Month: June 2007

Is The Weekend Here Yet?

Published by dee on June 28, 2007

I’m in serious need of a nap today. For some reason this week has been really bad for sleeping. If Hubby’s phone isn’t going off in the middle of the night, Zach is waking up, or I just can’t shut my brain off and actually sleep. I don’t think I’ve gotten a solid night of sleep all week.

I’ve finally recovered from the fact that my baby is two and is most definitely not a baby anymore. He has apparently decided that he must prove his two-year-old status by throwing tantrums and being completely disagreeable the last couple of days. He even managed to get put in time out twice within about a 5-minute span last night. The scary part is that I know it is only just beginning. The hardest part for me is making sure that I stay consistent with the discipline when he starts acting up.

On Saturday, we are having Zach’s big birthday party with family and a few friends. My sister is making a Blue’s Clues cake for him (because she’s much better at those things than I am). Now I’m just hoping the weather clears up before then because I was planning on everything being outside and was going to set up a sprinkler for the kids. Plus, we were planning on a little after party barbecue with just family afterwards. If it rains it is really going to ruin the day.

In other news, I have decided that my car hates me. Even after giving it brand new brakes and tires last week, it still was not happy. On the way to work yesterday, the windshield wiper on the driver’s side quit working. As in, it stopped swishing back and forth (and that is kind of necessary for clearing the windshield). Fortunately, it was only sprinkling a bit so it wasn’t a big deal at the time. On the way home, however, it was pouring. It was not such a fun drive home last night. By the time I got home I had a massive headache from trying to focus through the blurry windshield. I’m just thankful that I made it there without having an accident. My awesome Hubby managed to get it all fixed up for me though, which is good since it was pouring again this morning.

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Two

Published by dee on June 26, 2007

Dear Zachary,

Two years ago today, your Dad and I were sitting in a hospital room anxiously awaiting your arrival. You surprised us about 12:00 the night before, letting me know you were ready to start your journey into the world. It was a moment we had been waiting for for so long that it almost felt surreal. Words cannot describe the joy we felt when we finally were able to see your beautiful face.

In two short years, you have grown from a helpless infant who required constant care into a very independent little boy. You still need Mom and Dad quite a lot, but you are doing more and more on your own these days. I’m no longer allowed to close doors or feed the cats when you are around. If I don’t let you do those things, you become very unhappy. One of your favorite phrases here lately is “Do it!” meaning, “I want to do it and you better let me!” If I don’t let you do it, you break out into tantrum mode, which is not pleasant.

You are getting closer and closer to speaking in full sentences. You can string several words together now and repeat after Daddy and I when we help you say your prayers. It is still amazing to me when we have an actual conversation with each other. I love that you can tell me what you want and need most of the time. I haven’t quite managed to translate all of your words though, and when I don’t understand you it gets pretty frustrating for both of us. I’m still working on it and one of these days soon we’ll get it all figured out.

I miss your baby days already, I am really enjoying watching you grow and learn. Just this last weekend, we took your crib/toddler bed apart and stowed it away. Now in it’s place stands a set of bunk beds, where I’m sure you’ll spend many nights chatting with your cousins, friends, or possibly even a little brother or sister in the future. You look so tiny in that big bed, but I know you are ready for it. You were so excited when we brought them home and even took a nap on your new big boy bed before I could get the sheets on it.

The next big step we have to make is to get you potty trained. You are getting closer and closer every day to being ready. In fact, just last night you did so well that you got to wear real underwear for the first time. You were so proud of yourself that you promptly peed in them. You have to learn somehow though, right? After that, you stayed dry until bedtime when I changed you back into a diaper. I have a feeling it won’t be long, but I’m sure I have my work cut out for me for a few more months. One thing I won’t miss is changing diapers.

One of the things that I really love about you right now is the way you enjoy music. Your favorite song right now is “Boom, Boom, Ain’t It Great to Be Crazy” and every time we get in the car you ask for “boom boom”. You sing along whenever you can, which is most of the time since you seem to learn the words very fast. When you aren’t listening to music, you are creating it. You love to strum your guitar (or Mommy and Daddy’s guitars) and make up your own songs on the spot.

It seems that you learn something new every day, and believe it or not, I’m learning right along with you. Watching you play and enjoy life has taught me that I need to slow down sometimes and just enjoy the moments that surround me. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine that I tend to forget what life is all about. You, my son, are teaching me constantly to stop and laugh and just enjoy the time that I have. Sometimes, when I sit back and just watch you playing, I am just so in awe. It is hard to believe that I created something so amazing.

I guess I can no longer call you my baby, although in my heart you always will be. You are now my big boy, a big boy who jumps, sings, dances, jokes, plays, laughs, and loves (and gives great zerberts!). You are my big boy, who can melt my heart with a simple hug and kiss and make my heart ache with a single cry. Being able to watch you grow into the man that I know you will someday become, is the greatest gift I have ever been given. I love you. Happy Birthday, my big boy!

Love always,
Mama

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Snuggly and Warm

Published by dee on June 25, 2007

I decided this weekend it was time for a quick, easy project. I haven’t had a chance to research and figure out what I’m doing wrong on the Grace beanie yet, so I put it aside for now.

I got this great blue and brown novelty yarn in a sale a while back and have been really wanting to play around with it since then. I decided to pull it out and have a little fun with it this weekend.

Since I was going for simple, I decided on a scarf. When my sis found out what I was making she asked if she could have it. I still haven’t decided whether I’m going to give it up because I’m already a little bit in love with it. The picture does it no justice at all. It is so soft and snuggly! Plus, it is my first scarf ever.

I’ll have to post a better picture when it is all finished, but I may not get back to it for a few days as I have a certain little boy’s 2nd(!) birthday to celebrate this week.

Technorati Tags: scarf, novelty yarn, grace beanie

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Big Boy Bed

Published by dee on June 25, 2007

I mentioned last week that I wanted to get Zach a “big boy bed.” I’ve been thinking about it for a while and decided that we were both ready for him to move up. Once I get an idea like that in my head, I’m just not satisfied until it is done.

I spent days searching online stores, checking craigslist ads, and debating whether we could afford it or not. I convinced my dad to pitch in a little bit towards the bed as Zach’s birthday present. I had a really nice looking oak day bed picked out that I thought would be perfect for Zach’s room. Then the car fiasco happened. While I was dealing with that, the day bed apparently sold and I missed out on it. At least that’s what I think happened since the guy selling it quit answering my calls.

After I picked Zach up Friday night, his day care provider called and told me that there were some bunk beds for sale at a garage sale down the street from her. I took a chance that the sale would still be open and drove down there while Zach and Hubby were eating dinner. They were still there and I bought them on the spot. They are very sturdy and are pretty much exactly what I wanted but had ruled out due to cost.

Hubby and I spent the rest of the evening transporting the beds, taking them apart, moving them to Zach’s room, and then putting them back together (damn my skinny hallway!). Then we had to start searching for some cheap mattresses. Saturday morning we checked around and ended up buying some really cheap, thin mattresses for $50 a pop. They won’t work long-term, but we can always buy better ones after the potty training is done. For now, they are keeping Zach happy.

We had the bed up and ready to sleep in by nap time Saturday and Zach could not have been more thrilled. He slept solidly in his new big boy bed the last two nights. I’m sure the newness will wear off eventually, but for now he is loving his big boy bed.

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Who Needs Movies and Concerts When You Have This At Home?

Published by dee on June 23, 2007

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One of Those Days

Published by dee on June 21, 2007

I got up this morning knowing it was going to be a long day. There was a lot of packing and furniture moving to be done at the office, plus we had plans to make a run up to my sister’s house after work to pick up some things and have dinner.

Zach was in a pretty good mood this morning and we actually made it out the door on time (our new morning schedule is working out nicely). On the way to day care I thought I heard the car making a strange sound, so I turned the radio down a bit so I could hear it better. There was a bit of a squeal when I hit the brakes. I’ve been wanting to get them checked for a while now, but it is one of those things that just gets pushed to the back of my mind easily. After I dropped Zach off, I turned the radio off and listened to my car. The sounds I heard were not pleasant. It was getting worse. I called Hubby and told him that I needed to get the car in right away to have the brakes checked.

I got to the office, made a few more phone calls, and then met my mom down at the auto shop. With a sick feeling in my stomach because I just knew this was going to cost way more than we have, I rode back to work with my mom.

I kept myself busy packing up my office. Everything is now packed with the exception of my laptop and phone. I have an empty desk and chair for one more day, and then I’ll be crammed into my mom’s office or wherever I can manage to find the space to work. I did at least manage to keep a small rolling table that I’ll be able to set my laptop on to work. The next few weeks should be interesting to say the least.

A little while later, the shop guy called me back to tell me the fabulous news. All four brakes needed done. The front brakes needed new pads and the rotors smoothed. The rear breaks needed pads and completely new rotors. And the best part? All of that was going to cost me a grand total of $659. Um, that would be $659 that I absolutely do not have. Great.

There really was no other option than to have the work done. I certainly wasn’t driving the car in that condition considering the precious cargo that I tote around every day. While I was dying inside a little, I told the guy to go ahead and do the work.

After an exhausting afternoon of packing, packing, and more packing, I went to pick up my car. With taxes and the addition of a very needed oil change, the final bill came up to more than $700. It is now sitting on a credit card and I have no idea how I’m going to pay for it. I seriously think it is time to start buying lottery tickets. But hey, at least I don’t have to worry about my brakes going out for a while!

After that I picked Zach up and we headed up to my sister’s house. We had a nice dinner with her and the kids, then loaded up the truck and headed home. We drove the Suburban up there because we needed to bring some folding tables back with us. Since the ghettoburban has no air conditioning, we were riding with the windows down. I had a couple of pictures that my sister asked me to scan sitting on the console. The air blowing in the windows was moving them around a bit, so I grabbed them and decided to hold onto them. All of a sudden, a big gust of wind blew through the ghettoburban and ripped one of the pictures out of my hand and straight out the window. I. LOST. ONE. OF. THE. PICTURES. These weren’t just any pictures. They were portraits. The one that blew out the window was of my sister’s three boys all together. I am the world’s worst sister and aunt.

I immediately called my sister to tell her what had happened. I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at that point. I felt so terrible about losing the picture. There was really no point in trying to backtrack and find it. We were going down the highway at probably 70 mph when it flew out the window. It was just gone. She didn’t seem nearly as upset about it as I was. I even offered to try to see if the photographer could do a reprint, but she said not to worry about it. I don’t think I would have taken it as well if I had been on the other end.

Now I’m just ready to go to bed and get this day over with. I hope that tomorrow is a much better day because I’m not ready for another one like this.

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