My Free Day

With working as much as I have been, I've been neglecting myself, my family and my home... but today I got to spend time just being me (minus a few client calls and some Internet searching, those don't count) and being with my family. My day started off great! I got some much needed cleaning done and even Hunter helped me wash the kitchen floor again. He loves to play with water so when I filled up the bucket, he knew we were in for some fun. I didn't think he'd climb in but it was funny enough to take pictures. Unfortunately, I did it with Danny's phone so I don't have them to show yet.

Next, Danny and I are going to a wedding in a few weeks and I've been trying to skim off some pounds to fit into this one dress. Well, that dress isn't made for a person with my body shape and it looks horrible! So I tried on my "little black dress" that I haven't worn since well before I had Super and it fit! For one, I'm happy I don't have to go shopping for something new and two... it's my little black dress! And it's gorgeous! I've stared longingly at it in the closet for the past 3 years and in two weeks I get to rock it out.

Then we babysat a little boy for a few hours and the two kids had a blast. With both me and Danny home, there was enough attention to go around. After his parents picked him up, Danny asked if we could take Super to KangaZoom. It was so sweet to see him look hopefully at me until I said yes. Ever since he took Hunter a few weeks ago, I can tell he's been dying to go back.

We got there and instantly Danny and I are like teenagers, wrestling, throwing things and playing. Everything became a race or competition. We are so unevenly matched and thank goodness I'm not a delicate lady. We were racing to go up the big slide first. I had the head start but Danny has some long legs on him. As I reached the first steps, my darling husband took a flying leap.... STRAIGHT AT ME. I managed to squeeze my way in first but he landed practically on my shoulders and took me down. It didn't do more than faze me a bit and I was on my way up the ladder! Whoo hoo! I won! (As I've said in previous posts, Danny NEVER lets me win so when I do, I know I deserve it) A few rides down the slides later with the boy and we started racing again. Me, being so trusting after my first near broken neck experience, thought he wouldn't do something like that again. NOPE, I was wrong and all I saw where legs and socks flying my way. Again, I managed to get up first and was so proud of myself. After being bombarded by my 80" tall man again, I gave up, I don't need to break a bone, especially after I tripped getting out of the slide and twisted my ankle oh so gracefully (SO glad Danny didn't see that). I did tempt him with the chase once more but as I was trying to be cute and climb the little steps to get up, I tripped again and fell. Not allowing me to keep some dignity, Danny starts cracking up at me and continues to poke fun at my mishap until we left. After much screaming and crying from Super, we finally got out of there, stopped at the Starbucks across the street for chocolate milk and coffee and got home. Cranky time quickly turned to nap time and I had a few precious hours to myself after Danny went to work.

I've gotten to the 4th book in the Clan of the Cave Bear series. It's been a bit slow going because of my schedule (and because it's not as awesome as the first 3) but I've really gotten into the last half and I'll probably finish it tonight.

After Hunter woke up, we played and had dinner and then went to the mall. With that wedding fast approaching, it was time to get gifts. I will never take an almost 2 year old to do anything like that again. Like many adults that are getting married these days, they have everything that they need so they registered for china. Toddler boy + glass plates + no stroller = frustrated mom that can't control the child. Totally my fault but we still go to do some fun mall cruising after making our purchases. Now my child is tucked into bed, I have 100 pages left in my book, I'm going to make the most of it. :-)

Monster Face and Funny Smiles

I think this is the most adorable thing I've ever seen. I don't know where he picked it up from but I couldn't take enough pictures of this sweet little man making funny faces. The pictures aren't good because they were taken with my phone but I think you understand the hilarity of what I call the "Monster Face" followed by the self satisfied smiles of a little boy that knows his mom is about to pee in her pants from the unexpected silliness.

We'll add one of me just for fun. Super likes to take pictures as well but can't use the camera on his own so I make my own funny faces to make him laugh while I try to divert his attention from expensive toys.

Clan of the Cave Bear

Oh my gosh! I finished reading this book a few days ago and I've already started on the second book in the series and it's SO good. My mother read this book right before or after having my older sister and I can only imagine how it made her feel. This writer will rip your heart out only to fill it bursting with happiness a few chapters later. I loved this book and encourage everyone to read it.

Growing Up FAST

Today was a long and arduous day. First thing in the morning we had to go to the doctors office so we could get the paperwork for Super starting daycare. After over an hour of waiting in the front, waiting 20 minutes in a room, 10 with the doctors, waiting another 15 for the nurses to prep the shots, dealing with the screams of my baby getting punctured and calming him down, we walked out of there frustrated and unhappy but with 8 or 9 lollipops. I did get his updated stats though, my Super baby is 34 inches tall and 39lbs! Actually, we couldn't get him on the scale so we tried a few different things and came to the conclusion that he is somewhere between 38-41lbs. I can not believe how skilled I've gotten at carrying such a heavy person all the time, especially since he's never given me help from the day he was born.

I had to feel bad for him with all of the different people poking and prodding at him. I discovered today that my child has a very strong sense of modesty for which I'm very thankful but it was so hard watching him struggle when someone just needed to listen to his heart or lungs. Someone else's hands on him did not make him happy and he kept covering up any exposed skin. I'm thankful we don't have to go to a physician often.

My doctor also reminded me that the boy will be having another growth spurt soon. I'm not looking forward to it. The last time he had one of those I could hardly keep up and his pants became so short on him. With fall and winter coming, I hope I can keep him out of high-water pants but at this rate, I'll be buying 4T's next summer. I had to laugh at the look on the Doc's face when he stated his concern that Hunter was "overweight" (the nurse measured him wrong the first time) and how big he was compared to me... that is, until I reminded him that Super's dad is very blessed in the height department. The look was especially funny because after a few years, I'm used to Danny and his height is average to me. Anyone under 6'2" is "short" and I come almost face to face with the Doc when we both stand. Needless to say, Super is healthy and intelligent, passing all of his development tests with flying colors.

I Got a New Phone

And it's about time! The last phone I had was very old even when I bought it right after finding out I was pregnant. Now I finally have something that will take care of everything that I need while I'm juggling so much stuff. I got a Blackberry Curve and I'm so happy that I can take pictures with it! How sad is it that I've never have a cell that had a camera, speaker phone, the ability to check any kind of online activity or music. The hard part now is keeping it out of Super's reach so he can't destroy it. We had so much fun taking pictures together and I'm so excited that I'll always have a way to capture something awesome that he's doing without having to use our bulky camera. P.S. If you want me to have your phone number, call me or text it with your name so I can beef up my address book back up!

He's Too Dang Smart

Never turn your back on a toddler, they'll never cease to surprise you. After an unusually late trip to Target for diapers and other essentials, me and Super came home and I got him out of the car and into the house. Having to return back to the car to get the next load of stuff, I was thinking to myself what a nice trip we had and how much I was looking forward to reading some more of my book (that'll be another blog). I reached out and turned the door knob and gave a slight push... nothing happened. I put down my packages and tried to push harder, know that our door sticks sometimes... nope. I was locked out of the house by my son.

I knocked on the door to see if I could get him to undo the damage. But hearing my knock and my voice calling from the other side of the door just caused him to panic a bit. Moving to a window, I beckoned him over to try to calm him down through the window. After a few minutes of coaxing him to the window and pointing to the lock, he was more uneasy and had himself a good cry. But neither of us gave up. A few more minutes later and I was able to talk to him enough and gesture enough that my big boy understood what to do and unlocked the window. Two seconds later I was back in the house with a new vow to never leave without my keys attached to me in some way. I've heard of other children doing this on a regular basis and I'm so thankful my son was able to do what was needed to do to help me back inside. Hopefully this experience won't teach him to get out on his own through that window. Cross your fingers for me!

Groans Heard Around the World

It's the first day of football season and I could not be less happy. Normally the only day Danny and I get to spend together with Super is Sunday. I know the games only take a few hours but those are prime hours that I'm used to having and I hate watching my husband lounge around watching a game while his little boy wants his attention. I know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way and I'm keeping my chin up. I'll have plenty of time that day to do just about anything else so I'm going to do my best to take advantage of it.

Why Mothers Should Not Nap

There are several reasons but I had a wake up call very recently... I closed my eyes because I was exhausted (keeping my ears open for a distress call, just in case) and woke up 45 minutes later to this....

Just to let you know, flour doesn't make a sound but it can get on EVERYTHING in an apartment if you give a toddler enough time. When I laid down, I made sure to hide anything dangerous (I JUST noticed there was Raid on the counter, thank goodness he doesn't care about it) and to put away the basket our son climbs on top of... but he can get things off the washing machine now. It took two days to clean up because if you look hard, you'll see a large cup of water that he used to make the most disgusting paste in the world. When I saw what he had done, I almost lost it. I was very thankful that a good friend came over and rescued him. I was not capable of handling everything at once. See that green thing in the last picture? That's our salt and pepper shaker. Pour salt out of the top, grind out of the bottom, it's one of my favorite kitchen tools. He completely submerged it and it had to get tossed. Actually, I almost salvaged it but the next night when we were making dinner, Super was playing with the lid to the salt part and innocently put it down. I didn't realize until it was too late that he put it on the stove top and it melted. Grrrr! What do you do? Cover him with kisses and finish as quickly as you can. I also now know to keep the flour in a very high place that requires me to get a step stool or to call for Danny. Ahhh kids, they keep it interesting.

Down the Crapper

Darn it! Super just walked into the bathroom right as I was flushing and threw one of this foam numbers in. I hope that #2 (ha ha pun) doesn't block anything, I have no idea how to retrieve something like that. He's never really had much interest in throwing things in and I'm sad that I have to start locking the door on him. Just pray for me that it doesn't back up in the house.

Yea!

While my mom was visiting last week, she told me the basic outline for the Clan of the Cave Bear series so I needed to order them on eBay. They are finally here! I'm so happy and after a long day at work, a much needed Enrichment meeting at church and a toddler that insisted on staying up an hour later than normal, I could really use a good book and a solid nights sleep. I just hope I'm not too engrossed that I can put it down. I have a feeling it's going to be tough.

P.S. I wrote a quick blog about our visit listed a few entries back if you want to read it!

Happy Birthday Annie!

(Picture stolen from her mothers blog)

This precious little lady entered our lives just one year ago and she has been a constant joy among the people that love her. She's adventurous and strong, doesn't take any crap from her big brother and I have a feeling she's going to be a sassy girl that gives her mom a run for her money. I'm truely thankful that I'm a member of her family and that I get to watch her grow up into the amazing woman I know she'll be. Happy Birthday Annie Bananie!