"Woody"

Nana took us out for pizza and then bought Alayah a "Woody" doll. Alayah loves him. She has wanted him out of the box the minute we got in the car. She was not happy about me messing with him to get a picture. She loves all the Toy Story movies and says "I watch Wuh-nee"....

I love watching her fall in love with characters and its so fun too see what she likes and doesn't like.

Moment in Time Monday

say "cheese" mama

A girl after my own heart

Father's Day

Today was a fun day. Alayah and I stayed home all day today and just played. I bought her a little wading pool for the backyard and she was so happy and excited about it. She played in it for over an hour. We played with her babies and I re-arranged her room and cleaned it. She was in bed asleep by 7, but I think that is only because I didn't give her a nap. She was in such a good mood I felt she didn't need one.

Toy Story 3

I got Alayah dressed up today and took her down by the river to take some pictures. Our river has a scenic walk way that you can walk down, but it is flooded in parts from all the rain we got a week ago. The flooded area wasn't very deep and Alayah had a blast playing in it. After her nap we went to see the new Toy Story movie. Alayah really likes her "Woody" movies. She liked the movie, but was scared of the clapping monkey lol. All in all a great day with my girl.

Wawa mama wawa

fine mama....I will give you one good smile but that's it

splashing water is sooo much fun mama

look at me mama...(our river swelled and covered the pathway)

how she felt about her fun day :)

Shrek

Silly girls...J'Honestee, Alayah, and Teyha

I picked up my goddaughter and her step-sister after work and took the girls to Mcdonalds and then to see the latest Shrek movie for my goddaughters birthday. She just turned five. I used to have her every weekend up until Alayah was born. I really miss spending so much time with her, but her family moved away so I don't get to see her too often. The girls had a great time and Alayah really enjoys playing with older kids. She always says "come on guys" to try to get them to do stuff with her.

Thankful Thursday and UPDATE

I am thankful that a simple balloon(not in pic) can make her smile like this

 I found a new link on the issue with her uncle here

Alayah's other uncle and her dad are interviewed. Her dad is the one in the black shirt chewing the gum nervously.

Tumbling Week 21

I <3 her flip flops

Today did not go well. Nana came and Alayah didn't want to do anything but sit in her Nana's lap. *sigh* Afterward, we went to eat at Olive Garden and she was actually pretty good there.

Is it Friday yet?

Alayah was combing her Nana's hair

I had to leave work early yesterday because I was falling asleep at my desk. I felt like crud. I cam home and slept for four hours before going to pick Alayah up from daycare. It helped out a lot. Alayah didn't fall asleep until like 1am. She was not wanting to get up this morning. I don't know what her deal is. I am trying to get her to sleep in her own room in the least traumatizing way I can. Right now that consists of letting her watch tv until she falls asleep. Some days it works well and others not so much. I don't like letting her cry it out as it just seems too traumatizing to me. As a mom you can tell the difference between your child's cries and for some reason when she cries in her own bed its not a tantrum cry or a whiny cry. It's something different so I am not sure what her deal is. Let's hope she falls asleep earlier tonight.

I wanted to note a funny saying from Alayah. We were at a friends house and they are fostering a little boy. They were downstairs in the playroom and he was playing drums and Alayah was playing with dolls. She comes running up the stairs saying "mom...I don't wanna hear dat!" she didn't like his drum playing I guess lol

Moment in Time Monday

I am thankful that a simple piece of watermelon can make this girls heart happy

This girl loves her "attermelon" :)

Sick Momma

I wanted to go to church today, but my cold really hit me today. I barely got out of bed. I was really glad that Alayah entertained herself for the most part. I really don't want to go to work tomorrow. It really sucks being a single mom when you're sick because there is no one to help you out so that you can recoup.

Why do things happen in 3's?

I got a text this morning from one of Alayah's cousins on her dad's side. I have never talked to this girl before, but I did meet her once at Alayah's great grandpa's funeral before I was pregnant with her. She text me to tell me she needed to get in touch with Alayah's dad because something happened to his brother and he wasn't expected to live. Alayah's dad is really weird about his extended family. Sometimes he says they are his family and other times he says they are not. It depends on his mood. I called him to let him know his family was trying to reach him.

His cousin told me that his brother had been tased several times and had was dying as a result. I will say that this particular brother has always had trouble with the law and with drugs. It didn't surprise me that he was tased, but she told me that the doctor said he was tased four times. That seemed a little extreme to me. He passed away today around 1:20pm. I am sad that Alayah never got to meet him. I am also irritated because we were just in Albuquerque last week and I was trying to arrange a meeting with him, but no one would give me any information on how to get in touch with him. I am sad that she missed out on the opportunity of getting to know him. I don't even know what he looks like.

I found a news article on the incident here. I don't know what to believe as this article tells a different story about his death. Either way he is gone and Alayah will never get to know him.

Rainy day

It has literally rained all day long non-stop. It made for an early evening. Alayah's dad actually asked to see her tonight. I was quite surprised. I dropped her off around five and picked her up at nine. I really miss her when she is gone, but she asked to go with him. I really didn't want her to leave me though. I entertained myself at Target and then went to our Hollywood Video to see what kind of movies I could get before they go out of business. I stocked up on some Tyler Perry movies and grabbed a couple for Alayah too. Alayah was asleep before we made it home, so I put her in her own bed. She really needs to start sleeping in there full time, but its such a battle with her. Maybe it's just laziness on my part I don't know.

Good-bye Old friend

Hannah and Alayah Best Buddies

I came home from work today to find out that my dog passed away. I am pretty bummed. She was my all time favorite dog. I knew she would die eventually as she was getting up there in age, but I didn't expect it to be just out of the blue like this. She hasn't even been sick or acting like the end was coming. I think the hardest part for me is that her and Alayah were pretty close. Alayah was always playing with her and wanting to sit by her. I don't know how to tell her in a way that she will understand. I think I will be honest and say that she died, but I don't know how to tell Alayah what death means. I hope Alayah doesn't miss her too much. I can't get another dog anytime soon either. It's hard to get an apartment with pets and since we are moving in a few months it just isn't a good time.

this is how you would usually find them...cuddle up

I included this one because it was from today....she picked me some flowers

Tumbling Week 20

Alayah went to sleep with her shoes on last night

Trying to figure out the flashlight

Alayah didn't have any tantrums tonight at tumbling which is awsome. She was having a hard time listening and sitting, but at least there were no tears and screaming. I will take what I can get. She got really good at landing on her feet after several of her tumbling moves like her headstand and her cartwheels. She usually flops to her knees, but tonight we worked on landing on her feet. She caught on really quick and she can do her little backflips off the mat and land on her feet too. We were home about 10 minutes when the power went out. It was out for over an hour, so it was a good thing that my laptop was fully charged so she could watch a movie on it. Otherwise it could have made for a long hour in the dark.

I wish I was still on vacation

she's going to hate pictures like these when she is older

I really wish I was still on vacation. I hate going back to work and daily life sometimes. Alayah is all about her Nana since we've been home and I am slightly bummed because I enjoyed all our mommy and me time and now I am second when it comes to her Nana lol. I still haven't fully unpacked and I have no motivation to. Alayah came home from daycare with a ton of red bites or bumps on her head and neck. I am not quite sure what they are. I am going to keep an eye on them and see if they spread.

Moment in time Monday

I was updating my blog in my jammies and Alayah decided she wanted me to go outside to play with her. I told her I didn't have any shoes on so she brought me these. This girl seriously kills me lol. I told her to go get my flip flops, but she insisted I wear these. She doesn't understand that mommy can't walk in heels to save her life lol

I hate goodbye's

We had to head for home today. I hated having to say good-bye to my bestie. :( I was not looking forward to the 10 or 11 hour drive. Alayah did pretty well for being stuck in the car so long. We left around 9:30 and made it to Pueblo Colorado around 1. I decided that is where we would stop and go potty and eat lunch since it was really close to halfway home. Well five minutes before we got there Alayah fell asleep. I stopped at a gas station and got her out of the car and she wouldn't wake up. I decided I would just go to the bathroom then since she was sleeping. She stayed asleep all the way to the bathroom and even stayed asleep while I was using the bathroom lol. Talk about some skills. Try carrying a 30lb pound child with one arm and try to undo a belt and pants and get a seat cover on a toilet all while you really really really need to pee.

Luckily I didn't have any accidents lol. We got to Denver around 4:30 and we stopped and went to the Aquarium to run off some energy before the last 4 hours of the trip.

Why is it that you always get back of the head shots when you are at a zoo or aquarium?

Alayah enjoyed the fish and was really good while we were there. We stopped at an Gymboree outlet to get a skirt I had been eyeing for awhile and a lady complimented me on Alayah's hair. It meant a lot to me from a black lady. It made me feel like I was on the right track. I get compliments from white ladies, but it's just not the same sometimes unless they happen to have bi-racial or black kids themselves. Anyway, after the Aquarium we ate at a really yummy buffet and then we headed home. We ended up pulling in the driveway around 11  ughh... what a long day.

Alayah and I on Sandia Peak

Sunset

Today we went up Sandia Peak on the world's longest tram. I hate heights. I get nauseous on high things. This thing was over a mile long and high high high. I could not wait to get off the tram. I thought I was going to get sick all over myself and everyone else crammed in there with me.

It was very pretty up top and I did enjoy looking around as long as I was far away from any edges lol

We stayed there until the sunset and then headed back down. We have to get up pretty early tomorrow so we are calling it an early night.

Albuquerque Day 8

We started today with the intentions of traveling around town taking pictures of the girls in their punk outfits. Well, we didn't get up until 10:30 and then by the time we got in the car to go the girls were really grumpy . We stopped by this mural and tried to get some pictures, but the girls weren't having it. We decided to try somewhere else, but five minutes after we got in the car the girls fell asleep. *sigh*

We decided to drive around a bit and grabbed some italian ice. Mmm. We sat and talked and ate while the girls slept some. After a little while we drove down to Tingley Beach and let the girls get up close with some geese. They weren't too sure about being so close.

After the geese we stopped by another mural of Route 66 downtown and the girls were a tad bit more cooperative. Alayah had a few pouty moments and so most of her pictures are from far away because if I got close she'd pout. I was kind of bummed.

After all the running around we headed to my friend's mother's house and we let the girls go swimming. Alayah had a lot of fun, but I was not too thrilled about being in a bathing suit. I didn't take any pictures of the pool with my camera, so as soon as I get them from my friend I will post them. Alayah had a few funny ones taken.

My friend and I went out for a girls night too. It was so much fun. We went to Melting Pot and it was so yummy and our waiter gave us our entire meal plus two glasses of Sangria for 9 bucks...Our bill should have been over $50. I couldn't believe it.

Albuquerque Day 7

So today was a very busy day. First we me with Alayah's brother and sister at a local park. My friend and her daughter came along too as we were headed to a birthday party afterwards. It was soooo HOT! I am from Wyoming and it does not get that hot here lol.

The kids were much more comfortable with each other, but they don't really know how to play together yet. Cashmere the oldest had lots of questions and he doesn't really understand how they are siblings. Sometimes I kick myself when I think of how confusing we may have made their lives because of our bad choices as adults. I like to blame it on the dad, but I know it takes two to tango. Cashmere wanted to know what I was to him and I told him I was nothing but a friend. He wants to call me his Auntie, so I told him it was okay. I hope his mom doesn't mind lol

I love that Alayah has a sister even if they are far apart. I hope they will have a great bond despite the distance that separates them.

After the park we took the kids to McDonald's for ice cream and to cool off. The kids finally started playing with each other and they were climbing under and on tables and getting a little rowdy.  It was hard to tell them to settle down as they were having so much fun. After ice cream we headed out to eat for a birthday party. I didn't know the people, but I tagged along for yummy food. It was like a Las Vegas style Chinese buffet and it was so good. Alayah was actually pretty good which was a miracle since she gets really restless at restaurants.

Alayah decided she wanted me to take her picture in front of this statue as we were leaving the restaurant. I thought it was a pretty cute idea.

Albuquerque Day 6

Alayah and her half-brother Cashmere(6)

Alayah got to see her brother today. He is so sweet with her. He is so happy he has little sisters, but I feel bad because he never gets to see them. He immediately took over the big brother role with helping her get things and trying to carry her places.

I think they look a lot alike...mainly because they both look like their dad. Their sister looks just like her mom

I picked him up from his house and brought him over to my friends house and let them play together for a little while before we headed to get portraits of the three together. I bought them matching outfits to wear, but Imani's mom forgot her matching outfit. Ughh...I was a little irritated, but I let it go. They didn't match last year either lol. Alayah wasn't in a good mood either, so it was a battle just gettting her in the pictures.
It was weird explaining to the picture man that they aren't really comfortable together as they only see each other once a year and that there are three different moms. Sometimes I feel like we belong on Maury or something.

After we got done with pictures I took her brother home and then my friend and I took the girls for Italian Ice. It was so yummy.

We also grabbed some fruit for snacks and the girls climbed into the trunk to steal grapes while we were inside unloading....they are so silly

Albuquerque Day 5

Alayah loves the dog-ican at Old Navy....she thinks he is real


Today turned into another shopping day and my friend and I hit up Old Navy and Gymboree.We went to Old Navy first and then we went to a local place for lunch. People kept asking if the girls were twins and one person thought they were three and a half. I found Alayah a dress for $5.99 that matched her friends, so of course I had to put it on her.
When we left Gymboree the girls decided they had to carry their own bags.

We walked down to a tollhouse cookie place and the girls got a cookie, but Alayah fell asleep in my lap as soon as we sat down. She has been so busy this trip she barely takes time to sleep. We ended up hanging out at home this evening and watching movies. It was nice to relax.