Farley's

Introducing Madeline Kate

2011-08-01T12:43:00.004-05:00

I am madly in love with my little girl. Madeline Kate Farley was born at 11:06 a.m. on July 21, 2011. She weighed 6 lbs 4 oz and was 18.5 inches long. She is absolutely perfect. Since the beginning she has been clam, collected, and easy peasy. LOVE THIS GIRL!!!

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-20T13:20:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday we went with some friends to our first Easter Egg Hunt. Spencer loved it...once he realized that there was candy in the eggs! He is such a serious little man. He just keeps getting more fun each and every day. He is so loving and sweet, even though my growing belly is getting in the way of cuddles. Still can't believe we are having another!

Baby Name

2011-04-11T09:58:00.004-05:00

Baby names are SO hard to come up with! Both Dave and I work with juveniles and we have long agreed that we couldn't use a name that reminded us of a client...on top of that, I have a huge family which rules out a lot of wonderful names! This pregnancy I have been so worried that we would not be able to come up with a name for littlebit.

A couple of weeks ago Dave and I had to go to New Jersey for his father, Jim--he had a stroke and a heart attack and we were terrified that we would lose this wonderful man. Luckily, Jim is doing much better but during the scare, Dave and I really wanted to be able to tell him the baby's name.....just in case.... While Dave and I were at a local park, I heard a mother call, "Gracie!" I immediately fell in love with the name. After much discussion, Dave and I finally agreed on Grace Elizabeth. I am so grateful that we were able to tell Jim the name of his granddaughter, and we pray that he will have the opportunity to meet her this summer.

I can't wait for little Gracie Beth to get here!

It's a girl!!

2011-02-24T16:40:00.001-06:00

We are having a girl!!!

Valentine's Photos

2011-02-15T12:08:00.004-06:00

My sweetheart refuses to celebrate Valentine's Day, so instead we use it as our annual family photos day. Luckily we have a cute kid, because I only liked one family shot. I am hoping next year to get some good family pics since I won't be huge and pregnant!...Enjoy!

Play Date at the Museum

2011-02-05T13:27:00.003-06:00

Spencer had a play date at the Children's Museum on Thursday. I have a good friend I met in Junior League (I know, I know, I am a member of Junior League...so southern of me!). Her son is a month younger than Spencer and she is expecting a boy a couple of months before we are expecting number 2. It is fun to have kids the same age and I am glad we are continuing to do so! Anyhow, she is a stay at home lawyer too and we have loads in common. Besides both being exhausted, we had a lovely time. Spencer LOVES playing on the slide and being able to run around. Winter is hard on the little ones and he gets very stir crazy! Have the day he runs around with his coat yelling, "bye bye! go bye bye!" Anyhow, I was SO proud of my little man. He climbed up the slide all by himself and went down head first without any assistance or urging from mom! Such a brave little fella. He has NO fear and is ready to try anything! LOVE HIM!

Number 2?!

2011-02-04T10:57:00.006-06:00

Big tooth Grin! This kid is always smiling.
I hate writing catch up posts. I am just not good at it! I am thinking about taking a writing class because my narrative skills leave much to be desired. It doesn't help that I am far from a linear thinker! I finally uploaded my pictures from my camera today. Much to my surprise, I have only taken 30 pictures since before Halloween. Since then, we did have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a fabulous Christmas. My 30th Birthday wasn't too shabby either. Why the lack of documentation you ask? Well, no one is really asking but somehow I still feel guilty about being such a slacker.
The good news is that I do have somewhat of an excuse! We found out that we are expecting number two! I am 15 weeks pregnant and I am so excited to say that I am starting to feel a little more normal. I have been really lucky and I haven't been sick, but I didn't know that it was possible to be this tired. I have grand plans to finally catch up on all my correspondence, house cleaning, work, laundry, and everything else that has gone by the wayside the last couple of months. This summer is going to come FAST and I am so glad that I am starting to get enough energy back to be able to prepare for it!
Here are a few of my favorite of the 30 pictures since October--
Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful time at Grandma's house in Idaho Falls. Spencer loved playing with his cousins and having so much room to run around in.
Spencer LOVED his cousin's necklaces! Luckily she was a good sport about it. Dave was a little less of a good sport....but this little boy knows what he wants!
Hooray for cousins!
Thanks Jarem for such cute sweaters!

Spencer LOVES his dog...

I turn 30 today....

2011-01-17T07:54:00.002-06:00

Today is my birthday! Hooray! I am thinking of stopping this whole birthday thing. I cannot believe I am thirty. Wow. Thirty! There is no way I am that old! I still haven't been to Iceland! I still haven't gone bungee jumping or skydiving! I feel old....where did the time go??? Boo. Hiss. I remember when I turned 18 my boyfriend at the time said that he would have to break up with me since our relationship "lost its thrill" since it was legal.... Yesterday my husband told me that he would have to break up with me since I am no longer his "hot twenty-something." (he is nine years older than me). I am feeling like I have not made sufficient progress in my life to be 30!!!! Wow.

Hooray for Turkeys!

2010-11-29T13:38:00.005-06:00

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year. Every turkey day we travel to New Jersey to spend time with Dave's family. This year we stormed Grandma Farley's house on Tuesday afternoon with a monster toddler who destroys all he can reach :). Spencer is the first grandchild and I don't think that the Farley's were quite prepared for his energy. We spent the first hour or so baby-proofing my in-laws home while chasing Spencer trying to convince him that he didn't have to keep turning the tv on and off and on and off and on and off....you get the idea. Apparently, Dave was an ~~alien~~ angelic child who always used a coaster for his bottle and played quietly and my mother-in-law just stared at Spencer running around with a look of ~~horror~~ awe. I think we were all in bed by 8 the first night because the boy just doesn't stop!
Wednesday we spend shopping in preparations for turkey day. My sister-in-law Kate and her husband host thanksgiving each year and they prepare an amazing feast featuring delicious fried turkey. For dinner we got the most amazing pizza--cheese tortellini with vodka sauce on a 24 inch pie...I LOVE New Jersey pizza! You just cannot get this in Kentucky!
Thanksgiving day was an adventure--dinner went without a hitch (although Spencer did vomit all over the table and he cried for about 2 hours straight poor fella). I think we convinced everyone there that dogs were much easier to care for than 15 month-old boys :)
We came home Saturday and were able to recover Sunday. Spencer slept most of the day--he had the most recovering to do. This joy-boy really keeps us on our toes.
Overall--it was a very good visit with the Farley crew. I don't think I was successful in convincing any of them to move to Kentucky, but I think we will definitely be getting some sympathy Christmas presents out of the deal!!

Octo-baby

2010-10-27T16:54:00.005-05:00

Spencer is going to be an octopus for Halloween....Enjoy!

For Kate: Dave says that he is going as "mutant stewie".....you Farleys are weird....

Hooray for Sadie!

2010-10-27T16:34:00.004-05:00

My Brother's Gorgeous Family
Sweet little Sadie-bug
What a good daddy!
My mischievous one...
Hooray for cousins!!!

I was lucky enough to be able to go visit my new niece a week or so ago in Ohio! Spencer and I drove up to Ohio to spend some time with my mom and my brother's family. He is SO lucky to have found an amazing woman and they have two beautiful children. My sister-in-law is one of those amazingly perfect women and I really am amazed at how well motherhood suits her. It was really great to spend some time with Nate and his fam...it seems like it has been years since I have really gotten to spend time with Nate and I am SO glad that he was able to play hookie from his crazy doctor-in-training schedule and come spend time with me! Can't wait for Christmas when we get to see them again....

Momma's Little Helper

2010-10-05T09:10:00.002-05:00

Pawley's Island, SC

2010-09-13T21:58:00.007-05:00

My wonderful in-laws started what a hope will be a yearly tradition this year--a Farley vacation at the beach! SO Wonderful! They generously rented an amazing house on the beach on Pawley's Island, SC for a week. My sister-in-law (who I love dearly) was able to come with her husband (who is practically perfect in every way) and her two pups. Spencer LOVED the beach and it was so great to see him bond with his Farley Fam. Dave really needed a vacation and I think he really enjoyed himself. I know that I was in heaven alternating my time from the hammock, a puzzle, my book, and the beach!! SO SO SO SO nice....

PICTURES!!!

2010-08-30T14:19:00.007-05:00

Hooray for Idaho!!!
This is the view from my parent's cabin in Island Park--for my friends who ask me what Idaho looks like....beautiful!
Spencer really loves Jade...no matter what this picture says....

All the cousins! 12 (and counting)

Spencer loves Rhiannyn...even though she loves a little roughly!

While we were in Idaho we got Spencer his first hair-cut...he was NOT a fan...

Birthday cake with cousins....

Spencer's actual birthday party....he was happy part of the time!
Spencer at 1: crawling like crazy; loves to pull himself up; can say "momma" and "dada" although usually sticks with "baah!;" loves bath-time, swimming, his pups, and is very attached to mom. Spencer is still a very very happy baby and loves to cuddle. He lives to grab your face and give you huge slobbery open-mouthed kisses. Loves being sung-to and rocked to sleep. Loves his paci and is just starting to take a sippy-cup (hooray!). He isn't too fond of people-food, but is SO over baby-food. Picky little eater my spen-spen. He loves his cheese and yogurt which makes up the majority of his diet. He is 31 inches tall and weighs 21.2 pounds. Most of his shirts are 12 or 18 monthers but his pants....well he have begun the battle with the "too wide" or "too short" when it comes to pants...He is a skinny little fella (22%) and tall like his pops (98%)--I have a feeling this will be an ongoing battle to find pants slim and long enough! I am still amazed by Spencer every single day and I cannot imagine life without him.

I-daho, I-da went to I-daho

2010-08-19T10:17:00.004-05:00

I left my camera cord in Idaho so this is a photo-less post. Bummer. I tend to write more when pics aren't available though, and my blog has been seriously lacking in verbage lately.

Spencer and I went to Idaho on August 2 for my family reunion and some family time. It is hard living so far away from my family so we try to get back to Idaho at least a couple times a year. We plan on making it for Christmas and Reunion every year until I convince Dave that we really need to move out west. :)

The Rencher family is headed by the most amazing and spirited couple--my grandma and grandpa Rencher have been a fixture in my life for as long as I can remember--and I would do ANYTHING for them. My grandma still calls on every holiday and even calls Dave on his birthday. She has always been one of my greatest cheerleaders and I love her and my grandpa more than anything. SO, once a year, I save up my pennies, and fly to Idaho to celebrate their wonderfulness. I know that the reunion is extremely important to my grandparents and I know that they work on the reunion all year long. It would take a natural disaster of some form to keep me from scheduling my world around this event. I was particularily important for me to make it this year as my grandpa has had some health concerns and I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. Also, this year I got to bring Spencer! I was so excited to introduce Spencer to some of the extended family. Last year I was extremely pregnant so I was also looking forward in taking part in some of the water fun.

The Reunion began without a hitch. We had a pretty small crew this year, only a few of the families showed up, but it was nice to be able to spend the extra time with cousins I only see once a year. My brother brought his jetski and everyone got to play in the water. I had every intention of swimming in the lake but somehow I had forgotten that Idaho water is COLD! It was hard to keep Spence out of the water--he is a fish for sure--maybe next year I will take him jetskiing for the first time. Spencer loved the extra attention from all the cousins and aunts and uncles. I had a lovely time. All of my nieces and nephews were there (even though we were missing a few siblings) and we got some adorable pictures of all 12! (will be 13 in October, but I have come to terms with us never having an up-to-date famliy photo for more than a few months). I will post some of these fabulous pics someday.....

After the reunion, Spencer and I went to my parents for a week. It was SO good spending time with my sister-in-law and Jenae and her kids (who lovingly stayed the week to spend time with us). We spent a day at a small local lake (where I Rencher'd up some hotdogs with my nephew), did a girls-day-at-the-salon where Spence got his first hair-cut (and I got my hair done for the first time since I was pregnant), and played LOTS of marbles!

[for those not in the know, to "Rencher" something is to use your wilderness skills to prepare something in a less-than-perfect-but-good-enough fashion with the tools at your disposal since you failed to prepare properly]

I also spent the week weaning Spencer (with the great help of mom, dad, and aunt Jenae). Weaning was SO SO SO SO miserable.... My wonderful son is SO strong-willed, my dad finally had to spoon feed him milk to get him to take it. We had to wean "cold turkey" since Spencer would just wait it out and went up to 25 hours without any milk.... Luckily, by the end of the week he started to take a cup and I had stopped hurting. Not fun.

I am starting to think that motherhood is a series of "letting go"s. I love him so fiercely and as I look forward to each new stage, I morn the loss of the last. It is hard to believe that my little man will be one on Saturday. How did this year go by so fast?? It has been the BEST year of my life but I am almost sad that this milestone is already here. I am having a huge birthday party for Spence on Saturday. I know he won't remember it--but as I see it, I am celebrating his birth and it is as much my celebration as his--and I will definitely remember it! Thank God for this little joy-boy. (don't tell his father that I call him that....he would think it was too girly)

11 Months

2010-07-24T15:33:00.004-05:00

It is so hard to believe that almost a year has gone by. Spencer is amazing. He tries so hard to be good. He has a new fake angry face that totally cracks me up. He is finally moving around! Scooting like crazy, pulling himself up and walking along furniture, and occasionally crawling with his belly off the ground! A few days ago he said, "mama," and "dada," but hasn't repeated either since so maybe it was a fluke. At least "mama" was first! I am beginning to wean which is mostly miserable. I am miserable and he is fussy. We are starting slow--spreading out feedings and only nursing on serious demand....it is extra hard since I can't get him to drink out of anything else!! He is in dire need of a hair cut but since we are going to Idaho in a week (whoo hoo!!) we will wait for the grandparents to be there. Can't wait to begin summer vacation season--will be in Idaho first two weeks in August and then on the beach in SC over Labor Day week! SO SO SO SO excited! SO grateful for 11 wonderful months!

Baby Nose Dive

2010-07-20T12:03:00.000-05:00

July!!!

2010-07-04T10:58:00.005-05:00

To celebrate the 4th of July, Dave and I took Spencer to Rough River State Park and rented a pontoon boat. We ate lots of junk and cruised around the VERY crowded lake for a few hours. Spencer loved it. I was shocked at how warm the water was...Lake Powell warm! The fellas at the Marina told me that most of the lakes in Kentucky are that warm this time of year. Near us are 4 good lakes. Guess what we are doing for the next four weekends?? Want to come camping with us, anyone??

And here are some more pictures of the little fella:

Ten Months!

2010-06-21T21:29:00.003-05:00

I cannot believe that my little Spencer is 10 months old today. He is growing so fast. He is the joy of my life and I couldn't be happier! At 10 months, Spencer is a very happy baby. He will go to anyone but definitely knows who his momma is. Spence LOVES to jump but is otherwise completely disinterested in mobility. My sweet stationary boy has yet to crawl. I am starting to think that he will go straight to walking. Spencer is very much a schedule baby. He has specific nap times and eating times and will let you know if you have forgotten either. He is sleeping exclusively in his own crib and will sleep for 10 hours a night! He loves mornings. He wakes with a smile and plays quietly in his crib for about 20 minutes each morning which means I get to sleep in just a little bit longer.... We just recently started swimming classes and he is my little fish. He has no fear in the pool and loves to swim. His favorite activity is to jump off of surfaces into his mommy's arms. Luckily, mommy has been there to catch him each time (knock on wood). Spencer loves his puppies and loves his daddy. Spencer has been on 10 planes, in 5 courtrooms, and has been held by 7 judges! He gives complete strangers a toothy smile even when they get a little too close. Spencer now has 5.5 teeth, 2 on bottom and almost 4 on top. His babbles include dadadadadadada and bababababababa. I have a sinking suspicion that dada will be his first word. I cannot get enough of this little man and I feel so blessed to be his mom!

The Honeymoon Stage:

2010-06-11T08:31:00.005-05:00

I really am in love. I have the most amazing, most beautiful, most efficient and perfect vacuum ever. I can't tell you how much I love my new vacuum. She just gets me. And yes, my vacuum is a she. I have issues with pet hair so I do a lot of cleaning. Admittedly, I don't do as much cleaning as I like because I am too tired (as a rule). Yesterday, I was able to vacuum every room in my house in 10 minutes. EVERY ROOM IN MY HOUSE. What is better, I didn't have to unplug my vacuum and hunt for a new outlet AT ALL! Seriously--I vacuumed my rug, my hardwoods, my dining room, my bathroom, the hall, the bedrooms, the kitchen, and the laundry room. IN 10 MINUTES!!!! It could be interpreted as a sad commentary on the size of our home that I was able to vacuum it all without unplugging my new love, but I prefer to attribute it to the magic which is the dc25. This morning I was able to vacuum my entire house in 10 minutes!!! I LOVE MY NEW VACUUM!!! I hope this honeymoon stage lasts....my house is sure going to be clean :)

My funny mom got Spencer his own little vacuum, "Dusty." He is hilarious. My favorite Dustyism, "clean you later!" and "lets clean those curtains!" Dave thinks I am going to pass on my neurosis to Spence but I think it is awesome beyond words.

My new love:

2010-06-10T08:34:00.002-05:00

My wonderful parents gave me my Christmas + Birthday + Christmas + Birthday present yesterday!!! I GOT A DYSON!!! For those who know me, I have drooled over the DC25 for a very very very long time!! My husband teased me when the Dyson arrived, "Now you have everything you have ever wanted in life." He really isn't too far from the truth :) THANKS MOM AND DAD!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS VACUUM!!!!!

555 WASTED HOURS

2010-06-09T09:37:00.008-05:00

When I was pregnant with Spencer, I knew I wanted to try nursing because of the health benefits. I told myself that I would nurse if I could, for as long as I could. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it. I was worried that I wouldn't know how and that I wouldn't do it right. I even took a breast-feeding class but the nazi-like nursing consultants only made my anxiety about it all rise. I came out of the class feeling like I would be less of a mother if I couldn't breast feed my baby. I remember holding that doll to me and thinking, "there is no way." It felt so wierd and unnatural. When Spencer was born so suddenly and so early, I was worried that the week in the NICU would make nursing him even harder. I thought it would make it harder to teach Spencer to nurse if he had a bottle first or a pacifyer. I wish someone had told me that I didn't need to teach Spencer. I was surprised when Spencer took to nursing so naturally. I had no clue what I was doing but he was nursing away! I then realized that I had it all backwards. I didn't need to teach him--my baby taught me--he came knowing how.

Anyway, lately I have been contemplating weaning. Spencer won't take a bottle or a sippy cup. He simply refuses. Even if I am in Court all day, he simply waits until I get home. My world evolves around his nursing schedule. I have nursed in restrooms, in cars, in dressing rooms, and on planes. He is so busy that covering has become impossible. He has also become much more "self-service." It doesn't matter where we are--when he wants to nurse he will try to nurse. Even though I love nursing, I am starting to get really frustrated. SO, last night I started to go through my stockpile of frozen breastmilk. The freezer on top of my fridge was completely filled and I have milk in a friend's freezer too (I pumped and nursed until Spencer was six months, when I had enough frozen to be able to wean Spencer and still not have to ever use formula). I defrosted my first bag of frozen milk to see if I could coax him to take a bottle. It was sour. I defrosted another bag of frozen milk. Sour. another. Sour. Another. Sour. 37 bags of sour milk (6 oz each) later, I gave up. 37 BAGS OF SOUR MILK. 37!!!!! Each bag took about 30 minutes to pump and store. That is 555 hours. 23.125 days. 3.31 weeks. Makes me want to cry. Now I am REALLY frustrated!!!! 555 hours of pumping down the drain.....literally.....

Spencer 9 months

2010-05-29T09:05:00.006-05:00

I can't believe my little baby is nine months old already. He is growing so fast. I am enjoying each day more than the last but I really wish it didn't go by so fast! His little personality is really coming out. He is a very inquisitive and thoughtful little guy. He is still stubbornly stationary but this little guy seems to do everything on his own time table. He smiles like crazy and speaks giberjabber all the time. He is loud like his momma but patient like his pops. Spencer still only has two bottom teeth but the front two on top are cutting as we speak!
His specs:
weight: 20 lbs (40%)
height: 29.5 in (85%)
head circ: 47 cm (90%)
I love being his mommy!

Day at the Park

2010-05-09T10:08:00.006-05:00

As part of my ongoing weight loss effort, a friend and I have been walking a few times a week. Friday we decided to walk around the park. It was a beautiful windy day and we decided to take a little break to see if Spencer likes to swing...he loved it! Smiles and giggles all around. He is still not impressed with grass, but we are working on it. I am one lucky mommy!

Spencer's Giggle

2010-05-09T10:02:00.000-05:00

Video of Spencer mostly laying there and looking cute!

2010-05-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

8 months and GAL of the Year!

2010-04-22T16:08:00.002-05:00

Yesterday my little man turned 8 months old. It is crazy to think that he wasn't around 8 months ago...I really can't remember a time without him!! I am so so so so grateful that he is my little guy. I decided that my 6 and 7 month photos were too pathetic so I enlisted the help of a good friend to take Spencer's 8 month pics. They turned out so great! His little personality is really coming out. He loves to sit up and play with his dad's old cell phone but HATES the grass. Too cute. I need to take this boy camping--he has an aversion to being dirty that I am not so sure is healthy...Anyhow--LOVE HIM!! And we got some great smiling pics which are hard to capture! He smiles all the time but whenever he sees a camera he gets this serious/confused look on his face...

Today I went to a luncheon and was given an award for Guardian ad litem (attorney representing kiddos) of the year! I am super proud and it feels good to be recognized by my peers...Thanks!! Check out your local CASA (court appointed special advocate) program and give them support--they do an invaluable service for abused/neglected children.

PICS:

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Hooray for Mindy, 7 months, Auntie Kate, and Swimming!!!

2010-04-13T17:59:00.004-05:00

It has been way way way too long since I have posted! I foolishly left my camera charger in Idaho when we went for Mindy's wedding and I have been waiting for pictures. I should have been writing all along anyway but hindsight and all that... Here are a few little tid bits from the last month and a half....

MINDY'S WEDDING!!!

In March Spencer and I flew to Idaho for Mindy's wedding. It took us 3 planes and 8 hours but we landed in Idaho Falls this time! It was so nice to not have to drive from Salt Lake City. Made the trip seem SO much longer! We arrived on a Wednesday and did errands in preparation for Mindy's wedding on Friday the 19th. Our errands included dropping Mindy's dress off to be cleaned and pressed. Wednesday night through Thursday night family arrived and it was so so so good to see everyone! Friday morning comes and we realize that we forgot to pick up Mindy's dress! Horrified I called my friend Meg who arranged for us to pick up the dress before the shop opened so Min wouldn't be late to the temple. I was instructed to "go to the back door and ask for Jimmy." This little instruction still makes me laugh--maybe because I am married to a Jersey boy...We were able to get the dress and save the day! Only Renchers would forget the wedding dress....only Renchers! Friday was great...the day was beautiful and Mindy looked amazing. I have rarely seen a couple so in love! It was a little nauseating but still great to see a couple so flipped over each other. After the wedding there was a yummo luncheon where we got to connect with some awesome cousins who made the trip (seriously love my fam). Thanks for getting married Min so we had an excuse to see the fam!!!

Spencer turned 7 months while we were in Idaho. A few tidbits about 7 month old Spencer: He had two little teeth on the bottom but still couldn't roll over or sit up! He giggles like crazy and says "bah, bah, bah, bah, bah," all the time. My babysitter has recently taught the 1.5 year old in her care to say "bye." Unfortunately for all involved she has an exceptionally thick southern accent so it comes out "bah" (like a sheep). I am trying to fight it, but I am afraid Spencer has an accent of his own and his first word may have been bye! We hope his second word is less embarrassing.

RUB A DUB DUB

While we were in Idaho Spencer and I took a bath in my mom's amazing tub. It is HUGE. I added bubbles (tear free) and when the jets were turned on the bubbles got a little out of hand! Spencer loved it! He couldn't stop kicking and splashing...I had a fish! He LOVES water! He kept trying to put his head in the water. Thankfully the amount of bubbles discouraged said behavior....We got some great pics and I swore to take him to an actual pool soon.

The plane trip home was a little more exciting than I would have liked. Due to a delay, we missed our connection and spent the day running to gates just to watch the planes take off. We ended up having to stay the night in a hotel in Atlanta. The next morning we took a plane home. Poor Spencer could not stand the idea of another plane and cried the entire 3 hour flight. To add insult to injury, some colleagues were also on the plane and not only did I have a screaming baby but I was wearing day old clothes that were completely mommed out! SO embarrassing! I am amazed at mothers who fly with multiple children....I couldn't imagine being outnumbered! When we have more kids Dave is definitely flying with me!!!

For Easter this year my sister-in-law Kate came to visit!!! She lives in NJ so we rarely get to see her. She is so cute with Spencer. She is an aunt over the moon for her nephew and I love it. Spencer is the first grandbaby on the Farley side and Kate's first real experience with a baby. She has taken to aunthood like a fish to water. We met her in Nashville and played for a couple of days while Dave slaved away at work. It was so fun! We went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and my favorite part was their curved mirrors that made me look like a size 2. We also took Spencer for his first real swim! He loved it. I am planning on getting a membership to the Y just so I can take him swimming this summer. We video-taped the whole thing but after looking it over I realized that what I thought was a conservative one piece was completely indecent for a nursing mother....bother....I will have to stage it again....We did get some cute pics though! Once back in Owensboro we went to Mammoth Cave (part of the larges network of caves in the US). We arrived late (of course) but decided to check out the mouth of the cave anyway. My law-abiding sister-in-law and Dave held back a little as Spencer and I walked right up to the entrance and smiled our way into a sold-out tour. True to Farley form, Dave and Kate watched an episode of Family Guy on Kate's I-phone as Spencer toured his very first cave!!

When we took Kate back to the airport in Nashville I dropped in on a cousin I haven't seen in years! My cousin Jared and his family have lived only 2.5 horus away from me for 3 years and I am ashamed I haven't made the effort to go see him before! We had a lovely dinner and headed back. I just feels good to have family within driving distance. You never know when you need a little extra familial support.

In other news, I started a new diet--I am pretending to be diabetic because I have a sinking suspicion that I will someday become so (if not already). I have lost 10 pounds and only have a bazillion more to go!! One step at a time. I have some great friends that I am walking with a couple times a week and I have been good about exercising in some manner each day. I am looking forward to being a fit mom!! It just isn't fun being fat---super easy---but not fun!

Spencer is finally rolling over (hooray!) and is sitting up (sitting up came first). He is still the happiest baby I have ever met but still refuses to take any form of bottle or sippy cup. He has so far not refused to eat any food so I am hoping that this whole bottle thing will be the extent of his pickyness. I love this kid more than anything!

Oh--and I decided that the job was not for me....It would have been amazing for my career and it is super flattering that I was even considered...but I am loving being home too much to give it up. Maybe in a few years when Spencer is in school...thanks for all the good advice!!! And to toot my own horn just a little, I was nominated as Guardian Ad litem of the year which is pretty awesome.

Finally caught up....it is late so I am going to post this even though I haven't added the pictures yet..Maybe tomorrow!

6 Months!

2010-02-25T09:36:00.003-06:00

Spencer is 6 months old....I am having a difficult time believing he has grown so fast. How did he get to be 6 months old already?! Why do I still have almost all of my baby weight? Yikes. I can no longer use the "I just had a baby" excuse...bum deal man....I have liked eating whatever I want...
Anyhow--about Spencer:
Spencer is the happiest baby I have ever met. He will go to anyone and especially loves children. He still hasn't gotten the whole "roll over" concept down but I blame myself for that one since I rarely put him down. He is super ticklish and smiles with this whole face. He is an amazing cuddler. When Spencer isn't smiling, he usually has a very very serious face. I am convinced that he is solving the world's problems which is why he concentrates so much. He loves to read magazines with me so long as he can grab the pages. He prefers to sleep with something in his hand--preferably his snoedle (we got from the nicu) but mom's hair, pajamas, or blaket will do. He still wakes up for a 4 o'clock feed like clock-work and hates all things bottle. He has just started eating baby food and loves carrots but hates prunes. Spencer's favorite time of the day is morning. He wakes up smiling and cooing. He usually lets me sleep in so long as he can reach out and touch me. He loves his jumperoo but gets bored easily. He loves being talked to and will start up conversations with complete strangers. I love this little boy!!!
6 month stats:
Height: 28 inches (92%)
Weight: 17 lbs 14 oz (58%)

Working Motherhood

2010-02-19T14:10:00.003-06:00

To work or not to work....that is the question on my mind. I have been so lucky to be able to be home the majority of the time since Spencer was born. I usually only have to take Spence to the babysitters for two hours, three times a week, while I am in Court. I have to be in Court more or less depending on the week and what is going on with my cases. Only rarely am I in Court all day. Yesterday was one such day. Yesterday I had a very full day in Court. I had to be out of the house by 7:45 a.m. to get Spence to the babysitters. 3.5 hours of testimony later we broke for lunch. I rushed to the babysitters to feed the baby (he won't take a bottle so just cries it out until I get there with the food!) and rushed back to continue the hearing. After pumping in the Court house and another 4 hours of testimony, I was finally ready to pick up the baby around 5:45 p.m. Home by six. Spence was asleep and in bed by 8. All said and done, I spent a total of 3 hours with my baby yesterday. THREE HOURS!!! I am used to only spending 3 hours away from my baby...not the other way around! How do working mothers take it? I have been thinking about all of my friends and family members who work out of the home to support their families and I am amazed. I am so so so grateful that my chosen career allows me to stay home as much as I do. We have to live simply and the student loans will have to wait, but I am home where I want to be. I went to bed last night thanking my husband for working so hard so I can be home with Spencer. Then....today....I hear a rumor that I am being considered for a dream job--full time. How do you balance a career and raising a family? Could I stomach only spending a couple of hours with my children each night before bed? Would the benefits of two stable incomes outweigh the time missed with Spencer? I have never been career driven but I am pretty good at what I do and I could really help people and make a difference in my community. Tough decisions! I don't know if I can turn down a great job that lands in my lap...and I don't know if I can stand not being the one to take care of Spencer during the day.... hmmmm
...... thoughts??

Spencer's First Photo Shoot!

2010-02-15T12:55:00.005-06:00

For Valentine's Day this year we got professional pictures taken for the first time. Dave refuses to celebrate Valentine's Day. He won't even wish me a Happy Valentine's Day! SO, every year I try to find a way to punish him. This year I made him pose for family pictures! Only two of the family shots turned out (that baby weight is still showing directly on my chin(s)). But I really like the ones of Spencer. I can't believe that he is almost 6 months old! I love this kid so so so so much!

Christmas '09

2010-01-21T10:41:00.005-06:00

We had an amazing Christmas this year. Spencer and I flew home to Idaho on Dec. 21. Dave was able to join us a day later. It was so good to spend some much needed down time with the fam. I am fighting a nasty cold right now so I won't write much...but I have already delayed too much posting the pics...so here you go!
I love this picture more than words can say. Spencer and Cousin Jordyn. I love this girl and she was so good with Spence. They are going to be great friends.
Spencer with his great-grandparents.
Favorite uncle Jarem
Cute Cousin Kasen---11 days younger than Spencer
Grandpa holding the babies on Christmas Day. We didn't pose them, I promise.

Jarem thinks it is fun to force Kasen to pick on Spencer...as seen here. Good thing Spencer is such a well behaved baby.
Spencer's Four Month Photo Shoot---I am so glad this one turned out...he is beautiful (if I do say so myself).

My beautiful sisters with Kasen
More 4 mo photo shoot...

Hope you all had a safe and merry Christmas!

He smiles!

2009-12-19T23:50:00.003-06:00

Spence has been smiling for a while now but it is hard to capture on anything but my cell phone....my babysitter caught this one tonight while we were at a Christmas party...Love it!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2009-12-17T12:20:00.003-06:00

This year for Christmas we will be in Idaho!!! I am so so so so excited to go home and see the fam. I get to meet a new nephew and I get to show off my perfect little man! This year, I decided that the plane tickets would have to take the place of presents. My poor husband is so sad. He truly loves presents. We leave on Sunday and I still have a thousand and one things to do! I am wrapping up my work so I can leave it for 2.5 weeks which is taking all of my extra non-baby-holding time. SO, certain things have gone by the wayside this holiday season including Christmas Cards. Last week I tried to get a great pic of the boy to send to everyone. None of the pics turned out to my liking so they are going here instead :). I wrapped a box and made poor baby pose inside...you can see his joy...I love being a mom! How did I get such a patient baby? Who knew babies could even be patient! All I know is I am already learning from this little fella.

SO---Merry Christmas!!! 2009 will be remembered as being a very eventful year! We have so much to be grateful for. Early in '09 The Great Owensboro Ice Storm made us grateful for electricity. The damage to our home allowed us to do some much needed home improvements which was most convenient since after what seemed like forever, we finally got pregnant!! We were so anxious to meet our little man and Spencer obliged by making a five week early appearance! I still can't believe how amazing our friends and family were when he came so early. I will never forget coming home to a clean and painted house! The lawyers and judges were amazingly accomodating and supportive of the time we had to be away from Court. We are truely blessed with amazing frineds. Spencer made us a family. I have never been so happy or so satisfied with my life. I love being a mommy!!! And I am very grateful to my sweet husband who works very hard to that I can stay home with our baby (most of the time :)). Good Year 2009--here is hoping that 2010 brings as much joy!!!

My Beautiful Boy

2009-12-10T12:22:00.002-06:00

I am such a lucky mom. This boy brings me so much joy. I love love love being a mommy!!!

Home Office

2009-12-01T20:51:00.002-06:00

So, I have been working from home for almost 3 months. It has been going so well! I have taken over the kitchen table but at least I have designated square footage for that tax writeoff! Spencer has been patient with me (which seems to be his MO). There is a chandelier above my head which he stares at while I chat with clients and draft docs. He is a good sport.

New Jersey 2009!!!

2009-12-01T17:57:00.006-06:00

Total Miles Driven: 1,907
Total Hours in the Car: 37
Total Hours in New Jersey not in the car: 36

We are SO flying next year!!!

Dave was amazing! He drove the whole way. I was mostly in the back seat pumping and entertaining the baby.

Grandma Farley and Spencer

It amazes me how much Dave's family looks alike.

Since he spent so much time in the car, I thought a pic necessary!

Grandpa Farley and Spencer and great friends. I found Jim laying on the floor talking to Spencer during tummy time. Melted my heart.

Auntie Kate LOVES Spencer! He is a lucky little boy.

Uncle Erik wasn't so sure he wanted to hold the baby...

Three Months!!

2009-11-25T01:03:00.006-06:00

We are headed to New Jersey tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with Dave's fam. Dave's fam is so great but they live way too far away. I am dreading the 14 hour road trip. Spencer is an amazing baby but he doesn't like his car seat and he clearly prefers to be held...should be interesting. I am nervous. I will be pumping and feeding him from the back seat of the small suv I insisted we rent. (jetta's are way too small!). Hopefully all will go well. I am very excited to take advantage of my sister-in-law's skills with a camera.

My 3 month post is a few days over-due but the pics were taken on time! I work so much from the computer that by the time I get around to posting I am completely over it...Hooray for baby pics! So much better than words anyway!!!Took pic of sleeping babe from my phone...as my mom would say he was talking to angels...i3 months!!

My beautiful boy.... we woke up this morning and the light was just perfect. He didn't mind posing for a few pics before breakfast...
I even caught a smile!
getting dressed...

I took this pic with my phone and although the quality isn't great, it makes me laugh. Hard! Love it!

Near Perfect Day...

2009-11-12T23:07:00.003-06:00

8:00 a.m. > Woke up...looked at the clock in shock! The 6 o'clock feed never came! Baby slept from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m.!! And the angels sang...
10:00 a.m. > Spence goes down for a nap after 2 hours of feeding, smiling, and cuddling. This kid makes my insides glow. I get some ironing and cleaning done
12:00 p.m. > lunch and a movie :)
1:30 > Tummy time and a shower for mom!!! Some work gets done and the pups get scrubbed.
3:00 > My house is clean. I am clean. Spence is clean and fed and happy. Dinner is prepped. Baby shower present is prepped for sewing. Let the errands commence!!
5:00 home to happy husband beautiful 3 yr old who came to play and make cookies!!
8:00 sewing and sorting...laundry DONE! 0 -3 put in boxes; 3-6 clean and put away.
10:00 cuddling with the baby--feed and sleep!!

Near Perfect Day!!

Halloween Pics

2009-11-03T23:31:00.003-06:00

My little Monster

Spencer's First Trick-or-Treat! I am dressed as a tired mom....can't you tell??

It is 11:30 p.m. and I am so so so so tired....but baby should be waking up in about 20 min so why sleep now? Working from home is going great. It is getting hard to keep to only part time but my babysitter seems to be taking all the extra Spencer time in stride...if only I was as okay with it!! Here are some Halloween pics--we went trick-or-treating with a whole slew of kiddos. Made me feel like a little better about being so far away from family... I was able to strap Spencer into his awesome stroller (thanks Susan!) under his costume to get the full effect.

My baby is two months old!!

2009-10-21T17:51:00.002-05:00

Super duper cute Spencer. This boy is my joy.

pre to post baby measurements

2009-10-18T22:12:00.003-05:00

Now I am still too nervous to do the all around body pre and post measurements.....but these two less intimidating measurements do not bode well...

feet: pre baby = size 8
post baby = size 10

ring finger: pre baby = size 7
post baby = size 9

I want 4 kids...given the same rate of growth per baby I am looking at size 16 feet and size 15 finger....so so so scary. I hope Dave never sees this post!!!!

Hooray for Nicole and Halloween

2009-10-14T02:07:00.006-05:00

First things first....sweet Nicole (amazing cousin and overall perfect human) sent Spencer the cutest giraffe outfit. Thanks Cole!!!! Mean mommy couldn't even wait for the little one to wake to try it on. I absolutely love that Spencer is such a good sleeper that I can play dress up without waking him!!! I am SO the lucky momma.

Too freaking cute!

I have long been a huge fan of Halloween. In all of my 28 years, I think I have dressed up for every single one! (I am pretending that my parents dressed me up for Halloween when I was itty bitty even if they didn't). I have been lucky enough to have friends with kids so I think I may have only missed a few years of trick-or-treating. I LOVE Halloween. I am so excited that I now have a little one to dress up and to take around town. Luckily, I live in a small town where door-to-door trick-or-treating still exists and is still moderately safe. Also, the South has all these amazing festivals where babies in halloween costumes aren't totally out of the realm of acceptable parental behavior. Hooray!! As a result (and thanks to Cole) my little 7 weeker already has two costumes. The first (sleepily modeled above) is too cute for words. I have had my eye on this awesome monkey costume for months (to be perfectly honest...for years) but it isn't made small enough for my little monster....so, in my searching I found a costume that is in fact, perfect for my little monster!!!!

I spend a great deal of my time laughing these days. It is hard not to when I have an amazingly funny husband and a hilarious little mister-mister. The weepy-weepies appear to have gone away (hopefully for good). It will be nice to not cry at the drop of the hat! I did shed a few tears on Monday.... I had to take Spencer to the babysitter for the first time and I couldn't quite pull that off without a few leaking out. Overall, work is going really well. I am loving working for home (although I miss having a kitchen table as it is now my office). I have been able to make it so Spencer will only be at the babysitters when I have to be in Court. It has yet to be seen whether or not I will be able to sustain a practice this way but my fingers are tightly crossed.

Pictures from Janelle

2009-10-04T21:19:00.001-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Spencer is One Month Old!!!

2009-09-21T23:17:00.004-05:00

I cannot believe that my little boy is already one month old!! I am enjoying watching his little legs fill out--from wrinkles to rolls....love it! There is nothing in this world I love more than being his mom. He is the best!!

I have to go to court tomorrow (boo hiss!). Spence will be perfectly okay with it but I am going to miss him terribly....woe is me! The poor puppies are still having a hard life.

I am ashamed to admit that I still do not like my dogs...with their smellyness and their sheddyness and their barkyness and their lickyness.... Poor Dave spends a great deal of time protecting them from my dislike.... He is insisting that I will soon get over it and that my current insanity will pass. I hope for their sake that either I start liking them again or Dave agrees to find them a new home.... hard time for the dogs at the Farley household!!!

Now pictures!!!!

This is his "almost annoyed" look--cracks me up...

Predator Baby!!

2009-09-20T20:14:00.002-05:00

Spencer makes the most entertaining sounds. I am a seriously lucky momma in that he rarely cries (knocking on wood :)). Instead, he makes these odd chirping sounds--exactly like Predator! I have an alien baby. For those who don't know this most classic of horror alien, please see below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMWekMn1ckM

He may sound like Predator, but luckily he is much much cuter....

I LOVE JENAE (and Spencer)

2009-09-08T23:07:00.005-05:00

I am completely and totally in love with my little mister mister. Today was the first day that I have been without my family taking care of Spence! I have been SO lucky to have my family in town helping me adjust. My mom flew out the day after I delivered and I am certain that I would not have survived the week at the NICU without her. My pops and sis Jenae flew out the day Spence was released from the hospital. Pops only got to stay for a day but Jenae was here until last night. It was so amazing to have her here. Seriously, I have the BEST sister in the whole wide world! She cooked, cleaned, did night duty, played refereee between hubby and I, entertained my in-laws, AND did all this while taking care of her beautiful one-year-old! I already miss her. I might have to move to Utah just so I can spend time with my sister!! I LOVE YOU JENAE!!!

Among the millions of things Jenae did is update this blog so that I didn't have to. I usually get to the "then they took Spencer to the NICU before I even got a chance to hold him" part of the story when the tears start to fall. (Luckily, the hormones seem to have balanced out). Only correction is that Spencer was 6 lbs 3 oz when born. He was the same height and weight as his poppa (who was 3 weeks early himself). Now, my little one is 6 lbs 6 oz and 20 inches. He is nursing like a champ and his little faces and sounds entertain me to no end. I didn't know it was possible to love this much! I just can't get over how beautiful he is and how lucky I am to be his momma. Even though he was five weeks early, it feels like he took forever to get here and I am so so so happy that he finally is!!!!

I love this pic. Makes me smile...hard to believe that we are sitting in a hot, muggy, sticky, and loud park!! When he sleeps, he sleeps!

I seriously think I have the cutest baby ever!!

Aunt Jenae and baby Spence! We went to the park on Labor Day to get some pics. A very successful first outing for the little one...

Uncle Dave and baby Rhiannyn....a.k.a. the face of joy....

My sweet friend Ava and baby Spence... They will be very good friends in no time!

I am starting to get over hating pics of me because I love pics of him so much!

Presenting: Spencer Davis Farley

2009-08-30T18:46:00.002-05:00

Proud mom and baby actually getting to leave the hospital!
All sleep!
Alex was a Rock star through the whole experience. She spent countless hours helping at the hospital, getting the baby's room ready, and offering her taxi services to and from the airport.
So many cords! Luckily, they look a lot scarier than they are.
Isn't he cute!

Suprise! Suprise!

2009-08-30T18:06:00.002-05:00

Friday, August 21,2009

After a few weeks on bedrest, we were starting to think that our little Spencer was going to make it to 38 weeks. Janelle was told that she needed to check her blood pressure, but everything seemed to be going well and the doctor would check on her next week. At about four in the afternoon, she called the doctor with a really high blood pressure and he told her to come on down to the hospital. Dave came home from work around six and they headed up to the hospital. Upon arrival, the doctor told her that it was time to have a baby. As her blood pressure was still way too high, the doctor decided to do an emergency C- section and our little Spencer Davis Farley was born at 8:18 pm. At only 35 weeks, he was still 6lbs. 4oz. and 19 in. The procedure went really well, but poor Spencer was having trouble breathing regularly, so they ended up transferring him to the hospital in Evansville, IN where there is a NICU.

Poor Nellie had such a hard time being stuck in a hospital an hour away from her beautiful newborn. Luckily, her doctor was really sympathetic and released her after only spending the two nights in the hospital. She also has awesome friends in Kentucky, so she had someone always there to sit with her so Dave was able to spend some of his time at the NICU with the baby.

Karen (Janelle's mom) was able to fly in the next day and the two proud parents and one exited grandma, spent all of the next week in the NICU.

Spencer did awesome. When he was first born, he had a rough time breathing, but by Friday they were able to have all the cords disconnected and he was able to come home. He gained back all of his birth weight and is just the most beautiful baby who eats like a champ.

Mark (Janelle's dad) and I(Jenae, Janelle's oldest sister) were able to some down this weekend and join in the baby fun. I can't believe how easy baby Spencer is. I think that in the two days he has not cried for more than a few minutes. Of course, it helps that he is just exhausted and spends all his time either eating and sleeping.

Janelle and Dave are certainly proud parents and we are all certainly grateful that Spencer made it home safe and sound. Here are a few of the pictures we have of him.

Bed Rest

2009-08-18T15:46:00.000-05:00

SO, Idaho was great (will go into more detail later) but the day I got back the doc ordered me to bed rest until baby comes!! Most likely baby will be 3 or more weeks early (meaning here in the next two weeks) which is completely crazy! Work has been great and I couldn't be luckier when it comes to the local attorney's helping me out. I will post more later..just wanted to give a quick update.

A day in the life....

2009-07-30T10:22:00.002-05:00

This morning I sat in a divorce trial next to my client and a cooler containing the last 14 hours of my pee. I attempted to be the cool, calm, collected attorney my client had retained only 12 short months ago.....unfortunately for us both, I was sweating from every pore and wishing I could elevate my hugely swollen hobbit feet,

Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. Since I had been up the night before helping Dave prep for trial, I was extremely swollen...like 10 pounds in a week swollen. Doc decided that just to be safe, I needed to have a 24 hour pee test. For those lucky enough to now know what a 24 hour pee test is...you have to save (any carry around with you in a cooler) all urine output for 24 hours. They give you a lovely hat to pee in and a couple containers. It must stay cool (hense the cooler). At the end of the 24 hours they check your blood as well as the mass quantities of pee you have accumilated. This fun all started at 1:30 yesterday. I so wish I was able to stay home and collect my "output" in a dignified manner...but alas, an attorney's work is never done. So, this morning, I collected my cooler, prepared myself for the mockings which will last for at least the next 20 years of my career, and headed to court.
First stop: Security...When you enter a court house you have to go through a security check. Luckily, they see my face every single day, so the fact that I was bringing in mass quantities of urine only raised a couple eyebrows. (I think drug court was eyeing my stash). I had warned the attorney on the other side of the divorce of my needs...and I was extremely greatful when he only took a few pictures of my swollen self waddling down the hall with my cooler in tow. The judge, bless his heart, tried very hard not to laught at me (unsuccessfully). They graciosly gave me the ten minute recess I needed an hour in and promptly thereafter the other side was willing to settle. Judge did say, "It wasn't this bad with the first one was it?" To which I responded, "No, this is my first." Judge: "I swear you were pregnant in here in last time." Me: "Yes judge, I have been pregnant forever. Still same baby." Love it. Janelle Farley, huge pregnant swollen fluids-carrying attorney at law....

Trial Prep at the Farley's

2009-07-28T11:17:00.003-05:00

Dave has a big trial coming up this week. If I had carpets, he would have worn them out! Poor Dave. He has been so stressed. We spent the weekend watching police interviews and he has been doing nothing but trial prep for over a week! I am SO glad that I don't ever have to do any big criminal trials!! So scary. Evil secretary told Dave, "if this guy goes to jail it is totally your fault." Ouch!! He has had trials in the past, but none with a 20 to life sentence on the line.... I think what makes it the worst is that Dave actually believes his client is innocent. I have been trying very hard to stay out of his way. I think this week of his moodiness is payback for the last 7 months of moody Janelle! Poor Dave...

In baby news, all is well. Birthing classes were a bust. I am convinced that they were designed for those who have never heard of a baby....and the nurse seems to think that we are all children....We have gotten some giggles out of it and it was nice to have some time set aside for Dave and I to talk about baby. I am so so so grateful for such a text book pregnancy (yes, I am knocking on wood). Little man is running out of room so I can see his little foot or little elbow sticking out. SO alien....So awesome. I cannot wait to meet him! My nursery is in dire need of assistance... I really need to move closer to home. For some reason I have not been able to convince anyone that Kentucky is the place to move to.... Luckily, I will be in Idaho on Friday!! I cannot wait. My sister is even letting me borrow her children for a few days. I miss my family like crazy! I am a little nervous about flying so preggo...I will have huge hobbit feet by the time I land... I am rambling....

Birthing Class #1

2009-07-08T11:02:00.003-05:00

Dave and I went to our first birthing class yesterday. I wasn't sure I wanted to go but I thought it would be a good way to help Dave be involved in the pregnancy. Also, I wanted him to be around other pregnant women so he didn't think I was crazy! It was a nice class--just 4 other couples. Dave, as usual, kept me giggling in the corner. We went through the stages of labor and then tried some relaxation techniques while holding ice in our hands to simulate pain....I have officially decided that I need to be as heavily medicated as is permissible! I do not deal with pain well. I found that instead of the nice breathing and "find your happy place" techniques, nothing helped near as much as pinching my husband's leg. Poor Dave. He might not survive this delivery. He is going to end up with a black eye...I just know it! I have noticed that the whole thing scares me less and less the closer it gets. My doc has said that he will induce me at 39 weeks, so that is my new count down date. Only 10 weeks (and two days) to go! We are supposed to report to the class next week what we found relaxes us the most...I am officially on the search for a tension relieving technique that actually works and doesn't make me look so sociopathic....any ideas?

Good bye poor tree.....

2009-06-30T17:16:00.001-05:00

It doesn't pay to be nice! One of my clients owes me a significant amount of money, and since I am a sucker, I agreed that I would forgive part of the bill if he would clean out my gutters. I came home from work and the gutters look great! Unfortunately, said client also decided that the beautiful tree in my back yard providing much needed privacy needed to go.....he chopped it down. Seriously, came home expecting clean gutters and now I am missing a tree!!! I haven't been so mad in a long time....I just doesn't pay to be nice. Who cuts down a perfectly good tree??!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

Whew!!!

2009-06-23T14:15:00.002-05:00

Last week I went in for the glucose testing. I HATE needles so this was an extremely unpleasant experience for me. Seriously, there are very few things in this world that cause me more anxiety than needles. I would rather speak in front of thousands of people than get blood drawn. I would rather jump from a plane than get my blood drawn. I HATE needles! Anyhow, my extremely patient nurse and a more than understanding lab tech understood my extreme fear, so thankfully they waited until after the weekend to tell me that I had FAILED and that I needed to come back for more testing which would require FOUR blood drawings...Seriously, I could tell that my nurse was cringing when she told me the news. SO, today, with only a few nervous tears and a lot of handholding this complete and total baby had her blood drawn...4 times! Three in the same arm and once in the hand....I wish there was a pill to help me get over this irrational fear.... Anyhow, my nurse called not two hours later to congratulate me on passing! Hooray!!! For someone like me, the idea of insulin shots is by far the most terrifying prospect. I would rather live in a snake pit....seriosly.... So WHEW!! Thank you body for not being glucose intolerant or insulin resistant or diabetic! Hooray!!

Yummy buns...

2009-06-11T13:56:00.003-05:00

Oh how I wish I had a picture for you all to Enjoy...
This morning one little pair of guess jeans reminded me why I married my husband. He has the BEST derriere I have ever laid eyes on. While in Nashville we purchased said rear-asset a fantastic pair of yummylicious hip huggers! So hot. Thanks hubby for having the best buns out there! Totally made my week!

Travel Woes

2009-05-22T15:11:00.002-05:00

I am trying to book a flight into Idaho Falls for a memorial service for my dear friend's father. I currently live in the middle of no where in Kentucky and I am trying to get to a little town in south eastern Idaho. I cannot believe how hard it is to arrange travel between the two! Both towns have airports, but it is cheaper to fly to Rome than it is to fly from here to my home town! Not to mention at least 3 layovers! The least insane flight I have found is a non-stop from Nashville (2.5 hours away from start) to Salt Lake City (3 hours away from finish) listed at $130!!! But, of course, by the time I got through selecting a seat, etc, the flight was no longer available at that price, but rather $600!! End result = 2 hours of searching and I am still grounded in Kentucky. Boo hiss.

Nashville Bound!!!

2009-05-19T10:37:00.008-05:00

Tomorrow is Dave's birthday and to celebrate we are taking a mini vacation to Nashville.
It is only 2 hours away so it really is shocking that neither Dave nor I have ever been. I CANNOT WAIT!
We will be staying here.....

sipping lemonate and sweet tea here....

Going here.....

And eating these!!!

It will be baby's first vacation and I am looking forward to taking lots of pictures and lounging in the pool.....Hooray for getting away!

20 Weeks and Family

2009-05-08T11:24:00.006-05:00

I feel like I have hit a milestone! I am halfway there. I can't wait! We have so much to do before Spencer gets here--the nursery is in serious need of attention. I am looking forward to my energy levels returning so that I can accomplish all that I want to. I love having a huge belly. I am starting to get the, "Oh! When are you due?" which I love (although they are usually surprised when I answer September). I am lucky to have a flexible work schedule that accommodates my occasional unwillingness to work (like today. It can wait. I am washing baby clothes instead!)

I am also trying to figure out who I want at the delivery. I can't help but want my husband in the lobby, but I am told that when the time comes I will want him there. I don't know....I guess we will see. I totally want my mom and my sister there, but 3,000 miles is quite the commute! I live way too far away from my family. I miss them more than I can say!

I can't not mention the tragic passing of my uncle this week. It was sudden and unexpected and horrible. I have been so impressed with my siblings and my mother. The Renchers can rally!! Even though I can't be there, my thoughts and prayers are with them all. I will miss you Jens. The world will miss your dry sense of humor and your smile.

I am having a Ninja

2009-04-27T16:20:00.003-05:00

Or maybe a street fighter...all I know is that my baby is stabby! Seriously, the sharp stabbing pains that the doc insists are "completely normal" are getting out of hand! I am convinced that little Spence has a sword in there and is just stabbing away! I know from our recent ultrasound that baby doesn't have claws...and I didn't see any weaponry...mean baby. I really hope he is nice when he comes out. So far it looks like he is going to take on my feisty personality instead of Dave's completely calm, collected, and logical perfection.
In other fun news, I feel like I have completely been inducted into the ranks of pregnant women everywhere---I had my first involuntary "leaking" experience! LOVE IT. I have been warned about the sneeze effect but I had no idea that vomiting could cause such a thing....Super hot I know...good thing Dave doesn't read this or he may not like me anymore. He has already taken to calling me "girthy-mc-fat-pants" who knows what comedic relief I will SO NOT appreciate next! Someone should tell him that it isn't nice to make fun of his pregnant wife...no matter how much it makes her giggle! (we have had a long-standing rule that if he is going to say something mean, it better be so funny that I am laughing too hard to be mad...I think said rule should be suspended during pregnancy, but he disagrees...)
Dave does win the patience award again for going around for 5 hours to garage sale after garage sale this weekend looking for great deals on baby items (starting at 8:00 a.m!!!). I am starting to see the benefits of having a boy---we are going to save so much money on baby stuff!! The clothes just aren't as cute (and my bank account is going to be very grateful).

IT IS A BOY!!!!

2009-04-22T15:30:00.000-05:00

Hooray!!! So excited. And not a shy boy either!! Will post more later....

Will it be a boy or a girl???

2009-04-21T09:27:00.004-05:00

In only 24 hours and 36 minutes we will find out whether or not we are having a girl or a boy!! I am so excited I can't quite stand it!

The weather in Kentucky is sunny and warm....I find that my mood has followed suit! There is nothing like spring to lift even the moodyiest of moods! Work is going well. I still cry in court but given the subject matter of my work, the judges and other attorneys are amazing about it. I think the fact that I am obviously pregnant helps!

For all those who pitched in a prayer or two to encourage the governor to expand the DPA's budget so my husband wouldn't be forcibly furloughed without pay for 3 months, THANKS! The governor announced that he will use the "rainey day fund" to make up for Kentucky's lack of money! I think Dave is a little disappointed really, he was going to use the "time off" to start his own firm with several of the other public defender's in town....however, I am very very very grateful and relieved! If Dave decided to start a firm here in Owensboro, I would undoubtedly support him. The part that I don't like is that it would place us permanently in Kentucky....which is FAR away from family and friends! We are making amazing friends here but I need my borthers and sisters!!!

If it is a girl:

Yesterday was better....

2009-04-14T16:35:00.002-05:00

Today I cried on multiple occasions AND I made a complete fool of myself too!! Seriously...I had a pretty good chance of putting my foot in my mouth before my emotions went out of control! Please, just remember that I am a good person, you love me, and that I do have a brain....don't let my current condition convince you otherwise! And a big SORRY to all those I may upset, offend, or embarrass within the next 5 months!!

What I did today!

2009-04-13T14:37:00.004-05:00

I am feeling obligated to write something though (shockingly) I can't think of anything to say! I suppose a list of todays accomplishments will appease my guilt...
1. I fired a client! (people lie to you!!!)
2. I fired a potential client! (seriously...the lying is out of control!)
3. I acquired a new client (who has not yet lied to me...I hope)
4. I made it through Court without crying or otherwise making a fool of myself!
5. I made it through lunch without crying or otherwise making a fool of myself!
6. I am an hour from making it through the day without crying or otherwise making a fool of myself!!
7. I have updated my blog without crying or otherwise making a fool of myself!

(as you can tell, there has been a rash of crying and otherwise making a fool of myself....pregnant brain + pregnant emotions = endless embarassment)

APRIL FOOLS!!

2009-04-01T12:04:00.002-05:00

I should have known better than to expect an ultrasound resulting in gender specification on April 1! Alas, we will have to wait another 3 weeks....even in utero my baby is teaching me patience! (in good news all is going great)

A Post For Nicole

2009-03-27T12:41:00.001-05:00

I MISS YOU!!! I LOVE YOU!!! PLEASE LET ME STALK YOUR BLOG!!!!

Planning a Nursery

2009-03-27T12:36:00.004-05:00

Today we are getting new floors! We are getting a dark hardwood laminate floor throughout the living, dining, and hallway today!! So excited. We will be getting carpet for the bedrooms in the next week or so. I a desperate to get the rooms painted (especially the ceilings) before the carpet gets laid. SO...I am decorating the nursery a bit early! I am (hopefully) going to find out whether we are having a Spencer or a Girl (no name yet) on Wednesday but I have been looking at bedding for some wall ideas. I found this bedding and fell in love! I think it would work for either....what do you think???

Judge rules: Janelle is Naughty

2009-03-11T11:28:00.003-05:00

I feel guilty for not posting very often. I have been working like crazy and sleeping if I am not at work. Nothing in this world is better than apples...baby can't get enough of them! You wouldn't believe the amount of apple juice and applesauce that I go through....not a bad thing to crave realy....I am feeling very lucky that I have felt so good! My first tri is almost over and come Friday I will officially be in month 4! Makes me feel better for being the size of a house....roughly....

One of the judges called me a "naughty girl" in open court today. We were rescheduling a hearing (on the record) and I indicated that September would not be a good month for me so the earlier in August the better. The judge looked at me and said, "you have gotten yourself into a bit of a situation that I didn't know about! You naughty girl." I haven't blushed so hard in years!!! I had thought that the judge was aware that I was preggo....but I guess not! SO funny...

I chopped it all off!!

2009-02-19T14:41:00.000-06:00

I got a BOB. I haven't had a bob for years! Dave is grumpy about it but I told him he can't be that mad because it is his fault my face is getting so fat and a fat face needs a shorter do. Also, I told him it should help with the grumps.
It looks a bit like this...I would take a picture if it weren't for the aforementioned fat face covered in lovely new pregnancy zits! I am so excited that I am 9 weeks! Coming along just fine. I had to buy some maternity pants yesterday. I am showing too much for my regular clothes and I tried to just rubber-band my pants together with long shirts for a while....I had to just break down and do it. After a total search of my crappy town, I found that only Target and JCPenny's carry any maternity. And in very scarce amounts! It is amazing that it is so hard to find maternity clothes! Lots of people get pregnant right?? I will try to get some pics of my belly up (what I mean by that is "I will try to get the nerve to take a pic of my chubbyness")....maybe....

My pops' surgery went well (they did some disk work on his spine to try to relieve some recent paralysis)and I am cautiously hoping that he completely recovers. I really wish I lived closer to home. I would love to be near my family right now!! Dad's just aren't supposed to get sick...especially not Dads as amazing as mine.

Grumpy Nelly on a Grumpy Wednesday....

2009-02-18T11:24:00.000-06:00

So I had a dream last night in which my mother told me that I complain too much. What can I do? I have an awful cold, my pops is in surgery, none of my clothes fit, my job is exhaustingly frustrating, and I am too tired to deal with any of it!!! Dave, I promise that grumpy Janelle will stop being grumpy soon....just probably not today!

Power and Plumbing...

2009-02-09T14:58:00.000-06:00

So, Thursday at 12:00 p.m. the power was turned back on. I actually clapped and cheered for the power crews. Unfortunately, at 1:00 p.m., a water pipe in my attic burst! The cold weather was just too much for my crappy pipes. Who puts a water heater in the attic anyway? Dumbest idea ever!!! SO....like a savvy Rencher I ran outside and turned off the water-main and called the plumber and my insurance...we were able to combine our claims for the water damage and the storm damage which means the baby's room will be remodeled on the insurance co's dime! I am pretty excited about that. I need to itemize everything that is lost...which is SO much fun but all in all I think it has gone pretty smoothly....Work is back 100%...I will say that I enjoyed all the court closings. A couple from church were able to get last minute tickets to St. Croix for the 8 days there was no power in Owensboro...now why didn't I think of that?? OH yeah---because Dave insisted on working without any electricity.... Sometimes I hate his work ethic...it would be so much better if he would play hookey with me! Anyhow, my fingers are crossed that this is the last of the excitement for a while. I am trying to convince Dave that we need a baby-moon before little one gets here. It would be so nice to get away!!!

STILL NO POWER = CON

2009-02-04T16:24:00.000-06:00

Dave is forced to go to bed with me at 9:00 p.m. = PRO!!!

Still no power...but baby heart beat!

2009-02-02T14:03:00.003-06:00

So we are still without power. I am really hoping that the electricity will turn on and we can go home! We stayed with some friends last night and will probably have to again tonight. I don't think it would be a big deal if it wasn't for our two dogs...they are naughty and noisy.

In other news, I had my first ultrasound today! The doc basically gave me one because I am a paranoid mommy and I wanted to make sure that my itty-bitty is growing in the right place! Dave is a little terrified of what this means for the next 7.5 months....We were able to see that everything is going along perfectly and even though itty-bitty is extra itty-bitty, we were able to hear the heartbeat! The ultrasound pics are funny...can't see a thing.....So exciting. I am waiting for the baby to look a little less like an alien before I put up a baby countdown....turns out it looks a little foreign until 10 - 12 weeks...I really wish I had patience!! 7 and a half months....It seems so far away!! But at the same time, it seems so close!!! Bummer Dave won't let me start shopping until we know the gender...I think he is just trying to put off the inevitable. I already want to get the nursery going and he wants a chain saw to clean up the branches....cradle v. chainsaw.....

Still at the office......

2009-01-31T21:35:00.002-06:00

Every house in a two block radius around our house has power....but alas, we do not. It is finally above freezing so all of the ice has been falling from the powerlines and trees today (which is totally freaking out the pups). I really really really hope that we will have power tomorrow. I dread the thought of waking up in the office on Monday to work in the office on Monday.....I also want a shower.....I am a little smelly, I openly admit it. On Thursday I braved my 40 degree home to shower (luckily we still have hot water---yeah gas!) which I will not be repeating. The shower itself wasn't too bad, but coming out was so not fun. Plus all the towels and my clothes were completely frozen...my toothpaste was also frozen...gotta love it!!! The good news is that I am almost done with my brief and even though everything shut down for a week, I am not that far behind! I have avoided the phones like crazy and I am sure that Monday will be hectic...so long as my dogs and my husband are not camping out in my office it shouldn't be too bad. I am extremely grateful that we are safe and my house appears to be intact. Also, the chances of us being able to get back to normal in the next week are really good. Unfortunately, some of our friends are not so lucky and have had to evacuate completely as power will not be returning until the end of the month!! There is always a silver lining and it can always be lots lots lots lots worse!!!

Random preggo question---is it normal for my mouth to bleed everytime I brush my teeth?? It starts a whole new round of nausea which is lovely!! Seriously, I wake up, get sick, brush my teeth, get sick from brushing my teeth, brush my teeth again, get sick from brushing my teeth....you get the picture....Any solution or is this just one of the joys of motherhood???

I am STILL at the office

2009-01-30T12:52:00.002-06:00

Lately I have been feeling like I live at the office....Now I DO live at my office!! It is getting extremely old. Maybe it is the preggo in me, but my toilet paper is so much better! AND there are no stores open with the right brand or I would so send Dave out. He has been so good to me. On Saturday (before the ice storm and we starting living like refugees) I had a ginger ale and donut emergency...as in I NEEDED ginger ale and donuts. Dave went straight to the store like a good boy. He called asking if cinnimon rolls would be okay...which of course it wasn't...and then went to 3 other stores looking for the right kind of glazed donuts! Besides the occasional, "I did my job now leave me alone," He takes very good care of me. Since I have been cooped up all day (even though I could work, it just doesn't seem right if I don't get to shower first) I have been looking through baby names like crazy. It doesn't help that I have a huge family so many of the names are already taken. For some reason, I am only looking at girl names...I have always said I wanted a boy first because big brothers are awesome....but I have a feeling I am having a girl....the problem is that Dave and I don't agree on girl baby names. Everything I like (Leah for example) he doesn't. And everything he likes (Jenna for example) reminds me of a Jamison. Although I think I am warming to Jenna....we have so many J names in the Rencher crew that it might just fit.....I think I will try to push Leah till the end (although in a stroke of suprised biblical knowledge, Dave said, "How about Rachel? Jacob married her after Leah...")
Anyhow--any ideas send my way! I am going to drive by my house and I seriously hope that there will be light.....

Ice Storm!

2009-01-29T10:26:00.002-06:00

Winter has come to good ol' tucky....and with a vengence! Dave and I have been living at my office because our house is a brisk 43 degrees! The power has been off since Tuesday and there is little hope of it coming on anytime soon. The whole town is shut down because of all the ice and snow which has downed trees and power lines! I am trying desperately to focus on this brief I need to file but it is hard when there are 5 dogs and 5 people in this little office (which somehow is the only place in town with power!). In other news....I am so looking forward to my first ultrasound on Monday...I really hope that the town comes back to life by then!!

We are having a baby!!!

2009-01-23T18:29:00.004-06:00

I really wanted to wait until after the first trimester to spill the beans, but we are just way too excited!! My due date is September 25 so it should be a long and hot summer!! Keep us in your prayers!!
p.s. it still looks like an alien but we have our first ultrasound a week from Monday!

New Years Resolutions

2009-01-03T14:10:00.009-06:00

So, my New Year Resolutions are as follows:
1. Baby

2. Lose Weight

3. Beautify my Home

4. Increase my Faith

5. Make Lots of Money!!

Towards these ambitious goals I have done the following:
1. Turned spare bedroom into gym
2. Started tracking weight/measurements/activity/food
3. Received first Lawyer check over 2k!!!
Not too shabby for 3 days into January!!

A Few Jumbled Thoughts On Christmas Joy

2008-12-30T21:34:00.011-06:00

So, Dave and I traveled to Idaho for Christmas with the fam this year! It was so amazing to be with family and friends. We were able to spend five days (although it felt like four since we were both unconscious with the flu for 36 hours straight half-way through). I have two amazing new nieces...Cambri and Rhiannyn. Cambri is 6 mo and Rhiannyn is 3 mo. Rhi is Jenae's 4th, and although I know that an aunt shouldn't play favorites, I have always had a special connection with her kids. Baby Rhi is no exception. I would have stolen her and taken her home if Dave's response hadn't been, "Oh Goodie...I have always wanted to be associated with an Amber Alert." Bless him...it was so good to have Dave home with me. I don't get to go places with Dave very often and I think we need to make a bigger effort to vacate together....it was fun to see him interact with the fam. My nephews got rockband2 this year so Dave even got his video gaming in! We arranged the rockband so that my 8 year old niece could sing while my 7 year old nephew played the bass drum. I laughed constantly all week! My nephew Damion is the cutest 18 month old I have ever seen. He decided that Dave's name is "Table" and tells the best "knock knock" jokes. He NEEDS everything and I would so steal him too if I could. It was also good to see my siblings...Mindy and Kenny are getting so old! It is hard to believe that we are all adults now...I keep wanting to think of them as little kids....I am pretty lucky to have such an awesome fam. I am already trying to convince Dave and 5 days needs to be 12 next year....although he had a good time I think it may take a few days of pure silence to really recover from the experience....

My sweet sister-in-law sent me some pictures to post (I brought my camera, just forgot to use it) There are 2 Christmas dinner pics and some pictures are of the family reenactment of the Nativity. Dave was an innkeeper....Megan and Rhiannyn played "Mary" and baby Jesus(she slept through the whole thing). Alex played Joseph. We have done the nativity every single year for as long as I remember...the costumes get progressively worse...this year, Mary wore a hospital robe and a towel....the manger was Rhiannyn's chair...the Donkey was Nathan with a rug on his back....I love my family....

Oh, and I know that I posted the same pic twice---I am not very good at this and can't fix it....such is life!

Catch up time!

2008-12-11T09:04:00.002-06:00

It has been forever since I have been an avid blogger and I feel bad for letting so much time get by. Let me just say that I type and talk ALL DAY LONG and when I get home, my computer just sits quietly in the corner where I left it weeks ago! I am getting very busy at work. I am in court every single day and I am really starting to get a hang of Juvenile law....I am also working on my first civil defense and I hope that I can somehow manage to be amazing at it so I don't have to do domestics. I HATE DOMESTICS! Divorcing couples are a giant pain and barely worth it! But in this small town, everyone does divorces and custody cases because there just isn't enough of the other to support a practice. I am a little frustrated that I am so much on my own. I had thought that I would have a little more guidance...but I am grateful that I seem to be able to "wing it" a lot more than I ever thought I would!
This week has been crazy. I am finally caught up from the week we took of for Thanksgiving. I don't know how it happened, but we were gone for one week and I was immediately behind 3! I definitely discourage one and all from pursuing this career I have worked so hard for. All you do is work and you have to fight for each penny. I could easily work 80 hours a week and still have more to do!!!
The week off was so worth it though! We went to NJ to visit with Dave's fam. It was so great. Dave's sister is wonderful. She is a lot like Dave and it was highly entertaining watching them interact. They even have their own version of twin-speak! I guess that is what happens when there are only two kids....Dave's mom took us to this charming Christmas Village in Pennsylvania where I got a ridiculous amount of shoes....We also took a trip to Philadelphia so I could see Dave's old stomping grounds. We watched hours of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and by the end of the week, I actually got some of the references Dave is always throwing out. The Farley's indulged me and we played lots of board games and soaked in their hot tub. I was all set to force Dave to soak with us when he reminded me that it would not be good for our "fertility." He won the argument....
We are still hoping and praying for a little one...in the mean time, our dogs are doing their best to keep us entertained....A few days ago I pinned Dave to the couch as punishment for something or another...I had both of his arms pinned above his head while both dogs dug for gold in each of his ears....I have not laughed so hard in a while! God bless little puppies!!
I remembered why I don't blog as much anymore---I should be working!

OBAMA!!!!!

2008-11-04T22:39:00.003-06:00

I have to say that I am so happy and so relieved! I look forward to having a president whom I can respect and admire. Love it!!! I am ashamed to say that this is the first presidential election that I have voted in. I am amazed that I watched 4 hours of msnbc and cnn!! I have my sweet husband to thank for opening my eyes to the world of politics. I live in such a depressed state....so many are having an extremely difficult time just meeting their basic needs. I am hopeful that President Obama will bring the change we so desperately need!

Fall...

2008-10-19T11:04:00.002-05:00

I love fall!! The air is crisp and I can pull out all of my sweaters! I love the transition seasons....they are so invigorating. I find that each fall (and spring) I am motivated to finally loose that weight, keep my house clean, become more active in the community, and be more crafty....unfortunately every winter (and summer) I decide it is much easier to sleep in and eat whatever I want....Maybe this year I can keep this seasonal motivation going!!

P.S. Being a lawyer is quite possibly the worst idea I have ever had!!

Hooray for Jimmai!!!

2008-09-25T11:03:00.002-05:00

Dave's best friend James came to visit us this weekend! He arrived late Friday night and left yesterday morning. Dave got four whole days of best friend time and I was able to sluff work to spend time with him! We played lots and lots of rockband and talked until dawn almost everynight! I LOVE Dave's friends. It is a complete and total shame that they all live so far away. It is so interesting to watch him with his friends....even if they speak mostly in "remember when" sentences....James mentioned that it would have been awesome to have gone to highschool with them and I had to remind him that when Dave and James graduated highschool I was 8 years old.....my husband is old.....

In other news, the excitement of having a house guest has landed me with a horrible cold....I am at work and I can barely keep my eyes open....hense the brevity of this post.....oh well....such is life!!

p.s. my trial went as I would have expected it to.....I suppose I did a good job....it was nerve racking and I am starting to think that maybe I should just go back to school to be a teacher....this lawyering stuff is very high pressure!!!

puppy heat and senior shots...

2008-09-07T12:32:00.005-05:00

Who knew that dogs are in heat for up to 3 weeks!! That would suck so much! Poor Polly. We are supposed to start puppy school tomorrow, but I don't know if I can still take her. I feel bad for the poor thing. We need to get her fixed but girls are so much more expensive than boys!!

On another note...I had another "I love the south moment." My secretary was showing me her brother's senior pictures. In the pic, he was wearing camo and holding a gun....I swear....only in the south!! I almost died laughing.....kills me. You should all watch redneck wedding on CMT and feel sorry for me....

Quick Post

2008-08-18T09:09:00.002-05:00

OK...I only have a sec but I wanted to update my blog....I am getting pretty slackish about it...I have my first jury trial today--it isn't a bog deal, we are determining whether this lady is disabled....shouldn't be too painful! I am nervous just because I have never done it before....but there really is no argument to be made so it is basically just procedure. Anyhow, I was able to make it home for the Rencher Reunion! It was so amazing to be able to see my family. It is amazing how fast my nieces and nephews are growing. It is hard to live so far away from everyone. I am lucky to be able to make it home once a year and that just doesn't cut it! I am not saying I want to live in Idaho....but within one plane ride as opposed to 3 would be nice! Seriously, it took like 12 hours to get home by plane! I officially have a new record....I made it from parking lot to plane in 10 minutes!! Good thing too....my sweet husband drove the 2 hours to Louisville to drop me off and we were horribly late....I still can't believe he dropped me off and picked me up without complaint...he is a good one.
In other news, I am still addicted to Battlestar Galactica, my house is officially CLEAN, my puppies are misbehaved but entertaining, I asked my boss to renegotiate my contract, and I am going to be late if I don't go NOW!!!

I have been Tagged!!

2008-07-30T22:57:00.003-05:00

This is my first tag - hooray! :)

3 joys
1. My Husband. Dave makes me laugh every single day. I am so lucky to have found a man with such a profound sense of humor. He also loves me completely--no matter how crazy or eccentric I am...no matter my mood...or what I am wearing...or what I say...he loves me. It has given me such freedom to become the woman I want to be...this freedom I have found in his love is one of my greatest joys.

2. Music--I would rather loose my sight than my hearing...music is the backdrop to my life. I listen to it constantly and it helps me feel fear, love, loss, pain, hope, passion, joy, and peace. Music is there for me when I am happy or sad...there is always a song to perfectly fit my mood---and to improve a bad one!!

3. Family. I love my big, huge, crazy, loud, invasive, confrontational, comforting, supportive, amazing family. I would be lost without them. Thank God my parents gave me 7 people that will always have my back!!!

3 Fears
1. A sick baby....I know it is horrible to say....but nothing scares me worse than having a sick baby....I have wanted a baby my whole life, and I feel selfish for wanting a perfect child with 10 fingers and 10 toes....Part of this fear is that I don't think I could handle it.....It scares the living beegees out of me!

2. Death in my family or my close friends. I need them!!

3. Spiders. The serve no purpose and should be destroyed.

3 Current Obsessions
1. Battlestar Galactica.....SO EMBARRASSING...but so true...Thanks Netflix!!!

2. Vampire novels.....My obsessions are the worst.....I am such a dork.....

3. County Music.....I really don't know what it is but I can't get enough. I listen to it all day and night....I think I am sick....really....I am sick......

3 Random/Surprising Facts About Myself

1. I can't whistle....and I HATE sticking out my tongue.....

2. I am OCD about the toilet paper roll----the flap is supposed to be over the top (so you can fold it to a point). No matter where I am I will fix the toilet paper if it is not put on correctly....again....I am sick!!!

3. I love belting out in song....seriously---I will just belt out and sing whatever it is that I need to say....and I have a HORRIBLE voice! But I love to pretend I am an opera singer no matter where we are (especially in stores or restaurants to embarrass Dave)

I'm now tagging
1. Linda Chaplin
2. Megan Rencher
3. Adrian Murray (I don't know you well enough!)

The Farley Family Blogs!

2008-07-30T18:54:00.000-05:00

Well....I do anyway. Dave thinks it is a waste of time...and I suppose that I can't blame him! I love looking at my family's blogs and I think it is an amazing way to keep in touch with all of my friends and family....since we live in Kentucky---at least 2000 miles from our families...we need to do something! Gas is just too expensive! Dave and I met during our second year of law school. We would run into each other on the front porch of the law school. I initially thought that Dave was aloof and very funny, but I didn't think he was my type. I was dating another boy at the law school and it became habitual to complain to Dave about all of the mistakes Joe was making...Joe was horrible at calling me back and I told Dave that I deleted all phone numbers from my phone if I didn't get a return call....little did I know that Dave was taking notes!! We started talking on the phone occasionally.....and we would both be at poker night hosted by a couple of the law professors. We gradually became friends. Of course, I was a merciless flirt and since I considered Dave "safe" he got a good dose of my charm. One day we were registering for our classes for the next semester. Dave told me that he was planning on taking Evidence from Lawson at 8:00 a.m. I told him, "you better not! You alarm clock will really annoy me." I was just flirting.....he liked it..... A few days later I called Dave to arrange a poker night. He called me back late that night while I was at a concert. The message said, "Hey, this is Dave....I am just calling you back....I really don't want you to delete my number.....so I am calling you back.....please don't erase my number! Ah man....I am rambling.....can I delete this?" I laughed SO hard! I called him back the next day and he came over to watch "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." He was sitting on my couch when I reached over the back of it to hand him a drink. He looked up and kissed me. My world changed. Fireworks went off! I knew in that moment that we would be together for the rest of our lives!! We were together from that moment on. I moved in with him a few months later....we were engaged a few months after that....and we were married within a year! Our two year anniversary is the 12th of August. Our wedding was the most amazing day. I am so lucky to have Dave....he makes me giggle every single day of my life. Never before have I been with someone who gave me more freedom to be me---I can be as crazy or as flighty or as illogical as I want to and he just smiles....Married life has been interesting. Within these first two years we have moved and started new careers. Dave is a public defender and I am a new lawyer. I am amazed at how much dedication Dave shows in his work. He gets paid like crap and he works like a dog, but he loves it. He loves that he is fighting for the underdog. He loves that he is doing his part to make our crazy judicial system work. I love him for it!! I am loving lawyering. I really fought being a lawyer. I waited a year and a half to take the bar (although I passed on my first try!) and I found the most laid back law firm to join....but it is so perfect! I take only the cases I want and I am learning so much and so fast. I love it. I love being able to truly help people. I love being able to give advise as much as I want and actually be listened to! It really is perfect. Also, I know that the firm I am with will be perfect for when I finally convince Dave that our student loans are not a barrier to our expanding our family. I have wanted a baby for so long! We actively tried for the first 9 months of our marriage...but we had no luck. It was so frustrating and put such a strain on us that we took the attitude, "if it happens, it happens." Since then, I have tried to suppress the baby craze...unsuccessfully really.....hopefully soon he will give in! We do have two wonderful puppies and a cute little house that needs lots of love and attention....plus learning a whole new career....so I have lots to keep me distracted. All in all I am happier now than I have ever been! I have found so much joy and love in good ol' Kentucky. I have an amazing support system out here and I have multiple sets of surrogate family. I am starting to feel like we will be here for a while....so I am adjusting to the slow and easy pace of the south. I am even starting to acquire an accent! I have a bazillion hilarious stories about the south....will save for a later post....