Thursday, March 22, 2012
I'm not Irish but kiss me anyways!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
To Astrocamp...and Beyond!
It is mind boggling to think that this time last year, I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with Andrew and pouting because I couldn't go on the zipline! Well alas friends, Courtnie went on the zipline this year! This year's camp experience was different in that this was the first time that I was away from Andrew, and when I say away, I mean: my first overnight away from him. And believe it or not, and this sounds awful to say, it wasn't as bad or as hard as I thought it was going to be! I think I was so busy with my students (busy is an understatement) and knowing that he was in the beyond capable hands of Kyle, I was able to enjoy my time with my students. However, it appears that Andrew made this time way too enjoyable for Kyle. Apparently, he took extra long naps and allowed Kyle to sleep for a whopping 11 hours! REALLY?? I am just going to stick with he misses his mama so much that he can't wait to see me and wants to get his snuggling on first thing in the morning.
Anyhow, camp was a blast! We went to camp that I haven't been to since my student teaching days. My students really seemed to enjoy it and loved the activities. The highlight for me was definitely that Kyle came up to see me and Astrocamp had it's first mini-camper! Andrew LOVED it! But above all, I got to see my little man!
Camp was a blast and I loved every minute of it. The bonding between my co-workers and I was priceless and the interactions and memories made with my students will last a lifetime.
Anyhow, camp was a blast! We went to camp that I haven't been to since my student teaching days. My students really seemed to enjoy it and loved the activities. The highlight for me was definitely that Kyle came up to see me and Astrocamp had it's first mini-camper! Andrew LOVED it! But above all, I got to see my little man!
Camp was a blast and I loved every minute of it. The bonding between my co-workers and I was priceless and the interactions and memories made with my students will last a lifetime.
Such a happy little camper...no pun intended!
Momma's shy little guy!
Can't help loving this little man of mine!!
Our little family!
The work wifey!!
What do you mean I can't go on the zipline?
I love these ladies!
How do you spell dork? C-O-U-R-T-N-I-E
Astrocamp was out of this world....literally...and I can't wait until next time!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
6 months old and growing!
Between work and being a new mommy, I know I have been slacking on getting these posts up like I used to! But this post, in particular, is quite the milestone. Mommy's little man is half a year old already! I can't believe it! Six months old today! Man oh man where did the time go?
This month has been quite the month for Andrew. He is talking up a storm with all of his adorable baby babble. He looks so cute when he puffs his cheeks to say "bah bah bah" and "ma ma ma!" He also has the best belly laughs! We have discovered that he is already developing quite the little temper as he lets us know when he is getting frustrated, whether it be with a toy or wanting a change in scenery. Lord give me the strength if Andrew grows to be as high strung as his daddy!
Andrew loves his feet. He thinks his toes are quite tasty and spends lots of time tugging on them and putting them in his mouth. Our living room has officially turned into the Fisher Price showroom as Andrew has completely taken over the place! Who would have ever thought that a little being would need so much stuff! I hope Kyle doesn't get any ideas! The little man hasn't started to crawl yet as we can't seem to keep him on his tummy. The moment he is on his belly, he rolls over lickety split. But occasionally, he does a side crawl and scoot when we prevent him from rolling over. Just like everything else, I am sure this too will be here before we know it!
We have been very busy this month! Andrew bought his mommy and daddy a new toy hauler so that we can start camping and playing with our friends. "Andrew's camping crib" is what we call it! We have been out just about every weekend since we bought it and are loving the time together with our little family. Andrew enjoys all the new places we have visited and we look forward to making many memories and family traditions!
Work has kept me quite busy but I am balancing well, with occasional days that I just can't seem to adjust or get get anything done but overall, doing well! Things certainly do not get accomplished in the timely fashion that they used to. What used to take an hour, now takes three but alas, the joys of being a working mom! And of course, I wouldn't have it any other way! Andrew is truly the love of my life, next to Kyle and Jd of course! I absolutely love being a mom and I can't wait to see that gummy grin every morning when I wake up and that sweet sleeping baby at night!
This month has been quite the month for Andrew. He is talking up a storm with all of his adorable baby babble. He looks so cute when he puffs his cheeks to say "bah bah bah" and "ma ma ma!" He also has the best belly laughs! We have discovered that he is already developing quite the little temper as he lets us know when he is getting frustrated, whether it be with a toy or wanting a change in scenery. Lord give me the strength if Andrew grows to be as high strung as his daddy!
Andrew loves his feet. He thinks his toes are quite tasty and spends lots of time tugging on them and putting them in his mouth. Our living room has officially turned into the Fisher Price showroom as Andrew has completely taken over the place! Who would have ever thought that a little being would need so much stuff! I hope Kyle doesn't get any ideas! The little man hasn't started to crawl yet as we can't seem to keep him on his tummy. The moment he is on his belly, he rolls over lickety split. But occasionally, he does a side crawl and scoot when we prevent him from rolling over. Just like everything else, I am sure this too will be here before we know it!
We have been very busy this month! Andrew bought his mommy and daddy a new toy hauler so that we can start camping and playing with our friends. "Andrew's camping crib" is what we call it! We have been out just about every weekend since we bought it and are loving the time together with our little family. Andrew enjoys all the new places we have visited and we look forward to making many memories and family traditions!
Work has kept me quite busy but I am balancing well, with occasional days that I just can't seem to adjust or get get anything done but overall, doing well! Things certainly do not get accomplished in the timely fashion that they used to. What used to take an hour, now takes three but alas, the joys of being a working mom! And of course, I wouldn't have it any other way! Andrew is truly the love of my life, next to Kyle and Jd of course! I absolutely love being a mom and I can't wait to see that gummy grin every morning when I wake up and that sweet sleeping baby at night!
Happy 6 month birthday Andrew!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Mommy's Lil Valentine!
Since daddy was at work, my little man stepped in and agreed to be my Valentine! How lucky am I? I just love him!!!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
5 months...and growing!
Our time with the little man is going by so fast! He is such a sweet little guy with giggles and smiles that melt your heart. This last month was a huge month for Andrew developmentally. He now rolls over on both sides, is eating solid foods, and reaches for everything in sight. In addition, he is quite the strong young lad! He prefers to walk around the house rather than sit. He is a mini Kyle when it comes time to play time, toys=destruction! He is a rough and tough little guy already! I can't stand to see him grow up so fast!
My transition back to work has been good, still trying to get back into the swing of things and meet all the deadlines in my prompt fashion. It's hard trying to accomplish the same tasks in the time I am used to. Let's just say Andrew is becoming quite the computer whiz. He enjoys listening to the sound of the computer keys. But overall, Andrew doesn't like homestudy days because my attention is to grading papers, talking with my students and families, and planning...not on him...starting to sound like his dad here! :) He is awful needy of mommy's attention!
All in all, I am doing well and can officially add "working mom" to my resume! I love being a mom and love seeing this cute little face when I walk in the door with a grin from ear to ear! He has a way of making a long day and a commute full of traffic disappear!
Happy 5 month birthday peanut!!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Ellen Extravaganza
Let's set the scene: Cue Chariots of Fire Theme Song...and ACTION!
So, yes, as many of you have heard, I was on TV thanks to my television debut on The Ellen Show! But the road to get there is where this action packed adventure begins! If you recall, on December 14th a tanker caught on fire on the 60 freeway, closing the freeway completely. All traffic was diverted to other freeways. Did we take this into consideration when we made our way to Burbank on December 15th? NOPE!
Whose we you might ask? Well all the moms in my life and myself. My mom, mother-in-law, and second mom growing up! Jameson was also apart of the festivities but he met us at the studio. We left Temecula at 10, allowing us 2 hours to get to Burbank for the 12 Days of Giveaways Bonus Day on The Ellen Show. Check in time was 12 noon. Any later than that and our "guaranteed tickets" would be given to stand-by. Our first clue that we were going to have a "scene from a movie" challenge ahead of us should have been the stopped freeways that usually would be wide open at 10 am.
12 noon went by but thankfully, Jameson was on time and was able to hold our spots. A gentleman who works for Ellen recognized Jameson from our previous attempted taping of the show in November and allowed Jameson to save our spots because we were on our way...thank goodness! 12:15 went by, 12:30 went by, 12:45 went by and we will still sitting in traffic!
Okay, this is where the Chariots of Fire theme song is cued! Picture a Suburban full of women flying through the streets of Burbank trying to get to the studio. My mom was frantically leaving a series of messages for the staff, assuring them that we were trying to get there. Jameson is on the phone telling us that it's too late, the people in stand-by are getting ready to take our place in line. When alas, we turn onto Olive Street and in the middle of the road, we all barrel out of my Mom's Suburban to intercept the stand-by goer's in the crosswalk. And man, if looks could kill! They were literally 2 seconds from having our tickets, and well, we were literally 2 seconds away from driving out to Burbank just for kicks. WE HAD MADE IT...barely!
By the time we arrived into the studio, the entire audience had been seated and the show was 5 minutes from the start of taping. Since we were late, we were not able to sit with each other. Everyone was seated off to the left and they asked me to go over to the far right hand side of the studio! Great! All by myself! I followed behind the employee and all of a sudden, we are walking down flights of stairs, more stairs, more stairs..."sit here please!" HOLY COW...I was seated in the dance row! Ellen would be passing right by me which means, I was going to be on TV!
The show was starting and Ellen was introduced! Even though we were taping on December 15th, we were the first show of 2012, scheduled to air on January 3rd! She decided to mix things up for the new year and rather than dancing to start the show, she decided to start with a game. The two contestants were called from the audience. They were hysterical, jumping up and down, beside themselves to be standing next to Ellen. When all of a sudden, one of the girls passed out. To our surprise, the 12 Days of Giveaways music cued and alas, we were on the Bonus Day show! Unbelievable! After the day we had trying to get there, we almost missed the Bonus Day 12 Days of Giveaways! WOW!
The gifts came out behind the curtain and one by one, we received a variety of great gifts, including the Mint vacuum cleaner, Vizio tablet, Jose Eber hair products and tools, headphones, $250 gift card to Whole Foods, and a $200 gift card to Taschen Bookstores. And to think we almost missed out on all this loot!
After we settled down from the excitement of receiving all these great gifts, Howie Mandel and Elle Fanning were the guests on the show. With all the adrenaline running through my veins first from our adventures getting there and then the excitement of gifts, the show was literally over within a blink of an eye! It was quite the experience, one I will surely remember forever!
And yes, I was on TV, a few times actually! It is quite weird seeing yourself on TV. And yes, several of my students saw me as well. So much for the "meeting" I was in...right? Oh and yes, Kyle took full claim to all of my goodies and had everything unwrapped and working before the night was done! It was a day to remember! Surely one that I will never forget!
So, yes, as many of you have heard, I was on TV thanks to my television debut on The Ellen Show! But the road to get there is where this action packed adventure begins! If you recall, on December 14th a tanker caught on fire on the 60 freeway, closing the freeway completely. All traffic was diverted to other freeways. Did we take this into consideration when we made our way to Burbank on December 15th? NOPE!
Whose we you might ask? Well all the moms in my life and myself. My mom, mother-in-law, and second mom growing up! Jameson was also apart of the festivities but he met us at the studio. We left Temecula at 10, allowing us 2 hours to get to Burbank for the 12 Days of Giveaways Bonus Day on The Ellen Show. Check in time was 12 noon. Any later than that and our "guaranteed tickets" would be given to stand-by. Our first clue that we were going to have a "scene from a movie" challenge ahead of us should have been the stopped freeways that usually would be wide open at 10 am.
12 noon went by but thankfully, Jameson was on time and was able to hold our spots. A gentleman who works for Ellen recognized Jameson from our previous attempted taping of the show in November and allowed Jameson to save our spots because we were on our way...thank goodness! 12:15 went by, 12:30 went by, 12:45 went by and we will still sitting in traffic!
Okay, this is where the Chariots of Fire theme song is cued! Picture a Suburban full of women flying through the streets of Burbank trying to get to the studio. My mom was frantically leaving a series of messages for the staff, assuring them that we were trying to get there. Jameson is on the phone telling us that it's too late, the people in stand-by are getting ready to take our place in line. When alas, we turn onto Olive Street and in the middle of the road, we all barrel out of my Mom's Suburban to intercept the stand-by goer's in the crosswalk. And man, if looks could kill! They were literally 2 seconds from having our tickets, and well, we were literally 2 seconds away from driving out to Burbank just for kicks. WE HAD MADE IT...barely!
By the time we arrived into the studio, the entire audience had been seated and the show was 5 minutes from the start of taping. Since we were late, we were not able to sit with each other. Everyone was seated off to the left and they asked me to go over to the far right hand side of the studio! Great! All by myself! I followed behind the employee and all of a sudden, we are walking down flights of stairs, more stairs, more stairs..."sit here please!" HOLY COW...I was seated in the dance row! Ellen would be passing right by me which means, I was going to be on TV!
The show was starting and Ellen was introduced! Even though we were taping on December 15th, we were the first show of 2012, scheduled to air on January 3rd! She decided to mix things up for the new year and rather than dancing to start the show, she decided to start with a game. The two contestants were called from the audience. They were hysterical, jumping up and down, beside themselves to be standing next to Ellen. When all of a sudden, one of the girls passed out. To our surprise, the 12 Days of Giveaways music cued and alas, we were on the Bonus Day show! Unbelievable! After the day we had trying to get there, we almost missed the Bonus Day 12 Days of Giveaways! WOW!
The gifts came out behind the curtain and one by one, we received a variety of great gifts, including the Mint vacuum cleaner, Vizio tablet, Jose Eber hair products and tools, headphones, $250 gift card to Whole Foods, and a $200 gift card to Taschen Bookstores. And to think we almost missed out on all this loot!
After we settled down from the excitement of receiving all these great gifts, Howie Mandel and Elle Fanning were the guests on the show. With all the adrenaline running through my veins first from our adventures getting there and then the excitement of gifts, the show was literally over within a blink of an eye! It was quite the experience, one I will surely remember forever!
And yes, I was on TV, a few times actually! It is quite weird seeing yourself on TV. And yes, several of my students saw me as well. So much for the "meeting" I was in...right? Oh and yes, Kyle took full claim to all of my goodies and had everything unwrapped and working before the night was done! It was a day to remember! Surely one that I will never forget!
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