In Only A Year.........

We went from this 7 month old little guy............

to this 19 month old little toddler............

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!!

Wordless Wednesday..........

Well, My Monday Really Sucked!!

Yesterday started off to be such a great day but quickly turned into a crappy one!!  B woke up in the best mood & we played for a while around the house & then I decided that we would run our errands in the morning so we could spend the afternoon enjoying the beautiful weather outside.  We got dressed & off we went to Kohl's & the then to Sam's & then our last stop was going to be to Hobby Lobby but we never quite made it there.

We were pulling out of the Sam's parking lot & this happened..........I rear ended this a**hole!!  Here he is getting in his car; do you see that small ding in his bumper that is the damage that was caused to his car by the SUV (the ding in his trunk was already there).

This is the front end of my truck; yes I hit him & yes there is some damage but I hit THAT GUY.......he got out of his car & his first words to me were "I have whiplash".

Here's the deal; we were pulling out of the parking lot & there was no one coming in the lane that we were going to be pulling into so he went & then I started to go as well & when I looked again to check the lane he slammed on his brakes & I hit him.  I could not have been going (in a rolling motion) more than 5 miles per hour & if B & I are feeling perfectly OK then how in the hell could he say he has whiplash??  Why do people these days feel the need to act & do things like I have a feeling this guy is going to do?  Accidents happen & that is why we all are supposed to have insurance BUT that doesn't mean try to get all the money your greedy ass thinks you can get by doing something like that!!  I was not very nice to him when he said that he had whiplash & my not so kind response was "Sir, we were going about 3-5 mph so I don't think that is possible but let's just call the police & go from there".

The police arrived & took our info & mean while I started crying, checked on B for the 50th time to make sure that he was fine & he was just a playing & laughing while watching Winnie the Pooh & then started to clean up all the fruit that was all over the back of my truck.  The plastic containers that fresh fruits come in don't stay closed normally so jar them a tad & you have blueberries & grapes all over your car!!  The policeman brought us back over our information & then explained that on a cad was our police report # & that we could pick it up in 3 days at any Gwinnett location police station; I said OK & thank you & was ready to get B hone for lunch BUT NOT THIS GUY!!

Guy: "I need her info."

Cop: "sir it will be on the police report"

Guy: "where is the report then?"

Cop: "sir, I just told you it will be ready in 3 days for you to pick up"

Guy: "can I pick it up in Lawrenceville?"

Cop: "sir as I said you can pick it up at any Gwinnett police station" (for those of you not in GA; Lawrenceville is in Gwinnett)

Guy: "so I won't get her info today?"

Cop: "sir, it will be on your report"

I just said thank you to the cop & got in my car & waited for this jacka** to stop asking his stupid questions; while I was sitting there watching him talk to the cop he was rubbing his neck & massaging his back the whole time.........I started balling again & just had to call Lance (for the 100th time) & say sorry because this douche bag was doing to make our insurance premium rise as high as he could.  He of course didn't care & just kept saying "calm down, you guys are fine so everything is good".

B & I got home I made his lunch while he watched the Movers & then he ate & was down for his nap like nothing happened; I on the other hand was a mess & had to call my doctor to let them know what happened & when I did they of course told me I had to come in just for precaution.  I knew that was going to happen but still it made the worried feeling I already had worse!!  I called my mother in law & she came over to get B after his nap & I was off to the doctor & this is what happened when I got there........

And unfortunately things didn't look as good as they wanted them too & I was actually having contractions so I was hooked up to this thing for quite a long while.  They did an ultrasound & internal just to check on things too & everything was perfect there so they said that I could go home & not to the hospital.  Their conclusion was that too much stress & a tad bit of dehydration was what was causing these contractions & they were going to let me go home but I have to take it easy & drink lots & lots & lots of water!!  

Colton because of my stress or to B because I hit this guy.  I would never forgive myself if I caused harm to either one of my children in any way, shape or form!!

I am just thanking God that the accident wasn't worse & that we do have insurance & that they are going to fight this guys claims of whiplash if he makes them.  I thank God for slowing my contractions down & allowing me to to go home & relax & that my mother in law was able to make sure that B enjoyed his afternoon & was not effected by the mornings happenings (times like these make me really miss & hate the fact that my mom is so far away).  I just thank God for looking out for us yesterday & everyday..........Lance & my children mean the world to me & I have no idea what I would do if they ever came into harms way!!

What a Weekend.......

We couldn't have asked for better weather for March this past weekend; I mean it was gorgeous!  It made for a fun outdoors weekend & after a rough start on Friday night the weekend turned out perfect as well.

I am not going to get into the details of our Friday night but lets just say that I only slept about an hour & granted I have not been sleeping well for a while now this sleepless night was caused by other things & not pregnancy so Saturday was very rough for this momma!  B woke up in a beyond FANTASTIC mood & we were off & running for a fun & busy day.  I was exhausted but didn't want that to effect B's day so I decided that we needed to keep moving & enjoy every moment of the 70 degree weather that God blessed us with!  That morning we ran a few errands & then went to the little park in the front of our neighborhood & I was shocked at how much B did all on his own.  He was climbing & playing like such a big boy & even though I was worried the whole time that he was going to hurt himself or fall he didn't & he seemed so proud of himself!

Didn't quite understand the concept of the tire swing.......

But of course LOVED the regular swing..........

We got home from the park, ate lunch & he was down for the count right after & I got to work on cleaning our messy downstairs.  We had some work done in our kitchen on Thursday & needless to say it made our whole downstairs a very big & dusty mess afterwards (I will post about our latest home improvements & Colton's nursery once I get photos taken).  After a good nap we were back outside for more fun in the sun; we took so many walks up & down our street that afternoon.  B would go to his Radio Flyer & say more & then go over to his tricycle & say more as well so up & down the street we went over & over & over again.

We of course had to spend time in the back yard as well; I am so surprised that just enjoys walking/running around the backyard like he does but he & the dogs just run & play for what seems like hours sometimes.

(if you notice B's left hand he has a glove on it; h found it in his wagon & wore it for the rest of the afternoon & than again yesterday.........it was quite funny)

Saturday night came & went & after B went down at 8:30 I followed right behind him; I think I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow!!  I think because I was so tired from the night before that I slept alright but woke up at what I thought was 3am (which has been the norm lately) so I got up & started doing stuff downstairs & then when I came back upstairs to get on the computer I realized that it was really only 2am because of the time change.............Lance had already fixed our clocks so needless to say I was up & yesterday was a very long day again but it was beautiful outside so it was another great day!!

Lance golfed yesterday morning & B & I spent the morning outside walking & playing with JuJu & then once daddy got home B helped him give the pups a bath.......he loves to help his daddy out with anything & everything!!

Kisses for daddy; so precious!!!

We ran some more errands & went to B's favorite store; Toys R Us; & then we were off to dinner to meet B's PaPa, Uncle J, & Uncle J's new girlfriend.  We ate Japanese Hibachi & I was swollen before we even left the restaurant!!

We spent the rest of the evening playing outside & enjoying the weather for as long as we could; it is crazy how long the sun is up from just an hour change but it it going to make for some great nights this spring/summer!!  We got cleaned up & settled in for a little family movie night.  The movie of B's choice these days is Toy Story (1, 2 or 3 will do) so we all got our drinks, blankets & snacks & just sat back & relaxed!!

We got this chair for B last weekend & he loves it but he wants it up on the sofa with us & not on the floor & how can we to say no to that cute little face??

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I am not sure how many of you use Pampers but we use their diapers & wipes & I have been taking full advantage of the points that you get in each refill box/bag since B was born & have really reaped the advantages. I have mainly used them to get FREE stuff from Shutterfly which is awesome for us because I have a slight addiction with their website.............just thought I would share this little tid bit of info.

; 32 Weeks

Baby's now the size of a squash!

Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. He's probably in the head-down position by now, with his bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for his body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make him eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If he's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)  By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

~Pregnancy Highlights~

Due Date: May 6, 2011 
Total weight gain: 22 lbs.
Cravings: spicy, spicy, spicy & of course sweets
Sleep: stinks
I can't live without: my body pillow
I miss: sleep
I am looking forward to: my appt. next Thusday & getting  more done on his nursery 
Milestones: I am at the every 2 week appts so I am pretty excited about that
Exercise: walking 3 mornings a week & I have been walking our stairs every night
Diet:  my sweet tooth is back; I ate 2 snickers & 1 milky way yesterday & they weren't the fun sized ones :(
Maternity Clothes:  pants yes - shirts a mixture
Movement: all day & night & it is the BEST feeling in the world
Gender: Boy; Colton Lee
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks
Belly Shots: (hubbs was out so I did my photos myself........please excuse them)

Bubbles Are Fun.......

We were having some nice weather a few days ago but it has since turned cold, rainy & very windy; the nice weather only got me more in the mood & ready for warm spring temperatures, sunshine & outdoor fun.  I think it did the same for for outdoor loving son as well; his new found love is bubbles.  I had some that you just blow yourself but couldn't get enough of them blown fast enough for him so I went to Walmart & got one of those little gun things that blows them really fast & he loved it & was entertained chasing them outside for a good hour.

Our boxer is kind of a nut job & loves to jump & bite them; B was getting upset that she kept doing it so I had to lock her in the house for a little bit so he could catch them by himself.

Inner Struggles

I am my own worst enemy & my biggest critic & even though I know that is the case with a lot of people I sometimes most of the time wish I just had a little more faith & confidence in myself.  I tend to beat myself up about the majority of things that I do, make decisions regarding & especially on my parenting abilities or as I tend to see it my failures as a mom.

The biggest thing that I think makes me a "failure" as a mom is the fact the B is in daycare 2 days a week yet I call myself a SAHM; can I even call myself that since he is in daycare?  I joke to people that he is in daycare so that I can have my sanity days but the reality is those days are crazy for me & fun for him; he is there for the learning aspect of daycare but also for the social interaction that he gets with other kids.  I felt so blessed & thankful when my boss at the time told me that I could bring him to work with me; I thought "who could ask for a better scenario, right?"  Well when B was colicy all the time NOT just at night & it was at about 3 months old when I really started to have the biggest struggle with balancing getting work done while still caring for my amazing little guy...........at about 4 months I could no longer handle both & we decided that something had to change & that is when B entered daycare.  When we 1st put him in daycare we looked at several different places & fell in love with the Goddard School; that is where we enrolled him & where he has grown & thrived ever since. When we made the decision for me to be a SAHM we debated whether to remove him completely from a place that he loved & was thriving at or not & our final decision was to keep him going there for 2 days.  Even though Lance & I agreed on this together; this decision made me feel like a failure at something I hadn't even started doing.

I  think that Lance thought that B should be in daycare 1st & foremost for the social interaction but also because he is not really around much to help out like a normal husband would be with a 9-5 & weekend off type job.  Lance leaves the house at 7am & doesn't get home usually until around 8pm so he misses out on just about the whole day with our little guy; I know that there are single moms out there that do the mommy thing all by themselves day in & day out.....24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 a year & their kids turn out perfectly but I think that my hubby sees me being a married mommy that in reality is kind of a single mommy as something that daycare helps out with somehow & don't misunderstand it really does help me out tremendously BUT shouldn't he be home with me since I am home?

I do not spend my 2 days away from my little man out partying with the girls or shopping; my "2 days off" are spent in our home scrubbing, organizing & cleaning the house, running errands, lately preparing for Colton, going to prenatal doctor appts. & occasionally I will get my hair done &/or get my nails & toes done (but that is a rarity too).   I know that most of these things could be done with B at home with me or when Lance is at home but again that is really only Sundays & that is our family day so I really don't want to spend that precious & very important family time cleaning & running errands.

I have been talking to Lance about taking B out of daycare but he is kind of set against that all together & has actually been talking about B going 3 days a week soon since Colton will be arriving in 8 weeks & he thinks that it will be good for all 3 of us.  I see where he is coming from but boy when he brought this up did I feel like he thought I was a huge failure & couldn't handle being a mom.  I know that he really doesn't feel that way & I am not seeing the rational side of what he is saying because I am emotionally & physically exhausted due to the fact that I am pregnant & not sleeping AT ALL but still it hurt me to hear him say it.

We are both very worried about how B is going to react to Colton's arrival & we are both worried about changing anything (like removing him from daycare) at this point in time & would really like to keep him in his routine as much as humanly possible once C arrives so that he doesn't feel like the baby has made everything change & he feels left out or neglected in any way.  We do understand that there will of course be an adjustment period but we would like for it to be a smooth process & not one filled with unnecessary changes.  I began looking at different things a few months ago & my hope was to have B out of daycare & into some local play groups but that has been a whole different challenge.

I am not sure if I am socially retarded when it comes to meeting or talking to other moms but I really have had a difficult time finding groups that fit our schedule (maybe I am just being too picky?).  I told Lance that I will try to find some playgroups for B, C & I to join so that I can still ensure that B gets his play & social time but honestly it really has been a struggle & easier said than done.  I really can not stress how much we believe social interaction & play time with other children is at his age & (not to mention) I was also hoping to meet some other SAHM's BUT (& maybe it's just me) finding a play group to "try out" that fits our schedule has become really difficult & I would any suggestions on how do find groups for kids B's age?

All in all I guess I just needed to get these feeling & emotions out of my head & on paper so I could in turn figure them out.  I am sure that there are people that will cringe at our decisions & have there opinion's regarding our choices; so be it but I would really just like some/any helpfully suggestions & not criticism since I criticize & question myself enough!!

Wordless Wednesday ;

We went to his cousin Max's 1st baseball game & he had a blast!!

If you look at the shadow you will see his JuJu getting ready to give him some Rice Krispy Treat; a new fave.

She's almost done unwrapping it & he is WAY to excited......

Eating said treat while watching the game........

19 Months ;

My little man.........how are you already 19 months old?  How are you already 5 months away from your 2nd birthday??  Why are you growing up so fast??

You are so happy all of he time but I feel like over the last month you have been struggling to stay healthy; if your nose is not running your eyes are yucky & if none of that is happening you are sleeping poorly & that makes me one sad momma.  I think that you are having growing pains like your momma used to & if that is the case than I feel horrible; I remember mine from a very young age & they were very painful but there is nothing that I can do except pray that they are soon gone.

You are all over the place all the time; you are very active, curious, sneaky & if you could you would be outside 24/7.  You are quite the little climber & love to jump on anything & everything.....even if you are just standing still you'll jump.  You are using your words more & more & pointing/whining less & less.  You tend to get very frustrated when trying to communicate with your daddy & I but we are working on it & are shocked each day with what comes out of your mouth.  In no time at all I know that you'll be talking up a storm!!

You love mommy's camera BUT only when you can push the button yourself..........otherwise you won't even look at me & run away!!  You of course HATE the word no & even tend to hit at the air & sometimes us when it is said to you; so a Goodson style of time out has joined the family & it seems to really be helping.

Coloring is another one of your favorite past times; every color is "puu-ple" & you even say that when you just want me to get the crayons & coloring book out but again I know that in no time at all you'll know the difference between "puu-ple" & coloring & even start learning your colors.

You LOVE being outside & thankfully we have had some very nice weather so we have been able to get out a lot; it does seem that you have allergies but you never let that stop you from having a good time.  You always have to have a ball in your hands when we are outside & you love to play catch & throw the ball over & over & over.  You make sure to keep mommy in very good shape that's for sure.  You are a very social little man & never ever have you met a stranger...........

This little boy was very sweet to let you point out the "puppies" on his shirt at least 30 times!!  You say "hieeeee" & bye-bye to each & every person that we walk by; whether it be at the grocery store, the park, the mall.........wherever we are you are making sure people know that you are there & that they feel welcome there too.

We are having trouble finding pants to fit you since you are so tall & skinny; 18 months still fit your little waste but are too short so we are ready for spring/summer & shorts!!  I know that baggy pants are in style right now but diaper butt hanging out is not the way I want you be seen each & every day.  You are in a size 5 diaper, size 6 shoe & 2T shirts; I feel like all of your sizes are all over the place but you look cute in each & everything that I put you in............who says a momma needs a little girl to dress up??

You have a very big & loving heart & have even started to hold hands like a pro.  At first you hated this & just wanted to be free to run but thankfully have realized that it really isn't so bad.  You continue to give the best hugs & kisses & I hope that doesn't stop the older you get.  

Your independence is something to be desired; you think that you can do everything on your own all of the time but have proven time & time again that this really isn't the case.  You still prefer to eat with your hands but that is only because the spoon & fork hold you back from the food getting into your mouth quickly; we are working on this everyday & soon enough I hope & pray that we will get through a meal without having to change you shirt or pants.  You are still a huge fan of brushing your teeth & really enjoy washing your hands too.  You manners are impeccable & you always say "peese" & "tank-u" you when you want or receive something.

You are a blessing each & every day & your daddy & I couldn't have asked for a more perfect little angel.  We worry about your reaction to Colton & can only hope & pray that you always know that we love you very much & we do have enough love for both you & your brother.  We pray that you are the best of friends & only beat each other up on a rare occasion.  We tend to worry a little less knowing that you are so loving & sweet but worry none the less because we would never want you to be upset & hurt & not be able to make you feel better or help you.