what makes me happy...

It's after 9pm on a Saturday night and I'm at home on the computer...and I'm perfectly fine with that. My daughter is sound asleep, my husband is around the house somewhere, and I couldn't be happier.

Today as I was driving, I hear "bawawawawawa" as Carlee moves her hand back and forth against her mouth to make that noise. Instantly I cracked a smile. She cracks me up. Its the little things like a silly noise she makes that make me smile.

Not that I was ever an unhappy person before, but nothing has made me as happy as the things Carlee does. She has a whole new slew of tricks too!

Just yesterday she was playing in the hallway and I hear a ball roll down the hallway. Then I think "Did she throw it?" She comes crawling down the hallway, picks up the ball, wails her arms, and out it flies! Ok so its more like her dropping it, but she's "throwing" it all on her own! I was so proud!

Its days like today that make me want to freeze in time! Especially when I tell Carlee "Give momma kisses" and she opens her mouth as wide as she can and puts it to my cheek. I don't want these days to end. Just recently I've started thinking about her birthday party (omg!) and started buying her 12 month outfits (they look much larger than 9 months!) Its bittersweet...I love my little baby but I'm excited for her to grow up and learn even more things.

My week as a SAHM

SAHM= Stay At Home Mom (for those that don't know baby message board lingo)

We were pretty much confined to home this week. Being sick does that. We did manage a Tarjay and Kohl's run to buy some new outfits and blanket for the newest addition. Poor girl needed some pink in her wardrobe (no more green and yellow!) Then we saw the little one last night for the first time. She was just over 24 hours old! I swear Carlee was never that little (and Sydney was born a whole pound heavier than Carlee was). Its amazing how soon you forget and how fast they grow!

Other than that I just took pictures of Carlee day after day. I bet she can't wait for me to go back to work so she doesn't have a camera in her face all day.

Here are some of the pictures I took: Brookie and her new lil sis!

Then of course, my baby girl:

Oh and I can't forget the proud papas:

And baby makes five...

ITS A GIRL!!!


Sydney Reid Verdugo was born yesterday, July 23rd! She weighs 8 lbs, 8 oz and is 20 inches long! I think she looks like Brooklyn when she was a newborn. It will be interesting to see if Sydney looks like Brooklyn or Davess and if she gets their beautiful blue and green eyes. (Carlee got the short end of that Verdugo stick!)

Carlee and I haven't been able to visit the baby since we've both been sick so we're dying to see her! I guess Davess was crying when he found out it was a girl. He wanted a brother so bad and to call him "junior." But he quickly got over it and was excited for his new sister. He loves Carlee so much so I thought he'd be ok with having a baby sister but he probably didn't want another sister like Brooklyn aka "Destructo" aka "The Diva."

Here is Sydney a few hours after she was born when Uncle Casey, Grandma and Papa got to go to the hospital (while Auntie Cortney and cousin Carlee were at home sick...boo).

the flu= no fun

I was excited for this week b/c I was going to spend the week with Carlee and not working! I wanted to get in some playdates and just some quality time with the little one. Much to my surprise I was woken up at 4am this morning from Carlee crying and LOUD! Not a fussy, pick-me-up-I'm-awake cry. My first thought was that it was her teeth. I picked her up to get her teething tablets (my lifesaver!) but then she vomited. I won't go into details b/c it was nothing nice. My morning went like this: vomit, bath, strip crib sheets, put her to bed, vomit, strip crib again, back to bed, vomit, wash sheets, eat cereal, vomit. Since about 9am we've been free and clear. Just a little sleepy and clingy. As much as it hurts seeing your baby girl dry heave, I don't mind her being clingy and cuddly! I have to say one of the toughest things is to see your child hurting in some way.


I hope tomorrow is a better day and Carlee's back to her normal self, even if that means watching her make out with herself!

I saw it! I saw it!

Carlee has a tooth!

It seems like she's been teething forever. Sunday and Monday nights she woke up several times crying out. Then Monday evening she was really fussy. Not content playing, eating, being held, and wouldn't take a bottle. Tuesday morning I thought for sure I'd find a tooth in her mouth. Sure enough I felt the razor sharp lil booger. I was so excited and proud of her. I don't know why....its only natural for her to get teeth! Then Casey held her tongue so we could actually see it. Was Carlee mad at her daddy!

Tuesday night was a little more pleasant since the tooth broke through- everyone slept soundly. Now we await for its buddy to come in.

Carlee's toothless smile (although you can't see it!)

rollercoaster of a weekend...

An emotional rollercoaster, that is.

From the memorial for Jerry, Nate, and Willy on Thursday afternoon, I have had a crazy mix of emotions. The memorial was very sad but such a nice service. Then Friday night was a nice family night out down at Hungtington Beach. We walked around the beach and farmers market. Then had an early dinner, just the 3 of us. I feel like such a bad mom- I forgot my camera and it was Carlee's 2nd time at the beach (the first time she slept through a bonfire). My justification is that we didn't go down to the water, let alone touch sand, so I'll get pictures when we actually do that since that will be her first time really being at the beach! I don't think I took any pictures of her this weekend...that's a first!

Saturday morning was Jerr Bear's funeral. The past week has been crazy and I think it will really sink in now that its over and everyone has to continue on with life.

But then Saturday night was when the fun began and I needed it after crying so much this week. A few friends and I went to the fair and to see One Republic. I know I'm a little biased but it was really fun! Great seats...margaritas...what can be better!? I kept trying to get pictures of my cousin. For some reason, the light is always on the lead singer and not the drummer. Go figure.

What a great support system!

I'm so proud of my brother and his friends for stepping up and organizing a fundraiser to earn money for the families of Jerry, Nate, and Willy. These families were not prepared on burying their 21 year old sons. With the support of their friends and family, they were able to raise over $21,000!!!! The car wash lasted about 7 hours and there were lines of cars down the street. It was amazing to see how much these kids are loved!

When Daddy's away...

...the girls will play!

Casey, Dien, and Kevin left for the river Thursday morning at 5am! It was a normal day for Carlee and I- work and Grandma's. Thursday night the two of us went to a tupperware party. The closest thing to a girls night out...I'll take it!



Friday we started off our 4th of July by taking the boat out with Grandma Candi, Papa Keith (haha!), and "Freestyler". We went out of Huntington Harbor and then to Long Beach. Carlee was fine while putting around the harbor. As soon as that life jacket went on, she flipped out. She cried and cried until we got out onto the ocean and went fast- that's my girl! On the way back to Huntington from Long Beach, she slept the whole time, bumpy ride and all.

Then we got home for a quick nap and then got cleaned up to go to our 4th of July bash! All these parties started after Carlee's bedtime. She's a trooper though and partied a little before passing out. She didn't get to see any fireworks though. =( Maybe next year!

My little All American Girl...

I liked this picture of Cody, Carin and the kids. Sparklers were the only fireworks we could do! Good thing we were able to see a ton of firework shows from the backyard!

Saturday we had the intentions of getting together with some other OC mommas and their kiddos. Not to mention pick up our long awaited Piggies and Paws. But early Saturday morning we received horrible news that three of Dien's friends had died in a car accident. So Saturday we drove to pick up Dien so he can get home. Needless to say he didn't feel like staying at the river. We got home about 4pm on Saturday. I had planned on just staying home or just being there to support Dien b/c I didn't know what he had planned. Him and his friends all got together that evening, so Carlee and I went to our next party as planned.

This was the 2nd party at Cody and Carin's in 2 days. It was casino-themed surprise birthday party for Carin's brother. I hadn't planned on participating in the casino games since I had the kid with me. But Davess wanted to play black jack, so Carlee and I were showing him how to play. At 6 years old, he is now a pro at it. I had to walk away from the table and he was still playing! And he was winning too! Somehow I need to take him to Vegas with me!



Brooklyn showing them how to do it!



Then Sunday was a day for rest and recuperation. We did the usual...laundry, clean house, and wait for Casey to come home. Carlee was ecstatic to see her daddy. Casey was amazed that Carlee was crawling. See what happens when you leave for the weekend!

We have a crawler

When did this happen? Just last week she was up on all fours rocking back and forth. She's all over the place and quick too! Time to childproof the house!

A typical night now...

Carlee is 8 months old now. Where did the last 8 months go? The 30th of June snuck up on me and is long gone. The 30th of every month sneaks up on me. Before I know it, it's going to be the 30th of October and I'm going to have a one year old. Ok, not so fast! I still have 4 months. But still, 8 months seems so much older than 7. I think I say that every month too.


So last night we put her in her crib to fuss/play/talk before she falls asleep on her own. We peeked in on her a couple times. The older she gets the longer she fusses/ plays/ talks. Well, in one night she mastered getting herself to the sitting position. I was bummed I missed how she got there. I need to get a video comera set up in her room!


Tonight was no different in taking a long time to wind down in her crib. But it wasn't only sitting in front of the rainforest soother, she was standing and standing and standing. She obviously wasn't ready for bed. I even snuck in there to take a video with my point and shoot camera. I took a two minute video of her playing and sitting and standing. I guess only a parent can appreciate that and would sit on the floor hiding behind a crib bumper to do so!

I caught her all smiles when I went in to check on her. I took these pictures then ran out to show Casey who was waxing the boat for his river trip. He took a break from that to lower the mattress like he's been saying he needs to do.

This was after the crib was lowered and she still got up! I think she enjoyed it. I did get a kick out of it but she was supposed to be sleeping!

Finally she knocked out at 8:30pm-about 2 hours after bedtime. Two much going on with her new found ability to sit and stand and then Uncle D was over too. Too much fun for one night!