Robbie reminded me a few days ago that we have yet to inform you that we have a new 2008 Toyota Highlander - yes, another one. After Robbie's accident that happened at the end of February, our insurance company declared that our beautiful SUV we bought in December was totaled. It was sad news since we loved everything about that vehicle and we knew with it being the beginning of 2009, it would be difficult to find an exact replacement for the same price we paid before. But fortunately, we were able to talk down a dealer in Grapevine, TX (about 3 hours from OKC) to a reasonable price and we drove down to get a new Highlander almost exactly like the one we had before. The main difference is that this one is black and our first one was gray.
It felt so great to have a second car again - FINALLY I had a way to get away from our apartment during the week! Unfortunately about 2 days after we bought it, the tire pressure warning light went off and we had to go get it checked out at a dealership here in OKC. The tire pressure was equal in all the tires, just overall a little low. So they aired them up and we were good to go. Then two days ago we were driving to church when three more warning lights went off - a check engine light, a VSC off light, and a skid warning light. It wasn't slick or raining so we knew that couldn't be the problem. We looked up the lights in the manual and there was no explanation. I was beginning to worry that we had a lemon on our hands.
So yesterday, since Robbie was working late, it was me (and Zaylee) who took the Highlander back to the dealership. I had never been there, so Robbie gave me directions. Bad directions. I ended up circling OKC on 3 different interstates before I found the dealership (thanks to my brother, Brian, who navigated my way via mapquest from his dorm room computer back at Purdue!). 45 minutes of driving to find out that our problem was a crooked gas cap. Guess who was the last one to gas up - well, it wasn't me or Zaylee. Thanks Robbie, just awesome.
So I guess I don't have a lemon, just a melon head of a husband (Sorry hon, I couldn't resist. I still love you.).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Easter Frills, Thrills, and Spills
Easter is just around the corner and with Zaylee at about 6 1/2 months old, it was the perfect time for her very first professional photo shoot! Yesterday, Robbie and I took Zaylee to Tulsa, OK so she could have pictures taken by our good friend Jenny. I got Zaylee all dolled up early yesterday morning and we were ready to go around 9 am. We met Jenny at a park that was covered with BEAUTIFUL flower gardens, ponds, waterfalls, and walkways. It was a beautiful day and the perfect setting for some cute outdoor pictures. I have to admit I was a little nervous about how Zaylee would do (I was hoping we could get some REALLY cute smiles), but I had no need to worry. In the first little set of pictures, Zaylee was sitting in a tiny wheelbarrow in front of a bed of tulips. She smiled and played with the tulips and was SOOO cute!! We were getting up to go on to the next spot when Robbie twisted an ankle and went tumbling down the rock walkway - with Zaylee in tow! It was like I was watching a slow motion movie as it happened, I was thinking, "Noooooooooo!!" Robbie really tore up his hand and knees, but thankfully Zaylee only withstood a small scratch under her left eye (which Jenny said she could easily photoshop out of the rest of the pictures). I was relieved that everyone was okay. Zaylee cried pretty hard - out of fright more than anything, but she was up and smiling and ready to go again within a few minutes. Unfortunately, Robbie needed a little more time to repair himself. The poor guy had a huge oozing gash in his hand and a very tender bruise on each knee (not to mention the twisted ankle!). Today he is doing much better.
The rest of the day went by without any more problems. Zaylee even got to take some indoor pictures with a live bunny named Thumper. She LOVED him, a little too much in fact, and we had to put Thumper away shortly after she decided that pulling on his ears and whiskers was fun. I'm SO excited to see how they turned out! We'll be updating you all soon on how you can view the pictures online and order prints if you want.
Well, as far as everything else going on, as far as we know this is officially our last week in our apartment. We are planning to close on our house Friday and move in on Saturday! Thankfully, we've already met some good friends here at church and on base who will be coming out to give us a hand and make that crazy process a little less hectic. Robbie's doing well in training right now. This past week he just started "practice flying" in the motion simulator, which seems to be going really well. He has a lot of time at home as well, which is really nice for me and Zaylee.
The animals are just their normal, crazy selves. They have no idea what the next week will bring. The kitties will have a new house to explore and our dog will FINALLY have a yard of his own again (complete with a little club/dog house at the base of the play set in the backyard!).
As for me, I'm doing okay, too. Our family has recently joined the "Y" here in Norman and I'm really enjoying the exercise! After 6 1/2 (+ 9) months, I'm finally starting to feel a little more like my pre-baby self. I think it will benefit the whole family for me to feel stronger and healthier than I have in the past (and it also helps relieve built up stress!). I'm so excited about finally getting into our house and starting the process of making it a home. Well, that's all for now! Bye!
The rest of the day went by without any more problems. Zaylee even got to take some indoor pictures with a live bunny named Thumper. She LOVED him, a little too much in fact, and we had to put Thumper away shortly after she decided that pulling on his ears and whiskers was fun. I'm SO excited to see how they turned out! We'll be updating you all soon on how you can view the pictures online and order prints if you want.
Well, as far as everything else going on, as far as we know this is officially our last week in our apartment. We are planning to close on our house Friday and move in on Saturday! Thankfully, we've already met some good friends here at church and on base who will be coming out to give us a hand and make that crazy process a little less hectic. Robbie's doing well in training right now. This past week he just started "practice flying" in the motion simulator, which seems to be going really well. He has a lot of time at home as well, which is really nice for me and Zaylee.
The animals are just their normal, crazy selves. They have no idea what the next week will bring. The kitties will have a new house to explore and our dog will FINALLY have a yard of his own again (complete with a little club/dog house at the base of the play set in the backyard!).
As for me, I'm doing okay, too. Our family has recently joined the "Y" here in Norman and I'm really enjoying the exercise! After 6 1/2 (+ 9) months, I'm finally starting to feel a little more like my pre-baby self. I think it will benefit the whole family for me to feel stronger and healthier than I have in the past (and it also helps relieve built up stress!). I'm so excited about finally getting into our house and starting the process of making it a home. Well, that's all for now! Bye!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Bunny Hop!
Here is an adorable video we took of Zaylee just a couple of nights ago. We call this pre-crawling move the "bunny hop dance". She just gets cuter and cuter!! Today we took her for her 6 month check-up; she weighed 15 lbs 11 oz (48th percentile) and was 26.1 inches tall (70th percentile). Overall, the nurse practitioner thought she looked great and was doing very well developmentally. We love her so much!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Pictures of our *New* Potential House
So this is our *New* potential house. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a two car garage and many other features you will see. Since it is a corner lot, the yard wraps around the house and is real spacious. The seller is leaving the fridge, play set, and shed, so all the furniture you see in the photos is not ours and is going. Cheers!
The first three pictures are various angles of our master bathroom (this will eventually be our big makeover room). Picture 1: The sink and mirror; picture 2: The commode corner (walk-in closet to the right); picture 3: The beautiful (not!) gold shower.
The next picture is of the newly remodeled hall bathroom.
The next couple of pictures are in the master bedroom. I love the two windows - and it also has a great ceiling fan.
Guest bedroom
Zaylee's new room!
The laundry room (which leads to the garage) has a large closet for storage and a clothes hanging rack.
This picture is of the entryway just to the right of the front door.
The new back splash in the kitchen:
The front door. The wallpaper will be coming down, but isn't the door beautiful!?
The next three pictures are of the living area. Picture 1: nice, big window in the living room. Picture 2: the ceiling fan and fireplace (and little Zaylee hoping this will be her new house!). Picture 3: left side of the fireplace and the entry into the dining room.
The kitchen has a cute little breakfast bar that opens into the living room.
The kitchen is spacious with lots of counterspace (and solid surface countertops, too!).
The dining area.
Another view of the dining area: windows open out into the screened-in porch and the back yard.
The next three pictures are views of one of our favorite features of the house: the screen-in porch! Picture 1: the ceiling fan for those hot summer days. Picture 2: left side of the porch. Picture 3: plenty of space for an outdoor dining area!
This is Zaylee's favorite part of the house - the swing set!
The first three pictures are various angles of our master bathroom (this will eventually be our big makeover room). Picture 1: The sink and mirror; picture 2: The commode corner (walk-in closet to the right); picture 3: The beautiful (not!) gold shower.
The next picture is of the newly remodeled hall bathroom.
The next couple of pictures are in the master bedroom. I love the two windows - and it also has a great ceiling fan.
Guest bedroom
Zaylee's new room!
The laundry room (which leads to the garage) has a large closet for storage and a clothes hanging rack.
This picture is of the entryway just to the right of the front door.
The new back splash in the kitchen:
The front door. The wallpaper will be coming down, but isn't the door beautiful!?
The next three pictures are of the living area. Picture 1: nice, big window in the living room. Picture 2: the ceiling fan and fireplace (and little Zaylee hoping this will be her new house!). Picture 3: left side of the fireplace and the entry into the dining room.
The kitchen has a cute little breakfast bar that opens into the living room.
The kitchen is spacious with lots of counterspace (and solid surface countertops, too!).
The dining area.
Another view of the dining area: windows open out into the screened-in porch and the back yard.
The next three pictures are views of one of our favorite features of the house: the screen-in porch! Picture 1: the ceiling fan for those hot summer days. Picture 2: left side of the porch. Picture 3: plenty of space for an outdoor dining area!
This is Zaylee's favorite part of the house - the swing set!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Our Growing Girl
We have uncovered the camera battery charger and I couldn't wait to do another photo shoot with Zaylee. There's also an adorable video of her, too! Enjoy!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Quick Zaylee Update...
So Amber gave a real thorough Zaylee update earlier today, but there were a couple of really cute developments tonight. I was holding our little chunky monkey when I got home from work and she was being her little cute self, just looking around and trying to grab everything, when... She looked right at Amber, leans forward, and says "Mom ma" - how incredibly awesome is that? She hasn't said it since, but she's also never put those two syllables together before, so in our opinion it was her first word. :) Also, while I was holding her, she grabed my finger and started sucking/munching on it and I felt the slightest hint of tooth - I'm pretty sure (and Amber confirmed it) that one of her front top teeth are starting to come it. You can't see it yet, but you can feel it! Ok, that's all for now... Later peeps.
A Zaylee Update!
It's been a while since I've devoted an entire post just to our precious little girl, Zaylee. She is now 5 months and 23 days old. As far as weight and height, I'll have to get back with you after her 6 month checkup next week (She weighed 13.7 lbs and was 25 in. long at her 4 month checkup). She's wearing anywhere from 9 to 18 month size clothing and size 3 shoes. Her hair is still growing and is getting blonder and thicker everyday. I can actually give her pigtails now, which requires a "big girl" brush (the baby comb/brush just can't do the job anymore). She got her first haircut (just a little trim in the back) yesterday. Her hair on top is probably about 4-5 inches long!
She still naps consistently 3 times a day (9:00, 12:00, and 3:00) and now puts herself to sleep! She goes to bed at 8:00 pm and wakes up around 7:00 every morning. She's started eating lots of solid foods in addition to nursing. So far she's tried oatmeal, rice cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, peas, green beans, beef w/gravy puree, pears, applesauce, pineapple, prunes, and oranges. The only ones we can tell are not her favorites are the beef and green beans. ^_^ All the others she loves!
As far as milestones go, she is now sitting up on her own for short periods of time. She can support herself on all fours, but hasn't quite figured out how to crawl (although she will definitely let you know that she wants to!). She can also support her weight while standing, but needs mommy or daddy to help with balance. She loves rolling around in open spaces, grabbing toys to shake and munch on, and taking baths in her big ducky bathtub. She's very curious and will grab ANYTHING that she can get her hands on, from daddy's magazine, to mommy's earrings, to Peyton's chew bone (uh-oh!). She has taken quite an interest in her furry brother and sisters (especially the kitties). She'll smile and turn to pet them anytime they come near. She has also become quite a talker! She'll wake up in the morning and after naps going "goo", "bah-bah-bah", "oooh", or lots of other cute combinations of sounds. Hasn't officially said her first words, but "da-da" isn't far off. ^_^
Zaylee, Peyton, and I now go on daily walks. She loves being outdoors and enjoying the wind on her face. Really, any type of outing is fun for her. She is such a people watcher and places like church, the grocery store, and the mall are some of her favorites places to be. She's not shy and will give a great big gummy smile (no, still no teeth) to anyone that tells her she's pretty (which of course is SO true!). Which reminds me, she's also become quite the little model, posing and smiling anytime a camera, camcorder, or cell phone shows up to take her picture.
Unfortunately, in the chaos of the move we have packed away the charger for our camera battery and have only been able to capture her on camcorder. As soon as I get some more pics, I'll post them!
She still naps consistently 3 times a day (9:00, 12:00, and 3:00) and now puts herself to sleep! She goes to bed at 8:00 pm and wakes up around 7:00 every morning. She's started eating lots of solid foods in addition to nursing. So far she's tried oatmeal, rice cereal, bananas, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, peas, green beans, beef w/gravy puree, pears, applesauce, pineapple, prunes, and oranges. The only ones we can tell are not her favorites are the beef and green beans. ^_^ All the others she loves!
As far as milestones go, she is now sitting up on her own for short periods of time. She can support herself on all fours, but hasn't quite figured out how to crawl (although she will definitely let you know that she wants to!). She can also support her weight while standing, but needs mommy or daddy to help with balance. She loves rolling around in open spaces, grabbing toys to shake and munch on, and taking baths in her big ducky bathtub. She's very curious and will grab ANYTHING that she can get her hands on, from daddy's magazine, to mommy's earrings, to Peyton's chew bone (uh-oh!). She has taken quite an interest in her furry brother and sisters (especially the kitties). She'll smile and turn to pet them anytime they come near. She has also become quite a talker! She'll wake up in the morning and after naps going "goo", "bah-bah-bah", "oooh", or lots of other cute combinations of sounds. Hasn't officially said her first words, but "da-da" isn't far off. ^_^
Zaylee, Peyton, and I now go on daily walks. She loves being outdoors and enjoying the wind on her face. Really, any type of outing is fun for her. She is such a people watcher and places like church, the grocery store, and the mall are some of her favorites places to be. She's not shy and will give a great big gummy smile (no, still no teeth) to anyone that tells her she's pretty (which of course is SO true!). Which reminds me, she's also become quite the little model, posing and smiling anytime a camera, camcorder, or cell phone shows up to take her picture.
Unfortunately, in the chaos of the move we have packed away the charger for our camera battery and have only been able to capture her on camcorder. As soon as I get some more pics, I'll post them!
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