graduation day...

Brianna graduated from preschool at the end of May. It was an adorable little ceremony where the kids wore caps, sang songs and got diplomas. It was so cute and a little heartbreaking to see Brianna up there in the first of many "graduations". I am having a hard time believing my baby will be turning 5 in just a few weeks. Here is a couple of pictures from graduation day and a video of the ceremony (I've been having problems with it so hopefully it works!)

Brianna & Miss Sandy (her teacher)

a new craft project...

It has been awhile since I've posted a craft project that we've worked on. For Mother's Day, Brianna made for me (at school) a flower pen. I thought they were so adorable (I have seen them other places before) so we decided to make some of our own! They are pretty easy to make, you just need some artificial flowers, green flower tape, pens, a flower pot (or something to put the completed pens in) and rocks (we used colorful ones we got from Michaels). I should have taken progressive pictures, but I was not that prepared. :) Hold the flower and pen together, wrap the flower tape around both to completely cover the pen. And voila...flower pens! I love these because we now have a colorful bouquet on our table at all times and I always know where our pens are!

mother's day...

Whew...2 months behind? What the heck have I been doing? Anyway...be prepared to be transported back in time for the next few posts!

This was our Mother's day to be in Iowa. We headed there Friday night after Bob got off work. We had a great weekend hanging out with the family. Mom and Dad hosted the gathering for both sides so we headed out to the Sportsman's Park. Everyone was a little nervous because the weather had been sketchy all weekend. It turned out to be a perfect day. There was a great turnout and it was so nice to see so many of our family members! The kids had so much fun playing with all of their cousins! I love these two monkeys that have given me the privilege to celebrate Mother's Day!

a few pics to hold you over...

I know...I know...I've been promising updates. Time just slips away from me these days! I am so far behind I don't even know where to start anymore! So, I will just leave you with 2 of my favorite images from the last 2 days. (there are a bunch of pictures uploading to shutterfly as I type...so go check them out!)

These two really love their daddy...and so do I. He is the best!! :)

fitness challenge...

Well...I had grand plans of updating the blog while I listen to Bryce scream from his bed (I hate when he doesn't nap!). However as I sat down to start the abundence of posts to catch up on May, the laptop keeps shutting down on me randomly. Fantastic. So, no pictures for you today. Instead, I will just update you (from Bob's iPod) on my new fitness adventure! A few weeks ago my sister and I were chatting and I mentioned wanting to do the couch to 5k program. She had never heard of it so I sent her the link, we discussed it some and decided we were going to do it. We are on week 3 of the 9 week program and so far so good! We are looking into a 5k to do together so that we actually follow through...but we are doing it! It is sometimes really hard to find the motivation to get my butt moving to do the workout. But, with every day it slowly is getting easier. I really want to be one of those people who enjoys going for a run, for it to be a way for me to relieve stress and just make me feel better, I am definitely not there yet. Right now it is still a chore, it is not something that I look forward to, but I'll get there. I'll keep you posted on how it's going and I'll be sure to share when we finally decide on a 5k. OK...that is all for tonight...I think Bryce is finally asleep so I'm going enjoy the quiet for a moment. I'll be back soon!

i've been mia..

So much to blog about...sorry I've been slacking. I'm really going to try to catch up this weekend. It has been crazy here...I think Bob and I have talked for a total of 10 minutes this week! Thanks for hanging with me...I'll catch you up on all things Carroll soon...graduation, a craft project, kiddo updates and my new fitness adventure all coming at you! Stay tuned!

seven...

I figured out why it is a bad idea to marry someone so close to their birthday. It is hard to write 2 posts about the same person so close together! No, actually it is easy to write things about my hubby, but I figure that everyone doesn't want to read gooey, mushy things about him so close together. :) But here we are...so you can move on if you want...things are going to get gooey.

Seven years...wow. Where has the time gone? So much has changed...and yet I mostly think of us as that young 23 year old couple walking down the aisle. Except when I see pictures of us from back then and look at us now. Life has been pretty good to us, and most of that is because of you. You are the one who encouraged me when I wanted to leave my job a year and a half ago when we had Bryce, even though it was going to be tough, you knew it was best for me, and for our family. Things are not always sunshine and roses but we've gotten through it. I thank God every day for our beautiful, healthy babies, for the roof over our head, the food on our table and for you, the one that works so hard for us every single day. We don't always see eye-to-eye, but how boring would life be if it were that way? I think we compliment each other in the very best way, we don't have a perfect marriage, but we bring out the best of each other.
So, here is to seven years of the best of each other.
I love you babe...Happy Anniversary!!

thirty...

Today, dear husband...you join the ranks of the 30-somethings. Welcome...there is alcohol...and maybe some cookies...help yourself. Most of what I wrote in my birthday post applies to you...because...well...we did all of that together. We have fallen down and picked each other up, we have laughed and cried, we have argued (oh boy have we argued :) but through it all we have walked side by side for these last 10 years. Every major life changing thing that has happened to me or decision I have made since leaving high school you have been there for, supporting me, helping me weigh out the pros and cons, reassuring me when I doubt myself, and still loving me even when I make the wrong decisions. You are my rock, you can make me laugh always. I know I went a little overboard for your birthday...but to me it was a drop in the bucket...I would give you the world if I could...because I feel like that is what you have given to me. I feel like I can do anything with you at my side. I hope your 30th is all that you dream it to be and I look forward to spending the next several decades with you.
I love you! Happy Birthday.

i will return shortly...

To tie you over until I return with some real posts....check out these things.

• New stuff over at links of love. There will be new things posted every day for the next couple of weeks.


• I'm in the process of uploading a BUNCH of pictures to shutterfly. I've been really good about uploading them to facebook...but not so much to shutterfly. The new pictures are just from April (well the end of March too) so I know I'm still a couple of months behind...but honestly I don't even think I took many during that time. Anyway... check them out.

If those two things aren't enough for you...I don't know what to tell you...I do have some stuff to post...I just haven't slept much in the last 5 days...so give me another few days to let my brain recharge and I'll be back. In the meantime...here is a picture of some darn cute kiddos...if I do say so myself!

the big 3-0...

I think it is probably a bit indulgent to write a birthday post for myself, but sometimes I need to remind myself of the things that got me to where I am today, in the hectic day-to-day I often don't stop to appreciate the small things, but rather tuck them away to sit and think about when I have "more time". Well today I'm dusting off those old memories to remind myself what the last 10 years have been like as I say goodbye to my 20s (I really have no idea where Brianna gets her dramatics!)
The 20s were good to me for the most part, though they did have their share of bad times...the loss of my grandpas, two dear sweet men that I was so fortunate to have in my life for so long, a miscarriage that although was 6 years ago has left a hole in my heart that will never quite heal. The loss of Bob's grandmas, sweet women who will forever be missed. While these events were devastating, there are so many things that happened in my 20s that have brought me so much joy. Meeting and dating Bob, graduating college, making some of the best friends anyone could ever ask for, getting engaged, getting married to my best friend, witnessing many, many, many (like 50ish) of our family and friends get married. Buying our first house, having 2 beautiful babies, becoming an aunt, watching my children grow, and falling more in love with my husband every day.
These things and many, many more have made a mark on my 20s. These are the events that shaped my life over these last 10 years. I feel so very very blessed in my life...I have wonderful incredible friends and a loving supportive family. By looking back at the last 10 years I am looking forward to what the next 10 bring! Bring it on 30...bring it on! :)

links of love update...

Business has been booming over at links of love! Thanks to my sister, her coworkers and mom I've gotten to make some new pieces recently. My sister is again involved in the Relay for Life in Wentzville, MO again this year. I gave her a necklace to put in a basket they were raffling off and then she asked me to make a bracelet to go along with it. So, of course I found the most perfect thing to make. I am now selling these bracelets as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. $5 of every bracelet goes to the American Cancer society. Contact me if you or anyone you know is interested. They can be a customized color to represent a particular cancer, just let me know.

cake experiment...

I've been wanting to try decorating a cake with fondant for a while now. I believe I watch too many cake decorating shows :) I found a recipe for marshmallow fondant that seemed relatively easy so today I decided to try it out. The fondant is super sweet and rich...but it is really very good and was pretty easy to make. I should have rolled the fondant out a little thinner, and I will the next time, but for my first attempt it wasn't too bad! I had a ton of fun making it (although it was pretty messy) and decorating the cake, I went a little crazy on the polka-dots, if I were doing it again I would make fewer of them and make them bigger. I will definitely be trying this again. Good thing I have a couple of birthday cakes to make in the near future! :) (I apologize for the crappy picture...it is from my phone)

bryce update...

Well...our little guy had his 15 month checkup this past week. He is now a whopping 23lbs and 30inches (which was the same measurement they had last time so someone measured wrong according to the doctor). He is in the 35th percentile for weight, 16th for length, and 6th for his head circumference. Yes, my baby has a small head. :) It has always measured on the small side, but it is growing on the right growth path so it is nothing to worry about (not that I was). He is all over all the time. He never...I mean NEVER stops. He is most of the time a huge sweetheart who loves to laugh and sit on your lap and play with toys or look at books. He does have his mean streaks (most occur when he is tired or just really excited). He has a tendency to bite...which I HATE. I think maybe it bothers me more than it normally would because Brianna was always the kid that got bit, so I know how it feels to be on that end of it. Thankfully (I guess) Bryce really only bites me and occasionally Brianna and Bob. In all honesty, I believe he thinks he is playing...he thinks we are joking when we react and he laughs. I don't in my heart believe his biting is mean-spirited or even because he wants to hurt someone, to him it is just playing. Other than that and trying to eat his crib or tearing the wallpaper border off the wall...he is an angel! :) Seriously...how can you not love this little guy?

the joy...

I'll admit it, I've been in a funk...a monumental funk. I've been worried, wondering if there will ever be enough time, enough money, heck even a moment of quiet. I've been quick to anger and slow to let it go. I'm tired of the snow, the cold, the grey. I crave the sunshine, the fresh air, the trips to the park. I'm burnt out. I feel like this. But here I sit at 2am so overcome with joy that I have to write this post before I go to sleep. Normally, hearing a crying baby at 1am immediately makes me sigh and get just a tad bit angry. I know it isn't his fault, but when you're used to him sleeping through the night, it is hard. Anyway, tonight was really no different, I sighed got out of bed and picked him up. He had a dirty diaper. Seriously?? Changing a poopy diaper at 1am is no one's idea of fun. After I changed him, he was wide awake, so I tried to lay down with him on the futon, he of course, had other ideas and wanted to get down and play. Normally this would dance on my last remaining nerve, but tonight I let him down and he went to get a book. He brought the book back to me...we sat and looked at the book. He got to a picture of a dog and he looked at me and said "woof, woof" as he petted the dog. He got this huge smile on his face and then planted a big kiss on me. As I lay on the futon looking up at him and what was left of his mohawk saying woof, woof to himself and alternately giving me kisses...I felt this weight lift off of me and was so glad to just be in the moment with him. Knowing that if I had been angry when he woke up I would have missed this. Is this is what I'm missing while in my funk...just getting through my day without being in it...I mean really in it? Someday there will be enough money, enough time, and enough quiet and I will wish I had all of this back. I know in my head that this will happen, but it is hard to think about that while you're changing your 10th diaper of the day and filling your 100th cup of the day, and hearing mom for the 1 millionth time of the day. I am glad I had this little reminder today. The joy is right there waiting for me to see and enjoy. It is in these two faces.

I'm not saying that tomorrow will be perfect...we are definitely not all sunshine and roses around here, but you can bet even in the thick of it (for tomorrow at least)I'll see the joy. I thank God everyday for these two angels and for opening me up to feel the joy tonight...it was just what I needed.The joy is all around us...we just have to let go and feel it.

the lost symbol...

I've got another book review for you! :) I just finished Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol.

The Lost Symbol brings back everyone's favorite professor, Robert Langdon. Langdon is brought to Washington DC to use his expertise to uncover once and for all the Mason's most treasured and highly guarded secret. (I think this is where I always fail at book reviews I'm not good at summarizing the book without giving stuff away)

I have mixed feelings about this book, I was really looking forward to reading it because I have really enjoyed all of Dan Brown's other books, and while I liked it...it was definitely not my favorite work by Dan Brown. For starters, it took me a really long time to really get into the book, I would say I was almost 1/2 way through before I got to where I was really involved in it. I'm not sure why it didn't grab me right away. It had some twists in it that I didn't see coming, which I enjoyed, because most of the time I have the end figured out before I get there, but even with those turn of events this would probably be 4th on my list of Dan Brown novels. This book is definitely worth the read, it just wasn't one of my personal favorites.

Happy Reading!!

separate rooms=better sleep...

Things are going well with the kids in their own rooms. We knew there would be an adjustment period, especially with Brianna....BUT the kids have done wonderfully. The first night Brianna ended up in our bed in the middle of the night, but the last 2 nights she has slept in her new room with no problems. Bryce goes to bed and stays asleep until morning...which is wonderful! He slept until after 9 yesterday morning and until about 8:30 this morning. Another HUGE bonus (for me at least) is that the kids are playing in their rooms, the toys are contained and my living room is still in one piece. Things are still on the shelves that I put them on! It is a miracle! I think I pick up toys in Bryce's room about 3 times a day...but it doesn't bother me, I can let him play in there and not worry that he is going to break something. In fact, I am typing this from his room while he plays. I'm waiting on some work stuff, so I brought the laptop up to his room and am sitting on the futon while he plays. The kids seem happier and mommy is definitely happier! I know I still owe you pictures or video or something...I haven't forgotten, things have just been a tad crazy this week. Hang tight, promise they will be here soon! :)

just filler...

I have a horribly sore throat today and a mound of work to get done tonight, so you you are just getting pictures of the rings I just made. They are my first attempts at rings..but I like them (I think) :) What do you think?

to tired for anything significant...

Sunday night already?? Ugh! We spent the weekend cleaning and moving furniture and purging the house of some of our junk. We moved (after much internal debate on my part) Brianna to her own room in the "basement" (we don't really have a basement, but we call it that or as Brianna likes to call it down-down stairs) Anyway, it was a pretty overwhelming task, but with Bob and Nancy's help (by taking the kids for the weekend) and Bob and I working our tails off we got it done. Along with a good cleaning of the house. I feel good about everything we accomplished this weekend, but I am now exhausted. I didn't post about my workouts/eating on Friday well because frankly I sucked last week and didn't do much of anything. I know I should still post that stuff but I was busy! :) I am planning on posting video tours of the kids' rooms tomorrow, so that should keep you all on the edge of your seats! Until then...enjoy what is left of your weekend!

**How cool is it that Kelly from The Girls from Ames left me a comment on my post? I'll be honest...I squealed out loud when I read it. I have no idea how she found my little piece of blogland, but I'm honored that she took the time to leave me a comment. Yay! Thank you Kelly, you made this Iowa girl's day!)**

the girls from ames...

I don't often write reviews on books but maybe I'll start. I have this fear of raving about a book I love and having people I recommend it to hate it. (Plus, I'm terrible about describing books...I'm a reader not a writer! :) But that is life...we all like different things and I happen to LOVE this book.

"The Girls from Ames"is about a group of 11 girls that have been friends since childhood (they are all in their mid-forties now). It discusses their friendships, the ups and downs, the hurt feelings and the joys. And more than just reminiscing about their pasts it discusses their interactions with each other, their support of each other during the toughest times in their lives, and how even though they now are spread all over the country they are still deeply entrenched in each others lives. It is an amazing story of true friendship.

Here is one of my favorite passages from the book

"Having these women in my world has meant not only acceptance, but radiant joy and laughter that knocks me right out of my chair. Through our darkest moments, we have lifted each other up. In every moment of grief we've shared, our laughter is a life vest, a secure promise that we will not go under."

This book made me think about the friendships I have, the million little things that have made them what they are, and how incredibly lucky I am to have such amazing people in my life.

funny conversations...

I posted this originally on facebook, but some of you out there aren't on facebook so I couldn't resist posting it here as well.

Brianna (after throwing something): "go get it buddy, go get it boy!"
Me: "Brianna, he is not a puppy"
Brianna: "But he chews on shoes!"

I had no response to that because...it is true.
She really does crack me up!

**not sure what is going on with the videos I've posted...I'm trying to fix it**
**aren't you impressed with my consistent posts for the last week or so?**

i wish I knew what she was thinking...

Yes, she can and does tell me what she is thinking most of the time. In fact she is quite vocal about pretty much everything these days. But I still wish I could be inside her head and figure out why she does the things she does. I guess it those little quirks that make her who she is. She was so proud of herself when she came up to me this afternoon after she had made her face "pretty". I didn't yell or anything I just asked why she did that and I hurt her feelings. She was sad that I didn't like what she had done. I just wonder what the thought process was like as she decided to write on her face with pen. Just one of the many, many, many reasons I love her. :)

the call...

My sister told me I needed to listen to the song "The Call" by Matt Kennon, so today I looked it up on google and the video on You Tube was the first link. When I heard the song and watched the video I got goosebumps. The song itself is pretty heavy, and hopefully most of us aren't in situations like that. It reminded me of a book I just read "An Hour to Live, an Hour to love" and in it, a quote "If you had an hour to live who would you call? And why are you waiting?" This struck me because I often think of friends and family and think I should call them, but I stop myself because I don't want to bother them or I don't really have anything specific to say. Is there anything better than an unexpected phone call from a friend or family member just because they were thinking of you? One call can make all the difference.

my favorite thing...

My favorite thing in the whole wide world is watching my kiddos sleep, especially when they are babies. Last night Bryce woke up around 1am...and I was still up so I went and got him and held him while he fell back asleep. As he lay there sleeping I watched as he smiled, giggled, frowned and made crazy facial expressions. I looked at that beautiful boy and wished for just a moment I could see what was going on in his head. In those moments of watching him sleep or even watching Brianna sleep the whole day is washed away, all of the frustrations and the moments that I wanted to scream or cry...are gone and all that is left are images of my children laughing and smiling and being sweet to each other...the world feels right again. All too soon I won't be able to hold them in my arms ,watch them sleep and let their innocence wash away the day, I am grateful for every moment that I get to spend with them. They are my angels even when they aren't. :)

more videos...

I'm loving the flip Bob got me for Christmas.
Here are a couple more videos for you!

happy 2010...

The new year rang in without us. Bob and Nancy were very kind and took the kids for us. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling that great and so we spent the night watching season 1 of 30 Rock and eating Chipotle. I think I fell asleep around 10:30. Oops. I'm old...I've accepted it. On the 2nd our friends Dawn & Chris came to visit and we had a great afternoon catching up. Since then there hasn't been much going on. I'm trying to catch up on my bookkeeping and get our stuff ready for our tax return and keeping the kiddos entertained in this horrible freezing cold weather. We don't have much planned for the next few months...I know you are all shocked, but so far the next few months are pretty calm. Hope you all had a great New Year! We wish you many blessings in 2010!

christmas...part 2...

So, we headed to Iowa to spend Christmas with my family. We had planned to leave on Wednesday after Brianna got out of school but with the weather that was predicted for Iowa that day we decided to leave a day earlier. Bryce does not travel well. AT ALL. He slept for 30 minutes and then pretty much screamed the other 3 hours. It was not so much fun. We got to Mom and Dad's in one piece and with our hearing still mostly intact, so I will consider it a success. Wednesday was a pretty low-key day. I was supposed to meet some friends from high school on Wednesday evening but there was about 2 inches of ice on everything at the time I was to leave...so I opted to stay home. I was bummed that I missed everyone but hopefully we'll be able to get together sometime in the near future. Anyway, Thursday found us getting ready for Christmas Eve mass. It was crowded and hot and the kids were lets just say...not so good. I have always loved Christmas Eve mass, but I'll be honest, I didn't get anything out of it and I was glad when it was over. (I'm sure I'm going to hell for that statement...but it was really not good). Back at my parents we had homemade pizza (our tradition) and then opened some gifts. It was ridiculous there were so many presents they didn't even really fit in the one room. Everyone was happy though and that is what counts. Christmas morning the kids opened up the presents Santa brought. One thing I will probably always remember is that when Brianna opened her big present (a dollhouse) she shrugged her shoulders and said "It is fine...but it isn't the one I wanted" Yup...way to go Santa! We headed to my Aunt and Uncles for a while on Christmas Day and then up to my Grandma's house. She spoiled everyone and it was so great to see the family! Saturday Bob and I met up with some of my friends from high school and had a great time laughing and reminiscing. Sunday we had the last of our Christmases with my Dad's family. It was great to see everyone and it was the first time some of them have seen Bryce. All-in-all a very hectic but great holiday season!

sunday sunday...

Thought I would quick pop in and say hi before I'm off to watch 24 with the hubby! (we are nothing if not exciting) Hope you all had a great weekend...we have an extended one because Bob is off tomorrow...Yay! We're thinking about maybe just going to the mall with the kids for a while for them to run around...but I guess we'll see how everyone behaves! :)

If you have time...I think you should check this out.

I turn 30 in 2 1/2 months...aggg! So here it is blogland...I had a goal to lose 50ish pounds before then (this was a few months ago) and since that is not going to happen in any sort of healthy way at this point...I am going to just work toward that goal. Starting tomorrow the workouts and the healthier eating resumes (lets be honest...I'm still going to have my occasional beer and ice cream). I'm thinking that on Fridays I will post my progress for the week. There it is blogland...it is out there and I'm accountable! I've done it once...I can do it again!

Happy Sunday!

christmas...part 1...

We started Christmas on the 20th with the Caruso family. The kids had so much fun playing together and it was nice to catch up with everyone. We all kept laughing about how last year there were 3 tiny babies at Christmas and this year there were 3 kids running around and getting into stuff faster than anyone could stop them (OK maybe that was just Bryce that was getting into stuff!). The food was great and the company was even better.

Oh...I guess I should back up just a tiny bit and tell you that the Carroll family is growing once again. Ha! Scared you didn't I? No, there are no babies on the way but I am so happy to tell you that Brian and Mary got engaged on December 18th!! She has been a part of the family longer than I have, but it is exciting to make it official! The kids adore her and so do we. I'm so glad that I'll be able to call her my sister-in-law! :)

Wow, this is sort of a random post...anyway, after Caruso Christmas we had the Carroll Family Christmas on Tuesday (before we headed to Iowa for more Christmas). It was fun hanging out with everyone and it was very low-key...just the way I like things :) We spent a few hours hanging out, eating, opening presents and then we climbed in the car and headed to Iowa to try to beat out the nasty winter weather that was heading that way.

Stay tuned for Christmas part 2 coming shortly...until then some pictures of the Caruso and Carroll Christmases!

somthing to make you smile...

our little rockstar and her biggest fan...

anyone still out there?

Oh my...it has been a while hasn't it? I don't even know where to begin at this point. When I last left you we had just celebrated Bryce's 1st birthday. So, I will update you on the kiddos and then try to update the other stuff in the next few posts.

Shortly after his birthday the little man started to really walk...well run...everywhere. Once he figured out that walking/running was really faster than crawling he started running and never looked back. He went for his year check-up and weighed in at 21lbs and is still on the small side, but growing right along his own little growth curve. His iron was a bit low when they checked it at his appointment but we're giving him supplements and he seems to be doing OK. They will recheck it at his 15 month appointment. He ended up with an ear infection and potential pink eye to end out the year and last week he ended up back at the doctors because he was running a fever while on antibiotics. When we got to the office his temp was 103.9!! He was put on a stronger antibiotic because the doctor was worried about a sinus infectino, but we got no real reason he had such a high temp on antibiotics. He seems to be doing much better now and we have just a few days left of the antibiotic, but he takes his medicine like a champ so I can't complain. Hopefully he'll stay healthy for a while now!



Miss Brianna is doing quite well she is still loving school and says stuff all the time that just crack us up. She is really anxious to learn to read and even picked out a chapter book to buy with some Christmas money she had. She has a very active imagination and is so creative and loves to dance and sing. Don't kid yourself she is still just as sassy as always but she is also a big help most of the time. Other than that....nothing much new to report on the kiddo front. They are growing too fast, but I'm glad I'm here to watch them! :)

links of love news...

links of love is now on etsy.
Check out the shop and let me know what you think.
As always, contact me if you want a custom piece...I would be happy to accomodate you! :)

i'd say it was a success...

**pictures are going up on shutterfly right now**

365...

Dear Bubba,
That is how many days it has been since you burst into our lives. You surprised me then little man and you have continued to surprise me every day for the last 365 days. December 3, 2008 was the beginning of a wonderful, joyful chapter in our lives. You just started walking and you looked so proud of yourself, but I think it is too slow for you. You are a speed demon crawler and you can get into anything before I can even blink. You test my patience every day (you'd think that after your sister I'd be cool as a cucumber...but no), but that smile makes me forget it all. I love the way you are finding your voice and never for 1 second let us forget you are in the room or if we are in a different room you let us know where you are. You don't like to eat anything different than we are and you get mad if we try to give you something we are not eating. You are pretty much done with bottles, you will grab any sippy cup you can get your little hands on. Can I tell you a secret? I love that you save your big sloppy kisses only for your mama (although we do have to work on the not biting part...my cheeks are not chew toys). The smile that breaks out on your face when you see me for the first time every day melts my heart. I even love that at 11pm (almost) every single night you wake up and just want to cuddle for a little bit, you'll lay your head on my chest and smile and then you start crawling all over the place, and when I put you back in your bed you don't make a sound, it is like you just wanted to see mama and dada one last time before you really go to sleep for the night, to make sure we are still there. You are stubborn just like your big sister, and you love her with everything you have. I still cannot wrap my head around how these last 365 days have passed...it has been a whirlwind. We started out a tad rocky, but I think we're hitting our stride now. In those last few minutes before you were born I was scared, you were having some problems all of the sudden there were 5 extra people in the room, your daddy didn't even get to cut the cord, but in the midst of it all I heard the doctor say it was a boy and I looked at your daddy and he had the biggest smile I've ever seen and tears in his eyes. I heard you cry and the doctor said you were just fine, perfect in fact, and I saw for myself how perfect you truly were. Your smile and your laugh are infectious, it is impossible to stay unhappy when you are in the room smiling and laughing. You are still mama's little cuddle bug and I love that. How lucky I have been to be able to share each of these last 365 days with you...to see your first smile, crawling, first steps, to notice when your first teeth (finally) came through. A year ago I was blessed with a perfect baby boy, and today I'm feeling especially blessed that you are in our lives. How fast time goes and things change. I love you birthday boy!
Love always and forever,
mama

a year ago today...

(note: this is more for my memory than anything else, it may not interest you, if it doesn't that is OK just go buy some of my jewelry instead. Haha!!)

I started off my morning with a trip to the OB (OK...please read the title...a year ago as in 12/2/08...I am not pregnant...I'm reminiscing!). My 36 week checkup to be exact. Bob went with, I don't remember exactly why. The doctor was running late...I mean REALLY late. I think we waited in the exam room for over an hour. Bob was getting antsy...I had to physically restrain him from going into the hallway and asking if they had forgotten about us. Finally the doctor came in, listened to the heartbeat and rushed out. We seriously saw him for about 5 minutes. We both went off to work, not knowing how in less than 24 hours our lives would be drastically changed. I remember getting to work and walking through the warehouse of the building and slipping on some water...I fell to the floor...I landed as gracefully as a 36 week pregnant lady can (which is to say not very) but thankfully was not hurt. I walked into the office and apologized profusely for being so late. I sat down and got to work. For some reason my boss was out that afternoon so I was in the office by myself. I was caught up on work so I decided to kind of "clean out" my computer of anything personal. I knew I'd be leaving my job once the baby came and I was taking advantage of the quiet time to get some stuff done. About 3:30 a client called and needed something scanned and emailed to her. I pulled out the files got everything I needed ready and went in the other office to begin scanning. As I stood there (about 4pm) I knew something wasn't quite right. It was sort of funny because I remember thinking...either my water has just broke/has a leak or I have lost all control of my bladder. I sat at my desk for the next hour (this was nothing like when my water broke with Brianna...there was no question then about what had happened) my heart racing...wondering if this was it. Of course, I said nothing to anyone and at 5pm I rushed out of the office to my car. I was 1/2 way home when I decided to call Bob and talk things through. I think my exact words were "Um...something funny happened and I think my water may have broke...but I'm not sure. What should I do?" This was probably not the best thing to do to a man who was driving. I felt so silly, like I should know if my water broke. I had the biggest fear of going into the hospital saying my water broke and them saying "um sorry no...you just wet your pants!" We called the hospital and they said to come on in, then we called Bob's parents to come watch Brianna. I got home and packed a bag (of course I wasn't packed...I had 4 weeks left). As I packed my mom called and asked what I was doing. I told her I was packing a bag and she said "going to be prepared this time huh?" and I replied "no...I think my water broke". She stammered out something and then said...I'll let you go pack. Call me later. After I was packed I sat around waiting for Bob and his parents. We headed to the hospital around 6pm. The nurses checked me all out and confirmed that my water had broken. They started antibiotics (as the strep B test that I had taken that morning hadn't come back) and said they would find out if the doctor on call wanted to start pitocin or just see how things went. At some point pitocin was started and I started having contractions, drugs were given, I tried to rest...didn't work. I texted from my hospital bed and read emails from a friend recapping our class reunion that I had missed the weekend before, watched the same episode of Family Guy about 3 times, and a very ill-timed episode of Law & Order SVU when a pregnant woman is murdered. (why do I remember all of this stuff?). In case anyone was wondering...Bob slept! :)
All of that happened a year ago today. It seems like a lifetime ago and yesterday all at the same time. December 2, 2008...my last day of work...my last day of being pregnant...the last day we were a family of 3...the last day of not knowing how much more love would be in our house.
December 2, 2008....the end of another chaper in our lives.

gobble gobble...

Happy Thanksgiving...a couple days late.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday with your families!

happy birthday little angel...

I just wanted to write a short post in honor of my little cousin Ian on his 5th birthday (well a couple days late).
On November 10, 2004 he was born, 15 weeks premature. From the moment he was born he was surrounded by love. He has two amazing parents that love him so very much as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...the list goes on and on. He fought the best that he could...but because of his prematurity, his tiny body just could not take it. On November 11, 2004 Ian got his angel wings. It has been 5 years, but Ian...you are just as much loved today as you were the day you took your first breath. I know you are up there in heaven with Papa Joe and I'm sure he has found you some M&M's (or Skittles) to help celebrate your birthday.

Dale, Suzanne, & McKenna~ you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Your strength amazes and inspires me. I love you all!

Happy Birthday Ian with much love from us all!

and the winner is...

First of all...thank you for all of your suggestions. I got several emails with suggestions along with the ones posted in the comments. It is my great pleasure to introduce you to...



links of love



I am getting ready to take some new pictures and upload them. I know there isn't much there yet, but take a look around...I would love to hear your comments/criticisms, etc.



Thank you to Sarah and Linda for this suggestion. Watch your mailbox in the next week or so for your prize! :)



Thank you again to everyone for your help...this has been extremely stressful (not sure why) but now that it is out there...I feel relieved and excited. Thanks again!!

calling all creative minds...

I need your help. Bob's work is having a craft show/fair thingy in December and he is going to sell my jewelry there. I want to have business cards made up to put along with the necklaces/bracelets, in case anyone wants more personalized pieces. Anyway, here is my problem...I for the life of me cannot come up with a name for my jewelry. So, here is where you come in. Leave me a comment with your suggestion(s) and email address and if I like yours and use it...I will send you a necklace (or bracelet if you prefer). I've come up with nothing good so far and my brain is completely blocked on this...so your help would be much appreciated.
Ready...set....brainstorm!!

weekend recap...

Another weekend has come and gone. It started a bit frantic with getting Brianna to school on Friday (after having miss the rest of the week due to being sick) and Bob taking Bryce back to the doctor (and we were worried about having money left in our flex account at the end of the year...ha!) where he had a breathing treatment at the office and then was sent home with prescriptions for more. I stayed home and ran about packing everything up and cleaning up so we could leave as soon as Brianna was done with school. We got her picked up and then went to pick up Bryce's prescriptions. (Which they messed up...that is a whole other post). Finally an hour after we left home we were on our way to Iowa. We helped my parents move into their new house (yay!) and then took the kids trick-or-treating. Saturday was exhausting, but it was amazing to see all the people that came to help mom and dad moved. They are loved! (I already knew that :), but it was great to see so many people help out. Sunday we helped move around some furniture and unpacked a few boxes and then we headed out to meet up with some friends to have another go at trick-or-treating. Everyone had a ton of fun. We finally got back home last night about 10:30ish. I'm still tired. Anyway, it was a great weekend and I'm uploading pictures as you read, but I'll leave you with this one of my little monkey and my cheerleader. Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween. OK...off to hide some of this candy in the freezer! :) Have a great week everyone!

happy halloween...

Hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween! I'll post some pictures of our little munchkins early next week (promise). :)
Everyone here is on the mend, finally. We are heading to Iowa tomorrow to help my parents move and we'll be trick-or-treating there with my nephews.
Have a great weekend everyone!

*uploading pictures to shutterfly now from September and October...I'm just a little behind*

my babies are sick...

ALL of them. Last Tuesday/Wednesday Bob started to not feel well. By Thursday he had a positive Influenza A test. He stayed home from wok on Thursday and worked from home on Friday. I worked at keeping the kids as far away from him as possible (not an easy task), and banished myself to the couch so that Bob could rest and I could hopefully avoid getting sick. By Friday both kids were coughing, and by Saturday morning, Bryce sounded bad. Off to the doctor, where his temp was 101.7 and he was coughing. The doctor, after hearing that we had a positive case of the flu in our house didn't bother testing him and just prescribed tamiflu. So I then worked on keeping Brianna away from Bryce (an even harder task). Saturday night she woke up coughing really badly. Yesterday morning we were back at the doctor's office. Brianna didn't have a fever, but the coughing, mixed with the exposure in our house and her past respiratory issues landed her a prescription for tamiflu as well. Her fever appeared last night topping out at 103.2 along with throwing up. She was up most of the night last night so today we are home laying on the couch watching movies and confining Bryce to his pack-n-play so that he is forced to rest a little. I promise at some point to catch you all up on what has been going on around here, but for now...I've got about all that I can handle. Did I mention that I haven't slept in my own bed since last Tuesday night and that I've been getting about 2 hours of sleep a night, in 10 minute bursts? I am tired...but I am not yet sick...who has time? Wishing you all healthy households.

Oh...one piece of news not flu related...Bryce cut his first two teeth on Friday. Poor kid had a rough week!

current inventory...

OK...so here are the necklaces I currently have. Let me know if you see anything that interests you. (and I promise to stop pushing this on you now :)

**lengths (from top of clasp to last ring are as follows):
top left--19in top middle--17in top right--19in
middle left--19 in middle middle--17in middle right--18in
bottom left--19in bottom middle--20in bottom right--20in

feeding my creative side...

Lately I've become obsessed with jewelry. Finding the right necklace or bracelet can always make me feel so much more put together with whatever I'm wearing and can add just that certain thing that makes ME feel pretty. I have a few staples that I wear pretty consistently that add a pop of color or just complete whatever look I'm going for. I tell you all of this because in my attempt to find a new hobby and fill the need for a creative outlet, I started making necklaces and bracelets...and to generate a little income to feed my new hobby :) I decided to offer up some of my creations for sale.

As of now, I have 3 necklaces with these colors. They are not the same, but do have the same color beads. All the beads are glass with silver links and lobster clasps. Email me at abcarroll@sbcglobal.net if you are interested. Price for the necklaces is $25 and $15 for bracelets (prices include shipping).

If you are interested but these are not really "your" colors, please email me and let me know what colors you would like and I would be happy to make one to suit your wants and needs. I can also make children's sizes. These would make excellent Christmas gifts! :)

(I will post more pictures as they become available)