No, It Isn't Christmas

Samuel went 24 hours with no fever...that is the requirement to go back to school. He was probably ready to go back today. We tried to keep him in yesterday but today he was not having it. He kept bringing me his jacket (and Santa hat???) trying to take me outside. I finally let him go out and it was all over, it was a beautiful day and Samuel wanted to enjoy it. So he spent most of the day out there with his Dad mostly.

His breathing sounds much better today which is good. We have been doing breathing treatments every 3 hours...faithfully. Although, I can't take credit Dave really has been doing them. Apparently when the alarm went off during the night I would tell him I would do the treatment in a "couple minutes", good thing he didn't wait for me to get up. I am just preparing him for April when he has to do late night feedings again. Or will it be April? I already thought I was having contractions this week :o). I wasn't, that we know of . They did a stress test and didn't see any contractions. My doctor told me next time that happens to go straight to labor and delivery because of Samuel being early. Does she not realize I can't just go to the hospital?? I have a friend who offered to come over to take care of Samuel when I go into labor and I can't have too many false alarms or when the real thing comes she will take her time. I was quite proud of myself with Samuel, the only time I went to the hospital was when I was IN labor.

How did I go from a Samuel update to my "contractions"?? Oh yes, his breathing is much better. They were pretty worried on Friday night at the doctor because he was wheezing so bad. How I missed that I don't know. So they did xrays, tested him for RSV and the flu. Based on yesterday's post it was the flu. Who knew the flu wasn't always stomach related? Maybe you did, but we didn't. The only person who got a flu shot this year was Samuel, so Dave and I are waiting for our flu......

Well, I need to go check on my little Samuel. Have a great week!

He's Got The Flu

(Samuel not Dave)

5 Boxes...SUCKER

That is the number of boxes of Girl Scout cookies Dave bought in the short 30 minutes he and Samuel were out front playing today. (Two Girl Scouts - he didn't just buy them all at once!!)

And This Is The Truth

Here I am 7 months today. I am tired and uncomfortable and I think already bigger than I was with Samuel the day I gave birth!

But at my appointment on Friday #2 weighed about 2lbs 6oz and was ALL over the place. But that could be in part because I did my glucose test and just drank some YUMMY orange drink. BLAAAHHHHHH!

The nursery is well on the way! Dave painted this weekend. I am not posting any pics til' it is done.

You Should Have Seen The Patio!

Samuel took a face plant outside today! It resulted in the a bloody nose, scrapes, bruises, tears and a broken heart (mommy's not his).

Big Boy Bed

Cake Making 101

I Am Sorry...

To the random lady that "kind of had a bigger tummy" this afternoon at Samuel's school. Samuel didn't mean anything bad when he tried to lift your shirt and point to your baby.

Mommy Time

Today I had the day off from work..but Samuel's daycare was open. I decided (with a little help from Dave) to let Samuel go to daycare this morning and got the morning off. OMG, why have I not done this before?? I slept until 9:30 and cleaned and organized all the kitchen cabinets. I also took a shower without peeking my head out every 30 seconds to say hi to Samuel.

He's home now (you didn't think I could leave him ALL day?). I picked him up at 12:00, just in time to go to lunch and come home for his afternoon nap :o). As nice as it was, it was even nicer to see how happy he was to see me. Days like this I wish I could stay at home with him all the time. If only he didn't like going to school so much!

18 Month Stats...Finally

Weight: 26 3/4 pounds 70%
Length: 33 inches 77%
Head: 48 1/2 cm 80%

See that smile? That was the first (and only) night Samuel came running out of his bedroom crying after we put him to bed. He smiles because he knew Mommy would rescue him. But I am happy to report that the transition to the toddler bed has been going pretty smooth. He goes to bed and stays there and waits for us to come get him in the morning.

Samuel, please let your brother be as easy going as you are!!

Target

Tonight on my way home I got to go to Target WITHOUT Dave. This is such a treat for me because he can not question everything I put in the cart. He has this weird thing about buy only what we need. I went there with a list of 3 things I needed:

Diapers
Toilet Paper
Gum

And all that cost me over $100.00! When I got home I found that strangely other things appeared in my basket like:

2 (not one) bottles of Lever 2000 (have I mentioned my craving for the smell of good ol' fashion soap)
PJ's for Samuel
Bedtime lotion for Samuel
2 12 packs of soda
Baby wipes (we weren't even close to be out)
Method - hand soap, shower cleaner and tile and tub spray (again back to the smell of soap thing)

I have no idea why Dave never lets me do the shopping by myself.

Should have gone to Walmart.....

Issue

Dave took Samuel to his 18 month appointment today (will update the stats later) but he comes at me with this craziness that the doctor thinks we need to find a new home for Iggy (the cat). That the reason Samuel constantly has a runny nose and cough is because of the cat.

The issue is well actually the issues are:

1. Dave didn't get this in writing, so is he just SAYING it because he wants to get rid of that cat. Okay, maybe that is far fetched.

2. I have had that cat for 14+ years! And no one would want him, sad but true. He isn't the nicest cat.

Just a quick update last night was a success. Samuel went to bed just like he always does and didn't get up. He woke up about 5:30 and we heard the pitter patter of little feet walking around but those little feet walked back to bed and slept until 7:30! YIPPEE!

Better Than A Pet Dog

Up And Running

Which is probably what Samuel will be doing tonight! But the bed is up now too. Samuel now has a "big boy" bed. Wish us luck. If I get any sleep tonight I will update how it went tomorrow.

Better Than A Baby Book

Last night I had some time to look through Samuel's blog and remember some of those memories that just slip away. Dave and I had a few good laughs. Like when I thought Samuel was allergic to every food I gave him or the time I put him to bed in his bouncy seat because he was congested and he fell out and was wedged between it and the crib. I also looked at all his pictures and can't believe how fast time goes by and how amazing this little boy is. What a first year, he is one tough cookie! Started out just a small 5 pound baby. It seemed like we were at the doctor every week for something (we probably were there). I hate to be mushy but as it gets closer to the arrival of his brother I want to make sure Samuel stays my baby. I don't want him to grow up.

I also realize how much I stressed over milestones! Woo Wee. I am making a promise to myself to cut some slack to the little guy in my belly. I know now in good time he will get where he needs to be. I am sure his big brother can help.

So Samuel, I am sorry your baby book has more empty pages than full and that your baby photo album only goes until you are 2 days old. But I am happy we have this blog and plan on figuring out how to print it out and save it. You also have a baby box that I keep all things I think are important.

Remember even in a few months when your brother gets here you are still Mommy's little burger and I love you so much!!! And you are going to be an AWESOME big brother.

Okay, enough about that. Tomorrow is my birthday and Samuel is going to spend the night with his cousin Aaron and Mommy and Daddy are going on a date. YIPEE. I will be the big 31! I think we will go see 27 dresses, Dave doesn't think we will....I do though. It is my month..oops I mean day!

I Think I Am Going To Do It..

I think I am going to buy Samuel a bed. I have such a hard time make decisions (thanks mom got it from you) and always over think everything. But, no I am going to buy it.

So now I can add to my growing shopping list:

-Double Stroller
-New Car Seat To Fit Double Stroller
-New Bedding For #2's Room (he has a name it is just secret)
-New Changing Table For #2
-New Blankets For #2
-New Bed For Samuel
-New Bedding To Fit New Bed For Samuel (I am totally being cost effective by getting bedding to match his current theme in the room, just call me budget Christy)
-New Pillow For New Bed

But really Dave, if you are reading this we can totally afford another baby we don't have to buy anything we have everything left from Samuel. The things above are necessities not frivolous. And daycare heck, we didn't think we could pay for it for Samuel..what is double what we are paying now?

One day he will take over the bills and it will be a sad sad day for me.

Flip Flop

The great debate:

Put Samuel in a toddler bed or not? Because, as you know, I raise him based on what the internet tells me. The internet says if am going to move him I need to do it a few months before his brother gets here (so now). But I also read that the crib is a security for him. He is only 18 months old and do I really want him to have that freedom? One day, yes. Next day, no. Thus...flip flop.

I just don't know. Maybe we will go look at them today and see what he thinks.

He Is Addicted To His Computer Too!

Serious Sam

Why??

Is it harder to pick a middle name than a first name?

The Neat Eater

I Guess...

I guess after being off work for 11 days it is time to go back. I should send a little apology note to school with Samuel tomorrow as I have successfully messed up the schedule they were working so hard to get him on. But it was hard work messing up the house each day, we couldn't do that on just one nap like he has at school! And I should also mention to them he prefers his (two) naps on the couch with his Mommy now. I actually do too.

While on vacation I have learned that with Samuel it is "monkey see monkey do". He mimicked everything I did! It was kind of cute, it was like having my own little helper. He liked to help fold laundry, take ornaments off the Christmas tree, wipe up messes and pick up his toys. He also repeated almost everything I said (with-in reason) and even called a few friends to say "Happy New Ear (ear year they sound the same)"! We have been working on colors and the first one he has learned was "lellow". Samuel really has quite the vocabulary, he talks a lot. Don't know who he gets that from......

We rang in the new "ear" with a nice dinner out with all the other families with small children (and people over 70) at 5:00 PM. We didn't make it to midnight but heck I am not complaining, I wouldn't want it any other way! I was with Dave and Samuel and even felt a few kicks from our little bun in the oven.

As fun as it all was, I think it is best for both of us if I go back to work and he goes back to school (probably a lot smarter). We both miss our friends that are our own age!


Happy New Year!!!! We hope this year is full of everything that makes you happy.

My Guys!

I Apologize To The Trees

After Samuel's trip to the doctor this morning she thought it would be a good idea if we stayed in for a few days. He has a very mild case of pneumonia. I guess what she doesn't realize is I am a working Mommy and have been "staying in" all week as I take my "vacation". And I could go crazy "staying in" a couple more days.

So, I have been passing time by blogging and picking up after him (although I have that up about an hour ago) and Samuel has been passing time by by making copies for me and claiming everything in this house as "mine mine mine". So, I am sorry trees, I will reuse what paper I can...but he doesn't have nearly enough toys to play with, he needs to play with the printer too.

Can't wait for Daddy to get off work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just Like Grandpa

A Few Random Christmas Pictures

A Special Thanks To The Toy Companies....

For making it nearly impossible to get the toys out of their packaging! Seriously???

Visit With The Burdicks (Kansas City)

Williams Family Christmas (Omaha)

We wish you and yours a very merry holiday!

We start our Christmas tomorrow after work as we drive to Nebraska for the Williams' family Christmas. On the way home we get to visit my friend Rhonda and her family...meeting Baby Benjamin born last Saturday. This is a very special Christmas for her family for many reasons! Christmas Eve back in Tulsa and Christmas Day my parents will be here and we will head up to my sisters.

I am tired just writing all that! But the good thing after tomorrow I am off work until the 2nd of January. This will be my first vacation this year, since most of my time off was for some sickness of Samuel's :o).

I am sure I will have a ton of pictures to post next week.

P.S.
I plan on getting the rest of the Christmas cards out tomorrow.

Lovin' His Cousin Aaron

Christmas Card Update

I did half of my Christmas cards Sunday. I only did half because I didn't order enough and had to order more and pay more than the cards in rush shipping, but not the point. I addressed and stamped 1/2 of the Christmas Cards on Sunday and they are sitting right where I left them...on the desk. I am about to say screw the Christmas cards and send an email :o). But not really.....

I blame pregnancy brain. That is what I blamed when it took me 45 minutes to get settled to wrapping Christmas presents too. It started not finding the scissors, which Dave of course blamed me for because "I didn't put them back where they belong". So I finally find the scissors and the tape disappeared. When I found the tape the pen disappeared. When I found the pen and tape the scissors were gone again...and repeat.

Ooooooh...Wow.....Oh!

These are the words Samuel used to describe the Christmas lights we looked at last night. He is very dramatic like his Mommy.

First Snow Of The Year

Barely a dusting, but snow nonetheless.

Workin' Hard

Dave and Rick worked hard this morning trying to clean up the aftermath of this week's ice storm. Terri and I stayed warm and watched TV inside. But I think we made excellent supervisors. My poor sister, all of her trees were damaged!

Here We Are

It isn't too often that I get a picture of us together.

Control...

I can honestly say that I am freaking out a littlle bit. I haven't sent my Christmas cards out yet and normally I have them out by the first weekend in December. I don't even know if I will get them out this week! I haven't finished Christmas shopping and need to wrap presents. I also walk by Baby #2's room and think we need to clean it out..LIKE NOW. And Dave of course says we need to wait until next year. NEXT YEAR that seems so far away. Hello, belly not getting any smaller.

So, if you know me this post is perfectly normal of Christy the control freak.


Okay, I feel better now. Back to what you were doing.

Bye Bye Morning Nap

Samuel is making his move to the "older toddler" room this week. I am happy to report that this move is going much smoother than the last one. However, the "older toddlers" do not take a morning nap. So Samuel is still adjusting to that and ready to go to bed about an hour earlier than usual. We just figured that out tonight, since the last two nights he was SO tired he wouldn't fall asleep and would just cry and cry. Tonight, we thought let's put him to bed at the first sign of tired and it worked he went to sleep with less tears.

I am going to be a pro next go around.

Daddy & Samuel

Due to the recent ice storm, we were without power for about a day and a half. Which, compared to what others are going through is NOTHING. But, nonetheless we did loose power and had to stay at a hotel for the night since Samuel was sick and needed breathing treatments. The picture is above of Samuel and Daddy hanging out there.

I suggest for anyone who wants to test their nerves to spend a day in a hotel with a 1 year old :o). Thank goodness daycare opened back up on Tuesday. Samuel AND Mommy were very excited.

You Will See Us On ESPN One Day

It was Just A Bad Night

Dear Samuel,
You threw your first fit today when we were out for dinner. Normally, you just hang out and flirt with all the girls. I know what you are thinking, well normally you bring a sippy cup, teddy grahams and go at a time when I actually eat dinner....but still you didn't have to cry crocodile tears because we wouldn't give you a straw. Daddy said on the way home that we can't go out to eat until you are 8 years old now! Please give Daddy lots of kisses in the morning and remind him that we forgot your diaper bag with your drink and snacks. You know how much Mommy likes to go out to eat.

I love you and remember who shared her orange soda with you and let you eat your cookie even though you would only eat ketchup for dinner, please no more fits.

Love,
Mommy

I Love Him

Coloring