Dreaming and X-Factor or Dreaming of X-Factor?

So, for some reason during the two hours that I was tossing and turning last night (so frustrating-- for some reason I do this at night time anymore and it drives me bananas, haha!) But I was thinking about the day Ethan and I started dating and how we took a picture the FIRST day we met at our mall outside of F.Y.E (this is December 26th, 2009)

We look so young there, huh? He was 19, I was 22. Crazy how life changes, haha!

Then, we went back last year and took a picture at the same spot. We wanted it to be a 'tradition' that every year on the 26th, we go back to our 'roots.' :) (this is December 26th, 2010)

I was 25 weeks pregnant there. And Ethan had the terrible mustache, hahahaha! Gah, glad that's gone LOL! 

But I was thinking about how cute it would be to add Tayler to the mixture this year? :) Head on over there December 26th, 2011 and put her right in the middle. I was day dreaming about December 26th, 2020 when we have like 4 kids all around us. I think it would make some adorable pictures.... This is what I thought about at 11:30PM. What were you thinking about? LOL

Also-- how wrong was I on X-Factor? I told y'all. I'm terrible at guessing that kind of stuff. I can't believe Rachel went home. She seriously broke my heart at the end. So, all that's left is Marcus, Chris, Melanie, and Josh. We'll see who comes out on top! Who are your favorites? 

I've been saying Josh is going to win all along, but I'm starting to think that Chris Rene might pull this one out. I guess only time will tell! :)

Cry It Out...

We did 'Cry It Out' (CIO) for the first time last night. When she first started sleeping in her crib in her room, she did really good with it. She took a bottle and fell asleep, but now she fights it. She has four teeth now, so she's a big girl... maybe she thinks she doesn't need sleep, haha! However, Mommy and Daddy need some alone time, so we thought we would give it a try. I was a nervous wreck. I started crying as soon as I laid her down. I kept telling myself 'She is safe. She just had a bath, her diaper is changed, she has been fed... She is just crying because she is mad and doesn't want to be laid down.' But it was still heart-wrenching. We laid in bed for what seemed like forever, waiting for her to calm down. Ethan tried comforting me because I was a mess. I hate hearing my baby cry... and knowing that I could be saving her from it is even worse, but I know that this will help both of us in the end. We laid her down at 8:35 and by about 8:55 she had quieted down. I checked on her at 9:04 and she was out like a light! Not too bad for our first night!! :) I felt accomplished once I saw she was asleep and I am so proud of her, I cannot even explain it. We'll see how tonight goes!! :)

X-Factor (12/7/2011)

Any X-Factor fans out there? 

Once again, yes. I've been sucked in to the reality television world, haha! 

I couldn't believe there were only 5 contestants left last night. I've been watching since it's started and I still lost count, haha! It's amazing to me that there will soon be a winner. Who is your favorite? I know, I already told y'all last week that I think Josh will win, but who knows. I'm never right when it comes to guessing these things.

Lets just go down the list on how they did last night.

Rachel: So adorable. I really want her to win just because I think she is the cutest thing in the world and I want her to have all the money in the world to buy a house where she has her own bathroom :) She did great last night, as always. She has such a powerful voice.

Melanie: AMAZING. As always. When she performed 'There Can Be Miracles," I'm not even afraid to admit that I cried. It moved me. It was impressive. 

Marcus: He should win, but I doubt he will due to the fact that he's been in the bottom here recently. I don't know if it's just because everything thinks he's going to be 'safe' so they don't vote or if people seriously don't like him. It boggles my mind because I think he could produce records tomorrow. 

Josh: Well, you already know what I think of him. Out of all the contests, I'd buy his album first... hence, why I want him to win. Also, he's a Buckeye and we stick together. 'Nuff said :)

Chris Rene: Now, I hate to say this, but I think he's going home this week. As much as I love his music and I loved his version of 'Live Your Life' last night, I feel like his voice isn't as strong as the other 4. I wish to God someone would give him some kind of record deal though and help him out. He has come such a long way and I want his road to recovery to continue without a doubt!

So there are my thoughts. Chris Rene goes home. What do you guys think?? 

also, how much do you LOVE Nicole? So sweet! "Marcus, God has a plan for your life, baby..." She's so real and isn't afraid to live it on TV! Props!

Teen Mom 2

Did anyone catch the Teen Mom 2 premiere last night?

I'll go ahead and admit it, I'm addicted.

I never watched this before and then when we moved in with my parents, my mom got me addicted, so I watched all of them on Netflix, got caught up, and well, here I am.. blogging about it :)

If you didn't watch it yet, then do not read on because it will spoil things for you. Not that there's much to spoil. I actually thought it was a rather boring episode. I've never actually 'watched the clock' when one of these were on, but it lacked the drama I thought it would. Sue me, I'm a sucker, haha! I hate it in my own life, but enjoy watching it on TV. 

Leah: Leah, Leah, Leah... I think she basically said what a lot of stay-at-home-moms feel. I'm glad she was honest. Being a stay-at-home-mommy isn't for everyone. That's not saying she's a bad mom. It's just some women are not cut out for being at home all day long. I'm not a career-woman. I once thought I was (hence all of my student loan debt...) but now that I've had Tayler, I want to be home with all of my babies and couldn't imagine life any other way. However, I'm totally glad Leah was honest with herself. You can work and be a mommy. So if you want to, you might as well do it. I just wish Corey was a little more supportive. He seems like he holds the past against her... often. Let it go, bro!

Chelsea: Oh, Chelsea. I feel bad for the girl. She had a baby with a man she absolutely loves and he's a total douche bag to her. Sorry to use that terminology, but lets call it like it is. She adores him.. and he knows it. So, he comes in, flirting with her, trying to kiss her.. acting like WBD (world's best dad..) and it gets her thinking again. I hope to God she doesn't go back to him. Chelsea is by far my favorite on this show and I think she deserves the best in a man. Not some guy that comes around every now and then and calls her terrible names. (Also, she deserves to get on here and tell me how she does her hair. I LOVE IT!! :))

Kailyn: Oh, I felt confusion watching her. I can tell she *likes* Jordan, but seriously-- she hugged Jo and I thought for sure there was going to be a kiss. I can see now why the previews we have been watching for weeks shows her going a bit too far with him. You can tell they still love each other. He can be such a sweetheart when he wants to, darn it. I love how they are getting along though. That speaks volumes about them and it is only going to benefit Isaac, so mad props to those two! And how cute did Isaac look in his little outfit? and Jordan? Well, lets not go there, haha!

Jenelle:  I'm just going to be honest. I hate her even being on this show. She annoys the living crap out of me. I cannot stand hearing her mom say,  "Be home by midnight so you can watch Jace tomorrow." I'm sorry but when I leave the house to go get something to eat with my husband, I never hear anyone tell me when to be home. I'm a mom. I understand my priorities. I know that I need to have a good amount of sleep to keep up with her the next day and she isn't even walking. I'm not trying to judge her parenting style, but seriously-- it has to click sometime who is MOST important in your life. I love my husband (as she says she loves Kieffer...) but if he started pulling me down and making me less of a mother, I'd say goodbye because Tayler comes first. Ethan is tied for that, but if he takes away from Tayler in the sense of me actually being there for her and raising her right, there's no question there. (Although I know my husband would never do that.) And seriously-- I know her mom nags and nags and nags, but it's still no reason to be rude. She's still your mother.. regardless. 

Alright, so there's my take on it all. What did you all think of the premiere? I hope you'll join me for a weekly chit-chat on this! I'm stoked it's back! Can't wait to watch more :)

Merry Christmas?

Remember me talking about Christmas Spirit yesterday? Well.. to carry on with that, we decided to take Tayler to see Santa Claus. She's 8 months old. I didn't figure there would be a 'fear' factor in here yet, you know? People told me "Oh, this will be the easy year.. next year is when she will start being scared of him." So, I figured we would run inside, get a few ADORABLE pictures for our Christmas, and head on out. No pain. 

Boy, was I and EVERYONE ELSE wrong, haha!

I'm not even going to explain. Just enjoy the pictures, haha!

(When we first got in there... she's doing good.)

(Okay, I don't know him....)

(Get me out of here!!!)

(Mommy trying to comfort her... see the real tears? Poor baby...)

(And after about 15 minutes.. and Daddy being by her side.. she was better!)

We had such a "fun" time, haha! We made some memories and that's what counts. I love that kid! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Spirit

It FINALLY feels like Christmas. I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't feel that 'spirit' and anticipation I usually feel around this time of year. But lets face it-- last year, I had everything decorated around our home the day OF Thanksgiving. This year, it still wasn't done as of Saturday. I need the lights, the soft glow of the Christmas tree, presents under the tree... all of that goodness to just FEEL the beauty of this holiday. I know it sounds 'superficial' but you know what I mean. I know the meaning of this holiday, so I don't need all of that to understand my thankfulness towards Jesus Christ for coming in the flesh to rescue us... but I just need it to *FEEL* the Christmas spirit. I can't even explain it... :)

But let me get to the point.

THE HOUSE IS DECORATED!! :) We are going to get a Christmas tree tonight, but everything else is done. Decorations out on the table, Merry Berry Scentsy warmer, lights around the bar... anything you can imagine. I even wrapped presents last night to the Christmas tunes we all know and love! Hubby took Tayler for awhile and gave me some *ME* time to do what I love, hehe! It was just perfect! Only thing that would have made it better would have been hot chocolate, but I think I will survive! Once we get the Christmas tree set up, I will take pictures because I realize I haven't taken any pictures in awhile!! 

How do you guys get into the Christmas Spirit? Anything special?? 

Next thing on the agenda is going to look at the lights with Tayler. I know she is just going to LOVE it!!! 

Speaking of Tayler. We hit a new milestone. It's not a *huge* deal, but I think it's just adorable. She finally learned how to suck out of a straw :) She loves doing it now, haha! We got her a sippy cup with a straw and she thinks she's such a *big* girl. Too adorable!

Hope you all are having a great Holiday season!!! Do something nice for someone this year! :) It will do your heart good!