Today is the Day!

Our precious little Cookie is now the big 1...yes, one year old! Where has the time gone? It seemed like yesterday we were watching them crank up my Potosin and now 6 hours and 12 months later we are celebrating your first birthday.



Cookie you have accomplished some great things during the past twelve months such as sleeping through the night, letting us know when you have poopy pants, standing on your own, graciously scarfing down those mushy green peas and most importantly providing us with a love that we never knew existed.

We look forward to our adventures ahead and know that from time to time that we might make mistakes, but that is okay because we are Rookie Parents after all!

Happy Birthday sweet Cookie, we love you very much!

Happy Labor Day Y'all

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

A Sight To Be Hold

Cookie and I arrived at my Grandparents this afternoon so that we could prepare for the big first birthday bash. It is always refreshing to come home for a little R & R. The Ritz Hotel could never out do Grandma's house...where else can you get coffee in bed, home cooked meals and the never ending "mule" jokes by the one and only Grandfather Sir.

This evening when I feed Cookie, Grandma joined us so that we could catch up and as we sat there she snapped away with her digital camera. Yep, Granny is high tech! She has even ventured into the world wide web, which is of course the main reason for the Evolution of Rookie Mom 101. She can now watch Cookie grow each day, even if there are miles between us.

As we prepared Cookie for bed, Grandma began printing out all of her days pictures. Oh yeah, she even prints her own photos! It reminds me of the time when the Polaroid cameras came out and Grandma was one of the first to have one. Of course, we always got the honor of being able to wave the photo back and forth so that they would dry faster than laying them down.

One particular picture caught our attention. It just happened to be one of me feeding Cookie. I paused for a moment and thought, what a beautiful sight to behold that must have been. My grandmother was watching her great granddaughter being fed in the same highchair that her granddaughter sat in thirty short years ago.



My grandmother has spent the past thirty plus years documenting our lives. From our births to today, there is not a moment that isn't captured! I cherish these memories and hope to one day have a house full of photos of all of Cookie's accomplishments as well. In my heart of hearts, I just knew that there had to be a photo of me in the same chair and within in two minutes of searching the 78' album there it was...



The only difference in Cookie's photo is that she is not tormenting her Big Sister with a piece of toast!

Just Peachy In Here

We found Cookie this afternoon just hanging with her furry little friends. She had managed to climb into her basket. Oh, what will she think of next?

Oh and the pigtails, they were a treat from her teachers. Needless to say her Daddy thought they look like horns. My only reply was well aren't you glad it isn't a bow...

Picture "Perfect" People

This past weekend the Hubby and I went to have Cookie's One year old pictures taken. They turned out fantastic, not that I am partial or anything.

Over the last year we have been going to the Picture People for her must have milestone photos and we continue to have such a great experience there. We are in and out within an hour and their rewards program is well worth it. The best part in that there are NO sitting fees and the cost are pretty reasonable. They always have great coupons as well.

The only downfall for us is that it is located in the mall. Which means while I am waiting I am forced to do a little shopping and always seem to end up with that must have shirt and that perfect moisturizer (that in my impulsive mind) is well worth the ridiculous price. But oh well, at least I will have on the perfect shirt while my miracle working moisturizer is giving me that ensured new mother glow, while showing off Cookie's precious pictures!

Vanity and Impulse shopping, gotta love it every once and a while!

Time...I Order You To Slow Down

Our little Cookie will be One in less than a week. I can't believe that only a few months ago, she was nestled into my arms so small and fragile and now eleven months later she is barely hanging onto my fingers.



Time...I order you to slow down.

Before I know it, we will be the ones standing by the bus stop and I will watch her let go of my fingers and go into the great big world they call kindergarten!

To all of you Rookie and Veteran Moms who watched your little ones leave for school today, I offer you a Kleenex and know that you are anxiously awaiting their arrivals home today to hear all about the days events.

Wishing everyone a great first day of school!

They Call Me The Fisherman

The Fisherman aka Hubby had a great moment with nature on Saturday and enjoyed a little fishing R&R. Now don't get me wrong, everyone has their own ways of relaxing I just prefer to have a Spa, a glass of wine and most importantly nothing that requires me to do work. But for the Hubby it involves a boat, fishing poles, beer and a lot of work.

His satisfaction is gained when he can come home strike his best pose with the fish and then line them all up for that perfect kodak moment.





I am just Thankful that his expectations are LOW when it comes to me cleaning and cooking them. My idea of a seafood dinner require a restaurant, menus and a bill that comes at the end of the meal.

US Weekly's Youngest Subscriber

My Very Own Chair

Aunt Michelle --

I love my new chair so much! I was chillin' in it all morning. I even invited my friend to join me. It is the perfect size and the perfect place to sit and relax. Thank you very much!!

You Never Know Who You Will Meet Next

Well, I made it home. Needless to say I ended up spending more time in the Detroit airport than in VT, but that is okay because eventually I got to come home to this precious girl!



Tip of the day, if you are ever flying into Detroit...Wear your sneakers and don't worry about exercising that week. Once you get off the plane you are guarantee to run at least a mile to get to your next gate! Heels and a 20lb computer bag are never a good combination.

Though my travels were hectic this week, I managed to meet some very interesting characters during my time in Detroit.

Coming home yesterday, I sat next to a girl named Greta who is 21 and was heading back to OH for her Senior year. We talked the entire way from VT to MI and she was just precious. We talked about life, babies and how sleeping in until 7 am was going to be the thrill of my Friday. When she chuckled at my statement of sleeping until 7 am, I just simply replied and said don't worry...one day that will be late to you as well!

Then during my layover I met a divorced gentleman who felt obligated to tell me that after 18 years of marriage his wife filed for divorce and his kids 11 & 7 were now living with her in MO and she is now married to a guy and holding the title of wife number 5. Of course, holding tight to my Chardonnay I simply just had to say...that will be $100 for the therapy session with a smile.

Also, sitting next to us was a young solider just back from Iraq who was en route to a friends wedding with his new girlfriend. They indulged in shots and laughter. Oh to be 21. They proceeded to order their "SOCO's" and Corona and of course I just had to ask, "What is SOCO?" They chuckled and said mam, you don't know what SOCO is with raised eyebrows. It is Southern Comfort straight up! I just had to simply reply, Southern Comfort...oh my, well this mam would be passed out and definitely be using the complimentary barf bag on the plane if I had that. They laughed and said I guess it gets tough getting older! Oh the nerve; however, since he is serving our country after all, so I will just let that little comment go.

When I finally got on the plane en route to Houston, I sat next to a Woman from Houston who was so excited to see her boyfriend that lives in Tulsa but was in town for business. He is divorced after 21 years and didn't understand why she was so independent. Let's just say the conversation was Dr. Phil part II. The gentleman to the right of me was an owner of a company who had just lost his business partner due to a heart attack a month a go and has two kids and lives on 22 acres in Dripping Springs.

You could just say for those two hours and four minutes we were like one big happy Row 14 family!

I could go on and on about the different characters that I have met over the last 24 hours, but I would be here for a while.

Traveling is never easy, because it means that I will be away from Cookie and the Hubby for a while, but the people I meet in my time away always brings me back to reality that we all have one thing in common...

We are all God's creatures and the only thing that separates us are the challenges we face and how we choose to overcome them!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Detroit Isn't Rockin'

Are you curious about what I am doing right now...

I am sitting in the Detroit Airport for the next SIX...yes, SIX hours.

Oh well, looks like I have will have plenty of time to catch up on a few phone calls and maybe do a little online shopping. Maybe I will even run up and down the escalators for fun, or even take a tour of the airport. I wonder if the man who drives the golf cart around who screams, "Excuse the cart, cart coming through" will give me a lift?

Stay tune for more on my airport adventures....

Right now I would like to take the time to give A big fat shout out to Verizon for their wireless Internet capabilities, you are saving me from becoming the next 5 o'clock news story in Detroit..."Today at Five, Houston woman found wondering around the Detroit Airport, taking random pictures of passengers and claiming it is material for her blog...more to come at 10!"

When The Cat is Away...The Mice Will Play

I went away for a girls weekend this past weekend and while I was away the Hubby sent me this video...

Nevermind the fact that it is of Cookie and the Hubby having a contest to see how far she can make it down the driveway in her little bug!

I guess the old saying is true...When the Cat is Away the Mice will Play!

I am glad to say that there were no trips to the ER while I was away.

Love you Guys!!

I Heart Ice Cream

During our trip to FL, Cookie had her first taste of Ice Cream. Guess what? She liked it....

Look At Me Go

Man of Many Talents

What to do when you are at a restaurant with two small kids?

String a paper napkin between your ears.

Don't worry the Hubby really does have a brain, just a bigger sense of humor!

Priceless Pearls

One Big Oyster, Two Small Kiddos, Equals One precious moment!

Kids Eat Free

Who doesn't love a kids eat free establishment. You are guaranteed a FREE kids meal and a loud family environment! If your child loves to talk or have a crying contest at the dinner table, or have a tendency to sling their food...then this post is the eating out answer for you. For the Houston area the following places are offering the following:

Luby's -- Free kids meal on Wednesday after 4:30 pm and all day Saturdays. Dine In Only and Age 10 and under receive one free kids combo with each adult meal purchase.

Jason's Deli -- Kids 12 and under eat free Wednesday evenings with the purchase of an adult entree.

Double Dave's -- Most locations offer free kid's buffets 11 am - 2 pm everyday and 5:30 pm - 9 pm on Monday, Wednesday & Saturday.

IHOP -- Kids 12 and under eat free everyday from 4 pm - 10 pm

Taco Milagro -- On Mondays & Tuesdays kids 12 and under eat free

The Black Eyed Pea -- Kids 12 and under eat free every Tuesday after 5 pm with the purchase of an adult menu.

James Coney Island -- Every Wednesday after 4 pm and you get 2...yes 2 free kids meals for each adult meal purchased.

Chabuca's Steaks and Rotisserie -- Kids eat free off the buffet all day Saturday

But wait there is more, I also located this great website that is dedicated to listing all of the placed in your area that kids can eat for free. The site is www.mykidseatfree.com, just click here and it will take you to the area of their website where you can select your state and then city and WA la you are off to some great savings!

Snorkel Girl

Watch out fish I am heading your way...That is, if these two crazy ladies could put down the camera long enough to take me! I have know idea why they think it is so funny that I insisted on wearing my snorkel gear to the breakfast table.

Picture...Almost Perfect

If only Aunt Jame-o was in it.

Mommy Packing List

In preparation for Florida (part II) trip, I referred back to the Baby Center packing checklist. This list was great when we were preparing for our first trip to FL this year. I thought that everything was covered on the list, which is until we drove ALL night (8 Hours) to get home.

Did I mention EIGHT hours in a minivan! So, I thought I would share my Top 10 Mommy Things I am packing for this trip...

• Ear Plugs – Great, when Cookie decides that she wants to entertain herself in the car by listening to herself cry!
• Sunglasses – Not only great for the beach but even better to cover up sleepless eyes
• Time Out Chair aka Beach Chair – Mommy’s need a time out too!
• Sunscreen 40+ -- A sunburn and baby fingernails are never a good combination
• Swimsuit Cover Up – Gravity is reality! Baby Got Back keeps ringing in my ears for some reason on this one. Oh the joy of having a child and the expansion of my hips.
• US Weekly / People / OK– One hour reading about celebrities and you begin to appreciate that driving your minivan to a paparazzi free beach isn’t all that bad
• Excedrin – 15 minutes or less, need I say more?
• Toilet Paper – There are NO BUCCEES on this stretch of I-10 which equals very few Clean Restrooms!
• Chardonnay – combine this with a beach sunset and it is enough to refuel anyone’s batteries
• Sanity – Because EVERY ounce counts

Now if you should be traveling down I-10 this weekend and see this…



You really should honk, because it may just be The Cooks!