Author Archives: katherine

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Then vs. Now – The Toyota FJ

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So, do you remember that time I was loaned a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser for 5 days?

Yea…that was just earlier this week.

You guys? It was SO cool.

When I put in the request, I told them I’d be happy to try any vehicle from Toyota’s fleet, but when they told me I was getting the FJ Cruiser I was stoked. You see, the FJ has a special place in my heart because it’s modeled after the FJ40 Land Cruiser…and remember? We happen to have not one, but two of those. {and by “we” I totally mean Andy}

I’ve wanted to test drive the FJ Cruiser since they were first released a few years ago.

Not only was it a ton of fun to drive for a few days, it was really neat to compare the 2012 FJ Cruiser directly to Andy’s 1978 FJ40 Land Cruiser.

I’ll go into my time behind the wheel more later on, for now I wanted to share some of the photos I snagged the night before Toyota came to pick up the FJ. And while the FJ40 Land Cruiser I took photos of isn’t stock {Andy’s stock Cruiser still isn’t at our place}, I think you get the idea.

The first thing you notice is the front of the rig…the FJ Cruiser’s grille & headlights are reminiscent of the FJ40 as are the hood and fender contours.

Interior side-by-side…there’s obviously been a lot of technological advancements since 1978, eh?

As a family full of Cruiser lovers, I think it’s safe to say Toyota knocked it out of the park with this one!

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

Thriving.

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For the last month I’ve been saying “I wonder how much Reese weighs now!?” because, duh, she’s been growing.

But the thing is, she’s been growing A LOT.

Remember how I mentioned on facebook that at her two week check she had already gained a pound?

Well, last Thursday Reese had her 2 month check-up.

{Yes, TWO months…I know…I KNOW!}

Homegirl is weighing in at 12 lbs, 8 ounces.

That puts her in the 90th percentile for her weight.

She started at 7 lbs, 3 ounces.

My head kind of exploded.

Then in my head, I gave myself a pat on the back.

The night before her appointment the girls & I were at a park. Another mom came up and asked how old Reese was. I told her eight weeks. She looked at Reese, then back at me and says in the sweetest voice it was sickening, “Wow…she’s sturdy!”

Sturdy!?

Yes…STURDY.

I was telling her pediatrician the story and her jaw about dropped then she busted out laughing. She said she wouldn’t call Reese sturdy…she’d call her…thriving.

Apparently that’s the P-C way of saying your baby is a little chubster.

So, y’all, my girl is not sturdy. She’s thriving.

All almost 13 pounds of her. Got it!?

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When my real life & my e-life collide

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So I’m sitting here feeding my baby for bed {real life} tapping away writing a blog post {e-life}.

My phone has been buzzing with text messages {real life} from women I’ve never even physically met before, but I have a fierce connection with {e-life}.

In the last two days I’ve checked the mail {real life} and found mail from two of the aforementioned women… a birth announcement from Brandy and a whole pack of goodies from Alicia {e-life}.

Tomorrow I’m driving up to Seattle for a tradeshow for work {real life}. I’m driving a Toyota FJ Cruiser that Toyota is loaning to me for 5 days {e-life}.

While I’m in Seattle for work {real life} I get to have a girl’s night out with a few of my favorite ladies on the interwebs…Brandee, Mandy and Mae {e-life}.

Then on my way home from my work trip {real life} I’m swinging in to have dinner with Tracy, the mind behind Liberating Working Moms, the other blog I write for {e-life}.

I just requested time off of work and will be leaving my family for 4 days {real life} for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Charlotte, NC getting VIP/behind the scenes action at a NASCAR race and Toyota’s race team {e-life}.

I guess I should just get used to calling this my life, but it still seems so unreal to me that because of my little corner of the internet I’m being given so many amazing opportunities.

Because really…my real life colliding with my e-life is a beautiful thing…


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Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

On my heart: Beside Myself

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I normally like to keep things light hearted around these parts, so this is not an easy thing for me to put out there. I’m one blessed wife mama lady…I know that. But there’s something that’s been happening lately that I just can’t shake off.

What’s the saying? Actions speak louder than words? Well, if that’s the case, these days it seems like Rylee hates me.

In her eyes, I can do nothing right. NOTHING.

Just last weekend at lunch, apparently the chips I gave her were too big. {THE CHIPS WERE TOO BIG!}

If I didn’t hear what she said, and I have to ask “what?” she freaks out angry with me.

She threatened to throw her grapes at me once because I had the audacity to ask her two times if she wanted blackberries. {Seriously people…whiskey, tango, foxtrot.}

It makes me sad and mad and frustrated all at the same time. I’m nearly at my wit’s end.

It seems like every single thing is a struggle. Or an argument. Or just down right defiance. And it takes me completely freaking out back before she’ll snap out of it.

It’s getting to the point where I almost dread it just being the girls and me. I hate it.

It’s hard. I’m getting down on myself about it all the time. One “episode” can turn what was my fantastic day into complete misery. I feel like an awful mom.

I know it’ll get better. I know it’s partly her age and mostly an adjustment to her baby sister. She’s not this way with her dad…or anyone else for that matter and it didn’t really start until it was just the girls & I home for that week Andy was back at work and I wasn’t yet. I’m sure it’s not easy all of a sudden becoming “second”.

I’m struggling.

I’m trying to put her first more often. I’m trying to get some one-on-one time with her. I’m trying to say yes more.

But it’s hard…so hard. She’s doing this all for attention. I’ve tried reinforcing positive behavior. I’ve tried punishing the negative behavior. It doesn’t seem like either works. It’s like it’s an awful downward spiral that I’m trying {not very successfully} to claw my way back up from.

I wish there was a set-in-stone-sure-fire-black-and-white way to fix this.

I’m thankful she’s not taking things out on Reese, but this behavior hurts my heart. I love her something fierce and I always will, but I miss where my girl and me were just a few months ago.

This parenting gig is tough sometimes.

Outtakes from a fake photo shoot

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So, basically…I’m dumb. I thought, hey, I’ve got one of these fancy cameras, I think I’ll try and use it!

Pffft…that was my first mistake.

My second mistake? My subjects…a newborn, a 4 year old and a dog. Laughable.

While I did get 1 or 2 “keepers” I got more that were just plain funny {where funny either means, “haha, that’s funny”, or just plain awful}…

 Can you say…bad lighting? Poor girl is blinded.

::sniff, sniff:: Yup, she needs a diaper change!

Fake smile is painful looking.

Aaaand, the dog has reached his patience level tipping point.

That’s a wrap!