Day 5-Your siblings

So as you can see.....weekends DO NOT count as my days! LOL. I'm too busy with Kali to post blogs.  But work...now that is different! :)

So my siblings:
I have 1 sister who is wonderful!  We are 9 1/2 years apart.  When we were younger we didn't really get along.  I mean, what 16 year old wants to take their 6 year old sister to the mall with them?!  NONE! :)  So I'll let her slide on her neglect of the mall shopping with me! HAHA

But now that we're older, we're really close.  It's pretty awesome!
And now we have a lot more in common now that we're married, own houses, and have kids.  We complain about the same stuff!!!

Here is a pic of us when I went to Virginia to visit the summer of 2009!

At a fountain in Washington DC

Day 4-Your parents

My mother, Fern is from New Jersey.  She is Jewish, and can be the stereotypical Jew (as well as the rest of her family). (UGH!) But she has a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone with the best intentions. She is fun, and very outgoing (totally opposite from my dad! HAHA).

My Father, Matt was in the Marines for 20+ years and is well....very military.  He's never been a "touchy-feely" kind of person.  And really doesn't even say "Goodbye" when you hang up the phone.  But, he can be the most fun person in the world! He can read a story like no one else (and there are several books that no one else is even allowed to read to Kali because only Dad can do it!!!), and can teach you almost any subject and be able to make you understand it. 

I had a pretty great childhood filled with Band trips, sleepovers, pool parties, movies, and shopping!

I love my parents very much!
~Stephanie

Day 3-Your first love

Well this one is going to be fun.....UGH!
I had one boyfriend in high school that I dated for 3+ years.  He was one year ahead of me and so when he graduated, he went into the Army and then was stationed in Korea for my entire Senior year (which totally sucked!).
I was only 17 at the time and didn't know how to handle long distance relationships and frankly...I really sucked at it.  I would have good intentions to send care packages, but I wouldn't actually do it.  I did send letters almost everyday, but still...that's not always what someone overseas wants from their loved ones back home.  When he got to come home, I realized how different we were.  He was "grown up" and In the Army now (LOL!), and I was still a 17 year old high school senior.  So I decided it was time to part.
But it's awesome now because he's married, I'm married; he has 2 adorable little boys, and I have Kali now.  So it all worked out in the end.
But I can honestly say that he was my first true love and I will sometimes think about what my life would be like if I stayed with him (he and his wife are currently in NY where it snows and is -14 degrees.  Now, I wanna see snow...but I DO NOT want to live in NY.  So it's all good).

And thanks to Facebook, I get to keep in contact with he and his wife.  So that's pretty awesome! :)

Geez 30 day Challenge...way to break out the HARD questions right off the bat! =)
~Stephanie

Day of New

I bought Kali a jumperoo off craigslist.com for $30, which is WAYYYY better than the $80 price tag it had at Target.  I cleaned it up (and sanitized it of course) and it was finally ready for Kali to enjoy last night.  TJ has been working nights this week, so he was sleeping when we got home.  I decided to make dinner and wait until he woke up to put her in the jumperoo so that he could be there too.  He has missed some of her 'firsts' so I wanted to make sure that he was able to join in on this one.

While I was making dinner, Kali decided to roll over....and I didn't see it.  She has been doing this to me for DAYS! And it's killing me.  She did it the other day while I was sitting at the computer paying bills (yay me.....UGH!) and I tried to capture her doing it again on camera, but she REFUSED to do it.  This is becoming a habit of hers.  Anytime she sees either my camera or my phone, she stops doing whatever cute thing she was doing before I grabbed the camera.  Starting to wear on my nerves a little.  Anyhoo.......

I really wanted to record her rolling over, so I set her on her back on her tummy time mat and then "hid" in the kitchen where she couldn't really see me with the camera.  And VIOLA...I captured her rolling over! YAY!!! But if I'm going to have to "hide" from her every time I want to capture a special moment on camera I'm going to scream! NOT FAIR...I love to take pictures and MY KID is the one that doesn't like camera....UGH, such is my life.
So here it is...for your enjoyment!!!!! =)

I was a little excited!!! HAHA

After that, I still had to make dinner.  So I put her in her Bumbo in the kitchen with me.  She only tolerates this thing.  She'll sit in it until she gets board....and then scrambles to get out. HAHA

Kali playing nicely in the kitchen while I cooked...

And then she wanted to get out...

And then she REALLY wanted to get out.

This is Kali's drink and my drink from last night! =) 

After dinner we finally got to put her in the jumperoo.  At first she wasn't sure how to react, but then she liked it.  Here's a picture of her in it...

Yup...she's adorable! :)

And here is the video of her in the Jumperoo for the first time!!

So that was the majority of our night.  She loved it, and then we did her bedtime routine: bath, lotion, story, bottle, Mommy Sleeper hold and GOOD NIGHT KALI!! =)

~Stephanie

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

Well the meaning behind my blog name is kinda easy...
My life began when my daughter was born. 

She gave me a purpose in life, instead of being selfish and only worrying about me (and those 9-10 hours of sleep I used to get).  She gave my life joy, because every morning when I wake up I get to see her smile, every evening when I get home from work she greets me with a smile and so much love in her eyes, and every night I get to kiss her little forehead and whisper "Sweet Dreams my love". 
Yup...easy to say that my life began with my daughter. :)

~Stephanie

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

Well I guess today would be considered DAY 1 of this Blogger challenge.  So here goes nothing...

Introduction:

HI, my name is Stephanie and I'm an addict. Oh, no.  Sorry wrong introduction.
I am 26 years old, been married to TJ for 4.5 years (WOW.....), we have a dog named Junior who is 5.  We just bought our first house in December 2009 and we're still working on getting it the way we like it.  In February 2010 (yes...2 months after buying a house) we found out we were pregnant.  In May 2010 we found out it was a GIRL.  Her name is Kalissa Ann, and she was born on 10/10/10 (pretty spiffy, we know).

Here is a recent picture of me.  Although it was taken on New Years...its still recent cause I haven't taken any others! I'm always BEHIND the camera on purpose!!!

That's me and my critter! LOVE HER =)



And then 15 interesting facts.  Not sure they're all going to be interesting, but we'll see.

1. I love thebump.com and facebook wayyyyyyy too much! 

2. I used to scrapbook...but now can't find the time, but would love to get back into it!

3. I adore taking pictures of Kali.  I want to document every moment of her life!!! (and it would be nice to scrapbook all these dang pictures)

4. I've become a home-body and kinda enjoy it!

5. I played the flute in high school.  Haven't drug it out in a while, but now writing this it kinda makes me want to.

6. I have an older sister who I adore and cherish!! I am so glad that I have someone who knows my crazy family and can RELATE!! :)

7. I really wish that I could be a SAHM (stay at home mom).  I don't want to miss anything that Kali does!!  But my bank account wouldn't like that too much!

8. Since having Kali, I have become a crier.  I used to never cry unless it was necessary...but now, I can cry at the drop of a hat (or mention of a sappy song, or a stupid Pampers commercial, etc.)

9. I'm a shopaholic for SURE!

10. I can hold a grudge for days, weeks, months, and even years.  Just ask my husband!! :)

11. I'm not a very good cook.  But I pretend.

12. If I could go to bed at 8pm every night...I totally would!

13. I love my dog more than I think I should! I feel like he's part of the family and if something were to happen to him, I'd be devastated.  It would be like losing a child!

14. I'm an avid coupon clipper! And I love it.  Actually just bought a new coupon organizer today at Target...its becoming an addiction (but saving money is worth it, right?!)

15. I do not think I'm interesting at all. 

Well there you have it.  Day 1 of the Blogger challenge.  Let's see if I can keep it up for 30 whole days!!! =)

~Stephanie

Blogger Challenge

So...I was snooping around on someone elses blog, and saw this spiffy 30 day challenge.  So I thought...since I'm new to this whole idea of all my business being out there for the world to see, I might as well start with a challenge to get me used to it!! :)
Here is what the Blogger challenge entails:

This challenge is for a period of 30 days.  You are to post what is set for each day listed
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite TV shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture

And go...

~Stephanie

NEW

Since I'm new to this whole idea of blogging...I figured that I'd start off with a couple different posts.  Now hopefully I'll remember to update this thing when new fun stuff happens with Kali as she grows.

So here is the past 3 months in a nutshell!

10/10/10 The best day of our lives so far!!!

Our beautiful baby girl was born naturally (I say naturally because my stupid epidural wore off right when she was crowning...so I got the joy to feel everything other than contractions. But I digress)

10/9/10

TJ & I when we checked into the hospital

(HA checked in, like it's a hotel stay....UGH)

Kalissa Ann born 10/10/10 at 9:25 pm        

Our first Family picture!!

(And boy do I look rough! But I guess I wouldn't look like a prom queen after 12+ hours of labor and 1+ hours of PUSHING!)

For Halloween, Kali was only 3 weeks old.  So we didn't do any trick-or-treating.   But we did go to the Pumpkin Patch to get our pumpkins a few days before Halloween.

And went to Tee Tee's house on the 31st to see all the other kids in their costumes (although Kali basically slept through all of the above! HAHA).

All of us at the Pumpkin Patch

10/31/10

Kali was a "Pea in a Pod" TOO CUTE!!! =)

Then came Thanksgiving.  We went to Birmingham to visit TJ's family.  It was fun and the road trip wasn't that bad, even with a 6 week old.

  

 Our Family-Thanksgiving 2010 



Kali having a fit about taking pictures! :) 

The Whole Crew- Thanksgiving 2010

SO CUTE! :)

When Christmas came, my family came down from Virginia (my sister, brother-in-law and 2 nephews).  It was so much fun!!! I love when they get to come down to visit!

Devin LOVED Kali, but Michael wasn't too sure.  I think he resents the replacement I brought into the family! HAHA

Meeting Aunt Trin for the very first time.          

Devin holding Kali for the first time (did pretty good!!)

 Uncle Don holding Kali

Christmas 2010:

My little Santa Baby =)

Kali and Daddy taking a nap Christmas Morning    

Enjoying her new Bumbo

Me and my beautiful Sister at Longhorns resteraunt!!

  

Junior & Kali Christmas 2010           

 Kali decked out in PURPLE! Love it!     

 First visit with Santa 2010!

Kali was smiling and saying "Ah Goo" by the end of the year.  It was amazing.  She's already growing up too fast and I don't like it!



THEN CAME 2011!!!

For New Years, we went back up to Birmingham.  Kali did SOOOOO much better on the car ride than during Thanksgiving.  And boy were TJ and I grateful!

It was a nice relaxing visit where we had nothing planned and it was FABULOUS! 

Me and Kali New Years 2011

Our Family - New Years 2011

Kali looking so dignified (my favorite)

Addison & Kali (cousins and only 5 weeks apart)



Once we got home from Birmingham, Kali started attempting to roll over.  At first I told her she wasn't allowed because she's too little and I don't want her growing up too fast...but I guess I can't really do that.  So here are some misc. pics from January 2011 so far! :)

This is the look I get everytime I bring the camera out when she's doing something cute! It kills me! :)

Having fun with Tummy Time!

Junior, Kali and Daddy hanging out.

1/10/11

I'm 3 months old today!!!

I just love this smile!! =)



I have tried several times to get a video of her rolling over.  Considering that she's done it two times from her tummy to her back, and two times from her back to her tummy.  But she NEVER does it for the camera.  I swear, she sees that thing and then stops doing anything remotely cute! Well...I love her anyway!

So...that is the past 3 months in a nutshell...a rather large nutshell, but still.  Many more to come whenever she does something amazingly cute! I promise!

~Stephanie



Contest Queen

I have officially become one of "those" mothers that enters their children into ungodly amounts of photo contests...Great.  But I hear about them all the time on the radio and websites, that I'm so excited that I finally get to enter!  And it's become an addiciton for me.  Anytime I hear about a contest, I immediately go searching through all my photos of Kali trying to pick the perfect one for the contest...and then I go enter.  Gosh...I need to go to CA (Contest Annonymous)!!!

Here is the run down of the contests I've entered her in so far.... (man I'm so ashamed)
WPAP 92.5fm radio Holiday Baby Contest: She's #13 in the photos and you can vote by her name (Kalissa)
http://www.wpapfm.com/cc-common/gallery/display.html?album_id=267848

Parents.com Toy model search: I'm honestly not sure how I entered her in this contest, but it's still an adorable picture and why not vote?!
http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/683076

Island 106 radio Baby Idol Contest: This one isn't up for voting yet, but trust me...I'll post when it is!

Now everyone reading...GO VOTE!!!!! :)

~Stephanie