Don't come crying to me

I think my child is going to be one of those boys that has to learn lessons the hard way.

Case in Point:

I was feeding him lunch Saturday. We were acting silly and having a good ole time. Jake (our dog...our large dog) was standing beside Lil Man's highchair. My sweet, loving (not so much!) child decides to start messing with Jake. He would hold out a piece of food, wait for Jake to come closer, and then jerk his hand back while laughing like a loon. This goes on for a few minutes. I can see that Jake is getting ready to pounce. (This has happened several times before. So...we all knew what was coming.) Lil Man does it more one time. Jake nips his fingers and takes the food.

My reaction: Nothing. Total straight face.

Lil Man's reaction: Looks at me. Pokes his lip out. His eyes water a little bit.

My reaction: "Don't look at me. You did it so don't cry about it now."

Lil Man's reaction: Looks at me. Looks at Jake. Gets "the LOOK" on his face and tries to hit Jake on the head.

My reaction: I turn my head so I can laugh.

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I all for loving and mothering on my child. I'm really not a cold-hearted mother, but I am a firm believer in letting him figure some things out on his own. This is a scenario that has played out several times. The first few times..... Lil Man would actually cry. I would comfort him and tell him it was ok but he couldn't do that to Jake. So now, he doesn't cry [grin] but tries to "get back" at Jake.

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My child is starting to show some temper. He is starting to hit when he doesn't get what he wants or his way. The Hubby and I are learning how to deal with this new behavior.. I firmly believe children should come with instruction manuals. :) Life would be so much easier.

Change of plans

I was all prepared to rant away tonight. It's been crappy weekend because Lil Man had a slight ear infection to end the week as well as pink eye. I've got a nasty cold. The Hubby worked insane hours Wed, Thurs, and Friday.........

change of plans.......

Instead, say a prayer for this little guy!!! I certainly am. Things might be kind of crappy around here but they're still good. Baby Stellan is fighting for his life.

You can go here to read about what's going on.

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

The time you would have spent reading a 5 minute post........ Will you say a prayer instead?

Jake still has to poop

even though Daddy is working late.



Mommy still needs to exercise even though Daddy is working late.



So..........


this is how I roll even though (because) Daddy is working late!!

Yep, that's right. It's raining! And my mommy still puts me in the jogger and off we go. But luckily for me, she got me a cover for my jogger. She and Jake are getting wet. I'm "snug as a bug in a rug!"

Love,

Lil Man

Better watch out!

Lil Man and I came home one afternoon last week. We always come in and greet Jake. I put Lil Man down and went to dump all that I had in my arms on the kitchen counter. As I turned to see what Lil Man was doing, this is what I saw.

My child was trying to escape and steal my car in the process. :)

When I asked what he was doing, this was the response I got. He turned, looked at me, and grinned like a fool.

Lil Man and his sidekick!! Not sure where they thought they were going. Maybe they're both ready for our afternoon walk??

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There's a lot going on around this joint these days.

We picked up Lil Man from my parents' last night when we got back into town. He was sporting a new "injury". He tripped while playing and hit his chin on the hearth....while my dad was watching him. I hate for my child to be hurt but have to say I'm glad it happened while his Poppa was "watching" him. My dad gives everyone a hard time about keeping an eye on Lil Man at all times and not letting anything happen to him. But this just proves a point, things will happen beyond our control at times. Serves Dad right!! :)

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My MIL came up today to keep Lil Man and spend some time with him. (You know what this means don't you?! Clean laundry!!!) Monday was MIL's bday. I got a phone call from her Monday morning thanking me for the flowers I had sent to her from a local florist. THen later this afternoon, FIL came up to see Lil Man. (Yes my child is spoiled and pampered by both sets of grands!! He loves it!! And truthfully, I love it for him. I remember spending time with my grandparents when I was little. It was such fun!) We all went to dinner together to celebrate. My darling husband met us for dinner then went back to work. He'll roll in sometime later on.

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My Conversation with Hubby as we were driving to Raleigh Monday afternoon:

Me: "Your mom called this morning and thanked me for the flowers."

Hubby: "Oh! Just you?"

Me: "Yes, just me. She said I know you did it." Referring to knowing the flowers came from me; I just put Hubby's, Lil Man's and my name on the card. I died laughing at this point.

Hubby: "Well, she's a punk." I died laughing again.

Me: "What can I say? You didn't marry a fool! This girl knows what to do." [Grin]

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**Hubby is doing some serious working tonight, tomorrow night and Friday night. Lil Man and I are on our own. We might just have to find something to get ourselves into, or we might just hang out and play at home. It's supposed to rain for the next 3 days. So...hanging out at the house is seeming like what might happen.

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The Hubby has some thinking to do concerning our trip to Raleigh. This could prove to be a job opportunity that he can't pass up. Right now.... there are a lot of "what ifs" and unknowns. We're praying about it and just waiting to see what happens next.

Haaaaning Out

****UPDATE****

We're on the road back home now. I got a nice little tour of Raleigh for a couple of hours. Actually, I plugged shopping into my nav, found a mall to hang out at, and did some browsing.

Can't wait to see Lil man!!! I know it's only been 24 hrs but still. :)

The meeting was just that ....a meeting. Something may or may not come of it. We shall see.

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I'm sitting in a hotel room just hanging out.

I traveled with The Hubby to a meeting he is attending this morning. We left Lil Man with my parents for the night; Jake with my bro and SIL. (I enjoy being off with The Hubby alone, but I sure to miss being at home knowing my little one is sleeping upstairs snug in his bed.)

So..... I just chillin and playing around on the computer.

Babysitting Update

I've gotten some feedback regarding using babysitters other than family. My parents live close by, and The Hubby & I normally let them keep Lil Man when we want a night out to ourselves.

So...... The Hubby and I discussed getting a local teen to start doing some sitting for us. We wanted someone that is a freshman or sophomore in high school that we can stick with for several years. We have someone in mind that we're probably going to use.

Yesterday, The Hubby played in a law enforcement softball tournament at a local park. I invited BS (babysitter) to tag along with Lil Man and me. I wanted to get to know her personally and see how she interacted with Lil Man; and he with her. It went very well!!! I feel so much more comfortable with the idea than I did before.

Our next step (which a fellow blogger suggested) is to have BS over while I'm home. I think I'll let her come over while I've got some things to do and let her watch Lil Man. This way she can get comfortable in our home and learn where everything is. I'll be here to help her if she has any questions.

I truly want her to feel comfortable and at home at our place. I want her to feel like a part of us...... not someone just stopping by to keep my child.

Bottom line: We're moving forward with the whole babysitting deal.

I'll keep you updated, and if you think of some other words of advice......leave them! :) They will be much appreciated. Thanks!

Fishing

Today was a beautiful day!!! We live near a lake (our subdivision has waterfront lots as well as interior lots.... we live interior. :) anyway....with that little insight.

My parents wanted to take Lil Man out on the lake today. We took him several times last year with some good friends but he was kind of too little to get it.

I was not present for this outing; The Hubby was not present either. They came to the boat slips in our subdivision and picked Lil Man up.

Here he is "driving" the boat with Poppa.



He realizes Nana is taking his picture so he feels the need to cheese for the camera.

Lil Man and Poppa fishing.

Playing with the minnows. Story pertaining to minnow to follow!!!

Thought throwing minnows into the lake was more fun than fishing with them.

Minnow Story: My dad and Lil Man were fishing, and it was time to put the rods away to move to a different spot. My dad took the dead minnow off the hook and handed it to my child to hold and look at. Dad turned away to do something, when he turned back to my child.........

THE MINNOW'S TAIL WAS THE ONLY THING THAT COULD BE SEEN FROM LIL MAN'S MOUTH!!!

My child had stuck the dead minnow in his mouth when my dad wasn't looking. Dad says to me when they came back, "He didn't want to let it go. I had to stick my finger in his mouth to get it."

Future sushi lover maybe! Ha Ha

Finally Friday

I have Spring Fever!!

The weather is beautiful, and I want to be "playing" outside. As of right now though, I'm sitting in the office attempting to do some work.

Work these days is amazing. Our company is doing good. It's not all fun and games by any means but we're hanging in there and will still be standing when this economy levels out some. It's an "everyone is out for themselves" kind of environment right now. Me, Myself, and I seems to be where loyalties lay.

Not a whole lot on the agenda this weekend. The Hubby is playing in a softball tournament tomorrow at a local park. Lil Man and I will probably pack us a picnic and go hang out to "watch" the games. I'm thinking of calling the teen that we've talked to about doing some babysitting and seeing if she would like to tag along so Lil Man and I can get to know her. As I even type it........ I'm getting little nervous.

It has nothing to do with the babysitter. (The Hubby knows her as well as her family pretty darn well so it's not a matter of trust.) It's a matter of this mommy letting someone other than grandparents keep my baby. What's a girl to do??????

What did you do the first time someone kept your child?

What kind of ground rules did you put in place?

She can pretty much name her price as far as I'm concerned as long as my child has the BEST, UNDIVIDED ATTENTION she can offer. Oh the joys of motherhood. :)

Play Day

I'm at home today...... playing with Lil Man. We're having a play date together.....all day long. :)

My mom called first thing this morning saying she woke up with some kind of stomach bug. The Hubby had meetings all morning, so I'm the one staying at home.....with a healthy little boy playing and hanging out!!! :)

It's a beautiful day so we're playing outside and watching the tractor next door working on the footings for our soon to be neighbor's house.

Our Night Out

Do you remember when I was talking about what dress I was going to wear?....then I wasn't, I was going with another one. Here's the pictures of that night.

The Hubby and I went to a local charity gala that supports 3 charities in our county and two neighboring counties. Our company purchased a table so it was my parents, two of our superintendents along with their wives, and the Hubby and me.

My parents.

My mom and me.

The hubby and me.

Let me say this ....... the next day, The Hubby says to me, "I wouldn't mind doing something like that 2 or 3 times a year." I about fell out!! The man just admitted he enjoyed the evening in our evening attire. He's awesome!!! :)

When I grow up

.....what did you want to be or do when you "grew up"?

Now that I'm "grown up"..... I think about those days before being an adult.

Before: bills, owning a house, being married, having a baby, knowing what's going on in the world, understanding economy woes.

I wouldn't change a thing where I'm at now in my life. I have a very good life, but to think of being a child and having "no worries." I kind of miss those days. The blissful innocence of being young..... I hope my little boy enjoys each and every minute!!!

Weather

Oh and let me add.......

We left 85 degree weather yesterday morning. We came home to 40 degree weather.

Can you say bummer??!!

Fun Family Time

We had a BLAST at Disney last week.

We got to Florida late Sunday night. Monday we just hung out at the house and let the kids play and swim.

Tuesday the fun began. We headed for Magic Kingdom around 10:30ish. Let me just say getting to the park was work in itself. Packing for kids....(and we only have 1) it's not the easiest job. Holly and Philip have two little ones so they had even more to worry about taking.

The Hubby and I decided we wanted to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. Lil Man was on board with us. Maybe ....... this was not the most child appropriate ride we could have chosen. Lil Man did good though.... only had one little scary moment.

Here's the picture as we are arriving on the ferry to actually get to the park.



Holly and and her Lil Man on the ferry ride.


Our handsome fellas doing daddy duty. Thank goodness for nice strollers. The children spent a good deal of time in them that's for sure.

Waiting on the train to arrive to take a ride around the park. This was Lil Man's style. He didn't care about any of the rides per say...... but put him on a train, truck or boat and he's good to go.

"All aboard!"

We had heard that the firework display was awesome. On the first day, we really had no plans to stay and watch. We were going to come back the next night. Well..... slight change of plans. We were at the park later than we thought we would be so we just ate dinner and stayed for the show. And a show it was.

Here's a picture of the castle as it was changing colors throughout the firework show. AWESOME!!

My Lil Man and and I watching the show. Can you see how tired the poor little guy is? I was so proud of how good he was during the day.

Our family shot for the day. Lil Man wouldn't let me put him down for a photo with just him and Mickey and Minnie. What you don't see is what was to come!! Minnie got fresh with my man. :) She gave him a big ole kiss!! Ha Ha

This is how Lil Man returned to the house at the end of the day. I think it was about 10:00pm when we rolled in. I got him out of the car and laid him on his bed. I then proceeded to change his diaper and put on his pj's...... all without him waking up. My baby was pooped!!

WELL RESTED AND READY TO DO IT AGAIN!!



Our second day consisted of Animal Kingdom. We thought the kids would enjoy this because of all the animals they could see.

The Hubby and Lil Man posing for me. This was as we were headed into a 3D show about bugs. Lil Man and I made it for 3 minutes before he got spooked, and I had to take him out.

We went for a safari ride. This is what our "bus" looked like.

My two loves looking at some animals.

"What's going on back there??"

Our family shot for the day. Yes..... my child and I are laughing like loons. I think we were getting a little delirious at this point. Two days of this makes for long days!

But fun we did have!!!

We took Thursday "off" and let everyone (adults included) relax. We hung out at the house again for the day, swam and napped.........even the adults.

Friday......SeaWorld. I will tell about that soon.

Sneak peek

Here's a sneek peek of what we've been doing this week. It's been a fun filled week. We've been on the go trying to get a lot in and one time. Lil Man has been a little champ. We're packing up and heading to the house in the AM.

Heading into Disney. This is an awesome site...... no matter what age you are!!

What can I say? This picture says it all I think. :)

Poor Lil Man... we just keep going and going. He hung it and enjoyed it

More to follow. I'll blog as I'm traveling down the road.

Our First Day

We just chilled today and let the kids have a fun, relaxing day. Tomorrow...... Disney, here we come!

Lil Man and Hubby hanging out by the pool. By 10:00 this morning, the kids were ready to hit the pool and have some fun.

So far... so good

We're are half way to our destination. 5 hrs down...... 5 hrs to go.

I might be jinxing myself...... so far, it's been smooth sailing. Just say a prayer that it will continue to go smoothly.


(Small side note.) If you are poking in the left lane......KINDLY MOVE ASIDE. CAUSE THIS CREW IS MOVING ON DOWN THE ROAD. THANKS!

10, 9, 8......

The countdown is officially on. I'm pumped about getting out of the office for a week, hanging with my two loves, and having fun with the Holly, Philip and the kiddos.

Countdown......


Traveling to here.......

To see this.....


But I gotta use a lot of this first......

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Things are little stressful around these parts.... as they are many places now due to the economy in the crapper. I know I have a job that is secure as does the Hubby... so my stress is A LOT less than some people's. I know I have much to be thankful for and thank the good Lord for all the many blessing each day.

I had a wonderful night to help start the celebration of a work-free / stress-free week last night with The Ladies. K prepared a kick-a dinner and totally out shown us all. I think I might join them for Thanksgiving and see what she does for a holiday meal. [Grin] A made a "mean" margarita; L corrupted her 8 yr old daughter to make some yummy beer bread. (I'M KIDDING!!!!.... about the corruption part, not the yummy part.) And LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST.... J and her delicious, homemade (store bought) Vanilla Ice Cream. ha ha.

LOVE YOU LADIES!!

And my darling husband took care of Lil Man (minus the bath part..... "I wiped him down") while I enjoyed some girl time. THANKS BABE!!

Easy Peezy

Dinner tonight consisted of this easy, yummy, no fuss recipe. If you need something quick, I highly recommend this.

Slow Cooker - Easy Italian Chicken

4 or 5 boneless chicken breast
1 pkg Good Seasonings Italian Salad Dressing Mix
1 can Petite diced tomatoes
2 tbs chopped garlic (I used minced that I buy in the jar.)
1 family size can cream of chicken soup (I used 2 regular size.)

Place ingredients in crock pot in order listed, set crock pot to low, cook for 8 hours (if you are able to stir after 4 hours do so, if not.... no biggie!). After it is done, stir chicken until is falls apart.

Serve over angle hair pasta.

A salad makes a perfect go-along.

ENJOY!!!

Catching up

I'm watching all the Real Housewives of New York tonight. Yes, I'm playing catch up.

I have to say though.... I enjoy the O.C more than these ladies.

The Hubby is working; I'm watching entertaining, trash television! Ha Ha

I could be.........

1) washing clothes

2) washing more clothes (My MIL is out of town. We are on our own as far as catching up on laundry is concerned. I realize that may sound bad.... but you know. I'm just sad she's not here. Anyway....)

3) Cleaning my closet.

4) Making a list of things that need to be done before we hit the road. (Did I fail to mention??? We're heading to Disney this weekend for the week. YAY!!!! But let me warn you, we may not be home BUT and I stress BUT.... I have a big ass dog, and there will be a cop house sitting. Ha! So don't even think about messing with this girl's casa.)

5) Making a list of things that need to be packed. (I'm a big list maker; my father has finally rubbed off on me. The man makes a list every morning on things he has to do and peeps he has to call.)

6) ............. This is pointless!! I'm not doing this stuff; I'm watching t.v., and I'll do my "to do" list later. I'm out!

Snow Day

Yes: this is the South; it is also March.

But we got some now...... acutally, I need to rephrase that. It snowed at our house but NOTHING stuck. We drove to my parents' house this morning so Lil Man could play in the snow. Did I mention they live 8 to 10 MILES AWAY? That's it!! They got 3 to 4 inches of snow, and we got nothing. CRAZY!!

My man! Ha Ha. Does he not just look thrilled to be having his picture taken??!! (He knows everything is blog material. [grin] )

Lil Man and I enjoying the "white stuff."

Checking it out. He was unsure of walking in his rubber boots. That's why he has my hand in a death grip.

"Ready, Set......... GO!"

And he's OFF!! Loving the sledding.

Being caught by his daddy.


Loving being outside and playing. My happy little boy!!

Taking his picture with Nana and Poppa.

Like a kid

I feel like a kid!!!

IT'S SNOWING!!! Can I get a heck yeah??

It's really coming down. I'm not a real big fan of the snow..... that's why I live in the South but I'm so looking forward to a play day in the snow with Lil Man, The Hubby and Jake.