I'm Just Me

It's been a looong time!

2009-01-08T03:48:00.000-08:00

Katie was born on October 20th at 5:33am.I had a scheduled Csection on the 24th but she decided her time was up all on her own! Griffin has had a language explosion and repeats everything.He even repeats sentences-but most of the time he doesn't know what those sentences mean.Most of the time he is talking in two words sentences though and those he understands.This is a new phase with Griffin.Not just language but attitude and just everything.He is growing up :(

8 or is it 7 more days

2008-10-17T03:58:00.001-07:00

Until our new baby Katie Grace is here...It has been awhile!

Lazy Saturday

2008-07-12T07:34:00.001-07:00

Usually I find something for us to do but I guess this wekend we have to make up our own fun.#We'll probably end up going to the park (at the end of the day when the equipment isn't hot enough to burn Griffin's hands.I have been procrastinating on all the wonderful organizing I have to do but have moved forward slowly.I really need to get my butt in gear and actually get something accomplished right? It must be a summer thing, or a pregnancy thing or maybe just an excuse thing that I don't have much umph to do anything.The months ahead seem to be a mound of work lol I think I feel blah.My mil will be coming aroudn the first week of August though and we will be driving 4 hours to see Joe's cousins for the weekend in New Bern,NC.It'll be nice but for some reason they "feel funny" about people spending the night.They always say "won't you be more comfortable in a hotel room".I think to myself "uh no I wouldn't feel more comfortable spending $200 to stay in town for 2 days on our very tight budget" and it just boggles my mind that they aren't open enough to say yeah throw a sleeping bag down and sleep wherever.My family on the other hand, would think you were wierd if you wanted to go to a hotel and would insist you stay-even if it was on the floor.I mean what's the big deal? To spend $100 a night on a hotel to see your family is crazy to me.I know some people don't like you sleeping on their couch but if they are willing to sleep on your floor what should you care.I don't get Joe's family sometimes honestly.So they haven't seen us since January.I already told Joe's mom we don't have the money to stay in a hotel and she said she would talk to them because she doesn't either and she thinks it is ridiculous too.She is already spending the money on airfare and we are spending the money on gas to get there.Maybe it is a long Island thing? Whatever so that is about all that is going on....

July 4th weekend

2008-07-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

Well we had a nice weekend.We pretty much did nothing on Saturday but my husband really was ancy and wanted "to do something besides sit around" so we took a trip a couple hours away to Boone,NC and rented a hotel room with a heated pool.I use the term "heated" because it didn't feel like it but Griffin loved swimming.We went out to dinner and took him to Tweetsie Railroad for something to do.He was really young for most of it but enjoyed the choo choo rides and the cloggin and dancing shows.next year when he is bigger he'll enjoy it much more.His attention span is all about 10 seconds on his best days so considering that and his age he had a good time.I told Joe to enjoy this because in a year or two he'll be begging for icecream,begging to go on all the rides and whatever else lol He was so tired at the end he fell asleep before we even got out of the parking lot lol I have been trying to pack up all his clothes that are too small for him and get organized.I bought him a really nice dresser for $10 at a garage sale a few weeks ago and I still have to paint it.We also got 5 small bags of clothes for our little girl due October 25th so I have to sort that to see what we still need.We did get some sleepers and things so at least we have some things for her.I'm not gonna buy any bibs or anything because even though they are blue in color all they do is get messy anyways so.I still have to get a new breast pump, some bottles and I was thinking about a different bath tub than the one we used for Griffin-a bigger one.So there is much to do here.One of the projects I'd like to finish this summer is Griffin's baby book scrap book and our photo albums-which os a huge project in itself so it'll go slow but my goal is to have that done soon.The weather has been beautiful-hot and humid but more of a breeze than I remember there being last summer.I was dreading being pregnant in the summer but so far so good.That could change quick here though.This summer sun is brutal.Well I shall update soon and hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Please interpret me mama

2008-07-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Ok so my son is a fruit addict.He has narrowed down watermelon and strawberries to being his favorite but he still loves grapes and pineapple.He isn't sure about cantalope yet.He still loves the old stand bys like pears and peaches and raisins but watermelon and strawberries feverishly go in his mouth like he hasn't eaten in 3 years.It is really funny to see him start begging for certain things he likes to eat and so funny when he tries something new.We've had the video camera out more and more this week.He wasn't too into corn on the cob since he wasn't biting it hard enough and thought the cob was a stick to be thrown lol So I ended up cutting the corn off of the cob and he munched it right up.Seems he is quite the corn lover these days.He seems to be quite the meat lover as well.He likes salami, pepperoni, turkey, ground beef, steak. He isn't into potatoes anymore and green beans and spinach don't seem to have the same appeal anymore either.I'm trying to gove him a big variety of food so he doesn't become picky.Of course I notice sometimes he refuses to try something and I make him eat it and once he gets that first bite he is usually into it and starts feeding himself lol It is really wierd.I can finally see that he is geting a bit taller and he just looks "bigger" to me and bulkier.He just turned 17 months on the 26th and although he really isn't talking yet he definately expresses what he wants and doesn't want all day loong lol We do get repeated sounds a lot but I still don't understand what he is trying to say.He has an 18 month check up in about a month so it'll be interesting to see what she says about him not talking.He babbles like he is havign a full blown conversation with you-including head movements,talking hands you name it and it is so darn cute to see him look up at you his head bobbing up and down talking away-but hell if I know what he's trying to say lol He did say "ish" for about a week when referring to fish and bab when referring to the baby in my belly but then as always I don't hear it again.I will have to update after we see the doctor.The 4th of July on Friday is gonna be a long day.We have a parade at 9am and a cookout with a neighborhood group right after then the waterpark party is starts at 1pm then later there is music and fireworks in the park.We live in a small town (which is much bigger than the small town I grew up in) so it is nice to attend family events here and the town is very family oriented.If I don't blog before then have a great 4th everyne!

Today

2008-06-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Is gonan be a slow day.I just feel it-the heat is already blazing.I haven't slept very well at night and Griffin has shocked me by twice-yes twice sleeping in until 830am.It's like I went to heaven or something.Usually I'm up at 7am wether he's awake or not but restless nights must be catching up to me.I'm sure this won't turn into a regular sleeping habit for him but once in awhile it is a nice treat.We haven't done much this week excpet make homeade pizza,go to the library,swim in his pool everyday (for a max of 5 minutes before he starts jumping out lol),stuff like that.I really want to go to the store today and try to find him some poster sized paper so he can color.Maybe if I can find some washable markers I'l consider it but for now he has crayons.His attention span is so short it's funny.He's onto something different a minute after he is totally into something else.So keeping his preoccupied is a challenge.The poor baby has been living on tons of grapes,raisins and watermelon all week but he loves it and it is good for him so there is no harm.I think I've cause dan addiction to watermelon though lol I got corn on the cob to have for Saturday and since Griffin loves corn I can't wait to see what he does with it on the cob.It is so funny and entertaining to watch him eat sometimes and Joe and I have been shooting some of it with the video camera.We have him eating spaghtti,pizza,watermelon,raisins,cereal. I guess we're easily amused lol He is quite the monkey and has to be watched every minute because he tends to stand up and jump off any of the furniture he climbs.We have to remind him to sit and he is getting better (I think lol) so I hope this is just a daredevil phase? I don't think he understands about the baby but he rubs my tummy and kisses it when I tell him there is a baby inside.I tell him nice and show him how to rub it so I think he is just mimicking me-but it is so cute anyways lol We were supposed to go to an outside pool playdate tomorrow but boo I have a doctors appt Oh well.I will update soon!

It's been so long

2008-06-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

Well it has been awhile.My parents and my sister were here for two weeks and then I went to NY for a visit with Griffin for two weeks and I hadn't had much to say before that so well I'm back.Just trying to get caught up on "my house".I have a newly painted kitchen.Gone is the very very ugly wall paper and here to stay is nice white walls.It was a tough job.3 coats of paint ugh! It is so worth it looking at the end product though.It was a depressing dark maroon almost a brown I'd say.We also got a used Kia Sedona minivan to prepare us for transporting two babies.We are having a girl.It is still unbelievable to me and I feel sooooo lucky because I always assumed I'd have all boys like my sisters.I am 22 weeks right now and time is flying by.I know in a few weeks time will seem to have slown down and I will feel more uncomfortable.I am not looking forward to the dreaded back pain I experienced in my first pregnancy.All that weight on my smaller frame made me walk in pain for months.Oh the joys of pregnancy right? lol Well I will be back to update.

Money and Mums the word

2008-05-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I guess that has been why I have been so quiet-money or the lack there of... It has become apprent that we may need a different car-especially when the new baby comes.Problem is-there is no room in the budget for a car payment and the whole thing has spun me into a bit of depression as I have to figure out how to bring in money and make sure my son is taken care of... So I haven't been much into talking about other things for awhile since I am having this inner battle.I don't judge other people by saying this-it is just how I feel-and I feel wrong for having someone take care of MY CHILD we created 40 hours a week just because of the allmighty dollar.I am a terrible decision maker so to solve this problem I have to do lots of research and figure out some sort of solution so I have been trying to do just that lately.I am just having ahard time with it emotionally and to top it all off when I lived in NY the job market there was so bad.I mean so bad as in people with Masters degrees competing for $8 jobs.Hence the last coupdl fo jobs I had were low pay and sucked so bad.My resume looks awful and I just frankly have no confidence when it comes to getting a job at all so that adds to this dilema.I guess I will figure it out I have to somehow.Plus I'm pregnant and I don't know how employers react to that thinking I will be gone 8 weeks int he near future.Oh what to do-it is such a dilema.I am looking forward going to NY for a couple weeks around the 22nd and when I get back then I can look for some type of job.It would be nice to visit some people I know,especially family,I need it right now.

I'm still here

2008-05-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have been not in the talking mood for a few weeks.I am still reading other blogs but have just been doing a lot of thinking and such and I tend to not have a lot to say or more accurately I don't want to say any thing if that makes sence lol I have had Joe's father come visit for a few days and then his mother come visit for a few days (they are divorced).It was very nice to have them visit from NY as we miss them so much down here in NC.It was very nice to show off our son Griffin who of course put on a "show" the whole time-dancing like a wild little monkey.He swings the head back and forth,swings the arms,spins in circles,falls a million times,gets himself back up laughing the whole time and repeats the whole process.I admit I get so much enjoyment seeing him so happy and animated and just being a kid.He is also very affectionate and I have to feel I am his biggest influence since I kiss and hugs him so many times a day he gets sick of it lol He hugged his grandparents without encouraging him to do so-he just did it because he wants to and it was great to see.He just turned 15 months old so it's nice to see his pleasant personality and how he relates to others so openly.I am hoping to ride up to NY around May 22nd with my parents to visit with family in NY for a few weeks.My parents are Florida snowbirds who spend their summers back home in NY so they said they would "stop and pick us up" on the way so we are excited about that.For the first time since Griffin has been born I have been bad about taking pictures.Tomorrow I am going to make sure that ends since I wanted to take a picture so badly tonight and alas was not prepared.There is the best and cutest little carnival in town referred to as the follies for the weekend.It was so nice to hear some good music and show Griffin the carousel-which I hope to take him on tomorrow.The lines were atrocious tonight.I will update soon and I apologize for the hiatus! My little baby to be is now 13 weeks along and because I am *whispering* advanced maternal age as they referred to me as(while I was laughing hysterically inside) I was able to have an ultrasound last week and it was more than amazing.I was completley in love and felt reassured I could see the heart beat etc... (more on that later).The midwife who saw me after the ultrasound actually laughed with me about the whole advanced maternal age thing as well and she was so great and made me feel great.I will have to come back to talk more about the ultrasound this weekend.Hope everyone has a good weekend!

I've been on break

2008-04-17T07:00:00.001-07:00

From my blog as everyone can see.I have been trying to "get out" kind of.Get out of the house that is.I've been trying to meet people,bring Griffin outside more and go to the park since the sun started shining and the weather has been better-still a little chilly at times but warm enough to be outside.So I haven't been on the computer as much.Plus we have family coming next week so I've been trying to organize and do a little spring cleaning-not only in my house but with myself.I have my big OB appointment on the 22nd and I'm excited to hear the baby's heartbeat and know that ll looks good so I'm looking forward to that! I will be updating soon.So far I've met a few nice moms around here.It's different and harder as you get older to cultivate friendships because we are all so busy taking care of our own families but it's easy to forget that adult conversation and company is good for anyone.It's been nice to meet people more than once and actually remember someone.I also went to a Pampered Chef party(I'm a PC junkie) but I was very conservative in my order.I ordered stoneware since I am sick after finding metal pieces in food I cooked from my expensive non stick pans!!! So I will update soon.I am reading though keeping up on everyones blogs!

Come on Sunshine

2008-04-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

I'm still waiting for the sun!! It always is sunny here and it is so unusual that there has been no sun for almost two weeks now! Even when it is freezing here the sun shines .... I just can't wait until it decides to come again. Griffin and I went roller skating today with a local mommie group and we had a lot of fun.I actually put him in his stroller and zoomed around on the rink with him and he looooved it! He clapped and swayed his head to the music and had a permanent smile on his face the whole time. Everyone kept remarking how smiley he was. of course secretly I loved just the fact that he was getting tired out for a nap later lol I let him push the stroller around the place for what seemed like a half hour.He loved visiting with the other kids too and he especially wanted to touch the older kids skates who had brought their own skates.I think he liked the bright colors and he just loves wheels on anything. I tell ya it really is good excercise. I did it a few months ago and I laugehd because it had been so many years since I roller skated I thought I looked ridiculous. But you definately get a good workout and it's better than staying inside on a gloomy day like this for sure! I've been feeling utterly exhausted these past few days and today is no exception.. so now that we are back I am gonna try to nap.I doubt it'll happen but nothing wrong with hopin' right?

Whoopdee do

2008-04-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

The event we were supposed to go to with a local moms group got cancelled cause it's raining.What's funny is our area is still supposedly experiencing 'a drought" yet it's been raining 6 out of 7 days this week *sigh* Oh well.I haven't felt like such a sloth in so long.I seriously want to do nothing.Ok well I HAVE to take care of Griffin and do dishes and start another load of laundry but other than that I plan on doing as little as possible.It isn't what I should be doing but I just don't see much of any productivity happening today.Tomorrow it is supposed to not rain and be sunny so as the plan goes Joe will mow the large lawn we have and I will be productive inside *sigh*.My husband has been a good sport and offered to to do the grocery shopping today-I sent him out with coupons and detailed descriptions and let's just say I'll probaly be finishing it or "adding to it" tomorrow when I go to Aldi's.I really love my husband and feel lucky cause he really is such a good partner.He doesn't run from responsibilities (though he still is a man so his excuses are comicale lol).My body is definately constantly tired yet I can't sleep so it seems to be playing tricks on me.Check out Sarcastic Mom's blog it's the funniest thing I've read in awhile....

It's Friday Folks

2008-04-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

The day where all the stuff I've procrastinated about (like going to the post office) comes to an end and I just gotta do it.It's been cold and rainy here and I've had that chill in my bones so I haven't felt much like going places.I just have to get a couple things to make broccoli cheese quiche for tomorrow and so I may do a little browsing at Walsmart as well.Tomorrow we're going to an event for a couple hours held by a local moms group here and they are gonna have balloons for the kids and such so I said why not since my schedule isn't packed.Not much else going on so this is yet another boring post but if something more interesting comes up I'm sure I'll be posting! Have a great weekend everyone!

A choice

2008-04-02T12:59:00.002-07:00

I forgot to mention that with the new practice I chose for prenatal care I get my choice of an OB or a midwife and I am thrilled.With Griffin I started out with a midwife and later when we moved had to switch to an OB.What a difference! To the OB I was a number and they were too busy to answer questions and to be honest didn't seem very caring at all.So I am thrilled to be able to choose a midwife.My only worry is that I have had a C section in the past and do not want to play around if it is too dangerous for me to try a VBAC.But anyways I wanted to mention this! They used to actually have a birthing center there at the office but now do all deliveries at get this "Women's Hsopital"-that is the name of the hospital as it is geared towards woman only.Cool huh

Another Day

2008-04-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

So not much to report except I had my first doctors appt. It was pretty much a Q&A session on my medical history and some other paperwork.They used the little wheel thing to estimate my Due date as November 2nd-which is a great time since noone in our families has a November birthdate.I go back on April 22nd for the full exam, bloodwork,weigth check-the whole shabam. I can't wait to hear the heartbeat and I wish I would of been able to hear it yesterday to calm my worries a little but what ya gonna do? I haven't had the extended knock me off my feet nausea I had with Griffin I'm just really tired. But alas, now that I have a one year old I'm used to performing on little sleep!!! The one thing that is bad-and this happened since 3 days after I found out I was pregnant is insomnia.I can usually hit the hay like a ton of bricks no problem which I do.But then, a couple hours later, my eyes pop open like someone called my name "wake up there is a lot of action going on". Of course there is nothing but Griffin in his room snoring, darkness and my husbands breathing.I swear I lay there for hours.I try different positions,I try to tell myself over and over just freakin' sleep but no. I am wide awake.This started at 4 months with Griffin and he's pretty active ...now I'm wondering do I have a wild child in my belly? Oh I can't wait to find out. I have to wait until 18 weeks to have an ultrasound unless there is a medical reason to have one sooner and boy I can't wait for that.Except I hate the thought of drinking all that water,filling up your bladder to capacity, arriving at the office to find "they're running behind" and trying to act like a normal person when all you want to do is pee your pants! Man I hope we can videotape it like we did with Griffin.That is something to see and I think,I may be wrong but he was only 7 or 8 inches long at the time.They blow of the screen and make them look so big you forget how tiny they are.My little peanut is the size of a grape right now.Can you believe that -a human being the size of a grape-what a miracle it is to me!

Springtime

2008-04-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

I haven't been good at updating since I have had so much swirling in my mind which makes it so hard for me to write. Today I am doing my SMW blog assignment "Springtime" and updating on my last post. I had a really good time going out with three girls last Friday.One only stayed for dinner but the rest of them (us three) went bowling and then went to Denny's afterwards for a long time.I hadn't stayed out that late in so long I couldn't remember and we all hit it off.They were very down to earth and we all had a lot in common and we're all about the same age (ok I was the oldest but what's two years lol) I am glad I went and I may meet one of them at a Pot Luck dinner the mommies group has planned at a park this weekend.They have face painting and games and balloons for the kids so why not.It's only for a couple hours so I think it'll be great.

Now about my blog assignment Springtime.A time when the cold goes away and the warm weather starts. It has a lot of meaning to me. First off, it is the time of year when my parents return from Florida to NY and stop by here in NC for a visit so I always look forward to that! Last year I drove to NY with them. Me and Griffin hitched a ride. I'm thinking we may do the same this year. We'll see how the whole being stuck in a carseat for hours thing goes. When he was little it was no big deal but it is sure to be different now. I mean we're in a motorhome so he can get out sometimes but I don't like it.My parents stop every few hours but to a toddler that can seem like days.We'll probably do it anyways though for the free ride lol

Now as for the other benefits of Springtime it is the start of a fresh new wonderful season of weather when the temperature is just right-not too cold and not too hot! Summer here is scorching so Springtime is perfect.We have hundreds of birds surrounding our house and they have already started their morning serenade here It is LOUD but I love it because I just love birds.I don't like the one that wakes at 6am though I have to admit.... But in all it is just a reminder of a happy, warm time just around the bend!!!!

It's Friday!!

2008-03-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Not much to report that is entertaining. Today I filed our taxes so we'll be awaiting our refund. The money will be used eventually for some type of vehicle as mine is slowly dying.God I love my Honda and I can't bear to give her away but it looks like we have to eventually. So I'm not too excited about our refund but to me it's another chore crossed off my list today. Tonight I am actually going to do something totally different and I am nervous to say the least. I am supposed to go out with some women from a local mommies group to eat and possibly bowling afterwards.I'll have to update everyone on the experience as I've only met one of these women so far and I am very nervous in social siutations as I've mentioned before.It'll be interesting to say the least and I don't have far to travel so why not.Nothing pressing to do today except go to the bank and the post office and make oatmeal raisin cookies. Damn commercials I see a commercial and they show me something good and the craving starts and isn't satsifed until I have it.Yesterday it was banana bread-I think that came from a Hotel commercial advertising continental breakfast. I am so pathetic lol

Griffin has been perfecting his tantrums and they have become louder.I always seem to point my finger up and down at him when I tell him no no so he's begun doing this to me.His cold has made him a little moody I guess.He's learning how to be a man ha ha Now my husband has been telling me "Griffin gave me a cough".Well boo hoo I think to myself and laugh when I'm alone.I am so bad!

Today is one of those days

2008-03-25T13:37:00.001-07:00

..and it seems like I have a lot of them.One of those days when I love being a mom and glad he can so easily make me laugh or take my mind off what I'm worrying about.My son was sick once when he was 3 months old with a cold for a bout 5 days and that's it.He was a happy camper the whole time go figure.Well it seems he started developing a cough Sunday and today his nose ran twice.I had to laugh though cause he has this big smile on his face and the snot is running down and I'm trying to chase after him with a tissue and then he gets the tissue from me and it's a fight and it rips and he is laughing and I'm like you're so silly just let me wipe your nose.So what does he do-he swings his head from right to left as fast as he can so I can't wipe his nose laughing the whole time.He got me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes and then he hugged me while wrapping his arms around my neck.So yeah I got snot on me but I can deal with that.... Those hugs feel so good.I have to say he is quite the snuggly boy.Sometimes if I ask him for a kiss he'll run right over and give me one and I hope it's because he gets so many hugs and kisses all the time... Snot and all those hugs rule!

2008-03-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Many Thanks to Huckdoll http://huckdoll.blogspot.com/ for yet another great web site on organizing your day!! Here it is folks- http://www.flylady.net/ have been slowly workin on getting more motivated and actually accomplishing more! Thought the thought of having a garage sale is less than appealing to me I've realized we have more stuff that we could get rid of that is just cluttering up my house. So that will be event I will have to plan on when the weather warms up. Plus I'm trying to make room for another addition to our family and all the "stuff" that will be out of our basement and back in the house for the new little one.
Easter was very nice! We just had a laid back day and gave Griffin his little basket and played outside while the weather was so nice.We had a nice dinner of Grilled chicken, baked potato,corn and applesauce. It was nothing special but grilling outside made it seem so. It is still a bit chilly here yet some days it warms up so much it almost seems like winter is over. I can't wait! Then again last summer was sooo hot I couldn't breathe and the thought of being pregnant in that heat makes me content to keep the weather like it is now.I already warned my husband that we have to buy another air conditioner.It's funny, here they will actually announce on local stations not to spend more than a few minutes outside..... So I better be careful what I wish for!

What u find when u look

2008-03-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

I've come across some different and interesting blogs in the past few days.Every one of them can teach me something! I need a little organization help and I think the new blogs I've added to my blog roll are if nothing else inspiring!! Not to mention the new recipes and tips I've found so helpful... So enough whining on here from me! Especially being a sahm, I am concerned about stretching that dollar every month and the first step in tackling any chore or mess is really organizing the mess first and then figuring out what goal you want to accomplish... Wether it be to get good deals on groceries or other items or organize your office-it never hurts to read about someone else doing it and how they do it successfully... I love new ideas..and I also truthfully need some help getting organized. Sometimes I just need some ideas to motivate myself... So I hope some of you check out the blogs like http://becentsable.blogspot.com/

Just so you know he pooped in My Hand

2008-03-20T07:15:00.000-07:00

I think my post about missing my family and my husband really made me think..... I think my life has changed so much since I became a mom... for the better. To be honest my life was a bit boring and there was something missing in my life. I was over going to concerts and hanging out in the bar. I had been there done that. Not that I would never go to a concert again but the thought of the traffic,the waiting in line and *gasp* actually standing during the whole show is just no longer appealing to me. If I can get in quick and somehow sit down I'd probably be ok. Every day my son does something different (which is every day) I am inspired and I fill up with pride and my love for him just seems to grow. I think when I first became a mom I wasn't confident of my abilities and was a nervous wreck listening to people's advice and I was adjusting to my life being essentially gone I felt. Now I see it so differently because I have learned to embrace taking care of him, teaching him, watching him and my life feels so full of meaning and my life isn't gone it is just different.
Which leads me back to my post the other day where I whined about my husbands hours and being away from family and friends. It makes me sad I can't share my son with others. I wish I could show them what I talk about on the phone-it just isn't the same.I look forward to when my husband comes home and I can tell him about what we did that day and the little things Griffin has done that day to make me laugh or make me go OMG-like pooping in my hand the other day. Yep he pooped in my hand. I had just taken his clothes off to get him dressed and I saw the look. You know the poopy look on his face and I rushed over to him and well it was either the floor or my hand lol Though I scrubbed my hand I swear all day I kept wondering do I smell poop? Oh I just can't wait for the potty training stage after that let me tell you ha ha So we do have a couple members of Joe's family coming next month for a short visit which will be nice.It's just so hard to say goodbye sometimes....

Oh boy

2008-03-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks for letting me whine yesterday....my whine continued to my sister on the phone who made me feel better with "tell Joe to get his butt home at a decent time then" and all the sympathy a sister could give.Unfortunately, 10 minutes later it hit her that, when she had young children her husband worked all the time and she didn't like it but she always got a break from my mom or me because she lived down the road from us blah blah -then I remembered!!! I remembered she used to say to me that she was fed up with my brother in laws work hours and she wanted him to sell his business and do something else and blah blah. Now I remember she actually bitched about it a lot.So okay I'm not agreeing not to bitch about it but I am agreeing to whine a little quieter unless I have some sort of solution in the works lol

My little man is now trying to figure out how to dance with things in his hands and be steadier on his feet. He is running with things in his hands now especially if it is something I tell him not to touch. He grabs it as fast as possible and takes off laughing and getting excited when I "chase" him. Needless to say the garbage can has been moved to the top of the kitchen counter right now since he had some obsession with a plastic bag that had frozen broccoli in it from last nights dinner. Yep that's right my son is a dumpster diver!!! Oh how the pride beams from my face~ He is very aware of what the word no means but seems to enjoy the reaction he gets when he causes this word to be spoken from my lips.He likes to laugh and tease and be chased and if he is removed from the object he so desires out comes the pointing finger, the fists of rage and he oes into his regular tongue lashing of me. Difference is now I have learned not to laugh lol

When Mommie would not give him the camera

When he decided that's it I'm going after it!!!

I'm so neglectful

2008-03-18T13:38:00.001-07:00

I've been very neglectful on here for a lot of reasons.I have things on my mind and the biggest is always money,or the lack thereof.Our car is not working properly so we have used it sparingly and that didn't include getting batteries for my camera yet so the pictures I promised everyone have not come to be at this time but I can't wait to get them and post them here.
Mostly what is on my mind is the fact that we don't live near family.This isn't something new but lately I have been thinking that, especially with a new baby coming, how much of a empty space in my life there is because we have noone close to us. My husband leaves the house most days at 8am and gets home at 9pm so sometimes the days are long and I just wonder how long I can actually live like this. Maybe it is just stress, or hormones or a mid life crisis or all of the above who knows but... they always say live everyday to the fullest and do what makes you happy. Of course the first thing I figure you have to do is define happiness. So I thought about that and one things I can't ignore is that being connected to family is essential for my happiness. Not to mention it would be nice to have other people to rely on in case I don't know,in case whatever with the children. I know we need money and with my husbands hours the only way I could work-even part time is to hire someone.How do I do that? I mean I don't know anyone here and I am so paranoid and it is not an easy thing for me to leave something I love more than life with a stranger.A lot of people have said to me oh it's no big deal my kid has been in daycare since 8 weeks old-well to me it is a huge deal.Something fundamentally inside me says it's wrong and I can't shake that.I've tried but I can't...... I can't see how he is being treated when I'm not here and it could affect him and it is my job to protect him and make sure he develops correctly.... I have such a headache typing this out.So all this thoughts are swirling in my head right now and it has made it hard for me to post or feel like talking on the phone or talking period..... I do hope I'm normal soon.Ok so maybe not normal but semi normal lol

Catching up

2008-03-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

I plan on posting some pictures and I wanted to take a few more before I did but alas the camera is dead.I will remedy that today and get some of the cute animals Griffin loves so much and some pictures of his big adventures walking outside.We also ran out of camcorder tape so we will fix that as well because we want to get him on video walking outside.......Be back soon.

I'll live with it

2008-03-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

The nausea that is-I just need to suck it up.Afterall it's for a good cause right.... Today was a nice day and I just spent it doing lots of laundry and Griffin and I went outside.He has become quite the little walker in our back yard. It's a bit uneven though so he has taken to pushing the stroller around the yeard...and around...and around,,,and around. He did get very upset with me today after we had went around like 30 times and mommy said ok time for a break.We have almost an acre and a half here so it is a huge yard. Yes my son is obsessive compulsive lol If I don't want him to stand on the rocking chair in his room he insists he has to do it over and over and if he is blocked he gets so mad at me I get fists shaken at me, a red face and tears and yelling.Not sure what he's saying but he sure is telling me where to go... Wonder wear he got that *rolls eyes* My neighbor has some pretty cool animals and I bring Griff over there to take a look. My neighbor has rabbits,chickens,ducks and dogs. Griffin is totally fascinated with the rabbits and there noses as they sniff him intensly. The chickens make a noise that he finds so funny and he laughs and reaches for them ...the poor chickens jump like a foot.I know they're thinking get whatever it is away from me I'm trying to eat crow here lol The rabbits are pretty skittish except one who looks big enough to eat Griffin for a snack and this is the one that Griffin seems to like the most.... I can't wait for this summer when he's a little bigger to take him to the petting zoo.. and camping.... I'm lucky,although he's obsessive compulsive, he's a happy easy going little fella most of the time and I love showing him all these new things.Sorry if this has been a bore I just haven't had a lot of good stuff to talk about lately so the little things that make me happy are what I've chosen to fill these blog pages.....

Today is not my day

2008-03-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of out of commission.I am very nauseated and I hurt my back so badly it hurts to sit,lay down,stand,breathe you name it.My husband is gone for 3 days so I'm using my energy to chase after my son who is now running (and sometimes taking a nose dive he's going so fast).I have a heating pad on it the size of a placement and am just praying for a miracle right now.I'd love to take something for it that may ease my pain but hence I can not!! Sooooo I am just whining my sad whine to make me feel better.It isn't working yet but I'm hoping.Happy Monday!!!!!!!

TGIF!!!!!!!!

2008-03-07T05:25:00.000-08:00

I'm glad it's Friday!!!! Unfortunately it just started pouring out :( I plan on going to Lowe's Home Improvement (one of my favs!) and stuff and just walking out in the rain seems so unappealing to me.We are still in the process of getting the message out about our new baby on the way to all our family who is spread everywhere.Joe's family is small so it's pretty easy.My family is big and everywhere so "getting the word out" is more challenging.But regardless,back to my whining about the rain.The other night I'm pretty sure we were on the edge of a tornado but other than that this week has been sunny almost like spring was here.Then I saw the ants, yes the ants, in my recycle bin and new winter must be coming to a close.Last year we learned that having ants was no big deal and was a normal thing in North Carolina.Well in NY it isn't so I enlisted some ant oil poison and made it my mission to eradicate our house of this little critter. Lowe's has the poison as well so all the more reason to go. Griffin loves Lowes because of his obsession with ceiling fans lol and I could spend all day in that store.It just makes me dream ya know.....I certiantly hope ot be a more active blogger next week and I have some pictures to share as well!! Have a good weekend everyone!

I've been bad

2008-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated but I have an excuse.I have been deep in thought and planning....... I got a huge and exciting shock this week and am just enjoying it! We haven't told family yet and are just relishing in the amazement I guess. Yep we're having another baby!!!! It's a miracle to us and we feel so lucky!! Our son Griffin really is the focus of our lives so imagining sharing our love for him with another is hard-but I know we will! More after I eat.... ha ha

Walking

2008-03-02T17:17:00.000-08:00

Just a short post tonight. Today it was very sunny out and there was just a little chill to the air but it was nice enough to be outside a bit.I let Griffin walk in the back yard for the first time and he was so excited! He still hasn't mastered his balance completely so he looks like he's had a few drinks ha ha but he can walk 15-20ft before he usually sits himself on his butt when he feels too unbalanced. Since our yard is huge and a little uneven I lent him my hand.So he walked and walked and walked and a couple of times I let go of him and he'd walk like 10 ft on his own and look and me and reach for my hand.It was so cute and he seemed so happy. We still have leaves in our yard because our rake is somewhere who knows and I'm just waiting to mow over them when the weather is better ha ha So we have a couple piles and he loved rolling around in them and surprisingly didn't try to eat them! He was much to fascinated with the sound they made.We had such a good time and I can't wait to have more days like today to spend with him. I'd like to get a baby swing to hang from one of our trees as well. Today was just one of those lazy,spending time together days and it was so nice.My husband had to work 6 days this week,6 days last week and the week before so I know having a nice sunny day made his day even better because he got to use his new jogging stroller he saved up for.It was so cute seeing him use it and I think Griffin really loved it because he loves going fast. He has toys to ride on and the faster he is pushed the more excited he gets so the stroller is definately a hit!

Something to think about

2008-02-29T05:36:00.000-08:00

I kept hearing this guys name on money forums over and over. People were praising him and his ideas and encouraging people to read his book http://www.daveramsey.com/shop/The_Total_Money_Makeover_P123C48.cfm
He talks about living debt free and facing the fact that you're being irresponsible and there is no quick fix to any debt situation you have gotten yourself into. He basically says face it you got yourself in, now get yourself out. He also stresses that it won't be easy and will take a lot of sacrifice and hard work but that the end result is worth more than anything. Needless to say I am going to invest in this book. I know he has others that I may check out as well. I like the fact that he wants you to change the entire way you think about and use money. He's right when he says years ago if you didn't have the cash you didn't buy it. As we all know, in todays society, if we don't have the cash we just buy it on credit-usually regretting it later and on top of that we end up paying two or three times the original price.

I've always been a Clark Howard fan and have gotten such wonderful ideas from him http://clarkhoward.com/index.html and find him practical and not into the drama filled circus that Suze Oramn sometimes creates. But Dave Ramsey seems to be much more radical, much more upfront and brutaly honest and I have to admit his take it or leave it attitude is appealing.

We have debt. I admit it is our fault. Sure I could tell you about some of the circumstances where we had noone to help us and needed cash and just didn't have it. Some of those circumstances were out of our control yes. But, in the end, the choices we made and how we reacted to those circumstances is what created the huge pile of unending debt we have today.

For example, my husband got a promotion and was transferred to another state and we were told Thursday he got the job and he was expected to report to work in another state the next Thursday(1 week!!!). We owned a house in NY and new the first thing we needed to do was find a place for my husband to sleep at once he started his job. So we drove to NC found a place and drove back.Then my husband drove back down and started work, I put the house for sale, the movers packed our stuff, and I met him down there within a week. After 10 days of being there he was told his job was dissapearing and he would have to apply for another position and be transferred again IF he got the job.Me being 26 weeks pregnant complicated matters to say the least.And so the financial nightmare began.We had signed an 8 month lease, were still paying our mortgage and he had a possibility of losing his job. We were wayyyyy overstretched taking care of two households.He got the other job and months later(4 days after giving birth) we were transferred and had to continue to pay our current rent along with the $900 rent for the old place where we had signed a lease.Thankfully we sold our house 1 month before we moved or I'm not sure what would of happened.There are things we could of done different like getting him a studio apt. and me staying in NY until we sold the house etc... But it is a lesson learned!!!!!!! And we will never make mistakes like this again ever!!!

I know this is a very long winded post but I encourage everyone to read Dave Ramsey's book and believe in being debt free!

Funny

2008-02-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

Once you stop laughing please comment!

http://j-walk.com/other/goodwife/index.htm

Food games

2008-02-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

So why did Grififn recently come to the conclusion that food is a fun thing to play with? I have no idea whatsoever!!! Apparently rubbing your hands in food and watching it drop to the ground is great entertainment. Watching mommy or daddy pick it up seems to be even more exciting. Sooooooooo I'm trying reverse psychology like ignoring it and waiting until he's away fromt he table to actually bend down and pick it up. Knowing my luck, I should be doing something else as a detterant but hey there are no ideas in the parenting book that Griffin had in his hands when he came out of my womb so I'm going with an idea ha ha I was ok with him squeezing food between his fingers or making a mess trying to eat but now the food is ending up away from his mouth in places food isn't meant to be ha ha So I shall keep everyone posted and hopefull if I am doing something wrong someone tells me PLEASE!

TROLLS

2008-02-26T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's a funny thing I've come across lately reading a few peoples blogs.I won't mention specific people but I admit reading comments from trolls took me back a little. People saying your kid should be taken from you, no wonder your kid is so clingy, you don't care about your kids, you should be put in jail. I remember the old "sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me" nursery rhyme and it's a lie!!! If someone says something criticizing you about something you love-especially something you love with all your heart-like your kids-the words can sting a bit. Even if the person is an immature jerk with too much time on their hands....

I always say the best approach is not to give them the attention or reaction they seem to need so much but rather turn it around and make them look like the fool they are. Easier said than done I'm sure. I mean if you have nothing nice to say why say anything but we all know some social rules don't apply to some people.My blog doesn't even rate trolls yet ha ha thank goodness I'm boring....

Monday Monday

2008-02-25T07:51:00.001-08:00

Not much going on today except for the usual cleaning and stuff around the house-so basically a totally boring Monday. Nothing out of the norm here for a Monday :) We actually went to a baby shower yesterday for a girl Joe works with at a restaurant lastnight. It was just for coworkers and wasn't a huge party or anything but it was nice just the same and we are so happy for her. I guess she had some difficulty conceiving which makes it that much sweeter. Griffin demonstrated his eating skills and entertained everyone-rubbing sweet potatoes in his hair,laughing, throwing food oh boy! Needless to say he needs a bath today since we got home so late!
He's been walking more and more but I think the couple of bad falls he's had has made him more concious to hold onto things and he is just more cautious now.But when he lets go he does great! All things in good time I guess :) Not so much to say today ...... tomorrow is another day!

Mr. Potato Head

2008-02-25T07:47:00.000-08:00

WHY USE A SPOON? IT"S SO MUCH FUNNER USING MY HANDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Social Anxiety

2008-02-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

I'd like to say I don't have it but I'm afraid I do. Sometimes impending social interactions can send me into panic mode and this started about two years ago I'd say. It seems to be worse and worse as time goes by. Since moving away from everything I know the opportunity to actually be in social situations has decreased to almost a halt so I'm sure that isn't something that helps. There was someone I met a few months ago through an online mommies group. I met her out.It was supposed to be a group of six and I forced myself to go or I should say Joe forced me. We were the only two woman who showed up! After we ate we talked for over two hours about a lot of things.
It was nice to meet her I just wasn't sure.... We were different (which is ok) but I felt my financial and emotional circumstances would make it hard for us to be friends. She was originally from here and had lots of family and friends around. She was on disability and had been and they seemed to be stable financially. Basically, I made excuses because I didn't feel confident in myself. That is what I'm realizing slowly. She has reached out to me again and I am going to try to reach out as well. I was surprised to hear from her again-very surprised. Since Joe works a lot it would be nice to have another adult to talk to-a friend-that I could see in person-especially since my family seems to be very busy and phone calls to me seem so few and far in between. I think I just have a case of the lonelies and have been in a rut for over a month.The blah weather,knowing we won't see family until May,money,Joe working ALL the time-none of it helps-and are just excuses for inaction I know.I better log off before I depress anyone who happens to read my pity party :( Thanks for reading...

He did it!!!!

2008-02-20T06:32:00.000-08:00

Well Griffin finally did it! He walked across the livingroom floor last night.He stopped in the middle rebalanced himself a bit then continued on. When he reached the recliner he turned around and did it again,then again, then again! Inititally he was standing by himself and my husband got all excited and went and grabbed the camcorder. Boy did he surprise us when he just took off!! We thought him just standing on his own was great but walking wow! Now this morning he's doing it again and again! He also said ball this morning out of the blue. He's had words come out of him here and there but lately he hasn't said anything I really understand.

We have a few things to do today after he wakes up from his nap. I have a feeling since he is in walking mode he will not enjoy being imprisoned in his car seat but it must be done nonetheless. We have to go to the post office to mail a package,go to Target and Babys R Us for a babyshower gift-which is a 20 minute drive in itself.

Oh my little Blog

2008-02-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

Today was just a cold day outside so Griffin and I stayed in and played,did some reading,I did laundry,dishes and all the usual stuff.I was even able to wipe down the livingroom baseboards and the window sills in between spurts of chasing after my little Griffin burrito.

Anyways,we discovered last night that Griffin loooooves spaghetti.I had given him other types of pasta before like ancini de pipis and ditalini but finally gave him some spaghetti and a little of the sauce & meatballs I made.Well let's just say Joe and I laughed for a half hour as he double fisted it! He quickly learn to slurp in the pieces that freely dangled from his mouth with a loud thuuu sound! At one point he had spaghetti in each hand swinging it like he had lassos in each hand so he definatley was having a good time.The best part was when he finally rubbed it all over his face and in his hair! Of course Joe and I got out the cell phone cameras,then our regular digital camera and then the camcorder-it was like our big entertainment for the week ha ha Of course he got a good bath afterwards of course. We are just ga ga over this baby! I looked at him today and I just want to pinch myself because he's just the best and makes life so fun!

Shovin' it in anyway he can! lol

Thought for the Day

2008-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony".
Mohandas K. Gandhi

Picture Day!

2008-02-16T04:17:00.000-08:00

Looking out on the world-well the www anyways ..... Banging on the key board is so fun!

Blah Blah Blah

2008-02-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

The weather here all week has been cold,rainy and the sky has been cloudy...It usually is sunny here even if it freezing so it's made this week so blah.Griffin and I have not ventured out very often this week so I'm hoping for some better weather this weekend and next week! I'm hering about the weather other people are experiencing and I guess I don't have a lot of complaining to do, but I guess I have to whine anyways ha ha

Last night something cool happened.It might appear trivial or even dumb to other people but to me it was a amazing-of course everything my baby boy does is pretty amazing to me :) Anyways, last night he finally realized the proper way to hold the spoon-by that I mean he realized that we don't dip the handle in the food so over and over he would turn it around and dip the cup part of the spoon in his food.A few times he actually put the food he had retrieved in his mouth-but a couple times he just had to look at the food or touch it. Of coure, it was a mess and I'm realizing he gets messier all the time (and I'm using more paper towels). My mom says that he has to experiment and that is how he learns so I guess that's what he's doing. He's feeding himself more and refusing to let me feed him so I guess he's a normal kid going through his phases.The peditrician said every baby is different and it is more of a social thing wether they allow you to feed them or refuse to let you-OK I said. She said to be glad if he eats most everything and even lets me feed him-OK I said. I'll have to post a picture of him in the midst of his food experimentation trials as I call it because it's definately funny-it just isn't funny to clean it up.But then again I never thing cleaning is fun...

Being Silly

2008-02-12T07:54:00.001-08:00

This is actually a photo of Griffin upside down but I had to rotate it to show his silly face....

And another.....

He actually looks almost bald on the sides but has a long mohawk going from front to back so this angle makes him look like he actually has a lot more hair than he does! He's so silly and reminds me of what's important in life every day....................<3

Doing Our Part

2008-02-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Please click on the picture above for the original post that created the idea of Project Support Beauty in Nature.Lotus aka Hilariously Sarcastic Mom (http://sarcasticmom.com/) came up with a wonderful idea to preserve out Earth and I'd like to do my part!

When we lived in NY we paid about $60 a month for the privilege of having our trash hauled away and were provided a small recycle bin.Many times I used a cardboard box to fit the rest of the recyclables we had to contribute.Since moving to North Carolina it is much different! We don't pay to ave our trash taken away -it is free - AND - we are given a huge recycle bin and they except everything.That being said, I am a huge fan of recycling and buy products that can be recycled-it is always in the back of my mind when I am grocery shopping.I use a box in the house for convenience to put my everyday recycables in after I wash them (Thank you US Postal Service!)

Then I empty that into the large bin every few days

You can learn a lot about people from looking at their consumables.You can tell for example,that we drink beer, we buy the newspaper once a week, we buy Egglands best eggs, we use palmolive dishwashing soap,we buy huge jars of peanut butter,we're huge 2% milk drinkers,that we had a party (hence the leftover soda containers),that our baby boy looooves Yobaby yogurt and we buy Cheerios.I'm sure there is much more at the bottom.... we don't buy frozen dinners or boxed dinners-and try to be concious of what we eat-but we're human :) afterall. It really can tell a story in itself.

We also recycle cardboard of course

Then once a week it is on the curb for pickup!

We also recycled two Tv's through a program the Town ran a couple weeks ago to cleanly dispose of electronics. I hope this inpires others!

Interesting

2008-02-09T07:38:00.001-08:00

I have experienced depression for many years since I was young and can honestly say I have felt much less depressed since I stopped taking all those damned anti depressants I have been subscribed over the years! It has been over a year and has been so refreshing! I was recently reading an article that stated people who experience or are prone to depression are those type of people that are less likely to lie to themselves and face problems. Hence they experience more anxiety about some things... They say having a positive outlook and sometimes lying to ourselves in harmless ways can actually make us less stressed, more hopeful and not so hard on ourselves in day to day life. It was a very interesting article. It went on to discuss people who take lying to an extreme as a means of avoiding their feelings, their feelings about themselves in relation to others and their use of lying as an avoidance mechanism to avoid their own faults. Here are some excerpts.

Why do people lie compulsively?
-Compulsive lying may originally be prompted by the fear that you are not interesting enough. And so you invent stories that create the image you want to project to others.
-Compulsive lying may also be prompted by perfectionism. If you can't stand the thought of not being perfect, you may lie to cover up your normal human failings.
-People sometimes lie because they want to tell others want they think they want to hear.
-Compulsive lying may also be stimulated by boredom - we all like to feel that our lives are exciting, so we may lie to bridge the gap between the way things are and how we would like them to be.

Experts say these liars commit the worst lie of all -- they lie to themselves by denying their own truth and distorting their own reality.

People may embellish their credentials or strengthen their stories and often tell untruths to make themselves appear and feel better.We make ourselves look better than we really are because we want to be liked and admired. We exaggerate our circumstances to pump up our egos or to conceal shame, fear and disappointment. It may be too embarrassing or painful to confront the truth about ourselves.

By honestly acknowledging our embarrassing mistakes and shortcomings -- to ourselves as well as to others -- we are most empowered to learn what is required for improvement......

No more

2008-02-08T14:54:00.001-08:00

I decided today that Griffin isn't gonna have to go shopping with me anymore.Let's just say he wasn't happy getting into the cart...or during the shopping task.We had a lovely hour at the park,swinging and he loved watching the bigger kids play and skateboard-then he was strapped into this metal cart.I feel like a bad mom:(

I am so Psyched It's the Day

2008-02-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

I get to go grocery shopping today with Griffin! This is always a fun activity for both of us-NOT!!!!! Griffin is very good and very patient..............until a certain point then the race is on to get the goods scanned in the register and get out...which most cashiers don't seem to get as they talk to their peers and Griffin begins to yell and stand up in the cart....I am going to take him to the aprk first but I highly doubt this will make the chore better...Maybe in the future it can be one of those mom bribes but right now I think he just,at some point, says get me the hell out of this cart! Oh well I'll have to update later:) and see how it goes.

So many Firsts

2008-02-06T06:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I forget that Griffin doesn't or wouldn't understand something or know something beause he's never seen or done it before.Yesterday I kept telling him that after library time we were going to the park and it dawned on me he doesn't even know what a park is so I quit saying it ha ha It was so warm outside it was almost like a summer day just not as scorching hot as it gets here during that time of year.It was perfect! I can't wait to teach him so many things but...... I wanna teach him to have fun most of all! I put him in a baby swing for the first time and after a few swings he finally realized he should hang on.He kept looking around then all of sudden he started bursting into laughter every time I pushed him-he learned how fun it is to swing and I had to take pictures of course! I'm hoping today the weather looks up and we can go again.It was a bit weet yesterday and it looks like it is about to pour but if it stops we'll just take some paper towels right? ha ha As he gets bigger he is going to have so many opportunities to play at this park and have fun but I had to capture the first!

NC is Wierd

2008-02-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

Everytime Joe and I encounter something we don't understand here in NC,us being from western NY, we always say outloud "we have to remember where we are". We often wonder why servers take soooooo long here.We get fearful when they bring us the check because we usually don't see them again for at least 20 minutes! We are always ready with our card to give them when they hand us the check and still 20 minutes*shrugs* It's just that when you have a baby-20 minutes is a very long time... In NY they "turn and burn" ya-they get ya in and they get ya out.
So my new question is why do I have to take a written test to get a NC driver license? I have been driving since I was 16 and so that's 20 years of driving and now I have to take a test? Joe has to schedule some time off to watch Griffin while I take this "test" and wait in line who knows how long with all this documentation and surrender my NY license and pay a tax % on the 'estimated value" of my piece of junk that is 10 years old.It's like one of those things that seems so ridiculous and makes no sence but you have no other choice...
...........I must admit there are things I have grown to love here and are lives are a bit slower paced than in NY, which is nice to a point-but fo the life of me some things I don't think I'll ever understand lol

You're Invited

2008-02-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

Since I trust those who read my blog.... I am posting a link to a site that is held by my group of family friends from NY-friends that I've held an extremely long time and are like family to me.This site is adminstered by my friend Swanny and his wife Anna and it has photos and small clips of our lives.This site is many years old and is constantly changing.The kids pictures have followed them as toddlers and now as adults.Enjoy!
http://swannydude.tripod.com/408.html

Hannah Montana

2008-02-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

I'm finding myself hopping to Miley Cyrus-what happened to me?I like all kinds of music especially Godsmack and Jay Z now I'm bopping to this ha ha My husband goes "who sings this I like it" and I proceed to tell him it is 15 year old Miley Cyrus and we both laugh.....so he switches the station and we listen to Stereophonics....times are a changing...ha ha...and we're changing with it!

Passive Aggressive PD-Thought for the Day

2008-02-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

My thought for the day....I have dealt with people many times in life with this disorder.There are many articles on the subject but I chose this one because it is written in an easy to read format and is pretty all inclusive.It is very hard to deal with anyone with this disorder....they can drive you insane because you can never win...........though most of the time these people have no idea they are actually like this...they perceive themselves as something much different.Although in this article it is giving an example of a husband and wife...you can get the understanding.
The whole article..http://www.newliving.com/issues/nov_2003/articles/passive.html

One piece of this article that stands out is:
Often passive-aggressives can appear pleasant and congenial, but time eventually proves such qualities are a part of a disguise. Beneath the surface are traits that could be changed but are not.Most prominent are: a “quiet” anger, irrational fear and a need for control. Let’s look at each separately. A quiet commitment to anger: Some people falsely assume that anger is only manifested in loud raucous behavior. If you don’t shout or curse or throw things, you probably don’t have anger issues, Right? Anger, is not that one-dimensional. Passive-aggressives experience anger as a means of self-preservation. Instead, they choose to register their anger via non-compliance, hidden rebellion, withdrawal and seeming to act oblivious to everything. This behavior quietly shouts: “You bug me and I’m going to punish you for thinking counter to me.”

Here is another article on the subject that I liked!

http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Passive_Aggressive_Personality_Disorder_a289_f137.html

His favorite place

2008-01-31T15:26:00.000-08:00

The bathtub!

That little butt

I used to get excited to take a bath too-when I had more than 3 minutes to do it ha ha It was a time of relaxation-now it's a race to see how fast I can get in and get out! But many things like that have changed-and so what.I make up for it on the weekend when Joe's around and shave the legs ya know the whole gammit-I even put makeup on ................................ I'll never forget Griffin's cute little butt for the rest of my life... small enough to hold in my hand...ha ha

A mama and her baby

2008-01-30T06:38:00.000-08:00

This is a mama rooster we watched in Key West..It was so sweet to see the baby follow its mama around all over and Griffin was fascinated by them.We ended up sharing some sweet potato puffs with them:)

Still being Sentimental

2008-01-30T06:31:00.001-08:00

Just a look back....over the first year of Griffin's life...and yes I am obsessed with taking pictures lol...................

Let Him Eat cake

2008-01-30T06:24:00.000-08:00

Look at this birthday boy having his first taste of cake! (a cake my proud self made) He wasn't sure at first but it didn't take long for his taste buds to understand that sweet cake and frosting are good and you should eat as much as possible ha ha He's a 1 year old now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He started out at 6 lbs 2 oz

Now a year later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

He's like I've got this handled

Getting Back Into the Swing

2008-01-29T04:39:00.000-08:00

So I'm trying to change my house around a bit and baby proof more and get back into the swing of normal life.It is going well,albit slow,but well enough ha ha I ut up some curtains and still have to get some for the bedroom.After all the moving and changes I guess it's high time to settle down in this house.It has been so sunny outside which has been wonderful.It's been a bit chilly but it is winter after all but having the sun is so nice.In Rochester gray skies were normal and to have the sunshine makes such a difference! I would love to walk more with Griffin but loose dogs worry me.WE go to the library on Tuesday mornings at 10:15am for Song and story time and Griffin has been loving it-seeing the other kids and clapping to songs has been great.We even colored with crayons last week.I try to get him out to see and experience this world of ours at least every other day if not every day.

Well my little man is changing very fast.He has taken a few steps (usually when he doesn't realize it.He is constantly dancing and rocking his head back and forth and I seem to always have nursery songs playing on the CD player so he is using his hands to imitate me when I do the itsy bitsy spider etc... He gets very excited when certain songs come on and when he's eating, if I don't have the CD player on he will rock his head back and forth and look at the radio so I turn it on.The amount of toys he has acquired from Christmas and his birthday is unbelievable.They have completely filled up our living room.And there is more on the way from family.I will have to upload a picture I took a couple days ago to show it for the full effect ha ha He understands so much more now so I am busy teaching him so many things. think about all the things he will learn this year and there is so much!

So much going on!

2008-01-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

I have been busy this week getting ready for Griffin's first birthday party and I have family coming starting on Friday night.My sister just called to tell me she is surprising us by flying down here from NY to be here on Griffin's birthday Saturday which is so nice! Joe's cousin and his wife and their two kids will be arriving on Saturday.Now all I have to do is clean,go grocery shopping tomorrow morning and plan some food ahead so the stress level maintains low tones ha ha I have not been a good blogger as of late because of these tasks and others.I have been trying to organize our house and sort out what goes to goodwill,what gets packed up and stored away etc..... So much to do.But I shall be back next week with my usual bored self ha ha!

My family

2008-01-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Newest addition-My soon to be in April 2008 great Nephew

My nephew Casey James

My nephew Michael (soon to be papa)

My sister Kelly(older sister but not the oldest)

My sister Kim (The oldest)

My brother in law (my sister Kim's husband-married 25 years!)

My mom and dad (married 45 years!)

Eating fresh fish!

Some random pictures!

2008-01-17T09:02:00.000-08:00

Griffin and daddy before daddy went to work

Griffin in Key West

Joe,my sister and I boating in Key West

Key West Sunset

Check it out now

2008-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

It snowed here lol

It's a big deal in NC...for me it just made me happy and reminded me of home!

Getting Back to Normal

2008-01-16T06:31:00.000-08:00

Invariably,everytime I go to Key West to visit family my brother in law (him and my sister live there) always ask me if I wish I could stay.I always answer no. Not because I don't have a wonderful time and don't absolutely love the weather but let's face it if we lived down there both of us would have 1-2 jobs a piece and when your working so much it isn't like you're on the beach or swimming or even enjoying the sunshine lol Many years ago when we first started going out Joe lived in Fort Lauderdale and we contemplated moving there but came to the same conclusion.I do admit however that as I've gotten older, I am no friend of cold weather.Having lived in snow all my life,the move to Northern North Carolina was a nice change.It is always sunny here unlike home in NY, where because of the finger lakes and the location of Rochester we get the "lake effect" snow and inevitably a gray sky 90% of the time.I guess it does snow here where we are in North Carolina but is laughably a "dusting" which isn't snow to me lol It is basically cold cold weather without the fight to drive in sleet and snow so it is a nice balance.

It is definately nice to be back home!I would love to join the Y here to take Griffin swimming all the time but it is $79 a month.I can't get over how expensive it is.Any gym around here is the same amount,I guess we can pay $5.25 everytime we go without being a member but geese.Anyways I did find a church pool we can go to and it would only be $18 a month with an 18 month contract but there isn't very many "open" pool hours.So I am still deciding and searching.It is nice to be back in the swing of things I guess so I will be a blogging.

Going to Paradise

2007-12-30T10:39:00.001-08:00

Well I have been busy busy and neglecting this tiny aspect of my life.Monday the 31st we are off to Key West and will fly back the 11th!!! To everyone HAPPY NEW YEAR in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe's Aunt

2007-12-20T09:11:00.001-08:00

Something she did really made me depressed.I am not looking forward to spending Christmas Eve and Christmas day with her and I am trying not to be like that and jsut ignore it so I enjoy the holidays but it is hard.I had suggested a gift one of her grandsons might like (cause she said she had no clue what to get them) and in turn she called their mother and said "I expected her to spend far more money on them than she planned".That wasn't it at all.I didn't intend for her to take it like that it was only a suggestion.They are rich and will never spend all their money in their lifetime and they only have their 2 grandsons to buy for and noone else.I didn't think a $100 guitar was out of the question and she said she didn't know what to get them.Apparently she said she only expected to spend $50 at the most in total on the two kids less if she could.She is getting them a Rubiks cube "to share" is one gift she told Joe's mom about.Whatever.Her and her husband are very very cheap and much of their life revolves around money,how to not spend it and how to amass more.It depressed me the whole thing-the fact that she called their mother and was offended and the fact that they are so concerned with "their money".It just gets me down and makes me not want to spend the holidays with them.It is supposed to be a happy time,a time when you get excited to see the kids open up their gifts.

I guess you'd have to meet them they are the wierdest people I ever met and extremly cheap and everything is about money to them.I'm depressed even typing this out...

We're Electronically challenged

2007-12-20T08:56:00.000-08:00

So we've come to accept that this year Joe and I are electronically challenged.Two Tv's have gone caput on us.Then the computer (a new motherboard fixed that) and our awesome Toaster went a month ago and now as of last week our fancy DVD player went.I bought Joe that DVD player 4 years ago and it had all the bells and whistles but now it is dead.Sooo we are left playing DVD's in Joe's old Playstation.Hey at least we have something but what more can happen this year.Our garage looks like a storage place for old electronics.I have to pay to have most of them disposed of and can never seem to justify spending the money so there they sit.

I lost a day this week.I thought Tuesday was Wednesday and Wednesday was Thursday and it didn't hit me until 8pm on Wednesday night.I've been baking.My circus waffle idea didn't work all it did was make a huge mess but overall everything else went well with baking.I still have fudge and 7 layer bars to make but those are easy.I may make another type of cookie since I have an extra day this week (since I lost one lol).

Done with the stress Ready for Fun!

2007-12-15T18:17:00.000-08:00

Ok so technically I'm done Christmas shopping Yay!!!!!!!!!!! I just have to get a few more stocking stuffers for Joe and Griffin! I think I was done Thursday but that was only because I had to wait on that Olive Garden gift card to mail the last of the packages.I could of bought the prepaid Visa I bought Joe's nephew before that but I figured I'd do it on the same trip as when I went to the post office. I have never been done so early.I am just overwhelmed with pride because of it.I think I'll defiantely be more organized next year and get some done during the year because feeling this way is great.No stress just enjoying the season! I have a lot of holiday baking to do and this is something I really enjoy.Normally I do a lot of it.I will be doing a lot for Joe's employees, our great neighbors and Joe's family for Christmas.I went and got even more baking stuff tonight.I'm not gonna even state how much I've spent on baking supplies because the guilt will set in.But there are certain supplies I replace every year regardless because they aren't used much like cocoa powder,baking soda,baking powder,crisco.Of course I always have to buy confectionary sugar,coconut etc...
I am very upset this year because I am unable to find where my circues waffle maker was put during our move(handed down to me from my grandma).I know it is somewhere but I can't find it so I have to improvise with old fashioned steel cookie cutters that have handles on them and a handle made out of a coat hanger ha ha The handle is so I don't burn myself frying them in the oil.Then I coat them in confectionary sugar when they come out just like a funnel cake basically like you get at the fair.I was gonna scrap my idea and just make fried dough but I really want to make the circus waffles.I am gonna make fudge,christmas sugar cookies,7 layer bars,peanut butter cookies,a new one this year whoopie pies,I may make brownies or brownie cookies haven't decided which but they will be topped with chocolate frosting and crushed up peppermint candy canes.I will also make Italian chocolate meatball cookies which are awesome.Now I'm hungry oh boy,I have a sweet tooth-always have always will.

Anyways Griffin and I did some dancing today to Christmas music and we did some waltzing.Joe got laughing so hard because Griffin was in my arms and continued to sway back and forth when I stopped moving.He also kept moving his hand up and down as if I was still waltzing with him! He loves to dance like his mama!He definately wants to get after the presents and the tree now.He is done being curious and now really just wants to tear it all apart lol.He especially loves bows and the christmas ornaments, so we had to block off the tree a bit more.

In the last three weeks he has really found his voice and wants you to know how loud he can get.He does this ear peircing scream or sreech whatever it is and is So loud you have to cover your ears eeeeeegads.He is also having these constant conversations with himself and everyone else.He's been doing that for awhile, having the conversations, but now it is a constant and he looks at you as if you understand and tips his head-he just cracks me up it's so cute.He walks around the house with his highchair and if he gets stuck on something and it won't move he grunts and pushes and I am always laughing or running for a camera.He's a one man circus show all the time ha ha I tell you
I love that boy with all my heart and I could never imagine a day without him in my life.We feel very lucky to have him and he is our miracle and will forever be-our little Griffin Lee!

Almost done..

2007-12-10T15:16:00.000-08:00

I say that loosely to encourage myself...and I am referring to Christmas shopping.As I said before I am a terrible decision maker otherwise I would be done by now.But I am proud of myself nonetheless.I have even wrapped most gifts and mailed some gifts and only have two more packages to mail.I am waiting on an Olive Garden gift card I ordered November 27th.The stupid 800# never ever answers and claims you are on hold for the next available person which is bull because I set my phone on speaker for 45 minutes twice and noone answered then the calls disconnected.I have emailed and left 3 messages with no return calls! If I had the card I could mail one of my packages so I find this inexcusable and filled out some dumb corporate form today to complain that I am unable to communicate with them regarding the status of the card.Can you tell I'm pissed? Well I am.It made me mad today too that I went in Target and saw that you could buy Olive Garden gift cards in a set amount.Even though mine was for more than they offered It is not worth this hassle.I know I'm obsessed.I would laugh but I'm still mad
:( poor Griffin is sleeping.He didn't get his nap until late because we had to return a gift grandma got him and go to another store to et him a new toy.He was so good for me-smiling and laughing for peoplebut he was one tired little fella rubbin' his red eyes.He fell asleep in minutes.It's almost dinner time.I better get going.

It's been so long

2007-12-07T20:47:00.001-08:00

Since I had a nap during the day when I'm usually home with Griffin alone.Even if he does fall asleep usually I can't or he wakes up before I get a chance to slip into la la land.Today as soon as he fell asleep for his nap at 430pm I laid on the couch with a pillow on my head.As any other time I tried this-I highly doubted I would succeed! For some reason I keep trying? ha ha Anyone who knows me well knows I loooove sleep.Well even though I love it and always have, my body changed it's mind about sleep when I was ending my 4th month of pregnancy! I layed awake so much at night it was hardly worth going to bed the rest of my pregnancy ha ha Then I dragged allll day.The day I came home from the hospital with my beautiful newborn son I looked forward to some sleep.After about 8 hours it was starting to get dark and since I was breastfeeding and seeing how often my little fella was hungry I slowly started thinking maybe this sleep thing wasn't going to work out like I had been thinking all day.And so began my HUGE lesson in the lack of sleep and the need to be a caring, patient and doting parent regardless if you've slept 1 hour out of 24.Some days I think I was delirious.I went in the shower with my glasses on.Wore my shorts inside out all day and to a store.You name it I did it.But it is true what they say it really is all worth it! I may have felt exhausted and looked like a deranged monkey but.....everything hard in life is worth more!

So anyways back to my original story of my attempt to take a nap today.I actually fell asleep for an hour until I heard Griffin.I was in such a deep sleep (it had become dark outside) I wondered why he was not in his jammies.I thought to myself how could I leave my baby all night in bib overalls and I went to check on Joe in our bedroom because I wondered why he hadn't woke me up to take care of Griffin-that is when I realized it wasn't early morning it was nighttime, 5:30pm to be exact! It was such a nice sound sleep and I don't remember anything except putting that pillow on my head.Such a nice memory................................

Oh little Blog

2007-12-05T18:03:00.001-08:00

I have neglected you...but for good reason.I am busy doing things for the holidays.Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping,packing,shipping.I will back to you soon.Griffin has been continuously sleeping through the night weeks and weeks and it's like I have my mind back.(except for the occasional wake up).I'm gonna use it wisely and get this stressful stuff done so I can relax.I'm a terrible terrible worrywart and when it comes to giving gifts and wrapping it is hard for me to make decisons (hence mental stress) and everything must look beautiful! I actually accomplished sending almost all my Christmas cards out-except 8 and mailed one package.45 minutes in line at the Post office with Griffin in one arm and a package in the other,until I finally set it down.He's such a good baby.He wiggled some but it was mostly to try to touch other people.He laughed and entertained the whole line!! He looks so cute with his teeth when he smiles! I loved it when he was all gums but this smile with his 7 teeth is precious.I need to work on a pic.I'm exhausted and am going to sign off but I will return soon.......................

Bow

2007-11-30T17:05:00.001-08:00

I was given this award by Mishelle aka Secretagentmama and I humbly accept! My thanks to her and to everyone else who wastes their time reading my fairly boring blog lol I'm just getting started though in my defense ha ha

I almost forgot the other award given to me.It is given to people who provide you ammunition! to people who read your words and give you reason to continue on your mission to blog!

Just playing

2007-11-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

Excuse this I'm just playing with widgets to keep my mind off my terrrible day so I don't cry.

Questions of Life

2007-11-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

I've just been ho hum for a few days.I'm depressed a bit and just don't feel myself. Someone I have never met yet experienced pregnancy and after with, found out their child has life long health issues and I'm having a hard time accepting that.I see nothing but a beautiful child a happy one at that! My heart aches for her mother and father. I do believe things aren't always as they seem so I'm very hopeful.The doctors don't seem to very informative and is leaving her parents in a state of confusion asking what now? Which makes it worse... Thank goodness she will always be surrounded with love and attention no matter what.

Stuff

2007-11-29T03:49:00.000-08:00

The commercialization of Christmas really gets to me sometimes.I know it is nice to get people gifts and it makes me feel good but I don't like the fact that,especially for kids, the implication the retailers give you that you have to spend a lot to get them anything they would remotely like.It's all about "stuff".Acquire more stuff... I like gift cards because if you get one you can use it for something you truly need/want.Same thing for if you give one.But to get people slippers, nightgowns,gloves etc... when you don't know if they need them or want them and are just at a loss as to what they would like seems dumb to me.I know a lot of people don't do gift cards because they want the person to have something to open but why not get a small gift and include the gift card? My nephews are big now but when they were little I bought them video games, toys, board games, radios, walkie talkies etc.. and they acquired so much stuff-so much that they had no idea they had it because it never got used more than a few times..... Maybe nowadays it is different because a lot of the gifts are electronic and they get used more and they cost more? Still, I think rather than guessing sometimes a gift card would be a good idea-what kid doesn't like to shop for themselves ha ha Kids nowadays don't want an Mp3 player they need an Ipod.They don't want a cell phone they want a Juke,Razor or Chocolate Bar cell phone-it's all about brand names marketed to them to sell stuff. So you wonder when you buy something is this really gonna be good enough and live up to their expectations-is it the right brand? I guess this goes through my head periodically when I am shopping for the holidays. I am always trying to stream line the "stuff" I have that I don't use so I guess that is why I have this thing about "stuff"..................

Growing Up

2007-11-29T03:36:00.000-08:00

My baby boy understands a lot and it amazes me every day.I have given him a plastic fork a few times and although he is by no means eating with a fork he understands how to hold it and that it is used to scoop food out of a bowl or plate. I guess you have to start somewhere ha ha. If I hand him a fork and then hold up a bowl/plate he dips the fork in it.Not much if any food makes it on the fork but he tries to eat it none the less ha ha Sometimes he turns the fork around preferring to chew on the handle lol He has also become a fan of banging,dropping and throwing his sippy cup as well! He is doing so good eating table food.Last night he has some turkey meat sticks and some baked potato and a few bites of a juicy pear for dessert.The night before last he had some chicken and a sweet potato.It is so cute to watch him chew and a lot of the times he chews while smiling.I swear this kid makes me feel like a million bucks everytime I look at him......

Griffin tickle

2007-11-26T18:56:00.001-08:00

The Spirit of the Season

2007-11-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

I'm getting into the holiday spirit! We feel so lucky to have our new baby this year to share Christmas with. We are so happy to have him it can't be put into words! We look forward to him enjoying all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the holiday season. We put up the Christmas tree tonight and when we got all done we set him in front of it to take a look. He looked it up and down and then he stared at the bulbs and the tinsel and the lights and then looked at each of us and smiled..................then he made a giant leap for the tree!
Which of course we fully expected-ok we're knew parents we kind of longed to experience him going after it- we admit it ha ha We have cornered the tree with furniture and his play pen so he can look at it but it will be safely out of reach while it's up though.Here is a few pictures we took trying to make this years Christmas Card lol

Just a Couple More...

2007-11-19T05:20:00.000-08:00

Not Much Going On

2007-11-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

Not too much going on so I thought I'd post a few photos of my baby boy.He's growing up and showing his sweet personality every day so photos of him are some of my favorite things.

My Big Boy

2007-11-17T08:16:00.001-08:00

I was gonna post this and forgot.I took Griffin for his flu shot yesterday and the little peanut gained a pound in three weeks! I guess that explains the periodic nights of him waking up lol I have noticed he is eating so much solid food I have had to buy a lot more than usual in the past month. The boy is eating a small fortune my goodness but I see his growth spurt has helped.

Christmas presents

2007-11-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Since Christmas and Griffin's birthday are only a month apart I've been looking at toys.We have a budget of course, a small one.Since he really doesn't know the difference I guess we're lucky this year :) I have been looking at 3 in particular and have read the reviews. The only concern with the table is that it is not very sturdy for a baby that climbs.Though Griffin has just started slowly crusing he isn't at that climbing stage yet but he is trying to literally climb things by pulling on them and has almost lifted himself entirely off the ground hanging on to the outside of his playpen! I guess when he gets to the climbing stage I can just pull off the legs and put it on his Plastic picnic table he has so he can still play with it. Here are the three toys I am almost positive we have decided on.

I'm so indecisive I could change my mind but I really like these so far!

Laughing is good for the Soul

2007-11-14T05:59:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was like any day except Griffin had a Zwieback toast for the first time which he insisted on sharing with me and laughed everytime my face came near it.Needless to say by the end I had some of it on my face and it made him laugh even harder.It's amazing because he was up 4X during the night for some reason and hadn't slept all day but 15 minutes yet he was still happy. I was exhausted, with toast on my face and when I went to wipe it off I looked in the mirror I just had to laugh.Because I know this will be a good story to tell Joe when he got home.We took him to dinner last night and ordered him a baked potato which he loved but he put on quite the funny show for us and everyone else.He raises his arms up when we say "sooo big" then bangs his hands on the table again and again and laughs.He waits for our reaction,laughs, then continues.Everyone had to stop and talk with him and he puts on the big smile and shows them his noise making abilities.We then took him to Walgreens for a few minutes and played all the animated Christmas figures they had in there and he stared,laughed and grabbed at every one of them.I think we had more fun doing it and we were cracking up.Other people cracked up too.It's just so cute that he has no idea about Christmas,Santa and the "Season" yet. Next year I'm sure we'll be hearing "I want that" or grabbing what he wants at Christmas time lol so we are just gonna enjoy this while it lasts.

Time to make donuts mama

2007-11-13T05:08:00.000-08:00

Every morning when I wake to my baby boys smile I ask him is it time to make the donuts? Instead of another day another dollar I tell him another day another smile.Oh how happy it makes me to see that smile.I never thought I could love anything this much! *sigh* Not much to say today because I'm actually going to try to be productive for once.

My little fella

2007-11-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

I look at this picture and I see the most beautiful thing in the world. He just started trying to cruise around and between furniture yesterday trying to build up his confidence.He is changing so rapidly.He is becoming really vocal and expressive with his hands and actions. He is very social and wants us to know how he is feeling and needs to know we enjoy what he's doing wether it is clapping, dancing, making noise. He waits for our reaction when he falls or does something-he's learning every second of the day it seems. I think he is going through yet another growth spurt since he is eating an unbelieveable amount of milk and solid food everyday.Only so much comes out so I have no idea where it all goes lol.

We got him a toy he can walk with when he is able to and after that he can actually ride it like a scooter and I can't get over how much he loves it.We are right there when he is standing with it but I can't get over how brave he is.He has actually taken steps with it but it is still something that needs to be done with supervision because it easily goes forward and yet Griff does not so easily go forward.He just loves the toys on it and loves to stand so I think it was a good investment.It is more age appropriate for him then the rest of his toys,except a Vtech driver things that has a steering wheel etc... on it. Well I'm just gushing about my little fella so I'll sign off until another day.... Here is a picture of this wonderful toy!

Family

2007-11-09T05:41:00.000-08:00

Joe's brother flew in from Long Island on Wednesday and will be staying until Saturday.I love him...but there are some things... He is a very big guy-I'd have to guess 220lbs at least and he is afraid of bugs.Last night at 11:30pm he advised me that there was a bug int the bathroom and showed me with his fingers how big it was.He was showing it was 3 inches long!!! I was like 'are you sure" and started to get nervous.He said "you better go look and take bug spray or a swatter or something".Joe was sleeping.I'm a country girl from upstate NY and even though I'm not use to all the bugs I've encountered in NC (and don't like) generally I can handle them.So I go into the bathroom shaking-his brother is behind me crouched and will not step into the bathroom.Well I found the bug which was approximatelty 1/2 inch long=a potatoe bug and I got it with some tissue and showed it to him.I said "Is this the bug" and he peeked over (since he would not come within 4 ft. of it and said "yes thank god you got it".I told Joe about it this morning and he's like my brother is wierd.He's afraid of a lot of things.When he was here for a visit Memorial day weekend and we were in the yard he had bug spray and was constantly spraying it,some repellant cream he rubbed on his legs,some sunburn spray bottle for his bald head,another bottle of sunscreen for the rest of him,a nasal inhaler he was using- all next to him the whole time.Joe said my brother "can't hang" he is like a paranoid old man.His brother also likes to know what we are doing-he needs a schedule-and it always needs to include shopping and buying something-for himself.That is a whole nother story. This is enough for today lol.Gosh I feel better :)

Upset

2007-11-09T05:39:00.000-08:00

I was upset with this blog because I lost a huge post!!! I also have to relog in constantly.Maybe they are having issues.I know it is silly to be mad at a blog but geeze...

2007-11-07T04:53:00.001-08:00

2007-11-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

I just want to add that I made homeade scalloped potatoes for the first time today-I got them prepared and part way cooked so we can have them with dinner tomorrow night.I have the roast with potatoes/carrots cooking in the crockpot and most of the baby stuff stored away.There is so much to do today I can't see me possibly getting it all done.The baby has been giving me such a hard time eating solids but he ate fork mashed potatoes for lunch and I am soooo happy!At least the day has been partially productive.

2007-11-04T03:57:00.000-08:00

Today is a better day...except I forgot about daylight savings time and Griffin got up at 5am! BUT-he did sleep through the night for the second day in a row so I am very very happy.He hasn't done that since he was born.Joe is home today it's his day off and he is sleeping.I'll get a nap sometime today.Then I am making a small sirloin tip roast in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots, going grocery shopping and of course the never ending saga of laundry.. Joe only has one day off this week so I'm gonna take advantage of it.Plus his brother flies in on Wednesday so there are things I need to get done.I went through all Griffin's clothes and am storing things such as the bottle warmer, his baby bathtub etc.... On with the day...

Far Away from All we Know

2007-11-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today isn't a good day for me to start this blog. Why? because I think a blog is suppose to focus on daily life-one day at a time right? And right now I'm looking at life as a whole-the big picture perhaps is how I'd like to put it. At least today I am and the big picture bothers me in a lot of ways today.... So right now there are many things on my mind..so many things it isn't worth talking about. One thing that is foremost on my mind is the fact that due to money I will not see my family this year for Thanksgiving or Christmas. We are in a new state and don't know anyone so the holidays which are so important to me will be spent with just us..which is very sad to me and makes me wonder how long I can do that...live without family and friends nearby.Joe works such long hours everyday and he has been working 6 days a week..on salary of course so we aren't getting extra compensation in money for the extra time.So most days it is me and my little 9 month old man.He doesn't talk yet so the lack of conversation and brain stimulization is making my mind concentrate on everything...and some of those things aren't good and make me want to cry or scream or both.So I will sign off for now..until I have something to focus on that has a point in the end....

I'm Just Me

It's been a looong time!

8 or is it 7 more days

Lazy Saturday

July 4th weekend

Please interpret me mama

Today

It's been so long

Money and Mums the word

I'm still here

I've been on break

Come on Sunshine

Whoopdee do

It's Friday Folks

A choice

Another Day

Springtime

It's Friday!!

Today is one of those days

What u find when u look

Just so you know he pooped in My Hand

Oh boy

I'm so neglectful

Catching up

I'll live with it

Today is not my day

TGIF!!!!!!!!

I've been bad

Walking

Something to think about

Funny

Food games

TROLLS

Monday Monday

Mr. Potato Head

Social Anxiety

He did it!!!!

Oh my little Blog

Thought for the Day

Picture Day!

Blah Blah Blah

Being Silly

Doing Our Part

Interesting

No more

I am so Psyched It's the Day

So many Firsts

NC is Wierd

You're Invited

Hannah Montana

Passive Aggressive PD-Thought for the Day

His favorite place

A mama and her baby

Still being Sentimental

Let Him Eat cake

Getting Back Into the Swing

So much going on!

My family

Some random pictures!

Check it out now

Getting Back to Normal

Going to Paradise

Joe's Aunt

We're Electronically challenged

Done with the stress Ready for Fun!

Almost done..

It's been so long

Oh little Blog

*Bow*

Just playing

Questions of Life

Stuff

Growing Up

Griffin tickle

The Spirit of the Season

Just a Couple More...

Not Much Going On

My Big Boy

Christmas presents

Laughing is good for the Soul

Bow