We have walls!!!

Very exciting! We have walls in the new house! It is coming along quickly! Here are some pictures! This is the house our final paint scheme and design is spun off of.

I don't remember my Betsy Wetsy Doll acting like this . . .

I really don't remember my dolls growing up acting so snotty! So . . . apparently I should never have had a little girl! I have lost my mind when it comes to "decorating" her!! HA!! Jeff constantly says "leave that poor child alone!!" I can't help it! She is so darn cute and I love clothes and accessories!!! However, my little Gracie is really unsure of how she feels about all these additions to her wardrobe! She tolerates the bows . . . despises the hats . . . and loves her sunglasses!! I had to share these pictures because they are priceless. Poor thing really does cooperate . . like today I was hell bent on getting these adorable pants on her that have little built in booties with paws on them (Jeff says she is a human baby so I should stop dressing her like an animal!) and the lining was messed up and she patiently sat there for a good 15 minutes before I gave up!

"Not so sure what I think of this hat . . ."
"YEAH HATE IT! I have decided I hate it!!!!! Take it off"!! "Mom, I look obnoxious . . . take this off!!!"

" Seriously . . . Seriously . . . why are there still flashes . . . bow off my head NOW!"
"OK . . . THIS I can handle . . . Daddy and I are HOT!"

3 months old and life adjusts around us!

Happy 3 month birthday Gracie Girl!! Everyday your personality comes out more and more and everyday I love you even more than the day before if that is possible! We have our ups and downs you and I! This AM you woke me up at 4am sobbing and when I (very cranky and frustrated) picked you up you buried your face in my shoulder and just sighed . . . it may have been the best sound I have ever heard in my life. When you "re-awoke" at 9am you laid in you crib and babbled to yourself for 30 mins before I picked you up . . .the smile you gave me when I walked in the room was priceless. Like you were saying "oh there you are . . . I was just telling the ceiling fan my political views". Today you refused to nap, cried for about an hour, and for the 3rd time in our relationship I cried along with you. I was tired and cranky and just wanted you to go to sleep. Then I sat down and you laid on my lap and batted your eyelashes and smiled and I realized my life will never be what it was 3 months ago . . .and I am better for it.

I love you more than you will ever know Gracie Girl . . . and when you are 16 and hate me because I didn't let you wear a mini skirt or get your belly button pierced like Auntie Caroline or your eye brow like Auntie Kathryn, I hope you read this. I hope you read it and know that you are my greatest achievement and life is complete because you exist. Love Always, your mommy

Happy Halloween from the Wiggle Worm!!

Well we had a day outfit and a costume for my little princess thanks to Kacee (can you send me a picture of Chloe in this when she was a babe?) and GiGi who got her costume! I mean have you ever seen a cuter wiggle worm? We knew this was the costume when we saw it because it is one of her daddy's nicknames for her!

I am proud to announce that I was at Target at 4:45 buying candy (hey at least I got a good deal at the last minute) and also heard maybe the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life. Are you ready? This dad was helping his two kids pick out costumes and said "you guys are being mighty picky since you it is Halloween today" so this little girl who was probably 3 held up a Snow White costume and he says " Yeah thats cool but you can't be Snow White you gotta be Snow Black"! See waiting till the last minute affords you memories like that!!!! Hilarious! Gracie Bear's costume arrived via UPS at 5pm. I am officially a top notch procrastinator!! We decided she didn't need many Snickers so we handed out candy instead of trick or treating!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Colin and Christina's Wedding!!

I am a little behind on my picture posting! Our dear friends, Colin and Christina got married on October 11th outside of Chicago! Colin and Christina found love in a very odd place . . . aboard the USS Enterprise in the Middle East! It was a wonderful weekend!! We flew up there and Gracie made her first airplane trip at 9 weeks!! She was a total trooper even though I was a nervous wreck because we flew standby and were the last 3 that made the flight and I had to sit separate from Jeff in a middle seat with a newborn! The ride home was better! Yikes!! Grandma Mary came with us so she could take care of the little "nugget" while we were in the wedding! Thanks again Grandma Mary! (I just realized we didn't get any pics of you and Gracie :-(

Christina was gorgeous (as always!) and Colin was adorable (don't worry Colin I won't tell everyone that you cried . . . a lot). it was honestly one of the most romantic and sweet ceremonies I have ever seen. It was really touching! All except me as the reader . . . I broke into hives and speed through it! Sorry guys!

We had a blast and loved getting to see some of our best friends that we had in Jacksonville! We love you guys so much and are so happy for you!!

Some things I have learned in 2 short months . . .

So . . . even thought my brain feels numb and I can't remember simple words like "dog" or "lunch" which amuses Jeff greatly when I get frustrated and say "you know what I mean!!" and he says "no really . . . I don't!" I guess "mom brain" is a very real thing! I thought I would share for my fave new mommies or mommies to be what I "have learned" Just call me O' Wise One :-)

1. Growth spurts suck: I read about them and thought "oh I wonder if I will know when she is having one". Oh yeah . . . you know. My sweet precious angel turns into Jaws. I mean every 2 hours she becomes like a teenage boy in search of boobs. She can't get enough . . . oh and naps . . forget it. She is far too famished . . . but she does have the energy to scream (thank goodness, we would hate for that not to happen!). These happen around 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 and 9 weeks (for Grace), and now 12 weeks. We love them!!
2. Burp cloths, Bibs, and Pacifiers oh my : Gracie's sweet Grandma Mary made her a ton of homemade burp clothes and then 2 dear friends also gave me monogrammed ones that were gorgeous (thanks Elena and Kacee!) I also received about 20 bibs. As a expectant mommy I was pleased to have so many but thought "when will I ever use all these?". The Spit Up Gods are laughing. Enter a baby with reflux like the Exorcist and who drools when she is hungry (kind of like her daddy) we go through them. So Lesson #2 . . . yes you really will need 72 burp clothes and 97 bibs. Question it now but thank me later!
3. Batteries: Whoa pump your breaks dirty birds . . . HA!! As far as batteries . . . go ahead and buy stock in Duracell. I mean I have never in my life gone through 5 packages of D batteries in 2 months. By them in every size . . . the swing and bouncer seat become your best friend. If they die and they will (like after 2 weeks) you will go into panic mode and so will the baby without her "swing fix". It is like "baby crack".
4. Your boobs: become such a major part of your day that they even start becoming a main part of your dreams. I dreamed last night that Jeff and were at a romantic dinner and i was topless. Just hanging out! People giving me dirty looks and I WAS offended . . . I mean didn't they know i was a mommy??
5. Sleep: Gracie now sleeps from about 8pm to 7am . . . yes since about 9 weeks (again she is advanced , I am pretty sure). However, I wake every hour to make sure she hasn't stopped breathing, spit up or pooped from one end of the nursery to the other, or stolen my car keys to go for a joy ride. Sleep and worry pretty much go hand in hand together. My suggestion a glass of wine and a Benadyril~ you will get some rest. Hey she is!
6. A smile changes it all: Even on the worst day . . . when you haven't put in your contacts for 2 days, brushed your teeth in 1, have smelly spit up all over you (and quite possibly poop because you smell it but kind find the source), and a baby who has decided today is the day to try for an Emmy in crying. When you think you have reached your limit . . . she stops crying and looks at you and smiles . . . and the world is perfect at that moment.

PS. I have also found that I now can not eat buttered popcorn . . . why you ask wait until your newborns diapers!! They smell the same.

Our New House!!

Jeff and I have always dreamed of building a house and looks like we can check that off!!! We are so excited we can't even stand it!! We have finally found our home after looking at every home for sale and rental in a 60 mile radius :-)! We are in love with our neighborhood (even though we are like the first to be there!) it has two huge lakes, walking trails, a playground, a park and more. Not to mention J's commute to work will now only be 8 minutes!!!! Yipppppeeeee!!! The 45-1hr. each way was really starting to exhaust him esp. because he could have an early Am flight with a two hour break and then a night flight . . . but be stuck there all day (all day being leaving here at 5am and getting home at 11pm)! We looked at this house when my mom was here and fell in love but it was out of our range . . . but blame it on the market and they came way down to our limitations, so it was an investment we had to make!! A little scary because we still own our Jacksonville house but real estate is an investment and we made the leap!

We also love that all the homes are Charleston/Craftsman style homes! Exactly what we wanted . . . so it has the old home look but all the new stuff!! I also love that there are only roads on the back of the homes so off your front porch you only see grass and trees and trails!! I will be having quite a few glasses of wine under my fan on the front porch that is for sure!!

Jeff when you read this please know how proud I am of you!!!!! You work so hard and are such an amazing person, it makes me so happy to see you so happy!! Thank you for everything you do for Gracie and me . . . we are so blessed to have you as our husband and daddy! I can't wait to start memories in our new home together! I love you.

Funnies for the moms

This is my fave company in the world, Mikwright. I have their cards, napkins, notepads etc. I thought the other moms might find these amusing! If you are in the Jacksonville area still you MUST go by my friends, Jonathan and David's store, ONE OF EACH!! It is in 5 POINTS near Riverside! They sell the Mikwright products there . . . not to mention Tyler Candles (my fave thing ever) and a million other amazing things!!! Miss you both and Bonnie too!

"I am starving and my mommy is a bad housekeeper!"

If these 2 pictures could talk is that what they would say?? We always used to laugh that the way Cooper begged total strangers for attention you would have thought we locked him in dark closet and never paid him one lick of attention! Well . . . Gracie is obviously trying to convince people she is under-fed. Her new fave pastime is cramming all of her fingers in her mouth and making the loudest slurping noise you have ever heard!! Like she is famished!! She is actually so sweet that when she wakes up from her naps she doesn't cry but does this . . . when I hear the slurping I know she is awake!The next picture clearly shows what happens when you are a one man show!! I have been so busy trying to take care of everything on my own and keep Gracie amused that laundry is way behind!! Way way behind! So this picture is priceless. She has on a yellow romper with monkeys on it, a pink sweater with a lamb on it, a different shade of pink hat with a bunny on it, and blue socks. Quite the fashion statement!!! you don't even want to know what my outfit looks like!! HA!!

Welcome to the World Jack Edward Halbert!!!!!

Jack Edward Halbert is here!!! He decided to grace his mommy and daddy with his presence 4 days late and had to be induced!! He he knows a good warm spot when he sees one, he is a smart boy already!! He was born on Sat. Oct 18th , weighing 7.6 lbs, and 20 1/4 inches long! I haven't talked to Kim yet but I hear mommy and baby are doing great from the proud daddy!! As soon as I get a picture I will post it! I am so excited for you guys and love you tons!! Baby Jack is going to be so blessed to have parents like you!!

Until I get a picture of the handsome Baby Jack here is one of Kimmy and I when we were both pregnant and they came for a visit!

My new guilty pleasure . . . and you call me a yankee?

First let me state for the record that I am not a Yankee. I am "mid-Atlantic" as Kathryn I have termed. We also say "Annapolis!" when toasting our wine just to drive John and Jeff crazy but that is besides the point!! John has taken to calling Kathryn the "cranky Yankee" which Jeff just thinks is the greatest thing HE HAS EVER HEARD! What is a person of "mid-Atlantic" statue? We are the best of both worlds!! We are part Yankee/part southern!

Anyway, my best friend and I somehow, some way both have left our Annapolis roots (after never dating Mids) to end up with two pilots in the Navy and Air Force both from Atlanta, GA. As I said we hear on a daily basis what southern gentlemen they are and how we were "townies", as if people try to get "saved" from Annapolis! They have watched Officer and a Gentlemen one too many times! Well . . . imgaine my delight when I saw that the next installment of Real Housewives was based in Atlanta. That's Hot-lanta for the rest of you!!!! Lets just say the Real Housewives don't so much portray the Atlanta Jeff tries to convince me he was raised in!! It portrays Atlanta as the "Black Hollywood" (their words not mine) and is an hour of cat fighting, gossip, greed, and over the top one liners and bad hair extensions. So . . . obvi it is like the best thing to ever happen to me!!!!!!!! I can't get enough and one of the characters (NeNe) and I are best friends she just doesn't know it yet! I have taken to using her one liners like 30 times a day. Including but not limited too, "ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Lord!", "They done left me chilly", and "I ain't afraid to put her back in her place, KONCK" (this one includes a hand gesture like your inserting something in place). WATCH IT, TIVO IT, DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO or be removed from my circle of friends!

Husband and cat missing. Reward for cat . . . .

Well not really . . . I have officially become one of "those people". I have always put my pets above all else. Including people. Cooper has always been the king of my palace and has been able to live a life of leisure whether that be lying on the couch, bed, dining room table (OK maybe not that far). I use to shake my head in amazement at the people who have a child and out goes the family pet for re-sale (excluding my couple of friends that issues with growling or even worse biting .. . that is 100% understandable) or those people who gave away their pet because their new husband/wife didn't like them, excuse me wasn't the pet around first? Plus, I think people that can be mean to pets have sociopathic tendencies. Well apparently I married a sociopath. While I love him . . . Jeff has the crazy hatred towards small animals.

It is beyond me . . anyway . . . he had for a while now clearly stated his dislike of my cat Mackie that I have had since I was 16. Mackie being on to Jeff's nasty nature took it upon himself to establish a clear line in the sand with Jeff by starting to pee on anything Jeff on the floor! While this pleased me greatly that the cat was smart enough to say" you don't like me . . . fine . . . try and get the smell out of this". I mean I could literally leave a pile of laundry that was all mine and then 1 shirt of Jeff's and the cat would pee on that! HILAR! Anyway . . . the battle over Mackie was becoming exhausting and Jeff was demanding it live outside which to me is unacceptable. His plan was to launch an overnight mission to Annapolis and leave it on my dad's doorstep. However, our dog sitter who lives in the country and has 6 cats and 7 dogs offered to take Mackie. so I am officially one of "those people" who gives away a pet to make another person happy. So Tuesday was a really hard day for me . . . Mackie didn't even look back . . . I think he was really over Jeff. At least I know he is only 20 minutes away and with a really good family. I can visit him anytime I want and sleep better knowing he is inside and warm.

Raz on the other hand might be up for sale soon since yesterday I was minding my own business feeding Gracie and I see him pounce on something . . . she comes out of the bushes with a squirrel. I scream and run outside (barefoot and lets not forget I was feeding . . . so the top region was out for all to see, I kid you not). He drags into the bushes and I run back inside to get a glass of water. I go back out and he standing over it and the little squirrel is bleeding and in shock. He blinks his eyelids at me . . . enter the tears, I hurl the full glass of water at RAZ to try and get her to give it up but she moves and I basically just hit the poor innocent squirrel dying with a glass full of water. No it is looking at me, blinking, and wet. (Apparently, my friends are sociopaths too because when they heard this story they were all laughing!) I run back inside and call Jeff to ask him how i can pick it up because I am going to take it to the vet. Jeff tells me I will be signing divorce papers if I spent hundreds of dollars to save a "rat with a bushy tail". So, I tell him he has to come right home to "finish it off" because I don't want it suffering. Apparently, his squadron also hates animals because they won't cancel a flight to allow this. HA! So he tells me to let the cat finish it off so it doesn't suffer. I go back in crying and sit on the couch to finish feeding Gracie (who was screaming the whole time because I ripped her from her feeding) and watch from the corner of me eye as Raz, the murderer, finishes Mr. Squirrel off. Remind me again why I love cats??

I am ready for my close up . . .

She is my daughter that is for sure . . .A. she is a nightmare when she is hungry B. She is a nightmare when she is sleepy C. She loves to cuddle and at night has to sleep with her forehead touching something (I do too, don't ask why because I don't know why) D. she hates to be cold and the number #1 reason we know she is my daughter is she poses for the camera!!! Everyone who knows me well as always given me a hard time for my standard head tilt camera pose. HA!! Here are some recent pics!

Hearts Around the World Are Breaking . . .

Have you ever???? I mean look at this pouty face after our most recent bath! I think she got more mad because I kept laughing because it was just so pathetic! I had to post it.

Sleeping Angel . . . Dreams of Breasts?

I could just stare at her for hours . . . and she talks in her sleep . . . she lets out these sighs and babbles that literally could melt the coldest heart!! Jeff and I like to guess what she is dreaming about when she gets these big smiles when she is sleeping. My guess . . . going to the potty . . . his guess . . . my chest because she loves to eat more than anything in the world. In fact when it is time for her to eat she can be screaming but when she sees me start unlayering my clothing she gets the biggest grin you have ever seen!! It is hilarious!!

We aren't big drinkers . . .

I need to post that because I was uploading pictures and had to laugh . . . the 3 last outings we have done with friends there are drinks in the pictures!! HA!! I am not going to lie . . . I dream of my evening wine after Gracie Bear has gone to sleep and I have a couple of hours to myself. The other night I got in the bathtub with the TV on HGTV and a BIG glass of wine and seriously wanted Jeff to let me sleep in there! I promised I wouldn't drown I just really didn't want to move! On a funny note of how much Jeff loves Gracie . . . when I was pregnant we wouldn't let me turn on the tv while I was in the bath . . . even thought it is tucked way back in a built in bookcase in the bathroom! After I had her I asked if I could NOW turn on the TV? His reply " OH yeah . . . no problem I just didn't want you to do it while you were pregnant"! REAL NICE CLARK! HA HA! I guess he should at least get credit for being SO honest!

Game Night at our house where I lost battle of the sexes for the 80th time to Jeff's team. He knows way too much about pantyhose and make-up . . . quite disturbing!

Look at her bunny slippers!!! Sunday Funday with the Whittingtons! The family that drinks together stays together . . .

Congrats Annie and Sammy!!!!!!!!!

Thomas Nolan Bluntzer was born a couple of weeks early at 8:20pm last night weighing 6lbs and 8 ozs (the same as Gracie!!) in Beaufort, SC!!! Mom, Sam and baby are doing great we hear and we couldn't be happier! We are so excited for them!!!! We love you both and know what amazing parents you will be! FYI: Ann was the adorable preggers one in the pictures below in DC. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! OK now you have to make a blog so we can read about him ALL the time!!!

More EARLY baby news: My friend Stacie had a big surprise last week . . . she went into labor 7 weeks early!!!! Her husband was still in Iraq and not due home till 10/8. They rushed him home and he got to the hospital to find her in full on labor!! He barely made it but was there to welcome a beautiful little girl named Quinn Addison! She was tiny tipping the scales at 4lbs but was breathing on her own and should be going home soon!! What a homecoming for Brent!

Now next up our Caroline and John and Kimmy and Matt!! We can't wait!!! I can't wait!!! XO, Kitty

Don't worry my little birthday spanks are coming . . .

So for my friends that have had birthdays since I gave birth you really got the short end of the stick. I am WAY BEHIND on my birthday spankings!! I promise to get on it soon! Don't think I love you anyless . . . or maybe I do since I am putting Gracie before you. Wow . . . maybe we should just end this now since I have no time for anything except dirty diapers and smelling like spolied milk all day (reflux rocks!!!)Smooches,The Kitty-Cat

Havard, Yale, Princeton . . . We are talking to them ALL!

8 weeks old and already a genius!!!!!!!!! Wait to the very end of the video to see her smile . . . may be the best thing EVER! You may want to turn the music off at the bottom if you want to hear audio!

Ummmm don't you want to just bite her?

Some of my new faves . . . we are trying to decide between for her birth announcements! We would love your vote. To do so vote at the top of the page!
Selection A.
Selection B.
Selection C.

An Amazing Wedding and an Amazing Night With Friends!

Congratulations to Nick and Elizabeth!! I am so behind on my blogging!! We went to our one of our best friends weddings over Labor Day weekend! I was nervous to leave Gracie overnight because she was only 3 weeks old (OK I cried for the first 30 mins in the car until Jeff got me a Frosty if I stopped crying) but Grandmother Mary took great care of her and we headed off to DC for a night with our amazing friends! The ol' Kingsville crowd was all together again! We had so many pictures we had to do 2 SLIDESHOWS! There is one at the bottom too.

Elizabeth was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen in my life! She was absolutely glowing and when I watched Nick grinning from ear to ear when she came down the alter I sobbed!! They are just so cute together! We are so happy for them and so happy to have Elizabeth in our lives now too! She says "obvi" and already got Gracie a monogrammed gift (you know how I love my monograms)so we are like long lost sisters!

Speaking of the kingsville gang we got to see our dear friends Ann and Sam, Ann is due with their baby Nolan next month!! She was a trooper all night with all of us drinking! Matt also made it but we missed Kimmie as she is past the time of traveling! Gordon, Everson, and Teddy were also there and all we needed was THE LUAU to complete the Kingsville reunion! The night ended with me almost divorcing Jeff over a cheese steak, Teddy ripping his pants and scaring some of the family members, and the boys having a run-in with the DC police . . . all and all about right.

On a sadder note . . . Nicky had to leave for Iraq like 4 days after the wedding so please keep him in your prayers! I know how that goes as Jeff's schedule was similar and it is not fun but the time will fly by hopefully and then you get to honeymoon! (Can I go too?)

The Day The World Stopped . . . the Day Gracie Smiled!

So, I have sworn that my little genius came out of the womb smiling but was reassured by both pediatricians (yes, I switched once already) that what I was witnessing was gas. They said it wasn't until 5-6 weeks that she might start to show recognition of who we are and may smile in response. Well today our little one was in her swing and had enough and Jeff and I both went to go get her and she looked up at us, stopped crying, and smiled. We thought "well that is the cutest little gas bubble we ever saw" but then she did it again. We seriously just spent an hour sitting on the couch with her staring at her and grinning like idiots every time she smiled back. A mad man could have run through the house hurling Gucci and Louis Vuitton at my feet and I wouldn't have noticed! Do not worry though she still does a perfect pouty face with her lower lip quivering when she is unhappy, and the way Jeff reacts to it I am trying to trademark it for myself to use on him.

I accidentally erased the better video so we don't have huge smiles here but little ones. She was kind of over it at this point! We do have great pics though! Scroll to the bottom to stop music player to hear the video!

I am trying to catch up!! Pictures from Stike Fighter Ball!

So, thank goodness Jeff is actually home for a day!! I may actually get around to uploading and ordering pictures! These are a couple from the Strike Fighter Ball for the F-18 Super Hornet community 2 weeks ago. Yes, that would be 2 weeks after I had her, thank goodness Grandmother Mary came up to babysit and we went and had a great time even though it was hard leaving her for the first time. My 3rd glass of wine calmed my fears though! HA!

Happy Birthday My Gracie Girl!!

WOW . . . my little girl is one month old today! I don't know if the time has flown because I am mentally and physically exhausted or because everyday I wake up more in love then the day before. I write this with tears in my eyes because she is the greatest thing that has ever happened to both of us(and cooper too . . . he loves chewing pacifiers and diapers!) I really never thought I could love anything this much. Everyone told me what it would be like . . . and I believed them but really thought I would secretly begrudge her (hey i am a very selfish person sometimes) and miss my old body, my sleep, my alone time with Jeff and lets not forget my money! HA! Well . . . Jeff has been working 14 hour days all week, I haven't showered in 4 days (seriously), haven't talked to any of my girlfriends on the phone in 2 weeks, and still can't look at my stomach without sighing, and haven't slept more then 2 hours at a time (growth spurts suck!) and I have cried 2 times in two days but I am happier than I ever dreamed.

So to all my girlfriends expecting in the next couple of months . . . it has taken me 3 hours to write this one paragraph as I have been summoned by the princess every 5 minutes it really is "a love you can not describe" as Kacee said. She is right . . . I can't describe it . . . and I can't wait for you to experience it. Life is good. Happy One Month Birthday My Amazing Grace!