Books read in June 2008

1. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward. (NOTE: This book is book 6. Book 1 is Dark Lover. Book 2 is Lover Eternal. Book 3 is Lover Awakened Book 4 is Lover Revealed Book 5 is Lover Unbound.)
2. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn. (NOTE: This book is book 1. Book 2 is Mr. Cavendish, I Presume which comes out on September 30, 2008.)
3. The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney.

I liked all the books I read this month, but after I read these three in rapid succession, I found it hard to get into another book. This is partly because June was a busy month. It’s also just that I found it difficult to concentrate. I did switch genres up a little so I am reading a couple of books currently that, I presume, will show up in my July summary. So, here’s hoping July will be when my reading groove comes back.

Weekend Update

This past weekend, we has Husband's extended family in town. We had everyone over on Saturday evening for dinner. This was the first time they have seen Baby in person. She was good. She didn't mind being passed from one person to another. She did sleep a lot which is typical when there are big crowds. She usually defaults to a nap.

On Sunday, we all went to brunch at The Front Page. Baby didn't really take much of a morning nap so she cracked out by the end of brunch. She fell asleep and then napped when we got home. So did I. Napping is good.

Later, Sister and Nephew came over. We all walked to the Inlaws's pool. It was perfect. Baby was super cranky so having her cousin and grandparents and a pool helped a lot. Baby was a little fussy in the pool, but she liked being walked around and really liked the water. Then, she just fell asleep. She didn't wake up until we tried to take her wet suit off. It was the cutest little thing.

When we got back home, Husband gave the two kids a bath. They played very well. Nephew decided to squeeze into Baby's teeny bath. They both chewed on the bath toys. Then, Nephew poured water over Baby which would have been fine if she didn't have her mouth wide open. She was fine. She coughed it all out. She loves the water. Then, we all had dinner before Sister and Nephew went home.

The rest of the night was fairly quiet. We watched a little television. Baby woke up crying twice this weekend and needed a little comfort. After she had a snack and some cuddling, she went to bed, and we followed very shortly afterwards. Everyone got a good night's sleep. Plus, for the 6th day in a row, I've gotten to work at 9 o'clock. That's on time, folks. This means, I get to leave at 5 o'clock. It's a new experience for me, but I'm trying it out. I should be good until Fall/Winter. When it's dark and/or cold outside, it's harder to jump out of bed.

Oh, Happy Day!

Now, it is no secret that I love Kyle Chandler. So, when I was browsing Barnes & Noble, imagine my surprise and delight to see that Early Edition is coming out on DVD! Everyone teases me for watching this show, but it was just a happy show and good things happened on it. Now, if they only released Homefront, all my dreams will have come true.

So close (we're counting it anyway)!

Baby crawled! Well, sort of. Every night, we've held crawling lessons where I moved her limbs and said, "knee, knee, hand, hand". She'd giggle, collapse onto the floor and roll. Tonight, she did it! She went knee, knee, hand, hand and then collapsed onto the floor. So, she's crawled, but she's not crawling. We're totally counting it.

Note: This photo is from two nights ago. She got on her hands and knees, but no crawling. Her crawl was so brief tonight, there are no photos so this one had to do. Oh, video when she gets the hang of it!

George Carlin

In honor of George Carlin, here are some quotes. When someone passes away, I always find remembering the good times helps, and we've had a lot of good times with George Carlin.

Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.
George Carlin

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Weekend Update

This weekend, friends came in from out of town. I should say Husband was great. He watched Baby all weekend while I got to have some time with my friends. I know I could have brought her, but it would have been difficult and I didn't want to her to be away from home so long or being a bother to my friends.

It was a weekend of all things we loved. Three of us were free on Friday night, and we had dinner on Friday at Whitlow's on Wilson and then we parted ways. Two went to the city to pick up one friend, and I drove to Dulles to pick up another. Then, we hung out in the hotel and chatted.

On Saturday, we went to The Silver Diner for breakfast and then hit the road for some fun. We had cupcakes from Cake Love and went to C&W Used Books. I mean, what gets better than cupcakes and books? I actually bought one cupcake and one crunchy foot. The crunchy feet are little pound cakes that are crunchy on the outside and soft and heavenly on the inside. It was topped with whipped cream and raspberries and blueberries. It was so good. I bought a bunch of books I didn't need. Then, we went to another local bakery. I bought a Death by Chocolate and a chocolate and strawberry tart. Then, we hung out and chatted, went to DSW and went to Cafe Deluxe. We finished off the night chatting in the hotel until I got very sleepy.

On Sunday, we went to The Liberty Tavern for brunch. I brought Baby so she could be introduced to the group. They had only previously seen pictures. She never got her morning nap so it was possible she would melt down the minute we got there especially with new people thrown into the mix. She was pretty good. She did get fussy, but she fell asleep as we left.

Baby and I walked home from brunch, and she slept the entire time. She actually woke up as soon as we got home. I fed her lunch, and she went down for a nap. She woke up and played with Husband while I took a nap. Then, she went down for another nap. She woke up shortly after to eat and is currently sleeping again. It was a busy morning. Plus, she really wants to crawl. She's been getting so angry and frustrated. She'll get it sooner or later. If it was up to her, it'll be sooner. Plus, we also figured out a cure for her hair which has been hanging in her face.

Beauty Blog (HA)

This is from Teble's blog. Keep in mind that I am rarely brand specific so this is answered in the here and now.

My Foundation: I have Clinique foundation, but I rarely use it, only for special occasions when I need my make up to last. I've also been known to use Cover Girl's liquid powder.
My Blush: Some free sample from Clinique. I also have a weird blush from Clinique that you just rub on with your finger. I like it a lot, but I haven't wanted to get my hands dirty lately.
My Day Cream: When I remember to put it on, it's the CVS brand SPF 15 anti-wrinkle cream. At night, I use that or the Aveeno equivalent.
My Lipstick: Right now, it's a Clinique, but I don't know the shade because it's rubbed off. I think I have a Black Cherry at home.
My Essential Beauty Product: lip moisturizer
My favorite Make-up product: does nail polish count? Otherwise, I wear it everyday, but I have to admit to not wearing any/much make up this week at all.
My Perfume: I've been using a body mist (it's like a step up from the body spray) from Bath & Body Works in Moonlit Path. It also sparkles when I wear it. I don't think they sell it anymore. At least not the sparkle one.
My Nails: It's flaky, but it's purple sparkle. I'll redo them tonight either purple or pink sparkles.
My Feet: I'd love a pedicure, but I probably will do them myself. They're really flaky and were pink sparkle. I'll redo them tonight to match my fingernails. It bothers me when the fingers and toes don't match.
My hands: I have a Crabtree & Evelyn Jojoba Oil Hand & Cuticle cream at work. I love it. At home, I use whatever I have in the bathroom. I have Bath & Body Works body butter (Moonlit Path and some pink one) and Cinnamon Bun scented.
Three Products to bring on a deserted island: lip moisturizer, body wash, and shampoo/conditioner
Women I admire for their beauty: I really think Salma Hayek is pretty.
Women with the best Sense of Style: I like Katie Holmes's style a lot.
My ultimate dream: A beauty dream? I can't say I dream of beauty, but I wish I could blink and have my make up just magically appear, never smear and come off completely and easily at the end of the day.
My favorite fashion Publication: I subscribe to Glamour so I guess that's it though it's more than a fashion publication.

So what are your beauty secrets? Share them in the comments or post on your own blog and link back to me.

Weekend Update - Father's Day

This past weekend, Sister, Brother-in-Law, Nephew, Husband, Baby and I trekked down to the local portrait studio and had formal portraits taken of the kids. They were supposed to be Baby's 6-month portraits, but we were too busy last month so they are her 7-month portraits. Plus, we had some photos taken of her with her cousin. The kids were so well-behaved, and the photos came out adorable! It was so hard to decide which prints to buy. We made our final choices, but we may pay the additional money to buy more. After that, we all tried to go to the pool, but it started storming so we all went our separate ways.

For Father's Day, Husband woke up early with Baby. They have their morning time. I know he'd rather sleep, but it's worth getting up because she's her most happy in the morning. Big smiles. Then, he goes back to sleep for her morning nap, and I get up and do what needs to be done and get her when she wakes up. It's a routine that works most lazy weekends. I had to run out briefly to complete some errands and get my eyes checked. Then, my parents came over for dinner and to spend some time with Baby. After my parents left, we had some quiet time with Baby. She was quite tired, but the photo to the right is during a brief alert period.

And so ends another weekend...

Feeding time!

Baby is getting to be a pro at eating! In this short clip, you can also tell that she loves sleeping. Unfortunately, it's sideways so you have to tilt your head to the left.

Let's go to the fair!

It was a good weekend even if was crazy busy. On Friday night, I finished a great book. Then, Husband and I made a huge mistake. For Baby's last meal, we usually wake her between 10-11PM. She eats, plays briefly and then goes back to bed a little before we do. On Friday, we decided to see what happens if we just let her sleep. Well, if you let her sleep, she wakes up around 1:30AM - wide awake and smiling. Luckily, I just fed her and she went right back to sleep. I went back to sleep around 2:30AM. This wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't wake up shortly after to start our Saturday.

On Saturday, it was a zillion degrees plus the heat index and humidity so it was roughly the temperature of the sun outside. We woke up with Baby and left the house after she had her breakfast so we could go to Celebrate Fairfax! with Sister, Brother-in-Law and Nephew. We got there and felt like eggs just cracked into a fry pan. Needless to say, we didn't last long. Poor Baby was so hot. She was so well behaved. After the festival, we went to TGIFriday's for lunch. Then, we had to run back home because we were expecting Husband's family for dinner. I took a brief nap while Husband gave Baby a cool bath. Then, Baby napped while we started dinner and did some last-minute cleaning. It was a nice dinner to celebrate our birthdays and Fathers' Day - even though our Fathers' Day present didn't arrive on time.

On Sunday, I met friends at Gordon Biersch again. It was yummy. Plus, we got cupcakes at Cake Love. I haven't eaten mine yet, but I can't wait! We celebrated my birthday in Vera Bradley style. I had been eyeing this one pattern, and my friends gave me separate pieces in the pattern I love. Plus, I stopped at a store and picked up another purse 50% off. Then, we went to paint pottery. I'm not very good, but it was something different to do. I don't think I could afford to go walking around the mall one more weekend!

So, it was a good weekend. It went quickly as they all do.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Well, it looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! Baby loves books!

OK, Baby loves chewing books, but I'm sure if she could read, she'd love reading as much as chewing on them.

Walk Out

Have you ever walked out on a movie? Entertainment Weekly compiled a list of movies from which viewers walked out. With movies being $10.50, I rarely walk out of a movie. Even when movies were cheap, I never walked out. However, my college roommate and I went to Dante's Peak. Our friends came in and told us to leave and join them across the way to see Scream instead. So, we did. Now, before you all start talking about jumping theaters, it was a special deal where the college rented out the movie theater. We got to see the current releases for like $5.00. The only catch was that the movies were at midnight. So, it wasn't a huge deal to skip out on a bad movie. Turned out, we almost walked out of Scream, too, but we stuck it out. I'm a big baby and that opening scene with Drew Barrymore creeped me out. Once I got past that, I was fine. I've seen bad movies before, but those were the only ones that I almost left.

Big Girl!

This morning, as I was getting dressed, I propped Baby up in our bed. She watches me and hangs out. This morning, she sat up off the pillows so she could play with the blankets. She has been able to sit up for awhile while propped or for short periods of time, but today she sat up so strongly. She only wobbled when she tried to grab for something. So, I put her on the floor to see if she could sit up there, too. And she did! She seemed pleased at her progress. Such a big girl! I wonder what milestone will be next...

Weekend Update

We had a great weekend. On Saturday, Husband went to play golf. So, Baby and I had a whole day together. Husband changed her diaper, fed her breakfast and put her down for her morning nap before he left. Baby had other plans. So, I took her into the bedroom to hang out while I tried to wake up. Next thing I knew, it was 10:30 and we were both sleeping. I decided to get ready for the day and put her back into the crib. She woke up and started to get very sad so I gave her some toys which made her happy. Then, I showered and we got ready to start the day. Baby got lunch and promptly threw up all over her outfit. So, we had to change even though she looked adorable. Then we took a walk to Chipotle. We started to hang out in the mall, but it got really dark outside so we ran home to miss the rain.

On Sunday, I met friends for lunch while Baby had the day with Husband. We met super duper early because I'm an idiot. We talked about going to the 2:15PM movie, and then we changed it to 3:20PM. So, when I thought of a time for lunch, it was based around the earlier time. So, we had a lot of time to kill between lunch at Gordon Biersch and Sex and the City. It's a good thing we were at the mall. We found a way to pass the time.

Baby also almost fed herself this past weekend! She had the food in her hand and brought it to her mouth, but she didn't open her hand to feed herself. She opened her hand to find out why she didn't have food in her mouth and then the food dropped onto the floor. So, I would hold the food in my hand for her to grab and she'd lean forward and eat it off my hand like a pet. So, we're working on it, but she's still the smartest baby ever.