You know you're old when...

1. You are most at peace when everyone is safe and sound under the same roof. My mother in law checked on her kids at night until the very last one moved out. Now, she didn't get up and check in their rooms every night. But she was certainly listening for the garage door to go up when we arrived home safe and sound. I never really understood this until now. Not that my MIL is old; but hello, adulthood, when did you get here?

2. You feel victorous when calling an appliance repair outfit to repair your dishwasher instead of blowing a ton of money on a new one. In my previous life, I have spent more money on a pair of shoes or a handbag than it was to repair my dishwasher today. SIGH.

3. You actually consider job security in a new position. Never before have I actually thought; now will this job be here 5 or 10 years from now? But now I do. Because I have a baby to feed and diaper. And maybe just a little bit, so I can splurge on expensive shoes or a handbag. Just a little.

Love Y'all

We're Still Here!

Elsie and I returned from our pilgrimage to Colonial Beach, VA last Wednesday. We had a great time, and I am so glad I bit the bullet and took her. More pics to come but this is a favorite my cousin Roxanne took. Isn't she cutie patootie? My sister in law gave her the car seat toy; this trip Elsie started using it as a pull up bar. It was a life saver on the 12 hour car ride. Thanks SB!

In other news, we (finally!) received our final bill from the hospital for Elsie's NICU stay. After many phone calls explaining that we SWITCHED insurance plans beginning in 2010, and no WE DO NOT have secondary coverage; they finally got the claims submitted successfully.

At this point, I need to take a moment and thank BCBS. We would certainly be facing financial ruin if we did not have such great coverage. We work hard and are fortunate that both of our employers offer great health insurance. To our friends and families that work at BCBS; think of us the next time you get frustrated in your daily duties. We are why you do what you do everyday. Thank you.

Love Y'all!

Ellen

Bad Things Happen in "Threes"

The last two weeks in this household have been crap-tastic to say the least. My mother always said that bad things come in threes. This HAS to be number three, Internet.

I will write more about the professional side of the insanity later.

Most of these issues revolve around the joys (read: OMG moments) of home ownership. Saturday we had to get the garbage disposal replaced. Fine. Not a huge deal. I can TOTALLY live without a garbage disposal. A huge check for such a small job in my opinion, but whatev.

Last night as I was laying in bed I thought "hmm, it's pretty warm in here." So I turned down the thermostat and got nothing. Nada. For those of you who know our history; me and the AC don't get along well. This is the SECOND time it's gone out since we've been in this house. The unit is original to the house (almost 11 years old) so I am always in a panic when the temperature outside rises in fear that our unit is going to give out.

Luckily, John Moore (whom we may actually own stock in after these shenanigans), was able to get someone out here today and fix it. Well, rig it up so it is fixed. For now. It is our AC Circuit that needs to be replaced. The nice technician said "this is only the fourth time I've seen this." Of course...because that's what happens in Baileyville. Whatever wild and crazy scenario that can go on, will go on. Especially when my husband is unable to deal with the issue.

So an electrician will be here tomorrow to repair the circuit.

And for those of you who are counting, number three is: someone stole my debit card number and tried to drain our entire checking account. Entire. Checking Account. Thankfully, we have "flags" on our account if someone tries to spend over a certain amount of money. So when you try to spend over $900 at Amazon.com Bank of America is going to shut you down.

Trying to stay positive: Bank of America has been so helpful in dealing with this situation and at this point it looks like they only got a small sum of our cash money. Which will be returned to us. Secondly, thank you John Moore for fixing my garbage disposal and rigging my A/C unit and sending out an electrician. You are one stop shopping for home repair issues, and for a stay at home Mom, it doesn't get much better than that. Thirdly, thank God we are all healthy, and for the most part happy.

Love Y'all,
Ellen

No one Tells You

That they sent their child to daycare because it is easier than staying home with an 8 month old. They tell you it's because they needed the income and had to return to work. Which, I'm sure is true.

However, after almost seven months of working part-time (from home), and taking care of my child full time; I've come to a conclusion.

It is easier to send your child to daycare than to stay home with said child full time. Meaning, you are not running around like a wackadoodle trying to feed, change diapers, and entertain all day.

Don't misunderstand me. I love that I am able to stay home with Elsie Lou.

I'm just sayin'.

Love Y'all,
Ellen

PIZZA!

We are big fans of pizza (really who isn't?). It is definitely one of my weaknesses. This weekend Ryan asked "wanna order pizza?" when discussing lunch on Sunday. Of course I do! This is from a new little pizza joint right down the street from us. Ryan called in our order, and I hear him say "24" and I'm thinking what in the world do we need 24 of? There's only the two of us. He completes the order, so I ask him. He says "Pizza. It's 24 inches."

WHAT?

"The pizza size is 24 inches." To which I exclaim, "you got us a pizza that is two feet in diameter?"

Then it hits him how huge this is.

So when he goes to pick it up, he calls me from the car and says "dude, you are not going to believe how big this pizza is. It almost didn't fit in my car." I laugh and meet him at the door to the garage to see for myself. Indeed, it is huge. The box is almost too big to fit through the door from the garage to our utility room.

I had to take a picture. For reference, it is sitting on top of our stove. :)

We ate pizza for days. I cannot even explain how big the pieces were. Had to share.

Love Y'all,

Ellen

Day 2

Most of y'all know Elsie has awful reflux. She takes medicine five, FIVE, times a day. As soon as she started to show signs, we started solids. It's taken her a good five weeks of 'practice', but I think she may have gotten it!

Yesterday was the first day on no Bethanecol; one of the reflux medicines. She hardly spit up and slept well last night. We also started cereal at night. I mixed it with homemade apples and she loved it.

She is getting so big and may be outgrowing the reflux!

Similarly, but different, I'm always a little sad when she outgrows her clothes. Right now she is growing out of her 3 months stuff. Fortunately we got a TON of clothes from friends and family (who doesn't love to buy a little girl a dress?) so it's fun to look forward to the next size :)

Love Y'all,
Ellen

Summer is here again

If you live in Southeast TX, summer sometimes stretches from the beginning of May to Thanksgiving. This weekend is supposed to be one of the hottest yet. So what do you do when it is so hot? Get in the pool! Ryan convinced me that we needed a pool when we were discussing requirements for a home. When we saw the backyard on this house, with the pool, we were in love. I do not know how people in the greater Houston area survive in the summer without one. As my Dad, a former pool care taker, says :"it's a bottomless hole into which you throw money." And this is totally true; but goodness gracious isn't it worth it? To me it is.

So last weekend was Elsie's first official pool experience. We took her to the pool with the girls. She was not a fan of the cold water until she got used to the temp and figured out it would cool her down. When we got home I started looking on line for infant pool floats with a shade on them. I ordered one on Tuesday and it came on Friday. Gotta love Diapers.com and free two day shipping!

Yesterday afternoon I put her in it. She loves me pulling her through the pool as she kicks her feet! The pic is of her "lounging" while her butt sits on the first step. So funny. Nothing can keep her fingers out of her mouth....

Love Y'all,

Ellen