Monday, June 30, 2008

Go Speed Racer

The Hubby and I spent the afternoon furniture shopping and Cookie had the best time in the little speed racer car.


Look out shoppers, I am hitting the gas...zoom zoom




Of course the Hubby could care less about the new furniture selection, he was of course negotiating how we could put this little buggy in the car.

Happy Monday

Friday, June 27, 2008

Yep, She's Standing

Well look at that, our little Cookie is standing...and I am weeping! Time is going by too quickly before you know it, I will have to update my blog title to "Veteran Mom"

Free Tank of Gas

Happy Friday --

I have some Joy to share. Walgreens is giving you a tank of gas for free (well sorta)...they are having a $5.00 coupon day.

Just click (on the picture) print and you are on your way to spending a carefree hour in the drugstore...who doesn't love browsing the aisle of cosmetics and moisturizers and finding that perfect solution that will erase the cellulite, make your lips a little fuller and your hair oh so shiny...

Happy Shopping and of course as always Happy Sharing --

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Oh How The Times Have Changed

Oh how the times are a changing'. As a Rookie Mom it is fun to reflect on how I was raised as a child. I too, sat in the window of the backseat, rode in the front seat (without a seat belt of course), played outside until the sun went down and yep, even tried to cut my own hair. Enjoy your trip down memory lane...at the end of it I have realized that it is okay to have a Rookie moment from time to time and that when I hear Cookie's laugh I know that she will be just fine and I must be doing something right...

Those Born 1930-1979. TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Just Call Me Martha

This summer I was thinking of ways that I could let my creative juices flow while indoors. One weekend we hosted Cookie's GG and Papa Ken over for lunch and a day of swimming. In an effort to be a little heart healthy for GG, I thought it would be fun to get a little creative with fruit and skewers...Just call me Martha.


With one watermelon, a few skewers, a couple of melons and $20 dollars later or four tanks of gas later (call me crazy but isn't this how all americans are equating their financials these days) a masterpiece was formed...okay a leaning masterpiece was formed...




The recipe is simple and can even be a fun counting lesson for the kiddos to enjoy indoors. Yes, no sunscreen or beachtowel required...

1 Watermelon
1 Cantaloupe
1 Melon (You know the green kind)
1 Package of Strawberry's
1 Pineapple
1 Bag of mixed green and purple grapes
7 Skewers

Cut watermelon in half and cut around the center of the watermelon to build a base. Have the kiddos count and place the fruit onto each of the skewers coordinating each fruit and top each of the skewers with a grape. Place each skewer in the center of the watermelon. Fill in the remaining watermelon with the extra fruit..and then wallah you have a watermelon table arrangement for all to enjoy.

I really think the food network should give me my own show. Can't you just see the title...Rookie Mom in the Kitchen...experimenting one meal at a time.

Daddy's Little Cowgirl




Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Long Distant Hugs


Long distant Hugs to Mommy when she is Gone...

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Daddy's Got It Covered

I am currently in NM for business and I am always so happy to receive a sweet video such as this...

Today they went to swim lessons as well. Clearly, Daddy has it covered!

XOXOX

Love you Guys

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Birthday Aunt Michelle

We are so excited for your Birthday and Cookie just had so sing you a song, Just Hit Play...

We hope that you had a safe and Happy Birthday weekend!!

To Much Love and Happiness --

XOXOXO

Daddy I Love You Happy Father's Day


Introducing GG & Papa Ken



What to Get A Man Who Has Everything...

We had a fabulous Father's Day weekend and were able to share it with other members of the Cookie Family, Cookie's GG and Papa Ken. We swam, at wonderful shrimp...boiled to perfection by Chef Hubby and most importantly watched Cookie with her grandparents. It is always such a sweet sight to see her with her grandparents as well as great grandparents. Let's just hope they can keep the stories about this Rookie Mom and Rookie Dad childhoods to a minimal...we don't want her getting any ideas!

Days leading up to Father's day I always pace the floor thinking...what in the heck do I get the men in my life who have everything. As The Hubby and I pondered over the thoughts, it finally came to us what to get his dad...matching swimsuits. I even managed to get them to strike a pose...



Saturday, June 14, 2008

A Daddy's Cutie Pie

We hope that you and your family's have a safe and Happy Father's Day Weekend. The Hubby is gearing up for a day of...."Doing Nothing!" We hope that your Hubby's and/or Father's are doing the same. Until tomorrow you can pass the time by looking at a couple of The Hubby's favorite pics of his precious Cookie...


Friday, June 13, 2008

Rep By Day...Dentist By Night

With the explosion of Cookie's new teeth, we now have incorporated in a little brushing. Daddy did a super job brushing her chompers and they had the best time doing it....

Bath Time Juggling

Cookie loves her bath time and loves the foam letters that I found at Wal-Mart. She is discovering a new talent, bath time juggling. Last night she managed to hold a letter in each hand a number in her mouth, how's that for getting down the fundamentals first. Now if she could only get them going up in the air. I guess she should take some juggling lessons from her Daddy. Betcha' didn't know that the Hubby is a SUPER Juggler!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Curious...To Bow or Not to Bow

Well of course this Rookie Mom slapped that precious Bow in her hair first thing this morning....




Can't you tell she is so happy to be wearing it. The hubby even took the picture.

Guilty As Charged

Offense: Attempted drowning of Younger Brother

Sentence: Must shower brother with hugs and kisses!

Evidence...




Love and Miss you Both XOXOX


Aunt Kari

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Houston We Have a Tooth...Two Actually


Houston we have a tooth, two actually! One on the bottom and one on the top. Hence the blog about the teething tablets...they are little life savers. I recommend them again to any Rookie Mom who is going through teething.

To Bow or Not To Bow

There has been the ongoing debate in the Cook household pertaining to bow or not to bow...I feel all little girls should accessorize (regardless if they are less than one) however, the hubby has a different opinion...yep you guessed it the complete opposite.

This morning in my Rookie Mom mind I hit a milestone in the fact that I could bundle Cookie's fine little hair into a nice little up do. I was so excited that it overcame the fact that I was completely decaffeinated and had yet to hit up Starbucks for my morning IV of Grande House blend with room for cream and three Splenda's. [As you can see I am not particular about my Starbucks]

As KC got back from running Charlie he didn't say a word...the opinion train was silent! Absolutely, no opinion on the bow. Which of course made me think what is his secret motive, but I just rolled with it and off to school we went.

When I got to school they informed me that Cookie needed formula. When I arrived home I asked the hubby to drop some at school on his way out for the day. No problem-o he said with a sound of excitement.

After dropping off the formula, the Hubby gave me a quick call to let me know that he had dropped off the formula and was able to shower Cookie with some additional kisses...then his motive was revealed....

At the first opportunity he REMOVED the bow!?!

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted and at least I was able to capture this milestone moment with the following snap shots....





The lord only knows what these Rookie Parents will be like when she is sixteen and throwing a fit over the four hours she just spent in the bathroom on her hair, and doesn't have the perfect accessories for that oh so wonderful outfit she just had to have. Not to say that this Rookie Mom was guilty of any of the above things when I was sixteen of course.


I guess tomorrow I will just have to put a BIGGER BOW in her precious little hair.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Can You Read My Mind


I am thinking a little less photos and one more bed time story...now snap to it Mom!

Swim School Rulz


Thursday, June 5, 2008

They Said What?


Disclaimer: This Rookie Mom is NOT political and does not welcome Politics at her dinner table, but she does enjoy a good laugh and roll of the eyes at our Politician’s expense.

Over the past [way too many to mention] months our media has been [excessively] covering the Political debates. From Obama to Hillary to McCain, they have all managed to make themselves a household name with their kid like debates and constant message of “Change.”

Though I managed to limit my debate watching hours to less than one hour…okay maybe half an hour. I always find it amusing when I hear Politicians say the darndest things. The sayings that stop you dead in your tracks and make you ask yourself...Did they really say that?

Thanks to the Washington Post they have compiled a top 10 list of the darndest things Politicians have said:

10. "I don't care what people are saying Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day." Ray Nagin (2006)

9. “When I was in England I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it and didn't inhale and never tried it again.” Bill Clinton (1992)

8. "Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know." Donald Rumsfeld (2002)

7. "I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it's called." Howard Dean (2005)


6. "I'm a fairly wide guy.” Larry Craig (2007)

5.“Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." George W. Bush (2004)

4.“To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: Don't be economic girlie men.” Arnold Schwarzenegger (2004)


3.“I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.” John Kerry (2004)

2.“I have a record in office, as well. And all Americans have seen that record. September the 4th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers. It's a day I will never forget.” George W. Bush (2004)

1. "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet." Al Gore (1999)


Stay tune for more Rookie Mom not so political topics. :)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Every Mom is A Haute Mom


If you are battling those lingering baby weight lbs, like this Rookie Mom and need a little extra boost in your day...just do what I did this morning and pull out your Haute Mom tee!

My girlfriend and life long sister has created the best tee for all Rookie and Veteran Moms...The Haute Tee collection.

She couldn't have said it any better...

Busy moms live in their designer jeans and "haute-tee" shirts. That's why you will love these super sassy and stylish tees that allow you to express yourself in a whole new way! The fit is comfortable and luxurious, and most importantly soft to the touch. The exclusive designer fabric is hip enough to go with jeans, but cozy enough to wear with sweats. No detail is overlooked in the flirty, fun graphics; "haute-tees" are put on the earth to celebrate mothers, being a haute mom! Sizes: 1 - Small, 2 - Medium, 3 - Large, 4 - Extra Large.

Check out her other fabulous items at her on-line shop Princess and Frogs. These items are great for any new babies arrival or for that super Haute Mom.



Happy Shopping!

Relief in A Bottle

Our little Cookie is teething like a mad woman and we have tried everything from orajel to every teething ring out on the market. Just when we thought her days of sleeping through the night were over we found the perfect solution...



These little tablets are Relief in a Bottle! Two little tabs and a big TX size bottle and Cookie was off to dreamland. I would highly recommend these tablets to any Rookie Mom that is looking for the solution to relieve their little ones from the agonizing pain of Teething!

Isn't it Ironic that their little mouths have to go through so much pain just to loose the darn things. Oh well, it opens the door to a visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

When I grow Up...

Maybe I will be a Chef...



Or maybe a Mechanic...Can you pass me the wrench?



Whatever you decide Cookie...you will always be a success to Daddy and I.

XOXOX

Really Was That Necessary?!?

Dad was that really necessary?!? I don't think they have taught us that yet at swim lessons...but can you do it again.

One Rookie Mom and Her Side Kick