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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: Toby
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 [...]
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 [...]
Memorial Day Weekend – Part III
Here are some pictures of the boys’ adventures. They went swimming in the pool and ran around playing ball. They love going to the beach!
I Can See Clearly Now
Van got me a new camera for Mother’s Day. It is AWESOME!! It’s like it shoots in HD; it’s so clear! My point and shoot camera was good, but it’s nothing compared to my new SLR. For those that are wondering, it’s the Canon Rebel T1i. I’m learning all about it (still on page 59 [...]
Life is Good at the Beach!
We went to Holden Beach this weekend to visit my parents. Had a GREAT time, as usual! I was so excited to get Ashley in the pool, but it was a little too cool for that. Grandaddy blew up her float and everything. We did put her in it just for a sec, but considering [...]
Holden Beach
We went to Holden Beach this weekend. It was Ashley’s second trip. She had fun visiting Grandma and Grandaddy! The boys had a good time swimming in the pool and playing chuckit. No waterway swimming this time. With my luck, they would have cut their feet up, and I couldn’t bear the thought of them getting hurt [...]
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Xylitol Nightmare
Xylitol is used as a sugar substitute and can be found in sugar-free gum, candy, foods, and is available in granulated form for baking. It is now being included in toothpastes and other oral hygiene products due to its anti-cavity properties. In humans, xylitol is absorbed slowly and has little to no effect on blood [...]
Let It Snow
I had soooooooooooo much fun today!!! As you may know, it never snows here so I was quite excited when the forecast called for it this week. It started last night about 7:00 p.m. and continued through the night. I woke up to a winter wonderland! I started the morning by getting chili together in [...]
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Pets and Babies
This post is for all those who think you have to get rid of your pet(s) when you have a baby; those who are afraid of their pets being around their baby or those who give their pets away thinking they don’t have time to care for them AND a baby. Well, I beg to differ.
Pre-baby, [...]
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Niki Murray