Progress

So yeah, apparently my last post was actually written really eloquently here.

... now I'm moving on. I have property upstate to scope out.

Cute Baby in Vegas

... also laziest blog post ever.

Still working through all the vacation photos but this one was too good to pass up.

Because my husband is awesome...

this necklace is now mine.



This was a surprise present from my husband. I sent him the link a couple of weeks ago as a suggestion for Christmas but he went ahead and ordered it. It's been a rough few weeks and he wanted to give me a little something. It's a super sweet reminder that things will get better and just keep pushing through. Also, this is especially nice since he hates it. :) He is not a fan of my hommage to Rachel Zoe with pieces like this but because he's awesome and loves me he orders me surprise jewelry he hates to make me happy.

Ladies (and gentlemen for that matter), if you find one like this (skeptical since I think I got the only one) keep him! There isn't anything better out there. The grass is not greener and there aren't more fish in the sea who will buy a giant bejewled ram's head because it will make you happy. Really.

Thank you sweetie, I love it and you.

P.S. My daughter is going to love going through Mommy's jewelry cabinet one day.

P.S.S. The necklace is from Bauble Bar

Measuring Up

I love, love, love the internet. It's how I find out about all the super cool happenings between celebrity couples (must have latest on Stewart/Pattinson, TomKat, Brangelina, etc), hottest trends in home goods, do a quick check in on my peeps and frankly, how I make a living. It's also where I fall into the bog of eternal self-loathing.

My favorite intranets make it super easy to discover how I'm not measuring up as a mother, wife or human being. I haven't started sleep training Sophy, I haven't volunteered at a yoga retreat for the blind, I don't hand knit her clothes out of virgin wool from sheep that graze on our manicured 10 acre farm in the perfect location "upstate" that are then humanely turned into lamb shanks that I serve at a pop up dinner for 100 of my closest and most beautiful friends in our barn which has been recently renovated based on a Dutch design with all white slip covered furniture... I think you see what I'm getting at.

The internet tends to be a place where we can selectively choose what to share and why wouldn't you share the most idyllic and best version of yourself. The self you want everyone to believe you are. Who wants to read about skipping bath night because you want to go to bed and watch the Real Housewives of New York (not a real life example since it's on tonight and I definitely have to give her a bath since I didn't last night just 'cause). I find myself comparing my life with those living in the fantastical (and mythical) land of no problems, perfect lives and pretty, pretty people but even they have have bad days with baby spit, cat puke, broccoli gone bad in the fridge and general shit that goes along with living life. They just have the good sense not to put that on Facebook. Who the hell wants to hear about that?

... uhm, so maybe ignore this post and check out cute baby animals on Pinterest.

Ugh

I kept saying I wanted the summer to be packed with family, fun and lots of progress on this year's goals and I guess it's true to be careful what you wish for. We've had some fantastic fun with family and everyone enjoying our first summer with Sophy and I got in a surprise trip to DC with the fantastic upside of being able to visit my friend Elisa and meet her super cool family. But, it's also been rough losing Abby and Maya within a month of each other. They were our first babies and will always be loved.

I also started a new job that's challenging. For a lot of reasons, but they have a pretty stringent 8-5 policy. Normally that would be more than reasonable but it's tough as we try to juggle schedules with Sophy and I really really miss our lazy mornings together. I used to have lots of flexibility and a 3 mile commute. It's incredibly hard to try and get in all the time I'd like to with her and worry we're not doing a good job leaving her with the folks at baby school 9-10 hours a day. It's heart breaking for a new Mama but I think good for her. She likes people, she's got great motor skills and seems to be a totally happy and healthy baby. I just miss her.

I also miss a lot of my old work crew. We had gotten to be a pretty tight group that really enjoyed working together. This is my first job in 13 years where I went in without knowing anyone and it's a completely different culture from where I've been in the past and it's been a struggle. Almost all of which has been on my side as I try to move on from losing my team and some seriously awesome co-workers. I left voluntarily rather than move, and candidly it just wasn't the gig I signed up for anymore, so while it's fantastic to be employed and I'm truly grateful Rolland and I are both very lucky to have our jobs, I still miss the motley crew of folks from Blockbuster. Rare is the position that requires you to have meetings on the ruling of who is, and isn't, a zombie. Sneaking in Nathan Fillion and Firefly references in most of our content was also a tremendous perk.

We've struggled a little with illness off and on as well. We can't seem to get everyone on the mend at the same time and when any of the schedule goes haywire so does the meal planning and healthy strategies but we're still slogging forward to keep it on track and it's fun that we can now start Sophy on solids. She's completely confused by the concept of food outside of a bottle but willing to give it a go. Rolland got her high chair put together and ready to add it as a new fixture to the dining room. Pictures will be provided.

Ok, enough of my venting post and I'm working on some new arty goodness along with a bunch of cute baby on vacation pics for next time. Slowly but surely getting back in the blogging saddle.

Happy Tuesday and I'm off for a little Olympic looky looing.

Happy 4th of July

Just hanging out at the Huff house and enjoying the rare Wednesday off. Happy 4th of July!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy Sophy could ever have~

She's also smitten with Granddad

Bracelet

Because I have watched lots of The Rachel Zoe Project lately and this appears to be a casual look

Image

  I now have this handcuff bracelet winging it's way to me.

Mid-year check in

In an effort to get back on track from my not-resolutions resolutions, I'm doing a little check in here for June.

1. Sophy was a complete success in the delivery dept and so far has been a super sweet baby. We're starting a new routine on Monday since Mommy starts a new job (more to come on that one) so that will be a little ify for a couple of weeks.

2. So far I've done pretty good with the friend connections. I think we can always do better but I've tried to reach out even if it's just a quick card in the mail. I try to refrain from including pictures of Sophy, except with family, but we'll see how I do as she gets cuter and cuter.

3. So on the housecleaning front we do pretty well. Again, I'd like to maintain a routine and schedule so it's just not an issue. Reminder to change sheets. :o  Also, I'm stealing the Menu Sunday idea from over here. It helps keep me accountable for more eating at home. The last few weeks have been a total fail and my tighter pants are proof.

4.I've done ok on the non-fiction but the reading has slowed down in general. I've got Wild and Too Big To Fail next up to bat.

5. We've done serious de-cluttering and donated about 10 bags of clothes, shoes, bags, bedding, etc and it's fantastic to have some room to breathe in the closet again.

6. Yeah, being healthier in eating and exercise has been a total fail and I'm getting back on the bandwagon ASAP.

7. Pretty good in being more optimistic but with serious cynical relapse.

8. Still working on the happiness gig which is tied to #10 and making more art. Gotta get more of both in.

9. Finances - uhm, yeah we've got to get on that one ASAP as well. I'm hoping the new job and new routine will help with a little bit of the target stress shopping.

11. Travel - the new job makes it a little tough but we've got plans for Vegas in July. Cabana rented and Love tickets purchased... woo hoo! We also want to get a weekend trip in to Austin, trip to Missouri in Oct~ish, and I'd like to do a couple more weekend trips. Maybe Marfa and Roswell. I think next Thanksgiving will be an international trip with a 1 3/4 baby. Christmas markets in Germany?

12. Gratitude I've actually been fairly fantastic. I know I have an amazing family and am thankful for Rolland, Sophy and the rest of my family every day. I have awesome friends and feel incredibly fortune to be starting a new job so quickly when so many people have struggled. I'm incredibly lucky and I know it.

Pretty good so far but the reminder was much needed for areas of improvement. Now off for menu planning and some cleaning!

Happy Saturday.

Sometimes I Feel Like This

Dallas Arboretum

Last weekend we had company and visited the Dallas Arboretum to see the Chihuly Exhibit which was fantastic. We got there early but it was still fairly steamy so I would recommend waiting for cooler weather. I can't wait to go back with cooler temps and a slightly older baby. The photo ops will be amazing.  They also have a few nights where they do an exhibit. I'm betting that is also awesome.

Heading out with the baby to stroll.

One of the first installations you see when entering the arboretum. It was incredible.

Granny and Daddy with baby Sophy who was not picking her nose as this photo may suggest

All the girls

Sophy and Daddy

Unbelievable glass sculpture 

Granny got in lots of snuggles

Lots of kisses from Aunt Anita

Here are a few of the installations. Seriously, I cannot convey how awesome the exhibit is and the grounds are gorgeous. The boat pieces were probably my favorite although some of the simple vignettes were beautiful.

Sophy played in the water feature with the older kids with a little Mommy help.

June Photos

via

The last few weeks have been a little crazy but I've kept up, mostly, with the photo a day for May. I'm trying it in June as well and this summer offers a lot of photo op opportunities with the baby.

I promise a real post soon but not tonight. I'm off to watch mindless TV and scour the intranets.

I'm a lot more active over on the twitter and instagram @amyhuff

Stepping up the blogging is on the summer "to do" list which I should blog soon. Sigh.

First Day of School

It's been fairly busy as we get back into the work routine. I'm three weeks into work and it's crazy there right now. It was also hard to send the baby to baby school (I hate the term daycare)but her school is great and she seems to like it. We get notes everyday with her schedule and activities. Today was reading about space, Spanish and personal growth (tummy time and such).

Sophy and Daddy - First Day of School

Sophy and Mommy - First Day of School

I'm also hoping this means I'll get back to regular blogging but honestly if it means I do a post or I play with the baby, the baby's always winning. Our new routine is to play on the bed at night before bed and she seems to not even mind tummy time for a short period of time on the bed. She really is very advanced - the school said so. :)

Computer Baby

Somebody else in the house loves the computer!

Saturday the family loaded up and headed to Chestnut Square early for the Farmer's Market. We've been trying to go for a couple of weeks but it's been busy for some reason or another but yesterday was success! Sophy mostly enjoyed her first outing in the baby bjorn as long as Daddy kept it moving. Any slow down and she was pissed.

We picked up some asparagus and potatoes, croissants, various olive oils and tamales for the freezer. Aspargus is cooking tonight as a side dish with mushroom rice pilaf and flounder (healthy eating plan that was wheels off with last night's whopper). I loved these boxes of peaches but have no clue what to do with them yet.

Potatoes are getting cooked Tuesday night to support the Chicken with Mustard Sauce and green beans. I also want to try these French Onion Sliders one night this week. I'm hoping the blog sharing of week night meal planning will make it a little more of a reality. We're definitely working on being more health conscious and frugal in our approach to meal time. I've also been missing the kitchen. Hope you're having a tasty Sunday evening!