My Favorite Time of the Year!

It is my FAVORITE time of the year. September has over and October, November and December are HERE. I love these three months. I love decorating for Halloween, putting up harvest decorations for Thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS decorations! This year feels even more special since I get to experience it with Savannah. At the start of the 'season' I always make homemade soup chicken noddle soup with lots of veges. I also made an apple cobbler too!

Savannah and I went to the library today from toddler reading time. I just had to take a picture of her in her car seat because (a) this car seat is amazing and so much easier to put Savannah in, (b) hair bows look so cute on her and (c) that face is precious!

Savannah likes to sit up front near the teacher. Savannah is very conscious about being a good pupil.

Savannah was raising her hand to answer questions.

Ok... maybe more like swinging her arms around trying to clap.

Savannah's crib was lowered and it has totally freaked her out. Now that she can flip over so easily she gets a little crazy in the crib. Today during her nap she somehow ended up like this...

On a side note... I was having a horrible day. I got into the office and had a message from the receptionist that a delivery was waiting for me up front. I was so surprised to find this- FLOWERS! Of course the receptionist ask who they were from. I thought it must be Brian. When I opened the card that first thing I saw was it was from MY BOSS!. I turned bright red, but the receptionist was still looking at me waiting for me to answer her question. I looked back at the card and read the message. "Thanks for making COA happen!". COA was that horrible accreditation project I have been killing myself to complete. It was so nice that he sent me flowers in appreciation, but I have to admit I was a little shell shocked when I saw Jim's name! It definitely made my day (and my office) a little brighter.

Savannah?

While lying in bed last night I was reading articles for my literature review. After a while my eyes started to bug me so I stopped reading to take off my glasses and rub my eyes. I was looking around the room (with blurry vision) and thought I saw my baby's eyes looking at me. I put on my glasses and saw two little eyes starring at me though her crib. Savannah had flipped over and was on her hand and knees just starring and smiling. When Savannah wakes up she usually doesn't make any noise. We typically just hear her legs hitting the mattress. So, I pulled her out of the crib and we had 20 minute play time until she started to rub her eyes. I always thought that rubbing eyes as an indication of sleepiness was from cartoons, but Savannah really does rub her eyes with her two little fists every night.

Here is a series of photos during the 20 minutes before she fell back to sleep.

Savannah Update

Savannah just had her 9 month appointment. I had it scheduled early so that she could get the flu shot as soon as it was available. Erica came with us and she freaked me out a little when she told me the nurse didn't aspirate the needle. I guess when you get a shot the nurse should pull back on the push portion of the needle. This is done to see if they hit a vein. The nurse didn't do this on Savannah. When I asked Erica was happens if a nurse does inject into a vein all she said, "I don't want to tell you." Erica knows me so well.

Savannah weighed in at 22 lbs and is 30.5 inches long! Her weight to height ratio is 48%.

Due to Savannah's height we had to get her a new car seat. Her legs were sticking out about 2 inches from her infant car seat. This new one is a Safety First- Air seat that is convertible. Savannah meet the weight and height requirement for forward facing, but we have to wait until she is 1-year old. The only thing I do not like about the car seat is it sits up so much. When Savannah falls asleep she is slumped over. I tried tightening her straps, but it isn't helping.

Last week Savannah learned how to clap.

She still loves Sesame Street and My Baby Can Read videos and books. She hasn't started crawling yet, but is making some progress by scooting backwards when on her tummy. Her hair is just long enough to put a clip on the side, and it is SO CUTE.We started the another Toddler Time Reading program at the library. There are a couple Mom's from our ward that attend too.

Washington DC

Sunday through Wednesday I was in Washington DC for a conference. It was for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. I gave a presentation on my personal finance education program. It went really-really well. This was a good thing since my boss and Chairman of the Board was there. I stayed at the Omni Shoeham Hotel. It is an amazing hotel with a lot of history. It is actually a historic building and has held all of the inaugural balls since the 1930's. I got an amazing corner room with a view of the park.

Ron (Chairman of the Board), McGruff the Crime Dog (was there to promote ID Protection week), and Jim (CEO- my boss)

I had a really tight schedule with all of the meetings, sessions and dinners. Although I remember touring Washington DC when I was younger I still wanted to go and just see all the most notable DC tourist spots. I only had a 2-3 hour window of time so I hired a driver to take me around. He would pull up to a landmark and I would jump out walk around a little, take pictures and jump back in the car. I was able to go to the Capital building, drive by the Watergate Hotel, the Washington Monument, The White House, see the Treasury building, shop at Union Station, see Jefferson's Memorial, drive past the WWII memorial, walk by the reflection pool and stand in the Lincoln Memorial. All this in 2-hours flat.

Since I was by myself most of my pictures are of me holding the camera.

I thought this was really funny. They have segway tours around the Capital building.

Travel Update

While in Dallas it rained the entire time! We condo-hunted for Peter, saw a movie, did a little shopping, got a manicure and pedicure, and toured the 6th Floor Museum. While we looked at property it difficult getting Savannah in and out of the car seat just to look at a condo for 5 minutes. We started to do a tag-team search. One person would stay in the car and sang songs with Savannah while the others ran in.



After Ted Kennedy passed away there was a 3-hour special documentary on the Kennedy's on PBS. I was really interested to go to the museum to learn more about JFK. The tour really makes you think about what 'really' happened. There is a entire section of the tour designated to conspiracy theories.



This is the window they believe that Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK.



The X marks the spot that JFK was shot.

I toured Peter's work, and played on the Green Screen.

Peter's desk in the newsroom.

We were able to watch Peter on the news from his apartment. It was SO COOL.

The GOOD and BAD of LAX

We flew out of LAX yesterday to come to Dallas. I forgot my lab top which was a bummer. The lines weren't too bad, but the traffic getting there is what is terrible.

When we were in the security line we were allowed to go up the elevator because of the stroller. Somehow it leads directly into the first class passenger line. I looked in front of us and saw... Jack Black. So, being totally bold, I said, "Excuse me, Jack Black. Would you mind if I got a picture with you." He gave me this look of- oh I've been spotted. Then he bent down and made silly faces to Savannah. I thought that was it. I said thank you and turned back in line. It was a little awkward after that. The line wasn't moving at all, and we were all silent for awhile. Then he turned around and said, "Well, (shrugged his shoulders to break the silence) did the picture turn out? Let me see." I turned on the camera and showed him.

Savannah had a perfect flight and even was able to sleep for 30 minutes. Peter and Will met us at the airport and went out to dinner. Peter has an amazing apartment on the 20th floor overlooking the Dallas skyline.

Off to Dallas!

Tomorrow morning Savannah, my mom and I are flying to Dallas, TX to visit my brother. I am SO excited to just hang out with Peter and not think about work. Peter hasn't seen Savannah since Easter. I am sure he will be shocked about how different she is now. We will be celebrating Peters 26th birthday and I found him a gift that is perfect for him. (Since Peter reads my blog I can't say what it yet). I am really excited about seeing where he lives and touring Dallas and the FOX station.

This weekend it was 100 degrees- not referring to the weather

Savannah was sick this weekend. It all started with a runny nose and has been escalating all weekend. Tonight she had a fever, and cried for the past 6 hours. Sometimes the cry is more a series of 'aaaa (suck in air three times) aaaa". Sometimes she just has complete a meltdown as if she had been hurt. We just were able to get her back down. Hopefully she will stay asleep.

What did you say?

So, right now it is about 1:30 am and I just can't write anymore about estate planning... so boring. So, I went in the bedroom and Brian is asleep. I only had the hall light on, but I could still see his face. When I was standing next to the bed and taking off my earrings and watch I saw Brian with his eyes closed say, "yes..." while grinning and nodding his head. I thought he must be having a happy dream, but then he said some weird random sounds like, "Maaa... fisss...dooo." Then he started to laugh a little. I ask him, "What did you say?" He just kept nodding with his eyes closed. I went back to taking off my earring when I heard clear as day, "it's not just for their parts, its for their bones-that's what good." All while smirking and nodding. It was so creepy and odd. For the last ten minutes all I can think of is what is he dreaming about?

So much to say!

The Community Partners Event was awesome. We had 120 non-profit organizations, field reps from a bunch of Assemblyman, Congressman and CA senate offices. We even had Lou Correa, Congressman, attend the event. I was exhausted afterward, but I have received so many emails about how well it went.

My Ph.D. orientation day 1 was last Friday. I felt a little overwhelmed by everything that must be completed before the dissertation. I think the anxiety was because they told me everything I needed to do for 3 years in about 30 minutes. I am very excited to start researching and writing articles.

It is still a race to September 1, 2009 when everything will be pretty much be done. Right now I am frantically working on a project for Chapman University's Extension Services. I have been hired to teach an extension course on personal financial management. I was able to get CCCS-OC tied into it, so it really isn't anymore additional hours during the day. It is just a lot of work right now since I have to write the curriculum by THURSDAY. I have a meeting with the Dean of the Finance department at 2:00. After Savannah's is in bed, at about 8pm, I have been going back to work to write.

This last Sunday I gave a talk on Provident Living. It was such a great experience since I really learned a lot about the Church Welfare Services and the 6 areas of Provident Living. We also had our Ward Beach Party on Saturday. I was in charge of the Sandcastle competition. Every team had a 4X4 plot of sand. Brian and I made a mermaid and the winning team made the most perfect Egyptian pyramids and sphinx!

Matt is in a Fantasy Football league and invited my Dad and Brian to play. It sounds like a lot of fun and, honestly, I am surprised it has taken Brian this long to get into it since he loves football. Brian teaches the 13-year old boys at church and told them about the fantasy football league. There was so much interest that Brian set up a league for the boys and some Dads too.

Today, Savannah and I played, sang songs and watched Sesame Street. She is really finding her range of voice. A couple weeks ago it was all low grunts and now she is hitting these high pitch "Mariah Carey" notes. When I picked her up from her nap she looked a lot longer in the torso. Her new trick is me holding her arms while she walks. It is really cute seeing her focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Some people have told me that their children walked before they crawled, and I think that is what Savannah will do. Honestly, with a condo without carpet I wouldn't crawl either!

Stress...

So, like I said in my last post, I have a HUGE function tomorrow that I am coordinating. I have almost 100 different non-profits coming and field reps from all Congressman/Assembly/CA Senators districts located in Orange County. There is so much to do with this project and Accreditation. Tomorrow will be my 3rd 14-hour day! Man... this sounds like a pity party, but it is more of 'this is why I have been unreachable and haven't returned any phone messages or emails'- SORRY!

Thanks to Aunt Grandma for babysitting Savannah today. YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER.

7 Years

I was reading my cousin Lisa's blog and had an interesting thought. Today is her 7 year anniversary to her husband John. Brian was one of John's groomsman and I was one of my cousin's bridesmaids. That's when Brian and I met... 7 years ago.

John and Lisa recently had their third child, Beckham. He was born on January 13, 2009... the very same day as Savannah.

I wonder what significant date in our lives will coincide with John and Lisa's next.

Well, besides that, I can't believe Brian and I have know each other for 7 years! So many things have happened since then...

Senior Prom, High School Graduation, Buying the Condo, Vacations, Lily, First Big Promotion at CCCS, Wedding, Hawaii Honeymoon, BA Graduation, Master Program, Cruise to Mexico, Sealed in the Temple, Savannah birth, Brian's Graduation and acceptance into a Master Program, my acceptance into a Ph.D. Program.

These are just the major events. The parts I loved the most are all the jokes, laughter, kisses, sleeping in, long trips in the car just talking about our future, and playing with Savannah and Lily.

Seven Years ago I met the man of my dreams. I love you Brian.

(Lisa and John- Thanks for getting married)

Make Over for CCCS and a Trip to Grandma's House

I am throwing a HUGE community partners event at CCCS-OC next week. I have invited 300 non-profit organizations in Orange County to a big party at our office. It's being catered and I even hired live entertainment. This is a major project, but I also wanted the facility to look updated as well. Originally, the office was purchased in 1996. At the time my boss was a HUGE Ducks (Hockey) fan and had the office colors made to be maroon and teal- just like the team colors back in the 90's.

Well, 13 years later the building is getting older and our technology is a little behind. I have been writing grants like crazy for new equipment, promotional items, for new programs, ect. I have been really lucky so far this year. I just was able to buy a SMART board for the education room. I wanted to at least have the room painted since we are having an $9,000 system installed next week. Well... my boss is very good about saving money, so he said if I wanted it done I would have to do the labor myself. Not being a great painter I recruited Brian and Kylee. The room looks great. I cannot wait to see the end results with the smart board.

When they were painting on Monday I was able to bring Savannah to work ALL DAY. It was great! She is was so good. She was very quiet and never cried. She played and showed off her smile for everyone.

(I love this outfit on her. I bought some head band from No Slippy Hair Clippy and I just love them on her!)

The next couple days are going to be VERY long days in the office. I usually only work about 4-5 hours in the office, and only go in 4 days a week. Right now with the big event next week and accreditation coming up I am swamped (I actually should be working on work stuff right now, but my brain needed a break). Since I will be working 12-hour days Wednesday and Thursday with an early morning meeting on Friday my Mom volunteered to watch Savannah. Not babysit- actually take Savannah to her house in Palm Springs. This will be my first night away from Savannah and my heart aches. Knowing my Mom, Savannah will be treated like a princess. That helps me not to feel too sad. I am sure they will go on tons of walks, go to the country club to show off some new outfit Grandma bought her, swim, play all day and never leave my mother's sight. Obviously, I don't want to be away from my baby, but it works out the best so that I can get all my work done and Savannah can get all the attention she needs.

(Notice the HUGE lipstick mark on Savannah's cheek. My parents have been in Seattle for a couple weeks and really missed her!)

After September 1st, my work load starts a steep decline toward the end of the year. I was on maternity leave January though April. When I returned in May I was given all my yearly goals from the Board and as of next week will have them basically completed. It will be perfect timing to start focusing on my Ph.D. classes.

Trinity Broadcast Network

Remember these people from the Trinity Broadcast Network?

Besides being the Director of Education at CCCS-OC, I am also Public Relations. I do a lot of newspaper and TV interviews. Usually the TV interviews are for news, but sometimes I am a guest on a show. Trinity Broadcast Network has had me on before, and asked me to do another guest spot for their show Joy in our Town. I was interviewed for 30-minutes about ID Theft and Bankruptcy.

The lobby was very ornate. All the furniture is painted gold.

My 'entourage'... or Kylee my assistant and Alex the intern. The staff at TBN referred to them as my entourage, and I felt like such a want-to-be famous person- I was embarrassed.

Preparing in the Green Room... not a great picture of me. This is the first Green Room I have been in that was covered in mirrors.

We had to wait a long time due to a technical difficulty. We started to get very board after an hour of waiting.


I had to do my own make-up.
I was fine with that since I hate how thick it is when they give me a make-up person.

Kylee- She is my assistant, but more of a very, very good friend.

There were other sets that Kylee and Alex Played around on.

Finally, on set.