Congrats!

After 7 years of trying, taking tons of medicine, having surgery and finally giving up over a year ago, my big brother Brent, his wife Crystal, and my nephew Dylan have found out they are expecting a little baby! They had an ultrasound yesterday and saw the little heartbeat. I tell you what God has some funny timing! With all my heart, however, I believe it is always the BEST timing! Please pray for them as they go through the excitment, anxiety, fear and other medical concerns Crystal will deal with through the pregnancy. We are a family that believes in prayer and are strengthened by it when others pray!!

Congrats Brent, Crystal and Dylan!!!!!

Destructo Baby!!!

The other night while I was folding laundry I realized Presley wasn't hanging on my leg or crying at feet for me to pick her up both of which are her favorite places and things to do. So, after I folded about my 6th shirt I walked around our island in the kitchen to find her surrounded in aluminum foil, ziploc bags, parchment paper, cling wrap and more. We have a pantry shelf because this house didn't have an actual pantry. Needless to say Presley has found her new favorite place to hang out. Now you can all see why we call her Destructo Baby!!! OH, and yes, I realize that she is starting to show walking signs and that this is just the beginning. Lord help me!!!

I also wanted to add this one picture of her new smile. NOw, when you say, "Hey Presley!" she turns and grins the goofiest grin! My child is such a ham!!!! Gosh, I love her!

Steps for Daddy's 31st Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dallas! My husband turned 31 today. We had a low key day which was exactly what Dallas wanted. We did go and get his birthday present and have a small dinner out, but mostly we just hung out here! He doesn't go to school on Tuesday and Thursdays so he was able to be home for his birthday! And, Presley had the BEST present for his birthday....

She took her first steps!!!!!! Did you hear me? She took her first steps!!! Three to be exact!

We were all sitting in her room when she did it. I thought, "what a blessing for Dallas to be in grad school at this point in Presley's life so he can witness all of these 'firsts'!" What a big girl!

I absolutely love birthdays. I am horrible about gift giving but LOVE that we have a day to celebrate the first breath of the people we love most! Dallas is someone I hope I get to celebrate birthdays with long into our "gray years"!! I am overwhelmed by the friend I have in Dallas. I am overwhelmed by the husband he is to me and even more by the father he is to Presley. Even on the hard days he is the best part of my life. Happy Birthday babe! We love you!

9 months old

Hi all!! Well, I am 9 months old now! Can you believe it? I can. My mommy can't believe it. She doesn't know where the time went and what happened to her little baby. She asks me all the time, "Are you really going to be a year old in 3 months?" I simply respond by giving her a reassuring smile that, YES, I will be 1 in 3 months. I'm pretty sure all the lack of sleep is getting to her head. I mean how can she forget all those diapers, the feedings, the many cries I have had and all the giggles I have giggled over the past 9 months. Yep, she's loosing it. So, out of respect of my mommy and her slipping mind, I thought I would do the blog this time.

I had a pretty crazy 8th month. I went on a 3 week trip to see my Mae and Popa in Washington DC, played with a 2yr old for 24hrs a day for three weeks (my cousin Katelyinn), got my first tooth, had my first cold and ear infection. Yikes. Opps...this isn't about my 8th month. Sorry. I am just learning. Ok, ok. Here is what I am up to now:
I can-
-crawl with the speed of light

-furniture surf (this is my favorite because it keeps mommy on her toes)

-take steps between the coffee table and chair

-have only one scraggly tooth on the bottom (this is silly looking)

-feed myself with my fingers

-give myself medicine(ok, so mommy puts it in the syringe and then I take it)

-stand up from a sitting position

-bend my legs, just like a squat, and slowly sit from standing

-stand for long periods of time without holding on to things, but then when I realize I am doing this I sit down quickly

-pull up on everything

-when playing peek-a-boo my mommy says, "Where's Presley?" I respond by going, "AHH!"

-swim in the tub (ok,I like to call it swimming but it really is sliding on my belly. Hey, I am trying to build my confidence for the summer. I am a Florida baby, ya know?!!)

-make sounds for my puppies names, Ben and Abby

-Oh, and apparently I can write. Don't know when that happened!

-However I would say that my BEST trick right now is running. Yep, you heard me. I can run. I can't walk but I can run. Well, actually, it feels more like flying. Check it out!

Thanks for checking in with me this month. I have to go. Mommy says its time for my nap. I have to do something to stay this cute!!

Go gators...literally

I wanted to share this video of Presley playing this morning. My mom and dad got her this GREAT walker with alligators on it for Christmas. Theybought the one with alligators because we are living in Gator country. The little alligators mouths are suppose to make chomping sounds when you push it, but Presley never got going fast enough to allow the walker chomp. This morning I looked over and she had pushed it on to the hard floor. I just knew she was going to bite as soon as the walker got going. Nope, in pjs and all she had totally control and ran right along with it! She loves it! By time I got the camera she wasn't going so fast. By then she was trying to stir it. Just a short clip. Enjoy!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hello there...

So, I haven't blogged in a few days. Do I have an excuse....ummm....no. Wasn't very busy. Although we have been having a rough time getting back to a routine after the holidays. I know what you are thinking, Cindy it has been two weeks. Well, I am, as my mom always says, "L-A_Z_Y!" This week will be better.

This past weekend we went to the Razorback vs Gators basketball game at UF here in Gainesville! The Hogs lost...boo hiss! We did, however, have a good time. Dusty came down and went with us to the game. Eventhough it wasn't Bud WAlton Arena it was a fun atmosphere to watch basketball in. They even had the Golden Dazzlers perform. Yes, a squad of 65+ aged women danced at half. It was AWESOME!!!

Dallas has Monday and Tuesday off! Wahoo!! What will we do tomorrow on Dallas' day off? I don't know. Maybe we will go and walk around the state park here in town. We have been wanting to do it and just haven't yet. Presley loves anything outside, so I think we will enjoy it. Tuesday we are looking forward to the Inaguration of the next President and all the festivities. Ok, maybe not we...just ME!! HEEHEE! Anyways. We have a good friend from La Madd who is in DC specifically to work on the Inagural Ball Committee. Awesome job, right? So, it will be nice to see what he has been up to for the past year. Well, hopefully it won't be another week before I blog, but who knows! Til then I hope all of you who check my blog are well and blessed!

Music is fun

Presley started her Tonewood music classes today. I hear they are similar to Kindermusik if you are familiar with that music class. Anyways, she had such a great time. In the beginning she just sat there and stared at everyone trying to figure out what the heck was going on. By the end of it she was dancing, clapping, singing and shaking the shakers. I do have to say that I think she is definitely a visual and movement learner. The more she could see and the more she could feel the more interactive she was. I am so glad we found this class. It will be so good for her to hang out with children older than her and to be in a class setting where she can begin to build "respect" skills for those sort of environments. I felt like she was such a big girl!

Presley is standing alone these days. She will let go of the furniture, of her push toy, or her block and stand forever. I clocked 4 minutes straight the other day. She will even do squats. She squatted all the way to the floor and just before her tush hit the floor she stood back up. Crazy? I am afraid she will be walking very soon. I'm not going to encourage it more than she is trying it, though. I already see what a path of destruction she can have while crawling. I can only imagine what walking will be like.

Our weather here in Gainesville has been downright beautiful. On Sunday we went to the park and it was packed with people playing freezbie, football, cooking out, playing on the playgrounds and just laying out on the lawn. Ya, you heard me. Laying out! It was 80 degrees of HOT on Sunday. Today, however, is much cooler. It rained all night and brought the cold weather! I just couldn't believe that it was January and I, Cindy, was walking around in shorts!!!

What have I been up to? Well, I am still crunching away at learning my new business. Its really fun to hear people's desires and wishes to not just "loose weight" but to get active and have a better life! I enjoy it! Dallas is back to school and loving it. (note the sarcasm) He only has three classes this semester but I don't think it means it will be any easier. However, it is all relative when you are talking about Dallas. His last semester was "hard" but with ease he pulled a 3.73. He put most everything off to the last minute and stressed that he didn't have time to do it to its potential and knew he would get bad grades because of it....OH NO! He still pulled high Bs and As. Not fair, but I am super proud of him. I am so proud of all his accomplishments and he has had many in the short 5 years we've been married.

Just a short recap on what has been going on in Gipsonville.

New Years Resolution

Well it is that time of year. Everyone is getting out their notebooks and jotting down their New Year's Resolutions. I would imagine that most of us put "get into shape" or some variation of this on that little list. Why do we keep putting it on our list every year? Is it because we don't stick with it? Is it because the program we choose isn't giving the results we want so we give up all together? Is it because we reach our goal and then go back to the same lifestyle we had before? If you have said yes to any or all of these I can help you.

Beachbody is a business that is committed to giving you programs that will give you results in ways that make working out fun and often times addicting. An added benefit is that Beachbody doesn't want you to do these programs just to reach a goal. They want you to reach that goal and then apply it to change your life! Therefore, keeping off the weight and keeping your energy and activity level well past next years resolution time!

I wanted to share some articles that were posted on Carl Daikeler's(CEO of Beachbody) blog. The first article is about Without a Trace actress Poppy Montgomery using P90X to shed her baby weight.
People Magazine
The next article is about NFL Cheerleaders using P90X to stay in shape as well. This isn't too surprising seeing as many NFL players do P90X also!
P90X Cheerleaders

P90X is only ONE of the programs available at Beachbody. They are also known for Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs,Slim in 6 and 10 minute trainer. Although, I have to say I am most excited about the new release of ChaLEAN Extreme!

This is a workout program that everyone can do, men, women, old, young, active or just starting a new workout for the first time in years. I have a few people in my family and some friends who are starting this program with me n the next week or two. WE are all going to do it together. It is always easier when you have a friend!

So, if you have put weight loss, getting in to shape, get stronger, become active or just find a way to have more energy please let me know! Beachbody has A LOT to offer. There is a product just as unique as you are!! Good luck with your Resolutions! Lets try to make this a year we keep them!

First Illness..

Well, we made it home Saturday night from my parents'! It was so wonderful to see them and to spend that much time with my family. My favorite thing was simply hanging out at the house visiting and watching the girls play. I only wish we could all be closer.

The visit, however, did not end quietly. Presley was sick most of the time we were at my parents and cut two teeth. I know, superwoman. Ok, I do realize most children do that. When it is your own ordinary NEVER seems ordinary. Anyways, she progressivly got worse as we headed home. This morning I took her in to see her doctor and she has a double ear infection! YIKES!! Poor baby. However, as I blog she has been sleeping soundly for 3 hours. This is a miracle in itself seeing as she hasn't had a good night sleep in 5 days.

I have to say I have been waiting on her to get sick. I am just glad it waited til she was 8 1/2 months old. Oh, and for those of you who I told she weighs just shy of 17lbs. Ha, try 15lbs 12oz. Ya, that's my porker! I guess she comes by the nickname "Little P" honestly! Well, I must go and get some sleep incase my tiny angel wakes me tonight.

What a year...

Wow, where did 2008 go? It is 2009, really? As my mom put it earlier today, "I still remember when everyone thought the world was going to blow up in 2000 from YSK!" Good point mom. 2008 was a wonderful and hard year all at the same time. There were a lot of things, good and bad, that happened to me and my family. Here is a recap of 2008:
Dallas and I kicked off 2008 in La Maddalena Italy
Dallas turned 30
We moved back to the states (Gainesville, Fl)
BIGGEST CHANGE-Our Presley was born April 23,2008
We became parents
We learned to function on no sleep
We learned to change diapers, swaddle, give a newborn a bath, breastfeed/prepare bottles, to have a diaper bag packed and ready at all times, but most of all how to trust our instincts.
Presley had a year of firsts-poopy diaper, walk around the block, night in crib alone, bath,toth, crawling, solid food, smile, giggle and now cruising furniture!
Dusty(brother) found a great job in Jacksonville, Fl
HARDEST THING- Kaci(sis) moved to Spokane, WA with only Katelynn to keep her company. HOwever, has a GREAT job and is loved by all who works with her!
Brent(brother)- found out he was going to Afghanistan, went to 3 months of training just to find out he may not go.
Crystal and Dylan(sister-in-law and nephew) had to move into a new house without Brent's help.
Brent won the NCO of the Region for Air Force (awesome honor)
Lisa and Keith(D's sister and her husband) found out they are expecting a baby in March 2009.
Dallas' Mom and Dad became grandparents
My mom and Dad moved to Washington DC and have settled into a wonderful house!
Dallas started Grad School and finished his first semester
And I started my new Beachbody business just before the end of the year.

Wow, what a year! What will 2009 bring? Well, Presley still has lots of "firsts" to accomplish, so we have that to look forward to!! We have a new neice to welcome to the world. We will be waiting to see about Brent's order to the desert. We will wait and see if Kaci and my parents move to new locations or stay in the jobs they are in. Lots to look forward to as we begin this new year.

So, cheers to the memories of 2008 and to the new memories to be made in 2009!!