She must be 11 months old...

My little Buttercup rocks the chub.  Chubby little legs, chubby little cheeks, chubby little arms...she definitely rocks the chub.

Buttercup was also in the 97th percentile for height at her 4 month check-up.  (Her 6 month check-up is on Wednesday, new stats to come!)


Buttercup is on the right - just in case you couldn't figure it out :)

I had a dentist appointment last week.  While I was getting my teeth x-rayed they put Buttercup (in her carseat) in the hallway outside my room so that no stray radiation could hurt her.  While in the hallway 2 hygienists kept her company. 

As I'm listening to them baby talk to Buttercup I hear the one say "You must be right around 11 months old."

Right away (well as soon as my mouth is clear of the thing that they make you bite down on while getting x-rayed) I state "She's only 6 months old, her daddy is 6'7"."

Basketball scholarship anyone?

I just hope she doesn't get my coordination...or her daddy's...
The Woman With 4 First Names

Catch Phrase

I'm a fan of game nights.  I'm a HUGE fan of game nights that include a rousing round of Catch Phrase.

Please tell me that you've played before!?!?!

Can I share a Catch Phrase memory with you?

I can! Oh good!!

Several years ago during a guys versus gals round of Catch Phrase, my ladies and I were totally on the same wave length...

Mandy: It's the company that had the big oil spill...

Me: Exxon!

Mandy: No, no...

Me: Enron!

Mandy: YES!!

Several rounds later...

Me: It's the deaf or blind lady or the woman that taught the deaf or blind lady...

Mandy: Helen Keller

Me: No...

Mandy/Jess: Anne Sullivan

Me: No...

Jess: Anne Frank

Me: YES!!!

The boys really had no chance that night...even when we were off (oh so OFF) we were on!

Y'all rock!
The Woman With 4 First Names

Home Making

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon in the Sally home.  With golf commentary in the background and Buttercup's sound machine noises coming through the monitor, I page through a Parenting magazine and come across the following line in one of the articles...

"See, he's also neater and more organized than I am, and living with him can make me feel alternately like a rebellious teenager or an inept homemaker."

Whow. 

I have a confession, I am a terrible house keeper.  I love my house and love having a neat house and love having a house that's in order; but if left solely to me it would not happen.

Mustang is an amazing house keeper.  He is focused and strategic and is always thinking about what needs to get done.

At this point, just slightly over 2 years into our marriage, this is still a struggle for us.  I often feel as though I am not good enough and will never be able to do enough to make hubby happy.  Mustang often feels frustrated that things don't get done in a timely manner and like he is responsible for all the house stuff getting done.

So, what do we do?  We compromise...

I am called to love and serve and respect my husband.  He is called to love and serve and respect me.  We vowed to do this until "death do us part".

We do not get it perfect.  And I still often bounce between feeling like a rebellious teen and an inept homemaker.  But, where best to cultivate putting others in front of myself than in my very own home, with my very own husband.

I have to run now...the laundry is calling my name...
The Woman With 4 First Names

Date Night

Last night hubby and I went on a date.

Me and Hubby - Jan 2008

Our date started with a joyous car ride where I didn't do any backseat driving.  (Sorry Mustang!)

We ate Mexican food.  And split a margarita.  The margarita was delicious, the food was just okay.

After 2 years of marriage we finally used the second of 2 gift certificates we had to Sundance, an upscale movie theater.  The only movie theater I've ever been to that has an "amenity fee" - what does their $3 amenity fee cover?  We conversed with the couple that was sitting next to us (Sundance has reserved seating) and decided that if they are going to charge a $3 amenity fee they should give you a beer with your ticket...or at least a cookie.  As the lady of the couple said "their bathrooms are clean, but not that clean!"

Sundance was where we went on our very first movie date...we saw Juno.

Last night we saw The Help.  One word - amazing.  Another word - thought provoking (okay 2 words).  Another word - wow.  Need I say, I loved it!!  Go see this...and make sure you aren't a "Two Slice Hilly".

Much love!
The Woman With 4 First Names

PS - A special thanks to our sweet neighbors for watching Buttercup!

A Shout-Out

Urban Dictionary defines shout-out as:

1. A public expression of gratitude or thanks;
2. A kind mention of a homey. 

Personally, I prefer the second definition.  Today's shout-outs goes to my friends.  After spending the morning walking and talking with a dear friend. I've been reflecting on all the amazing friends God has put into my life.

My very first best friend was my wonderful cousin Hilary.  My childhood memories are filled with her, I can't remember (nor can my parents) a weekend that I wasn't begging to have her over.

Still dressing alike after all these years

I've lost touch with most people from my grade school, but Jamie and I will always have each other for reminiscing on movie dates!  Although we haven't had one in awhile Jamie's busy planning her wedding right now...so excited for her...and I've been a little busy myself with our new addition!!!



Julie, Jamie and Jess were a big help preparing the flowers at our wedding

High school was a harder time for me friend wise which makes it so amazing 10 years past high school to see all the amazing people that I get to experience life with.

During college I had many networks of different people that supported me throughout those 4.5 years.  I will always be indebted to LaLaT and Steven for their help while my family core changed.  These years also brought Kerri and Beth into my life and these two have had such a part in shaping my relationship with God and supporting me in the after college years.  Kerri (& hubby Brad) also had a hand in pointing out that Mustang was the man that I should be with!

Beth, Brad and Kerri 2009

Since college I've had the amazing luck to be placed in a job with great co-workers...Kathleen, Ann and Jenna I honestly don't even want to imagine what work would have been like without them at the beginning or now. 


Ann and I on a vacation trip to Florida - anyone for a nap?

And, last it brings me to all the people I have met through my church.  I believe in order to do them justice I will have to leave this post as "to be continued"...tune in for more shout-outs in the days/weeks/months to come...

~The Woman with 4 First Names

Balance???

It has been a long week at work.  As I continue to strive to balance motherhood and my career aspirations I often find myself 'failing' at both.  I have a lack of focus at work as I stare at the blue-eyed beauty on my computer screen and on my cubicle 'walls' and I worry when what I deem as 'the good opportunities' go to my co-workers who are in the office every day of the week.  I struggle to fully enjoy my time at home with Buttercup wondering what 'fire' I will have to put out the next day at work that maybe wouldn't have escalated if I had been there and I worry about keeping up with my co-workers when I am in the office fewer days.


Heart Melter

So, the question remains in my mind at least - "Is it possible to balance career aspirations and family as I seek to be a light in God's kingdom?"

I choose to have faith that it is possible.  After all, with Him who created all things all things are possible.  It just might not look like the way I believe it should.  Therefore, tonight I also choose to give my dreams to God...my desire to be a career woman and show my daughter that you can be a mom and have a career, my desire to be an awesome mom and help my kid(s) learn and explore and know God, my desire to be an amazing wife to a hubby who works hard everyday in everything he does, my desire to be a friend to those whose path crosses mine...and ask Him to lead me.

~The Woman with 4 First Names