Sunday, January 17, 2010

A little update...

Well life for us is certainly never dull...not that I'd want it to be, but sometimes a little downtime would be nice... It's been a month since Nicholas was born, and here's a list of some updates over the past 5 weeks along with a few snapshots.


1. I got a job with GCC. I'm going to be teaching an English Humanities class (EXCITED!!) and possibly an English 101 class. I had the interview and was hired when Nicholas was a mere 4 days old.

2. We survived Christmas! I hadn't done a lick of Christmas shopping prior to Nicholas being born and I decided to be adventurous when Nicholas was 1 week old and take both the kids out with me to shop. On our way to Target (our very first store) I became the target of an elderly gentleman who decided he needed to be in my lane more than I did forcing me off the road to avoid being hit. Instead I hit a nasty pothole and blew my passenger front tire. The kids and I were fine, I was just a little frustrated. We still shopped and got the tire fixed that afternoon. Thank you Mansoor (old student) at Subway for providing extra cookies for this frazzled mom.



3. I learned that the most efficient way to vacuum, mop, fold laundry, or simply clean with a newborn is to put said newborn in a Snuggy and go proceed with the days events.



4. We celebrated Christmas as a family of 4! The rest of our extended families were a part of the day as well, but it was lovely to be with my family.




5. We had family pictures done. It was an exhausting experience, but the results were fantastic. If you'd like to see them for yourself, log into www.gradsphotography.com and click online previews...session number 30031.


6. I wrecked my car. :-( Another elderly gentleman caused me to avoid hitting him and resulted in SEVERE damage to my car. Said old guy decided he needed to turn out the turn in lane at a shopping center. I successfully avoided him (I don't even think he realized he caused an accident) however I hopped a curb and crashed into a pillar. Poor car.



7. Haley showed me her bowling skills.  Even my daughter bowls better than me...granted she had a ramp and bumpers, but still! She was such a perfectionist...she moved the ball ramp around and angled it left and right to get just the right shot.  And HEAVEN FORBID anyone try to help her.




8. I was a bridesmaid in my best friend Laura's wedding. It was a lovely ceremony. Only 4 weeks after delivering my handsome son I actually fit into my dress! It was tight, but it fit :-) The wedding was a lot of fun, and Haley and Nicholas were a hit. Haley danced the night away with Sean...CUTE!


9. The crummy economic times gave us a hard hit. Sean has been laid off. It is what it is. Thankfully he has an entrepreneurial spirit and hopefully we'll land on our feet and not on our backside.



10. We're dealing with a little sibling jealousy...nope not Haley, she loves Nicholas...Simon! LOL



Welcome to my world!




Saturday, January 2, 2010

Our Newest Addition!

Welcoming....
Nicholas Van Jenkins
Born:
December 14, 2009
12:43 pm
7 lbs. 9 oz. 21 inches

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

First School Picture

Today was Haley's first school picture day. I think I was more excited than she was. We meticulously picked out her outfit last night and decided on mutually agreeable jewelry (this is ALWAYS a challenge). I took her to get her hair trimmed and then we talked style...curls or straight? Knowing these details the night before I knew would make the morning a bit less crazy and definitely avoid a fashion fight. By the time we walked out the door, I was indeed pleased with how my little girl looked for her first school picture and she was pretty pleased with herself as well.


Friday, September 18, 2009

Introducing...Duke and Daisy

After the tragic loss of both our dogs this last July, we decided to give dog ownership another shot. This time with a less spastic more kid friendly breed, cocker spaniels. Growing up I had a pure black cocker named Missy. She was a delightfully loyal pet for 21 years. She lived for her tennis balls, walks with grandpa, and love from her family. I've been slightly wary about giving the cocker spaniel another go...Missy was just such a wonderful dog I couldn't imagine even another dog of the same breed being as perfect. However, Sean convinced me to give it a go.

So...we've adopted 2 pure bred cocker spaniels. Sean's is a pure black male named Duke. Haley's is a rare blue roan partie female named Daisy. We adopted them from a breeder who allowed us to visit with them until they were old enough to come home. Duke was always the playful one, jumping around seeking attention, while Daisy was perfectly happy just to be held and snuggled. We have since brought them home...things have changed. They are just as adorable as ever, but Duke seems to be the gentle giant snuggler, and Daisy is the playful talker. Both are such a joy. They are truly puppies with all that that entails, but their dispositions are so sweet and loving.

The cats aren't quite sure how to take them. Sugar...well she just tries to ignore them. Simon on the other hand seems to think he needs to be a puppy too. He gets down on the tile and wrestles with them both.

This morning Daisy was extra chatty with me. She's so cute when she "talks," she stretches her neck out like a giraffe and goes to town. Duke just lets her talk and comes over for the inevitable ear scratch.

Here are the cuties!


We're just babies.
Haley and Daisy on the ride home.

Sean and Duke on the ride home.

CRASHED!

Mom...he's not sharing.


I found my way upstairs...now what? GET ME DOWN!!!

Hello, I'm talking to you!
I'm serious!
I let Daisy do most of the talking.
Pay attention to me! I'm cute!

Grandparent's Day

Haley is absolutely loving COOP. She's making friends, over coming her shyness, and LEARNING, LEARNING, LEARNING. She's like a little sponge. She comes home everyday with some new found knowledge...or a sweet little song she insists on singing to me at least 10 times while she's in the bathtub. I'm refraining from taking pictures just because she's in the bathtub.
Last Friday was Grandparent's Day in the COOP. The kids baked muffins, poured juice, and showed off their skills to their ever so proud grandparents. Haley was absolutely giddy about the entire experience. She woke up in a fit of giggles she was so excited and then wanted to run my poor mom accross the PHS campus to her classroom to show her off.
Haley introduced her grandma to EVERYONE and even loaned her out to a child whose grandparent wasn't able to attend. My mom was shocked at just how must of a social butterfly her shy little grandaughter has become. I must admit, I'm so proud of her. I'm a little sad that my little baby truly isn't a baby anymore, but I love the independent and strong little girl she's growing into. Poor kid...with mom as they yearbook advisor...there is ALWAYS a camera around.

Making blueberry muffins for grandma

I'm just so cute!
She LOVES her friends.

Is there anything better than story time with Grandma?

The crafts seem to be multiplying...they're taking over my house!

I'm cute and SASSY!

Up above the world so high...

This little ducky can shake her booty...


I'm kind of looking forward to the day she's not quite so comfortable with boys.

She's going to be a Panther Cheerleader...I just know it.

Haley and her best friend Shay!

Haley's favorite COOP teacher Miss Samantha