I wish I could be super awesome & Christmasy & such.

Every single year I do this to myself. I think of all of the super awesome things that I'm going to do once the Christmas season arrives.

The fantasy; I'm going to bake cookies. I'm going to wear a cute apron while doing it. Also, I'm going to be super pretty and thin while baking the cookies because I've been working hard all year. I wrap pretty little packages with lots of ribbons and bows on top. My home is decorated with beautiful handmade decorations that I have recently created. I make wreaths and give them to friends and family. We drink a lot of hot chocolate with peppermint in it.

The Reality; I have a pack of Toll House pre-made sugar cookies in the fridge that are just begging to be slapped on a pan. I only have them because I got them for $1 with a coupon. I'm putting off making them because I'm still promising myself that I'm going to loose some weight. I may or may not own an apron. If I do, I have no idea where it is. It's also not very cute. None of my packages have ribbons and bows. In fact, I have written names in strange places on them because I can't find my gift tags. My dog has opened 2 gifts that I've already wrapped. My son has opened 1. My stockings still aren't hung and I have an old snowglobe on the counter. It's starting to change colors. One of my 3 wise mens' camels on has 2 legs. It had 3 at the start of the Christmas season. I don't make wreaths. I don't own a wreath. I own a wreath hanger though. Also, I can't make hot chocolate at home. Milk is gross. I don't keep it in my refridgertor. Ever.

Oh well.

Maybe next year I can be super awesome & Christmasy & such. =)

A bit of Christmas cheer:

Happy Birthday to my Husband!

Happy Birthday to a wonderful Husband and Father!
We love you so much!
Happy 24th Toby!

Two.

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful little boy in the whole wide world.

You're TWO!

Already.

Can you believe it?

You've come so very far from your teeny-tiny self.

You're so special is so many ways.

You're funny.

You're loving and sweet.

You're smart.

...and we love you for just being you.

Happy Birthday Booger.

...Mommy loves you.

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.

A message from Ian:

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patty's Day 2011

From: Tabatha & Ian!

Happy Valentines Day!

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.

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.

Happy Birthday Toby!!

We love you so much. Thank you for all that you do.

A special first haircut.

Sunday was Ian's first birthday. We didn't have a whole lot to do since we had already had his big party and everything. We had a small party at Toby's Dads house for all of the weeks birthdays; Ian and his Uncle Trey on the 15th, Tobys Dad on the 16th, and Tobys on the 19th. Afterwards, Toby and I wanted to do something special as a family for the boogers first birthday.

So first we took him outside and let him play for as long as he liked. This boy loves playing outside. Sometimes he just presses his face against the glass door and

whines.

Then we brought him inside and decided it was time for his first haircut. I was so nervous. So Daddy put Ian in his high chair, plugged in the clippers and went to town. Ian wasn't too sure what to think of it. Sometimes he thought that the buzzing from the clippers was kind of funny...but most of the time he thought they were annoying. He kept shaking his head back and forth and saying no! It was way to cute. I took a video as well, but

I don't have it to upload now. I'll do it later though. Promises.

Ian said that Daddy did a great job.

His hair is much shorter now, but he looks like a big boy! I can't believe how quickly this booger-bean is growing up. Ahhh!

Ian & Aiden's 1st Birthday Bash

We had such a wonderful time at Ian and Aiden's 1st Birthday Bash! The decorations and the cake were perfect, the boys had tons of fun, and so did I! They got lots of cool gifts, had lots of yummy snacks, and had lots of fun visitors. I'm so thankful for such a beautiful day to share with all of our family and friends. I can't believe how fast the boys are growing up!

Flashback Fridays!

My new segment: Flashback Fridays!

Little Man's First Halloween: October 2009

My nephew the puppy dog, and my little booger pirate.

Mommy's Little Pirate Boy! We used to joke that he made a "one eyed pirate" face. Thus, the costume choice.

Don't they look like little dolls? They were so tiny!

I hope that you enjoyed!

Happy Birthday Aiden!

My nephew, Aiden turned 1 today! I can't believe its already been a whole year since the first time that I held him. He was so tiny, sweet, and new. And I basically nested all over him because I was a big, fat, ready to pop pregnant lady.

He has grown into such a beautiful, smart, adorable, sweet, loving little (big!) boy, with a million dollar smile, and the shiniest eyes you've ever seen.

Aunt Tab is so proud of you Aiden. I love you so much!

Aiden Riley, Born July 28th 2009, 7 lbs, 13 oz., 20 inches long