Wrightsville Beach

While the Wetzel's were in town visiting, we took them to Wrightsville Beach. It is the most adorable beach town with the most perfect beach houses. I wish I actually had some pictures to show off the actual town, but pics of my babe will have to suffice.

And you can never have enough pictures of a babe and her daddy...

Check out that bottom lip. She definitely doesn't get that from me.

Back to reality

Daniel started his first full day of work this morning. After two weeks of half days and two weeks of not going in at all, it's sad to see this little vacation come to an end. We have had a wonderful time, but it is also nice to get back into some sort of routine. I don't know what it is, but I become quite a blob whenever Daniel is home. Why would I want to be running around taking care of things when I could be sitting right next to him? Are non-military wives like this, or is it just because my husband isn't home much, so every second he is home I want to be glued to his side? And this is exactly why we need some more children. I just don't feel our life is chaotic enough. I thrive when it is chaotic.

Anyways...

We had a wonderful time in Myrtle Beach! A lot of Daniel's college friends came up (13 in all) and we stayed in the most amazing house. It was huge, with lots of bedrooms, lots of bathrooms, a big kitchen for cooking, a private pool right outside our door, and it was about 20 steps to the beach. We all got some sun, including Emily, who apparently tans better than anyone else in the family. She definitely loves the beach and the water, so we can't wait to take her back for more. It has finally started to feel like summer weather back at home, so I know we will make many trips to the beach (we are only 5-10 minutes away.) Last year at this time, I was about to pop out a youngster, so my beach-loving body was not very beach-loving at the time. Oh, but this year...

While on our way to Myrtle Beach, Emily learned how very fun it was to feed Roxy. Unfortunately, now Roxy ends up getting over half of Emily's food whenever it is mealtime.

This is something that Roxy loves, but us parents, not so much.

And, did you hear about the wildfires in SC? We drove right through them. They later had to close the exact highway we drove on because the fires had crossed it. Our beach house was south of the fires and luckily the winds were blowing north, so it didn't have any impact on our trip, but our heart does goes out to all of those who were affected.

I'm bad about following through with stuff

21 days? Whose idea was that? It was a bad idea, if you ask me.

Well, maybe it was a good idea. It just didn't work this time, but I will try it again soon. Maybe after this weekend? And, I actually think you have to do something for more that 21 days to make it a habit. Maybe it is 28? This will be a long 28 days (starting Monday, that is.) I have a lot to write about, though...

The in-laws trip to the Ferry (that is what us locals call this village we live in)

The night the Wetzel's watched Emily (the baby), so Daniel and I could go out and pretend we were in college again and hang out with Emily (the cousin)

Remembering what it felt like after a night of going out in college

Breaking out my new sewing machine and sewing my first toddler dress with LOTS of assistance from Mrs. Wetzel

Emily refusing to eat baby food and now only wanting big girl food

Our new car

Our trip to Myrtle Beach for an H-1 reunion



And that was all since last Friday. I'm sure you can see why I haven't posted the past couple of days.

Surf's up

The Wetzel's are turning Emily into a true surfer chic.All she needs now is a surfboard.

And maybe some swimming lessons.

This could only mean...

The Wetzel's are in town.

Unfortunately, they got here too late to enjoy Emily in all her glory.

Tomorrow should make for a fun day!

Emily's new best friend

Emily has recently taken a liking to this guy...Garret Biss was one of Daniel's beloved roommates at TBS (The Basic School). After almost two years, they have been reconnected and Daniel couldn't be happier. (Actually, as I type, they are at a bar up the street.) Garret just got stationed at Cherry Point, which is about an hour from us, and Daniel has enjoyed getting to hang out with him again. I have never seen Emily attach herself to someone like this. Unfortunately, he is quite a bit older, married, and expecting a baby (his wife, not him... obviously) in October. Maybe he can provide Emily a best friend more her age.

Plus, she already has a boyfriend.

Crossfit...

it's not just for marines.

Or at least that is what my husband likes to think.

For those of you who don't know, crossfit is some extreme workout program that is wildly popular in the marine community.

After a few weeks of coaxing, my husband convinced me to become his new crossfit partner.

180 lunges, 60 pull-ups (with some assistance), and 60 sit-ups later...

I can't move.

But I did it all in 20 minutes, 15 seconds.

Mike, what do you think?




Ali... you're next.

What an Egg-cellent Easter!

Emily woke up this morning to an Easter basket of goodies sent to us by Mimi. Emily was obviously excited about receiving such a cool gift.
My favorite part was the package of headbands. They will come in handy when Emily works out. The last thing you want when trying to shed those extra pounds is hair in the face.
Unfortunately, Emily Grace didn't think they were as cool as I did.
Then it was time to get ready for chuch. I have been waiting FOREVER to put her in this dress. I think I bought it back in September.
Then of course, Emily did what you are suppose to a nice dress... clean the floor.
When we arrived back from church, this little guy was waiting on our porch...
Roxy couldn't figure out what is was, though.
Then we took some family Easter pictures.
Then one with Mommy.
Then Emily decided to pull everything out of her diaper bag. I don't know where she got it from, but she has recently started posing for pictures this way. She throws her head back, thinking she is so cute.

The exciting thing about today is... it's not ever over! Our friends are coming over later for an Easter celebration. Like I said, today is one egg-cellent day.


I know I'm lame.

There is no room in my freezer

We eat really well in this family. Like REALLY well. Luckily for my husband, I love cooking. It's unlucky for me, though, because last time I was pregnant and had the WORST morning sickness, I put things in front of my husband that he probably ate in college, but now aren't accepted on our dinner table. I guess I have set some kind of awful standard.

Maybe I just love food. Yes... I think that is it. I only cook the good stuff, so I can eat the good stuff. But, whatever. I'm happy knowing that my husband doesn't eat better anywhere else.

This post isn't even about my husband. It's suppose to be about my daughter...

I started with store-bought, organic (I know, I know) baby food when Emily started on the solids. Then, I read an article somewhere about how you can't trust the quality of fruits and veggies that they use in baby food, even the organic stuff. I mean, if you think about it, there is no telling if the fruits or veggies are bruised or discolored. I decided if we got the best, then Emily should get the best, too, so now for the past couple of months, this is what my refrigerator has looked like...

Once I am finally starting to get the hang of making all my own baby food, she has to go and grow up on me and start progressing to real food.

I guess I will have more room in the freezer now.

I blame my husband...

Actually I blame Lucas.

And Neil.

And Brett.

And John.

These are the boys who sucked my husband into some kind of MLB Fantasy League.

Because of these guys, Daniel was glued to the computer for at least 5 hours tonight, not allowing me to blog.

I mean, what kind of husband keeps his wife from blogging?

I hope he wins.

Then I can spend all the money he takes from Lucas...

And Neil...

And Brett...

And John.

I feel that would be appropriate.

At least I got to take a sweet nap today with the babe...

It's been a good 4 months since we cuddled like this.

I miss that little body.

I need another...

Beep beep

We are both quite minimalists when it comes to kids' toys in our home. We basically don't believe in them. I, personally, much rather keep my house looking like the adults control it, rather than the kids' toys. Daniel is just cheap. Emily prefers to beat on diaper wipe boxes and play with measuring cups and spoons, so it really doesn't bother her. I believe these things foster more creativity, anyways. We recently bent our rules, though, for a cool car, of sorts, she could walk around pushing.

You might think my kids are deprived, but they will thank me in the future.

It's funny how I talk like I have more than one.

Has it really been 2 weeks?

I can't believe it has already been two weeks since Daniel got home. The time has flown by! Unfortunately, I have nothing to show for it. I have been living in some kind of haze. I really need to get better about posting on here, but what do I say? I feel like we haven't done that much. We are in that time period where Daniel is getting adjusted to this new life, and it really is new to him. When he left, we were on no kind of schedule, we could get out of the house whenever we wanted, and we definitely weren't chasing after Emily.

They say if you do something for 21 days it becomes a habit, so today starts 21 straight days of blog posts. I am hoping after that, the habit will stick. Plus, baseball season started and I need something new to preoccupy my time, since I lost my husband to the Astros.

Emily has changed so much and I haven't even been posting about it. She has 4 huge teeth now, and at least 2 more have broken the skin. She is pulling up on EVERYTHING, moving back and forth between close furniture, and has started taking some steps while holding onto things. She is talking up a storm -- everything is "dada" right now. And, she loves to dance to music. I guess I have some stuff to post about after all...