Bugs and Kisses

From the mouths of babes.

2011-10-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Every time I tell my parents a story about something funny that one of my kids does, my dad always tells me that I need to write it down. I'm horrible about this, but the other day we had one funny moment that I just can't get out of my head.

We are deep in the trenches of potty training at home. When Hunter does things right there are songs to be sung and treats to be had. He's doing awesome, both at home and at daycare with all of it. Tuesday when the boys and I got home from work/daycare I had to use the restroom and I'm fully aware that using the restroom in peace with two toddlers is really out of the question. Sure enough, seconds into my alone time, here they come. This is how the conversation with Hunter went:

H: Mommy, you going potty?
Me: Yes Hunter.
H: Good job Mommy.
Me: Thank you.
H: When you done we'll do the potty dance and you get M&Ms.
Me: (Laughing hysterically)Thank you.

At that point H and B left me to my business and the second I came out of the bathroom Hunter was waiting for me. Again he asked if I had gone potty. (Yes) and at that point he took my hands and we proceeded to sing the "Mommy went on the Potty" song and do the celebratory dance complete with "WooHoo" and a high five at the end. After we completed our dance H says to me "Stay here, I go get you 5 M&Ms" and takes off for the kitchen.

This kid freaking kills me!!

Everybody cut, everybody cut...

2011-10-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Haven’t posted in awhile – Shocker… But, I thought I would give you a wrap up of my lovely little weekend.
Friday night I went and saw Footloose with two of my favorite people. We were all in love with the original, but, I have to say, the second one is pretty cute too. AND – I developed a ridiculous old-married-lady crush on the new Ren McCormick, Mr. Kenny Wormald. He’s ADORABLE. At the beginning of the movie I was kind of ho-hum about him and totally skeptical of this “nobody’s” ability to pull of the iconic role of Ren. By the end of the movie I was giddy-freakin’-smitten over him. Look at him – how could one not just adore that grin?

Saturday Chad and Grandma G took the boys to the pumpkin patch (their third one in a week) and I met up with some friends at the bar to watch the KU/KSU football game.

So…wasn’t much of a game for us KU fans. It was so disappointing. I have been on Team Turner all season, trying to believe that his soft style would build a bond between the players that would be reflected on the field. Newsflash – doesn’t matter how well they get along when they run around acting like they have no idea what they are doing. It was embarrassing to watch. Needless to say – I’m no longer Team Turner.
Sunday was a day for just me and the little men in my life. The morning was spent just being lazy and hanging out around the house. Baby B is finally starting to give real kisses and I must have gotten 100 yesterday. And every time he gave me one, Big Brother would want to give me one too. I was in heaven. After naps we met up with a friend at a local park. It was the first time that I had been to this park and I could sing its praises for days. It’s a public park but it’s built for those with special needs which actually makes it much more toddler friendly. The ground is even rubberized so we had NO tearful wipeouts. The park is completely enclosed which is great because I don’t have to worry about one kid making a break for it while I’m trying to keep the other from teaching himself how to use the firemen’s pole. The weather was perfect and I could have stayed there all afternoon but eventually we called it a day.
After a stop at the grocery store, we were home for the day. It was dinner, bath and bed for the boys and then I attempted my first vegan recipe. I am in no way, shape or form a vegan. One of my favorite people at work is and today is her last day so I had to give something a shot. I found the easiest recipe ever for vegan pumpkin chip cookies (3 ingredients!!!) and ran with it. They appear to be a hit today – so that’s good.
Now it’s Monday again and it’s back to the grind. We have a busy week ahead for Halloween. Our festivities this week include a cookie decorating class (for me), a family Halloween at work, Trick or Treating downtown, perhaps a little Boo at the Zoo action on Saturday and Monday is all about here, there and everywhere to show off the kiddos. Hopefully I’ll remember to take pictures. Happy Monday y’all.

5QF

2011-09-02T07:10:00.001-07:00

It appears that I've been out of the loop as of late. New month, new perspective. I would like to think I"m going to blog a little more. Here's hoping I'm right.

I thought I would jump back in with a little Five Question Friday.

1. Shoes in the house - yay or nay? – I’m a yay on this one. Our house is run by toddlers, there are messes everywhere. Unless your shoes are covered in shizz, you aren’t going to do much damage so no need to lose the shoes.

2. What do you call them- flip flops, slippers, thongs, etc? – Flip flops. I cannot stand when people call them thongs. Yes, that’s what I called them in the 80s but now that word is reserved for an entirely different article of clothing.

3. What song are you almost embarrassed to admit you know all the lyrics to? – Okay, so there is this one song that I learned all the words to when I was a Freshman in high school and I thought I was SO COOL! It is probably the most vulgar and raunchy song ever in existence. I seriously can’t even give you the title of it because even the title is DISGUSTING. Anyway, we were at this party a while back and some girl had an “Old School Mix” on her iPod and that song came on and I still knew EVERY WORD. It was horrific – I was embarrassed for myself! Anywho, the song is by Akinyele and starts with the word “Put” – google it and prepare to be horrified. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

4. What is the best quality to have in a friend? – For me, it’s the ability to keep their friggin’ mouth shut. I have a really hard time confiding in people for this reason. I would never ask my friends to keep things from their husbands or family, but outside of that, if I don’t want other people to know the goings on in my life – I would hope that they would respect that. I feel like I do a damn good job keeping my friends’ secrets, I just hope for the same in return.

5. Do you know what you want for Christmas?
This...

La Mer Chain Wrap Watch
These...

KU Stackable rings
and These...

Houndstooth TOMS

HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL!

How we're spending our days...

2011-08-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

I don't post often anymore. Not sure what to say, I guess. Just trying to get through life right now. But even on darker days - I have these two little guys around to keep me smiling.

This picture just kills me. They both look so big! I've had several people who have seen it tell me that they aren't sure which one is which - that they could be twins! They are growing up too fast for my liking. So many people on Facebook today have pictures of their kids' first day of school. I'm still three years away from that, but I feel like I could wake up tomorrow and it will be me. I'm not ready. So for now, we will sit back, relax and enjoy a few episodes of Bubble Guppies sans proper clothing.

Perspective

2011-06-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I had every intention of posting a lovely “woe is me” post about how hard of a time I am having with the fact that Bo was turning one. It was all boo-hoo-hoo about the fact that I knew he would be our last child and I would never again get to hold a newborn of my own. I don’t want to be done having children, but for now, that’s the plan.
Then, as I was getting ready to put my thoughts online I received an email that I truly believe has forever changed me. A friend/coworker had received terrible medical news involving the word “terminal” and the prognosis listed “months” on the long end of things. One week ago I was sitting in our Loft eating lunch with this guy and laughing about life and kids and whatnot. Now he is making final arrangements.
He’s not the first person that I have ever known to get cancer. I’ve known people who have died from cancer. I have just never seen a prognosis so grim, so fast, and so out of the blue. HE WAS FINE A WEEK AGO!!!!
So quickly everything in my life seemed fine. I may not hold another newborn of my own, but the chances of holding a grandchild some day aren’t out the question. For him it is. How dare I bitch and complain about anything when I have good days left – days where I get to be truly happy. Does he? Knowing what he knows, probably not.
I am empathetic to a fault. I can’t help but weep for his wife and pre-teen children. Just because they have warning, I don’t know how you truly prepare for something like this.
So often I read blogs about moms that have lost their babies or have sick babies and I just sob for those parents and wonder what it must be like to go through that. What about when a 12 year old has to say goodbye to their daddy or watch him pass away?
Now don’t get me wrong – he has every intention of fighting this but it’s an aggressive little bastard that’s taking over his body and he knows his chance of winning isn’t good. Whether he wins or loses, his battle has certainly put things back in perspective for a lot of people.

One ONEderful Year!

2011-06-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you Blogger - I forgive you...

Then...

Now...

How did this?

Turn into this?

Happy Birthday Bodey. I can't believe that you are already a year old. This last year has flown by at warp speed. Seriously, it seems like just yesterday you 10 pounds of pure colic! I remember thinking those nights were so long and that I didn't know how we would get through it. We did though.

You are certainly still a mama's boy - which I tend to love and loathe at the same time. It melts my heart the way you light up when you see me - but it breaks my heart when I can't pass you off long enough to use the restroom without you screaming. You're getting better though...slowly but surely.

You will eat everything and anything within arms reach. Our daycare provider was shocked by the warp speed at which you consume your snacks. I hope you stay a good eater and don't go getting all picky on me.

You are so in love with your brother and he is with you. You two could play together alone for hours. Saturday I walked into H's room to find you two like this:

Watch out Jonas Brothers. The Gerhardt Brothers are comin' up!!

My favorite part of the day with you is bed time. You are all snuggles as we rock to sleep. I cherish that part of the day and as you enter dreamland and your tiny baby snores sneak out - I pray to God to watch over you and your brother, and thank Him for giving me such an amazing gift.

Happy Birthday Bobo! We love you to the moon and back!!

Party TIme!

2011-06-27T11:42:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Bodey's first birthday yesterday and it was just wonderful. Bo wasn't sure what to think when he arrived but once we introduced him to the balloons and removed the ridiculous hat I had been forcing him to wear, it was par-tay time!

He seriously just sat like this for the first half of the party and let big brother open all of his gifts. When we tried to get him to help he would just cry. So sad!

Seriously - hated the hat. Like his shirt? The adorable Molly crafted it for him!

Once he discovered the balloons it's like he was a new baby! All smiles and chatter!

Smash cake before

Smash cake success!

And the cake for the rest of us. I have seen versions of this around the interwebz and since his "theme" was just primary colors I thought that this would be the perfect cake. A good friend of mine made it and it tasted even better than it looked!!

One of the best parts about parties like this are that the cousins get to hang out together. I wish I had taken this picture before his cousin Eric had left so you could have seen all of them. They had so much fun just running laps around my parents' house!!
I’m glad that the party is over though. Now I have just one more full day with my sweet baby before he is officially ONE. I’m not ready for this at all, but that’s a different post entirely.

Pour Some Summer Goodies on Me!!!

2011-06-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

I recently participated in my first blog swap and I'm so glad I did. I got paired up with an absolutely lovely woman and we exchanged summer goodies. It was great. There is nothing like getting home after a long, boring day of work to find a box full of great gifts - just for you! Here's a look at the pure awesomeness that I received.

First let's talk about that cup. Oh lordy, that cup is AMAZING. I'm kind of a drinking glass snob. I HATE cups that sweat. I drove my parents crazy growing up because I never used a coaster - now I don't have to!!!! I have used this cup EVERY day since receiving it. Admit it - even iced water tastes better in a really cool cup! When I first got it I thought I was going to have to hide it from Chad. He has deemed it the perfect whiskey cup. He's yet to get to try it out. Angie also included a Texas Margarita recipe which I'm sure will taste fantastic in that beautiful, double wall cup with the big plastic straw!

Then there were the flip-flops. So shimmery and summery. I don't have a lot of purple in my wardrobe yet, but thanks to this great gift, it may become my go to summer color. I already found the perfect shirt to match them. And speaking of shimmery - that lip gloss is so great - gives a super slick look!

I was in serious need of some new nail polish because I was in a dark depressing color rut. I have no fun colors at home. Only almost black purples, and almost black reds. I'll be donning this fun color all summer...and thanks to the toe separaters and file, my nails won't look too jacked from an at home pedi.

The best part of this whole blog was getting to "meet" Angie. She's an amzing woman with some of the most adorable kids I've ever seen. I had never read her blog before but now I'm hooked. I really admire her family's love for getting outside and playing together, not just hunkering down in front of the tv like so many families do these days (including ours FAR too often). If you get the chance to check her out, please do!

Thanks to Aly, Lindsey, Chelsea and Molly for hosting this great swap and
Thanks again, Angie, you certainly helped get my summer off to a great start!

5QF - 5/27

2011-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

1. Do you apologize to your kids?
NEVER! Okay that's a total lie. I feel like I'm constantly apologizing to my kids. Like when I accidentally bonk Bobo's head on the door frame as we're walking out the back door or when I accidentally slam HDogs tiny fingers in the bathroom drawer. I even apologize when we don't have juice in the house when secretly - I'm freaking glad that daddy hasn't brought home more "juice" from the store. (side note - Hi-C does not equal juice, but Chad doesn't seem to get that.)
Last week I actually yelled at the boys to stop yelling. I was apologizing and begging for forgiveness before the original words were even completely out of my mouth. And then I cried. Mom fail.

2. What color are your nails right now?
Finger nails - Nude a la Mother Nature
Toe nails - Some horribly dark purple from OPI that I threw on last week. I had a great pedi complete with "Big Hair, Big Nails" from OPIs Texas Collection but had a huge chip on my big toe and I ended up pulling it off minutes before we left for the lake last weekend so I had to find the darkest polish I could to cover it until I could fix it. I still haven't taken the time to fixit. Nail polish fail.

3. When you were growing up, how difficult was it for you to stay home from school sick? (As in, did you have to vomit or just say "I don't feel good".)
I was the Queen of the "My Tummy Hurts" story. I don't know that it worked too well though - mamma saw through my BS from an early age. Typically if it didn't involve a fever, my bootay was at school. My best bet was to go to school, try to con the nurse into believing I was sick and getting sent home.

4. When is the last time you bought a new comforter for your bed?
I know that it was in the last two years because it was since we moved back from Hays. I'm already on the hunt for a new one. I bought that one on clearance because I thought it matched our bedroom walls, but it really doesn't. It totally belongs in a teenage girl's room. I'm really on the lookout for a cream colored quilted coverlet with some dark green accents. Anyone know where I can find one?

5. Favorite website(s)?
I will provide you with a bulleted list because that is the easiest way to do it:
- Facebook - I love me some FB
- Babycenter - Seriously, I attribute all of my parenting successes to things I learned from those women
- Twitter - It's slightly addicting. I mean, I know Ramona Singer's innermost thoughts...you can't BEAT that!
- textsfromlastnight.com - If you have not been to this site, you MUST GO. People text incredibly funny things while inhebriated.

There ya go, another 5QF down.
The weekend is almost here and I can't wait. If you need me - here's my agenda...
Zoo, Park, Lake, Park, Lake, Dinner, Movie, Bar, Lake, Pool, Pond, Home. And theeeeeeeeen I have to be at work at 5:30 in the A.M. on Tuesday. No rest for the weary!!! If you're luck I'll actually take pictures of some of these things and write an exciting post that actually includes current pictures, but don't get your hopes up. :)
I hope everyone enjoys their extended weekend - but don't forget the reason we have it. The only bad part about my busy weekend is that my husband's class reunion interferes with the time that I typically spend traveling through Northeast Kansas (and a little bit of MO) placing flowers by the headstones of my favorite war vets - my grandpas and my great uncle (as well as flowers for uncle, my grandma, and great aunt). Take the time to remember those you've loved and lost this weekend as well.!

Pure Randomness...

2011-05-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

Two members of my family made trips to Urgent Care yesterday. One of them came home with 11 staples in his head. You can be sure that this person was NOT one of my children because then the second trip to Urgent Care would have been to have me sedated - which it was not. Short version - Chad has staples in his head because he seriously hit on the door frame of his truck while he was climbing in. GAWD. Seriously, he called me on his way to Urgent Care and was totally out of it. I thought maybe he'd have one or two but when he told me he had 11 I almost died!
Our second trip was when Baby Brother's mouth kept bleeding. I turned into uber paranoid mom and needed to figure out what happened. Verdict: Waste of a co-pay. They didn't know what caused it or what to do for it. Oh well. It finally stopped bleeding and he never seemed effected by it.

This is Big Brother's favorite thing to do. Please note - We do not mow the lawn with small children on our laps. But, once the lawn is mowed, Chad does like to take the kiddo for a spin around the yard (with the blades up). He lets H steer and it takes everything in my power not to pass out. H loves this so much. While daddy mows he stands on the couch and looks out the back window and waves at him every time he goes by and yells "I gon' wide da mowa" Melts. My. Heart.

Here's Chad's victory from turkey season this year. I hope you're not offended by it. Chad actually made me keep H up until he got home so that he could show him his trophy and they could get their picture taken with it. H fell asleep on the sofa waiting for daddy. Hence, he looks a little out of it in this picture!

Last but not least - during the months of March and April I spent a few weekends in KC helping my sister, the tax accountant, with some tax stuff. One of the weekends I was away Chad took the boys to the zoo and posted this picture on FB. I checked it on my phone and after doing a double and triple take I realized that Baby Brother's shirt is on backwards. Please note - It's a V-Neck onesie made to look like a jersey. How he missed that, I will never know. I called Chad to inform him of this and all he could say was "That explains why I had such a hard time snapping it." Ah, dads... God bless 'em!

I hope everyone has a great weekend (seriously, it can't get here soon enough)

You know you want to know...

2011-05-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

{1} If you could choose a Super Power, what would it be?
I would love to move like The Flash. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day but if I could move at warp speed perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. And who knows - maybe I would be a better housekeeper if it only took 30 seconds to do the whole house.

{2} What would be your first frivolous purchase if you were awarded a million dollars tomorrow?
I want a boat! I'm torn between a big ol' Pontoon party barge and something with some speed. I just want it to be big and shiny. The rest of the million would end up going to gas! (or college funds - but whateva!)

{3} What would be the hardest current luxury for you to give up?
This is tough. I don't feel like I have a lot of luxuries but that makes me think I take too much for granted. I would have a hard time giving up my cell phone. It's not too fancy but it has Facebook - which is pretty much the only way I keep up with what is going on outside my own four walls.

{4} If you were given a choice between being given great wisdom and great wealth, which would you choose?
Can I cop out and say that I would choose great wisdom with the understanding that it would lead to great wealth? No? Too bad...that's what I'm going with.

{5} If you were to be stranded on a deserted island for 100 days what 5 THINGS would you pack?
- toothbrush
- a People magazine subscription (better have a mailbox on this island)
- TV
- Bobo
- H Dizzle

Go link up!!

5QF

2011-05-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the week again...

1. Tube socks, calf socks, crew, ankle, none?
Out of that group I would have to say ankle. Though the lowest ankle socks imaginable please. If I'm going to the gym and I'm wearing shorts or capris it drives me NUTS if you can see my socks at all. I've been knowns to fold socks down so you can't see them.

2. Was your childs (children's) name a mutual decision or was it a debate?
With H, I got a text from a friend the day we found out we were having a boy and it was all of her favorite boy names. Chad started reading them and (obviously) like Hunter. There was really no question after that.
Bo was a different story. Before we ever got pregnant with bb#2 Chad had always said that if we had another boy he wanted to name him Bo so we would have Bo & Hunter (Chad = Bow Hunting Redneck). I was 100% opposed to the name. Fast forward 14 weeks to the night before our sonogram and we were watching the Olympics and Bode Miller won a gold medal and I was professing my love for him and decided that I really like the name Bode and thought that if we had a boy that could be his name. Chad jumped on board way too quick - because it meant he could call him Bo. Sure enough, it was a boy and his name is Bodey.

3. What is your favorite type of weather?
High 70's/Low 80's, sunny, no wind. Perfect for hitting the links or sitting on the patio of your favorite drinking establishment and enjoying some cool adult beverages while getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D.

4. If left to your own devices, what time would you wake up every day?
I would L-O-V-E to sleep until 8am every day. 7:30 wouldn't be so bad either. If I slept until 9am I would wake up only to question whether or not I had died and gone to heaven

5. Have you bought your cemetery plots yet?
Nope. We are plot free. Honestly, we haven't even had the where will we be buried conversation...

T-Town loves O-Town

2011-05-12T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like to come to my blog and write horribly embarassing stories about myself in order to prove to you all that I'm not perfect. What? You never thought I was perfect to begin with? Eh, whatever...

So here's a diddy from back in the day... almost 10 years ago.

My freshman year of college Lou Pearlman produced a little show called "Making the Band" (pre Diddy, Da Band and Danity Kane). My friend Nikki and I were OBSESSED with the show and the band of its creation - O-Town. We were nearing our twenties and still had so much teeny bopper L-O-V-E for this group. "Liquid Dreams" may go down as the cheesiest song in history but that's okay - we loved them anyway. Side embarrassing story: When their second album came out Nikki and I went to Hastings at midnight to get it. Some other uber popular album came out at the same time and the place was full of people buying that one. We were probably the only ones there for O-Town - but they were such a guilty pleasure!!!

Anywho… in 2001 O-Town was slated to play at Jingle Jam in Kansas City. We snatched up tickets with a quickness. The radio station hosting the concert was giving away tickets and meet & greets nightly and we knew that we had to get down on that. So for a few nights we would blow up our cell phones trying to be the 93rd caller. Finally, one night when we had three phones going, Nikki finally got through. We won tickets and the chance to meet and greet one of the artists performing at the Jingle Jam. We had a choice between Michelle Branch, Barenaked Ladies, Jessica Simpson and others. For us, there was no other option. We picked O-Town!!!

We decided that if we were going to meet The Great and Powerful O-Town we needed to come baring gifts. Since it was close to Christmas we decided that we needed to make them Christmas ornaments. “What did the ornaments say?” you ask. T-Town loves O-Town! Oh my lord, I have to laugh as I right that. Total Cheezeballs!

The next part of the story is really long…but I’ll try to trim it down. The radio station was supposed to call and let us know where to be for the meet and greet. They never called. Thankfully my ex-boyfriend worked for the radio station and when we got there he helped us track someone down…only to find out that we had MISSED the meet and greet. No shit – I cried! I was in the bathroom trying to compose myself when Nikki came running in yelling “let’s go – we get to meet them!” Through the help of my ex boyfriend (God bless him, such a good guy!) we actually got to hang out in the green room with them before their show. DYING! We were so nervous. When we got down there only three of them were there but they were so nice and (acted like they) really appreciated our ornaments. It was so much better than a meet & greet. We got autographs and guitar pics as well as memories to last a lifetime.

Last week, Nikki posted this picture on twitter and tagged Ashley (Parker Angel), Trevor (Penick) and Dan (Miller) in it:

I woke up this morning to this message on facebook: BAM! Trevor retweeted the picture.

That totally makes us famous!!! Now I am totally that 19 year old girl again getting all giddy and I’m totally convinced that they want to be our friends. (You can tell I’m excited because I keep using the word “totally”) Because maybe, just maybe, O-Town loves T-Town too!
Now, for your listening pleasure, I leave you with...

2011-05-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Because I needed something to break up the monotony that is my life, I decided to give We Want to Know Wednesday a try. Here we go...

What game show have you always thought you could be on and totally WIN!

When Chad and I had Hunter we also apparently turned into 70 year olds because now we always watch WOF after the 6 o'clock news. When Hunter was a baby he LOVED it. He would be sitting in his saucer and as soon as he heard that distinctive sound of the wheel going 'round he would whip around and watch the show. It was so funny. Anyway, Chad and I constantly try to answer before the other one. I consider it practice for when I finally make it on the show. And besides, even if I don't win, I'm guaranteed $1000 so that's winning in my boook! Oh yeah, and I have an unnatural crush on Pat Sajak!!

Do you have a tattoo(s)? What are they and what made you chose them? If not, would you get one, yes/no/why?

This is not my actual tattoo. But it's a google image of a similar tattoo. I got it when I was eighteen and just graduated from high school. I was actually at the tattoo parlor while my boyfriend at the time was deciding on a new tattoo and ended up getting one instead. I'm not a HUGE fan of it - I think I picked it because it looked like it would be quick which meant not a lot of pain. It still hurt, I still cried. It's not hideous and I often times forget that it's even there. I really want to get something to symbolize the boys - I just haven't decided quite what or where yet. I'm open to suggestions...

What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?

I received this as a Christmas gift from Chad at Hunter's first Christmas. It was very unexpected and much appreciated. I'm glad this question came up because it made me realize that I don't wear it nearly enough.

What is your driving pet peeve(s)? Other drivers in general! I'm not kidding. I have the worst road rage ever. I am whole heartedly convinced that everyone else on the road is out to piss me off. It certainly makes for an interesting commute! I've been known to get a little loose lipped with the French while the boys are in the car and Hunter loves to repeat what you say - bad Mommy!

What was your favorite sitcom growing up that you wish was still on?
I would just love to know what Clarissa and Fergface are up to these days!!!

Love to love ya baby!

2011-05-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

The always adorable Molly tagged me for "10 Things I Love" and I automatically responded and asked if it was her subtle way of telling me to freaking post already! Either way - it got me back into the swing of things. Now, let's see if I can actually make a habit out of it.
Without further adieu - here are things I love:

1. These three guys. Is there really any question here? Between teething, tantrums and refusing to sleep past 5:30 AM they can certainly drive me crazy. And that’s just Chad! I kid. I kid. The little ones are the light of my life and answer the question – Why did God put me here? The big one is my best friend and my biggest headache.

2. The rest of the family… I am truly blessed to have one amazing family. My parents are AWESOME. They have been so supportive of me and I owe them the world. My sister is my closest ally and I love her to death. Her family is so beautiful and I love spending time with them.

3. My girls. I am so fortunate to be surround by such amazing women. They are all hilarious and know how to make me smile. The support and love that I receive from these women is pretty amazing.

4. Shoes. I had to admit, I’m pretty fortunate here. I’ve been given the opportunity to work for a company that allows me the privilege of feeding my addiction. I still have shoes sitting in boxes that I’ve never even worn – but just had to have because I couldn’t pass up the price. Strangely enough though – my favorite shoes, and the ones that I get the most compliments on and are hands down the most comfortable are a pair of $5 loafers I got from the Wal last year when I accidentally left home without work shoes.

5. The University of Kansas. I’m a lover of all things Jayhawk. This is no secret. While I don’t believe in regrets, I often do wish that I had been able to graduate from KU instead of moving home after my freshman year to go to the WU. But then I realize I wouldn’t have met Chad and wouldn’t have the two cutest boys on the planet, so I guess it was all part of the plan… Regardless, I still bleed crimson and blue. Basketball, football, baseball…you name it – I love it. I believe in the power of the Rock Chalk chant and there is nothing like hearing it first hand in Allen OR Memorial.

6. Baby stuff. Okay so, if you came here from Molly’s blog you’re probably asking yourself – did you just copy and paste her answers? NO! Though I got a little creeped out when I realized how many faves we had in common. I want nothing more than to open my own baby boutique and fill it with all of the wonderful baby things that I had to order because no one around here sells it – not to mention baby couture (side note: it’s almost impossible to find a baby seersucker suit in this town – even at Easter!) It’s true that you can find everything that you need for your babies at BRU or Target, but there are a few special things that you just can’t find there and I would love the opportunity to bring those things to my home town.

7. Sleep. Again, Molly hit the nail on the head with this one. As mentioned in my #1 Fave – I don’t get much of it. We’ve opened a can of worm with our oldest, who now likes to spend 50% of his evening in our bed and then wakes at 5:30 demanding cartoons or (gag) Barney. The sweet baby was sleeping wonderfully for awhile, but has, in the last week, decided that 3:00 is an awesome time to wake up and spend at least 90 minutes pushing me to the brink of my sanity. So sleep, yes, I love sleep. I certainly wouldn’t turn down more.

8. Diet Coke – quite the necessity considering I don’t sleep! I can be a little picky about my diet coke though. I prefer fountain diet coke - in a styrofoam cup - gas station style. My least favorite way to drink it is out of a 20oz bottle. It gives me the burpies!
9. Thai Food. Seriously – I LOVE it. I only get to eat it for lunch though because my husband has yet to come around to how amazing it really is. Now I’m craving it. Guess I know where I’ll be going tomorrow…

10. The lake. Any lake will do. We have a friend that owns a house on Otter Tail lake in Minnesota and I seriously think that was one of the most fun trips I have ever been on. Up at the crack of dawn fishing. Home to nap or float on the lake. Nights by the fire drinking and laughing are asses off. This year the annual trip to Minn has been converted to an all guys trip and I seriously cried when I got the news. So, a group of my girlfriends and I are heading to Table Rock in MO this July. This will certainly be a different type of lake trip as we are renting a new lake house and plan to do nothing more than drink wine and get tan. Can’t wait!

I'm supposed to tag 10 people to do the same but a lot of those that I would tag have already done this one so I will throw a few more out there... Be sure to check out there blogs as well. Good stuff!
Michelle @ Michelle's Moments
Ashlee @ Mommy, Unscripted
Mrs. EyeCanSee@ The Juice is Worth the Squeeze
Caroline @ Oh Pickles!
Amy @ Life Follows Faith
Lindsey @ Lovin' My Life

Thanks for stoppin' by!!!

Music Memories

2011-04-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to talk about are the memories that can be brought on by songs. I always have my “Top 5 Songs that Shaped my Life” as well as know of songs that really trigger something in my head and take me directly back to a different time and place. That’s the magic of music. Anyway, when I saw Kate link up to The Perfect Compellation Tape - I had to join in because I love love LOVE this topic.

Below are my Top 5 Music Memories:

The Refreshments – Banditos
I had always been a fan of this song but rarely heard it because it came out when I was in the 8th grade and I would only catch it now and then during the “flashback lunch” on the radio. When Chad and I had not been together for too long we were driving around in his car listening to a mix CD and this song came on and he knew all the words. I was shocked. Not a lot of people really knew this song so for him to know all the words was crazy – he was like 11 when the song was “popular”. Strangely, at that moment, I decided this was a guy worth keeping – possibly marrying – someday.

Sisqo – The Thong Song
It’s hard to think about the summer after my senior year without thinking about this song. It was ALL OVER the radio. That summer I worked at Vanity in the mall with a bunch of great girls. We always had the same radio station on and that song seriously played once an hour. Every time I hear it, it takes me back to those days of hanging backless shirts (ugh!) and cheesy screen printed tees.

Better than Ezra – Good
Eighth grade year my friend invited me to Heart of America basketball camp with her. Mind you – I was NO GOOD but she was awesome. I’m pretty sure she just kept me around so she could feel better about herself – but I digress. My parents bought me two tapes for my walkman so that I would have something to listen to on our downtime and on the 2 hour drive to camp. Deluxe by Better than Ezra was one of them. When I hear this song it takes me back running wind sprints during the hottest week in Kansas history (at that time), where I had food poisoning and managed to lose 15 lbs in one week. Best. Diet. Ever!

George Straight – I Saw God Today
May 3, 2008. I was taking a shower and this song came on the radio. I was three months out from our miscarriage and for some reason the song struck a nerve and as I listened to the words, I started sobbing, bawling uncontrollably. I was engulfed in self pity. I was grieving for the first time in weeks. I was sure that I was “over it”. I got out of the shower to find that I had missed a call from my brother in law. He called to tell me that my sister was in labor and they were heading to the hospital. I packed my bag and made the 3 hour trek to Topeka to meet my parents and head on to KC. And many more hours later – I saw God that day – in the eyes of my newborn niece.

Matthew Sweet – Sick of Myself
This song always makes me think of my sister. I’m not sure why. It reminds me of her senior year and this big book of CDs that she had. I didn’t know Matthew Sweet beyond this song. I still don’t know if a lot of people even know who he is. The CD cover for this song was him when he was little wearing headphones. So cute. Jenny and I didn’t get along really well at this time in our lives, but we did seem to bond over music – and this song always makes me think of that.

HuntDog Talk and Hawk Talk

2011-03-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Hunter has learned out to climb out of his crib. He has also learned out to open his bedroom door. This is both adorable and terrifying. Last night we tried to lay him down and he was not happy about it. We kissed him and told him “Night, night” and closed the door. The little booger started screaming and 10 seconds later he was banging on his door to be let out (we had put a safety cover on the knob immediately after he proved himself capable of opening the door). We opened the door and the sweet little drowsy toddler walked out the door, turned right, headed down the hall and straight into our bedroom, hopped up onto our bed and went right to sleep. I was fighting back laughter because it was so stinkin’ cute. Chad was shooting me the “quit laughing, you’re only encouraging him” look that he’s notorious for. In the end, we let him snooze for a while in our bed and finally transported him back to his own bed – which he climbed out of again at 1:30 a.m. and knocked on the door until one of us released him. So, we are trying to decide what our next move should be…
I am not above putting one of these up…

Chad thinks we should go this route (what dad doesn’t?)…
But, we’ll probably just end up ripping the side off of his crib, converting it to a toddler bed and keeping this bad boy on his door to keep him inside. On to more exciting news… (If you don’t care about college basketball, feel free to stop reading here)
KU is back in the Sweet 16 Baby!!! (I’m channeling a little Dicky V for that one!). My sheer excitement over this fact is constantly getting tarnished by Facebook and all the haters out there – particularly some bitter KState fans. KState had a tough loss on Saturday and I really felt bad for them. Jacob Pullen played his little heart out, but unfortunately, it kind of looked like he was the only one that showed up in Purple and you can’t win a game of 5 on 1. Now that the ‘Cats are out of the running all of these bitter KState fans are just HATING on the Hawks. I find it highly annoying that they would magically become Richmond fans just to root against KU. I just don’t get it. I’m a supporter of the team, my state and my conference (with the exception of Missouri – but really, who cares about Mizzou anyway?) If KU was out of the tourney, I would route for the ‘Cats. Honestly, I would route for any Big 12 teams (sans Mizzou) that was in the tourney even if KU was still in it – up to and until the point that team went head to head with KU. That’s just the kind of fan I am, I guess not everyone is like that. I’m just going to have to avoid all the bitter Bonnies’ on Facebook after we take down Richmond on Friday.

There – I’m stepping down off my soapbox. Happy Monday. Have a good week.

Blogger Envy

2011-03-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

Last month I saw a report on this article on the Early Show and realized that this was totally an issue that I was dealing with in my day to day life. Not only on Facebook, but even more so on the blogs. I wasn’t just putting my life out there as a fish story – in all its perfect glory, but I was also suffering from the issue of seeing what everyone else has put out there and getting consumed in the fact that their lives were so much better than mine.
Everyday I get online and read so many blogs about people’s wonderful lives. Their adorable families, all the great crafts they do, how amazing their husbands are and then I just become completely enveloped in the fact that while my family is adorable, I’m in no way crafty (and even if I was, I don’t have time for it) and while my husband is a great guy and a great dad – I don’t have “amazingwonderfulhusbandstories” to share with the world. That’s just not our reality. It makes me feel like I don’t belong. I’m only hurting myself. And yet – I continue to do it.
My life is not perfect. My life is messy. Chad and I love each other but sometimes we have to ask if we really like each other that much. We argue. We fight. We say things we (hopefully) don’t mean. We talk about next steps. We make up. We do it all again. Seriously, are we the only ones? That’s what it feels like a lot of the time.
Sometimes, I want time away but I refuse to make it. I feel so guilty asking for any time to myself. I haven’t had my hair done in 10 months (roots = ugh!). I have a gift card for a free pedicure that I got for my birthday 11 months ago that expires next month – I doubt it will get used. I try to make plans to do these things. Guilt takes over. I stay home. I WANT to stay home (sort of). I want to be with my babies, I want to cuddle them and laugh with them. They are what make all of this okay.Here’s the weird part. I’m not saying this because I want people to feel sorry for me. I’m saying it because it’s true. And I’m saying it out of respect for people that are honest on their blogs and on Facebook that do talk about life’s imperfections. They have my respect, and this post is merely my baby step toward becoming an open and honest woman and blogger.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

2011-03-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

The time has come. Pencils are sharpened. Brackets are set. Ladies and Gentleman, I (or the NCAA) bring you THE BIG DANCE!!! I love this time of year. There is just a fun vibe in the air and whether you are a KU or KState fan (or any of the other 62 teams’ fans) it’s time to get down to work and devote your time to doing nothing but watching basketball and calculating the perfect bracket.

Here are a few of my thoughts on the Big Dance as it relates to the Big XII.

- #1 Seed, #2 Overall – ROCK CHALK Baby! Though I have to admit that putting them up against a “B” team has me a little anxious – but it’s time to break the curse. There is a great chance that these next few weeks will be the last time that we see the Morris brothers suit up in the crimson and blue so it better be memorable (and let’s keep the ugly fouls to a minimum boys).

- I would like to formerly apologize to all of the KSU fans that I made my NIT jokes to. Congratulations on pulling your heads out of your arse just far enough to make it to the dance. I kid! I kid! Though don’t be offended that in half my brackets you don’t make it past the first round. It’s nothing personal. It’s business.

- I’d like to send a big “What the F?” to the commission for omitting CU from the dance. Shutting out the Cats as well as beating Mizzou and Texas just weren’t enough to qualify? How is that possible? I guess a weak preseason lead to their demise. I’m not a Buffs fan, but I am a fan of the Big XII (of which they are still a part – for now). I Rock Chalk with the best of them, but heaven forbid the Hawks make an early exit, I will continue to cheer for other Big XII teams (the exception, of course, being Mizzou because, frankly, I hate them). But I digress… CU got screwed – Plain & Simple.

- Thank you to the braketeers for making sure that KU plays on Friday, not Thursday. I like to be able to enjoy my St. Patty’s Day for what it is – a great excuse for green beer. I prefer not to worry about KU playing basketball. I still haven’t recovered from the Bradley incident of ’06 where my day of celebration and fun came to a tragic end and I left the bar pouting and pissed off. While I don’t believe under any circumstances that KU will lose this week, I still like to keep my bases covered.

That’s it kids. Now I’m off to fill out yet another bracket… Any guesses who I have in the chip!?!

Because it's Friday.

2011-03-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

1. Have you ever forgotten your child in a store or at school?
So far – no – but this is a big time fear of mine. My parents lost me one time at a Kmart in Kansas City. I was probably 5 and think I’m still traumatized by the whole ordeal.

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)
Really gonna have to think this one out. I would have to say that it was Freshman year in high school and we went to see Mars Attacks. What a horrible movie and the guy I was with was a douche canoe. We may or may not have wandered around the mall too – because really, what else are you going to do when you’re 14?

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)
Hmmm… I like to think that I don’t have any “silly” fears, but I’m sure I probably do they just aren’t coming to me right now…

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?
Perhaps I should bucket confrontation as my silly fear. I really REALLY dislike it. If I’m in a confrontation I tend to just shut down and cave. I’m particularly spineless (which is fine because I’m aware of it, right?) and tend to just appease the people confronting me. I rarely RARELY ever confront anyone – other than my husband of course.

5. Wood floors or carpet?
Our house is carpet and tile but I would love to have wood floors as well. I’d also really like to have stained and stamped concrete floors in our basement…assuming that we lived in a house that actually had a basement.

Look who's back...back again!

2011-02-18T11:06:00.000-08:00

Hi! Remember me? Long time no see. Life has been so crazy around here lately. So much has happened since I last posted. The big guy turned TWO! The little guy is CRAWLING and, wait for it… SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! I have been up to my eyeballs I work. The guys survived a whole week without me while I was out of town for a meeting. (Mind you, all of the milestones mentioned above about my children happened WHILE I WAS GONE! (read: I’m never leaving again!)).

So, I thought I would jump back into this whole thing by doing a little 5QF with Mama M from My Little Life. Feel free to join in!

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

Yes. Shock! If you asked people that I work with they would probably say that I do it all the time because I tend to always dress as though a funeral could break out at any minute (read: lotsa black!) However, though my outfits look similar – they are not the same. While on maternity leave though I probably went a good three days at a time wearing the same maxi dress. I would take it off long enough to shower and slap it right back on. It was the most comfortable thing I owned and made nursing easy. Usually by day 3 Chad would start commenting and I would break down and wash it. This cycle happened more than once last summer!

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?

I would probably have to say Denver. Well…except I hate snow. Maybe DFW – though I haven’t been since I was like eight. Chad loves Boston, but I’ve never been. I guess the most realistic answer would have to be KC – which I have a feeling will happen at some point in my life.

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?

We have yet to do a family vacation but when we do – it will be by land (read: drive). I get anxiety just shuffling my kids through Wal-Mart, I can only imagine what it would be like to get them through an airport. Oh, and then there is the thought of having “that kid” on the plane. Just the thought raises my blood pressure. Both of the boys seem to do pretty well in the car and can handle 90 minute stints without issue – though we haven’t tried to push them much beyond that. We’d like to take them to Omaha this summer so that will be our first real “vacation” so we’ll find out how well they really travel. If that doesn’t go well. We may never see life beyond KC until they are old enough to drive themselves.

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?

I don’t really have an idea. When the weather gets nice and the windows open, the last thing that I want to do is be inside dusting baseboards. I am sure that there will be a day where we will go through all the boys stuff and figure out what we need to toss, sell and give away but other than that, the only real “spring cleaning” that we’ll do is sweeping off the patio and scrubbing down the grill so we can enjoy that time outside.

5. What is the best book you have ever read?

The Five People you Meet in Heaven – to this day, this is the only book that I have not been able to put down and consumed in one day. It is also the only book that has ever made me cry (okay, sob uncontrollably). Just thinking about it makes me start to well up. Good. Friggin’. Book.

Enjoy your Friday y'all!!!!

5 Question Friday

2011-01-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

It's 5 Question Friday over at My Little Life - check it out!

1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose?
The first thing that came to my head was the Lisa Robinson scholarship fund, if that would count as a charity. Lisa Robinson is the mother of Thomas Robinson, the one of the players (T-Rob) on my favorite college basketball team who died suddenly last week. The fund was set up to provide assistance to T-Rob’s little sister, Jayla, who is only 7 years old. In the span of a month, Thomas and Jayla lost a grandmother, grandfather and mother.
If we aren’t counting that as a charity, my answer would be the March of Dimes because I love me some babies. I currently have a friend that has a little fighter in the NICU here that was born at only 24 weeks. It is AMAZING how well he is doing and it really is due in large part to the research that has been done around preemies which is supported by the March of Dimes. This is probably the global organization that I am most passionate about.

2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt?
Since my kids are too young to be effected by them school wise and my office would probably only close if got hit with 4+ feet this is kind of moot for me. That and snow days typically happen during my busiest time of year at work so I would probably still end up working from home if I couldn’t make it into the office.

3. What talent did you wish you had and why?
Hmmm… there are so many. I really wish I was an awesome cook. Don’t get me wrong, I can follow a recipe like nobody’s business but I am just too scare to really venture out and try something on my own. As part of this talent, I would also L-O-V-E to be an awesome cookie decorator. I got my KitchenAid for Christmas and want to put that bad boy to good use whipping up cookie dough and royal icing. I want to be able to decorate like this woman. I have tried once. It was pretty much a failure. But that’s a story for another day…

4. Are you a news, politics or celebrity gossip junkie?
These days I would probably say that I am a news junkie out of all of them. I really like to be “informed”. I watch nightly news and local news every night as well as morning news in the AM. I really miss being home to watch the Early Show because that was news and fun. Then they went and canned Harry and Dave so it’s not really worth watching anymore anyway… but I digress.
I avoid politics like the plague. People get WAY.TOO.PASSIONATE. about the issues surrounding politics and say stupid things and never EVER look at both sides of the coin. So, while I try to stay informed I try to stay away from the rhetoric and propaganda that is all over the place today.
I used to be a celebrity gossip junkie but I just don’t have time to keep up with it anymore! I get my gossip from the magazine covers in the checkout lines while trying to convince Hunter he doesn’t need the tiny milk carton full of Goldfish crackers or tube of M&M minis.

5. What is your favorite "cocktail"? (Are you a beer person, a kiddie cocktail junkie, or perhaps your more the "Cosmo" kind?! Anything flies...doesn't hafta be alcoholic!)
I have always been a beer girl. I started with Bud Light. Visited a friend in Milwaukee and became a Miller Lite gal. Visited a friend in Denver and became a Coors Light gal. See a theme???
I have recently starting drinking a little wine. I’ve always like Riesling but I’m trying to broaden my scope a bit – though I’m still not a red wine girl. I have branched out to include Pinot Grigio and Moscato. In fact, when I think about needing a night of cocktails, I go for the Pinot and try to get my “Ramona” on. Name that show!!!

Oh, and on a total side note – I had a horrible headache this morning and it hurt so bad I had trouble concentrating long enough to put on my eyeliner and I just went to check it out in the bathroom and letmetellya – it’s BAD! It looks like I let Hunter do it!

Two...going on Fifteen

2011-01-27T06:49:00.001-08:00

H has taken to calling me Lacey. Not all the time, but sometimes. Mostly he does it just when he really wants to get my attention (much in the way his father does). It’s adorable because he pronounces is “Waytzee” and I can’t help but smile as I correct him – “Mommy”. He’s growing up too fast. What if he turns into one of those kids that calls their parents by their first names? I’m not ready for that. I’m not even ready to THINK about that.
This morning when I dropped him off at daycare, the girls were watching Mickey Mouse and he threw himself on his belly, propped his head up on his hands and got to watchin’ with them. When I said “Bye, bye honey, I love you” all I got was this hand in the air, waving me on – just acknowledging that he heard me.
What?
No “Bye Mommy, wub you.”
No “See you waiter”
Nothing! Nada! Zilch!
Just this hand in the air that was all like “Okay, okay, I get it – get to steppin’ lady.”
Two weeks ago he would have to run to the window and waved to me as I pulled out of the driveway and would scream “bye bye” so loud that he probably woke the neighbors. Now? Notsomuch.
In that moment I had this glimpse into my future. My punk kid who is too busy watching [insert random show teenage boys like here] to even acknowledge his mother. And when he did, he probably called me Lacey…

So What Wednesday

2011-01-26T15:01:00.000-08:00

So what if…

I haven’t even started planning for the H Dizzle’s 2nd birthday party yet. I mean – I have almost 2 weeks still!

I have not had one sip of water today. I am in desperate need of a sugar substitute detox.

The real reason that I’m joining Weight Watchers is that it’s a chance to see 3 of my favorite people in the world every week. The fact that I really NEED to be going is a distant second.

If I told everyone that asked what to get H for his birthday “NO TOYS”, yet I have already bought him a few.

I’m really excited that H is also getting a potty for his birthday.

I start to hyperventilate if I’m not in bed by 9:45

I use a Turbie Twist. I got it in my stocking for Christmas and I love it. Sure, I look like a tool – but I’m totally cool with that.

I kept my workout to 45 minutes on Monday because it was just me and one other guy in there and he was creeping me out – hardcore!

I have done more work in the last two weeks than I did in the entire month of October. Not that I didn’t work in October – these last few weeks have just been CRAZY.

I’m heading out the door to have dinner with some of my besties and it only took us 2 months of saying that we were going to get together to do it before we actually did it. It’s time to get my “Ramona” on!

I almost had to title this “So What Thursday” because I kept getting distracted and forgetting to post this.

Five Question Friday

2011-01-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

It’s Five Question Friday over at “My Little Life” and because I love talking about myself, I thought that I would join in…

Here are the questions:

1. What is your current favorite book, and why?
2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?
3. What is your worst memory from High School?
4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?
5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?

Here are my answers:

1. What is your current favorite book, and why?
Favorite current book? I can’t even remember the last book that I read! I know that sounds pretty redic but I really can’t. I started reading Eat, Pray, Love on maternity leave but once I got to the pray part it got boring and I gave up. Before I had the boys I was completely up to date on reading all of the Sookie Stackhouse books (which HBO’s True Blood is based on) but there are two that have been published in the last two years that I still haven’t read. One stares at me from my night stand and haunts me… They are really good books (kinda cheesy though) but this momma just doesn’t have time to read.

2. Do you go to the dentist regularly?
Again, I’m going to blame this one on my children! Afterall, that’s why I had them – to blame things on. So…back in January 2008 I went to the dentist a few weeks before moving to Hays. I haven’t been back since. Gasp! I know it’s disgusting. Add it to my list of New Years Resolutions (I’ll even put it on the “realistic resolutions” side).
You see…when I am pregnant one of my big time pregnancy symptoms has always been that my gums bleed badly when I brush my teeth. Not run of the mill bloody, more like “having to rebrush my teeth to get the blood off that was caused by the initial teeth brushing”. TMI? Perhaps. Anywho – the thought of going to the dentist in that condition didn’t sound fun – plus I would need to find a new dentist since we lived in a new town. Well, that never happened. We had a kid, moved back here and my dentist had retired. I don’t like change so procrastinated making a new appointment just long enough to get pregnant again. Whoops. There’s another 9 months of no denistry. So – really, now I have no excuse. I’m gonna get back on that wagon so I don’t have to constantly have my parents remind me how much they paid for this beautiful smile so I better not waste it!!

3. What is your worst memory from High School?
This one is tough. I really can’t think of anything. There was a gnarly break up in there but even that wasn’t really as traumatizing as I made it out to be at the time. Middle School was chalk full of crappy memories, but by high school life was pretty much okay…

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life?
This is easy – I want to be remembered as a great mom. I’m not going for best mom in the world because I’ll be the first to tell you that isn’t me and truthfully, there is no such thing. Most importantly, the only two people that I even care about remembering that I was a great mom are the two little guys that will call me by that name.

5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions?
Not really. I believe in fate and that kind of trumps the need for superstition in my book…

Now, go link up with Mama M and answer these for your self. Go! Now! Do it!

New Year - New Name, New Look

2011-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

New year – new name. I figured since in just two short months I will no longer have “two under two” – it was time to come up with a more appropriate name for this here little blog. Perhaps I could find a name that would last longer than 18 months (which neither of my previous names has been able to do).

I had a tough time coming up with one that I really liked. I knew that I wanted the title to reference the fact that I was all about little boys, even though I would like to use this blog to talk about so much more. I searched high and low for little boy quotes to help me come to my final decision and had several choices but nothing seemed just right…
Here were some of my thoughts:
Puddle-wonderful (a reference to an e e cummings poem)
Snips and Snails
Dump Trucks and Dior (okay, I own nothing Dior, but I just think all those blog titles like that are so cute!)
Outnumbered
The Navy Chronicles (okay, that’s kind of a joke – just paying homage to Molly at The Fuchsia News.)

So I had actually given up on my search and was looking at something else when I came across a stamp set called “Bugs and Kisses”. I was hooked! I think it’s perfect. And – if by some freak act of God I wind up pregnant again and it happens to be a girl – she can be my sweet “kisses” so it will still work.

One of my goals for this year is to blog more. And blog more honestly. I feel like I get very caught up in keeping up with how perfect everyone seems in the blog world – and our lives are anything but that! My life is certainly not all gloom and doom (how could it be with babies like mine!) but it’s also not all sunshine and rainbows. I write this blog for myself mostly so it’s time for me to be more honest with you and ME. I need to write more day to day and not just when I have something wonderful to say. More on that to come… Maybe…

Happy Half Birthday BoBo!

2010-12-30T06:51:00.000-08:00

Mr. Bodey, yesterday you turned six months old.

I cannot believe how quickly the past half year has flown by. You have completed are little family and I love everything that you have given to our family.

You and your brother are certainly best friends. You are completely content just sitting by and watching him play. He loves you so much too. He always gives you kisses and likes to know where you are at all times. Nothing melts Mommy's heart like watching him give you a hug and kiss and say "I wuv you Brutter"

You are a HUGE fan of your daddy. The smiles you give him trump the smiles you give anyone else. Daddy has a hard time warming up to new babies but you are finally crossing the threshhold into the fun age and I imagine that you two, actually all three of you, will be spending plenty of fun time together in the coming months.

You still haven't decided to sleep too well at night. While it's true that I'm totally exhausted, I love our little snuggle sessions in the middle of the night. I do not, however, love the 4:30 wake up calls from you. I am hoping you can work on a more appropriate "up for the day" time.

Last night you had your first bites of cereal. You LOVED chewing on the spoon and were actually trying to self feed just to get that spoon up to those two tiny teeth. Your tongue thrust reflex still needs a little work so we will take it slow. We'll try to get you onto something a little tastier within the next few weeks...

We are heading out today to get your 6 month pictures and I'm very excited. Temps are supposed to be in the mid sixties in DECEMBER so we may even get to take pictures outside. It's actually warmer out today then it was the day we had your three month pics.

You are such a happy baby and a joy to your Mommy and Daddy's hearts. We love you so much. You are a blessing. You and your brother are our everthing.

Hugs and kisses,

Mommy

Fill in the Blank Friday

2010-12-10T07:33:00.000-08:00

So - I never finished the 12 days of Christmas Challenge. I suck. I know. Our tree wasn't up yet so I couldn't participate in the decoration day and it was the weekend and I almost never post on the weekend so I just failed. I'm okay with that.

But, since I did feel like doing a little blogging today but really had nothing important to say, I decided to hop on Lauren's "Fill in the Blank Friday"

1. I wish that my pocketbook would align with my fashion sense (currently the inverse is true).

2. Yesterday I almost destroyed my car when the truck infront of me had a full size basketball goal fly out of it while going down the HIGHWAY! .

3. Today I will do a little work and then go hope to prep for the 31 party I am hosting tonight.

4. Tomorrow I will spend the day cuddling the two most adorable boys in the WHOLE. WIDE. WORLD. while their daddy tries to take down Bambi's mom.

5. Maybe I will be able get H & B to nap at the same time and I will join them.

6. Someday both of my boys will sleep through the night AND sleep past 6 AM.

7. I love the way that H will just bust out random words and full sentences that I would never expect to hear from a 22 month old. Some of my favorite words he says include: medicine, Lacey (I don't like that he says it, but it's so cute when he does), chicken, and sucker.

That's about it! Have a Great Weekend y'all!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11

2010-12-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

Day 11 - New Years Resolutions

Get off my dead ass and do something! Anything! Walk. Clean. Dance around the living room like a maniac with my 2 year old. I can only use the excuse that I'm exhausted with a new baby for another 26 days (it expires at 6 months) so my goal for 2011 is to just be more active.

Be present - so many times my husband, friend or family member is trying to tell me something and I am so easily distracted and miss half of what they are saying. I want to be able to sit down and have a conversation with them and fully understand and hear what they are saying instead of just nodding aimlessly while consumed in something else.

Go to Church and build a relationship with God

Complete the Couch to 5K program

Save some money

12 Days of Christmas - Day 10

2010-12-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Day 10 - FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS

I'm not super obsessed with Christmas music - I don't mind it, but I could take it or leave it to be honest. Yesterday on the way to daycare my oldest was in full on meltdown mode and suddenly "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" came on the radio and I started singing it to him and he immediately calmed down - so perhaps it has some sort of healing power.

Okay, I'm just gonna put this out there - I'm closing in on thirty a lot faster than I want to be but my favorite Christmas song is STILL "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by *NSync. It is just too freaking catchy. I'm gonna run a loop on that video today just to keep myself festive! Listen here.

My favorite Christmas album of all time is Amy Grant's. My favorite song from that album is "Breath of Heaven" which is just so amazingly beautiful. I have been known to well up just listening to it. Listen here.

And - to keep the Christ in Christmas I am gonna throw this one out there too. The Advent Song has always been one of my favorite church hymns and I'm so excited that we are back in the season! Listen here. (I had a hard time finding a good version but this is kind of cute.)

Edited to add "Silent Night" - We had a winter wedding and our organist played the most beautiful version while we lit the unity candle. I would be a total jackass if I didn't list the song.

Some Random Wednesday

2010-12-01T07:45:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I really just want to post a thought or memory just to put it out there and I figure that doing it on some random Wednesday is just as good a day as any. It's not a blog carnival or blog roll - just something to keep me motivated to post after all the blog challenges end.

So today - here are some random Wednesday memories.

I use the term random Wednesday a lot and here's why... I graduated from college on a Friday night six years ago this month. We were driving to a bar afterward to celebrate and I was a little bummed because I just "knew" that Chad was going to propose to me that night - but he didn't. I told him that I thought for sure he was going to do it that night and he said to me "When I propose, I'll do it on a day that is special only for that reason - like some random Wednesday..." The following Wednesday he popped the question!
One of my favorite memories ever - the day that I brought Bodey home I was a hot mess. Hormonal, emotional and exhausted. We set his infant carrier on the couch and Hunter came over to meet him. Hunter took one look at him, turned around and ran to grab his teddy bear then brought it back and placed it in the carrier. It was the first time we had really ever seen Hunter share and for sure the first time did it on his own accord. I instantly turned into a blubbering idiot. This morning I watched the boys together and that memory came rushing back and I welled up again. Don't know why. Perhaps because I am still a hot mess - hormonal, emotional and exhausted. But I guess that comes with the territory.

Okay - random post over.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 9

2010-12-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

Day 9 - FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPE

I'll try to keep this one simple!

Take this...

...and put it in one of these... (fill about half way)
...and then top with this. Yes, I'm aware that this isn't Dom...but trust me it will do!

ENJOY! Mimosas are a wonderful holiday treat. We bust them out left and right. Holiday baking? Mimosa! Open house? Mimosa! Chirstmas Morning? Mimosa! And the best part - the work outside of the Holidays as well. Wedding shower? Mimosa! Baby shower? Mimosa! Lunch break at work? Mim...okay, maybe they aren't the answer to everything! One place that they are great is tailgating. They were the best part about the KU/Mizzou game this past weekend! AND - they taste just as good in one of these...

...as they do in a fancy champagne flute.

Careful how many you enjoy though - you may just wind up like this!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

2010-11-30T06:28:00.001-08:00

It's already day 8 of Aly & Molly's Blog Challenge - I need there to be like 25 days of Chirstmas or something because it's nice to actually have something to blog about!

Day 8: LEAST favorite thing about the Holidays.
If you saw my Black Friday post - it should be perfectly clear what my least favorite thing about the Holidays is. In case you missed it - I. FREAKING. HATE. CROWDS.
The anxiety that I get amidst chaotic crowds is nausiating (and admit it - all Holiday crowds are chaotic). The thought of having to go to Target or Walmart for ANYTHING in the next 4 weeks makes me want to hurl. The fact that anyone could actually enjoy the "hustle and bustle" of the Holidays boggles the mind!
I will probably end up taking a personal day from work and doing all of my Christmas shopping (that I can't do online) then - and it will be some random Wednesday at, like, 8 am because I will not be caught dead doing it on a weekend. I need to adjust our grocery budget for this time of year because if I'm the one going shopping, I'm going to Dillons - where it may be more expensive, but it's also much less crowded than Wally World.
Just thinking about the crowds long enough to write this post kind of makes me dizzy...

12 Days of Christmas - Days 5, 6 and 7 - FAIL!

2010-11-29T10:28:00.001-08:00

So - big surprise - I failed at keeping up on Aly & Molly's 12 Days of Christmas. Here it is, day 7 and I am just now getting around to posting my day 5 information. Lame-Oh!

DAY 5: It’s no secret that this is my favorite Holiday movie. My family watches it all the time. My dad finally had to upgrade to the DVD once we finally wore out our VHS. We spend our holiday quoting this movie and actually tend to reference it year round. Last year we gave my dad a “Shitter was Full” t-shirt for Christmas. I’m pretty sure that it was his favorite gift – EVER!

My favorite TV Special isn’t even on any more and that Breaks. My. Heart. I couldn’t even tell you how this grew to be my favorite. I always remember watching Rudolph and Frosty and Charlie Brown – but my favorite was always Garfield. There is a scene in the movie where they light the Christmas tree and everyone makes this great “ohhhhhhhhhh” face. So every year, at some point, my dad will reference that scene. It’s just a fun little memory. My sister and I have been known to break out in our own rendition of “Good Ol’ Fashion Christmas” from that show. It’s a catchy tune!

DAY SIX: What I want for Christmas:

I am super in love with these shoes. One can never own too many Sperry shoes if you ask me - and their women's dress line is really making headway.

My love for Glee is no joke. I also have a warped sense of my own voice and think I am a phenominal singer so this is perect for me!

Okay, so maybe this next gift is lame - but I really need a new vaccum. With two little boys and a rowdy little dauchsund I constantly feel like we are sweeping. The one we have now is loosing suction big time - so why not go for one that isn't supposed to lose suction?

I saw these boots at Dillards last Wednesday and I want them SO BADLY! I want them in every color they come in. I'm so glad that the fashion world has decided do create really cute boots without heels. Yes, I am short and should be wearing heels, but I am also clumsy and and find that fact to trump the other.

Oh, and because this girl cannot get enough shoes - I wouldn't mind finding these in my stocking as well! My husband and I watched a special on the creator of Toms 2+ years ago and ever since then I have wanted a pair. I'll be honest, they aren't exactly the cutest shoes in the world but the story and the message make it worth it. This print is fun and different - just the way I like my foot covers!

DAY SEVEN: Holiday Craft/DIY

I really don't have anything for this one. I am thinking about making some letters to put on the mantle. When both of the boys were born I bought wooden letters from HobLob and then slapped some scrapbook paper on them with some Modge Podge. In both cases they turned out super cute. I am having a really hard time deciding which word I want to do though. I have thought about our last name, HOHOHO, Celebrate or Rejoice. Any suggestions.

Okay, tomorrow's topic is LEAST favorite thing about the Holidays. Should be interesting to see what people come up with!!

12 Days of Christmas Blog Challege - Day 4

2010-11-26T10:03:00.000-08:00

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

I really don’t have much to add here – other than that I am very excited to see what everyone else has to say on the topic because this is an area where I need help! I only have a few tricks that I use…

1. With each paycheck I try to knock at least one gift off of my list starting in October. Now, if I was smart, I would just start a Chirstmas Club account and then I could take it all down at once. Let’s just plan on adding that to my New Years Resolution.

2. Start early. Okay, October is early for me. If I was really smart I would have started in July.

3. Look for deals on wrapping paper and bags. I am a big fan of Big Lots! for this stuff. Same goes for decorations. They have a ton of stuff. Last year I bought two wrapping packs that had four coordinating rolls of paper plus ribbons, bows and tags to match. This worked out great because I used one coordinating pack to wrap our gifts for my side of the family and the other pack for Chad’s. Made it much easier to identify who got what when we were loading up for our holiday travels.

4. I am a big fan of discount websites, especially when it comes to gifts for my little ones. Since my boys are too young to specifically request items, I have been able to find some really great things from babysteals.com or mamabargains.com. Some other great sites to consider are woot.com or steepandcheap.com for the older giftees on the list.

Okay, that’s all I got for this one. I’m excited to see what everyone else has to say though because clearly I need some more advice.

See you tomorrow!

12 Days of Christmas: Day 3

2010-11-24T06:17:00.001-08:00

It's Day 3 over at Aly and Molly's 12 Days of Christmas Blog and today's topic is:
Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received
The most memorable gifts I have recieved?
As I read through other blogs I have seen a ton of favorite gifts that I had in common with other bloggers. Here are a few additoinal gifts that I received that I LOVE(D).

My senior year in high school my folks got me one of these badboys. I quickly adorned it with a KU faceplate. Remember when phones were only good for making calls and playing Snake? My, how times have changed

My sister is the BEST gift giver in the world. I still can't believe she actually bought me this!

The following year I tried to keep up and bought her a North Face jacket and felt like I had done so well - until I opened these! She won again.

I gave up on trying to surpass my sister in the gift giving department.

I should tell you now that Chad is NOT a romantic gift giver - he is more of a practical gift giver or picks up on the one random thing that you say you would like to have and that is what you get (why hello Crest White Strips!) so you can imagine my surprise when my Christmas present last year came in this box...

The contents of that box brought tears to my eyes because it was proof that I had finally reached my ultimate goal in life. Though I am sure if you ask Chad - he would just say that he knew it would shut me up!

Have a happy Thanksgiving y'all! Can't wait to tell you all about my favorite Holiday TV Special on Friday. It's a good'en

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

2010-11-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

It's Day 2 Over at Aly & Molly's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge. Hop on over and take a look at what all the awesome posters have to say!

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

I must tell you – I am NOT a Black Friday shopper. I would not be caught dead at Toys R Us or Target at 4am throwing ‘bows to get to the last plasma TV. That just isn’t my style – oh, and I FREAKING HATE CROWDS. I am, however, a big fan of cyber Monday. More and more online stores are offering free shipping so I figure – why not? I can usually knock out at least half of my Christmas shopping on that day. So many stores are also offering up great deals on Cyber Monday so it is really a win/win for both my sanity and my pocket book.

Now, don’t get me wrong, if the Gap or Gymboree was having a 90% off Doorbuster at 2am I would be there, but until that happens – I’ll be sleeping while the masses are sweating their way through the stores. Bless your hearts!

Oh Christmas Card - Oh Christmas Card

2010-11-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

Oh, the dreaded Christmas card. I have always been horrible about sending them out. Last year I was bound and determined to send one out since it was Hunter’s first Christmas. Never happened. I felt like I never got the ‘perfect picture’ of him to put on a card and I was up to my eyeballs in morning sickness so napping seemed more enjoyable than addressing envelopes. So here it is – a year later – and Hunter is now a big brother and I am bound and determined to get a card out to the masses donning the two most adorable boys this side of the Mason Dixon or the Mississippi or the Rockies or, to be honest – IN. THE. WORLD!

So, I set out to find the perfect Christmas card. I started with the usual big box suspects. Their backgrounds were boring, nothing unique and exciting. Nothing worth writing home about and certainly nothing worthy of displaying the beauty that is my children. (What? You’re tired of hearing how beautiful my babies are? Um, have you seen them?)

Enter Shutterfly. Ohmagoodness-they have some cute cards. Narrowing it down is not going to be easy. Then I found out about this offer and it was as though the stars aligned and bells started ringing and now, my friends, my little ol’ blog about little ol’ me and little ol’ Chad and the WORLD’s CUTEST BABIES is actually going to pay off with some great Holiday cards.

Their photo Christmas cards are adorable and the selection… man-oh-man I’m in photo card heaven. I’m sure you can tell by my ever changing blog header that I’m into the multi picture goodness and Shutterfly has tons of options that are just up my alley. You can check them all out here.

You will have to stay tuned to hear how our Christmas Card saga of 2010 turns out!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1: Traditions

2010-11-22T06:23:00.000-08:00

Aly & Molly's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challege is upon us. I love this time of year so I am very excited to participate.

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

We have a few holiday traditions in out family so I will stick to what is probably my favorite one: Holiday Baking & Cookie Exchange

Of all Holiday traditions this is probably the newest one as well. For the last three years all of the ‘Land’ women gather together for a day of goodie baking as well as a cookie exchange. We kick off our day with a great breakfast and then get down to the business at hand. We chat and laugh and get stressed and have fun! I’m especially excited because this will be the first year that we are doing it where I will not be pregnant. Two of the years I was in the throws of morning sickness-and neither time had we yet ‘announced’ our pregnancy so I had to suffer in silence. This year there will be mass mimosas of celebration.

I think my favorite part about this tradition is just the togetherness of our family. Our family has always been fairly close and we ‘cousins’ are close enough to each other in age that we’ve been friends as well but as the older generation has bonded more strongly over the past few years so has our generation. Several of my cousins’ families as well as my sister’s family live in the same town and see each other regularly. We all have young families and sometimes the women don’t get to see nearly as much of each other as the men do so it’s nice to have this time together. When we see each other at Holidays now it’s hard to catch up when you’re chasing toddlers and nursing new ones. (There are seven cousins and between our families we went from having one 3^rd generation member in January 2008 and by January 2011 – there will be NINE!)

Two years ago my aunt made a “toast” as we wrapped up our baking to the fact that her mother (my grandmother, who passed away when I was 11) would be so happy to see all of us Land women taking this time together to build such a wonderful tradition.

I know this post is getting long but I also want to mention a tradition that was my FAVORITE growing up as a child that has had to cease amidst the ‘Sharing Holidays’ that comes with being in a relationship.

There was nothing more special to me than sitting on the couch with my dad and my sister on Christmas Eve while my dad would read us the story of Jesus’ birth from the Book of Luke and then would read “The Night Before Christmas” from the same book that his dad had read to him. The book is tattered and very few of the pages are still connected. The Santa on the front has on a felt coat that has been worn down by the 60 years of rubbing.

The first year that I missed Chirstmas Eve with my parents, my sister and my dad called me so I could listen to him read it. I sobbed. One of the hardest parts about giving up this tradition is knowing how much it meant to my dad. Sure, Jen and I loved it, but it was so evident that my dad loved it – even when we were in our twenties and would still cuddle up next to him like little kids to let him read to us – still his little girls.

We now do Christmas Eve with my inlaws – which I LOVE. The tradition there is wonderful as well and it works wonderfully for celebrating the holiday, but I will always miss those Christmas Eves with Jen and Dad and little baby Jesus and the ancient Santa.

Catching Up!

2010-11-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

It has been forever since I’ve blogged. I failed miserably at Katie’s 30 Day Challenge. But, I feel compelled to put something out there! So, here is my life – in bullets.

· Work has been crazy busy. I really really enjoy my job and I’m knee deep in the meat and potatoes of it right now.

· The Bodester had his 4 month Well Child Check last week. The big man weighs in at a staggering 16 lbs 10 oz and is 27 inches tall. He is such a sweet baby and loves to smile and talk. He’s finally getting to that age where Chad isn’t terrified of him.

· The Hunt Dog gets funnier and funnier every freakin’ day. Tomorrow he will be attending his first KU football game with Daddy. They have been practicing their “Touchdown” and “Go Jayhawks!” cheers. Adorable!

· Chad is still Chad. Up to his elbows in concrete (or so he would have me believe). Of course it is hunting season so I am doing my time as a Hunter’s Widow here and there. He has been kind enough to narrow it down to once or twice a weekend and thus far has only made one weekend trip out west. I really wish he would get a deer so that I wouldn’t have to hear about this through rifle season as well.

· I am SUPER excited for this weekend because two of my besties and I are having a Goose Reunion! When we were in college we lived at this bar called The Goose Too (aka, The Deuce or G2). Seriously, we were there 3 nights a week. One of those nights was our Wasted Wednesdays (aka GIRLS NIGHT). I don’t want to even imagine how much money I put into that place. So many awesome memories there though. Chad and I even made a cameo there the night we got engaged to celebrate with our bar-going cohorts! Anywho - the bar changed owners and then changed names (and then changed names again). Our crazy group of gals grew up –got married-started families and our days at the G2 went by the wayside. So – fast forward to a few weeks ago when I see a new sign in front of the bar. The new name? “THE GOOSE AGAIN”. So many of our original gang have moved on to bigger and better things – but the three of us that still call this town home will be reliving our younger years with a trip to the Goose – Again! SO.STINKIN.EXCITED!

· Next week is Thanksgiving which I am super excited about. It’s probably my favorite holiday because I love getting to spend that time with my family. It’s always fun to see all of the babies too since our families 4^th generation (3^rd living) has grown from one kid to eight in the last three years (#9 will be here by Christmas). For some families that may not seem like a lot but or family if fairly small – only 8 cousins (of which at least one (or one’s wife) has been pregnant at any given moment since Fall 2007). So, it’s freakin’ Romper Room when we get together. Can’t wait!

So, there is your super long and unnecessary update. Monday I’ll be starting Aly and Molly’s 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge – so you’ll be hearing from me a little more regularly. Fingers crossed I actually finish this one!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

2010-10-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

I believe…

… c-sections, circumcisions and disposable diapers don’t make me less of a mother.

… marriage is hard work.

… high heels make you look thinner.

… reality TV will, in fact, NOT rot my brain.

… every woman should have: a great lipstick, a favorite wine, and a bunko group.

… I have no control over the expressions my face chooses to make.

… it’s okay to not want to be a stay-at-home-mom.

…that someday in my lifetime – the Royals will win the World Series and the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl.

…there is always room in your heart for more love and in your brain for more memories.

…crying is good for the soul.

…a good moisturizer is the key to looking young.

…I have yet to achieve my full potential.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

2010-10-21T07:12:00.001-07:00

FAVORITE TV SHOWS

Hands down the funniest show on television
Admit it, you watch it too.

Not quite as funny as Rob & Big - but a decent substitute.

My favorite of all the Real Housewifes trainwrecks. I love all things Bravo!

This one never gets old.

Oh, how I love Jersey Shore. It's my vice. I'm in love with Pauly D. This morning Chad told Hunter he needed to get his jacket on by referring to it as "T-Shirt Time" and when it was time to load up the car we shouted "CAAAAAAAAAAAAAABS AH HEEEEEEEEEERAH". We're AMAZING Parents, no?

I'm a Gleek, my son is a Gleek and my husband is a Gleek (though he'll never admit it).

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 10

2010-10-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Day Ten – Something You’re Afraid Of

The answer to this simple for me:

Something happening to either one of my boys that I can’t “fix.”

I know the truth though – this WILL happen. In some way; big or (hopefully only) small. More than once.

There is something about becoming a mother that makes you so vulnerable and you instantly become a mother to every other baby on the planet. The blog world only magnifies that and you find yourself reading blogs about families struggling with the worst case scenarios and you cry for those babies and you cry for those mothers. And you pray – you pray for those babies, you pray for those families, you pray you never have to become one. You pray your blog never has to take that road.

The strength of the women that tell those stories amazes me! They put all of their faith in God and fight so hard. I am not nearly as God fearing as I need to be. I am weak and overly emotional when it comes to my children and worry that I could not fight as hard as these women do. I do not have a good relationship with God and often feel as though I am praying in vain.

Perhaps my answer isn’t so simple. Maybe my answer should be:

Not being strong enough to handle it should anything ever happen to my boys…

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 9

2010-10-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

A PICUTRE OF YOUR FRIENDS

One of my besties got married a few weeks ago and had a photo booth at her wedding. So – all of her besties (who all happen to be my besties) crammed in there for this ridiculous photo shoot. I love these girls so much. Some I have known since junior high but it wasn’t until college that we really got to be close. This picture pretty much sums up what it is like when we all get together - mayhem. Since two of them live out of state and we are all forcing ourselves into adulthood we don’t get to see each other as often as we would like but when we do…WATCH OUT!
And I couldn’t show pictures of my girls without showing one of this girl. My best bud since high school, though we had met many years before that during Y basketball and/or t-ball. She’s the Mary Ann to my Wanda (for you Dixie Chicks fans). The Abbott to my Costello. The Situation to my DJ Pauly D. After high school we both went our separate ways and then last year we both made our way back to our hometown and picked up right where we left off. Together we started a bunko group and survived the planning of our ten year class reunion! This girl does not know a stranger and loves to act ditzy though she is one of the smartest people I have ever met!

I seriously have the best friends a girl could ever ask for!!!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Days 6, 7 and 8

2010-10-18T07:10:00.001-07:00

Whoops! Busy weekends tend to equal no time to get on the computer so I am officially an epic fail when it comes to this 30 day blog challenge, but I’m going to post on all thirty topics, though they won’t be on the thirty days they are supposed to be. At least not the ones that fall on the weekend, anyway. Now, onto what I’ve missed.

PICTURE THAT MAKES ME HAPPY:

This is what a typical Saturday morning looks like in our house. We don’t do real clothes unless/until we are planning on leaving to go somewhere (and if that somewhere is Grandma and Grandpa’s, they will probably remain in pjs.) Hunter loves his baby brother and will lay next to him on his play mat and rub his belly while they both watch the musical smiley overhead. I thank God for these sweet moments and treasure each and everyone.

FAVORITE MOVIES: I never saw this movie before I met Chad and he forced me to watch it. Now I have probably seen it more than 50 times and would call it my hands-down-favorite. It is SO. FREAKING. GOOD.

This is another movie that is just really, really good. I could watch it over and over again – it never gets old.

Onto the comedies:This is a family favorite for us. My parents host a holiday open house each year on or around Christmas Eve and we basically keep this show running on a loop. A few years ago my dad finally had to upgrade to the DVD because our VHS was so worn out. I could easily watch it anytime of the year. Last Christmas we gave my dad a “Shitter was Full” t-shirt. I am pretty sure it was his favorite gift…EVER!

“Scotch. Scotch. Scotch. I love Scotch.” There truly are no words to describe how freaking funny this movie is. And the fact that Bill Kurtis narrates the freaking thing makes it that much more spectacular. Those who know me know I L-O-V-E American Justice and all things Bill Kurtis.

A PLACE I HAVE TRAVELED TO:

I don’t really have anything super exciting to put here. The most recent place that I traveled to was Las Vegas. But that was for work and we were so busy that aside from seeing the fountains at the Bellagio, I never really left the hotel.

We went to Jamaica on our honeymoon and I loved it. I have always been a huge Bob Marley fan so visiting Jamaica was on my bucket list. We stayed at an all inclusive resort which is really the only way to go. We would love to go back someday for sure.

Blog Challenge - Day 5

2010-10-15T07:05:00.000-07:00

My Sister!

There is this song by Juliana Hatfield called “My Sister” that begins “I hate my sister, she’s such a bitch – she acts as if she doesn’t even know that I exist.” This is how I would describe the “teen years” for Jenny and me. I was the angry teen that rebelled and made my family’s lives pretty crappy – my sister included. While I always looked up to my sister – so pretty and athletic – we weren’t friends. We tried, but it just didn’t happen.
Jenny went to college and I got through high school and when I graduated I joined her at KU where she was working on her masters. I went through recruitment and was offered a bid from my sister’s sorority. When I got off the bus on bid day she was there, now an alum, waiting for me. We hugged and we cried – and from there we became friends. How strange was it that it took sisters becoming “sisters” to turn them into friends?
Though I ended up changing schools after my freshman year and we never got to share all of the Greek excitement, our friendship remained strong and even grew stronger.
Becoming wives and mothers together has been wonderful. We were married less than four months apart (sorry Dad!), each had our first child nine months apart and our second children 10 weeks apart. We talk daily and about anything and everything. I could spend all day just sitting on the couch gossiping with her. We can be weird together and say and do things that only we get. If one of us says or does something ditzy or weird, the other will just pet us gently and say "pretty girl, pretty girl."

I share things with her I could never share with anyone else. I love her and her family so much.

This is her with my favorite little girl in the world - my niece Camryn.

30 Day Blog Challege - Day Four

2010-10-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

The topic for day 4 over at Katie's Journey is My Parents…

These guys…. Oh, these guys….

My parents are, hands down, my two favorite people in the world. This picture was taken more than 37 years ago and they are still going strong. They showed me what love is and not to settle for anything else.

Mom – She wears her heart on her sleeve and loves to be a grandma. She has an obsession with QVC and a tendency to mispronounce words. Enjoys her ‘Soaps’ and Birkenstocks. She’s a very loyal person and tends to hold grudges when you do her or her family wrong. I can talk to her about anything and she supports me even when she knows better! (i.e., letting me get a degree in English and never taking a single business course in college). My sister and I pick on her way more than we should. She’s a wonderful mom and friend.

Dad – He’s one heck-of-a-guy. He survived 20+ years in an estrogen den (even our cats were female) but he has since been rewarded with two “sons” (in-law) and three grandsons – though he loves his granddaughter just as much. He spends his days on the links or at the farm. His sense of humor is dry, yet hysterical. My sister and I tend to pick on him way more than we should as well…though not nearly as much as we do our mom.

I could go on and on about all of the amazing things about my parents. They provided me with a wonderful example of how to be a good spouse, a good parent and an all-around good person.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 3

2010-10-13T11:47:00.000-07:00

The topic for day 3 over at Katie's Journey is First Love…

In my life, I have dropped the “L” bomb on 4 guys. That number kind of makes my stomach churn as I read other blogs and they are lucky enough to only have said it to one.

The first time I said it I was fourteen and clearly was not truly in love. It’s what you said when you were that age to feel special. I couldn’t even tell you whatever happened to that guy.

The second time I said it I was sixteen. I really think I thought I meant it then. It was a good relationship, but a short one. It was your typical fun, high school relationship. Looking back now, I believe that God brought us into each others’ lives so that we could help bring other people together. I am so fortunate to say that two of my best friends in the entire world met their husbands (in a round-about way) because of that relationship.

The third time I was seventeen and for the life of me can’t even tell you why I said it. That relationship was long and toxic. It wasn’t love…I don’t know what it was to be honest.

And then there was this guy!

The fourth time was Chad. The love I have for Chad is so different than the love I had ever felt before. It’s the love that makes all previous “love” wind up in quotation marks. I guess that is how we know when someone is “the one.” He is my best friend, my partner in crime and really is my first REAL love!

30 Day Blog Challenge – Day 2

2010-10-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of the blog challenge over at Katie's Journey is to tell you all about 'The Meaning Behind my Blog Name.'

Originally my blog was entitled “Chad and Me and Baby Makes Three.” I created the blog when I was living in Hays, Kansas – about 200 miles from “home.” I actually started the blog to keep my family back home up to date on our little bun in the oven that would become Hurricane Hunter. I truly expected that name to ring true for much longer than it did! When Hunter was only 8 months old we learned he was going to be a big brother. The blog name didn’t change until there was officially a #4 in our family. “Two Under Two – Let’s Do This” was more of a motivational cheer to myself. Before I ever had kids I always joked that I wanted two under two and people thought that I was crazy. Actually, I thought two under two was a crazy concept as well but now that it’s what we have, I truly wouldn’t want it any other way. The tag line “An attempt to raise two little men without screwing them up for life!” is my number one (tongue and cheek) goal as a mother!

Of course, the current blog name will really only hold true for another (gasp!) four months because my itty bitty Huntdog will no longer be “under” two. At that time, I will probably reevaluate and come up with something a little more timeless. Any suggestions?

30 Day Blog Challege - Day 1

2010-10-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while since I actually posted anything of my own and I am always telling myself that I need to update my blog so when I saw this on Molly’s blog, I decided to jump on board and see if I it would help to get me back in the habit of posting. Feel free to join in as well!

I’m a day behind so I’m going to do two today to get caught up! Here’s the first.

Introduction, Recent Picture and 15 Random Facts about Me!

My name is Lacey. I’m a 28 year old wife and mother to two adorable boys – Hunter, 20 months and Bodey, 3 months. I am a full-time working mom that is constantly struggling to find the perfect balance between wife, mother and employee.

This is a picture of my husband Chad and me taken at my High School Ten Year Class Reunion last month.

15 Random Facts:

1. I am obsessed with baby products and baby websites. My husband nearly had to stage an intervention with me after we received three packages from babysteals.com in one week.
2. I could easily live the rest of my life eating nothing but cherry Pop-tarts and drinking diet coke (though I can’t imagine my life would be too long on that combination)
3. I have worked for the same company for almost 6 years and just in the last few months actually started my “career.”
4. Snow skiing terrifies me but my youngest son is definitely named after a professional skier.
5. The song “The Boys of Fall” by Kenny Chesney makes me cry because it makes me think about my boys growing up and playing football and I get sad just thinking that they’ll be old enough to do that before we know it – assuming they WANT to play football.
6. My “Dream” Christmas list for this year includes such things as: A new mattress, new living room carpet, having my living room, kitchen, foyer and hallway painted, and a maid.
7. My “Real” Christmas list for this year includes such things as: Grey Uggs, a pair of Toms, a Dyson vacuum, and a maid.
8. I am extremely close with my family and I really take pride in the relationship that my husband has with them as well.
9. I am head over heels in LOVE with my boys (Chad included). I often find myself just sitting back and thanking God for giving me this perfect little life.
10. We are pretty sure we are done having kids because I am terrified of raising a girl so we don’t want to risk it!
11. I really and truly wish that I liked to cook and clean. I know how to do both, and know how to do them well, but HATE doing them so neither one gets done very often!
12. I would love to learn how to bake and decorate adorable sugar cookies with flooded icing that everyone would ooooh and aaaah over. Perhaps I should add Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer to my Christmas List (note: this is the first year it hasn’t been on my list for the last 5)
13. I am a proud aunt to a silly 4 year old, a hysterical 2 year old and a beautiful 1 month old (tomorrow!)
14. My first job ever was as a summer janitor at an elementary school. Really.
15. I have HORRIBLE HORRIBLE road rage. I am convinced that some people are on the road specifically to piss me off – and they do an excellent job!

I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the next 29 days…

She's Gives Me My "Little Girl" Fix

2010-07-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

This little gem is one of my favorite people in the world. She is fantastic and smart and beautiful. She loves her cousins and always makes me smile. She is going to be a great big sister and I look forward to watching her lead our little brood of boys and giving them the business!

My Favorite Nurse

2010-07-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

During my stay in the hospital, we decided that Chad would work the two days that we weren't delivering or going home so that he would be able to be home with me the entire next week. This beautiful woman became my assistant in his absence. She changed diapers, filled my water cup and cuddled my baby and I never once had to ask for anything. While I know that she was helping me out of the goodness of her heart, I think she was also using it as practice because she'll be having a little boy of her own in 8 weeks!
Here is Aunt Jenny and Baby Bodey (and his cousin Brett) enjoying a little time together.

Thank you for everything Jen, I am so thankful to have such a wonderful sister and I owe you BIG TIME!!

A Bodey Story - Version Two

2010-07-21T11:15:00.001-07:00

I wrote this blog the other day but when I went back and read it, I wasn’t happy with it. I felt like it was depressing. It didn’t tell the true story of one of the best days of my life. Here is Bodey’s story…

We had decided that our best bet would be to send Hunter to daycare for the day. We dressed him in his new Big Bro t-shirt that we had made for him by Molly and away he went. We got to daycare around 8:30 and I hugged and kissed my little man goodbye. That sweet little booger had no idea what a big day it was for our family.

We were supposed to be at the hospital by 9am and since we had a few extra minutes we stopped by Walgreens to pick up some chapstick and two magazines to entertain me while I waited to go in for my section and then it was off to the hospital.
We were in admissions for probably 30 seconds before we saw what would become our first “bump.” It was like a scene out of a movie where a woman comes racing down the hall in a wheelchair being pushed by her husband and they are both panting and panicking. The woman was moaning. It was all so dramatic – and, because I’m twisted, I also found it comical. Turns out the woman was scheduled for repeat c-section the following week but her water had broken. This meant that her c-section would obviously take priority over mine. Before we finally made it into the OR, there would be another woman in a similar situation.
Triage was an interesting experience. We had a lovely nurse who shared stories of life raising two boys that made me want to rethink having boys. When it came time to put in my IV she informed me that she didn’t usually work in triage and hadn’t done IVs in awhile so she had called on the pros in IV therapy to come up and do the deed. Here is how that went:
IV Therapist One:
Stick 1 – Has trouble threading the IV and loses the vein.
Stick 2 - Blows the vein. Calls for a second IV Therapist.
IV Therapist Two:
Stick 3 – Blows the vein
Stick 4 – Blows the vein. Decides to call for a third IV Therapist.
IV Therapist Three:
Stick FIVE – Nails it. Pain free stick. This woman was a pro!!!
Thankfully all three of these nurses had fantastic personalities and I was never stressed about the situation and we were all able to actually joke about the process. Though I did wind up looking like a heroin addict before it was all said and done.
Finally it was time to get Chad suited up and get ready to go in for the procedure. It was so weird, but I never once got anxious about the whole deal. I could see anxiety in Chad’s face – especially once he was in his scrubs and it was time to go. I was just so excited to finally meet my little Bodester.

The procedure went really well. The spinal was really the most traumatic part – that freaking thing hurts! Soon enough Bodey was out and vocalizing his presence. It was such a wonderful and exciting moment though kind of a blur.

Chad and I decided to use recovery as a time for us to bond with our little addition before introducing him to the masses. It gave me an opportunity to nurse him for the first time and really just rest with our new bundle. This is also where Bodey had his first bath.

An hour or two later we were moved into our room. As we passed the waiting room we saw many smiles as all the grandparents as well as my sister and Bodey’s BIG BROTHER were all waiting to meet him.

Hunter’s introduction to Bodey went pretty well. Hunter didn’t really know what to think of the hospital and seeing mommy in a bed where he couldn’t crawl all over. He sat up on the bed with me for awhile but would try to climb on top of me and finally had to go back to walking around the room. That was probably the hardest part of the whole day for me – having to tell Hunter that I couldn’t hold him and cuddle him and watch him cry in response. Shortly after, my folks took Hunter home in an effort to keep him distracted. Chad’s parents left shortly after. My sister stuck around for awhile to make sure I was well taken care of. She truly was a saint through the whole thing and took amazing care of me.
Once Jen left it was just the three of us and we were able to reflect on what a great day it was.

Bodey Landon Gerhardt
Born: June 29th, 2010 @ 12:20pm
8lbs 7oz, 19.5 inches

Count it down...

2010-06-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

The final countdown…
Tick…
Tick…
Tick…
This is what is going on in my head. Minutes and days, ticking away.
We are officially a week away from Baby Brother Bodey’s B-Day.
Seven days
168 Hours
10,080 Minutes
604,800 Seconds
But hey…who’s counting?

People like to ask if we are ready. I don’t know how to answer this.

Mentally, I don’t think that you really can be completely ready. There is always the unknown. My mental anguish comes more from how Hunter will deal with his baby brother than how I will deal. Hunter has been my EVERYTHING for the last 16 months. I love this kid more than life itself and now I have to figure out how to love another baby just as much without slighting him. I’m having a hard time dealing with the fact that I won’t get to hold him for a week or two while I’m recovering. I don’t know how I’m going to handle him looking up at me with those “pick me up” arms outstretched and having to tell him I can’t. It’s probably better if I don’t think about it – it only makes me cry.

Physically, my body is ready. I’m finally starting to feel like this pregnancy is getting the best of me. I have felt great up until now. I thought I was somehow cheating the pregnancy system. I was sleeping well, I was walking with only minimal waddle. Life was good. This morning, the pregnancy gods must have realized that they had let me slip through the cracks. I am tired and achey…and tired. I’m not miserable though so I suppose I should quit complaining. My hair is colored and my toes are painted so I’m ready to get this show on the road!

Our house is a mess. Neither nursery is ready for either of our boys. I have a stack of newborn clothes that need washed. My bag isn’t packed. The car seat is still in the closet. The bassinet is in the garage.

And yet, amidst all this chaos – I am more calm and “ready” than I was 16 months (and 12 days) ago when the HuntDog entered the world. Perhaps it’s the benefit of baby #2, or perhaps it is that it just hasn’t hit me yet and I’ll start hyperventilating any second now.

Swimmin'

2010-04-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

It has only been 2+ months since my last post – ONLY? ONLY? What the heck have I been doing??? Okay, you don’t really care and I get that so I won’t bother catching you up. We’ll just jump right into the current stuff.

Saturday morning was Hunter’s first swimming lesson at the YMCA. Chad taught swimming lessons when he was younger and we both think it is important to get Hunter in the water at a young age.
When we first arrived, Hunter didn’t know what to think. He had a little bit of terror in his eyes, which broke my heart. Since I am still incubating Hunter’s little brother, Chad took the class with him. Hunter was obviously the youngest kid in the class, but not by too much – I imagine that there was at least one other kid under the age of two there.
When they first got in the water Hunter was NOT having it. He was crying and I was stressing because I was in street clothes and couldn’t make him better (I’m a crazy, neurotic helicopter of a mother, but that is okay – I am working on it). Once they got in a little deeper and class started, Hunter really started to enjoy himself. They gave them little koosh type balls to play with and those helped keep the little guy distracted and happy. He smiled and cooed for most of the 30 minute class. It was so fun to watch him and I look forward to going every week and watching this great bonding time for him and his daddy.

Hunter getting ready to get in the pool with daddy. I love his little trunks.

Just a swimmin' fool

Floating on daddy

Getting ready for the big jump!

Loving that slide!

My favorite pool rats!

A Birthday Letter

2010-02-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

I know that I am late posting this as he is now almost one year AND one week old, but here is my letter to my ONEderful son…

Dear Hunter,
I can’t believe that you are actually a whole year old. What an amazing 12 months the last 12 months have been! You have brought so much joy into your daddy’s and my life. I can’t even begin to describe how much we love you, and that love grows more and more each day.
You are so much fun and changing and doing new things every day. You love to smile and laugh. You’ve started dancing and scooting around to music and it’s the cutest thing ever. You will eat anything that you can get your hands on and try new foods all the time. You love daycare which makes me feel not quite so guilty about having to send you to one. You are a wonderful sleeper and this past weekend, Daddy and I were both awake before you! That has NEVER happened.
Daddy can’t wait to take you fishing and was just talking about how excited you will be the first time you see him pull a fish out of the water. You are certainly a daddy’s boy and your daddy wouldn’t have it any other way. The two of you recently spent three days without me and while I worried and missed you like crazy, you and Daddy just had all sorts of fun without me.
In a few months, you are going to be a big brother. I’m so excited that you will get to grow up so close in age to your brother or sister but it still makes me a little sad that you didn’t get to be “the baby” longer. I’m a mom, so you’ll always be my baby though!
We are so excited to see what the next 365 days bring for you Hunter. You’ll be walking in no time, and then running and talking (besides mama, dada and tickle tickle). You have changed so much already. Part of me wants you to stop growing and stay my baby forever but I know that the world is waiting for you Hunter, so go get ‘em!
Love you baby!
Mommy

A New Rope

2010-02-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I just get to complaing. I’ll start griping about one thing and then that will lead to something else that ticks me off and before you know it, I’m just angry at the world. I would like to blame this on pregnancy…but let’s get real. It’s just my personality. It’s not that I’m never happy. I can’t stand people that complain all the time but sometimes, I just get to goin’ and can’t stop. A few times lately, Chad has looked at me and said “Geez, you’d complain in they hung you with a new rope.” OBVIOUSLY I would complain about this – but more so because I was being hung and notsomuch about the rope itself. (The saying makes no sense to me, as most of my husband’s hillbilly Holton talk comes out similar to the teacher from Charlie Brown – whah whah wah…)

But yesterday, I realized that he was right (GASP!). Sometimes I really do complain about things that I should be thankful for…as least I think that’s where he was trying to go with that statement.

It’s the middle of winter in Kansas. The temperature barely ever breaks freezing and the cloudy and gloomy sky appears to have moved in for the long haul. Yesterday, there was this glimmer of beauty. The Sun! And highs in the 40s! You know what? I actually complained about the sun. There’s my new rope for ya!

My commute home from work takes me about 15 minutes. I have to be at daycare by 5:30 to pick up Hunter so it does cut it pretty close if I leave any later that 10 after 5. Yesterday, I left and had to get gas and wasn’t on the road until almost 12 after and I actually began cursing the sun…

The highway home takes a steady turn about midway through that lands you smack dab face to face with the sun. This blinding moment causes one to slam on their brakes, which then causes the car behind you to slam on their brakes and so on and so forth. A traffic jam – and the culprit cause is the sun. The glorious, wonderful, powerful sun, with all of its delicious Vitamin D and skin tanning abilities is going to make me late to pick up my son. I can’t back charge the sun the extra dollar per minute that I’m late. Grrrr…

But I wasn’t late. I’m never late. I was complaining about something that I had no control over and that really ended up having no effect on me at all. As I drove home, after picking Hunter up the sun was setting and absolutely beautiful and I actually felt compelled to apologize to it, and to God. I could not believe that I had been complaining about something like that. I felt guilty and ashamed.

I am 100% sure that I am not done complaining about things but I’m hoping that this little moment has been enough to let me step back and think about what it is that I’m complaining about and make sure that it isn’t this new rope...

What should have been his birthday...

2010-02-02T09:29:00.001-08:00

One year ago today was Hunter’s original due date. A year ago, I went to the doctor – still very pregnant. That afternoon, I somehow convinced myself that my water had broken and we went to the hospital, only to have them tell me that I was indeed, not going into labor. Boo! It would be another EIGHT DAYS before he would make is grand entrance. But man-o-man…he was worth the wait.

In other news, the countdown has officially begun until we find out if Hunter is going to have a baby brother or a baby sister. 14 days to go…

In even more other news, tonight is Bunko night. I love Bunko night. I play with a bunch of girls that I hardly know and two that are my closest and dearest friends. We all have fun. We eat good food. We laugh – A LOT. There is often yelling and sometimes even tears (Michelle!). Since having Hunter I have a hard time ever feeling like anything other than a mommy but Bunko night is just about celebrating a bunch of crazy women rolling dice and enjoying life – as long as I remember to leave enough diapers at home for daddy!

Priorities

2010-01-19T06:40:00.000-08:00

This morning, around 1:45 I awoke to Hunter screaming bloody murder through the monitor. I went into check on him and pulled him up to me and we went back into our bedroom and sat on the bed and I rocked him back to sleep. He was sound asleep in minutes and I have no idea what had originally upset him. But we just sat there, rocking for 10 minutes or more because it had been weeks since I had had to rock my baby back to sleep and while I don’t miss the loss of sleep, I do miss the quiet bonding we had in the wee hours of the morning. Soon, there will be no more nights like this for me and Hunter and that thought made me cry. It makes me cry again as I write this. In a few months there will be another baby to rock to sleep in the middle of the night and I’m so scared that I won’t remember how special it was to rock my sweet Hunter. Sure, he won’t be so old that he will NEVER need rocked, but not like he needs rocked now, not like he did just two months ago. So now, when he does wake in the middle of the night, I will rock him just a few extra minutes before putting him back in his crib and forgo those extra minutes of sleep, because after all…which is really more important?

Please excuse me, I'm worthless

2010-01-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

I am 100% a believer is Pregnancy Amnesia now because I do not remember pregnancy being this exhausting the first time around. Then again, by this time with my last pregnancy I had zero children to chase after and filled my days with court TV shows and Ellen. These days I’m working full time and spend my off hours entertaining my little Hunt Dog. I hate that I can’t be a dream mom and wife because I am just too exhausted. I want to sleep ALL THE TIME. With my last pregnancy, I was too busy throwing up to be tired. Now, when Hunter hits the crib, mommy hits the hay too. I have not made it to see the 10 o’clock news in well over a week, and even then, I’m lucky if I make it to the weather!

I tend to use my weekend to catch up on my sleep but Saturday we actually had plans to do something other than sit at home and take naps. I paid for it yesterday the same way that some of my childless friends paid for the few too many drinks that they had on Saturday night. I had a headache to rival any hangover and an exhaustion that no size of diet coke would stand a fighting chance at beating. It was worth it though.

Saturday we went to Kansas City to visit my sister, brother-in-law and my wonderful, adorable, always exciting niece. It was so exciting to see Hunter and Cami playing together. I cannot believe that we didn’t get any pictures of them together. Cami had fun showing Hunter all the fun things there were to do at her house. They shared a few puffs and took a Ritz cracker break too. I can’t wait for these two to grow up and to watch their friendship grow.

Here is the most recent picture that I have of the two of them together. How sad that I don’t have any from Christmas, or even Thanksgiving. Add that to the list of reasons that I am a horrible mother…

Far above the Golden Valley...

2010-01-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

...Glorious to view, sttands our noble Alma Mater, towering toward the blue! Lift the chorus, ever onward, Crimson and the blue. Hail to thee, our Alma Mater. Hail to old KU!

College basketball has been in full swing for a few months now but the real fun is beginning this week and The Big 12 enters conference play. I love this time of year. I am fortunate enough to be the fan of a good college basketball team. Not so much can be said for my picks in college or professional football or professional baseball, I’m afraid.
Growing up, KU was OUR team. I don’t know where the love originated but my folks instilled it in my sister and me. I don’t have a very good memory, but I have several childhood memories that revolve around those Jayhawks.

* 1988 – Danny and the Miracles. I was only 5 when they won the National Championship, but I’m pretty sure that I remember that game…I think.
* Watching KU play at the Golden Harvest Classic in Kansas City
* The first game that I ever attended at Allen Fieldhouse was KU vs. Colorado. I couldn’t tell you the year but I remember Poncho Hodges played for the Buffs and every time he had the ball, the whole crowd would chant “Tube Socks, Tube Socks” I couldn’t tell you who won that game, Tube Socks is all I remember.
* Our parents bought us KU Basketball trading cards a few years in a row. I remember spending a lot of time looking at those things and picking out my “boyfriends.”
* I’m pretty sure that the first time I ever heard my sister use the word “sexy” was in reference to Rex Walters – she was maybe 15 at the time. Weird.
* The annual photo roster calendar that my dad would get every year that I always thought was SO COOL.
* The time my dad didn’t want to let my friend Michelle into our house because she was wearing a Duke shirt. Can you blame him?
* Driving to Lawrence with my dad to watch Roy Williams’ “I’m Staying” speech on the jumbo screen at Memorial Stadium the first time he was offered the UNC job. I suppose that is pretty moot now though.
* Meeting Wayne Simien in the halls of Leavenworth High School two years before he ever sported the crimson and blue.
* Two words – Mario. Chalmers.

There are some not so great memories out there too, but why give anyone ammo! 

KU is fortunate enough to have two rivals on the hardwoods, one in-state and one just across the state line. I’m not a typical fan in that I don’t bask in the losses of these teams, the only time that I really even care about either team is when they are playing against us, or if whether they win or lose a game directly effects KU in some way (i.e. Mizzou beats Texas so that KU can clench the Big 12, etc.). I could go into my feelings about the fans of these teams, but I have loyal followers that I don’t want to lose by calling the majority of KState and Mizzou fans a bunch of trash talking, bandwagon jumping jerks who tend to find more joy in a KU loss than they do in their own team's win – but whatever. I should mention that that is a lump judgement and does not specifically refer to any known reader of this blog, thus far.

Onward and upward – Rock Chalk Jayhawk, KU!

Which team?

2010-01-11T14:40:00.000-08:00

Boy or Girl???

Many people have asked whether we are hoping for a boy or a girl this time around. My answer is always the same – “All we want is healthy.” And though this may sound like a sweet little cop out, it is the truth.
Sure, a little girl in frilly little dresses with giant bows on her head dances around in my head from time to time. That three year old with white blonde pig tails and big blue eyes is sitting on my shoulder here and there. The sight of her dancing with her daddy on her wedding day already brings tears to my eyes.
But then there is that little boy, toe headed and dirty from chasing his big brother all over hill and dale. Hunter’s best friend and wrestling buddy. Having spa days to myself while Chad takes our little men hunting or Grandpa takes them fishing sure sound nice. And the money we could save on clothing is a nice bonus too.
We will take whatever God chooses to give us. Pink or Blue. We only pray that our newest addition be healthy (and if the baby is as happy and easy going as its brother, we wouldn’t complain one bit).

I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

2010-01-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

Apparently it has been about 100 years since I last posted anything on here. I would like to say that it has been because I have been far too busy to post but that is simply not the case. In fact, quite the opposite was true. For almost two months I had nothing BUT time as I had gotten the boot from work. I specifically chose NOT to write anything then because it would not have been pretty. I was dumpy, frumpy and just generally depressed about the whole situation. On top of that, I had just found out that I was expecting baby #2 which had me caught up in about 8 million different emotions as well as horrible nausea, debilitating headaches and pure and utter exhaustion.
But, now that I am gainfully employed (for now) and the nausea is starting to dissipate, it’s time to party! Since so many of my loyal and devoted fans have been begging me to come back and fill their world with my blogging wit – I make my triumphant return. Please note: By “many of my loyal and devoted fans” I mean my mom and my sister.
Now the only problem is: what exciting things can I share???
I guess I can talk about Hunter first. Holy Moses! He’s going to be a year old soon. This thought drives me crazy. I feel like just yesterday he was pooping everywhere and keeping me up all night. Oh wait, that WAS yesterday. Maybe not so much has changed. I’m amazed daily at the new things that he does. I got his food report from daycare yesterday and he had a waffle for breakfast! I don’t know why, but I was so excited by this. People keep commenting on the fact that he’s starting to look less and less like a baby and more and more like a little boy. That is such a sad thought and a happy one at the same time. He’ll always be my sweet baby Hunto, no matter what.
As I mentioned above, we also recently found out that the Hunt Dog’s baby brother or sister is on the way. Several people have asked if this was planned. My only answer to this is “Chad and I are adults, we know how babies are made, we were purposely not preventing this from happening and we are elated to be having a second child.” Did we expect to get pregnant this soon after Hunter was born? No. Did we want another baby? Yes. Are we nervous/scared/anxious/crazy to be having babies so close together? Absolutely. Are we happy/ecstatic/over the moon excited to be having a second child and giving our sweet baby boy and little brother or sister? YOU BETCHA!
Okay, I’m done ranting.
But I mean seriously, who wouldn’t be trying to have another one of these running around their house? TOO. STINKIN’. CUTE.

October 15th

2009-10-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. In the blog world, it can become overwhelming and emotional as you read the stories of so many women that have been effected by pregnancy and infant loss.
Is has been 19 months since Chad and I suffered our own pregnancy loss. It was the hardest 4 days of my life having to carry on knowing that I was soon going to lose something that I had grown to love so much in such a short, short amount of time. I remember feeling very hallow and sad, walking around in a haze.
Prior to that pregnancy I didn’t know many people that had ever had miscarriages. The ones that I did always shocked me with how strong they were. I always said that if something like that happened to me I never thought that I would be able to get out of bed.
I guess that God knew I was stronger than that. He rewarded our strength 12 months later with a wonderful, healthy baby boy.
Today, my heart goes out to all mothers and families that have suffered the loss of a pregnancy or infant. God is with you…

Mom Guilt

2009-09-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

When I was preparing to become a mother there was a topic that all other mothers neglected to mention – Mom Guilt. There are several levels of Mom Guilt that one can experience and I am pretty sure that I am on at least one level at some point of any given day.
The first type of Mom Guilt is the Working Mom Guilt. Currently, it is in the best interest of our family that we be a two income family. I was so fortunate to get to spend the better half of 6 months being a stay at home mom, knowing that it was only temporary. Now, my son is just another kid in daycare – and that KILLS me. I would give anything to spend my days going to MOPS meetings and play dates with all my other stay at home friends (okay, currently I have no stay at home friends but I’m sure that if I was staying home they would just flock to me…). We would go to the zoo and go to the park and when it was cold we would do laps around the mall and window shop (sure, we’d do that when it was warm too, and there would probably be actual shopping involved regardless of the weather). But instead I drop my son off at 7:30 a.m. and we go our separate ways until I can swoop in and rescue him at 5:30 p.m. I spend maybe two hours with him a night before he goes to bed and then we do it all again the next day. I just know he’s going to crawl for her before he does for me and first steps? If it happens, I don’t want to know. I want first steps to be for mommy and daddy.
I thought that the idea of being a Work at Home Mom would be a good idea, but that’s a joke. I feel even more neglectful when I actually see that smiling face looking back at me and instead of tickling him or cuddling him, I have to look away and answer an email or repair a spreadsheet. Work at home? No thanks.
A few weeks ago I HAD to go into work on morning even though he was home from daycare sick. I cried the whole way to work. It wasn’t fair. I should be there rocking him and making him better but that particular morning I just couldn’t call in. I would only work for a few hours and then be home to get him but it was still so hard. The guilt was too much. That’s a Working Mother’s Burden…Working Mom Guilt.

The second type of Mom Guilt is the kind that we allow other mothers to put upon us. This is the “Bad Mom” Guilt. I have chosen to vaccinate my son, have him circumcised, have let him use a walker and have actually left my son OVERNIGHT in the care of another human being (a few times, actually). These are all things that some mothers would find to be unforgivable. To them I have mutilated my son, increased his risks of becoming autistic, put him in eminent danger and have just shown that my son is not my number one priority and that I obviously love him less than a mother who “just can’t leave her baby.” The sad part is, I actually let other women’s opinions bother me. The truth is that all mothers JUDGE. It’s so hard to just sit back and say “I’ll raise my child the way I want to and you raise your child the way you want to and as long as no one gets hurt, we’re both doing a good job”. As mothers we worry so much about doing a good job. Those that choose to tell me that they could NEVER do the horrible things to their child that I have done to mine only make me worry more. Thanks for all the “Bad Mom” Guilt.

The last kind of guilt is the guilt that is pretty all encompassing for me. It’s a combination of Working Mom Guilt and “Bad Mom” Guilt. It’s the guilt that I have with every decision that I make as a mother. Was it the right one? I’m guilty of letting Hunto was Wheel of Fortune. I am guilty of letting him sleep in my bed when I’m too tired to put him back in his after a feeding. I am guilty of not trusting my own instincts. I am guilty of crying at work when I think about how badly I would rather be home with my boy. I am guilty of letting women that I have never met make me feel guilty about the way that I choose to raise my son. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

But, most days, most of the time, all of the guilt that I feel is suppressed by the strange sense of calm that I have from my true faith that I AM a good mother. I DO know what is best for MY son. Hunter will grow and thrive at the hands of his father and me. He loves us unconditionally, just as we love him. And when it all comes down to it…that’s all that really matters.

These ain't your grandma's stuffed animals...

2009-08-28T20:27:00.001-07:00

So, I promised that I would include a few pics from our recent trip to God's, I'm sorry, Wal-Mart's country. These first few are of the house that we stayed in. This is the living room.

How are you supposed to watch TV when this is what is looking back at you????

And, because I'm a horrible mother....

"One of these things is not like the other..."

Meet Hunter's new best friend, Mr. Badger.

And the one you have all been waiting for, though I couldn't bring myself to strip him down to his diaper and lay him on them.

Betcha thought I was exaggerating!

Big Girl Shopping

2009-08-27T18:45:00.001-07:00

I have this illness, you see. Anytime there is an event, of any magnitude, I feel compelled to buy a new outfit. This is a negative thing on many levels. First, there is the fact that I am not made of money and yet I insist on spending it. Second, I hate shopping. Well, I shouldn't say that I "hate" it. Shopping and I just don't get along...
This Saturday my mother, sister and I are attending a wedding shower. Normally, I would try to find something at home to wear. But this shower had a black and white theme and while I have plenty of black clothes (oh, so slimming) I was certainly lacking in the white department. So off I went to the mall.
Now, I'm a big girl. Hey, I just had a kid, leave me alone. Wait, I was big before the baby...damnit! Tonight I came to the conclusion that there is not a single plus size woman that does any sort of buying for plus size departments. It is my guess that a room full of plus size clothing merchants probably weigh about as much as my thigh. These merchants obviously assume that plus size women don't care much about how they look and therefore they chose to add their discount bauble and beading to plus size clothing. I was seriously amazed at the plus size clothes that I was looking at. I mean, what plus size woman wouln't want to wear a boat neck top where the neck hole is actually a zipper? Or why not throw in some giant plastic gems in a haphazard pattern across the chest? That sounds fantastic... Macy's appears to assume that in order to be plus size, you must also be a card carrying member of the AARP. Can you say embroidered capris in sage and coral and tan? Grrrr....
I'm sure you skinny people are just saying to yourself "hey fatty, why not quit your bitching and do something about it." Okay, I'll do that, but it ain't gonna happen before Saturday so bare with me here kids.
I was about to give up hope when that sweet navy blue sign caught my eye and I fell into the Gap. After an hour and a half of scowering the rest of the mall and throwing up in my mouth a few times, I finally found something for the shower in a non plus size store. Now, let's all say a little prayer that I am done puttin' on the lbs because if I do outgrow the Gap, I'm going into hiding with my embroidered tan capris and bauble adorned wide strap tanks.

We survived.

2009-08-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

We are alive, well and home from Arkansas. The trip was nice, though it didn't feel like much of a vacation exactly. I guess when you work as little as I do, it takes a little something extra to make it really feel like something amazing. I forgot to upload pictures but I did want to leave you with the quote that pretty much sums up the trip for me...

"Karen, get your gun, that cat's got a GODDAMN copperhead!!!"

Ahh, it feels good to be home.

In case you never hear from me again...

2009-08-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we leave for Arkansas, way back in the sticks of Arkansas mind you. Chad informed this morning that when we get down there I will need to be on the lookout for tarantulas and rattle snakes. WHAT? I started crying, no kidding, I was bawling. I'm going to be staying in a house full of stuffed bobcat carcass(es?) and I am going to be on high alert the whole time looking out for the most disgusting creature to ever roam the planet and deadly, venomous man-eating snakes, all while trying to keep it together for a six month old baby. What have I gotten myself into??? To make matters worse...it's a dry county!
So, if you never hear from me again, you can assume that one of two things has happened. Either a.) I was killed/eaten by said venomous man-eating snake or b.) I saw one of those ENORMOUS furry eight legged beasts and fell dead just out of sheer terror.
Should be fun!

Growing and growing...

2009-08-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

Today was Hunter's six month well child visit. I decided to take the whole day off and just spend a little extra time with my little man before hand. He was a complete dream baby this morning (though he rarely isn't) and we both enjoyed sleeping in and tons of cuddles and kisses. His "kisses" are really just him sucking or licking my chin or cheek. Sure, it's kinda creepy, but it's too darn funny to stop him. And the fact that he only gives "kisses" to me makes them that much more special.
Anywho...
The appointment today went really well. We are still growing a stalky little wad. He weighs 20#7oz and is 26" long. That puts him in the 90th percentile in weight and the 50th in height. He's my chubby little bubby!
Tomorrow it is back to work for me and back to daycare for Hunto. This weekend we are heading out on our first official family vacation. We are heading to Arkansas to visit some family of Chad's. It should be fun. The house we are staying in belongs to a taxedermist which has me a bit, um, anxious. But it's sure to make for some interesting pictures. :)
Hope everyone had a good weekend and has a blessed week.
Also, a good friend of ours was in a car accident earlier today and could use some prayers. She skidded though an intersection and was t-boned. She has broken her pelvis in 4 places. At last report, they were preparing to transport her to KUMed.
I don't know much more but I do know that she's in our thoughts and will remain in our prayers until we know more.

Not Me! Monday

2009-08-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

There is NO WAY that I cried harder than Hunter today during his vaccinations. I'm too tough for something like that. And, because I am so tough, I certainly did NOT get so upset when I tried to give him his eye drops that I just wound up holding him, rocking him and crying right along with him. His eyes may never clear up because I don't know if I can go through that again!

I also did NOT buy Hunter a tub-o-toys from Wally World today after his shots out of guilt. That is a nasty habit that I would most certainly NOT be starting at the ripe old age of six months.

We did NOT enlist my parents to babysit Hunter on Friday night so that Chad and I could have a date night/party time only too come to the realization that we are not 21 anymore and we're much better off as mommy and daddy as opposed to party animals.

When Hunter decided to take a nap at 7:30 this morning, there is NO WAY that I thought I should join him and snooze by his side until 9:15! I certainly would NOT waste my day off by sleeping in that late.

I think that is all that I have NOT been doing this week...

Smells like a winner.

2009-08-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

The building I work in is (strategically) placed between a burrito factory and a women's prison. While one would think that playing neighbors with a bunch of murderers and other assorted female felons would be the turn off, they would be mistaken. If those women were to break out they would want to get as far away from the area as possible, not just next door.
This morning, the temperature was right, the humidity was that perfect bit of heavy and the sun was just over the horizon when I pulled into work. As I opened the door of my car to step out I was punched, beaten and shaken to the ground by the horrible, HORRIBLE smell of rotten potatoes and beans wahfting into our parking lot from the burrito plant. I simply sat back in my seat, closed the door and asked the heavens why I work here again and thank the heavens that I wasn't hungover.
That is all.

Six Months one way, half a year the other.

2009-08-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

Six months, really? I can barely get my head around it. Six months ago today I woke up and knew my life would never be the same. I was excited, and terrified. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. You know what? I wouldn't change one second of it. Not one. Not one poopy diaper, not one sleepless night. I am head over heels over head over heels in love with every last second of the last six months.
Don't get me wrong, the last six months haven't been easy. It has been an adventure none the less. An adventure in patience. An adventure in marriage. An adventure in selflessness. An adventure in the purest, most amazing kind of love. I still have a hard time watching Hunter sleep without breaking down in tears because of how wonderful he is. Hunter is amazing. He's so fun and happy. I'm totally bless, Chad and I are totally blessed.
I'm so looking forward to the next 6 months. He could be walking by then, talking a little. Who knows!?! It's pretty awesome to think about.
Okay, enough gooshy mooshy stuff.

Happy half birthday Mr. Hunter!

Not Me...not again.

2009-08-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

It certainly was NOT ME that, at the first sign of my son’s first runny nose, ran out and bought a brand new humidifier and batter operated nasal aspirator as well as moved a mattress onto the nursery floor so that I could be in there to listen to him breathe – just in case... Nope, not me. There is no way that I am that neurotic of a mother. No way, no how.

I am definitely NOT delaying solids for Hunter partially because I just don’t want to worry about cleaning up baby mess (at least) twice a day…every day…once we decide to start. I am strictly doing it for his own benefit and certainly NOT for my own benefit in any way, shape or form.

There is NO WAY that Chad and I stayed up way past our bedtimes last night watching “Megan Wants a Millionaire” on VH1. That show is an undeniable train wreck of akwardness that NO ONE of my great intellect would be caught watching or *cough* enjoying.

When out to lunch on Saturday I did NOT for get to bring Hunter’s paci and therefore choose to entertain him by allowing him to chew on a *possibly* clean baby spoon that came out of the bottom of my niece’s diaper bag. And only the most insensitive of mothers would giggle at the faces that he made when he would accidentally gag himself with it, and that is certainly NOT ME.

**Happy Six Month Birtday to my sweet sweet baby Hunter** Hard to believe you've made it this far with me for a mother! :)

Follow Along...

2009-08-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Since so man of my fans have begged to know which blogs I follow (okay, so my mom mentioned the question in passing one day and quickly lost intrest in my answer) I have decided to share just a few of my current obsessions with you all. Please note, these are just my current top three. The list of blogs that I follow on the side are actually all mini obsessions...keeping up on them all usually leaves my son feeling somewhat neglected. Relax mother, I'm kidding -- sort of.

I couldn't give a list without first mentioning the woman that turned me on to blogging to begin with. One of my bestest buddies in the whole wide world...MO! Michelle's Moments is our little Mo's way of keeping her bazillion friends up to date with her ever excting live. Seriously, no one makes friends like this woman. She loves to talk and if she was forced to share these stories with all of her gagillion friends one at at time, she would have no time to create new stories...or breathe, for that matter. Hence, the blog. The blog is a fun little journey through the life of a successful single gal in her *almost* late twenties and all of her journeys, quilts and recipes. Good times.

Dooce is a blog that my dear friend Oprah Winfrey turned me on to. This woman is "piss-down-your-leg" funny. It's not your typical "mom" blog but it's entirely entertaining. She has a pulls no punches attitude and sarcasm that goes on for miles. Love it.

The third in my current top 3 (though they are in no particular order) is my MckIdol. MckMama leads a pretty sweet life and is kind enough to share it with the world without making you feel absolutely pathetic about your own existance. She is the mother of 4 stinkin' cute kids (though none are cuter than the little Huntin' Dog) and the youngest has a heart condition. It's hard to read about little Stellan's struggle and not think about my own little guy and what I would be like in her situation. Her faith and optimism are unwavering and very inpirational. She is also a great photographer and I love looking at her pictures. Her sense of humor is also very relatable. She's MckGreat!

So, there's just a few of the people whose lives I enjoy stalking. There are more though, that's just the start.
It wouldn't be my blog though if I didn't leave you with something like this...

Band of Mothers

2009-07-25T18:19:00.000-07:00

When I was about 5 months pregnant I was unemployed and living in a town where I knew pretty much no one. It was just me and Chad. He was gone during the day and I could only watch so much small claims court television. Researching my pregnancy lead me to babycenter.com, which led me to the February 2009 Birth Club. Here was this huge group of women going through something insanely similar to what I was going through. If I was having an ache or sadness, there was someone else on that message board that either knew all about it, or knew nothing, but was having the same issue.
Sure, when you get that many women together there will be cat fights. There are nice girls and mean girls. And hundreds of those that fit into neither category. There were first time moms and moms working on #5. There are "crunchy" moms and nowhere near crunchy moms. Some of us had Secret Mommies that we sent gifts to and those that we received gifts from. It was my pregancy haven. I loved it.
And then we all started having our babies...
I always assumed that once Hunter was born I would be too busy for the message board but that wasn't the case. From the time he was born, I couldn't wait to get home and post his "birth announcement" online.
The board certainly did slow down after the babies all came but there was still plenty of advice (and drama) to keep everyone entertained. I didn't have a real support group - I don't do playdates or Mommy and Me. These women were my new mother support system. I never realized what a truly amazing band of mothers they were until we found out about Micah.
When word came of his passing, so many of us cried. We posted messages about our crying. We hid in our cubicles or offices at work and cried. We cried for this family. And then came the most amazing thing ever...a post from Micah's mom. She simply asked us not to be sad, that Micah had brought us all together and that she got to spend 5 amazing months with him and he would now be looking over her and her husband. I was shocked! Here was a woman that had just lost her son and she was consoling a thousand women when we should have been consoling her. What an amazing woman and beautiful mother. I don't know her, I have never met her, or even seen her picture but she had become my hero for her grace and strength.
This band of mothers are doing what we can to support her and she's actually helping to support us. I don't think that there was ever a question that we would do something for this family. It's impossible to hold your own February 2009 baby and not think that God could just as easily have put this plan in place for your baby, so with tear filled eyes, you reach out knowing that if the roles were reversed...she would be reaching out to you.

In Memory of Micah

2009-07-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

For the past week or so I have been following a young man's battle through his families postings on CaringBridge.com. This morning came the post that all of us that were praying for this little boy (born one day before Hunter) hoped would never come. His battle had been lost and he was with the angels now. Give your babies an extra kiss or hug today and treasure them...completely. Poopy diapers and 2am feedings are gifts from God, not to be taken for granted. Take an extra minute today to pray for Micah's family and for the families of all of those that are holding onto and loving those little ones that are so innocently fighting for their lives. God Bless!

The Bathroom

2009-06-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

We are the first occupants of our house. There was no paint on any of the walls when we moved in. A few years ago, not long after we got married I decided that the first room that we should tackle was our guest bathroom. My sister's house had this great yellow guest bath with this cute beachy theme. I decided to try and copy the look...and failed miserably.

My husband and I both grew to hate this bathroom. We did a crappy rushed job on the paint and there was no style to it. It was just an ugly yellow bathroom. I like to blame him for the bathroom. Yes, I did pick out the color, but he let me!! :)
So, after watching a friend move into a new home and start painting it I decided that it was time for a change. Where else to start. So, after two days and less than $100 from start to finish, I'm pretty proud of the outcome. It's actually a bathroom that doesn't make me want to puke -- or give me a headache.
For those that may not know, we lived in this house for 2.5 years until January 2008 when we moved to Hays for Chad's job. Well thanks to the economy, when we decided to move back here 54 weeks later, our house was still on the market so we moved right back in. The bath/shower used to have doors on it and when we first lived here this was Chad's bathroom. Now that we have a +1 we decided that this became the baby's bathroom. Since bathing a baby in a tub/shower with doors is NOT fun, we ripped them off. That only added to the tacky factor of this bathroom. Since we didn't want to actually tear the tracks down and destroy the whole area, we did the next best thing...we hid it with this lovely new shower curtain.

Not too bad. Nothing fancy but it works well for us. It has a calming effect now. It also smells super nice thanks to the big vase full of soap bars. I only wish that I would have sprung for Caress or Dove soap. The shape of the Dial makes it kind of look like bones or something. The picture behind the stool was a quick throw together project using left over letters from a diaper cake I made to spell out BATH. I have a feeling it will be redone in the near future, but it will do for now.
Isn't the picture of Hunter great? What better place to put a bathing baby picture than in the bathroom. I just love that smile on his face, though it's probably hard for you to see.

Chad has agreed to let me redo any room in the house as long as I can do it for under $100. I feel like I'm on my own HGTV show now!

Now...on to tackle the guest room.

Nope... not me

2009-06-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I most certainly did NOT spend an extra five minutes pumping in the Women's Resource Room today so that I could finish an article in a magazine. That's so irresponsible...I would NEVER do that!
I do NOT worry that my sweet, precious son's first word might be of the four letter persuasion due to the fact that I can't help but curse the heavens while driving...
My husband has NOT recently suggested that I give up driving all together because of my road rage. Of course I do NOT assume that everyone else on the road has made it their sole goal in life to prevent me from getting from point A to point B happily.
While painting our bathroom yesterday is was certainly NOT important to me that my outfit match though I didn't care that the shirt was missing sleeves and had a giant spit up stain on it.
I did NOT spend my commute home today deciding which wonderful things that I do NOT do that I would post on my first Not Me Monday.
I am NOT letting Chubbs nap an hour before his bed time just so that I can finish writing this.

Just because I love him...

2009-06-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot to say today, but wanted to world to see my sweet baby.

I wonder if this kid will ever really know how much his daddy and I love him. I don't know that I will ever be able to verbalize the way that I really feel about him and the crazy thing is...it grows every day.

A Long and Lovely Weekend

2009-05-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Since having the baby and being home, it's hard to distinguish a weekend from a weekday most of the time but this past Memorial weekend was certainly one that we made the most of. It was full of family and fun...just the way that I love them.
We kicked off our Saturday by doing what the weekend was intended for - honoring our loved ones that have died. My parents, Hunter and I made the cemetary rounds. Our first stop was Fort Leavenworth where my mom's dad is buried. Military cemetaries are so beautiful, especially on Memorial weekend. It was nice to get to "introduce" Hunter to my grandpa. They would have gotten along splendidly, I'm sure of it. Our next stop was Independence, MO where my uncle is buried. I stayed in the car at the cemetary there because Hunter was sleeping but Mom and Dad left flowers and shared a moment with Uncle Jim. Before leaving the Kansas City area we stopped to see my Grandma. She's been having trouble with her knees lately and isn't able to get around much. But a chubby little baby will cheer anyone up.

After our stop with Grandma it was back on the road. We stopped for lunch in Lawrence before heading on to Overbrook where my dad's parents are buried. Once again we "introduced" Hunter to a few more family members that would have loved him as much as we all do.
Once we got home that night and got the little guy to bed I headed out to spend time with some good friends of mine. My dear friend Julie was in town from Philly those available met up at the bar for a little cocktails and catching up.

Sunday was family fun day! My Uncle Mike and Aunt Sharon hosted a family cookout at their house. It seems like everytime that our family gets together, someone has a new baby. This time the newest baby on the block was the beautiful daughter of my cousin (might as well be brother) Adam and his wife Tammy. Little Layla is sweet as can be. At almost a month old, she now weighs as much as little Hunter did when he was born.

My favorite little diva in the world was there too. My sweet sweet niece Camryn was there. I can't believe how much she has grown since I saw her less than a month ago at her first birthday. She's a walkin' talkin' fool these days, and obviously much too cool.

Not to be outdone, little Hunter donned his outdoor gear for some quality time by the pool.

Daddy also decided to introduce the little guy to a little game of washers and found that his game was uneffected by little Hunto - the hands free model.

Monday was quite the exciting day for Chad. He started off the morning by heading down to the farm with my dad to do a little bow fishing. That's right, regular fishing just wasn't challenging enough so he wanted to see if he could get something with his bow instead. Wouldn't you know it. First shot, first arrow and the guy gets one! Made his day...now I just wish he'd quit talking about it. :)

The afternoon was spent relaxing in Holton on the in-law's back porch and in their hot tub while Grandma cooed over the baby.
Such a great weekend. Wouldn't change a thing about it. I just wish that such fun could happen more often.

Adult Interaction

2009-05-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to go into the office and work today for the first time since November. It was so nice to actually spend my day with other adults. The department that I worked in is short staffed right now so my contract was extended through this month and I'm able to go to the office two days a week for the next month. I sure missed Hunto but it was sure nice to be out of the house.
I know that I'm going to have to go back to work I just don't like the idea of having to job hunt. I had at least four people stop me in the office and tell me how great it was to have me back. I just wish one of them would realize that if they really wanted me back full time all they would have to do is ask. I guess that is a lot easier said than done though.
Hunto spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa. Since school is out I am taking full advantage of my free daycare. When I got to their house tonight to pick the little guy up my dad was wheeling him around the house in an umbrella stroller. Apparently Hunto did not want to play alone so it was requiring constant attention. Dad has a sore shoulder (they say it's a farm injury, I say it's from too much golf) and had to call in reinforcements to keep Little Foot happy. It was so cute. They were just passing by the front door when I walked up and Hunto gave me the biggest smile. I swear he grew while I was at work. What's the first thing he did for Mommy when she got her hands on him? Puke straight down her chest! Awesomeness. Oh well...worth it.
The old folks must have worn Hunter out because he didn't even make it all the way though his nightime bottle before he started snoozing away. It was a good day. I missed my little booger but am excited that I get the opportunity to talk to someone not in a cartoon voice for another day!

Random Note...

2009-05-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Little Foot has decided that sleeping isn't his number one priority these days. I'm lucky to get a good 45 minute napper out of him once or twice a day. Today while Chad was home I decided to run to Wal-Mart and do our weekly shopping. Before I left, I nurse Hunto and put him down for a nap. I assumed he would wake up in 30 minutes or so and Daddy would get some quality play time in. Tell me why, WHY the one time that I leave that kid alone with his dad he actually sleeps for a significant amount of time. Grrrr! Needless to say, I wasn't home 10 minutes before he was awake again and wanting his momma!

A baby by any other name...

2009-05-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to wonder if Hunter will ever actually know his real name. We never seem to call him by it. The closest that we come is Hunto...which is close. But still not his name. Below is a list of the many things that we call the little guy:

Hunto
Stinker
Stinkapotamus
Dirty Monkey (that is ALL Chad)
Booger Bottom
Bubba
Captain
Cappy
Senor Fussybritches
Senor Crabbypants
Little Foot
Milk Master (again, all Chad)
Little Chad (LC)
Mini Chad (MC)
Chubbs
Cheeks
Chunkers
Sweet Cheeks
Pudgers
Puddin' Pie
Buddy

I don't know if he'll ever answer to Hunter when he's older. What names do you have for your little ones???

Those little things...

2009-05-15T19:40:00.000-07:00

They all say that they grow up too fast. I guess I knew it would happen with Hunter too. I feel like in the past week he's become a whole new person. He no longer likes his long naps (bummer) but still sleeps like a champ at night (thank goodness). He has a play bar on his infant carrier and the other night, while eating dinner he actually started playing with it. Tapping the frog and flipping him around. I was in shock. I had to watch for quite a long time just to make sure that it wasn't a fluke. Sure enough he was actually playing with it, not just staring at it like he had been doing for the last 13 weeks. At my folks house he was also sitting up by himself. Not for long, mind you. Mere seconds but it was so awesome. I left him with my parents for a while and when I got home he was holding his own bottle! What happened to my sweet helpless baby??? He's just growing so fast. Kenny Chesney was right...Don't Blink!!!

Cannibalistic Tendencies

2009-05-14T18:16:00.001-07:00

What is it about babies that make them look so delicious? Sometimes I just want to chomp Hunto's little ears clean off. I often find myself making piggy noises into his ear at I pretent to nibble on it. And those cheeks! Oh those sweet, juicy cheeks. I can't help but kiss 'em. I've been known to take pretend bites out of those little apples on more than one occasion. That kid runs the risk of losing an appendage if he brings a hand or foot anywhere near my chompers. People always tell you that you can't help but kiss a sweet baby but I never knew I would want to nibble on him too!

I mean, look at those cheeks...don't they just look delicious???

etc...

2009-04-30T21:32:00.001-07:00

It has been two months since the last time I posted anything and yet it feels like yesterday. Time is flying by, I can't even believe it. Hunter is growing like a weed. He's enormous and I'm madly in love with each and every little roll on his body. He's starting to get personality and is just the funniest little creature. He's totally content just laying on the ground looking up at the fan or air vent. They are his best friends (aside from me of course). He's an amazing sleeper most nights. Sleeping from 8 or 9 pm to 6 am. Only to wake long enough to eat and smile for a few minute before heading back to dream land for another 3 hours. I'm getting more sleep now than I have in a long time. **here's hoping that I'm not jinxing myself**

My niece Camryn will be one year old on Sunday. She is exactly 9 months and 7 days older than Hunter. I look at her and can't belive that just a year ago she wasn't here. She is SO fun and adorable. I'm such a proud aunt. Her parents are throwing a party for her on Saturday which I am looking forward to. It's always fun to watch little ones open their presents and tear apart their first birthday cake.

Since my last post our family has been growing. Two of my cousins' wives have had beautiful baby girls. Just this past Monday my cousin that was more like a brother, Adam and his wife Tammy gave birth to Layla. I am so excited to see what a great father he is going to be. They are going to be fantastic parents.

I should be sleeping...I think I'll give it a shot.
Here's an oldy but goody of my little guy...

Motherhood

2009-03-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

We have survived three weeks now - Hunter and I. I can't even begin to describe what these few weeks have been like. My hormones are still a little out of control so it has certainly been one emotional roller coaster. Somedays I don't know who is crying more, me or the little guy. I think it's getting better...today is a good day anyway.
It's crazy how much Hunter has changed already since he was born. He smiled at me today...in a way that I knew wasn't gas. We looked into each others eyes and it was so awesome. I could have cried looking at my little angel but instead I just stared back with a goofy smile on my face. He is truly the love of my life.
Here are a few of the things that I have learned in the first few weeks of motherhood...
** Sleepers that zip, instead of snap are God's gift to first time parents.
** All diapers should have wetness indicators on them - not just newborn ones.
** Cheap baby wipes aren't worth the savings. In the middle of the night with a crying baby, trying to pull them apart is enough to make you pull your hair out.
** Sleeping babies make the CRAZIEST noises
** A 9pm bedtime isn't just for babies.
** You'd be amazed what you can get done in the 120 minutes that your child is sleeping - laundry, dishes, a blog!
** One of the highlights of being a mom is watching my husband become a dad!
** Being a mom is the hardest and most demanding job - but clearly the most rewarding.
** Nursing is painful and hard, but worth it.

There are millions more that I have yet to learn and can't wait to do so.
My sweet little guy is stirring so it's back to being at his beck and call. :)

A Baby Story!

2009-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

February 10, 2009...

After one very sleepless night we arrived at the hospital at about 5:45 am. By 6:30 I was gowned up and tapped in to my pitocin. The monitor showed that I was already contracting regularly so the hopes that things would go quickly increased. At 8:30 the doctor came in to break my water. By 10 the contractions were pretty intense. I tried to tough them out as long as I could...which wasn't very long. It was shocking how much pain was on my legs. It was a totally unexpected sensation. Around 11 I received my epidural which was great. I had no intentions of going natural. I figure that I've earned my stripes by carrying the little guy for nine months. Having him naturally wasn't going to make me any more of a hero. My epidural had only been in for about an hour when I started to feel everything on my right side again. The anesthesiologist came back and upped the ante...nice...very nice. Except that now I was pretty much numb everywhere, not just below my waist. My arms tingled.
By about 2:45 I was dialated to an 8. I told Chad that if he wanted to go home and feed the dog, this was his last chance. Off he went. Thankfully my mom was there and stayed in the room with me. This is where it starts to get blurry...
The nurse appears to be staring very intently at the monitor and not saying much. Without much comment she pulls out an oxygen mask and straps it on me. Around 3 Chad comes back in and the nurse informs us that I'm complete and it's time to start pushing. This is the point where mom got the boot.
The nurse had me do a few practice pushes at which point I notice that the epidural has worn off again - on both sides this time. Ouch!
Following the practice pushes the doctor comes in and checks me. People are moving around quickly and no one is really speaking to Chad or me. Finally I hear them say something about forceps. I was so confused. I thought they only used those if the baby was taking forever to come out. We hadn't even started trying to get him out...why would I need those? Then I realized that the doctor was trying to turn the baby. While he was head down, his head was turned to the side. With every contraction the baby's heartbeat was dropping (decels) and they needed to get him out. They weren't sure if the cord was around his neck or what could be causing the decels. They were going to start with the forceps but because of the way that his head was turned they were unable. Next thing I know the doctor is calling for a "stat section". Within seconds there are 5 nurses in the room unhooking things and rehooking new things and wheeling me out. I didn't get to say bye to Chad and I was terrified.
The c-section room was full of nurses who had me in place and ready in no time. My BFF the anesteseologist was back. This time they hit me hard core with the epidural. If it didn't take fast enough, they would have to put me completely under. Thankfully it took. Once they were sure that it was going to take, they let Chad in the room. He looked great, even though my teary eyes he was my knight in blue paper scrubs! :) Next thing I know he's at my side and there is some tugging and then joyful sounds as my little guy entered the world. Within seconds he was crying...just like his mommy. We got a quick look before they took him over to the warmer to be cleaned up and checked out. Laughter erupted as our little stinker decided to pee on the nurses three times before they could get him cleaned up and back to us. We were in love from the moment we laid eyes on him, and that love has only grown since...
That day was insanity. I had never experienced such a range of emotions in such a short period of time.
The doctor apologized several times for not being able to give me the birth that I had wanted but as far as I was concerned - the end justified the means.

Hunter Richard - Born 2.10.09 at 3:40pm. 8lb5oz, 19.5 inches

Tomorrow is the day...

2009-02-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

Chad and I just returned from our 41 week prenatal appointment. Since I am clearly past my due date, we have decided to opt for an induction. I would have loved for the little guy to come on his own, but at this point, he really doesn't seem to want to do that. So, tomorrow at 6am we go into Labor and Delivery and don't come back out until we are Chad, Lacey and Baby Hunter.
I feel like we have been waiting on "go" since the beginning of January and then all of a sudden today the starting gun blasted and away we go. The next week is going to be pure insanity. Not only are we bringing a new life into this world but we are also packing up all of our lives and moving back across the state to Topeka. By this time next week I will be a mom AND a Topeka resident. I'm totally excited and equally terrified.
I don't know how I should be spending today. I mean, it's my last day as just me. Tomorrow our lives are going to change so much. It's hard to believe all that has happened in the past year and it will all be coming to fruition in less than 24 hours. We survived a miscarriage, something I never thought I would be strong enough to live through. We moved hundreds of miles from our parents and friends to start a new life in Hays. We made new friends, found new foods (I'm going to miss Green Bean Dumpling Soup), made memories. My sister gave birth to the most beautiful little girl. Then we found out we were pregnant again. We survived 8 weeks of morning sickness. We heard heart tones. I quit my job. I went back to work for Payless as a contract employee just to have an excuse to go back to Topeka once a month. We found out we were having a boy! Life started to feel normal. The last trimester hit like a ton of bricks. Chad's brother got married. Chad got and accepted a job offer back home. I lost a friend and a cat. My husband lost a cousin. Our due date came...and went. Now, here we are - at a countdown to Baby Day. The last year has been laughter and tears. Chad and I have grown so incredibly close that I can't imagine my life without him. I've become so codependant on him, but I don't mind because he's the love of my life.
So, I guess that is about it for now. Next time I post the name of our blog will be so much more appropriate. :)

And the waiting continues...

2009-02-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

Hunter is not a punctual little guy, this has been determined. My little guy is now two days past due and I see no impending birth in sight. I know he will come when he is ready...but I'm ready so shouldn't that count for something??
I have good days and bad days. I mean yesterday I was rockin' and rollin' and nesting like crazy. I took Trigger for a good long walk and was just in a happy mood. Looking back, I may have tricked myself into a good mood. I guess I thought that if I forced myself to nest and be active Hunter would just be ready to come out lickity split. Well, when I woke up this morning and realized that he wasn't coming I just got bummed out again. I *think* that by this time next week I will be a mommy. I know that we will start talking about inducing at my appt next Monday which I have accepted the fact that I will be attending.
The sooner he comes, the sooner we are back in our house in Topeka. It kills me that Hunter has a nursery all ready for him and I haven't even seen it yet. An amazing team of grandparents have done their part to paint, carpet and assemble furniture so that the little guy has the room of *my* dreams when we get home. I can't wait to post pictures.
I guess that there are a lot of things that I can't wait for these days! :)
Random note: Today while blogging, I felt like the Doogie Howser MD theme music was playing in the background...strange! Now, if only the screen had been blue and cerca 1991.

...

2009-01-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

I'll be the first to admit that I hate talking on the phone. There are very few people that I will talk to on the phone and the majority of them are family. I would rather text or send a Facebook message any day, but there are some things, some news, that you just can't understand why it would be sent through a text message. How do you tell someone that their friend has died via text message? It's even worse when the text message comes from a number you don't even know. Someone that you aren't even familiar enough with to have their number in your phone sends you a message like that. I understand that I am 39 weeks pregnant and already emotional but why wouldn't someone just call me??
That's how my Sunday began. A text message from a stranger (not really a stranger, just someone I don't communicate with often) telling me that one of my closest friends from high school was gone...forever. How can you even begin to wrap your head around that from a text? I had more questions and didn't even know where to start. My thoughts went to Mo. She was in DC enjoying a visit with friends. I wanted to call her, I wanted to talk to her, but I had no details...nothing to give her besides the blunt words that I had received. Before I knew it, she already knew and she had found out that one of her dearest friends since she was two years old had died...and she had to find out via Facebook.
I don't grieve well. So many people are focusing on the positive and the great memories (she was an AMAZING girl!). I can't get past my own guilt and anger. My anger isn't directed toward her, my anger is directed toward those people that want to do nothing but talk about the tragedy itself. The people that care more about the details of it all then the woman herself. Those that are broadcasting unnecessary information via Facebook with no respect for the family and close friends that are truly just trying to get through this.
My guilt is two-fold. With every death there is always this "I should have been there" guilt. This thought that I could have done something to prevent this, whether it be a car accident or a heart attack...I can't help but feel responsible. I should have been there. The second part of my guilt comes from the fact that tomorrow is the funeral and I'm 200 miles away and can't be there. People are coming in from all over the country and I can't make a 200 mile drive because I am 39+ weeks pregnant and could go into labor at any moment. I feel like I couldn't be there for her in life, and I don't even get to be there for her in death. I want these thoughts to go away because I need to focus on the positive...on just how awesome she was.
Because I know it helped Mo, below are a few of my favorite memories of Katie...
- Her famous "Class of 2000" picture from the first day of Kindergarten
- Her rediculous monkey jokes that made no sense
- Her bagel and Diet Dr. Pepper diet.
- Her beating Chad at darts the first night they met.
- Junior and Senior prom
- Our classic Katie/Lacey pose - Chin resting on hands, BIG smile.
- "Vote for Lacey, she's GRRRRRRRRREAT" and "Condensed Vote for Lacey Soup" - I couldn't have made it onto StuCo without her awesome posters.
- Sitting in Government class on StuCo days, the four of us girls in our sweet polos, driving the teacher nuts.
- Her Champagne colored 626
- We were twins! Until she went and got all skinny on me, but I was happy to take her big clothes off her hands.
- The picture below, from my wedding. She braved the snow to be there and I knew she wouldn't miss it for the world...

My last face to face moment with Katie was in 2007. We ran into each other at Chipotle. She was so happy, and her usual fun chatty self. She told me all about her puppy Lucy - a mini dachshund. We couldn't wait for Trigger and Lucy to meet. As it happens, they never did but that memory of Katie, glowing and happy is exactly how I intend to remember her.
I love you Katie, may God Bless You.

Mo, Casey, Katie, Andrea and me - 12/17/05

I'm losing my mind...

2009-01-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

Here we are...38+ weeks pregnant and just waiting waiting waiting. The anxiety is getting to me in a way that I could have never imagined. I can't pinpoint the anxiety either. Is it the fear of becoming a mother for the first time? Is it the fear of childbirth? I have NO IDEA! I guess it is probably the fear of it all. I find things to worry about so that I can stay up at night. The one night in the last month that I was asleep before midnight I woke up at 4a.m. and stewed on things until 7a.m. I am totally exhausted all the time. I wish I could be one of those pregnant women that is just smiling and glowing up until the second that she pushes the little booger out. I'm afraid that it's just not going to be the case. I'm slowly shutting down. My apologies to those that may wind up feeling my wrath.
The one thing that this pregnancy has taught me is how to properly treat pregnant women going foward. It appears that once you hit a certain point, you are nothing more than a baby maker and no one has any desire to discuss anything with you other than baby. People that you rarely talk to will contact you just to find out if the baby is born. No real "how are you doing?" just "have you had the baby yet?" I guess that the excitment does that to people...I probably did it to Jenny when she was pregnant with Camryn. Sorry J!
On a side note, Trigger is being extra sweet and lovey today! He's my sweet baby boy and giving me the comfort and attention that I needed. Ellen is on, which means it is Trigger's nap time but he's spending it up here wrapped up next to me as I type away. He's doing his part to keep me sane as I slowly lose my mind.

It's getting closer...

2009-01-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I'm already 37 weeks pregnant. It's still hard to get my head around. We had our weekly appt yesterday and our little friend is preparing for his exit. The doctor still anticipates seeing us for our weekly appointment next week but also stated that "you never know." We've had a few requests for him to arrive this weekend, but it's up to Hunter so who knows...
Chad and I attended our birthing class this past weekend. Unfortunately, I think that the class has terrified Chad. Not so much at being a dad, but at dealing with me during the birth. I'm not always the "friendliest" person when I don't feel well and I think that has him a little nervous about having to deal with me. I think he'll do great really. He's so laid back and takes good care of me so I'm not worried.
The weather here is actually pretty nice. Windy, but that's nothing new. There is talk of us GeoCaching tonight (geek speak: Treasure Hunting). Feel free to laugh, but we have fun and it gets us out of the house.
Not much going on here this week. Chad's best friend is coming into town on Friday for a FHSU wrestling dual. We will probably go watch. Sweaty men groping each other - what fun! I have given Chad the go ahead for a big pheasant hunt on Saturday morning. He knows the rules though - phone on at all times and answered EVERYTIME! Beyond that...who knows what sort of trouble we will get ourselves into.

A new year and a new life on the way.

2009-01-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

So, it has been a month since my last confession, er, blog. I get distracted I guess. Or I have nothing to say. Who knows.
Christmas break was amazing. Chad was able to close the plant for the week so we actually got to spend 6 days back home. It was such a blast. Christmas Eve was my parent's Holiday Open House. It's always so fun to hang out with the family. We were missing a few faces, but not too many.
My sister Jenny, her husband Rob and the most adorable little niece in the world Camryn were there. Camryn really is just the greatest baby ever (for a few more weeks anyway). My heart truly melts everytime I see her smile. She's such a happy baby. I love seeing her with my Jenny and Rob. They are such great parents. I can only hope that Chad and I are that good!
Christmas Day was great. Camryn looked adorable. I wish I had pictures. She had so much fun for her first Christmas! Usually, baby's first christmas isn't too exciting because baby doesn't usually get it. But there was so many fun things for her to do and paper to eat! She was one happy little girl.
The boys spent the day playing their new Wii games. Mom and Jen watched Mama Mia and I slept! It was the first time in as long as I can remember that the 6 of us (now 7 with the Camster) actually had the whole day to spend together. No one had to run off to any other functions, we just got to be one big happy family. I'm going to treasure that Christmas because I have a feeling it will be the last one like that.
Friday we went to Holton to celebrate with Chad's family. It was also a blast. Our nephew Eric is at the age where he love love loves presents. Being the horrible aunt and uncle that we are, we got him the biggest gift we could find with the most pieces. All that his parents could say is that paybacks are hell. They are already talking drum set for Hunter. Nice!
Saturday was Baby Shower day. I have to admit, I was pretty excited about this. Not so much for the gifts, but more for getting to see so many people. Being so close to the holiday I was nervous that the turn out wouldn't be too high but there were so many people there. Our hostesses did a great job and we got a ton of great stuff! We are all set for this little guy to get here now (minus diapers - but they are on my list).
Sunday we made the drive home and here we are and here we have been for almost 2 weeks! We knew that it would be our last trip home before Hunter arrives so we certainly enjoyed it to the fullest.
New Years was spent watching those Hawks whoop it up in the Insight Bowl and calling it a night by 9pm.
We've had one doctors appt since then. Nothing exciting. Our appointments are weekly now which means this baby is getting close. We are so excited.
This weekend is Child Birth Class (aka Baby School). We are ready to get schooled on this parenting thing. Let's be honest, we have no idea what we are getting ourselves into and any lessons would be greatly appreciated prior to our On the Job Training!

Reason #133 I can't wait for Hunter to get here: I get to go from saying I'm unemployed to saying that I am a Stay at Home Mom!!!!

Ready for the weekend!

2008-12-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

So here we are on day two of my rambling blog about nothing...
Chad and I are headed back to Topeka tomorrow and I am so excited about it. He actually has the whole day off so we will get to leave in the morning. I am hoping that we can finish our Chirstmas shopping when we get to town. We have two gifts left and then we are done. I'm so excited. One of the gifts that I got for my brother-in-law and one that I got for my dad came in the mail today and I have to say that they are both AWESOME! I would easily keep either one for myself.
Our weekend is pretty much already scheduled for us...but that's kind of how we like it. After this trip home, we'll be home for Christmas and then be hunkering down in Hays America until little Hunter gets here.
Tomorrow will be devoted to driving to Topeka and hopefully doing some shopping. Chad plans to go hunting with Ryan in the evening and then we plan to have a romantic dinner for 3 (can't leave Ryan out) at the Blind Tiger. I'll spend the time that they spend hunting just hanging out with my folks. I might help my mom do a little gift wrapping, if she'd like. This year I invested in one of those Scotch paper cutters and tape dispensers that you wear on your hand and flew through my own gift wrapping. Sure, I ran out of tape strips and had to resort to the old Dollar General tape before I was done, but it's all done.
Saturday is going to be FUN FILLED! I can't wait. The wonderful Land (and Hunt, and Lizar and Gerhardt and Carter) ladies will do our 2nd annual Christmas Baking Day! It's always so fun...but suprisingly tiring as well. We are starting at 10am. Last year it took us what felt like 8 hours...but I'm hoping we have it down to a science. If not, we will by next year for sure. Some of the goodies on the list include Peanut Butter kisses, Toffee, Oreo Truffles, Million Dollar Fudge, etc. I can not wait. These ladies are so much fun to hang out with. And anytime I get to see my sister I get pumped. We have a sense of humor that no one else can understand...and we are a-ok with that.
Saturday night is also shaping up to be muy exciting! Janice and Travis are hosting a White Elephant Christmas Party. While I'm always down for a party, I'm more excited about getting to see my friends. Living out here gets a little lonely so I am just so stoked to spend some time with the girls. I don't know how long I'll be able to hang, but it will be nice to actually attempt to look decent and get out of the house! Plus, with Janice being pregnant as well, we can make fun of everyone as they get out of control...until our feet swell and we need a nap anyway. Here's a picture of us before we went and got knocked up...

The only bummer about Saturday is that I will probably miss Chad's cousin's graduation party in Holton. Chad will be going for both of us though. His cousin Sarah is graduatin from WSU with a degree in education and moving to Washington state in January. She's such a fun girl and I am hoping to get to see her before she leaves. I BETTER see her before she leaves.
Sunday Chad plans to hunt with Ryan in the morning (I think) which means more of my mom's waffles for just me!!! Maybe I'll save him one...maybe.
So, that's the plan for the weekend. Tonight I think I'll wrap the gifts that came in the mail today and settle in for the night. Grey's is a rerun. Bummer!

And so it begins...

2008-12-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

Not exactly sure why, but I've decided to start a blog. In my mind, it is so that once our little friend gets here it will be a way for friends and family to stay tuned into what is going on in his little life. Truth is, it's more an excuse to talk about myself!
In pregnancy news: I am 32 weeks and 2 days today. This little guy is a kicking fool. I would joke that he's going to be a soccer player, but Chad won't stand for that. Football and wrestling here we come! Since we are less than 8 weeks away, I'm seeing the doctor every other week now. Appointments have all been going well. Blood pressure is in check and the little guy's heartbeat is strong. That's all that matters to me.
I really should get started on Hunter's nursery but I just can't bring myself to do it until there is a crib in there. Otherwise, it's just a rearranged guest bedroom with an empty wall. I have attempted to get creative though and made some letters to hang on the wall for the little guy. When I made them, Walmart was out of the "H" and I don't want to hang up an "unter". I have the "H" now but left my ModgePodge in Topeka so I'll finish those up next week. Here's a picture.

In other news: There really isn't much other news. Hays is Hays. Winter is officially here and with it comes the northerly winds that take your breath away. So far we haven't seen much by way of snow. I'm sure that it will probably come when we are heading home for Christmas. That's about our luck.
Speaking of Christmas - I am quite excited to say that I am all but done with my Christmas shopping and wrapping. I guess it's pretty easy when I have nothing else to do with my day.
Here's who I spend most of my days with these days. He loves this outfit.

I'll be back when I have something more exciting to say!