A Big Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Dada..<3Marlee and Mama want to wish Dada a very Happy Birthday! This year is a biggie for Dave. We had a really good couple of days. On Friday the 28th (Dave's actual Birthday) Dave, Marlee and I went to a late lunch and then I DID it! Yes, I did it. We dropped Marlee off with my Mom and went to the movies. This is the first time since Marlee was born that Dave and I have gotten a sitter and went out alone. It was hard for me to leave her, I know, I know, I'm a little unstable. Then yesterday I planned a surprise party for Dave at Brad and Kristy's in Pahrump. No one ruined the surprise..hard to believe. We had a really good time. Thank you to everyone for coming.
Happy Birthday Sugar! Marlee and I are so lucky to have you in our lives. You are the best Dada and partner we could ever hope for. We love you..<3

Merry Christmas to You!

Hope everyone has a Verry Merry Christmas.

We have had a really great Christmas. Marlee Kay is only 5 1/2 months old and she made this Christmas such a special one. Santa brought her a jumparoo and Dada and I both bought her one special present. Dada got Marlee her first Cabbage Patch baby and Mama got her a special book from me to her. It was such a special day..and it gets even better..Dave is off until January 7th...woohoo. My husband is an early bird and by early I mean like 4:30 am early. You know what this means for Mama...sleeping in!
I also want to wish Auntie Lesley a Verry Happy Birthday! Make your day a special one. We love you Auntie..<3

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Happy Birthday Grandpa Earl..

We Love you..<3

Five Months

Where have the past five months gone?

As I write this, I can hardly believe it..my little Marlee Kay is 5 months old! Every morning I awake to her talking, telling me "mama, I'm awake and ready for another day", I realize I am not dreaming. I get up all dreary eyed, look down at her and, of course, she is smiling. She starts kicking her feet up and down and up and down and her whole body gets going, like a little inch worm. How much she has changed this past month, Marlee has become this little person with a big personality.

Five months. Where has the year gone? I cannot even begin to explain what a good, happy, easy baby Marlee is for Mama and Dada. If she is mad something is wrong as she rarely cries and gets upset. She is constantly smiling, laughing, and squealing with delight and she has definitely found her voice.

Marlee is so long. At five months she is already grown out of her 3-6 month sleepers and graduated to 6-9 month sleepers.

Mama and Marlee have really established a great routine. Most nights she sleeps from about 8pm to 6am and she takes two-two hour naps and usually one short one hour "cat" nap. EXCEPT this all changes come the weekend. It's like she knows that Dada's going to be home and the routine gets thrown out the window.

When my little Marlee Moo is tired she pulls at her ear and scratches anything within reach with her left hand. It's the most precious thing.

Let's see..this month she rolled from her back to her belly. She has yet to roll from her belly to back, but any day now. She can also hold her own head up and has lost most of her "bobble head". She talks and talks, squeals and laughs, grabs at anything close to her, gets so excited when she sees her bottle and tries to put it in her mouth, sticks out her tongue, and constantly has her fingers in her mouth.

This past month Marlee got to meet her Great Aunt Eleanor from Mississippi. She came down to spend Thanksgiving with us. Marlee loved her! She would just smile and smile at Eleanor.

We also got a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Ross. They came all the way from Florida just to meet Marlee. Marlee warmed right up to Grandma Viola and she just ate her up!

There are so many things Marlee Moo loves..Mama, Dada, her bouncy chair, the activity mat, reading books (I read, she listens, of course), her mobile-when I put her down she will just watch the mobile in pure amazement. She also loves baths, going for walks with the Bubba's, Mama singing to her, and of course-the Bubba's. Cooper will get right up in her face and sniff and snort and she just laughs and laughs. Mollie will come up to Marlee with a toy, drop it and bark hoping Marlee will play catch with her.

My little angel amazes me every single day. Everyday I think, this is it..I couldn't love her anymore than I love her today but somehow everyday I prove myself wrong. I told Dave the other day I can't believe I ever thought I could go through life and never be a Mama.

Counting my Many Blessings..

Happy Thanksgiving..

What a year to be thankful for. I am overcome with emotion when I think about how lucky I am. To FINALLY be blessed with a healthy, happy, perfect in every way baby and a supportive, wonderful, patient, more than I could have ever asked for husband..I have the best family a girl could ask for and I am definitely counting my many, many, many blessings this year. Life is good.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Four Months

Well, my little Marlee Moo turned four months last Saturday. Time is passing at lightening speed! I am so sad to see that she is not a teeny tiny baby that Dave and I brought home from the hospital and to think that I will never get that time back...but oh so happy to watch her grow into this little being..this little life just oozing with personality. At her four month well check she weighed in at 14 pounds 15 ounces (60th percentile) and measured 26 1/2 inches long (75th percentile).
What a difference a month makes..
This past month she found her hands and feet..they go straight into her mouth along with anything else she can get her hands on. She has gotten so strong and can now sit in the Bumbo unassisted..this was a sad day for me.

When I put her on the activity mat she now reaches for the toys and of course they go straight to her mouth. Her favorite toy is definitely the bouncy chair. I usually put her in this on the counter when I cook dinner and she loves it. Daddy will rock the bouncy like crazy and she loves it! It's so cute, she kicks her left foot and laughs and laughs!

Marlee is so happy. When she first wakes up in the morning and after naps she talks and talks. Once she sees me or Dada she gets this big ole' smile and starts kicking her feet. If she wakes up crying or upset I know she hasn't gotten enough sleep.

She thinks the weirdest sounds are so funny. She laughs when I sneeze, cough, clear my throat,or sip coffee.

I am still swaddling her for naps and bedtime. This past week I have started leaving her arms out. She sleeps all kicked back with her arms behind her head..it's so darn cute. When I first get her up I put her arms around my neck and she gives me hugs...she is edible.

Dave is so perfect with her..she is his little "Pumpkin". I love to watch him with her..seeing his strong hands be so gentle with her..my heart is so full of love at times I think it could burst..<3

Let the Embarrassment Begin

So it happened..it happened today. Dave and I were in the middle of an important meeting and once we got there and I realized how looooonnnggg this meeting was going to take I should have gotten a sitter..although getting a sitter and leaving my baby is a whole other issue. Okay back to the meeting. As we were sitting there I kept thinking Marlee needs to sleep. She needs to sleep or my little girl who is so so good 95% of the time is going to start to cry because she is too tired..I mean really cry..ask Stacey. So I am sitting there having a hard time even being part of the meeting when I hear what sounds like a pellet gun. Over and over..for a good fifteen seconds. I try to ignore it because I know exactly what it is and of course after the second fifteen second pellet gun went off Dave looked down to acknowledge that our sweet little girl was yes..you guessed it..tooting. However when it sounds like an adult male can it be considered a toot. I was so, so, so embarrassed. So then the two individuals we were meeting with had to laugh..haha. Her "tooting" went on for a good twenty minutes. All the time everyone just kept laughing. You would have thought it was me that was ripping them with how embarrassed I was. I know, I know, this is just the beginning of the embarrassing things she is going to do or say!

Marlee's first Halloween..BOO

Happy Halloween...




























Marlee and I want to wish everyone a Happy, and safe, Halloween!

Happy Birthday Carter..<3

My nephew, Carter Bradley, has made his appearance.

October 25, 2007 at 5:00am

20 1/2 inches long and 8 pounds 4 ounces

Kristy had a slow start but once her water broke she went from 6 centimeters to 10 centimeters in no time. She sure has a hard time carrying babies but she makes the birth look effortless!

Carter has big, beautiful blue eyes and is a mix of both Alexee and Braiden.

My parents have had 5 grandchildren in about a one year span. And to think my Dad called us underachievers..he's eating his words now!

Picture Day

Just thought I would share some pictures Dave and I took of Marlee over the weekend. She IS the cutest damn baby I ever did see..

Love the tushie!!

Monkey Face..2 1/2 months

Three Months..

My sweet baby girl is 3 months old today! I can hardly believe it. She is growing up so fast, too fast. She weighs about 12 pounds and is 24 1/2 inches long. My Mom has always said watching your child grow up is bittersweet and I couldn't agree more. Sad to see her changing so fast but so excited to see what tomorrow holds. It is surreal. The other day I was changing her diaper and I let out a little cough...Marlee Kay looked up at me..and laughed! This is the first time she has actually "laughed" when she has been awake. I could have cried! And of course now every time I make this little fake cough she laughs...that is until the video camera gets set up..already stubborn like her Mama..and Dada!
Not only are Dave and I blessed to have a daughter, we are blessed to have such a good...and haPPy daughter. Someone asked me the other day "so how has parenting been for you these past few months?" My response...piece of cake! Marlee has made it so easy for us.

She is getting so strong. She still has a slight bobble head but sometimes she holds her head up all by herself!

Although she loves her Mama, she is definitely a Dada's girl. When Dave comes home from work and Marlee hears him, she starts looking around for him. Right when he goes to her and their eyes meet Marlee smiles and smiles...Mama's heart melts!

She is still sleeping in the pack-n-play next to our bed. I know, I know, our goal was by 3 months, but we are just not ready to move her into her crib. Her bedroom seems miles away! Dave gets out of bed and checks on her about a gizillion times a night with her IN our room and I still have the habit of putting my hand on her chest to make sure she is breathing. I'm not sure if we are both so nervous because of Marlee's traumatic birth and her not breathing on her own for a good 5 minutes or if we would have been this craZy anyway...I vote the latter! Hey, at least she's not IN our bed, right? The good news is she takes naps in her cribs and for the most part she sleeps well.

Marlee loves to go for walks with the Bubba's. She just sits in her stroller and takes everything in. As she is looking around I think, wow, this is the very first time she has seen a tree, or heard a siren (that happened yesterday), or looked at the sky..unbelievable.

Dave and I both left her for the first time last month. Dave was at work and I had to go to the doctor for an ultrasound. Auntie Kristy came over and babysat for a couple of hours. I get so sad to leave her...I know, no doubt, I'm crazy. I think in the next couple weeks Dave and I will break down, get a sitter and have date night.



At times when I look at or think about Marlee I get overwhelmed with emotion. The other day I said to Dave "Don't you just love her..I mean really lOvE her?" His response: "she's like a breath of sunshine."

Go Pack, Go..

Marlee showing her support wearing Green Bay Packers colors.

Go Packers Go...let's make it 5-0 tonight!! Our Man Favre won't let us down. Superbowl here we come =)

PS-Sorry about your Broncos Honey...love you, muah!

Oh the Irony..

Kindness, generosity, respect, knowledge, responsibility, courtesy...blah, blah, blah

A few of the character traits that Dave and I feel are essential to life. Traits that we will instill in Marlee. We were having this "profound" conversation over the weekend. Talking about things we feel are important in life and the type of parents we hope to be.

So, Dave says something like I hope she finds an honest, decent, hard working husband.
I say I can only hope she can be as lucky as me and find a husband she can be proud of. A husband that puts his families needs and wants before his own.
His response: Babe, I don't know how okay I'll be if she brings home some forty year old guy.

All I could do was laugh...ironic, right? I guess this is going to be one of the many "do as I say not as I do" conversations with Marlee...

What's a crazy Mama to do?

I have officially become one of those crAzY Mama's...
Marlee Kay is 12 weeks today...I know, I can't believe it either. Last week I decided it was time to start talking about moving her out of our bedroom and into her crib. She has slept through the night in her bassinet since we brought her home and now sleeps from about 9:00 to 6:00...sorry Kristy. Most naps throughout the day she takes in her crib and she loves it! I am having a really hard time with this so I decided to go to Dave for the strength I so desperately need...big mistake. Here is how our conversation went down last week:

Ang-Babe, I have decided it is about time we move Marlee into her crib at night

Dave-(with look of sadness)-I'm not sure I am ready for that...

What? Not what I needed to hear, right? I said this weekend (which was last weekend) we are going to make the transition. Well, weekend came and went and neither Dave or I brought the issue up as we put her to bed in our room. Looks like I am going to have to be the strong one since Dada's obviously not going to.

My new goal is to have her in her crib by October 10, which is when she turns 3 months...can I do it?

I know, I know, I am one of those crazy Mama's that I used to laugh at...I remember telling Kristy when she was having a hard time moving Alexee into her crib "what's the big deal"-I so so so get it now! Poor Marlee...she has a crazy Mama...and Dada :)

Any words of encouragement would be great...:)

Things I dislike...

Things I dislike...

*Unsolicited advice
*The fact that I over analyze everything
*Lemon in my water...ugggghhhh-get it right servers!
*People who talk only about themselves
*Dirty floors
*Dishonesty
*When a Mom in Del Taco decides to change her toddler's poopy diaper in the booth next to mine...bad enough but even worse when we were the only people in the entire restaurant
*People who don't put shopping carts in the designated areas...then my car gets dinged
*The death penalty
*People who sit RIGHT next to me in a movie theatre...ugh - I get there early so this doesn't happen
*Folding laundry
*Violence
*My husband's snoring
*Public toilets
*Inconsiderate people
*People who are constantly late (I'm not talking 5 or 10 minutes)...like their time is more valuable than mine
*Grocery shopping
*Crowds
*Muffin top
*Exercising
*People who take advantage of my husband and his generosity
*Parents who don't make their kids mind
*People who lack respect
*Smokers...not so much smokers themselves but the cigarette smoke
*Inconsiderate smokers
*When I see parents smoking in their car with kids in the backseat...especially when all the windows are rolled up...can I just smack them...this should be against the law
*Parents who are holding a child in their lap and a cigarette in their hand-blowing smoke right at the poor child
*When I walk out of somewhere and into a cloud of cigarette smoke...especially when I have Marlee
*Did I mention smokers?
*Racism
*That still today women make less than men
*Shoes in my house...especially when my floors have just been cleaned
*Slow drivers in the fast lane
*Pee on the rim of the toilet...can't men just sit down to pee
*People that litter
*A dirty house
*Junk mail...what a waste
*Bad grammar
*People that drink and drive
*Plea bargaining
*Cockroaches, vinegaroons and wolf spiders
*Parents who let their kids run up to my dogs at the park before asking me if they are friendly
*George Bush
*People who don't take responsibility and blame everyone and everything else for their problems
*That it is not mandatory for insurance companies to cover infertility treatments
*My negativity
*Did I mention unsolicited advice?

Wow...this is quite therapeutic. I think I could go on and on, but I will stop now.

**Kristy, Kristie and Stacey let me hear all about the things you dislike

Things I love...<3

Lesley's post (http://www.barrbabies.com/) and a thread on another board really got me thinking about things I love and dislike. So here goes...

Things I love...

*The smell of my daughter after a bath

*The innocence of children

*A hot cup of Joe first thing in the morning

*My husband's dry sense of humor
*Reading a good book into the wee hours of the night

*Marlee Kay's laugh

*My bubba's (dogs) breath-gross, I know

*My husband's generosity and complete selflessness

*Being lucky enough to stay at home with Marlee

*Honesty

*Einstein bagels

*Sunday mornings

*The smell of rain

*Silence (very underated)

*People who can admit when they are wrong and apologize

*My family

*Watching Marlee sleep...so peaceful

*A clean house

*My husband's patience with me

*Finding a good deal on something...anything

*An unexpected compliment

*A long, hot shower

*Looking at Marlee and seeing Dave staring back at me

*Smoke free restaurants

*Nice, straight white teeth

*Walking in the door and being greeted by my bubba's

*My Sissies...best friends a girl could have

*My Mama...the world's best...and you too Dad!

*Clean sheets

*TIVO

*Politics

*The smell of spring flowers blooming

*Watching Dave melt when he looks at Marlee

*Bookstores

*Organizing

*A good debate

*My husband-for being more than I could have ever asked for

*Feeling like my family is finally complete

*Being a Mama...finally!

Isn't she a beauty?

Wow...I am in the best mood now

Stay tuned for the things I dislike

**I am challenging Kristy, Stacey, Dara and Kristie to post things they love/dislike!

Carter's Night Out!

Kristy and Carter's shower dinner...Before Kristy pops the girls took her and Carter to dinner at Bucca de Beppo Saturday night. It was so much fun! As we were all sitting around talking we realized that every single one of us are Mama's now...crazy! The highlights of the evening:

Kristy having a "little" too much to drink...kidding...just kidding!

Lesley refusing to share...once again...kidding! This brings me back to "no, you cannot have a chip because I have so many chips per every bite of sandwich"...and I'm the anal one..ha!

We love you Sissie and can't wait to meet Carter!

Where does the time go?

Marlee Kay is 2 months old!!

It's the weirdest thing...Sometimes I look at my daughter and I can't believe she is already two months old! And other times it feels like she has always been apart of our family and I can't even think about what it was like before her! It's surreal.
What a difference a month makes. She has started interacting with her Mama and Dada so much! She smiles...and laughs!! She will talk and talk...and you had better pay attention and talk back or else she gets upset...it's the cutest thing! When I snuggle Marlee or lie her down, she will just lie there, look around and take everything in. I love to just watch her as she sees something for the first time. When she wakes up and cries for me or Dada, she instantly calms down once she hears our voice and we pick her up...only two months old and she is already comforted and soothed by us.
She had her doctors appointment yesterday and she is already 10 pounds and 23 1/2 inches long...long and skinny just like her Dada! I call her my lil' stringbean! She had to get four shots and she cried harder than I have ever heard her cry =( It broke my heart. After a few minutes she was over it...I think it upset me more than it upset her!
She is so strong! When I try to burp her she throws her head back and when I place her on her tummy for tummy time she can already turn her head from one side to the other.
She amazes me everyday and I am so lucky and blessed to have such an amazing husband and perfect daughter.
Life is good!

Breaking out of her *cocoon* first thing in the morning.

Pregnancy Blues...

So...

The other day Kristy and I were talking about how well we take care of ourselves when we are pregnant and breastfeeding because of the little bean growing inside of us. We don't skip meals, try to eat healthy, drink AMPLE amounts of water, take our prenatal vitamins religiously, cut out caffeine, etc. Yet, once that baby pops out none of these rules seem to apply. Every morning for breakfast I have a big fat cup of caFFeinated coffee, I am doing good if I drink half the recommended amount of water in a day, and I probably remember to take my vitamins twice a week. Why is this? Is our own health not important to us?

I always hear Mom's talk about the things they do not miss about being pregnant. There are so many things I miss aBouT being pregnant.

I miss...

-Feeling Marlee Kay move

-The constant attention and worry that my husband showed

-Being lazy and not at all feeling guilty about it

-Not having to suck in my stomach

- Not being nearly as greasy

-I was neVer dehydrated with all the water I drank

-Being regular...sissies-you know what I mean =)

-My clear skin-again because of all the water I drank

-No pAiNfUl periods...woohoo

-And of course, the ever growing elastic pants!

On the road to Recovery

Well, had my 8 week postpartum check up with my OB yesterday. I swear I should just apply for a job with as much time I spend there! Swainston said everything looks good and I am healing great. He FINALLY took me off most restrictions...that means I get to clean...woohoo!! Dave sure is happy since he has been doing all the vacuuming and mopping. I go back in 2 weeks for an ultrasound so he can get a good look at my uterus. Depending on what that shows I might have to have another laparscopy done because he is worried about scare tissue and something else that I cannot remember.

Bet you can't guess what the first thing that I did today was? Yep...vacuum. Who really gets excited about cleaning...I know I need a life, right?

First time on the activity mat-not quite sure what to think

Hittin the Books

I feel like I have been going to school foReVer. I know, I know, it has only been a couple of years. After taking the summer semester off to have Marlee it is so hard to get back into the swing of things...but on I go. It's time to hit the books. I have so been enjoying my days filled with dirty diapers, cleaning bottles, and Marlee's ever growing

smile =)

Dadda's Little Girl

Moments that make your heart Melt <3

Last night I was cuddling Marlee, trying to get her to sleep. Eyes closed and she was almost out for the count...I hear this giggle and I look down...my baby is not only smiling but laughing too. The most precious laugh. I wonder what she could have been dreaming about.

My heart melted...<3

Best Birthday present ever!!!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

Happy Birthday to...

ME!!

I never thought that my life could change so much in one year.

Still the FaT One

Amazon Woman
I have always been the fat sister. Okay, not always...but usually.

So three out of the four sisters were pregnant together. I know, I know, I waited years to be pregnant and they couldn't just let me do it on my own, right? (insert laugh)
I am feeling pretty good about my preganacy weight lose
that is...until I saw Stacey..

a mere 2 weeks postpardom she has no sign of even having a baby...flat washboard stomach and full, perky boobies! I told her people are going to think she is Haylee's nanny!

Stacey 34 weeks, me 39 weeks

Some things never change

A little about our Family

First Came Love

Dave and I have been together since 2000 and married for 5 years now. Dave is in the construction industry and I have been lucky enough to go back to school full time and am also now a work-at-home Mommy!

April 3, 2002
Maui, Hawaii

Next came the Bubba's...our dogs that we treat better than most people probably treat their children (yes, I am one of those crazy dog people)!

Mollie and Cooper

Dave and I knew from the beginning of our marriage that it would not be easy for us to have children. After 5 years of trying and treatments we - actually I - basically gave up hope.

But...

On July 10, 2007 we welcomed our precious baby girl...

Marlee Kay Miracle Ross

...and a Miracle she is...

My 1st Blog

Well, I am doing it. I am finally joining the ever growing world of blogging.
So...here we go...