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About Me
My name is Niki. I’m a coffee drinking, baby food making, blogging mama to baby girl Ashley, 2 labs, and a cat. I absolutely LOVE being a Mom! I enjoy taking pictures of Ashley and making homemade baby food for her.
I like doing anything outside whether it's going to the beach, strolling around the neighborhood, or just going to a park. I enjoy blogging and reading other Mommy blogs. I’m up for learning new things and have recently become interested in photography. I like a clean house, beds made, and checking off my to-do lists.The Hubby
I am married to Van, my best friend. We met in high school and have been together ever since! We practically grew up together. I feel very lucky to have found the man of my dreams so early in life. We married in 2004 and had a little girl in 2009. I can't imagine life without him. He keeps me grounded. He’s very practical, methodical, and technical. He’s a computer genius.
We like going on vacations and would love to go back to Europe one day. Van is a regular “guy’s guy” and enjoys fishing, flying and riding his motorcycle. But he is also a family man. I love him!Lil’ Pumpkin
Ashley is our little bundle of joy. She was born in October 2009. Since she was a fall baby, we called her Lil’ Pumpkin while she was in the womb. Van now calls her Pumpkin Pie. I never could have imagined how much I would enjoy being a mother to this sweet little girl. I am just overwhelmed with love for her!
Ashley likes eating homemade baby food, bouncing in her exersaucer, and watching the dogs play. She is entertained by my goofiness and she loves to sing and dance with me. I've never met a baby as happy as she is. She is a reminder of what life is all about. She makes us smile and laugh every single day!The Boys
Toby is our 8 year old black lab and Blake is our 3 year old chocolate lab. They are uncle and nephew. They have their own couch and some may consider them a bit spoiled. I enjoy making Frosty Paws (doggie ice cream) and baking homemade treats for them. Although I have to admit, I haven’t done much of that since Ashley was born. We celebrate their birthdays with doggie cake.
Toby is obsessed with tennis balls and Blake loves his red ball. They are the best of friends. And they both LOVE swimming. Especially in my parents’ pool at the beach!Jim Jim
Jimmy is our 4 year old tabby cat. Van rescued him from the jaws of a pit bull when he was a mere 8 weeks old. I don't think Jimmy has forgotten that seeing as he is very attached to Van.
Jimmy is an indoor/outdoor cat who loves to roam the neighborhood and hunt. He likes to bring us "gifts", anything from birds and rabbits to field mice. He is a sweet cat, but I wouldn’t cross him if I were you. You don’t want to see that crazed look in his eyes!
Category Archives: Ashley
9 Month Portraits
We went to visit Uncle Nathan this morning for Ashley’s 9 month portraits. Unfortunately, Ashley was not in the mood for pictures. She cried most of the time. In fact, you can see in some of the pictures that her eyes are glossy from crying. She didn’t want to sit or stand; she just wanted to [...]
Tagged 9 months, baby, Cary, Crossroads, NC, pictures, Portrait Innovations, portraits
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Myrtle Beach, Good. Marriott, Bad.
Ashley and I went to Myrtle Beach this week for a convention I was working. We’ve been gone since Sunday. Van had to stay home and work so Mom came with me to babysit while I was working. We stayed at the Marriott Grande Dunes. In years past, the Marriott has treated me well. But [...]
First Words
Wait for it…wait for it…Da Da!! Yep, those were her first words. She’s been babbling a lot lately, but Tuesday night she was scooting on the floor towards the dining room, which is where Van was sitting. She looks right up at him and clearly says “Da Da”. It was the cutest thing ever! No [...]
Dinner with Friends
We went to Patrick and Laura’s house for dinner last night and had a great time! The four of us have been friends for a long time. Pre-baby and even pre-marriage! Ashley loves her Uncle Patrick and Aunt Laura We do, too!
On another note, Ashley is 9 months old today! NINE MONTHS! Needless to say, [...]
Tagged 9 months, baby, dinner, friends
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All Good Things…
…must come to an end. Well, there you have it; our vacation is almost over :( And what a FUN and RELAXING vacation it was! I am sitting here sipping on a pina colada as I type this. My Dad makes a yummy daiquiri! We are winding down while Ashley is sleeping. She is tuckered out. Everything has [...]
Tagged end, family, fun, leave, pina colada, relaxing, vacation
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The Boys’ Turn
Yesterday was a VERY off day for Ashley. Oh my goodness, was it crazy. She wouldn’t eat (solids or milk), wouldn’t sleep, and was cranky whenever you tried to feed her or put her to sleep. So she was up all day long. It was insane. I think she may have been teething. Her top [...]
Myrtle Beach Run
We went to Myrtle Beach yesterday afternoon. What was intended to be a short little trip to the outlets, ended up being a longer trip which put us back home pretty late. We had so much fun though, and Ashley did wonderful! We shopped at the Tanger Outlets. It was Ashley’s first outlet experience and [...]
Not Yet a Beach Fan
Some of you may think it odd that we never go to the beach, but we really don’t. My parents have had a house here on Holden ever since I was in high school. But it has been years since I have actually been on the beach. I’ve walked on the beach, sure. And I’ve [...]
Tagged baby, beach, Holden Beach, pool, sand, water, watermelon
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Happy Birthday America
Today was a typical July 4th at the beach. Good food (i.e. ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, key lime pie), pool, sun, beer, family and fun. Ashley wasn’t in the mood for the pool so that didn’t last long. Instead, we just hung outside with everyone else. I’m exhausted. It was sooooo hard to get her to [...]
Did You Say Vacation?
VACATION!! Yes, I said it. That lovely, summery word. Don’t you get excited just hearing that word? Go ahead, say it out loud. It will make you feel so good! V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!! Well, we are lucky enough to be on one right now. We packed up the truck (half the house, mind you) and headed to [...]
Niki Murray