I think I am a Queen.. Kitchen Queen!

"In every woman there is a QUEEN. Speak to the Queen and the Queen will answer..."

Kitchen Queens is my once a month gathering with some of my great girlfriends! We make a dish that goes with that months theme! This months theme was Asian and it was GOOD! I made an Asian salad that was delish, and SUPER easy! I will post another post with the recipe.

My friend Amanda that is also my neighbor came with us girls tonight and it was so much fun having her! All of the girls thought she was adorable and can't wait for her to come back! My friend Rachel is due to have her baby in a few short weeks so we all were so excited to see her and rub that cute belly of hers! She was sporting a Franchescas outfit and looked amazing in it! She always does!

Evenings at the Park

I just love walks at the park. There is a new park in town called the "Bark Park" where it has a fenced in area for dogs and a huge area to run! They have made it so cute and enjoyable. I always told Chat that there needed to be a nice place to walk in the area and this happens to be my new favorite! Chad and I are going every night with Avery to get our exercises!

Yesterday I got some new clothes for Avery for fall/winter from a girl that works with Chad. Her daughter and Avery are exactly a year apart so the clothes will fit Avery perfect! I got so many, and they are all boutique/designer/Gymboree clothes and I got them for a fabulous deal! I love finding good deals, it makes my day!

We are entering Avery in a Teeny Tot contest in our town on Saturday so today I picked up a few goodies for her to wear! It's so diva, I can't wait for everyone to see! Enjoy the pic of Avery today, she is 7 weeks!

PS- I am about to have a blog makeover with a whole new look/layout/design so stay tuned for the new fun page!

Friends & Blogging

I want to first start off by saying I have the greatest friends in the world. When God blessed me a few short months ago with the job of staying home with Avery, I must admit that I was nervous. Nervous about what I was going to do with all the time on my hands, and more so about just being alone all of the time. I wasn't sure how I was going to handle that seeing that I am very out going and love being around people. I am not much of a home body although I like rainy days like today to just lay in my pjs all day, not take a shower, and find something to clean! I have just found recently that there are so many people that stay home for me to bond with and get to know. I feel SO blessed for that. On my own street, (2 neighbors, and a girl across the street), are 3 girls that stay at home with their babies, and 1 has another on the way! That itself is a blessing just knowing they too are home and doing the same job I am! I am going to start walking with 1 of them, just have to get the other 2 and we will be golden! Here is a shout out to Leah, Amanda, & Sara!

On top of that blogging has allowed me to get to know so many sweet girls that are in the same boat I am. I have yet to meet a few that live in NWA but plan to do so very soon. I have a good bud in St. Louis that I feel like I have known all my life. It's kind of weird! And both these girls I am talking about both had babies girl exactly a week after Avery. CRAZY!

The reason in me telling you all of this is because God answered my prayers. I was so scared of getting depressed and feeling alone and cooped up even though I opted for this job and wouldn't trade it for anything else in this world. The only job I want is being with my daughter everyday! So if you are feeling this way, get a blog. Make new friends! It's been a passion of mine over the past year to blog my heart out and share my ups and downs with people, my joys in life, and even at times my heartache. Some of the girls I talk to on here will be life long friends!

Speaking of, today I went to lunch with my friend Kelly and Melissa who both have blogs and are on my page. Miss Kelly is precious and will be on the news tonight about blogging so make sure and stop by her page tonight. She is a doll and has been a pleasure to get to know. Melissa has an awesome blog and has so many fun things to blog about! She's a sweet pea and we always have so many fun things to talk about. Check out our pics below!

Thanks to all my great friends, blogger friends, and new friends, old and new! Life has truly been a dream come true because of EACH of you!!!

Me, Melissa, Kelly, Harper, and Avery:

Date Night, BABY!!!

YIPPEE for DATE NIGHT!

The grandparents watched Avery tonight for us so we could go see the movie "Proposal". If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend that you do. It was a great comedy/love story! Love it and laughed through the entire movie.

Although I looked at Avery's picture every few seconds wondering what she was doing, I new she was in excellent hands and being spoiled rotten! Thank you Mamee and Papa Linam for watching our angel. We appreciate the night of fun and laughs!

Today Avery and I started off the morning fabulously. First and most important, she slept 8 hours last night! So I was feeling good at 6am and cooked me egg whites for breakfast. Then I took Avery on an hour stroller ride. I managed to do a few joggs in between, but mainly walked since this was my first BIG day to walk a far distance! I went up and down hills in our neighborhood and worked up a big sweat! It felt so good afterwards. We then made our way to eat lunch with Daddy at Camille's Cafe and then to the shoe store where I got tested for new running shoes. I ran on a treadmill for 15 seconds and they filmed me running. Since I am starting training for a 5K in October, I needed new shoes that were the RIGHT shoes. They aren't what I "wanted" but they are the best fit for my feet and most comfortable so that was what mattered the most... for $119.00 they better be good! The price we pay for comfort! I normally wouldn't spend that on tennies but to do this race I have to do it right... not in style! HA!

After lunch we went to Hobby to get crafts for hair bows! I am so busy making these suckers for so many people per their requests! I love being creative and making ALL kinds of them with all different materials etc... I am also going to be doing a booth with my friend Allisha at a big sale in Sept so stay tuned for more timing on that! We are making tutus and bows! I need a Hobby and I'm all about making some extra money. And while Avery sleeps I work, work, work!

Tomorrow is lunch with our blogger friends Kelly and Melissa! We are excited and ready to catch up... I'm sure we will have a picture for ya!

Girls Night Out

Saturday night was girls night with me and some of my girlfriends! We all got together and went to Bonefish for dinner and then Aloft aftewards to catch up and laugh! My friend Laura came back in town from Dallas for the weekend and I hadn't seen her in months! Her laughs as always was music to my ears! It was such a fabulous night. I am so blessed to be surrounded with great friends!

Chad watchd Avery and did amazing! He always does. They played and had a good ole' time! He golfed early and I watched her, and then it was girls night for me and he watched her! It's all about taking turns! ;) It worked out well for us I must say.

This evening is my brother in law Larry's Birthday so we are heading to see him and celebrate!! Larry is such a great brother in law, and is hilarious! He ALWAYS has a sweet smile on his face! Happy BDAY sweet LARRY!

Blissful Friday

Don't you just love Friday's? Even though I don't have a job... well I do, but just not in an office... I still LOVE Friday's. I look forward to the weekend and getting to spend time with my family. I love when Chad walks in the door on Friday knowing that we are about to have a weekend of fun with our newest addition.

I started my day with lunch. I had lunch with some girls that I use to work with at Marketing Drive. We all went to McAlisters and had a good time catching up. Cody enjoyed feeding Avery and we just all sat around and smiled at how cute she is! After lunch I went to Hobby Lobby to get some stuff to make a tutu and bow for my friend! It's going to be so cute so stay tuned for pics!

Tonight Chad, Avery, and I went to this little quaint burger place to eat in downtown Bentonville called, "The Station". We love small places like this to eat, and especially love it because it's downtown B'ville and so cute and relaxing. There were people in the park listening to live music and walking around. We just love that type of thing. Afterwards we went over to Aaron and Tiff's to see their awesome new boat! Tiff and Aaron are going on the lake tomorrow and are going fishing/skiing! So fun!

When we got home Chad went and ran. I haven't mentioned but he is training for a 1/2 marathon in October. I am so proud of him. He's running every night trying to get in shape and ready for the race. I haven't told anyone this either but I am going to begin training for a 5K. I am so excited! I am going tomorrow to get my feet checked and get the right running shoes because mine hurt my knee when I run, so apparently they aren't the right shoe! I am stoked and so pumped about getting back in shape. As of this week I have lost 25 lbs of my baby weight... breastfeeding is a huge help! I burn an extra 500 calories a day! But, I do eat more, but I have to for Avery. It's just all about eating the RIGHT kinds of foods and I'm working so hard to do that for her, and for me so I can get back in shape! I'm so excited!

Aaron and Tiff's new boat:








Me and Avery on the square:













Can you say delish? Splurged tonight!

21st GREAT GRANDCHILD

Avery makes my Grandmother's, (Mom's mom), 21st GREAT GRANDCHILD! Grandma has been in town with mom for a week and I have been going out to her house visiting with her on and off. We went to Hobby Lobby one day, and have just been enjoying some time together on the porch over looking the lake. Tonight we went out there to spend some time with her and enjoyed dinner and a nice cup of coffee. Grandma is so special.... she is 84 and looking wonderful! I just love her so much! She has such a love for the Lord, a tender heart, and great words of advice! Tonight I asked her all kinds of things... after all, she has 5 boys and 2 girls! My mom is one of the girls!

It's been a good day! Avery and I walked the Promenade mall twice! I got a good walk in while doing a little shopping! I had to get a BDAY gift for a friend! Avery did well, she fussed a few times but overall she was fabulous & loved being in the stroller! I popped my head in a few stores, and yes.. made a little purchase, (or 2)! I ran into my friend Danielle and it was SO good to see her! Can't wait to catch up with her and do lunch. She's one of my blogger friends too!

Oh yeah, I wanted to show you some awesome pictures of some things my mom made for my cousin who is having a girl in October! My mom is super talented and creative and did several things like this for Avery's room! We love making these letters! The "Bs" need switched in the pic below so there aren't too polka dot one's together, opps! You get the drift! Im in the process of making some cute things for her little gal!

Happy FRIDAY to everyone!

6 week check up... COMPLETE!

Today I went for my 6 week check up. Everything was GREAT! Doctor H said everything was good and that I was well on my way to a full recovery. He put me on a birth control.. we discussed options and I decided on a pill because the other option was a shot and that would make me gain weight, and the other was a long term birth control, so we are going to try this one! Have I mentioned to you how great my delivery was? Yeah, I am sure you heard that one a few times and want to slap me silly. But, it was awesome. Seeing Dr. H today reminded me how wonderful of a doctor he is and how great he made both me and Chad feel during the whole pregnancy process. I do have to say, I got a little teared up when I entered the elevator after my appt. Thinking about how my litttle Avery is now 6 weeks, and how I will no longer get to see all my girls up at the office. Here is a shout out to all of them, because I know they are reading my blog!!! Speaking of my girls, I got the most adorable outfit and bow from one of them.... it's precious! I thought I would take a picture and share! I am planning to put Avery in it tonight when Uncle Aaron and Aunt Tiff come over for dinner. Again, thanks to all the girls at Life Spring for making my doctor trips so memorable! I was going to take pics with the girls and then realized I left my camera at home- next time!

I went to Wally World (WMT) today and had a more than pleasant trip. I managed to actually get the car seat in the cart correctly, didn't have my huge diaper bag, (& didn't look like an idiot), and parked by a cart holder, haha! It was very pleasant and nice. I was hotter than heck dripping with sweat but the fact that Avery didn't cry and everything was good, I didn't care. Speaking of that, I did ask the doc when the hot flashes would go away and he said very soon... although the brain cells I have managed to lose are gone for ever... I am officially fried and can't remember A THING!

I have lunch with a friend tomorrow and Friday, then a girls night on Saturday where 8 of my girlfriends are all getting together to enjoy dinner at BoneFish! I cannot wait, my first real outing with the girls since Avery... Daddy is going to watch her so that should be fun!

6 weeks already????

Avery is now 6 weeks old. Wow... does time fly or what? Sadly enough, it does, WAY too fast! I can't believe the progress my girl has made in 6 short weeks of life. She has found her voice, her hands, her feet... she looks at us in the mirror constantly, she notices objects, people's faces, mommy and daddies voices, and has even started to smile a ton! She is cuter than a little button, let me tell you. I have way too much fun with her!

I feel so blessed to call myself a stay at home mom. Being home with my daughter is a full time job. I didn't realize it was this difficult, but it's completely worth it. Every single second of my day is revolved around her making sure that she is 100% comfortable at all times. We love being home and enjoying our mornings together. I love not having to rush out of bed and just laying her in her boppy pillow and watching her look at me. Sometimes we lay in bed until 11:00, but mainly on nights that I am up all hours and get 2 hours of sleep! I love singing songs to her when I change her diaper and she stares at me in the mirror! I love taking her on stroller rides and taking her out with me on dates! My favorite is Saturday mornings, Daddy is home and he just plays with her in bed all morning. He loves his baby so much!

There is so much I love, but more where that comes from for the future and days ahead. For now, we are just filming her like crazy, and taking in EVERY single second! Life is so good... God is so good. Thank you Lord for my precious baby girl....

Enjoy the fun pics! I made her the tutu and hair bow. I think of new creative things daily and find myself in Hobby Lobby buying ribbon! I just love making her things and crafting when she is asleep! It's so fun for me and knowing I am doing it for her makes it even better! Plus, I am saving SO much money making them myself, and can customize them to match her outfits! I have been going through her closet looking for outfits that need matching bows! I am crazy!

The bow I made:














The tutu I made for her:













Another cute bow I made:













What a dollface: