Labor Day Weekend

We had a nice Labor Day Weekend. Our friend, Roberto, came in from Houston to visit. We had a nice picnic with delicious Boston Market Food and felt like a nap afterwards. But we forced ourselves on a lovely hike instead. You would never know it was New Mexico when you get up into these mountains. Hadley had fun during the picnic trying to run away and invade other peoples' picnics. She enjoyed the dirt, and I lost count of how many times we had to fish pebbles and acorns out of her mouth. She fussed quite a bit in the backpack, so almost the entire way down Chris and I took turns just holding her in our arms. But we still had fun!Can you believe this is New Mexico?! Not what used to come to my mind. And it is really pretty close to where we live!

Chris and his friends had a guys night out, had a baby-free hike, and we all got a bit of relaxing in as well. As for our life, we are still house-hunting, and getting more discouraged every day. Chris got news that he passed the bar, and I must brag a bit...he did exceptionally well! I finally found a soccer team to join that plays during the week. Seems that Sunday is a popular day to play, and I told my friends I could play anyday but that one. I am planning on joining a craft fair in October, and am hoping to sell a lot of my etsy shop items there, so I try to sew when I get the chance.

As for Hadley updates, she is almost 17 months. For a while I felt like she was speaking new words a lot- every few days, but it seems to have slowed a little. She said 'up' today when she wanted down- is that really progress? But she also says 'ball' now, and she runs around the house with my soccer ball throwing it down, picking it up, and actually kicking it around too. She thinks it is really funny when I dribble it around her, and she tries to get it away from me. Tonight she really pulled a new one...she was coughing like crazy in her crib and I went in to check on her and she stood up, giggled, and reached for me to let her out. I laid her back down and left and the coughing started up again. Can you say manipulative?

GIVEAWAY!

One of my very best friends is doing a giveaway to help me celebrate my etsy shop. Her adorable little girl, Natalie, is modeling one of the outfits I made. You just have to go to http://www.veaterfam.blogspot.com/ to enter, and while you are at it you can enter a few others that she has going on!

We are Home!

Ah- so finally Hadley and I returned from our vacation! Chris is working now, and I am officially staying at home. Now is the time when I would be going to back-to-school meetings, and apparently it is a good thing I am not trying to get a job here, because they have laid off tons of teachers and are currently in a hiring freeze!

My vacation was nice, but it was also a rough one. Family time was wonderful, nothing rough there. My visit included a hospital and urgent care trip for myself, some much needed rest, a fun high school reunion, catching up with friends, and some late nights playing games! I was taken care of by my mother like I was a child again. She made me soup, gave me medicines, made me tea, and even cancelled her work so she could watch my child for me. And one night when Hadley was difficult and not sleeping (it only happened twice) she and my dad took her and let me go to sleep.

It does seem I get sick when I fly. I can teach high school and not get what is going around. Chris would come home from the law school sick and I wouldn't catch it from him, but flying gets me almost every time.

So far back at home we are just settling in. Laundry, unpacking, organizing, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. I LOVE being able to make decent dinners. Today I started around 4 to make a delicious Spanish-style pizza that was ready near 7. Chris and I have been eating dinners from a new cookbook- The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook. I love that I can spend time preparing a meal that take more time and energy.

We are going to get back into the routine of things here, and even start to house-hunt! Below are some random pics from vacation. The first is Hadley and Cash- our friend's from college little kiddo- just a few months older than Hadley.Alex, one of my former students made us a wonderful dinner while in Utah. She is going off to college now!My sister, Alyssa, and Hadley in Sea Port Village in San Diego. Hadley wasn't too thrilled about the bird, but had it been a dog...that would have been different. She loves dogs! I am old! I went to my 10 year high school reunion and met up with my friend that I went to elementary, middle and high school with! Seeing Tina was a highlight of the night! And Jade! I played field hockey and soccer through high school with her! She still looked so very much the same!This one was taken in Missouri. Hadley's cousins were reading to her at bedtime. So cute!Hadley stole the piece of chocolate that my grams had given to me on my way out the door and shoved it into her mouth before I knew what to do. Little girl likes chocolate- like her momma!

A Day at Balboa Park

Yesterday we had such a wonderful day! After finally giving in and going in to the doctor here I found that I did indeed rupture my eardrum on the flight out here. (I screamed on the plane when it happened and was in so much pain. I'm sure people thought I was a nut case). I also am in the beginning stages of a sinus infection among other things. So, that was no good. But after we found that out I once again drugged myself so I could cope for a while and we headed out to San Diego. We met up with my grandparents at Balboa Park. I used to play there as a child- as did my mother when she was growing up. We rode the kiddie train and the carousel. Hadley has so much fun and aside from the sickness, it was pretty blissfull. We went to the grandparent's house afterwards and ate a nice rib dinner and played games. So fun!
Grandma gave me a chocolate as I was leaving and Hadley saw it in my hand as I was buckling her in her seat. She swiped it out of my hand and shoved it in her mouth before I knew what was going on. Do you think she enjoyed it?


I know my little one is not smiling in these photos, but she really did have a ton of fun. She was squealing on the carousel...it is just really hard to capture it on the camera with her. It's like she goes serious.

New Outfit!

I have an etsy shop where I sell baby clothes and items (mostly for girls). I was trying to branch out and figure out a more girly top to go with the pants I make. Let me know what you think. I LOVE it! Hopefully I can make some (they are so easy an quick to make) and post them and get some sales here.
Soon I hope to have a handful of these up in the etsy shop. It's a good thing they are quick to sew, because I don't have as much time to sew as I would have thought I would have staying home with my girl.

My Cookie Monster!

My little girl got a special treat. I was making cookies and decided to give her one. All for herself. She has once in a while gotten such a treat, but just a small bit. This time I gave her a whole one and she ate it all up without leaving a crumb and came back for more! Someone loves chocolate chip cookies!

Arizona Trip

Yes, I am still posting pictures from the time I spent in Arizona. My sister lives there, as do Chris' grandparents. We got to see Great-Grandma Lloyd and Great-Grandparents Lisonbee. Chris' folks happened to be visiting out there at the same time, so we saw them as well. It made me think of last year when I visited them with my new baby. I was so proud and it was so nice to have them share in my excitement.

I had a REALLY nice time in Arizona, and we went swimming lots to beat the heat. Below are just a few other random pictures taken while we were there.

Of course Hadley wouldn't smile in the pictures with her cousin. They have a pool in the backyard where we took the pictures and Hadley was more interested in trying to get in. Even Keiya had to help keep her away from the pool. But the pics with cousins Niyah and Keiya turned out great! I LOVE to see how much they love and admire one another. I know they are going to be best friends! Lately Chris and I have been saying how Hadley needs a sibling. I hope Hadley will be that loving toward a sibling when that time comes.