The Life and Times of Team Taylor

12 of the best months ever

2011-01-12T15:02:00.000-06:00

2010 was, by far, the best year ever for Team Taylor. Let me tell you why... in a recap.

January: We rang in the new year with some of our very bests... The Cains and The Trimbles.

February: Our sweet tiny joined our world!

March: I completed the business proposal for my office.

April: Hubs turned another year older... and let me tell you... that man gets better and better with age. :o)

May: I got approved for a business loan.. big BIG deal.

June: Hubs and I celebrated our SIXTH year of marriage.

July: We signed the lease on the practice.

August: I turned a year older AND Owen started crawling!

September: Build out really got moving at the office.

October: Owen got his first tooth, pumpkin carving and trick or treating experience!

November: Owen's first Thanksgiving!

December: Owen's first Christmas and the opening of the practice!!!

It was a great year. Indescribable almost.... and something tells me 2011 is going to meet or exceed the amazingness! I can't wait!

Cheers to 2011!

Wiping off the dust....

2011-01-04T17:19:00.000-06:00

So... I've fallen off the blogging train BIG TIME. And I am sure that is blatantly obvious to any of you readers out there. I was getting some strange comments in languages that I don't know how to read so I went private. Well that diminished my readers tremendously... so here I am again. Public. I need this blog as an outlet. I need it to document this time in my life.

I will have to do some major recapping of the last... oh... almost YEAR... of my life. It's been a doozie! An exciting, stressful, fun, life changing, mind boggling, enlightening, enriching, indescribable, difficult dooze of a year.

We've been raising the most handsome, perfect, sweetest, most entertaining, and smart little man I ever did know.

We've opened a business from scratch and are learning as I type how difficult it can be.

Basically, we've had the highest of highs and the near lowest of lows all within a year's time.

I am back in the blogging game now. I want to document my struggles and joys of being a wife, mother, doctor, business owner, friend, and daughter. It's definitely an art... that I am yet to perfect... and I probably never will perfect. But you all can follow me on my journey on trying to learn how!

It's also apparent to me that I need to do something with my blog layout.... that will come later.

Lots of Pictures, Few Words... Part 3

2010-06-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

Sweet baby boy.

About to put him in his going home outfit.

My two favorite fellas.

About to go home!

It was snowing when we left!

Lots of Pictures, Few Words... Part 2

2010-06-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

Proud Papa!

Proud & very tired Momma!

Sweet baby feet!

Melts my heart.

Beautiful flowers from sweet fam & friends.

Lots of Pictures, Few Words... Part 1

2010-06-10T15:05:00.001-05:00

Brand new baby boy.

His little hand is still blue!

Grandma and Grandpa meet Baby T for the first time.

Tiny little hand... so sweet.

A New Team Taylor OBSESSION...

2010-06-03T21:36:00.004-05:00

So... I am going to try my best not to make this blog COMPLETELY about Baby T now... however difficult that may be. I already have like 5 more posts about him lined up... seeing how I waited until he was almost 4 months old to even blog about him being born!!! Such a slacker...

Anyway... I'd like to introduce you to the latest and greatest OBSESSION of Team Taylor. It's Big Truck Tacos. Sooooo yummy. So far we have tried the Okie-Baha taco (tilapia, with some kind of amazing slaw), Beef al carbon (beef with poblano peppers and some other yumminess), Crispy-Cado (fried avocado with other goodness) and hubs tried some chicken one as well that looked yummy. THEN they have the '5th amendment' taco that is different every day and they don't tell you what's in it. We think it's a super fun concept. We tried it tonight and it was fried catfish with some hella spicy salsa and poblano peppers. It was tasty but lit my mouth on FIRE! We will be visiting this place often! Especially for the Okie-Baha... it's SO YUMMY! That slaw is TO. DIE. FOR!

We had this for dinner tonight... followed by a cupcake at Cuppies and Joe (another one of my fave spots) and a trip to 1/2 Price Books (love that place)... such a perfect evening with two of the most handsome fellas around!

Stay tuned for LOTS O' PICS of our sweet babe.... and months 1-4 updates. :o)

Love!

Baby T's Birth Story

2010-06-02T15:20:00.000-05:00

** Get comfortable... this is a LONG one! **

~also, I wrote this for Baby T to read someday... so it is written like I'm talking to him... just FYI~

First, let me say a few things before I start the story of labor and delivery. My pregnancy was a dream. I never had any major discomfort or complaints throughout the entire pregnancy… all 42 weeks and 1 day of it. I was anxious to meet you, but was in no hurry to make you arrive until you decided you were ready. Modern medicine, however, does not like a pregnancy to go past 42 weeks. I opted to use a midwife for my prenatal care in order to try and avoid threats of induction and artificial means to make you arrive as well as have a completely med free, natural labor and delivery, but the midwife we were using started pushing for induction via pitocin right at 42 weeks if I didn’t go into labor on my own before then. To try and get things moving naturally I started trying all different kinds of tricks. I started taking Evening Primrose Oil. I ate spicy food… lots of it. I made ‘labor cookies.’ I bounced on my stability ball. Your Daddy and I and Aunt SheShe and I walked and walked and walked and walked. We walked Target, Wal Mart, malls, treadmills, and museums and more. I am convinced even more now that ever before that babies come when babies are ready and no ‘tricks’ work. So… on with the story.

The Friday before you were born (Feb. 5^th) I was dilated to 2 cm. That was enough to have my membranes stripped (by another midwife because ours was out of town) to try and get contractions started. Later that evening, contractions started. They were mainly in my back and were very far apart and inconsistent. They slowly got more intense and closer together all day Saturday (Feb 6^th) and by early Sunday morning Dad and I decided that we should probably head to the hospital. We went to the hospital and the triage nurse determined that I was still only dilated to 2cm. and my water had not yet broken. They did some monitoring to make sure you and I were both doing fine and we asked to go home. The nurse released us to go home. I tried to get some rest Sunday morning/afternoon because Dad and I wanted to watch the Super Bowl that evening. Once I got some rest and relaxed in the tub, the contractions slowed down and became less intense. They stayed that way for most of Monday (Feb 8^th). We made an appointment to see a Chiropractor who also does acupuncture that evening to see if he could get labor to speed up and get me to dilate more. We went in that evening and he worked his magic and by 6:00 Tuesday morning (Feb 9^th) when I was scheduled to be induced, I was already in full blown labor, so we went ahead and gathered our things, made sure Daisy was taken care of and went to the hospital. They got us checked in and sure enough, I was dilated to 6cm so we were there to stay and were having a baby that day! (So we thought.)

Let me take a moment here to pause and talk a little more about my laboring at home before I get on to the details that went on at the hospital:

Your Dad was amazing. He drew me baths. He kept the lights low. He lit candles. He played my favorite music for me. He made sure I was drinking enough water. He wiped my brow and back with cool cloths. He rubbed my back when I was having a contraction. He told me how great I was doing. He tried everything he could to try and get me to relax (and found that that is quite a feat). He laid with me and swayed with me. I couldn’t have done it without him.

My favorite place to labor was the bathroom. I’m not sure why, but it was. So I spent many hours leaning over the bathroom counter with the lights off and candles burning and the laptop playing Jack Johnson and Bob Marley, swaying my hips. I spent a good amount of time in the tub as well. One of my all time favorite memories of my entire existence now is of me sitting in the tub ‘Indian style’ with the shower curtain closed, lights off, candles burning, Bob Marley playing, having contractions… and I just gave in and went into my zone. I envisioned myself on the beach at Grand Cayman (the most beautiful place Dad and I have ever been… it’s breath taking) with Bob Marley playing in the background and each breath I took in was a wave coming onto the beach and each breath out was the water going back out to sea. It was such a peaceful and incredible few moments of my life and I was able to truly give in to labor and get in my zone.

Okay, back to the hospital. We got checked in and settled in. Dad and I decided to walk the halls to try and speed things up. The midwife told us if there hadn’t been any progress in the next few hours we would discuss breaking my water. She came back to check me around 8:30am… still 6 cm. We walked more. I tried to lay down and relax and sit/lay in different positions. The midwife checked me again at 10:00am… still 6cm. We (okay… really Dad… he fought so hard for me and argued with the midwife tooth and nail to let me do this naturally) convinced her to let us go a while longer before breaking the water. Grandma and Grandpa came to the hospital around this time and came in to see us. I wasn’t really in the mood for visitors so they only stayed for a few minutes. Dad and I continued to try and rest until the midwife checked me again at 12:00pm… and I was still dilated to 6cm. She broke my water and we expected progress now. If not, the midwife wanted to start pitocin after a few hours to speed things up. I continued to labor in the room until 4:00pm when the midwife came to check me again and I was still only dilated to 6cm. We went ahead and let the midwife start the pitocin to try and speed things up. I was scared the contractions would get really bad with the pitocin, but they really didn’t. I was just getting tired. The midwife, the nurse, and Dad ran me a bath to try and get me in it to relax. Well, the water was less than luke warm, so they brought in hot water from the hall. This whole process seemed to take forever and just made me uncomfortable, so I got out of the tub. Around 8:00pm I still had only progressed to 7cm and was exhausted.The midwife started throwing around threats of having to do a C-section since I was not progressing much. We were determined NOT to let that happen. I was having you vaginally no matter what. I was already upset that they were using pitocin. We weighed out some other options and having a little bit of Nubain was an option. Nubain is a drug that allows you to relax. The nurse assured me that they would give me the smallest dose possible and would administer it on full contraction so very little (if any) would penetrate the placenta and get to you. At this point, Dad and I didn’t know what to do. I was getting tired and was having a really hard time relaxing. Dad called our Bradley instructors (Phil & Nikki) to tell them what was going on and get some advice on what we should do. We decided to go with the Nubain. Almost immediately after they gave it to me, I was able to sit on the bed ‘Indian style’ and doze in and out for a while. The midwife then began to come check me about every hour. Each time she came in I had progressed a little… 7.5cm then 8cm then 9cm then 9.5cm. When she left the room from checking me when I was 9.5 cm, I got out of the bed to try and use the restroom then sat in the rocking chair. I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to push and made this grunting sound that I never would have imagined coming out of my body. I told David to get the midwife back in the room FAST, because I needed to push and I needed to push NOW.The midwife came back in the room and asked if I’d like a mirror to watch. I told her that that sounded like it was going to take too long and not to leave the room because I was ready to have this baby. She checked me and I was dilated to 10cm so she told me to go ahead and get in a position I was comfortable in and go ahead and push when I had the urge for five contractions and then she’d start to coach me through contractions. I was most comfortable squatting, so she put the squat bar up on the bed for me and I pushed on my own for five contractions. The midwife then started to coach me through pushing. I got in two good ten second long pushes per contraction. She had me lay on my side and had David hold my legs for a few contractions and then let me get back up in the squatting position after you started crowning. I almost can’t explain what came over me when it was time to push. I was determined and nothing in the world could have stopped me at that point. Pushing was almost a relief and I vividly remember thinking “This really doesn’t hurt that bad… what does everyone complain about??” I pushed for about an hour (about 10-12 coached pushes) and you were here at 12:42am on Wednesday, February 10, 2010! I didn’t know right away what time it was. I asked a few minutes later what time you were born. When the midwife said 12:42am… I said “Good… 2/10/10… he waited for the good birth date.” I liked 2/10/10 better than 2/9/10 and was excited that that was your birth date… just barely. :o)

I immediately laid back on the bed and waited for Dad to tell me what you were. Right away I heard him say “It’s a boy! It’s a boy! It’s a boy! It’s a boy!” and he got a little choked up. Then I noticed he wouldn’t move from in front of me and kept repeating himself. I then noticed I couldn’t hear you crying and I heard the nurse call for the attending doctor on the hall because the cord was wrapped around your neck twice and you weren’t breathing. The midwife got the cord unwrapped and your nose and mouth suctioned out and you immediately sprung to life and I finally heard you cry. Dad said you were completely blue and lifeless and he was terrified, but you sprung to life so fast and it was the coolest thing he had ever seen. They handed you to me. You were so alert and just stared into my eyes. I then let you nurse for the first time and you did so well! I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. You were just so perfect. Dad counted your fingers and toes while you ate. He also cut the umbilical cord. Then the nurse took you to wipe you off, weigh you, measure you, and get your sweet little footprints. Dad didn’t leave your side. You weighed in at 8 lbs., 14oz. and measured 22.5 inches long! I couldn’t believe how big you were. The nurse put your footprints on a birth certificate for us and then put your footprints on Daddy’s arm. It was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen… other than the ear to ear grin Daddy had on his face.

After they got me all cleaned up (and the midwife had told me I was fully intact… amazing!!), we had a few moments with just the three of us. It was so surreal that you were finally here! And that I had just done that! I gave birth to a sweet little boy… and we were finally a little family. We were just quiet. We just stared at you… and how perfect you were.

Dad went out to announce your arrival and that you were a boy! Grandma and Grandpa came in to meet you right away.

Then we were off to our recovery room to get some rest and spend our first ‘night’ as a family.

IT'S A BOY!!!

2010-06-02T15:15:00.000-05:00

We proudly welcomed Baby T into our world and family at 12:42am on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. He weighed in at 8lbs. 14oz and measured 22.5 inches long. He is just perfect. I could stare at him all day, every day... and did for about the first 2 weeks of his life.

I never knew a love like the love I have for that sweet little man until he came into my world.

This is our first pic as a FAMILY! Not long at all after he was born.

We are all three very sleepy as we all worked VERY hard for MANY hours.

Birth story and more pics to come in following posts.

Last weeks of pregnancy.

2010-06-02T15:10:00.000-05:00

I'll go ahead and finish my last weeks of pregnancy posts. My 36 week pics were professional and I don't have those to put on here. So, here are week 38 and 40.

Here is me at 38 weeks.

Here I am at 40 weeks... same outfit because it was the only one I had that was both warm enough for the crazy weather and covered my belly all the way!

I didn't get a 42 week pic. I was too busy trying everything under the sun to make me go into labor so I wouldn't have to be induced... and THANK GOD I didn't have to!

I gained a total of 35 pounds. Steak was my main craving the entire 42 weeks. I went through a Lucky Charms phase as well as a cherry Pop Tart phase, but tried to limit myself because let's be honest... those are both horrible for you.

All in all... I had a 'textbook normal' pregnancy and look forward to doing it again when we are ready for another!

So... I am sure you are all ready to meet Baby T!

Stay tuned until the next post!

How Do You Even Catch Up When You've Been Gone This Long???

2010-05-28T17:08:00.004-05:00

Well hello. I guess I should reintroduce myself... Hi! I'm Mrs. Taylor of Team Taylor! Remember me??? I won't blame you if you don't! It's only been AN ETERNITY since I posted last. :o)

I am sure you can all guess that I HAD A BABY since we last met! I didn't just remain pregnant... however, many thought I was going to be pregnant FOREVER! I carried that sweet babe 42 weeks and one day! BUT, with that being said... I was never miserable and LOVED being pregnant. I was SO anxious to meet my sweet Taylor babe by then though!

Before I introduce our babe...

I'm going PRIVATE!!!

I was getting some comments that were kinda strange... so I'd rather know who is reading this before I post pics of our sweet babe.

So, if you'd like to follow... please email me at:

mrst2be at hotmail dot com

I'd love for you to continue to follow and to introduce you to Baby T!

A Quick Catch Up

2009-12-23T15:17:00.005-06:00

Ok... so I've obviously slacked in the blogging world AGAIN... but thought I should do a catch up because it's almost my bloggiversary!

I've been MIA since 28 weeks preggers!

Well....

I am now 36 weeks and 2 days along.

The nursery is complete and so cute... thanks to all of Daddy's hard work.

Christmas 2009 has come and gone and had some CRAZY weather to accompany it.

This pregnancy is going so smoothly I can't hardly believe it!

I thought I would be a lot bigger and more uncomfortable by now... but I'll take it!

I still love being preggers, but can't wait to meet this little bundle of joy and kiss that sweet, squishy face!

Here are some pics!

30 weeks

32 weeks

34 weeks

Pics of baby showers and Baby T's room to come as well as a bloggiversary post to see what all I can cross off my list from this past year!

The Home Stretch

2009-11-05T08:54:00.003-06:00

Well, we've made it to the third trimester, folks!!!!

Sorry this is a couple days late!

We had our second and final sonogram yesterday. Baby Taylor is measring accurately to the date! I was 28 weeks exactly yesterday and baby measured at 28 weeks and 0 days! Baby Taylor weighs 2lbs. and 7 ounces right now and looks verrrry cute! :o)

(S)he can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With his/her eyesight developing, (s)he may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb. (S)he's also developing billions of neurons in his/her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

I attempted to take the glucose tolerance test this morning to determine if I have gestational diabetes... that didn't go over so well. I kept that nasty glucola drink down for the first hour and then that was it.... it all came back up and I'll be discussing other options of testing for this tomorrow with my midwife. It was terrible and I've felt miserable all day.

You'll have to excuse the unenthused look on my face in the pic... it was taken at about 6:45 this morning and I was unenthused that I was up and heading to drink nasty glucola drink and get stuck with needles.

Everything is still going well! Just growing and kicking!

Much love!

The Taylors

Houston... we have a baby bump!

2009-10-20T19:08:00.002-05:00

Hello all!!!

Baby Taylor is definitely growing these days!

What else is happening with Baby Taylor this week?

The network of nerves in our baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. (S)he may now be able to hear both mom & dad's voice as we chat with each other. (S)he's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his/her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when (s)he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And (s)he's continuing to put on baby fat. (S)he now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches from head to heel - still about the size of an eggplant.

I've done a little work on the nursery! I made some curtains and recovered the futon. We still need to paint. I think I have finally decided on what I want to do in there so we'll get it done eventually! You'll get a little sneak peak of the curtains and futon in the pics.

Baby Taylor's been listening to some classical music every night.... also seen in a pic!

Our next midwife appointment is Nov. 5th. After that appointment we move up to being seen once every two weeks rather than once a month.

Above: Clothed bump @ 26 weeks!

Above: Bare bump @ 26 weeks!

Above: Baby Taylor jammin' out to some Mozart!

Much love!

The Taylors!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-U!

2009-10-15T15:35:00.002-05:00

Well friends! It's that time of year again! OU/tx weekend! I'm ready to see some Sooner Magic... and I don't mind seeing Mr. Bob Stoops and Mr. Sammy Bradford either! ;o)

BOOMER SOONER!

BEAT TEXAS!

2009-10-15T09:32:00.003-05:00

Since the hubs and I have not gotten around to putting the stroller together yet I haven't taken any 'real' pics of it or the car seat. But I promised some eye candy of the new things that G-Ma and G-Pa got for our sweet tiny! So here we go!

This is the Britax Chaperone Travel System in Savannah. I love it!

AND... This is Baby Taylor's 'coming home outfit'!!! I am obsessed with it! I just think it is soo cuddly and cute! I can't wait to dress our sweet lil babe up in it! If it's a girl... we'll be accessorizing with a bow, of course! :o)

We also got a bunch of books to read Baby Taylor. We got 'Oh, The Places You'll Go,' 'Green Eggs and Ham,' a collection of the golden books (including The Poky Little Puppy!), 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' and more! Daddy Taylor is looking forward to story time with his little nugget!

We are having the carpets cleaned in baby's room this afternoon... then I'll have free reign to get the ball rolling in there!

25 weeks!

2009-10-14T13:00:00.004-05:00

What's happening with our sweet tiny this week???

Head to heels, our baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches and weighs about a pound and a half... about the size of an eggplant! (S)he's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As this happens, his/her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and (s)he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. (S)he's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture (and I'm guessing any child of ours has little to no hair and it's probably as blonde/white as can be!).

Our baby's skin is turning pinker. Not because he or she's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping our baby at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in our baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity — and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But right now those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales.

The lungs aren't the only system that's gearing up for air intake. Our baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open this week. This actually allows our little one to begin taking practice breaths. (Of course since there's no air in there, our baby is really only "breathing" amniotic fluid, but it's the practice that counts, right?) We had our first appointment with our new midwife here in Oklahoma last Thursday. Everything is still looking good! We're measuring right on schedule and that little heart beat is still as sweet as ever! Hearing it sends me straight to cloud 9 every time! This sweet tiny's kicks and punches (or breakdancing) are getting stronger. Daddy Taylor finally got to feel a kick from the outside the other night! Every once in a while you can see my belly move when the baby kicks. SO COOL! We've been working on the nursery a little more. Hopefully it will come together soon! It's going to be darling! Until next time! (I may start doing 2 week belly pics... I think we're going to be growing a little quicker here pretty soon!) Much love! The Taylors **I'm not sure why the format of this is showing up all weird... and I can't get it to change. Oh well! It's legible! :o) **

6 months... really? and some baby bump eye candy! :o)

2009-10-08T13:28:00.003-05:00

**This is a few days late!**

---------------------> That's the 6 month bump! :o)

Hey hey! 6 months has arrived!!!!

Our baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him/her at just over a pound. Since (s)he's almost a foot long so (s)he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his/her body is filling out proportionally and (s)he'll soon start to plump up. His/her brain is also growing quickly now, and his/her taste buds are continuing to develop. His/her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his/her air sacs inflate once (s)he hits the outside world. His/her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

We've decided on a midwife here in Oklahoma City. We'll be having Baby Taylor at the OU Hospital in downtown Oklahoma City. We have our first prenatal visit with our new midwife today to see how we are doing! Everything seems to be going well... just growing and kicking in there! It'll be so nice having the appointments here now so Daddy Taylor can come to all of them!

Grandma & Grandpa bought Baby Taylor a stroller/car seat this past weekend! Yay! and Thank goodness for grandparents! We are so excited about it! We decided on the Britax Chaperone travel system and love it! We got in the Savannah fabric. We also got a "going home" outfit for Baby Taylor and it is PRECIOUS!!!!! and.. we also got a bunch of books to read to this sweet lil babe! Grandparents are the bestest! I will do a separate post with pics of all the new goodies!

Until then... Much love from The Taylors!

It's here! It's here!

2009-10-01T09:52:00.004-05:00

Baby Taylor's bedding FINALLY arrived! It has been on back order for a over a month! I'm so glad to finally receive it and see it in person. I love it just as much (if not more) in person as I did just seeing it online. Now we need to get this sweet lil nugget's crib together so we can start getting the nursery together. :o) Yay! I'll do another post dedicated to the nursery once we start to make some progress... but I just had to share the cuteness!

This is the main fabric of the quilt and bumpers.

The stripes is the the crib skirt, polka dots is the sheet (and curtains I think), paisley is the front of the bumper, gingham is the back of the bumper.

And here is all of it together!

I can't wait to get it in this sweet tiny's room! :o)

**EDIT: I ordred it from Nursery Depot, but have also seen it on Babies R Us website and JCPenny website. The brand is My Baby Sam. They have a pink super girly version that is so cute too! But I thought this was perfectly neutral! **

Pumpkin Fluff Dip.... and 23 weeks!!!

2009-09-29T18:16:00.002-05:00

So... I mentioned in a previous post that I LOVE fall because I LOVE all things PUMPKIN!!! Well... here's one of my many pumpkin loves! It's Pumpkin Fluff Dip.

It's sooo easy and sooo yummy! I eat it with cinnamon graham crackers.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

In other news.... I'm 23 weeks pregnant today! There's not a whole lot new going with baby this week. At this point, baby is mainly putting on weight. Baby is accumulating a layer of fat under his/her skin. Baby could possibly DOUBLE in weight over the next month!

Hubs and I start Bradley Method birth classes tomorrow! I'm excited! I interview another midwife on Thursday... hopefully this is the one I want to go with! I have a feeling that it is. I've heard great things about this group of midwives... so pray that I love them as much as I hope I'm going to!

A side note.... I feel like all I want to blog about lately is FOOD! That may be because I am hungry ALL THE TIME now!!!! So please excuse me if there are endless posts about food in the upcoming weeks! :o)

Much love!

Oh Holy Heavenly Goodness!

2009-09-23T16:49:00.004-05:00

Today I tasted one of these heavenly beauties. A cupcake from Cold Stone Creamery. I got the Cake Batter Delux ones.

O.M.G!!!!!!!!

Hands down one of THE MOST DELCIOUS things I have EVER tasted!

I died and went to heaven for a little while today.

The one bad thing about them.... they only come in a 6 pack! So guess who is probably going to eat one of these sinfully delicious sweet treats for the next 5 days??? Yeah, that's probably me. Unless I give a few to someone... which um YEAH RIGHT! They are just too good to share! I suppose the hubby can have one if he asks reeaaaaal nice.

Sorry Baby Taylor for the sugar rush. This is BY FAR the worst thing I've eaten since you've been living there in my tummy! I promise to be good when they are gone!

So... all of you bloggies... MUST GO TRY THESE! You'll thank me and curse me all at the same time! :o)

Goodbye Summer... Hello Fall!!!

2009-09-22T16:19:00.002-05:00

So even though I love love love the sunshine of summer... Fall brings a lot of my favorite things!
And we woke up to fall this morning! It's 30 degrees cooler today than it was yesterday!

Things I love love love about fall:
One of my fave meals ever.... Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.
Football! Both SOONER football and the hub's fave Detroit Lions.
Sweatpants and hoodies!
Pumpkin everything! - lattes (although these are way limited this fall since I'm preggers), pie, cookies, ice creams, candles, cheesecake, I love it all!

Breaking out the crock pot.

The changing of color of the leaves.
State fairs... which means fair food... which is sooo BAD but sooo GOOD!

and I'm sure that I am going to LOVE the cooler weather the bigger I get! :o)

Welcome Fall!

22 weeks!

2009-09-22T10:19:00.003-05:00

Hello hello!

What's going on with Baby Taylor this week???

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash or papaya) and almost 1 pound, our baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His/her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and (s)he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his/her gums. His/her eyes have formed, but the irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside the womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his/her body and the deep wrinkles on his/her skin, which (s)he'll sport until (s)he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his/her belly, the pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Baby Taylor will be about the length of a papaya/spaghetti squash for the next month but will be putting on weight. I'll keep the weekly updates coming but the 'fruit/veggie updates' will only be monthly from here on out. The belly pics will be monthly too.

Baby is also settling into regular sleep cycles and is sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day. I've noticed that this sweet tiny is awake at about 9am and at about 10pm because I feel lots of kicks and punches then!

We're doing good! I'm meeting/interviewing a couple midwives this week and next week and will hopefully like one as much as mine in Dallas. I'll be due for my next prenatal appt at the beginning of October! I get so excited to hear the heart beat every time!

Talk to you soon!
The Taylors

Goin' Bananas! (& some pics... FINALLY)

2009-09-15T14:51:00.006-05:00

So... I found the long lost camera cord and am getting the hang of the new computer! So that means WE'VE GOT PICS and a Baby Taylor update! Yay!

What's Baby Taylor up to this week?
Our baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a banana. Mom may may soon feel like (s)he's practicing martial arts as the initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. Mom may also discover a pattern to his/her activity as she gets to know her/him better. In other developments, our baby's eyebrows and lids are present now and his/her taste buds are functional. Baby is swallowing a lot of amniotic fluid these days for both hydration and nutrition. The amniotic fluid will taste like what mom eats.... so it looks like this babe's tasting a lot of peaches and steak! Some studies show that these are the tastes that the baby will take a liking to after birth as well.

I'm feeling good! I'm feeling lots of baby movements. Last night was the first night that it was actually distracting as I was trying to fall asleep. Up until last night I would only feel a flutter or kick or punch here and there... last night it felt like there was a whole breakdance routine going on in there!

**** and now for pics!****

This is the belly a week ago (20 weeks).... not much of a belly yet. I think I just look like I ate too much so my tummy's poochin' over the pants a little! :o)

This is me at 8 weeks for comparison.

And this picture just makes me smile. This is the first 3 (of many many many) pregnancy tests that came out POSITIVE! :o) and yes... that's a cup of pee! My best friend came over and was so excited that she wanted to dip a stick too (this may seem weird to some.. but we've been besties since the SECOND GRADE!) so I peed in a cup for her! HA HA! That's when you know you're close!

Until next time!!

The Taylors

It's the MOST Wonderful Tiiiiime of the Yeeeeaar!

2009-09-09T21:57:00.002-05:00

(aside from Christmas, of course)

College Football Season! even more so.... SOONER football season!

Something you'll learn about the Taylor household is that there are FIVE seasons at our house.... winter, spring, summer, fall, and FOOTBALL! :o)

Despite our oober crappy start to the season... I am still soooo excited that it's here!

Our starting quarterback, the adorable Sammy Bradford, was injured during the first game with a acromioclavicular joint sprain. (aka: AC joint sprain, or shoulder sprain to really break it down). BUMMER!

We ended up losing the game to BYU by one point. Sad day. Oh well... better to lose and get silly mistakes (a false start penalty on 3 plays straight for the first 3 plays of the game) early in the season than late in the season.

Hopefully the team comes together and pulls off a beautiful remainder of the season and hopefully Mr. Sammy gets well soon!

So the point of these ramblings??? oh nothing really... just that: I LOVE SOONER FOOTBALL! :o)

Shame on me...

2009-09-08T19:57:00.003-05:00

How has it possibly been a month since the last time I posted???? That's just ridiculous.

Well... then I guess we'll play catch up for a minute!

I am OFFICIALLY.... drumroll please.... DOCTOR TAYLOR!

I'm a year older than my I was when I wrote my last post.... my bday was the day after my graduation. It was quite possibly the best bday gift EVER!

I am now blogging from my graduation gift from my amazing hubby.... my new MacBook Pro! I love it!

I am finally starting to get a little baby bump.... pics will come soon. I have to find the camera cord.

Oh yeah, we are all moved in back in OKLAHOMA! so I still can't find lots of stuff like the camera cord.

I went to Denver a couple weekends ago and worked in the Medical tent at the Susan G. Komen 3Day Breast Cancer Walk. Myself and 9 of my Chiropractor buddies adjusted the walkers all weekend. It was a pretty cool experience.

And now I'll give you all a baby update!

We're HALF WAY THERE! 20 weeks already! Can you believe it?!?! This is flying by!

Our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. (S)He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel--- about the size of a cantaloupe! (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his/her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his/her head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, (s)he's measured from head to toe.)

(S)He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his/her digestive system. (S)He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his/her bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

I'm feeling pretty good. I don't have quite the endurance I used to. We've been running errands and trying to get this house together and you'd think I've been running a marathon a day considering how wiped out I am!!! However, this house is FINALLY starting to look like a home. We've got all our furniture... even Baby has furniture now! :o)

I'm starting to be able to distinguish baby movement from tummy grumbling. There have been three occasions when I knew FOR SURE that it was baby moving! So fun!

That's all I've got for now... time to get back to the To Do List!

Much love!
The Taylors

Knock knock...

2009-08-09T09:21:00.003-05:00

*this post is almost a week late.... sorry!

Who's there?

Orange.

Orange who?

Orange you so excited that Baby Taylor's getting so big?!?!?

(this is cheesy... I'm a nerd... I know)

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of a naval ORANGE... ha ha... get it? That's where the joke comes in). He/she's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in his/her lungs begin to develop. Her/his legs are growing longer than her/his arms now, and he/she can move all of his/her joints and limbs. Although her/his eyelids are still fused shut, he/she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, he/she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for our baby to taste at this point, but he/she is forming taste buds.

I'm pretty sure I felt the baby move a few nights ago! I wasn't so sure at the time that that was exactly what is was, but after talking with the midwife and some other mommas about it I'm pretty positive that's what it was! SO COOL! It felt like a little butterfly going nuts in there for a second.

My visit with the midwife tonight went GREAT! All of my bloodwork came back perfect! My blood pressure is looking good.... and that lil heart beat is still as strong as can be!

We are going to try and get in for a sonogram late next week when daddy's in town! There's just so much excitement in the Taylor Family's life right now! Sonogram of baby, graduation, birthday, and move back to Oklahoma all in one week! CRAZINESS but so fun!

I think that's all I've got for now!

Much love!

The Taylors

When life gives you lemons...

2009-07-28T22:11:00.004-05:00

Make lemonade.... or a BABY! :o)

3 1/2 months already!

Where do the weeks go?!?!

This week our adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

Baby's body's growing faster than his/her head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his/her arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his/her body. (His/her legs still have some lengthening to do.)

Our baby can also squint, frown, grimace... thanks to brain impulses... the facial muscles are getting a workout!

Baby Taylor now measures at about 3 1/2 inches... about the size of a lemon... and weighs about 1 1/12 ounces.

Ugh... Jillian! Really?!?

2009-07-27T21:59:00.002-05:00

So I LOOOOVE watching the Bachelorette. I have a bunch of my girls over every Monday night and we make lots of yummy snacks and watch The Bachelorette. It's awesome... It makes Mondays a day to look forward to.

But then there's Jillian... who consistently disappointed us by making consistent bad decisions.

I mean... really.... to keep Wes around that long was REDICULOUS. He's a sleezeball and I saw right through his weasley little face on the first episode..."Jillian, I wrote this song for you {and every other girl I've dating or am currently dating}"..... "Sooooome say loooovee.... it don't come eaaaassssayyy." Ugh lameo!

Then to keep ED! The girls and I have come to the conclusion that his name accurately represents why they won't work out... E.D. = erectile dysfunction. People don't get eachother all oiled up and rub all over eachother like those two and then decide "they got too much sun" so things just weren't as hot and heavy as they could have been... WHATEV.... that's a load. And the short green shorts with the tank tops... gotta go!

Now... on the other hand... she had Kiptyn (soooo hot and killer smile and mom loved him and they had so much fun together and I could go on and on) and Reid (soooo cute and sweet and smitten on her and she totally knew as soon as she sent him home that she shouldn't have so she should have just accepted his proposal and sent Ed packing).

And THAT, my friends, are my thoughts on this season's The Bachelorette! :o)
Maybe they'll have something juicy to unveil tomorrow at the After the Final Rose Show.

Showin' the dress.

2009-07-26T19:21:00.004-05:00

I'm jumping on the bandwagon and doing the "Show Us Your Dress" post.

I do still LOVE looking at our wedding pics! So... I don't mind scanning through to find a pic or two of the dress!

Turns out I don't have very many really good close ups of it scanned onto the computer. These will have to do! :o)

Here's mom and I about to put the dress on!

This is one of my favorite pics of the day... just a few moments after we were announced husband and wife.... and SOOO GIDDY! :o) I love it.

Baby Taylor... 13 weeks!

2009-07-21T22:22:00.003-05:00

It's OFFICIAL.... we are in the second trimester! Yay!

What's going on with baby?

Fingerprints have formed on our baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through still-thin skin, and the size of his/her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her/his body size now. IF we're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Vocal cords and teeth are forming now too! The baby's intestines are making their way from the umbilical cord into the baby's tummy.

Baby Taylor is now almost 3 inches long (the size of a peach) and weighs nearly an ounce.

I met with the midwife (p.s... I'm using a midwife and a birthing center) this evening to have some blood drawn... yuck... but in return, she let me listen to the heart beat again... YAY! It is just the coolest thing EVER to hear that little heart chugging away in there! The baby kept moving away from the Doppler for a few minutes, but then we picked it up loud and strong for a good 2 or 3 minutes... and got a heart rate of 176... which is good!

Our next appointment is August 1st.

I think Daisy has figured out that I am pregnant.... she's starting to act a little like a puppy again and is a little more clingy and nuzzles and sniffs my lower abdomen every once in a while. It's pretty bizarre.

G'night!

The Taylors!

2 + 1 = 3

2009-07-19T21:42:00.004-05:00

Yep.... you read it correctly!

TEAM TAYLOR WILL BE GAINING A TEAM MEMBER IN JANUARY!!!!

WE'RE PREGNANT!

I'll be 13 weeks on Tuesday. The due date is January 26th.

So far... I have to admit, I have had it pretty easy. I have been feeling pretty good. I was never actively sick.. however there were moments that were questionable. Aside from a few hours of nausea here and there, some fatigue, sore boobs, and food aversions... I've been feelin' great!

We are VERY excited! I'm anticipating the arrival of THE BUMP. I'm getting to the point where I just feel bloated and a lil chunky. The weight gain hasn't started YET. I actually lost some weight at first... due to eating ONLY watermelon for about 3 weeks. It was the only thing I could convince myself that was worth eating.

I'll be stealing The Pettijohn's fruit analogies if the site ever starts working again.... it's been down today. Belly pics will soon make their arrival as well. I have been taking them once a month... but have nothing to show so far so they really aren't exciting at all yet.

And I guess I should say... 3 + 1 = 4... that way we don't hurt Miss Daisy's feelings! ;o)

I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you! I hope you'll tune back in and stayed tuned since I've been MIA for so long!

Much love!

Em

Brushing the dust off.....

2009-07-19T19:39:00.002-05:00

OK.... so I've been MIA for waaaaay too long.
Life's been hectic... but I think it's calmed down enough to get back in this game!

What's been going on you ask?

Quick run down...

National Boards... all 5 parts have officially been PASSED!
All academic requirements at school... COMPLETED!
Graduation banquet... PLANNED!
Clinical requirements at school... ALMOST there!
Jurisprudence exam.... PASSED!
Move back to Oklahoma... has been arranged and will begin very soon!

Life seems to be scooting right along and everything is falling into place just perfectly! It's all been so exciting and we are so ready to see what else the near future holds!

There's some other new developments to share.... but those deserve a post of their own!

Stay tuned!
LOVE!

Holy Crap, Batman!

2009-05-14T22:56:00.002-05:00

I'll be taking the biggest, most important, most expensive exam of my life in the morning!
Holy crap... I can't believe it's here! All of my classmates and I have talked about this exam for so long... and now it's in less than 12 hours. For the past 3 years we always got a Friday off of school because the Tri 9's were taking this exam... Well now we ARE the reason people are getting off school tomorrow.

So.... pray for me! This is the make or breaker!

I'm gonna rock it! I HAVE to!

I'm going to be DOCTOR TAYLOR sooooooo sooooooon! WOW!

What a week...

2009-04-23T12:57:00.003-05:00

Wow... it's be a long week. Thank goodness it's pretty much OVER!
I took my LAST FINAL EXAMS EVER this week and they all went well. So I am officially done with ALL of my academic requirements and come August 15th I'll be DOCTOR TAYLOR walking across the stage! Wooooo hoooooo! That day can't get here soon enough. So until then... I've got to get to hustlin and get all of my clinical requirements taken care of.

This weekend should be a good one. It will start at about 3:30 today! Yipppeeee!!
This evening I am going to hang out at a pool party/bbq with my classmates to celebrate our last finals ever!
Tomorrow my bestie Dr. Corbin is coming to visit! We are going to spend the day running around Dallas and shopping. I'm not sure what the evening will bring us but I'm sure we'll figure something fun out!
Saturday, I've got a meeting in the morning then I'm headed to Oklahoma to spend an ENTIRE WEEK with the hubs! Yay! I'll be looking for an office space and starting up my business proposal to kill time while the hubs is at work. I can't believe it's time to start working on opening up my practice! AAAHHHH! So exciting and nerve racking all at the same time.
I think we are planning on spending the evening with our friends, The Grindstaffs, on Saturday night. I am just dying to hold their sweet new baby girl again.... and play some Wii dodgeball and bowling.
And Sunday we'll get to go to our church in Oklahoma again that we miss oh so much!

I hope everyone's week has been wonderful!!!!

P.S: I'd do a recap on The Trimble's wedding, but I think I'll leave that up to Ashley! :o)
It was beautiful and lots of fun!

Toodles!

I hear wedding bells!

2009-04-18T11:43:00.002-05:00

The Trimbles are getting married TOMORROW!!!!!!! Yippee!
Tonight is the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner! I am so looking forward to sharing these next two days with Chris and Ashley and so many of our other friends and family!
Ashley is going to be absolutely STUNNING (I know, because I've seen her bridals... and WOW!) :o)

Happy Weekend everyone!

So long crud!

2009-04-16T09:32:00.003-05:00

I've had the crud the past couple of days. And by crud I mean... runny nose and when it's not runny it's all stuffed up, sore throat first that developed into a cough, and the lack of oxygen to my brain (because of the inability to breath through my nose) has been given me headaches... put all that together and you've got a very groggy, cranky, sickly me! It's RARE that I ever get sick. Well, if you ever need to kick crud's butt... here's the magic combo!

No more crud and feeling fab again!

No lie... I took 3 congaplex, 1 echinacea, and 1000mg Vit C last night and this morning and I'm a new woman! (oh yeah... LOTS of water too!) Thank goodness! Don't want to be coughing up phlegm in the middle of The Trimble wedding this weekend!

Sweet Relief!

2009-04-14T11:12:00.002-05:00

I am officially done with practical exams FOR.EV.ER!! Yippee! I am so excited.

A couple of my classmates and I are going to go have sushi for lunch to celebrate as soon as they get out of their last exam. I am pumped. I've been craving sushi for like a week and cannot wait for some miso soup and a volcano roll. YUMMMMO!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-12T19:20:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful and very blessed Easter!

Hubs and I were able to attend the morning service at our church in OKC that we miss oh so dearly and it was WONDERFUL to be back. I simply cannot wait to move back to the OKC area so we can attend there EVERY Sunday morning. I just love it soo much. After church hubs and I stopped by Sara Sara Cupcakes and picked up a dozen yummy cupcakes for dessert after Easter lunch. Ashley's mom was nice enough to cook Easter lunch for all of us and it was delicious!

I had to pack up and get back on the road not long after lunch :o(

Now, I'm back in Dallas and about to start studying for my LAST.FINAL.EXAMS.EVER!!!!!

I just got Twilight in the mail from Netflix... so maybe I will study/watch that and then crash early.... aka: not study while trying to watch Twilight, but really falling asleep 20 minutes into it. We'll see how it works out! :o)

Happy Easter & God Bless you all! :o)

Happy Birthday, Hubs!

2009-04-04T16:19:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my best friend, the man of my dreams!
I love you more and more with each and every year that passes!
You get even HOTTER the more you age! :o)
I hope you have a wonderful day!
MUAH!

Love,
The Wifey!

P.S. I totally meant to post this yesterday (on his bday) but apparently never hit "post". Oh well!

Things I Loved in February/March!!!

2009-04-01T18:34:00.002-05:00

1. Grapefruits!!! I have been eating them like they are going out of style. So yummy!
2. Oranges... Same story.
3. March Madness... even though the SOONERS are out... sad.
4. Friday nights at Louie's (our fave bar from college days) with the hubs on the weekends I went to OK.... mmmm.... Club Specials.
5. Thunderstorms... There is just something about a thunderstorm rolling through during the evening that I LOVE... must be the Oklahoma girl in me.
6. Dancing With The Stars... I LOVE Melissa Rycroft and Shawn Johnson are my faves! I have high hopes for Steve-O as well... but I'm not so sure he'll stick around for long.
7. Ashley's Bachelorette Party! Somehow I manage to get ONE measly picture on my camera that night.
8. OPI's 'All That Razz-Berry' nail polish... it's perfectly purply pinkish!

Weekend Plans!

2009-03-26T20:03:00.002-05:00

I am very excited about this weekend and am sooooo ready for it to be here!

Tomorrow I have a long ass meeting to sit in ALLL MORNING (not so fun).... and when that's over I have a pediatrics exam (that I need to be studying for right now).

THEN... I get to come home, pick up the pup and my things and hit the road! I'll be headed to Oklahoma again this weekend. I should make it there in time to catch the OU vs. Syracuse game with the hubs.. and probably Ashley too!

Saturday is the The Trimble's Bachelor/Bachelorette party and I am OH.SO.EXCITED! It should be tons o fun! My older brother will be making an appearance at the bachelor party and I think hubs and Trimble are both pretty excited about that!

Sunday... well I am sure it's going to be a rough day of recovery, but it should totally be worth it! Hopefully I'll get to spend a little time with my brother before we all have to hit the road to head back to real life.

HUBS WILL BE COMING BACK WITH ME ON SUNDAY!!! YAY YAY YAY! His boss wants him down in Dallas for the next week (maybe TWO) to do some more training at the facility here! There will be NO COMPLAINTS about that from me (or Miss Daisy)! :o) We miss him soooo sooo much when he's away!

I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend! I should be back with pics and a fun recap on Monday!

P.S: I'm giving up on the 'Thinks I Loved in February' post.... I'll just have to do a 'Things I Loved in February/March' post when this month is over!

Muah!

Playing Catch Up!

2009-03-24T18:34:00.004-05:00

Once upon a time... long long ago... some lovely bloggy friends gave me some awards! Many appologies for not posting them sooner, but I have been the biggest blog slacker EVER lately... and for that I am sorry as well!

Thank you sooo sooo sooo much for my awards Polka Dotted Owl & Pocket Full of Pink!!!

For the Kreativ Blogger Award I am to list 7 things I love!

1. My Hubby

2. Miss Daisy

3. Chiropractic

4. My Family

5. Sunshine

6. P90X

7. My Friends

And I tag... anyone who is reading this because I love you all! :o)

Let the games begin!

2009-03-19T09:22:00.002-05:00

March Madness has arrived! and my oh so lovely SOONERS are in the running!

Hubs and I (and The Trimbles) have all filled out brackets. I'm not sure if Chris and Ashley are holding bets, but hubs and I are. I think it's going to be fun! Maybe we can get some couples bets brewing while I am in Norman this weekend!

Winner gets dinner at their restaurant of choice and a massage. Nothing huge, but FUN! There are a few select places that I love to eat that hubs isn't crazy about and vice versa so we never go to those places... so this gives us a chance fair and square to be taken to one of them... and who doesn't love a massage?!?!

I have Louisville and Oklahoma going to the championship... and OKLAHOMA going all the way... of course! :o) Come on Griffin brothers!!! Strut your stuff!

and I'm routing for A&M tonight.... I have them winning! You Aggies better make me proud! :o)

Have a great day! and BOOMER SOONER! :o)

Holy frijoles....

2009-03-17T17:32:00.002-05:00

I started this workout program yesterday and HOLY CRAP it will kick your (or mine, or anyone's for that matter) behind! I've only done two days of it, but I am IMPRESSED! I'm gonna have a rockin hott bod after 90 days of this! It's tough, but it's fun! I may have been close to puking towards the end of today's plyometrics workout, but dang I feel good now! I'm excited for what tomorrow's workout will bring! I may post before and after pics when I'm done... we'll see if I can get over the embarassment of the rolliness that is my stomach right now.

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

2009-03-17T17:20:00.002-05:00

Hello hello friends!

I have FINALLY resurfaced from the masses of notebooks, books, school exams, and board exams!!!!

So... I'll try and start with a recap of what's been going on since I've been MIA.

Two weeks ago I had an exam at school EVERY SINGLE DAY... and two on two of those days. They all went well... I rocked 'em.

One week ago, I had board reviews from 8-5 EVERY SINGLE DAY. Those went as well as sitting in a classroom for 8 hours at a time taking notes like a mad woman can go. It's a BEATING.

This past week, I studied alllllll day evveerrrrrry day in attempt to prepare myself for boards.
I took my Physiotherapy board exam on Friday. Hubs came home Friday night... yay yay yay! It was so good to see his face! We hung out at the house and I studied pretty much all day Saturday. Sunday had an EARLY start with my Part III board exam starting at 7am. Overall, I feel like boards went well, but it's hard to tell on those exams. I blew Part I and II outta the water, so let's hope I did it again! I'll get my scores on April 24th! I wish we didn't have to wait so long!

Anyway.... Hubs was already back on his way to OK by the time I got out of boards... sad. However, it's tradition that all my classmates and I go out and party it up after boards regardless of how freakin' early we have to be at class on Monday morning. SO.. we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ate and had some drinks, then the girls and I went and got pedis. Then we went to Champps and hung out for a bit. Then we went to a friends' house and hot tubbed for a while. Needless to say... I DID NOT make it to class at 7 yesterday, but I think my day of playing hookie was well deserved.

So that brings me up to present!

Glad to be back!

It's a Date

2009-03-12T21:31:00.002-05:00

I'll be back Sunday or Monday... PROMISE!

I have my PT Board Exam tomorrow.
Then Part III National Board Exam on Sunday.

Sooooo PRAY FOR ME, WISH ME LUCK, CROSS YOUR FINGERS that I kick these exams' behinds!

It's almost OVER! WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!

Now if I can just sqeeze a little more studying out of my tired little brain before the morning.....

Until next time... :o)

Blogger Blues

2009-03-05T19:51:00.002-06:00

Hey Y'all!!! Sorry I am so MIA... I am just too dang busy to post right now.... and am up to nothing exciting. Board Reviews from 8-5 ALLLL WEEEKKKK. Next week I'll be studying like a mad woman for my Part 3 and PT board exam. I'll come back around as soon as possible!

I need to do my "Things I Loved in February!" So hang tight. I'll resurface soon enough.

Until next time.... PRAY FOR ME... that I don't pull my hair out, forget to eat, forget to sleep, pass my boards, and not miss hubs too much when he's away!

Much Love!

Phew!

2009-02-27T19:33:00.003-06:00

Thank God it's the weekend! It's been a ROUGH week! SIX midterms... yet the LAST midterms I will EVER have to take! Yippeeeeee! Overall, they went very well!

We are spending the weekend in Oklahoma again! It's time to celebrate Ashley's bday!
Her bday's actually on the third, but we are celebrating tomorrow night. So everyone, head on over and wish her a happy one!

I think we are taking it easy tonight. Maybe going to one of my fave bars here in Norman to have a few cocktails in a while.

Tomorrow morning I am going to a baby shower where I will get to gift the cute lil diaper cake I made!

Tomorrow night will be the birthday celebration. I'm not sure what all the night holds for us just yet but I am sure it will be a good time.

Sunday will just be a funday with The Trimbles. We may go take another gander around to look at some more potential offiice spaces... who knows!

Next week hubs begins training for the new job! WOO HOO! and I start Board Review Madness. Board reviews Wed-Sun 8-5... boooo.

Well, that's all I've got for now. Sorry I am kinda boring lately. Maybe something spicy will happen this weekend! :o)

Have a good one, friends!
MUAH!

Heavenly Goodness

2009-02-23T20:00:00.004-06:00

I am fully aware that I should be studying right now.... BUT I feel the need to share this special something that I have discovered and I think you all should treat yourself to this delightful indulgence.... in moderation of course! HOLY COW... brace yourself... it is AMAZING!

(vanilla & caramel ice cream)

(Girl Scout Samoa Cookies)

(Dreyer's Samoas Cookie Ice Cream)

AKA: Heavenly Goodness

that should NOT be living in my refrigerator!!!!

Weekend Recap

2009-02-23T16:20:00.002-06:00

Hello friends! I hope everyone's weekend was fabulous!

Friday night was a good time. We hung out with my bro and sis in law at their house. We had dinner, drinks, and played Rock Band.
The Sweet Tea vodka was AMAZING! I am IN LOVE! I made the Daily Palmers mentioned in my previous post. I will probably try the Firefly Sweet Teas this weekend to celebrate getting through this hell week! (6 exams in 5 days... SUCK). Anywho... I HIGHLY recommend the sweet tea vodka for all you sweet tea lovers out there. It's awesome!

Saturday day my sis in law, her mom, and I took my neice for her first mani/pedi. It was fun girl time. We also had lunch beforehand and then went for an ice cream treat with the boys afterward. Saturday night we went out to dinner and then met up with friends for some bowling. We love to bowl so it was a blast as always. We were beat after that so we came home and crashed.

Sunday was reserved for studying... allllllllll day. Boo. So.... I studied... alllllll day.

I had two exams this morning and they both went well... thank goodness! I was sweating one of them pretty badly, but it went waaaaay smoother than I had anticipated. So... just FOUR more to go before the week is over! Blah.

On that note... I am off to study! I may be MIA this week... sorry Charlies!

Weekend Plans

2009-02-20T13:27:00.002-06:00

Wow... I can't believe it's already the weekend again!

Hubs and I are heading up to my bro and sis in law's house here in a bit. They are having people over to cook out and play some Rock Band. I just bought some Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka to enjoy this evening (it was between that and Cellar No. 8 Cabernet... recommended by Ashley, but I think the vodka goes better with cooking out). I have heard a lot about it... and I hope it's as good as everyone has been telling me! I think I'll be making:

Firefly Sweet Teas: 1 1/2 oz. FireFly Sweet Tea flavored vodka, 1/4 - 1/2 oz. spring water. Combine in glass with ice. Stir. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Daily Palmers: 1 1/2 oz. FireFly Sweet Tea flavored vodka, 3 oz. pink lemonade. Build in glass with ice. Stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

I'll be sure to give you the review in my weekend recap! I sure hope it's tasty.

Saturday night we are going out to dinner and bowling with some people for a friend's birthday. I'm not sure where dinner will take place just yet.

I'll have to study Saturday during the day and ALL DAY Sunday. I have 7 exams in the next two weeks and then boards right after that! EEK! I need to get my hiney in gear!

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Odds and Ends

2009-02-19T20:02:00.008-06:00

Today was a looong day of errand running with the hubs. Since hubs got the job we decided to go get him some new suits, shirts, ties, etc. Our first stop of the day was Jos A Bank. Wait... rewind... we MIGHT have stopped at Dunkin Donuts (I got out of class at 9 again today, woo hoo!) and I MIGHT have gotten a sprinkle donut... oops. OK now that I got that off of my chest.... we managed to get a SWEET and I mean AMAZING deal on three suits for the hubs. The sweetest lil old man helped us. He was so cute.

Then we went to the Galleria and hit just about every store imaginable. We also hit up TJ Maxx/Home Goods, Ross, and REI. Hubs got hooked up with all kinds of sweet new business attire (not sure he really NEEDS another freakin' tie... I swear they are taking over the closet... but he'll be lookin' HOTT! :o)

We also managed to get a bunch of cute decor stuff for the house (well, the hypothetical house that we will hopefully have within the next 8 months or so).

I got these:

They are Reef zebra print flops. Love them! and Reefs are sooooo comfy.

I saw this and am in LOVE... too bad I don't have the $200 to blow on a rain coat. I saw it at Johnston and Murphy of all places....

I also fell in love with this Jessica Simpson bag. I was on the hunt for a new big bag that I can use for travel when I don't quite need a suit case... I'll be doing A LOT of that now that hubs is going to be in OK. It, too, was a little pricier than I desired so I had to leave her there on the shelf.

Alright, there are a few other things (mainly shoes) that I am coveting after our outting today, but I'll have to save those. I am beat. Time to go sunggle with the hubs!

Good night, loves!

Hallelujah!!!!!!

2009-02-18T19:51:00.003-06:00

Let me start off by saying TODAY IS/WAS an AMAZING day! Praise Jesus. God is GOOOOD!

HUBS GOT THE JOB!

Oh sweet relief! This job is located in Oklahoma City... so we will have a long distance marriage thing going on for the next 7 months BUT it will be SO. WORTH. IT!!!! This is the job he wanted the most out of the 90459543857453 that he applied/interviewed for. It beats ANYTHING that is available in the Dallas area! WOOOO freakin HOOOOO! It's such a happy day in the Taylor household. I get him all to myself until March 2nd and then he will be up in Oooooklahoma! He will get to spend lots of time with his BF when they aren't working and poor Ashley will have to deal with their goofy butts ALL THE TIME. :o) So yeah... GREAT NEWS! We just got home from celebrating with a delicious dinner and celebratory beverage (mango margarita for me, miller lite for him) at Agave Azul.

I only had ONE class today so I was done by 9AM... it was glorious! I spent the day running errands with hubs. I am attending a baby shower in OK next Saturday so I got the stuff for that gift. It turned out UBER cute! Here it is:

I made her a diaper cake! I love making them! I buy a bunch of little stuff off the registry, a big ole pack of the diapers they register for, some ribbon and a few other "building" supplies and go to town! The top tier looks a little big in the pics because the "snugglebuddy" doesn't fit real snug around the tier because it's square, but she registered for it and I thought it was adorable and would make a perfect topper. I fastened it down with four little hair bows. Then there's travel size bath goodies all over it as well as teething rings. There's also some washcloths incorporated into the middle tier in place of a few diapers. I think it turned out so cute! I wish the pics turned out better, but that's as good as they are going to get.

We are also going to get to celebrate Ashley's bday with her while we are in Oklahoma for the baby shower! Yaaaayyyy!

Alright... I'm off to celebrate some more with the hubs.... and maybe some ice cream... dang Aunt Flo... always brings ice cream cravings to town with her. What a biotch.

Weekend Recap

2009-02-17T16:03:00.004-06:00

Friday night we went out to dinner with some friends for a surprise birthday gathering. We ate at BJ's... always yummy, but I unfortunately ordered the wrong thing this time. I wasn't starving so I ordered soup (minestrone) and salad (caesar)... neither of which were too tasty. However, the spin and artichoke dip was delish and the Berry Burst Cider got me through the evening with a smile on my face. If you have never had the Berry Burst Cider at BJ's.... YOU MUST... get up... get in your car... and get your hiney to BJ's... it will be worth your time, promise.

We got up Saturday morning and cleaned the house and did laundry. When we were done with the cleaning frenzy we decided we would head to the gym. As we were getting ready to go to the gym I asked hubs what he thought about maybe going to Oklahoma for the weekend (he had actually mentioned it the night before but I had shot him down because I was having a subconcious freak out moment because I really wanted the house to be cleaned and the laundry to be done.. like NOW.... so going anywhere just didn't seem doable to my OCD mind). We decided that it sounded like a wonderful idea since it was going to be a long weekend for me (no school on Prez day.. yippee). We have a lot of exploring and researching to do as far as finding a location for me to open my practice and a place for us to live. SOO... we called hubs bestie and his fiance and told them we'd be headed that way in a few hours. We went to the gym, got in a quick workout, came home to get ready and pack up our stuff with a quickness and hit the road. On the way out of town we went ahead and stopped at Market Street and picked up enough steaks and lobster tails for the whole crew to have dinner on Sunday night (we put them in a cooler during the car ride... no worries). We got to Norman around 6 and Ashley asked me if I would like her to put some highlights in my hair while I was there. I said of course so we headed out to get the stuff she needed and to get some dinner. We had dinner at Bison Witches.... OH HOW I HAVE MISSED THAT PLACE! They have AMAZING potato soup in a bread bowl. Holy moly sweet goodness in my mouth. That alone was worth the trip to Oklahoma. We went home after that and Ashley did my hair while we watched House Bunny.

Sunday we lounged around for a good portion of the day. We ran a few errands and came back to the house to prepare for dinner with friends. It ended up being the Taylors (us), the Trimbles, and the Cains (two of our other sweet friends with the most adorable twin boys... and another little one on the way). The guys grilled the steak and lobster while I made salad, mushrooms (to top the steak) and mashed potatoes (from scratch). Dinner was DELICIOUS. After dinner the Cains put the twins to bed and all of us "grown ups" played board games. This is something we always do when we are together. It was a blast!!!!

Monday David and I got up and went up to Edmond to do some scouting for prospective neighborhoods and areas to practice. I found quite a few good leads in the way of practice locations and we found a home builder and a neighborhood we like quite a bit as well. We still have some research in store for us, but it's a start. I have a friend that has also been doing research for a practice location in Edmond (but for optometry) so I wanted to pick his brain a little about some of the places he had found so we managed to meet up with him and his wife (who is expecting and might be the cutest preggo person EVER) for lunch at Louie's on the Lake. It was a quick lunch, but he was very helpful and it was good to see him. We made it back to TX around 8:30 and were beat, so we just lounged for a while then hit the hay.

And, that was our weekend! It was a good one! Oh.. and we didn't take a single pic this weekend!! No fun... I know... sorry friends.

We are planning to spend a lot of weekends coming up in Oklahoma to continue our search and see the rest of our OK buddies in the process! So... OK buddies keep your phone lines open! We'll be giving you a buzz in the next few weeks! :o)

Change of plans...

2009-02-14T13:16:00.002-06:00

We are headed to OOOoooooooooKLAHOMA to spend the weekend with The Trimbles!!!!
Yaaaaayyyyy! We miss them dearly and cannot wait to see them in a few short hours!

Talk to y'all on Tuesday! :o)

V-Day Plans

2009-02-14T09:25:00.003-06:00

So... as you all know... The hubs and I aren't huge Vday celebrators BUT we do have to do SOMETHING since everyone else is celebrating and it's a Saturday.

Our day is going to start off with a cleaning/laundry frenzy and a trip to the gym. A run outside would be nice... BUT I woke up to a blustery cold morning, so I'll stick with the good ole treadmill and some weights.

I have an itch to go to Northpark Mall so maybe we will fit that in as well. I'm sure hubs will get in some time with the XBOX 360 while I blog.

A Market Street grocery store opened near our house recently and I think I am IN LOVE! It's kind of like a regular gorcery store and a Cental Market or Whole Foods combined into one. Whole Foods and Central Market are two of my favorite places EVER! Anyway... They have some amazing looking steaks and lobster tails for some amazing prices! So, I think we'll cook up some surf and turf with baked potatoes, salad, and a few cocktails at the casa and enjoy a nice evening in.

"P.S. I love you" came in the mail from Netflix yesterday so I suppose we will be watching that too! We've never seen it.... I know...*gasp*!!!! I have heard it's a good one, and to keep a box of Kleenex close by. I think it's sounds fitting for Vday.

Great food & cocktails + sweatpants + sparkly clean house + snugglin' with hubs = PERFECTION!

Happy Valentine's Day, lovelies!!!

All You Need is LOVE!

2009-02-11T11:40:00.003-06:00

Pocket Full of Pink has this adorable "scrap" on her page and consisdered anyone who read it "tagged!!" So consider me tagged! Here's how it goes.

If you are reading this...please consider yourself TAGGED!!! This little "scrap" is all about sharing your love story! I don't want to leave anyone out, so if you stumble upon this post and are reading this - YOU are tagged. Are you married? Engaged? How did your honey propose? Dating? How did you two meet? Post pictures! Give all the details! Please let me know after you post so I can be sure to read it! Oh, and if you hate Valentine's Day, feel free to just vent about it!

WARNING... THIS COULD BE LOOOONG! BUT FUN... so hang in there! :o)

We will start from the VERY beginning. It was August 1997 and I was 15... starting the 10th grade, which, at the time in Oklahoma was the first year of high school. I was on the Varsity Pom Squad (which I guess some people...aka the hubs... thought was a big deal for a 10th grader). All of the girls on the squad had to participate in "registration" a few weeks before school where we got our schedules for the semester and our locker numbers and everything. Well, while at registration I see this "FINE" (I think that's the word we used then... lol) guy walk by. Like THE BEST LOOKIN' GUY I HAD EVER SEEN kind of guy. So I spend the next few weeks OBSESSING over the fact that this incredibly hot guy is going to go to school with me. Well, a few weeks later on the first day of school I sit down in my honors biology class and in walks extremely hot take my breath away guy. I am secretly flipping out inside wondering how I could be so lucky to have this hot piece of work sitting across from me! Well at the end of class he comes up to me and introduces himself.... sitcks out his hand...

Hubs: "Hi, I'm D."

Me: .......silence... blushing.... heart palpatations..... "OH.... Hi, I'm Em."

We proceed to walk out of class together and hubs says

Hubs: "Hey are you going to the Aloha Dance?" (the Aloha dance is the beginning of the year luau themed dance at the school)

Me: "Yes.... I have to."

Hubs: "You have to??? Why?"

Me: "Well all the pom girls have to go to help at the concession stand."

Hubs: .......... silence....... "What??? You are on the pom squad??? Like VARSITY pom squad???"

Me: "Yes, I am."

Hubs: .......silence.... "OH.... ok... well I hope to see you there."

Me: "Of course... I'll be there! Bye."

Then we part ways and go to our next classes.
{apparently hubs thought it was a big stinkin deal that I was a pom girl and thought I was going to be WAY out of his league... little did he know I was smitten before he ever introduced himself}

Fast forward two weeks to the Aloha dance. We see eachother right when he gets there. We say HI and that's about it since I am serving at the concession stand. When my "shift" was over, I joined the crowd and danced with my friends. Hubs pulls me aside and says "Make sure you save a dance for me."
Well every time a slow song came one he was just a little too late to get to me and I would already be dancing with someone else. Well FINALLY the DJ announces the last slow slong of the night and sure enough... hubs was right by my side before the announcement was over.
We danced... I was on Cloud 9 and at the end... he gave me a little peck! I thought I was going. to. die. So he asks if he can have my phone number. I tell him I don't have a pen and paper, but I have my own line at home so just look in the phone book under "Dad's Name" and call the children's line. He called later that night and we talked for HOURS.
Our first "official" date... the date we consider "the beginning" was at a Clay Walker concert on August 23, 1997.

----FIVE YEARS OF DATING GOES BY------ (the rest of high school, one year of him still living in our home town going to a smaller college while I am away at OU in the dorms, and some years of us both going to OU and living together)

The long awaited proposal!!!!
Hubs and I planned a trip to Acapulco, Mexico for Spring Break. We were there for five days. Sooo.. we get there and hubs acts totally disappointed at the quality of the hotel. It was supposedly "four stars" but we are thinking Mexican stars and American stars are of different value. I tell him to chill because it's basically just a place to crash and sleep off our spring break drunkeness. We end up going on a tour of the city and tour this AMAZING resort. Hubs decides that we MUST stay there the last night/day. I say whatever and just go with it. Soooo.... we get there the morning of our last day and check out our room and what not. Hubs calls and makes dinner reservations... Italian... my fave. I tell him I want to spend the day lounging at the pool/beach... so we do. Side bar.... we I had had PLENTY to drink the night before and my memory of the night may not have been the best.... oh the college days. SO anyway... we hung out at the pool all day and hubs was acting really strange the whole day. I ask him if he was mad at me... if I had done something stupid the night before... if he had consumed some of the water and was feeling sick.... he said no to all of the above. We got cleaned up and went to dinner where he literally just picked around in his food all night. I am convinced he is pissed or sick, but he swore otherwise. He told me he had a "late vday gift" for me... which was odd because we aren't big vday celebrators... but hey I was getting a gift so I went with it. I open it at the dinner table. It was this cute little jewelry box with a pic of us in the top and engraved "I Love You, Always and Forever." SO OF COURSE I am thinking.... "HOLY CRAP there is an engagement ring in this jewelry box!!!!" So I brace myself and open the box.... NOTHING!!!!!!!!! WTF?!?! I tried so hard to hide my disappointment and thanked him. We get the tab and I go to the bathroom (this is an important part of the story). I come back and hubs suggests that we go walk around the resort and check out the ocean. So... we walk. All of the sudden...

Hubs: "Hey, I wanna talk to you about something... come this way."

---he walks me up the hill to this beautiful lit up fountain and sets me down on the edge of it---
Me: flipping out... thinking... oh great... so he is pissed... I did something stupid last night... I'm going to get dumped on the last day of vacation.. great great great.

---next thing I know he is beginning to kneal down---

Me: thinking... oh crap oh crap... he is either getting down on my level to really give me a lashing or he is about to propose but I know damn well there is NOT A RING in that box... I looked... TWICE.

Well then he gives the most amazing, romantic, sweet, bring you to tears, melt your heart schpeal. and...

Hubs: "Em, Will You Marry Me?" ----opens jewelry box and low and behold there is a dazzling diamond ring---- he had the box rigged to where the ring was hidden under the lining and he switched it around when I went to the bathroom... told you it was important. :o)

Me: "YES YES YES OF COURSE!"

He puts the ring on my finger, we hug, he picks me up to spin me around....

Me: "Wait wait wait.... put me down..."

Hubs: "What?"

Me: "Did you ask my dad?"

Hubs: "Yes...... and your mom..... and BOTH of your brothers... I think I'm covered."

PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we got married on June 5, 2004 and it was marvelous!

I love him, I love him, I love him.

And... about VDay... I don't despise it. I never had a scarring experience to make me bitter about it. I just don't like it. I think it's lame. I would MUCH rather hubs be sweet and give me flowers or gifts on a random day when it's not expected.... not when every sign, store, commercial is telling him to do it.

Motivation....

2009-02-10T19:12:00.002-06:00

Maybe if I look at this EVERY SINGLE DAY I will continue to be motivated to hit the gym EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!! I've been going on and off for forever, and do really well in spurts, but I've got to get down to business! Pool season is creepin' up with a quickness! I had a pretty good work out today. I ran 2.2 miles. It's the first time I have really ran since I hurt my knee.... doing pretty good! Now I just need to KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!

Sooo... here's my motivation. I want to look more like these ladies... and I want these suits... ALL OF THEM! :o)

Short & Sweet

2009-02-10T09:29:00.001-06:00

Please keep my sweet friend Ashley Kate in your thoughts & prayers today. She and her hubs-to-be are having a rough day today.

That's all.

Tags, Recaps, and Pics... OH MY!

2009-02-09T15:52:00.007-06:00

The Polka Dotted Owl has tagged me in a fun little game! Here's how it goes!

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today or the last time you left the house. No cheating!

2) I want to know how much it cost:) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your bag.

Here's my bag! I carry it ALL THE TIME! Well, it was either this or my book bag, because I carry both of them ALL THE TIME, but this one wins!

This is one of the Coach Signature stripe bags. I had my eye on it when it first came out but didn't want to ask for it or buy it myself because hubs had just bought me the adorable signature (red) stripe day planner. Well, I guess hubs knew my love for this bag because he just up and surprised me with it one day! He had it in tow one day when he showed up from work. He's just precious like that! :o) I think it cost around $300 but I don't remember exactly. AND... that's my bag! :o)

I tag: Ashley, Ashley Kate, Melissa, and Pocket Full of Pink

**Now, onto the weekend recap.**

Friday night was low key... VERY low key. Hubs and I just hung out at home and did a whole lotta NOTHING! I did design a few options of invitations for my graduating class' graduation banquet.

Saturday day hubs and I went grocery shopping, did some laundry, and cleaned house. We Hubs grilled steaks for dinner. They were AMAZING, as usual. He cooks a mean steak (and burger) on the grill! YUMMO. After dinner, we headed out to the Gaylord Texan Resort to meet up with my bro and sis in law and some other friends for my sis in law's bday. We started the evening at a restauarant in the resort called Ama Lur. Hubs and I just had cocktails since we had already had dinner at home. I had a Raspberry Pomegranate Mojito. It was DELISH.

This is not my actual drink, but pictures make posts more fun! :o)

After dinner, we hung out in bro and sis in laws room for a bit and chatted and had another cocktail. I tried my friend's creation... The Grape Goose... Grey Goose Vodka and Grape G2 Gatorade. It was actually very good. We freshened up our hair and makeup and headed off to The Glass Cactus! We had a wonderful time. It was beautiful outside so we were able to spend most of the evening on the back patio area. It was delightful.

This is my sis in law and I.

And here's all the ladies!

Somehow hubs and I managed not to get a single pic together that night!

Sunday was another lazy day. Hubs and I hung out at the house and watched movies/tv pretty much all day. Later in the evening I had a few articles that needed to be read before class this morning at ~~the freaking butt crack of dawn~~ 7 AM, so I read those and headed to bed. Overall, it was a great weekend. We've been able to have the windows open all day every day for the past 3 or 4 days which I LOVE!

Speaking of windows being open... this is totally random.... I think hubs is a vampire! HA. He's been home during the days other than when he is out interviewing and when I come home he's chilling with all of the blinds still closed!!! One of the first things I do when I get up (assuming I'm not leaving shortly after) is open all the blinds! I HAVE to have the natural sunlight coming in the house! At least he's a smokin' hot vampire... kinda like Edward Cullen! He he!

ONE MORE THING... here's some pics from Addy's bday since I didn't have them uploaded before.

Here she is making a wish after we sang Happy Birthday. My sis in law made that cake! Pretty amazing huh?!? And is Addy not just the cutest thing EVER?!? Gosh I love that little girl!

Here she is in her new sweet ride! That's her "boyfriend" with her. He already has a powere wheels so he was showin' her the ropes, because she was a little scared at first. We always joke and say that these two are going to get married someday. The little boy is my sis in law's best friend's son.

Now she's got the hang of it! and she's even rockin' her new shades! TOOOOO CUTE!

Alright, I think that's all for now!

Weekend Plans

2009-02-06T20:32:00.005-06:00

I love Fridays! I don't know what it is about Fridays but I am always so excited the entire day. I guess it must be the anticipation of the weekend even if there's really nothing big in store for me over the weekend. We don't really have much going on this weekend, but I was the happiest camper today..... despite the fact I knew I was going to go home after my exam (which went VERY well, by the way) and do NOTHING... but nothing is good today! It's what I needed. I recently discovered 30 Rock on Netflix (if you haven't seen it... it's hilarious), so I have rented season 1 and 2. I am on season 2 now, so I grabbed some lunch on my way home from school and then cozied up on the couch (with the windows and back door open because it is AMAZING outside) and watched some 30 Rock. It was great.

Tomorrow night we are probably going to go out for a bit to The Glass Cactus for my sis-in-laws bday. The Glass Cactus is one of my fave places to go out here, but we are going to try and keep it low key because we are trying to pinch our pennies. Especially since we are still waiting to wrap things up on hub's job situation. He's got more interviewing next week. The Glass Cactus just happens to be part of the lovely Gaylord Texan Resort I was at last night. I LOVE the entire place!

Sunday will probably be filled with church, grocery shopping, cleaning, and laundry. If the weather is as nice as it has been the past couple of days we may take Miss Daisy to the dog park too.

Overall, I think it's going to be a pretty easy going weekend---- minus the (big word alert) copious amounts of laundry that need to be done. Have I ever mentioned that laundry is my LEAST favorite chore EVER?!?!? Blah. I'll make sure to wash the sheets too.... that'll cheer me right up and make me forget all about all the laundry I did when I hop into bed. Aaaaaahhh nice crisp, clean sheets..... one of the best. things. ever.

Aaaaaaahhhh...... yes, please. :o)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, ladies!

What a Wonderful Day!!

2009-02-05T18:05:00.002-06:00

I have about a million posts I need to read and an exam to study for, BUT I just want to rejoice in the fact that I am having a FAN TAB U LOUS day today! Nothing out of the ordinary wonderful happened, but I in just the right kind of mood today and I love it!

I was able to listen to an AMAZING doc speak today at lunch. He totally gave me the little rejuvenation I need not too far out from graduation. I am going to listen to him speak again at 7:30 at the lovely Gaylord Texan Resort. I get to hear him for TWO HOURS this time and totally pumped. His name is Dr. Demartini and he is incredibly knowledgeable and motivational.

Also, I had an AWESOME adjustment with one of my clients today. She is responding so well to chiropractic care and it just makes my heart go pitter patter! I love helping people reach their optimal HEALTHY potential! It's wonderful!

To top things off.... I felt great in my outfit today... I had a good hair day and makeup day... I am rocking my new glasses that I LOVE. ANNNNNND the weather is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!

Ok! I'm off to have some dinner with the hubs and then off to the Gaylord!

One more thing...

2009-02-04T22:29:00.002-06:00

Hubs had an interview today. He also has one in the morning and one on Friday sometime! Soooo... things are looking up... and we are thinking we will know something by the weekend or early next week! YIPPEE!!! Prayers, good vibes, crossed fingers, PLEASE! :o)

Y'all are great! and thanks for the prayers, good vibes, and crossed fingers you've kept for us so far! They seem to be working, so keep 'em coming!

Good night, friends!

New Look!

2009-02-04T22:16:00.002-06:00

Actually.... just a new header! But I made it myself... quite the accomplishment for the computer illiterate! It doesn't fit exactly like I want it to, but I like it!

What do you think?

Jonesing

2009-02-03T16:55:00.004-06:00

I am totally craving one of these right now:

So random... and so bad! I couldn't tell you the last time I had a freakin' caramello!

That's all! :o)

Weekend Recap & an Award!

2009-02-02T10:04:00.003-06:00

First and foremost... the Sweet Melissa gave me a Friend Award! I feel so honored! Thank you so much, Melissa!

Here is the scoop on this award:"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Now it is my duty to tag some of my faves!

Now on to the weekend! Friday night the hubs and I went out to dinner with my brother, sis-in-law, and niece. We went to Bucca di beppo. It was delish! However, I'm pretty content with any Italian food! I also tried the lemon basil mojito.... yummo! It's usually a hit or miss with me on mojitos, because sometimes I think they taste like mouthwash. But this one... it was a hit! It was pretty loud in there and the whole purpose of the dinner was for my brother and I to discuss what I have planned after graduation. He is already a chiropractor and has an awesome practice here in Texas. We had kicked around the idea of me maybe practicing with him for a bit, so we had discussing to do. Well, since it was so loud we decided that we would relocate to Cheesecake Factory for dessert and some more cocktails. My sis-in-law and I shared the Kahlua Cocoa Coffee Cheesecake. It was AWESOME! I also got a strawberry martini.. aka: strawberry infused vodka chilled with a sugar rim. Holy moly it was amazing! Stout... but amazing!

What came of the convo with my brother you ask? Well, the hubs and I have been considering going back to Oklahoma. We miss it more and more each year that we are away and I would really like to raise our family there. Sooooo we are thinking that the game plan is: Hubs is starting to apply for jobs that include OK in his territory and I am going to start looking for a place to start up my own clinic up there! SO EXCITING! Nerve racking? yes. Scary? yes. But totally exciting more than anything! I am going to look around here at some places as well, but we are thinking that Oklahoma is the way we want to go. The only downside... that adds on ANOTHER board exam to take. I've got to finish out my National Board Exams (I've taken 2 parts... I have 3 parts to go) and now I have to take an Oklahoma State Board exam as well. But, it's all good! I'll knock em all out!

Ok... moving on. Saturday night hubs and I met up with a group of friends at Twin Peaks to watch the UFC fights. My brother got us hooked on them about a year ago. PLUS... this yummy piece of work was fighting:

Meet George St-Pierre.... YUMMMMMO!

I can't find a great pic of his legs... but man oh man, they are beautiful too!

We had a great time hanging out with friends and watching the fights. We hung out at one of our friend's houses for a while after the fights, then went home and crashed.

Sunday started with a hangover... crappy. Luckily I recovered quickly. I resorted back to my old trusty undergrad hangover remedy.... A slurpee and a McDonalds cheeseburger, cheese only. It worked like a charm! Then we headed up to my bro and sis in law's house for Addy's bday party. I have pictures, but am not at home right now so I'll have to share those later. Addy had a great birthday! She got tons of dress up stuff. She also got a PINK Mustang GT Power Wheels! That was from her mom and dad. It is perfect for her. She and the other kiddos had a blast cruising around in it. After the bday party wrapped up, the Super Bowl party began. We ate A LOT and hung out and watched the game. I wish the Cardinals would have won. :o( Oh well, it was a good game and I got to look at this guy during the game:

Meet Kurt Warner, the quarterback of the Cardinals.

Such a cutie!

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that it was a pretty good sports weekend! None of the commercials really stood out to me all that much. I thought the cutest one was the Budweiser one where the horse went a fetched the big ole stick after the dog did.

Well, that's all I've got for now! It's time to head back to class!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Super Bowl weekend!

2009-01-30T11:53:00.004-06:00

Step 1: respond and rework—answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

Step 2: tag—eight other un-tagged people .

Make a list of things you can see without getting up: lamp, chairs, coffee table, vase, wall hangings, light switch, trash can, cell phone, other interns... lots of stuff... I'm in the intern lounge...
Favorite football team: Oklahoma SOONERS!
What are you wearing now? black cardigan/scarfigan, white/black/gray vneck, gray express editor pants, black oxford heels
What color is your bedroom? Blue and brown
What’s the last thing you read/are currently reading? I am listening to a book on CD about "Unraveling the Hormone Mystery" and how to manage it nutritionally.
Do you nap a lot? Not really... I tend to nap a little on the weekends.
Who was the last person you hugged? The Hubs.
What’s your current obsession/addiction? blogging
What was the last thing you said aloud? I'll probably get one when I'm actually in practice but don't have a need for one now.
What websites do you always visit when you go online? Blogger, facebook, Parker email, myspace, weather.com
What was the last thing you bought? a coffee on the way to school this morning
What are you listening to right now? the front desk calling for interns over the intercom
If you could have any super power, what would it be? that's a tough one.... I guess flying.
What is your favorite weather, and why? Hot summer weather, because you can wear tanks and flops and shorts, and hang out by the pool and go to the lake all the time! and it's sooo much easier to stay tan! I love the "sun kissed" look!
What time do you usually get up? Mon-Thurs 5:30am, Fri 6:30 am, Sat-Sun usually around 8 or 9.
What is your most challenging goal right now? staying on a budget.... and getting all of my clinic requirements before graduation! (Dallas ladies... come see me in the clinic! (o:)
Say something to the person that tagged you: I wasn't tagged.... I just snagged this from someone
If you could have a house–totally paid for, fully furnished–anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? That is SUCH a hard question... there are still so many places I need to visit. Right now it would be a tie between Oklahoma (I know, lame, but I really love it there) and Florida (despite all the old folks, but hey, I'll be old someday too! ) :o)
Favorite vacation spot? Either Aruba or Grand Cayman... I loved them both!
What is your favorite childrens' book?Can I say Harry Potter? I didn't read them as a child, but loved them! I remember loving The Veleveteen Rabbit when I was little.
Name one thing you just can’t resist no matter how bad it is for you: Sweets... I have to have them at least sometimes! I think I could resist them to a point, but I don't think I am could cut them out COMPLETELY... like holidays and everything??? NO WAY!
Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is overflowing with a zillion others: I love love love white converse... all stars or the plain slip ons... just love them.
What's your favorite part about your day: I usually like my ride home in the evening... mainly because I always hear good music and jam out! :o)
**added** What career would you chose if you didn't keep the one you have now and it could be ANYTHING??? I would either be a chef or a wedding/event/party planner.

I tag:
Ashley
Ashley Kate
Am
Pocket Full of Pink

and anyone else who wants to play along! :o)

Things I Have Loved in January!!!

2009-01-30T10:46:00.002-06:00

This is something I think I am going to do at the end of every month. I've seen it on some other blogs and I think it's fun!

P.S.: I realize I spelled niece wrong every time in my last post. 'I' before 'E' except after 'C'..... geez. I also realize I say 'So' a lot and do this '...' a lot. My apologies, but that's just how I roll! :o)

Ok, back to things I loved in January!

1. BLOGGING!

2. Slurpees. (ok, so maybe I have only had two this month, but it's the first time I have had one in a loooong time and I think I am readdicted.... they used to be my hangover cure in undergrad. Delish, and so bad!)

3. Dos Equis Lager

4. Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm (I know I have mentioned it before, but I discovered it in Jan... and have been loving it allllll month!)

4. Not having a full week of school yet!

5. As much as hubs not having a job yet sucks.. it's been great having him home all the time to hang out with! He is also soooo much happier now that he isn't at is old job anymore.

(Oh yeah.. about that... things are looking up even more... he's got some more interviews next week!! Yippee!!)

6. Netflix Direct {you can have them send you DVDs in the mail.... but you can also download and watch things immediately through an XBOX (and other game systems I believe) and it's AWESOME!}

7. My "Perfect Oatmeal" concoction mentioned in this post.

And I think that's all I've got for this month! :o)

I hope y'all are having a splendid Friday!

Motor Mouth..errr....fingers???

2009-01-29T19:02:00.005-06:00

For some reason I feel like I just don't have much to write about the past couple of days. So... this could end up being a big rambling mess.

School was completely cancelled yesterday due to copious amounts of ice on everything! YAY! It was yucky and oh so slick outside. Miss Daisy could barely keep her feet under her, poor thing. Getting her to go potty was a chore to say the least. I had to go out into the grass and stomp a big patch flat so it wouldn't be so prickly and she would willingly walk out on it and do her business. It was also FREEZING and Miss Daisy doesn't have much in the way of insulation (neither fat nor fur) so I put her sweater on her.... she hates me for it.... and when I take it off of her she goes nuts and rubs all over the couch and gets hair EVERYWHERE. Thank goodness hubs found this a while back! It was put to good use.

Speaking of Miss Daisy... I feel I haven't given her a proper introduction yet! Well... Miss Daisy is our pup (obviously). We got her just after we got married. She was actually my (belated) graduation gift from the hubs. There's a very sweet story to go with how he gave her to me.... I'll tell that in a minute. She turns 5 on March 31st. We've had her for a little over 4 1/2 years. She's a rat terrier and is such a good girl. We are just thrilled with her and love her to death.

So this is Miss Daisy! One of her all snuggled up in her bed with her bunny... and one of her with her "can we please go outside now" look on her face.

Now... on to the story of how hubs gave her to me.

One day hubs and I were at the mall and somehow I convinced hubs that we should go in the pet store. There are two reasons while this normally didn't happen... 1) we said we would never buy an animal from a pet store because there are just too many animals that need to be rescued 2) I generally leave establishments that have animals without homes crying because I feel so bad for them and think I need to take each and every one of them home. Well, I guess I was spot on with my charm this day because I saw little Daisy in her cage sitting there oh so cute and not making a sounds and I just HAD to play with her. I get one of the employees to take her out and let us in a little room so we could play with her. Well, hubs made another mistake at this point and stopped to look at something while I was in the room with the pup. By the time he got in there we had already bonded... he walks in and I say "HER NAME IS DAISY!!!! Don't you love her?!?!?! I do... let's keep her." Hubs proceeds to say "YOU CANNOT NAME HER! SHE ISN'T OURS! Once you give her a name you are already too attached." So we play for a bit and I am in love. Hubs tells me over and over that we can't get a dog right now and even if we could, we would rescue one. So we leave (me crying, of course). Fast forward to a few days later.... I am at work and hubs shows up. He says "Hey, I have a belated graduation gift for you in the car." and I say "Ummmm, OK... why did you come all the way here to tell me that and leave it in the car???" and he says..."Well, I wasn't sure I could bring..... her.... in.... I think you said her name is Daisy." So I flip out of course and run out to see her and he had already got her a sweet little pink collar and toys and everything! He's precious... and so is she! I'm a lucky girl.

Wow, this post is turning out to be a long one.

****I'm sorry if you are bored. But I think I still have some rambling left in me.******

I am very thrown off today. It feels like a Monday since we had a day and a half of school cancelled. I can't believe tomorrow is already Friday! That's a good thing, of course!

I am excited about this weekend! Saturday my sis in law and I are going to get together and make my neice's birthday cake. My sis in law started making her cakes on her second birthday (this is her fourth) and they turn out SO cute. I have helped a little the past two years and we have a blast! My neice's birthday party is on Sunday. It will be Tinkerbell themed. She's totally into Tinkerbell and Princesses right now. I think she is possibly one of the cutest people on Earth. The Tinkerbell birthday bash will slowly morph into Super Bowl extravaganza by kick off. I love football, beer, wings, birthday cake, my neice, my hubs, my bro, and my sis in law... so it's sounding like an all around FANTASTIC day and I am totally looking forward to it!!!!

Speaking of my neice.... since I'm doing introductions. I'll introduce her too! She turned 4 on Tuesday. She is so incredible smart and adorable. She calls me and the hubs Emmy and Uncle D. I think it's adorable. Her name's Addy. Here she is! This is her and Uncle D. They have on their matching Vans. She dressed herself this day. Those are some of her jammies and her tutu. She's just too cute for words.

Update on the hubs' job hunt.... he has had some interviews and has some more scheduled. There are some good leads. It's just going to be a process. We must be patient. Please keep us in your prayers! I know there is something perfect out there for him.

Okay... I think I'm done for now! :o)

Have a wonderful evening, ladies!!!

A Not So Snowy "Snow Day!!!"

2009-01-27T16:00:00.004-06:00

Yay! School let out at noon today due to inclement weather. I'm not going to complain either way... but the forecast really hasn't played out as anticipated. So really what we've got going on here is:

RAIN + 32F (or 0C) = "inclement weather"

It wasn't even icy as I was driving home from school... but I'll take it!

It's still getting colder out and there's still a high percentage chance of ice/wintry mix throughout the evening/night, so maybe it will get nasty and school will be cancelled tomorrow too! That would be grrrreeeeat!

What am I going to do with the rest of my day off you ask? Well, I thought a homemade lasagna from scratch sounded fitting for the cold weather! I just got the sauce going. It's simmering and smells oh so yummy! It's got about 45 min left to simmer, then I have to assemble and bake for 45 min.

While that's going on I guess I'll be blogging away and snugglin' with the hubs on the couch. :o)

Aaaaahhhh.... sounds wonderful!

Weekend Recap

2009-01-26T16:44:00.008-06:00

First off.. the hubs and I have decided that this year (or at least until I graduate) we are going to try and follow a much stricter/sensible budget. Our first step was cancelling our cable. It's freaking expensive and when classes are in session... I don't get to watch much anyway. The only thing hubs really watches is ESPN and he can pretty much get all of that on the internet. Well, this was our first weekend without cable. The first night (guess it was actually Thursday, so not quite the weekend... but I'll include it) we started to go a little stir crazy and I think it was kind of a "you want what you can't have" type thing. Had we had cable that night, we probably wouldn't have watched it. Anywho... we busted out the Friends DVDs and SkipBo and had a great evening together. I think not having cable is going to enable us to have some real quality time... and it will make us branch out and find other things to do. We went ahead and got Netflix so we can have stuff to watch when we really are in the mood to just sit on our butts and watch something.... and it's only $8.99 a month in comparison to the $80 something we were paying for cable.

Ok... moving on to Friday. We had friends over to play some Rock Band and have some drinks. We had a great time. If you haven't ever played it... you should! It's SO.MUCH.FUN!!!!

Here's us playing Rock Band. That's me in the pink... go figure. :o)

I had patients Saturday morning so I spent the morning at the clinic. Hubs and I cleaned and hung out at the house all afternoon. We went over to a friend's house for a birthday party that night. It was a great time. I smoked a Hooka for the first time. I'm not a smoker, but the whole ambiance was fun and the birthday girl convinced me to give it a whirl. It was alright... and nothing like a cigarette thank goodness. They put cherry/vanilla flavored tobacco in it. All in all, I don't know that I'll do it again... but hey, I'll try most anything once!

This is me and some of my girls on Saturday night. Somehow we didn't get a picture of the Hooka extravaganza.... bummer. That's me in the hat and pink scarf... again... go figure! :o)

Sunday was a LAZY day for most of the day. Once we finally got up and around we made our way out of the house to get our grocery shopping done. We went to Costco and WalMart .... two of THE MOST DISASTROUS PLACES ON EARTH on a Sunday afternoon.... OH. MY. GOSH. I wanted to run people over with my cart. There was a major case of Sunday drivers... but with their carts!!! However, amazingly enough, we barely had to wait in line to check out at WalMart... so I guess I can't complain too much.

So that was our weekend... nothing too exciting! I think I'll do a random pics post here in a minute because we had a TON of random stuff on our camera that I just uploaded.

5 Random Pictures

2009-01-24T14:23:00.005-06:00

THE RULES:
1. WRITE DOWN FIVE NUMBERS BETWEEN ONE AND TWENTY.
2. GO TO "MY PICTURES" AND FIND YOUR FIRST FIVE FOLDERS.
3. POST EACH PICTURE CORRESPONDINGLY WITH NUMBERS YOU PICKED.
(For example: if the first number you wrote down was 3, go to your first
folder of pictures and look at the third picture. So and and so forth!)
4. DON'T CHEAT!!!!
5. EXPLAIN THE PICTURES, PLEASE.

This is me and hubs on our cruise this past summer. I've got a sweet sunburn going on! Look at those tan lines!
This is my friend Sheena and a guy whose name I don't remember.We were out for karaoke.

This is my car. 2008 Nissan Altima. Love love love.

This is Miss Daisy when she was a pup. Holy cow she's a cutie. This is before her ears even stood up on their own! I guess she's scratching. Precious.

This is me and hubs and mom and dad dancing at our wedding.

June 5, 2004

Everyone's doing it....

2009-01-24T12:26:00.001-06:00

Well, the trend in blogland right now seems to be "you ask me questions and I'll answer them!" I may as well jump on the bandwagon! :o) Ask away, ladies!

It IS January, right???

2009-01-23T11:31:00.002-06:00

Right now, as I type it is 71 degrees outside!!! and it's supposed to get even warmer... like a high of 78 I think. I am wearing shorts. I could probably lay out and get a suntan/burn.... and the calendar is still telling me it is January??? I don't believe it! So far, we just really haven't had a winter at all. And that is A OK with me! Yay sunshine!

A little bit of cheer for my poopy mood.

2009-01-22T17:37:00.004-06:00

I know Valentines Day is a little ways away still... and hubs and I don't even celebrate Vday because we both think it is lame-o. However something about this lil diddy makes me smile. It's probably because it's pink... and tulips... two of my favorite things. :o) Isn't it sweet? {image from marthastewart.com}

A Case of the Mondays

2009-01-22T09:33:00.003-06:00

It's just been one of those weeks. I'm in a funk. Not sure what the deal is... the weather's beautiful, I had two days off from school... but something's just poopy. Maybe I'm carrying hubby's stress about the job front. Not sure. Thank goodness it's almost the weekend. Maybe I just need a nice, frosty beverage to lift my spirits. What really needs to happen is I need to get my butt in the gym! I know it will make me feel better... it always does... but I am lacking motivation. So... here I sit in the clinic trying to rack up some hours.. with NOTHING to do.
Well... other than blog of course! :o)
Speaking of the clinic.... if you are in the Dallas area.... you should TOTALLY come see me in the clinic!!! I'll take great care of you!!!
Sorry to be Debbie Downer.... I'll force myself to get to the gym tonight... surely it will help.

Random afternoon...

2009-01-21T16:20:00.002-06:00

So I get home a little while ago and just as I get settled in the fire alarm starts going off. Well then I remember that we got a note the other day saying that there was going to be a fire and safety inspection going on today. The alarm beeped one long beep and I figured it was over. Well... about 3 minutes pass and it does it again. Daisy, my dog, is NOT a fan of the fire alarm. She starts going bananas. I decide that she and I will go on a walk until they turn the dang alarms off. Plus it is GORGEOUS outside, so no big deal. Daisy and I are just strolling along and just as I look to my right I see one of the maintenance men coming in their little golf cart and then BAM he runs straight into a tree (a tree for goodness sakes... not a bush, not a stump, A TREE, how do you not see a tree right in front of you???) and goes flying out of the side of the cart. My initial reaction is to run up to him and see that he's alright. I'm pretty sure his pride was injured the worst, but he was limping a little. Apparently one of the ladies from management that's out and about for the inspection saw it happen too so she ran up to make sure that he was ok as well. He swore to both of us that he was fine... hopped back in the cart and drove off. Well, let me tell you... this has to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I don't know how I managed to hold in my laughter until he and the manager were out of sight. After they were both out of sight I laughed so hard... like had to sit down in the grass and had tears running down my face hard. I feel bad for laughing but just picture it in your head.... you know it's hilarious. Well just as I'm feeling bad for laughing and standing up again.. I come around the corner to see the manager sitting laughing hysterically as well.
Good, random times.

Bad News Bears...

2009-01-20T19:25:00.002-06:00

Well, hubs didn't get the job. Why? Well they didn't have a reason.
So... and this is probably because I am pissed and totally biased and think my hubby is awesome and should get any job out from under anyone.... I'm going to say what I think my reason is.
The girl that went up against him was a BOMBSHELL (I saw her when I picked hubby up at the airport last night). Everyone involved in the interview process... male. She's tall, thin, blonde perfect wavy hair, nice rack.... so there you go.
The reason I am going with this is because.... hubby has 2 years experience on her AND they couldn't give a reason on why they picked her over him (and to me that means that they don't really have a reason, because all they did was tell him how great he interviewed and then finished with.. BUT we gave the position to her). So I, in NO way... can see why he didn't get it.
Pissed. But everything happens for a reason. He has more interviews lined up already.
So keep those fingers crossed, prayers and good vibes flowing! We need them!
Hopefully something even better is going to come along.

P is for...

2009-01-20T09:41:00.002-06:00

Betsy has assigned me the letter P and I am to name things that I love that begin with the letter P!

If you would like to play too... let me know and I'll give you a letter!!

Here we go!!!

1. PINK!!!
2. Pearls
3. all thing Pumpkin... cookies, bread, cheesecake, lattes, candles, pancakes, pie, etc., etc.
4. Peonies
5. People.. not the magazine... just actual people
6. Pictures... especially black and white ones
7. Puppies
8. my Parents
9. purses! (I call them handbags... but this will have to do!)
10. polka dots

Prayers, good vibes, & crossed fingers

2009-01-19T10:49:00.007-06:00

Today is a BIG DAY in the Taylor household. Hubs flew out to Cali this morning (he just got there as a matter of fact) for his THIRD and FINAL interview for a new job. We really really really hope he gets it! So... cross your fingers, say a prayer, send good vibes... that my hubs gets this job!

He and one other person are up for the position and they ended up next to eachother on the plane on the way there.... can we say AWKWARD?!?!?

They are supposed to pull the trigger and offer the position to their favorite by the end of the day Tuesday... so stay tuned! And keep the prayers, good vibes, and crossed fingers coming until then!

So yeah, this may be a 2 or 3 blog kind of day, because I am a nervous wreck!

P.S: I am starting to feel so official in the blogging world! I have FIVE followers (for some reason that makes me VERY happy) AND I was officially introduced today over at Newlywed Stilettos. So if you are a newbie and want to be introduced... that's the place to go! :o)

Holy Procrastination, Batman!

2009-01-18T21:02:00.005-06:00

I kept seeing these fabulous little collages on peoples' blogs... and oh boy let me tell you something... I should NOT have discovered this thing that is polyvore. It is ADDICTING and SO FUN!!!!!! Like I need one more thing to help me procrastinate. Well... there it is! In all it's glory. I think polyvore and I will being spending lots of time together. It's fun... really fun! Check it out.
Above is my first creation. Just a few of my favorite things! :o)

Honestly...

2009-01-18T18:23:00.006-06:00

I've been tagged by Ashley to be honest. Here's how it goes:

#1. You have to chose a minimum of 7 fabulous blogs to pass this goodie onto.#2. Post the fabulous blogs of your choice as a link on your blog.AND #3. List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

So.. here goes. There may be some repeats from my 101 things about me, but we'll see what I can come up with.

1. I am a sweet-aholic. It's a problem I am attempting to eliminate, but let me tell ya... NOT EASY! Instead of having a sweet treat after meals, I'm trying to have some fruit or some fruity gum or something. It works SOMETIMES... but other times the ice cream or cookie goodness is just too poweful.

2. I got lice when I was in the elementary school. One of the girls I ran around with apparently wasn't so clean. Myself and a few other girlfriends had a sleepover one night and used her brush...and what do you know... all of us had lice the next week. GROSS and embarassing, but hey, I'm just being honest! My mom and I were mortified... luckily we got rid of mine with a quickness. Homegirl that gave it to me... well she's another story.

3. I cry every time I drop the hubs off at the airport. It never fails! Doesn't matter if he's only leaving for a day. I can usually make it back in to the car and start my way out of the airport before the waterworks start so he doesn't think I'm a complete disaster! I don't know what it is... I just hate goodbyes I guess.

4. I am STUBBORN... like WILL NOT ask for help on most things. I will struggle until I figure it out on my own. I'm getting better about this because I have wasted A LOT of time on things trying to figure them out on my own when someone could have helped me out and made it so much easier. I cause myself a lot more stress this way as well.

5. I am NOT... I repeat... NOT a morning person. I just cannot be nice until I have gotten up and around. I usually don't say a word until I am out of the shower. My mom used to bring me breakfast into my bedroom every morning when I still lived at home so I would eat in there and not piss the rest of the family off... or spread my grumpiness. Hubs pretty much just leaves me be until I talk to him first or until I get out of the shower.

6. I am notorious for saying I am only going to have a couple beers/drinks and then the next thing I know I am on the tipsy train headed straight for drunkville. And then I say I'll never drink again... and hold true to that........until the next weekend or happy hour invite.

7. I love to play flip cup... and I'm good. So much that one of my friends randomly gifted me a "Flip Cup Champ" hat. Sad, but true... and if you are wondering... yes I wear it sometimes! but only when playing flip cup.... duh. :o)

8. Driving in Dallas makes me very nervous. I constantly fear that I am going to get into an accident. Semi trucks freak me out the most. or cement trucks... I just know that a huge chunk of cement is going to come flying off and break my windshield. A little spazmatic? Yes.

9. I am a reality TV junkie. If it weren't for DVR... this probably wouldn't be so. But.. when you can record them all and watch them later commercial free it's really kind of irresistable. The Bachelor, Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Rock of Love, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, American Idol..... gosh, you name it, I've probably been hooked on it.

10. I am a spaz about my grades. I try so hard not to care so much because I know no one is ever going to see my transcript and my grades really aren't going to change whether or not I am going to be good at what I do.... BUT If I think I am going to get below a "B" I freak a little. So... thus far this nonsense has left me with a squeaky clean transcript of all A's and B's. Not bragging, I promise. I really wish I didn't care as much. A "C" wouldn't hurt me and I know that... but I just can't get over it for some reason.

Alright, so there's my honesty. Phew! Done and done! :o)

I'm not real sure who all reads my blog just yet.... and I'm not sure who all has already done this, but I'll tag anyway!

Team Corbin
Bergdorf Blondes
Trimble Life
Chanel Fashionista
A Belle and Her Beau
The Bullard Blog
Ashley

Now let's hear some honesty, ladies!

Anyone who is or will someday be pregnant....

2009-01-17T11:56:00.005-06:00

MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

I've seen it before, but am now in my OB/GYN class and watched it again yesterday. It really is a must see for anyone that is going to go through the birthing process someday. You can order it on Amazon.com or rent it from Netflix. I have heard that you can get it at some Blockbusters but haven't seen it at any that I've been to.

I think it is very informative on both sides of the table. You'll know what I'm talking about when you watch it. Mommies need to know that they have options in the way of a birth plan.

So... go get it... watch it... for me... :o)

Thanks!

Getting to know you (well ME really)

2009-01-16T16:01:00.003-06:00

So since I'm still fairly new at this I figured I'd do a little getting to know me thing.... the 101 things about me... so here goes.

1. My initials are E.T.

2. or E.A.T if you wanna throw in the middle initial... either way... humorous.

3. I love PINK

4. I love getting my hair done.

5. I have been getting my hair colored/highlighted since the 7th grade.

6. I love SUMMER...

7. I would be happy if it was warm enough to go to the pool every.single.day.

8. I love to run.

9. but can't do it much anymore due to shin splints and a healing torn popliteus muscle in my right knee.

10. I love a good workout... like a drenched in sweat workout. I feel so good afterward.

11. My husband and I met when we were 15.

12. We've been together pretty much ever since... so going on 12 years.

13. We've been married for 4 1/2 years.

14. I will be a DOCTOR in less than 8 months!

15. Doctor of Chiropractic to be specific.

16. I have a cute little dog named Daisy.

17. I love her like a child.

18. I used to think I didn't want kids.

19. Now I do.

20. and sooner than later.

21. I am dying to say goodbye to apartment living and buy a home!

22. I'm addicted to chap stick... actually Burt's Bees Lip Balm.

23. and I've recently discovered Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm, which I am also becoming obsessed with.

24. I have very sensitve skin.

25. I think blogs with pictures are more fun to read.

26. Blogging is one of my 2009 resolutions.

27. I think it's one of the first resolutions I will ever keep.

28. I also want to start going to church consistenly.

29. and lose a few pounds... I won't put a number on it because that makes it harder to keep.

30. I'm a water snob... no tap water for this girl. I prefer spring water, Ozarka if it's available.

31. I love to cook.

32. I want to go to culinary school someday.

33. If I weren't going to be a doctor I would want to be an event coordinator or a chef.

34. I was a restaurant server/cocktail waitress/bartender for 5 years.

35. I have two older brothers.

36. I love living in Texas.

37. but miss Norman, Oklahoma.

38. Especially during football season.

39. I am a University of Oklahoma alumni... Boomer Sooner!

40. I love Bob Stoops.

41. and Sam Bradford.

42. I love playing RockBand!

43. but only if I can play the drums or sing because I suck at the guitar.

44. I LOVE Harney & Sons Hot Cinammon Sunset Tea... it's amazing.

45. I should be at the gym right now.

46. I would rather have friends over for drinks and board games than go out.

47. but I love getting dolled up and going out occassionally.

48. I have a little neice and I think she is precious.

49. I think my husband is one of the most admirable men I have ever met.

50. I could eat watermelon every day.

51. My dream car is a Range Rover Sport, pearl white, please.

52. I love being crafty.

53. I'm not big on going to movie theaters.

54. I think they stink.

55. But there's a lot of good movies out right now so I kind of want to go.

56. I cry at weddings... even if they are on TV and I don't know the people.

57. I love looking at pictures.

58. and having my picture taken.

59. but I usually ask that they be deleted because I think I look fat.

60. I go through an incredible amount of bobby pins quickly... I don't know what happens to them.

61. I love the Food Network.

62. and Bravo.

63. and ABC because it shows a lot of my faves.

64. Like Desperate Housewives

65. Grey's Anatomy

66. House

67. and The Bachelor

68. I think DVR is the greatest thing EVER!

69. I hate doing laundry.

70. especially whites.

71. I have the best girl friends ever!

72. I have known most of them since childhood.

73. I graduated high school in 2000... so that means 10 year reunion is creeping up... and that's weird.

74. I love reading.

75. Unless it's a text book... then I have reading induced narcolepsy.

76. I still get nervous driving in Dallas... and I've been doing it every day for 2 1/2 years.

77. Sonic ice is the best.

78. I've always wished I was shorter.

79. Baggy sweatpants are my favorite.

80. I love shoes.

81. I want a boat someday.

82. and a lake house.

83. I am going to miss a lot of my classmates dearly when I graduate.

84. I have never been snow skiing... but hope to go soon...

85. I think snow is really pretty... but cold weather gets old QUICK.

86. I want to spend Christmas in New York City some year.

87. Grand Cayman is the prettiest place I have ever been.

88. well Aruba is a close tie.

89. I love going on cruises... I have been on 4 in the past 4 years.

90. I love animals.

91. I can't stand to get flour/chalk/powder on my hands. It makes me gag/freak out.

92. I don't eat the ends of french fries.

93. I'm a little OCD... more obsessive compulsive personality than disorder.

94. I love buying office supplies.

95. Bic Four Color Pens are my fave during school.

96. Once I used them in my first notebook... I have to use them until I graduate so all my notes match... don't ask... I know I won't look at most of them again... but it makes me happy.

97. I'm not a fan of highlighters.

98. I don't ever buy magazines... but always read them while I stand in line at the store.

99. Damask is my favorite print.

100. I want to wear my wedding dress again... and might at home for Halloween some year.

101. I think this was harder than I anticipated.... hope you enjoyed!

Starbuck's just THINKS they've got the Perfect Oatmeal.

2009-01-13T17:34:00.005-06:00

HEAVENLY!!!!

Inspired by the "Perfect Oatmeal" at Starbucks.... welll let me tell ya Buckaroos... This mix is THE perfect oatmeal. Holy moly I'm loving it!

Random thoughts...

2009-01-13T09:36:00.007-06:00

If you have pets...

You need this doo dad!

Hubs found this wondermous instrument at Wally World last night and it worked miracles on our furniture. I usually vacuum the couches and lamp shades THEN use one of those tape lint rollers to get all the Daisy hair off. This thing did the trick in one try! The only design flaw... it doesn't open so you can empty the hair out. However, it was only like $4.00 so after a few uses it can be replaced. But yes... it's a new fave find for sure! Gets the job done!

So, moving on. Classes started back up yesterday.. boo. However, this is my last academic trimester EVER!!!! 4 months of classes and I am doneskies! I will still have one more clinical trimester after that, but being out of the classroom will be AMAZING!

One of my and Hubs fave things to do on the weekends... well Sundays really... is to go look at houses. We particularly enjoy model homes because they tend to be really well decorated and we get some fab ideas that way. Well, we went last Sunday and found some houses that we LOVE and will be in our price range when I graduate or get close to graduating... and we will be able to build one! This makes me so incredibly excited. Now... I just need to get the heck outta school and get my practice rolling! Oh yeah.. my point in this whole thought was that we took some pics of our fave features and things. I am yet to upload those images, but stay tuned! Those should be in my next post.

Well, I'm off to class, then to run errands, then more class, then the gym.

Toodles until next time!

Bummed...

2009-01-09T10:08:00.002-06:00

Well, the sooners didn't manage to bring home a win last night. Total bummer. They did play a good game though. Too bad the commentators spoke the ENTIRE game like the sooners weren't even on the field. There's some major man crushing going on with Tebow. They praised that kid like he was the next baby Jesus. It was RE.DIC.U.LOUS!!! There were a few sketchy calls made by the refs, but overall I guess it was a pretty fair game. Maybe next year.
I'm off to work my frustrations off at the gym. Let's hope I can make it through the day without anyone making snide comments to me. Luckily I only know two florida gators, but that doesn't mean the texas fans aren't going to be ultra catty.

:o(

Finally...

2009-01-06T20:06:00.005-06:00

I was bitten by the Twilight bug (as were about 85% of the people that I know) and I just finished up the fourth one (Breaking Dawn) last night. I was tearing through those books at a pace of about one a day until the holidays came around and I was interrupted about half way through the last one. Well, I got right back on it as soon as holiday madness was over and was able to finish up.

I think My favorite was Twilight (the first book) and then I REALLY liked the first half of Breaking Dawn... and the second half of Eclipse....okay... I liked them all! New Moon was my least fave, but who am I kidding? I still loved it! Might be re reading them soon. Those books just have an incredible way of sucking you in. A reality check is usually required when I get up from reading.

Kind of late, but speaking of the holidays, I was uber crafty this holiday season. Here's some of my goods! :o) I'm not gonna lie, I am pretty impressed with my homemaking skills latetly.

These are the t-shirts I made for everyone in the fam. We always play games and go bowling so I thought "Team" t-shirts would be appropriate. Everyone loved them! I think they are presh!

These are the gift tags I made (thanks to the handy dandy tutorial over at thesticklerfamily.blogspot.com.

They say "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a GIFT!!!"

And last, but not least...

Drumroll please.....

my proudest accomplishment yet... and they only took me like FOUR HOURS..... :o)

The sweetest little reindeer pops ever! I got this idea over at bakerella.blogspot.com.

She uses cake balls... I used my oreo ball/truffle recipe.

They turned out sooo much better than I thought they would!

They definitely stole the show! :o)

I also made a lasagna from scratch yesterday for dinner that turned out fab. This is what happens when I have time off from school. I turn into Martha Stewart/Betty Crocker/Susie Homemaker Junior. I still have this whole week off... who knows what I'll whip up! ;o)

Until next time.

Success!

2009-01-05T10:46:00.006-06:00

So I love love love to cook. And hubs love love loves buffalo wings. So... we have been on a mission for quite some time to find a method of cooking wings at home WITHOUT the purchase of a fry daddy. I just can't bring myself to owning a deep frying machine. We have tried baking and broiling and combinations of those two. We've tried frozen wings, fresh wings, different brands of wings. You name it... we've tried it... and they always come out gross and soggy. Well... yesterday I stumble across this bad boy: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/print?id=330504!!! They turned out UH MAZE ING! So good... and crispy just like they came out of a fryer. They are still by no means "healthy" but this method gets a lot of the grease/fat out of the wings. We grabbed a bottle of sauce from bdubs (Buffalo Wild Wings) and VOILA... delicious-ness!

I'll be making these again on Thursday! What's on Thursday, you ask? Well, The BCS National Championship, of course! :o) My OKLAHOMA SOONERS will be taking on the florida gators in the Orange Bowl.

Something you will learn about me is that I LOVE college football... especially my alma mater... the SOONERS!

Something else I love... well two things... Bob Stoops (the head coach) and Sam Bradford (the precious starting quarterback).

Meet Bob... Soooo yummy!

Now meet Sammy... cutie patootie.

I am so excited for the game on Thursday! Hopefully we'll come out National Champions!

BOOMER SOONER!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T21:45:00.004-06:00

One of the many things I have on my "List of Things To Do in 2009" is to start blogging.
So... Here I am in all of my non computer savvy glory. It's taken me all day to figure this out.

There are a lot of exciting things coming up in my life and I think they will definitely be blog worthy.

So here's to blogging!

The next year is going to be a whirlwind and I'm hoping that this will help me keep track and remember all of the highlights and speed bumps along the way.

Some things I am anticipating in 2009:
1. Graduate and enter doctorhood! Yippee! August 15th... Save The Date.
2. Start my practice.
3. Buy our first home.
4. Snow ski for the first time.
5. Celebrate our FIFTH wedding anniversary!
6. Start thinking about a new edition to the family (both a babe and another pup).

That's all for now!

Cheers to 2009 being a wonderful year!