A recap of my sick day.

After a week long hiatus from the blogging world...and the internet in general {most of the time}, I am finally deciding it is time to update. I got sick earlier in the week and that drove me into a lack of motivation to do anything online. I spent my down time relaxing, napping, getting ready, or doing chores instead of browsing the web or blogging. I kind of like it that way.

To start at the beginning -

I had a urinary tract infection a couple weeks back that I was waiting out. They have gone away on their own before but this turned for the worse. Friday morning I woke up to a horrid pain in my side and back. I was tired and just not feeling it that day. When I put Payton down for her morning nap, I resided to the couch for a nice long nap. When I woke up I just didn't feel right. I took my temperature and it was a low-grade fever of 100 degrees. I had no energy. I wanted to cry because of how little energy I had but I had my 9 month old baby to chase around all day. Layne had work but he surprised me when he came home early to take care of me and the baby. Best. surprise. ever. He got me sushi and he took Payton with him so I could lay on the couch and relax. It was weird having a whole night of no parenting responsibilities. Of course I kept insisting, because that is what we do as mothers. We don't get sick days. But this is what I needed. I ended up having to put Payton to bed because she just doesn't go to sleep when dad tries. Afterwards, I passed out. Literally right on the couch at 8:30 pm. I probably looked dead to the world.

The next day I got to sleep in because Layne took care of P in the morning. I thought I was feeling better, but I still had a little fever. After Layne went to work and I woke up from another nap, I was feeling worse than ever. I was so dizzy, could barely move, and having chills. My fever reached a 103.5 and everyone was telling me to go the doctor despite my many protests. Don't they know I'm stubborn? I went to the E.R. and lo and behold...I had a kidney infection. I always hate going to the E.R. The endless wait, sick people, and outrageous costs. Apparently it was a good thing I went though because if a kidney infection is not taken care of it can lead to serious illness. In most cases you actually have to be hospitalized for a couple days, but I caught it early. Go me, right?

The Tylenol and Motrin they gave me brought my fever down and I was already starting to feel more like myself. I am so thankful I have such a wonderful and sweet family to take care of me. The worst part of being sick was not being able to give Payton my all. I have been making up for it this week though now that I feel back to my fabulous self.

Spring is in the air.

Spring is a comin' and I am welcoming it with open arms. The sun-filled air and warm breezes are mother nature's gift to us all after cold winter days that seem to last forever. Spring welcomes a certain kind of calmness and comfortableness that I am quite fond of. It has its bipolar days like yesterday's rainy and cold nonsense. I'll take it though with the promise of a beautiful tomorrow.

I love California weather for the very reason that just an hour north of us (in the mountains) they could have snow while we are basking in sunny deliciousness. I also love the fact that we are surrounded by nothing but beauty. Within close proximity we can choose mountains or beach, city or seclusion.

But right now I am just soaking up all the good spring time feelings that March brings.

Blossoming flowers and trees.
Beautiful blue skies and bird songs.

Walks in the park with my little girl.

Dresses, barefeet, and all things cute and colorful.

The darling hat Grandma C got Payton for Christmas.

And best of all, with the beginning of spring comes another new beginning and chapter in our lives.

Little missy is well on her way to becoming a big girl and is now pulling up on objects and standing at any given chance she gets. In other words, at 12 AM when she should be sleeping she is standing...and playing. She's learned that this new trick brings mommy into the room a countless number of times. So, without fail, we are up for 2-3 hours straight at night wide awake. Not to mention the cute little alarm clock I get at 4-5 AM.  I am solely functioning in a sleepless daze of motherly love and coffee. Who wouldn't wish they were me?!

It makes my heart swell with love though to see her so happy with arms out and ready for me when she sees me walk in the room. Can't beat that mother/daughter unbreakable kind of love. It's a superhuman power. 

And it is just as equally heartwarming to see the complete adoration she has for her daddy - the playmate and protector.

Good news: we are all starting to feel back to our old selves. Yay. Sickness be gone!

Bad news: A laundry list of about a million things, including laundry. 

Happy Spring! At least for some of us. 

Love, Adventure, & Snow.

This week has been a mixture of just about everything you can imagine. A week to remember. Moments of what being a family is all about. And also moments of complete and utter craziness.

L O V E

Layne and I decided we wanted to take a trip up to Lake Tahoe for Valentine's Day just like we did last year. We love the idea of using money that we would've spent on each other to spend on something we can do together instead. But, life happened and plans changed. Instead, Mama Coey came down to babysit Payton after we put her down for the night so we could go out for a nice Valentine's Day dinner at the Elephant Bar. This was the place of our first date down in Palm Springs, and one of the best memories as a couple. It was a gorgeous night on Sunday as we soaked but the warm breeze and sat looking at each other with the same love we've had since day one. We reminisced about every special memory we have had and the many more we can't wait to make. Having the baby has taught us to treasure moments together even more and to appreciate any given chance to have an intelligent adult conversation. Fellow moms know what I mean.

Love to me is seeing how Layne looks at Payton...or the way Payton lays her head across my chest... or the feeling of complete security when we are all together even if it's in utter chaos. To me, Valentine's Day is Love Day. It is about appreciating the love in your life and the love you have for one another.

A D V E N T U R E


I use to think of myself as a pretty adventurous person. Since becoming a mom I have suddenly turned into the most overly-cautious person that it still surprises me sometimes. I still have moments of wanting that freedom of spontaneity and lucky for me Payton is a very easy, laidback baby so we can always just pick up and go if we want.

On Valentine's Day last Monday we decided that instead of going to Tahoe, we would just make a short trip up to the snow because the weather was turning bad. We ended up at Donner's Pass 45 minutes north east of us where we picked a random road to drive off of and "experience" all-wheel drive. To say that I was nervous is an understatement, even at 5 mph. I was cringing and being Layne's worst back-seat driver nightmare. Payton was happily cooing away in the back as I was yelling at Layne to "STOP!" or "Turn around, there is too much snow". We are used to hot summers and fairly mild winters (well, compared to up north) so driving on even small patches of snow scares the beejezus out of me. All in all, it ended up to be a fun little adventure. We side parked it on a dead end road and played, or rather awed, at the snow for a couple minutes before Payton had enough. We happily waddled away in our bundle of clothes and a sense of togetherness.

Sometimes I just want to slow time down just so I can savor being in the moment that much longer. Life can be that good sometimes. I want to remember every speck of detail and emotion because I'm afraid in a flash it will be gone and we're 10 years older. Our day ended with a drive back full of talk and laughter as the baby slept. We made a wonderful home-cooked meal consisting of Mongolian Beef with brown rice and Veggie Lo Mein. And settled. It was nice. Just what we needed. 

And that's where our adventure should have ended. But there were other plans.

Thursday our spontaneity kicked in and we went to drive up to Grass Valley to see Layne's mom because it was SNOWING. I thought it might just be trickling snow...but it was dumping. In the 24 years Layne has lived in Northern California he has never actually seen it snow. We had to go.

There is something about the snow that is so magical to me. 

The way it glistens...

The way the snow flakes flutter down in patterns of disarray...

The way it makes me feel like a kid again...

I want Payton to experience the magic that every child should.

But THIS was a winter storm.

And it turned into a wreck....literally.

We were on our way back home when we decided the "scenic" route would be much more suitable to us to experience and enjoy. We soon found the roads were too slippery and unplowed. We turned around and even cautiously making our way through the thick, slushy roads full of ice and snow couldn't stop the car who was about to hit us head on. We swerved and barely missed the car, barely missed the tree right in front of us, and almost flipped. We ended up on a slope with the car at an angle that, with the right leverage, could have still easily flipped or slid down the slope.

The road we ended up sliding off of. 

There are those moments few and far between when life suddenly goes into slow motion. I found myself thinking of a million things in just a few short seconds. I could feel myself brace for impact. I looked at my husband and closed my eyes to just...wait.

We stopped. I breathed.

Layne was still in a panic because he thought if he took his foot off the brake we were going to flip. The guy helped us out as fast as we could climb out. And there we were in the freezing cold with snow dumping on us and my baby not properly dressed for a winter storm. They closed the road down and we waited for Layne's mom to come to the rescue. I feel so lucky that nothing worse happened and that we were close enough to Mama Coey's house to wait out the snow there.

When you are not in immediate danger, the snow can be quite beautiful. Payton thought so too.

We sat by the fire, ate hot soup, and cozied up on the couch until we decided we were actually going to brave it home that night since it cleared.

Guilty Pleasures

We all have them! I'll fess up, confess, and say that mine are:

Teen Mom and 16 & Pregnant. I realize I am not a tween but these girls make for some good trashy television. And they make me feel oh so good about my parenting skills.

Indulging in a whole pint of Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch ice-cream. Heaven! It's worth all of the guilty pleasure I can get.

Facebook, babycenter, and bloggy blog blogs. Addictive. Seriously addicting stuff.

The fact that on some nights I neglect all household duties and decide relaxing is way more important. "Happy wife, happy life!"

Sometimes rocking my sweet baby to sleep and holding her in my arms for awhile because I love the snuggles and miss when she used to sleep on me all the time. *Gasp*

I'm sure I have more, but off the top of my extremely tired, throbbing head this is all I can think of.  I will just add to the list as I think of them. Feel free to chime in!

Sick, Sick, Sick

You know those days where you just want to curl up in bed with a million blankets, watch feel-good movies all day, and cuddle with your loved one? Those perfect cozy, winter days. Well, I didn't quite get that day but I longed for it. Being sick has a way of doing that to you. 

Our cat had the right idea.

Thanks to my seemingly wonderful husband, I got through the day with as much grace as humanly possible. Even though the misery of running noses, sneezes, and coughs were consuming me, my family always has a way of making the day a bit brighter. I am, however, ready for this day and the rest of winter to be over and done with and hoping for a better feeling tomorrow! 

Payton and Layne, on the other hand, had a great day. They got to spend a little time alone together while I took a much needed relaxing, hot shower. A luxury to any mom. She loves playtime with daddy. It is so sweet to see her turning into a little daddy's girl. And of course Layne is just smitten with her. I'm perfectly content with that because I got the bragging rights that she babbled 'mamamama' first and still wants me when she is tired, hungry, or not feeling good so... all the time. ha ha.  

We absolutely love watching her play, grow, and learn new things everyday. 

One of her favorite things right now is her Jumparoo. She is a wild woman in that genius-made toy.

And did I mention she is teething? The drool fest, knawing on anything she can get her hands on, and sleepless nights have been going on for months it seems like. I am just waiting for one of those mean little toofers to sneak through. 

She has just recently discovered that her toes make fun play toys and tasty treats. Yum. 

And yesterday she was showing off how she loves to sit like a big girl all day long. My love bug is getting so big so fast! We have less than a week before her 6 month birthday!  I will post an update on her milestones and stats on Sunday or Monday.

"Enjoy whatever phase your baby is in. Something incredible is always ahead, but you can never go back." 

- Elizabeth Hasselbeck