Friday Favorites...

So my sister Tracy does "Thankful Thursdays" on her blog.  I was chatting with her last night and decided it is something I would like to do, but it was too late for me to start last night (Ry-guy was sleeping and I try to get as much sleep while he is sleeping as I can).  So for this week, I am doing Favorite Friday! Here are a "few of my favorite things" (Feel free to sing to yourself as you say it)

1. My Son- this will be on all my "favorite things" posts so I will be specific for each one... this week, his BLUE eyes.

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2.  Laying in bed and listening to the rain- too bad it is 103 degrees here today.

3.  When J-Lo makes me dinner- I'll be honest- he does ALL the cooking... I am a lucky girl!

4. My family- they rock, every single one of them! I need to do a post on these amazing people. Read about my dad specifically in one of my earlier blogs.

5. Corn on the cob... I swear I could eat 100 ears of it! 

6. New shoes- they make any outfit feel cuter...

7. Doing laundry- nope, I don't need my head examined, I really do love it!  It could be my AWESOME washer and dryer too... 

8. White Mochas- I like them from anywhere, but It's A Grind's are the best!

9. Hawaii- so many good memories there.

10. A hot bath with candles lit around the tub.

What are some of your favorite things?  Do we share any favorite things?

Happy Friday everyone! 

Cars

I have been the proud owner of two cars in the 12 years I have been driving.  First a Ford Escort (loved that little car) and now a Volkswagen Jetta.  I love my car and don't feel the need to have a new one anytime soon.  J-Lo has a Ford F 150 pick-up truck (which I really enjoy driving!) and had a Ford Ranger when we met (he LOVES Ford automobiles).  From time to time we like to talk about the next car we will buy.  Depending on my mood that day or a new car I have seen recently, my choice changes.  Because J-Lo loves Fords, he thinks that I should get a Ford Taurus or Crown Victoria.  Both of them are very nice cars, but not something I am interested in (mainly because they aren't much different than the car I have now and they are also something I would picture myself driving when I am maybe a little older).   My mom thinks it is funny that he wants me to drive one of these cars and we all joke about it all the time.  When we were in Monterey I found this car and had to take a picture of it.  I think in a perfect world, this is probably the car J-Lo would want me to have....

 

Nice wheels, but I was thinking more along the lines of a car like this...

GMC Acadia

What do you think??? 

Family Vacation Fun!

We took our first overnight trip with little Ry-Guy this last week.  It was beautiful weather in Monterey & Carmel- not 108 degrees like it was at home.  Ry-guy is an excellent traveller, although I must say that we have to bring everything short of the kitchen sink for the little guy!  I say better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.  

Family photo- maybe next time minus the sun!

The entire family was able to make the trip.   Everyone enjoyed each other's company and Ry-guy was able to hang out with some of his favorite people.  We hiked on the rocks and looked in the tide pools.  You should have seen Tracy, Julie and me... we were like little kids when we found all of the starfish and sea anemones.  Mom and I walked on the beach up and back and saw a ton of dolphins... I so enjoy their company and feel so fortunate to have each of them in my life.  

Ry-guy snoozing with Auntie Juju  

Our favorite men making breakfast

J-Lo and I also shared our anniversary in Monterey.  It was perfect because it is one of our favorite places.  We went to the Chart House for dinner and when we got our bill, the waitress said Ry-guy had taken care of the bill with a gift card.  Can you believe it? A two month old paid our bill!  I think he might have been helped out by some special grandparents I know... 

J-Lo and I on our anniversary

Family vacations are some of the best memories I have and I enjoy continuing to make them with our new additions to the family!

My favorite girls!

The Doctor's Office

Ry-guy is two months old today.  I can't believe how quickly the time passes.  We took him to his doctor appointment this morning and the doctor said he healthy!  Although I had no doubt he is doing well, it is always nice to hear it from someone who went to school for so long to learn about babies! :-)  The unfortunate part about the two month appointment is that it included his first round of shots.  I was so glad J-Lo was with me.  He held little man while they poked him.  I think it was more traumatic for me than it was for him.  After giving him the three pokes he cried a little-we gave him his pacifier- and he was ready for a nap.  God was smiling down on me the day he made my son... I am SO LUCKY!  The doctor said he might be fussy, but so far, we are all good.  (The little bit of Tylenol we gave him before his appointment might have helped us out too!)  

I am glad my Ry-guy is healthy because that has not been the case for me.  For any of the breast feeding mom's out there, be sure to get any signs of mastitis checked out right away.  I write about this in attempt to get more awareness out there of this  infection.  

I believe my case started a little over two weeks ago.  I was at the doctor already for my last check up and the doctor saw the redness on my breast.  She did not seem concerned so I wasn't.  A few days later I called the advice nurse because it wasn't getting better and there was a large lump.  The common question is always "do you have a fever?"  In my case, the answer was no.  When I told the nurse about the lump and the BRIGHT RED spot, she got me an appointment the next day.  I went to the appointment, received the antibiotic and continued with the usual suggestions for treatment- warm compresses, rest and nursing as much as possible.  After a few more days, my symptoms were the same, if not worse.  I have always thought that antibiotics should work within 24-48 hours... not happening.  I called the advice nurse again.  This advice nurse that I spoke with was not concerned and said to call back if things got worse... 

A few days later the doctor that delivered Ry-guy called to check in... she asked how I was (she probably wishes she hadn't!) and I told her the story.  She got me an appointment for an ultrasound THAT DAY to have it checked out.  WHEW... finally, someone else who was thinking this huge lump and red sore were not a good thing... When I got to the appointment, I regretted immediately that I didn't bring someone with me.  The whole process was pretty scary- after they did an ultrasound, they did an aspiration (drained) the now LARGE abscess.  It was pretty painful (in my opinion) and I was bummed that I had let this go so far.  The nurse (she was so sweet) assured me there was nothing I did to have this happen... it just does.  

So after the aspiration, my doctor called again and had me come to see her to check on the spot... after seeing me she wanted me to see a surgeon to see about possible removal of the lump... AAAHHHH... was all I could think.  Two appointments (with a rather good looking surgeon) later, we discovered that the antibiotics were beginning to work and surgery wasn't necessary- for now.  WHEW.  After a roller coaster of emotions I can only hope it continues to get better!  

Any new mom's out there, make sure to take care of yourselves.  I was so happy it was me and not Ry-guy with the issue, but I should have taken better care of getting into the doctor when the antibiotic wasn't working.  

He is getting SO BIG!  2 months and 12 pounds! (couldn't be the chubby cheeks?)

A First Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my AMAZING Husband and Dad!

My sister beat me to talking about how wonderful my dad is... Tracy has a gift of writing her feelings and in this case, the way she feels about our dad is exactly the way I do.  He is a role model for each of his daughters and so many others.  From sewing dresses to teaching us how to waterski... we have learned so much from my dad and have many memories we will treasure for a lifetime. 

In addition to his role as our dad, my dad has a new "hat" he wears with love and pride... Grandpa! One of Ry-guy's favorite places to be is sleeping on "Pop's" chest. Pops loves to give Ry-guy baths and they enjoy spending time together.  I can't help but smile each time I watch my dad interact with little "Ry-guy".  I am sure this will be something I blog about again very soon...

My STUD barefootin' dad

So proud to walk down the isle with him...

Proud "Pops"

Fortunately, I have another incredible dad to talk about this Father's day... J-Lo.  Ry-guy has already discovered, in his 7 weeks of life, what an wonderful dad he has (Gracie reminds Ry-guy just in case he forgets). Watching J-lo and how much he loves our son is something I can't get enough of... I just know the two of them are going to be best friends as Ry-guy gets older and they do all their activities together.   When we were in the hospital after Ry-guy was born, I didn't change one diaper... J-Lo changed them EVERY TIME!  (Don't worry, I do change them from time-to-time now.)

J-Lo with our son and "doghter" 

Truly the LOVES of my life

One last thing I must mention are the people in my life that don't have their dad's here to share this day with.  I am thinking of you and I hope that memories of your dad make you smile today.

Ok friends, this is my first official "solo" (meaning without Tracy's help) blog... let me know how I did! 

From Me to You... :-)

Allow Me To Introduce Myself

     I talked myself out of the iphone - it took me a long time to decide I didn't need one with being at a computer all day at work and having fast internet at home.  Not to mention, having a new little guy means no trips to uncharted territory (no need for GPS).  Maybe i'll get one someday, but not now.  So no iphone means I allowed my sister Tracy to convince me... it's time to start a blog.  

     From me to you... i'll share my experiences - all of them from being a new mom, a wife of almost two years, and a high school counselor.  I live a blessed life, and I am hoping to meet other new moms, find fun ideas and share exciting times with my little Ry guy.  

  

My Little Ry Guy

My husband - lets call him "J-Lo"