Do You Remember When...

As I sat with my face in my hands, scared to watch was to unfold, I felt Jennifer hitting my head telling me Hartley had made the field goal, winning the NFC Championship game for the Saints. I suddenly realized that this year has already begun to be the year that you say, "Do you remember when the Saints went to the Superbowl?" or, "Where were you when the Saints went to the Superbowl?"

I can proudly say, "Yes, I was at the dome."

Who Dat!

Bah! Humbug!

So, I know it's been almost 2 months since my last post, but life has changed quite a bit since then. I have a new job in Hammond, we have a new puppy, Christmas is around the corner, and Eva was in a production that required a good amount of time from us.

My new job is going well. I am working for a State Farm agent here in Hammond. Although I have gotten rid of my two-hour daily commute, I find myself with even less time - mostly because I am doing more.

We got a new puppy in early November which has been quite a bit of work, esp. on me since I am working so close to home. I go home for lunch to walk Sascha (I was feeding her) then rush back to work. I cannot wait until she can hold it all day.

On top of all of this, Eva was in the Hammond Nutcracker as a tiny mouse. She loved this! Practice was once a week, but the week of the show (last week) she had dress rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday, and performances Friday and Saturday. The past two weeks or more have been a whirlwind.

The next two weeks include a huge Saints game, my birthday, Christmas, another Saints game, New Years, and blah, blah, blah. I am over it all. I just want to chill out at home quietly with David and the girls for at least 2 weeks straight. Is that too much to ask for for Christmas? I think not.

As soon as New Year's is over there will be Emily's birthday, playoff games, maybe even a Superbowl game, and Mardi Gras. When will it end? I am so ready for our vacation during Easter. Is it too early to start counting down?

Boo at the Zoo

We took the girls to Boo at the Zoo last night. They had a blast. Trick-or-treating, carousel rides, games, cool costumes, and of course, candy. We did not take the girls on the haunted train ride; we heard it was too scary for the little kids. Maybe in a few years. David even had a treat, too. Drew Brees was there with his wife, daughter (in a cool dinosaur costume), and Billy Miller.

We'll definitely be there next year, and of course Seabrook for Halloween 2010!

Change is in the Air

Changes are coming. Good ones, too!

I put in my two-week notice this morning and I feel great. I will be starting a new job working for an agent for State Farm in Hammond.

Benefits:
* No more commute
* Home for breakfast and dinner everyday with the girls (and David when he gets up here)
* Get to actually be a part of the Hammond community
* Ability to have a dog, yes, I said it, a dog!!!

We put a deposit down on a Doberman puppy. She will be ready to come home November 8. A name has been picked out already, but we'll keep it a secret for now. This is facilitated by our house being broken into, again, Monday sometime. Now I'll be able to put a Doberman sign in the yard to warn off potential theives.

Eva's 5th Birthday Weekend

Eva's party was not as it should have been. It rained on and off all day and was in the upper 60's - all in all a nasty day. Only 3 kids showed up (plus Ella and Emily), but she and the other kids had a great time anyway. I've posted some pictures my sister took. In case you are wondering who the boy in the LSU shirt is (since he is in almost every picture with Eva), it's Blaine, 'the boyfriend.' He's a sweet kid - when he's not kissing Eva.

$5 footlong...

later that day...

RSVP

Repondez s'il vous plait.

Simple. Just let me know. Something. Anything.

What is wrong with people these days? No one can be courteous and RSVP an event? Apparently picking up a telephone to say "Yes, I'll be there!" or "No, I can't make it" is just too difficult today with our cell phones and PDAs glued to our side 24/7. I've had it.

Just plain disrespectful.

Happy Birthday Eva!!

Today is Eva's 5th birthday. I have been thinking back a lot lately to how she started her life. Born at 31 weeks gestation and 3 pounds 14 ounces, she has come a long way. On oxygen a mere 45 minutes and never looked back.

One day old in the NICU at Lakeside Hospital.

After 2 or so weeks she was off gavage feeding and taking a bottle. She kept getting bigger and stronger until we were allowed to take her home. The neonatologist said she couldn't believe she was letting a 34 week old baby leave, but she had no reason to keep her any longer.

Eva at 1-2 weeks old, still in the NICU. I remember that soft skin.

What a difference a year makes. Almost walking and as cute as can be. Strong and determined just like the day she was born.

One year old.

The two's weren't so terrible, in fact, compared to her sister, they were a breeze.

Two years old.

Three years old.

Four years old.

Five years old.

Sometimes I can't believe she is already five, but other times I can't believe she is only five. Here's to many more.

Hammond Nutcracker

Eva auditioned for the Hammond Nutcracker this past Saturday and made it! She is going to be a tiny mouse. She is very excited and has her first practice tomorrow.

In case anyone is interested in attending, there are two performances, December 11 & 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm. You can purchase tickets at Columbia Theatre.

Dancing Emily

Sonia managed to get a couple of pictures of Emily at her dance class this morning. She's a cutie!

She can sure shake that booty, and not just at dance class!

Eating vs. Talking

Eva does not eat her lunch and sometimes not even her snack. I can't imagine how a 4-year-old (almost 5) gets through the day from breakfast to dinner with no food. We finally asked the teacher assistant, Mrs. Annie, what she does during lunch besides eat.

Talk, she said. She just talks and talks and talks. (She gets this from her dad.)

I had a talk with her about taking a bite, talking, taking a bite, talking, and so on. I can't wait to hear how lunch went today. She's quite hard-headed, so I'm not too optimistic.

Communication

I got home from being out of town for 2 days onThursday and came home to a very talkative Emily (and understandable). I told David how much more she was talking, and he said he noticed it as well. This is the result of only 3 school days over 1.5 weeks. This was the outcome I was hoping for.

Now about that thumbsucking...

Nutella

This weekend I introduced the girls to the world of Nutella. Do you think they liked it?

Eva is washing her hands singing her made up Nutella song.

Febreze Moment

We've all seen those Febreze commercials where the mom sprays a room with Febreze, walks out and then back in to find her kid on the floor with his nose to the ground.

While the girls were in the bath tonight I changed their sheets, cleaned up, and sprayed their bedroom floor and curtain with Febreze. I walked out, did a few chores, came back in to find a wet Emily on the ground smelling the floor. She sat up and said, "Mmmm."

Emily's First Day

I have just found out that dropping your youngest child off for their first day of school is much, much harder than it was for your first. I thought I was going to have problems with her when it was time for me to leave, but it was me who had the problem.

She did GREAT! She checked out the playground, stood and watched the other kids play. I told her I was going to have to leave in a minute, and she said, "OK." She gave me a kiss and turned to go play. I watched her climb up and go down the slide. She walked around the back of the playset, kicked a ball, and I snuck out.

I cried all the way home, like the 5th little piggie.

Summer pictures

I've been sitting on a few pictures from this summer.

Slip-n-slide

Swimming at Mimi's house.

Bay St. Louis

Global Wildlife - cousins

Eva's swim lessons with Abby.

The girls goofing off.