Baby T

Here she is! Look Jod - you gave me a challenge and BAM! This is Uncle M and Aunt B's little one - Baby T! She weighed in on March 22 at 7lbs. 6 oz. and is 18 inches long. We went down and saw her yesterday. Baby T is ADORABLE and so tiny - I know M & B - CS and I must of said this 100 times yesterday - we just don't remember how little they can be! She was awake the whole time we were there. When Uncle M holds her he looks like a giant! Congrats to Uncle M and Aunt B again! Baby T is perfect!!! These first few weeks and the toughest - everyone getting used to each other and a new schedule. My advice ask for help when needed, sleep when she sleeps, and never turn down a meal being cooked for you, or your house being cleaned for you! Enjoy every minute - they grow up fast!!!

My Girl Wants to Party All the Time

I had two parties yesterday - yep that's right people TWO!!! Usually I have nothing to do, so to be invited to two was well...unheard of! Party #1 was a Pampered Chef party here in town hosted by one of the moms I have met here. I had a great time!! Hanging out with our moms who share common interests. One of the moms there knows CS and CJ from one of the classes they take - how funny! Plus I got to see some of the PC things I have been hearing so much about! There was food, coffee, and lots of socializing! A great time!!! Then we went to visit Baby T - this will be my next blog. The second party didn't start until 7:30 - if you know me well you know that I am in bed no later than 9:00 - good thing I drank so much coffee at the first party! I also couldn't decide how to dress for this party. It was a dinner party with people from work - and most of you know about the people I work with. Thankfully, the attire I choose was perfect - slacks, light sweater, and boots. The invitation asked for everyone to bring a bottle of wine for a "wine tasting". The top three would win prizes. Now, CS and I are not really drinkers anymore - especially of wine. So I sent CS to the store to get something with a label that said "white trash" a running joke at work. He couldn't find anything that like that. However, he found a bottle called Mommy's Time Out! Perfect. It even had a picture of a chair in a corner with a bottle of wine and a wineglass on a table next to the chair. If anything, it would be a conversation piece. I promptly arrive at 7:30 - that's what the invitation said - the first to arrive by 25 minutes! This should have been my first indication to make sure I could leave early. To make a long story short (anyway I already told you the most exciting part of this party - my wine!) I had an OK time. I was out with grownups, drinking wine, and eating good good. But even though I work with these people, other than work I had nothing in common with them. I stayed later than I wanted because I didn't want to be the first to leave. Crazy I know! So I bet you will have a hard time guess which party I had the most fun at!!!! I can't wait to "party" with the people from party number one again!!!!!!

Disco Duck

As many of you know, CJ has a stuffed duck that has been a part of our family since he was a babe. Well, "Baby Duckie" - as he is now known- has aged quite a bit over the past 3 1/2 years. He has almost no stuffing, and his color isn't quite yellow, but more of a gray. Baby Duckie gets his bath every week, but the color seems to get worse instead of better. His bill and one of his feet have a worn spot - these are CJ's comfort spots he will rub these spots when he needs comfort. Lately, Baby Duckie has taken on quite the personality - or should I say personalities. Baby Duckie is scared, sad, happy, and lately he is Disco Duck!!! For Easter, Grandma and Grandpa picked out a musical card for CJ. The card has a cute duck dancing to the tune of "Disco Duck". You know the tune - Rick Dees from the late 70s. Well, CJ loves it! I went on youtube to find some video and the full song, and I have created a new obsession. It is very cute to see Baby Duckie dancing around being Disco Duck! Last night in the tub, this was CJ's song of choice to sing. He especially loves the "quacking" sounds in the song. So the next time you call us on the phone, ask CJ to sing Disco Duck for you - you will get a treat!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter All!!!! We had a terrific low key day, it was wonderful!!! We thought we were going to see the new baby today, but since we are still a bit coughy and sniffling, we thought better not to get the new baby sick! CJ quickly grasped the concept of finding eggs. He was sooo excited. In fact, he went past his Easter basket 5 times while he quickly searched for eggs. Then he had to open each egg to discover what was inside. Some had magnets from his favorite movie, so had little toy cars, and others had his favorite candy. After all the eggs had been opened CJ decided to open his basket filled with books and some new workbooks. He was very excited! After playing for awhile we decided to go on an outing before we had to get the house ready for company. We found a bakery open bought some bread for dinner, went to DD for coffee and donuts, then went to Walmart - what all the other rednecks do on Easter :) When we got home, there was another egg hunt outside! CJ was so excited to find these eggs, so excited in fact that he wanted us to hide them again and again. We hid the eggs several times, before I decided they needed to come in. We replaced the real eggs with the plastic and CJ continued to have Daddy hide them time and time again. Towards the end, he began hiding them himself then finding them! Very cute. Aunt T, Uncle C, and Baby J came over for dinner. CJ was very nice to Baby J - I think he has finally warmed up to him - it has only taken a year. So it looks like it will be this time next year that CJ will be warmed to his new baby cousin! Too bad Baby J and family are moving - CJ will be missing them when they go. Well, I have homework to do before I go to bed. I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday!!

A new cousin

CJ has a new cousin! Today Uncle M and Aunt B had a baby girl!!! We are thrilled for them, and cannot wait to meet her. It will be interesting to see how CJ reacts to a new addition to the family. He is used to being the center of the universe! His best friend, Baby J has given him some practice in sharing the spotlight. CJ is very vocal in how he feels about this usually,"No...I don't want to play with Baby J! Baby J can stay home!" Regardless, we are hopeful that one day he will be happy to live close to a cousin. CONGRATULATIONS Uncle M and Aunt B!!!!

Date night

Last night CS and I had a date night. As many of you are aware - this is a rarity. We NEVER get to go anywhere. Lucky for us, one of CJ's favorite uncles works close by so can now come up on a weeknight and babysit! Thanks so much Uncle P!! Last month we went to dinner, hung out at Barnes and Noble, then went to a movie!! WOW! I was up waaayyyy past my bedtime - aren't you all proud?? But last night, we decided to go window shopping for things we need for the house. Lawnmowers, air conditioners, a dishwasher, microwave, and outside furniture. I know boring - but with CJ in tow we buy in a hurry. So we looked, wrote things down, and got an idea of how much we need to spend. Then we got to the date part - dinner. But we didn't really think of where to go before hand - so it took us awhile to decide. By the time we decided, we weren't eating dinner until almost 9:00. But hey we were out spending time with each other - and that's all that counts! We had a great time, and look forward to our next date night - hopefully something a little more exciting than looking at lawnmowers!!

We may have it all figured out

CJ is finally hive free today after having them for four days! I think I fgured it out. There was a blanket of his packed in a box. The box has been sitting in our den since we moved in. Now the den is the one room in the house that we have not touched since we moved in. We really don't know what to do with it, and throw junk in there whenever we have company and shut the door. So you can imagine what it looks like - and oh yeah i haven't cleaned in there either. So the blanket - his "sports blanket" that Aunt Sunny made for him was rediscovered on Saturday. Of course, it had to go on his bed that night - along with "blue blanket" made by Grandma S, his "cars and trucks blanket" picked out by he cousin R, and his "froggie blanket" a gift from Aunties N and S (by the way there were two other blankets on his bed that I had to secretly put away because - HOW MANY BLANKETS can one have???). So Sunday he woke up...everything was normal. It was Monday that the hives appeared and took over his entire body! We thought maybe something at Grandma and Grandpa's, food, other than that we had no idea. So two days later when the hives did not appear to be clearing, I remembered the blanket. I told CS to wash everything (which I had to give directions for - but that's for another blog). We weren't really sure....but once we washed everything he began to clear up. So...dust on the blanket from being packed away and in the "junk room". Not sure, but at least he is better. Thanks to this experience I am on a mission to dust, clean, sweep and straighten out the "junk room" - along with all the other rooms in the house this weekend. Ah..the beginnings of spring cleaning!

Come on Girls, you gotta stick together

I can't believe that as a first grade teacher, I had to sit down with all of my girls and tell them to stop being nasty to each other! This is waaaaaayyyy too young to have this going on. Really there is one ring leader (isn't there always) and others are following her. I don't get it. This is the time to have fun and not care, but oh no they do! So I had lunch with them. We sat and discussed what has been going on (not using names) and then we did one of my favorite activities. I used to do this with the older kids, because first graders didn't really get it. I wasn't sure how it would work, but thought I would try it anyway. I made a paper doll, and we decided to call her Sally. Each girl had to say a bad thing to Sally and then crumple her. After everyone had a turn, it was time to say a nice thing to Sally and smooth her out. In the end you are left with a Sally that is creased and you can never get the wrinkles out. Just like words...you can't take back hurtful things and you never forget when someone says a hurtful thing to you. Did I get through to them??? Some of them yes, but the one who needs it the most - Nope. Back to being exclusive by snack time. They will learn at some point in their life, that girls need each other and they need to look out for one another.

An important decision

I did it! I finally made a decision that I have been fretting over for years. I am applying to different districts. Some of you are probably saying, "About f****** time!" I know, I know. I told both the principal and VP yesterday, so it's official and there's no turning back. Gotta get that resume together, cover letter, buy an interview outfit, practice interview questions, and have a super lesson ready to teach any grade. I'm not telling anyone else at work yet, as I first need to obtain a new job then I will tell others. Because, let's face it...I still have to work. So I can't leave this place until I have something else. The commute finally pushed me over the edge...along with other things. But it's getting up at the crack of dawn leaving at 5:45 to avoid traffic that did it. It would be nice to sleep in every once in awhile. Plus, I want to be closer to where CJ goes to school. I will keep you up to date...wish me luck!

What can it be?

CS called and left me a message at work today, "Call me as soon as you can. We've had an interesting day." It was 11:15 and I had to get my class to the cafeteria by 11:20. But, of course, I panic a little and start to worry so I call. CS: "CJ woke up with a rash" Me: "Did you call the pediatrician?" CS,"Let me finish...we had an appointment at 9:30, but the Jeep is dead." Me: "Ok...let me see what I can do. Call you back." Now....I have to try and get people to cover my class for the afternoon so I can go home to help solve these problems. I get coverage, call CS...and head home. I walk in the door, and I can't believe it! CJ is covered with blotchy red spots - his face, neck, stomach, and oh my his back is one big red spot! Of course - I jump on the Internet and try to figure out what can it be? I'm finding too many things, and decide I'd better wait and hear what the pediatrician says. Other than being blotchy, CJ is in good spirits. Itchy, but happy. So, the Dr. says it's an allergic reaction to something - we really can't figure out what. It could be Chinese food - he had it for the first time last night, but literally he had one bite. Maybe grandma and grandpa's dog....who knows. He also has an ear infection, which he has never had before. So....who knows. Hopefully, he won't break out again. But if he does then we are a little more prepared this time around. And all of this...we forgot it was St. Patrick's Day!!!! So Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Sundays = Family Day

Today we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa for St. Patty's Day and Easter. No one wanted to make Easter plans for next week just in case my sister in-law goes into labor this week - she is due on the 20th. We had a very nice visit, because CJ was in a good mood. He had a great day today - and it has been a long while since he has had a great day. He entertained everyone by singing and laughing. CJ sat on Grandpa's lap and colored for awhile, he actually ate everything that was put in front of him. What a difference! Due to St. Patrick's day being tomorrow, Irish music was playing in the background while we ate and chatted. CJ loves music - he doesn't care what kind it is. All of the sudden we hear him singing,"beer, beer, beer" - well....he is part Irish!

When we came home, the weather was nice so CJ asked to get out his "bike" - a hot wheels 3 wheeler that his uncle M and Aunt B got him for Christmas. The problem with the bike is that CJ hasn't quite learned how to do it himself. If he is on a very straight path - no hills, no bumps - he can pedal, but he has not mastered steering quite yet. So CS and I spend most of the walk bent over pushing him along. Although fun for CJ, not good for any one's backs! When we got home, CJ decided that he now wanted to walk around the block. How can we say no - we have been cooped up all winter! Even though, the wind picked up, and we began to get very cold on the way back home, today gave us a taste of what Sundays are going to be like very soon - fun family days!

No Never!

Recently, CJ has switched from wanting to watch Little Einsteins to wanting to watch The Backyardigens. I don't mind the Little Einsteins - he watched Baby Einsteins when he was a young lad - he loves music so much and knows many musical phrases. But the Backyardigens - I'm not so sure. When asking CJ to take a bath the other night, he replied, "NO, NEVER!" I wasn't sure I heard my sweet boy correctly! CS and I could not figure it out, where did he pick that up? After a few days of "NO, NEVER" replies to everything - it came to me...That show! So the next time he asks if he can watch LE - I will say yes...but if he asks for BY - I might have to say "NO, NEVER!"

A new look

At first, I started this blog as a weight loss journey blog. Then, inspired by a new friend, I have decided to keep a record for friends and family. A record of funny things CJ does, insights into teaching, and updates on family doings. So...enjoy!