I am so terrible at keeping up with this, it’s almost ridiculous haha. I do love to write, I’ve just been a bit preoccupied as of late. I’ve also been in a bit of a dark place, and I don’t want that to reflect in what I write. So I try to wait until I’m having a good day. Things aren’t great or back to normal yet. I’m still drowning in debt, still having to work more than I’d like to, and still not as confident about myself as I used to be. But I’m working on all of it. I know I need to focus on the good things in my life. Great examples being that my husband, baby girl, and I are all still healthy. Alanna is growing and developing very well. Hubby and I still have our jobs. And we still have a roof over our heads and food on our table. I need to be more thankful and grateful for that, instead of taking it for granted. Not everyone has what we have. Not even the basic stuff like food and shelter. It is the month to give thanks and the season for giving. Maybe good fortune will allow me to help someone less fortunate than I. On IG (Instagram) I tried to keep up with the daily “Thankful for “, but much like this blog, I have a hard time staying consistent with things. Maybe my next blog will just be a huge list of things I’m thankful for and get the whole month out of the way at once.

♥♥Cutest Kitten Ever!♥♥

I had intended to make a post for Halloween and tell you all about Alanna’s first Halloween. I still will, but it is far less interesting than I had wanted. It went well, but poor little mama’s was tired. She was dressed as the cutest little black kitty ever! I could keep her in that costume forever and explode from the cuteness overload. We had planned to go with my bestie and her two girls to the mall and do some trick or treating. But unfortunately, Alanna didn’t take a nap at all that day, so by the time I picked her up, dressed her, took her to see my Granny and Mom, and then got home, she was out. So we didn’t get to show her off this year. We stayed at home and gave out candy instead. We didn’t have many kids come by at all. It makes me sad to think that Halloween isn’t what it used to be. I remember going out as a kid and seeing people all over the place. It was so fun. Now everyone is afraid of their own shadow. It’s such a shame that so many sick and sadistic people have ruined this. I know that where my house is probably affected it as well. But still, I don’t see trick or treaters like I used to. Oh well, maybe next year will be even better. I want to go all out on decor and everything. One day I would like to be the house that everyone talks about and is excited to go to.

Back to November. This month is my dad’s 50th birthday. He’s been a little down lately so my grandma thought it would be a huge pick me up if we made him a surprise party. I had made lots of calls to halls and they had gotten pictures together to make a slide show and everything. Things were coming together pretty well. Until he found out and the surprise was ruined. One night some of my family went out and one of my aunts was talking just a bit too loudly about it. She shouldn’t have been talking about it with him around anyway, but what can you do now? So now that’s been canceled. In a way I am glad. Back in May, they did a similar thing for my uncle, and after my dad found out he said “I don’t want a surprise party. I don’t want it to be like Mike’s party. I want something different.” Now I am at a loss of ideas for “different”, but I know we will do something. Maybe we can take him to the caves or go to the zoo with Alanna. I know he is excited for Alanna to get a little older, maybe the walking and talking stage, so he can take her to the zoo and Sea World and all sorts of fun things. I’m pretty sure he loves this little girl more than me haha. But I am glad she brings him out of his funk.

And in other father related news, last week he had an eye appointment for a consultation to correct his cataracts. I am so excited for this. Daddy hasn’t been able to see properly for over two years now. His veins in his eyes kept bleeding and they would have to do surgery to stop the bleeding and get the dried blood out. This caused him to stop working and has been a huge part of why he is depressed. One of my biggest concerns was if he would be able to see for my wedding and be able to see Alanna grow up. I still worry and I hope they can fix his eyes soon. He has another appointment to go to his first eye doctor and tell them what the second eye doctor said so they can get him in for the actual procedure. I’m just hoping this all works out.

♥My Big Girl♥

On to happier news now, Alanna is getting so big! She’s 15 lbs now, although I’m not sure of her height. But I’m sure she is still very tall for her age. She can sit up on her own now too. I love watching her sit on the couch and play with her toys. She is such a trip. Don’t worry, she is never left alone and we have a sectional couch with huge cushions so we basically trap her in the corner so she is protected by pillows. Safety first! Alanna needed something a little more fun and helpful for development, so Saturday my mom bought her a jumper. I was so excited, probably more so than Alanna haha. It is a Baby Einstein jumper. Alanna likes it pretty well. She really gets into the lights and sounds, and loves gnawing and drooling on the seat haha. My sweet little teething baby. She drools like a Saint Bernard. It’s so cute. Today, the sneaky little girl took a snack size bag of unopened Cheetos from Mykal and proceeded to turn it into a bag of unopened crumbs haha. She loved the crinkle sound of the bag and enjoyed slamming and kicking it around. She thought it was the funniest thing ever.

I know it’s already a super long entry, but like I said, I love to write. One thing I like about Alanna getting a little older, is that I don’t feel as guilty leaving her for a date night. Saturday night we had a date night with a fellow IG mommy, Jackie (ragingsunshine.com), and her husband, Eric, who don’t live too far from us. We went to see The Immortals at a Movie Tavern. Jackie and Eric had never been to one, so I thought it would be a good idea for our movie date. I was right, of course. Haha. Seriously though, I had a great time. I had a pina colada, for the first time in over a year, and it was delicious! And the movie was awesome! I loved the epic fight scenes and the whole Greek mythology theme. I just eat that stuff up. I did feel pretty bad though when I found out that Jackie doesn’t usually watch such violent movies. She said it was fine, but I still feel bad about it. I remember looking over and seeing her expression and how her hand covered her mouth and I knew for sure that she wasn’t very comfortable with some of the scenes. (Sorry Jackie! I loves you! Thanks for going!) After the movie I continued to be a bad influence and we all went to Steak and Shake for burgers, steaks, and lots of embarrassing stories haha. We learned a lot about Jackie and Eric, and they probably learned more than they wanted to know about me and Mykal. I can’t wait for another outing. I don’t get them enough and they are really cool to hang out with.

This is how Jackie and I roll!

Well now that I have basically written enough for a first chapter in a book, I think I will call it a night. I am going to try to post as often as I can, but I am making no promises people. Until next time my friends!♥