Guess Who's Back???

Yes, I know I took a loooooooooooong hiatus, but, I'm back...and I mean business.  A lot has changed in the almost 3 years I have been MIA.  So, just going to start with the most important:  I now have TWO adorable boys taking up all my "free" time, instead of just one.  Makes me happier then you could ever know!

So...these guys are basically my wold.  Although, this is an older picture...and little man there, now looks my like this...

So hopefully, I will blog semi regularly again.  I would like to.  So, going to try & make it a point to do so!

Until next time...peace.

"In every one's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." ~Albert Schweitzer



All Dressed Up...

A few weeks ago we had a wedding to attend. Chris got dressed in his best attire and danced his heart out all night. When I told him it was time to get dressed in his dress clothes, he told me "I wearing my handsome clothes?" Ha!

"I'm sorry that good-looking people like us made you throw up and feel bad about yourself" ~ Zoolander

New Room...

So, now that Chris is two, we decided it was about time to give him a room that he can call his. Something that is his personality, along with nice furniture to last him. A few weeks ago we bought the furniture and the room renovation began.

The room got fresh new blue paint. Some robot decals on the wall. A new bed, chest of drawers and nightstand. A really cool robot comforter set. A little blue paint on the carpet (opps! we weren't suppose to talk about that one).

I wasn't sure what Chris would think about this. He loved his crib and struggled for a few days with switching over to the toddler bed. I assumed this would happen again...as he was going from a tiny bed...to a HUGE bed. Boy was I wrong! Chris loved it from day one! He laid right down at bedtime, kissed us goodnight...told us his bedtime "goodnight, sleep tight, I'll see you in the morning", then told us to leave, as this was his NEW room. LOL!

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

Guess Who's Back....

Wow, so, a friend brought it to my attention that this has not been updated in quite a while. Opps! Turns out, I am quite the slacker. However, I am back in buisness! Starting today, I am going to attempt to get on here again and write. So much happens in our everyday lives that is fun to share :)

For example, for Christmas, Santa brought Chris a fun tool set. It came with a hard hat and protective glasses. My friend's daughter, wore the hat and marched around singing "Yes we can" from Bob the Builder. Priceless. Chris on the other hand, seems to like to put them on together and beg to have his picture taken. After taking this picture:

I realized he reminded me of someone, but could not put a finger on it. Until Becky brought it to my attention, how much he looks like Scuba Steve (from Big Daddy...see below). Priceless! LOL!


So, he was going for constuction guy...and ended up getting scuba doll :)

You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?' ~ George Bernard Shaw

A Day at the Zoo...

Saturday we spent a very lovely morning at the zoo. The temperature outside was pleasant, the kids were in good spirits...and the animals were enjoyable! Christopher seemed to enjoy the elephants the most (surprise, surprise), while Ella was more into the monkeys and making monkey sounds. After a few hours, lots of site seeing and some lunch, everyone was exhausted! I wish every weekend was this nice!

When I was a kid I said to my Father one afternoon, "Will you take me to the zoo?" He answered, "If the zoo wants you, let them come and get you." - Jerry Lewis

What a Beutiful Mess...

Who could resist a face like this??? Really...

"I have never been aware before how many faces there are. There are quantities of human beings, but there are many more faces, for each person has several." Rilke, Rainer Maria

Dancing Fools...

"You got to sing like you don't need the money...Love like you'll never get hurt...You got to dance like nobody's watchin'...It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work"

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,May you never take one single breath for granted,GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance.I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,Never settle for the path of least resistance,Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance.(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.Dance....I hope you dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance..(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)" ~ Lee Ann Womack, I Hope You Dance

Thing 1 and Thing 2...

Spent the evening with Thing 1 and Thing 2...and boy did they wear me out! They did some playing, some singing and dancing, some reading, wathced some t.v. in their chairs, some pee-ing on the potty-ing...and when all was said and done, even they needed a rest!

"A persons a person, no matter how small." ~ Dr Seuss

Jazzercise...

"Let's get physical, physical, I wanna get physical, let's get into physicalLet me hear your body talk, your body talk, let me hear your body talk" ~ Olivia Newton-John

Glamor Shots...

Well...not quite...however, Christopher does love the camera! The other night he brought it to me and said "cheese" until I took a few pictures of him. I think we may be making his head a little big with all the pictures we are taking...because he actually started posing :O


Thinking about what poses to do...



Trying to give his "tough guy" look, but he kept laughing...

Smiling for the camera

“The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others." ~ William Lyon Phelps

Weekend Getaway...

A few weekends ago, we decided we all needed to get away! Life was just getting to crazy and we all needed a break. So, we packed up the car and headed to good ol' Indy. We spent the weekend swimming (which Chris LOVED), visiting the Children's museum and eating at yummy resturaunts. It was such a good time that we can't wait to do it again!

The day we left, as we were walking past the pool on the way out...even Chris became teary-eyed to have to return home. Luckily, we have wonderful memories and a new weekend vacation spot!

Swimming like a fish! Naying like a horse! Driving his 1st car ; )

"Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer." ~ Unknown

Bathroom Break...

Everyday I come home and watch the Ellen Show that I DVR'd. Chris usually runs around playing and laughing...and even gets up to dance when Ellen dances after her monolog.
Today on the show, Ellen asked for video's of people singing in the bathroom...as she has recently had to duo Ren On The Rocks (check youtube.com for the videos) on her show.
So, tonight, while using the bathroom before bedtime, Chris and I did a little singing of our own! Now...it would have gone better if he had not been so distracted by the toliet paper roll (or lack there of since he wouldn't stop tearing it up)!
So...relax...sit back...and enjoy the show!

(and ps...pay attention if you are watching Ellen ever...you may see our budding star!)

"Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it." ~ Lou Rawls

What a Slacker...

Today I realized that I have completely neglected my blog. Not really sure the reason why? At first I thought it was because I was working again...but then I remembered I started this blog when I was working...makes no sense. Then, I thought, maybe I just don't have enough time lately. However, it is the winter...and time is all I have. Could be because I spend less time on the internet...but lets face it, we all know that is a lie!

Whatever the reason if/was...I have realized the error of my ways and I am back in the blogging buisness. There will hopefully be no more long breaks.

Since I last wrote on here a lot has happened. I obviously started a new job. Not a job I am fond of, but a new job none-the-less.

We bought new furniture, but unfortunately the store we bought it from decided to send us something other then what we bought. Hopefully, this will be corrected tomorrow.

My grandma's sister passed away. This made me more sad then I thought it would. We were not extremly close, however, close enough. I think the thought of losing someone close to my grandma just brought up emotions that I am still not ready to deal with a year and a half later.

On the bright side of things...Chris pee'd on the potty! That is very exciting! Every night before his bath or before his pajama's we sit him on his potty, so that he can get comfortable sitting on it. Last week though...he went the extra mile...and actually used the potty! I was actually in the process of taking this picture when I heard it :) I couldn't resist a naked potty shot of my baby...so I was lucky enough to catch it on camera!

Other then that...I guess things are pretty much the same. Life is moving...not sure in which direction...but as long as it is moving...I guess I can't complain!

"Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried." ~ Unknown

The Grinch...

Today I think I officially became the Grinch. From the time I woke up today, all I talked about was taking down the tree and getting all the Christmas stuff put away. Although I love the holiday season, when it is over...I am over it!

I want it to be warm so we can go play outside. I want to turn the heat off and open some windows...I need fresh air! I don't want to bundle up everytime we go outside. But most of all...I want us all to get over these colds we keep passing around!

Now that Christmas is over, I am looking forward to spring. Problem is...the winter has not even hit us full-force yet. Anyone who lives in Cincinnati, knows that winter isn't here until there is 6 feet of snow on the ground, all schools are cancelled and everyone has made a mad dash to the grocery store for everything on the shelves. This has not happened so far. I know, just like everyone else, we will not be out of the clear until probably April.

However, today someone played a cruel trick on us. Today, we broke a 20 year old record. Today...it was 70 degrees. Christmas was 2 days ago...and today...it was 70.

Tomorrow...it will be freezing again...and we will be stuck indoors...and my cold will probably be a little worse then yesterday.

How can I not be the Grinch????

“If you treat a sick child like an adult and a sick adult like a child, everything usually works out pretty well" ~ Ruth Carlisle

Little Linus...

I Think we have a little Linus on our hands. Ever since Chris was little, the one thing that could get him to sleep in a second was a soft blanket. He would curl up with his blanket, put his thumb in his mouth and within minutes, was fast asleep. Now that he is a little older, he carries his blankets all around the house with him. If he can't find a blanket close by when he is sleepy...a stuffed animal will do...or your pants leg if you are wearing something soft.

Although I never understood the comfort of a blanket, if the end result is looking this peacefull...I may start carrying one around myself!

Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. ~Robert Fulghum

Time on Our Hands....

Chris and I have found a little extra time on our hands lately. With no job to report to and nothing else on the agenda most days...we have gotten to spend some much needed time together! Although I was sad to go back to work when maternity leave was over, I am glad that I have this time now to spend with him, since he is a little older.
On Tuesday we went to the Children's Museum. The 1st time we came here, Chris was probably 9 months old. He was crawling around, but not walking yet. Although there were pleanty of things for him to climb on and play with, he was just beginning to get a sense of his freedom. This week when we went, he was into everything :) It was soooo neat to see him using his imagination and playing with other kids. Christopher was finally tall enough to play at the water table...which he enjoyed...and so did his soaked clothes (the jacket was all for looks apparently)! The last thing he did before we left was play with the musical instuments. Turns out...I think we have the next Beethoven on our hands ; )
The day ended with lunch out and a nice long nap...resulting in smiles for all!

When I grow up I want to be a little boy. ~Joseph Heller, Something Happened, 1974

O Christmas Tree...

Last week we put up our Christmas Tree trying to get into the holiday spirit. It looks really great...which is why it must be soooo appealing to Christopher! The day after it went up...we spent the entire day trying to keep him off of it.
I think he finally got it though. He now walks into the room...stands really close and tells the tree "bad bad" and shakes his finger at it. I hope we haven't traumatized him! LOL.

“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” ~ Larry Wilde

Winter is finally here...

I was looking through my camera today to upload a few pictures I had...and I came across this one.

This was only taken a few weeks ago. It was a nice day out and we were able to sneak in one last trip to the park.

All of my life I have loved fall and winter. They were my favorite seasons hands down. However, now that I have a child...I get a little depressed when it gets cool out. I know that it is just the beginning of months of being trapped indoors without a lot to do. I mean, sure we have games to play, toys to enjoy, books to read and shows to watch. But, when it is warmer out...our choices are endless!

So, I guess today I will stay inside and turn up the heat...and dream about warm days, when we can swing again!

"There are only two seasons, winter and baseball." ~ Bill Veeck

Exhausted...

The past two weeks have been a little stressful, not knowing what is going at with my job and what-not. Every night when I lay down to sleep...I just lay there. No matter how tired I am...I can't seem to get to sleep. I think about what happened at work that day, what will happen the next day, what I am going to do if (but most likely when) I get laid off. 1000 things run through my mind...and nothing I really want to be thinking of. Then, about 2 or 3 in the morning, I usually wake back up and start thinking the same thoughts. They just won't seem to get out of my head. Or...if I do by chance stay asleep, I am having dreams or nightmares about work.

So frustrating!!! I am a planner...and this not knowing is killing me! I spend all day exhausted because I am not sleeping well at night. All I want to do is nap...but then I am back to thinking about work. I wish I was still a little kid and could sleep whenever and wherever I wanted...wouldn't that be nice?!?! Maybe I wouldn't feel so exhausted!

If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep. ~Dale Carnegie

Halloween...

We had such a good time passing out candy this year :) Chris was so excited to see everyone in their costumes. We had about double the turn out too.

Chris and Ella looked adorable in their costumes and had a great time showing them off.

A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween. ~Erma Bombeck