Birthdays

My kids bdays are creeping up on me. I have had so many things on my plate that it is a good thing that I put things away for presents all year! Otherwise I'd be in bigger trouble than I already am. We'll be having multiple parties as usual. We technically already had M's bday bash at Monkey Joes with her school friends. She's the youngest of the bunch and had been attending there's all year. So the big shindig is out of the way.

However, for M's first bday we had 2 huge blowouts! And for W, poor 2nd born...I have barely thought about it. I decided that the Hallquist side of the family's celebration will be themed with dogs. Dogs are seriously one of W's favorite things! I don't know why. We don't own one, but not only does he sign the sign for dog, but he says "Gog" and makes barking sounds. So we'll have a dog cake and probably plates and such. But this will not be quite the same ordeal as was M's first bday party. The we'll have anoher celebration for both M and W when we visit the Young side of the family in July. You see my kids bdays are 6 days apart. W will be 1 and M will be 4!

As for presents...what do you get a 1 year old. Most of my facebook suggestions say not to get him much. just have good family fun and take lots of pics. I like that. I actually do have lots of things put away for him...but they are not quite age appropriate yet. I have an immaculate rug that has roads and a town on it for car play when he gets bigger. I have tons of those cardboard bricks for building...again when he is bigger...there is more, but just not ready for those yet.

For M, I have one main thing that I got in a yard sale before Christmas. It is a Fisher Price FP3 player. It is for kids and is downloadable with headphones. I also have a Transparent Man that I got at the Goodwill Clearance Center for $1.09/lb. He is missing some of his parts, but I don't think that really matters at this age. She is just so interested at whats on the inside of her body.

Should be interesting to see what else I come up with. I do want to get W a little tikes hammer, cause he loves his but it has a short and only works part of the time. And I am looking to get M one of the MLP's she's been asking for since before Christmas.

Also get to schedule and accomplish their yearly pics! So much to add to my plate!

Anticipation

I have entitled my post thus because I am living in anticipation of July. June has been crunch month in so many ways. As for summertime activities, we have been filled with June time things and not so much for July. As for PartyMe Princess roll out dates...they are happening the first of July, if not the very tail end of June. Not to mention my baby turns 1 on June 30th! And my first born will be 4, 6 days later! Sheesh!

I anticipate that July will be, in a lot of ways, a more laid back and relaxed month. Some things are very much under way as far as an ad for my business. The costumes are done (for the most part), the pics have been taken, the website should be up and running in another week or two...and then I wait. For phone calls and parties to book. And the truly busy work of this business will be over and I can move into the maintenance phase.

Of course I will still have to manage the thing with actual visits, calendar updates, LLC paperwork and a separate bank account, taxes...But the due dates and crunch time things will be minimal and for that I will be glad.

On the home front, baby boy still has his adorable curls! Couldn't bear to cut them yet. M is in VBS this week and for whatever reason she says she doesn't like it and just wants to go home to her mommy. Think that may have more to do with being out of school and trying to reattach the umbilical chord. Poor little lost girl... Still she's doing well all things considered. Looking forward to a visit from our cuz and Nani!

Fine in 2009 is going well! Don't know if I've lost much weight, but I have definitely lost inches and that counts for more if you ask me. I feel better about my appearance and that is what matters most...not to mention I'm definitely on the road to better health! I mean I hadn't excercised regularly since high school! My mental health is taking a summer dip as I'm trying to juggle the attention of 2 children 24/7 and a side business start up in addition. Think things will ease up as school approaches and the business moves to a steady, maintenance phase. We shall see.

Summer is Upon Us

I know it's not officially summer, but you wouldn't know that in my house! Today we played in the sprinkler. It was extra hot and there seemed an extra supply of mosquitos and ants in our yard! I stayed in my pj's all day. That's right, you read that correctly...even while playing outside! I have more to do than I can possibly imagine. Even when breaking it up into smaller sections, I still can't seem to get things done.

A great deal of the latter problem has to do with my nearly 4 yr old "M" who seems to be absolutely beside herself with cluelessness at not being able to go to school. It's like she's lost and doesn't have any idea what to do, so she wants my constant attention. This was cute for just shy of 3 days...I want you to hold me. But I don't just want you...as an excuse for not napping or wanting to nap. It's not just me though. Sometimes she says I want my daddy, where is my daddy? And twice today she has said that she wanted her brother.

Good thing Fairy Princess Dance Camp is next week! Hope they still have openings as I haven't signed her up yet. Then, 4th week in June is beach vacation, and the week following that is Backyardigans Camp in North Carolina. At some point in July we will likely make a trip to play with Gammy and Pawpaw and Cousin B in Alabama. Then in early Aug. M will go to an orientation camp at her new Montessori school! Probably the summer will go by faster than it seems at the moment.

W is nearly a year and in desperate need of a hair cut. He is cruisin all over the place and jabbering up a storm. He's not quite brave enough to take that first step, but he seems to be very near giving it a try. He doesn't sign much but seems to fully understand the use of the sign "get down?" when he wants to roam free. He is a chunk. Very easily into 24 month clothes and he's not quite a year.

I am on my way to being fine in 2009. I said it was the year for it and i have not shyed away from making that happen. I signed up at a gym and have been working out nearly everyday for about a month. I've lost at least 5 pounds so far. Hard to say as I don't own a scale. I have signed up for the summer at a tanning salon. Now I have mixed feelings about this, but for this year I'm letting it go. It has allowed me to build some relationships and minister in ways I never would have. I pray God continues to cultivate those relationships and allows me somehow to be a light to those I have met and am in constant contact with.

Speaking of relationships, I'm loving my best friend on this side of the country, B. Nice to have a friend nearby to relate to.

Things are moving along with both of hubs and my new businesses. My new business involves Princess Party Hosting and Appearances. I've gathered up almost all of the costume materials and wigs. In fact, I made an appearance this past weekend as the Under the Sea Princess at a Grand Opening. You can see the pics on facebook! I'm working with a gal to advertise in the upstate parent mag for July so I've got some pics to make rather quickly. But first, we have a yard sale this weekend! Saturday at 8am. So I've got to get prepared for that. It's nice really cause even though it's a lot of work, the result is much like a good Clean Spring Cleaning! Can't wait for this month to be over though and it has only just begun! So much to do and not enough time! So forgive me if I do not post much till after July 6th or so!

What would she buy?

So M decided that she wanted to do some chores to earn stickers that would eventually allow her to choose a privilege or something. I asked her what it was she was working toward and her reply is...
She want to buy a lemon. A yellow lemon that is squishy, rubbery, and squeaks. She estimates that it will cost $6. I have no idea where she will find said lemon and got no real answer to the question of why she wanted the lemon, but that is precisely what she wants.

First she said that she was going to put it in her dress up box, but when I explained that it wasn't dress up, she decided to put it in her rose petal cottage. Then she said, actually she would keep it in her bed, cause that way she could squeak it first thing after awakening. O.K. Can't blame a girl for knowing what she wants.

The Whole Story

Went to Walmart to buy a pj pattern and a bunch of inexpensive pj type fabric. It's funny how they outgrow everything all at once...so we are searching and sorting and widdling our choices down. You know, 3 1/2yr olds want every princess, tinker bell, hannah montana fabric out there and they are pricier cause of their name...so we pick a dora on sale, and a cheeta girl on sale, some nice stretch knit pink with whales on it, hot pink with polka dots, and pink camo...these are cute and more affordable. right when we are finally ready to do the cutting, M has to go to the bathroom...clear across the store. No surprise.

Needless to say, I had of course asked her not long before that if she needed to go and she had said no. we left the fabric on the table and told the cutting lady we'd be back to have them cut. then we had to dump the bottled water and pattern at the check out line so we could wheel the cart in the bathroom as it had W in it as well. I send M to potty by herself as W and I wait just outside the stall. M isn't going potty. so I go in there to help. Meanwhile 2 or 3 other women come in. M is all nervous that the potty will "flush under my bottom!" Well the sign clearly said that you would have to push the button to flush it. I tried to assure her of this but she wasn't buying it. I tell her she doesn't have a choice, if she has to go, then she has to go on this potty. Well...she stiffens up and starts a temper tantrum! I tell her I'll help her and start to lift her onto the potty and she arches her back just about falling half dressed on a public restroom floor!

At this point my blood pressure is going up so I tell her that if she doesn't go on the potty I guess she'll just have to tee tee on the floor (thinking of course that this sounds awful and repulsive, so the other choice would be a better one). Apparently, she thought the floor in this case was much better cause as I walk out of the stall and give her a minute to think about it, I notice she's stopped crying and it's quiet. So I peek back in the stall and see her squatting down on the floor peeing!!!

I call out her name and she stops--obviously! i jerk up her pants and tell her we are going home! I tell her that she knows better than that...and of course she just screams the whole way out and to the car and half the way home. I lecture her despite in my mind I'm telling myself that lecturing is not the best way to go in this case. I suppose I'm doing it more for my benefit than hers. I make her go straight in to the potty, change close (cause I don't know how she could have avoiding getting t-t on herself) and off to nap. No playing.

Of course I didn't get the fabric, the pattern, or the other groceries that I needed. I do suppose that I'll have to plan something else for sup since i needed some things from the store to complete my original menu. ahhhhhhhhhh well. j says i'll laugh about it in 20 yrs and I suppose he's right.

Hiatus

You know how life gets so full that you begin to let things go? well that is this blog. And truthfully, I don't think of it as a bad thing. I am sorry that I haven't posted more, more often this month...but I'm so grateful for the blessings that I have been enjoying. I believe I actually started a post that I never finished for being interrupted that was just a simple list of all the things I was cultivating in my life right now. I will post some of those things here.

I suppose this post is about priorities. About not having enough time in your day to get it all done. Having to chose what gets done and in which order.

We have been cultivating relationships this month. First with J's family, then with mine, then with our pseudo family here in G'ville and with eachother. We had a lovely visit with the Bham family. Easter egg hunts, playtime with Cousin B, lots of good food. Then we made a quick trip to NC to see my FOO (Family of Origin). Always love playing with Cuz and spending time with Nani and Pop. Got a good bit of simple sewing projects done. Didn't get much sleep though!

We missed out family friends here Aunt B and R Piecie. Lots of playing and sharing of germs left us fighting pink eye, sinus infection, and finally just a good solid case of hay fever/allergies. We are enjoying our last bit of school and getting ready for dance recital. Tomorrow we will enjoy a visit from our other "Aunt" Aly from Cali! Can't wait! And then off to Aunt Minnahs for the Auburn City Fest.

After our last traveling car sickness incident, we will be bringing some dramamine! And making sure to leave when the kids are sleepy! What a day that was. So we have a lot on our plate right now.

J is turning 30 next week (and so is aunt al). W will be an official 10 month old next week and has a dr. visit. He is full of curls, has a louder scream than his sis ever did and can army crawl like a mad man. His temper will be something of force to reckon with. Think we may have to start implementing time out in his little bed to help curb his reactions. He gets up on those knees to crawl sometimes, but he hasn't go the hang of that yet. He eats an unbelievable amount most days! It really is jaw-dropping! And he makes the prettiest pics ever! Will be sure to post some on his 10 month date!

Been enjoying my husband in new ways lately and I am just so thankful that life and marriage is so great even after nearly 8 years and 2 kids! Hope it only gets better!

So if you don't hear from me for awhile, know that it's for cultivating the best things in my life. And who wouldn't want that?

Been a Long Time...Shouldn't have left you

It's been a long time...been busy with trips to see family. Had wonderful time. More on that later.

Right now I send this out as a matter of some URGENCY. A call for prayer for my friends and professor Jimmy and Reita Dukes.

We got the text early this morning from a friend still in New Orleans, that they were critically wounded in a pedestrian/car accident the night before. They were crossing the street in front of the seminary and were hit. As of now, they are in desperate need of prayer. He having extensive broken bones and some neck injury, and she having had brain trauma. He seems to be stable now but will require more surgery. She has had surgery and is scheduled for more but is unresponsive at this time. It will be a few days before they really know to what degree her injuries will affect her. It is touch and go for Reita at the time. Please be in prayer for them both...especially for Reita. And also for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary family as they are in shock and grieving.

Do this for me...

I've been meaning to do this for awhile. PLEASE...if you read my blog and I do not have a link to your blog or webpage in my list of links, PLEASE leave me a comment with that link so that I can update it. I'm serious, unless of course you don't want me or anyone else to read your page (then why have one). PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do this for me.

Another M story

M was pretending that her two round inflatable chairs that go with her rose petal cottage were drums and she was making a beat. Then you could see her brain working and she tells hubs and I to wait wait...come here. She was going to play her guitar for us. And off she runs in a hurry.

So we wait and she returns with her ping pong paddle. She props it up as if to play it in a guitar like fashion only exactly backwards and resting half under her strumming arm and resting on that same hip. She sticks that hip out adequately and shakes it mildly as she strums along to her rockin' version of the ABC's.

Hubs and I, in good parent fashion clap along and wave our hands up in the air like we're at a concert. W gets into it too showing off his new clapping talent. When she's all done she bows and says, "Thank you. I'm only here for one night." and the waves and walks away.

J and I look at eachother and smile and later discuss how in the world she would even know that people actually do say that. My only thought is that they may have said it in the Barbie Diamond Castle movie. But we've only rented it twice and it's been awhile. We just got a laugh out of that one.

Uncle Patrick's Day

M is a little confused about the whole St. Patrick's Day thing. I tried to tell her about wearing green and such (didn't really even remember why?). Told her about the pinching thing and such. Later she says to me,
"I don't want to go to Uncle Patrick's party cause I don't have anything green to wear and I'll get pinched!"

I had no idea what she was talking about till I realized that she was talking about how she didn't want to participate in the St. Patrick's day tradition of wearing green. She was really having trouble grasping that this was a holiday not some function that we were attending. Still I thought it was cute that she linked it to her uncle somehow and then was worried about wearing green and getting pinched.

Never fear, we had plenty of green on and we had a grand time going to the library, having a playdate with Reese, making sugar cookies with green sprinkles, and taking a green bath tonight! Would love to show the pics I have of that, but not really internet appropriate, so I'll post a crop of one of the pics.



It was such a nice day after so many very rainy days, that we had some time outside as well. W enjoyed the swing in spite of his new teeth pushing through.


And just so you can see what I was up to yesterday on the oh so rainy day, I'll post a pic of the million dish marathon. Don't worry folks, the dishes in this photo are clean! There was not a dirty dish in the house for at least 30 minutes! haha! And yes I have to was them all by hand.
As M, has had some rough days in school lately, I'm proud to say that she has been extremely well behaved these last several days which is one of the reasons I was able to stay at it with the dishes till every last utensil was washed!

Stride Wrong

My local bff, we'll call her "B", has been handing me down a bunch of clothes, toys, and shoes lately and I'm thrilled. But some of them just weren't very cute. I don't complain, though cause most of the shoes were Stride Rite brand anyway and I always try to get M several pairs of these as they are better comfort fit shoes for kids.

In the not so distant past, M was having an issue of always falling down...sometimes even when standing still, so I thought maybe some good shoes would help. I hit a consignment sale several weeks ago and got 1 pair of nice leather closed toe sandals, 1 very nice pair of th*ong type sandals with a butterfly decorations on them, 1 pair of mary jane type tennis shoes with Mermaid decorations and panels for "air conditioning", and a pair of sandals that can be worn in or out of the water. I figured that I was set with those, all of which were stride rite brand with the exception of the water shoe. They do, however, carry similar types of water shoes at stride rite.

The day after I got those shoes, I got a stride rite coupon in the mail! hahahahaha! I just had to laugh. So I passed the coupon on to my SIL since those are hard to come by. Then B starts cleaning out (early spring cleaning) and she finds all these shoes in M's size and gives them to me. There are a cute pair of target sandals (pink with butterflies), an ugly pair of stride rite mary jane tennis shoes that are covered in dirt and a bit of paint. Then today she finds 2 pairs of winter boots (hope we're still in that size when fall hits), a pair of pink hiking boots (perfect if we pick up camping as we are hoping to do), and another pair of stride rite sandals. They are a little plain and kind of dirty, but I think with a bit of cleaning they'll be quite nice and kind of traditional.

(will post the pic of them after they are cleaned up later)

So, I got to thinking about how to improve the initial pair of dirty "play shoes" as B said. I thought to myself, M would never choose these shoes even for playing. How can I improve them? As my mom said, I could try anything cause they couldn't get much worse. So, on my day off last thursday I took a stroll through Hobby Lobby (right by my house) to get ideas. And I had lots of ideas. I finally landed on the idea of silver glitter and sequins. Silver can mix and match with lots of things and M loves sparkle!


First I had to clean them, so I googled it and wikihow suggested cleaning them with toothpaste. M and I made a day of it (note this is actually a Montessori activity). We got out a towel, a huge bowl of warm water, some toothpaste, and an old toothbrush. It worked and we had a good time doing it. In fact, after I cleaned them I almost didn't want to decorate them.

(See the clean one next to the dirty one? That was my delayed thought to do a before and after pic but it works)

But I'm glad I did cause after I used flip flop glue to adhere a double layer of glitter and strategically placed sequins, M can not wait to wear these to school!

Who am I?

I am me, Gini.
I am mom to M...to W...to children to come, biological or otherwise.
I am wife to hubs.
I am housekeeper, though not always a very good one.
I am cook and getting better.
I am Christ follower...I dare not judge myself on this.
I am friend to many all around the globe and special friend to one nearby and one cross country.
I am surrogate mom to any cousin or friend of M or W's who happens to be in my care. I love most children like they were mine all along.
I am creative. When my mind isn't too cluttered with the everyday, it is teaming with ideas!
I am musical and dare I say talented. I love to sing, but mostly in worship to my King.
I am learning...sooooo many things. Sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, princessing.
I am moving forward. I am not sitting still. No matter how mundane the days are, I am moving forward with purpose. Sometimes I'm crafting. Sometimes I'm resting. Most times I'm trying to be a reflection of God to those around me.
I am intellectual, though I don't use the depths of it most of the time.
I am hungry...to be more. More musical. I want to sing more. To learn more guitar. To sew more for my children. I want to travel. I want to see so many things. I want to laugh more. I want to cry more. I want to cuddle my children more. I want to see more of my husband's dreams come true. I want more abundant life.
I am satisfied...mostly. with life...where we are, where we are going, what we have, what we don't.
I am dancing with my head back and my eyes closed to the music on my ipod...while doing the dishes.
I am attempting to harmonize to songs I don't know, at the top of my lungs...while cleaning the house.
I am excited about spring.
I am still enjoying the nip in the air though.
I am gonna be something great, even if very few people ever realize it. A great mom, a great wife, a great Gini. A great many things.
I am a skeptic.
I am an optimist...always.
I am a woman.
I am different.

I was once told I am intriguing.
Years ago I told my husband that I am bossy and have high expectations.

I am fascinated by medical shows.
I am no good at keeping up with people at a distance...sorry.
I am working on it...and getting better at it bit by bit.

I am wondering what God is up to in my life and family.
I am excited about it whatever it is.
I am out of shape and discontented with that.
I am tired alot, but not discouraged about it as interrupted nights mean precious babies are a part of my life.
See...I told you I am an optimist!

I am about to finish this post.
I am typing and eating lunch at the same time on my favorite day of the week. My day off.
I am listening and thoroughly enjoying listening to Death Cab for Cutie on my ipod.
I am not wearing make up, but at least my hair is fixed.
I am wearing jeans, a black long sleeved tee, my hubs old jacket (one of my faves), and house slippers that are like red fuzzy flip flops.
I am about to eat some fresh pineapple.
I am signing off now.

Grumpalump

Today started off so nice. We had previous plans to spend some time with our friends, outside, washing cars. Tuesdays are get a dozen donuts for 5.99 at DD, so we took the bit of our cash that we had left and headed there. The really nice lady behind the counter let us substitute one donut for a strawberry frosted one (M's favorite). Then we headed to the post office.

I have put off going to the post office for awhile because for some reason that is one place where my children NEVER behave the way I need them too. Today was no exception. M was sooo good all morning but just found it impossible to listen and obey in that post office. Thank goodness for all the nice people that helped us. Now, we will be thrilled to hear when our friend Caleb gets his little happy. Shout out to my dear friend Kerrie. Wish I were near you and your family!

The post office is directly across from the library, so of course we chose to make a stop in. We hadn't planned on being gone long. I didn't even bring a baby bag of any kind...no diaper, nothing. So we went in with the understanding that we couldn't get much since we wouldn't be able to carry it. We came out with 10 movies and 4 books. M waited in the room where they were having storytime (I didn't even know about this but ran into a friend who informed me). I proceeded to take W and the stack of items to the car. I dropped them all in the parking lot. Thankfully someone helped me pick them up. I paid a tiny fine and then took the fam to the potty just in time for storytime.

M doesn't always do well in these, so it was going to be iffy and then on top of that it truly was W's naptime. They both did really well. It helped that one of M's school mates was there as well.

We got home in time to give W a bottle and put him to bed. I expected him to sleep for hours. that just wasn't the case. We had enough time to make lunch and eat it. M watched one of her videos from the library. Then W woke up. I put him to watching a baby einstein in his exersaucer and got ready quickly to head over to a friends. Got M ready quickly. Packed her bag and W's. Then W had left me a present in his diaper so I remedied that. Finally we were headed to Reese's house.

We have to pass the Doc on the way which jogs my memory that I was supposed to go in for W's shot only visit and M can't go back to school till she has proof of immunizations. I drop M off at Reese's and head back to the Dr just in time to see them unlock their doors. When I go in the line is long, but I'm relieved (in a weird way) to find that 3 or 4 of those in line are just drug reps. Then the first on the list can't be seen cause they don't take that insurance. So it's looking better all the time. This is a good thing since there is the one waiting room with stagnant, warm air (a breeding ground for all the germs that are surely floating around). It's too warm actually.

We wait. And wait. W poops again. There is no changing table in the bathroom there so I'm thinking surely I'll be called back soon. After an hour and 15 minutes of waiting I ask if they knwo when I'm going to be seen? they have no idea. They seem perturbed because I didn't set an appt. But it wasn't because I didn't ask. I was specifically told by Dr. and nurse to not set one. Just come in one afternoon, not friday, and get a quick shot. Apparently the nurse is out sick. They didn't inform me of that till I was very frustrated after an hour and a half.

They called me up at least 4 times. First, the bill we owed. quite a decent sum since we had been in and out all of January just about. We had recieved a bill for half the amount she quoted and were scheduled to pay it on bill pay next week, but they said she wouldn't send my chart back till I paid at least half. I have to text J to get approval. Both of us annoyed, agree we have to pay it. So we pay it so we can deal with the shots. Second, they call me up to see what W's date of birth is (which notoriously means they can't find his chart). Third, they want to know what shot he needs. I tell them I would know if they could inform me which shots he recieved at his last visit. They don't tell me and decide they'll figure it out. Fourth, they tell me he doesn't need any shots. I tell them that he only recieved 2 last visit and he is usually due for 3. In addition, the nurse told me to come in. They tell me that I should come back a day when the usual nurse is in and maybe she'll know what to give!

Now at this point I'm VERY perturbed. But I'm so calm and nice...I say I have been here an hour and a half. I do not want to come back another day. I'd like to figure it out and get it over with so that at least I'd have done something other than wait for the last hour and a half. This seems to annoy her and she says something about them being backed up anyway and me not having an appt. I tell her, it was not my choosing to do it this way. The nurse specifically instructed me to handle it this way. Well, she says, there is no way the nurse would have known she wasn't going to be here today as she called in sick. Again, not my problem. They double check. No W doesn't need another shot. Fine. But I still need M's shot record. I warned them of this when I first checked in and i was instructed to wait till after W's visit. That didn't work out.

After watching 6 drug reps come and go and waiting for now more than an hour and a half...I'm not seen but at least I got a shot record so M can go to school tomorrow. W missed his nap entirely as he was supposed to get one while waiting at the doc, so he is out cold already. AND thank goodness for friends who watch your kids at the last minute and for leftovers!

Next, we deal with the onslaught of ants in the bedroom. This is the worst place for ant season...and apparently it has begun!

Snow Day!

I was really skeptical when they were predicting snow for Sunday. I mean really. We usually get one good snow a season and the season had basically come and gone with no sign of it...save for a few flurries on two occasions. Still, for the three year old in me and the three year old in my house, I secretly hoped that the weather man might actually be accurate this time. But Sunday we awoke to wet, sloshy rain, just the same as the day before, and the day before that! Disappointed and not surprised, I went about my chores with steadfastness. I don't remember quite what the deal was with the baby boy, but we had to pay him a good bit more attention than usual, yet M was still very well behaved (with the exception of skipping her nap, a habit that seems to be a daily occurrence for the moment). I chose to reward her by allowing her a Daddy Daughter Date Night to Moe's. With a bogo coupon of course! [on a side note that $8 excursion served for 4 meals with no problem!]


Just after I chose to miss the meeting I had hoped to attend with my local group "Slightly North of Mainstream" the snow began to fall! I was immediately relieved that I hadn't attempted to get myself and W out in that on our way to Anderson.

It fell, and fell, and fell with what appeared to be no end in site. I don't remember ever experiencing an actual snow storm and thus had no real life application for the term. Like the flash of lightening that split across the flake filled sky, I suddenly realized that snow storm was a totally seperate term. Then came the thunder that quickly solidified the thought. The storm part, that of the thunder and lightening came and went rather quickly, a fact that left M grateful.

She then spent the moment before bedtime, sitting in her room with the curtains pulled back and the lights off so she could better visualize the snow! I have to say, it was awe inspiring.


The next day, she burst into our room declaring that she looked out the window and though she didn't expect it, the snow was still there even though the sun was shining very brightly. We decided that a warm breakfast and then several layers of clothes would be perfect for winter play preparations.

During W's nap, we hit the snow hard. The best snow piles in the front...something about the type of grass that seems to make the snow seem deeper. Unfortunately, the snow in the front was all powder and no play.

Not to mention, those cars that were out seemed to be having trouble on the ice and I for one didn't want to be in the yard when they slid off the road into our yard.

So we found the snow that was getting the most sun. The little bit that it was melting made it better suitable for building a snowman. And that's what we did.

We both made snow angels...sort of, as the layer of ice in the snow made it harder to see the indention. We threw snow balls. We marveled at the icicles. M played with the ice puddles that she imagined to be not quite ready for ice skating. She took a stick and hacked away at the ice in one of these puddles. Then after we were thoroughly soaked, we went inside.

We shredded the wet layers of clothes and discarded them into the dryer. She couldn't warm up fast enough, so she opted for a warm bath and that seemed to do the trick. Then she put on her clothes straight from the dryer and had chicken noodle soup for lunch. And truly as fast as the snow came in, it melted away in the same fashion.

We giggled at our snowman today as he lay face down on the ground, toppled over as if someone had given him a push from behind.

Apparently I missed his 5 month pic as well

How cute is he anyway?! This is at the Children's Museum in North Carolina. I'm not sure exactly when it is, but given the location of it in my pic files and his appearance, I'm almost certain these pics were intended to be his official 5 month pics. Fairly certain these were taken in December.

More Catching up with W

And this is W eating puffs and feeding them to himself. We aren't sure they like him very much, but he sure likes them! Oh...and he is about 7 months and about 2 weeks in this pic! Notice the short sleeves. It was at least 70 degrees that day!


This is mommy wearing W in the hip position in her homemade pouch sling. He and she rather enjoy this carry. He is early 7 months in this pic and yes it is another 70 something degree day in February! We went to the zoo for his first trip with two other moms and their little ones.


I believe this is W's 7 months birthday and he was very "into" his tongue for a few day there. So here he is showing it off in all its glory!

Catching up with W

This is W at 6 months and 1 week. Gammy and Pawpaw came for our belated Christmas visit! He was loving his presents from Aunt Sue, and Gammy and Pawpaw! So here he is at 6 months!

W at 8 months!

Well, I finally figured out how to post pics on this computer after a short tutorial from my hubs.
That requires me to first do the post on W's progress as he has now reached 8 months! What?! How fast did that go by?! He is a Young through and through. He loves to babble and clearly knows the meaning of dada and mama. He says baba all the time but hasn't connected it to mean hello or goodbye. He does seem to wave sometimes when he sees someone new or for the first time in a while. He reaches for me and J when he wants to be picked up. This is new as of this week. He has 2 teeth. The second of which seems to have come fully forth on the 1st of March...also the day of his first snow. He only went out there for maybe 1 minute at the most and wasn't really sure what to think but he was hip slung in the pouch and then wrapped under my lovely sweater wrap that SIL Shelby got for me 2 Christmases ago. Little did she know that it would be super handy when baby wearing in the cold.



He sits fairly well on his own, though appears to be too busy to sit still for any length of time. He LOVES to roll...and in true father-like form rolls all over the place. He has recently gotten into some seriously off-limit things much to our surprise. As ready as I am to see him crawl, I'm still glad that he doesn't. Although, we are working with him on getting the hang of it cause he tries with all his might. He love stuffed animals. Not sure what it is about them, but they can usually make him giggle. His favorite movie is Baby Wordsworth (baby einstein). He has signed deliberately 3 things. First he signed "more" the second to last week in February. Then the following week he signed "eat" and "milk". I'm not yet convinced that he understands fully what he's doing, but he watches us and then mimmicks us.


Last Dr. visit he weighed in at 19 lbs and 6 1/2 ounces. So our weight concerns are a thing of the past! He has adorable curls that come out if he gets sweaty or if it happens to be humid. Sometimes he randomly gets tickled and laughs when we change his diaper (we haven't figured this out yet). His alltime favorite baby food is Cinnamon Raisin Granola! This is followed closely by carrots, and green beans. He is pretty good at feeding himself, although he works to hold his own cup. He's still trying to figure out how to tilt it to get the liquid to the top.



He is going to love walking when he gets it, cause he LOVES to hold your hands and walk around or dance (which is about the cutest thing I've ever seen)! He is in the process of sleep training and doing pretty well actually. He still wakes and fusses a little bit in the middle of the night, but most of the time he soothes himself back to sleep relatively quickly. I had to comfort him just once last night and that wasn't for long, and I put him back in his crib awake and never heard another peep. So, his mom is looking forward to the soon to be full nights of sleep!

Mercy Blurb

Setting: Just now. In her room. She's in my lap with her blankie. We are in the rocking chair. The lullabies are playing on her music player. The lights are off and the guardian angel night light is on. We are talking and rocking.

Mercy: Mom. Mom you are frustrating me with your talking too much. It's making me wound up.
Me: (inside-hahahahahaha!) Oh sorry. You are so right. I'll be quiet.

Mercy: (starts talking about something else)
Me: Shhh...if mommy has to be quiet, you need to be quiet too. It's time to rest.
Mercy: (after a little bit of quiet listening to the lullabies) Mom, I have to tell you something.
Me: OK
Mercy: Sometimes at school, Maddie puts her hand over my mouth and tells me I can't talk to her. that's not very nice.
Me: What are you saying to her? are you being mean?
Mercy: No. She's not being nice.
Me: Well, maybe you are talking too much.
Mercy: Yeah. That's what she says. You remember how this very night you were talking too much? It's just like that.
Me: Well, remember how you said I was frustrating you when I was talking so much. Well maybe you are frustrating her.
Mercy: Yeah.
Me: She probably shouldn't put her hand on your mouth. But maybe you shouldn't talk quite so much. (me thinking this conversation and my little lecture are about to warrant a repeat of the previous events with my talking so much becoming frustrating).

Domestic and Yet Not So...

I'm feeling rather domestic today. Last night after we put the kids to bed, I took apart the whole chicken that I had crockpot cooked all day till the meat fell off the bones. I bagged it up in 5 different parts. 3 bags of bite size pieces to use in various recipes, and 2 separate bags for each b*reast (sorry you have to break up words like these so as to avoid certain kinds of lurkers on your site). All that for 99 cents a pound which in today's economy is a pretty good price. Man I loved finding it for 49 or 59 cents a pound not too long ago. Then of course I kept the chicken stock to use in my made from scratch potato soup I'll be making later today. I was contemplating boiling the bones, but I didn't know if that was even a good idea seeing as I had already crockpotted it. Gonna look into that for future projects.

I then stayed up way to late watching 20/20 and making a menu for the next two weeks worth, so that today when I take my entire family and our cash envelope to the grocery store, I can buy only exactly what I need...no more and no less. We've decided to do this as a joint venture that way Jason can calculate as we go. I'm determined to be very strict with our grocery budget as I'm still trying to stick to our $50-$60 a week thing even though the price of groceries has gone up considerably. Also, I'm going to try to catch the box sale again...haven't done that for quite a while.

So, we are getting low on groceries cause it's time to go to the store today, but I wanted to make b'fast for the family this a.m. We had some muffin mix and it had a recipe on back for making the muffins into strawberry and almond creme muffins. I had all the ingrediants (so I thought) so I thought this might be a nice alternative to something rather plain. Had to use PET evaporated milk cause we are out of milk. No problem. called for Almond extract. Which I pulled out only to find it empty. ugh. so I try banana extract instead. So now we are to have Strawberry Banana creme muffins. Still sounds good. But something went array. And by the time they had been removed 2-3 times, they were almost burned on top and rather mushy on the inside...not to mention they were stuck to the muffin baking cups. So disappointing! So J and M make a quick run to Mc D's and ask for the unadvertised special. They came home with 5 bfast sandwiches for $5. Not bad. Not good for you, but hey...it worked in a pinch. After having made a huge mess in the dishes and the floor, and managing to burn my arm (which I haven't done in sooo long). I'm still managing to feel a little domestic.

On a totally different note, I am sleep training Wyatt now. He's no longer sick. It is obvious he doesn't need a night time feeding anymore. It seems he just wants me to be near him for 2 hours or so at night. Well, this mama needs her sleep, so he will learn to soothe himself. Which he's not too bad at in the first place. We just complete night 2 and it's going very well if I do say so. More on that to come.

And I haven't posted pics cause I haven't figured out how on my hubs computer.

More from Mercy

I over heard Mercy "reading" the words on her conversation hearts after dance class. It went like this, "To Mercy From Ms. Lindsey (her dance teacher) who shows us our dance so we can have fun in dance class. Here's a snack you can have at your home. I love you. Goodnight. I love you." then to herself, "Isn't that sweet?!"

Now keep in mind while she was reading the one or two word phrases on the hearts, she is using her finger to scan the words as if actually reading. Back and forth and back and forth with her pointer finger as if with no problem at all, every word of what she verbalized truly was printed on those hearts. So funny and so cute.

Just the other day, she, of her own volition, decided to play with W. She brought him toys that she thought he might like and of course instructed him how to use them. She coddled him as even grown ups do with babies. It was very sweet. So I encouraged that behavior saying, "you are such a great big sister!"
to which she replied, "Yes, I know. I bet you wish you had me for a very long time!"
with raised eyebrows, from surprise and hilariousness, I replied. "Oh yes! I do wish that everyday!"

She never fails to bring entertainment of the highest degree.

Crazy Times...

Been dealing with a sick girl all week. Not too bad really, but the fever wouldn't go away till 4th day of antibiotic! Baby boy is not quite himself either but doesn't appear to be sick. Best I can tell his tooth is about to punch through and that is probably the underlying deal there. Long nights though! We have weaned him too, which I like and dislike. Of course, the freedom to eat Moes with my family this valentine was nice, but I really set out to make it all the way through winter in the hopes of reaching the year mark. I had so much difficulty with supply (not sure if it was so much me and him). That boy can eat! it is unreal!

It got to the point that I was nursing 2-3 times a day but not for very long and still supplementing. He seemed entirely more interested in the bottle seeing as he could down that alot quicker. It was more about me than him, so I just said...oh well. Try again with the next one. Not going to beat myself up about it.

My dad's been ill and my mom scratched her eye while working in the yard during this glorious week of weather! I got an unexpected monetary gift and was able to designated it for the cloth diapering system that I'm purchasing from a friend. Yeah! I even registered for the knitting and book discussion group at the library. I ordered the book. Received it on the 9th and have finished reading it. Now to get the knitting supplies...

Gotta clean some more before it gets too late. And need to get in bed rather soon as W's nights have been pretty eventful and I need all the sleep I can get.

P.S. the reason I haven't posted any pics lately is that I'm finally using my hubs new computer and I have no idea how to do the photo stuff on it yet. When I figure it out, I'll have a hayday updating my blog.

Strange...and other stuff

I was just thinking STRANGE cause I share my ipod with my hubs and I put it on shuffle and some heavy metal thing is the first song in the fray! So not me! So I'm trying to have a me morning cause its thursday and my babies are in other people's care...just didn't fit. Oh well. I did sneak out to Dunkin Donuts with a coupon for a free donut with purchase of a coffee. Then off to the library to pick up some movies for myself and for M.

Good selection today. I was thrilled to find The Hungry Catepillar and other Stories DVD there. If you haven't seen this, you should. It is all Eric Carle and the Music is fantastic. M loves it! I also picked up some YOGA video. Thinking that I need to do a good bit more stretching in my daily routine, I thought I'd get some ideas here. haha! wonder if I'll crack the case open? We'll see.

Just got a bday invite for M that happens to be this weekend. Need to RSVP. But, that doesn't leave much time for planning, that's when I'm thankful for my prize box in my closet. When I find a good gift for an incredible price, I buy it and stash it away. I have just the thing for this little girl and it's already been purchased! Hallelujah.

Need to go clean and fix my hair. Guess I should, but I'm enjoying the doing of nothing. Going to babywearing tonight. Wish my Mei Tai was done, but I don't think I'll have time to finish it before I go. Plus I really need more fabric than I originally picked up. phooie.

Gonna file our taxes soon and hoping for a refund (most likely since we had a kid this past year). Wonder what we'll do with it. I have a list of things I'd love to do with it, but who knows. Most of it involves going to some type of Doctor. Our insurance (though we are thankful to have some) isn't very good. My hubs informs me that there are tons of people in the same situation as us. Sad though. Such hard times. I long for days when our budget can breathe a little, but I am so thankful that we went the debt free way, cause we don't have to deal with a lot of the problems that others are now having to deal with.

Well, nuff said. Gotta go be a housekeeper for a while.

This time next year...

Just realized that this time next year I'll be signing my little girl up for Kindergarten! Crazy!

On the Mend...

Hallelujah, me and my family are finally on the mend. The pressure on me ear has finally subsided after 2 weeks. I still haven't regained all hearing, but I wait on that with great anticipation. My littlest, W, is still coughing a good bit which breaks my heart. This was his first real illness. But I must say I'm actually thrilled that he is doing so much coughing cause it seems to be very productive. I'll be fully relieved when he ups his appetite again. Hubs never got fully sick. Though he still has the sniffles, and a great deal of snoring, he seems to be managing to avoid the full blown whatever it was. My girl, M, is still doing Mucinex Cold at night, but she too avoid the full fury of this monster illness. That's a big yippee from me!

If it weren't for a small visit from my mom, I may have lost my sanity in the midst of the last 2 weeks. Not only have we been too sick to do much of anything, it has been too cold to get out. I even got to go and have a massage on Friday just before mom headed back to N.C. Used my Christmas gift card! It was just what the Dr. ordered. I recommend April from Massage Envy on Pelham (for all those of you that are in town). Which I could afford to sign up for the membership! Ha!

I am going to turn in early as W has been an early riser as of late. But I will soon post his 6 month pics and some fun ones from a princess party M attended Saturday.

Another One Bites the Dust...

Well, not really, but apparently whatever this is has now spread to my little man, W. I had to cart him off to the Dr. today and we really dodged a bullet doing so, cause I was going to try and wait. Good thing we didn't cause even after his meds this afternoon...tonight he didn't want his bottle in much the same fashion that M didn't want hers whenever she had an ear infection. ugh. here's hoping we'll all be better soon.

Still sick

Well, on thursday I began to feel a bit better, so I figured I was on the upswing. Unfortunately, by supper time that night my left ear was completely clogged and I could barely hear out of it. Then when I attempted to sleep I couldn't for the pressure and the ringing that had ensued. At that point I was admittedly desperate. I looked up on the internet, natural remedies for ear infections (i was assuming that I had one). I remembered my midwife saying something about garlic in your ear. Sure enough I found the info I needed, but didn't have any fresh garlic. It did say that you could substitute onion and get basically the same results.

Here I am at 12:30 in the morning, cutting an onion and taking a tiny piece, wrapping it in tissue and stuffing it in my ear! ha! you know you're desperate when... And actually it did help take the pressure off which remedied most of the ringing. It wasn't my favorite sleepy time smell though.

So I went to the Dr. on Friday to report both a sinus and ear infection. Medicine (3 to be exact) which I filled at a new small town pharmacy (which I love and is now my fave). And sure enough I wake up this morning with pink eye! REALLY! Anything else? Haha. So, i get yet another medicine and am resigned to washing my hands like I'm OCD so as not to spread any of this to my kids or hubs.

Still can't hear much, but I don't hurt. I feel like I'm in another world, but that's not surprising. Hoping to feel better by Sunday night/Monday morning. Next post will be Wyatt's visit! What a big boy!

Score One for FINE

So 2009 is the year of FINE. I haven't even begun to exercise seeing as I have come down with some dreadful cold/sore throat...but, I did do something for myself today. I used my $25 walmart gift card to buy some new, attractive pajamas. I thought it was about time I traipsed around the house in something other than mismatched old t-shirts and yoga pants. I'm surprised my hubs still finds me attractive. So, tonight I got two pajamas...one sleep shirt type thing that is red and silky (nothing over the top I assure you as I'm as much into comfort as the next gal), and one top and pant combo made of some other ultra soft fabric.

I'm actually wearing the combo now and loving it. Still donning the cozy socks my SIL got me for Christmas though...they don't really match but what's a girl to do on a cold winter's night?!

I feel I'm headed one step in the right direction. I always though my sis had the best pj's...fun and flirty, but not over the top...and not some old t-shirt and yoga pant combo. Givin it my best go.

out sick

well, it seems i'm out sick again! I don't usually get sick this many times in one season. I don't think it's going to be as bad as my last bout with whatever, but I hate when I can't give 100% to my family. Still, my 3 yr old is the best at being considerate when someone doesn't feel well. She doesn't understand, however, that illness doesn't just go away in a few minutes or after one nap. I think little W's body may be fighting it as well, cause he slept a lot today. I'm double dosing my vitamins and doing 1500mg of Vitamin C. That should help us both. gotta get to the store to do the honey/cinnamon thing that is said to help shorten such illnesses. ran out of honey. loving my hot tea too.

Sad to say, i went to alot of trouble to make cream of asparagus soup and was disappointed at the outcome. Not sure what to do with it either. Not sure I want to eat it all...no way could i. so i forfeited on dinner tonight, and having leftovers while hubs and M are out for daddy daughter date night. W decided that an entire jar of carrots and an entire jar of pears would make a splendid sup. The boy can eat, i'll say that! Now he's enjoy Baby MacDonald video while I write and eat. I'll be knodding off early tonight again...for sure. Will write more, when things get better. Actually, will probably update after W's appt. on Thursday.

New Years Resolutions?

I used to make these and then I stopped. I'll tell you why...my life, no matter how perfectly I attempt to plan it, seems to elude normalcy and any type of plan seems to go another way. I know why. God is in control, not me...I get that. Just funny how He continues to remind me. Constantly. Just yesterday someone commented that "Katrina" had really messed everything up for us. And I totally understood what that person was saying...and certainly there was probably a time when I looked at it that way. But I'm over it. I'm past that. I get that there are numerous pretty hefty events (and some small ones too) that have changed the course of our lives. So I chose to respond saying that I don't like to look at it as messing up our lives, but turning our lives in a different direction. I mean, if all that hadn't happened, whose to say all the good things would have happened. I like who I am today and who I am becoming, and all of that is due in part to all that I have been through. Battles with nature, motherhood, depression, job loss, health issues, the church...it has all changed my perspective. For better or worse, who is to say? I like to think better.

All that to say maybe I will try a New Years Mantra this year instead. I had a friend in New Orleans who did this. I believe the year of 2004 was the year of more. Well for me, 2009 is the year of FINE! Now interpret that as you may, and there is no spiritual significance. I simply think that I've been fighting the motherhood frump long enough. Recent pictures posted from my yesteryear on facebook indicate that I think I was smokin' hot in college (though I probably didn't think so at the time). I think I can look pretty good now...when I have the time and energy to give it a try. BUT for my own sake, my husbands sake, and the sake of any other person who has to look at me, it is time to do it up right.

I would like to bring back the blonde. For simply money and upkeep I have gone gradually more brown over the years. Girls, I'm just a blonde...Not in the intelligence sense, but in the coloring sense. I think from seeing pics that it better suits me. Now don't get me wrong, I won't blow the wad trying to get my hair did...I'll still get J to dye it for me, but as I go blonder if it doesn't come out quite right, I believe I'll work it into the budget to have a few visits to my gal Alyssa. Besides...she only charges $55 for a cut, color, and style! That's as cheap as you can get for a real salon!

Though I have lost pretty much all of the recent baby weight...thanks to the holidays I still have some of my first baby's weight...I'd love to lose about 20 pounds. Really its less about weight as it is about my shape. You gals no that things change when you have kids. Well, I'd like to lose some flab and gain some muscle tone. Not to mention stamina and strength. Taking care of kids isn't easy and its extremely exhausting, but I think it is even more so if you are out of shape. So...on with that. Not exactly sure how to work in all the exercise yet, but I did get an exercise ball that I will begin working with after the inlaw visit is all wrapped up.

Been cooking up a storm in the kitchen...from scratch. Lots of fresh veggies...very little fat and VERY little sodium. J is predisposed to high blood pressure and has been experiencing some as of late. We are certain it is due to stress and weight, but we are drastically reducing the amount of salt we all eat. Trying new recipes may be raising my blood pressure though, cause its a lot of work and half the time we don't even like the outcome! But so far there are two dishes we have REALLY liked and are very low sodium. So in changing eating habits for him, I am actually eating better too. And he has lost 10 lbs in the last month! That's great for him and me...less snoring!

so now you have something to hold me too...2009 is the year of FINE! (and wine) haha! couldn't help myself. I really thought of saying 2009 the year to wine and dine but that will be the year we finally get entirely out of debt!

Phew!

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act just issued a statement today that allows for the consigning and resale...to continue without having to test for the lead levels and such! Hallelujah, let thrift continue on! Seriously was really worried about this! Bring on the kids consignment sales my spirits are lifted!

"Some of you were aware and have expressed some concern of the new law called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It is a law that would require lead testing in all children's clothing and items 12 years and under. Originally we thought that in the terms of the law that it would include resale and consignment shops. As of today there was a press release issued that we are not required to test items to be sold."

This was in an email I received from one of my fave consignment sales!

Best Christmas Gift!

This gift is one that is so delicate and perfect! So longed for and prayed for and cried over and dreamed about. This is the best Christmas gift that I've heard of in a long time. Go to my sister's blog to hear more.

Day After Christmas Syndrome

No surprise, but M had a day after Christmas that beat any behavior I've ever seen out of her. I kept my cool for the most part though. I tried to remember a lot of my Love and Logic things that I learned and calmly responded to her utter disrespect and rudeness with quiet words such as, "uh oh. I'm so sorry you made that choice (or you chose to behave that way). " Then I'd dole out the consequence. Bless her heart, on the day after Christmas I had to take away the entire Rose Petal Cottage and all its accessories. She was to have to do 3 chores to earn it all back, but she didn't want to, so we waited until she realized she might like to do a chore after all...much later that night.

In fact, she lost her privilege with that early in the day and it go worse! In fact, her new phrase when she is in that mood is (said with enthusiasm much like you would see in one of these princess movies she enjoys), "Never!" For example:

me: "Uh oh. I'm sorry you made that choice. That will be three minutes on the naughty spot. go on now and I'll set the timer.
m: No! I won't!
me: M. You need to get up and sit on the naughty spot now or mommy will have to get mr. sad spoon.
m: "Never!"
me: (out comes mr. sad spoon)
m: "I won't do it!"
me: carrying my almost 40 lb, 3 1/2 yr old to the spot while she is flailing.
m: She sits...kicks and has a fit, but remains there none the less.

when the time is up we typically say our apologies and briefly run through the choices that lead to the consequence. We didn't get very far with it all this time cause mr. nasty reared his ugly head again. And thus it was time for bed...with no supper mind you, but we had given her the option to make the right choice and she did not.

After taking her to her room and laying her in her bed twice and turning off the light...shutting the door all the way (listening to her tantrum) twice...hubs heard her talking out loud to herself about what the right choices would be. Then she pulled herself together, opened her door and came to me and said, "I got it together. I'm sorry that I acted so ugly. Can I please not go to bed? (mind you it is only about 5:30 or 6)"

me: "you'll have to go talk to your daddy about that.
m to her daddy:"I'm sorry for disrespectful. I got it together now. Can I please not go to bed yet? That's the right thing to say. I talked about it in my room and that's the right choices."

OF COURSE we let her say her sorries and gave her forgiveness and kisses and love. She was able to stay up a bit more for supper and some short Arthur movies that she got for Christmas. But she, herself, decided that she was tired. So last night, for the first time ever...we had both kids in bed before 8 pm. That is unheard of around here. Well, it was pretty close to that tonight as well, but she was much better behaved.

So behaved was my little girl that she did her 2 remaining chores to earn her house back. She was sweet almost all day, so I let her skip quiet time and we (just she and I) went to walmart, aldi, and starbucks. I even bought her some purple flowers she wanted (mums) cause they were 1/2 off of $5. We returned a toy that we got two of, took the cash from the return to buy some groceries for J for when we are out of town next week. We went to Starbuck cause I had a coupon for a free drink and just enough on a gift card to get M an apple juice and a sour cream donut. The whole escapade cost me a grand total of $0! Fantastic!

Bah-Humbug

When you have to wake M up...she tends to be a little on the grumpy side. And that's what I got to deal with all morning. I took her to school today so hubs could get to work early (so he could sneak away to her Christmas Program at 10:30). She is decked from head to toe (minus the pink dora crocs that she insisted on wearing) in Christmas attire...but no Christmas music folks! As we were on our way to school I thought it'd be fun to hear some children's Christmas music that my SIL gave us. Boy was I wrong. She crabbed at me cause it wasn't Backyardigans. Then she says, "I don't like Christmas!" To which I replied..."That's o.k. I'll just give your presents to other children who love Christmas."
"I like presents...i just don't like Christmas."
"well," i say, "that's sad cause children that don't like Christmas don't have any need for presents."
Then I hear her quietly say, "I really do love Christmas"
"Mommy loves Christmas cause that was Jesus' birthday!"

In the same car ride she randomly says, "I wish I had a real pony. A real pony of my very own with wings that was a pegasus!"
"Really! if u did would you pick mommy up for a ride cause i've never done that before?"
"yes, but you would have to hold on tight...to his wings."

and this discussion about the best way to ride a pegasus continues on...

Happy Anniversary

This goes out to itsamomthing. I believe its their anniversary today...AND I didn't actually post on my anniversary which was Monday the 15th, so it goes out to me and my hubs as well.

7 years has gone by mighty fast...i was tempted to say without a hitch, but that wouldn't be very true. I mean for heaven's sake! We moved every year of our marriage for the first 3 or 4 years, then came Katrina, after which multiple more moves occurred. Just before that lovely natural disaster came even lovelier M! She was but a mere 6 weeks at the time of our evacuation! Man was her nursery adorable! Actually our whole seminary apartment was pretty awesome...all decorated the way we wanted it. (All 706 sq. ft. of it!)

We've been through a lot and I have to say I wouldn't have rather been through any of it with any other person! I still think he's funny, hunky, adorable, sweet, kind, se*xy, and manly. He has come a long way, as have I I'm sure. He is so much more considerate and conscientious with me and the kids. He takes care of us. I love that. And I just wanna say that I can't wait for many more years to come.

A Tid bit

M: (wearing her wedding dress up) "I have a baby boy in my womb...
me: thinking hmmm...and your getting married ok. "really?"
M: "yeah so when I push him out we can get married."
me: "oh. interesting!"
thinking that explaining how many ways this was wrong would not be worth the effort!

"S"

"S" is for :

1. Shhhh...because I just put the baby down for his morning nap.
2. Sick because I have been extremely that since wed/thurs
3. Sleepover because that is what M and her daddy played friday night with miniature marshmellows on bamboo skewers over a candle flame. they also pulled out the trundle bed and read books by the light of a camping lantern.
4. Special, how I feel when my husband takes such care of me and the children in the wake of my illness.
5. Sleep, something I got alot of yesterday in order to beat this illness.
6. Sinus infection, what I think I'm being treated for, though I must say it feels alot more like the flu.
7. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...because M is seriously into this movie.
8. Step In Time...because this is her favorite part (you should see her interpretation of the dance!)
9. Same...because I'm tired of seeing the same thing over and over (even though this too is one of my favorite movies)
10. Silly, the Fred Claus movie we rented to watch last night. Good thing is was only a dollar.
11. Santa, our tree is insanely full of presents and I'm not sure how.
12. Santa, in whose lap M sat yesterday, made her picture and told what she wanted for Christmas at a friends birthday party.
13. Sad, cause she can't make up her mind what she wants for Christmas so it doesn't appear that she'll be getting anything she asked for...
14. Saint, cause that's what my friend Brooke is for stealing my M away for the day so that I could rest!
15. Stockings, cause for the first time in my married life I actually HUNG the stockings on the mantel.
16. Spelling, cause I'm not certain I ever knew how to spell #7 and seem to have forgotten how to spell mantle...or is it mantel.
17. Spell Check, cause it doesn't seem to be much help on those two words.
18. Soy, the formula I just tried out on W because he has been unbearably gassy and uncomfortable
19. Sanity, that I apparently must have lost in thinking that going to walmart during this season was a good idea
20. Sorry that I couldn't come up with one more to make this an even 20.
    

haven't posted in 8 million years

Sorry, I've been sooooo slack! Right now my kids are in a place where in they need more of me, so they come first on my priority list. Then when all is calm and quiet all I want to do is go to bed! Ha! I know you other mothers understand...can I get an amen!

Not to mention we have been in and out of town a good bit lately. What with visiting my sister, thanksgiving with the young's in b'ham, and now Christmas program in North Carolina with my parents and brother...we have kept ourselves pretty busy.

Here is an update. M is dying to be in control and it is often very unpleasant and not very pretty. It certainly makes me think of God and the way he must feel with us when we are dying to be in control. (that's next to impossible to explain to a 3 yr old). She has shown out several times while here with Nani and Cuz! Sad too cause I want to allow her time with them, but her punishment is time away. She was so close to biting me tonight in the midst of one of her fits. I gave her the look and told her to bite me and see what happens. We don't do much spanking anymore, but I've had to give her 2 good ones over the last 2 days. Boy does she have a temper. Still I think when she gets out some of the venom, she better understands that it is her choices that have brought her here and her choices that can make the situation better or worse.

On top of that, W has had issues adjusting to his formula supplements. don't get me wrong...he takes them just fine when he wants them, but he seems to have a good bit more gas, and sometimes appears to have trouble going #2! Oh boy, those of you that know may recall the major issues with that we had with M! One of my least favorite things to have to worry about and certainly one of the issues that can frazzle me the most! SIL suggested trying soy formula. That's my next step. He once was such a great sleeper. waking but once a night for a feeding and then immediately back to sleep. about 1 in 4 nights he'll still do that...but the other 4 are generally more up and down. Making a very tired mom! Shout out to itsamomthing cause I know my issues don't compare to your nights of up and down!

Other than being tired...I'm doing great! My 7 yr anniversary is coming up and hubs and I had a date...alone...dinner AND a movie all for the low price of $30.00 thanks to discounted movie tickets from our credit union and restraunt.com for a huge savings on a $25 off of $35 purchase at Flat Rock Grill! Nice! Free babysitting thanks to mom.

AND I'm just about ready for Christmas present wise. we try to simplify and not go overboard...but it is hard. I don't think it has much to do with the hype of commercialism as it has to do with, I just love to give gifts to the people I love...especially my children. Still, for M, I'm sure I overbought and I need to do inventory. I'll save some gifts for her birthday. For W, I didn't really know what to get and was a bit worried about have little or nothing for him under the tree. Then I went to a kids consignment sale with my mom that was unlike most I'd ever seen! I got just about everything for a dollar! most of the toys I purchased were 75% off! I'm telling you I can't wait to post a pic. I got clothes for a dollar, bottles, pacis new in their packages, and lots of baby toys and crinkle books! So now I'm excited! Just a few more gifts (mostly gift cards) and that should do it.

when I get home, I'll do my best to post a pic of all my finds from the consignment trip, and a pic of our oh so lovely tree. For now I'm off to bed, hoping for a fantastic nights sleep.

W is 4 months!

My little one is 4 months...my how that just flies by. we had his visit and got some vaccines, but they said he isn't growing like he should be. Of course they said not to worry but bring him back in 2 weeks for a weight check. Well, what mother wouldn't worry about that. So I've been trying to figure out what is going on...is he full after he nurses or is he not eating more cause I'm not producing any more. Seems to be the latter from what I have figured out. We've been giving him a supplemental bottle of mother's milk after he nurses. That boy can eat! Now to bring some resolution to the whole situation...He was 13.10 and 26" long. Still the sweetest thing...so happy.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Halloween!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Been Missin You A Long Time...

Sorry about the length between posts. Life has been busy for sure, but when is it not with two kids. Me and the kids went on a long trip with my mom, so that was the initial delay. it was sort of unexpected. We had planned to go to NC to visit the family for all of their birthdays...and the remainder of the trip was fuzzy from there. We wanted to visit aunt minnah since she can't really break away due to medical things AND she hadn't seen W since he was born, but weren't sure how to do all that by myself.

Well it worked out that mom could come and thus she offered to come pick me up and drive me around to all these adventures. I'm so glad she did cause I don't think I could have done it alone. We had a great time seeing everyone! So fun to get M and Stone back together...they were beside themselves! Love going to Minnahs. It is always so cozy it feels like home and I never want to leave. Miss my sisters (shelby and meredith) wish they were closer.

Here's a little slideshow of our fun.

Make a Smilebox slideshow