Born From My Heart

The first part of this post will be sad but the sad part is necessary to get to how she got her name. I have two older sisters – the oldest has 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls, and the middle has 2 children, 1 boy and 1 girl. I was beyond happy and excited as each of my nieces and nephews entered this world and I am close to all of them. I bestowed on each of them my own special nickname and frequently call them by those nicknames – in public.And the kids don’t mind! In order of birth they are, Beaner, Super Chunk, Peanut, Minnie-Me, Kaboom and Goat-Butt. With a tiny bit of training (LOL), if you ever ask any of them who their favorite person in the world is, they will tell you Aunt Dawn. That may not actually be the truth, but they’ve been coached well. They are all growing up now and making their way towards adulthood but the special and close relationship I have to all of them has only grown deeper with each new year. In April 2008, the worst possible thing to ever happen to our fami...

YAY!  It's October!  I love October.  Here in Florida we finally get breaks from the intense heat and humidity and get some really nice, warm days.  Plus, it is the start of the holiday season in my mind.  Halloween is so much fun - not to mention the hayrides and other fun fall activities.  From there it is Thanksgiving and then on to Christmas!  This month is a busy weekend month - so many fun fall things to do plus a two airshows!  The first one is in Daytona - Wings and Waves  - where I will get to spend some fun times with college friends and the second is in Cocoa - Cocoa Beach .  I can't wait!  I am a huge airplane nerd and Reagan has picked up my love for them so it is going to be really great. Now on to 5QF hosted by the Lovely Mama M .  Head on over and link up! 1. Did you have a pen pal when you were little (or now)? Where were/are they from? Now this question takes me back. I vaguely remember a mail in place ...

Reagan has loved the television since she was just a teeny tiny thing.  I am quite sure she watches way too much of it already but it is the only thing we have found that will get her to actually sit still and rest for more than 3.2 seconds at a time.  Her very first favorite TV show was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and we use to use it for 20 minutes of entertainment while we were taking care of various tasks.  We'd put her in her bouncy chair or her swing and turn it on.  Pretty soon we noticed her doing a version of the Hot Dog Dance - when they'd start singing the song and doing the dance, her little legs would kick one by one.  Adorable! Soon after that, she discovered Yo Gabba Gabba.  It was love at first sight for her.  The singing and dancing and funny characters had her hooked.  One of her first words was actually Gabba.  There were even times she would wake in the morning, look at us and start saying GabbaGabbaGabbaGabba.  Her firs...

One of our dogs, Brady, taking a snooze on Reagan's folded out Mickey couch.

It is no secret to those close to me that I have issues with the paci.  My issue you ask?  I really don't want to ever have to take Reagan's paci away.  As I've mentioned before, I actually remember the trauma of giving mine up - to Santa Claus no less (and I almost opted out of presents that year just so I could keep it!).  I remember arguing with my sister when she took the paci away from my oldest nephew and I stated - no baby should ever have to give up their paci.  I've joked with my friends that Reagan could keep her paci until college if she wanted and part of me actually meant it. But, her teeth are now showing evidence of being on the paci too long.  I *thought* that it wouldn't become a teeth issue if she only had it at nap and night time.  Apparently I am wrong about that.  So, here I am breaking my own heart over a paci.  LOL  I say my own heart because I am well aware of my issues and fully realize that I am probably more ...

Big thanks as usual to Mama M  at My Little Life  for hosting 5QF!  Head over there, grab the questions, the button, add yourself to the Linky and join the fun! 1. If you could speak with a different accent, what would it be (i.e Australian, Scottish)? This is one is so easy for me to answer - it would definately be South African.  The first time I heard it in person, at college from a dear friend of a dear friend, I was mesmerized.  I think it is the most beautiful sounding accent in the world. 2. Can you fall asleep anywhere? (i.e floor, couch, deck) That is a big YES!  And I can sleep through just about anything too.  I love to sleep - always have.  3. Do you use public restrooms? If so, do you sit on the toilet? I do use public restrooms and I usually sit on the toilet - without cleaning it - and without a paper cover.  However, if the toilet looks gross, has pee on the seat or otherwise looks suspicious, I'm doing th...

So today I was Tagged by LeeAnn at The Life of Rylie…and Bryce too for some fun random questions. The rules are that once tagged, you answer the questions provided and then you tag 5 others and ask them questions of your own. Here are the questions LeeAnn asked... 1. What is your most embarrassing moment? I’ve had quite a few in my life but one that pops into my head immediately is from a looooong time ago when I was in either middle school or a freshman in high school – I can’t exactly remember the when. A new family had moved in a street over from where I lived and I had developed a crush on one of the boys. Some of my girlfriends and I made up some reason to go knock on the door. We all had dressed for the occasion complete with mini-skirts and cute shoes. Well I was a tom-boy so walking in those cute shoes was not something I was used to. As we turned to walk down the wide steps from the front porch, I slipped and slid alllll the way down and ended up with my mini-skirt up to...