1/30/10 - The Big Hair Day!!

Oh boy, it was a big day for me!! In my "younger years" I'd often cut my hair. Never super short..but I'd grow it out, then chop it off, usually just below my shoulders or something. It takes a LONG time to grow my hair, so it's usually pretty traumatic for me. The last time I cut my hair was right before Christian and I got engaged...so probably February 2006!!! Yes, that's right, 4 years ago! I grew it out then for the wedding....then got too lazy to get the "wife cut" after. Then, I got pregnant with Olivia, so it grew faster than usual over that next year. Then I wanted to keep it long for my friend Gini's wedding, so there went another year of growing it out. Finally, I've just had it! Olivia is way too into pulling it. I can't do anything style wise to it because it's so long and fine, it doesn't hold a style. So, it's either dry it and wear it long and boring (and drying takes a LONG time), or pull it back out of the shower and leave it. YAY, very exciting. Well, not anymore!!! I finally took the plunge and went to see Irma. 18 inches later, my hair is GONE! I know it's going to take a while to get used to it, but I know I'm going to love it. So far everyone seems to like it (or they are just being really nice!), it's much quicker to wash and dry, so i can actually take the time to do something with it. YAY for new hair :)










After the appointment, we went to eat. We hadn't been to Don Pablo's for years, so we thought we'd go there...let me tell you, it will be another few years before we go back! Ick. Then it was off to play with Olivia's BFF for a while! Just a typical Saturday night :)

Until tomorrow!!!

1/29/10 - Friday Fun Day!

Today I spent the day home with little Olivia. I was emotionally drained, so it was a tough day (Olivia does not like to sleep in any more...at all...and only takes one, not very long, now days). But, I do cherish the time I get to spend with her. Ahhh, the guilt of a working mother! But, I wouldn't have it any other way honestly.

Once daddy got home we played for the evening. Olivia is still loving the view from the top of the coffee table. Ugh. And, she is still obsessed with the phones...and even though we gave her her very own, it's never as good as playing with ours! She likes to just sit down and punch away at the buttons like she's doing something...now she's figured out how to open up the phone (for the key pad), so if anybody gets a random text or call from us...it's Olivia saying HI!!!











Until tomorrow!!!

1/28/10 - Oh What A Day!!

So, I work a "flex schedule" at work which gives me every other Friday off...making every other Thursday my "Friday"...today was that Thursday. For some reason, when my Friday/Thursday rolls around, thing at work are always out of control. I swear, I feel like I've run a marathon sometimes when I get off work!! BUT, I do love being busy, and it's much better than having the days drag. The end of January (and the end of July) is always very busy for us because a majority of our Contracts end then...but many of them require extensions...which always come at the last minute, so it's very hectic trying to get those done. In addition to that, the legislature is in the process of passing a second round of economic stimulus money...with much of that going to transportation (to increase jobs in the state), and we are just starting to see the first of those projects. Those are a headache because you have to drop EVERYTHING and get them done faster than humanly possible. I was out on maternity leave when we had the first stimulus money come through, so this is pretty new to me (and now I feel extra bad for my poor co-workers picking up my slack last year!).

Other than that, I was very happy to get home and looking forward to another 3-day weekend! I think the hormonal imbalance of this pregnancy is starting to really kick in these days. I'm so easily frustrated and overwhelmed. I'm really hoping that passes soon!! Here are some random pictures from today to share!

Until tomorrow!!!

1/27/10 - 14 Weeks (so they say!)

Well, not much of an update today. I posted the 14 week pregnancy information last week, when I should have been 14 weeks (which I still believe is the correct date...but we won't get into that). I think it's going to be an early night tonight...by the time I leave work I'm so exhausted I'm just ready to pass out!! It's back to being beyond freezing around here. Now, I'm a winter person, but WOW, the wind mixed with the cold is just brutal! It was a LONG walk to the car after work today that's for sure!! Sounds like we're getting a warm up next week, so we'll see!

Until tomorrow!!!

1/26/10 - YAY Doctor Day :)

Well, today was FINALLY my second baby appointment, and I could not wait! The appointment started out well on the scale...still below what I weighed when I got pregnant, so that was great news! Ann (my midwife) wants me to limit my gain to 10-15 pounds! AHHH, that sounds impossible, but I will do my best! Next, we went over my ultrasound results. Apparently the technician recommended moving my due date, and Ann wanted to go by that, so my new date is 7/28/10. Only a week later, but it's always a little disheartening to go backwards! We talked about my headaches and "all day" sickness, and she said there really isn't much we can do about it. Tylenol is the only thing I can take for headaches, and unless my all day sickness gets worse, I have to just tough it out, so will do! Finally, the best part...laying on that table and listening to that wonderful heartbeat. Ahhh, it is such an amazing relief to hear that sound, and she picked it up right away, which was even better. I wish I could hear it all the time!! The appointment ended with me getting my H1N1 vaccination...I was very nervous about it, but I trust Ann and she really wanted me to get it. Since I'm out of my first trimester, I agreed.

I go back in two weeks for my quad screening. Some people are really against getting it done, which I just don't understand. I think it's such a great tool to help you prepare for anything, and I like to be prepared! Then, I go back 4 weeks later for my next check up...so far away :(

Other than that, it was Tuesday as usual. Work has been absolutely crazy, and I don't see that changing any time soon! Job security right :) Olivia and Rico have been spending more and more quality time together, however, they are starting to act like siblings, fighting over the toys:











Until tomorrow!!!

1/25/10 - Monday, Monday

Well, it's Monday!! The Duran household is EXHAUSTED after a very late Sunday night. But, it's off to work we go! After a pretty normal day (hopefully at least) of work, I'll be off to the grocery store to do my Sunday shopping that didn't get done. Then, home for the usual...dinner, TV, play, and bed...I think it's going to be an early night for us! Hopefully, nothing will come up and we'll have a pretty relaxing day!

Here are some pics of Olivia's latest trick...climbing on the coffee table. I'm sure exciting for her, terrifying for us!

Until tomorrow!!!

1/24/10 - Oy, Vikings...

Well, today was the big day!! We spent the morning cleaning, doing some housework and laundry, then got ready for the big NCF Championship game. The Madrid's came over for dinner and to watch the game.

This was the Vikings' big chance!!! After a very thrilling, edge of your seat game, back and forth, lots of scoring...once again, we're out. I have always been, and will always be, a die hard Vikings fan, but let me tell you...it's a heartbreaking love affair! This was OUR year...we had all the elements to get us to the big game, and we just couldn't pull it off. Well, like they say, there is always next year!! The morning DJ on the radio this morning mentioned, it's just our luck that the year we have everything doing for us....somebody else does too (the Saints). That is the story of the Vikings!

The girls couldn't take the stress of the game, so they played and rode the giant elephant instead!











Until tomorrow!!!

1/23/10 - Play Date!

Today we did some relaxing and some Menard's shopping...always exciting (well, for Christian anyway!). We have slowly been doing home improvements since we bought the house. More just, putting our touches on the house I guess. We are currently replacing the outlet/light switch panels in a few of the rooms. So, we bought those...let's see when we actually get them on the walls!

After shopping we headed over to the Madrid's' house for dinner and a play date. Olivia's BFF is 5 months older, and they are finally starting to actually interact with each other, so it's pretty fun to watch them play. There were a few fights and toy stealing incidents, but overall, they did really well together!

Now, we're just excited for tomorrow's big NFC Championship game!! We have all of our limbs crossed and are just praying to the football gods that the Viking's get it done! We'll soon see!

Until tomorrow!!!

1/22/10 - Oh, It's Friday Night...

Here we are...another week behind us! We've both been crazy busy at work lately, so the weekends are a bigger blessing than usual! Not to mention, weekend means rare quality time together!!! Friday night is usually just a relaxing night around the house, and tonight is no different! Play with the energizer bunny, get her to bed, then catch up on some TV and adult time together! YAY :)



Until tomorrow!!!

1/21/10 - Play Land

Well, we're slowly working on setting up a play area for Olivia/the Kids downstairs. It's coming along, but we're never too quick about these things! We got some of those foam mats from Sam's Club...we'll probably get another set. And have been splitting up the toys between the upstairs, downstairs and Christian's parents' house. We need to get some stuff for the wall around her play area, but we aren't sure what we're going to do yet. She loves Mickey Mouse, so I'm sure we'll do something with that theme. Oh, we'll see! So, here are some nice before and after shots of the area...before Olivia enters the room, and after! Seriously, the "picking up" is never ending!












Until tomorrow!!!