Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday

Pancakes for breakfast...yum

Hot weather with beautiful blue skies

Pool fun with Bug

 Family pictures

BBQ

and the best part...

We have one more day to spend with Eric! We LOVE 3 day weekends!!

I LOVE my family!

Dinner Ain't Like It Use To Be

Dinner tonight was, well, interesting...

On the way to dinner, we decided to drive around our area and check out some surrounding towns. We want to get a feel for them before looking at houses for sale within those towns. Claire napped the majority of the time! We were 20 minutes from our dinner destination when Claire woke up and boy, did she wake up! She woke up screaming, very VERY loud. We tried to sing, clap, and act silly to calm her down. Nope, nothing worked. I crawled into the backseat and it made things worse. She saw me and all she wanted was for me to pick her up. So that 20 minute ride was a very long one. When we arrived, I unbuckled Claire as fast as I could. As soon as I lifted her up, I realized she was soaked. She had peed through he diaper. No wonder she was screaming.

We walked inside, got our table and then Eric headed to the bathroom with her. Yes, Eric and I take turns changing her "butt" when we are out and about! The restaurant we were at is a small, quaint, cafe. One where the atmosphere is quiet, relaxing with dimmed lighting. So with only half the tables filled with couples, it wasn't too loud in there. As I was looking at the menu, I could hear little screams coming from the bathroom. "Yup, that was my daughter, pissed that she was getting her diaper changed" I thought to myself. The screaming would start then stop and then start right back up again. I smiled and nervously looked around, hoping no one really cared.

As they were headed back to the table, Claire was still very whiney. I decided to give her a little boob. Which lasted a few good minutes until she decided to expose me to the whole restaurant. Boob time was over. We sat her in the high chair and immediately she started to scream. I reached into her diaper bag, retrieved her snack container. As soon as she saw it, she started to smile, laughing, and (good/happy) scream! Let's just say she ate almost her whole container of snacks during the time we were at the restaurant. She LOVES feeding herself now. When Eric and I got our dinner, the smiling, laughing, clapping, and happy screaming restarted. She loves people/table food. She can eat and eat and eat it. She got some turkey, corn beef, tomato, bread, and cheese. She would stick a piece in her mouth, (you have to give her just one because if you give her multiple ones, she will shove them all in her mouth. She's a real hoarder!) chew, swallow and if a new piece wasn't in her reach she would growl and scream.

Dinners are definitely not the same anymore. The time when we used to take a sleeping baby in her carrier into a restaurant and she slept the whole time is way over with. I have to admit, I kind of miss it but this too is so much fun. I love being able to play with her, watch her eat all by herself, and watch as she interacts with people around us! Our life is changing day by day and I truly love it!

Wordless Wednesday

Claire's new trick - "So Big"

That's What Friends Are For

I LOVE MY FRIENDS!

and all the fun we have!

- Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for - Lyrics by Dioone Warwick

"The End"

Well, if you are a LOST fan, today you were probably filled with a sense of closure or a feeling that you still wanted more, more answers. Either way, the show that we all watched every Tuesday night for the last six years is over. It's a little bitter sweet. I really enjoyed LOST. There have only been a few shows that I have been really dedicated  to and LOST is definitely one of them.

Yesterday's show finale was something else. In some ways I had a feeling it would end somewhat like that but I think I wanted a bigger twist. Eric and I finished watching it around midnight and we sat on the couch discussing the ending for a good 20 minutes. We went back and forth talking about the past season, what the meaning of certain things were, and what we thought. After thinking about it and talking to him about it, I'm pretty sure I liked it. I liked the meaning behind it and how everything in the end came together. I have a feeling of closure. I will miss it but I'm glad I liked how it ended!

I would love to discuss the ending in more detail but I know there might be a few readers that haven't yet watched it. I don't want to spoil anything for them, it's one episode that must be watched!

Recipe Sunday

You know grandma recipes are the absolute best so this week I am bringing you one of my grandma's cake recipes! If you love lemon this is a recipe for you! It's to die for!!

Lemon Cake

1 Lemon Velvet Cake Mix
1 Instant Vanilla or Lemon Pudding
5 Eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 milk

Beat for 10 minutes and then pour into cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes

Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar
3 T Lemon juice

Mix together

Poke holes in cake and pour frosting over the cake, while the cake is still hot!

Enjoy!

Something Old

My mom's side loves antique shopping. I love shopping in general. Car shopping, food shopping, furniture shopping, clothes shopping (swim wear and jeans are my least favorite), antique shopping, any type of shopping is my type of shopping! So when we were back for Easter, the girls of my family asked if I wanted to tag along, of course I said "yes!"

They were telling me along the way that this antique mall was HUGE. I had no idea how big it really was until I walked in the door. It was an antique lovers Heaven! There were aisles after aisles of hidden treasures! I was amazed at how much stuff was there. As I was walking around the mall, I was seeing things that I could use or that I would want for my new house whenever we moved. I saw cute kitchen items and antique medicine bottles that I would have taken home in a second. I wanted to get something but something I really wanted and needed!

I was walking down one of the last aisle in the mall, when I came across an antique doll cradle. I instantly knew I wanted to get it for Claire. I had a doll cradle when I was younger and thought what a perfect addition it would be to her room. I quickly snatched it up and showed my family what I'd found. They loved it. They gave me ideas how to fix it up or how to repaint it. My Nana suggested, just to let it be and I sorta agreed. It's in pretty nice shape for being old. I like the look of it, it makes me feel like I am giving Claire a little piece of history. I like thinking about all the little girls who had once put their babies in the cradle. I don't have the heart to sand it down and paint over the history and the memories that are within the wood. I think it's unique!

I had to get it shipped home since taking a doll cradle on the plane would almost be impossible.There was no way I could have carried it on and I did not want to chance anything with checking it in and having it thrown around the airplane.

Once it arrived at home, I found a cute baby blanket of Claire's, folded it up and laied it in the cradle. I added all of her babies and stuffed animals. It looked perfect and was a nice touch to make her room a bit more girly! Claire loves it. As soon as I put her babies in it, she crawled over and took them all out. It's her game. Mommy cleans up and Claire messes up! I don't mind too much. I like to see her using and enjoying it! I know as she gets old, she will enjoy it even more!

TGIF

TGIF to all!

I'm SO overly happy it's Friday! It's been a very long week. Claire has currently added two more teeth into the teething mix. Yes, that's right - now she is working on teeth number 5, 6, 7 & possibly 8! She's a miserable little girl! She's not eating too well, she's biting everything in sight! It's just been a very long week. I'm SO happy Eric is home for the weekend and I can get a little help around here! Claire is such a mommy's girl - I can't even pee in peace!

So TGIF!! 

To Start Your Weekend Off Right, Here's A Picture Of Bug

Welcome to May ICLW

 WELCOME

Hi! Welcome to The Adventures of a New Mom!

My name is Megan "New Mom". I'm a stay at home mommy to my beautiful little girl, Claire aka Bug! This blog was born because of her. My husband Eric and I were married 12.2.2006. We were high school sweet hearts! We have two fur babies  (miniature dachshunds): Lucy (in the sky with diamonds) and Penny Lane. We went from a married couple to a family of three on 7.10.2009, the day Claire Constance was born. It was truly one of the best, most unbelievable days of my life. Our hearts are full of love for that little girl, she is our world! We are currently in the process of selling our home (fingers crossed) and are starting to talk about TTC  number 2. We can't wait to see where life will take us next. We are always in the mood for a good adventure!

Please feel free to take a look around my blog, leave comments, and remember to come back! I look forward to meeting new blogging friends! Enjoy!

Get to know our little family:

Eric and I

Claire aka Bug

Lucy

Penny

Best Little Friends

They were happy to see each other!

They love each other!

Claire checking out Bean's yard.

Brayden John - 10 months old

Playing so well together!

Having A LOT of fun together in Brayden's room!

Looking out his window!

Bug loves play dates with Bean!!

"Aunt Flo"

"Aunt Flo" I hate you!

Please leave as soon as possible!

Thanks!

New Pictures of Bug

Walking around the house with her walker! It's super cute to see!

Claire loves Lucy!

She already loves looking in my closet! She's going to be a girly girl for sure!

She loves pulling down her books down!

Naked time, her favorite time of the day!

Sticky face with a little growl add in!

Bump

I HATE when Bug falls and bumps her head.

I know it's going to happen, but I hate it.

It makes me sad to hear her scream and cry.

I know it's part of the learning process and every baby goes through the stage of "bumps and bruises" but still, I don't like it.

We have experienced two nose bleeds and numerous bumps on the head.

Coffee table - 3

Claire - 0

Tonight we were at dinner with my parents and Claire was climbing around the booth, being a goofy little Bug. When all of a sudden, she lost her balance and hit her head pretty hard on the window. You heard when she hit it. I immediately grabbed her and held her, calming her down. She was screaming. My mom was panicking, trying to find a napkin to put ice from our drinking glasses in. As soon as my mom got ice wrapped into a napkin, Claire was calming down and ready to play again. She didn't want the napkin and ice anywhere near her head. Babies are really not breakable, every day I get reassurance of that! She has a little bump right above her eyebrow but it started going down by the time we were leaving. After dinner we walked/browsed Borders and she was in a fine mood. Just a little red mark on her eyebrow to remind us that she's entering a new stage of life! I can't imagine all the bumps and bruises she will get when she starts walking!

Number 5 & 6

That's right, Claire is working on teeth number 5 & 6!! (#2) her two lateral incisors!

She's been so cranky the last couple of days, I pray that they will pop through very very soon for everyone's sake. You can tell they are giving her trouble, she's just not herself and that makes me sad. At least when they break through, she will look so darn cute. I love baby teeth!

Wish us luck, I don't know how much more my arm can handle. (My arm is her favorite thing to teeth on!)

Wordless Wednesday

Claire's 1st parade - May 2010

The Neighbor

This story is about the neighbor with the dog that attacked our puppy Penny Lane - read about her attack here.

The week of the attack our neighbor was out of town. She drove back early Monday. She came over to our house to talk and at this point I was already pissed because the dog was still there; was still next door. I was pissed and sickened at the thought that her friends could just go about their weekend as if nothing out of the ordinary happened. I  was sick to my stomach to think that after the attack, they actually had to wash the blood from the dogs mouth. I had to wash the blood from my plants and our little white fence.

Our neighbor came over to talk and the first thing that came out of her mouth was, "sorry, my dog bit your dog..." Hold the door, did you just say "bit"?! I was furious at that point, I said (everyone that knows me, knows that I don't have a filter when I get pissed - I will stick up for myself, my family, and my friends!) NO, your dog did NOT bite my dog - it brutally attacked and was trying to kill my dog! She looked confused and in shock that I was mad and that I got a little snippy with her! She just stood there. I continued my rant. I was like, "do you realize your dog pulled Penny THROUGH the fence?" She said, yes and the next thing that came out of her mouth was the last thing I wanted to hear - I walked out of the room. She said, "It's Penny's fault, she was too close to the fence!" After me storming out of the room - my MIL started talking "money" because the cop said that she should be responsible for the cost to get Penny well. When she heard the word "money"  she turned into a bigger bitch. She took a step back and said, " I don't think so, I will not pay anything!!! She said her peace and then walked out our door!

Let's just say she did not end up paying ANYTHING except the cost of Eric's co-pay for the doctor and his prescription. Wow, 25 bucks!

Fast forward to almost a year later.

It was June 2009, and I was 8 months pregnant. Ever since the attack, we have been nice before letting the girls outside. Either Eric or I would go outside, clap our hands and bark like a dog to make sure the neighbor dog was not out. If he was, we wouldn't let the girls out. Does she do anything like that, to check if our dogs are out - NO. She just let's the dog out and the barking attack happens. I had to run outside, try to bend down and get Penny and Lucy to go inside. All while praying the dog doesn't get over our fence.

Well, I didn't pray hard enough! It was a Friday night, we had met some friends at the bar, had a great time but I was ready to go home. Once we got home, we did our regular routine and then let the girls out when we were in the all clear. Less then 2 minutes later, the barking attack happened. Eric went out immediately, did his deep authority voice and the girls came right to him. I was just letting them inside and coming out to see what Eric was doing when all of a sudden, he was walking around the corner of the house and the neighbor dog was running towards us. He slammed the door on the girls and I. The dog didn't even think twice about Eric... he was looking for Penny and Lucy. Eric finally got inside and we were both shaking. I was overly pissed but thanking God that Eric was home and we got the girls in safely. I just keep saying, "wow, we had someone on our side!"  As I was on the phone with the police, I heard a knock at our door. I answered and there was our neighbor standing there. I said in a somewhat pissy voice "we called the cops", she said she understood and went about looking for her dog who was running around in the neighborhood.

When the police officer pulled up in front of our house, the dog was still running around the neighborhood. The officer, was shinning his flashlight at the dog making sure it wasn't going to attack him. I was watching the situation unfold from my front door. As I was watching the drama happen, the dog all of a sudden was running around the police officer and his car, barking. The cop drew his gun and pointed it at the dog. The officer was yelling at my neighbor, "get control of your dog", she was trying. In my pregnant hormonal rage, I was praying he would shoot the dog because everything could go back to normal and once again I could feel safe in my own backyard.  I hated feeling and thinking like that but I was just over the whole situation. I cried myself to sleep enough, it was time the situation was over with! The neighbor finally got a hold of her dog and the cop came and explained the situation to us. He said that she will be ticketed for the dog jumping our fence and running loose in the neighbor. Considering this was the second incident, she was also told she either A) had to get a new, taller fence, one that could hold her dog or B) have the dog always on a chain when it was in  her backyard. After hearing those restrictions she decided to get rid of the dog - finally, but that was easier said then done!

My neighbor wanted to find a no kill shelter to take her dog to. Totally understandable. We were okay with that. She was just taking forever to do just that. I was ready to pop and so over the whole situation. One day I was laying on the couch, trying to be comfortable when I heard a knock at our door. I answered and there she is crying. I was seriously like, wtf?! Seriously. I said, in my kind, sweet voice - "what's wrong?" She replied, "I'm trying to find a home for him, it's so hard. I don't want him to be killed!" I said, I understood and told her we knew she was trying but to keep us updated! Well, a few days went by and that damn dog was still there. Eric called her to get an update and she was so depressed sounding. He said, it was so pathetic. She said, that she took him that morning to a shelter in a nearby town, but her other dog (a sweet English Bulldog) is going through major depression! Ha. Seriously. She was totally trying to put the guilt trip on us but let me tell you, it didn't work. Not after everything we had been through. We both said to each other, her dog will get over it!

Well, I found out what shelter she took him to and wrote the shelter's general manager and in-take manager just to let them know exactly what kind of dog he was. I just let them know of the attack that happened and that he HATES little dogs. So I pleaded with them to NOT let him go to a home with small babies or animals, just in case. I never wanted what happened to us, to happen to anyone else!

Well, the story is not over. Oh no, it goes on, so bear with me just a little longer. Fast forward to January of this year. Again, one evening we got home, we let the girls out and Eric heard barking. He went out to see what the problem was and there was... a German Shepherd in her yard... Mind you, this one belonged to a neighbor across the street, but STILL! It had been over a few times as a puppy and we never had any problems with her but now she is getting bigger and has started to jump up at our fence. Well, low and behold the two seconds after Eric got into the yard, here comes the German Shepherd OVER the fence. Yes, you read that right. Another damn dog jumped our fence! Thank God this dog is a very well trained dog. She just wanted to play, while Penny and Lucy were scared out of their minds. I've never seen their trails that far under their belly's as that moment. Luckily, we got the girls inside and nothing happened! The cops were called again and once again the neighbor got in trouble! Since that day, a big dog as not been seen in her yard! I think she finally listened to the cops!

Well, two weeks ago, before I started feeding Claire, I let the girls out. They were out maybe 10 minutes, while I was finishing up Claire's feeding. I put Claire down and hurried to the backyard. I hate that they bark but they are dogs. I got into the back yard, called their names and they came right away. I was about ready to walk inside when I heard her voice saying, "Can I talk to you?" I thought, 'great!' I said, "I guess" and as soon as I said those two words, she let me have it. She wanted to know why Penny barked at the fence? I thought, 'really, your asking me this question?' I said, "she's a dog and she got attacked by your dog at that fence." She got rude and said, "I gave the dog away!" Lady, I know you did but Penny is a DOG and doesn't know and never will understand that. She barks because she thinks he's over there! She went on to complain about them and that they shouldn't be left out in the yard if they are going to bark - well, I blew up. This lady had 2 years of built up anger within me and I basically and not too sweetly, let her have it. Let's just say, she will probably never talk to me again and in my mind, that's okay!

Well, I can only pray that our next house will have two nice neighbors. Not one that is slightly psycho! At least our first house was not boring. It has a TON of memories both good and bad!

Vote -4- Claire

Parents Photo Faves - click here

Please vote for our Bug!

Her picture has been picked as a finalist!!

Thanks!

My First Mother's Day

My first mother's day began with a very sweet gift from Claire. I got a nice wood/metal bench for my back yard. I love it because it's something that won't die but something I will have forever! After opening my gift, we were on our way to a nice breakfast with my family at our favorite local breakfast restaurant, Aunt Sally's. After eating a little to much, we headed to Lincoln Park Zoo. It was the perfect day for the zoo. The skies were clear and it wasn't to hot or cold, it was just perfect! We looked at all the exhibits but the Monkeys were everyone's favorite, especially Claire! She was pointing, waving, talking, and screaming at the monkey's. It was so cute! After looking at all the animals, some blue raspberry cotton candy, a small giraffe stuffed animal for Claire we were ready to head to our next destination. We were headed to the Sears Tower, now the Willis Tower to go up to the sky deck and walk into "the ledge". We had so much fun. We didn't have to wait long at all. My mom, who is deathly scared of heights, came up with us too, which was very exciting! We all had a very enjoyable and thrilling time! After are busy day downtown, we headed home to visit with Eric's family and have some good old home cooking for dinner! All in all it was a very nice 1st mother's day!

Here are some pictures of our mother's day outing:

Eric, Claire, and I at Lincoln Park Zoo

These were the Monkeys that Claire LOVED

Here we are watching them!

Painted trees outside Lincoln Park Zoo

Claire and I at the top of the Sears (Willis) Tower

Enjoying the view on my first mother's day

The view was unbelievable!

My dad and I out on "the ledge" - it was breathtaking!

It was so much fun!

Claire loved it too!

 

My family (minus my mom) on "the ledge"!

It was a unforgettable first Mother's Day!!