Sneak Peek

I know I've been a picture slacker and haven't written Zoe's 7 month post. So, months 7-8 are going to be combined...when I get a second to sit down and write it! In the meantime here are a couple pictures to tide you over. She's growing so fast!

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She's chosen a side...

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She loves the big bathtub!

Be Optimistic

When life gets hard I tend to nit-pick and find excuses to complain about everything. We've been so busy lately I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. There are so many things that aren't going the way I want them to, or aren't happening fast enough that I find myself unhappy at the end of the day. Today I was thinking in a broader spectrum. I was thinking that Zoe actually improved a bit this afternoon in her fussiness with my sister-in-law...teething and all. It occurred to me that Love and I both have jobs during these rough economic times. I own a home and I do not owe more than it's worth. Even if that's all we can do, my bills are always paid. We have never gone hungry. My clothes may not be really nice and they may not fit perfectly, but at least I have something to wear. My car is in great working condition and we can afford to pay for gas. As much as I don't love my body right now, I haven't really exercised in a long time and I managed to lose 10 pounds. My daughter makes me smile every day. Love can always make me laugh and I am the wife of a hard-working man who is everything to me and I am everything to him. I am surrounded by people who love me and support me no matter what. Zoe doesn't have to attend daycare because I have amazing family who is willing to care for her so I can work. Today the temperature was a perfect 55 degrees, it was sunny outside, I didn't have to wear a coat, it was wonderful. I could go on. My point is, when you examine your life trying to find the blessings instead of the frustrations you will be amazed by what you have. It's true that no matter how dark life seems, there is always a silver lining...though sometimes it's so small that it's hard to see. So take a few moments to smile and be optimistic...see if there is a little sunshine trying to peek through.

Love and Equipoise

Got this from dooce. It's been floating around facebook too. I figure I don't know how much about the two of us I've spilled here so here goes:

What are your middle names?
My middle name is Cherice, Matt's middle name is Watson...as in "My Dear". No, just kidding, it's his Mother's maiden name.

How long have you been together?
We've been together over 5 years

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
Well, I met him in high school so...4 years

Who asked whom out?
I was at work when he came in with his family for lunch. (I worked at Red Robin.) He asked me out by pretending that his Jetta key was either lost or locked in the car (impossible) and came back into my work to "look for it". He asked me out after he "found" it and we've been together ever since. Five years later, I just now realized that our entire relationship sprouted from a lie...should I be worried?

How old are each of you?
I'm 26, he's 25...yes I robbed the cradle.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
His. Mine live in New Mexico.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
I don't know that there is a specific situation that is hard on us. We have a tendency to talk each other up and through difficult situations. I think our struggle as a couple is that we are both very opinionated, defensive and stubborn by nature...which makes for some crazy head-butting. However, we are very good at fighting- meaning we usually resolve things quickly...even though we are throwing grenades for a bit.

Did you go to the same school?
For a couple years in high school.

Are you from the same home town?
No. I grew up in Albuquerque, NM and Matt grew up all over- Army brat. I would say we now live in what he'd call his hometown...if he had one.

Who is smarter?
Book smart? Me. Street smart? Him. I've never known anyone who can store more information- useless or not- in their head...he's experienced more of the world than me.

Who is the most sensitive?
I am leaning towards me...but he has his moments...especially since Zoe was born.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Most? McDonald's. Ha ha, how sad is that?

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Springfield, VA

Who has the craziest exes?
I think we're about equal on that one...and that's as far as that's going.

Who has the worst temper?
Both of us have pretty bad tempers. He has a tendency to hold on to grudges...he'll keep quiet but you know when he's mad- you'll find yourself walking on eggshells. It takes a lot to get me mad, but if you get there, it's not pretty. I yell a lot...and cry. I don't hold grudges, but I'll force you to hash it out right then and there because I don't like to hang on to stuff like that.

Who does the cooking?
I used to before I became a Mom and realized I'm not superwoman. He does most of it now, but we trade off.

Who is the neat-freak?
Though I have weakened a bit in recent months- children will do that to you- I will readily admit that I'm the neat freak...and he...well...he just isn't. Clutter stresses me OUT!

Who is more stubborn?
I am the opinionated stubborn type. He is the silent stubborn type. I think we're in trouble with our already stubborn 7 month old.

Who hogs the bed?
HIM! If I'm sleeping well I hardly move.

Who wakes up earlier?
ME. Gotta get up and ready before Zoe gets up. For the record, there's nothing more frustrating than watching other's sleep contentedly on a Saturday morning or when it's 5:30 am and you have to be awake.

Where was your first date?
A movie theater in Albuquerque...we saw "Freaky Friday". One of probably 5 chick flicks he's ever watched with me.

Who is more jealous?
Neither. After some interesting past relationships we both make it a point to never be jealous. We have complete trust in each other.

How long did it take to get serious?
He knew right away. It took my stubborn behind a few more weeks to catch on that this was the love of my life. We were engaged a month after that.

Who eats more?
Him...by a mile. I remember when we first got married. I would make what I thought was a huge meal. He would eat firsts...then seconds...then be in the fridge looking for something else. I was shocked. He also eats much faster than me.

Who does the laundry?
We both do...but I tend to be stuck with the folding and putting away a lot. He blames it on my OCD about how mine and Zoe's clothes are folded- he does do his clothes. I think it's a cop out. It continues and we're both happy. :)

Who's better with the computer?
Probably him, though I think I can sort of hold my own. Truthfully I think we need a computer technician in the family to make sure we haven't done something massively damaging to this machine.

Who drives when you are together?
He almost always drives. I am pretty much done with driving. I've driven cross country one too many times I think. Plus, I get to sit and read a lot of the time during our hour commute to work.

Babe, if you find any discrepancies, feel free to fill out your own version.

I tag anyone that wants to. Leave a comment if you do!