Another Year

As the year comes to a close, I look back and can easily recollect so much to be grateful for...especially family and friends.

First, our own little family. Baby Thomas has already brought so much joy and love into our lives. He is now two months old and growing so quickly. Yesterday at his check-up he weighed in at 11 lbs and 11 oz! About 4 lbs gained since birth! As for his weight, height and head size...all in the 50th percentile for his age. We feel so blessed that he is healthy.

Our families, extended family members and friends...what a year it has been! Many memories that we will cherish. Especially with the arrival of Thomas, we are indeed grateful for the selfless acts of service and kindness shown to us.

Another year is on the horizon and we know it will be full of challenges, especially with TJ being deployed...and yet there is great hope and joy in the many experiences to come, memories to make and sweet reunions to come...it will surely be another blessed year for us...and baby Thomas!

Our Family Has Grown By 2 Feet!

On Halloween night, our precious baby boy was born and that was just the beginning of so much change! I will give details in my other blog but it's safe to say that our lives will never be the same again...but we knew this was the case (for so we had been told) but nothing better than our own actual experience to slap us on the back (and in the face) and shove us down the path of parenthood.
Not one regret when I look at that sweet angel face...even when he is screaming all through the night...so much love that I never knew I could feel and so I sit here sleep deprived and yet so grateful for my little one. We are so blessed to have Thomas Joseph Scheide IV join our family.

A Special Day

Today we are scheduled to go to the hospital in preparation for the arrival of our baby! 9 months has certainly flown by and we are expecting quite the treat for Halloween this year...the birth of our son!

It hardly seems real but I am sure I won't be saying that once I go into labor! We are so excited to welcome this little boy into our lives and can't wait to meet him face to face. He is already so loved and we look forward to holding him in our arms...soon!

Showers, Earthquakes and Hurricanes!

What a crazy couple of weeks we've had here on the east coast!  First we got pummelled with downpours which affected a baby shower that my friend, Emily planned.  The entire party was enjoyed in candle light...very memorable.  But that only led to a series of major natural disasters. 

An earthquake of a 5.8 magnitude struck followed by Hurricane Irene a few days later.  With such disasters, we feel so blessed that we along with our family, friends and neighbors were watched over and protected. 

Summer Time Blues

In the past two months, both sides of our family have had Summer Vacations but unfortunately we didn't get to enjoy them as we would have liked to.

In June, my side of the fam got together in the Outer Banks for some fun in the sun in an oceanfront beach house for a week...too bad my hubby couldn't go.  It was wonderful to see my family and even my good friend Nikki flew in with her son, Cash for the week...but I still missed my TJ.  It just wasn't as enjoyable without him.

This month, TJ's side of the fam met up on Fenwick Island in a gorgeous home on the bay...too bad that he had to go alone for 1/2 the week and the other 1/2 was spent worrying and dealing with dog issues.  Our poor Lucy woke up very ill the day we were to leave so I ended up staying home with her while TJ met up with his family.  The next day was Independence Day and I spent it alone with the dogs.  Again, another vacation separated...not fun.

Thankfully Lucy recovered.  An exam from the Vet discovered her ailment and she was immediately put on more medicine (just add those to her basket of pills she already gets) to help her get well again.  We thought once Lucy was better that we'd finally be able to enjoy the last three days of vacation together...but wouldn't you know it...our devil of a dog, Lola did not want to cooperate with the dog-sitter/house-sitter. 

My Mom says that Lola is in her "teenage years" and is just rebelling.  I'm in doggie teenage hell!  The worst part is that she has no problem listening to TJ...she seems to have a problem with me (and other women).  I'd be lying if I didn't admit to some serious thoughts of getting rid of her...as in, giving her to someone else to deal with.  My growing baby belly and this pregnancy is not making it easier to deal with a very naughty dog.

So, there you have it.  Our Summer...so far.  I hope it gets better...soon.

It's a BOY!

Time to decorate the nursery in blue!

Expecting!

Well, the word is out and yes, we have a baby on board. I just started my 2nd trimester and TJ and I couldn't be more excited to share our news.  I'm finally letting all of you in on my pregnancy blog...read if you dare!  It's called, "my hips don't lie" and here's the link:
http://talk2thehips.blogspot.com/
OR
click on the title of this post.

My TJ

He's thoughtful and charming
he's witty and sometimes alarming
he's honest and true
he's probably better than you
but one thing is for sure
this man I simply adore
and thankful I am
that "we" certainly began
I won't bore you with details
but this much I'll say
he's one of the best
and his birthday is today!
Yeah, TJ!
I love you.

I Think His Tractor's Sexy...

...or maybe I just think he's sexy...


...yes, it's him...


...or maybe...


...I just like the "John Deere Green." But it's gonna need a good wash now!
My hubby enjoying his new "toy" this evening. I'm sure he'll argue with me on that one, "it's not a 'toy', it's a man thing"...well, I've heard that one before. Men and their toys...puhleeeese!

Run Rabbit Run!

TJ has said for over a year that one of these days, our dog Lola was going to catch a rabbit. Not that we promoted it or even wanted it to happen but nature has its way of handling those situations.

Last night, TJ and I stayed in and rented a movie. We were right in the middle of a very intense part when Lola started whining to go outside. TJ hurried up to let her out the back door and moments later at the exact time the movie had my heart already racing, TJ yells, "NO!" I jumped!

Lola had caught her first rabbit. I don't know who was more frightened, me, Lola or the bunny. Probably the bunny.


(Lola and her stuffed bunny back in the day)

Don't worry, the bunny lived through the ordeal. TJ scared Lola so much when he commanded her to "LEAVE IT" that she immediately dropped it and it hopped away to freedom.

I must say that I think Lola got lucky. We have so many wild bunnys that run through our back yard but TJ said that the bunny took a wrong turn and ran smack into Lola.

When she was a puppy she used to love to sleep with her "bunny" (a stuffed toy from IKEA) but as she started chewing we went thru about 4 of them and decided that bunny had outlived his life.

I honestly don't think she meant to harm it, she just doesn't know how to be a gentle giant. She walked around the yard and back to the house with the most ashamed look on her face. We had to console her that she was a good girl but needed to steer clear of the rabbits. I don't think the advice sunk in but we'll hope for the best.

Love These Doggies

I love this picture of Lucy...coming to investigate why Lola is laying down on the floor near the front door. Her gray covered face is just too lovabale.


After several laps around the back yard, and drinking all the water in her bowl, this mighty racing doggie needed to cool off...her favorite spot is on the cold wood floor near the front door...ah, relaxation.

Calvert Cliffs

This past weekend, TJ and I took our doggies on a trip south towards Solomon's Island. We decided to go on a hike to see Calvert Cliffs. The nearly 2 mile hike in was well worth it when we saw our destination, a beautiful beach sprayed with pieces of shells and fossils. The view to the north of the cliffs was absolutely stunning. We arrived at nearly sunset with just enough time to get back to our car before sundown. What a way to end such a gorgeous day.

In Loving Memory

Albert "Al" Schutzman
September 1, 1915 - February 3, 2011













The day before Grandpa passed away, my daily calendar had a quote that said, "A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart." The following morning bore news of his passing.
We've just now returned from Brattleboro, Vermont where funeral services were held for Grandpa Schutzman on Friday the 11th of February. It was a very simple and yet quaint service where memories followed by laughter and tears were shared.
Funerals are not something that you look forward to but it was nice to be together with family and to be reminded how precious life and our relationships with one another are.
Although his departure has been a sad time, knowing that he has been reunited with Grandma is of great comfort.

Favorite Commercial from the Super Bowl

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=156f2dfc-2c36-482f-89a0-29dd93f89893" target="_new" title="">Bridgestone: Karma</a>

I love the beaver! Yes, I said "beaver" not "bieber". The Bridgestone karma commercial gets my vote this year. Too bad the clip adds another commercial at the end...not my liking.

Baked & Wired

Who knew that one cupcake could have such an effect on me? Well, I'm sure you didn't have to let your imagination run too wild. So, sorry all you Georgetown Cupcake fans...my new love is Baked & Wired! I had "Karen's Birthday" cupcake, a delicious combo of fresh chocolate cake topped with a vanilla buttercream frosting...I had no idea it was "Karen's" birthday and I didn't even buy a gift...but boy oh boy did her cupcake taste scrumptious!
Thank goodness they parked the bike out front for me...gotta burn off those calories (but oh sooo worth it)!

Me Crêpe Amour

I had my first Georgetown crêpe! Oh how I have missed these savory delights that make me salivate! I came upon this shop located in the DC area with my friend Emily as we were seeking some place to satisfy our taste buds over lunch. Good find!
"The Mayflower" was on the menu - a tasty combo of smoked turkey, swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and cranberry sauce.
D-lish! Hint: Click on the title for a quick link to their website.

Snow Time!

The new year has brought snow! Lola loves to run, jump and eat it up! Lucy would rather stay indoors where it is warmer these days.

A Wonderful Christmas

I meant to post this before the new year started...but enjoy anyway.
We spent the Christmas holiday in Maryland and spent time with T.J.'s family. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed making more wonderful memories with everyone.
Of course the year wouldn't be complete without T.J. getting me some sort of gift that pertains to cleaning. Even when we were dating, out first Christmas he bought me a dirt devil (note: I also received a Coach hand bag). Some people may take it as rude or insincere but I can honestly say that I LOVE it! He knows that cleaning is something I love (truly)...or maybe it's not the cleaning as much as the clean result. Regardless, I've enjoyed my dirt devil, my steam grout cleaner and I'm sure I'll enjoy my new clothing steam cleaner!