Sometimes you have to be drastic

With haircuts anyways! On Friday I took the plunge and cut all of my hair off. I had a specific look I was going for, not sure it's exactly like it but close.
It's a little scary watching all the hair drop to the floor, and even more scary when you see it piled up on the floor. The crazy thing is, I did this right before our family photos which are this Sunday. I have a week to figure out how to perfect my hair styling techniques.  Oh boy!

Hurricane v. Hurricane

Last night we went to see my cousin Erica play in a regional playoff in softball. Citrus Hurricanes played against the Gainesville Hurricanes in Gainesville. Just about the whole fam came up for it. We had a good time, but alas Citrus lost. I must give props to my cousin though, she is a bad ass freshman playing on varsity. I am so proud of her.

Erica up to bat

Katie and Elsa

MorMor and Elsa

Dog does not equal baby

Everything I learned for raising my child I learned from raising my dog. Now some people may be completely offended by that statement, but in a lot of cases it holds true.

For example: do not provide crayons in the bathtub. Why? B/c then the child will think they color on other "walls." How this relates to the dogs: do not give an old shoe to a dog to chew, because he will not know the difference between and old shoe and a new shoe. Bye Bye new shoe.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Loving and Loathing in Las Vegas

Dear Wynn Las Vegas,
We miss you too. We would love to use your special offer. However, right now it's not in the budget since we have a little one that apparently costs loads of money. So unless you want to give me a free night or two, or five, please stop sending me your offers.

Sincerely,
Happy to be a parent, but still misses Vegas.

My Friend the Lion

Elsa has a zoo puzzle. It has a zebra, ostrich, rhino, giraffe, gator and even an elephant. But her favorite piece is the lion. She likes to carry it all over the house. I would have hoped it would have been the elephant, or even the gator. But nope, the lion.

A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Elsa,
On this your first birthday I want to take a few moments to reflect on how you have changed our lives. It took a lot of effort and determination to bring you into this world. Lots of doctors, blood draws, procedures. It was all worth it! You arrived bright eyed and have remained that way. So alert of your surroundings and inquisitive of everything you come into touch with. It is so much fun to watch you explore, and to see how hard you think about things. We thought we would break you when you first came home, you were so tiny. But you proved us wrong. You are tough and strong. Nothing really phases you for long. Shots, they got nothing on you! A hug from momma or daddy and you are all better. Your smile is contagious. From the day you first smiled at us to your toothy silly grin you give us now, my heart just wants to burst when I see it.
I was not a morning person, but you have changed that. It helps that you are so darn adorable, so waking up to your chattering makes it all ok. I had to learn to be patient, which is NOT how I roll. Being a working mom is tough, there is no down time. But again, you are so worth it. Luckily, you have an amazing daddy that I can tag team with. My organizational OCD has been thrown out the window. Just take a look around our home and you will see that a wonderful little person lives there. Along with her two dogs and two cats. I have had to learn to let things go. Laundry can wait. What dishes? However, the floor really needs to be swept daily. At least while you are crawling. Sometimes I still struggle with this one, but when you crawl over to me and put your hands on my shins and look up at me with your sweet little face, how can I keep folding clothes? Pick you up I must!

My hopes for you are for peace in your heart, love for who you are, common sense and that you will take these things to become an independent woman who can conquer anything!

I Love You Elsa Anna!!

Momma

Elsa's Big Birthday

So I am a little late in posting this, but our house has been in upheaval since the big birthday party. Between my cold, work, and traveling for a wedding this weekend (post to come) I am exhausted and I am trying to get caught up.

Elsa turned one on April 7 and her party was on April 6. We were so grateful to have all the grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and dear friends there. I had to work the night before the party, so needless to say I was a bit stressed out on Saturday getting everything ready. However, it got done, maybe not with the perfect attention to detail I strive for. But it worked out.

And now....the Birthday girl!

My Memory, or lack there of...

Now what was I going to write about? Oh yeah, not being able to remember ANYTHING! Seriously. If I don't write it down it will immediately vanish from my brain. This makes walking the halls of the museum and running into people very aggravating.

I have forgotten: appointments, meetings, things people want me to do for them and what I have to do any given day. It's quite possible I have already written about this very topic. Hmmmmm.......

Almost a year

We took a mini vacation last week since our sitter was going to be unavailable. Instead of staying home and working on the yard, the house, cleaning, and preparing for Elsa's first birthday party we went to see Steve's parents in Georgia. We got back yesterday and I started to panic. There is so much that needs to be done.
Most of all I am realizing that Elsa will be a whole year old! We will have had the pleasure of being her parents for a whole year! 365 days! This has been the fastest year of my life. She is growing so fast, changing daily and learning new things at a rate that is supersonic. I just want to freeze time for a very short while. Just enough to really let my mind absorb this age that she is right now before she becomes a walking talking ball of cuteness.