Saying Good Bye to JWT

Tomorrow is my last day at JWT. Don't ask me how I am feeling because honestly I am feeling all kinds of things. I am sad about leaving the great people that I work with, a fun and exciting job and feel weird with the idea that on Monday I don't have a job to drive to. At the sametime I am excited about staying home and starting this new career. Lots of mixed emotions and I really don't think it has all hit me and won't until next week.

Tonight I had a happy hour going away with my work and as always it was great to get together and hang out with everyone. I even was gifted a very fashionable bar tee by Greg to remember my last time out with the gang! I appreciate this so much more than the self portrait that Maureen got on her departure. I will miss everyone and all of the crazy things that go on and most of all John will miss all of my work stories that make him laugh and wonder what kind of place I work at or how we actually get things done.

It has been a great two years and 28 days with JWT filled with lots of late nights (I think the latest was around 4 AM), crazy adventures at truck stops and hanging out with truckers, learning more than I ever needed to know about Heavy Duty Engine Oil, hearing every possible joke about Lubricants (many times all at the same time during a creative briefing), lots of laughs, boring status meetings and so many more memories that I can't even touch on (for many reasons).

I will miss you guys so much!

Tutu Cute

I finished making Peyton's tutu today and then we had a mini photo shoot. I also found a cute flower headband at Hobby Lobby which was way too cute to pass up. She of course was way too cute and full of smiles.

Here are some of the pictures and you can see more here, also click here for more four month pictures that I just added.

My New Boss

Turns out that my new job comes with a pretty strict boss who is adamant about having on time and productive meetings.

This was taken at Grandma Hill's house during dinner. She was sitting in my mom's lap with her arms on the table watching everyone eating so we thought we should take a picture (Grandma is behind the blanket).

While she was sitting there she was very very interested in what we were eating and even starting tasting with her lips. This is the second time she has done this so we might start experimenting with some rice cereal in the near future.

Career Change

As promised here is the Acord’s big announcement…

If you know us well, you would know that we tend to change things up a little too often. Since we were married about 27 months ago, I started my current job, and then we built a house, moved into the house, became pregnant and had our little girl. So, this year one of our resolutions was no more life changing events for 2009. Well, God always laughs when we try to plan our life and we have once again with His guidance made a life changing decision. Our current big decision is that I have decided to change careers. I have decided to take on a position as the new CFO, COO, cook, cleaning service, nanny, personal shopper and so much more at the Acord house. Yes, I have decided after much prayer, lists and conversations with many friends and family, to leave my current job and begin a new career as a stay-at-home mom.

When John and I first started dating, I told him early on that my dream job would be to stay at home with mour kids. Maybe it was that I had an amazing mom who stayed home or maybe it was that I never felt that I found that true passion at college. Well, after graduating and working in my current job in advertising for the past two years the decision to stay home was a whole lot harder than I ever imagined. I will spare you all the details but it took tons of prayer, trusting in the Lord to continue to provide (which He very much showed us twice last week when we received random checks in the mail) and eventually staying true to my heart which led us to our decision.

My last day at work is January 30 and I am going to miss everyone I work with and the craziness that my job can bring. I WILL NOT miss my 2.5 to 3 hour daily commute! I won’t lie, I am a little nervous about my new job. I only know two other stay at home moms and I am hoping to expand my little network and building new relationships with other women. I am excited about being able to save money by using coupons more, going to Sam’s club, CVS etc and getting the best deals. I am also excited about being able to keep up with cleaning my house, taking on little home improvement or craft projects, taking the burden of managing our finances from John, being able to cook and work on my cooking, have time to run consistently, see my mom as often as I want and most importantly spending time with Peyton! Seeing her throughout the day is the best part!

Please pray for us especially these next couple of months during the adjustment. Pray for the adjustment for me and also that we are good stewards with our money as it will be a slight adjustment with only John’s salary but as God showed us last week, be faithful and He will provide!

Happy Inauguration Day

I in no way want to start a political debate but I truly hope that no matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, you can appreciate today for what it is.

As many of you know, I am not American, I am a Canadian who is blessed to have the opportunity to live in the United States and enjoy the freedoms this country has to offer. I might be not be a voting citizen but as a permanent resident of the United States I have always been fascinated with the American political system and government. Today was a true celebration of the freedom and promises that this country has been founded on. I am so excited that I can raise my daughter in a country that she has the freedom to vote, freedom to be who she wants to be, freedom to pray and practice religion and most importantly a country that elects someone based on the credentials and ability to lead as opposed to their ethnicity. I am so excited! I know politics can create tension as everyone has such varying views but we can all join in and pray for the new President, Vice President and their families. Pray that God gives them guidance, strength and wisdom.

Today was a remarkable day and I can't wait to get home and watch all of the footage as I was only able to see the swearing in and speeches at work!

Monday Funday

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Pretty good for Peyton's first time on the computer, she even got a space in there!

Today has been a great day so far! Peyton didn't have daycare because of the MLK holiday and I was off from work! I love having the day off and spending my morning singing silly songs with Peyton and having fun! Of course part of that fun was mommy taking an insane amount of pictures of Peyton. I haven't been playing around with my camera much and the different settings so this morning was the perfect time and I have the perfect subject.

Right now, Peyton is having a nap and once she is up we are going to head out and do some errands. Part of what I wanted to do this weekend was hit up CVS and venture into the world of Extra Care Bucks (I am a little nervous to be honest). I planned my grocery shopping at HEB around the deals at CVS. Also during my trip to HEB, I saved around $26 in coupons which didn't include the approximately $10 I saved by buying wine as a set of six! I was happy! So, I will be heading to CVS and starting to use that resource as a way to save money.

Following our trip to CVS today, we might make it out to Hobby Lobby because I want to make Peyton a princess tutu like the one I found here . I have seen other people take pictures of their little ones in ones like it so thought it would be such a cute picture and would be fun to make! I will post pictures of the final product and my little princess when I am done!

So, a great day planned even though when I told Peyton our plans she gave me this look of exhausation!

Finally, the Acord's have an announcement that will be made in the next couple of days. So stay tuned! No, we are not having another baby and if you are one of the few that know...don't ruin the surprise!

Watching..not running...the Houston Marathon

Today was the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon! Last year at this time, about three days after we found out we were expecting, John ran the full marathon and I ran the half marathon. So, Peyton kind of already ran a half marathon (not too many kids in daycare can say that). This year we have not run at all and went to be spectators. I have never been a spectator at a race (John has watched me at two different half marathons) and it was so much fun!

We headed out of the house around 6:00 AM, made a Starbucks run and then camped out around mile 7 on the course. Peyton was all bundled up and ready to cheer on the runners. She only lasted a little bit in her stroller before she wanted to be held and see what all the commotion was all about. Her eyes were huge! She just kept watching and watching all of the runners come by! She eventually had a nice long nap and as always was a trooper on our crazy adventures. She must wonder where she goes half the time.

We mainly went out to the race because we had so many friends running. Here are some pictures of the front runners who were amazing! The men and women both set course marathon course records. I am always amazed at elite runners and their strength. It is pretty cool to see how God has designed the human body to be able to take on such a tough venture.

We were able to see all of our friends besides Jared and Carissa (I don't know how we missed you guys) and it was so much fun to cheer and support everyone. I am so incredibly proud of them as many were running their first half marathon! You guys did amazing! I only got pictures of Bryce and Laura! It was Laura's first half marathon and she rocked!

Congrats Bryce, Laura, Jared, Carissa, Sarah on finishing the half marathon and congrats Clint on finishing your second full marathon! And congrats to all the other 25,000 runners!

It was a great day and it gave me the running bug (of course)! So, when we got home I went for a two mile run and have decided that I will be training for the Rodeo 10k the end of February and my ultimate goal is the Angie's Half Crazy Half Marathon the end of March! Kind of ambitous goals but I will be going for completion instead of a personal record.

Mommy it is bed time...

Peyton has started to wrap her fingers around the edge of her blanket and has realized that she can pull up and pull the blanket over her. It is pretty adorable and she doesn't seem to mind be completly covered with the blanket. Here are some pictures of her playing with her blanket before bedtime. How cute is she!

Week Update

So, I pretty much left everyone hanging on Tuesday about our first week back to work. Well, the rest of the week didn't go too much better with daycare which was frustrating and we are praying that next week is easier for everyone.

Wednesday we dropped Peyton off with hopes for a good day. My mom called around noon wanting to know if she could get Peyton and have her for the afternoon so she went over to pick her up. Well, when she walked in Peyton was in the rocker and the teacher was trying to give her a bottle and she was screaming and crying. The teacher was just continuing to try and give her a bottle with no success and so my mom took her to try to calm her down. She wouldn't calm down and when she asked where her pacifier was the teacher said she didn't have one (she has three there) which my mom responded with, "I am sure my daughter wouldn't have left her without a pacifier." Eventually my mom got Peyton calm, put her in her car seat and was heading out when the teacher found the pacifier in Peyton's supply drawer. My mom got her home and got her fed and she went immediately to sleep. After my mom told me everything that had happened along with the fact that she was once again a hour off schedule I decided to give the school a call. I spoke with the director and she was very helpful and understanding. Pretty much I asked that the infant care sheet that I filled out be read by everyone and that she is kept on schedule. 

Thursday came and we had slight change to our morning since I had to be at work early so my mom dropped Peyton off around 9:30 AM. John called at 12:15 PM and 3:15 PM to ensure she was having her bottles on time and the director called to let me know she was doing better. When I picked her up they said she did a whole lot better and when I looked at her sheet I knew why...she was fed on time! No matter how busy our days are she is always feed at three hour intervals so it is no wonder she was having a hard time when it was four hours one time, three hours another. Anyways, we got home and she ate again at 6:00 PM and then she fell asleep (naps are still not going well at daycare) and I put her in her bed. John and I had the intention of watching the national championship game but were both so exhausted from the week ended up going to bed in the third quarter. I am a little upset that this week I missed pretty much all of the bowl games because I was too tired to stay up. When we went to sleep, we thought Peyton would wake up and let us know she needed to eat around her normal time so I didn't set an alarm. Well, she let us know she needed some food at 6:00 AM the next morning....a total of 12 hours between meals! I felt horrible that she went that long and that she was that tired. The poor thing.

So, recap on the week. We were very prepared in regards to schedules, lists of chores etc but we were not prepared for how hard daycare would be for Peyton (and for us) and how tired we would be with getting everything done. It has been a long week and very overwhelming. I am only hoping it will get easier and trying to be optimistic about next week.

4 Month Appointment

Peyton had her four month appointment yesterday and as expected she is growing leaps and bounds. She weighs 14 lbs 4.5 oz (53%) and is 25 1/4 inches long (74%) and still has a small head at 16 inches (29%). I am so happy to see that she is gaining weight well. As you might remember from her 2 month check up she was at the 33% and the doctor thought she would be finally at the 50% or higher by four months and she is! 

Everything else checked out well and she is doing great. She had four vaccinations (three in her legs and one she had to drink) and she was a champ like last time. She has had a little harder time this time though and is pretty cranky and had a fever last night and this afternoon. We of course are spoiling her by letting her do what she wants and sleep wherever she wants (the swing is a popular spot). 

As for her development Peyton is discovering new things all the time. She is getting so close to rolling over (she gets her legs going and her arms but not at the same time) and is starting to enjoy tummy time more and more and is really lifting her head up. She is grabbing everything and will even pull on it (mommy's hair is one of her favorite things to yank on) and the cutest thing is when she wraps her hands on her blanket when she is sleeping. We haven't heard anymore laughs since Canada so I am guessing that means that we are really not that funny but we do hear many sounds that are getting louder and louder. 

She will not be starting solids until a couple more months however the doctor said that once she can sit up, if she shows some interest and we are adventurous we can offer her some rice cereal and see what she does. We will wait and see on that but we will need to go out and get some feeding supplies (a high chair etc) next month so we be ready and it will be nice for her to sit at the table with us when she is able to sit up better. I am also thinking about the possibility of making my own baby food so I will be starting to research that in the next couple of months and decide if that is an adventure I want to take on. My initial research looks good and I am pretty excited about that possibility.

Finally, Peyton is losing some serious amounts of hair. She has a pretty evident bald spot on the back of her head and she is losing other patches here and there. The only significant amount of hair is at the nape of her neck which looks pretty funny. But she is starting to get some new hair growth up top and it is blonde! I know this is disappointing to Grandma Hill but we all expected that to happen.