It's been 352 days since...

I birthed a 7 pound 11 ounce bundle of everything sweet.

And as for me? I always wondered how my body would last birthing a child and gaining 42 glorious pounds. Lucky for me, the stretch marks have faded and thanks to my friends at Weight Wactchers I am currently 6 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight. Let's not mention the pepperoni and jalapeno pizza I had last week m'kay?

I'm proud of myself and my body. I'm thrilled I don't look like I was mauled by a tiger. I give thanks to Mama Mio Tummy Rub Butter and Oil.

But now it's time to start putting the money away for that much needed boob job. You think I'm joking? Ask any mother who nursed a baby and didn't have breast implants to start with whether their boobs are different after nursing. Sweet Jesus...National Geographic comes to mind. It is the one part of pregnancy and motherhood that truly makes me self conscious now. I hate my boobs now.



I wouldn't trade nursing Courtney for those 7 months for anything. Sometimes I wonder if I had been a stay at home mom whether I could have nursed her for the whole first year (pumping is a bitch). I would have if I could. When the next bebe comes along, I plan to nurse as long as I can as well. But once we are done with kids I'm putting these tatas back where they belong and am taking a trip to NOLA to show them off. I kid. I kid. or do I? ;)

And now, as we head home to California for Courtney's birthday, I'll be tested by putting on a bathing suit and strutting my stuff around the Orange County beaches. Maybe I can be the next Real Housewife of Orange County? Oh wait...that would require a boob job. and blonde hair. Shit.

[She's on the move.]

Courtney tried walking without assistance on Friday. She does it if you are close by. But if you are to far then she'll still crawl.



The story behind the jalepeno if your wondering; I had a slice of pepperoni and jalapeno pizza for lunch. I took off the jalapenos and threw them in the trash can in the kitchen. Well Courtney enjoys digging in the trash can and pulled out a jalapeno and started chewing it. Mike got to it before she swallowed it but she was ANGRY that her mouth was on fire. And yes, we have a trash can with a lid on it, but a certain someone has conquered how to open it.

[What's in my bag?]

I've always been interested in what other people carry in their diaper bag. I've seen a few posts out in bloggy world, showing whats inside their carry-all. I've seen some great ideas and thought maybe I could help someone else who might say "that's a great idea."

My bag is a JJ Cole Technique in Red Flower.


Inside consists of:


1. Bib, 2. Hobo International Lauren wallet (in the market for something smaller. Any suggestions?), 3. Ziploc baggy (for the blowouts), 4. amy coe diapers & wipes case in chocolate swirl 5. LG env Touch (hate it), 6. Flip Ultra HD video camera (best thing ever invented), 7. Nuby straw sippy, 8. Formula dispenser, 9. Dreft stain pen, 10. Purell hand sanitizer, 11. Cherry chapstick, 12. extra pacifier (usually I have two of these for the times when one disappears on an aisle in Costco - true story), 13. Von Zipper Stache sunglasses, 14. take n toss spoon (not pictured: Dr. Browns 8oz bottle with water (for easy bottle mixing) and rubbermaid tupperware for cheerios or puffs (currently with child at daycare)

That's what's in my bag baby!

[I have some amazingly talented & giving friends]

Thank you so much Jenni (over at Sweet Craftikins) for taking your time and making the most darling and perfect invitations for Courtney's birthday!

[My First Mother's Day]

We were out of town this past weekend, house hunting in our new city. We are transferring next month and had this one weekend to find our new place. Boy was that a wreck. We were there Friday through Sunday and visited three property management companies on Friday. They all had hardly anything that fit our needs and then informed us that they don't do showings on the weekends and that we need to make an appointment to see any place. After a bit of a panic attack, we decided that the first place we saw Friday morning was perfect for us and that we wanted to put in our application. This place we found on handy Craigslist. We signed the lease Saturday morning. check

Sunday morning I snuggled in the hotel bed with my baby girl and hubby and opened my Mother's Day cards. I was surprised that Mike remembered to take the cards with him or to buy any at all actually. Brownie points?

And then, I was even more surprised when he handed me a little white jewelry box. I had no idea when he had any time to go shopping. But inside were these puppies:


LOVE!

[11 Months]

::faints from the thought of having a toddler soon::

The "they grow so fast" is absolutely true. My perfect little girl is throwing tantrums now. The stomp your feet and throw your head back to cry kind. Usually because she decided to try to take trash out of the kitchen trash and we take it away from her. I can't help but giggle most of the time, but I know soon enough I wont be laughing.

She does patty cake along with "roll it" and now blows kisses. She also gives big open mouth slobbery kisses.

She can tell you the sound a dog makes (she blows air out her nose to do it) and has recently started answering "what does a kitty say?" That consists of "ba" which I assume she thinks is similar to meow since kitties sound different than dogs.

She can stand without holding on but doesn't do it much.

She took two steps on Easter (with bribary) but prefers to crawl since she can get where she wants to go much faster that way. So i don't consider her "walking". I think the steps on Easter may have been a fluke.

She is working on two more top teeth for a total of four on top and two on bottom.

She waves (when she wants to). Last week when I was getting ready to leave her at daycare Miss Laurie told her to wave bye to me. She crawled over to me and stood up wanting me to pick her up. So I did. Then she proceded to wave bye to Miss Laurie. So cute.

She played tug of war with Daisy's toy and thought it was the funniest thing. Daisy was pulling her across the living room floor.

She still loves her veggies and also enjoys Kraft macaroni and cheese (no flames for feeding my 11 month old mac n cheese - it's a great first finger food).

One of her new favorite snacks is graham crackers.

She has also discovered sticking her finger up her nose.



Doing "roll it".


First time in the swimming pool.


Swimming with daddy!


Chubby arms.


[and the countdown begins to no longer having to buy formula - yay]

Did you watch?

How beautiful was the bride, the ceremony and that first kiss?

And how about the part where Prince Harry turns around to look at Kate walking down the aisle and whipsers to his brother "I can't wait for you to see her." DEAD!

and then there was this. I have no words.


But then, David Beckham saved the day. ::swoon::