This is what Sundays are for:

Sundays are for dancing with your baby sister. =)

Why having a toddler is like being at a frat party...

The Top 10 Reasons Having a Toddler is like being at a Frat Party:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There’s always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.

8. It’s best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone’s going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You’ve got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There’s definitely going to be a fight.

3. You’re not sure whether anything you’re doing is right, you just hope it won’t get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

(found here)

Perfect Weekend.

Thursday night, around 7pm, Toby decided he was going to take Friday night off and start the weekend early. He left work at 10:30 pm (instead of 11 like usual) and we headed off to Lake Erie, to my parents lake house for the weekend. We got there around 2:30 am, and didn't leave until 10:00 pm Sunday night. It was a much needed short vacation.

We had so much fun. Ian loves the sand, the water, the boats, riding the golf cart, the pool, the playground, the campfires, and just about everything in between.

Without going into too much detail, because it would take forever; it was a perfect weekend. Just what we needed as a family before Vanessa-Kate arrives. While I'm looking forward to meeting her, I am also nervous about not having Ian be my one and only, my baby. I plan to take him back one more time before she is set to arrive so that we can go to the beach again, and so that I can take him to the African Safari, since he loves loves loves animals so much. I'll have to research nearby labor and delivery departments before we go though, just in case. =)

A long and busy weekend.

Friday morning we all woke up and walked down to the diner to get breakfast. Ian loves to diner because it's the one place that he gets to sit in the booth all by himself like a big boy (no booster or high chair), the seats are shiny and glittery, and they bring him giant plates of delicious fries. Plus, he makes lots of friends there. It's a great little hometown place, even if the poor poor sign above the entrance says "Main St. Cafe : Family Dinning". Thankfully, Ian cannot read yet.

Then after Daddy headed off to work we did the laundry. Then we drove to the other side of town to go the The Flower Factory to look for some baby stuff. If you've never been there, you should go. It's wholesale, and it's darn cheap. You can score some amazing housewares and decor there for next to nothing.

While we were out shopping we got the call that we would be able to attend my little brother's high school graduation. He goes to a technical school (he's in the building trades program) and they only get 4 tickets to graduation. So those tickets naturally went to my parents, his fiance Jessi, and his son Aiden. But at the last minute we came across some extras. Grandma, Ian, and I made the 1.5 hour trip from the west side of Columbus to Newark in less than 45 minutes just to make it on time. Sitting on the bleachers nearly killed my pregnant ass, but I was happy to be there. School has been such a struggle for Joel all of his life, even moreso since the challenges of becoming a parent almost 2 years ago. We were all so happy for him when he walked across the stage. He was happy too.

Afterwards we all went out to dinner together at Tumbleweed. Deep. Fried. Corn. Mmm.

Then on Saturday we spent family time. Toby, Ian, and I lounged around the house until about 1:30. It was amazing to just re-lax. Then we decided to take Ian to get some frozen custard at Whit's (the most amazing custard ever) and he enjoyed it immensely. He got to eat his own big boy cone by himself. He looked so big. I can't believe how big he has grown. Also, I have never seen a vanilla cone bring anyone so much friggen' joy in my life. He kept laughing out loud and smiling. It dripped all down his chest. We decided that we would have to take him home and bathe him before heading to the park. Melted dairy products covering his body mixed with 85 degree weather at the park would be a nasty combo.

Then after he was all cleaned up, it was off to the park. He played, and he played, and he played. He made Daddy push him on the swings, and he climbed the ladder to the slide all by himself. By the time we made it back home, Daddy and I were exhausted from the walk. I told him that it was acceptable for me to be out of shape, because at least I can blame it on being 31 weeks pregnant. He's a skinny man. He has no excuse. =)

Did you know that sticking you lip out and throwing your arms makes you run really really super fast?

So we ordered some pizza. (Yes, fries, ice cream, and pizza all in one post. It was a healthy weekend, okay?). We spent the rest of the evening hanging out at home. It was a wonderful day. Seriously.

Sunday we had family pictures/maternity pictures done. Ian didn't cooperate well at all. But we got a couple of good ones. Not thrilled with them though.

Then we finished off the day by eating at BJ's Brewhouse, and with a little bit of shopping at Old Navy. We walked out with a new maternity tank top, a v-neck shirt for Toby, and a "big brother" t-shirt for Ian for $14. Yay for Memorial Day Sales eh?

Toby spent the rest of the night hanging out with his friend Mario here at home, while Ian and I cuddled in bed and watched television. Ian started running a fever and getting sick. So we holed up in the bedroom (the only place with a.c.) and watched Sister Wives. He was sick enough that he didn't care what was on the tv. He just wanted cuddles. I felt horrible that he was sick, but the cuddles we wonderful.

Monday morning I decided one a.c. unit just for the bedroom wasn't working. I also taught Ian to say the word "pool" so that he could call Mamal and say "pooolll" over and over again so that she would feel guilty enough to open it this week. We went and bought a new a.c. Then spent the rest of the day hanging out at Toby's Mom's house. We had some truly delicious chicken and corn on the cob. Mmm, and fruit with dip. It was one of the first days that it felt like summer for real. It was a really nice day. Monday night we installed the new a.c. and it was bliss. Ian went off to my grandparents for the night. They bought him a new swing set for their back yard and he was through the roof about it. I spent the rest of the night hanging out with Toby and working on some finals for school.

This time around:

Growing so much faster this time around...

I've been shopping!

One exciting part of knowing our little girl is going to be here in just 4 short months is that it's time to start shopping for clothes! We won't be having a big shower this time, so we'll be buying a lot more, at as far as clothing goes, then we ever did with Ian. Financially, not all that exciting. Otherwise, totally exciting. lol. But to honest, I scored great deals on all of the clothing that I've bought so far.

I loooovvveee little girl clothing shopping!

Fun Friday Night!

I was feeling guilty for being such a lazy Mommy over the last couple of days. I've just been run down and I've been sleeping in. But this morning, when my child slept in until almost 1pm (yes, I know, I'm bad, spare me the lecture) I realised that it was rubbing off on his and I felt horrible. I decided that we had to do something fun and productive today...and continue to do so from here on out. I cannot be this lazy anymore.

So, my Mom and I decided to take the boys to the Playplace at Mcdonalds. They had the time. of. their. lives. They ran and laughed and played for well over 2 hours, only stopping occasionally to chomp down a french fry or two. All in all, it was a ton of fun and I can't wait to take them back again. My rounded self even climbed through the tunnels as took the boys down the slide. Tunnels+Pregnancy=Pain. But the giggles they got out of going down the slide were well worth it.

Twas a good day.

My child likes to shower.

We've discovered something since the move; Ian loves to take showers.

I don't mean that he tolerates them because we don't have a bath tub, I mean he really loves taking showers. He bangs on the bathroom door several times a time and screams "baaatttthhh".

Then when it is finally that time of day, he does the following;

A. Steps into the shower.
B. Stick his hand out and test the water.
C.Step into the water, lean his head back and let out a long *siiiggghhh*.
D. Grab his washcloth and scrub himself.

It's honestly the cutest thing ever. He showers like such a little man. And he doesn't mind the water in his face at all. In fact, he loves that too.

He just seems to be doing so many grown up things lately. He doesn't sit in the high chair anymore since we've moved. He just sits in a booster at the table with us. He gets his own little bowl, and his own little fork and he eats his own little helping of whatever we're eating. The things that he is learning to do amaze me. Before I know it he's going to be using the potty, and tying his own shoes.

Trick-or-Treat...

This is the only photo I have from trick-or-treat this year. I absentmindedly scheduled an appointment to get my oil changed late this afternoon and I was in a rush we we got home...I forgot my camera.

Anyway, he's a pretty cute sock monkey. =)

Today is my 21st Birthday.

Yep, that's right. My twenty-first birthday.

Funny how I've looked forward to this day since I was a teenager. I had always pictured a crazy night out, filled with many many drinks, and a few memories that I would very soon forget. So strange how things change.

So how did I spend my twenty-first birthday? Well, I woke up an hour earilier than normal (thank you Ian) and went with Toby and the Bean to renew my tags and get my brand new license. Waited in line at the DMV only to realize that I had to get back in the car and go home and get my current i.d. I cannot believe how forgetful I was. I returned the the DMV alone, fought with the woman about what my current address was (I don't even want to go into how extremely unintelligent this conversation was) and got my new license and tag renewal stickers. Spent 65.00. Yay birthdays. lol.
Then I came home, kissed my wonderful husband goodbye as he left for work, and kissed my wonderful son goodnight as he went down for his nap. Then I relaxed, watched tv, and played around on the computer. Then Ian got up, and we went outside and played. Honestly, this was the best part of my day. I love watching him toddle around the yard. He is just such a little man about it. He walks around with a look of determination. He acts like he is working or something. I am always saying "It's crazy how hard this kid can work at doing absolutly nothing". I can't describe it, he just works hard.

It was such a beautiful day to play outside with my bean.

Then we came inside and had Kissfest 2010.



And then we just hung around the house for a couple of hours. Ian played by himself on the floor. (He must have had enough of me during Kissfest) and I caught up on my episodes of Cougar Town.

And then we were off to Olive Garden. We arrived around 6:30. I then realized (around 6:31) that I had once again left my i.d. at home. A twenty-first birthday is a bit useless without an i.d. So, my mother went home to get it. We walk into the restaraunt and we are seated. Cue Ian crazy screaming fit...now. It was insane. He has this new bloody murder scream that is so loud, and so terrifying that people started getting out of the chairs to see if he was hurt. Managers actually came running. I felt so bad for everyone else there.

Fast forward to 20 minutes later. I am standing outside the Olive Garden, Ian is still screaming like mad man, and I am very sober, and trying not to cry. Five minutes later I am crying. His new screaming fits are really starting to get to me. This has been going on for several weeks and I don't know what to do. Anyway, moving on...

Eventually, my Mom took over the screaming boy so that I could go back inside and enjoy myself. He calmed down, came in, and we all had a nice dinner. My parents, Joel Jessi and Aiden, My Grandparents, and our friends Herbie and Kay (as well as Ian and I) all had a great dinner. Poor Toby missed out since he is currently working second shift. I missed him.
Then I ordered my very first legal drink. It was amazing. It was a mixed drink of wildberry mix, ice, and (my most favorite ever) Martini and Rossi Asti. Mmmm. I had two....and dessert.

My grandparents offered to take Ian for the night so that I could get a good nights sleep, so he went home with them. Then I came home and immediately put my pajamas on. That's all I wanted to do. So I've been laying in bed alone since about 8:30.

But you know what?

Every bit of it was perfect. Yeah, there were a few speed bumps, and it most certainly wasn't the 21st birthday I had always imagined, but it felt right. This year on my birthday, I find myself feeling very thankful for all of the love in my life. The love from my son. The love from my best friend, my husband. The love from all of my parents and grandparents. The love of our wonderful friends. I am surronded by such love. Everything just feels like it's falling into place.

Time.

This is what my little booger looked like yesterday.

He was being a crazy kidlet, running around the yard, climbing up the slide, laughing and playing and being his little boogerish self.

'cause that's the way he rolls.
Now, the following pictures were taken exactly one year ago today. He was tiny and new. He was still so tiny in fact, that I had to hold my hand behind his head to cradle it, just so he could hold his little head up.

Time is a funny thing isn't it?

I look like a Grandma.

First, let me start off by saying that I am so glad that our culture is in this "old is cool" fashion stage. It seems like everything that has been cool at one point in time in the past, is now cool again.

(Please ignore how uncool of me it was to overuse the word "cool".)

Anyway, I'm really into patterns. I like big floral prints, houndstooth, plaid, stripes, polka dots, argyle, anything. I also like wearing bright and contrasting colors. I'm into the "older" and "grandma-ish" things that seem to be in style now. I like big handbags, prints, tacky shoes, bold ear rings, headbands, and cardigan sweaters.

As most of you know, I also really like a good deal. So when I found a mint green, indigo, white, and dark lavender large floral print smock for only 1.99 yesterday at Sears, I had to have. Nevermind that I also had a coupon for 10.00 off a clothing purchase of 20.00 or more. So, today I was super excited to wear my shirt. I even wore matching eyeliner. Which, according to Toby is an even more old lady thing to do.

The point is, Toby has informed me that he is pretty sure that his great grandmother would love basically my entire wardrobe. Sadly, I think he's right. And now that I think about it, she often compliments my clothing...and she's not one who just likes to compliment. She also tends to do the same thing to my sister-in-law, who has her own spin on a similar style. She told me that Grandma had recently went on and on about how adorable her grey sweatshirt covered in lace was.

I like that sweatshirt. A lot.

Oh well, I feel like a pretty cute Grandma.

Look closely, can you see the color coordinated liquid eyeliner and ear rings? Oh yeah.

I has a sock monkey.

Have you seen my cute little sock monkey?

This isn't the best picture, but we were just trying it on to be sure that it fit for trick-or-treating. He looked so darn cute. This little monkey went away to the lake for the weekend with his grandparents so that Mommy and Daddy could celebrate their anniversary weekend. Word is that he went trick-or-treating and on a hay ride at their campground. I bet it was adorable. I can't wait to see all of the pictures that my Mom took.

I also can't wait to see my little monkey again this evening.

A day in the life.

A day in our life:

We finally got our wonderful little monster hat in the mail. Mommy loves it. Daddy thinks its silly. Ian hates hats.
We went to Kroger. Ian whistles while he drives 'round the store.

And then the bean snuggled up with a couple of good books and drifted off to sleep.

And that's the short because Mommy is tired version of a day in our life.

P.S. Check out ScreamingCheettoes's etsy shop where I bought the hat. She did a great job. =)

With the next baby...

I find myself saying that a whole lot. "With the next baby I'm going to _______, With the next baby I'm going to buy a ______." and so on and so forth.

So, I am going to use this time to express to you all of the things I am going to do...the next time.

Things I want to do:
-Breastfeed longer, which also means learning to nurse in public. (NIP) I am not going to be ashamed or embarassed next time.
-Take more pictures while in labor and right after he or she is born. However, still no vag shots. Kthanks.
-Not sweat the small stuff so much.
-Eat better during pregnancy and try to find a way to manage my gestational diabetes better.
-Stop and enjoy pregnancy. I found myself missing it after Ian was born.
-Advocate more for myself and my baby during labor and delivery. Those of you who have read my birth story know that I had a very hard labor, which caused some medical problems for both Ian and I. That will not be happening again.
-Splurge and buy a few nice maternity pieces that I feel good in.
-Get maternity shots done (with Ian and Toby in them as well)

And now to the fun part!

Things I am going to buy when we have another baby!

1. The Baby Jogger Baby Micro City Double Stroller: With Ian, we never took the time to buy a very nice stroller, and I wish that we would have. With two in tow, I will certainly splurge to get a nice stroller to tote the tots around in. This one is priced at 299.99...but I'm good at finding sales. Plus... I love craiglist!

2. The Nap Nanny: After dealing with Ian's horrible acid reflux, I absoutely would love to have one of these next time! They hold baby in a position that reduces the risk of SIDS, and that reducs colic and reflux. Plus, they are lightweight, and made of very soft, comfy, high quality material. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about these! I picked it out in pink because...well...part of me really hopes the next one is a girl.

3. The Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow: I will do anything to sleep better than I did when I was pregnant with Ian. End. Of. Story.

4. Mommy and Me Nursing Set: Yes, I know that nobody needs this, but it's so cute. I saw someone on facebook with a set of these in their hospital pics and it was so. darn. cute. This is one of the things I am dying to have next time!5. The biggest, most comfy, nursery glider in the world: Okay, so maybe not the one pictured, but I really want a comfy glider. This goes along with the whole "wanting to breastfeed" longer thing. I want someplace nice and cozy where baby and I can nurse and be comfortable.

...you get the idea. I keep planning what I'm going to do next time. Thanks for reading my pointless post. =)

I am so pumped about this.

Yeah, I totally just bought this for Ian from etsy.

I love love love love Etsy.

and I love love love LOVE this hat.

It will be perfect for my little monster.