:) Pink Lady Maynard (:

7/23/13 Dear baby Noah, I am not a mountain. I am the mama. I am not a trampoline. I am the mama.  I am not your spit rag.  I am the mama. I am not a punching bag.  I am the mama.  I am not a wrestler.  I am the mama.  I am not the potty.  I am the mama.  I am not your servant.  I am the mama. I am not a horsey. I am the mama. I am not the enemy.  I am the mama.  And because I am the mama...  ... I will be your snuggle bunny.  I will be your climbing wall.  I will be your shoulder to cry on. I will be your rocking chair. I will be your comforting soother.  I will be your security blanket.  I will be your source of nourishment.  I will be your protector & guardian.  I will be your safety net.  I will be your caregiver.  I will be your teacher.  I will be your boo boo kisser.  I will be your boogie cleaner. I will be your diaper changer. I will be your entertainer. I will be y...

Who is Johnnyswin? Creative name for a band. The VH1 You Oughta Know artists' 1st single has been playing in my head. I believe the female singer mentioned that the song Heart Beats was inspired by her mother (the late Donna Summer). It is a hauntingly beautiful song. Her singer/songwriter partner is her husband. Perfect situation? Maybe. I always felt it would be tough to partner up with someone who works in the same field. However, in grad school, I watched a number I/O psych students pair up with HF psych students, etc. My former boss/advisor said having a spouse who is able to understand the world of academic + bounce research ideas off of + review your work is rather convenient. I still wonder how diverse their conversations/interests truly are. Seems like one would get bored with such limited differences.... July is coming to an end. August used to be one of my all-time favorite months. The hustle & bustle of classes starting. Shopping for supplies, signing up for classes...

#ThrowBackThursday #tbt ... I see this splashed all over Instagram & Twitter. Yep, I did indeed turn into a sheep & created accounts for both social media sites. The hipsters say both are "way cooler than the Facebook". Ha. I say it's a matter of just picking your poison, but it definitely helps pass the time when Noah naps in my arms. Any ways, memories of my yesteryears reminds me of my so-called Florida roots (although, technically I was born in Virginia). I miss my music friends, college friends, grad school friends & work friends. I feel like I have more in common with my friends down there since many have followed similar timelines. Age-wise, most of us waited until our late 20's & early 30's before getting married & having kids. Many of my Virginia buddies either were married & popping out kids right out of high school or college. I only feel connected to a small handful of my VA friends & it makes me a little sad. As I watched F...

Ha. I doubt I have the discipline required to make such a food sacrifice. I've only recently (past few years) discovered piggy bacon & it's well...delicious. However, Jared Leto of 30STM does make the veganism lifestyle look rather yummy & appealing (based on his Instagram photos). We've been in the new house for over a week now, & I am so glad to say goodbye to Mr. Air Mattress. My sciatica nerve/lower back pain-that-feels-worse-than-childbirth was holding me back from getting all these boxes unpacked. However, I have managed to knock out about 75%. All the big furniture was moved over the weekend, while Noah & I waited for the damn cable guy (10am -noon & then pushed back because the guy was running "a little late" & then doesn't show up after 2pm). Dealing with a teething & semi-grumpy Noah while hubby & guys from work loaded up our bed, Noah's crib, desk, dining table (which was dropped off the balcony), dresser (which h...

It appears I am halfway thru year 30 (and 2013). If my life were a book (or if I put my life in literary terms), I would say that I am near the latter half of Chapter 30. This chapter of my life has been flying by so fast. The 4th of July has come & gone, just like Noah's first 4th of July snug-fit onesie, which we purchased months ago & assumed would be a bit large on him. I find myself grasping, desperately, at the straws of Noah's infant months, as he becomes more & more mobile & gets bigger everyday. He is rolling, army crawling, doing yoga poses, bouncing in his bouncer, trying to walk in his walker, and starting to actually crawl all over the place. Noah has also developed quite a personality - loud, full of life, and tons of laughter. He's definitely not quiet & reserved like his father. He loves to make this hyper, shrill of a squeal that can be heard from the parking lot of our apartment. I am certain our neighbors are anxiously awaiting our pen...