...and then you blink

7 years...

And I love you more than ever. Thank you for being a wonderful father and a loving husband.

Here's to many, many more years of happiness!
Happy Anniversary!

You cold down there?

We are trying so hard to get Chase to go to the potty. We have lengthy talks about big boys don't use a diaper, big boys go poopy in the potty, etc., etc. He seems to like going to the potty at the babysitter's house, but will scream bloody murder when we even hint about the potty at our house. We hit a major milestone on Sunday when we were at my mother's for lunch: He ran to the potty and went! ALL BY HIMSELF!!! We all cheered and made utter fools of ourselves, and he was so proud. That was it for the day. No more potty. Oh well, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Fast forward to yesterday. I pick him up from the babysitter's house, and she tells me that they had gone grocery shopping and were just about to leave when he tells her he has to go "poop." She finds the bathroom and he does it! This has to be good, right?
I had to head right back to school for cheerleading practice (I always take Chase with me - it's just easier that way), and he tells me again that he has to go potty. I'm thinking "WOW! It has finally clicked!" We go to the teacher's lounge and he stands there (and stands, and stands, and STANDS!) - he refuses to sit. After a few minutes (hours it feels) he says "mama I cold." Before I can respond, he reaches down, pulls his "peepee" and says "pecker, you cold down there?" I thought I would die! He didn't have a stool, so his "peepee" was resting on the toilet brim. Out of the mouths of babes...

How ironic is it that this came out in our newspaper today:

Peter Potty gets standing ovation from toddlers One of the most difficult challenges that parents face during their child's early development is potty training. Although some children learn faster than others, little boys tend to take longer to potty train than girls. This is primarily due to the stand-up factor. Since most boys between 2 and 3 years old are too small to reach the toilet and their aiming skills are just not there yet, they start their potty training by sitting down. However, when little boys sit down to go potty, they still have trouble aiming down into the toilet bowl, and the traditional potty training seats with deflector devices simply do not work. When boys grow tall enough to use a toilet or a urinal, most parents have to retrain them to stand, which requires balance and can make a little fellow uncomfortable, especially when using a public restroom. The solution may be the Peter Potty, from Visionaire Products, a flushable toddler urinal that makes it easy and fun to train little boys to be little stand-up guys! The Peter Potty is made of durable plastic, and designed to look and function just like a real grown-up urinal. It even has its own toddler-friendly flush system to keep the potty sanitary and teach good hygiene. Parents simply have to fill the reservoir on the top and empty the liquid waste from the tray below. No plumbing, tools or additional attachments are required. Most important, it's sized to fit little boys, and it adjusts to a toddler's height, so there is no need for a step stool. The Peter Potty can either mount directly on a wall or to the sturdy, free-standing base that comes in the box. Parents can set it up in a bathroom, in a child's room, or anywhere in the house. Since traveling often puts a temporary halt on the potty training process, the lightweight design makes it easy and convenient to transport wherever families go. The Peter Potty was conceived by mother and entrepreneur Marcia Hauflaire and is being introduced to the marketplace by Visionaire Products. It is available at select retail outlets and on the Internet at www.visionaire products.com. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $39.99.

How many !!!! can I use in one post?

Comments are fixed, thanks to my wonderful host! It sure helps to have someone smart around! :o)

I am so irritated because I missed Wickedly Perfect last night! I had a ballgame to go to (no choice in the matter), and was so rushed to leave at 5:00 that I forgot to set the recorder. Just another check on the reasons we need a DVR. Up until now digital cable (and TiVo) have been one of the things to do without for the sake of "the budget." I am slowly creeping to the "I want it real bad" phase. Especially when American Idol starts in a couple of weeks. I just have to convince the hubs that it is necessary. Ha! Maybe soon, though.

Not much planned for my weekend. I tend to get bored this time of year. Christmas (and all the hubbub that comes with it) is over, and I feel like there's nothing interesting to get out and do. Not that sitting home is bad, but man, there's only so many times a person can sit through Spider Man (1, 2, and various cartoon versions). We rotate them constantly. I'm quite sure Wild Child can quote them by now. Speaking of Wild Child, his new favorite word is "sideways." However, he thinks it is the replacement word for backwards, inside-out, and around. Everything needs to be turned sideways . Quite funny. And, the other day I walked in the living room to him standing on the ottoman changing SpiderMan DVD's out (a big no-no). I told him "Mommy is not happy with you!" and he put on his "charmer" face and said "Yes you is!" How are you supposed to deal with cuteness like that? I've got my work cut out for me here!

Merry Christmas to all...

I am so sick of SICK!

Viral Infection (Chase)
Severe eye infection (the hubs)
sinus infection (me)
sinus infection (the hubs)
now...
stomach virus (Chase)
All over the course of the last 3 weeks. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Tim and I get the latest round. Shit. There is still shopping to be done, presents to wrap, family to visit. Why, oh why, must my family be stricken with the sickies over and over?!?
And, dadgum, I have my Knit-In party tonight! You'll just have to overlook this pity party. It'll pass soon enough.

The sickies cometh, and I'm going bald

Well, not literally bald. You see, Chase has come down with what is evidently a viral infection (aka don't even think they're gonna prescribe medicine). He ran some pretty high temperatures, and Monday at the Ped it was up to 103.8! He was showing no other symptoms except fever until Monday night when the nasal dam evidently broke. Poor baby has been in a shape. We were up until 2:00 last night because he couldn't breathe. The thing about him being sick is he has to have his hands in my hair constantly. It's one of the only times he does it anymore. I swear my head is sore from it. I hope and pray that he is on the way to feeling better. It is so sad to see your very active baby listless from a nasty fever.

And...just because I had to:

Congratulations! You are Lynette Scavo, the
ex-career woman who traded the boardroom for
boredom, mixed with moments of sheer panic as
the mother of four unmanageable kids.


Which Desperate Housewife are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Mmmmm...mulled cider

My town does a little thing called Victorian Christmas the first weekend in December. They open some of the historic homes/churches for tours, offer carriage rides, perform a play in the old theatre on town square, stuff like that. It just so happens that I live in the downtown historic district...but not in an aforementioned type home. That doesn't stop the excitement on our end, though! We still get the luminaries lining our street and driveway, and there is excitement like no other when the horse and buggy go by (for Chase, that is). I'm sitting here with the fire going sipping mulled apple cider. Devine.

Speaking of Wild Child, I took him to see Santa this morning at another event that is held the first weekend of December, Breakfast with Santa. He was *so* excited when he woke up this morning, all ready to tell Santa what he wanted. We got there, still excited, stood in line, still excited, reached the front...scared to death. Needless to say, no pictures with Santa this year!

Well, I did go to the doctor yesterday and had a heart to heart on this not getting pregnant thing. He believes that I'm not ovulating, and wants me to take medicine to stimulate egg release. I'm wanting to know, have any of you done this? I need helpful (not hurtful) advice.

Gotta run, I'm off to take a carriage ride...

A Scare or Two...

We had a huge scare this morning at school. A small group called Students for Christ meets every Wed. morning (before school begins) for short devotionals led by local pastors/priests/youth ministers. They always have a light breakfast, doughnuts or sausage and biscuit, etc. Well, this morning a sixth grader got choked on a piece of doughnut and almost died! Our basketball coach and then one asst. principal (a certified first responder) did the Heimlich on him until his lungs bled, but that piece would not come out! The ambulance finally got here about the same time as his dad, but he had been w/o air for at least 6 min. He was solid blue and of course passed out. I believe they ran a tube down his throat to give him oxygen, but he still couldn't be revived. Finally his mom got here by then and she said he needed his "shot" because he's severely diabetic. The last we heard he's ok...but he was sent to the same major medical center that Busy Mom works for because of fluid and doughnut particles in his lungs (which could cause pneumonia). His 1st cousin was in my room, and she was scared to death. Heck, it's scary stuff for anyone! I am so proud of my fellow faculty!

Another scare - but substantially less important happened to me yesterday. One of the first things Wild Child tells you when you ask what Santa's going to bring is an Incredible car. He wants it BAD. I decided yesterday that I would just go ahead and order it online because I could keep it in the shipping package and not worry about him finding it. I went on the Disney store website and the estimated shipping time was 15 weeks. 15 WEEKS!!! I went to Toys R Us and they didn't have it...KB Toys - nope, some other random toy stores on the 'net - nada. Panic started to set in. This is the first Christmas that he has actually asked for anything. The hubs got mad at me and told me that I was not going to start acting batty over silly toys, but I was just heart-broken about it. I had the hubs call his sister in Memphis, who called the Disney store in the mall. Luck! They had a few in stock! She bought one this morning, so all is well in the world. Well, for today.

Sheriff Woody says...

Have a very happy Halloween!!

Sickies...

It's bad when you're ready to go to work to get a break. I've had a sick baby at home, and it's been just exhausting. Last night was awful because you just can't talk logic to a 2 year old. I could not make him understand that if he ate a hot dog and chips (which he was begging for) he would have a sick tummy again. I was bad mommy, and he was on the floor crying. I had a killer headache, but I could not eat anything around him since he was already having a fit over food (or lack thereof). I ended up not eating until after he went to bed, and felt so guilty the whole time because I knew he was hungry - just too sick to hold the things he wanted down. Thank goodness he didn't have an episode all night and felt good this morning.

In other "non-sick" news
I have finished my scarf from below, and I have also finished a reddish purple one for my niece's birthday Saturday. I'll post a pic of it this afternoon. Today I am starting one for my sister's birthday, which is next week. It is so cool...it's GGH Gracia in a pale blue with black flecs. It is super soft! I think it look fab with her black leather coat. Speaking of new yarn...I bought it at the new yarn shop that opened this month in a neighboring town. It is still trying to build its stock, but I loved it! I bought myself 2 skeins of Muench Furrari Mohair . I can't wait to get started on it! Pics soon - I promise!

Calling Baton Rouge

Whew, Monday again? It feels like I've had no break at all. The hubs has been on the road all weekend with football games, and then this morning (at 3:00! am!) he left for Baton Rouge, LA and Tyler, TX - all within 48 hours. He has to go for work (found out Friday at lunch). I have parent-teacher conference tonight, which makes for a l-o-n-g day.

I'm coming right along with my basic garter-stitch scarf. (I'll post a pic soon.) I frogged my first attempt (I was making it in the stockinette stitch, but I didn't like it), and started over yesterday. I find myself just itching to knit. I can't wait to pick it up again every day. But, you see, I am very impatient. I want to be finished so I can start something else, just as I am beginning what I was starting in the first place. Does that make sense? Well, humor me please. Today is not the day to tell me I'm not making sense. Ya'll have a good one...

Day out with Thomas

This tent is where we spent most of our time at the hot, crowded, but fun Day out with Thomas. You can view all of our pictures here (I hope this link works, I'm at school and Ofoto is blocked by the state as "inappropriate content." Whatever.)

Have a great Monday!

Hi-ho hi-ho it's to the city we go...

Here we are in Nashville this weekend to shop, eat, have a break, and mostly go see Thomas the Tank Engine! Chase is so excited...it is about to drive us crazy (but in a good way). My mom had bought Chase a few things for fall, and a cute denim pea coat, but she got them all in a size 4T. Chase just now grew into a 3T pant, so I had to exchange them this afternoon. I completely forgot all the Labor Day sales that have been plastered on the telly and newspapers, and I paid for it dearly. The crowd was unbearable! Gymboree didn't even have 3T's in most of his stuff. Baby Gap was packed. I had to wait 20 minutes in line to check out. What is it with me and stores? Why do people seem to have a dumbass attack when they are in front of me in a checkout line? We bought a few things, then got the heck out of there! We are staying downtown Nashvegas tonight (because the train station is downtown, too). Chase loved walking around 2nd Avenue with all the people. Well, we're off to jump in the bed and watch the rest of the Notre Dame game...I'll post pictures from the train station tomorrow or Monday (yay! Monday is a holiday! NO SCHOOL!!).

I'm still here

whew, so tired, so busy! I've started the Dr. Phil plan, but no good news to report as of today. Chase is having a grand time at the babysitter's. My big debate right now is whether to put him in pre-school 2 days a week. Several of my friends who have 2 year olds are starting them in the school's brand new 2 y.o. class. How did ya'll pick the age at which to start your children in preschool?

To preschool or not isn't the only troublesome thing in my life right now...

I am just having such a difficult time, personally. If it's not the (not) having a baby thing, it's finances. Our paychecks are spread so thin (mostly due to unexpected car repairs, etc.) that it's hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hubs assures me that there is, indeed, a light out there somewhere, and that we will find it very soon. I guess what I'm finding to be the hardest is saving face. There isn't much that is more talked about, and looked down on in a small town as having financial "difficulties." In the setting I'm in daily, I hear conversations about so & so going through this or that...and I so dread it eventually being about me. It doesn't matter if it is just temporary (like ours); I hear so often "well, you know what happened to [them] back a couple of years ago, they couldn't make their house payment/car payment/etc...." It is troubling times like right now that I beat myself up over the decision to come back "home" to raise my family. Not because I don't like the actual town, but because of people like this. I am not meaning to sound petty, and I know things could be a whole lot worse. I guess I'm just venting, and trying to keep this stuff from building up in my head. If you don't mind, please say a little prayer for my family. Thanks....

Don't play with me; I don't know how to share!

I've been a bad blogger! I swear there needs to be at least 5 more hours in a day. Why 5? I don't know...I'd use up that time too and still not have any bloggy time! I have been so extremely busy and stressed...I even conjured up a fever blister with all the stress from starting back to school last week. It seems like there is just so much to get done, but no time in which to do it! Believe it or not, teachers have to attend a lot of meetings during in-service (or at least I do!) I think everything is finally back in order and I'm ready for the kiddos to come back tomorrow.

I didn't learn to knit this past weekend like I had hoped. Not a soul knew how to knit (well, one girl could do the knit stitch, but not purl...I didn't pursue it). Speaking of this weekend, the family reunion/cabin outing thing was just o.k. I had a little tiff with by BIL because he told his 2.5 y.o. son not to play with Chase "because he doesn't know how to share!" EXCUSE ME!!! Is this the same child who has eaten my baby alive by biting him so hard there are bruises?!?! I have never told Chase not to play with someone else for any reason. I may cringe when he gets bitten/hit/pinched/etc. by my nephew (and my sis and BIL don't do anything about it), but they are 2 YEARS OLD! Really, it's just something all the time...

Well, this is really all I have time for, folks...I hope to get back into the swing of things soon. Maybe then I will be able to resume visiting all my bloggy friends and give some much needed love to my own blog! Ya'll have a great week!!

I like mine with lettuce and tomato...

I'm sorry I haven't had anything to say for the past few days. It's been a pretty quiet week/weekend. I did get to do a little shopping last Wednesday (mostly for birthdays). I did buy myself a couple of things for work since I GO BACK THIS WEEK! I know I keep saying it, but I just can't believe it is back to school time again. I am going to have such a hard time getting up in the mornings, especially since I have to take Chase to the babysitter's this year (the hubs took him last school year).
Speaking of Chase, he is still sleeping in his "big boy" (read: his OWN) bed. We're getting ready to put up a twin for him this week. I've been lusting over a quilt from PBK, so I'm going to use my yard sale money and get it. (Is it even possible to lust over children's bedding? Sounds bizarre, don't ya think?) He has been the cutest thing this week...shocker of all shockers, heh? He has developed this habit of saying "all queen" (all clean) whenever we finish something...for example, when I snapped the buckle after putting him in his stroller, he said "all queen!" After hooking all of his (6) Thomas the Trains together, he said "all queen!" (you get the picture) He also developed a (bad) habit of saying "look mama, shit" and pointing to his poopy diaper that I am changing. (yes, I'm a bad mama...this whole thing came from a tragic potty training episode last week when he pulled down his poopy pull-up to use the potty. You can guess, poop everywhere! You can also guess what I said...) And, perhaps the funniest, he has developed a deep affection for the song "Cheeseburger in Paradise." You haven't lived till your 2.5 year old is singing Jimmy Buffett!
Last night we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday. I'm sharing a few pictures with you in the extended entry. One is of the flower arrangement I made for the centerpiece. I was quite pleased with how it turned out, and my mom loved it.
I'll be around some this week, but it'll be hectic. Ya'll have a great week!

Alien Encounter

We're on day four of "who took my child and left me with this alien." Last night we had the first day of VBS, at which my little lovely was an absolute horror. When we got home, some type of altercation went on between the hubs and the alien, which made the hubs send the alien to bed (HIS OWN BED!) to go to sleep. I could kiss my husband, because this is the best thing that could have happened! Chase slept until 10:00 this morning (did I mention IN HIS OWN BED!?), and when he did wake up he played quietly in his room until I got off the phone and had the chance to go in there. Maybe (maybe???) there is hope, but I'm on guard...waiting for his next alien move.

Now for your viewing pleasure, snagged from Amber, but also noticed at Kate's:

Take the What High School
Stereotype Are You? quiz.

(Ed. note: I have never been, nor will ever be, blonde...just so you know)

Happy Independance Day!

I've always loved July 4th. I think it's just knowing that my family always comes together to eat and have a good time - without any other stresses. This year my parents hosted a weekend-long celebration with my dad's two sisters and their entire families. Lots of people! We had a fabulous time, but I'm thankful it's over. I have an extremely busy week ahead of me (I'll be posting about that later).
Hope you had a very enjoyable day!

Good things

Here it is Tuesday evening and I'm just now posting. Truth is, I logged in to post last night, but Chase lured me away for something or another and I forgot. Ummm...tired much?

I had a really good weekend, and a really good day today. Most importantly...I bought a new camera!! I am so thrilled, and I haven't stopped playing with it since Saturday. It is leaps and bounds above my old P.O.S.

Today we (My mom, grandmother, Chase, and I) went to my sister's (pictured above) apartment. I managed to get a chance to sneak off to this cool little shop to get some fabric for a couple of purses I want to make, plus a smocking plate to start on this weekend. And to top the good day off...Chase was an angel baby! (however, I'm paying for it now, because he's pitching a fit as I type. Oh well, can't have it all, can we?) One more wonderful, fabulous thing before I go finish the diaper bag for my friend...I officially have child care lined up for when school starts back in August! WoooooHoooooo!!!!! (you SAHM have my respect...I would so love to be at home watching my baby grow up than someone's pre-pubescent mongrel) It's Chase's old babysitter who had to stop keeping him last November due to being put on bed rest with her second pregnancy. He loves her, I love her, she loves Chase...The world is good!

Come Monday it'll be alright

It's been an eventful weekend. We had guests this weekend (hub's family), so it feels like we haven't had a real weekend, you know? Chase loved playing with his cousins(3 boys), though. Also, a local organization I volunteer for held a golf tournament on Saturday, so I was there most of the day (as was the Hubs because he played in the scramble). On a funny side note - this tournament was a 4 man scramble, and Hubs was paired with, of all people, my first "real" (ahem) boyfriend. Heh. Anyway...busy weekend, good Father's Day, super happy for it to be Monday. Chase and I slept late, and now can get back into our little weekly routine. Summer is so good.

Fore!!

I'm all for my husband (hey babe) having a hobby he loves...something I'm not involved in, and something that doesn't remind him of work. Golf happens to be that hobby (never mind that it's an EXPENSIVE hobby). I feel like I'm pretty cool about it; I don't bitch and whine (much) when he heads off to the course after work or on weekends.

Except last night.

He came home from work about 5ish and headed right back out the door to "go to the driving range." He said he would bring dinner home after he finished hitting "a couple of buckets." Fast forward to 9:30. 9:30!!!! I'm here with Chase, who has long since hit his witching hour, and we are both starving! I can't get him on the phone, and I am PISSED. I really hated for Chase and I to eat because I knew he would eventually bring home food. When he finally did call he gave some lame excuse about being roped into playing a few holes with a friend and his sons (which I found totally not-fucking-funny after I put two & two together later on when he said how he had to convince the person running the course to let him play a few holes - and THEN he ran into previously mentioned friend. What about the couple of buckets on the driving range???????)

I suppose it all boils down to I'm just feeling lonely. He's at work all day, then when we should be having family time he doesn't want to stay. Also, I'm really tired of this trying to have a baby thing. I just don't know how some people get through it. I know I'll get over my feelings soon, but I just needed a little pity-party today.

D-Day

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams
I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you

Six years ago today I married the love of my life. He truly is my best friend. (He'd have to be to put up with me all these years!)

Where does the time go?

It doesn't feel like it's been 3 days since I posted. I went shopping with my mom Thursday, and I was busy up to my eyeballs yesterday with our local American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, so I suppose that's one reason. I did find the time to get my hair cut - a major plus! I was getting kinda shaggy. Chase and I have spent the morning at my parent's house and I HAVE PICTURES!! :o) He was in a really good mood today (which is rare!) so I thought I'd better take him up on it.

Wanna see more pics?(I hope this link works...I've never linked to Ofoto before!)

Stormy Memorial Day

It's been a great long weekend for the most part. Hubs was off work today for the holiday so we were able to get out in the yard and do a little work (read: clean up after last night's storm!). Yes, bad weather attacked here, too, but luckily we really didn't have anything especially bad. My sister wasn't so lucky...she called this morning from college, and a tree limb had fallen through her car's sunroof! At least no one was hurt!

I finally got my ferns out and potted some plants we bought at Lowe's last night. Maybe my house won't look so dreary when they bloom! We spent the evening at my parent's house grilling out. Chase had a ball, literally. Tim spent most of our time there lifting Chase up to the basketball goal over and over and over. With a two-year-old, "no" and "not right now" just aren't in the vocabulary (but I can assure you that Rescue Heroes, Bob the Builder, and Wiggles are!).

Well, that's it for my day! I'm off to watch the end of the West Wing marathon on Bravo.

Guilty Confession

I have a confession to make. My toddler still sleeps with us. I'm not complaining per se because (here's the guilty part) I love the closeness of being all snuggled up in our big family bed. Yep, I purposely allow him in our bed each night. Now here's where it gets tricky. For about 5 months Chase has developed some 2-year-old style fetish with my hair. He has to have his hands in it at all times. I semi-understand this fetish, however I do not understand why I have to walk around 99% of the time sporting this whirly, bird's nest hairdo at it's expense, but I digress. Combine the family bed with the hair fetish and you get.....NO SLEEP FOR MOMMY!! I swear I was up every hour last night fighting with little chubby arms for control of my hair! I think it's high time to reconsider our sleeping arrangements.

Here I am...

Well, this is my first post...gotta start somewhere. Until I get this place up and running I'll give you a little background info. My name is Charla, I'm married to my fabulous hubby (Tim), and we have a 2 year old son, Chase.

I chose the name "and then you blink" on a whim, actually. I'm a sentimental sucker, and often think about how quick life passes by (I *still* can't believe I'm already 28...but that's another story). One night we were watching Cheaper by the Dozen (don't judge - it's cute), and Steve Martin's character was watching one of his 12(!!!) children ride off to school and said he remembered teaching them how to ride their bike, and his wife said "yep, and then we blinked." It just stuck with me. Before we know it we're grown, our babies grow, and life goes on. My main goal in this blog is to remember the little things as they happen, and, well, to have a little fun along the way.

By the way, thanks to Jenni for hosting me!