Baby Jackson

 Over the weekend, Billy and I traveled to Florence to meet Jackson.  He is just perfect!  While we were there I got to feed him twice and hold him for quite a while.  Surprisingly enough, I still do not have baby fever!  He is amazing, but still not ready for one of my own.

I even talked Billy into holding the little guy. Jackson slept almost the whole time we were there.

 I'd like to point out that Jackson has had an outfit change from the very first picture.  That's because he peed ALL OVER ME and himself!  One second he was sleeping and the next he was wide awake and my hand was soaking wet.  It was SO much pee!  Hilarious!  My shirt had to be washed and he had to have a wardrobe change.



I am so beyond happy for Crystal and Jordon.  They have been blessed with a perfectly healthy little boy just in time for Christmas.  God is so good!



And just in case you weren't in the Christmas spirit yet....

Oh baby, baby, it's a wild world

 My friend, Crystal had her beautiful baby boy today!  I haven't seen him yet so it is very surreal to me that my best friend since childhood now has a child herself!  Regardless, I couldn't be happier for her and Jordon, or more antsy to get up there and hold him! He was born at 5:28pm, weighing 8lbs 10oz and 20" long.

Jackson Randal

Proud Mommy and baby

Proud Papa and baby

Like I said, I haven't met him yet, so there isn't much to say (yet).  But I wanted to share the good news!!

Thanksgiving weekend

I have been off work for five days, and I feel like I may need just one more day to recuperate from this weekend! Wednesday I took off work to get an extra day and to do things around the house.  It rained ALL day!  I had to go to an Insight (cable company) store to exchange our remote.  Lucky for me it was right beside a Kroger, the day before Thanksgiving. In. the. rain.  Let's just say, it was a mad house and I was so thankful that I didn't have to grocery shop!

Thursday was Thanksgiving and we were super busy.  Our first stop was 10am at Billy's mother's house in Louisville.  I helped her cook a little and then we ate around noon.  We left there and went to Frankfort for my mom's get together.  From there we went to Shelbyville for Billy's dad's get together and then finally to Lawrenceburg for my dad's get together.  It was exhausting, but great to get to see everybody. I'm glad our family is close enough that we can squeeze everybody in! 

My sister, Leah, came home with me Thanksgiving night and we went Black Friday shopping. It was pure madness!  Here we are getting ready to leave my house at 11:30pm.  It was SNOWING at this point and I was seriously considering just staying home.

At midnight we were in line to get inside Old Navy in the mall. We actually didn't buy anything there so we walked around the rest of the mall and shopped at places that were open. We killed some time in Brookstone until Kohl's opened at 3:00am.

Here I am in Brookstone trying out a massager that made me look like an ox in a harness or something.  It was really awesome feeling though.

And here's Leah trying out some weird head massager.  Strange!

There were people as wide as the sidewalk wrapped all the way around Kohl's waiting to get in.  We waited in the car until 3 because it was just freezing!!

See all those people?  I'm really not sure how we all fit in there, but we did.

After waiting in line at Kohl's for probably an hour, we met Tiffany and Vicky at Target around 4:30am.  While they stood in line there Leah and I ran over to Meijer's around 5:00 to grab a Wii for myself.  I got one! I'm super excited about it.  At this point I had been awake for almost 24 hours and I realized it was time to call it quits when I almost lost it on our cashier.  He was being ridiculous, but still.  I restrained myself and we went home after grabbing some breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  I can honestly say that I shopped til I dropped.  I was awake longer than 24 hours and I was so tired that I couldn't fall asleep!

Saturday Billy and I put up our Christmas decorations, did some shopping together and ate at Outback.  It was the best meal I've had in a restaurant in a lloooooong time.  We will be going back!  Here we are waiting on our food.

Today, we did some more Christmas related things (secret!) and just tried to chill out from our busy weekend.  If this post wasn't already a million miles long I would say everything I'm thankful for, but I'll keep it short.

I'm thankful for my husband who has loved me unconditionally for about 9 years now!  Marrying him 2 years ago was the best decision I've ever made, and the best decision I will ever make.  He makes me happy everyday and never ceases to amaze me with his humor and compassion.

I'm thankful for my two fur babies, Laney and Cali.  Since we don't have children we treat them like our kids.  These dogs make me laugh daily!  Of course they're spoiled rotten.

I'm thankful for my family.  I have the best immediate and extended family.  On a related note I'm thankful for my husband's family.  I love them like my own!

I'm thankful for my friends.  We are all miles apart now, but all it takes is one phone call and I feel like no time has passed!  I am so lucky to have so many close friends.  I love you all!

Lastly, I think we're all thankful that this post is over :) 

The good wife

Today, my friends, I was a good wife.  I didn't cook a marvelous dinner, clean the house or touch a piece of dirty laundry...

All I did was call Insight, our cable company, and sign up for ESPNU.  On the very day that the Tennessee Vols played on, you guessed it, ESPNU!  I had been meaning to call and add this channel and cancel HBO for a few weeks and just kept forgetting.  Something today made me remember to call and in turn I got wife of the year award!  Not really, but it was much appreciated.  I can tell because my husband has been glued to the TV since the game came on at 9:30!

It's the little things, really.

Let the Christmas madness begin!

It seems to me that all things Christmas started much earlier this year than usual.  I started seeing Christmas commercials the day after Halloween!  One of my close friends has already put out most of her decorations and a house down the street is already decked out in full lights.

I should admit that I've jumped on the band wagon of Christmas-ing early.  My decorations aren't up, but I already started trying to get the perfect picture of Laney and Cali for our Christmas cards!  They're going to be cute, so be prepared!

I don't have a picture of last years Christmas card, but we had a picture of Laney on it and the message read "peace, love and pawprints"  I really love sending and getting picture cards so much more than boxed cards.  I even keep all the picture cards we're sent and sit them out the following year before we start getting new ones in the mail!  It is really neat to see how children have grown and families have changed year to year.  Plus, it feels much more personal to me to get a photo card.  Although the family may not write a single word, they sent a picture!  Pictures are so much more fun!

This year I'm using Shutterfly for our cards.  Their designs are beautiful and their prices are reasonable.  Here is a link to their Christmas cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

Here are some of my favorites, not including the one we will be sending!

I like the next card because it is a folded card so you can still write something.  I know some families include a letter that summarizes happenings for them throughout the year.  Cards such as this one allow for that.  Also, I like that this one has pictures that aren't necessarily 'holiday.'  You could add pictures all throughout the year to share.  That way people can see you and your family as you really are, not just decked out in holiday gear in front of a tree.  (Not that that would be bad either!)

Shutterfly also has great gifts such as wallcalendars and canvas wall art.  Whose grandmother or mother wouldn't love a calendar or wall canvas? 

No matter what kind of card you send, you can't go wrong with photo cards!

Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up:  http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

Our newest addition

I have neglected my blog in the worst way possible.  It's been MONTHS since I've posted!  I know, terrible.  No excuse!  Since I last posted we have added a new fur baby to our family.  Meet Cali...

Her and Laney had a love-hate relationship at first.  Specifically, Cali loved Laney and Laney hated Cali.  For the first week or so Laney seemed to be pretending that Cali didn't exist!  Slowly but surely, Cali has grown on her though and they can frequently be caught doing cute things like this...

We were told Cali is a Yorkie, but now that she's grown up a little bit, it's obvious she is mixed with something.  She is Yorkie-ish and just too cute. 

The day we got her we were trying to think of a name and Billy was sick of playing that game.  He started naming things he saw such as 'mailbox, sign, car.'  Then we were home and the TV was on ESPN.  They happened to be talking about the one and only John Calipari.... and Billy said 'Calipari.'  I suggested Cali and it just stuck.

We are so happy with our two doggies! I can't imagine life without them!

Moment of Silence for Cohen

T minus 30 days

I am in my cousins wedding in about 30 days. I think it is a great honor to be asked to be in someone's wedding, however it causes me great anxiety! All those people looking at me! I know they aren't really ALL looking at me, but at some point people will be looking.
The dress for this particular wedding isn't all that flattering. (Which is fine, it's not my day.) I have, however, been dieting and exercising and hoping! I've lost 6 pounds so far, but it's not at all what I'm shooting for. I have set some goals for myself and they are as follows:

10 lbs: pedicure
20 lbs: haircut
50 lbs: tattoo

OBVIOUSLY the tattoo is a long, long way away. As it seems, even the pedicure is a long way away! I'm being realistic about the weight loss by trying to lose 1 pound a week. Losing weight is hard work. Unless you're my husband. He eats whatever, whenever and doesn't gain much. He is trying to lose weight too though. And by 'trying to lose weight' I mean he cut out a couple large fries from McD's a week. Sheesh! It isn't helping my mood that I'm currently watching a show on TLC where they are making crazy things out of chocolate. Who do I do this to myself?

The day after my cousin's wedding we leave for vacation at the beach. I love the beach, but again, there are people looking at me! Maybe not as much as in a wedding, but I'm much more exposed so it feels worse. I ordered a swim suit from newport news, which looked a bajillion times better on the model. Who would have thought, right? It didn't help that I ordered it one size smaller than I am right now. Can you imagine?! haha! The goal is to fit into that swim suit by vacation. I'm not sure if that will happen, but I'll keep you posted.

Tomorrow is a primary election day so the hubby and I get off work 1/2 a day to vote! I would vote anyway, but it doesn't hurt to get 1/2 a day off! :)

Nadda

I haven't really posted in a while, not that anyone probably noticed! Our days are pretty much the same and they all tend to run together. This doesn't make for a good blog! We have had some almost interesting things going on, so I'll highlight those.

About a month ago, Billy and I switched from T-mobile to Sprint and got these snazzy little babies:*swirly fire not included


I am borderline obsessed with this phone! It has apps like the iPhone and it multi-tasks really well. Oh who am I kidding! The only thing I care about is checking Twitter and Facebook 14,029 times a day! It is good for that!

Last Friday, Billy and I traveled to Cincinnati to watch the Reds with some of his family.

We parked at Newport on the Levee and ate at a place called Arnie's. It was really good but way too much food! One thing I noticed is that Newport doesn't have a smoking ban in restaurants and I'd like to say I am not a fan! I had forgotten how gross it is to try to eat while it smells like smoke. At this point, it just seems normal to not have smoking in restaurants so I was a little caught off guard. Any-who! We walked from the Levee to the stadium and let me tell you this was a real deal walk! Walking across the bridge was pretty fun and I stole this picture on the way back of the field at night.
Last night the hubs and I went to the Louisville Bats game. They are actually the AAA team for the Cincinnati Reds. (How's that for a segue!) Last night just happened to be a little thing called Thirsty Thursday! It was packed since it was the first night, but never fear, we'll be returning next time and the next... and the next.

My car has been with my mechanic (who is great, by the way, if you are looking). I have been driving my grandmother's old car that now belongs to my mom. Here's a pic, so you'll get the full story:
I am so thankful I had a car to borrow, but I was missing my car by day one! I remember riding around Frankfort with my grandmother in this car and jammin' to Vince Gill with my grandfather with the windows rolled down waiting on my grandmother outside of JCPenny's. It was nice to take a trip down memory lane, but it wasn't nice to feel like I was driving a tank! Alas, my car is fixed and $400 later it is mine again!

Tomorrow is Thunder Over Louisville to kick-off the Derby celebration! Just don't tell my nephew, Cooper. He believes the fireworks are for his birthday! Too cute! I don't want to be there the day he finds out that the 'largest annual pyrotechnic display in North America' may be a bit over-the-top for one little boy's birthday celebration :) I will not be venturing downtown to watch by the river. I will instead view it on TV or from a friend's house with a view!

Shew, this marathon recap has worn me out! I think I'll go watch a movie on the couch with my honey and beagle!

I'm in mourning

Last night, the great state of Kentucky (the blue parts, at least) were all in mourning together. It's true, our Wildcats lost to WV in the elite eight. It really happened. I still can't believe it! But, it happened.

I know UK fans can be a bit extreme. We just love our Cats! Some people may come out pointing fingers and blame, but this UK fan is here to say that I am proud of our boys. They gave us a hell of a year! I mean, last year we were in the NIT and this year we not only made the NCAA tourney, but we were a #1 seed and in the Elite Eight! And don't forget about that little thing called "SEC Champions!" That is a turn-around if I've ever seen one!

Thanks guys for an incredible season!

Shannon's Seven

Ashley from The Happily Ever Afters of the Lancasters tagged everyone to follow her foot steps and share 7 things about themselves. I have been in a major blogging slump lately so I figured I'd join in!

1. I've got this dog, and I'm kinda in love with her. I've always had a dog growing up. I think it's so neat to see their different personalities. Laney is very calm (maybe too calm)! She gets excited when we go on walks and when she is given food. She is in love with her daddy so much that I get a little jealous from time to time. Regardless of who she loves more, we are both smitten with this little girl!

2. I love watching sports. College basketball is my favorite, but I also have found that I like pro football and pro baseball. Baseball is much better in person. I can hardly stand it on tv!


3. My job is not what I pictured myself doing and it isn't really what I picture myself doing forever, but it is just a job. At first I stressed about finding 'the' job that I would never mind getting up for. After nearly 2 years I've realized that I work to live, not live to work. Those are wise words from my husband! My job is just that, a job. Now, I don't hate my job by any means, but it isn't all fun and games either.

4. I like to always be in the middle of a good book. Starting books is something I put off, but I'm always excited to finish the story. If anyone can recommend a good read, I'm always looking for suggestions! I just finished the 3rd Harry Potter and I started Dear John by Nicholas Sparks this weekend. I would recommend Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Giffin. They are good, quick reads that you won't want to put down!

5. I have no idea how to style my hair! It is pretty much the same everyday. I have two faithfuls: pony tail and straightened. It's really sad, but I don't know what to do! I am currently in need of a hair cut more than I can express in words. Sad. Just sad!

6. Shopping is something that I l-o-v-e to do. I don't have to buy a thing. Just going shopping is enough to keep me happy for a while. When I do buy things, I feel so excited when I find a deal! This goes for everything; vacations, cars, houses. I just love a good deal! It doesn't hurt my feelings if I do find something not on sale, but I have to really really like it to get it!

7. I never thought I'd say this, but I would like to go back to school to get my masters. I haven't really decided what I will get it in or how I will finance this journey, but lately the idea doesn't disgust me like it once did! ha! Now, if the state would pay for it as they have in the past for state workers, I'd already be enrolled! I have checked and they aren't paying now and they don't know when they will again. If I had to guess it will be a while!

So there's my seven! I hope they were entertaining enough... I feel like they weren't. I'll throw in an 8th!

8. GO BIG BLUE! They may have given us a tough road in the NCAA tourney, but to be the best you have to beat the best!! (I'm a Kentucky Wildcat fan, in case you missed the memo)

The Oscars

Last night I watched The Academy Awards. I don't remember the last time I've watched them... but I had a good time none the less! It's amazing what I'll watch when Desperate Housewives isn't on. Sad! I don't really have anything to say about the show itself, but oh goodness the dresses! First, the worst in my opinion.

Oh no, Kate Winslet. This dress looks like two mismatched pieces of a prom ensemble gone wrong. Not a fan.
Miley, is that a bra with a shimmery skirt? I hope she didn't pay too much for that!

And here is my favorite:
That dress is so beautiful! Also, I believe that Demi is magic. How do you look that good at her age? I can say that she looks better than me... and most other twenty somethings I know!! What were your votes for best/worst dressed?

Go... vols?

Let me preface this post by stating that I bleed blue. I always have, and always will! My husband on the other hand, bleed orange? Pretty sure they don't use that catch phrase, but he is a UT Vols fan. Don't ask me why, I'll never know :) For Christmas I surprised him with tickets to the UT vs FL game in Tennessee. The UK vs UT tickets at UK are ridiculous to try to get, and they don't go on sale until 2/10. Plus, I thought we could make a weekend of it in Knoxville and Billy would get to see the Vols play at home in an SEC game. All the good intentions I had were ruined by the snow storm! This game was on January 31 aka the Sunday after a huge snow storm hit Knoxville. It turned out to be not as bad as they were predicting, but we stayed home on Saturday just in case. So that meant Sunday we drove down and back... lot of quality time in the car! lol

I had only ever been to UK games in Rupp, and let me tell you, the Vols arena was as big as Rupp but no where near as loud! There were a lot of times it was completely silent during play. It felt very strange to this Kentucky girl! The guy sitting beside me provided endless entertainment, however. If I heard "That's MONEY!" once, I heard it a million times! His other faves were "Get it to Prince and let him DO WORK!" along with "GIVE IT TO HIM!" and "This is my favorite line-up." If you were to tell me I was on candid camera, I would believe you! I was cracking up!!

All in all, we had a good time. The Vols won by ONE point! It was a pretty great game... although quiet. Billy was like a kid in a candy store! We have decided to make the trip down once a year to see the Vols play. Sadly, the UK game was only available for season ticket holders. I'm guessing they don't want all of us crazy UK fans buying up all their tickets. You know it would happen! Here are some pics of our TN day.
And here is the picture that will accompany my entry form for wife of the year 2010.
I know, I can't believe it either!! This is Billy's hoodie, I do not own any UT orange. I do cheer for TN now when they aren't playing UK. They're an SEC team, right?! At least it's not Louisville :)

Hello, lover.

What am I in love with? (Well, other than my husband, of course.) My brand new dishwasher! I'm not sure if you all are aware, but the Duncan household has been without a dishwasher for a full year! Luckily, I finally convinced Billy that his life would be much happier if we had a dishwasher. Mostly because I'll have one less thing to complain about! HA! Without further ado, I'd like you to meet my new love :)

That's her!

Or one very similar. It's a Whirlpool with some buttons and an Energy Star rating. I mean, shouldn't we all try to buy Energy Star at this point? I was surprised to discover while shopping that not all appliances are Energy Star! Anyway.

Sunday the hubs and I traveled to Lowe's to pick out my new baby. We had shopped around and Lowe's seemed to have the best prices. We picked her out and paid and scheduled a delivery for Monday! I was so excited! Who knew I could get so pumped about an appliance?? We then came home and unhooked the old dishwasher/bane of my existence. We got pretty far, but eventually had to call for help! Once help arrived it was unhooked in minutes. I'd like to think it was because of all our hard prep work, but probably not!

Monday arrived and I was anxiously awaiting the delivery. (Doesn't it sound like I'm talking about a baby?? lol) The guy called and said he'd be by within 20 minutes. COUNT DOWN! He arrived as promised and delivered the new guy and took the old one. I mentioned on twitter or facebook that I almost hugged him I was so happy! He may or may not have approved, we'll never know! Billy's uncle Bryan, aka life-saver, came over and hooked it up (after a run by yours truly to Home Depot for a part that wasn't included.) We're still having some small leaking issues, but hopefully we've fixed it with our last try! So sorry this post is so long about a dishwasher! I guess you'd have to understand how very much I despise washing dishes by hand to understand my excitement. :D

On a side note, I'm watching the Texas (1) vs Kansas St (9) game right now and Kansas St is up! I hope they hold out for the win! I'm SO glad college basketball is exciting again! It's all thanks to my CATS! Let's all say a little cheer for Kansas St!

2009 in review

January 2009: We got hard wood flooring in our dining room after owning the house for a full year! Embarrassing that we waited so long, but it was necessary! Also, the ice storm. OH THE ICE STORM. Most of Billy's family was without power for 3-5 days or longer. Luckily we didn't lose power, but our backyard looked like an ice forest.

February 2009: We celebrated Valentine's Day I'm sure. I think I remember driving around Louisville trying to find a restaurant with a wait under 2 hours. We failed! We ate ice cream for dinner instead and drove to Frankfort to pick up my car! I also bought my car this month, a 2005 Volkswagen Passat. She is a beauty!

March 2009: I don't remember anything from this month. I'm sure it was just great! haha

April 2009: I turned 23! We celebrated with friends and family.

May 2009: High school five year class reunion. OMG do I feel old! This was maybe in June, I can't remember!

June 2009: Billy turned 29. Our one year anniversary was also in June. We spent a day at Huber's Orchard and Winery, complete with a wine tasting! We bought a gas grill together as our gift. So worth it! Our air conditioner also broke this month. Possibly the hottest week of the year. What a bummer! Here we are at Huber's.

July 2009: Alex and I hosted a paintball wedding party for Lacey and John. It was quite possibly the best wedding shower ever! If you missed it, you truly missed out!

August 2009: Flooding in Louisville!! Luckily our house and the houses of our family members were spared. Downtown where we work, not so lucky! This month I also became an official state employee since my one year probation was up. We took a short trip to Gatlinburg, TN with Crystal and Jordon.

September 2009: Lacey and John were wed on 9/19/09. Before the wedding, there was the bachelorette party!!

October 2009: I went on a girl's vacation to Panama City Beach, FL with some women in my family. We lounged on the beach in 80 degree weather while Billy froze at home with weather in the 50's! Billy and I also ventured to Florence, KY to visit with Crystal and Jordon and attend their Halloween party. We went dressed as an old man and woman. On Halloween night my car was egged and our pumpkins were smashed. GREAT!

November 2009: New Moon was released and I went to a midnight showing with my SIL and a couple of her friends! I hadn't laughed as hard as we did at dinner in a good minute! Thanksgiving was also this month and it felt like our celebrations lasted for 3 days!

December 2009: During Christmas we opened too many presents and ate too much good food, but got the most enjoyment out of giving to others. I got a digital camera (Kodak MD81) that I am in love with, along with money to get my windows tinted and a start on my very own Mustang fund! Billy got TN basketball tickets, clothes, and money as well. New Year's Eve Lacey and John came over for a game night complete with Twilight Scene It that I got for Christmas :)

Our 2009 was busy, but blessed for sure! We are so lucky to be surrounded with our friends and family. My new year's resolution is to lose weight. I know it's cliche, but it needs to happen! I'm doing it healthy by exercising and eating right. I'm setting goals that I haven't set in stone yet, but I am excited to get started! Here's to making each moment count in 2010!