Five on Friday

Happy Friday, everyone!! It has been a busy week and I am looking forward to the weekend so much!

This little lady turns ONE today!!! I can't wait to shower Vivian with gifts at her party on Saturday.

I only joined a gym a week ago and I already feel the need to say something about pool etiquette.  Somehow, I thought it was common knowledge that you're going to get splashed in a pool.  Darned if I didn't watch someone get all riled that they just had their hair done and didn't want it to get wet - all while she stood in water up to her shoulders BEFORE everyone in the pool started exercising.  Um, really?!  And two the two ladies who I watched put on perfume in the changing room before class, please don't.  Just, don't.  Mmmkay?!

I've decided that I am bringing back "Tuesdays at the Table", my weekly recipe link-up.  I loved hosting it and getting to try all those wonderful recipes!  I'm still working on a button.  Stay tuned for the button and more info soon!  I'm already getting excited to visit everyone and try some new recipes.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about getting another tattoo.  I already have two - a Celtic cross on the inside of my left ankle, and a heart on the inside of my right ankle.  Predictably, I really think I want a dachshund on me.  Obviously, I won't have anything inked on me until I find the perfect design, but here are a few of my favorite designs right now.

ICYMI:the knockout punch of SHIELDvsCARTER #SDCC15 #dubsmashwars #DontMakeMePutMyLipstickOn

A video posted by Clark Gregg (@clarkgregg) on Jul 12, 2015 at 5:08pm PDT

Little admission here...I am a total geek.  As in, "wow, I'd really like to make it Comic-Con someday" kind of geek.  As Comic-Con has gone on in San Diego this week, I've been entertained by the Marvel Agents of Shield vs. Agent Carter dub smash battle on Instagram.  If you don't want to scroll through a boat load of Instagram messages, you can see the progression of their battle HERE.

What's on your agenda this weekend?

Eight Photos of Happiness

I have been nominated for the ‘8 Photos of Happiness Tag’ by Bridget over at Expat BS.  I followed Bridget back when she was an Atlanta blogger.  Now she's "crossed the pond" and started a whole new blog.  :-)  I'm really enjoying reading as she and her hubby-to-be get settled into their new life!

Here are the guidelines for the tag:
1.Thank your nominator/s and link them in your post.
2. Link the creator Ariel's Little Corner of the Internet
3. Post your 8 photos of happiness
4. Pop in a brief description of the photo, why you chose it, or let the photos do the talking!
5. Spread the happiness and tag up to ten other bloggers!

This is my cousin Kristin and I at a wedding earlier this year. (The wedding story will be another post soon.)  She is one of my best friends and I'm so lucky to get to have her in my life. 

This little one is baby Vivie!  She's Kristin's little girl and will turn a year old just days after my birthday.  She has such a big, happy personality and I just adore her!

From my gram's 90th birthday party.  She was adamant that she get a big party when she turned 90 and so she that's what she got!  Gram was thrilled! This picture is bittersweet, as it's the last picture of gram with all four of her children.

It's not the best picture in the world, but I have such great memories of my first trip to the UK the summer I turned 16.  Here are my brother Josh and I getting chased by sheep...it was a recurring theme during that trip!  I can't wait to be in England again this fall.

As a little kid, my grandparent's had a summer home on the lake in New Hampshire.  So many awesome family summers!  Here's a picture of my dad and I when I was really little.

My herd.  They bring me such joy every single day.  So much personality, love, silliness and utter devotion in such TINY bodies!

These girls!  They are all absolutely beautiful inside and out.  We do a yearly group picture at Christmas and here's our 2014 picture.

Ok...so this isn't a picture of me, but it is a picture of the rag quilt I made for baby Vivie.  I love to craft and take such pleasure from it.  That counts, right?!

Now it's my turn to nominate some bloggers to take on this challenge. I'm still getting into the swing of blogging again so I don't have 10 bloggers to tag, but if you read this post and would like to join in  please do!

• Sara at Running from the Law - I've loved Sara's blog for years.  Even during my blog hiatus, I kept up with her and her adorable kiddos on Instagram.  :-)
• Karen at A Peek at Karen's World  - Another awesome blogger that I've followed for YEARS!  She just moved her blog from blogger to Wordpress on her own, which makes her my technology hero.
• Rachel from Countdowns and Cupcakes - I've only recently found Rachel.  Her blog is super cute and she's a fellow dachshund mom!
• Carolyn from Life, Love and Puppy Prints - Carolyn is another recent find.  I love her sense of humor.  She just might be one of blogville's cutest pregnant girls too.  :-)
• Jennifer from Crazy Shenanigans - Jen is another blogger that I've been following for quite a while.  Like Christmas or Elvis?  She's your girl!
• Dory and her mom at Dory's Backyard - Dory and her siblings are Lhasa Apsos and ShiTzus respectively.  They (with their mom's help) have lots of adventures and share life from a dog's perspective!
• Puddles and her mom at We 3 Doxies - Think dogs don't have a sense of humor?  You haven't met Puddles yet!  We know dachshunds are a huge part of my life - and Puddles (with her mom's help) shows all the personality in their little bodies!

Introducing Tucker!

A little over two years ago, I shared with you the heartbreak my cousin Erin and her husband Scott endured as their little boy, Jaxson was born early and his subsequent passing.

I'm so amazingly happy to share with you now - that they have just welcomed another gorgeous little man!

Welcome Tucker!!!! 

Born 9/28

6 lb., 12 oz.

20 inches

 

 

Here are my two favorites from his professional newborn pictures:

 

 

March For Babies

You may not remember this (in fact, I'd be surprised if you did!), but in October one of my amazing friends delivered her little girl early.  VERY EARLY.  Little Miss Olivia arrived about 10 weeks early by my count. I know a few of my sweet readers have delivered their babes early too.  Just imagine the 3-5 weeks early that your kiddo came and magnify it!
Well, that little peanut has not only survived, but thrived!  She got to go home just after Christmas and is a truly a little Wonder Woman! 

On June 24th, our team - Olivia' Wonder Women, will be taking part in the March of Dimes March for Babies.  We could really use your help in raising both funds and awareness!

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Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. Modern medicine can do a great deal for babies born well before their due dates, but more research is needed. Research, trials and training for new medicines, technology and equipment is greatly needed, and making a donation to The March of Dimes supports this need.

Our team has first hand knowledge of how hard it can be for babies born too early and their families. Many babies survive, but some do not. We are walking in the March for Babies because we want to do something about this. And your help is needed.

Please support this walk. Making a secure donation is easy.  Thank you for helping us give all babies a healthy start!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Funds raised in March for Babies support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And they will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.

Really, how can you look at Olivia and not want to help?  If you do opt to contribute, please click here for my personal page.

They Should Just Hire Me!!

The local hospital, that is! 

I've been spending quite a bit of time there in the past year or so (mom's cancer surgeries & chemo; her knee replacement; dad's knee replacement; a few friends having babies; assorted grandma-related ailments).

And...I've spent my weekend there.  Here's the short version of the backstory:
Dad got hurt at work on Halloween morning.  As a result of the injury, his right arm from shoulder blade to fingertips was numb.  About a week ago, something happened and his right hand swelled up.  Wednesday his PCP said that if the swelling didn't go down by Friday, he had to go to the hospital.  You know where this is going, right?!

So, he's been in the hospital since Friday and like a good daughter I've pretty much spent my weekend up there too.  Fingers crossed - they'll spring him Tuesday.

And...I got to meet my friend's baby on Thursday!  Sweet little Olivia is about two months early, but doing absolutely wonderful in the NICU.  :-) Isn't she beautiful?!?!

Olivia M. D.

November 5th

2 lbs, 15 oz.

15 1/2 inches

Baby Boom!

Holy baby boom lately!  I know at least a half dozen lovely bloggy friends who are currently expecting!  And about the same number of friends/family outside the bloggy-hemisphere.

In the past week, we've welcomed two need little ones to the world!

I proudly announce the arrival of Kamdem Wacey B.  He's my cousin Desi and her hubby, Tony's first little one.  :-)

October 30th

8 lb., 4 oz.

19 inches

And... one of my besties, Heather welcomed her second little one early this morning.  Until I get her OK, I won't share name or picture.  But I will ask you to keep the sweet baby girl in your thoughts.  She's about 2 months early, but from what I hear doing just great!!

Random Thoughts...

It has been such a fun weekend.  :-)  Between the fan-freaking-tabulous linky party that Mrs. Monologues and Fabulous But Evil threw on Friday to today's moviefest...I'm a happy girl.

Don't mind me, but I'm hauling out the bullet points!

• I think that Blogger is going to disown me if I follow any more blogs.  I blame the aforementioned linky party!  It's a good problem to have, and give a huge "hiiiii girls" to all my new followers.
• I'm almost 100% sure that I'll be opening an Etsy shop to get my knitting and quilting projects out there for peeps to purchase.  Anybody have any good name ideas?!?!
• Saturday was girl's night.  Seafood, drinks, music, drinks, oceanside, drinks.  Did I mention drinks?!?!  Really, we had sooo much fun.  I wish we all got to see each other more often.
• Which brings me to two questions. Or maybe two series of questions.  1 - When did plaid make such a comeback?  Half the people on the dancefloor (ie. the men) were wearing plaid.  Did I miss the memo?  2 - Why did one of these plaid clad men feel the need to stand with his back to where my friend was sitting (ie. his butt next to her head) and fart?  Multiple times!!  Does he not have manners? Does he not realize that the friend he passed gas next to is the one who would freak out at him?  (She didn't..but it came close!)
• One of my besties announced on Friday that she and her hubby are having a GIRL!!!!  This is babe number two for their family, and I'm so thrilled for them!
• I spent most of Sunday on the couch watching movies with my pups.  After a late night, spending a rainy day on the couch was fabulous!
• The itch to get a new tattoo is coming on.  And I think I know what I want to get... a line drawing of Picasso's dachshund, Lump.

How was your weekend?

Good-Bye To Jaxon

Dear, Sweet Jaxon-
I never got the chance to meet you.  I know how very much your momma and daddy loved you and how excited they were when they found out that Erin was expecting you.  You made your momma glow in a way that we've never seen before and made quite the impact in your few short days.

I hope you know how truly loved you are, and found peace as you passed.

All my love,
Cole

_______________________________

Thank you all for lifting Erin, Scott and Jaxon up in prayer.  They believe in the power of prayer, as do I.  Unfortunately, Jaxon was just born too soon.  His little system hadn't developed enough to fight off the infection he was born with; organs shut down quickly and his ceased to function.  As it turns out - as I was signing papers on my house, Jaxon was going to be with Jesus.  Please continue to pray for Erin & Scott to find peace.

Prayers Needed

If you're so inclined...my cousin, Erin and her hubby, Scott could really use some prayers right now.  Erin's water broke on Thursday and she delivered her precious little baby yesterday - at 25 weeks gestation.

Jaxon is a fighter, but is only 1 lb, 11 oz and 12 inches long.

Sorry, no pictures of the baby...I'm here in Boston and they live in TX.  Here is a pic of mom & dad though.

Much love.

Christina's Surprise Baby Shower

Last week I had the priviledge of throwing my work BFF, Christina, a surprise baby shower.  I tell her just about everything...so keeping this a secret was a big accomplishment for me.  :-)  Believe it or not, it's only the second surprise party she's ever had!  I appreciate that she didn't throttle me when she walked into her fake "meeting" and discovered a party instead!

Wow, in this picture...she barely looks pregnant!

My boss sprung for pizza for the group, and I got the cake.  I'm a geek, but I'm proud of the inscription.  Even if I did use a piece of baby bottle shaped confetti as a comma between "Christina" and "for"! (For the record, it wasn't until I read the cake that I realize that I truly am that anal about punctuation.)

Yes, I know it's a little ghetto...but we did punch in a bucket.  Can I tell you all that I went to 4 stores looking for punch bowls?!?!  This was my compromise.

It doesn't look like a lot, but I bundled things tight in that laundry basket!  Onesies in sizes from newborn on up to 1 year, carriage toys, towels, wipes, binkies, swaddling blankets.  I went NUTS!

I saw this onesie with a monkey on the butt, and had to buy it!

I think that both Christina's mom and her hubby's mom are both going to be fond of this onesie.  :-)

Lastly is my little homemade touch.  I made a baby blanket for the little one.  I wish I had taken a better picture!

Throwing this party was a ball!  The look on her face made up for the fact that most people didn't contribute to the "group" gift.  Losers!!  Even if they didn't contribute...it didn't stop me from spending tons of money. 

So, no one else get pregnant (you know, other than the 11 of my friends who are already pregnant- three of you with TWINS!) until my bank account recovers...mmmkay?!?!