The Story of my Life...

Beautiful Baby Girl...

2012-02-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

I might just be a little biased, but isn't Leighla Beautiful!

I can't love her anymore then I do..

I swear more to come soon..

Shelly <3

Leighla's Nursery

2012-02-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

As promised here are pictures of Miss Leighla's Room.. Now that it is all done!

Can you Believe that my Baby Girl is already 1 week old! One whole week! Where did it go? I am not sure.. Birth Story coming soon.. But in the meantime here are a couple more Leighla Pic's


One Week Old!!

My Little Wonder Woman

More Soon..

Shelly <3

Introducing....

2012-02-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

Leighla Marie Marino

Born January 27th 2012

At 7:35am

Weighing in at 6 pounds 6.5 Oz

19 1/2 Inches Long

And perfect in every way!!

More to Come Later! She is my world Already!

Still Hanging out..

2012-01-23T14:32:00.000-08:00

Had another doctors appointment today. Baby Girl is still hanging out.. It's close.. Just waiting on her now.. They did an sonogram and she is in the right position, Has the perfect amount of fluid around her still and is just kinda hanging out there.. She can come at any time. But I do have an appointment scheduled for the 31st if she doesnt make her appearance before then.

At that point we will talk about induction, Just hoping she comes before that though. I would much rather her come on her own.. Like Now would be good. I can not really complain I have had a easy pregnancy, but am getting more uncomfortable by the day as she gets lower and lower.

Come on Baby Girl! You can do it.. Come on into this world, Mama and Daddy are ready for you as is both your Grandmas and everyone else waiting on you too.

Fingers crossed its within the next couple days, I really want to see what she looks like and hold my little princess..

I'll keep you all updated!

<3 Shelly

Still No Baby

2012-01-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update, No Baby yet.. Guess she will come when she is ready.. Which I hope is soon.. The wait is now driving me crazy! lol.. Though she does have 8 more days til her due date.. I just know she will come sooner though.. When that is nobody knows but her..

Its just a waiting game now.....

Almost Time

2012-01-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

38 weeks and 3 days.. Can you believe it. Almost through.. I went to the doctors today and I am 60% thinned out and baby is in a head down -2 station.. So that pretty much means she can come whenever she feels like it..

To say I am excited is an understatement.. I am so ready for her to be here. I feel different physically this week then I did last week, so I really do not think it will be too long..

I know this is short but I will be sure to update more if anything exciting happens..

Til Next Time..

<3 Shelly

2012

2012-01-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

Well Hello 2012..

I decided to start off 2012 with a Head Cold.. Luckily it only lasted really 2 days and 1 of those days were the worst then I started feeling better. Which was good because you really can not take much being 9 months pregnant. I suffered through with no medicine.

This is the fastest I ever got over a cold too, Usually it lasts forever with me, I don't get sick often but when I do it usually hits me hard. I started feeling it Monday Night and here it is Friday and I am feeling almost normal.

Had another doctors appointment today, everything still great. She was moving around all over while they tried to listen to her heart. The Doctor was laughing, saying she does not like to be pushed around.lol

3 more weeks and she should be here, unless she is early or late. I hope she is on time though, I can not wait to meet her.

Tonight is Damien's holiday work party, We did not go last year we were still a little bitter from me getting fired/Laid off for no reason. But I am over that now, might as well have a nice night out on their dime and enjoy a good dinner, Might be the last time in a while we get to do that.

I also have a girls night scheduled for tomrrow, we try to get together at least once a month or every couple months, so this should be my last once til the baby is born also. Then Sunday my little cousin Samantha Turns 7! Well on the 10th she does but her party is Sunday. I cannot believe she is 7, I remember her like this..


Sam at 2

And Now she is so big!

Sam at 6

Where has the time gone??

We got the Crib and Dresser delivered yesterday, now Damien has to put it together.. Here is a sneak peak of some of the things we have done.. It is a bit different now, Damien thought there was too much pink in there so he changed a couple walls but I do not have pictures of that yet.

The Start.. It was actually Blue to start with but I did not get a picture of that.. this is the walls primed white

The top half..

The Top is Shrimp the bottom Watermelon Slice

It is a bit differant now, It has a brown wooden border in the middle, and 2 walls are now Brown also with some pooh characters up.. I will get updated pictures soon and post those.. but here is the start..

Well I guess that is it for now.. Will update soon!

<3 Shelly

Christmas Review

2011-12-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that tomrrow is new years eve. Where has this year gone?

We have defiantly had our ups and downs this year. I say with the exception of my dear Vision Passing it has been a pretty good year, Sure I still don't have a job. BUT I have a baby on the way and that more then makes up for anything that went wrong this year.

RIP Vision Boy.. I still miss you everyday

So Let's see Christmas was great this year, It was quiet but nice. We had a very low key Christmas but everyone had a wonderful time.

We got to meet Damien's brother new girlfriend and she is very nice. I knew I eventually being surronded by guys they would have to get girlfriends and I would not be the only girl forever..lol We are happy for him, he deserves and nice girl and Erin seems very nice.


From Left to Right.. Chris,Erin,Anthony,Me and Damien

We were so happy we actually got the house done in time and it looks great! I don't know about you but Homemade gifts out trump big expensive ones anyday and I got a couple of thoughtful gifts from Damien this year..

He made me 2 things:

A frame with the Babies Name on it.. Only 4 more weeks til we can put her picture in there

A Bracelet that says Mommy <3 Leighla

He got me a couple other things also but these were the best I thought.

I also got a :

Mr.Coffee Keurig Single Serve

From my mom and step-dad which is awesome!

35 Weeks - My mom likes to cut off my head in pictures..lol

Our Christmas Tree and Presents this year

The Annual Brothers Picture. there is no denying these guys are brothers.. Oldest to Youngest Left to Right

So I would say Christmas this year was a success and next year will be even better because we will have our Precious little Leighla!

Speaking of the baby, Had my doctors appointment today and everything is still great. Doesn't look like she will be early at least not according to this appointment we will see what next week brings. I now start going every week until she decides to make her appearance into the world. I promise pictures of her nursery soon. It is just about done. My mom ordered the crib and dresser today and we just have to put up some decals on her wall..

So all and all we had a wonderful Christmas and We can not wait to start this new year. It will defiantly be a different year for us. But we are so ready and Cannot wait to meet our little Girl!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season also!

Shelly <3

Christmas Time is Here..

2011-12-23T15:51:00.000-08:00

Blogger changed something and I could not figure out how to make a new post.. Luckily I figured it out.. lol

Well I am not sure about everyone else, but Christmas Is just sneaking up on me this year. I can not believe that tomrrow is Christmas Eve already, we always do Christmas Eve at my Mom's Downstairs, and then Damien's Family comes over to our house for Christmas day. We do not even have to leave the house for either event, which is nice when the weather stinks and will be even nicer next year when we have the baby.

Surprisingly for Buffalo we have absolutely no snow right now and it doesn't look like we are going to get any. Which is ok with me. Easier to run out and get last minute things without fighting the elements.we are finally done painting the house, all but the kitchen and that can wait for now.

Now the task of putting it all back together in 2 days. Then Sweeping and Mopping the wooden floors. It is not going to be fun. We have not even put up the tree yet, so we still have to do that. We have a fake tree we bought a couple years ago, it goes together in 3 parts but fluffing up all the branches take forever!

I cleaned our bathroom and our kitchen today, and also make homemade sponge candy by myself for the first time. My friend made some last week at my house and taught me how. For doing it alone for the first time I think I did a pretty good job. At least it tastes like Sponge Candy and if you have never had it, you do not know what you are missing.

I am not sure I will get on in the next 2 days, so I want to wish all my bloggy friends a very Happy Christmas.. I will do a year in review before the 1st. though. This year has had its Lows as well as Highs. So I have alot to review.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with their Family and Friends!

Shelly

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-15T14:58:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of talk about trying to find the Christmas spirit this year. I admit it does seem hard. Being unemployed does not give you much money to buy gifts for people. I love buying people gifts and seeing their expression when they open a great gift. This year christmas will be small but it can still be good.

We are just about done redoing our house before Christmas and the baby comes. Which is a relief, I am pretty sure Damien does not want to see another can of paint for quite a while. But on the plus side it looks really nice.

The babies room is just about done, and we can move all her stuff into her room and start organizing it, Its been sitting in gift bags since the shower in our dining room. I can not wait to decide what we want to bring her home in and what we want her to wear for her first pictures in the hospital.

Time is flying by and I am already almost 34 weeks. Not to much longer and she will be here. And frankly we cannot wait to meet her. We are nervous but very excited. We are ready to meet our princess.

She is still a moving machine, if babies are supposed to slow down in movement as they get bigger she obviously never got the memo..lol but that is quite all right. She can move all she would like.

I have got a total of 3 presents so far, 2 are for Damien and as all he asked for were Marvel TShirts that fit him I think he will be quite pleased. I want to get him a couple more before Christmas, also his birthday is the day after Christmas so I have to get him something special for that too.

My friend Carrie is coming over tomorrow and we are making Sponge Candy, I have never made it before so she is teaching me, which should be fun. Well Off to BINGO with my mom, Hope we win that would take the pressure of no money for Christmas gifts away immediately. But even if we don't I am sure we will have fun anyway.

More tomorrow, as my next doctors appointment is tomorrow.

Til Then
<3 Shelly

Edit to add. Guess the Christmas Spirit is out there! We were told at the beginning of the year Damien's job was not doing Christmas bonuses this year.. He just got a surprise one, which was a decent amount, while we are not going to go crazy, it defiantly takes the pressure off a bit and we can have somewhat of a better Christmas.. I am so happy for him, He deserves it, he has been going in an hour early every day without being asked to and working his butt off.. It is nice they finally gave him something in appreciation.

Little Miss Dimples is One!!

2011-12-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

Technically she turns 1 on wenesday but her party was tonight.. I can not believe its almost been a year from ..


Katie (2 days old) 12-16-10

To this :


Katie 12-10-11 (Almost 1)

Happy Almost Birthday Little Miss Dimples.. Auntie Shelly Loves you.. and pretty soon you will have a little cousin to play with..

Shelly <3

(pardon the shiner on her eye, the hazards of learning how to walk..ha ha)

32 weeks 2 days

2011-12-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

So we are heading to the homestretch. 8 more weeks to go. That is if baby girl wants to come when they thing she will. It is all up to her. We finally decided on the color for her room after changing our minds 4 or 5 times. We bought the paint and started painting it yesterday so no turning back now.

I am taking pics as we go along so I will be sure to do a post on her room once it is all done. It is very girly so she better come out a girl as we are being told she is..lol.. not to mention all the girly clothes we have.

I'm not worried though, I know she is a girl. This past Saturday Damien and I went through the 8 hour one day childbirth class at the hospital we are delivering at. All day 8am to 5pm. But I am glad we did it we learned a bunch and it was nice to have a tour of the hospital wing and nursery so you know where all this craziness will take place.

Our hospital wing seems smaller then some I've seen but still nice. It is all becoming quite surreal, esp. after the childbirth class. I am pretty sure I am going for the epidural but I will try to do my best before we have to. Pain and me are not friends but I just have to remember that after all the pain I get a beautiful baby girl to take home and love.

Damien is really going to be a great dad, he is so excited. It's hard for him at times being his dad had passed away back in 2005 and his dad would have loved, I mean absolutely loved a grandchild and adored a little girl, since he had all boys. He will always be with us in spirit, and Leighla will know how great her grandfather was.

8 more weeks, only 2 months to go.. It is crazy how fast this has seemed to fly by. But am having a pretty easy pregnancy and can not wait to meet my babygirl.. Soon she will be here. and then you all will be subjected to 5 billion pictures of her! lol..

Til Next time

Shelly<3

The Baby Shower

2011-11-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

The baby shower turned out better then I could have ever expected. My Group of girls came together and made it run so smoothly I couldn't thank them enough for all the help. I am lucky to have such a wonderful group of people in my life..


This was not taken at the shower but it is the most updated pic of all of us

There were so many people that showed up for me! I was amazed by everyone's generosity!

The gift table

I had so many things to open it took over an hour, now the shower was not about presents though I appreciated every one. It was about the people. Some people I have not seen in years came to my shower and I loved seeing them all again.

As well as family. This was the first time that both sides of the family mine and Damiens were all at one gathering and it went wonderfully.

We had enough food to feed 2 armys, in fact we brought a ton home and still eating it,

These are just a fraction of the food we had..

All my girls chipped in and bought us a high chair! Which was great. We did not get alot of big items, so we still need to go out and get the important things like a car seat, stroller, baby monitor. among other things. My mom is getting us the crib/changing table and dresser, and his mom is going to get us the playpen/pack and play thing.

One thing we did get was plenty of cute outfits. This is going to be one styling baby. She has an outfit for everyday and then some!

It says "My daddy says I can't date til Im 25" Damien fully agrees lol..

We also got alot of awesome homemade blankets and other homemade items.. 3 different diaper cakes..

Damiens mom made this one

My moms best friend made this one

And Damien's best friends wife made this one

We also got this awesome wreath from Damien's Aunt

We haven't taken any of them apart yet but they were all wonderful. Homemade items are so nice.

My mom's best friend also made us this buggy to put books in, we asked everyone to bring a book instead of a card, though I got many cards also, we have a nice collection of books to start her off with.

And she made the cake, all homemade, she mispelled her name but that was fine!

The Grandma's to be did an excellent job of putting this shower together.

Damien's Mom, Me and My Mom

All in all I could not have asked for a better day. we recorded some messages to the baby from guests so we can enjoy that for years to come and even show it to leighla Once she is born..

I am pretty sure I had the best baby shower ever. and can't thank all that helped enough.

Now to wait until January 28th to see what our little princess looks like. I can not wait! I am going to cherish every moment with her and love her to pieces..

She will defiantly be surrounded by love from everyone!

Til Next Time

<3 Shelly

28 weeks

2011-11-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Good Bye 2nd Trimester.. Hello 3rd! We are in the homestrech..


28 weeks, taken today

More tomorrow!

27 weeks 3 days

2011-11-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all, sorry for the long time between posts. We have gotten a new internet router and my laptop has been giving me issues connecting correctly..

I had my next OB appointment Monday and everything is great. I did my glucose test last week and my results were perfect, I'm not anemic, as they check that half way through. And everything is going great with this growing baby of mine.

My baby shower is less then 3 weeks away and I am getting excited now. I hope we get a lot of stuff we need, less that we will actually have to buy ourselves. There should be about 60 people total there.

Leighla moves like crazy and I am enjoying every minute of it, because before to long there will be no more belly moving and a little baby in my arms. I honestly can't wait. We are making progress on the house, we finally have our room's walls repaired and painted, next we have to change out electrical sockets are they are still 2 prong instead of the more standard 3 prong. That should be an easy fix. then we move our stuff in there and work on the babies room. There is one outlet in that room that needs to be fixed my an electrition and painting and that will be done.

We are hoping to get that done before the shower so we have somewhere to put all her stuff that she will get.

We also have a childbirth class we signed up for on December 3rd. It's just a one day class but we should learn all we need to know, hopefully.

Besides that nothing much else is going on..

everyone comments on how small I look for being almost 7 months. But per the doctor I am measuring just fine and have gained weight steadily; starting at 96 and now am at 112.

26 weeks

I do see the difference even if other people don't see it as much. Clothes that fit me fine last week, not so much this week.. Some woman get upset by pregnancy weight gain, I find it funny. I have always been the type of person who could not gain weight even when I tried, so having this belly is fun for me and I feel the difference. I am *knock on wood* having a pretty easy pregnancy, really no issues at all. Besides baby girl likes to kick my right ribs. But that I can deal with.

I have alot of pictures to post but don't want to push my laptop.lol. hopefully it will continue to cooperate with me.

Til Next time

Shelly <3

25 weeks 4 days

2011-10-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that I am over half way through with this pregancy. *Knock on Wood* it has been pretty good so far, minus the first 3 months of getting sick.

This baby is a mover, a big one, but that is very reassuring for me, If I can feel her move all over all the time that means she is just fine. Now I would be worried if I did not feel her Bounce around in there.

Because that is what I am convinced she is doing, no kicking or punching she is straight up using my body as her own personal bounce house.. lol.. But that is just fine.

I had my next ob appointment on monday and everything is looking great. The doctor was listening to her heartbeat and little girl decided to move all the way to the other side of my stomache making her chase her with the doppler. lol The doctor was like you have a mover all right. She said when they are that active inside they tend to come out the same way. So we are in for it.. lol

As long as she stays healthy she can move all she pleases, Just stay away from my right rib cage that is the only real discomfort I have at times. at she seems to only bother that side for some reason. Luckily it's not all the time.

I am enjoying watching my stomach move now, It is amazing that I am growing a little person in there and that I can now feel and see her move is awesome. One month from today is my Baby Shower, I can not believe it has come up so quickly. It is going to be a big one too. We decided to do both sides together and invited almost 75 people in total, thinking some people would not be able to make it but not wanting to leave anyone out..

so far on my side, Everyone but 3 people have said they are coming. I am slightly overwelmed in a good way. I never knew I knew that many people or that they would actually want to attend a party like that for me and my little bouncing tigger.

(esp today, she has been bouncing up a storm since 6am, taking small breaks)

It is going to be a little weird for me at this party, I am usually the one who likes to blend in with the background or the crowd and all the focus will be on me.. guess it is good practice for our wedding. lol.

which we were hoping to do in july of next year, but we may have to push it back to July 2013, all depends on money, we may not have the money only 7 months after our peanut is born, but we will see how it all works out. We have been together for 10 years it is basically a formality now, since we consider ourselves married already. But It would be nice to all have the same last name, as Leighla will have Damien's last name. and be nice to all be on the same health insurance if need be. I am hoping to get a job soon after the baby is born, but I am sure there will be a lapse of some sort where I do not have health insurance.

The baby will be covered under damien's so no worries there. We are lucky in the fact that both Grandma's do not work and can take turns and have already offered to watch our peanut once I get a job. My mom being right downstairs will be nice in the wintertime, she won't even have to go outside in the snow.

It is really coming close now, only 3 months to go, til we meet her. We are talking about what and who she will look like now, Will she have my blue eyes or Damien's Brown. Will she have alot of hair or be a little baldy. I think she will be tiny and not a huge baby. Just want a healthy baby big enough to come home. Me being tiny and damien being Bigger boned she may be a nice medium.

24 weeks 6 days

This was taken last Friday. I am really starting to show now. and really I love it. I started this pregnancy at 96 pounds I am now at 110. So I have been gaining steadily like I should.

Next week I get to go take the Glucose test! Fun, well ask me that question next week and I will tell you I have heard anywhere that its not that bad to its nasty, the doctor described it as flat orange crush. Hopefully everything will come back normal, I don't have any concerns really. So I am sure it will be fine.

Well Guess this is long enough for now.. I am off to BINGO with my mom, we are trying a new one out tonight, hopefully I will have better luck then the one we normally go to.

Til Next time

<3 Shelly

Update..

2011-09-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone, So what's been going on, Had my Next Docors Appointment Today, Everything looking good.. One more 4 week appointment then moving to every 2 weeks already..

This is flying by.. I can feel her move all the time now and it is such a great crazy feeling. I am starting to actually feel pregnant, You know what I mean I have always "Felt" pregnant but I am really starting to feel it now. I have always been a tiny person, starting this pregancy at 96 pounds at 21 weeks I am now 107.

So gaining slowly,but the doctor said I am gaining just right and measuring fine, So just keep doing what I am doing. I am really showing now, not huge or anything but in certain clothes you can defiantly see the baby bump. Which I don't mind one bit, that is part of the joy of being pregnant.

I want to Thank Mrs C. Over at Homeschool & Ect. For my lovely little package she sent me, I love it all!

So it has been a few days and I am missing my Vision like crazy.. He was such a good cat, it's hard to believe he's gone. One of the saddest things was our girl cat Cloud, the night he died, was looking all over the house for him.. Smelling everywhere and crying.. She has always known him here since he was here before she was.. It's like suddenly she realized she couldn't smell him anymore..It was sad and got us crying all over again. Damien Loved him just as much as I did. He really was one of a kind. But we will always have the good memories with him and at least he is in no more pain,. He did not deserve that.

I can't wait to get his ashes back, we are going to put up a picture of him next to Damien's dad who passed away in 2005. The baby may never get to know these two, but she will know all about them. And how wonderful they both were. It's sad that she will never now Damien's dad, her grandpa, but he would have been thrilled with a granddaughter.. He was a wonderful man and treated me awesome, Heart issues and Diabetes took him way to soon from us. He would have been proud of Damien, and so proud to have a grandchild. We will be sure she knows all about him and the great man he was.. In Fact her Middle Name Marie, is for him.. Damien said He always loved the name Marie, and being he had 3 boys never got to use it.. So our baby will.

Well I guess that is it for now, No new pictures to share right now. But I promise some soon..

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

R.I.P. Vision

2011-09-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

Last night Vision did not make it through the night.. he went downhill quick yesterday, seeming to be in pain when we petted his side, and would cry out, that was very unlike him, and when we woke up this morning he was gone.. We are very sad but at least he is in no more pain.

We decided to go ahead and pay to have his remains cremated and get them back in a cedar box, we couldn't just throw him out and my mom has a dog so we were worried about burying him. He was family, our first cat and will forever be loved and missed..

He was one of a kind and can never be replaced.. but he will forever hold a place in our hearts..

RIP my Vision, I hope you know how much you were loved.. I am sure you did as you showed your love to us everyday..

I love you my Floppy, Belly Rubbing Loving Guy..

Love you Forever

Shelly

Babies..

2011-09-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

So I mentioned a couple post's back that our good friends were expecting their bundle of joy. Well that little bundle of joy also turned out to be a girl! I went to visit my friend Zoe today and her new little one Sienna Grace..

Isn't she cute...

She was so alert and good. Not fussy at all.. My little one and Sienna will get to grow up together only being 4 months apart, we are excited to have playdates when they are a little older and you know Leighla is born and all..ha ha.. No Rush though, she still has some growing to do. But it will be nice to ask Zoe stuff when I am not sure, as she will go through everything just a bit before me..

Little Sienna is so sweet. Though I love taking pictures of everything, there is just something sweet about taking pictures of sweet little babies.. they are so innocent and cute..

I am looking forward to our little girls growing up as friends, as their daddies and now mommies are.. Now the only one left in our little group is Damien's best friend.. They are trying though so who knows, soon it could be 3 little one's growing up together..The Three M's.. as all their last names just happen to end with a M..

Til next time

<3 Shelly

New Ultrasound Pics..

2011-09-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

Face

Legs and "Girly" Parts

Nose and Lips

I think we have decided to name her Leighla Marie.. (Pronounced Layla)

So there you have it our baby girl.. hopefully next time they can get a nice profile pic.

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

We are Having a.....

2011-09-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

GIRL!!!

It's a nice healthy little girl! We did not get any good profile pics like I hoped we would, but as soon as we get the ones scanned in that we did get I will be sure to post them!

Everything looks great.. She's got everything where it should be, looks healthy as can be and is very active!

and apparently already stubborn, she decided to turn around when they were trying to measure her head and refused to move back, lol..

We are very excited and already narrowing down the name, we think we are going with Leyla Marie, though we may spell it a bit differant, we aren't sure yet, But we both like that name!

Write more soon!

Shelly <3

Picture Post

2011-09-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

While Blogger is letting me post pics let's get them all out of the way.. Belly Pics so far.. It is slowly getting bigger.. I am currently 19 weeks now and in 2 days will find out if there is a little boy or girl in there hanging out.. Other exciting news our good friends who were actually due on Wednesday is in the hospital right now waiting for their first little bundle of joy to arrive.. unlike us they waited until the baby is born to find out if it is a boy or girl.. we defiantly can not do that..lol

Vision is hanging in there, He is eating a little more day by day and moving around a lot more then he was last week. We really thought last Thursday he was going to not wake up on Friday but he has pleasantly surprised us. We are taking it day by day but are happy to start seeing the vision we know and love.

Me and my mom went to the fair a couple weeks ago, and we bought this for the baby.. Either boy or girl will be able to wear this onesie, though it may take a bit to grow into.


Staying Well Hydrated.. lol.. I swear only one was mine!


Crazy Reindeer at the Fair, jumped up on the edge of the door.

They had a Dog Jumping Contest, the dogs would jump into a huge pool of water and whoever jumped the farthest won

One of the best things about the fair, Roasted Corn.. as you can see I devoured it in oh 2 minutes.

This is Gary the Silent Clown, he put on a show at the fair and would grab random people and kids to help with his act..

Another Great Day at the fair, Gone for another year,, and next year we will have a little baby with us along for the ride :)

Well Finally Some pictures.. Hope Blogger keeps cooperating because I will be back Wednesday with the news of what our baby will be.. 2 more days I can not wait!

Til next time

Shelly <3

Vision

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000-07:00

I think our vision is going... He has stopped eating really not moving much. It's sad, we have brought him to the vet and they gave me some IV fluids to give him at home, last time he got those at the vet it did wonder's for about a week then he went downhill quick.

we are doing all we can for him, feeding him babyfood on the vets advise, he eats a tiny bit then doesn't want anymore.. he is so weak he doesn't walk far before he lays down.. We are trying to prepare ourselves for the day he leaves us and just loving him the best we can.

I am not sure how much I believe in a higher power.. but if you do please pray for our little guy..

Shelly <3

This and That Post

2011-08-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

What has been going on in my life.. Nothing much, Anxiously awaiting September 7th so we can find out if The baby is a boy or girl.. Me and Damiens Mom are guessing Girl , My mom and Damien are saying Boy. We shall see who is right..lol

Speaking of baby, it has a nice strong heartbeat found right away which is always nice. I was asked at my last appointment if I am feeling any movement yet.. Honestly Being my first I'm not sure.. Some people say it feels like gas bubbles or something similar.. I think that last couple days I have.. But not positive.. Looking forward to that sonogram on the 7th to try to confirm these movements..

Other then that, One of our cats are sick, which is hard.. I took him to the vet last week and the doctor felt all around him, he did not feel anything abnormal, at all.. He is a confusing case.. He purrs, He comes when you call him, but he is really weak you can see it in him..and he was throwing up all he ate. He stopped eating all together a couple weeks ago and we did not think he was going in his litter box at all..

Then I took him to the vet last Friday. we had to take him in, we can't just let him waste away to nothing, He was our first kitty and he is so good, he is family and it kills us to see him like this. The doctor said he was dehydrated and gave him some fluids under his skin and for almost a week it did wonders for him, That night he was more active, he was eating again, not as much as before but still a lot more then the week before.. He began to explore around the house again and even was looking like his old self.. Then Thursday night he started throwing up again, and now he is laying around again not doing much and getting weaker.. tho he still purrs.. I'm going to call the vet Monday and see if they are willing to give him more fluids, without charging me for a office visit along with the fluids..

an office visit alone is $48 alone and unfortunately we just do not have that extra money.. But we can't let vision just waste away either.. So It's hard, Just hoping our guy gets better..

Other then that I am actually starting to look pregnant. If dumb blogger would let me upload some pictures I would, but it is giving me issues with pictures for some reason.. I will try again later..

Til Next Time <3
Shelly

17 weeks 3 days

2011-08-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

Just had my next Doctors appointment. Everything went very good. No new pictures this time, but the heartbeat is nice and strong at 156- found right away..

On September 7th .. Aprox 2 weeks we finally go for our sonogram to find out if it is a boy or Girl..

My mom is saying Boy, Damiens Mom is saying Girl..Well one of them are right..lol

I don't care either way as long as it is healthy and so far so good.

I would love a little girl to dress up and do their hair, but would not be disappointed with a little boy either. I just want to know either way so we can pick our name and go register for our shower in November..

I will be sure to let you all know what the baby is Boy or Girl.. and post the pictures we get!

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Pets

2011-08-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

I Heart Faces - Pets

It's been awhile since I entered a I heart Faces week, but I always have a picture or two of my Cats. Silly Gumba our youngest of the three cats that we have loves shoes.. He always claims one of my shoes as a pillow..

Head over to I Heart Faces for more Pet Photo Fun!

Shelly <3

People have no Respect

2011-08-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

So there has been a string of vandalizing cars going around the neighborhood and last night they hit our street and of course Our car was one of them.

We now have a 1999 White Nissan Maxima, imagine Damien's shock when he goes to leave for work around 8:30 this morning and there is Blue Sharpie written all over our car. The hood, the trunk, the top of the car and across the Drivers Side they Write F*** You.. Though there were no stars on the car.. the whole damn word was written. And to make matters worse they flattened 2 of our tires.

One of which we just bought brand new last week.. So not a good morning at all. I will add the pics so you guys can see once I can get them off my phone and onto my computer.. It basically looked like a big V and a C, I have no idea who has been doing these things but it hit a neighboring street last week.

Luckily it was marker and not spray paint as some others got. We were able to get the marker off with some nail polish remover and the power of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. however it did cost us $150 that we really did not have to spend on 2 new *used* tires.

It really aggravates me that people have no respect for other peoples property. We don't bother anyone and we work, well currently Damien works hard for the little bit of money that we do have. We did try to file a police report but they already had one filed, so either a cop came down the street and saw it or someone else called it in. I also called my insurance but only having liability it wasn't covered, and even if we did have it covered the deductible would have been more then the 2 tires cost.

So we just have to count it as a loss and go on, I really hope no one messes with our car again, not only will Damien go crazy on someone, we really have no extra money now for new tires.. Our poor car just minding it's own business in front of our house..

I really hope they find this people and do something to them, I guess about 20 cars around the street were vandalized last night, last week a bunch on my cousins street luckily hers was spared...its disheartening to know there are people out there that just do not care. It was bad enough they wrote on the car and flattend 2 tires, did they really have to write swear words on it too, Thank Goodness we were able to get it off, who wants to drive around in a car with F*** You written on the side...

All is fixed for now.. I just hope it never happens again..

Shelly

****************************************EDIT************************************

Today 8/8/11, I received a knock at my door, and there stood a detective.. He told me they have caught the kids who vandalized my car last week. I say Kids because it is being handed in Family Court and the paper I signed did state they were juveniles. How old exactly I am not sure, I am guessing teenagers at least. There were 2 of them, and I will have to go to family court whenever they do their case. I am guessing there are plenty other people that will be there too as they hit like 20 cars in the neighborhood. It is possible I may be able to get the money back we spent on the new tires, that would make me happy. and maybe just maybe these kids learned that vandalizing cars maybe was not such a good idea and this will scare them straight. If I could get my money back for those tires I would be happy. That is really all I want. Yay! Justice has been served..

13 weeks

2011-07-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

We had another OB appointment today and was lucky enough to see our little one.. The baby is very active though I can't really feel it yet, at least I think I can't being my first i'm not sure exactly what I am supposed to be feeling..

But all looks good, Good heartbeat, 10 fingers which it was wiggling around quite a bit and 10 toes. We saw the spine, legs, feet and head.. everything looks as it should.. She tried to find out the gender, she didn't see anything between the legs but it's still kinda early so that can change. We will know for sure on September 7th when we go for the more detailed sonogram.. But my doctor is awesome and gave us a couple pics today..

baby Hands

Feet and Legs


Side view - sorta, we saw alot better on the screen but was moving to much to get a good shot.

So All seems to be going well. It was so awesome to see the baby moving on the screen. I can't wait til September 7th,, then we will know for sure if it's a Boy or Girl.. I'll be happy with either I just want a healthy baby.. But can't lie it would be fun to have a little girl to dress up, but a boy would be just fine also. Just wouldn't be able to play with hair bows then.. lol..

Shelly <3

The Name Game

2011-07-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

I think one of the hardest descions with being pregnant is giving our baby a name.

It is something they will obviously have for the rest of their lives and an important thing to choose.

I am 13 weeks today and we are getting closer and closer to that date when we will be able to tell if our little jellybean is a boy or girl. While all we care about is a healthy baby we have been throwing around names for both genders until we find out for sure.

Now naming I thought would be fun, and it is in a way, but also hard. We have to decide on a name we both like and agree upon and sounds good with the last name Marino. We have already agreed we do not want anything to common or nothing too crazy that the kid will be made fun of. Something Unique.

Our Trouble seems to come in Boy names, We don't want anything common so Robert, John, Richard and such names are out for us. Currently the only name we both like is Devin. And while that is a good name we would like options in case we decide Devin is not for our little one.. We just can not think of another boy name we like that is not too common..

Girl names seem to be no problem, we have several we like, currently we like Lily, Leyla, Leah, Brianna, and Bella, though I think we are moving farther away from Bella, everyone seems to have that name right now. Thought that was our first pick in girls name.

So I ask you all out there.. have any suggestions on any unique boy or girl names for that matter that sound good with Marino? We need some good imput at this point.. thankfully we have plenty of time to decide, but we would like to start calling our baby by its name as soon as we can.

you know once we can find our exactly if it is a boy or girl.

So suggest away.. I would love to hear all your ideas...

Shelly <3

Getting over my Fears

2011-07-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

So everyone has a fear or two, right, Mine include Spiders and Dentists.. see a long time ago I had a horriable experiance with a dentist.. I had a bad absess and went to an emergency room type of dentist to get it taken care of since I did not have dental insurance and it hurt so bad I was getting headaches.

Well this dentist was rough and gave me no pain meds at all after even tho the tooth did have an infection. In short I was sent back to work right after they pulled it, which at the time was right across the street from the hospital. I got dizzy and really sick about a half hour later and it was not a fun afternoon or couple days after that. Ever since then Dentists terrified me.

I am not a big fan of pain to begin with and the thought of another person in my mouth messing around scared the crap out of me. I can honestly say I have not had the best mouth care in the past and when I was younger did slack on the brushing, though I have "soft" teeth to begin with and will never have perfect teeth, not taking care of them as I should have just made them worse. Now that I am in my 30's and take better care of myself I needed to get over my fear and get my teeth fixed. Esp. my front 2, One of which is cracked and broken and generally does not look good. after all your smile is the first thing people see when they look at you and I always try to smile with my mouth shut.

So while I am pregant and unemployed I was approved for Medicaid. Which covers dental work. I looked into getting it fixed last year before I lost my job and with partial coverage they wanted $500 to fix it. I don't know about you, but we are a paycheck to paycheck household and I just did not have the extra $500 to spend. Medicaid covers dental procedures 100%.

So with a little pushing from Damien I made an appointment to get started. Might as well take advantage of the full coverage while I have it right! Well I had a cleaning of sorts last week. The dentist was very nice understanding and gentle, so they gave me 2 more appointments in coming weeks. My first one was today and I am happy to say one of the 2 crappy front teeth are filled and looking so much better.

I go back again next week for the more extensive messed up one, that one will need a root canal and a crown, the filling just won't cut it.. I am a little nervous but once that is done, I can smile again. and not be ashamed of my teeth. and with the baby coming I am sure I will be wanting to smile a lot! So Wednesday I go in and get that done, and Thursday is my next OB appointment.

I am happy I found someone who is gentle, understanding and not pushy, there is nothing worse then a dentist scolding you for crappy teeth, that is why I can to you because I know they are crappy I don't need a reminder..

So in another week of so, I will have better teeth, and probably another pic of our little jellybean. I am currently 12 almost 13 weeks and everything seems to be going well. I'll be happy to get all the dental work over with that is for sure, the dentist is still not my favorite place but I think I can confidently say it is not one of my fears anymore.. now Spiders are another story.

Til next time <3

Shelly

A BIG Annoucment!

2011-06-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

So I know I have M.I.A. for a bit and there is a good reason for it..

ok I have no idea why it is sideways or know how to turn it around, but see that little thing there.. Yep It's a BABY! I am about 10 weeks pregnant! This was taken at about 8 weeks, and I went to a appointment yesterday and heard the heartbeat so we are confident things are going well this time along..

I am due at the end of January and to say we are excited is a understatement! I really can not wait to find out what I am having as we have already have been throwing names around..

I can not wait to be a MOM! It is finally happening.. My dream come true..

This little baby does not know how much it is loved already!

Shelly <3

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2011-06-01T08:09:00.001-07:00

My Baby Picture from when I was born

Happy Birthday to Me! Goodbye 30 - Hello 31!!!

I Heart Faces - Best Face in May

2011-05-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

This week at I heart faces is the people choice again. where us contestants choose our favorite pictures of the month.. This is little Ethan.. I babysit him and his twin brother.. Here he decided he wanted to go in the window of his little house.. Who needs doors anyway??

Head on over to I Heart Faces for more Fabulous May Faces!

NKOTBSB Live Sneak Peak

2011-05-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

More Later.... New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys all on one stage! Be still my heart!!

Shelly<3

NKOTB-BSB Live!!

2011-05-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

In about an hour and a half I will be seeing my 2 favorite bands growing up play together live.

I was around 10-11 when New kids on the block came out and of course I loved them.

and for quite a while I have loved Backstreet Boys. I have seen them many times, But this is a once in a lifetime chance to see them both live on the same stage!

There will be plenty of pictures to follow! I can not wait! What Perfect timing since my birthday is on Wednesday!

I am going to love this concert tonight!!

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Yellow

2011-05-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

This week at I Heart Faces the theme is Yellow.

Me and my Close group of friends, have a annual summer family picnic every year, Last year someone brought a Slip and Slide, And my little Cousin Sam (age 5 at the time) loved it!

The Raft just so happens to be bright yellow.

Head on over to I Heart Faces for More Yellow Photo Fun.

Til next Time

<3 Shelly

Katie - 3 days shy of 5 months

2011-05-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Smiley Baby!

She's looking so big here

Practicing a little sitting against the couch, a little to the left..

whoa falling over

Sitting Tall

Just Lounging

Hey, what are you doing???

The Model is all tired out.. Time for a nap

Oh My her cheeks, don't you just want to pinch them? Katie continues to be such a happy baby. Her mom my cousin had jury duty last week, so I got to spend some extra time with Katie and her big Sister Sam, Wait til you see those pictures..Cute beyond belief.

Katie is 5 Months old now, these were taken 3 days before she turned 5 months. I can not beleive it has been 5 months since she was born. She is suck a laid back baby. and I always subject her to bows, but she does'nt seem to mind one bit.

Can't wait to continue to see this little one and her big sister grow thru the years. Stay tuned for a short video and pics of the Sisters soon.

Til Next Time

<3 Shelly

My paying photo job

2011-05-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it was just $25 and a free CD but you have to start somewhere right? I still have no name for my upcoming photography buiness and really do not know what to call my future business..

However here are a couple of pictures from that night I got paid to do..

I'm meeting with my friend Friday to give her the pictures, and a the video that Damien Taped and Recorded the audio to so he could line it up for them.

What do you think??

Shelly <3

You Capture - Pink

2011-04-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

This week at You Capture the theme was pink..

I went to see my cousin and her baby today, I played with little katie while her mommy switched out the clothes that didn't fit her anymore.. then since it was so nice here today in Buffalo, we went for a walk..

Katie is 4 months and 17 days.. She will be 5 months May 14th. It has been about a month since I've seen her. She is growing up so quickly.. and is already 13lbs.. She's a good eater thats for sure!

Well anyway on with the Pink!

I took these with my iphone so they are not the best quality, tho I did try to edit them to make them a bit better. Love those Dimples!

Head on over to I should be folding laundry for more Pink Fun!

Catch Up Post...

2011-04-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Want to know what Makes your day? When you get a totally random call from a little one you watch, Just because I did not watch them at all this week and he missed me. Considering he hated his last babysitter, his mom told me when he saw her he would start screaming and crying and wouldn't stop. with me. We just start playing with stuff and he can care less what his mama is doing.

Eli

I answer the phone expecting his mom on the other end, all I hear at first are his twin brothers in the backround, then I hear his little voice.. Hello..and the following exchange happened:

Me: Eli??

Eli: Hi!

Me: Hi Eli! What's up buddy

Eli: I have no school today.. (he's off because of Easter break)

Me: I see, what are you doing..

Eli: Sitting on mommy's lap.

You should come over!

lol.. at this point his mom got back on the phone and told me he wanted to call me. Because he missed me. Awwwwwww...

This is not only completely adorable but completely awesome. Because little Eli has a form of Autism. His mom and dad believe he has Asperger's. However he is too young to be official diagnosed with it yet at 3 years old. He was evaluated and found to have signs of it and was approved go to Summit for preschool. and his parents say the difference it has made in him is amazing.

Eli is very high functioning, He really is a smart little boy. He Loves Thomas the tank engine, He is very lovable and cuddly. esp, if he see's you loving on one of his younger brothers. lol.. he seeks out attention. He listens well to directions most of the time.

He does stim a little, Its kinda a arm waving, running back a forth on his toes or jumping excited thing. When he gets really happy about something or if he's really engrossed in his trains.

Eli is a wonderful little boy. So loving, I am so happy I have gotten to know him and his adorable twin brothers. The three of them now hold a special place in my heart as do the others I have watched and continue to watch thru the years.

I have no idea how people can not like children. I for one Love kids, and not in a creepy way. I love the wonder you see through their eyes when they are doing or seeing something for the first time. I love the unconditional love that toddlers and young kids throw at you. If you let them.

and kids really love me, I really have never met a young child who is not completely attached to me by the end of the day. It's just a quality about me, and I love that. I love that when I go babysitting I get two little Blonde hair toddlers running for a leg to hug, I love that the 3 yr old that once didn't want me to stay, now calls me because he wants me to come over.

I love that I now know the twins so well I can tell them apart without being told who is in what color today.

Evan

Ethan

I love babysitting and I think I love taking pictures of kids the best out of everything! My Favorite 5yr old and her parents are coming to visit us tommrow from PA, they are staying til saturday afternoon.. I can't wait to see how big Lexi has gotten since we last saw her in October!

Lexi - October 2010

One more thing then I will end this insanely long post. I am thinking of opening my own small photography business. I took pictures for a friend last weekend, Her husband was having a CD release party, I was paid $25 and received a free Cd, I know nothing big but I want to get bigger eventually and I need a name for my business. I am not creative at all when it comes to names.. anyone have any ideas at all??

Thanks in advance!

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Wind

2011-04-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

This week at I heart faces the theme is Wind

A couple years ago, Halloween here in Buffalo,NY was very windy. Our friends from Pa came to visit us and we got to take our little buddy Lexi Trick or Treating.. When you live in buffalo and it could be nice and warm or it could be snowing. we learn to adapt to the weather while trick or treating..

Cinderella just had to wear her dress over her jacket and hood. The Tiara actually helped keep that hood on her head pretty good..Pretty windy if you can see her bangs blowing in the wind..

Head on over to I Heart Faces for more Windy Fun Pictures!

Evan goes WOAH! for Barney..

2011-04-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

These little guys crack me up.. this is Evan and I just turned on Barney for them and all he kept saying was Woah! lol.. Funny boy..

Shelly <3

Walking down Memory Lane...

2011-04-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

We decided to clean out the attic the other day and condense our stuff and I come across these

So it all starts with these notebooks, the ones in the picture above. They are notes between me and my friend Nicole in high school. 1998-99 era.. There is some really funny stuff in there. Apparently all we were worried about was boys. There is alot of mention about boys, who we liked, who did'nt like us..

we complained about teachers, and failing tests as well as congradulating ourselves when we passed.

We told each other our raw feelings, you can tell in our handwriting if we were mad or sad, if we were happy or unhappy.. what was going on in our lives, separately and together. For me not all of that was good. As the end of my high school year was very complicated. Let's just say my mom never saw me graduate. I am over that now, just reading my feelings about what lead up to that event towards the end of the 4 yes 4 notebooks that we went through, and I saved all these years.

The beginning of those notebooks are so funny, I love all the little I <3 this person, and that person we doodled all over the notebook, I love that we used every available space with notes front and back of each paper til we ran out, and just moved on to another notebook. I love that this was all my idea, as i wrote in the first note.

I love that we rambled.. alot, at times we really did not make much sense, but it was what we were feeling. This is something kids won't have in the future, a notebook with written word, most i'm sure will be typed. With these notebooks, i see how important writing things out are, the differance between our printing, cursive, silly and serious writing tells how we felt when we wrote what we did. Typed word does not quite capture that emotion. And while these notebooks made some bad memories come back to the front, I am glad I found them. It is nice to look at the 17-18 year old me, what I liked, what I disliked, how much of a friend I had in nicole.. We have lost touch some time ago, but I have found her on facebook as you always can find someone.

We have been texting, and we plan to get together soon. Esp. after finding these notebooks, after all these are her feelings too. I also love that we have random friends who we trusted to look at the "notebooks" write random notes, mostly to me, since they were in niki's class.

Me and Nicole at one of the Dances that year

So while Memory Lane can be painful at times, Right now I am enjoying the boy crazy, Backstreet boy loving, Trying my hardest to graduate high school, talking to my best friend every day, and so much more past self and friends. I wish I was back in that time, I would do some things differantly for sure, but one thing I would never change was my friends. I really did have the best group of friends ever in high school, even if there were only 4 or 5 of them.

We all plan on getting together soon, and I can't wait to reunite with them!

<3 Shelly

You Capture - Smile's

2011-04-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

This week the You Capture challenge was to catch a Smile.. I love you capture because you can use more then one photo..

These little guys were very smiley..

I babysit for these little guys and they always give me smiles!

Head on over to I should be folding Laundry for more Smiley Fun!

I Heart Faces - Shadows

2011-04-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

This week at I Heart Faces the them is Shadows.

My Old place of employment works with local NHL players a lot. If you didn't know Buffalo is a BIG hockey city.

During a family picnic that they had for the employees in 2009,They had a couple of the Buffalo Sabres Come and sign some pucks for the kids. Here Thomas Vanek of the buffalo sabres is signing a puck for a little girl. The sun was perfect for these shadows, you can also see an extra shadow there in the middle, that would be me..

Head on over to I heart faces for more Shadow Awesomeness!

<3 Shelly

Baby Blues...

2011-04-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

I'm Telling you these boys have the most beautiful eyes!

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Peoples Choice - Best Face in March

2011-04-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

Time for people choice week at I heart faces. The theme this time is The best face in March.

This little guy has some of the bluest eyes I've ever seen.. but then again so does his twin brother...

He had just woken up from his nap.

Head on over to I Heart Faces and vote for your favorite!

Shelly <3

More Editing Fun

2011-04-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

I have learned how to make collages and how to do other things with my photos.. I am having some fun with this site...

What do you think??

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Slice of Life

2011-03-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

*I heart faces button was not working will check back and fix when it is*

So This week the theme at I Heart Faces is Slice of Life. Basically just a candid photo. Nothing that was set up. Which is mostly how I take my photos anyway. Esp. with little one's.

This boy LOVES his trains. I also Love how you can tell many little children, 3 to be exact live here, with the toys all in the back round. I babysit for this little guy who is 3 and his twin 22 month old brothers every week.

Head on over to I Heart Faces for More Slice of Life Fun!

Photo Editing Fun

2011-03-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around on Picnik.com with their free features for awhile now, and I decided to try out their full version for a month, after all it was only $4.99 , what have I got to loose.

I think I may just get the year subscription which is only $24.99 once my month is up, I am enjoying playing around with my pictures.. here are just a some I have been playing with..

What do you think? I am just starting to play with the features there are many I have to learn what they all do. But it is fairly simple..

Til next Time

Shelly <3

Watching Little Boys...

2011-03-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Watching these boys every week fun, the twins loved me from the get go, Eli needed a little convincing.

When I first started coming over he did'nt want me to stay, and this week he said he did'nt want me to go.

The twins are a riot, being 22 months old they are at a very fun age. They are starting to talk, most of it is not english..lol but they do say a couple words clearly.

Evan is standing and Ethan is sitting

One thing is for sure These boys are gorgeous. All three of them

Evan - Love the look on his face..

Evan

Ethan

Evan

Eli

Eli LOVES Trains and can tell you every single Thomas the tank engine character train and what they do. He is 3 almost 4.

Their Parents are loving all the pictures I am taking of them too. Its a joy to see them each week.

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

You Capture - Youth

2011-03-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

I Have'nt done a You Capture post in quite some time. So I am just going to just back in it. The theme was to Capture Youth, and nothing is more Youthful then these little guys..

Head on over to I Should be folding laundry for more Youthful Fun!

On the Job Front..

2011-03-11T18:29:00.000-08:00

So I still have not found a job, however a friend needed a babysitter, once a week for her 3 little one's and it pays $10 an hour. I am there from about 9am-6pm. Eli is 3 and he goes to preschool for 3 hours out of the day and then there are the Twins. Ethan and Evan, they are 22 months old. They are all very cute little boys.

From Left to Right : Evan, Ethan and Eli

Here is Evan above in giggles as I tickle him, They just started really talking, so who knows what he's telling me but it's important to him.. lol...

Evan

Ethan

Double Trouble

They really are good boys. Toddler's really are fun, (*Most* of the time)

So until I get a real job, these three little guys are my job, at least once a week.

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - People’s Choice Photo Challenge - Best Face in February

2011-03-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

This week at I heart Faces it's us who vote. The people who enter every week. This week's theme is Your Best Face from February.

I have so many I could choose from, But I think I will go with this.

Little Katie on 2/8/2011 a week away from being 2 months old.

..After all it she has the best little face I know....

Head on Over to I Heart Faces for more Peoples Choice - Best February Face Fun!

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - “Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes…Anything But A Face!

2011-02-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

This week at I Heart Faces the theme is Anything but a face.. That leaves so many pictures to choose from. But It think I will post the one that popped in my head first when I read about this week's theme.

Last Tuesday I babysat for my Little Cousins. Sam is 6 and I have babysat her Tons of times, Katie is 2 Months and I have watched her a couple times also. However this was the first time I was watching them together... Let me tell you 6 year Old's are Quick.. I turned my back to change the baby.. Sam was Coloring a picture... and I hear.. "Look Auntie my toes are Smiling!"

Washable Markers are not that washable..lol.. Thank Goodness her Mom did'nt care. But hey what little Kid does'nt write on themselves in some way or form. Just please Sam don't do it again on my Watch! :o)

For more Non- Human Face Fun! Head on over to I Heart Faces!

<3 Shelly

New Hair

2011-02-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

For Valentines Day Damien gave me money to get my hair done. They had no appointments yesterday so I went this morning and got a cut and color..

got it cut shorter,colored a little darker, and some bangs.

I have not had bangs for years! So I have to get used to them again. But I think I like it?

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Red

2011-02-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

This week at I heart faces the theme is Red.

Yesterday was my baby cousin's christening, and her Big Sister Sam wore a beautiful Red Dress and Sweater. It is funny hearing this little girl telling us that her Dress is by "Laura Ashley" , we were shocked.. how do you know brand names? Seriously this is the same kid who does not like anything in her hair.. ever.. unless she has to for a dance recital. But her Nana taught her some things..

But she loves dresses, and apparently Berets!

You have to love the 6 yr old smile, she does'nt have very many teeth in there right now.. lol..

She is a wonderful Big Sister, and I love both girls very much.

Head on Over to I Heart Faces for more photos in Red

This and That

2011-02-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

So I have been a bad blogger, but really have not had much to say.. so what has been going on.

we finally have our new car. I am the proud owner of a 1999 Nissan Maxima, That $1500 check we were waiting for, that we thought would take 3 days, took 3 weeks. But the dealership held the car for us. Thankfully.

I finally got to see the newest Harry Potter Movie.. and we had a good time. Can not wait for the Final one this summer. Damien and I tried to see this movie 4 times and finally on the 4th time was successful. From Weather to car issues to other things that kept us from going the other times.

It;s nice to get out of the house every so often together.

This past Tuesday I babysat for Katie for the first time. And I can not wait to have one of my own. It was so nice to snuggle with her, and she loves to be snuggled.

She is almost 2 months old.. So sweet.. She is being Christened this weekend, so more pictures to come.

Til Next Time!

Shelly <3

Disney on Ice 2011 - Warning Picture Overload

2011-01-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Today Me, My mom and Samantha went to Disney on Ice. Me and my mom have'nt gone in years. And since Sam's Birthday just passed and with the new baby her mom and dad were'nt able to take her this year. So we did, or more so my mom.

We a had a great time!

More Tommrow

Shelly <3

Katie Fix

2011-01-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

I got to watch little Katie for an hour today while her mom went to the doctors. She is so cute..

Only got a couple today to share..

So Serious..

Is there anything sweeter then Baby Dimples???

Saturday me and my mom are taking Big Sister Sam to Disney on Ice for a late birthday present. It should be really fun!

til next time

Shelly <3

Cars..

2011-01-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

My car is officially dead. Well it still runs I just wouldn't trust it to drive anywhere far. It may or may not start up again. So right now I would rather not chance it. So I have been without my car for about 2 weeks. Last weekend we put a down payment on a new car. Well a new used car.

Luckily my mom and step dad are able to help us out, They are paying for the car outright and we pay them back every month til the car is paid off. No Interest, Which is nice. That is the same thing we did when we bought the Lumina 7 years ago. Unfortantly we really don't have an extra saved on our own, or have good enough credit for a loan to payback with interest. I am lucky they are able to help us with some things or I really don't know how we would do it.

I hope to someday not be a paycheck to paycheck family. To have savings, to go on a vacation. It will happen someday, just with a little hard work, which is fine with me. It will mean more when it finally happens.

Well we are waiting for a medical expense payment to come in and then we can get the car. I cannot wait, A car that I know I can go to the store and not have to worry about it not starting again when I come out.

So Good Bye Lumina You were a good car for a long while..

Hello Maxima.. I hope we have many years of Breakdown Free Happiness Together!

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

Samantha Through the Years..

2011-01-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

Sam Turned 6 on the 10th of January. Oh how the years fly by, When I found out that I had cousins.. (another post altogether) and we became really close Sam was 2.


Here she is at Stephanie's Wedding as the Flower Girl...

Then I was invited he her 3rd birthday party. Me and Patti became close very quickly as we are very much alike.


Yes she is that cute in person..

Before we knew it another year had passed and Sam turned 4, by now I am Auntie Shelly.

and then another year flew by just as fast as the last, and Our little Sam was turning 5. A whole hand old!

This year was a little special, she got a Chuck-E-Cheese Party and I think the adults enjoyed it as much as the kids.

And here we are yet another year later, and Our Little Sam has turned 6! SIX! When in the world did that happen??

2011 Brings alot of Changes for young Sam. She has become a Big Sister and I just know she will be the best Big Sister ever!

Happy Birthday Sammy Girl! I love you So Much and you are growing into a beautiful, caring little Girl! Here's to many more birthdays and your bright future!

Love you always!

Auntie Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Best Face Photo of 2010

2011-01-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

The First week of this new year at I heart Faces the Theme is Best Face Photo of 2010.

What better face then this!

This seems like a pretty good face to me!

Head on Over to I Heart Faces for more beautiful faces of 2010!

Shelly <3

Want to know why we skip putting ornaments on the tree....

2010-12-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

Yup that would be my trouble maker Gumba in the middle of the tree..

He is lucky he is so cute!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Shelly <3

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve, and I just had a wonderful dinner downstairs with my mom and step-dad. We also celebrate Damien's birthday. His birthday is the day after christmas, Yea a kinda sucky day..lol He always gets jipped so we try to do something special. Outside of christmas.

We do christmas eve with my family. Then christmas day damiens family comes over. This year his mom's fiance is also joining us. Along with Johnny who is his best friend and over all the time anyway. He is just family. His wife has to work, so we invited him over, no need to eat alone when we will have plenty. So while we may not have alot of presents this year. I usally go all out and get something speical for everyone. This year I did the best I could on a limited budget, but no where near what I usally do.

People seemed to like everything so I'm good with that.

Well what I was trying to get at is we may not have alot of presents this year under the tree, but we will have family. And that is the real reason of chrismas, to be surronded by the one's you love.

So I want to wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas!

Damien and I - Christmas Eve - 2010

Happy Holidays!

Shelly <3

More Katie...

2010-12-22T16:56:00.000-08:00

Holding Katie for the first time

Momma Patti and Baby Katie

All that holding and cooing over her is tiring work. She drank a bottle and promptly fell asleep. ;)

She is 1 week and 1 day old..

Shelly <3

Thankful..

2010-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

When I first started blogging I mainly did it for picture posts to enter on certain sites. I never thought I would actually find people who care about you even though you have never met in person.

I may not get alot of followers on this blog but the couple I do are the best anyone can ask for.

So today I wanted to give a little time to the 2 people who mainly comment on my blog, Who see me through bad posts and good posts. Who make comments that make me smile and cry.

Mainly for you 2 to invest your time in me. Even if we have never met in person. Even if we are only online friends, you two both mean alot to me. Just know that every comment written from you guys makes my heart smile. That there are people out there who read my thoughts, who look at my pictures. when at times I feel people in my real life really do not listen to me, Or I don't really express myself as openly.

Thank you, for being there and always listening. Though you both have things going on in your own lives, you still take that time to read mine. And that means more to me then both of you will ever know.

Now, I know you both know who you are, but what is a little shameless blog plug right?

So maybe I have some lurkers who don't comment, if so check out these 2 lovely ladies blogs.

Mrs C @ Homeschool and Ect. and Lisa over at - My Version of my life

You won't be disappointed in either one, trust me.

So as another year is almost up, Thank you Lisa and Mrs. C - You were there for me when some of the worst things happened this year, and I appreciate every word that was typed. Thank you both once again and I Hope the new year brings good things for both you and your beautiful family's.

<3 <3 Shelly

Katie Lou - 2 Days Old

2010-12-16T15:04:00.000-08:00

Today I got to meet my new little Cousin. Sure she slept the whole time but what else do you do when you are 2 days old?

She is Absolutely beautiful, perfect in every way. Patti is also doing well. She looked really good today and is going home tomorrow. Sam is overjoyed to be a Big Sister..

I do have to say this is my first time taking pictures of a newborn. These are just the first of many that I will snap in her lifetime.. however I think a couple turned out really good. Now if I could just figure out how to use photoshop I might be able to make them great!

Til next time

Shelly <3

Welcome to the Family..

2010-12-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

My Cousin and Best friend had her baby girl yesterday.

There was some extra fluid around that baby so they decided to induce her . Her due date was supposed to be the 22nd. The baby was measuring big enough and her head was down, so it was all scheduled for the 14th. So she headed in at 7am..

Me and my mom went to see DreamGirls yesterday also. (More on that in another post)

So we were waiting for a call all day, or a text or anything to let us know what was going on.

6pm.. Still nothing, The show started at 7:30..I finally heard that there was nothing going on yet right before the show started. While Patti was ready for her to come out, the baby had other ideas and decided to turn around. So the doctors were trying to get her to turn around again. The show started so I had my phone on vibrate just in case they called they could leave a message.

Right at Intermission I get a call from Patti's Sister

Meet...


Katherine Louise O'Donnell ( she will be called Katie) 6 pounds 10oz

Via C-Section, she just was not cooperating. Patti is doing well. I talked to her a bit today, she's sore but good. and the Baby is doing great. So My favorite 5 yr old

Sam - is now a BIG Sister!

while in reality we are only cousins, I am auntie to Sam and Katie, we are just really close.

I cannot wait to go meet little Katie, and I am sure I will have lots of adorable pictures to share soon!

Welcome to the world Katie!

Shelly <3

The Letter...

2010-12-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

Well it came today.. Fidelis on the cover of the envelope.. The place where I interviewed 2 weeks ago..

and it says...with my thoughts in green...

Dear Shelly,

We would like to Thank you for your interest in the position. Although (now you know it's going downhill from here) we were impressed with your experience

and credentials, we are pursuing a candidate who was a closer match to our needs at this time.

We wish you great success on your future endeavors.

So there you have it, you just aren't good enough for what we need. It's not a huge shock as I figured it did'nt get it when I did'nt get a call back right away.

It's really not the end of the world I am sure something else will come up, I would lie if I said i'm a not a little disappointed. In myself mostly, wonder what it was I could have done a little better to make myself stick out more.. What I can do differently on the next interview.. which I am guessing probably won't be until after the holidays, who wants to hire someone the week before Christmas? Oh well at least I have one interview under my belt.. I guess On to the next!

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Pets

2010-12-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

I think every Time a Pet week comes up at I heart Faces it is the most difficult week to choose a picture to enter. If you could enter more then one I would be golden, but alas only one photo allowed. During the pet week it really doesn't have to be a pet, mainly just a animal face instead of a human.

I have so many pictures of my Cats and of friends animals,that I could choose. But I did go to the zoo this summer and I got some great shots of some animals you just don't see everyday.

now to choose just one is the problem..

I think I will go with this beautiful Brown Bear ...

He just looks so happy sitting there in the sun..and as I am in Buffalo, NY and under a lot of snow, I love thinking of the warm summer days in the future..So head on over to I Heart Faces for more pictures of beautiful animals small and large!

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

Random Fun Old Photos..

2010-12-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

Just because I have been in a funk lately, let's liven it up a bit with some old photos of me..

It's always fun looking at old pictures.. you can't help but smile..

Me and My Puffalump.. The Original Pillow Pet!!

Me @ 3yrs old

My 8th grade graduation

Me and my Brother,Ronnie - newborn , Me - 7yrs old

Halloween not sure what year..1989?? I am the Pound Puppy

Me and Damien - 2001 I think..

I Love looking back at old photos..How about you??

Til Next time

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Self Portrait

2010-12-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

This week at I heart face's the theme is Self Portrait:

I like this self portrait even though you can see the back round, It makes it real. A little clutter, a cat. Yup that's my house..

Head on over to I Heart Faces for more Self Portraits!

Shelly <3

Update..

2010-12-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

Car - Unburied.. But unfortunately not working.. I am not sure what is wrong with it.. Have to get it towed somewhere and get it fixed before Monday so Damien can go to work.

I was supposed to have a girls night tonight, Which I had to cancel with no car to get to it..

Damien and I were supposed to go see the new Harry Potter movie tommrow and go out to dinner. That is not happening anymore.. no car and the money we did have now has to go to the towing and the fixing of the car.

Honestly I'm very disappointed. This was our date night I was looking forward to for 2 weeks. We have not gone anywhere together for a night out since he proposed back in June, as shortly after we both got laid off. Since he got his job back and we have not gone anywhere we were finally going to go see Harry Potter and go to Dinner. It;s not easy getting Dam out of the house, so when he agrees to do something I'm excited.

But the weather and our crappy car ruined it all. I know there are worse things that can happen, but I am sick of Disappointment. Whenever the car is broken we fight. Its just not fun. I'm sure tommrow will be better. Just sucks a little right now..

Well I am sure you don't all want to hear me whine. I promise next post will be better.

Shelly

That's no Snow Pile... edited with some updated pics

2010-12-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

See that Snow Pile there.. that is my Car!

and me..

Shelly <3

*EDIT* to add some of the progress, we will tackle the rest tomorrow

Snow please Stop... Edited with more photos

2010-12-02T11:22:00.000-08:00

So I was talking yesterday about the crazy snowstorm we were having. It continued all night long and we are covered in snow. The cars are covered completely, The schools are closed. You can't even drive down the street without getting stuck.

Here are a couple pictures from my top porch, or really my hand sticking out the door because I can not get out the door the snow is too high.

Some people are stuck on the thruways still from last night. Over 7 hours. and it is still snowing. The joy of Lake Effect Snow.. I just hope it stops soon.. we need to dig ourselves out!

Frozen in Buffalo

Shelly <3

*EDIT* with a bunch more photos, I decided to go outside and check it out..

That is my car.. can you see the window??? This will be fun digging out tomorrow..

My Snow Mobile er.. I mean car..

My Street

cant even drive down it

My front yard

Crazy big snow piles

Front Yard

My Drive way

Me out in the snow.. The Piles are Huge, Im in the drive way here.

Stop the Snow, Stop the Snow, Stop the snow...

2010-12-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

Hi There! Nothing much to report, I had my interview last Monday, I think it went well. I interviewed with 3 guys first, then the Human Resources Lady, Everything seemed good. She told me she would call me next week.. So far I have not received a call, but thanksgiving was last week so maybe things are running behind, as she mentioned she would call me either way.

Is it ok to call after an interview and inquire if you have'nt heard back? I Don't know the ettiquite anymore. It's been so long and all my other interviews in the past were really easy and pretty laid back.

If I don't get the job, it's not the end of the world, a little disappointing but I am sure there is something out there for me.

In other News we received our first real snow fall today.. Let me tell you I hate snow!

Sure it's pretty, building snowmen are cool. Sledding. Fun, But driving..sucks.

Damien got stuck in front of our house when he got home from work trying to park.

We have one tire that is pretty low, close to being flat , and our power steering has possiably been blown, which would suck. There is no driving the car like that.

This was from a storm we had in Oct. 2006.

and that means more money we have to shell out that we just don't have. As I type this it is Thundering and Lighting like crazy while snowing... Nuts!

He is not completely sure as it could be the snow interfering with the steering. So we are going to wait til tomorrow and figure that out. Hopefully Fingers crossed its just the snow getting in the way.

I'll try to get some updated pics tommrow.

Til Then

Shelly <3

Wish me Luck!!

2010-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

Just a short post ..

I put in an application at a insurance company for their customer service position last night online around 9pm. I got a call back this morning (Saturday) for an interview on Monday!!

Wish me Luck everyone! I need all the good thoughts I can get! This will be my first interview in 5 years so I am a little nervous!

Will let everyone know how it turns out!

Shelly<3

This and That

2010-11-19T18:32:00.000-08:00

So what has been going on..So a couple weeks ago we are spending a lazy Saturday in the house. Doing pretty much nothing. You need those days sometimes, Our friend was coming over as he does almost every Saturday. However when he got he, he called us up from outside, seems someone side swiped our car in the middle of the night..Since we did not leave the house yet we had no idea.

Luckily it was this dent and the headlight only that was damaged

Cost us $75 to fix the headlight, we can care less about the dent

So that's fun right? Your car getting smashed and you not even knowing. Oh well what are you going to do. Then the week after I heard a loud bang and ran out on the porch to see what was up. I see a Red Jeep SUV come from the side street and run right into the neighbors front porch and bust into flames. It was interesting to say the least, if the car swerved at all it would have been my car it was that close. The cops were there for hours, We wondered exactly what was going on. Turned out the guy had 100lbs of marijuana in his car, and set the car on fire himself just before jumping from the moving vehicle. Click Here to read the article from our local paper.. Crazy..

In other news Damien has gone back to work full time. The place we both got laid off from called him last week and asked him if he would consider coming back. He was'nt going to take it just because of the way they let both of us go at the same time. It could have been done differantly. However quite frankly we need the money. Going from a 2 full time income family to a no income family is not easy. Sure we got and I still get unemployment but it really is nothing more then enough for me to pay most of my bills.

I have a wedding to plan for. I am very proud of him for sucking up his pride and going back, If this happened a year ago I could never see him doing it. But he went back full time, so we have some kind of income coming in and we can plan our wedding. I really do love this man.

Me on the other hand is still looking, I have applied at a couple places that look promising so hopefully something comes through soon. Besides that nothing much is going on. My cold is gone . Thankfully.. for a while I thought that stuffy head was going to kill me.

I promise to be more consistant with the posts. Till next time

Shelly <3

A bit of this and that..

2010-11-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

I'm back again.. PA was great. We had a great time as always. The only downfall is I seem to have brought a cold back with me. I have this awful head cold. If I could just get unstuffy I would be fine..

So back to the trip.. We went there to visit our friends and one of our favorite little girls


Lexi

We also got to go to Wilkes Barre, where I was born but do not remember. It was a really small town. We actually drove through part of it and did not realize, but it was beautiful.

Since it was Halloween on Sunday we stayed til monday and went trick or treating with Lexi

Last year she was Cinderella this year A bat

It was very cold out so we had to get creative with the wings

It was nice to get away for 4 days, but I was very happy to be home. I missed my damien very much

More Later..

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

What's Been Going On...

2010-10-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

I'm back, sorry it's been so long but there was nothing to really write about.

I still am unemployed, but i'm sure something will turn up soon enough.

Up until this week I really had nothing going on. That changed this week though. Here in Buffalo we have a theater called Shea's. There have been a variety of acts that have come through town. From Stand Up Comics to Concerts but mainly it host's Plays.

Me and my mom usually go to one or two shows a year depending on what comes through. This year she decided to get us Season Tickets, so we get to see 6 shows total. Some of the shows we will be seeing this year include Shrek, Dream Girls, West Side Story, Mary Poppins and more. I cannot wait to see Shrek!

Tuesday was the first show of the season Mary Poppins.

It was Awesome. Very well done.

*I did not take this photo*

If you have the chance to see it, I highly recommend it!

Then Wednesday we went to see Danny Gokey ( Former American Idol Contestant). I found out he was doing a show with 2 other country groups at a local college a week before the show and my mom loves him so we got last minute tickets.

We were All the way Up, only 4 rows were above us, but it was still really good. Didn't really get very good pictures , we were pretty high up and cameras really weren't allowed so I had to sneak pics, but here are a couple I got.

All 3 Acts

The Band Perry

Danny Gokey

Steel Magnolia

Another Steel Magnolia

I really liked the set-up, instead of having the bands come on one by one, all 3 came out at once. They then took turns. With Danny Gokey in the middle starting, the going to the right to The Band Perry, then moving to the left to Steel Magnolia. Then back to Danny again.

It worked really well. Esp. Since they were joking and talking with one another. I am not a huge country fan, but they both were really good, having never heard of them before that night. I have to say that Steel Magnolia were very funny and personable. Dfinatly a good show.

In Other News, my mom is doing much better and got the OK to travel. So we decided we are going to take a little weekend trip to Pennsylvania. To visit our friends. Last Halloween then came up here:

Lexi - 2009

Since we really have not been able to do much this summer, We decided Next thursday morning we are going to head down there, we stay at their house so we really have no hotel expenses. We are going to stay for Halloween and Start Home Monday Morning, If we leave by 9 we should be home about lunch time. 4 Days, We did go for 3 days last year and they have been up here once this year.

My mom and Me - Knoebels in PA 2009

So I am sure I will have lots of pictures and stories to share. Lexi will be my little shadow for those 4 days I am sure. But that is quite alright, I don't get to see her enough. I mean how can you not love this little face???

Well That's about it for now.

Til next time.

Shelly <3

The Tale of the Stolen Wallet

2010-10-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

Our tale begins almost 10 yrs ago (2001). I was 19 and working in the Mail room at a Semi large doctors office. Me and my co-worker was separating the doctors mail. We worked with something that was very similar to this, along one wall, opposite of the door.

A Guy came in and asked us to use the phone, as his eye doctor was closed and he thought he had an appointment. We said sure, moved the phone where he could reach and continued our work. He thanked us and left. A short while later it was lunch time, so I went to my purse, which was hanging on the back of our door right by my jacket to get my wallet. And it was gone...

I was pretty upset, this is the first time anyone has stolen anything from me. The guy of course was long gone, I figured I would never see my stuff again. I didn't have much cash in there. So I called the bank and had them stop my debit card. And the guy had already stopped at a gas station to use it. That taken care of I was advised to file a Police report. So I called the police and did just that. I never heard anything.

Now Fast forward to this Monday. I had a message on my answering machine from a Salvation Army saying they found some ID of mine. I wasnt sure what they were talking about I had all my ID and stuff in my wallet, and double checked just to be sure. I did'nt get to call them back right away.

So then Tuesday comes and I get a message from the Police Station asking me to call back they have something of mine that was found and left a very old address on the message. I have'nt lived there in years! So I call them back and the police officer asks me if I lost a wallet, because someone found some with ID of mine. The only wallet I ever "lost" was the one that was stolen years ago.

So She asks me to describe it and I tell her honestly I can't remember it's been almost 10 yrs but was able to tell her a couple other things that should be in there. And low and behold they found my wallet that was stolen almost 10yrs ago and stuff was still in it!

My Social Security card was in there, I was worried for a while about that and now I have it back. My old ID's. My Library Card and other various cards I had in there. The guy must have just took my bank card and the cash and pocketed the wallet and never looked in the one part.

Eventually gave it to the good will in some pocket of something I am guessing, and when they were checking out the stuff came across the wallet and opened it and saw the ID in there. How crazy is it to get your Stolen Wallet back after almost 10yrs? It seems almost impossible, and it's still in good shape to!

So this tale has a happy ending. All is well. I have my Wallet back that I really never thought I would see again and totally forgot about! It sure does make for a good story too.

Shelly <3

Makes me wonder...

2010-09-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been getting alot of compliments on my photography. I don't charge anyone as I just do it for fun and i'm not that good. But alot of people have suggested maybe I should.

I would need a better camera, but I take some pretty good one's with the one I have now..

Our Friend just got married and was gushing over the pictures I took, also my cousin got married and told me my pictures are better then the paid photographer.

Here are a couple of the most recent photos.. My Fiance just had a show last night. they do Hip Hop with a 3 man band behind them. Here is their bassist and Guitar player..

Their Drummer

My Guy

Our Friends from PA came to visit here is beautiful Lexi

Our Friends Zoe and Jesse got Married

and my cousin melissa got married

What do you all think of the quality of these photos, you can be honest. None of these are edited in any way. So I am sure they can be better.

Really makes me think if I should try to get a better camera and make a career out of this picture taking thing. I really think I would enjoy it!

Til Next Time

Shelly <3

Buffalo Zoo - September 2010

2010-09-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

I have always loved Animals. I was the type of kid who would find an animal outside and bring it home. I got a kitten trick or treating one year... We went out for candy of course and brought home more then we thought.

I have to admit my mom was very open to animals, she may have said no at first but she almost always caved. She always told me I would bring home a skunk if she let me.

That said I think animals are amazing, you have no idea what they are thinking but sometimes they do something that is so human like or funny and you just wish you knew what they were thinking. My Cat's have 3 of the biggest personality ever. But I found animals at the Zoo give just as much sometimes.

Take this polar bear. It was like he was putting on a show. He would walk back and forth, the dive in his pool. Then pop his head up at the side. Backstroke, side stroke and dive again. It was hilarious.

I got some great pics of this guy just hanging out.

We walked up to the Hyenas and I just said wonder where they are? Then 2 come galloping down to the glass.

They really look like Big Dogs, but they have jaws of steel, as said by the sign on their enclosure.

The Lemurs are always funny. You never know what they are going to be doing. This time it was time for Lemur exercising.. at least that's what it looks like to me..

The Monkeys were so funny. There were 2 T-Shirts in their cage, one of the monkeys put a shirt on and was jumping around, Unfortunately I did not get any really good one;s but here is what I did get.

There is a monkey in there. The camera focused on the fence and not the monkey

Another monkey was trying to grab a stick through the fence and drag it in..

By far the best was the Gorilla's. The Glass is thick for obvious reasons, and not the clearest, but I think I got a couple of the best pictures ever..

It look's like he is looking right at me

Another great visit to the zoo..

Til next time

Shelly <3

Gorilla's..

2010-09-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

I went to the buffalo zoo today with some friends. I will share more tomorrow but I wanted to share the best picture ever!

More Tommrow!

Shelly <3

The Kitty Stampede..

2010-09-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

So everyday when I feed the cats we have the Kitty Stampede.. I thought it would be funny to capture exactly what they do everyday. You would think that they never get fed from the way they react. Or they just love this food? Any one else have crazy pets??

til next time

Shelly <3

2 Days...

2010-09-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

In 2 days (Friday afternoon around 4 to be exact) Our friends from PA are coming to visit! I can not wait! I love them all so much and have not seen them in about a year. They are staying until Sunday most likely. Michelle has work Monday and Lexi Kindergarten, so it will be a short visit. But a visit none the less!


Michelle ( same age as me well almost her birthday is in November)

My Mom met them online, at pogo.com. and she became really good friends with them last year. I went down with her to PA last September to meet them and we all just hit it off so well. We are long lost family. Seems like we were meant to meet.

Lexi

and this little girl above is my heart! I love her so much.. She calls me "Her" Shelly. And from the moment they get here she will be attached to my side. I don't mind, I'm kinda fond of this little munchkin.

So that means come Monday I should have lots and lots of pictures to share. Since it is still pretty nice out, we are planning on taking them to the Buffalo Zoo, possibly the Science Museum and anything else we can squeeze in. Last year they came for Halloween and it was really cold out by then so we couldn't do much outside. We went to the aquarium the last time, the bounce house and Chuck E Cheese.

I also plan on taking her to the park to play maybe picking up Sam and take them both, they are around the same age with Sam being a little older.

Look next week for lots of fun photos!

til next time

Shelly <3

I Heart Faces - Vroom, Vroom

2010-09-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

This week at I heart faces the theme is "Vroom Vroom" you must include a vehicle in your photo, along with a human face of course.

This was taken when we were leaving the beach this summer. Sam Is a BIG girl (don't you know) she can climb up on the car and climb thru the back window into her seat on her own, who needs doors when you have a big open window? Crazy 5 year olds.

Head on over to I heart faces for more "Vroom Vroom" Fun!

I Heart Faces - My Summer in photos

2010-09-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

This week at I heart faces, is a week off, which means that you can post more then one picture for this entry, and its just for fun no judging. So this summer was a little different for me. I became Unemployed for the first time in 10 yrs, the Friday of July 4th.

Before I got "Laid-off" One very good thing happened this summer, well besides me turning 30, we will just forget about that. I finally after almost 10 yrs together got engaged!! Yea!!!

We had our annual summer picnic the Saturday after I got "laid-off".

My 3 little Cousins

We have it at Carrie's club. She is an archer. Last year she taught us all how to shoot arrows. This year we got taught how to shoot a rifle.. Kinda.. Here I am trying..

I didn't do too bad for my first time

Then Damien's Cousin Got Married. It was a beautiful day outside and that's a good thing as they got married in a park!

Mr and Mrs. Battle

I also went to the beach for the first time in years!

Lovely HOT sand.. we had to walk thru of sand dune to get to the beach

We had a Cookie snack on the beach

I saw Samantha's 2nd dance recital!

She would be the one on the far left

check out the moves this kid has? lol..

Saw Fireworks and actually got some good pictures..

Fireworks!

A couple weeks ago my cousin also got married

The Bride and her Dad walking down the isle

Feeding Cake to each other

Mr and Mrs Homway

Basically been spending time with my best friends and family.. don't know what I would do without these guys!

From Left to Right: Bottom: Me and Becky behind me is Carrie then Stephanie and last but no least Patti.

Summer has been good all things considering. I am so ready to go back to work though, I hope I find something soon. In the meanwhile I will take the fun times when they come.. and be there for my girls as they are there for me!

Head on over to I heart faces for more Summer in Review fun!

I Heart Faces - Photojournalism

2010-08-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

This week at I heart faces the theme is Photojournalism. Now I'll be the first to admit I wasn't quite sure what this meant.

So Basically it is using a photo or a series of photos that tell a story. Here's My entry

My Cousin got married on the 28th, It was a beautiful ceremony, and great party. The reception was at Marigold manor . It was very nice. They had another wedding in the next room over. And Both Brides met each other in bathroom. the other bride and her bridal party came over for a dance or two at our party.

It was great! The best part is that the brides had almost the exact same dress on..just a couple slight differences.

It was a great time. To see more entry's head on over to I Heart Faces Now!

Til Next Time

<3 Shelly

Incompetent Pharmacies - Edited with an update

2010-08-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

After what happened in may, I wasn't quite ready to try again, When Damien Proposed we figured we would start after the wedding, or like a month or two before. Because really you won't show that early.

I have resumed taking my birth control pills. I have taken the same kind for years. When I first got my prescription renewed after it was safe to do so, it was the same kind I have had. Then last month they gave me a different kind. Different Packaging, Different Company. But assured me it was the same thing. Just made by someone else.

OK, no problem. This month, they gave me something else. Same company as last month, but less pills. I take a 28 day kind they gave me a 21 day kind. They said the last row didn't matter and you didn't need it. ok.. So I have been taking them for a little over a week and a half.

I noticed today that the back has an expiration date, and that date is 03/10! That is right, they expired about 6 months ago! What the .... So Now when we thought we were being protected. We really were not. So Now I have to tell Damien this, Call this stupid pharmacy and take a pregnancy test just to be sure.

I can not believe a pharmacy would give you expired medication. What happened if it was something more vital? Really? How incompetent can you be? I guess from now on I will have to check all the expiration dates on medication.

One thing is for sure I am sure changing pharmacies..

til Next time

Shelly <3

Update: Went to the pharmacy and they said they were sorry again and again, not only did they give me expired pills they also gave me the wrong dosage. I asked the pharmacy how this would affect the effectivness, they were'nt sure but gave me a free pregancy test to be sure.

they said if it was positive to call them because they will contact their lawyers in the matter. She was very nice about it all. and said she was sorry over and over. Well lo and behold I come home take the test and what do you know.. Positive..Here we go again! But this time I did not miss anything. I did nothing wrong but not look at the back of the stupid pills. Here we go again,, I hope this ends better then last time. I don't think my heart could last another heartbreak..

Edited for the second time:
I got a blood test on friday just to be sure. they called me today and told me it was negative. So guess it was a false positive..

The Story of my Life...

Beautiful Baby Girl...

Leighla's Nursery

Introducing....

Still Hanging out..

Still No Baby

Almost Time

2012

Christmas Review

Christmas Time is Here..

Christmas Spirit

Little Miss Dimples is One!!

32 weeks 2 days

The Baby Shower

28 weeks

27 weeks 3 days

25 weeks 4 days

Update..

R.I.P. Vision

Babies..

New Ultrasound Pics..

We are Having a.....

Picture Post

Vision

This and That Post

17 weeks 3 days

I Heart Faces - Pets

People have no Respect

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The Name Game

Getting over my Fears

A BIG Annoucment!

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I Heart Faces - Best Face in May

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Katie - 3 days shy of 5 months

My paying photo job

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Walking down Memory Lane...

You Capture - Smile's

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Baby Blues...

I Heart Faces - Peoples Choice - Best Face in March

More Editing Fun

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On the Job Front..

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Merry Christmas

More Katie...

Thankful..

Katie Lou - 2 Days Old

Welcome to the Family..

The Letter...

I Heart Faces - Pets

Random Fun Old Photos..

I Heart Faces - Self Portrait

Update..

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Snow please Stop... Edited with more photos

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Wish me Luck!!

This and That

That's no Snow Pile... edited with some updated pics