and comment almost daily about how much we love him and what a miracle he is to us. :)

Yum, Yum, Eat 'Em Up!

We started Trent on cereal last week - he has been watching us eat with a lot of interest lately, but I wanted to wait until 6 months. He still doesn't quite have the hang of it, but it's so fun! I went a little overboard on the pictures, but with such a cute subject, can you blame me?

I'm ready! Give me my food!

Seriously? This is what you're giving me? Where are my french fries?!?!

This is NOT as tasty as what you guys eat!

Okay, I'll try it again...

Maybe it will taste better if I chew on my fingers, too.

Nana's turn

We'll start fruit and veggies next week. You can count on fun pictures from that too!

Tuesday's Top 10 - Books

Here is my list of my ALL TIME favorite books:

10. The Descent by Jeff Long
9. Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes
8. Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
7. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
6. The Stand by Stephen King
5. Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
4. Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
3. Harry Potter and the [Fill in the Blank] by J.K. Rowling
2. Lonesome Dove Series by Larry McMurtry
1. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

I would love to hear any other favorites out there, I'm always looking for new stuff to read.

Yay!

Virus = DEAD!!! Get ready for a boatload of photos...coming during Trent's next nap. :)

Coming Soon...

Still have a virus on my laptop (can now no longer even log in)...which is where all my pictures currently reside... BUT tomorrow I will be in our office and can hopefully get my computer functioning again. :)

Coming soon...some super cute pictures of Trent (duh)

Coming soon...New Year's Resolutions

Coming soon...Tuesday's Top 10 (1 person participated in my last edition - thanks Jennifer) - this week's topic: Top 10 Books

Coming soon...the arrival of our camcorder so in 2010 there will be VIDEOS of Trent!!!

Christmas is DUNZO!

I most definitely have a virus on my computer, so I can't get the rest of Christmas uploaded, which probably isn't a bad thing given it is New Year's Eve... But here's what I've got to finish off Christmas.

Trent opened his presents after lunch. Here he is checking out his singing Santa.

The boys have an exercauser at my parents' house (thanks Dena). This was the first time they both wanted to play in it. Since Trent was already there, Miles just crawled over and started playing too. TOO CUTE! (Do you love their matching shirts?!?! I bought them. {grin})

I love Miles' expressions!

Wordless Wednesday

Alternatively Titled: Moo!!!

P.S. - I have about twice this much at my parents. :)

Christmas Morning Part II

After heading to my parents, we took our customary 'in front of the tree pictures'. So much more fun with the babies!

Dad wanted to hold both boys - only lasted for a minute before he needed relief!

I don't have any of the pictures of opening presents that morning (Trent missed out for a nap), but I've got the afternoon session (after Trent's nap). Coming soon!

Christmas Morning Part I

This was the first time EVER that I didn't spend the night with my parents/sister on Christmas Eve, but we thought it would be easier to stay at our house and then head to my parents. So we opened our Gurley gifts together first. Get ready, I went overboard on pictures. {grin}

Good morning, Daddy!!! {Maybe next year you'll come home from Nannie's before 3:30 in the morning - remember, I get up early!!!}

Opening Trent's first Christmas present

Doesn't he look super excited?? :)

Daddy's turn to help open presents.

Tissue paper!!!!! Mom, can I please play?!?!
Who doesn't love 'The Big Lebowski'??

Now for the big surprise - I got Brent an iPhone. He was totally surprised!

Christmas Eve

I thought I got some pictures of our whole family, but they must all be on my mother-in-law's camera. Christmas Eve was spent at Brent's Nannie's house. Trent was a doll (as usual) and got a super cute learning puppy from his Nana and Papa.

Twas a Few Days Before Christmas

It's going to take me a while to post all the pictures I want to post about Christmas, but hopefully I can get it done in the next few days. We had such an amazing time with the boys, and I will cherish these memories forever!!

Playing in his Bumbo (such a serious face)!

Now we get a smile!
While shopping with Patty and Miles, Miles decided he didn't want to ride in his stroller anymore, so Patty put him in her sling. However, he did want to help push his stroller.

I have seen Miles in action with a teething biscuit twice - he looked like this both times. LOVE IT!!!

Next up: Christmas Eve!!

Interesting (To Me, At Least)

Brent and I watched 'White Christmas' last night (yes, I know we were a day late). There was a scene where I distinctly remember thinking how ridiculously skinny Vera Ellen (I forget her character's name - either Betty or Judy) was. After Brittany Murphy's death (that I atribute to anorexia - you should have seen the picture of her in my Us Weekly the week before she died - scary skinny), I was thinking about the pressures to be thin and how, because it was the 1950s, Vera must have just been naturally skinny (even though she looked a little TOO skinny to me). I went on IMDB after the movie and was reading all the actors' bios. Low and behold, in black and white, Vera Ellen suffered from anorexia before there was even a name for it. Maybe it's just me, but I thought that was interesting. I guess women have been beating themselves up longer than I thought over their weight! One of the many joys of breastfeeding? I don't care what I weigh because I need extra calories to make milk. {I might have stretch marks, a muffin top and saggy boobs, but I have an adorable, healthy baby!} In 6 or so months, when I'm done breastfeeding, I'm sure I'll be singing another tune. Now back to my Butterfinger minis and 'The Sound of Music'. :)

Not Destined to be a Housewife

I'd like to point out that I had done NONE of this laundry today...it had all been accumulating for over a week. I guess I won't be quitting my day job anytime soon!