Movin' and Groovin'

We are on the move here in the May household -- and not just because its Memorial Day weekend. Little one has become more interested in crawling over the last couple of days! It's not legitimate crawling just yet, but its pretty close.

Yesterday we were on the blanket outside. I was flipping through a magazine while he played with his toys. It didnt take long before I realized that he would crawl for books/magazines. Outside he was using the blanket to help him along...grabbing handfuls of the blanket to pull himself while he kicked his leg.

Inside last night I decided to try again and low and behold....he is getting the hang of it!

Lord help us when he realizes that he can do this even when there isn't something shiny in his sights!

iPhoto

I. Hate. iPhoto.

A few months ago Ed and I broke down and bought two new MacBooks. Its the first time either of us have had Mac computers. We've had iPods, iPod touches, and Ed had an iPhone. We were well versed in apple products. Branching out there and getting Mac computers, though, was a huge step. Ed got his first. He was starting his masters degree and my laptop just wasn't cutting it. After playing around on his for a few weeks I finally broke down and admitted that I wanted one too. My PC was a POS, so I got the exact same one as his, personalized it with my handy-dandy craftiness and proceeded to transfer all of my stuff over.

FML.

While this post was intended to be about how much I loathe iPhoto, let me also touch on how much I hate transferring music to a new computer. Ugh. I thought I had it all figured out when I transferred all 4,000 of my songs onto our external hard drive then copied them onto my Mac. Of course, I forgot that my music wouldn't be available unless the external hard drive was hooked up, and frankly, that pissed me off enough to decide to deal with it another day.

Back to iPhoto.  The root of my problem is organization. I love organization. My photos...not organized. Not even a little. On my PC everything was categorized into what year the photo was taken then broken down into folders for the event. I liked it. I knew how to find stuff. Now....we just have pictures everywhere. Pictures are organized by date but I'll be damned if there isn't a date for every.single.day.  At this point I'm not even worrying about old pictures, I'm just trying to get my pictures of P organized.

Has anyone else had this problem?!? Am I still too new to this to understand how to make it work efficiently? Is there another app that makes me less likely to stab myself in the eye?!?

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Things have been crazy busy around here! This week I have finally felt like I can sit down, breathe, and spend some down time with my little man.

Speaking of my little man....he turned 6 months old the other day! I cannot believe he is already that old! It has been such a fun time though...he's moving and talking, and so interactive. He is right on the verge of crawling, which I could definitely wait for! His first tooth is also making its grand entry. We had some jagged corners popping through today, so I'd say any day we will have a full on tooth. Oy.

It never ceases to amaze me thats its possible to love someone this much. Even on my worst days this little boy changes it all.

In other news...I have been bit by the re-decorating bug. I blame it on the fact that this is the longest I have ever lived in one resident (aside from growing up). I have had the tendency to move every year, if not sooner. Now that we're home owners, though, this gypsy has to stay put. I am busy re-creating our living room, though, so stay tuned for how thats going!

Another Day in Paradise

Today started out as a good day. Don't get me wrong...it hasn't been all bad, but I am beginning to realize that its always something. When I got home from running around today I found Zoey, my little naughty boxer, had a problem with her eye. A major problem. I haven't been able to get her to hold still and/or keep it open long enough to get a picture but it looks nasty. When I got home she could barely keep it open and when she did open it her eye was rolled back in her head and her second eyelid was essentially stuck to her eyeball. Of course the baby is sleeping, but I knew as soon as he woke up he was going to need fed and changed. Do I dare go to the vet and risk a meltdown? Of course not. I'm not a glutton for punishment.

Thankfully Ed was able to come home a little early from work so I could run her up to the vet (which is so awesome about last minute appointments...Berryhill Animal Hospital...i love you). Anyway, the vet seemed to think that she got something in it that scratched her eyelid. Whatever. I think thats a load of crap but I didn't go to school for veterinary medicine, so I guess I'll take his word for it. He gave us some medicine to put on it and did a bunch of tests to rule out a serious issue, but she looks pretty much the same. I guess only time will tell but the poor thing looks like a hot mess. Imagine Quasimodo on a boxer face. Poor baby.

On a lighter note...look at me blogging two days in a row :-)

Day 16- Another picture of yourself (baby pic!)


This is fun because I happen to have a bunch of my baby/kid pictures on the computer from our wedding and the slideshow that never came to fruition. 


It's so hard to pick a favorite, so I will post a few. I love looking at them and comparing them to how Preston looked when he was born and how he looks now. He looked so much like Ed has a newborn but looks more like my brother every day. 

Here is hoping my exhausted boy (and dog) sleep through the night. I just noticed that I rarely mention and/or take pictures of Bella. Thats because she is as stead-fast and laid-back as I could ever have hoped her to be. As long as meals are on time and ears are scratched she is a happy girl. 

Preston (and Bella) in February

Yep, just another day in paradise. 

30 Day Challenge -- Day 15

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play


This is going to be interesting because my iPhone has the most random compilation of music. So random that I don't even remember and/or listen to half of the things that are on there. Anyway, I am going to try not to cheat and put down songs that make me sound highly intelligent, refined, and classy. Here goes nothin...




1) Neon - John Mayer
2) Fat Botton Girls - Queen (classy and refined, no? Even classier....this use to be the ringtone on my phone for my best friend). 
3) Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
4) Girls Like Me - Kellie Pickler
5) Ain't No Crime - Billy Joel
6) Every Girl Like Me - Sugarland
7) I Found a Boy - Adele
8) I've Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea - Fall Out Boy
9) Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Cyndi Lauper and Frank Sinatra (gotta love Christmas in May!)
10) You're My Home - Billy Joel




Aside from the Christmas song I think this is actually a pretty fair representation of what I listen to. I love me some Sugarland and Billy Joel is an all-time favorite! And I didn't even cheat :-)


Okay, back to work...

Start Where You Are

I have decided, recently, that I need to implement a new mantra in my life. The Hollywood Houswife, whom I love, made her 2012 mantra "Start Where You Are". Initially, I thought, "well, of course you would start where you are? Where else would you start?". Lately, though, I have seen the importance of remembering such a thing.

Whether its my organization, my weekly planner, meal planning, blogging, etc I tend to focus on what I haven't done. I found myself looking at my weekly organization planner today and reading over all the tasks I should have done Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday that never got accomplished. Do you know what I was doing those days instead of sweeping, dusting, and restocking the toilet paper? I was working and snuggling my sweet boy, who I missed all weekend while we were in Colorado.

So, I've realized that I need to focus on the present and what is immediately in front of me. I need to start where I am. Not in the past where I tend to dwell or in the future that I so optimistically look forward to but right where I am. Okay, maybe not right where I am because this folding chair isn't doing much for me, but I digress.

Moving forward with my mantra I must say (to all 3 people who read this) that I will not be doing my back posts for my 30 day challenge. I know. You were totally looking forward to reading the letter to someone who hurt me. I realized that I couldn't commit myself to sitting down and blogging because all I could think about was how many days I was behind and how long it would take me to write a blog post with 7,835 things I have forgotten to write about.

I am starting from where I am and you should too :-)

Epic Failure

Yep, thats me. I am so awful at this posting thing! In my defense, my weekend was spent taking care of a sick husband and a teething baby and then I was preparing for my mom to come to visit and our upcoming trip to Colorado. I need to post an update blog on life, but first things first...lets talk about days 4-7 (8 and 9 yet to come).


Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn't have, or something that you are looking forward to. 

   

           Well, of course, if you ask me...I don't have bad habits. Nah. All kidding aside, I totally do. I would have to say my worst habit is procrastination. I am notorious for waiting until the last minute and then rushing around LIKE A CRAZY PERSON. Yesterday is a perfect example. For months I have known my mom was coming. Months. I booked the ticket for crying out loud! So, I wait until the day before to buy her birthday presents. I knew what I was getting her I just hadn't made time to get to the mall. Of course, as should be expected, I couldn't find one of the things. Blah blah blah...long story short I ended up having to rush into a store (gift bag and tissue paper in tow) on my way to the airport. Thankfully they had exactly what I was looking for, but it would have been a non-event had I planned ahead. One day I will learn (or not). 

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

This is one of my absolutely favorite pictures ever...

When Ed was deployed in 2009 what ended up being a routine 6 month deployment quickly turned into a treacherous 8 month endeavor. I say endeavor because of the ridiculous backwards information, lack of communication, and continuos extensions. Thats a whole other story, though. Anyway....about "halfway" through the deployment the submarine pulled into Scotland. A lot of the wives went to meet up with their husbands. Ed and I had been dating for all of 5 months (I think) at this point. We had been together 2 months when he left and decided we would give it a go (and by we decided I mean I refused to let him break up with me. Also another story for another day). So, we met up in Scotland and had a wonderful week together, reminding us that what we had was worth waiting for. This is also where we decided to move in together upon his return. This picture was taken at the top of Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh Scotland. It was a perfect day. 

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why 

Ooooh superheros. Thats a tough one. Growing up I was never a comic book kind of girl. I never got into the superhero cartoons (though I do remember the batman and robin cartoon from when I was really young). As an adult, though, with the help of hollywood I have become immersed in the Marvel/DC/Superhero stories. I really like hearing form actual comic book junkies how the movies differ from the actual stories in the comic books. Anyway, I digress. While I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Batman (who doesn't love a debonair normal man who is out to avenge his parents murder?) I would have to say my favorite superhero, based on skill and purpose, would have to be  Wonder Woman. Here is how wikipedia describes her --

Wonder Woman is a warrior Princess of the Amazons (based on the Amazons of Greek mythology) and was created by Marston, an American, as a "distinctly feminist role model whose mission was to bring the Amazon ideals of love, peace, and sexual equality to a world torn by the hatred of men." ^[2] Known in her homeland as Diana of Themyscira, her powers includesuperhuman strength, flight (even though the original Wonder Woman did not have this ability), super-speed, super-stamina, and super-agility. She is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and in the art of tactical warfare. She also possesses animal-like cunning skills and a natural rapport with animals, which has been presented as an actual ability to communicate with the animal kingdom. She uses her Lasso of Truth, which forces those bound by it to tell the truth, a pair of indestructible bracelets, a tiara which serves as a projectile, and, in some stories, an invisible airplane.

I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty bad ass to me. 

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Easily, this little boy has had the greatest impact on my life. He has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Don't get my wrong...I love my husband and my wedding day was a top 3 contender for best days ever, but this little one takes the cake. As a first time mother, I was absolutely terrified of him when he was born. I was afraid to hold him, afraid to change his diaper, and pretty much had no clue what I was suppose to do with him. Pregnancy in no way prepares you for actually having another human being that you are solely responsible for. Regardless of how tough it has been (and sometimes still is), he is amazing and I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. He has made me a better person, because now I'm his mommy. 

 

Day 3

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

Ahhh me and my friends. Here are a few of my favorite pictures...

 Alissa and I at the USS Miami Firetruck Pizza Party

 My wonderful bridesmaids!

Katie and I during our whirlwind summer in New England

I miss them so much my heart hurts. 

Day 2 (on day 3)

See? Epic failure. In my defense, yesterday was crazy busy with me cleaning and running errands then I had a trunk show last night. By the time I got home at 9:30 I was beyond exhausted! I don't know that I was horizontal in my bed for more than a minute before I passed out!

Even being super busy, I am determined to persevere.

Day 02- The meaning behind your Blogger name

My blog name is (obviously) The Bubblehead Bride. Those familiar with the Navy and/or submarine force know that "bubblehead" is a slang term for anyone that serves aboard a submarine. My husband is a bubblehead, therefore, I am a bubblehead's bride :-) See? That was easy.

Day 1 - Interesting Facts

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Talk about a tough place to start! Who can randomly generate 15 interesting facts about themselves?!? That being said...here goes nothin!

1) My husband (Ed) and I met on EHarmony. We still joke that only weirdos meet online. Evidently its true.

2) My son's name is coincidentally the same as the county in which I grew up. 

3) No, I did not name him after the county in which I grew up. 

4) My first true love was not a boy.

5) It was a chocolate dog 

6) Yummy delicious bread is my vice.


7) So is red wine.


8) I have determined that one of the worst things about being pregnant is that after the baby is born you are expected to return to wearing normal pants...


9) ...I would live in yoga/sweat pants if I could.


10) I feel like I am absolutely terrible at making new friends, but I am working on it!


11) One of my favorite things about being on vacation is being able to read all day...especially now that I am a mom and "me time" is precious!


12) I wish I were a distance runner. I have always thought I would love to run but have never actually gotten past the part where my lungs feel like they might burst. This tends to be a deterent. 


13) I decided that I wanted to get my masters in Criminal Justice when Yale student, Annie Le, was murdered and the FBI was searching our work parking lot for clues. (To clarify, I did not work at Yale. There was a trash processing plant right next door to my work and they believed evidence may have been taken there via the Yale trash). 


14) I absolutely love bad tv! Real Housewives? Bethenny Ever After? Pretty Little Liars? Yes, Yes, Yes!


15) I have just recently started a new career venture with Stella and Dot and am super excited about where it might lead!

30 Day Challenge

While having lunch with a new friend today we got to talking about blogging and how I can't seem to get motivated and/or make time to blog. As much as I would like it to be...I just haven't made it a priority. She mentioned that when she first started she went through the same thing. What helped her was doing a "30 Day Challenge" in which she had a prompt for every day. After getting into the routine, she found it easier to blog every day and now does a wonderful job keeping up with whats going on in her families life and how her children are growing.

Taking her advice, I have found a 30 day challenge that I am going to undertake. Using the following prompts, I am going to attempt to get this baby off the ground!

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 02- The meaning behind your Blogger name

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn't have, or something that you are looking forward to. 

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why 

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

Day 09- Something you’re proud of 

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

Day 11- a person you would love to meet.

Day 12- Your Blog Story.  

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself (baby pic!)

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them

Day 20- What does your future hold/where would you like to be?

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else

Day 23- Something you crave for a lot

Day 24- A letter to your parents

Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Who are you?

Here goes nothin!