Ever since both of my grandmas joined facebook I have found myself with little motivation to blog, since they were my primary audience before. But, I am already starting to regret not blogging more during this time for myself, since I don't keep up with a journal this is really the best way to keep track of the little details that fade with time. So, I am going to try to start writing more often. I can't even tell you how many half-written posts are sitting unpublished, I just never really know where I am going with these things.

We have been pretty busy over here at the Chapa house. Our schedules are opposite, so when I am at work Josh is home with Riley and as soon as I get home he quickly puts on his shoes gives his girls a kiss and is out the door on his way to work. It is a bummer not spending much time together, but it is nice that we both get to spend so much one-on-one time with Riley and I think we both know how lucky we are to have that. She is growing and changing so much every day it is amazing. In the last week or so she has learned that when she cries, she gets picked up. She wants to be held all the time, but not in cradle position like before, she needs to be upright with a view of her surroundings. If I set her down and walk away she follows me with her big sparkly eyes and as soon as I am out of sight the yelling begins.And I mean yelling, not baby crying, but screechy shouts, like "hey you, get back here!" It's hard getting anything done, but a little bit of me enjoys the fact that she knows her Mama and wants her around all of the time.

Before last week Riley had never been on the floor, nearly 4 months old and this little girl has NEVER been on the floor, such a diva! We actually have  polished concrete floors that are cold and hard (even with a blanket down), but when I bought a yoga mat I knew it would be perfect for tummy time. Riley loves it, and Lola loves it even more. As soon as I put Riley down Lola is in total investigation mode sniffing booty, nibbling toes and standing on baby's back (good thing she is only 5 lbs). 

They are BFFs. They might not know it yet, but I see a great friendship on the horizon for these two :)

Lola Says Hi and Does a Burnout

Another Holiday Spent Alone

Lola keeps watch.

Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Valentine's Day, and now Easter. Besides Christmas day, I have spent the majority of the day on all of these holidays alone, well alone with Lola. Josh went out of town on Thanksgiving, worked until 8:30 on Christmas Eve, worked V Day and is working from open to close today. It really stinks, and makes me wish we lived closer to family.

But, all is not bad. I got a lot of cleaning done today, successfully hard boiled my first egg and have been enjoying the sunlight.

Picnic Breakfast at Centennial Park

Hello sunshine, I love you.

Lola learns to play fetch. Well, besides the whole bring it back part. She just wants to eat the stick after she gets it.

And, she's tired! Been curled up on my lap napping while we enjoy the patio, magazines, and fresh pineapple.

Since spring has arrived, my feelings for Nashville have done a complete 180. I actually remember why we moved here (besides grad school of course). It is so pretty here! I had no idea all of these dead looking trees would be blossoming with white and pink petals.

Josh has this Friday off. Let me state that again...JOSH HAS FRIDAY OFF! This has not happened in MONTHS, probably not even since we moved here. We are so excited we might make a day trip out of it. Memphis? Lexington? Chattanooga? Atlanta? All within about a 3 hour drive. I can't wait to spend an entire day together!

I love spring!

Just because she is the cutest dog ever, and Josh's head is in the picture even though he attempted to cover it. It is just too big I guess. Well, I wasn't so sure about corn beef, but I figured homemade corn bread with chili in a green bowl would suffice for St. Patty's day. Homemade biscuits on Monday. (That is NOT a bug on the biscuit, it is rosemary!)

I have been on a bread making extravaganza this week. I promise we also eat protein, veggies and salads with dinner not just bread! I took a break from cooking for about 2-3 weeks, I just couldn't stomach it. This week I am back in the kitchen full force and Josh is not complaining.

sNOw More...

Downtown view from the terrace.

Hoody!

I am so bored! Snow is overrated.

Josh tride scooting to work today! Bad idea, he just came home to pick up the car so he doesn't have to scoot home on the dark icey roads.

I wonder if the mailman will deliver today? I could really use Big Love Season 2 disc 3 right about now.

boot, SCOOT, and boogy

Sorry for the blurry pics, I can't operate a camera properly.

Josh posing on the scoot in the garage. (PS: this was purely a photo op. After snapping the pic he jumped in the car and headed to work. Yes Mom and Dad, he has and wears a helmet at all times!)

Paws together and ears to the side for optimal flying.

This one is just for me. Proof that yes, the sun does still exist, even if it seems to hide behind grey all day and only peak through the clouds just before it rests on the other side of the world for the night.

In case you forgot what she looks like...

Oh, wait...that is Lola. You remember what she looks like. You see her all the time. Here we go. Chelsea, you might have forgotten what you sister looks like. When you go to the airport to pick her up, this is how she will appear. Longer hair with serious roots, but pretty much the same clothes, face, big eyes, smudged black eyeliner, and sarcastic expression. ; )

She is excited to see you, baby Owyn, Grandma('s), Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends, oh and Dad and Wendy too! Because YES, she is going to CALIFORNIA while she is visiting! (Thanks to Wendy!) Woohoo!

Brrrr

Lola keeps warm in style.

It is friggin cold here! Like you can see your breath at night cold. I spent all day yesterday trying to find cold weather clothes. I bought some cute tights, an olive wool pencil skirt and a knit black dress. I am trying to update my look to something a little more mature. So far Chelsea and I decided I need to start wearing heels and lipstick and I will look at least 5 years older. I bought the heels, working on the lipstick. Any ideas for a mature hairstyle?

PS. Lola wants you to know she does not have a gut...she was just sitting weird. And as for the eyes...I don't know what happened.

Attitude.

As per your request (Dad), here is more Lola on the blog.

When I asked her to pose, she crossed her arms and turned her head.

She has a total attitude problem.

I have no clue where she got it.

Happy Birthday My Dear

Lola wants to go all out for her brithday.

She has requested cupcakes and icecream, with a pair of dirty socks and some used tissues on the side.

Pretty standard requests for a first brithday.