Blogging Funk (and pjs all day)

I've been in a bit of a blogging funk - which is why I have not posted much lately.

I think it mostly came about because Dave had to work on Thanksgiving and I spent way too much time dwelling on it. We still had a Thanksgiving meal, just not on a Thursday.

Whatever, such is our life right now. I kept saying things would get better in January, but after learning about some changes at the restaurant I am realizing we will have to wait a bit longer. 

We have had the heating company at our house the past four days. Our house is ancient, but the heating unit was just installed last winter. After four different technicians, the problem is hopefully fixed. Spending the past three nights without heat in the house has been delightful. Sophia has loved us sharing her room. We have a few amazing space heaters, but I am paranoid about using one if I am not in the room. Sophia has also watched more television than is recommended, but it is the only way I could keep her near a heater. Well, that and eating. She does not like to be still!

I am hoping to be back to my normal and posting snippets from our life again soon.

Excuse the unedited photos. Baby steps :)

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Just in case you started humming the tune :)

We have had a few dreary warm days in Cincinnati.

For me, dreary days = nap. Sophia seems to think the same thing.

This morning there was a little rainstorm that I used as a cure for the crankies.

At first she didn't want to get more than the palm of her hand wet.
When she was comfortable we took a barefoot walk down the block (without a camera).

She even learned how to jump in a puddle by the end.

 

Weekend Love

In the midst of organizing boxes in our basement I did something to my back. I spent much of Friday afternoon sitting on the couch with a heating pad. Luckily the little one entertained herself. My discomfort did not keep us from making a trip out for dinner. By the end of the weekend I was much more comfortable, although still a little sore.

Saturday Sophia and I made our second trip to the City Flea. We did some browsing of the vendors, but honestly, Sophia goes for the doggies, splash park, and gelato. But, mainly she goes for the doggies. She wanted to pet, lay on, and sit with EVERY one she saw.

DOGGIES! She chased after the pup cooling off in the water, but couldn't catch up.

Can you tell she has teeth coming in?

Snacking on some grapes while taking in the sights.

Cooling off in the water and snacking on some gelato.

 

Sophia was obsessed with these metal sculptures. She wanted to point out the eyes for all of them. After she tried to sit on one of the dogs, the artist {HodesH} let her sit on a goat.

Sunday we got to spend some time with Dave. We got shelves for the pantry so that I can have a place to store our dishes (since there is VERY limited storage in the kitchen). Dave also got to be a guinea pig for my cooking. I told him to be honest, but gentle, with his feedback. Sophia scarfed down her food and even went for seconds on the guacamole.

She requested to wear a bow for the first time ever...it only lasted a few minutes though.

Five on Friday

Hooray for Friday! I'm linking up with April and the ladies for another Five on Friday.

Cheers to the weekend!

 

One

I LOVE avocados but I have never made guacamole before. That is about to change. Every Friday Whole Foods has a one day deal and today it is avocados! The perfect excuse to make homemade guacamole.



I think I will be using Alton Brown's recipe.

via

Two

We have lived in Ohio for a little over a month and I just found out that our rental house is not in Cincinnati. We are living in Norwood, which is one of three enclaves which is surrounded on all sides by Cincinnati. I thought it was just one of the neighborhoods within Cincinnati. My neighbor told me since we are new here it is okay to say I live in Cincinnati :)

Three

I am not a huge sports fan, but I am married to a huge football fan so I try to do my part. Being from the Philadelphia area that means we are EAGLES fans.

via

HBO does a 'Hard Knocks' show about the training camp of a team, which this year is the Cincinnati Bengals. I am not so much interested in just the football aspect of it, but I am watching this season for a few reasons: we live in Cincinnati (sort of), I'd like to know what the players look like, and it might let me have a little football knowledge for conversations with the husband.

I love the random conversations that the players have. One thing that I found interesting was that the quarterback, Andy Dalton, wears a rubber wedding ring at practice.

Four

Unpacking is still going slower than I would like. But progress continues to be made. I am just wondering how much longer I will be finding these lovely tags.

Five

We are in the midst of a teething nightmare in our house. She is uncomfortable so that has caused quite a few meltdowns.

Keeping busy has been a great distraction!

Our first visit to see Daddy at work.

My little toddler in a tiara.
Screaming happened when we took it off.

A weekend of unpacking

...or maybe this should be titled a weekend of trying to unpack.

The motivation is just not there. I have been spoiled by air conditioning. The a/c unit at our rental is not working and the lovely heat and humidity is hindering my progress. Fortunately there is a window unit on the third floor so we are sleeping up there very comfortably. Unfortunately there is nothing to unpack on the third floor.

If you look close, it is a family picture...can you see me?

Dave had most of Sunday off and we were thrilled to spend time with him. Sophia has missed her Dada.
(I think he worked 88 hours last week!)

Here are a few pictures from Sunday (first time I have taken out the camera since we moved in the house).

Sweaty from playing inside.
Pizza boxes from dinner.
Little one chowing down.
What type of flower is this?

We went next door to play with the neighbor and Sophia proceeded to use all of his toys and wear his helmet.
He was very gracious to share them all (practicing to be a big brother next month!).

Time to be a little more productive before the weekend is over!

Five on Friday

I'm taking a break from unpacking to link up with A. Liz Adventures and the ladies for another Five on Friday!

One

I am not as far along with unpacking as I would like to be. Sophia has been sick (but is MUCH better today) and it has been a little harder than I expected to get much done while she is awake.

Taking notes at the doctor.

 

The air conditioning unit is not working at the house, causing me to be a bit unmotivated and HOT.

 

Also, although the rental house is much larger than our previous house, storage is lacking. The kitchen is causing me a little stress. There is literally no cabinet storage. There is a pantry, but since Dave is a chef, we have way too much kitchen equipment. We're going to have to be a little creative to make it all work.

Two

The pups are getting used to their new surroundings. Kona has explored every inch of the house. Hunter is showing how much of a scared-y pup he is. The floor is creaky and he wouldn't move after getting all four legs on the wood floor. Luckily for him the kitchen has a raised laminate floor that he feels safe on. Hopefully things get easier for him soon.

Three

After a huge run-around with our internet provider we finally got our wireless hooked up yesterday. I complained about the customer service we were given and got our price knocked down ten dollars a month. I don't usually take the time to comment on poor service, but this time it was well deserved (and will save me $120 this year!).

Four

The mosquitoes in our backyard are awful! We are waiting to fence the yard and this morning when I took the dogs out, I came back in with eight new bites. I hate to spray myself with bug repellent each time I take the dogs out. I've been doing a little googling to find out natural ways to repel mosquitoes and am hoping to plant catnip, marigolds, bee balm, and citronella in the yard.

via

Five

Sophia and I have been enjoying our huge front porch. Every morning Sophia eats her breakfast outside and watches the neighbors and construction on our street.

 

 

Have a great weekend!

I need to take advantage of naptime and be productive!

Home Sweet Home



Hooray for movers!

Today we moved into our rental house.

It is not 'home' yet, but it will be soon.

I love the house,

and there are definitely things that I would change if we owned the property,

but I am looking forward to adding personal touches to make the place ours.

 

The house is 110 years old and has a lot of character that I love.

The original furnace 'mouse hole' used to control the heat.

My favorite thing is the creaky floors.

Makes me think about how I used to sneak around my house when I was little

avoiding the noisy spots.

Luckily Sophia is a pretty deep sleeper otherwise I might hate it.