Random Stuff
Amelia had her 18 month check up today! My little (BIG) girl is growing like a weed, finally!
Here are her current numbers (you can read about her last appointment here):
Weight: 23lbs and 4 oz (most weight she’s gained, ever, in between visits!)
Height: 31.5 inches
She has 4 molars coming in; one on each side - top and bottom! My little (BIG) girl is going to be able to chew more efficiently soon!
Amelia, for the last week and some odd days, has been eating cereal - such as Cheerios - on her own each morning! Yes, an actual bowl of cereal with milk! And each morning, when she’s done, she will tip the bowl and yell out “BIG MESS” to which I just laugh at her.
To celebrate Amelia’s check-up (and weight gain) we decided to go out to dinner (plus, both of us were feeling lazy). We debated on where to go: Pastore’s, Texas Roadhouse, or Outback. We decided on Texas Roadhouse since it was closer and we haven’t been there in over a year (Easter 2007, when Greg’s Dad was in town, was the last time. Plus, this was the restaurant that Greg and I went to on our first date - even though, at the time, we didn’t call it a date, but looking back we both agree that it was a date). I beat Greg to the restaurant and get us a table (in the section that I like to call: Kids Freezer because it was fucking cold and that’s where they stuck all the people who had kids with them - all the way in the back of the restaurant). About 10 minutes go by and no Greg (and I asked the waitress to keep an eye out for him since we were so far away from the entrance), so I decide to call him and my phone has no service - it’s on emergency calls only! So, I pack up Amelia and head outside and try to call Greg. Phone was giving me so many issues and I was getting angry (at the phone). Finally, I call Greg and he’s all “Where are you?!” all frantic and stuff. And I said that I was at Texas Roadhouse and he replied “WHAT!! I’ve been at the Outback waiting for YOU!”
Not uh!
So, I’m starting to get all mad at him because I KNOW I said Texas Roadhouse!! I ask him if he wants me to wait for him, or pay the tab (just two sodas) and meet him at Outback (which was about 20-30 min away). He said he’d come to me.
I go back inside and sit Amelia in the high chair and giver her some of the warm bread rolls (so she doesn’t freeze to death) and wait. About 5 minutes later Greg appears. I look at him suspiciously because there’s no way he could have made it from Outback to Texas Roadhouse in 5 minutes. Finally, he cracks and tells me that he made a stupid mistake on his way here (tried to be slick with taking a back road to beat me and he ended up going in the wrong direction) and played a joke on me. He was lucky he wasn’t sitting across from me because my foot probably would have made it to the spot where the sun don’t shine!
Dinner was nice (aside from being cold) and uneventful. As we were leaving the restaurant, Amelia was telling everyone bye-bye and waiving. She’s such a ham!
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Tomorrow, being a day off for me, is going to be busy! Co-workers of Greg are asking about Amelia so I’m going to stop by his office for a bit; my company is hosting a “bring your child to work” day, so I’m going to stop by for a bit. And then, once I am done visiting the work places, I am heading down to meet my Mom in Waldorf and we’re going to do a little dress shopping!! I am so freaking excited about this!! Finally, the time has come that I can seriously start wedding related shopping - especially for my dress!!! I swear, I wasn’t anywhere near this excited when I was marrying Adam; which just means (and proves) to me that Greg and I are truly meant for each other.
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On the work front, I received my annual evaluation and my raise percentage and bonus!! The company bases the raise and bonus on your overall score of 1-5. The lower the number, the higher the raise and bonus. It’s a well known fact that NO ONE gets a one. So, the next best is a two. Well, my dear readers, I received a two!! Which means I constantly meet AND exceed expectations. So, I know my new salary amount (which is nice - not amazing, but nice) and I receive the same bonus amount as I did last year (also, because last year I scored a two). What’s even more exciting (for me at least) is that this week is a pay week, next week we receive our bonus check (which will be more than an actual paycheck for me - but then again, I have a lot of deductions from my paycheck) and the following week will be another pay week - so for the next 3 weeks, we’re going to be receiving some money!!! Which is another reason we decided to go out and eat tonight.
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Due to our new, temporary, wealth we are moving forward with our plans to visit Ocean City, MD at the end of the month!! My Mom is so excited; she loves the beach. Also, since my Mom’s 49th birthday is this month, we’re going to treat her as a birthday present.
So, our hunt for an affordable hotel in OC has begun. We have a goal of no more than $200 a night (we’re going to be staying for two nights) - and it’s a little challenging. We;re looking for an efficacy type room with a little kitchenette (so we won’t have to spend so much money on restaurants). But, I think it helps that we’re going to be staying during the week, rather than the weekend.
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Greg had a follow-up appointment about a week about with his physician (and he’ll continue to go every three months). Greg has been loosing weight consistently over the last 3-4 months. The amount is small (about 20lbs all together) and I’ve already noticed a difference on him. We’ve altered our eating habits (less snacking really) and have switched to whole grain everything. Greg has also converted to diet soda and sugar-free drinks (which is huge of him to do!). He’s shared all of this with his physician and the only thing we need to work on is: more exercise. And we both know this. And our excuse is lack of time. Which, when you have a toddler seems a legitimate excuse! Well, to solve this ‘issue’, we’ve been on a major, serious, hunt for the Wii Fit. And, we almost had one this past Monday (the store just sold the last one about a half hour before I got there). These damn things are nearly impossible to find in stock (except for eBay)!!! Maybe I’ll get lucky tomorrow and find one.
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July is going to be a hella busy (and hot) month for us! Every weekend we have some place/event to attend. I’m not complaining though - I want summer to hurry up and be over with! The closer to January, the happier I’ll be.
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I am going to drive myself crazy with the up coming cruise! First, I’m checking, DAILY, if the cost per person has gone down for our sailing - because if it has, I can get the lower price!! Second, all the shore excursions to choose from! How am I to pick? Third, with so many destinations to choose from, I want to book another cruise ASAP!! Especially a transatlantic cruise. Oh, Greg and I have been lusting over the cruise catalog on the European ports. We’ve decided/agreed to take a transatlantic cruise within the next 5 years - and it’s going to be a family cruise! Over all, I can totally see myself getting addicted to cruising!
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alright, it’s after midnight (for the second night in a row) and I need to get to bed.
Sunday Driving
I drove to the tippy top of Maryland (Conowingo, MD) today for Jay’s 30th Birthday.
The party was a small, informal affair. I got to catch-up with Jay’s grandma and on his side of the family as well as meet some of his in-laws. We all had a good time. Greg took all the pictures since I spent most of my time chatting and tending to Amelia (and letting her pour water all over me and herself).
The drive was fun-ish. The reason I say that is because people in upper Harford County and Cecil County drive the.exact.speed.limit and that drove me crazy.
Greg took some really nice pictures:
Here’s one of the Conowingo Dam:
And here are some of my favorite pictures, all taken by Greg:
And here are some pictures of the Birthday Boy and his cakes:
once the festivities quited, Jay and I sat outside and chatted for a few minutes:
and, last but not least, a cute picture of Leslee (Jay’s wife) and Amelia:
Leslee snagged Amelia as she was running towards the steps.
All in all, it was a great day (warm and humid, but great). It was nice to get out and drive around to new places.
Jay said to me “you’re the youngest 30 year old I know.” I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not - I think it is. Maybe it’s because I haven’t changed since high/middle school (personality and all that - and actually, my physical appearnce hasn’t aged that much either (just 15lbs heavier)); which has its faults - I think. When compairing myself to those that I graduated with - I’m no where near where they are on the ‘grown-up ladder’ - I’m not married (yet), I don’t own a house, I don’t have 2.7 children, I don’t have a career (so to speak) and really… I don’t feel ’settled’ - or that I’ve ‘dug in my roots’. And, I don’t think I’ll ever feel ’settled’; it’s not something that I want to accomplish and, really, I don’t know if I have things that I want to accomplish (aside from the obvious: home owner and things related) - things that will advance me up the ‘grown-up’ ladder. I don’t feel I need to achieve a certain ’status’ in life. Greg used to feel like that; he had to have this ’status’ by a certain age (marriage and things of the sort) and that’s why he ’settled’ on his ex: it was what he was suppose to do at that age in his life. He’s since opened his eyes and learned that’s not how one is suppose to live their life (but more like you’re suppose to live life as it’s provided to you), and I deeply feel that’s why Greg and I are going to be together ’til death do us part’ - because we live life as it’s presented to us. There’s no schedule, no status, it is what it is and we’re happy with what we have. Maybe that’s why I’m “the youngest 30 year old” to Jay - my outlook on life hasn’t changed since we became friends 16+ years ago; therefore I’m forever young (at heart).
Random Talk
We’ve done some major shopping this week.
On Thursday Greg bought (ordered) a new lens for the camera:
I’ll let the website describe the lens:
“Fix the Canon EF 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Ultra-wide Zoom Lens to your camera and capture high-quality close-up shots. This lens combines a lightweight and compact design with a 1:3.5-4.5 aperture to deliver high-performance for your Canon EOS SLR digital camera systems. It boasts three aspherical elements and a Super Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element to give you enhanced image quality for a true cinematic experience. In addition, a ring-type USM means fast and silent AF along with full-time manual focus. With close-focusing of up to 0.79 feet and an inner focusing system, this USM lens offers precision focusing for versatile and easy subject selection.” Basically, it’s a wide angle lens. We’re going to be able to include more of the subject and surroundings in the picture - perfect for our cruise in just over six months!
It’s not a cheap lens (gotta spend money to make money), by any means (but it is cheaper than some of the others out there), but we feel this is, more or less, an investment as we’re planning on selling our pictures one day (we’ve already looked into the sites/groups that you can post your pictures for sale) and have joined a few organizations to get our foot in the door.
That lens was Greg’s wish list item; my wish list item (and better be our next lens purchase) is for a macro lens! Except, Greg fears that I will never let him have the DSLR back since I am a macro whore.
Greg was just telling me (as we were reviewing some of my pictures from last weeks trip to the park) that I “think like a photographer; you see the shot in your mind before you take the picture.” rather than “point and shoot”, which he says he’s guilty of. Hearing compliments like that, from Greg (and a lot of other friends/family, but more importantly Greg) make me feel really good; like I have this really cool ability that isn’t easily aquired by everyone else (such as other peoples ability to write their emotions so others can feel what they’re feeling - just by words); like, I have a talent! And, honestly, feedback like that drives me to really want to learn about photography more and how I can improve my ‘talent’. My only set-back is my learning skills; I’m one of those people that learn best by actually doing, rather than just reading. I need to physically do the lesson, which someone showing me how it’s done, in order for the information to retain. I can read a book, but that only gives comprehension to what I am doing, it doesn’t show me what I am doing.
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It was a hot and humid day today and we were going to go to the park but decided to run our usual errands and call it a day. Instead we decided to go out to lunch, which is something we haven’t done in a long time (well, since Greg’s birthday) and then head over to Books-A-Million for some reading material/self help books. Can you believe we spent just under $100 at the bookstore?! Greg and I love bookstores and can easily spend days in them! If it were possible, we would have a wedding registry at a bookstore. Anyway, we bought The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises (so we can read up on the ports of call, the cruise lines, and a whole shit-load of other things about the Caribbean), the Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide (so we can learn more about the 40D), and, for me, Photoshop Elements 5.0 for Dummies (in hopes of learning the full potential that PS offers). We also bought a few small things for Amelia (a color and texture book and another stuffed bear) and a birthday card for Jay. After the bookstore we ran over to the Super Wal-Mart for some baby needs and a few groceries. Then we came home and just relaxed as we watched the O’s vs. Nat’s game.
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July is looking to be another busy month for us - which is fine by me; the sooner time flies, the closer we get to our cruise (which I am really starting to get excited about). We have a few birthday parties to attend, then there’s the week the babysitter is going to be on vacation, so my Mom is going to watch Amelia, and at the end of the month we still might be going to Ocean City, MD (nothign definate).
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Earlier this week, I was casually talking with the Babysitter (upcoming ceremony and the reception and how I’ve been thinking about a part time job) and she informed me of LiveOps. LiveOps is a virtual call center that you work from home! So, I checked out the website and I meet all the requierments but one: landline phone; which is easy to resolve. I talked, briefly, to Greg about it (after researching the company’s website) and I’m borderline considering ‘applying’. It’s convienent to ‘work’; the calls I would receive (from my understanding) would be those from info-mercials (and things of that sort) and just place the order; it’s all scripted; and you get paid by the minute (that you’re actually on the phone). It seems pretty simple and worth looking in to.
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Well, it’s well past midnight and we have a busy day tomorrow… err, later in the day. Signing off.
Double Take
Our Twins
Originally uploaded by creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign
When Amelia was 4 mos. old, I was contacted, via Flickr, of another mommy of a 4 mos. old whose daughter looked just.like.Amelia.
After exchanging a few emails we learned a lot about our daughters and how they are nearly identical twins. Amelia is one week, to the day, older than Lo.
Even to this day our daughters are identical! They are in the same weight range, diaper/clothing size, everything. Lo did start growing teeth a few days before Amelia, as well as walking, but eveything else in their growth and development has been together.
It’s freaky cool!
Anyway, Lo’s Mom made this photo for a Flickr group, “duets”. The picture on the left is Amelia and the one on the right is Lo.
The photo shoot was also a ‘twin moment’ as we took the pictures without the other knowing until they were uploaded.
This and That
A whole lot of nothing has been going on… sorta.
It’s nice to know that some things, price wise and such, are going down for me - rather than increasing. What, might you be wondering to yourself, in the current world be decreasing in price? Well, my car insurance! It’s actually $5/month cheaper this year than last years, and that’s including the car accident I had last July! Hey, $5 less is better than $5 more!
This is the year of 30. Every single one of Greg’s friends, and Greg himself, are turning, or have turned, 30 this year. Shoot, this coming Sunday I am going to Jay’s 30th Birthday party! I’m the odd one out for the year. Oh well.
Today was an extremely busy day. And oddly enough, it was a good day. Today I broke my all time record on productivity; but I had no choice since 6 people decided to not show up for work!!! There is a lot of speculation going on, around the office, about those that called out - some are thinking it was intentional - kind of like that Pregnancy Pact up in Massachusetts. Either way, tomorrow should be interesting.
There is some sad news: One of Greg’s friends, Billy (who turned 30 in May) has been in and out of the hospital since April (actually, he was admitted right after his daughter’s 2nd Birthday Party - which Greg and I, with Amelia, attended). His status isn’t good and the doctors at Hopkins don’t know what’s wrong. This morning Greg received an email from Billy’s wife (who also works at the same company) giving everyone an update. Here are a few excerpts from the email:
I want to give you all an update on Billy. He is in terrible shape. Over the past week he has had one major surgery to remove his large intestine, and then two subsequent major, emergency surgeries because of intermittent uncontrolled bleeding.
He has had at least 15 blood transfusions (I’ve lost count) and has something like 16 IVs pumping various drugs into him.
He has been declared a trauma patient because of the terrible stress his body has been subject to over three major surgeries.
He is fighting for his life.
Those are just a few sentences from the email. Greg is scared; he mentioned what Billy is going through is sort of a wake-up call in life for him. That last sentence from Billy’s wife “He is fighting for his life” is scary to read and comprehend the severity of the situation. Billy just turned 30 years old. He has a gorgeous 2 year old daughter and an amazing and beautiful wife. His life is just beginning! It’s also scary at how quickly his ‘illness’ has progressed - he’s so weak right now. In a sense, this kind of reminds me what me and my family were going through back in late October 2005 (the link was the very first post about my aunt and started the 7 weeks) - when my aunt was dying; the time from her diagnosis to death was 7 weeks. She was 44 when she died in December 2005. We were all in shock at how quickly everything happened. I really hope the same isn’t happening with Billy. I’m not much of one to ask for prayers, but I am sure Billy could use some - and he and his family are definitely in my thoughts and hopes for a speedy recovery.
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Hard to change the subject after the last paragraph…
Let’s talk about something wedding related, shall we?
Ok. I’ve been debating if I want a veil or not. And, if I do, I want something short - maybe shoulder length. I do know, that if I do want a veil that I am going to have the veil attached to a tiara, rather than hair combs. So, this past Sunday I took Amelia with me to A.C. Moore, a craft store, to look around at some of the DYI bridal ’stuff’. Yeah, didn’t leave much to be desired. But, I did find a tiara that I kinda sorta like:
it’s two toned; gold and non-gold. I like the design, simple and not too flashy (if at all). But still not feeling ‘it’. I’ve been looking around on eBay as well and haven’t found anything either. Eh, maybe I’ll go without - after all, it’s a simple eloping ceremony, right?
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Have you ever had one of those days where something sticks out about the date? Today was one of those days. There was something about 6/23 the kept ringing something… and then I relized what it is: today is Adam’s 33rd birthday. I knew his birthday was coming up (I never forget a birthday, seriously. I’m freaky about dates like that). There was a brief moment when I thought about sending him an email (our last exchange was in January) but I decided against it. I haven’t thought about, much less cared, about him since I received the divorce papers in the mail. So, just for shit’s sake, I went through my old emails from him (keeping a record just in case) and re-reading his replies brought up some anger - again. Eh, that’s all in the past and I’ve moved on - I got my divroce and there is nothing else I need from him. Booked closed.
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Remember when I was talking about Boudior photos; well I got a little creative and had Greg take a few photos. I’m going to post a few, because they turned out really good, in a password protected post - leave a comment if your curious (they’re clean and tasteful).
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I’m getting sleepy so I’m heading off to bed.
Grill at the Park
This morning Greg’s Mom calls and suggests we have a BBQ at the park.
Yay!! I’ve been wanting to go to Patapsco Valley State Park for a long time (since 2002).
The plan was to meet at the park around 4pm. Greg and I decided to take advantage of cooking on the (charcoal) grill and stopped at Wal-Mart to buy extra meat to cook so we can have pre-cooked meals for the next few days.
I’ve never been to Patapsco Park before, so the sights were all new to me and I didn’t know what to expect. The park is huge! And, there is a small stream and river that goes through and around the park. I love rivers! I spent a good bit of my early childhood at the old Savage Mill and playing in the river.
We found where Greg’s Mom and brother set up ‘camp’ and we began our cooking and exploring. Also, there was a nice little play area near the ‘camp site’. The weather was perfect! The bugs were minimal. The drunks were mostly tolerable. Over all, it was a great day! Here are my favorite pictures of the day:
You can see all of the pictures here.
Oh Yeah!!
Has a year gone by so fast? I just pulled your lease and see it is due the end of August 2009. You have both been wonderful tenants. We are definitely interested in renewing for another year. We will keep the same terms if that is agreeable by you. Let us know and we can set a date for lease signing in later in August.
-CondoGuy
Oh yeah!!! We’re renewing!!! WITH NO INCREASE IN OUR RENT!!!!
This has made our summer; no more worries, we can move full speed with our wedding reception plans; we can buy patio/deck furniture - we solid for another year!
Can I get a “W00t W00t”?
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In other awesome news:
We finally have our awesomely amazing luggage tags!! These things are actually really nice; better than I was expecting!
Yay!! A Happy Ending for a Thursday!!!
