How can I make some extra moola?

I'm trying to think of ways to make some extra money. One thought I have had is to blog and hope it can bring in some cash flow. But what would I blog about? Babies and parenting? Or the learning of it that is. Music? My walk with God? I'm not quite sure any of those things would be all that interesting to a big enough group of people. Or that what I have to say would be interesting at all. I have also thought about trying a hand at baking and decorating cakes. I have had some fun in the past making cakes and decorating with fondant. I don't want to brag but for the lack of experience and absolutely no training whatsoever, I didn't do all that bad!

Well, if anyone has some suggestions, I'm totally up for them! In the meantime, I shall keep brainstorming.

Nine months ago...

Nine months ago I (and a few days). I gave birth to Hailey! We went to her 9 month doctor appointment today. In the waiting room were a couple who JUST had a baby. They were sitting there adoring her and still trying to figure out exactly how to hold the baby. I caught myself staring at them. I hope I didn't make them feel weird. I was just remember back to all those new parent feelings!

Speaking of new, I'm getting into some new territories with my 9 month old! She sometimes decides to try and fip onto her stomach when I am changing her. This is going to be a problem as she is very strong! Sean and I sat and talked about what we are going to do. I really feel like a team and am so appreciative of Sean's activeness in Hailey's life. He is a very involved father!

I have incorporated more baby food into Hailey's diet. She eats baby food 3 times a day having normally 4 or 5 jars total. I spent some time Monday making baby food. I made sweet potatoes and avocado. Then I cut up watermelon and cantelope into tiny pieces that she can chew on. She doesn't like the avocado or most of the vegetables for that matter but if I put yogurt or fruit on the tip of the spoon, she will eat it. Tomorrow I plan to make applesauce and banana.

I can't forget to mention that Hailey's weight is 15 lb. 12 oz. She is 28 inches long. Her weight is in the 10th percentile but the doc said she is gaining so they are not concerned. =o) The doctor did mention to not hold any food back from Hailey. She said to even give Hailey a french fry if she wants it. What?! That surprised me! I don't think I want to start my 9 month old on fried foods yet. If she is anything like me, fries are a HUGE weak spot!!

I gotta brag on my husband, Sean. He has been WONDERFUL (as always). But really, extra WONDERFUL! This past Saturday, he let me sleep while he took care of Hailey! Last week Hailey was making a habit of getting up at 5:00 or 5:30 AM. That's what I get for putting her to bed at 7 PM! So I had been getting up with her during the week but joked with Sean friday night that if Hailey gets up early Saturday, he can take care of her. And he did! I really didn't have to say anything either! So then he helped some around the house. Then today he worked on finishing a home project and a repair! Whoa!!! He took me to the mall last Friday night. He has also been spending more time with me and just watched the Bachelorette with me. Watch out Sean, I'm getting spoiled!

The nursery had gotten so clogged up. I mean junktified more than normal. There were all kinds of baby stuff everywhere, music, etc. So Sean put the playpen in the master bedroom and Hailey napped in there while I cleaned the nursery/multi-purpose room. I went through Hailey's clothes and boxed up a ton of clothes she has grown out of. I remember when she was too small for those clothes and they were so cute so I couldn't wait for her to fit into them! Now she is too big!! I found the hospital shirt and cap she wore when we first had her. I'm going to take pictures tomorrow of her next to it so we can see how much she has grown!

In the nursery I got out the CD player that was my grandmother's so I can play music for Hailey on it when she is playing or napping. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away August 17th, 2006. Which that date ended up being Hailey's due date in 2008. (God was fulfilling my prayer of bringing new life) Anyways, it's unfortunate she didn't get to meet Hailey but I know Grammy would be so proud of her. The CD player had a cd that Grammy had left in there. I kinda didn't want to take it out. I know Grammy would be SO happy to see that I am now using it in Hailey's nursery! One of Hailey's favorite things to stand and hold onto is the rose wood table that was Grammy's. It is the perfect height for Hailey. She keeps her empty soda bottle on it. Yeah, I let Hailey drink soda. Every morning to wake her up. Haha. Got ya there for a minute didn't I?! lol... you can probably read my sarcasm. Hailey just likes empty bottles of any kind. I'm so happy to have that table that I can then pass down to Hailey and tell the story of Grammy and what a great influence she was.

Well, I see this is getting long and the Magic game is on so tata! Hopefully I will get to post soon!

We're still here!

Hailey is becoming a pro at crawling. She will also pull herself up to standing and cruise. I have to keep doors shut in the house because she will suddenly "disappear". She loves to stand holding onto the dog gate at the kitchen and laugh at the dogs.

Sean and I were talking the other day how Hailey is quite fearless and very trusting of us. Generally, she is loud, happy - very outgoing. The only time she is quiet is when she is in a new place or a lot is going on around her. Then she becomes observant. God woke Sean up many times throughout my pregnancy to pray for Hailey and told him specific things to pray. I really believe because of the faithfulness of Sean's prayers, Hailey is as healthy and vibrant as she is.

New things Hailey is doing:
Crawling like a pro
Whistles
Tries to say "bye bye"
Plays with her tongue, sticking it out of the corner or her mouth
Stands in her crib (we lowered the mattress)
Holds onto her blanket for comfort


In other news: Sean is loving his school. He is going to get a BA in Theology. After that he is talking about getting his Masters! This schooling will help prepare Sean for doing more ministry and hopefully one day being a pastor! This is what we believe God is calling him to do for years so we are very excited.

My mom got a biopsy done of a lump in her breast yesterday. (She had a single mastectomy for breast cancer a little over a year ago). As we await the results, we know God is in control of the results and are confident everything will turn out okay. She got a PET scan just a few months ago which shows any type of cancer and it came back fine.

I have been busy with Hailey, work, keeping up the house and church. My struggle has been keeping the house up. More specifically, the mess Michael, our black laquer German Shephard makes. It is unbelievable! I could have a full time job just cleaning up after him. Really. It's been driving me CRAZY! Especially with a baby crawling too. My sister was talking the other day about someone she knows who loves to clean because then she reaps the benefits (a nice, yummy smelling, clean house to relax in!). I like cleaning my house because I like reaping the benefits but unfortunately, with Michael, I can't. As soon as I have cleaned it, he has made it messy again. So, it's an ongoing thing that is making me insane. FYI - definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over!!!!!