I'M MOVING!!

Well, my blog is moving:

www.acutelycherished.blogspot.com

Meet me there...

GIRLS WEEKEND

Just imagine 6 girls, one van, one hotel room, old pictures, chocolate, and TOFW! I know what you are thinking... FUN!!! (Maybe not what you were thinking) but it was one of the best weekends to date! 

At the main event: TOFW 

P.F. Changs on the way home

Duck faces! 

Giveaways! I'm addicted to blog surfing and this is another find that I had to mention! Wouldn't it be fun to win this?! Check it out here....

Good Eats, Great Movie and Fabulous Company!

Kristina, Me, Chelsea, Jessica, Michelle and Ariel all at Bravo for a Birthday Dinner. Well at least that was the excuse to get together. 

The birthday girls... Yeah, I know my Bday was two months ago. Told ya it was an excuse to get together :)

We had the whole theater to ourselves! Chelsea was cold so she used the blanket I keep in the car for the park. 

More movie theater shots...

Had to get one of the teenage heartthrob. He really is pretty dang cute ;)

Lessons Learned...

Lesson #1: Don't give keys to young child while she is strapped into her car seat in the garage. 

So Shawn and I came home from a nice dinner at the park and were about to go on a walk we left Lilli in the car while we got the stroller to load in the car. She is going through a key faze so to make her happy I handed her my set of keys. Next thing I hear as soon as I shut my car door is a beep that the car locked. I didn't freak out right away because Shawn has a set of keys, but no my luck was just that great, Shawn's were in the locked car too. So for the next 20 mins we tried to get her to use the keys to UNLOCK the car. The red alarm button seemed like such a better choice to her, but never hit it or any other button again hard enough to open the doors. So as beads of sweat were starting to appear on her forehead we called our local fire department to come rescue our little key lover. As soon as I hung up the phone I started hearing sirens it sounded like they were coming from every direction and then shutting off right outside of our neighbor hood. After twenty or so minutes of this one was for us! Three firemen hopped out and used some tools to break into the driver side door. So with a few dings where the tools hit against the car Lilli was a free girl again. 

After our rescue we went to see the real emergency right outside our neighborhood on 23. It was a van and car that both had their engines inside the car. We got up to the accident right as the med flight was taking off. This kinda brought things into perspective. Life is so fragile and I need to focus on the things that really matter and not, well "THINGS." Which was a good thing to learn because two days later, yesterday, my car really did get broken into and things really were stolen. It is just so crazy to me that people can steal things so fast and easily and not care that I walked up to my car with Lilli in my arms in the rain to see that my window was broken and dash all pulled apart. BUT, I know that Heavenly Father really does watch over us, because right as I was walking up to this mess, my mother called. She comforted me and came to get Lilli so that I could deal with the car. I am SO grateful that I have two parents that are so loving and caring! 

Crazy couple of days!

Workin Hard for the $$

I have worked at a Property Management/Real Estate Office for about 5 years now, off and on. It was the perfect college job, close to campus, good pay, great boss, could make my own hours and even had time to study! When I graduated (almost 2 years ago, yikes) I was 6 months pregnant with Lilli and planned to still work here up until I delivered her. I didn't think I'd come back, but last summer during the busy months I worked a couple days a week, and through the fall-spring I have filled in for my mother in law (who works here full time) every now and then. Its like the job that I can't quit, but for the same reasons it was a great college job it is a great mommy job as well. So here's to you Renters Real Estate!

I get to take self-portraits from my mac photo booth.

My desk with a lovely view of High Street / Short North

The rest of the office, small but charming... 

Now, this is what I call a good VT message! 

My friend Lezlee posted this on her blog, and I couldn't resist passing it along....

LOVE this Place!

I have always been drawn to PAPER! I love the making cards, scrapbooking, anything creative that uses cute paper. So, this STORE is right up my ally! My sister bought me this really fun address stamp on Etsy, I liked it so much I looked up the woman's blog. She has the coolest handwriting, another thing I have always obsessed over. On her BLOG she talks about achieving good handwriting you have to write everyday. So together with this goal of writing everyday, my love of making and sending cute cards/notes in the mail AND my fun new finds from Paper Source, I have some fun times ahead of me! 

P.S. I know I am a dork ;)

A day in the Life...

First, Lilli and I went out to the Olive Garden for lunch with Grandma Adams. Then I left Lilli to go to small claims court. Long story, short... A guy agreed to move into one of our apartments last summer and backed out a couple weeks before he was scheduled to move-in. So, we kept his deposit (the contract says we can) and he took us to court. It went really well, I think... The judge caught the guy in not knowing his dates and he really seemed to understand our side. We will get notified within 90 days the outcome. Next, Shawn and I went back to pick up Lilli who was not at all pleased to be leaving her Ga-ma-Jew-dee as she so sweetly calls her Grandma Judy! So since it was a really beautiful spring day (70 degrees and sunny) we went to Easton. Lilli loves to be outside, so she really loved this fountain area. The rocks were a hit!

Shawn telling his mommy the happenings in the courtroom.

Lillias not so happy to be leaving!

We ending the evening at Inniswoods (sp?) Probably our favorite park. We picked up dinner at Panara for me and Wendys nuggets for Lilli. Oh, and notice the new stroller, I finally gave up on the combi and bought a Maclaren! So a full fun day! 

A Few Things....

Spring always brings out the decorator/organizer/cleaner out in me so here are some of my ideas:

CRAFT ROOM CLOSET

Lilli carried off my camera so I do not have a picture to show you the mess that I call my craft closet in our guest bedroom. I recently came across an IDEA to make the craft closet into a workable space.

At the moment I do not sew, but I love the photo above (thanks google images=))

This is not a closet but a small room that was turned into a craft room/office. Luv Luv this room! A friend of mine has an amazing blog SimplyRadiant and under her links I came across this blog with this room and a lot of other fun pictures and ideas!

Next Idea:

CHALKBOARD PAINT

When I was a nanny, the lady painted a whole wall in her dinning room with chalkboard paint and let the kiddos go nuts. My plan involves less Lilli interaction and not a whole wall, but a little divider wall between the main part of the kitchen and where our table sits. The idea came from the least likely place the ABC show Brothers and Sisters last Sunday. They had a wall in the kitchen painted and she wrote to-dos and her grocery list. I am thinking about ordering some vinyl lettering to go near the top to give the wall a purpose.

So now I just have to plan it all out and get to work!

After....

....Before

Today I came across this really fun blog Grosgrain, among the great ideas is this "Thrift Store Refashion." In the past I have not been a huge fan of second hand stores, but this may change that! I guess, however, I will first have to learn to sew...

Introducing.....

My New Car!

2009 Nissan Rogue SL

We started the evening off at Buckeye Nissan, they were not on top of their game, the guy was nice but not trying very hard to sell us anything. Crazy because we had every intention of buying if the price was right. So after wasting his and our time we headed over to Nissan North. They were interested in selling a car that night! We had two guys approach us right away and basically took everything we wanted and everything we didn't and found us our car at a much better price. I didn't get to drive it home, because they have to pick it up from a different dealership but this picture is exactly what it is going to look like. White exterior, roof rack, gray leather interior. 

4:09 AM was my wake up time today! I let her cry until 4:30 then went upstairs where she was wide-awake. CRAZY KID! I rocked her for about 20 mins then put her back into her bed, it took till I got back down to my bed and she started crying again. So I let her cry and cry and cry.... till about 7am. Is that child abuse?? Shawn went to get her and fed her while I slept for about a half hour. She goes to bed at around 8:30 pm so its not like we are putting her to bed really early. I keep telling myself that I did this when she was a baby, but for some reason I feel like I just can't do it now... Well, I guess she is just trying to tell me that she wants to be an only child!!!

5:30 AM

Every morning for the past couple weeks.... Beautiful Lilli screams. Now you would think that I could just put her in bed with me, but two minutes after I do I hear "Kiks" "Gogurt" "Up" followed by more crying until I get up. So I have resorted to turning OFF the monitor and leaving her in her bed to cry. Only she cries for about 1/2 hour until she falls back asleep for about an hour and then I go get her. I'm just not cut out for a 5:30am wake up call when she is almost 19 months and perfectly capable of sleeping later!!!! 

Lillias is 18 months old!

Lillias gave the photographer about 10 good minutes to get pictures taken. These are my two favorites...

25 Random Things About Lillias at 18 months:

1) She loves Gogurt, in fact she is in her high chair at this very moment eating one!

2) She is still a cuddly girl

3) She LOVES her Grandma and Grandpa Adams, she cries every time we try to take her home.

4) She is a great little talker, she tries to say just about everything we tell her. 

5) She is starting to be quite the chatter on the phone.

6) Her favorite cartoon is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, she loves the hotdog song!!

7) Speaking of songs when ever a song comes on she starts dancing, which is basically spinning in a circle.

8) She started to sing, well more like hum. It's the cutest thing ever!

9) Bedtime is between 8 and 8:30 pm

10) Wake up is usually around 7 am

11) I go get her out of her crib when I hear her cry and bring her back into bed with me, she lays there and plays with my hair for about 10 minutes and then wants to get up and go!

12) She eats breakfast as soon as we get out of bed and it consists of kiks, banana and juice.

13) I hum rock-a-bye-baby before I put her to bed.

14) She loves the song Old Macdonald, and says e-i-e-i-o everytime she wants me to sing it to her.

15) She has started t0 want me to kiss what ever she just hurt better, I'm thinking my mom taught her that trick :)

16) She is nosey just like her daddy.

17) She is a mommy's girl!! (Unless, G & G Adams are around)

18) She got a doll for christmas that she loves, she caries it around with a bottle and wraps it in a blanket. So cute!

19) She is wearing 18-24 month clothes. Size 5 shoes.

20) She is 75 % for height, and 45% for weight.

21) SHE IS A BINKY GIRL!!! 

22) She has very little hair, I hear that the slower it comes in the better it is in the end... I'm not sure I buy that, but for her sake I hope so!

23) Lilli loves dogs, whenever she sees one on paper, tv or one right in front of her she starts yelling "dog dog" and gets VERY excited!

24) She has been on 4 round trip plane rides: Portland, Texas x 2, and Florida.

25) She has a mommy that loves her more than anything!!!!

Come Cruise with me

I looked forward to this trip for months and it went by wayyyy too fast! So much fun!!

Mom and I flew into LAX Thursday morning and were picked up by My Aunt, Uncle and Cousin.  It was warm and sunny, yay. We started by going to a yummy lunch at Olive garden, followed by going for a walk along the ocean and then a long drive along the coast. So beautiful (Why do I live in Ohio?? ;)) We picked up Lisa later that night, and went back to The Budge house to stay the night.

Marcia and Mama

Cousin AnnMarie, Lisa, Me and Mom

Friday morning we boared that cruise ship, it was so exciting to see that big ship!! 

We did lots of shopping on and off the ship! 

Lisa, Mom, Shauna, Aunt Kathy

Dinner seating: Lisa, Chelise, Kathy

Lisa was the "big orderer" (not eater) the waiter would always smile when he got to Lisa, because she would order quite a bit of food. It was really funny!

Mom, Me, and Shauna

I always hear that you eat and eat and eat on a cruise, but I was not all that impressed with the food... a few exceptions were: this pasta dish, the turkey wrap and the warm chocolate cake!

Our wonderful server!

The girls

Silly pictures

Yes, we are a little too into Twilight...

Getting ready for the nightly show, more silly pictures!

The last full day there, these women feasted on the all chocolate desert buffet for lunch! I was the odd woman out, I wanted "real" food. 

So this is Lisa with a guy who produces or does something for the Yo Gabba Gobba show, which is Ethan's favorite show. We first meet these two in the REX dance club on the ship. Ryan the one in the hat came up to me while I was dancing with Lisa, Shauna and Chelise. I felt a tap and tried to ignore it, but finally turned around to "hey do you want to go somewhere and talk for a few minutes" I think my heart jumped out of my chest, I am so outta this game... I think I mumbled something like "I have to dance with my girls" A couple minutes later I told the girls I wanted to go... So we walked out, and who follows but this guys friend. He asked why I had blew off his friend and I told him I was married. To which his reply was "WHERE IS YOUR RING???" Good question right?! I had forgotten to wear it... (really, i did) So anyway we end up talking to the guys and the one who asked to talk to me had just broken up with his fience and his friend was actually mormon. Funny what happens when you leave the hubby at home! 

Thanks Lisa for getting this all together!! A much needed break!!!!!!!!!

Shabby Apple

I just wanted to show you all the cutest site for girl dresses... 

http://www.shabbyapple.com/c-16-shabby-baby-dresses.aspx

A couple weeks ago I went in to see my wonderful obgyn Dr. Shepherd (highly recommended)  for my annual appointment. It took me 6 months from the time I called to get in... so this was my first time since my 6-week check after I had Lillias. She went over the protocol for next pregnancy with me just in case I decided to get prego again, which is Lovenox shots once a day from the time I get a positive test to the end of my pregnancy. Like last time, I will be induced 3 weeks early. So I started to walk out of the room and she stops me and asks if I ever got blood work done to check for some factors that could have caused my blood clot last time. I said no, my family doctor just said I probably got the clot due to pregnancy and left it at that. Dr. Shepherd said that it would be beneficial to do the blood work. Well about a week after the lab took 10 viles of blood to be tested, Dr. S called and said that I am missing a gene in my blood that makes it easier to clot up. She that this messes up the way my body processes folic acid and the treatment is primarily with a B vitamin. This was all in a message, so I have lots of questions.... First does this mean I will not have to do the Lovenox shots/be induced?? The nurse that I called back said she wasn't sure but she thought I still would have to :( My next concern is that I could not take a prenatal while pregnant because I would immediately throw it up and continue to throw up through out the day when I tried (even with the crazy medicine that she gave me so I wouldn't throw up.) So how can I treat this blood disorder thing if I can digest a vitamin? And last, is this blood disorder something that she is worried about for pregnancy or lifelong? So now, I just have to wait until she calls me back for the results of the second round of blood work results and hopefully I won't miss the call this time!! I was so incredibly grateful and amazed by this doctor who took such great care of me while I was going through all of this with Lilli and now she is taking care of all of this again without me even being pregnant yet. I think there is a reason everyone LOVES her! 

To Be Continued....