2-4

24. Born December 30, 1987 at 12:09am.  I'm going to spend the rest of the day home... resting.

Have a good day!

3 Days till Christmas/Photos

Hey Everyone! It's 5:41am and I still have not gone to sleep. I'm hurting, so I figured I would write in my blog & share some photos from Christopher's 1st Birthday Photo Shoot & Our Christmas Photo Shoot =). It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 3 days away! In fact today is my G. Susie's Birthday! 

Well the picture to your left is one of Christopher's 1st Birthday Shots. 
He was so good taking pics.. =)

 This one to the right is also one of his 1st Birthday Shots. He would giggle every time he heard Connor (our photographer at Portrait Innovations)'s Camera Flash.

My little Cutie. 

 The Big O-N-E! =)

 *Smiles*

 Our Christmas Photo. This one is ALMOST identical to last years except last year Christopher wore a white onesie, with red socks, and a Baby's 1st Christmas hat. And I wore a red shirt. And our Book was the night before Christmas. So this year, we changed colors- and We as a family are reading A Charlie Brown Christmas <3

 Another of our Christmas Photos. 

I hope you have enjoyed the photos. We enjoyed getting them done. <3

Have a great day, and in case I don't get to you until after Christmas--- Merry Christmas!!!!

Of Baby Boys & Happy Memories....

Good Evening Readers.

Today was Nicole & Bryan's Baby Shower! I do believe it was a success & I enjoyed hosting it very much. I'm not going to write a lot-- I figured some pics would suffice =) Happy Looking!

This was their cake! Cute huh???

                                          The Happy Parents =)







I'm hoping they had a wonderful day. I enjoyed everyone's company & we can't wait for little William to FINALLY come home =)

-Mel

Happily Ever Afters.....

Hello Bloggers. Today I'm doing a wedding blog, because I haven't had the chance to share some photos I took of two of our really good friends who FINALLY got married on November 12, 2011. I say FINALLY, because I've known them since Trish worked at Michaels in 2008 and we had gotten married a week later. I'm so happy for them, and I wish them the best in the whole world. They are also expecting, and I do believe she is due in July! =) 

And if you probably have noticed-- I'm writing in Purple, because that was one of the colors Mr. And Mrs. Fenton had in their wedding colors. 

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures that Chris took! They really got all into it when they gave eachother a piece of cake! HAHA. They're so cute!

I Wish Trish & Stephen a very wonderful, joyous, happy, and fulfilling marriage. I'm am so happy for the both of you! Presenting: Mr. & Mrs. Fenton-- November 12th, 2011.

 

What's On Your Christmas List???

Yes... I am writing out my Christmas list.... Unfortunately Christmas this year won't be as nice as last year--- but as long as our whole family is together HAPPY & HEALTHY... It'll be far greater ♥

So I'm making out my Black Friday Shopping List while rocking out to Christmas Music courtesy of Pandora. 

So I'm not going to share what everyone is getting for Christmas on this blog, because I post it on my facebook page, and I don't want everyone to know what they're getting till they open it either on Christmas Eve or Christmas, whichever day it shall be.  So I'm going to write mine. Chris wanted me to write out the things I would like to see underneath the Christmas Tree: So here they are...

Mel's Christmas List (In order from what I'd like the most)

 1) A new coat (Rue 21: Black or Grey in L or XL) 

 2) Dryer (Farmers Home Furniture)

3) IPad 2 (Apple)

4) Kindle Fire (Amazon or Wal-Mart)

5) Rue 21 Gift Card ($25+)

6) Heavenly (Victoria Secret)

7) Harry Potter Box Set ( Books A Million)                  

8) Harry Potter DVD Set (Target)

9) Candles (Michaels)

10) Christmas Lemax (Michaels)

11) Scrapbooking Supplies or Michaels GC ($25+)

12) New Phone Screen (Not sure where you get that...)

13) Zumba Fitness Game (Gamestop)

14) Glow in the dark Wii Remote (Gamestop)

15) Mcdonalds GC ($10+.. yes... I like their coffee but hate paying the price)

16) A Haircut/Style with Eggie---> Requires Chris to call, make the appointment, and of course pay :)

-Mel

 

The birth of my nephew & getting sick....

Happy Birthday To William Joseph Born on October 28th 2011 @12:22pm 2lbs 5oz 14"

Congratulations to my sister-in-law Nicole & Bryan on the birth of their baby boy!!!

Mom and Baby are doing well. He'll be in NICU for a while, and I'm not sure when Nicole will be heading home. I can't wait to meet him =)

On other news, I had to come home early today because I'm sick =( Stupid stomach virus. Hopefully it's only a 24 hour thing.

Hope everyone has a good day!!


Mel

Falling Leaves, Growing Up, Making Money, Big Days Busy Days Holidays, and School Adventures

Hello.
It has been awhile since I have written, but I have been busy doing so many different things.
So first, I'll start off with FALL! Yes... a true fall. Where the leaves are changing and it is getting chilly enough outside to wear a sweater. The smell of cold. Of winter. =) I love the winter, not only is my Birthday in December, but I also love snow, and wind, and icicles. I love wearing boots, and scarves and gloves. Although, where I live you only have a couple days where you can wear those things, I still love it. Probably because I grew up in the North and I really miss it. I miss waking up in the morning to fresh snow. I miss hot cocoa (not because I want it, but because it makes you nice and warm). I miss a fireplace. A REAL one. With like wood and fire... not a picture where a heater is built in.

Secondly I will talk about Christopher. In what entries have I ever excluded him anyways... he is my life after all. He is doing really well. Growing up too fast if you ask me. He'll be 14 months November 9th.

Third I'll talk about work. Because that is what I usually always do anyways. =) I don't classify myself as a workaholic.. however; I do consider myself a mommy, student, employee all in one. I have to work to make money. Learn to learn how to work and make money. and being a mommy empties that paycheck that I've learned to work so hard for. Rue is going well. Holiday is FAST approaching, so a lot of new changes are happening. Again with the FALL and WINTER thing- I really like seeing WARM things in the store. Coats, Jackets, Slippers, Sweaters... ect. I haven't been working too much, but I average about 30-35 hours a week. In fact, because of that reason I haven't worked at Michaels in awhile. I'll be calling them tomorrow though and let them know what I can and can't work next week, so that I can be put on the schedule.

Also in big news about Friends, two of my good friends are getting married in November, which is also the same month that Chris and I got married almost 3 years ago. November 1st will be our 3 year anniversary. But anyways, My friend Stephanie is getting married to her fiance Jonathan November 5th. And my friend Trish is getting married to her fiance Stephen on November 12th. I wish them both the best of luck, joy, happiness in the world because they deserve it. (They've both been married before, and they both have children, so this will be a second (AND BETTER) time for them).

Halloween is right around the corner- Christopher is going to be Charlie Brown and I'm going to be a cat. Don't think Chris is dressing up though. Thanksgiving will then be coming up. We'll be going to both my parents and the in-laws again. We have such a BUSY November!!!

November 1st: Chris and my 3 year anniversary
November 5th: Stephanie and Jonathan's Wedding. Trish's Bachlorette Party that evening.
November 12th: Trish and Stephen's Wedding.
November 18th: Chris's 24th Birthday
November 23rd: Karl's Birthday (Chris's brother)
November 25th: Thanksgiving
November 26th: Deb's Birthday (My Sister)


And then it'll be December which is also HUGE!!!
December 3rd: Nicole's Baby Shower (Chris's Sister)
December 22nd: G. Susie's Birthday (My Grandma)
December 25th: Christmas
December 30th: My 24th Birthday (which is the day AFTER my pen-pal and former Kiwi friend Rebecca's (or Becca's) Birthday
December 31st: New Years Eve and also when Chris's sister's baby is due.


January 9th will also be another big day for me!!! =)
I'm starting anew with school. I was going to school for Nursing and still am- just further on in the future after Christopher starts school, so that I can prioritize and really be able to study biology. I signed up and changed my major today. I'm now going for an Associates Degree in Science with a Major in Human Services. I also withdrew from my Biology class today. Knowing I wasn't passing-- and knowing that I wouldn't be able to pass, I withdrew so that I would still have a chance to go into Nursing when I'm ready. But to no further ado-- My classes are:

HUS 209- 8:15-9:35am Tue. & Thur (Case Management)
HUS 230- 9:55-11:15am Tue. & Thur. (Interviewing Techniques)
PSY 208- Online (Human Sexuality)
SPC 205-Online (Public Speaking)


Sorry this was such a long entry, however; I hope you really enjoyed reading it. Hoping for some great blog entries in the future.

Punishment, Money, Questions to answer, Couponing, and Medications... Quite the combination!!!!

Sometimes it is so hard for me to punish Christopher =( He's only a baby in my eyes still, but it's not something I can ignore, because he'll grow up thinking it is right. Sometimes being a mommy is tough!!!! (and if you're wondering what I'm referring to when I say I had to punish Christopher... it is because we have a "webcam" for in his room, so that we can see him on our monitor-- and he decided to take the cord and start chewing on it, and tried ripping it away from the wall....) I had to pop his hand and say no no-- and he basically cried until his eyes were droopy =(  I know I'm an okay mommy, but just popping him makes me think of all those children that are abused by horrible people. I don't compare myself to that-- I just feel as if punishing my baby is a horrible thing to do. Do any other parents out there feel the same? What do you do to your child if he/she misbehaves?

Anyways... I worked at Michaels today 9:30-3:30 and they wanted me to stay till 7:30, and I was already hurting. (my back has been bugging me lately because of the weather change we have been having). I said no. I feel bad because we really need the money-- but I have been working left and right with Michaels and Rue, and trying to go to my Biology class. (Those that have facebook or twitter see my foursquare posts and they know I'm always either at Michaels or Rue). It's starting to wear me out, and I miss seeing and spending time with my son... but I know it's for the best if I want us to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and lights and tv, and internet.  Why does being a Grown-up have to be so hard?

Speaking of saving money-- I've been trying my hand at couponing. =) I love watching Extreme Couponers and sometimes some of their stocks piles make me sick!!! I can't fathom that much food, toiletries ect. But I really want to start, because I think that if Chris and I coupon I'd be able to quit Michaels, and just work at Rue. But like I said-- couponing takes lots of time and energy, research, and to be any good you need to understand what you are doing. So I'm thinking of doing a lot of research and starting. Does any one here coupon? Do you enjoy it? Do you have any advice for me on the easiest way to coupon???

Well this is all for now. I have taken some medication and Chris isn't home right now, so I'm just trying to stay awake until Christopher falls asleep. I always make sure that he is taken care of because I fall asleep, and I usually don't take medication when Chris isn't home-- but the pain was so bad I couldn't bear it anymore.

I hope everyone has had a nice Sunday!!!!

-Mel

"It's been awhile since but all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you...."

It has been so long since I've written. I'm Sorry. I have been very busy.

1st on the agenda: Christopher Michael Anderson turned 1 on September 9th, 2011 at 8:17pm. We had his party the next day on September 10th, 2011 at our house from 2-4. We had so much fun, and I couldn't imagine a better party! He was blessed that was for sure =) 
Picture 1 is the cake that everyone ate =)
Picture 2 shows some of the presents he received (before he opened them all of course).

He also went to the doctors for his 1 year checkup. He was 19lbs 14oz and 30.5inches tall.
In other news with Christopher-- as most of you saw on my facebook page-- he walked his first steps a couple of days ago! I love my little man. He's growing up so fast-- and before I know it he'll be running circles around me.



Number 2: Rue is going good. Wish we were a little busier. I'm not used to running a retail store with hardly any action/ and or seeing the same people day in and day out-- but I guess that is what I get for working at a store that is small. I'll survive =)

Number 3: School is still not going well =( I just can't seem to understand, comprehend, and pass Biology. They throw tests in front of our faces to test our knowledge-- but they don't put us in situations where we can use our hands on knowledge to figure something out?!?! How is a multiple choice question about moles and their value going to help me when a patient in my care at ICU is bleeding to death and his heart is failing??? I mean really?!?!

Number 4: Chris and I are doing alright. We've seen better days-- but we're doing okay I presume. We don't really talk about the important stuff anymore.... in fact we're ignoring eachother completely when it comes to money or something. Chris always thinks he's right-- but that's a man for ya. They always think that. And I'm not saying that he isn't right sometimes-- because he can be right. Talking about it though gives me a headache, so I'm going to stop.

Number 5: I'm still at Michaels. Lots of changes there though, but I work in the mornings so I'm not really near customers. I'm happy to be there in the morning. It helps with my extremely wacked out schedule.

Well this is all for now. Hopefully I'll start writing in this more.


-Mel

Pre-View of a future blog to come

Work/Registration/Getting my Drivers License....

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't written in a while, but I have been SUPER busy with work. Today was my only day off this week & it was filled going to Camden to pay my taxes, and to pay for school. Michaels gave me 20 hours this week, and Rue 21 had given me 21. So it was quite hectic, but I was able to push through =)

Next week my parents go on vacation to New York. I work at Michaels on Sunday & the rest of the week except for Monday I work @ Rue. I'm getting used to Rue. I think I've been doing alright.

I also registered for my Biology 210 class today. This is THE LAST TIME I'm allowed to take it before I'm NOT excepted into the Nursing Program Summer Semester of 2012. =( So I have to make absolutely sure that I pass this time! I have Mondays and Wednesday classes 11:30-2:15. I get to tell Rue Saturday what my schedule is, and that on Mondays and Wednesdays I can work at 2:30-Close if they want me to. The campus isn't very far from Rue, so it won't take me but 5 minutes to get there.

I'm going to be going for my Drivers License really soon!!! =) I want to take it a couple days before I start school! =) I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I get sooo nervous when I'm behind the wheel, even though it has been 6 years since my car accident. I'm sure I'll do okay. I hope.

Well this is all for today!!!

-Mel

Working....

Hello all! =)

Today is one of my days off this week, so I felt like writing, while watching Teen Mom 2 on Netflix.
Christopher has been given his final baba & laid down for the night. I'm still really tired from yesterday!!! Yesterday I worked 7am-2pm at Michaels. And then I worked 4pm-8:30pm at Rue 21. I have been working for Rue 21 almost 3 weeks! I closed by myself for the first time last Tuesday, but this Wednesday I will be opening by myself for the first time. I'm a little nervous because 1) It's literally BY MYSELF until we open. & 2) I didn't have much training experience opening. I guess because there isn't much that needs to be done when you open. I'm hoping that by tomorrow evening I have my own code for the alarm, because I haven't gotten one yet =( But I do have my own keys =) I get paid this Friday!!! =) YAY! heehee.

Well this is all for today I guess.
Night!!!

-Mel

Legos & RueVisuals

Hello!

I figured on my day off I would write a little bit. 

Here is a picture of Christopher today. We brought out the Legos we bought him for Christmas because he finally can play with them. He was having a ball! =)

So.. I have spent the past 5 days (with some days off in between) working at Rue 21. So far I really like it. The atmosphere is really lax.  Last night we did a RueVisual-- which is where we change the store around. I had some difficulties with my wall. I'm usually pretty good at it-- however; almost NONE of the merchandise was out that had to be put up there, and then almost 50% of it was markdowns-- which can't go on a wall at all. I finally got home around 11:15pm last night. I was SOOO tired this morning when Christopher woke up & was sitting on the bed.

Well this is all for today! Just wanted to share my experiences with you guys!!!


-Mel

Good Afternoon Readers.

Today.... has been a day where I've been tired & cranky, my son has the sniffles, my son is also getting into everything & anything, my hubby is off to work, and I'm... CLEANING. I hate cleaning. I wish we had a maid. Actually I wish I could be rich & famous and have a maid. But it'll never happen.. so therefore I'm cleaning.

Laundry. Dishes. Vacuuming. -- Just to name a few.

I've also started @ Rue 21. Tomorrow night I get to experience closing for the first time with the company. I'm looking forward to it. This is all for today.

My name is Melissa, Do you Rue? I do!

Hello! You are now looking at (well... technically reading from-- but those who know me, know what I look like) the new Assistant Part-Time Manager @ Rue 21 in Camden, South Carolina. I got the job offer today & I'm sooo happy! We really need the money, so working two jobs & going to school & taking care of my son shouldn't be so hard!!!!
 I start Tuesday July 5th @ 9:00am. I'm copying Kamika's (who is the store manager) shift. Tomorrow before going to pick up a friend of ours from work I'm going to be stopping by Michaels and letting them know that I have another job, but that I'd still like to be incorporated in the schedule & that I can let them know the shifts I work for Rue 21 or I can have them just give me a day they want me. But Rue seems like they have their schedules out before Michaels does, because Michaels does their schedules for the next week on Wednesdays.

Ok. Well this is all for today! I just wanted to share my happy news with everyone!


-Mel

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the most amazing Daddy in the World! I love you Chris. W. Anderson (now remember how much you love me, after reading this post!)

This would be the day that my husband became a Daddy. September 9th, 2010. One of the happiest days of both of our lives. But I think looking into an EXACT replica of yourself-- just 23 years younger makes all the more happy. He has his own personal mini-me to look at everyday.  =) Pshhh... he doesn't even have to look in the mirror ;)

And here is Chris & his son-- sleeping. Christopher was only 2 weeks old here. Don't mind the mattress without the sheet. I just so happened to be doing the laundry when I came back in to find these two asleep. Guess you don't need sheets afterall???

Here's Chris and Christopher at the SC State Fair. Christopher was a month old. As my grandmother pointed out-- the LEAST expensive trip we'll have with him.

And here we are playing on Daddy's laptop. He's going to be a computer wiz like his daddy for sure =)

Playing on his first slide with Daddy was fun!!!

Here's one of our 6 Month Professional Photo's taken By Christina Alcorn. One of my favorites-- because you can see how much this Daddy Loves His Son.

Happy Father's Day Hunny. I wouldn't have chosen a better father for our son!!!

And Hunny... I hope you like your gift. It was certainly messy to do! And our little man didn't like being woken up to wet paint. And if you see him in the morning with green on his hands-- sorry I couldn't get it all. I guess it didn't help that I had to do it in the dark did it???


& A Happy Father's Day to my pop, to Chris's dad Richard, & to Chris's step-dad Kevin. Without you guys in our lives we wouldn't be who & where we are today. And to all the other Father's out there... Happy Father's Day!!!


-Mel

Are those Marshmallows I see????

Hello everyone! Sorry about the delay in posts. I have good news =)

Here is a picture from Memorial Day weekend. If you look closely-- you can Christopher has marshmallow ALL OVER his face. lol.

I haven't been up to much lately. I called a couple places for jobs, and I received ANOTHER email from Rue21 wanting to interview me for management-- which is funny because they didn't want me the first time around. I also submitted an application for a HR Office Assistant positing in Columbia that pays $18-20 an hour, and I have called another place for employment for an Office Management position in Camden (however; I haven't heard back from them). I'm hoping I hear about jobs soon, because Michaels is making a "store of the future" now, and I really don't think I'll get any hours either way, old Michaels or New.

Well this is all for tonight.
Watching Super 8 & then bed.

Night.

Mel

'Hello' & 'Goodbye'

Hopefully this video works!!! We were playing on the floor and all he wanted to do was wave at me! I haven't figured out yet if he is waving 'hello' or 'goodbye', but I would prefer it to be 'hello'. & he get's so excited when he does it! =)

Still haven't gotten those Memorial Day pictures, but when I do I'll upload those for all to see!
Our week here was interesting to say the least. Christopher has now gotten to where he doesn't want us to put him down in bed.... he will take a nap-- but when it comes to bed time he just doesn't wanna be in bed. He wants to play. So... unfortunately we've had to let him cry it out for longer than usual, just so that he will go to sleep. He usually takes 1 or 2 naps a day & has since he was 5 months old. I don't know if he is outgrowing it or what-- I just know that he is dead tired and he's teething like crazy (but those darn teeth just don't want to pop through). We've been cleaning the house too, and Christopher doesn't like the vacuum cleaner-- so it's really hard to vacuum unless he isn't in the room or unless he's sleeping , but if we vacuum by the door, he wakes up. It's a lose lose situation with the vacuum cleaner.... Maybe we should invest in a quieter one?

Today we put away almost all of Christopher's bottles, but beforehand we boiled them. He's growing up sooo fast!

Well hope everyone has a great day! And enjoy the video! =)

-Mel

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!!!! 

I'm sitting here at my mom's-- enjoying family time. I haven't seen my sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephew since November, and they haven't seen Christopher since then either. Oh how he has grown since then, and they definitely can tell!

I came over yesterday after work too to visit and have dinner with them, and now Chris gets to join us. I bought smores for later! I haven't had smores in over a year! 

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day tomorrow and enjoy going to the lake; hanging with family; maybe enjoy fireworks? or enjoy the beach! Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!!!!


-Mel   

So Many Men, So Little Aspirin!

Men.
I love my husband with all my heart. But sometimes he really drives me nuts. I just did laundry a couple of days ago. In fact I did 10 loads of laundry in the span of 2.5 days. And after asking him if he was going to be wearing the same shorts he wore last night to work for work tonight... and politely responded: "I have no other pairs". That's when I wanted to throw a remote at his head, but unfortunately the remote at the time had made it to the floor and I was too lazy to pick it back up. He refuses to wear his khaki shorts because they're to heavy to maneuver in (I believe that's it what he said). And the brand new shorts I bought for him I think on Valentines Day he said his knife gets stuck in. I refuse to do laundry everyday because I can't afford the electricity bill as it is-- I definitely wouldn't be able to afford it if I did laundry everyday. I don't have a clothes line, so we're constantly running the dryer when I do laundry. (Not that the dryer is going to last much longer).
UGHHHHH Men.

Well my friend Caroline is going to be having a girls night on Tuesday nights and I think I may go. Chris said it was okay with him and that I should really go out. I'm not taking classes this summer, so besides working maybe 1 or 2 days a week I'm home with Christopher most of the time.  Wednesday I'm going over to my mom's to help her paint to get some extra money- and I'll finish that job on Friday. On Thursday I'm going to have my mom watch Christopher for half the day so that Chris and I can finish his bathroom up. It's taken us long enough! Saturday I have to go to work. So it looks like Friday after working at my mom's I'll be doing the laundry.

Well this is my day. =) Enjoy yours!!!!


-Mel 

Mobile & Backwards

We're officially mobile... Just backwards... Yes... I said backwards. He will only crawl backwards for a couple of minutes-- and It's not enough time for me to even get a picture or video of it. I do believe that he will just skip crawling (the right way) all together-- and just walk. Is that normal? To skip crawling and just go to walking or is he just in the 1%???

Well today we've been extremely grumpy. Christopher doesn't want to lay down for a nap. His last bottle will be at 7:30pm and he'll go to sleep. (Hopefully). I know his teeth are bothering him but he just can't seem to cut those top two that are really bothering him. *sigh* Maybe soon? Let's hope!!!


Well... Here's to today!


-Mel

Introducing Mommyhood

Hello All! This is not my first time blogging-- or my very first blog for that matter. But this blog will specifically be about Us. Me. Chris. And our little boy Christopher Michael.
 Chris and I were married on November 1, 2008. And little Christopher Michael joined us on September 9, 2010.
I don't have much to say in this entry-- just an introduction & for people to follow!

-Mel