Cursed Vegas

I've always had a love hate relationship with the city of Las Vegas.  My first trip there was AMAZING!  I had a wonderful experience - luxury car, amazing suite, great food, just overall fun. That was my love experience, the one that with every subsequent trip I've made out there, I hope to recreate.  Unfortunately, with every trip it's only gotten worse.

My next trip out, I was 20 weeks pregnant and still suffering from nightmarish morning sickness, so there was absolutely no fun in that trip WHAT.SO.EVER.  The next trip, a year later and this past January, I felt horrible before leaving.  Call it a combination of missing my baby and a general worrisome feeling about my job, whatever it was, I was miserable and that trip wasn't a ton of fun either.

However, this last trip takes the cake! And has further convinced me that Las Vegas is simply not a town for me.  Let's start at the beginning.  This was my first trip with my new company, and I would be working with our CEO, so it was an important trip.  Unfortunately, my husband was out of town on a business meeting, so the prepping for, and leaving this time, was not at all normal.  Tuesday afternoon I found myself feeling very odd, not quite right, but assumed that it was just being tired from a late night at the office and poor sleep the previous night.  But at 3 PM, my phone was ringing BLOWING up with the message that my little boy was very sick and I needed to pick him up immediately.  Mommy mode kicked in immediately, so 5 hours later, after a trip to the doctor and a run to my mother's house to drop off the little guy, I realized I really wasn't feeling so hot either.

The next morning I woke up (at 4 AM - ugh!) feeling even worse, but knew I had to pull it together and get on the plane.  It wasn't until I got into my room that I knew I was sick.  I was in town for an event that was being held outside.  June + Desert + Outside = NO FUN  Not to mention it was 106 outside, the hottest of the season I was told - so I was in for it.  10 minutes out there and I wanted to die, and I still had 3 hours and 50 minutes to go.  Those minutes ticked by slower that I could have imagined.  I hung in there though.  But by 6 PM that evening, I couldn't get to my room quick enough.  No exciting nightlife, no great dinner, I was asleep by 7:00 PM.

Thursday morning, a mere 17 hours after I had arrived, as I was leaving at 4:00 AM, many people were still out partying, and I was simplying trying not to puke or passout.  I made it so far as the security line before I collasped, literally, right there in the TSA security line.  Thankfully a very sweet TSA agent was able to assist me and I was pushed through the airport in a wheelchair - to sick to even care.  I made it home without any further embarressments, but am convince Vegas is not my town. 

So my love hate relationship continues....I watch television shows and think "wow - what a fun town" but then quickly remember my experiences and shake it off. 

Who Am I? - My Pillow Case

So yes, I'm 26 {almost 27} and I fully cop to the fact that I love make that L.O.V.E. my pillow case.  This love affair started when I was young and had this one set of sheets that stayed cool ALL.NIGHT.LONG.  And I am someone that has to be cool when I sleep.  Seriously - my husband will be freezing (and he's always hot, so that's saying something) and I'll be kicking off the blankets because I can not sleep when I'm warm.

So...when I was packing for college I realized that my precious sheet set would not be making the trip to college and I had to find a replacement for my pillow - how else am I going to sleep?!  So one afternoon I walked through the fabric store like a 5 year old - literally touching every fabric I could.  I walked away with 2 pieces of fabric and my wonderful grandmother stitched 2 pillow cases for me.

Once at school it took me all of 2 weeks to determine that the 1 of the fabrics just wasn't going to cut it.  What happened to that case, I couldn't tell ya.  But other - almost 9 years later is slept on daily and I can not sleep without it.  I'd post a picture, but seriously, admitting it and showing it, 2 totally different things!  It started out as white - crisp white - and has now slowly morped into a weird beige/grey.

My pillow case has seen me through break-ups, drunken nights, marriage, pregnancy, strange cities, foreign countries...you name it!  And yes as I travel everywhere with it.  My job has taken me all over North America, and I made the mistake once of not taking my pillow - BIG mistake - didn't sleep and vowed never to make that decision again.  So ever since, it's with me!  Always!  Yeah - it's weird - you can think it! ;-)

Who Am I?

I love reading these posts - where the blogger talks about some little known facts about themself - so here I go!  I meant to post this yesterday, since I've been slacking on my Tuesday Tens - but see the last item and that pretty much sums it up!  I'll keep it brief tonight, but I'll explain each of these in upcoming posts!


- I am a natural red head - but my hair is 2 different colors depending on which side you see me from - and it's natural too.


- I love LOVE shoes!  I have over 250 pairs, but I only wear maybe 10 pairs on a regular basis.


- I have had the same pillow case for almost 10 years now.  I love my pillow case because it's the right kind of fabric that stays cool all night long. I have searched for years to find the same fabric so I can make another pillow case and increase my count to 2!


- I travel EVERYWHERE with my pillow and said pillow case!  I have yet to go on any trip - business trips included - where I did not take my pillow.


- Until a few weeks ago, my son had never had jarred baby food.  I have made everything, but had to mix in some of the jar meat.


- I love multiples - of what you might ask?  Pretty much anything.  And yes I fully admit it boarders on hoarding.


- I never thought I'd actually have kids.


- I don't sweat - at least not the way "normal" people do. (That's probably TMI)


- I could eat pizza everyday - easily!


- I haven't missed a single days worth of vitamins since I switched to gummy ones - and that's saying something!


- I have a horrible short term memory but an awesome long term one.

- After years of searching, I've finally found a book club that I love.

9 Months Old

Happy 9 Month Old Day Baby Boy!

Today you are 9 months old.  The time has passed at a rate that I couldn't even imagine.  You are such a joy on our lives and the lives of everyone you interact with.  You have such beautiful eye and a colorful personality to match.  Your giggles and laugher are infectious!  And you love seeing your puppy dogs and squeal with delight when they play with you.

You crawl around like a flash of light and are into everything!  You've also master the art of couch surfing.  It really is only a matter of days before you attempt that first step.  You enjoy each and every food you're given with the exception of yogurt.  You love veggies and enjoy your fruit, but really don't love the sweets - which is a great thing from mommy's view point.

You're enjoying playing with all your toys, especially the tool bench and basketball goal.  You also LOVE your blankie and Pooh Bear and curl up with them each and every night.  You've even figured out how to turn on your mobile when the music cuts off. 

Each morning, after your morning bottle, you watch Mickey's Mouse Club House while Mom and Dad get ready.  You love daycare and are always excited to play.  Each night you enjoy dinner at 6 and a bottle at 7 and usually go to bed between 8-9.

You truly are a joy in our lives and your daddy and I love you more everyday!

We love you!
Mom and Dad

Those Days

We all have those days...you know the ones I'm talking about.  The ones that leave you feeling like you have whiplash, where the good and the bad hit you from all angles, leaving you wondering where it came from just as the next front hits you.

The days where you make it through every emotion within a hour or two, and you wish you could just go back to bed?

Yeah...it's one of those days.  For everything that went right, everything else went wrong.  In the words of 2010 - EPIC FAIL.

Tomorrow will be different, at least that's the hope right? 

Pure Barre

Yesterday, thanks to a good friend, I attended a Pure Barre class for the first time.  I've heard lots about it, so when the opportunty came up, I thought "Sure why not?!".  Famous last words!

For those that don't know, Pure Barre is an hour work out mixing yoga, pilates, and ballet principles.  It is an intense, fast paced hour that focuses on toning burning the heck out of your abs, legs (thighs), and butt.  If you're looking for a good workout - this would be the one!  This is not, I repeat NOT, your everyday relaxed yoga session.  Within the first 10 minues my heart was racing and everyone was breaking a sweat.  Our fantastic instructor kept the tempo and pushed everyone - modifications is not the name of this game.  

Unfortunately, for me and my sports enduced asthma, the combo was killer.  I had to sit down through some of workout.  I could handle the floor exercises, but just about anything requiring standing, was off limits.  :-(  Even in my limited capacity, it was a good workout.  Everyone left feeling great, slightly sweaty, and with big smiles.  24 hours later, I feel like I've been through it.  There are parts of my body I didn't' know could hurt.  But it's a good thing! ;-)

Pure Barre locations are popping up all over the country.  Pure Barre Louisville is located in Westport Village off of Herr Lane.  If you're going, plan to wear yoga pants or sweatpants (no shorts), a tank top or t-shirt, and socks and bring a bottle of water! 

Your Three Words

OFF TO VEGAS!

Excuse me while I whine for a bit.  It's been a LONG week.  A stressful one.  The type that makes you say "wow, I need the weekend another week to recoup".  Not to mention it was my first week back to the office since the 15th of December.  TOUGH.  

And just when it seems like things should slow down, for the hubster and I, the count down is on.  In 2 days we leave for Vegas.  5 days in Vegas for work.  I'm already exhausted, and I haven't even left.  And I'm not a huge fan of Vegas.  I know most people love it, but this will make my 3rd trip or maybe 4th (I've lost count) and while it's fun to see the hotels, that's the extent of my interest.  I've never been to or left Vegas not feeling completely and utterly exhausted. 

Not all is bad, and I am grateful for the oppurtunity to travel and catch up with collegues, new and old.  So I'll cork my whine for now.
 
The boy is staying home with his Mimi.  This will be our first big trip away.  I've traveled since he was born, but Chris was home with him.  And we've gone away for a few days, but never half way across the country and never for a week.  Needless to say - mom's a little nervous.  Add to it the fact that he's got a blocked tube in his right ear and another ear infection, I'm dreading Sunday.  Fortunately he's a tough little guy, so I know he'll be fine, but I can't help but worry.

Normally, I try to spend the day before any trip, especially work trips, relaxing with the husband (and now kiddo) and resting.  Tomorrow that's just not in the cards.  Laundry needs to be done, baby food needs to be cooked, the kiddo needs to have everything of his packed up, the dogs have be packed up, I need to pack...the list goes on and on. Oh and our suitcases - well, they're still full of clothes from our last trip!  

So we're off to Vegas.  Cheers!

Post Holidays

Wow.  Is it really already January 4th?  I mean seriously?  How did we get here?  It was just yesterday that we were prepping for Halloween, and some how we've flown past 2 major holidays in a blur.  Time really does fly once kids arrive. 

This was when Michael could barely sit up on his own and hated eating anything but his bottle.

So what have we been up to?

Looking back I'm not sure where November went.  Michael had his 6 month check-up weighing in at a back breaking 19 lb 15 oz.  We also had our first major scare when Michael face planted at daycare and ended up with a gash on his upper lip.  Scary moment for sure but the tough little guy was back to playing before I even arrived.  Thanksgiving marked the beginning of what would be a month long of fighting sickness.  Within the first 5 days of December all of us had been to doctor and been on too many medicines to count!  We also established that Michael was going to have to have tubes put in.  So on Dec 23 we went in, and so far, so good.  Michael was a trooper and really only cried post surgery for a few minutes.  Like most men, once he had his food (or in his case, a bottle) he was a happy camper.

This was AFTER our awesome trip to Florida.  It was a trip full of first.  Michael's first plane ride.  Our first family vacation.  Michael's first trip to Disney World.  Mine and Chris' first trip to HARRY POTTER WORLD!  It was an amazing trip.  And I took about 1,000 pictures, so the memories will live on forever.  Case in point:

Christmas also showed up along the way. We enjoyed experiencing it all with Michael for the first time.  He loved Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, and of course the presents.  Opening them wasn't really his thing, but playing with the paper was. 

Looking back, it so hard to believe where we are now.  What a wonderful, blessed year we've have.  

So what do we have planned for 2011?

That is a great question.  Right now it's a big unknown.  Michael is growing like a weed.  At almost 8 months (I think my heart just skipped a beat) what we have ahead is both exciting and unbelievable frightening.  Figuring out how to balance life with a growing baby child is something we are working on daily.  We've also been mulling over some big decisions, and deciding the best course to take.  We continue to pray for guidance and know that whatever is ahead of us is meant to be.  Adding to the craziness, I've decided to start my own photography business. Am I insane? - it's totally possible.  But I've discovered a passion so I'm going with it and we'll see where it takes me. 

One thing is for sure, we're taking things one day at a time and enjoying every moment of it!