Introducing Solid Food

 Riley had rice cereal for the first time today. She picked up the whole eating thing right away and even grabbed the spoon from me and tried to feed herself!

Now that she has had rice cereal, the question is what should we give her next? Sweet potatoes, peaches, bananas? I can't wait to start whippin' up some yummy stuff for our little love bug!

Do not try this at home

Spring in Nashville

 Down town Nashville from the pedestrian bridge. Isn't it pretty on the water? I think one of the reasons so many people love Nashville is because it is so inviting, and the city is not at all intimidating. I am one to get stressed out and anxious over traffic, one way streets and parallel parking, but something about Nashville just makes everything seem easier. The people hear move at a slower pace and as we noticed when we went home to Phoenix, the people down hear really are nicer.

It was in the 60's today, can you believe it? After a week of winter weather (highs in the 40's) the sun decided to come back out and let us enjoy the outdoors again. We had a little teaser a couple of weeks back and all of the trees bloomed, but then someone decided to roll in the clouds, rain and cold air and it was not very nice.

I love spring, and I love the seasons! You know the way you feel in Arizona in November when the weather finally starts to feel perfect outside? Well when you live in a state with seasons that is what you feel like in the spring when you have been stuck inside all winter. It's amazing and it is something I will miss if we move.

5 Months

Our sweet little love bug is 5 months old and this is what she is up to these days:

• She sits up on her own
• Has a new fascination with her tongue, sticking it out and pointing it while making this crazy face I can't even describe. She will literally stop whatever she is doing to make this ridiculous face and stick her tongue out. It is hilarious!
• Has flown in an airplane across the country, and did great. 
• Tries to drink water out of the faucet when she gets baths (don't worry, I don't let her)
• Eats bubbles when she is taking a bath (I try to stop her)
• Is quite the wiggle worm during tummy time and flips from back to front, and turns 360 degrees
• Likes sucking on her toes.
• Talks like crazy, and if you don't respond she starts yelling
• Pinches like crazy and I swear I almost cry when she gets me good (like when she grabbed the side of my neck and I swore she almost ripped an artery out)
• Gives lots of kisses by grabbing onto our face, opening her mouth, and rubbing it all over (thanks for the bath Ry baby)
• Has recently started fake coughing, even though she has never had a real cough
• Right before she eats she opens her mouth, sticks out her tounge and pants like she is dying of thirst
• Has not started to eat solids yet

Needless to say this girl is a character! I can't believe we are almost half way through her first year.

Happy Baby!

Most of the time anyways :)

The search continues...

I was doing pretty good there with blogging for oh, about 2 days. Sorry peeps, this girl is busy! I spend a lot of time on the computer, but it is usually looking for jobs and then spending subsequent hours changing up the cover letter and resume and submitting applications.

I think last I left off I was about to embark on my second interview in my career search. Well that interview happened last week, and let me tell you, as far as I am concerned I did really well! I was cruising along, answering all the questions and demonstrating my superior oral communication skills and I felt like we would have been doing high fives after every question if I was there in person... it would have been like family feud, with them shouting "good answer, good answer" while we slap hands up top. That was up until the very end of the conversation where they said they were looking for someone to start at the end of March. Que the sad trombone! From the moment I said I couldn't start until May, I could hear the complete transformation in the tone of one of the interviewers voices. It was a little devastating to say the least. Then to top it off I sent my thank you cards out to them with a spelling error! Yep, made the same error on all three cards and didn't bother to double check the spelling of a word I will not mention (for sheer embarrassment) until after I put the suckers in the mail! If only there was a way to stop mail. I still haven't heard back, they said it would be a couple of weeks, but I am guessing I will get an e-mail sometime soon saying "we've decided to go with a more qualified candidate, one who can start when we want them to and spell correctly too!" I guess I shouldn't totally discount myself yet, but at least I had the experience of a great interview and now feel like I can dominate all interviews! Speaking of interview domination, I have another interview next week and guess where it is???? Arizona! Hahaha... I am telling you, I send out my resume for jobs in Cali, DC, Boston, Baltimore and get nothin. Arizona loves me! But, back to the interview, it is for a job in AZ and even though I will be in AZ next week, they are only doing phone interviews! Wish me luck, I say this about every job I apply for, but I really want this job!

Is it a sign?

Update on the job search. I have applied to approximately 15 jobs since December 7. I have received several e-mails that start out promising and end bad. You know the ones..."You are an excellent candidate, your resume is impressive, blah blah blah, but you are just too cool for us so we have decided to go with a candidate whose experience more closely aligns with the qualifications we are seeking," AKA: "You are so qualified for this position, but you don't know anyone here so we didn't pick you." Each time I read those lame e-mails I think, "your loss buddy, I am awesome and clearly you don't get it!" I am not sure if this is a healthy response, but hey it's better than getting down on myself.

Me applying for jobs, Riley walking, Lola in her chill spot. Wait what?

But anyways, on with the update. I have also received a few bites, and 2 interviews. One of them lasted 5 minutes, until they realized I couldn't start until May. Darn! The other has yet to happen. But, the point of the post is that they are both for jobs in Arizona! I think it might be a sign... that Arizona wants me. The feelings are mostly mutual (with the exclusion of the months May-September), but (no offense to my homegirl AZ) I have been daydreaming about California a lot lately. Oh to live by the ocean, that is my dream! Josh and I would love to raise our babes by the ocean, even if it meant not owning a house for a little bit longer. I have been thinking about it so much lately that I may have even downloaded Real Housewives of the OC and old episodes of the Hills just to soak up the California scenery. Is that lame? I don't care, it's true. Who am I kidding, I already had those babies downloaded. Anyways aside from my bad taste in reality tv, I am really excited about the jobs I have applied for and will keep on sending out my resume and cover letter until someone gives me a chance! I will continue to keep you updated. And, the rest is still unwritten*


*Did you catch that clever reference to the Hills theme song?