Labor Day and other fun!

Well I finished my final week of work August 31st - I think I took multi-tasking to a new level, at least for me anyway....somehow I survived finishing my transition, taking care of Abby & Shelby and the air conditioning at the house going out. Yes, the air quit working and could not have happened at a worse time. Shelby kept saying during & after dinner "Hot, hot". I just thought the oven had heated the kitchen....well then I figured out, the WHOLE house was hot. So, Shelby was RIGHT, it was HOT. We stayed with our neighbors and thankfully Julie's husband had a good air guy that came the next morning. And I signed up for a maintenance program since my Dad, Billy & Phil all asked me "When's the last time you had it serviced?" What?? Who has their air serviced? Why fix what ain't broke, right?! :) Well not anymore....lesson learned, we will have it serviced now.

I am in week 3 of my new job of being SAH Mom and providing childcare for Abby. It is lots of fun, even if a bit tiring, but it's a good tired.....the girls get along great and I think Shelby is really enjoying having a playmate every day! Aunty Andrea (my BFF from Houston) came to visit for Labor Day. Shelby just loved her! She had so much fun playing with her....we went out to eat, shopping (Andrea & I even got to sneak away by ourselves - thanks to Julie!! the break from being "Mom" was good for me) and watched the first OU game at my friend's house. This past weekend we went for a quick trip to OK so the fam could get some "Shelby Time" and I got a haircut. We are looking forward to Daddy coming home in November.

Recently we switched Shelby to whole milk and we are no longer on formula - hooray!! I am SO enjoying only paying $3.69 for a gallon of milk vs. $23.79 for a can of formula! She also weaned off her lunchtime bottle...that was easier than I thought. She didn't even seem to notice. This week we are going to try weaning from the breakfast bottle...we'll see. I may wait on weaning from the nighttime bottle until Dad returns so I have some moral support and don't have to do it by myself! We'll see how this next one goes I guess. She is saying a few more words and she loves to look at our shadows on her wall after her nighttime bottle. It is so cute how she waves at herself and seems fascinated by our shadows on the wall.

Mommie's little angel sleeping...

She may look like Drew, but she sleeps like me - good & late!!

Hmmm, this water is good!!

Shelby took off her bandaids from her shots.

Now THAT is some bedhead hair....thought that was so funny!!

Shelby & Aunty Andrea

Peek-a-boo!!! I was folding laundry & she got hold of my PJs.

Shelby & Abby having some breakfast - YUM!!!

Daddy visits....Shelby turns 1...and it's hot

Boy, what a busy month August turned out to be! We started with Drew's arrival - once Shelby heard his voice, she knew him and wanted to go to him. Very sweet. We had her bday party on the 11th and what a blowout! We had yummy BBQ that Uncle Russ made and cupcakes that I made (I had grandiose ideas for frosting them, which were quickly changed and it was just good 'ol Pillsbury in the can). Some of Shelby's playmates came, Abby, Zachary and Mason, and some of our close friends. Had a great time.

Today, was her one-year checkup. She is still measuring high on the charts, weighing in at 23 lb/14 oz and 31.5 inches long. The shots part of course was NOT fun but she seems to be doing well tonight and not having any fever or feeling bad. Been having some teething issues recently as she is working on some molars and we're up to 12 teeth now. Boy these are a doozy. She ran some temp last week and had a few rough nights sleeping in addition to a little diarrhea that resulted in bad diaper rash again. She pretty much eats everything we put in front of her....recently tried black eyed peas, squash, salmon and lima beans. Her favorite word these days is 'hot' (if I hear her say "that's hot" like Paris Hilton then I will be worried.)...she learned this while Drew was home when we were out running errands one day and commented on how hot it was. Now everytime we walk outside, she says "hot, hot". And she is really good at scolding Maduro..he's been getting into her room and she'll say "git cat" when she hears me scold him. And then the babbling Chinese talk occurs every now & then too...Ahh, kids are funny.

Next Friday I am finished with my career in IT project management. That will be my last day @ GMAC Rescap and then I will begin my next gig....full-time Mom and providing childcare for my friend's daughter, Abby. I'm really excited to be home w/Shelby. I will miss my friends at work, but I really do feel ready for this change.

Below are some pics from the party and her one-year photos - enjoy!!

Hmm....I like this cupcake! Icing is sweet and it's easy to eat!

Yes, cupcake and ice cream, a good thing.



Daddy & I are playing with my new garage toy....makes car sounds!

It was actually kinda cool one day this past week, so I wore my new fall outfit from Gma C. I really like this music chair she & Gpa C got me and this doll....my Mommy had a doll exactly like this one.

Riding my new tricycle from Gma & Gpa Bomar.

July 4th...11-Months...WALKING!!

What an eventful month we've had! Kicked things off with July 4th and a houseful of company! Grandma & Grandpa C, Mason and Uncle Russ came to visit. We had lots of fun playing, cooking out and eating cake & ice cream! Shelby had her first taste of sweets....Uncle Russ shared his DQ Blizzard and boy was she his best friend! She also had some chocolate cake and her first hamburger. She liked it pretty well. We went to OK for Mason's 1-year bday party...what fun that was! Shelby didn't much care for the water adventures, but she had fun playing with Jaylee & Mason and her great Aunts & Uncles. She even got a couple of early bday gifts, so she got a little practice in opening presents. Enjoyed the paper more than the toys of course! Shelby caught a stomach bug last week, fortunately we were still in OK visiting so Granny helped me take care of her. Yes, hit a Mom milestone last week.....I was puked on. Vomiting, fever, and diarrhea that resulted in the most horrible diaper rash. This was an event I hope to not repeat again. Thankfully she is all better now and back to her old self. But her biggest milestone this month is walking. Everyone kept saying "Any day now..." and sure enough she just took off!! She walks everywhere, even picks up & carries her Huggies diaper box (empty of course - but I'm impressed she can manage to pick it up and walk!). I think the cats are a little worried now that she is even more mobile. It's been a lot of fun watching her explore and hit this milestone. Exhausting as well...;-) She's also said a few words....Boo (comes out sounding like bow), Git (she helps scold Maduro when he gets on the counter), Mom (sounds like Mum) and Daddy (pronounced Da-day!). All in all it has been quite a month and we're really looking forward to Drew's visit next week from Iraq. I will also be home full time with Shelby starting in August. I will still be working through the end of August (I was extended on my layoff), but then will be a full time stay at home Mom......and I CANNOT WAIT!

Granny reading Shelby & Mason a book.

Grandpa getting some quality time.

Oh yes, more cake Granny!!

Hmmm, me like cake Grandpa!

Mommy's little helper...well sort of. At least it wasn't folded before she tossed it to the floor.

Check out my suit!

Jaylee, you hit that button to make it beep.

So Uncle Russ, let me tell you about that water....it was cold!

Our best attempt at getting these 3 in a picture....it was easier when they just sat still!

This is a new expression this week....pierces her lips - it's hilarious!