Santa & the Cook's Children's Toy Drive

We went to a toy drive on December 13th sponosred by Coltom and his mom Katie. The drive benefitted Cook Children’s Medical Center. Sheri took a photo with Santa (and so did mommy!)


Jessica, Leah, Sheri and me at the Toy Drive with Santa!

Halloween 2009

Here are a few pics from our friends Rhi and Ike's Halloween Party!

YAY! (Tooth Appearing)

The top of one of Sheri's teeth has finally broken through her gums! DH was worried she'd end up toothless forever, LOL! On a random side note, she keeps trying to loan me her teether this morning- not my idea of a good snack!!

Aunt Jen's Visit

Sheri finally got to meet her 'auntie' Jen who lives in Philly!!

Sheri Waves/Happy Fourth of July!!

Sheri started waving on Independence Day!! Leave it to little miss to wait until she has an audience to demonstrate new skills!!

Sheri Drives the Grocery Cart

Here is Sheridan's first experience 'driving' the car on the front of the grocery cart. She's working on her learner's permit ;) They have new carts where there's a t.v. in the car now. Guess we'll have to try that one next time!

Uncle Tee got married this weekend!

Sheri's Uncle Tee (my big brother) has officially tied the knot!! I was a bridesmaid in the wedding party. Sheri wore a pretty pale green dress to coordinate with the wedding colors (she's got fantastic taste!)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sheri is hooked on Baby Signing Time!

Whenever we start up a Baby Signing Time DVD, Sheri is enthralled. It actually shocked me, as she doesn't watch many shows with so much interest. It's still pretty early on, so she's not trying to sign yet, but I can't wait until she does. It will be a wonderful way for us to communicate before she learns how to talk. The DVDs keep her captivated long enough for me to pump or start dinner. Rachel Acevedo-Coleman and the rest of the Signing Time crew have no clue how indebted I am to them!!

Happy Easter!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sheridan's First Park Playdate

Sheri loved spending time at the park today. She and I met up at Legacy Park in Arlington with another lady from our Dallas moms board and I think the little girls had a blast! Sheridan konked out before we even left the park. She played until she passed out (literally!) I can't wait for more fun at the park this weekend with an even bigger group of D/FW moms!

Click on the photo to open the slideshow!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Hey, mom- stop kissing me! I'm not Irish!!

There Once Was a Baby Who Never Napped After Noon...

Such could make the beginings of an interesting story, if that story weren't my current predicament and said 'baby' wasn't my child. Sheri is now what's called a 'supported sitter' (meaning she's not quite sitting up on her own yet.) Unfortunately for us, it also means that she doesn't want to lay down most of the time. She's discovered the world is a lot larger than she realized; filled with intrigue and wonders yet to be discovered by her drool-covered fists. Ever the independant child, she's always on the go, ready to flit from exersaucer to playmat to simply lying on her back, chewing on her rattle and kicking her plump little legs.

You would think I'd be ecstatic about her rapidly advancing mobility, but the disappearing afternoon nap gives me even less time to get things on my mental 'To Do' list accomplished. The better part of the morning is generally shot, by the time I get Sheri up for the day, dressed, fed and through a quick round of playtome before her morning nap, I'm already behind schedule. They say sleep when baby sleeps, but that rarely pans out in our house. Sheri's naptimes are used to eat, pump, take Sasha out, wash bottles, attempt to clean something around the house, search for a job, squeeze in my turn on Scrabble Beta, fix dinner, rinse and repeat.

As you might have noticed, the length of my general list far exceeds the amount of time my Munchkin now devotes to daytime sleep. As we speak, she's been up for nearly 3 hours and is currently kicking and cooing at the ceiling fan. Where has naptime gone? Will it ever return, bringing back with it the semblance of actually accomplishing tasks during the second half of my day? She used to get in four naps when she was with my mom during the day. Is being at home really so different? Why do we only manage one long morning nap, an afternoon nap and little to no more sleep until bedtime?


Today's 'To Do' List

1. Help dad with Sunday School Organizational Chart before noon bulletin deadline.

2. Look for and apply for at least 2 jobs.

3. Contact former employer about certificate to switch over to AJ's insurance AGAIN (this will be call #5.)

4. Make the bed.

5. Put away Sheri's folded clothes.

6. Cook dinner.

7. Feed Sasha/take for her afternoon walk.

8. Get the mail.

9. Pump at least 4 times; aim for 5-6 to boost supply.

10. Create brochure for church men's month ministry outreach.

11. Get Sheridan down for another nap.

So far, I've accomplished 1, half of 9 and I'm working on #10. 5-8 probably won't be done until AJ gets home. Number 11 was just accomplished after numerous attempts, a bottle, playing, patting, pleading and praying. Number 4 is now a joke. 2 and 3 will carry over to tomorrow. There's always tomorrow, right?

Happy Hearts Day!!

Sure, Valentine's Day is one of the 'Hallmark Holidays' that's geared far more towards capital generation than anything, but I'm still a sucker for romance! Here's Sheri playing with a bear at Nana's on Valentine's Day. Happy Hearts Day!!

New Year's Baby!

Sheridan (and AJ almost) rang in the New Year fast asleep. I woke Daddy up so he wouldn't miss the ball dropping on t.v. and we toasted with sparkling cider. Happy New Year!!

We had brunch at our place on New Year's Day. Here's Sheri with her uncle Darrion.