Thursday, June 26, 2008

BooYah!

I'm so excited about writing my first offer on a house! I'm incredibly nervous because I know everyone makes mistakes in the beginning but I think that with my brokers help, we are going to do something great for this family. I'm so glad that I got this opportunity and I really thank God that at the very least I was able to help this family in need find a place so quickly that is exactly what they want.

Super got to come along on our route today and boy did he make it interesting. He was pretty well behaved until it came to the end and we passed his regular nap time. My client was very patient and has small children of his own so he totally understood where I was coming from. Luckily, he's a member of my church so I didn't need to put on my serious agent face and we had a good time house hunting.







Monday, June 23, 2008

Working Woman

We are so busy. I know that sounds lame because everyone knows that they are busy but we are really BUSY. With both of us working like crazy (which I'm loving every second of it) and trying to fit our work around the boy, we barely have time to talk to each other unless I stay up until all hours of the night or if Super jumps on his fathers head in the morning and wakes him up. With open houses every weekend, showings in between the open houses and all during the week, doing my continuing education and more clients getting on board...and that's just work stuff... I'm beat. I'm very lucky to have some great friends that are there to help us pick up the slack and are willing to do crazy stuff so we can keep up with our schedule.


Then there are days like today. Nothing on the agenda, a free day to just be a mom. It was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Grout Daddy had an overnight job at Bella's Pizzeria and didn't get home until 6am. Super Destroyer the Noise Maker of the Century woke up to find our guest, Josh, sleeping on the couch after staying at our house to watch him and then working through the night, regrouting the most disgusting floor I've ever seen. Think years of old food, dirt and sludge, mixed with old grout, acid cleaner and rancid water. Every diaper I've ever changed dimmed in comparison (ick, I helped scrape it out earlier in the evening and was thankful when I left). Anyway, kid goes crazy because he wants to play, Josh doesn't even stir at the deafening sound of Elmo's voice but that only makes Super more determined and he tries to wake his dad... I decided we needed to have breakfast out. We went up the street to Chick-Fil-A and shared a chicken biscuit and some hash browns. I was so proud of the big guy. He carried our food (in a bag, of course) to the table without getting sidetracked or dropping it, climbed into a chair and chatted with me while we ate our breakfast (I can't get enough of his babbles). No food fell on the floor, no fits, no wandering away. I did have to remind him to sit on his tush but I'm not splitting hairs. He got two balloons from a nice lady that worked there and was in heaven. We played on the play set and he got to hang out with a few other children, one a boy his age. When I got tired of hearing all of the screams echo, I took him to the park and played in the sun. We were both done after 15 minutes so I decided we needed to hit Starbucks for some refreshments. One organic vanilla milk and my usual Grande Double Blended Mocha Frappuccino later, he picked out our table and, again, climbed into the seat and proceeded to tell me how good his milk was. Then again it was no spilled milk, no crying, no climbing the table to get to my whipped cream. This is me dumbfounded. I could tell he was antsy so we took a brief walk outside with our drinks and then sat at a table out there. It was hot and he wanted to stand in the middle of the road but I didn't have a battle when I directed him to the patio and he climbed up on the chair.

It was like going out with a friend that can't talk to you. He was smiling and pleasant, a few strong willed moments but we survived with no pain. We were out for 3 hours and it felt like nothing. We got home to find both men still passed out so we read some books and played on the porch. When both the guys woke up it was time for Supers nap... little did I know that that was NOT going to happen today but at least I got to see my husband for a little while. An hour and a half later, he's playing quietly in his pack n play but still awake and cheerful. It was lucky that he didn't sleep because a friend of mine needed some road assistance urgently and grabbing the boy and heading out was easy. On the way home from our heroic efforts in getting gasoline and battling Buckhead, we stopped at Subway for dinner after Big Sis mentioned it on the phone and I decided I didn't want to cook. We shared a sandwich and some chips, he got to wander around the empty store and I think he realized that when he doesn't mess with stuff, I don't come chasing after him. He is cautious enough that when a new person would come through the doors, he's run back to me but he chatted and pointed at stuff with this old guy that worked behind the counter. He was such a charmer today! Still no nap when we got home but I really needed to make some phone calls for a client so in went Meet The Robinson's. I didn't have any interruptions except me checking in on him and I got everything done really quickly so, at his request, we went for a walk around the neighborhood with him in the stroller. We came home, read some books, played a little game of chase the vacuum cleaner cord and it was time for bed. He was so tuckered out after our day and while I got some whining, he was probably asleep before I made it out the door.


It really was a great day with him. We are trying a new discipline method that expands the boundaries. He's gotten older and we had to adjust to the significant changes happening so I'm letting him explore more and making him face the consequences of his actions. Mommy isn't going to make sure you don't fall, if you climb the couch, be prepared for it to hurt when you fall. If you insist on touching the stove, it's going to hurt when you get burned. He is so much more well behaved. We have our moments and he is a child and has tantrums but I've seen him work the issues out in his brain and I have a much more peaceful household. But the doubts still creep in that he's setting me up. I don't know if it was just a good day but this child seems to have transformed and I can't help but wonder, is this the calm before the storm?

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Genealogical research - Geneology

After seeing Big Sis's collage, I wanted to do one too! This is fun and you should check this out!

Monday, June 16, 2008

We Don't Care Anymore

You know when you get the point that you just don't care anymore? We have a child that specializes in getting us to that point. No course of discipline has even put a dent in my sons persistence armor. If he finds something to be interesting, he is at it full force. Lately, one of his favorite activities is taking a pen out of Mommy's purse and coloring on the wall. Not every wall, just the hallway but it's his own personal art gallery now. For a while I tried to hide my purse, put it up, keep all pens away from him but then he finds some old pencil that was lost behind the couch some how and scribbles away. I just don't care anymore. Today, I handed him a pen and let him loose. We'll cover it up before we move so why not get some peace and quiet now. He seems to love it. From the day we put a pen in his hand he would draw on anything paper (which to me was amazing, I thought usually kids drew on walls first and then paper) but it seems that paper can not contain his artistic expression anymore. I guess that I should be glad that he isn't seeking out paper since my office is a terrible mess. I need a filing cabinet so bad but we really don't have the room to put one. Blast this small place!

We've also given up on him climbing the furniture. I watch him at other peoples houses but I can't get him to stop at our house and I don't care anymore. He fell down pretty good yesterday and bumped his head hard but he didn't climb for an hour or two so I guess he is just a kid that has to figure things out for himself. It used to be when I'd make food for us, something hot would need to cool but he's an instant gratification kind of person and he needed to eat right then. I wouldn't allow it so he's slap at my food and get his hand covered in too hot something. I avoided it for months before but after burning himself a time or two, he blows on his food nicely and tests it out before putting it in his mouth. I wish he would listen to me but there is no changing him. I do get how he must be feeling seeing as I was quite the opinionated child and I'm sure I gave my parents a run for their money. We reevaluated our boundaries and we're all much happier and more well behaved. Now that he knows he can explore what I would tell him no or redirect him away from, he is trying several new things and ending up with bumps and bruises. He's a tough kid though and isn't doing most of those things anymore. He is by no means calm and he still tears everything apart but he's not fearless, thank goodness.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Off My Game

It's so nice to be able to sit on the computer and write. Hubby is watching the Celtics game and I get a few minutes to myself, totally allowed to do whatever I want... Rambling it is! It's been an exhausting couple of weeks both physically and emotionally. I'm enjoying my new found experiences but I miss my family time. I know it sounds cliche but my favorite part of the day is when I get home and I see that little man run at me with his arms open for a hug. Many kisses, some clapping and a little dance later, I get to settle down and relax and be a mommy again. I don't even mind doing the cooking and because I want Super there and he gets to help. He's tall enough that when he stands on a step stool, he is head and shoulders above the counter. We were cutting up tomatoes and green onions together the other night and by cutting I mean he got the dullest butter knife and the tomato tops but he looked so adorable helping me. He made the greatest face when he tried to eat a green onion, totally priceless. I love that even though he makes more work for me, I still get to do something simple and fun with my son every day. He loves to help me stir and we get to chatter and sing to one another. It's fun to see him put things together as well. When I get out the eggs and cheese, he goes straight for the ketchup. When I get out bread and jelly, he goes right for the peanut butter.



I know I might have mentioned it before but he's actually throwing away trash now. We've been in constant battle since he could move around over the trash can. Now he's realizing what is garbage and what isn't (after a few weeks of having to watch the trash because he tried to throw away my phone, my picture book and several miscellaneous toys) and it's so much less stressful. I know he can't control the chaos that is inside him. We had a lazy day today and didn't go out but we did get down on the floor to play but after a while Super got bored, I guess, and started running in circles around the living room floor. I wish we had a bigger place but he seemed content to run around the rug like it was a track. He makes the best faces and I really cherish them now. He may look like my baby pictures but those faces are all his father. I don't know if he means it but he's looked exasperated with me a few times, it cracks me up.

Tomorrow is an off day for me so I get to spend the day with my little man. If it's nice enough we're going to the pool or the park. We haven't had a day out together in such a long time. We've dragged him to several places and made him meet lots of new people but we haven't had that togetherness like we used to. I don't wish for anything more right now than to play at the park and kick a soccer ball back and forth or run as fast as we can across a field. I need to get some new pictures too. Yea! Tomorrow is going to be awesome. I hope he complies and gives me a few good shots. I'm crossing my fingers.

Lastly, I want to congratulate Karen aka MsWobblyBits, she is having a girl and we can't wait to meet her!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

So Close

I have been battling the bulge since I had Super. Birth control made it very difficult to lose weight in the beginning but now that I've been off of it since New Years I've lost 35lbs (45 if you count post baby weight gain)! I'm 15lbs away from the weight I was at when I met Grout Daddy and I couldn't be happier. Being 5ft tall, if I gain any weight, it SHOWS. I know I won't be able to get rid of the extra skin that Super stretched out and made his home for 9 months but I'm finally getting back to the old me and it is so nice. Now I even have professional clothing to wear to work and church and not feel frumpy. I can't wait until I can go shopping and spoil myself with some new outfits to celebrate.

Summer always makes me want to go outside and play. We have had such a good time swimming, walking, playing at the park. I've been able to get together with some friends and just lay by the pool, soaking up sun. I don't like how red I get when I'm hot or how much I perspire but I usually forget that with a quick dip in the pool. I don't mind the heat and humidity (especially since I'm not preggo yet) and I commend all of those women that have to carry a heavy load during these awful, sweat-filled days. MassageMama is a trouper like that. She had 2 children in late June (while living in Tucson and Orlando), how did you do it Mom? You are one tough lady. Even with me and Lil Sis it was still HOT outside. Ms WobblyBits, I'm so proud of you and I know it's hot so come over so we can go swimming. I'll even watch both of the kids so you can float around with all of the weight off your feet. I spent countless hours floating around 7 months along with Super and getting out was like being punished.

However, I wouldn't wish it to be 20 degrees again. I do not like the cold and have tried to convince Grout Daddy to move to Florida several times but he doesn't like the amount of old people and bad drivers. Georgia isn't so bad, just no breezes and that is really rough on me. Dank heat is rough and I don't live in the worst of it. For some reason, DC gets even hotter than Atlanta. When visiting Big Sis a few years ago, I thought I'd go crazy and pass out every time I stepped into the heat. What I need is a virgin Pina Colada, a cheesy romance novel and an hour in the shade. I'm going to keep dreaming.

I'm Here!

I've been bad. I've been scolded by Big Sis to update my blog. We've just been so busy with everything going on, summing it up in a blog is difficult. However, Super is now 19 months old and is as crazy and energetic as ever. After our lovely vacation incident at the dinner table, Grout Daddy and I have severely reigned in our potty mouths. There is much stuttering and slurring but we're starting to use new words and retrain ourselves to be articulate. Thank goodness it's working and we haven't heard a bad word out of his mouth in over a week.



We have heard some new words though (probably my imagination but it sounds like words) and he's starting to use the ones he already knows in context. Really, it's just the word "no".... "Super, it's bed time"... "NO".... "Baby, let's brush our teeth"... "NO" and I now know that I need to try to say yes more. When he sees something that is interesting to him he says "Oh Wow!" or when he spills water or food it's "Oh no". We're still working on our ABC's but he'll come and sit in our laps and ask for "Aaaa's". He only knows his numbers up to three (I count before he gets into trouble) but just watching him be the person that he is is the sweetest thing to witness. He still loves his movie and after we lost the first copy we replaced it two weeks later and now get "zombie toddler". You can not tear him away from that movie but the dance he does at the end is enough to sit through it again and again.



I'm loving the fact that he will do what we ask and a few things that we don't. Now that he is tall enough, when he's finished with a meal, he carries his plate to the kitchen and puts it on the counter. He also makes sure to put his bottle/cup/sippy on a flat surface so it doesn't spill over. He is the official TV turner offer when we leave to go somewhere. Grout Guy got mad at him the other day when Super and I were going off to meet with a potential babysitter and he turned off the TV while G-Daddy was playing his video game. Super heard the words Bye Byes and assumed it was his duty. When he runs away and we call him back, he'll actually follow us! He will climb in the car and get into his car seat (only after sufficiently pretending that he's driving the car) and likes to sit in the stroller for long walks (I haven't made it to the park yet but our walks to Publix wear us out!) or he'll relax there if we leave it set up in the living room. He still doesn't want to swim but he loves the pool and climbs in and out of the kiddie section like a pro. Grandma Sue came over for a visit last night and commented on how big he's gotten. Apparently, I am dwarfed by our son now. He comes up to my hip and is well over 30lbs so we look mismatched when I hold him and he tries so hard to curl up enough that he can rest on my shoulder so I get a big butt blocking my view. When I went to the Rite Aid Expo (so fun, by the way, and we got lots of cool little things) with my friend Lyrinda, someone assumed that he was 3 and was shocked to hear that he wasn't even close to 2 yet. That's my big boy! He is as pretty as ever and I'll be posting pictures soon but this is the first full day off I've had in a while so I need to bust out the camera.

Grout Daddy and I are working opposite schedules so Super only gets to see one of us at a time now but I love it when it's my turn. He holds onto a hug like he'll never let go. I love watching him run to me when he hears my voice when I get home. It stinks being away from him but my hard work is paying off! I'm holding my first Open House on Saturday and I couldn't be more excited! Or more nervous. My brokers are trying to prepare me as much as possible but I know a lot of this rests on my shoulders. Keep your fingers crossed that I can pick up a new buyer or two and not completely blunder this opportunity. My hardest choice now is to pick out something to wear. Professional clothes are layered and HOT. It's June and while I don't want to look unprofessional, I don't want anyone to see me sweat profusely with no way to stop it or hide the evidence. It's gross but I can obtain perma-pit stains in under 5 minutes. G-Daddy used to make fun of me when we met and I was working in market research and had to run around constantly. Thank goodness I'm able to fit into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes again and have more options. Big Sis is going to help me pick something out today. Thank goodness for webcams. She's in VA and I'm in GA but she can still tell me if I look appropriate or not. Ms WobblyBits doesn't know it yet but I might be going out to raid her closet if I can't find anything good.

That's enough babbling for me, I'm going to get Super and take a long walk, get some sun, maybe go swimming and take a nap. We're having a friend over for dinner tonight while his wife is out of town and I'm going to make my Cajun Chicken, yum yum.