I don't usually fill these things out, but .....

1. I've come to realize that my mom...is a an amazing person who taught me a lot of important life lessons.
2. I've come to realize that my job...is important, but that my gravestone will say "wife, mother, daughter and sister," not bball coach!
3. I've come to realize that when i'm driving...I like to daydream and talk to myself.
4. I've come to realize that I need...to hear "I love you."
5. I've come to realize that I have lost...the need to "please" all of the time.
6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...people don't say please and thank you.
7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk..my husband is annoyed.
8. I've come to realize that money...cannot buy happiness.
9. I've come to realize that certain people..will never enjoy the real gifts of life.
10. I've come to realize that I'll always be...a daddy's girl.
11. I've come to realize that I have a crush on...my boys!
12. I've come to realize that my dad...wants the best for his children and worked so hard so that we had the best.
13. I've come to realize that my cell phone is...not an extension of my arm.
14. I've come to realize that when I wake up in the morning...I have been given another chance to do good in the world.
15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep...I rocked my baby to sleep and enjoyed evey minute of it because in a few short months, that too will be a thing of the past.
16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking ... I really should go to bed. 3:30 am is going to come REALLY fast and I still have some packing to do.
17. I've come to realize that my sister....is the VERY best godmother for Charlie and is turning in to one of my best friends.
18. I've come to realize that when I get on Myspace...I love to see what people have been doing.
19. I've come to realize that today...was a day filled with chores and errands, but I am lucky b/c I get to go on vacation and many people would trade spots with me in a heartbeat.
20. I've come to realize that tonight...I love my life and wouldn't change any part of it (well, except to make Kansas 5 hours closer to IL and KY)
21. I've come to realize that tomorrow I will...enjoy my vacation and not get annoyed with travel problems (which always happen when we fly!!)
22. I've come to realize that I really want to...be a good wife, mother and daughter and sister
23. I've come to realize that yesterday... will never come again so I need to get over it.
24. I've come to realize that love...is earned, not given.

Great Life!

I can honestly say that I have a FANTASTIC life. I am totally in love with my hubby and have the best baby in the world. Being a wife and now a mom is the coolest thing. I highly recommend it!! I don't know what I did to deserve such a great life, but I am so thankful. I am excited for my brothers and sister (in-laws) as they will someday experience this and they will "get" why I am so happy and why I have changed in the past few months. Having a baby really does change your life, but it such a great way!!

We are heading out on Monday for our week-long vacation in the Carolinas. I am excited to be getting away and to get to spend time with family and friends. It really should be a relaxing and fun weekend. For the first time, I actually feel like I can go on a vacation without worrying what is going on at the office or where my cell phone was placed last. These last few months have been stressful on both Eric and I, so this is a needed time together. I am looking forward to a nice long walk on the beach with Eric and Charlie --- just the three of us!

We will be heading to IL later in August so I will get to spend time with my side of the family too. I love going home even more now as they are all so excited to see Charlie (especially my parents and sister). He will soon rule the family (until another lil one comes along) so it is so much fun. I know that some can get annoyed that Charlie is the main attraction, but that is what life is about ... enjoying family and loving it!!

How Sad!!

You would think this po0r child was being neglected by the look on his face!! We have been trying to capture this "expression" for some time now, but every time the camera comes out, the lip goes away. Our friend, Rance, was able to capture the image on his cell phone tonight after dinner. How sad!!

Good Times!!

We had a great weekend ... Evan and Kelly, our WKU friends, made the trip from Tennessee to visit us and meet Charlie. Evan has been here once before, but this was Kelly's first trip to KS so we spent the weekend showing her the sights and sounds of where we live/work/play. We always have a great time with them and when we get together (which is usually 1-2x a year), it is like we haven't been a part at all. They are a really fun couple and have had some great "worldly experiences" so we always enjoy seeing them and catching up on what has happened since we were last together.


Not a lot going on this week. I am enjoying my last two weeks of maternity leave at home with Charlie. We are hanging at the house and catching up on things that have been put on the back burner this week and then will be heading to the Carolina's next week for a fun vacation. I am soooo excited to be getting away. We have a lot planned, but it will be great to see everyone and to get a TAN!!!

In other news, our computer is on the fritz :( I am not sure what is wrong with it, but sometimes (more than others) it doesn't want to turn on. So, I am not able to post as much as I want because I don't have computer access. I still have e-mail (thanks to my phone -- oh, the wonders of technology)! I will try and update you on our vacation pending computer access. Don't worry, we will take lots of pictures for you all!

It's Official!!

I am D-O-N-E with summer camps ... YEAH!!!! Camp ended yesterday at noon. Things went really well, but I am glad to have them all over. Now I can stay at home and enjoy my last two weeks of maternity leave with Charlie. We will be home all next week and then head out the following week for the Carolinas where we will be seeing all of Eric's family in addition to some of our friends from college. I am very EXCITED!!

My parents left early this morning to head back to IL. They were out again for the past week helping with Charlie and running the camp store. It was great to have them out so much this summer. They were able to spend so much time with Charlie. It is hard being so far away from everyone, but we are blessed that they will travel and see us. I was talking with my mom how there really hasn't been a weekend of no visitors this summer. Eric's family has been able to come a few times, my parents have been here several times; my brother Bobby and his fiance Alisa have come; and my sister, Theresa has been here. It really has been awesome!! As hectic as it may get, I would much rather have them come then to stay away. I really want Charlie to know his family!!

In other news, I received a call this morning from my sister-in-law, Jennifer. She is married to Eric's brother, Andy. Jennifer is pregnant with her second child and is due in December -- right around Christmas. It looks like we are going to have another boy join the clan!! She had an ultrasound this morning and Eli is going to have a baby brother :)

It is nice a quiet here in the house this morning. Charlie is sleeping beside me on his boppy. He woke about 7:30 am and took a bottle and has since gone back to sleep. I am going to do a few things while he sleeps to get ready for our visitors tonight!! Evan and Kelly -- our good friends from college are flying in tonight and will be here for the weekend. They currently live in middle TN, but spent nearly two years in Japan as Evan worked as an engineer for Nissan. They returned home right before Christmas and are settling back into a new home. We are so excited to see them!! It should be a really fun weekend :)

Camp AGAIN!!!

Yes, it is that time again ... CAMP!! All I can say is this is the last one of the summer and by far the easiest. It is our JUNIOR JAYHAWK camp. I have right at 100 1-5 grade boys and girls Monday-Thursday of this week from 9 am - Noon. This morning went pretty fast so if that is any indication of the next three days, then I am happy!!

My parents are once again out here for the week. They are helping with the camp store and also with Charlie. My poor dad woke up this morning not feeling so hot and by mid-afternoon was throwing up!! YUCK! He had caught the stomach bug that my mom had this past week. We thought it had past, but I guess not. Therefore, ol Bumpy has been quarantined to the upstairs of the house while the rest of us hang out downstairs on the main level. He is feeling much better this evening (now that everything is out of his stomach). Keep your fingers crossed that we don't get the bug -- especially Charlie :(

On that note, Charlie continues to improve with his sleeping habits. He has been sleeping in his own room since the first of the month and has slept through the night for over a week now. He usually goes down between 9-10 pm and then will sleep until 5:30-6:30 am, at which time he wants a bottle. As soon as he finishes eating, though, he is back down to sleep for another couple of hours. On Sunday, he slept until 10 am!!!! Tonight will be the first time this month that he will not sleep in his own crib, but we are not taking a chance as his room is upstairs and Bumpy is up there with a case of the "icks!"

Life Changes

I am amazed how much my life has changed over the past year. I have heard that having a baby changes everything, and that is RIGHT! I absolutely LOVE being a mommy ... it has really brought meaning to my life. I am responsible for this little man and his life.

Eric and I find ourselves just staring at Charlie watching him sleep or just look around the room. You can't help but wonder, "what his he thinking?" As each day passes, I find myself with mixed emotions. On one hand, I want him to stay small and a tiny little baby forever, but then on the other, I want him to grow and respond to me. I love when he looks at me with his big, blue eyes and just lets out the biggest grin. It is enough to melt my heart!!

So many things have been put into perspective for me since Charlie's birth. I have come to the realization that I need to slow down and enjoy life a little more. Basketball is not everything and things at work can wait until tomorrow. I know that I am young and can go-go-go, but sometimes it is better to sit back and just relax. There is no reason to stress over little things ... it is just not worth it.

I am starting to "fret" over is the idea of going back to work full time. I have really enjoyed being him with Charlie since his birth. I am apart of his life and know what is going on at all times - I love that I am the one that can calm/soothe him. Going back to work is just around the corner (Aug. 5) and I am just not sure if I am ready for it. Charlie will be going to an in-home day care just miles from my office, but still, I will miss out on so much I feel. I really do enjoy my job and love having the income to live the life we enjoy, but I can't help but feel guilty that I am putting him off on someone else to do "my thing." I know that women do it everyday and that it is a normal thing, it is just hard to think that I will have to leave him. I may have to have Eric take him the first few days and I am beginning to think that I will be a mess. (Heck, I cried when I had to leave my dog for the first time!!)

I am not sure what is causing these feelings, I just feel like my time with him is so precious. It is so hard to explain ... I just feel like I have changed so much. It doesn't upset me, just scares me as it has opened my eyes to a whole other side of life. As each day passes, I realize that I will never get these days back. As I told Eric, we have gone through so much in life already -- college, wedding, first pregnancy, etc .... there is so much that has already passed. I really want to make sure and embrace all that still lies ahead!!

3 months old!!

Oh how time flies!! Charlie is THREE months old today. I put him on the bathroom scale this morning and he weighed in at 12 lbs, 2 oz., which means he has gained 1 lb since going to the doctor two weeks ago.

Bobby and Alisa

My brother, Bobby, and his fiance, Alisa, have spent the weekend here with us. They are heading back to IL after a LATE breakfast and some more time with Charlie. It has been alot of fun having them here.

They got in late Thursday night (around 12:30 am) or so. After a good night sleep, we hung out at the house and enjoyed the day of not having to do anything. They spent alot of time with Charlie and loved all over him. Later in the day, we headed to our friend's house, Rance and Amy, and had a YUMMY steak dinner. Right before dark, we decided to head back to our house so that we could put Charlie down. Much to our surprise, we got back to Eudora to find the town all lit up with fireworks. It was CRAZY!!! This was our first 4th of July here at this house and we were not expecting such a show. Everyone in town was on their driveway cooking out and lighting the fireworks. The streets were a mess come Saturday morning!!! Of course, Eric and Bobby had to join in the festivities and flood our cul-de-sac with smoke bombs, mortars and other "explosives."

Yesterday, we enjoyed another morning of sleeping in and then headed to Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. We had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and then spent the afternoon walking around and shopping. It was a fun, relaxing day.

Alisa and I got up this morning and took Charlie to Church and then just arrived home for biscuits and gravy ... YUM! They are going to be getting on the road here shortly, but it has been fun having them here. We got some things accomplished for their upcoming wedding too so it has been productive. Here is one of their engagement pictures ..... they are all so good!!

Yeah For Charlie!!

Charlie spent his first night in his OWN bedroom last night!!! Yeah!!! We decided that now that camps are over and I can relax a little bit, that it was time to really try getting Charlie to sleep in his own crib, in his own room. I only had to get up with him one time. He went down a little after 9 pm and slept until 2:30 am. After a bottle, he was back down until nearly 6 am!!! We will see how tonight goes ....

Few More Pics from the weekend!

The THREE Muskateers (Huey, Grandpa Bumpy and Charlie)

Charlie with his grandparents (MeMaw, Grandpa Bumpy and Granny Jo)

Does he look like his daddy or what?!?!?