Well, I did it.

I got the H1N1 vaccine. I have been going back and forth on it since it was released. I was unsure about getting it because it was developed so quickly. How, after being made so fast, could it be good, safe, and work effectively?

It came down to the fact that I work in a diagnostic center where I see 75 or so patients a day with various medical problems and illnesses. Many of these patients come in with flu-like symptoms and come to us to get tested. I am also a mother to an almost 3 year old, and a wife. I had to protect my family, I would feel horrible if I brought something that home with me. It also helped that it was free and provided to me by my employer.

Hopefully this was the right choice for me, and I hope everyone else stays healthy regardless of whether or not you decide to get it.

Halloween recap

I love Halloween. Especially now since I have a child. She is finally old enough to comprehend what's going on and enjoy it. She loved to go to all the Halloween stores and make the ghosts and goblins scream and moan. She thought it was the coolest thing. I'll never forget one time when we went to party city and there was a clown animatronic that took his head off, and Jenna thought it was Ronald McDonald!!

Halloween Eve Jenna helped me carve a Pumpkin. She loved getting her hands down in there and getting all the seeds out. But, she was also very ready to clean them afterwards. We went with our family theme, "pirates" and I carved a pirate ship.

Jenna was a Snow Princess this year. It worked out great because of how cool it was outside. I have to give props to the husband for the costume though. I was so indecisive about her costume. We went to three stores and nothing seems good to me. So, we went to Target and John walked in, saw it, and said that would be her costume, and I loved it.

Halloween night was our big annual "grown up" party. Jenna stayed with John's parents, but she was completely OK with that seeing as they took her to J. Alexanders and then Boo at the Zoo. We did take her to do a little Trick-or-Treating that afternoon, so we didn't miss out on that. We dropped her off with Nini and Papa and began our prepping for the night.

I love dressing up for Halloween and so does John. Although, John's costumes are always very interesting. Last year he was Hunter S. Thompson from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and this year he was John McClain from Die Hard. I was a Warrior Princess (according to the packaging).

It was a fun night. A lot of people came and we all had a great time. I cooked tons of food for the party and we had plenty of drink choices. There was a lot of Beer Pong played as well as Guitar Hero, but I'll spare you the other details of the night. Just know that our living room was still occupied by a few the next morning.

Turns out, camping with a two-year-old can be successful.

So, we went camping this past weekend. This trip was planned a few weeks ago when the weather looked like it was going to be great. John's parents invited us to go with them and we said sure we would love to go. John and I used to camp a lot before Jenna came along. We talked to Jenna about what we would be doing: sleeping in a tent, hiking, fishing, and yes, even peeing in the woods. As the big weekend got closer, the forecast also got colder. I was starting to get worried, but John and his parents assured me it would be just fine. Papa went out and purchased a very warm mummy sleeping bag for Jenna, one that cost more than mine and John's put together, to ease my concern for her warmth.

The morning of the big day Jenna was very excited. We got all of our gear packed, and Jenna even had her own backpack to carry. Mommy made sure she would stay very warm. She had thermals on under her outer clothes and wool socks. At this point I am still very apprehensive about the cold weather, but going along with it.

We met Nini and Papa at their house and went to Cracker Barrell for breakfast. Then we would make the long drive to Bankhead National Forest in Winston Co. It was about an hour and half drive. The last three miles consisted of a bumpy dirt road that dead ended into the main trail. This was no park and dump camping trip, we parked, hoisted our packs full off everything we would need onto our backs and hiked in about a quarter of a mile. We would be completely cut off from the world with no cell phone service AT ALL!!

(John and Papa holding Jenna, who got a little tired after our hike)

It was BEAUTIFUL. Our campsite was right next to a flowing creek that look more like a river from all the rain, it was so peaceful, and the fresh cold air was great.

After we got set up and settled we had lunch and went on a hike to search for some dry wood. Jenna loved hiking. She was the "leader" because apparantly Swiper was in the woods and he was going to try and swipe our firewood. We did have to make a potty stop, and yes Jenna successfully went potty in the woods and thought it was the greatest thing. We found lots of places for some great pictures.

Jenna even found a critter and couldn't wait to hold it. It was to biggest millipeed I had ever seen.

After we got back to camp Jenna was dying to get into the hammock that Papa brought and put up. She thought it was the coolest thing.



After a little swinging/rocking we were shocked as to what would happen next......

Yes people, there she is NAPPING in broad daylight, on a camping trip, in a hammock....praise God!!


Fast forward to sunset. We did find some firewood and got a nice little fire going. Heated some water for hot chocolate, and roasted weenies. We were all having a great time and staying warm despite the cold.

It finally got dark and we pulled out the s'more ingredients.


And then....................


RAIN.......RAIN........RAIN


It put our fire out and we all huddled under a rain tarp Papa had thankfully thought to bring and put up. We kept waiting on it to stop, and waiting.......and waiting some more, but it was really starting to get cold, so into the tent we went. We sang songs, and wrestled with daddy, and had some great quality family time. We went to bed early of course, but Jenna was full of giggles and "wanted to talk." We did eventually fall asleep and she only woke up about three times, but only because she got lost in her sleeping bag, and as soon as I pulled her back to the top she went right back to sleep. I, of course, slept horribly. I did get enough sleep to function the next morning, of which Jenna decided to sleep in.

Papa cooked breakfast for us that morning, and we began the packing up process, which is the worst part, because all I wanted was to be in a warm house drinking a coke, and eating a Reese cup. Jenna was a little tough to get moving, but once we told her we were going "hiking" again she was ready to go.

My final thoughts??

I'd do it all over again because it was a great experience, but maybe when the temps are about 15 degrees warmer!!

A family hobby that I'm finally embracing.

My Grandmother made all of my dresses when I was a little girl. I never wore a store bought dress until I was around 10 or 11. I was always amazed at how good she was at sewing. I watched her all the time, learned a lot of the terms and what different machines did. She would let me help when I could and showed me how to do a lot of things. All that said I have always had a high interest in sewing. I sewed a little in my high school Home-Economics class, and when I got married, my parents bought my first Singer sewing machine. I purchased a how-to book on sewing and made some really cute curtains for our den. After that I basically piddled around with a few projects, but I never got really into it.

Sewing is something that you have to practice, practice, practice to get really good at (a little family history helps too). I was way too impatient to realize this when I first started sewing on my machine. After a lot of failed attempts at a few projects I put my machine up. I just got really frustrated with fact that I wasn't good to begin with.

I read lots of blogs, and recently came across some really great sewing blogs that gave me some inspiration. I got my sewing machine back down because I really love to sew. I would love to be able to make my daughters clothes and other things for her. I just have to get that practice. I recently came across this great blog with a nap mat tutorial. Jenna really needed a new one so I gave it my best shot, and it turned out great!!

My most recent projects were for a good friend of mine who is having her second little girl in October. I made bibs, burp clothes, and a taggie blanket from tutorials I found on the Internet because I still need a little guidance before I go at it on my own. Here are some pics of the finished products.

I made three off these bibs. The only problem I had was sewing the area where I had to leave open for turning, but hopefully that will get easier.

The taggie blanket worked out great and I made a set of four burp clothes. They have quilt batting in the middle for extra absorption.

Here's little miss Jenna showing off Mommy's creations.

I hope to continue my sewing adventures and plan on sharing them with you on my blog.

Not much has been going on this week, hence the lack of writing. I did realize that I have a very clumsy two year old. She had water day at school, but never even got wet. She tripped on the playground as the teachers were setting up the sprinklers and bit into her upper lip. I got the phone call around 9:30a Tuesday and went to her rescue. She was so pitiful and SWOLLEN. She looked like she had a better lip job than Angelina. It did get me a day off with her all to myself, so it wasn't all that terrible.

I convinced my husband to let me rename the cat. The whole Star Trek reference was not working for me, so his new name is Milo. I think it fits him much better.

I officially hit my pre-baby weight!! Yes, it took two and a half years, but I did it. I had come within a couple of pounds of it a few times, but never at it or under. I would like to lose another 5-10, but we'll see. I won't be devastated if I doesn't happen. According to all of my friends it's now time to put it all back on again. Not just yet, but hopefully soon. ;-)

Full Moon Friday

Was there a full moon Friday????


I was so ready to go home Friday afternoon. I missed my child and I was just tired of working for the week. I was glad to be able to sneak out about 30 minutes early. On my way to pick up Jenna I got a phone call from an irate husband. He was ranting and raving about coming home to this:





Apparently our fence jumping German Shepperd, Max and lab mix, Major just had to get out and attack our lovely swimming pool. They didn't get in for a cool dip, but they did feel it was necessary to bite the holy crap out of it. Not only did they do this to the pool, but they bit and popped every one of her balls and water toys!!!


We have a HUGE fenced in backyard and you would think that they would be happy and content. But apparently not. We have the wire on the bottom of the fence that "zaps" them if they try to go under, but Max is very elusive and doesn't seem to be affected. I think we will be investing in one of those "invisible" fence systems.



Continuing with full moon Friday, I arrived at Jenna's daycare to pick her up, and was greeted by her with, "Mommy, Emma bite me!" Evidently Jenna wanted the truck Emma was riding on the playground and Emma said no, and took a bite to make her point.

Jenna was not happy about what her friend did to her. Nor were her mommy and daddy, but it happens, that's one of the few hazards of daycare and two year old's.

On to more pleasant things. Saturday morning Jenna and I went to Wal-Mart to get a patch so John could try to fix the pool. On our way back it was still early and I decided to hit a couple of yard sales. The first one was just a bunch of junk thrown onto to a sheet in the yard, so we didn't even stop. The second one actually had tables, so we got out. They didn't have much, but we did find something that Jenna could call her very own.....

Yes people, we went to a yard sale and came home with a new family member. He was a stray that wondered up to the house a couple of days ago, and the resident (princess) cat did not like him, so he had to go somewhere. That somewhere was going to be the pound if they didn't find him a home this weekend. Jenna absolutely adores him, and he tolerates her (carrying, up in your face, constant petting, laying on you toddler) very well. So, in our books, he's a keeper.

Blogging world, meet Mr. Spock. Do you think my husband is a Treky??

My Husband, The Pirate

To continue with introductions we will concentrate on my lovely husband today.



My husband John is a great husband and father. He is still a big kid himself, which Jenna loves!! He has the greatest personality and is ALWAYS the life of the party. He works as an Electrician with his step-dad and he is very good at it. He is a very strong-willed person, but growing up with a disability he had to be. You see, he was born with a very rare birth defect called PFFD. Which basically means he was born with just one complete leg. His left femur, hip and fibia never developed. He saw a lot of doctors when he was a baby to find the best course of treatment for him. After a surgery at age 3, he was fitted with his first prosthetic leg.



John's disability has never slowed him down. Growing up, he played just as hard as any other little boy could, and had the "broken legs" to prove it. He made the basketball team in high school and even wrestled. Although, the docs put a stop to the wrestling because of possible injury. He even swims better than I do.


In the past few years he has embraced his lack of a limb by "becoming" a pirate. You'll see what I mean in the pic. I think it started with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He's got the tattoo, costume, and peg leg to fit.
















By the way, he does BIRTHDAY PARTYS!!!! ;-)

Introductions

OK, so this is my first post, obviously. I have been reading other blogs for a while now, and felt it was time for me to give blogging a try. As my blog title states I consider myself an optimistic person and this blog will contain ramblings from my everyday life as a wife and mother. So, on to introductions and a little about myself.

I am 27 years old and have been married for 6 years. I married young, but I don't regret it one bit. My husband's name is John and we have a daughter named Jenna. I have a younger brother, Jeremy. John has two younger brothers, Kyle and Stone that live in Wyoming with his dad. I work for a local hospital and, for the time being, part-time at a department store. John is an electrician, which amazes me everyday considering his condition (that's a whole different post). Our daughter, Jenna, is 2 1/2 and is the light of our lives. She has the greatest personality and is so cleaver. I hope I don't bore you too much, but with a 2 year old there's always something going on! :-)