How much is that doggie in the window?

Red Sleep... (in a bottle)

After having had a half assed version of the FLU recently and still suffering through the 'constant cough' every damn night, I am pleased to FINALLY announce that tonight's restful night's sleep is being brought to you by: NyQuil Cough

The "once you've taken it consider yourself useless for the next 8-10 hours" medicine... AMEN!

There's a reason my favorite color is RED.

G'NIGHT EVERYONE!

Amazon.com ROCKS!

I do love getting mail, who doesn't? But today I received a BOX from AMAZON.COM!
*grin*

Only good things come in THOSE boxes so I couldn't remember exactly what it was, if it was maybe the children's board books in Italian that I had ordered for my Dad to read to his Ruby, OR could it be? WAS IT REALLY HERE???

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK WHAT IT WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT FIANLLY CAME!!!
Blogosphere: Best Of Blogs

OMG!!

To say that this book is the 'Bible' of blogs is an UNDERSTATEMENT!

Blogs in EVERY CONCIEVABLE TOPIC KNOWN TO MAN !
(& some known only to aliens perhaps)

There are sections of blogs on Cooking, Crafting, Reading, EVERY TOPIC YOU CAN IMAGINE... YOU NAME IT, IT'S IN HERE!


Below is just a sample of some of the Blogs under the Parenting category:
(Congratulations to our Blogger Friends who made the list)

Adoption & Infertility Blogs:

Exploring Adoption
Adoption Blog
Moxie
The Naked Ovary
Mortimers Mom
American Family

Single Mother Blogs:

Woulda Coulda Shoulda
My Whim Is Law

Dad Blogs:

Daddy Types

AND EVEN SPORTS BLOGS!!
(now obviously I can't list every blog in the book, so I'm going to stick with my Boston/New England teams but if you all have a specific team you want to know if they have a blog, email me & I'll be happy to look for you!)

NFL:New England Patriots
MLB: Boston Red Sox
NBA: Boston Celtics
MLS: We Call It SOCCER

Seriously, this book is PRETTY AMAZING in it's content!

If you haven't already gotten it, either go to Amazon.com or get yourself to a Barnes & Noble TODAY & PICK UP YOUR VERY OWN COPY OF The Bloggers BIBLE ! *grin* you'll be glad you did!

Flock of WHO?

I don't get it Momma, there were some seagulls, what?

Momma, I'm not as OLD as you, I don't know what you're talking about.

The only music group I know and LOVE is the Laurie Berkner Band!
Wait, I think I know, are these flock of seagulls you're talking about the ones we fed bread to this morning out the window??

Houston, we have a problem...

I can neither confirm nor deny alligations that the once standing tower was destroyed...

I can however state FOR THE RECORD, that Bear and I had NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!

However, this bottle in my hand is starting to look awfully suspicious!

Mirror, Mirror...

Shhh... Momma doesn't know I've gotten into her MAKEUP! hee hee
Now, if I could just do something about the lighting in here!!

Warm Delights?? *warning*

MORE LIKE WARM BOWL-O-SIN!!!
I'm telling you, these evil little guys are the work of the DEVIL!!
(otherwise known as Betty Crocker)

DAMN THAT WOMAN!

I just made the MOLTEN CHOCOLATE CAKE one pictured above and CHRIST I THINK MY ASS JUST GAINED BACK 2 LBS IN THE 60 SECONDS IT TOOK TO COOK THE FREAKIN' THING!)
*drool*

(thanks Karen for telling me about those, YOU'VE JUST SUCCESSFULLY PUT AT LEAST 5 LBS BACK ON ME! ... 2 when the thing cooked & then approx 3 more when I ATE IT! OMG SOOOOOO GOOD!)

*WARNING* ALWAYS ONLY BUY ONE AT A TIME!!! Your ass will thank you for it later!!!


;)

THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL!!!

That's right, I said it, I'm SO calling it RIGHT NOW that the Next American Idol will be, HANDS DOWN, ONE VERY BEAUTIFUL VERY TALENTED Paris Bennett !!!

If you all haven't seen American Idol this season, I SUGGEST YOU TUNE IN BECAUSE THIS GIRL IS ONE GIFTED BREATH OF FRESH AIR!

She first opens her mouth to speak & you hear this very little, somewhat faint, sweet & innocent almost 'squeaky' speaking voice come out BUT once she starts to sing, LOOK OUT!!! BECAUSE OUT COMES THIS STRONG SOLID SMOOTH SET OF PIPES THAT BOWL YOU OVER AND YOU LITERALLY GET GOOSEBUMPS FROM HEAD TO TOE!!!
She's TRULY a JOY to listen to!

So, although I'm no fortune teller I'm willing to bet THE HOUSE THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT GIRL IS CLEARLY THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL & WITHIN A YEAR WE'LL ALL BE BUYING HER FIRST CD!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! GO PARIS!!!!!!!!!
RUBY AND I ARE ROOTING FOR YOU GIRL!!!!!!!

Ruby's Diaper Bag...

You know, I receive alot of emails from people all over the world now because of this blog and
recently I received an email from someone asking about Ruby's Diaper Bag... it was so cute, where did I get it, etc... So here is a link to the woman who I bought Ruby's bag from: Nadyaj-Mia

I have to say that I truly LOVE IT as it's FULLY LINED INSIDE and EXTREEMLY EASY TO CLEAN! Just wash it down with a damp papertowl & VOILA'! CLEAN AS A WHISTLE! *grin*
Anything that makes my life easier is a FANTASTIC MUST HAVE! The woman who makes them is VERY SWEET and a MOTHER HERSELF! Actually, her son Jaydan (Nadyaj is his name spelled backwards) is the reason she started making these bags & selling them... I do believe he was sick & in need of some medical care so she started making these bags to help cover expenses... I'm always interested in others using their gifts to help themselves through tough times, she's a brave friendly lady with a beautiful son & I am PROUD to carry around one of her beautiful bags as Ruby's Diaper Bag! She's got many styles to choose from but she also takes requests for custom orders, how kewl is THAT? =)

So there you have it... enjoy & be sure to let me know & share pictures if any of you should buy a bag from her, I'd LOVE TO SEE THEM! =)

-Amy (& one still very sound asleep, lost in her dream... Miss Ruby Cate)

I LOVE GETTING MAIL!!!

Recently it was Chinese New Year and my Aunt Catherine sent me my very first & one and ONLY Chinese New Year Card! She sent it in a RED ENVELOPE with a BRAND NEW ONE DOLLAR BILL IN IT FOR GOOD LUCK! Man she's crafty... and IT EVEN HAD A DOG ON IT AND IT'S NOW THE YEAR OF THE DOG!!! She's just TRICKY that Aunt Catherine!
I can't believe she knew about the Red Packet Tradition of Chinese New Year! GO AUNT CATHERINE, GO!
Check it out:
Momma said it was so special that she remembered to not only send a card but the whole 'has to be in a red envelope' deal WITH the BRAND NEW MONEY IN IT, that we're keeping this one for my journal Momma's been keeping for me. THANK YOU AUNT CATHERINE!

And then just the other day I got my very first VALENTINE CARD EVER!!!
I loved it cuz it was fun to play with the envelope and Momma loved it cuz it had a LADYBUG ON IT! =)
See?
That was from our friends Linda & Chet, THANKS GUYS!

Lost in a dream...

Howling 101:

You really have to throw your whole head into it if you want to get the proper HOWL going!
Ebenezer was teaching me yesterday and man was THAT FUN! (& slightly loud...)
But believe me, I still have a long way to go before I'm as good as him!

The In's & Out's of Belly Buttons...

Most people have a clear cut way of defining their belly buttons... typically it's either an 'innie' or an 'outie'...

Right?

Well, it's funny, this morning as my beautiful girl was splashing up a storm in her bath & getting her Momma SOAKED TO THE CORE, I happened to pay more attention to her belly button than usual & I realized that my girl has neither an innie or an outie... it's more of an
'in & out'ie'...

It's both in and out so does that make her special? Perhaps it qualifies her as a future Genius of the world or maybe the first female president?

Who knows... maybe it's just a cute belly button...
but one thing I DO know, is that belly button belongs to my precious daughter, and her very special, very much loved & never forgotten Birth Mother gave her,
that very unique very funny little belly button.

Without her birth mother, Ruby wouldn't be here,
and neither would her adorable little button.

It got me thinking too, does her Birth Mother KNOW that she is loved in the world? Does she know how much my heart LEAPS FROM MY CHEST every morning when I creep into her bedroom to find her peeking over the edge of her crib at me with that big cheezy priceless toothy grin of hers?

That her giggle brings shivvers of joy to my entire body and happiness down to the deepest core of me?

Does she know that her child is the BIGGEST & MOST AMAZING GIFT that This Single Mother has ever had the fortune of receiving?

I hope so... because I would hate to think that she is living the rest of her life sad for the brave decision she made on that dark Sept night back a year & a half ago...

... the night she laid her precious 2 day old baby girl down in front of an emergency help center in the dead of night & left with tears in her eyes knowing that she had no other choice but to give her up to fate.

Well, fate worked in everyone's favor Birth Mother... thank you for your selfless gift of life to my Daughter when there were so many other options you could've chosen, you chose life.

Thank you for the gift of a Daughter to a Woman who wanted nothing more in this world than to be a Mother herself....
Your choice to have Ruby & give her up to Fate coupled with My choice to adopt led to our adorable little family of two... and man am I the LUCKIEST WOMAN ON EARTH!

...Ruby and I both THANK YOU SO MUCH!

We are both SO BLESSED to have each other and every night, when saying our prayers before bed, we ALWAYS remember you... with a little tear in our eyes... you will ALWAYS be remembered by this american family.


Hmmm... all that from a sweet little funny belly button, isn't life amazing?

*teary eyed* gotta get a tissue now damnit!

Hipp Hipp HORRAY!!!

I'M 17 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!

White VS. Color... *UPDATE*

Recently I've been asked about some of the paint colors I chose for my apartment...
this picture to the left is of the original swatches I chose when picking my colors.
Below are the details as they're not all the same paint brands and pictures of how each color looks on my walls... enjoy!

Living Room: Waverly Home Classics /Signature Colors AUTUMN ORANGE / WV33013
(paint bought at Lowe's)

Kitchen: Waverly Home Classics / Signature colors
YELLOW FROST / WV32010
(paint bought at Lowe's)

Bathroom: Behr Premium Plus
PROMENADE / 400F-5p
(paint bought at Home Depot)

Play Room: Behr Premium Plus
TROPICAL POOL / 550A-2u
(paint bought at Home Depot)

Ruby's Room: Behr Premium Plus
LOVELIGHT / 120A-3u
(paint bought at Home Depot)

My Room: Behr Premium Plus
FEBRUARY FROST / 630A-2u
(paint bought at Home Depot)

Here's my theory on 'white walls'... I'm not a mental patient, and I definately don't have 'mental patient bangs' so WHY ON EARTH would I want my house that I live in to feel like a mental institution?? NO THANKS! NOT A FAN!

I do believe somewhere God said " LET THERE BE COLOR!"

and so, in my house... there is. =) and LOTS OF IT!

hee hee

Mine are BROKEN!

This is my cousin Andrea',
she was being very SILLY with these great glasses on!

It looked fun so I thought I'd give it a try...


Ummm, Nonno, how come her eyes aren't crossing like mine are??
hmmm...
I think MY GLASSES ARE BROKEN!

Super 'SICK' Sunday... *sigh*

Ok, so yesterday was Superbowl Sunday & both Ruby & I were very sick & kept ourselves locked in the house... so needless to say, we didn't do much else besides curl up in balls together & pray that it be over soon.

Congratulations to the Steelers Fans on your team's victory! (Yeah Thia!!! Maybe it was you wearing your uniform that got your team all the way to the end kiddo, you're their good luck charm!)

I am kinda sad for the Seahawks fans though, their first Superbowl ever & no victory, let's just say that being a Red Sox fan, I kinda know how it feels to have your team get SO CLOSE and not win it all. There's always next year!

(psst, that photo was from Saturday when we went to my cousin Robin's 30th birthday party. Although I really DO NOT LIKE BALLOONS ANYWHERE NEAR CHILDREN, I let Ruby play for the sake of the picture but they just creep me out as my mother knew someone years ago, about Ruby's age, who bit on a balloon & a small piece of rubber went shooting down his throat & he ended up a vegetable in the hospital till the age of 14, when he finally passed... ALL BECAUSE OF A BALLOON! No thanks... that's your one picture kiddo, after that, no more balloons, unless they're the mylar kind, those are ok...)

Ruby & I are going to go take naps now, we're still pretty sick.
Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

The Holy Grail...

(Mission Impossible Theme plays in backround...)

Shhh... I have my subject in sight,
now if I can just SLOWLY creep around the corner,
he'll NEVER see me comin'!


I hope Momma doesn't see me tryin' to get her plant,
Man, I'm JUST SO CLOSE THIS TIME!
... just a little further

There it is... the HOLY GRAIL of "things I'm not supposed to touch"!
... almost there

Awwwwwww! C'MON MOMMA!
I JUST WANNA PLAY WITH IT ONCE!

Foiled again Bear! BUMMER!

It's ok buddy, I know... I'm dissappointed too, we were SO close!
... maybe NEXT TIME!

Morning routine...

Every morning, after breakfast & bath, I like to go into my bedroom & sit & enjoy a good book or two, this morning was no different except that Momma made me wear this silly hat that I didn't like on my head. (I love the outfit though, Thank you Nanna!)

After reading, Momma & I enjoy watching Ellen and MAN CAN THAT WOMAN DANCE! Today she had a SUPERBOWL SHOW and I IMMEDIATELY showed Momma that I have perfected my 'TOUCHDOWN' groove! (How cute is THIS?!@$#$)

TOUCHDOWN!!!

That's right, I DID IT!! =)

I suppose I could clap for myself, I mean after all, Bear can't do that yet
( we're still working on him...)

Hey Momma, gimmie a HUG!

Ladybug Sighting...