Time flies....

This particular post has many different meanings to me. For many different reason do I sit and think about time, and it is very basic...it flies by.

Time flies in short amounts (of days and hours)...Very easily most people can complain and admit that weekends are all too short, and I will be the first to say it about this past weekend. Not because I had to go back to work on Monday, because I didn't, but most of all because I feel like my time spent with Mikey and Lily alone are few in numbers. I could go on and on about the things I didn't like about this weekend, ie: too much time spent in the car, lack of sleep but really looking back at it was a super good time! Friday, Mike and I started our weekend out in Baltimore with Christie and Jurgens. It was a long ride from the city to B-more, but we were greeted with the warmth of Christie and Jurgens home, their wine and their food! Their meals are super impressive and extremely satisfying to my belly. This meal was stuffed pork loan with a fresh salad, squash soup, then a perfect ending with a taste of two different pies from a popular local joint. Thumbs up Bauers! The night didn't end with just dinner, it carried on with a card game, more wine, a board game, more wine, then beer, lots of chatting, then Christie and I over powering with our Oakton High School reminiscing as we browsed our Freshman year yearbook. WOW! My have we changed, but boy has time flown by. No we are not trying to be librarians for Halloween, this is just the new look of Christie and Lauren. Old much? Yea, that is what Jurgens said after taking the picture....thanks a lot :)Christie is such a good little host, always trying her best to be festive. She succeeded with her Halloween place setting and her gourd in which she served Jurgens delicious squash soup.Our weekend continued onto Saturday as we, again, got in the car to home, dropped the baby off with Grandpa, and ventured into Arlington for Cara and Phil's engagement party. It was also a joint party for Hollie and Trent. Casey, Cara's twin sister, and Lauren Bev did a great job hosting the party. There was great food, and great drinks! Mike and I had been looking forward to this night sans baby and we were prepared to live it up. We even made it out to a bar. All our years together with our friends have indeed flown by, and it was evident by celebrating an engagement! We are very lucky for the friends in our life and wish nothing but the best for Phil, Cara, Hollie and Trent!The weekend didn't end until Sunday evening when we were finally home in our bed. But before that, we carved pumpkins with Bev, and Leanne.I think she would smile at the camera if she wasn't always interested in putting things in her mouth...like leaves!

The finishing product...ours in the cat

Lauren, Leanne, and Lauren pose with Lily who doesn't seem too interested.

Time flies in months.... December 26, Lily entered this world, and I can't imagine my life without her. These 10 months that I have spent with her is the biggest blessing I have ever received! Her smile melts me, her baby voice is a sound you can't compare to even the most beautiful sound, her cry makes my heart skip, her tiny touch is so powerful and I have nothing but love when I think about her. I get choked up looking at this picture, writing this, and thinking about her. (not to mention I have some pretty melancholy music in the background..hehe) I am so proud of Lily and her achievements thus far, that I can't imagine my pride for her as she continues to grow. What achievements? Well, she can eat cheese all by herself, hold a sippy cup, crawl to the window and pull herself up to have a look outside, she can wave hello and goodbye, sign 'more' and 'all finished' when eating. It doesn't stop there...when you say 'I love you' to her, she opens her mouth says 'Ayyyye' and silently moves the rest of her mouth for '..love you', she says 'Dadadadadadadada' 'doooogh,' and 'hhhaaat' (it's cat though). When you say 'Dance Lily' she bounces and gives you the biggest smile. I look forward to so many more things that she shows, says and does each day!

Time flies in years...... Today it has been two years

since I married Mike. Today, I love him even more than the first day I met him! My love for him is special and nothing that I will ever share with someone else. He makes me smile! Thinking about our wedding day makes me smile and thinking about the rest of our life together makes me smile! Here's to forever with my best friend, Mike!

DON'T TAKE TIME FOR GRANTED!!!

One Main Reason why you don't bring your baby to work..

Yesterday was a bear! To paint a bit of a picture, so by the end of the story you REALLY feel sorry for me, it all started Monday night when I was called into work. You see, I was in denial and really hoping to not get the call for me to go into work, but with how busy we have been lately it was almost a shoe in I would need to be there. Anyways, I dragged my happy A$$ into work starting to feel the stress of what was on my table...

Tuesday I was to have 2 flu shot clinics (which I didn't have sitters for) and then I was to work 7p-7a. EEEK, WHAT WAS I THINKING! Clearly I didn't have a hold of time management. My flu clinic in the morning was in Fairfax, which thanks to the high heavens I found a lovely sitter, Mrs. Bevington. For the afternoon clinic I still had not found anyone so I called my supervisor and pleaded my case but offered that I could bring Lily along with me. 'Lily is such a good baby,' I said, 'she will just sit in her stroller and smile for the hour and half I am there.' To my surprise, my supervisor was okay with the idea she just wanted to double check with the company I would be going to. Again, to my surprise they too were okay with it. Secretly I was hoping she was going to tell me that we just needed to cancel the clinic.

Anyways, I was in a bit of a time crunch....my clinic in Fairfax was from 11-12 which I was adamant about leaving on time from because Mrs. Bevington had to leave at 12:30. Then my clinic in Alexandria was from 1-2:30 which I knew I would be a little late for, and would be hauling my baby with me. WOW, reeeal professional! I raced from Herndon to Alexandria and I swear every single road in NOVA is being worked on so my stress level was HIGH! Lily fell asleep for little nap which I was pleased with, because I needed her top notch! I arrived a little after 1 and was ready to do my business as normal (with my sidekick). Everyone in the office was super nice and just happy to have me give them their flu shots. Lily was a bit lethargic and definitely not acting like her normal vibrant self but she was still cute and she actually added distraction to those who were afraid of needles. When she became fussy and crying, the ladies in the office offered to hold her. I was totally fine with that because I just wanted her to be quiet and content! I could tell Lily was not into this scene, she had a blank stare, pale face and just silently sucked away on her paci. I ignored it until.......SHE PUKED!!! Alllllll over this nice ladies business suit. Not spit up, but throw up. I was mortified, red face, totally embarrassed but at the same time really upset that my baby obviously wasn't feeling well and she tried to tell me to the best of her baby ability. This women was a saint, she didn't seem concerned at all that for the rest of the day she would reek of throw up, instead she only wanted to help me change Lily and calm her down. I knew there was a reason I always packed extra clothes in my diaper bag, although I can honestly say I haven't had to use them until now.

Finally a couple hours later when we returned home and Lily still seemed under the weather, I took her temperature of 102.5. I called the pediatrician and they said to bring her in. They ruled out the flu for now but don't want to write it off, but with her vomitting she said it could just be a stomach bug or even a UTI(urinary tract infection). I willl continue to monitor her temp. to see if rises, but in the meantime she is sucking down Tylenol around the clock and resting her head on my chest like she never has before. Half of me loves the feeling of my baby needing my comfort but I also want to see her back to normal.

At the end of the day yesterday I couldn't help but think to myself....this is motherhood! Oh, AND don't bring your baby to work...hehe

Carter Mountain

A couple weekends back, Mike, Lily and I ventured into Charlottesville for a day of apple picking with the Peterson brothers and their wives/girlfriends. Our choice of orchard was Carter Mountain, and it's a mountain! We had the most beautiful weather among us, perfect blue skies, warmth of the sun and best of all the company of family. Unfortunately I forgot the appropriate stroller to go treking through the orchard, AND I forgot the baby backpack so Lily was passed around and the stroller was used for the apples. My niece Savannah put on her cutest little attitude and we had a blast walking around together. Her name for me is 'Dodo' and hearing her say it is music to my ears! She also has all the sudden really enjoyed the company of Lily and was very concerned for her safety each time we saw cars drive by, yelling 'Car Lily, Car Lily.' Baby Connor hung out, literally hung out, on Momma's chest snugli.

How could we resist posing the girls in their fall get-ups by the perfect fall barn house?

This one....not posed! I swear! Such cuteness!

Our little fall Family!

Her first pumpkin...I just want to squeeze that tush!

Lori, Alicia, and I with all the babes.

Cava Yummy!

Last night I endured over an hour drive into the city (with Jaime) to have dinner with the girls. Man, Ashburn sure is a hike away. It's no wonder people don't visit us all the time :) It was all worth it though, for the food, the wine, and especially the time with friends! We had dinner at a place called Cava Mezze, its a Greek restaurant near the capitol and one of Amanda and Is sorority Big Brother Anthony works there. He is the one who introduced it to the girls and suggested that we go. Unfortunately he wasn't working last night, but he was right by saying the food is amazing! It has great atmosphere and amazing food! Some of the food we enjoyed were scallops over risotto with cremini mushrooms, stuffed eggplant, a feta cheese delight, pork wraps and then we ended with some baklava. The ride home was pleasant as we drove through the city until I decided I had enough after hitting EVERY red light. How lucky we are to live so close to such a cultured, historical, famous city! If it weren't for the drive I would say I would like to eat dinner in the city more often! Thanks girls! Until our next outting....

Our fiery mozzarella cheese :)

Twenty Things....

In this day in age I have found that it is a cop out for friends to not keep in touch. Of course the daily grind does get in the way, but what I mean is 'THANK GOODNESS FOR EMAIL'...and the Internet. I have just finished reading my 6th email today from my high school girlfriends regarding '20 things' going on in their life right now. My genius friend Kate approached us (via email, since she is all the way in San Diego) last month with this idea of staying in touch by sending monthly emails with twenty things about yourself. You see, we are all good about stalking each other through facebook, reading each others blogs, saying 'hi, how are you?' on gchat, texting, and occasionally calling, but in all honesty we are all out of the loop with what is really going on in our lives. Since high school and college my close group of girls have all drifted, in closeness and distance, ranging from VA living, Texas, California, DC, NC, China even but clearly we all miss the company we once hand and what better way to salvage that than to truly stay in touch. The list of twenty things people have shared include the latest book they've read, their jobs, babies, what was for dinner last night, tonight, their travels, break-ups, hook-ups, and even the TMI of bathroom problems (Leanne :) ) The moral of this all...I encourage anyone in the same position as us to give it a try! I really feel like I now know a little more about my friends and it makes me miss and remember the times we have had. All our personalities shine through in the emails and it makes you feel like they are not so far away! Thank you, Kate for your brilliant idea and bringing MDH back in tact!!!

Some oldies, but goodies!!! MDH over the years (since Digital pics...I have plenty more I could scan in)

Probably one of our many nights at Don Pablos

Momma Scotts House

The First two to get engaged...we were so happy for them we got them CROCK POTS...HAHAHA

A classic pic of Allison and Andrew the first week of the beginning of the rest of their life!! Spring Break in SanDiego, CA...Radford girls meets cute Navy boy, they marry have a baby girl named Kenley! YAY!

Celebrating Christie and Jurgens Wedding 2007

My wedding, I know I have a pic of us all, but I can't find it!

Leanne and Gregs Wedding 2006

MDH Christmas...2006? Ornament exchange...Megan brings a wooden ornament (looks REALLY cheap) but she claims Momma Scott made it. Ok, so, now we all like it, good and sentimental....turns out she bought it at Michaels..classy Megs!

The bachelorette, 2006

Here's to many more MDH memories!!!

'We're having the Peterson's over '

A week ago tonight Mike, Lily and I, as a family, went over to Kristin and Ryan Reese's for dinner. College friends of both of ours, the four of us are the only ones to be married amongst Mike's group of friends from college. Kristin and Ryan married right after we graduated and then Mike and I two years later. We decided to be the guinea pig parents, but Kristin and Ryan are expecting a surprise baby mid October. Turns out we are at the point in our life when referring to each other we use our last names...what I mean is, when asked what Ryan was doing on Friday night by another friend he very casually said "Oh, we're having the Peterson's over for dinner..." Immediately he knew this particular single guy friend would have an easy shot back at him, making fun of his 'grown up' ways. "we're having the peterson's over???" I mean really, that is totally something my parents would say about their friends. Ryan thought..since when do we refer to each other by the last names? Why didn't he just say, "oh, Mike and Lauren are coming over for dinner?" I guess it's our mature side shining through, and guess what, we are now parents...weird. Ryan told us this story as we sat around the table reflecting on our current lifestyle, which we are all very content with...Dinner on a Friday night accompanied by a couple 'beverages', maybe some tv, then bed :)

The best part about it, the next day I was talking with my Mom and asked what her and Dad were doing later, she said... "We're having the Pott's over!" Dah, Dah, Dahhhhh That's all she wrote folks.

There's Something about Mary, Cheese Please, 3 DAY

There's Something About Mary.....or my Mom.....A TOTALLY serious Arlene, and your hair looks like this???? I believe this is a classic shot in place, and we probably couldn't replicate this if we tried! Sunday morning, after a 'too complicated and stupid to tell fight' with Mike over golf and work I decided I needed a little break. Luckily I already had an invitation in place for a boat ride with family friends Linda and Abby Potts and my Mom. With coffee in hand, sun roof down, the sun shining and satellite radio blaring I headed to my parents to pick Mom and Linda up, then to the Potomac River front we drove. The Potts dock a boat close to Occaquan, and it had been decided it was a girls day to cruise the river, dock at Tim's Rivershore and indulge in crabs and bloody mary's! It was the most perfect day for boating with clear blue skies, no humidity and just enough warmth that we were able to catch some of the last summer rays. I had a blast bonding with my Mom and even catching up with long time friend Abby! Thank you to these lovely ladies for making my day just right!!!!!

*Mike was so wonderful to have let me abandon him and Lily for the day...he said it was well deserved!

Momma and Me...I forgot my sunglasses and at the Marina they had extra..hence the crazy bug eyes

Linda and Abby

CRAB DELIGHT!

Seriously the best I had all season!



CHEESE PLEASE

OOOOOooo, yay Mom, I can eat cheese! I know this is not a huge milestone, BUT it was the first day that I fed Cheddar cheese, plain, to her. She loved it, and I am just so fascinated with her dexterity and development! Her aim for when she grabs onto things is not the best, but somehow she always manages to grasp onto the things she desires....in this case, cheese cubes :)

Sippy cup extraordinaire!

3-DAY

Monday evening...first day of training!

On this evening I had the privilege of beginning training with my dear friend Jaime. Training for what you might ask? Well, it is this November that Jaime will embark on the famous 3 Day, 60 mile walk in San Diego in support of Breast Cancer. Along side Jaime, three other Oaktoneers, Linda, Whitney and Cathy will also be walking. Jaime lost her Mom to breast cancer almost 3 years ago. Jaime has never failed to be a defining star of support and dedication, not only throughout the years of her Mom's fight, but also now through fundraising for Breast Cancer. She is my constant reminder that I can always do something better for people! I envy her strength and look forward to our daily/weekly walks up to November, when I will only have more pride for her and her journey!

Our walk was nothing short of a full work out! Almost 6 miles start to finish and we felt good! Lily was such a good baby, and I believe enjoyed her time to take in all the scenery of Reston! Tonight, Wednesday, we also walked for a little over an hour, replenished with some SUBWAY, and treated ourselves to my homemade Mint Chocolate Chip milkshakes (the next best thing to Mint Oreos in the freezer).

GOOD LUCK JAIME!!!!!