Because...

... I'm at work and missing these two.  And my Mama and Pawpaw Brady.  And because I wish I could bottle up their little voices and laughs.

We love you and are thinking of you Nurses Neenie, Nonnie J & Nonnie K and patient (Great) Pawpaw Brady!  XOXOXO.

Here I Am!

Well hello, hello!  As you may have noticed (and/or pointed out to me multiple times) - I have taken a longer than precedented hiatus from this bad boy.  I apologize!  Trust me when I say that there has been lots going on behind the scenes which has clearly distracted me from what should be priority numero uno- giving my sister you all something to read during her your lunch break.

Truth be told- I'm now so behind that the prospect of getting caught up sounds extraordinarily overwhelming, but since when do I shirk challenges?  So... here we go.  I'm committing right now to getting myself back up to the present time.  I can't promise you how long this will take, but I'll get 'er done.  So hang on dear friends.  Updates on the bebes, vacays and maybe even a crazy undertaking we Martins are pursuing are coming at ya.

In the mean time, enjoy a couple pics that will hopefully serve as a peace offering for my time of absence.  Smooches.

1 out of 3 naked for a public outing isn't bad, right?  (Note what Ryan refers to affectionately as Bella's prison ink.)

This gem came home from school with the BooBoo yesterday.  Every time I look at it, I laugh.

Just Another Day in Paradise

In re-adjusting to life as a working Mama to a newborn, so many memories of going back to work and all the things necessary to make the Martin household machine function have come rushing back.  Little things I thought were permanently etched in my brain have somehow been buried beneath a flood of new adorable quirks.  

With the first bambino everything seems like it will last forever and with the second you have both the gift, and weight, of realizing that life as a parent is a series of phases.  Each of them is awesome and difficult in it's own ways.  You think you'll remember all the nuances forever and realize that each of them is constantly being replaced by new ones.  There simply isn't enough mental real estate to house them all... at least not in my little pea-brain!  It's also highlighted for me just how QUICKLY things change and evolve when you have tiny humans in your life.  

These facts made me realize that while I do a pretty good job of capturing the big, exciting events in our lives, the daily grind gets completely ignored here.  In an attempt to try to right this wrong, I decided to pick a day to document so that when I look back on the story of our life we'll have a snippet of what this season looked like in the moments that are typically ignored by Pintrest.  

I intended to pick an average day although everyone knows that there's no such thing either as a mother or an employee... or just a human if we are being honest.  Basically what wound up happening was the first day that I actually remembered to start documenting my morning was the day that won the lottery.  Without further adieu, let's take a look at how Wednesday March 25th 2015 went down, huh?

• 4:15 - Phone alarm goes off.  My brain laughs.
• 4:33 - Silently admit defeat to the man and get out of bed.
• 4:38 - Pump sesh #1 starts.  I catch up on the most important things on my To Do list - trolling my Instagram feed and catching up on my Trivia Crack.
• 4:54 - Finish cleaning parts and packing my "Mom bag" as my coworker affectionately termed it for the day.
• 5:06 - Finish making my lunch AND breakfast #1.. drumroll please...Instant Breakfast with milk.  I hear this is how Winston Churchill used to start his days also.
• 5:17 - Take my allergy pill & prenatal vitamin.  If it's Spring in Houston and I haven't taken my allergy pill, I would steer clear of me.
• 5:18 - Hop in the shower.  
• 5:30 - Get out of the shower.  Greeted by a chorus of baby dinosaur noises signifying that Brynn is awake.  Wonder WTF and pray Ryan handles the situation.
• 5:42 - Make the biggest decision I make each morning- to blow dry or not to blow dry?  Decide that I'm feeling ambitious and opt to blow dry and straighten.
• 5:52 - Have a moment of silence for the abundant loss of my pregnancy hair.  Thanks for nothing, prenatal horse pill vitamin.
• 5:55 - Weigh  myself.  0.00005 seconds later completely regret that decision.
• 6:00 - Hear Ryan's alarm clock.  Take note of how amazed I am that I can hear it over the loud hand-sucking noise coming from Brynn's pack n' play.  
• 6:01 - Try to find something to wear.  Wonder why I don't have more clothes.  Wonder how long maternity wear is acceptable to keep in your clothing rotation.  (It's so comfy, y'all!)
• 6:04 - Look in the mirror and decide that things are as good as they're getting for the day.  Is "Mom hair don't care" applicable to one's entire physical appearance?  I've adopted that mantra.  

• 6:05 - Ryan changing Brynn's diaper so I run upstairs to find her an outfit.  
• 6:08 - Wander into the kitchen for element #2 of breakfast - iced coffee.  Best part of waking up is caramel iced coffee in my cuuuuup!
• 6:14 - Feed the Brynn-cess and attend to more high priority items (read: The Skimm, Blogs, etc).
• 6:38 - Brynn falls asleep on me.  Thanks, love.

• 6:39 - Ryan is in the kitchen making his lunch.
• 6:45 - Announce to Ryan that I have found our future home.  Only problems are that it's outside of our price range and search area.  Oh and we aren't looking.  Details.
• 6:47 - Ryan goes upstairs to wake Emery.
• 6:55 - Ryan changes Emery's diaper.  I brush my teeth.
• 6:57 - Ryan gets Emery dressed.  Questions aloud whether wrestling a wet pig might be easier.
• 7:00 - I do Emery's hair.  Wonder how celeb hairdressers do it.  Bc obviously this is a simliar situation.  Wrestle the shoes she feels strongly about wearing on to her feet.  Try to convince her she is not Stevie Wonder and sunglasses inside are a faux pas.

• 7:05 - Emery gives Lola her treat... via a pitch to the face.
• 7:09 - All bags and humans are safely in the appropriate vehicles.  Children with Daddy.  Enough bags to open a (non brand name) Prada store with me.

• 7:18 - Deliver what is no doubt a Grammy-worthy performance of "Time of Our Lives."  Sang both NeYo & Pitbull's parts- clearly this constitutes the day's cardio.
• 7:39 - Pull into garage.  Realize I have forgotten my badge.  *sigh*
• 7:48 - Set down at desk after depositing lunch & la leche in the fridge.
• 7:51 - Text Ryan to see how drop off went.
• 8:04 - Eat my oatmeal (breakfast part #3) at coworker's desk while discussing an email that came in over night.  Looking back she probably did not appreciate the overwhelming maple smell at her desk.  SORRY M!
• 8:48 - Frantically trying to update and input new information for forecast elements that have changed for a forecast meeting at 9.
• 8:58 - Can't get printer to work because I forgot my badge.  Had to get coworker to help me.  I'm worthless.
• 9:26 - Hurriedly cut out of a meeting early to try to hightail it to the building next door for a meeting at 9:30.
• 10:33 - Sit back down in my chair.
• 10:40 - Cleaned out my oatmeal cup and get my snack.
• 10:45 - Pump sesh #2.  Eat my snack work.  Having your lady bits out at work, no matter how concealed you are, will never be normal to me.

• 11:08 - Parts cleaned and all items stowed away.  
• 12:01 - Lunch time!
• 12:03 - Gave in and put my jacket on.  I try to make it as long as possible each day before I give in to the tundra that is this end of our floor.
• 2:00 - Meeting gets delayed at the last minute.
• 2:32 - 2:00 Meeting actually starts.  Fly through information because there's a 3:00 meeting.
• 3:02 - Run next door.  Don't tell HSE.  
• 4:22 - Sit down for pump sesh #3.  Eat snack #2.

• 5:27 - Pull out of the garage.
• 5:29 - Call my Mom to catch up.  She informs me she has found a puzzle piece from 2 weeks prior in the side of her purse.  
• 5:59 - Pull into the girls' school parking lot.  The girls' teachers each tell me a story that completely summarizes their personalities.  Brynn's teacher tells me about something that made her laugh during the day while Emery's tells me about something that Emery refused to let her do.
• 6:10 - Put Emery in time out in the daycare parking lot.  No shame in my game.  It was completely ineffective, btw.
• 6:14 - Pull out of the school parking lot.
• 6:19 - Pull into our driveway.  I hit all green lights- wheeee!
• 6:29 - Prepare Emery's snack (gooooo feeeeesh) one-handed because Brynn wasn't down with her carseat.  Or waiting patiently.  
• 6:30 - Get changed.  Brynn fusses her disapproval of my putting her down.  (She usually does this in the evenings because she's hungry)
• 6:36 - Sit down to feed Brynn.
• 6:37 - Emery demands "animoes" on TV.

• 6:43 - Ask Emery to kindly stop using her broom to brush her sister's hair.
• 6:51 - Daddy's home!
• 6:55 - Emery proudly announces a #2.  Ryan takes her into the bedroom to change her.
• 6:57 - Brynn done eating.
• 6:59 - Ryan makes Emery dinner (milk, turkey, sweet potato fries and peas+carrots)
• 7:04 - I start washing and sanitizing pump and bottle parts while making bottles for the next day.  I wonder if I was very nice to science if it would allow me the powers Samantha possessed on Bewitched.
• 7:20 - Daddy puts Emery in timeout.  I can't even remember why.  Probably not listening.  
• 7:26 - I finish washing parts & putting together bottles.
• 7:28 - Daddy takes Brynn and monitors Emery's living room clean up chores while I run upstairs to find some jammies and start to run a bath.
• 7:31 - After much bartering about what does not belong in the bath (anything that isn't Emery), sI uccessfully wrangle her into the tub.
• 7:42 - Get Emery out of the bath.  Attempt to get her in a towel.  Probably looks similar to calf roping but with a towel.
• 7:44 - The calf demands "polly, polly" which translates to potty.  Set her on the potty.  Nothing happens.
• 7:51 - I put Emery in timeout.  For not listening.  Sound famliar?
• 7:56 - Emery's teeth AND Uma's teeth are brushed.  Pat them on the butt and usher them into the living room to go pick out a book.

• 7:57 - Emery has selected "Grandma Book" (actually titled The Napping House) which I know Ryan is pumped about (sarcasm font).  We swap kids.
• 7:58 - Ryan takes Emery upstairs and I take Brynn to the bedroom where I get her diaper changed and weigh her.  14 lbs 2 oz.  Mama not thrilled.
• 8:02 - Put Brynn's jammies on.
• 8:05 - Sit down to feed Brynn.
• 8:06 - Daddy surfaces from Bedtime Stallville, population: 1.  He goes into the kitchen to start dinner. (Salmon scampi, rice, peas+carrots)  
• 8:11 - Dramatic crying from the monitor.  I wonder if Emery will be an actress.  Think of LiLo.  Vow not to let that ever happen.
• 8:13 - Hubby & I start up the DVr.  Select Real World vs Road Rules Challenge.  Because we are classy folks.
• 8:17 - Give up feeding Brynn.  Sit her up and let her look around.  Observing > Eating in her world.

• 8:25 - Emery finally asleep.
• 8:33 - Brynn asleep.
• 8:38 - I transfer Brynn to pack n' play so I can eat.
• 8:39 - Enjoy dinner by TV light with the hubs.  Ahhh, modern day romance.

• 9:10 - Clean up the kitchen.  Salmon was packed in an oven safe disposable dish.  10 points for us!
• 9:14 - Unpack a new piece of wall art that was delivered.
• 9:19 - Eat dessert that I shouldn't be eating.
• 9:25 - Pump sesh #4.  This one is usually my least favorite because I'm exhausted.  I ALWAYS have to give myself a stern pep talk to make sure I don't quit.
• 9:42 - Tell myself I'm awake enough to lay down on the couch without falling asleep.
• 946 - Ryan tells me I'm falling asleep.  Doh.
• 9:48 - Ryan gives Lola a treat and I head to the bathroom for my adult bedtime routine.
• 9:59 - Contacts: out, face: washed, teet: brushed, feet: cloaked in fuzzy socks that aren't required for Houston Springs
• 10:05 - Turn on my alarm, put my UP in sleep mode and call it a day.

Who Knew?

February 27, 2010 as I stood in my parents' backyard amidst coffee-throwing and menu-reciting I thought that Ryan and I were the happiest we could possibly be.  Three years later as I sit here about 11 days out from our due date, I realize how wrong I was.  I look forward to many, many more years of finding new heights of happiness.  Thanks for all you do, sweet, silly best friend and husband of mine.

 I know it's blurry, but this picture makes my heart so full.

Just because I couldn't have a totally serious post.

Lunch Break!

Hello, hello!  I was all over this blog stuff in February and then I seem to have mysteriously dropped off the face of the universe in March.  Why, you ask?  Because we've been getting stuff done, yo.  Well, sort of.

I typically reserve blogposts for just one event at a time but lately there have been no big events, just a lot of smaller ones.  If this blog were a season of 24, now would be the time that the writers would be developing the side stories... like Jack's current love interest (who will inevitably die via bomb or sniper in the season finale) or maybe some story about the head of the CIA's personal life.  So basically, it's the point in the season where things are getting done to lead UP to awesomeness.

So, what have we been up to?

1.  Planning
Ever since we found out they were moving to Switzerland, Ryan and I have been saying we are going to pay our dear friends, the McClains, a visit.  Recently we decided to stop saving saying and start doing (someone has spent too much time at Home Depot).  We purchased our tickets across the pond and couldn't be more pumped.   April 13th through April 28th we'll be galavanting around Europe with the cutest little Swiss family you'll ever meet.  The first week we plan to kick it local in Geneva with Mel and Jakey.  The second week Jonathan took off work and we're in the process of planning exactly where/whom we will grace with our ultra-American presence.

Our current plan of attack is a road trip to Italy with a grand finale in Paris.  I am confident the Italian countryside will be eternally grateful for an introduction to Popeye shirts and Britney singalongs.  Look out!  I know that regardless of where we go or what we do, we are going to have a fabulous time and we are super excited. 

So all this planning has resulted in lots of Skype-ing and emailing with these hotties: 

The sweet McClains.  Check out Mel's blog to live vicariously through their exciting adventures.

2.  HGTV in real life-ing.
While we don't have much to show for it at the moment, Ryan & I have been diligently working on Project: Kickoff.  Seldom does a day go by that I do not spend some extra-curricular time online shopping doing crucial research to better Casa Martin.

Project Kick-off Playbook.  Just in case you thought I was joking about making a prioritized Excel spreadsheet.

We replaced all of the hardware in the kitchen with some brushed nickel.  See ya sass-a-brass!  (I tried to do some before/after pictures but 1) they're very boring if you aren't me and 2) thanks to some user error issues and poor lighting, it's really hard to see)

Worked on some color-scheming for the living room.  The tray is navy/indigo incase it looks funky on your screen like it does on mine.  I just noticed Ryan's shoes are also featured here.  They are not part of the permanent decor plan.

Ordered a bed frame (pictured here) and mattress (not pictured because the mattress store is awkward enough WITHOUT your husband's primary testing methodologies being barrel rolling back and forth and then posing on his side like some kind of pin up model).  After 1.5 years of sitting in our hall closet, our king-sized duvet will finally have a home.  Brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?  Particularly if you're me because it means you for real have to get on that whole upholstered headboard plan...

3.  Aunt & Uncle-ing.

Last weekend we went out to dinner with Ryan's family AND we went and hung out with them after his racing debut.  I got spoiled spending all that time with this little munchkin- who can now say Aunt Amy.  Heart: melted.  I just love her precious little face.

True princesses swim in Tu-Tu's.  How do you think Ryan would feel about me sporting one of these?

Practicing her stroke sitting up.  She is an inovator!

4.  Fur Parenting.

Did you think that you'd make it a post without some pictures of my little love muffin?  Puh-lease. 

Ryan makes this same face when I try to sit in his lap.  Glad to know it isn't just me.

Can I help you?!  I'm pretty busy here.

This must be what it feels like to have a teenage daughter.  Silent treatment superstar. 

Just another Saturday morning in the Martin household.

And I wonder why she's such a Daddy's girl.

I can't believe I almost forgot to post this.  So, Ryan & I spent the day hard at work cleaning and home decoring.  Lola was not satisfied with the lack of attention she received so she took to her bed to pout.  Ever the sympathetic father, Ryan proceeded to do this.

5.  WTF-ing.

In the past week I've been introduced to the most deterimental app to my productivity I believe will ever exist.  I know I'm a shade late to the technological party here, but how awesome is Draw Something?!  It provides me with endless laughter.  I never knew what Picasso's my inner circle held until I downloaded this bad boy.  Behold below some of my ultimate favorites thus far.

All Sheriffs are that shocked.  And followed around by floating guns.

If you know what that is, maybe you are actually Ryan's soulmate.  I pray any future Martins do not get their artistic skills from their father.  Rooster unicorn squirrel?

I had no idea that oil was recovered the same way as stuffed animals in those vending machines.  Did you?

Yellow comb overs are very sad indeed.

This week's goal: buy some more colors.  I'm tired of drawing blue palm trees.  Help me out, people!

That's about all I have for now.  Stay tuned for more excitment in the next few weeks.  If I ever stop playing Draw Something, that is.  :c)

21 Questions

... plus 1, but who doesn't love themselves a little 50 cent shout out every now and again?

Normally I would shy away from something like this, but I love my co-worker, Becca Boo, and this seems like a better lunch time activity than continuing to google "Home Depot Home Improvement Workshops"- so here we go!

THE RULES
1.  Post these rules.
2.  Post 11 random things about yourself.
3.  Answer the questions provided by the genius who tagged you.
4.  Create 11 new questions for the victims you tag.
5.  Go tell the people you tagged that you tagged them (bc this isn't Facebook)!

FACTS OF (my) LIFE
1. I have a very vivid memory of the first time my family rented a car. I was probably like 4 or 5 and we were going to visit the fam in Indiana for Christmas. We flew into Indy and were driving to South Bend. It was late and snowing and I increased the enjoyablity factor of the trip by crying and screaming for the better portion of the 2.5 hour trip because I thought my parents were stealing a car. You guys didn’t know Caddy & JJ were like Bonnie and Clyde, did you?

2. I cry much harder at sporting events than at movies. I once cried during ESPN Game Day. Ryan now watches that alone.

3. In first grade I came home one day and told my Mom I was in Reading with Richard. When she called the school to figure out who this potential perv was she learned I was actually in “Reading Enrichment” (which is kinda the same, right?). They thought I couldn’t read because I refused to read outloud in class. Turns out I was just cripplingly shy. I promptly got removed which really bummed me out because we got a lot of candy in there.

4. The pyramids, stonehenge and my real hair color are life’s biggest mysteries.

5. I have a serious dislike of space. I am not interested in it. I am glad people like Neil Armstrong (disclaimer: if he’s not an astronaut, just pretend he is… I don’t want to wiki it) exist and figure these things out. I however have much bigger fish to fry… like what TheSuperficial Guy has to say about Britney’s latest caper.

6. I really love animals- particularly dogs. It is written in my baby book that I used to talk to our dog, Champ, through the window all the time.

7. I have only been grounded probably 3 or 4 times in my life. Once was for roasting marshmallows in my room. With a coat hanger and a bath & body works candle. In high school. I still place about 80% of the blame for that situation on Julie and Jen. This story has been told at 2 weddings now- will it make it into yours?

8. My life goals are to a) run a marathon b) write a book and c) flip a house. Thus far I’ve accomplished 1.  1.5 if we count this blog as a novel?

9. As previously implied (#5) science is not my favorite subject. In 8th grade this happened on one of my tests.
Question: What is an example of the 4th type of matter (plasma)?
My Answer: That blue gooey icing on birthday cakes
Guess I zoned out that day in class. Apparently the real answer is lightening. No points awarded for creativity.

10. Ryan and I’s first date may or may not have been at Black Eyed Pea. He also may or may not have picked me up in the garage rather than walking to my door. Additionally, in this ficitional scenario he might have dropped me off in the garage because the Rockets had a play off game he needed to get to urgently. If this doesn’t merit the equivalent of a dating purple heart, I don’t know what does.

11. I won an art contest in 4th grade with a picture of a cow cleverly entitled “Cowabunga.” Yup, that happened.

MY QUESTIONS (courtesy of Becca):
1.  What was your most iconic or defining moment in Elementary, Middle and/or High School that helped shape YOU?
I'm not sure if this is really it, but it came to mind immediately.  Matt, Julie & I were really young- I was probably in Elementary school.  As she was putting me to bed I caught my Mom crying and when I asked why she told me we forgot her birthday.  That is why I remember almost everyone I meet's birthday and why I can usually tell you very specific dates surrounding life events.  It also emphasized the importance of thinking about others at all times- I never want to disappoint anyone like that ever again.

2.  What is your current favorite sing-a-long song right now?
I hate to say this because it's super cliche and poppy but I would have to go with "Set Fire to the Rain."  Ryan, don't divorce me.

3.  What makes it your favorite?
That one is obvious - my prowess at performing it.  I am awesome.

4.  If you could be anything at all in the world without worry about money or career paths, what would you be and why?
If I could be anything in the world I would rotate the following 3 jobs: relationship counselor, interior decorator and admin assistant. I love hearing about other people’s relationships, I am addicted to HGTV and typing (sans numbers or symbols) is one of my favorite things.

5.  What's your favorite meal to prepare?
Crock pot chicken & dumplings.  It's so easy and it makes my house smell heavenly.

6.  Which animal is your favorite to visit at the zoo and why?
Hippos.  I have always had an extreme love for overweight animals of any variety.  Plus their ears are so tiny!  It's hilarious.

7.  What is your biggest driving pet peeve when you're the PASSENGER?
I am not going to lie- I'm not usually paying attention to the driver's driving, BUT if I had to pick I would say when someone repeatedly keeps taking their eyes off the road to conversate and/or accelerates/decelerates like it is going out of style.

8.  If you could have a one-on-one conversation with one person currently living, who would it be and why?
This one is hard and I'm never good at answering these questions.  Probably Tina Fey because I really admire her.  She's smart, witty and sure of herself.

9.  What would be your first question?
Can you promise me that if I die, you will not marry my husband no matter how many times he asks?

10.  Do you think that the zombie apolcalypse is coming?
My Facebook newsfeed certainly implies that it is.  If I get one more Farmville/Mafiaville/Zombieville request, then I might actually kick it off.

11.  When you walk into Target, do you peruse the $1 section first like all sane people should?
Yes!  For 2 very good reasons- 1) there are usually animal crackers in there and 2) the other option right in your face at the beginning is the bathing suit section... I try to steer clear of that one.

QUESTIONS FOR MY PEEPS:
I am not sure that anyone will do this, so I'm tagging anyone reading this post.  However, since I need to put some people officially, I'm tagging the people I know who blog the most:  Becca, Sara, Brooke, & Shawna. Smooches to all.

1.  If you had a month off of work - what would you do with that time?
2.  What's a life goal of yours that most people may not know?
3.  What's your biggest guilty pleasure?
4.  What's your favorite quote?
5.  If you got Gilligan's Island-ed (laymen's terms: stranded on a deserted island), how long do you think you could survive?
6.  Biggest celeb crush - past or present (earmuffs, sig others!) and WHY?
7.  What's next on your travel to-do list?
8.  What's your most embarrassing moment?
9.  What was your favorite childhood TV show?
10.  If you could only eat at one restaurant the rest of your life- which would you choose?
11.  If you had to partner with one Jersey Shore cast member to go on Jeopardy- who would you choose?