Life

Well, life is pretty crazy. I went back to work two weeks ago. The first day was pretty rough, but it got better & better. It really helps that Addison gets to stay with either her daddy or my sister. If I had to take her to daycare so young, I don't think I could have gone back. This week itself was pretty rough for us. Last Saturday my car broke down. My car that I LOVE!! I'm so sad. They are going to see about rebuilding the engine, but I don't know. It's going to be like $4000 to get it fixed. GRRRR! Then yesterday Daniel was coming home from his office and there was a guy in our house robbing us! In the frickin' middle of the day! He just came in through the basement window & up the stairs. I think that he must have not been here long because all that was gone is $70 from my yardsale a few weeks ago. My camera was sitting on the dining room table right by where he was standing and Daniel's new ipod was also right beside him. The top drawers in my dresser were opened and he had rummaged through them - I guess he was in the bedroom when Daniel opened the front door because it looked like he thought about going out our window.

So, what do you do? I'm not saying "why me?" I know stuff just happens. I don't believe that God loves me any less. In both situations, things could have been much worse. We were about to get on the interstate when my car died. What if we had been driving 75 MPH and the thing died? With Addison in the back seat?! And what if I had come in on someone? Maybe they wouldn't have been scared off? Anyway....it's rough. My dad left me a message this morning & said "well, at least you have a pretty baby" and I do!! Here's some pics of my pretty baby!

This is how she sleeps!

Brand New Life

Well, my sweet baby is now 4 weeks old! I can't believe it! Things have been a little crazy trying to get into the swing of having a newborn. Addison is a great baby, but when they are so new they just want to be held ALL THE TIME! Which isn't that bad, I try to keep in mind that it won't be long from now & she'll be squirming to get out of my arms & down to play - so I'm trying to remember that when I feel like my arm is going to fall off!!!

She's sleeping better all the time - last night she slept from 1:00-5:00, ate, then slept til 8:00 this morning, ate, slept til 9:30, ate and is just now stirring to wake up (at 12:00)!! So this is the time that I try to get caught up on stuff.

So sorry that I haven't posted anything sooner...............now she's crying................gotta go!!!!

Long Weekend

Man, I am so tired! I had a great weekend, but didn't get much rest. On Saturday I got up early & met some friends to go to a Baby Fair. It was my first one and I had a good time. Then, April & kiddos came over & she helped me get stuff done in the nursery - we got all the stuff out of there that doesn't belong, cleaned out the closet and Daniel got the changing table put together & set up. Then I went out to dinner with my old friends from the bank - we had SUCH a great time! I love getting to see those girls & always can't believe that it's been so long between each time!

Then on Sunday I had my big family shower! It was so much fun & I got tons of loot! I'll have to get some pictures of that uploaded as soon as I figure out how to do it from my new camera!

And later that night Daniel wanted to do some maternity pictures before he left for 10 days because there's no telling how big I'm going to be by then! These are some of my favorites:
But then today it was business as usual & back to work I went........sigh!

STOKED!!!!!!

So today I go to Target to register for baby stuff. I'm pretty excited that our town just got a Target because I didn't really want to register at Walmart and lots of people don't want to drive to Chattanooga to go to Babies R Us - SOOOO I'm really happy to have a Target.

Anyway.................so I'm registering, getting tired and I'm almost done when I see something amazing - let me run on a little rabbit trail first to tell this story:

I love turtles. A long time ago (like before I was even married) Target had this really cute turtle bath set - towels, washcloths, house shoes, house coat, the works. I almost bought it, but thought that would be ridiculous. Then they didn't carry it anymore and I could have kicked myself. Then a couple of years ago they started carrying a different one - one that was cuter. Still I didn't buy it - probably still could have kicked myself. BUT!!! My boss bought me the whole set for this baby. She was very sorry that it was blue since I'm having a girl, but wanted to get it anyway since she knew how much I loved it. Which I was REALLY glad that she did because every time after she gave it to me I would check at Target and they've stopped carrying it. (I even looked today when I was registering.

So back to my original story. So I'm almost finished registering & I'm on the last aisle (getting tired of bending & standing back up) and then I see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes! They have a new set that is PINK TURTLES!!!!!!! It is impossible to find anything that has turtles on it that is pink (believe me I've been looking) and there is was!!! I almost bought it today but again thought that would be ridiculous - and this time I think that it probably is. I'm sure that I won't have to worry about this item not being purchased from my registry!!!!

My Sisters

I'm learning that things I have in my life are not necessarily things that everyone has in their lives. For instance, SISTERS! I am blessed with 3 wonderful sisters whom I love very much. One isn't biological, but is a sister just the same. I heard this Reba McIntyre song and loved it. I'm blessed with built-in friends. Three people that I love in massive amounts and know are there for me no matter what!

So here's to you my sisters, my friends!


Hey girl it's me i just called to tell you "hi"
Call me when you get this
Haven't talked lately so hard to find the time
Give the boys a big kiss
Tell them that I miss them
By the way I miss you too

I was thinking just today
About how we used to play
Barbie dolls and make-up
Tea parties dress up
I remember how we'd fight
We made up and laughed all night
Wish we were kids again
My sister my friend

Oh yeah before I forget I met someone
I think I really like him
I was wondering if I'm jumping the gun
By going out on a limb
And invite him home for Christmas
To meet the family

Seem like just yesterday
You brought home old what's his name

He had been drinking
What were you thinking
After dinner he passed out
We can laugh about it now
We've learned a lot since then
My sister my friend

Do you think you could come and see me sometime soon
We could just hang out like we used to
It's late and I should go
But I can't hang up the phone
Until I tell you
What I don't tell you enough
Even though at times it seemed
We were more like enemies
I'd do it all again
My sister my friend

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

I feel like the story of my life has been "Biting Off More Than I Can Chew: The Crystal (Bush) Fowler Story." I have SO many things that I have committed to do, things that I want to do, things that I NEED to do and things that I have to do. Being pregnant isn't helping. I'm VERY excited about having a baby. VERY excited. But I still don't feel all that great. I still have a hard time eating and I stay pretty tired. AND.......I can't seem to focus on anything longer than about 3 seconds!

So, with all that I have to do, what am I doing? None of it. I'm complaining here about my scatterbrainedness (how's that for a word!!!)



Anyway.................Things I've committed to do: 1) making a princess planner for a lady's daughter that I made a planner for at Christmas. This actually could be crossed off the list - it is finished, however I still have not called the lady to deliver it (seriously, what's my deal?!) I do have to say, though that this is my favorite planner that I have done! 2) making 200 (yeah, 200) invitations for a friend's wedding. 3)finish editing and deliver pictures from the party.


Things I want to do!!!! This one is more fun. The only problem is : I'm pretty sure that I am crazy for always wanting to do things myself. BUT......I'm going to make the bedding for the baby's crib! I had found a set that I loved like 4 years ago, but I think that it might be too boyish so I want something a little more girly. I also want it to be a turtle theme and since I can't find any I like then I will just make it. I found this set and am just going to juice it up GIRLY style!

That's not even half of the Have-To's or the Want-To's, but it's after 9:00 and I still need to take a shower & get ready for tomorrow. That's a very pressing Have-To. I'm thinking maybe budgeting is my way to go - it works for money, why not time? I'll work on that tomorrow at work!!!!!!

Party Time!

Saturday night I was invited to a party and asked to do some pictures for the anniversary couple. We had such a BLAST! I let Aaron, Lydia & Ethan take turns using my camera to take some candids while I used Daniel's to do the real stuff. I was really impressed with how good the pictures came out with Daniel's new camera. We've been wanting to get more into photography (he does it for a living) and do some weddings and portrait stuff in the house. He wants me to buy a new digital camera, but I really loved my trusty Nikon N65 film SLR. BUT... after the party I think he has me turned around and I really want a new camera. I'm shooting for the Nikon D80 - that's my dream camera. Which would be the best for me since I already have lenses for Nikons.

Anyway....these are some pictures that Aaron took of me. I guess this is how I usually look to the kiddos and lots of the rest of the world - camera over face!

Blast From The Past

I am making wedding invitations for a friend of mine and while looking for some examples to show her I ran across a box that I have kept letters and cards in for the last several years. It was amazing to me what all I found in there. There were letters from people that I haven't spoken to in years, letters from people that I used to be SO close to, letters from people that I'm pretty sure hate me now! It's just crazy to be able to go back in time like that. To remember things that I was going through based on the responses friends made in their letters to me. It's also crazy to think about how much things change! Daniel & I have been together for almost 9 years and some of these letters were from the very start of that ( I think some may actually pre-date our relationship!)

I'm a self proclaimed pack rat, but I'm glad that there are some things that I keep. Sometimes we just need a box of memories to remember who our real friends are and who have been there for us all of our lives. Sometimes it's good just to remind ourselves that even though we may make mistakes and be slacker friends that there are people out there who love us!

Finding Out

We went to the doctor yesterday and found out that we were having a girl. We are very excited! I think that I always thought that I wanted a boy, but as the time came closer & closer to finding out I was hoping for a girl. I think that maybe it was God's way of preparing me for it to be a girl. I also think that Daniel will make a great daddy to a little girl - he would for a boy, too, but he is just so uplifting and understanding that some little girl needed to have him for a daddy. And now she will!

I'm not extremely girly so I think that may be why having a girl might have been scary to me, but I'm really enjoying all the pink stuff and the thought of having a daughter is really special to me.

Another Year

Wow! I turned 30 a few weeks ago and while I still do not feel any older I am amazed at how different my life is than it was just one year ago. This has been a big year of changes for me. Such as: I'm at a new job, I'm living in a new house, I'm pregnant! That's alot of stuff to change in just one short year! I'll be anxious to see what the next year brings!!!