Post Office Revisited

I HAD to go to the post office yesterday. As you know I usually avoid it like the plague. This time there was no avoiding it. I had to go inside and skip the little machine I love. Why- that darn e-bay again. This time we were selling and had to buy insurance and I also had to ship international. FUN.
I knew I was in for a wild ride when I turned in to the parking lot and had to park far away. More fun awaited me when I go inside and saw the line was out the door. OK I told my self under my breath. I've got time. The baby has food and water she's fine. I kept this chant up until one of the costumers nudged me and gave me a frown as if to imply -Shut up crazy lady.
Now there have been many jokes about the dark dreariness of the post office. I'm here to tell you they are all true. It was an overcast day with not sun and over HALF of the lights were out. Could that be one of the reasons we were stuck in the slow line. The workers simply could not see to postage marks?
Now lets describe workers. I mean worker. For over half of the time I was in line there was only one worker. I did say the line was out the door. I kept up my chant on the inside now because of the looks I got last time. And we made it to our turn.
I sent my package to my mother. One to England- YEA cousin Jen, and our E-bay package was last. No problems. I even had nice banter with the clerk. Then it happened. THE MACHINE BROKE!!!!!!!
Yup, I innocently ran my debit card and shut down an entire post office. We discussed, we tried again. We begged and pleaded. NO dice. So we tried some chants. Still nothing. Then we asked for help. Now I hated to do this because it pulled the only other clerk away from her station in essence shutting down the entire post office. That's when I felt the daggers. Each person in line was watching. Why- I was the only thing moving so it attracts the eye and people know who the slow person is that's holding them up.
We had gotten so far in the transaction to say how much the total was. I usually hear this and then look for it on the payment screen. I wasn't listening this time because Gianna was crying- the food had run out and I was getting her more. But neither the clerk or myself could remember the total so he could write me a hand receipt and I could go. We started trying to remember what the prices were because he had already sent the packages on their way. I said a total then he did. Then a voice from the crowd called out- $14.85. I narrowed my eyes and looked back. Really? You remember my total. Am I that interesting?
Apparently so, because a couple of people were nodding in agreement. I said OK took the hand written receipt and said my new chant- NO more e-bay! No more e-bay!

Walking Help

Walking Help

My friend at work, Lynn, one day asked me out of the blue if I would like a little walker for Gianna. I talked to or brag about Gianna every morning. So I was excited about her offer. Our baby likes to crawl, but maybe soon, she will walk. This is a big step forward, every pun intended.

Remembering the COLD!

That title says it all. I was thinking about last year when I was stir crazy when John came home each night.
Last year I had a tiny three week old baby and most of the time she slept. I didn't do the blog thing yet so there was only so much Oprah one can watch. So when John would come home I would attack him to take me places. I wasn't supposed to lift heavy things yet and that meant the car seat with the baby in it so I was stuck at home. John tried to reason with me. Are you sure you want to take the baby to germ infested Target?
Sure I said No one will look at her and we can put a blanket on top.
Are you sure you want to take your baby out when it's so cold outside.
Sure we will put that same safety blanket that keeps out all germs and always keeps the baby warm on her.
Are you sure? He mistakenly tried to reason with me.
I gave him the look of doom and my fingernails started to come undone. It was my- GET ME OUT OF THIS HOUSE NOW look or YOU MAY NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE ALIVE AGAIN.

So off we went. It's true I did take my baby to germ infested Target. But you couldn't catch me yucky awful germ infested Wal-Mart. I did have standards for my new preemie baby and all.

So today when my walking partner couldn't go for a walk today. I did the smart thing. I stayed inside under a blanket! Wow, I've gotten so smart in just one year!

Last years attempt to get out of the house.

More From the Library and stuff

John always says that people tell him things. They get deep really fast. It's true. I've seen strangers tell John things very personal. It's a gift he has.
I'm pretty sure I have the same talent. But not with any one over the age of 8. So here is my story:
It was John's turn to look for books while Gianna and I played in the kids section. We had already picked out some books and put them on the bench to get when we left. Gianna went over to play with an activity table and a little girl came up to the bench where we just where. She looked through one of the books we had picked out. She waved and smiled at Gianna. Well that was all Gianna needed and she smiled back and headed straight to her. Gianna pulled herself up on the bench and started to touch the girl. I didn't want Gianna to bother her so I picked Gianna up and held her in my lap.
Then little girl then said," You know what? I'm sick or something." Sniffle sniffle
"Oh," I said. Looking to see if it was the plague or something but remaining calm
"Yup, I have like pink eye or something."
"OK, thanks for letting me know." As I clutched Gianna and we moved away quickly.


WHAT!!!!!!!! Is what I wanted to scream! PINK EYE??!?!?!? Really who takes their child to a PUBLIC Library when they have pink eye?
But instead I calmly turned Gianna away to a different spot and I told John NOT to pick up the book that the little girl had looked at.
Oh well at least we had fun.


But another funny kid story happened to us earlier that day. We all went on a family trip to Target. Normally John doesn't get to go, but we needed to get something and we were all out and about. So we went.
We were in the shoe section and we had just passed a little girl and she said, "Yuck. Someone FARTED."
Well that would not have been so bad, but I did just pass her and then John came by with the cart. I did say to John under my breath- "Well it wasn't me! :)
The little girls mom then replied, "That's not nice to say."
Little girl, "Oh, someone tooted."
Mom slightly embarrassed at this point said, "That's not nice to say either. It wasn't me. Was it you?"

A few moments of silence


Little Girl," Yup it was me."


We quickly left the isle and proceeded to laugh and laugh and laugh. Knowing that one day our little angel will probably do the same thing! :)

at the Library...

She is so smart. This Saturday afternoon we went to the library. We each got a turn to look at books we would like to check out. Gianna had a great time and I hope she takes after her mom and reads.....Dad, not so much.

Sure Free Time

So I've decided what I'm going to give up for Lent already.


OK let's review:
1. I'm not Catholic
2. Lent is still a while away
3. I know I don't need to give anything up because if I did I would have done it as a New Years resolution. But since I didn't do one of those I'm setting my sights on Lent
4. I think the same thing- No need to give anything up when I'm so practically perfect now! (Ha :)

Now back to the Blog. John was sweet and kind and thought he would be nice and put some games on the blog. Well, I'm addicted. I know some of you are too! So that's what I'm giving up. Those games. Time wasters. Life suckers. Places to just Zone. And I'm sure contributors to my carpel tunnel! I just say, " One game. Oh only till I win. Just one more."
See it sounds like an addiction to me. So that's why they have to go.
So here it is a big long warning.
Those games are coming off.

Well, in a few weeks.


You know after some time.




Not right away.




Just until I win one more. :)

New Year Photo's

Well you always ask for more photos. Here is a link to more pics of John and I, and what we did on New Years Eve!

http://devoredaily.blogspot.com/

In Daddy's Hands By the Months

Just Born

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months

11 Months

12 Months


Look at our Big Girl NOW! It's been a great and wonderful year.

Yummy...

Here is a recipe that we love at our house for chicken enchiladas

3 oz of cream cheese softened.
Mix with 1/2 cup of sauteed onions
and in 1 table spoon of green chillies
1/4 tea spoon of cumin
Stir in 2 cups of cooked chicken
Place mixture into flour tortillas*
I try to use wheat. You know you got to get healthy somewhere.

For topping mix remaining can of chilies (4 oz can)
1 cup of sour cream and 1 can of mushroom soup. Pour on top of tortillas.

Cook 375 for 20 minutes covered
Then place 1/2 cup grated cheese on top and cook 5 min or until cheese is melted.

Yummy Right?!?!?!

*Do not use cinnamon sugar tortillas that look like wheat tortillas. It's not good at all. In any way shape or form!

Today is your Birthday

Dearest Little One,
Today, one year ago you officially made me mommy. Most of the action happened on the 7th. The Doctor asked me what day you should be born. I said when ever she comes she comes. You made it just barely on the 8th at 12:02. I was so tired. I was scared. Daddy was too but he didn't tell anybody. He was worried for you and me both, but we were fine. They took you away from me right away. You see you came a tad too early and they wanted to make sure you were going to be OK.
The next day we got tons of visitors. You were so popular! You were also SO tiny. The tiniest baby I had ever seen or held. I was sure you were going to be a week late just like me but you came 6 weeks early! That first week was a blur. You had to stay under the lights, and I didn't get to hold you very much. Then they made me go home and you had to stay two more days. I cried a lot when I had to leave you. Now we make it OK when we have to leave each other. Sometimes, I still miss you even when it's just for an hour!
Our first trip to the Doctors office was so funny. Daddy and I were so protective of you. We brought a blanket and daddy carried you. But we were still new at this parent thing and we forgot your diaper bag!
You kept growing and growing and growing. Some people say you are small or petite, but to me you are the perfect size because you are you. I laugh more because of you. I smile more and I love more. All because I wanted you so very much and I prayed for you and I dreamed of you. This first year has been wonderful. I haven't always had the most patience. I still like to sleep more that I like to get up in the middle of the night with you. But I love you so very very much.
May this next year be filled with wonder, joy and more love. May you grow in the knowledge of Jesus and be blessed as his child. May you bring your name to life- and be a gracious gift of joy to all those around you!

Last Year

Do you remember a moment? An exact time and place of where you were? I do. Last year at this exact time- 9:30- I called John in (More like yelled with concern) as he was watching his bowl game. You see I had gone to bed at 7:30 because I was tired. We had gone to church, gone out to eat and then grocery shopping.
But my little baby decided she didn't have enough room in my tummy any more. She needed some stretching room. So she pushed and kicked and got her feet out. And woke me up.
And the rest well.... you can remember all the fun here.

Life is CRAZY...

Yes it is. We just got back into the swing of things on Wednesday. John went back to work. I recovered from my extreme tiredness and Gianna loved being able to finally play with all her new toys. Scooter- we'll he just slept, not much difference for him!
Thursday- that's when life was NOT normal! John's dad got scheduled for surgery. They live in Temple, but it was here at St Joseph's in Bryan. Gianna and I got up Thursday and headed over the the hospital to wait. Two hours in the front room then an hour latter we were waiting with the family in the "holding room." Now quotes- why the quotes? Have you ever seen one of those rooms? Not so much fun. I think they got the names mixed up- or they just thought they would keep the same idea going as the jails have and be cute and change the name up a little. From holding cell to holding room. Now, I have NEVER (I promise Mom) been inside a holding cell, but from what they show on TV (and it SHOULD be the most accurate thing around) holding cells are teeny tiny and dark. Yep, they got it right so far. One single potty shared by two rooms, they did have a door so OK we made it a step up. Constant racket outside the door, so you are always hoping you are next, but no window to the outside so you can keep track of day. Close match to me.
Now, try to entertain a 12 month old in that room. I really didn't want her to crawl, but holding her for 3 hours wasn't so much fun. We collected all sorts of fun on the ground hospital germs. Except for the runny nose this morning she is OK.
Grandpa was a trooper. For a 1 hour surgery he turned it into 4 and got to stay the night. We've already been up to see him this morning and he should be on his way back to Temple tonight. Along with us. One more trip on the end of a busy holiday travel season. No problem. We can take it. I'm an expert packer and besides the car has it's own "holding room" qualities!

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2008. WOW! In less than a week little Gianna Joy will have been here a year.

Today we did what we traditionally do on New Years- take down Christmas and watch the Rose Bowl Parade. No one told me that it's hard to do this after you stay up till 1 the night before wishing everyone a Happy New Year and singing Old Lang Sine (or whatever the real lyrics are) and the still have to get up at the crack of dawn because the baby does! I know I know only 1 oclock you ask, but hey- we felt like we were PARTY animals because we usually hit the bed at 10 on the dot!
I got up with Gianna today, but was in a walking coma. I did not have too much celebrating last night just a little I PROMISE, but I was really "lack of sleep drunk." The kind where you are awake and you try to do the things on your to do list, but can't even function, or move off the couch because you are so out of it kind of thing. That kind of lack of sleep drunk. I am so grateful that I have quickly forgotten what it is like to survive on VERY little sleep. You have to do it when the baby is a newborn, but ..... THEY SLEEP DURING THE DAY TOO! So you can nap right along with them. John and I both tried to go to sleep during Gianna's morning nap, but he was more successful than I was because- I heard her wake up and he kept right on sleeping.
I did take a nap during her second nap and after all the Christmas was put away. But still...
I didn't fully recover from the day until the fourth quarter of the Texas Tech game when they came from behind and beat up on Virgina!
I do promise more pictures and such from our Christmas, but given the length of this post on how tired I am, you will have to wait!
2008 will bring us many things and many more fun glimpses into our little Princess' life, and sure- more pictures!!!!!
May your 2008 be filled with hope, joy and love.