Not a Fan of Mobile Blogging

Hello! This post is brought to you by the kindle fire. I don't prefer mobile blogging, but at the moment this is my only option. Remember how I mentioned the campus IT department was working on my laptop.....well, the hard drive failed, so my Mac book pro is at the apple store being repaired. I have a lot to say, but typing on this device for more than a minute is too much for me. I'LL leave you with a picture of Dakota napping, while I ran on the treadmill.

The I* Word - *Injured & My Week in Photos

I'll cry about my injury later, but first this...

The day my complimentary sirus subscription ends, is going to be a sad day. As much as I'd like to renew it, I don't see that happening. I don't recall what the exact numbers where, to keep it, but I remember thinking, no way, am I going to pay that each month for radio. 

But I can enjoy it, while I still have it....At the moment, my favorite station is ALT Nation. It's alternative music, I rarely hear on the radio. Shins, Silversun Pickups, Matt and Kim, and more.

It's been a photo-tastic week, at home and at work.

This week, I've been taking headshots of faculty and staff. I don't have a studio, so this is my make-shift studio. It gets the job done. At the end of the day, I put my equipment away and the area is used as a skills lab, for nursing students.

My Ankle's Giving Me Grief
When it comes to running, I've dealt with sore muscles, cranky pain that has lasted a few days, and I've had to sit out for a few months because of pregnancy. but I've never had a full blown injury ===== WEll, not until now. 

I'm going on two weeks with my ankles feeling like crap. I think it's a combination of two things: 
1. Getting back into running, after having to take time off (pregnancy) 
2. My running shoes

I got these shoes right before I stopped running. However, I used them all the time for cross training, but I don't think they agree with my running feet. The other week, I ran 10 miles (not all at once, over the course of a week) in them and that's when the problems started. 

When I get to the point, when I'm feeling well enough to run again, I'm going to go back to using my old running shoes. They have a ton of miles on them, but I think it will be better than wearing the Altra's. In the meantime, I need to heal and decide what kind of running shoes I will buy next.  

Giving Sugar to a Baby

Every now and then, Dakota gets hiccups and I found this advice interesting. Has anyone ever tried using sugar to stop hiccups? I'll give it a try, the next time Dakota has a hiccup attack.

How I Prepare for the Work Week

My MacBook Pro is being encrypted by OIT, so I've been without a laptop for 24 hours. Thank goodness for other wi-fi devices. No telling when I'll get it back. I use it for the majority of my post-production work, so I really need it! Plus, I have precious photos of my girls on there.

This is my first full week, back at work.
I'm still tweaking my routine, but I think I'm on the right track.

Here are a few things I do to make home life easier during the work week:
I did some of the same things when we were a family of three, but I feel like I've had to step up my game a notch, since having Dakota.
- Monday, I make sure every room in the house is clean and I wash every single load of laundry -- that means folding it, hanging it, everything. Before I  had Dakota, I would do laundry mid-week, but now I really want to avoid that.
 - On the weekends, I go grocery shopping and I budget/pay bills for the week
- Monday, I pack lunches for the week. Salads, veggies, fruits, and cheese...They seem to store well in containers for five days. I even pack my breakfast for the week. Hard boiled eggs and bananas are my new go to breakfast. It's portable and easy to eat at my desk. However, I wish boiled eggs didn't stink so much.
- Tuesday thru Thursday, I try to make dinner that is fast and easy. Lettuce wraps, sandwiches, Taco Salad, breakfast for dinner, Pizza Subs, Salads etc....
- I put all items like backpacks, camera gear, non-perishable food, sweaters -- basically any item that needs to go to work, I put it right by the door - so I won't forget it.

I feel like I have to be on top of all the above items or my entire week will fall apart. I hate coming home from work and seeing a dirty house, I hate doing laundry during the week, I hate spending a lot of time in the kitchen making dinner, I hate having to prep lunches every night, I hate having to worry about paying bills when I come home, I hate it when I'm late to work because I had to cook breakfast, BUT I LOVE spending time in the evenings with my family -- that's why I have to do everything on my days off. It makes my work week sail.

Do you have any tips or tricks to gear you up for a busy week?

Sweet Dakota is 8 Weeks Old

I can't get enough of her smile. She doesn't smile all the time, but when she does, her face lights up.

Yeah, that's a good grin and some double chin action. Adorable!!!!

8 Week Snapshot
- She is still sleeping through the night
- When I talk, she usually turns her head in my direction.
- She enjoys bath time
- I don't think her eyes have settled yet, but they are leaning towards the grey spectrum
- She's not much of a crier, but when she does, her cry sounds like a cough
- She likes to gaze off and look at lights
- She seems more comfortable wearing onesies, than she does when I put dresses or shirts on her
- We don't normally put bows on her, so this is how we see her 95% of the time

Distracted by Devices

Trey's parents came into town for a short day trip. We met-up for lunch and then we just spent time visiting at the house. We sat next to each other and texted each other the entire time.

Even Ella, Cheyenne's doll, participated.
I'm just kidding, about the texting, but I thought this moment was worth capturing.

It seems like every time, the in-laws come to town we eat at Chuy's. I'm okay with that!

A Day at the Lake

Today, a group of us enjoyed the day, at Lake Granbury. We took a cooler full of water and lathered ourselves with a gallon of sunblock. 
Thank goodness, Trey brought his canopy. Dakota and I appreciated the shade.

Check out this beachfront. SAND!

And the cooooool water.

Dakota slept most of the time and only woke up to eat.


 

Thank You. No, Thank You. AND My Week in Photos

I've heard the more children you have, the more forgetful you become. Is that true? Maybe it is because for some insane reason, I paid my mortgage payment twice this month. DOH!

After talking to the bank and mortgage company we sorted it out and I will receive a refund with no penalties. Thank goodness!

After that whole debacle, I started browsing my banks website and come to find out, I have thousands of thank you points. Who knew??? With these thank you points, I can redeem them for electronics, clothes, jewelry, all kinds of cool stuff. They have my Nike watch and guess what? I have enough points to get another one, if I wanted (which I don't). I bet Trey wished he knew about the rewards program a few months ago. I think I might hoard the points for a ridiculous amount of time, so I can put it towards something big. Hmmm, maybe.

Show Me the Gold
I'm really getting into the Olympics and what makes it even better is I get to watch it live via streaming! I can't stream the events from home because I don't have a cable provider and to my understanding that's the only way to stream it. But my co-worker has a cable provider....

Yeah, really the only people who seem to care about the games are myself and one other co-worker. Therefore, we get to watch the games we are interested in. Today, was track and field, so I watched a few first round events (RUNNING) and the 10,000M women's final race.

This is my Olympic view. Go USA!!!! Bring home the Gold in everything! Ha!

I got this maid service ad in the mail. I was like, YEAH, I know! And then I called for my butler and maid and no one came.

You are looking at a portrait of me.
This is the artistic work of Cheyenne.
That's all I've got. Have a fantastic weekend!

Nerd Alert & Sleeping Patterns

The best thing to happen to me this week:
The University I work for is providing all employees a free membership to lynda.com.

Lynda offers online training of digital arts, like art software (photoshop, final cut, aperture), as well as different subjects, like photography, videography, design and web. I'm in NERD heaven!


Sleeping Patterns:
Dakota got the memo about me returning to work. This entire week, she's been onboard with an early bedtime, early rise, sleep all through the night -- sleeping schedule. This is how I found her this morning.

First Day Back at Work

My co-workers welcomed me back with a warm reception of hugs. It's good to be back, but my morning was stressful.

This picture is where I worked out, this morning. A little P90X, to start my day.

The Morning Rush:
I woke up like I planned, worked out, showered, and got dressed, but I underestimated the amount of time it would take to feed Dakota. I also realized Trey had parked behind me AND it was trash day AND the trash needed to be taken to the curb. It's going to take a few days or weeks, before I get this routine down.

The past 7 weeks, at home, have been amazing. I've created lifelong memories I will always cherish, but I think Chey was under the impression that I was going to stay at home with her permanently. This morning as I was rushing out the door, she broke down and started crying -- She said, "I want you!!!!" <------Breaks my heart! If anything, I thought this would be an easy transition for her. We've been here before. I've worked her entire 3.75 year old life. But it looks like there will be an adjustment period.

What I missed about work:

- My 30 minute commute (Meeeeee Time) 

- My spotify playlist 

- Eating lunch without any interruptions 

- Water Cooler Conversations. I have a feeling we'll be talking about the Olympics for a while. 

- Scheduled eating patterns - snacks and lunch all scheduled. 

- Routine!!!!!!!!!!!!

But you know, at the end of the day I look forward to seeing my girls. 

Strappin' & I Committed to a Winter Half Marathon

What do you do, when a baby wants to be held, but you need to get things done? You strap them on you and go about your usual business. I guess, Dakota just wanted to help with dinner.

How do you get a 3 year old to do anything you want her to do? Threaten to take away her prized possession, "her" kindle fire. In the process of cleaning she found her dress up accessories. I can't wait to show this picture to her boyfriends, when he gets older.

There's a Half Marathon in My Future
Earlier this morning, I registered for a half marathon, it's the Metro PCS Dallas Marathon. Two years ago, I raced that marathon, but back then, the race was called Dallas White Rock. I don't think I'll have 26.2 miles in me, so it's best to aim for a half. I'm glad I have a race to look forward to.

Have you guys been watching the Olympics? We watched swimming last night and those athletes have amazing bodies, it's motivating me to workout.

Laundry Maid

This little girl is happy because I taught her how to load clothes in the washer.

After we were done she asked, "What's next????" I'm brain washing her at a young age -- chores are fun. But really, when she's old enough to cook my plan is to never step in the kitchen again.

Yesterday, we celebrated Trentin's 4th birthday. It was smokin' hot outside. I want to say it was 200 degrees, that sounds accurate. I showered a few hours before the party, but afterwards I had to take another one.

Something Random About Me: 
When I'm all sweaty, I hate sitting on the sofa. I'll sit on the leather recliner and if that's not available, I'll resort to the floor.

She's growing too fast and looking less like a big baby and more like a little lady.

And this girl, is growing every hour. Ohhhh and this is one of the few pictures I have of her smiling. Expect more, though in the future.

Since Dakota is still floppy, she has to sit in her bouncy chair and watch us eat. One day, she'll be sturdy enough to sit in the high chair.

This stranger had the weekend off. Two weekends in a row, I could get use to that. I'm sure he could too.

My Week in Photos

This girl can sleep through anything, even this --
Front patio view. Tranquil. Peaceful.

This is me trying to get organized before returning to work. I cleaned the panty top to bottom. Monday, I'll work on the restrooms. I'm not looking forward to that.

When I finished a run, earlier in the week, I walked through this place. It's new construction, not too far from me. 5 bedrooms. 3 baths. How much you want to bet it's just a couple who will occupy this house??? You never know. There are only two people living in the mansion behind my house.

American Girl is really American China??? I'm so confused.
I will try to look pass that, only because the doll is so cute. I want an American Girl Doll too and I want her to look like me. That wouldn't be weird, an adult woman walking around with a doll. I don't think so. Soooooo....

I recognize those teeth marks. Cheyenne is such a snacker. If I'd let her eat all day, she would. 

 
Every time I think yoga is easy, I do it and I'm quickly reminded it's no joke. Lululemon offered a free yoga class this morning, so I dusted off my mat and hit it. It was a slow vinyasa flow, which for me translated to slow BURN. The instructor encouraged us to keep our eyes closed for the majority of the workout. Do you know how hard it is to keep your balance when you're in airplane??? I cheated  multiple times and opened my eyes, so I wouldn't fall on my face.

We got a new toy for the whole family to enjoy. I don't know what I think about the kindle fire. So, far it's been kind of quirky. Some of the apps just quit randomly and the Netflix app was starting and stopping movies, when it was in play mode. Maybe it was just the wi-fi connection, I don't know. It's still pretty new to me, so I'm going to play with it more, before I pass judgement. Also, how do I create folders? My apps are everywhere and not organized and it's driving me crazy!

Tea Time