Christmas Eve!

So, here's the normal Christmas Eve agenda.
Christmas Eve service... followed by everyone in my family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. gathering back at my mom's for dinner. Normally lasagna, or something of the non-traditional sort. Then, following dinner, we all get really loud and hyper... and I mean chanting, screaming, shrieking, any sort of racket that comes with the frenzy of over-eating a bunch of fattening food you never let yourself eat, and getting new stuff you didn't have to pay for. Then we open presents from aunts, uncles, cousins... extended family. This normally doesn't end until at least 10 or 11, which usually is followed by movies, baking or just hanging out until we all decide to go home and go to bed. This year was a bit different, as Niles' family was in town. Their holiday tradition is somewhat different from the Cole family. A wee bit more laid-back. And, shall I say, quieter. =)
They usually go to Olive Garden for Christmas Eve dinner, and then go home to open their one present to each other. That's it! Much different from the normal chaos and insanity that I'm used to. But also much appreciated in these past couple years!!
Since the Holsingers were in town this year for the holidays, we decided to go ahead and do the Olive Garden tradition, and end up at my parents' house around 9 or so to join the crazies.
Here are the first pics from Reesey's first Christmas Eve
The obligatory Christmas Tree pose...


Olive Garden with Grandad


With her Uncle Grayson, whom she is CRRRazy about.


Just as a sidebar... When we Holsingers arrived at my parents' home, everyone was already seated, waiting for us to get there to open presents. As we trickled in, my entire family started screaming and clapping. Needless to say, I think Niles' family was a little shell-shocked!! I, on the other hand, jumped right into the screaming pit and started dancing and screaming like everyone else. It was awesome.
But here's Reese, and my cousin's daughter, Kiana, sitting on my dad's lap. He is the ultimate Grandpa.


Something you never thought you'd see...

Reesey's Favorite New Games

Playing with the dishwasher...


Emptying Mommy's Wallet...


And our new favorite, biting daddy's face.
She started off sweet... just laying with daddy, looking sweetly into his face...

and then, ATTACK!

a short break, letting daddy catch his breath


But, she's not quite done yet!!


She loves this game!!

PT Test

This blog is strictly for bragging purposes. My last boot camp class for this semester was yesterday morning, at 6am. Little did I know that we were taking our "PT Test". I couldn't tell you what that means, but it's important. You go through three rounds. One solid two-minute round each of situps and pushups, and then a two mile run. You get points for each round, according to the amount of repetitions you can do, and your time on the mile. The height of perfection is a 300. A score of 100 for each round. That doesn't necessarily mean 100 situps and 100 pushups. They (boot camp top dogs) have calculated how many pushups and situps each male or female SHOULD be able to do for their age group, and awarded points according to how many you do. A pushup is only counted if you go the distance to the floor that you are supposed to go. Also, you must do MAN pushups. No knees, ladies. If you do go to your knees, that's when you stop counting. So, if you get tired and feel like you have to break, you just hold your body straight. No dropping on your knees or you're "out". With situps, you have to always have your hands clasped behind your head, and you must always come completely up to your knees. Situps kill me. I have the hardest time with them. I have always been told you were supposed to do crunches, so who, for the last 10 years, has been doing situps?!?? A lot of people I guess. Just not me. Anyways, at the last PT Test, I did 50 something pushups, which is pretty good. THIS time, I did SIXTY TWO, thank you. Sit ups, last time, I grunted my way through 30. This time I did forty two!! Which was hard, hard, hard. Here's the cool part... On my last two-mile run, I ran it in 20:31. THIS time, I finished the two miles in a cool 17:45!! HECK, YEAH. Three minutes faster!! I'm pretty dang proud of myself.

So, like I said, the height of perfection is a score of 300. On the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders squad, a 280 is what you need to be on the "Power Squad". My score this time... a 240. So close, but gosh I've still got a ways to go.
But, my body fat percentage is 19.5%. Which, for a girl, is two and a half percentages towards LEAN!! Go me!!

Ramblings

I'm exhausted. This week is my first attempt at attending boot camp four times a week, as opposed to the usual three times. I had my third class this morning at 6, and I am beat, but feeling good and proud of myself. I know I talk about BC incessantly, but I have to say, I feel it's the best thing I've done for myself in a long, long, looong time. I'm investing in MYSELF. Not my baby, not my husband, not my family, my friends or my job... ME. I'm the one benefiting. And I'm challenging myself, all body, mind, and spirit. I've always been the girl who works out for several months, then quits for several months, and so on. This time, I feel so differently. I'm managing to create time for bettering myself, and everything else is falling in line around it. I feel quicker to the punch, capable, more confident, and just all-around more LIVELY. Shortly before my first class, I was feeling so down... so purposeless and just wondering what was going to be of me. I've come to the conclusion that once you become a mom, if you don't provide outlets for yourself to BE and to grow outside of being a mom, you can easily slip and slide into the mindset of feeling that your life does not belong to you at all anymore. (which, in a sense, it really doesn't... but you know what i mean) You can get very discouraged if only because of your exhaustion, and your sense of feeling overwhelmed at being NEEDED all the time. Or at least feeling needed all the time. I never thought it would be quite so tiring.

Let me put a little disclaimer here... I LOVE LOVE LOVE and adore my daughter. There is nothing that she could do or that she does to make me regret or even question her presence in my life. On the contrary, I can't imagine a life without her. It would seem so unfulfilling... so incomplete. If I woke up tomorrow and realized it had all been a dream, me and my husband would immediately try to have children. Trust me, we've had this conversation. NEVERTHELESS, it is a challenge... and it is hard. And there are days where I wonder if she will EVER go. down. for. her. flipping. nap!!! I will look constantly at the time and try to figure out how long till naptime... Luckily, I do have a child who is relatively good about naptime. But there are days. Lately, as of the last month or more, she has become extremely clingy, and really dependent on me especially. Not that this is unusual behavior for a child of ten months, but it can wear you out when every time you walk down the hallway, or into another room, you immediately hear crying and whining. Followed by the inevitable shuffling of little knees and hands on the floor in the general direction of where she thinks you might be. Despite my wishing she would be content playing on her own for a bit, I do have to smile when I hear her coming my way. Thus, the emotional roller coaster of motherhood. Lately, while we're home together, I'll go to "the ladies room" and while I'm in there, I hear her coming my way, and she'll stop in the doorway, peek her head in to see if I'm there, and get this huge smile on her face. Not totally in the bathroom... just peeking in. Maybe she realizes in some way that this is one place where mom needs a little privacy. She's so smart.

In other news... I'm ecstatic that it is Christmastime. I'm loving every second of it. I turn my tree on whenever I am at home, and for once, I'm actually proud of my tree!!! Even my Grinch-y husband seems to be enjoying Christmas this year, which is absolutely great. Not great, MARVELOUS. It's not that he's a grinch, although he kind of is... It's that, for one, he loves Thanksgiving, and he gets a bit defensive over the fact that immediately after Halloween the Christmas trees are out for sale, and everything seems to just skip right over November. For two, he hates the fact that people get so motivated buy buying presents. He can't stand crowds in the first place, so having to buy things for loved ones with money you normally don't have, in a mall where you normally don't like to be, with a bunch of people who are focused, and will run you over and kill your children if you threaten their chance at getting that last CD rack or Limited Edition whatever-Elmo, is not exactly his favorite thing to dol I'm sure it doesn't help that I gave him a list of ideas this year. =) But, hey, I knew he was having trouble thinking of something, and I ASKED him if he wanted ideas, and he said yes. SO, if he ever gives you the whole story about how I sent him a list, that, my friends, is the REAL STORY.

In other, other news... I FINALLY finished Marie Antoinette. I say finally, because it took me a nice, long, two months to read. Not that I regret it. I'm now feeling the need to research the entire French Revolution, as well as everyone involved, because I'm determined to find out whether it's justified to hate someone as much as the French hated her. If you are interested at all in reading historical biographies (i guess they are all technically historical) I would certainly recommend reading about her. Her life was fascinating, and tragic. The brutality of the French Revolution is nothing short of shocking, and the more I read about it now, the more I am horrified by the mob mentality during that time. I have been reading so much on Wikipedia while I'm at my computer during the day (working, of course), and I do mean all day. Because Wikipedia has this way of forcing you to click on nearly every link throughout every article, which then draws you into more articles... It's extremely addicting.

But not as addicting as this new computer game I found. JIGZONE.COM, people. Jigsaw puzzles online, are you kidding me!??!
Man, what a blessed life I lead. =)

Christmas Cards 2006

Okay, guys, I need your help. But it has to be quick... In fact, by the time you read this, I may have already compulsively chosen without you, BUT... I'm trying to pick the final picture for our FIRST family Christmas card!! And I can't decide. The best one, unfortunately (in my opinion) is the one where Niles isn't even looking at the camera, and I dont know if it looks odd or not...
So, anyway... bring on the constructive criticism!!

I'm certainly not opposed to using this one, regardless of the hanging child...


I'm thinking NO on this one, although Reese's face is hilarious.


And, one of my beautiful entire family. For good measure. =)

TURKEY DAY 06

THANKSGIVING GIRLS!!

Niles first attempt at gorging himself...
That one didn't quite do it... so here's plate #2...
Sufficiently stuffed...

Of course, we had to get the classic baby-in-the-leaves shot.
This is the real cool thing about my father-in-law... besides just being a composer extraordinaire, he collects model trains and builds these amazing structures...

I love...

Starbucks Christmas Blend!!!! YUM!!
See, EVERYTHING about Christmas is spectacular.

Boot Camp Blast

Last night was the last night of Boot Camp Blast. It's not a full "semester" of boot camp, it's kind of a preview for people who don't know if they want to commit to a full 4 weeks of the real deal. But it's equally hard, and equally challenging b/c there are no days off. Just four straight days of hard-hitting, ab-crunching, hella-pain-inducing working out. Sprints, pushups, boxing, jumping, running, crunching, up and down stairs, bear crawling, squatting then jumping... You name it, we did it.
My mile time is officially 8:50 right now. My goal for the end of the year is to do it in 8:30. I know twenty seconds doesn't sound like a lot, but when you're hitting that middle part, speeding up is the last thing you want to do!! I realized if I can just push past my first 4 or 5 minutes, I'm good to go for the rest of the mile, and I think I could probably go more if told to. Now, doing it on my own?!?! That's a different matter altogether. But I'll get there!!!
Anyways, this week, since Blast is considerably cheaper than real B.C., I convinced 6 friends to go with me! Lauren and her mom, Sherry, Pablo, Kristen, Meredith (my sis in law), and Brieanne. It was so great to have them there! Niles was convinced I wouldn't try as hard if I had friends with me, but I did!! And it was much more fun. It really helps to have your friends to get tortured with you. =) By the way, the guy in the picture is not Pablo, it's our instructor, A.J.

Weirdest Thing

Last night after boot camp I went to go tan. Yes, Jackie, I'm still tanning. Despite your well-meaning lecture. =) But I only go 2 or 3 times a week, if that makes you happier. SO, I go into the tanning salon, and the maybe 17 year old girl working lets me into the room, sets the timer, all that jazz. So, I'm just relaxing, listening to my music, eyes closed, oblivious to the world around me, etc. Then my timer goes off after 15 minutes, I open my eyes as the lights on the bed go out... Then I realize, the WHOLE PLACE is dark! ALL the lights in the entire building are out. WHAT?!?! It's so dark, in fact, that I am having to feel around on the floor for my clothes and trying to use the light from my iPod... I'm just hoping that Miss Seventeen is still in the building somewhere to let me out. Anyways, I finally am able to get dressed, feeling very awkward, and I hear some moving around in another part of the building. I'm thinking, maybe she left, and there were two of us still tanning and she just completely forgot about both of us! What if I'm locked in with a killer! Anyways, I walk to the front door, and sure enough, it's locked. So now I realize I just have to yell out to see if anyone is actually still here. So, I yell out Hello?!?! And stupid girl comes out, like, Ohh.. I was closing. She doesn't even apologize. That's all she says. "Ohhh, I was closing." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!??!!? I'm so annoyed. Niles was very upset. He was like, Call that manager immediately! I'm not sure if I'll do that or not, but maybe I should...
Isn't that just the weirdest thing ever?!?!?!

Updated Books to Read List

I read my old one... eeehhhh, not so much. Finished Wuthering Heights, not impressed. SO, here's my changes. =) And, I'm sure this won't be the last time.
1. Marie Antoinette - currently reading.
2. The Emperor's Children - I wouldn't necessarily consider this a challenging read, but maybe a nice quick time-killer while I'm in Tennessee for the holidays. =)
3. Under the Tuscan Sun
4. Anna Karenina - this was on the other one... I've been trying to get myself to read this forever, but it completely intimidates me.
5. Wicked - started this one like two years ago, and I can hear it screaming at me from across the room.
6. The Confident Woman - started this one about two weeks ago. The Christian self-help books always take me a while, and I usually read them in tandem with something else a little more interesting. =)
7. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - see above. May not necessarily be Christian, but the self-help part still applies.
8. A Prayer for Owen Meany - I know absolutely nothing about it, but if Jackie says it's good, I trust her. I trust anyone who writes well to give me good book advice.
9. The World According to Garp - I've heard of this book at random times throughout the past few years, but didn't know anything about it. ONce Jackie recommended the previous book, I saw that the author is the same, so I bought it. Can I tell you how much I LOVE Half-Price Books!?!?!?
10. Falling Angels - Again, I know nothing about it, but since it's written by the girl who wrote "The Girl with the Pearl Earring", I bought it. THAT is a great book.

So, since I'm talking books... Was anyone else disappointed with The Great Gatsby like I was?!?!?!?! I don't know why, but I had such a hard time reading this book, and understanding what was going on. Needless to say, it made me feel like a moron.

Memoirs of a Geisha... Wonderful.
Gone With the Wind... i've read it twice, my favorite of all time.
Thorn Birds... would never have read it, but a really literary elitist friend of mine read it in her book club, so I trusted her. It was a good decision because I could not put it down. It was one of those books that keeps you up all night long because you tell yourself you just want to finish this one... last... page...

The Baby Gap Casting Call Decision

I posted a blog on my myspace account (which is private, so if you're not on myspace, you won't be able to read it, sorry!) about a Baby Gap Casting Call, and I posted 6 pics of Reese and asked people to vote on which one to submit.
Since I noticed that most of the pictures I posted most recently were not smiley ones of her, I thought I would put some up.
The first one is the one I decided to send in. It's my alltime favorite... She's just woken up from a nap, with this crazy, flock of seagulls hairdo, and she was so happy and sweet! I love it.

The next few are just my favorites

Dear Tulipgirl...

So, as usual when someone has a different opinion from me, I get uber-defensive, and respond quickly, without taking into consideration their good intentions. This is an extremely common reaction from me. =) My husband will vouch for that.
Sorry for being a bit touchy, I understand you were not attacking me or my belief system, and I should probably just RESPECT the fact that you stand up for what you believe in and have made strides to show people what you stand for.
SOOOO... all that to say, TRUCE! I'm not a mean person, as I'm sure you're not either, so I will gladly and respectfully back down. I think we've both made our points and I apologize for coming across a bit (or a lot) defensive. =)
(One more note in my defense, I've not been a nice, joyful person for the last week... YOU know, THAT week. My husband will vouch for that, too. haha)

Halloween and Other Such Fun Days!

Reesey's first Halloween!! Since NIles isn't big on celebrating Halloween, I waited until the very last minute to get her costume, which ended up being a duck costume from Target! It was the only one left in her size. But it was still cute, of course. Anyways, we didn't plan much, but then there was this parade with all the kids in my parents' neighborhood, so I grabbed Reese (before she was dressed up, though) and we fake-marched in the parade. Which is the first picture. =)


The next pictures are her towards the end of the night... a sleepy little duck!! If you know her, you know that to get her to lay still and cuddle is a HUGE feat. She doesn't sit or lay still for two seconds ever, and she is not a cuddler at all. So every moment we get with her snuggling, we make the most of!!



Today Reese and I went and met up with my friends Stacey and Jackie, and their babies, Noah and Carson. This little get-together has been months in the making, b/c we can never get our schedules together, but it finally happened! There was this play area for babies and all these huge, fake breakfast foods made out of some squishy foam-like stuff. Anyways, it was very cute to see the kids playing together.

In Response...

Okay, so earlier I wrote a blog about what I recommend for November... Basically, some things I have tried and have worked for me, and THAT IS WHY I RECOMMEND THEM. Because they WORK FOR ME. I recommended the book Babywise for new parents, or just parents in general, and  I received a comment from someone I dont know, referring me to two websites that are basically created for the sole purpose of turning people away from Babywise.  

Since I did say in my blog that I realize babywise is not for everyone, I think it's safe to say that I realize that,... babywise is not for everyone!! And that's okay. Now that I'm a mom, and I understand that every person's child is different, their families are different, their lifestyles are different, and so on, I also understand that no matter what anyone says to me, if my baby is healthy and happy and progressing as should be, then whatever parenting style I'm using is working for me!!! SO, to all you non-babywise believers out there, TRUST ME, I am not uneducated, unwise, or unconcerned about my baby's welfare just because I use a parenting style you choose not  to conform to. Not all of use have to believe the same thing, and that is what makes this world so interesting, right?! Not every parent that uses Dr. Ezzo's methods are starved and malnourished, and if, in fact, they are, then the parents are the ones who are ineffective, NOT the parenting style. Just to put a few final nails in the coffin of this blog, if you don't believe that Babywise is all about flexibility, and not only Parentally-directing your child's feeding schedule, but responding to your baby's needs appropriately, you might want to actually read the book, and here are a few pages to help you out:: PP. 64-66, p.74, pp.35-36, just to name a few.  
"The parents' role is that of mediating between both the cue and the clock, the variable and constant, using parental assessment to decide when to feed based on actual need." p. 37

One final note, just to sum it all up... I would say that at least 75% of my friends have adhered in some form or fashion to the Babywise method, including a family friend who has TEN children, and probably pregnant again at this moment. While every baby is different, personality-wise, for the most part, they are all still on a schedule, very happy, and very healthy, both in weight and development.  I would also like to say that, I did not enter into this decision to use Babywise lightly. In fact, I probably read WAY TOO many books in my search for the right way to go about this motherhood thing.  I do not have a problem with ANYONE who does not agree with my life choices, but since this IS my blog, and I can be as defensive as I want to be, =), I thought I would respond!! I would probably never opt to go on to someone else's blog (much less someone I don't even know) and proceed to send them to a website that directly opposes what they just wrote about. But that's just me. And maybe it's only because it is a topic as intimate and personal and unique as parenting that it gets me all hot and bothered... I'm still a new mom, only 9 months as of today, but I ADORE motherhood, and I would NEVER choose to do something I felt was not healthy or helpful for my little girl. As I'm sure my reader would never do either. 

Boot Camp Part 6... (WOW, this is old and half-finished)

Okay, I realize that there has not been a "Boot Camp parts 1-5" but I had my sixth class last night, and for those of you who want to know, I thought I would update you on what we have done lately.

Saturday was my 5th class. Jay Johnson's wife, Lin, taught this one. We did something called "Add On". We were given these huge body bars... (http://www.shapeupshop.com/fitness/weighted_bars/aerobic_bars.htm)
And we had to start off running across the parking lot carrying the bar, which is very awkward, not to mention heavy. When we all got back, we started with one minute of pushups. Then grab our bar and run again. Come back and do squats plus bicep curls with the bar for one minute, pushups for 30 seconds, then run. Come back, do squat-jumps with the bar for one minute, squats/curls for 30 seconds, pushups for 30 seconds, then run again. IT WAS SOOOO HARD!! We kept adding on exercises until we had a string of about 10 workouts we were doing, plus running in between each! I thought I was going to collapse. And this is not even everything we did!!

Last night was the 6th class I've had. I don't know the guy's name who teaches, but he's hard-core. We started off by running BACKWARDS for half a mile!!! I mean, literally, having to keep looking over your shoulder-to-see-if-you're-going-to-run-into-anyone backwards! It was weird, but also, extremely hard, and my thighs felt like they were going to melt right into my feet when we were done.

Grieved

I am so deeply saddened, frustrated, and grieved over this situation with Pastor Ted Haggard. I just can't fathom how his family must be feeling at this time. Both in the church and his actual family. I have met Haggard and I worked with his wife during a women's conference. They were two of the most gracious, kind, and sincere people I met during that entire experience, and I definitely admired them and felt both encouraged and warmed by who they were and how they treated everyone around them.

This whole tragedy has not made me question him as a man or as a Pastor. I realize that he has made some excruciatingly horrible decisions and his actions are obviously wrong. But, I still do not believe it is our place to judge him. As Christians, this is our time to forgive someone who has done something wrong. To show the world that we ARE serious about learning and becoming like Christ. Jesus has forgiven him. He forgave him when He died on the cross!! Just as He forgave us everything we have done. We are in no position to stand in judgment of Him... In no position to call him a hypocrite. We sin every day. Every day. We all lie, we all do things or say things we shouldn't, and we all know when we are choosing poorly and yet we still do it. We are human, we are sinners, and this is exactly why we need Jesus Christ!! I believe it is unfitting as Christians to condemn him, to turn our backs on him. We are family. He has confessed, he asked forgiveness, and that is what we are supposed to do. Our judgment lies with God, and God only. And I believe that Pastor Haggard is probably reeling in the shame and guilt of what he has done, and what his family is having to deal with.

I do believe that he will suffer the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. And that is the result of what happens when we sin. Plain and simple. Our job now is to pray for him... To pray for his family. To pray for his congregation and for all the lives he touched. That they will find that their strength and their salvation has never been in a man... Never fully rested on the power and abilities of the one behind the pulpit... Their salvation is in the Lord. Their strength and their truth and their power comes from Jesus!


I will say that this story has made me really get honest with myself about a lot of things. I realize what a serious responsibility it is for uas as Christians, to constantly be submitting our thoughts and our actions to the Lord. He asks for our obediance, and for us to live a life that glorifies Him. And, because of His love, His forgiveness, and His gift of eternal salvation, we should!!! I know that if people looked at me all day every day, heard my thoughts every day, they would find many things that they could judge me on. I realize that I am a sinner, that I need Christ's salvation and His truth and redemption on a daily basis. And thank GOD that I have it. And so does Ted Haggard. Thankfully, God sees us all with the same eyes. He loves us all the same, even those who don't choose to love Him. There is NO LOVE greater than this!!!!

Workout Music Recommendations

1. Steady As She Goes - Raconteurs
2. I've Got A Dark Alley and a Bad Idea... - Fall Out Boy
3. Apartment Song - Tom Petty
4. Ceremony - Marie Antoinette soundtrack
5. What Ever Happened? - The Strokes (Marie Antoinette soundtrack)
6. I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany (trust me... i kind of forgot it was in my ipod)
7. Friday I'm in Love - The Cure
8. Wanna Move - Diddy
9. Aphrodisiac - Bow Wow Wow
10. Filthy Gorgeous - Scissor Sisters
11. Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake (of course, the clean version)
12. California Love - TUPAC
13. Steady as She Goes - Raconteurs
14. Do Somethin' - Britney Spears =)

I FULLY recommend for November...

The Decemberists - "O Valencia" is my favorite
The Raconteurs - "Steady as She Goes"
The entire Marie Antoinette soundtrack... A-Mazing
Jays Boot Camp
Express new, black, floral print, wrap dress... SO cute and very flattering. With jeans or by itself!
Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser. Although I do love anything historical, I never had much desire to know anything about her, I am loving this book. Her life was fascinating, sad, tragic, and spectacular all at the same time.
Wilco CD - "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
Dallas Mavericks!!! They're back on!
Surfjan Stevens
Warm Candy Apple candles from Express
"Babywise" book for new moms - I realize it's not for everybody, and I myself am not always 100% following the routine, but it's been at the very least, a fantastic guideline for us. Now that I'm 9 months into this motherhood thing, I can safely say that, sometimes my daughter just needs to cry. If she cries for what feels like too long, then that's a different story. But I trust my instincts enough to know that I can judge what works and what doesn't for myself and my baby girl.
Anbesol infant teething swabs... MAGNIFICENT! The only remedy that has worked for us.
"V for Vendetta" - great movie. It's nowhere in the realm of chick flick, but I just love it. I would never have given it a chance if it weren't for Niles. (But, note, I am not a fan of Natalie Portman as a rule)