My day in pictures

Took the car to get an oil change, then Dave and I had lunch here...

Went to my in-laws and met up with my sis-in-law and Coco. Started to work on some crafty projects and made these...

Came home, and finally got little miss to take a nap. She is still in this...

Since I had a quick church meeting at my house, we got lazy and Dave grabbed dinner. I ate my Big Mac and am catching up on blog reading...

Now I'm going to put on PJ's and hopefully put little lady to bed. Dave has a project to "hang" and I'm excited to show it to you tomorrow!

Dave Approved

I've been waiting over a week to make this recipe I saw on Kelsey's Essentials (on Cooking

Channel). I am a lover of Mac & Cheese.

I make a homemade one that's my Mom's recipe, and surprise...Dave likes it!

For those of you who don't know Dave, he can be, well...hard to please. He's a minimalist with food. How minimal you may ask? Let me elaborate...

No marinades.

No fancy sauces.

Hamburgers= Meat, cheese & bun only.

No weird veggies.

No salad. Except Caesar.

No condiments.

Bananas and avocados should not exist.

Nothing that can get "mushy".

And always add salt.

So when I come across something new, I always make Dave give it the good ol' college try. If he hates it, well, I'm sadly left to only make it for myself from then on. BUT when he likes it...I FEEL SO PROUD! Tonight, I was hesitant for him to try the Mac & Cheese. I, on the other hand was super excited. The moment of truth came. He took a few bites, I resisted asking too quickly what he thought. Finally I couldn't hold back.

S: "What do you think?"

D: " I never want to have another mac & cheese again"

S: "??Huh??"

D: "Yeah, it's pretty flippin good."

S: "YES!"

And with that, skillet mac and cheese has become a new Dave approved recipe that can make it's way into our meal rotation. Sweet success.

Missing

{Le Mode Accessories}

{Anthropologie}

I'm missing the days when I carried a purse, and stuffed it full of all MY things.

Yes, minimalism by carrying only Burts Bee's chapstick and C-Thru Lip Glass by MAC make things simple.

But I hate being stuck with chapped hands and no lotion.

And going to grab a pen and realizing I don't have one.

Or wanting to write a check, and not having my check book.

I do however have gripe water, a burp rag and some extra teeny tiny socks...

One month already?

I can't believe it's been one whole month since this little lady came into our lives. Of course I had to showcase some of the people who love her lots...her family! She is one loved little girl. And we are two lucky parents.

Of course life since Shelby has come into our home has been different, but in a great way. Yes, less sleep is taxing, and the tummy aches and crying that recently started can be hard to get through, but that adorable face, chubby cheeks and big eyes make it all worthwhile! And right now, she is (thank goodness!) sleeping in her swing, on full vibration to the sound of rain with birds chirping. Whatever works, right? We have yet to master the art of napping. Although she desperately needs them, she wakes up so quickly if i put her in her crib during the day. Night time: no biggie. She even slept 5 hours straight last night. But daytime...apparently that's a whole different matter.

I have recovered really well. The whole process was SO much better, and can I even say, easier, than I had imagined? Of course my pain meds were very helpful for a week or two! My wonderful Mom came and stayed for the week after we came home. She was SUCH a pleasure to have around! She made coping with my new reality easier. Not to mention she cleaned, did laundry, let me nap and made my meals! I'm wondering if she wants to come back and stay again, just for kicks?!

After being cooped up in the hospital before and for her birth, getting out and about was something I had been looking forward to for a month. I am glad to say we are now out on the town, have gone to the RSM beach club, Dr. appointments, had lunch with Daddy, and made a good handful of Target trips already. Now if I can only catch a break from some crying to throw in some laundry and do my hair. Welcome to Mommyhood i guess!

Introducing...

Shelby Marie Anderson!

We welcomed a new member of our family on 7.13.11 at 8:23am.

She weighed 7lbs 9oz and was 18 1/2 inches long.

We are so excited to have her here, and our family of 2 has grown to be a family of 3. I already can't imagine life without her!

The delivery was a scheduled c-section for medical reasons. Basically the risk/benefit outcome was more favorable for Mom and baby if we went with a c-section, so, weighing the decision was easy. Yes, I was bummed that I couldn't even "try" a "normal" delivery, but in the end, the process was SO much better than I had imagined it would be, and I am healing and feeling well. Most importantly, Shelby is here healthy and happy, and we are thankful for the wonderful medical professionals that were involved that made the experience, well, smooth!

Life at home has been a bit of an adjustment, but she is an amazing baby. Sleeps well, isn't fussy, is adorable to look at, and pretty much the love of my life! My Mom was here for 5 days, and I can't even say what an amazing help she was! She allowed me to catch some extra Zzzz's in the morning, made me breakfast, lunch, and did my laundry. Most of all she was able to spend quality bonding time with the babe and I, and sadly, she left today with tears shed by both of us. Meanwhile, Dave is telling her that he isn't looking forward to the time when she has homework and he has to help her...

Let's take this step by step Dave! She's only a week old!

Not the "plan"

My last day of work was supposed to be yesterday, Friday 6/24.

I was going to start swimming in the evenings and relax and float around.

There were things to clean, nesting that I had the urge to do and laundry in the dryer.

Relaxing and grabbing lunch with my friends was on my to-do list.

But apparently life has other plans...because

I've been here since Tuesday night.

Monday at my Dr.'s appointment I was told i needed to be done with work.

Looked like pre-eclampsia was creeping up.

My feet were horribly swollen.

My blood pressure was going up.

So the Dr. ordered tests, and me to admit myself for observation.

I cried. Alot.

I showered.

I packed an overnight bag.

I left the house in my terms, a mess.

And i've been in since then.

Luckily, I think things happened for a reason. After my initial frustration and sadness, I came to terms with it. Nothing I can do to change it...so embrace it. So here I lay. I've been laying. And laying some more. My swelling decreased. So did my blood pressure. Blood counts went up. Tests came back negative, throwing Dr's for a loop. So I stayed. And I think it's what was needed to get my body back to a better place for our little one.

I've slept. And slept. AND SLEPT.

I've watched a lot of HGtv.

And foodnetwork.

I've checked facebook more times than should be legal.

I've done some easy crosswords.

I've prayed.

I've had kind visitors to pass my time and show me they care :)

And Dave has been wonderful. I love that man. He is a do-er when it needs to be done. He has sat with me. Watched TV with me. Went home and cleaned the house for me. Went to Target for me. Has taken care of the dog. And he is in the process of getting cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory for me. He has been kind and loving. And I know it must not be easy for him.

So here's to relaxing! Now I think I'll try to finish a crossword puzzle...

I'm lucky to have...

myself one of these...
A bona fide best friend.

And today is her birthday!

I love my Katie.

I suppose it's the kind of love sisters can share, but since I don't have one of those, she's mine.

I love that we met 24 years ago.

I love that we lived 3 houses away for the next 20 years.

I love that she knows everything there is to know about me.

I love that I know all there is to know about her.

I love her children.

I love that our husbands are friends and at times eerily similar.

She listens. She laughs. She makes me laugh. She agrees. She doesn't judge. She makes me feel justified, even when I'm not.

She gives advice. Honest, I-may-not-want-to-hear-it advice.

I don't tire of her. I don't get offended by her. I don't get jealous of her.

We can just "be" when we're together.

We can always find conversation.

We can not talk for a week and it never feels awkward or strained.

We can relate, even though life had different plans for us the last 8 years.

There's just one Katie to me, and I'm grateful for her!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, and here's to many more years!!

xoxo