Serendipity

This is frozen hot chocolate. This is to die for. This is addictive. This in daily consumption hurts my belly. This completes me. This is divine. This is worth coming to Las Vegas for. Serendipity is a fun cafe outside Caesar's Palace and the original is in New York. Remember the movie with Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack? Along with frozen hot chocolate my friend had the Fried Oreo Sundae with cookie and cream ice cream inside. Heavenly!
They had the cutest decor- love the sundae topiary outside. Everything inside was like a 1950s soda shoppe with pink, orange, black and white tiles and big chandaliers. Loved it!

No joke- they have a $1,000 sundae on the menu. It has 5 scoops of Taihitian vanilla, Venezuelan chocolate, all the toppings and real gold leaf! Wow- I'd have to win really big on the slots to want to spend $1000 on a sundae!

Next time you are in Vegas, visit Serendipity!

Are You Ready for Some Football?

I lost the flip of a coin and became the patient for our Orthopedics course today. I had to wear full football gear so that 14 students could each practice lifting and rolling me onto a spine board. Along with being groped all over, I had to fess up to my big head once again. We tried on 5 helmets and the "large" one fit only after we removed some padding.
I have a lot more respect for football players- the helmet is heavy and very limiting to your range of vision. Let's hope I am never on a spine board again.

Vegas Perks

Lindsay and I had fun at The Price Is Right Live last night. Our name was not called, but we enjoyed seeing the others play. All the classics were there- Plinko (she won $200), the Cliffhanger (he lost) and the big wheel and showcase showdown. The most fun was seeing older tourists and the drunk people trying to guess pricing and play Hole In One. Hilarious! "Rod Roddy" was the old game show host from Supermarket Sweep and "Bob Barker" was JD Reynolds from American Idol talk show. They did a great job! We signed two contracts with Caesar's Palace for this program and it came with some amazing perks. This is my suite! The mirrored headboard is a little freaky when you are alone! The bathroom mirror has a TV built in. I kinda like watching ESPN while blow drying my hair!
We also had limo transfers and access to free food and drinks in the diamond lounge. You normally have to spend $10K per day in the casino for that access.

I hate being away from home, but the perks are nice!

The Price Is Right

I arrived in Las Vegas yesterday and will be here until Monday. My poor coworkers are all sick and I had to pick up the travel shift while they recover. I wasn't thrilled to leave Marcus and Abby Lu, but am making the best of my time and enjoying the city.

We are free each evening and splurged to see The Price Is Right tonight at Bally's. It isn't the Drew Carey hosted version on CBS, but is a replica. I can't wait! I'm hoping I leave Las Vegas with a dinette!

Sudsy

Abby begs to go outside and blow bubbles everyday! Daddy took her out and she discovered bubbles are like water and she went on to rub them on her body like her bath soap. A bath was definetely required after this round of bubbles.

This is the new face of trouble! We gives us this grin and look up sly face right before defying us. Nice!

A Lifelong Journey of Love

Abby has begun her lifelong love of french fries! Doesn't every girl love a good warm crispy fry?
This girl sure does!

Landscape Update

Pardon me if I repeat myself....

When we bought our house, I knew the front flower beds needed work, but we couldn't make it a priority over the baby or the inside of the house. The flower bed borders were too tall and it only allowed for big shrubs which I don't like.

This is a picture of our shrubs from last month. Marcus had already pulled the short ones on the left side of the bed. We had these big ones pulled 2 weeks ago. Just like these front yard trees, we have spent each weekend putting layers upon layer of dirt in the beds to build them up which will allow for small things to be planted.
Here are our new flowers and the beds freshly planted. We needed full sun items and low water plants. This area is direct sun most of the day and we aren't faithful waterers! They look so barren, but I look forward to seeing our Texas skullcaps and knock out roses bloom as the spring turns to summer.

I also bought this cute turquoise beverage cart on clearance for $30 for the front porch. Now, I need to dump the fake winter plant and put a big fern on here! I'm still looking for a fun outdoor piece of art to hang above the swing. It'll be a Round Top fall find!

Mother's Day 2010

Thank you sweet girl for making me one happy Momma!

We had a wonderful day thanks to my dear husband who showered me with flowers, gifts, a clean car inside and out, my favorite foods and the pleasure of a long nap! I also received a wonderful unexpected present from Abby- she has learned how to "love". When we ask her to show love, she will lean her head into your neck, squeeze you and say "awe". It was the PERFECT gift!

We took family photos at church this morning, so Abby was decked out! We also learned that this is not a crawling dress. Between the tulle and the silk, she couldn't move. So, she walked most of the day! Very exciting- it was her bravest moves yet!

Last Mother's Day we dedicated Abby at church and this year we were overjoyed to see our good friends Mo and Jessica dedicate Ellie. This is Jessica's first Mother's Day to have a baby in HER ARMS and it is long overdue in our eyes, but divine timing in His. We are so blessed to know them and see Him working through them.

Happy Mother's Day to our mothers and all of those celebrating today!

I also said a special prayer today for the many women suffering through the day as I did for 4 long years. We skipped church in past years because I just couldn't face the day. Know that you are not alone and the Lord has not forgotten you.

Outdoor Day

What a busy day OUTDOORS we had! We drove to Lampasas this morning to have family pictures taken at Four Jacks Ranch in Lampasas. The ranch photographer is a high school classmate of mine and it was a wonderful low stress experience. Sandi did a wonderful job winning over Abby and I can't wait to see the results.

Afterward, we came home for lunch and a short nap before venturing out to the local nursery and Lowe's store for our front yard landscaping project. Here are the items we bought at the nursery. We then bought some basic grasses at Lowe's. Abby rode around in the flatbed on wheels and had so much fun! It was like a big open wagon. She was waving and laughing as she explored the nursery.

She did not want the ride to end and would not let go of the handle when Marcus tried to remove her. Once she discovered that him pulling her actually pulled the "wagon" she had the best time pulling it around the parking lot.

When we got home, we set her up on the front porch with her milk and Nilla wafers for snack and unloaded all of our goods in the beds.
Final landscaping pics to come!

Dancing Machine

As promised, here is Abby dancing to the rhythm and sounds of the washing machine! I was hoping to get her walking on the same video, but not without the assistance of the wall.

In case you are wondering, her shirt says BARF VADER. ha! And yes, I sound like a fool.

Independent Sliding

This sweet girl and I spent a little time at the mall playground to avoid the heat! She loves the mini playground inside the local mall and has finally maneuvered the stairs and the slide by herself. She would climb up the stairs very slowly and was kind enough to wait her turn numerous times as other kids would jump up and in front of her.

Once she hit the slide, she was all smiles!

She would sometimes go down on her belly and sometimes on her knees to control her speed better!

Afterward, she would crawl back and she was up at it again!

It was a great workout and helped her go to bed 30 minutes earlier that night!

She also got took a knee to her forehead just after these were taken by a boy about 8 years old that was running and she was sitting at the base of the slide. Her head and his knee collided. She cried and he got scared. He ran over to his parents who made him apologize. Good thing helicopter Daddy wasn't there. That poor boy would be mowing our lawn for the entire summer!

A Rare Picture of

Abby and Jean Grey! All that work with "nice hands" has paid off and JG lets Abby pet her pretty regularly. Finally!

Oh, Daddy!

you are in so much trouble!

This is how your sweet baby girl likes to ride around the mall!

Travel Present

I love bringing home presents after I travel and this time around, our hotel was connected to a mall! It wasn't a great mall, but a touristy type mall, so it worked out well. I bought Abby these bathtub crayons from the Crayola Superstore! They are round and fit easily into an 18 month old's hands. Plus, they won't break or spill which is perfect for this age!
She is already writing her name... ha! But, we have learned to ID ourself in pictures and can say Abby (sounds close to Daddy) and will point to her chest when asked about "where is Abby". It is quite cute!

I bought Mom a nice executive pen which looks like a green crayon and Marcus got an R2D2 shaped lunchbox. Fun for all!

Kansas City Recap

I spent most of last week and weekend in Kansas City for work. I was attending a conference rather than planning one, which is a nice change! Although, it was hard to relinquish the control an event planner has that an attendee does not!

I didn't take many pictures of the hotel or the presentations I sat through (yawn for you!), but I did capture this BEA-U-TI-FUL light fixture inside this amazing restaurant we ate at. Have you heard of Lidia from the Food Network? Her restaurant was so pretty and the food so very good! We also ate at Brio which I love and Fogo de Chao. I am on food detox! I flew home late Saturday night and loved the new decor in our airport- have you seen these fun guitars around town? These were at our baggage claim carousel? This one was covered in bumper stickers from places around town.
And, of course, Lance had one too!

I was SO happy to be home to these people. Nobody loves you like your family. We had a lovely time at church on Sunday morning and the traditional Sunday BBQ lunch where we learned Abby will eat honeydew melon. She can clean up my fruit bowl anytime!

A huge thank you to my husband and my Mom for taking such great care of Abby while I was away. Marcus sent me pictures everyday and Mom gave Marcus some assistance! I am so grateful she wasn't "mad" at me when I returned. She was just her normal cute and funny self!

Teething is Crummy

Abby has a mouth full of teeth! We honestly have to really pay attention to even know when she is teething! Our biggest clue is that she puts her toys in her mouth. So, we pull out the teething rings and she chomps down. I think she is getting her last incisor. I believe this is #17. I know- are her age 8 would be normal. Luckily, she doesn't get sick with them and they don't seem to hurt her much.
We typically have to tickle her to get her to look up with her mouth wide open and we look for the red swollen spot!

Swimming Pool

Knowing that Abby loves being outdoors and water, we've signed her up for swimming lessons in early June. Her and Marcus will do the 30 minute lesson 4 days per week for 2 weeks. I can't wait to see her excitement to get in the pool everyday with Daddy! I'll be capturing it all on camera and video.

We have a neighborhood pool, but sometimes it is just nice to play in the backyard and water the grass :) I wanted this whale pool from Pottery Barn Kids, but it is on backorder until late June. Marcus went on the hunt and we bought this one...
Oh sweet Abby isn't going to know what hit her- between balls, slides, water, rings and a sprayer! She is going to be in heaven! Better stock up on sunscreen now!

16 months

While the wife is away, I can do my own 16 month post....

16 months:

Baby girl is also doing the following great things:

You are already working on your basketball game, tennis game, and of course football ability.

We are already applying for several scholarships to colleges for these sports...

You are also progressing well on your C++ proramming language, and able to debug most Linux based programming. As soon as we can get you to stop trying to eat the enter key, we will be able to move to graphic based programming...

you've beaten Takeru Kobayashi twice in the pudding eating contest.

Such an advanced baby girl!

- DADA

My Favorite Things about my 16 month old!

Seriously, I had no idea this little screaming head would be so much fun! At 16 months old, I wanted to capture a few of my favorite things about my precious daughter: I love your undying unwavering all consuming love of cheese.

I love your affection for falling into my arms when I am trying my hardest to get you to walk.

I love that you laugh the longest and loudest during bath time with your Daddy.

I love that after bath time when I wrap you in your towel you lean out of my arms to get a good glimpse of yourself in the mirror.

I love that you wake up in the morning calling our name, no crying or whining and that you immediately hit the ground ready to play.

I love that you say Momma with affection and Daddy with a soft flirty whisper.

I love that you see a frog on your signing video and you always laugh!

I love that you have special routines with each parent and they are totally different.

I love your stink eye face.

I love your big round baby belly.

I love your nice hands (rubs my arm after hitting me!).

I love your nose.

I love love love that God made you mine!

Balls! Balls! Balls!

Abby has a new obsession with balls- it doesn't matter what kind. She has them all- a red ball bigger than her, small high bouncy balls, light up balls, soccer ball, tennis ball, Daddy's basketball, cloth fuzzy baby balls and the list goes on!

When I get her up in the morning, she immediately says ball and wants down to pull out every last ball in her toy bucket. To see if it helps her stay in bed longer, I gave her a football to play with when she wakes up- she decided to sleep with it instead. She needs to be holding a ball in the car also. And, in her wagon. I let her take a tennis ball into Walmart on Sunday. It had to stay there after she dropped it and it went under an aisle. So sad.

I assume this is a normal phase that all boys and girls pass through. I'd love her to love her football longer!