My Dad's Passing

I guess there is no great way to let everyone know our sad news ... my Daddy passed away at about 9:40 last night. Mom, Jeff and I were with him as he passed peacefully. We feel blessed to have had him with us as long as possible. Thursday night was very special as our entire family gathered together. Dad was surrounded by mom, Jeff, Jennifer, Maxwell, Baby Annah, Mark, Nora, Uncle David, and me. All of the grand kids were there and he was able to smile when he saw them and even give them kisses. It was something special that we will never forget.

We've scheduled the Memorial Service for next Saturday morning due to the threat of Hurricane Gustav hitting the Alabama coast.

Thank you for your love, support, prayers, calls, emails and kind words. We feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing family and friends.

Nora's First Day of School

Nora officially had her first day of school at the Early Learning Center at Prince of Peace Lutheran School. She did great and everyone just loved her! That definitely makes me feel good since it was really hard to leave her. We were so spoiled by Nanny Jennifer, Miss Kathy and Elizabeth loving on her everyday, so it was hard to make the transition. However, she did great! Mark keeps reminding me that it will be great for her social skills and it will probably help keep her on a good schedule. I know that she is in good hands and I'm so glad that it is a great Christian school. Apparently she already made friends with another little baby girl and they were busy "talking" to each other today. How cute is that?!?


Of course we had to take First Day of School Pictures. Here's a few...

Before & After - The Master Bathroom

Let me just begin by saying the following ... I am sick of home improvement projects. I am ready to get my home back to normal - whatever that new normal may be. It's been forever, but our master bathroom is finally done. It's actually been done for a while, but I am late in blogging about it and everything else in my life as well. There are still some finishing touches to be made, but 98% of it is done! Yippee!!! Do you even know how nice it has to have a working bathroom after trapsing to one of the guest bathrooms for the past few months?!? Not fun if you are pregnant, let me tell you. I am sure that Mark will never forget me trying to haul my big preggo body out of the bathtub with that crazy step that use to exist (that's a great imagine, right?!?)!

Here's a few before and after photos:

Before - Hello 80s!

The old, horrible step

After (we still need to hang up one mirror!)

Before

After

Leslie's Countertop Before ...

and after!

Mark's Favorite Part of the Remodel - A Showerhead at 7'.
He no longer has to do a backbend when he takes a shower!

Mark's countertop, leading into the closet before ...

and after (good-bye brass and mirrored doors!)

Surviving LA

I obviously survived my trip to La La Land without Miss Nora. It was so hard to be away from her and Mark for days. Thank goodness I was really busy with a Mattel global conference to keep me busy and to help keep my tears to a minimum. Mark was so sweet to send me cutie pic pictures everyday, so that made it easier. I got back late Friday night to find Mark, Nora, Hannah and Hayleigh waiting on me. What a sight for sore eyes! I missed them all so much, especially that sweet baby girl!

We had a fun, busy weekend and I got back on the plane early Monday morning for another Mattel trip. We met with a few customers, watched some focus groups and then headed back Tuesday night on the last flight. At least I was only away for one night this time ... not nearly as bad, thank goodness!

Mark and I have been exhausted this week. Between travel and a baby who is still not sleeping through the night, we are TIRED! I think that we could have slept all day today, however Miss Nora had other ideas. Imagine that?!?

First Trip Away from Nora

I had to fly to La La Land early Sunday morning for a big Mattel conference. I am still in denial that I have to be away from that sweet baby girl (that sweet husband too!). Mark is such a trooper, taking care of that catnap-loving, not sleeping through the night baby girl. Thank goodness she is sweet enough to melt your heart at 2:30 a.m.!

Mark has been so great to take pictures of Nora each morning and email them to me. What a great way to start my day! Here's a couple of those pictures. I can't wait to get home on Friday night and smother her with kisses!

Nora is 3 Months Old!

Just as I am late with about everything in life currently, I am late in posting the fact that Nora is 3 months old! It is hard to believe, but oh so true. She has already gotten sooo big! I keep telling Mark that I want her to stay this size, but sleep through the night! We had fun posing her for pictures last Sunday night. Can you tell that she thinks she is bigger than she really is?

Look at me!

I'm contemplating something...

Check out my Pancake Bear!

Peak-a-boo, Mommy!

Not only do I think that I can stand, but walk too!