Down Time..

It's Tuesday and I have inventory tomorrow. I spent all morning just focusing on it just to make sure it goes very smooth and I don't have a repeat of last month. I went home for lunch and saw my two favorite people. Josh is going back to work tomorrow and I am going to miss our lunch dates! It's been a breath of fresh air having him home the past week and a half! Just when I started to pass exhaustion he took the reigns and now I am ready to get going again. He is ready to go back to work and we are both ready to get back on our routines. He misses working out everyday on his lunch and I miss.......hmmm....ok so there is nothing I really miss I am just ready to get back to normal life!

I already threw my December calender away....I am ready to get into the new year. I usually always make a resolution to lose weight....silly I know, this year I think I will focus on other parts of myself instead. I want to think more positive as a whole. I don't want to discuss anyone without their pressence in the room (gossiping)...I just really want to be a better person. I want to try and get out there and be more social ....meet new people....and at the bottom of the todem pole .......drum role.....lose about 15 lbs....lol...

....Mati over ate + sleepy = passed out....my little lush.! lol...

Mati is changing so much and she is doing something different everyday! I think we are going to start Mati on cereal next week. I am still nursing but I want to introduce the spoon atleast once a day. She is my piece of heaven. I am so glad God blessed Josh and I with this amazing little girl. Looking back as we are coming to the close of 08' ....I am glad it's coming to an end. I can't wait for new adventures and a whole new year to screw up in...lol...I just pray that God has his hand on our family and leads us the way we should go!

Christmas has Come and Gone!

The crazy hustle and bustle of Christmas is over. Madelyne did so good on her first Christmas. She got more than she needed and we have been enjoying her new toys as well. Christmas Eve dinner was a smash hit, I think Josh's family was impressed!!! We opened gifts and took tons of pictures of Madelyne mesmorized by everything. Mommy stayed up until 12:20 cleaning house after the family left. I just couldn't wake up to a mess...crazy I know. On Christmas day my parents showed up early for breakfast and to watch Mati open her gifts from us. We all decided it will be more entertaining next year. Then...off to Katy for the Kozel family Christmas...We ate and let everyone meet little Mati and then we took off to my mom's. We hung out there and ate, went home and took a nap, came back and played phase 10. I had to be at work on Friday morning...boo I ran around delivering hot shots and such and got home about 3:30. Not so bad I guess.

Josh and I recieved gift cards to my favorite store Hobby Lobby where I was able to purchase all the kitchen decor I wanted!!! We spent such a relaxing night at home on Friday. We rented Step Brothers for Josh and Mommy had a pamper herself night while Mati took her night time nap, only about 45 minutes!!! It was amazing~face mask and all. Saturday Josh and I went up to the outlet mall off 290 to shop for some new outfits to wear to Mati's dedication in 2 weeks. I got an awesome BCBG suit that would have cost me over 500 easy and it cost me less than 2....so nice! Sunday we hit church in the morning and spent family time the rest of the night. I loved it! We don't do that as often as we would like so I loved every minute of it!

Josh and I got the wii fit for Christmas and it has kicked our butts!!! I am so sore and I never thought a game could make me feel so sore. My wii age was 42 on the first day and I am now at 27. The yoga it offers is awesome and Josh is enjoying it as well. It told him that he needed to lose 16 lbs!!! I can't believe how good it is! We highly reccomend it......5 stars!!!!So back to my skinny mini operation!!

Mati Update: She officially giggled last week. I have to tickle her to get it out, but she naturally just giggles at Josh. She still loves to baby talk...haha...Last night she talked herself to sleep for an hour. She turned completely on her side and I tried to act asleep, so she started talking really loud in my face...It was so funny Josh and I couldn't help but laugh. Josh finally got her to sleep, thank God! Dedication is coming up on the 11th and there is so much to do!!! I need to get busy on my work stuff so I can enjoy my family time tonight.

Mr. Mom

Josh has been off since last Friday and it has been awesome! I don't have to worry about getting her stuff ready everynight, the car partially loaded, and an outfit ready to go! Not to mention having to leave almost an hour early to get her to my mom and unload, put things away there, and spend a little one on one time with my baby girl! I get to sleep in almost an hour and I am spending my nights relaxing. I think Josh is enjoying his mornings and days with Mati as well. He is doing an excellent job at being Mr. Mom. He loves to dress Mati in hats so he is getting his chance to let her wear what he wants her to wear since mommy is at work. It's very cute and he is so proud!

Tonight I start cooking.....fun fun! I am trying to allow my day to go as smooth as possible tommorrow. My mom is going to come over and help me with my dressing so... I am trying to decide what to start today and what to leave until tommorrow. I will be doing a clean tonight to make sure everything is ship shape so I can just straighten up and vacum before the crowd arrives hungry! I am such a neat freak now....where it came from I don't know! I hate to call myself that because people often call themselves that and then I arrive at there home and to me...it's dirty..but I guess it is what it is!

So Christmas Eve we are having dinner with the Kozel bunch... Josh's moms side...and Christmas morning I am cooking breakfast for my parents so they can come and watch Mati open her presents on her very first Christmas..then we are off to the Kozel's...Josh's dad side....Mati is going to meet so many people. We are leaving there early for my mom's to eat again!!! whew!!!! I am tired already! I plan on doing nothing that night!!!!!NOTHING!!!!!!... maybe going back to my mom's for dinner...so I don't have to cook! Other than that....bring on the weekend.. I am going to need it!

What a weekend!

Well my crazy weekend is over and I have to say I have never been more excited to be at work. Crazy, I know. I have worked my butt off this past weekend and I am ready for a break. I know that work isn't much of a break, but it gets me away from thinking I need to clean and scrub something else. My house is super clean and ready to go for the week. I have my groceries for Christmas Eve dinner and I think we are quite organized. I have cleaned out and scrubbed down almost anything and everything I could possibly think of. I even spot checked my carpet. Josh and I finished all of our Christmas shopping and thanks to an amazing hubby all the gifts are wrapped and under the tree!!! I am still in shock he did all of our laundry last weekend! He must want something extra special for Christmas. ;)

So I thought December was going to be a crazy month, now I see it doesn't compare to January. After the crazy hustle and bustle of the New Years we will be getting ready for Madelyne's dedication. We will have family in town and some of them will be staying with us so there's some added stress...I need to place her cake order. I am very excited about that yummy dessert! I need to get Mati in for her 4 month check up! I need to decide on what color we are wearing so I can get Josh and myself something new. The following weekend ( date still up in the air) I will be hosting a shower for a sweet girl from church and hopefully we have a good turn out. Not to mention I am back to being the only girl in the office so I am back to a full load.

Update on Miss Mati: She is talking (jibber jabber) louder than ever! It went from a normal conversation to a very loud one. She is loving the sound of her voice so Josh recorded her on Saturday morning while mommy got a little extra sleep. She thinks that we aren't listening to her so she stares at you and gets louder and louder until you speak back to her. It's very entertaining. I told Josh that when she is actually talking that I don't think she will shut up. She obviously has alot to say. She is also holding her legs to her chest when you change her diaper. It's kind of nice to have some extra help...lol...She is changing so much and I am so glad I get to see it! My little slice of heaven!

Is it Friday, yet?

I am so ready for the weekend. I have quite a large to do list. I am scrambling trying to get things ready for next week. My work Christmas party is Friday night, and I am ready to relax. I am still a little sore from the wreck yesterday, but I am trying to suck it up. I have more than enough to do this weekend. I am doing a deep clean on my house and getting the carpet cleaned. The holidays are a little overwhelming this year.

Josh and I are considering starting a Breaking Bread in our home next year. I think it would be a great idea and it will allow us to be more involved with things from the church instead of us being in our own La La Land!!!

Madelyne Update: She grabbed her leg this morning which is great! She should be grabbing those feet soon. I am so excited. I was changing her diaper and she grabbed both knee's. It's amazing the things you get excited over. The highlights for parents of a new baby would be....poopy diapers...smiles...laughs....her holding something...her liking something new. They just consume everything. She will get to meet some new relatives next week, and I am sure she is stoked about it...hahaha.. Last night I was getting her stuff ready for today and I had her on my hip so I laid her in her crib and turned on her little musical bears and she loved it! I think I am going to start putting her in there for a little bit everynight and let her get use to her room. She has also started taking her binkie out of her mouth. She doesn't spit it out any more, she likes to hold it and pull it out her mouth instead. Well that's all the exciting news I have from our crazy busy life!

What a mess!

My day started off in an unexpected way. My mother in law was keeping Mati for a half day today, so I dropped Mati off with her and noticed I didn't have any diapers in the diaper bag. I told her I would be right back and called my office to let them know I would be about 15 minutes late. I looked down to move my phone from my lap and CRASH!!!!!! I rear ended a freaking explorer....talk about a bad day!!!! My poor car was crushed on the drivers' side and her car had a few scratches....seriously!!!!!!!!!!!today? Frantically I called Josh. Its amazing how when you are a kid you worry what your dad is going to say and after you are married you worry what your husband is going to say..... I called like 100 times and no answer so I waited on the cop to get there and make out his report. He wasn't in a very good mood. He was super nice to the other girl, but I didn't get that luxury! Of course it was my fault because I hit her from behind. MERRY FREAKING CHRISTMAS! My daddy followed me to Strickland where they hooked me up with a sweet new Tahoe...I should have gased it and totaled it....just kidding. Anyway for the time being I will abuse this big body for some Christmas shopping!


On another note I am spending the day getting us organized! I need to do some serious cleaning before next week, so I am working on a list for Josh and myself. We aren't done Christmas shopping yet and I really need to wrap gifts. I am tired of them being piled in the guest bedroom. I can't wait for Madelyne's first Christmas. I am still on the hunt for a Santa outfit for Mati. That will be one of my main focuses for the weekend and then I will surrender to Josh and probably just get her something pink. She is so pretty in pink! So many plans.


Josh has decided not to do the Bullrito's concept. I am very glad. It would have been more money .....yes...but at what expense? I love having nights and weekends with the love of my life and I am just not ready to share him yet. We are still learning to be a family, and he see's that its just not right for us right now. He came to me yesterday and said he had, had a bad dream and just felt very uneasy. This was very hard for me to swallow because I wanted more than anything to be home with Madelyne, but I have now had time to adjust and I have realized that I am not missing her whole life by working - I see so much of it everyday. I might not be there to hear her first word or see her very first steps, but in the same sense you never know - I might be standing right there. Even though I am working, Josh and I have played a big roll in her development - she started mocking us first...that has to mean something. If she is anything like her parents she will love people and ultimately love daycare. She isn't enrolled yet, but maybe she will start around 9 months. I have decided that since I have to work, then I would rather do something that I really enjoy. :) In the words of Billy Madison...."back to school..back to school"... I plan on talking to some counselors next semester and enrolling for fall night classes. I can't wait! I am very good at what I do now, but I don't know if I would see myslef here doing the same thing for 20 years...I want a degree and flexibility to move around if need be. No one knows what the economy will do. I have been rambling for quite a while so it's back to the drawing board!!!

Don't blink!

Well I really wish my week would have started off a little slower! I have been at work since 6:30 and I am exhausted! I am glad I made sure I had everything together last night before heading off to sleepy town. We had inventory problems so my boss called on Saturday and requested that I be here at 6:30....so needless to say I have been up since 5 and yeah not a happy camper. :) Hopefully I leave early one day this week to make up for it! Atleast my boss brought me breakfast from Micky D's this morning.
This is Josh's last week at work for the year of 08'. I am so glad he took his vacation for some good Mati and Daddy time. They have my heart that's for sure!
A little update on Miss Madelyne, she is mocking everyone. It's so entertaining to watch. If you make a noise with your mouth and tell her its "her turn" and she makes the noise with her mouth and smiles. She is so funny. She will just talk away whether you are listening or not. Ohh and bathtime. I have to get this on tape. Josh usually takes a bath with Mati. We of course got her a little spa bathtub, but she never uses it. We enjoy sharing that time with her. Last week Josh was busy so I jumped in the bathtub with her and boy did we have fun. She was kicking and shrilling and spashing water everywhere, I enjoyed it so much I took over a few nights. So Josh wanted to play with her a couple nights later and she just sat there, unaffected....hahaha..This was quite funny for me. He seemed a little bummed out so about 2 nights ago he tried something different. He lets her whole body float to the top and he holds her head above water. She looks like she is running in the water. She LOVES it! She made quite a mess splashing water everywhere last night.

He was going to set her up and she didn't like that. She wanted to float and swim. It's so funny to watch I will have to post a video of it excluding Josh of course! It's so amazing how she changes every week. Don't blink or you'll miss it!

It's begining to look alot like Christmas!!

Well last night was amazing!!! It snowed ......in TEXAS!!!! Now we will just wait another 3 years for it to happen again! It was a great snow though...we had atleast 2 inches on the ground. It was great! Josh and I had our first snowball fight and took pictures of little Mati out in the snow. I only wish she was older so she could have realized how cool it was! Josh and I were very excited about it! The snow put Josh and I in the mood for some hot chocolate and marshmellows. He went to Walgreens when it started snowing so we could warm up with it. It was so cozy! Here are some pictures of the family frolicking in the snow!!! I never get to say that!!! hehehe

...he is so proud of his lights!


Look at our little snow ball!



...my hubby and our little baxter!

Plans! tick tock*

Well we got Madelyne's dedication invitations yesterday!!!! They are absolutely adorable. Josh designed them, and I am suprised they turned out so good. Her dress for the big event came in Monday night. It felt like Christmas. I love it! So today I will be addressing her invitations and going through the check list of things I have and need. This is such an important event for her. All of our family and some friends will be invited to share the moment with us.
On another note its Wednesday! Slow day at work for me, but I will have plenty of stuff to keep me busy! I am thinking about taking some internet classes next semester! I need to go and speak with a couselor on the credits I want to open a daycare/ recreational center for the challenged. I think it would be so neat to have a place like that in Pearland. When you have a developmental challenge with your child ~ physical/mental...They are very much intertwinded in your life forever. I think it would be nice to offer something were they could drop their children off and go have lunch with girlfriends ,if they are 25 or 55....Everyone needs that time! I would love to host dances and such! I get so excited talking about it. There is and always has been such an empathy in my life for the challenged. They are truely special people.

Baby Talk

Well... I just got back from my lunch break and I am just not in the mood to start working yet. So, I thought I would blog. I go home everyday on my break and visit with my Mati. I nurse her, change her diaper, and play with her a bit before handing her back over to her grandma until I get off work at 4. You can think she is too little all you want, but I think she looks forward to her mommy stopping by everyday. She has started teething. I know it sounds early but she has been slobbering for about a month now and within the past 2 weeks she has started nawing on things. Not sucking...she is gumming it. I had 2 teeth by the time I was 6 months so maybe she gets it from me. She gibber gabbers at anything and everyone that will listen to her. Its so funny to see her talk to the frog on her car seat toy. After she gets over the fact she is not getting out, she looks so happy to see Mr. Frog (thats what Josh and I call him) She coo's and smiles just like they are best friends. She hates her car seat. We drove to my mom's on Saturday night to stop by and help them with their tree and she kept pulling at her straps, leaning forward...looking at me and saying "uuuhhhhh"~ anything she could think to get her out. I just shook my head and told her no. It will be so nice when I can ride in the front seat like a big kid again. I am still in the back when Josh is avaliable to drive. Tummy time is still back time. She gets so excited kicking her feet when Mr. Sunshine plays his music. Yes I have noticed that all her toys have the word Mr. in front of them. I have no idea why I do that. I love to watch her get tickled. She scrunches her little nose to go along with that big toothless smile! I love you Madelyne Grace Kozel!!!!

Exhaustion

Well it's Monday and I have quite a case of exhaustion. :) The weekend of craziness has come to a hault and now my mind is constantly running of things I need to buy and recipes I need to get for our Christmas Eve dinner. This should be fun. I am by no means a master chef, but I thought it would be fun to host Josh's family Christmas at our home. I also thought it would be fun for me and the hubbs to spend some QT in the kitchen. Now what to cook. I feel like a duck on the water. If you are just looking at me I look pretty calm, but underneath the wheels are spinning like a little ducks feet. I am working on cleaning out all our rooms and I already have some of Mati's clothes to put away. My sweet little chunky monkey has out grown them so fast. She is so fascinated with her feet right now. Everytime I try and get her to stand up she doubles over just staring at her feet and wiggling her little toes. I think Josh and I have bought every developmental toy that Fisher Price offers from 3/6/12 monthes. Josh would read her a dictionary if he could. She has so much pressure on her poor little thing.
In January we are dedicating Madelyne at church. So exciting!!!! Lots to do for that. I am hoping to have the dress in today. She is going to look quite angelic I think. I have got to loose 10 lbs before the second week in January. I have got to get with it.
Ok ok I need to stop wasting time on here and focus on my plans I have to make for the week!

To workout or not to workout?

Well I am back in the world of not being prego and let me tell you...it's quite a skinny one. I am trying to get that body back and then some. Just like Brittney Spears said.."It ain't easy"... "It takes lots of work to get your body back"....well hunny let me tell ya, I can't spend 4 hours in the gym and have a chef cook for me. So its down to the discipline or the lack there of. I have been working out sporadically until this week... Monday night I went for a run and was working out out afterward in the living room - leg lifts and such. I was lying on my back legs and waist straight up in the air and there it was ......some extra skin bunched and hanging upside down as well. (belly area) I looked at Josh and said that looks gross right, and being the sweet husband he is, he just smiled and looked right back at the tv. He didn't know that under his fake smile, his face said everything. I am more motivated than ever to get a smokin body now....Last night I skipped the workout and had dessert so I pinalized myself today and wouldn't let myself take in too many calories, only the what was needed for some good calorie mommy milk. I am writing this because I always go back and read my blogs when I am bored at work...so here is some extra motivation. OPERATION: HOTTIE WITH A BODY.... :) (STOLEN FROM LAURA)

Missing my 2 Favorites!

Well today started off completely crazy. I was suppose to be at work at 7 instead of 8, and I remember this while brushing my teeth at 6:35...I just got out of the shower drentching wet and started running around like a crazy person. I knew I was going to wear my boots so I ran straight to the closet and ran around naked in my boots until I decided what I was going to wear. I am so glad Mati isn't old enough to realize my mommy is looking like a stripper : ) Thankfully I have a great mom that showed up to pick Mati up instead of me taking Mati to her. I got to work about 4 minutes early and had wet hair....I straightened it in the office bathroom before anyone got here. I am glad I get to leave at 3...instead of 4.
I usually get some one on one time with Mati but today I didn't. I miss her so much and its only 8:30. I am sure I scared her to death when I ripped her diaper open in a mad dash to change it before my mom got there. At least she gave me a smile when I was done. She is looking so much like her daddy this morning. I guess I miss them both!

Winding Down..

Well our week was crazy last week, and unfortunately I have gained 5 pounds back. I was within 1 pound of pre pregnancy weight and blew it over Thanksgiving week. I am so dissappointed in myself...uhhh...Back to Skinny Mini time. Last week we started Thanksgiving on Tuesday with my siblings at my parents home here in Pearland. Next, we traveled all day on Wednesday (Junk food on the road of course) to get to Mississippi to spend the holiday with my realtives. We did lunch at one grandma's at noon and the other one at 3....then we went back to the first one's house to do dinner at 7:30. Needless to say Josh and I felt more like we were waddling than walking. Friday we did some shopping, grabbed chinese food and relaxed. It was such a crappy Friday, it rained all day. We decided to come home early Saturday morning to try and get ready for our week to start. We got home around 2:00 and I couldn't make myself clean...washing the sheets was enough for me. Mati was extra sore from the ride so we had to end up giving her tylenol to help her relax. We lounged and crashed early....Church on Sunday then a late lunch with the Kozel family.
Now for an update on my little Mati. I can tell such a difference in her this week. It seems as if she talks more with her eyes now. She is smiling non stop. Josh has started speaking whale (dora from nemo) and Mati loves it. I have to say I get a kick out of it myself. She has gotten so strong, she loves to stand on her feet and hear that she is a big girl. We are still waiting on the giggle...she is shrilling like non other, and she gets so tickled some times. My family loved getting to see her in Mississippi, everybody wanted to hold her. She doesn't like being held like a baby anymore except for when she is very sleepy. It's going by so fast. Josh wants her to work on crawling so bad. He puts her in the floor and trys to motivate her, but I would just be happy keeping her like a baby for a little bit longer. It took 9 monthes to build this little human in my body and I feel like she will be talking before we know it. It's very bittersweet. I can't wait to watch her dance and play, but I am going to miss the first stages of her life.
Last night Josh and I started watching Schindler's List. Josh had never seen it and I am such a history freak. I am fascinated by the Holocaust and wanted Josh to learn a little more. I already felt thankful from the Thanksgiving week, but watching that movie only made me feel an overwhelming feeling of Thankfulness...
I am ready to start my week... House is clean, laundry put away. I am ready to relax and get off this sugar high.

Josh's Birthday!

So today is Josh's birthday and just like every year the holidays over shadow it a bit. This year I planned something special. Last weekend I took Josh to the Grove downtown and my mom watched Mati all night. I had romantic plans to eat dessert at the waterwall, but low and behold it wasn't going. Needless to say Josh and I were back home and shoes off by 10:15 and our dinner reservation was at 8. Yes I know we need a life. It was exactly what we needed. I still woke up through the night thinking "where's Mati?" I set my alarm for 6:30 to go get her, but I was scared that no one would be up so I held off until 7:30. At that point I couldn't take anymore. This morning Josh had a special birthday card waiting from his little girl, I think he enjoyed it. We are going out of town for Thanksgiving so tonight we are having dinner with my siblings and parents to celebrate the holiday. Last night we had dinner at the new Gringo's in the Pearland Town center and I have to say, I was impressed with the building..but not the service.
For an update on little miss Madelyne she is doing great. She coo's at everything and Josh and I participate in baby talk. I don't know if she is smiling at the fact that she got 2 adults to say goo goo and gaa gaa or if there is a secret baby lingo we have discovered. Over the past 2 weeks we have been waiting patiently for a giggle. She is trying so hard. She smiles so big and gasp in instead of outward. So we are just sitting on the edge of our seat letting her take her sweet little time. :) She is growing so fast....I had a friend reccomend an amazing website for baby clothes and I ordered her the cuttest outfit. I am convinced I could have learned to have made the same thing for 1/3 of the cost.
Unfortunately I blog at work in my spare time and I have no pictures on this computer to post with my blogs. I will have to work on that, but for now my ramblings will have to do.

Where did my weekend go?

Well this past weekend was pretty much the same as every weekend. We ran around doing errands... We never just have a weekend to relax. That is definately on my to do list. We decorated for Christmas already. Josh and I couldn't resist. We ran around town like 2 kids buying up Christmas decor. We didn't decorate last year since we had just moved into our house and filling up rooms was our top priority. Now that Madelyne has arrived it was super important to do things right. The tree is up way early. We are going out of town for Thanksgiving and I didn't want to waste any time when we get home. Mati really doesn't notice the tree yet, but I am hoping by Christmas she will be amazed by the lights. She is already quite entertained by cartoons so I am thinking it won't be long. We also spent last weekend in Katy with Josh's dads parents. Madelyne is the very first great grandbaby on both sides of Josh's family so they could all just eat her up. We are still trying to figure out her amazement with fans. It doesn't matter where or what we are doing. She cheeses at the fans. I mean the biggest smiles. I love those toothless smiles, they make my day! So here I am on Tuesday wondering where my weekend went?

Little Feet

Josh and I generally keep socks on Mati 24/7. Lately, we have started taking her socks off at night depending on her sleeper. She seems to get so much out of feeling the sheets with her little feet. I love to let my feet just breathe, and I thought Mati would enjoy this as well. I get such a kick out of watching her rub the bottom of her feet on everything while I am nursing her for the last time before we lay her down.
It's amazing how life changes after you have a little one. You go from being all about yourself and your plans to well we can't go because her feeding time doesn't correspond.( I like to avoid nursing in public and I hate to give her formula) My mom tells me all the time that she has me "trained". I love being a mom, and I feel in a lot of ways motherhood completed me.
So as I am watching her little toes stretch and feel every thing she can reach, I am overwhelmed by how this tiny person and her little feet can impact my life so much.

To my girls...

Well I decided I wanted a new venue where my I can show off my two favorite girls! So, even though you won't get much out of me...I'm hoping that my beautiful wife will keep you all updated on our ever changing life!

To my beautiful wife - Over the last 4 years I have seen you grow from that shy little girl I wouldn't talk to, to the woman of my dreams. And now, with our beautiful little girl, I have had the pleasure (and sometimes it wasn't all pleasure :) ) of seeing you grow from the woman I married into the wonderful mother you have become! You are everything a husband and daughter could ask for. I love you with all of my heart...thank you for everything!