Before We Were Parents

This is a picture of Stephen and I before we were parents. I found it on his Mom's computer here in Tallahassee. How odd it is for me to see this picture. So much has changed. I honestly can't even remember the last picture that Stephen and I even took together, or the 3 of us took together. I am not sure what happened, or how it didn't work. All I know is that I tried, and I am sorry that it didn't work out. I have a lot of regrets, as I am sure he does as well. But the past is the past, and what's done, is done.



The picture was taken at a club in Downtown Orlando a few days after we got together.

Mommy Paparazzi

Sometimes I wonder what I must look like to the outside world, or people watching me. I am ALWAYS trying to get Giuliana to SIT still or STAND still. Key word of course being STILL, which obviously does NOT always happen. I do try though. I also need to invest in a DSLR, but everytime I get ready to, something comes up and I can't get one. I am VOWING to get one when I get my taxes back. It's time. I would be able to get the few good ones I post a WHOLE lot quicker than what it currently takes me. Sometimes she even fights me. I try to make a game out of it, or sing songs so that she smiles and stands still, but somedays she just doesn't want her photo taken. Today, well, it wasn't THAT bad. It did take a few trys to be able to get the few I am posting, but it could have been a lot worse! The top shes wearing is a Gretchen Ellie Halter from the Matilda Jane art fair in Michigan over the summer. I love the fabric on the bodice of the top ;) We have a few things that this fabric is in because it looks so great on her!

Here is an example of what I mean.. The first picture was taken in the house while she watched Jacks Big Music Show on Noggin. Notice how shes ignoring me.


This one was taken in the car, leaving, because she would not stand still for a picture before we left...


SUCESSSSSS! After we got home, before nap time, she sat still in garage and let me take a picture of her :)


But, I was greedy and wanted ANOTHER one, and she sat still in Clara's wheel chair long enough for me to take a picture of her :D

Quality Time

Giuliana and I have had LOTS of quality time together this week and I have really enjoyed it. I didnt realize how much I missed her, and how much of her I was missing till this week. I layed off last week, so she's stayed home with me this week. We haven't done that since I was on maternity leave a year and a half ago. My how the time has gone by, but thats a whole nother post..

I have had the time to dress her pretty a few days this week and It's been fun ;) I've been able to get a few pictures of her. The first ones are ones I took this morning... She's wearing Matilda Jane, of course. It's the Holiday Knot top and Celery Ruffles, underneath she has a onsie on.

I like this one, I put her in her car seat and she was soo excited that we were going somewhere.


I just LOVE her ;) Seriously, what's not to love ;)


She's trying to break into Grandma's house here lol


This one is funny, everytime she says "cheese" she crinkles her nose up and smiles so sweet :)


I have more pictures but I have not uploaded them yet. When I get them uploaded, I'll post them. Allison is also almost done with the Holiday pictures that she took, and I'll post them too when I get them!!

A Little Game Of TAG!

Tag. You're It.

Casey from Birdie and The Queen Bee tagged me for 8 things about me - here are mine.


8 Favorite TV Shows:
I actually don't watch a lot of television)


1. LOST
2. Greys Anatomy
3. House
4. One Tree Hill (When I can catch it)
5. Law and Order Reruns
6. Las Vegas reruns
7. Lipstick Jungle
8. CSI Miami


8 Things I Look Forward to:


1. Reading TWILIGHT again ;)
2. Giuliana waking up in the morning
3. Sleep
4. Not having to go to work that day
5. Beach Vacations
6. Birthdays
7. Summertime
8. Being Online


8 Things on my Wish List


1. More Money
2. A good and happy life for Giuliana
3. My Sisters to know how much I really do love them, despite what they were told
4. For Vance to still be here
5. To OWN MY OWN HOUSE
6. To own more books
7. To go to Australia and Greece SOONER than later
8. To have more children someday, and maybe get married.


8 Things I did yesterday


1. Laundry
2. Showered
3. Took Giuliana to school
4. Went by the bank
5. Work
6. Finished Twilight
7. Chatted online a little
8. Went to bed early


8 Favorite Restaurants


1. Chilis
2. Panera
3. Olive Garden
4. Cheesecake Factory
5. California Pizza Kitchen
6. Firehouse Subs
7. Melting Pot
8. Any Fish House on the BEACH


8 Blogs I Follow:


1. Casey
2. Denise
3. Dawn
4. Aubrey
5. Siena
6. Allison
7. Erin
8. Melinda

Manic Monday...?

I wish that were true. I am not expecting much excitement today actually.

I am home now, and don't have to be at work for a few hours.

I managed to read the 3rd Twilight book, called Eclipse, yesterday. It wasn't that busy at work, obviously. But I did have to spend some time last night reading as well. It was a little over 600 pages. I am not sure what I am going to do once I get the series all finished. People I know who have read them, say I will re-read them. I suppose it's possible, and likely true. But I am going to try to find some other books I would like to read. I used to read everything that Nicholas Sparks' wrote. He's a great writer, in my opinion. I know he's put out a few books in the past few years that I have not yet read, so perhaps that's where I will start. I realized in getting into "Twilight" I renewed my love of reading. Now, If I can only manage to keep up with it.

Giuliana and I had our Holiday pictures taken yesterday in a local park. I am excited to see how they come out. I had 3 different outfits for her to wear, all Matilda Jane, of course. I took a few with her each time I changed her, and I hope that some of them come out cute. I never have enough pictures taken of her and I together and it would be nice to have one that we both looked good in for our Holiday cards that I am trying to make myself send out.. You all know how much I LOVE to do that sort of thing *haha!*

I don't have much else to report on, but here's a picture of Giuliana before we left yesterday morning.

Catch Up Time!!

I have been kinda MIA since before Thanksgiving. Sorry about that. I do have some new picture to post, and some things to fill everyone in on, but I don't really know how much time I'll have... So, I'll do my best.

Mark, Carol and Siena were here the week of my Birthday, and left just a few days before Thanksgiving. Mark took tons of pictures, and we even managed to have a Family photo taken. I only have that one to post right now, I emailed Carol to ask for the rest of them :) Some of the ones that Mark got of the girls together are adorable! While they were here we also all went to Church together with Grandma, which I know she really loved. It was nice to see them, and I hope they come back soon!! Giuliana sure loves playing with Miss Siena

Mark, Carol and Siena on the left. Erin, Giuliana and I down below. My Mother, Granny and Lori on the right side.


For Thanksgiving we went to Tallahassee to see Lori and Dave, AKA Nana and PopPop. It was fun, it always is. I left at 4am, and drove up there. Ill never do that again. I was falling asleep most of the way and seriously considered pulling over. Once Giuliana woke up, it was easier to stay alert. We sang songs and played the word game the rest of the way there. Thanksgiving dinner/lunch was lovely. Grandma Carol, Dave's Mother, started a new tradition this year. We each had to tell everyone what we were thankful for. So, It started with her, people started crying. Then it moved down the line. It got to me, and I of course was thankful to be EMPLOYED when so many people are not, and thankful for Giuliana who wouldn't hold my hand like she was supposed to. Then it was Dave's turn to say what he was thankful for, and he couldn't. He was all "choked up", so Lori had to take over. Before Lori even spoke the words, I knew what she was going to say, what Dave couldn't say. They were thankful for Giuliana. She said, and I'll prob never forget this either "We are thankful for our beautiful Granddaughter, and her Mother for taking such good care of her." At that point, she was crying, as was I. Without having to SAY it, I knew what she meant. I am sure everyone else did too, but it felt more like a secret between the 3 of us. It didn't feel like there were 20 other people watching us. (I'll post pictures tonight, I don't have them at the moment)

We are getting geared up for Christmas around here. Darlene put her tree up, and we have all started wraping and buying Christmas gifts. It's always fun to sit and try to think of what to get each person. I am glad that this year we decided to draw names with the Ketzel side because I would have been sitting for days trying to figure out what to buy everyone.

Here are some recent photos of Giuliana, from the past few weeks :) The first one is some Matilda Jane, of course.


The second picture is an Etsy, Loves Me Not Boutique, set I got in the mail. It's a dress that ties in the back and some leggings to go under it. I'm going to have Allison from Von Groveland Photography take some more of Giuliana in this Etsy set. It's so sweet on her.


This last picture is a knot top that was made by Erin, another Etsy designer, her blog is at the bottom of my page. The ruffles Giuliana wore are Matilda Jane Art Fair.