The Happy Huff House

Long time comin' .....

2010-06-27T22:03:00.003-04:00

Oh, geez, well I am still alive.... alive and well! Okay, maybe not well, but I'm surviving over here. ;)

Yes, we have our new addition to our family, Mr. Adrian, my happy, little (not really) angel baby. He is SO wonderful. He's beautiful. He's sweet. He's content. He's lovable. He's perfect in every way! I'm not going to use him as my excuse NOT to blog, but I will say, going from 2 children to 3 has totally 'rocked my world', when I do have a free minute I guess I've been choosing to not really do much anything productive; maybe Real housewives DVR's or FB, but no nothing too productive, pathetic I know. While Adrian is definitely ALL of those things I just mentioned, it's still been a whirlwind with having 3 children under the age of 4! I'm still trying to catch my breath....

So, I guess I'll start with the journaling process, then maybe move onto pics. another day. I'm trying to figure out how best to catch up on 2 months of non-blogging (gaaah)!! :P

Donnie: Wow, has he turned into a little BOY, truly a little boy before my very own eyes. Where to begin....?? He still has his LOVE of dinosaurs.... pteranadon's & pterodactyl's are still his favorites, but he'll play with any and all of them. I like to call Donnie my little scientist! He's all about nature, bugs, snakes, crocs., toads, dino fossils, you name it, when it comes to nature and the outdoors, he ALL about it!! I truly adore Donnie's age right now. He amazes me everyday with the new things he learns, the kind of conversations he has with me, and his wonderful "big-brotherness" w/ his 2 younger bro's. Everyday it's like a new adventure for him.... what is he gonna find outside; where are the butterflies, bugs, snakes; how long of a skid mark can he make with his bike; how far can he jump or throw a baseball; what new animal can he make with play-doh; what new book is he gonna choose at bedtime; and the list goes on. I absolutely just ADORE him right now, the last few months have been a blast!! I hope he continues to be my little adventurer and continue to have that zest for life, that excitement, I think that is what I love the most about him right now.... his 'live in the moment' attitude and his innocence. It kinda makes me teary eyed. :( My 'baby' is growing up!

Nolan: OH, then there's Nolan! Aiy-yi-yi!! Okay, well really he's not BAD, he's just different than my first born! Nolan also has a zest for life, let me tell ya a REAL zest for life! :) I don't really know how else to say it but that Nolan is a wild man, he has two volumes... loud & louder! I know some of you reading this are saying "no, he's really not wild", but at home and outside in public are two different things. At home Nolan is my wild child.... jumping off couches, diving into pillows, starting pillow fights, chasing his BIG brother around the house screaming, and yes.... he chases him and wrestles him to the ground, etc...etc.... In 'public' Nolan is actually shy, he doesn't like to talk much, he stays very close to us, he tends to get scared easy. Which is SO total opposite of how he is at home! So, while Nolan is my wild man at home, he is more of my shy boy in social settings outside of home..... interesting little devil he is! With that said.... hidden behind his crazy exterior Nolan is also my sensitive and sweet little boy. While he's a brute, and my rough and tumble little boy with the dirty face, scabbed knees, and crazy hair, he's also my shy, sensitive, little man. Nolan has also had the hardest time adjusting with adding a new baby to our family, it has been a big adjustment for him. He was only 19 months when I had Adrian and he was/is a baby (well, turning into a toddler), but he did have to grow up quick, kind-a too quick, and it's something I still feel a little guilty about. I have guilt that Nolan never got a chance to have enough one-on-one time with us; that I expected him to be a grown little boy when Adrian was born, because Momma had the demands of a newborn; and that I just didn't have the patience I should have right after Adrian's birth or sometimes now for that matter (it's a daily struggle, but I'm only human, doing the best I can right now). Well, what's done is done, not much I can do now, but sometimes it would be nice to turn back the hands-of-time and know then what I know now. :*( At any rate, he's a happy healthy little boy and that's all I can ask for. :) I love my Rolly Nolly!!

Adrian: Aaaahhhh, my Little Adrian Micheal (as Donnie likes to say)! He is my sweetheart. This little boy has totally stolen my heart. :) Like I said, he's happy, content, sweet, cuddly, etc... all of the above. I just can't imagine our lives without him, he fits right into our family. I think I have to do a separate blog post on him, since I need to show his birth video, his newborn pics., the story of his birth *and what a massive little man he was*!! Ugh.... I don't even know where to begin! Okay, yes, I've decided Adrian will get a separate blog post.

** good for now **

**I'm tired and off to bed**

Nite-nite!

Skinny Girl.... not ;)

2010-03-28T14:51:00.005-04:00

Gosh I'm SO addicted to Real Housewives of NYC.....

FYI- Weight Watchers the 3rd time around is a lot harder....the weight is just not coming off as quickly. Or maybe I'm just too anxious to get back into my old clothes.....ugh!! And I'm HUNGRY, sucks!!! I forget that when I'm losing weight I'm not going to be full or be able eat whatever I want when I get hungry..... the saying is true "you are what you eat!", that's the one thing I miss about being preggers, eating whatever I want without an ounce of guilt. :(

WEEK 1
-1.5 lbs.

Goal: -25

**Holding myself ACCOUNTABLE!**

One fabulous weekend :)

2010-03-21T21:41:00.005-04:00

Okay, yes I have been totally MIA! I kinda fell off the blog bandwagon, but I'm jumping back on....RIGHT NOW!

I've got so much to fill you in on, like having a BABY!! The boys and their mischievous ways. :) My life as a mom of 3 boys! And everything in between. But, before I do one loooooong huge post on that, I have to start with the right now stuff....

Which would be my awesome weekend as a free woman....and totally free for 1 whole night, even without baby, yes he's only 7 weeks old.... don't judge me, don't judge me (our motto for the weekend!)

We..... Nicole, Jane, Leslie, LeeAnn, Lori, and Jessica (LeeAnn's friend), and myself went away for the weekend to Duck Lake. This amazing cottage that Jane so graciously opened up to all of us to hang out at for the weekend. We went away together to have a relaxing weekend full of scrapbooking, eating, staying in our sweats all day, gossiping, laughing, drinking.... not talking coca-cola here people (right Nic & LeeAnn?), just getting away from it all. Having 2 FULL days to.... hear no whining from our children, no errands to run, no dinner to make, no schedule to abide by, no lunches to make, no teeth to brush before bed, no bickering to break up.....okay, I'll stop, you get my drift. Anyway, it was fabulous for me, I SO enjoyed every minute of my weekend. And it made me realize just how much I enjoy hanging out with this group of girls. I feel so comfortable, so non-judged, so happy when I'm around them, there's always something to laugh at, always something to gossip about, always something to drink....hehe! I just had a really great time and feel so rejuvenated!

Memories from the weekend:

Nicole's cackle @ 2am
Me and Jane's miserable attempts to make coffee....thank God for Leslie! Damn those Bunn Coffee Makers
Friday night's entertainment ..... "The Nicole and LeeAnn comedy hour(s)" (this could be blog post in itself!)
Lori's breakfast of champions..... Diet Coke and Poptarts :)
Shaquila - nuff said
The Motto for the weekend "Don't Judge Me"
Who's pantie free?? WTH!
Nearly tripping over a Little Tike's Car that was placed outside my bedroom door @ 4:30am
Polar Plunge anyone?
Jane hiding the garage keys from 2 intoxicated ladies (ahem....don't know who that could be)
Rockin' in the back of the mini to Ladies Night.... sung by myself, Nicole, and LeeAnn
58 jello shots...... is that enough?
Jessica's make-shift skirt/blanket while scrapbooking
Leslie on a caffeine buzz, while still trying to finish her 2nd scrapbook page after ohhhh a 24hr. period!
High five everyone, high five (LeeAnn)
Jane's "low, low, low" belly dance in the mini

I could go on and on......

Good times, good memories, can't wait for October!

Love my ladies!

Well, hello out there

2010-03-21T21:17:00.003-04:00

OMG!!! yes, I am alive.....yes, I DID have a baby 7 weeks ago.....yes, I DID change my blog to update it FINALLY.....yes, I am going to fill you in on the newest things in my life! NO, not tonight, I just finished trying to figure ALL this crap out (the changing the blog thing!!) So, I will be updating about my life later....not now....mama's gotta go to bed, baby will be up soon to eat!

nite.....

X-Mas, New Years, & preggo updates:

2010-01-02T13:18:00.003-05:00

Oh boy, oh boy where to begin??

First - Christmas recap:

Our Christmas this year was, as usual busy, busy, busy. Never a dull moment when you have two large families to visit within a 2 day period. I know I always complain about having to make the "rounds" at Christmas time, but honestly it's all we've ever done and it always ends up being a good time....tiring, but fun, especially this year being 36 weeks preggers and jotting from house to house, let's just say I should've/could've been more of a team player this year! :( Anywho, Christmas was great at that! Donnie was excited about pretty much everything from his Spike the Dinosaur (Jr., I might add) to me opening socks in my stocking, he "ewwwwwed & awwwwwed" about most all the gifts we opened, it was pretty funny. Nolan enjoyed watching, he wasn't too much of a participant this year, oh how soon that will end.:) I also, might add that the kids did amazingly well at the Christmas Eve Mass this year, pretzels and gummies kept them satisfied...thank-you Lord! Not sure what has happened since, but they've been at each other's throats the last few days.... don't ya just love how kids can change in the blink of an eye! :/ Oh, my I almost forgot to add the BEST gift Donnie received this year....take a look, we'll be heading up to Dee-triot City tomorrow for the show & dinner! My brother is an Event Accountant for Joe Louis, Fox Theatre, Cobo.... so, these tickets were his X-Mas gift to us, how sweet is that!? Let me fill you in, as I'm sure lot's of you reading already know Donnie is obsessed with Dino's, and when I say obsessed I mean it, most of our life with Donnie involves something to do with Dino's on a daily/hourly basis... cartoons, books, Halloween costumes, Christmas gifts, Birthday gifts, even his conversations always end up leading back to Dino's somehow, someway.... even his preschool teacher mentioned his "love" for Dinosaurs....(mmhmmm, I know what she really meant was obsession)! So, tomorrow is the day, here we come Dino's!

Second - New Years:

Didn't do anything too exciting on New Years Eve....had to miss out on the Barczak's New Years Eve Bash, Bummer! :( Both of the boys were sick with fever's, so we stayed home and celebrated with take-out & a movie, not so bad. I did have to miss out on the highlight of my evening which would've been the lucky "nut" tree, cracking my walnut to see what the New Year had in store for me...Boo! But, Don and I did manage to relax and watch "He's just Not that into you", I liked it, made me think of my single days....man, those seem like forever ago! It gave me a few good laughs. :)

New Years Resolutions:

1) Patience (is a virtue)....that I NEED help with...lol! No really, I'm going to work on my patience this year, as I know I'll need it. With baby #3 on the way, in just 3 short weeks... work, motherhood/wifehood, classes, & other obligations, I need to just have some patience with things.
2) Relieving stress in a healthy manner....(something other than getting angry, yelling, or turning to alcohol ;). I do need to make sure I try to exercise this year, somehow I've got to make it a routine...I used to exercise a lot, like waaaaay back in the day, I would exercise almost daily (whaaaa, seriously where did those days go?)! Not only did it help me stay in shape, but it's always been a huge stress reliever for me. So, I'm going to try REALLY hard to do something at least 3-4 times a week, even if it's only for 20 min.

3) Pregnancy:

Well, it's coming to an end here soon, almost finished, I can't believe I'm actually saying that....only 3 weeks left! I'm 37 weeks right now & feeling larger than life! My legs and feet are swollen, making it uncomfortable to be on them for very long. So happy that it's almost the day when we get to meet the newest addition to our family, but I'm also anxious, scared, overwhelmed....not really sure how the adjustments going to be with 3 kids vs. 2, and all kids still being very young, ugh! just gets me anxious thinking about it! Someone PLEASE tell me I'll live through it! I know things will fall into place eventually, routines will happen, the kids & mommy/daddy will adjust, but I'm just still nervous.

Oh, yeah, NO NAME STILL: much help is needed! A few ideas:

* Rhenner (Don, not a fan...)
* Fynn
* Connor
* Harrison
* Cole

Give me your thoughts...PLEASE, or this baby is going to have NO NAME when he enters the world, poor little guy!

** Gotta go, pics. to come, I've got X-Mas shots of the boys, not sure where they ended up though??**

MIA

2009-12-23T08:44:00.004-05:00

I've been such a slacker....

*Insomnia....never had it. But, I do now, it's crazy...... I'm not tired, wide awake at night and ready to go at 7am, man hormones do CRAZY things to your body. :)

*I'm busily trying to finish wrapping gifts, making cookies, and keeping peace between my children. I will be back to post pics. of the holidays and let you in on the "scoop", not that there is one, I guess I just mean the everyday happenings over here.

*And..... with a new BANNER God willing. Seriously, Nolan is an INFANT in my banner & I've got a new baby on the way in 4 short weeks! LOL! Pathetic I know!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T10:57:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone has a Happy Turkey Day! I'm enjoying my day with many of those I'm thankful for in my life.... starting with my wonderful husband & boys.

Enjoy your day!

Names

2009-11-26T10:53:00.003-05:00

New names I'm really liking...

* Colby
&
* Maguire

Hmmmmm?? I likey, likey!

31 1/2 weeks preggers.....almost 32! Gettin' there!

"buddy"

2009-11-16T11:01:00.009-05:00

I've gotta get my braggin' rights in for today because, I'm such a proud mama lately..... of my Donnie! He is turning into such a nice big brother lately. Now of course, my kids have their spats and there are days when I wish I could drop them off somewhere and return when they're not acting like total maniacs, but lately it has been nice to see the interactions between them. They're really developing a relationship/friendship, it's nice to see.

Lately Donnie:

Will make sure Nolan has a toy to play with, if Donnie is playing with a dinosaur, he'll make sure to get Nolan one to play with.... if he has a car, he'll get Nolan a car to play with. I'll hear him say "here ya go buddy, you can play with this one..."

In the morning if Nolan wakes up first and Donnie hears him, he'll go into his room and say "good morning buddy, hi buddy, it's a good day today!" Awww, makes my heart melt every time I hear him talk to Nolan like this.

Donnie has officially given up his stokke chair because Nolan refuses to sit in his booster/high chair anymore. He'll ONLY sit in the stokke chair (I know it's because he wants to do everything Donnie does). Donnie at first was a little put back by the fact he had to move into a normal kitchen chair, but now he's fine with sitting in his "big boy" chair, so Nolan can sit in the other.

The other day Donnie went to the store with my mom and she let him pick out a dinosaur, as he had lost his in her yard earlier in the week. Donnie made sure he was able to get one for Nolan as well. He said he'd only get one, but he had to make sure Nolly had one too.

I'll go upstairs and put laundry away or do other misc. things at which Nolan & Donnie will follow in my path. When they get up there Nolan always sits in his room and gets into his rocking chair with a book. Donnie will scoot in his chair with him, put his arm around him and pretend to read to him. The little voice Donnie uses cracks me up, it's like a little boy trying to make his voice sound even littler (if that's a word). Too cute.

So, as much work, sweat, & tears (so to speak) as these boys put me/us through, it's all worth it for times like these. I'm just so happy & proud of Donnie for being the nice big brother I new he could be....this is a definite contrast from a 1 1/2 ago, when Donnie was, ummmm not so into Nolan you could say. ;) Finally, I'm seeing some hope, a little light at the end of the tunnel. :)

3:00 am..... blog post

2009-11-11T13:29:00.008-05:00

Well, I promise this will be a more uplifting post than the last. WOW! Can you say "Mommy meltdown"! :) BTW: thanks for all the nice comments....

Anyways, last night I was up for oh, about 3 hrs. (1:30-4:30) due to my wonderful, once "easy going Nolan" (as I used to call him), but while I was up I was thinking what day tomorrow was....which obviously is Wed., I was hoping it was Tues., and the week/day that my cleaning lady comes. Which lead me to thinking about what a GREAT, WONDERFUL, investment she has been.

And yes, I say investment because she has given me back a little shred of my sanity! Believe me, it wasn't easy to convince my husband we needed a cleaning lady, when yes, we are perfectly capable of doing it ourselves. That's great, fine and dandy, but really when do I EVER find the time to clean my 2500 sq. ft. house, 3 bathrooms, wood floors, tile floors, bedrooms, living, dining, & family rooms.... really WHEN do I find the time, someone please tell me?? Anyways, I made the decision as a full-time working mom that it would be an investment for me to pay a cleaning lady, to look at it as a bill that I had to pay every month..... and it's the best thing I ever did! She's not real expensive, she comes once every two weeks (2 times a month), she does the basic surface cleaning..... my big things were bathrooms & floors, if she could do my bathrooms and wood floors really good I would be happy, along with dusting and vacuuming of course, but those were my little pet peeves that I HATED to do myself and so loved it when they were clean. So, needless to say, one of the best purchases/investments I've made would be my cleaning lady. Oh, how I Love thee!

The 2nd purchase/investment (really this just makes it sound better... investment :) would be my Coach sunglasses. Yes, really my Coach sunglasses... I {heart} them. Not only because they're super cute and fashionable, but because they are so clear, no glare, I NEVER EVER have to squint even in the brightest of sunlight. It truly amazed me when I went into the sunlight and didn't have to squint or see a glare at all. I've never in my life owned a pair of sunglasses that were more than oh, 20 bucks.... and I do still have 3 or 4 pairs that are from Target that I do like, because they're totally cute, but honestly they don't even compare to my Coaches! I will definitely be buying another pair, maybe 2 (1 black) when I go to Chicago this spring.... they are so worth the money to me.

So, what is the best or your favorite purchase/ investment that you've made?? Is there anything that you've bought or made an investment in and now think to yourself....I'm SO happy I have these or I'm so happy I invested in this?? Just curious?

why? seriously, why?

2009-11-09T18:35:00.004-05:00

** warning....venting post, rambling & profanity will be used **

Okay, I just want to know if I have a stamp on my forehead this week that says: shit on Katie, or give Katie an attitude, or cry ALL fucking afternoon with mommy because you'd rather be with anyone else but me, or be pissed at Katie about something just cause!! Please take a number and add yourself to the list!

And to make things even better for me would you please throw in some *extra* dark denim jeans with the whites, while they are in the middle of washing, just to turn them a pretty light blue...... AND ruin ANOTHER one of my pregnancy shirts, one that actually fits me (one of the five! God how I {love} my wardrobe right now!:)) And it would be SO easy to just shoot over to the store wouldn't it? (you know the 2 stores in J-town that carry maternity clothes) and buy a couple more shirts that fit, it's SO easy to do when I work FULL TIME, have conferences in the evenings this week, 2 kids to tote along when I do get out of school, and then well, I could go on Sat., oh, but wait my hubby works on Saturdays..... even when he's NOT supposed too sometimes, just because he's oh SO dedicated! :)

And let's just add the extra 38 effing lbs. that I've gained ALREADY & I'm only 29 1/2 weeks along....yeah, you do the math! Hmmmmm.... and to make me feel even better today, my feet and hands were extra swollen, just to make sure I feel like even more of a fat ass than I already am. Let's see what else....oh, my back feels like I'm an 80 yr. old woman today, especially after an 8 hr. day on my feet with some of the obnoxious little shits I have to deal with all day, with NO parental support at that! Gotta love it!

And maybe you could call me just to tell me that your pissed at me about something. Or better yet tell me to not roll my eyes at you, even when you sound like a dumb-ass, and you're allowed to sound like a dumd-ass, but I can't roll my eyes! Oh, and you could always just let me know by not speaking to me that you think I'm a shitty friend....and let me figure it out when you cut off all contact, why don't you just twist the knife in my back while your at it...bitch!

Can I just get a freakin' break somewhere along the line this week?? Maybe a peaceful cup of coffee by myself in a QUIET place with NO children in sight, or a friendly note just because you actually do like me, or a laundry fairy to come make everything better. I know I'm so whining right, whoa is me, and this probably doesn't even make sense to you, but it's either this or sit in my basement & cry by myself....which I already did tonight, so here I am blogging about it.

Okay, I'm gonna go up into my bedroom, try to decompress, fall asleep and hope for a better day tomorrow....

Dreams

2009-11-02T13:26:00.005-05:00

I had a dream, but it was more like a premonition because I didn't feel asleep... it was weird, but in the dream, I named our baby Anderson, it HAD to be Anderson. Anderson Cole Huff I believe it was. We've had such a hard time thinking of boy names and what each of us likes, the other one doesn't. Don really isn't too sure about Anderson, but I {LOVE} it, and it was my runner up name for Nolan, Nolan was very close to being Anderson. I think I may have decided on a name folks!

Hmmmmm??

2009-10-27T10:47:00.003-04:00

Okay, so now ALL of a sudden I'm freaking out about getting the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. Not sure why, I was so nonchalant about it at first, but I think it's due to that fact that our school Health Center is offering them later in the week, and the time to do it is fast approaching....

Are any of you, have any, know any family member/friends who are NOT getting the shot and are pregnant?? Just curious.....

Grrrrrr!

2009-10-25T20:15:00.004-04:00

Grrrrr.....I hate it when people are unorganized and don't have things planned out....seriously, just get with the program, don't wait until the night before! When everything is left up to me to arrange/organize it gets irritating. Okay, it doesn't bother me so much to have to do it, but geez give me a little lead time to do it, don't wait until the LAST MINUTE, like for tomorrow!!!! UGHHHHH! I wanna scream! SCREAM!

Happy Fall!

2009-10-25T19:37:00.014-04:00

"no plans" & babies

2009-10-23T18:09:00.002-04:00

Excited about the calm weekend planned ahead.....

This was my first sentence that I started to type up on Friday afternoon. Now it's Saturday evening and I feel like I've been going ALL day long. And that's probably because we have been.... Don took the boys out for donuts and a stop at Walmart this morning, we met the Barczak's for lunch & a little JoAnn walk through, then I headed to Target for a birthday gift (Don took our exhausted boys home for naps), and my final stop the grocery store....geesh! So, once again my "no plans" weekend turns into full of stuff going on. Now don't get me wrong, I like to have things to do places to go, friends to hang out with, but it feels as though we never truly have NO PLANS kwim?? Whenever I think we don't have anything going on and I'm just gonna sit in the house all day in my PJ's doing laundry/house chores with Lifetime on in the background, no sooner I'm skippin' all around town with a list of "to do's" and meeting up with friends for lunch. But, I guess it's my own fault though, if I reeeaaaaallly wanted to sit in the house ALL day I could, of course then what would I have to bitch and moan about on my blog...right? ;)

In other news:

* My pregnancy is going well thus far (27 weeks), I feel like I always need to say thus far as I'm a little hesitant to be fully sure everything is going to go as planned through the whole 9 months because of my track record and the little set back we had with Donnie at 31 weeks....Placenta issues, hospitalization, & special care nursery (egh... not fun time to remember). But, all is well and I'm feeling good, just large very large! I guess I better cut back on the Jr. whoppers and ice cream, if I want that to change.:)

*Donnie and Nolan news.... Donnie's having a great time at preschool, making new friends, learning new things. He's such a little sponge....telling me about his field trip to the farm, what they saw, what his teacher says, everything about his day, etc. Oh, the other thing Donnie has been really interested in is how babies are born....literally! At first he started telling me/asking me if I was gonna poop the baby out and if it would hatch out of an egg, then he thought I'd pee it out, then he was asking if I would spit it out of my mouth (what???). Eventually this led me to telling him about babies being born alive, not hatching from eggs like dinosaurs, and the vagina/penis talk. Don still doesn't understand why I had to talk to him about penises and vagina's this early, I guess he wanted Donnie to think babies were pooped out and hatched from eggs until his friends told him the true story in school!? Man , I swear this kid is gonna be a nerdy scientist some day.... he is so interested in everything and all the little details that go along with it, the questions NEVER STOP! Nolan is just so different than Donnie it amazes me! He speaks so much more than Donnie did at this age (18 months).....he try's to mimic and repeat everything we say, along with just the usual baby babble in their own language, he's too funny. Nolan is much more of a "brute" as we like to call him, nothing is done gently or with timidness, all is aggressive and full force...everything from playing to his hugs & kisses. Watching these two grow and interact just makes me smile with amazement, that I actually made these two little people and so excited to see them grow and form their relationship over the years. I can't wait to see how this 3rd little boy will change the dynamics!

** Alrighty gotta go and watch my 48 hour mystery....don't know what I would do without my DVR love it! **

Out of the mouth of babes :)

2009-10-14T17:19:00.001-04:00

OMG....let me share a funny:

Yesterday Donnie told my mom he had a baby "dirl" (girl) in his belly, and she was going to come out of his "agina" (vagina)...Bahaha!

very random....

2009-09-30T15:25:00.010-04:00

Ready for school.....

Hey brother can I get a hug???

"Gotcha", he's going in for the hug....... and

Sorry, Donnie no such luck........

Get off.

One question.....

Why does being a mom have to be SO hard??

And it's all the little things that I find difficult..... well, I guess that also has to do with the fact that my children are under the age of 3 yrs. old, so I guess it's the "little" things I'm going to be dealing with for a while...uh.? So, Donnie has started Preschool this year, which has been a wonderful experience for all of us....he and I both adore his school and his teacher (makes me very happy, especially being a teacher myself, I seem to be finding myself a little extra judgemental on the schools and teachers that he may have to encounter.) Anyways, while he is having a wonderful experience, we have had a few little things pop up. One incident was him not being called on to be ring the "clean-up bell", he kinda had a little meltdown (crying, not tantrum), his teacher said.....not a big deal she just had to explain that everyone needs a turn and it wasn't his turn that day, his friend Reese let him ring it with her to make him feel better (how sweet!) Second, I guess he was playing in the gym with his class and stepped on another kids stomach (I think in a playing manner, but still)....his teacher told him not to do that and he started crying, then he didn't want to be around her for the rest of the gym time (I have to admit this one kinda made me laugh....like duh, Donnie why would you step on another kid??)

I guess the hard part for me is trying to explain to a 3 yr. old to just deal with the "no's" or the time-outs, or whatever consequence he has to face. I don't want him to be....... ummmm, how should I put this without making it sound bad, well, not sure so I'll just say it, I don't want him to be a sissy. And yes, I know he's only 3 and he just started preschool, but I also knows he's a little sensitive. Which is one of the things I completely love and adore about him, it's what makes him my sweet little boy. I also know being a teacher that it amazes me how many kids can't just take the consequence that's handed out to them.....without throwing a fit. Maybe, that's it, maybe it's more so that when he gets older I don't want him to question authority or put up a fuss, or act like a "baby", but to simply know that when he does something unacceptable you've gotta face the punishment period.

Oh, my gosh I can't believe I just went on for 2 paragraphs about Donnie and being a little sensitive. Can you say over analyzing or what??? haha! Anyone else ever do that with your kids though? It's like I want my kids to be "perfect" and I know this obviously is non-existent, what is perfect anyways......oh, the woes of motherhood.

Hi there.....

2009-09-28T19:05:00.004-04:00

Oh. My. Slacker!! I just read this post and felt like it was about myself.....only add 2 months to that, geez how pathetic can I get!??

Well, there's been lot's going on around here....not really sure where to start so I'm just gonna start writing, I'm sure this will be plenty chaotic. Hmmmm....much like my life lately!

First: Momma Drama.....(cause I seem to be the only one on earth who seems to think this is a slightly big deal or it could just be my hormones?)

Yesterday Donnie was at my parents house & him and my Dad were rough housing, because of course that's what men have to do is rough house with a 3 yr. old....make sure we make our 3 yr. old more "manly" I guess! Anyways, I called over there and my Mom tells me Donnie's tooth is loose....his FRONT tooth, the main tooth in the front! And sure enough it was bleeding all last night....I'm just waiting for it to come out! I called Dr. Pink's office....his dentist & there's really nothing that we can do. It's a baby tooth so they don't put a fake one in, yes I did ask that, can you believe I asked if they'd give my 3 yr. old a fake tooth!?? My co-workers think I should "bling" him out and ask if I can get him a gold tooth. Lord help me!! Anyways, looks like Donnie will be loosing one of his front teeth waaaaaay before the rest of his little buddies.....and I'm completely devastated over this! I know it's stupid, and it's only cosmetic, but my gosh the kid is 3 yrs. old, so that means for the next 3-4yrs. he's gonna have to have one tooth missing in the front!! I feel so bad, there's absolutely nothing I can do either. I was up at 4am. thinking about this tooth issue!! I'm a dork I know.....

Second: Baby..... BOY that is! (23 weeks preggers)

Yes, sure enough that's all that my husband can seem to shoot.....boys! I was a little upset at first because I really was hoping for a little girl to add to our brood, but all is good now. I've gotten over the initial selfish sadness.... no pink, no hair bows, no prom dress shopping, no hair & make-up tips, no motherly bonding talks....etc. I seem to be pretty content with the fact that we'll be a family of five with only one princess in this house....ME! ;) (Jokingly saying this, as Don always seems to reassure me, there's only room for one of me in this house! Thanks honey you always know just what to say! haha!)

Names: We've got only a couple that we can agree on:

Cole (Anderson??) Huff
&
Jackson or Jaxon Huff (can't think of a middle name for this one...any suggestions??)

Third: What to do about vaccines......

Thinking about getting the boys there flu shots this week.....was, thinking I should say, because now they're sick again! Colds, colds, colds, we (me & the boys) can not seem to shake this nasty cold virus. I swear we just got over one cold and now were on to the next!! So, maybe early next week I'll be able to get myself and the boys into the Dr.'s for the flu shots, since you're only supposed to get them when you're healthy. But, man at the rate were going we'll have already gone through all the viruses by the time we actually make it to the Dr.'s!! Swine flu shots.....for me, yes, as I'm pregnant & they highly recommended it, as for the boys, I think so, people are kinda making me second guess the Dr.'s though....you know the ones that spent 4 years in medical school, internships, conferences, & whatever the heck else they have to do? I should just go with my gut & the Dr.'s advice to get the shots....I need to trust that instead of the hype.

Okay, so I think that covers a few items on my list to chat about..... ahhhhhh, feeling a little better now that I've gotten a start.

3 1/2 yrs. = Potty Trained :)

2009-07-24T10:10:00.005-04:00

Let me just say, I honestly thought this day would never come. Donnie has had ZERO interest in using the potty, he didn't want any part of taking that diaper off, and I really didn't push the subject, I thought if I did he would regress, I'm glad I took this approach as I think it worked for him. Needless to say when I decided this week we were gonna go "cold turkey" and just take the diaper off, I was pleasantly surprised at how accepting he was to this change. I'll fill you in a little on Donnie's personality.... 1) If he doesn't want to do something....there's NO "talking him into it", he's super stubborn. 2) He doesn't like it when we make a BIG deal about things (i.e. big boy bed, big boy underroos), he didn't want to talk about the big boy underwear/potty, or tell others about his new feat, he just wanted to do it, no fuss over it..... in other words, no sticker chart, no rewards, nothing....strange for a little kid, I know?? But, it worked for him and we have success folks!! Potty training was VERY successful, easier than I could have asked for.... a few accidents here and there, but for the most part fresh and dry throughout the day!! It was literally like a light bulb flicked on and he just got it. Yesterday & today were accident free!

Things we are still working on & any advice would be accepted:

* No poop in the toilet yet...he still does not want to commit to that concept yet & I'm not sure what to do about it??

* Still in diapers during nap & bedtime.....I think it's more me than him, don't know if I'm ready for the clean-up during the night??

*** I never knew how proud I would be to watch my little guy use the potty all on his own!!***

Question???

2009-07-22T15:39:00.002-04:00

Question:

What do you use in regards to lettuce....bagged, a fresh head??? How do you keep it fresh, wrap it in damp paper towel, a krisper bowl?? I'm thinking buying the bags is a waste of my money, they last what a whole day after the initial opening??? Grrrr..... Help me out??

Once again.....bullets:

2009-07-22T13:18:00.003-04:00

Oh, my my, where has the summer gone and every minute in between?? Lot's of new things happening around here and I hate to always do the bullets style format, but paragraphs just don't seem appropriate when you're going through a list in your head.....at least that is how my mind works!! So on with the bullets:

BIG NEWS: Donnie has been in big-boy underroos for 3 days now.....minus the times we've gone somewhere or at bed/nap time, as he's still getting the hang of it. I have to say though, he's doing really well, he's had a few accidents, but normally he'll start to pee & then quickly say "Mom I peed" just in the midst of him doing it, he also hasn't gone poopy on the toilet yet, not sure when this step will happen, but I can tell he really isn't too interested in doing that part on the potty....we shall see??
We have a screamer on our hands folks.....Nolan is a screamer, he lets us know where he is at all times by his loud scream, which is pretty funny too me because before Nolan started his screaming I used to despise kids that had that high pitched squeal of a scream, I seriously wanted to just put duck-tape on their mouths, it irritated me to no end....and look now I've got a screamer! ha! I at least can say it's not a high pitched ear piercing scream, for right now.
Nolan uses a fork and spoon decently well, he wants them at every meal time as he has to do and be just like his older brother......
Don bought a boat....yup, that's right a boat, what the HELL?? Yeah, that was what I was thinking, but those of you that know Don know he's an impulsive person when it comes to purchases. Actually, what we are going to do is use the boat up-north for our family vacation on Lake Manistique, fishing, tubing, etc....and probably keep it till' the end of the summer then turn around a sell it for a few more $$'s than he bought it for.....what can I say he's a salesman at heart! So, if anyone wants to join us for a weekend on the water....just let us know!??
Donnie and Nolan got amazing closet organizers put in their closets this past weekend.....courtesy of Ryan B.:) They are GREAT and couldn't have turned out better! We owe him, he spent all weekend at our house working on closets.
Oh, duh, my pregnancy! :) Well, I'm almost 14 weeks (Sunday) and still nauseous, but getting a little better, I think. I've been less tired and still gaining weight, but of course I've never had a problem with that during my pregnancy's, the weight part .:) Donnie puts his ear up to my belly and wants to hear the baby and when he gets done he says...."the baby said Mama Mama" ....awe how sweet!
School will be starting up just a few weeks after we get back from our vacation.... I still can't believe it's the end of July! (And I'm thinking about school already...lol!) I'm always excited to start school though, all the new little faces in my classroom, setting my room up, picking out the perfect "welcome back" bulletin boards, and the BEST part is that this will be my 1st year out of the 4 years I've been teaching (wow, I can't believe next year will be my 4th year teaching for JPS) I'll be in the same room, same building, and same grade (2)...... I'm thrilled, to say the least!! Maybe this will be the one year I'm not running around learning/meeting new curriculum, new principal, new building, new policies, new staff, ect..... YAY!!!

Okay, boys are napping....and momma needs to finish some laundry....gahhhh! Story of my life...

Random Thoughts for Friday...

2009-07-03T11:04:00.001-04:00

I just ate a taco at 10:30 this morning....I'm thinking like brunch? Weird!
Had my 11 week Dr. appt. Wed., no heartbeat heard, but I had an ultrasound by LeeAnn a few weeks ago & the heartbeat was 171 beats per minute. Doesn't that seem awfully high!? Maybe it was just that fact that I was only about 9 weeks....I dunno, just seems high to me. Still feeling nauseous, still on Zofran, still hoping it goes away REAL soon!
SO wishing I had first floor laundry.... I HATE having to go into our dingy basement to do laundry, I think that's one of the main reasons I always put it off, I have to go up 3 flights of stairs to get the laundry to the bedrooms.....hate that! Our next home WILL, I repeat will have first floor laundry, and if by some chance it's not on the first floor the laundry room will be NICE ....tiled, cabinets, clean/fresh/new, some place I actually won't mind spending 90% of my day (when it's laundry day...KWIM?)
I can't believe it's already July...the 4th of July tomorrow! What the heck, where did summer go?? Getting excited for our Mackinac & Curtis trip in a few weeks.... firt stop Mackinac McGowan Family reunion, next stop the U.P for my families vacation on Lake Manistique.... by FAR the highlight of my summer, year after year!
I have a graduate class/workshop next week.... ALL day long 8:30-5:00, 3 credits & $500 & some dollars later, not bad for a week long 3 credit class though! MUST finish these classes to get my "Professional (instead of Provisional) Teaching Certificate". It should be fairly easy as well, that will bring my grand total to 9 credits....WOW, a whooping 9 credits, oh well I figure it's a start to finish the 36 total credits right?? It's something :)
PLEASE pray for me & my potty training wows, I'm doing the cold turkey, NO DIAPER method this weekend. I've simply got a little boy, who doesn't have much interest in it, so now it's time for some force to the issue.....I've been reading these different theories & methods, but I know for Donnie it's just gonna take the "cold turkey method" (as I call it!)
Excited for a friend who will be meeting there new baby boy next week....via open adoption, baby boy #2 congrats!!
Wanting to organize my closets upstairs, mine & the boys mainly. I seriously need help, I need an organizational specialist to come over & just work some magic, my closets have turned into this horrible clutter of a mess, a HOT mess I tell ya! I need to get motivated and just DE-CLUTTER & good will stuff....stuff that we DON'T need, ugh! I hate having clutter! Am I nesting already??
Trying to figure out what to do with Nolan and bedrooms and what to use for him now (or in Jan. when baby comes) a bed, a crib, should I buy a new cheap twin bed for him? Use our guest room queen for the time being? Keep him in his crib for a while?
What in the world am I making for dinner tonight?? Hmmmm?

The "Minnie" Winnie trip to Holland....success!

2009-06-16T11:39:00.020-04:00

Our (borrowed from Don's Uncle) "Minnie" Winnie!!

The Pier at Lake Michigan....

The "Barbie Mobile"

The Beach Day...

Well, we had our first annual Holland camping trip with The Barczak's, The Collin's, The Dawson's, and The Howard's.... it was a complete success!! I was a little hesitant with the idea of camping, the dirt, the bugs, the bathrooms, just the whole "idea" of camping scared me a little. But, I will be the first to say I was WRONG, the whole entire weekend was way too much fun and really flew by with a quickness! Don and I both said on the way home from the trip that we actually wished we would have stayed another night...made it a 3 night weekend instead of just a 2 day weekend, so to say the least the trip was a success! Great friends and great memories...what more could we ask for.?

Some of my favorite parts of the trip included:

Watching Donnie and all the little kids running around wild, but yet still listening and on good behavior for the most part (now if we could only get P's swearing under control! Damnit! LOL!
Eating breakfasts and dinners outdoors...it was nice to all sit down together and have one big "family" dinner altogether
The relaxation of being outdoors and watching a crackling fire at night
But, of course, roasting marshmallows and making smores.....
Conversation over the campfire after all the little chicklins' went to bed.... our "boss" time & staying up waaaay to late! Including: "getting some strange" ... needing to "activate" myself ... labor and delivery stories...since 3 of the 5 girls are preggers, again ... "Purple Twinkies"... Lumen Christi bashing...."Go Titans"... DNR coming over to tell us to quiet down ... Zofran meds. and constipation problems ... the list goes on...
Watching Grace and Nolan walking around with their fingers embedded up their nose.... one of their favorite past times.... pickin' their nose :)
Donnie, Porter, and Lukas riding/running themselves ragged around the "circle" by our campsite.... then pushing each other, fighting over a bike, swearing or biting each other, and then once again having a grande ol' time together... boys, go figure
Reyna spraying everything in sight with a water bottle from the dollar store, and calling Ryan B. "John" all weekend LOL!!
Watching Don (aka: the baby whisperer) with all the kids .... "just lovin' em'"
The Beach Day ..... what more do I need to say, Lake Michigan and fun in the sun
The kids obsession with Grace's Barbie Mobile

Lot's of great memories... All my worries about the weekend and it turned out to be a blast! Can't wait for our next camping trip.... (wait, did I just say that?? I can't believe it!)

Where did the time go?? Seriously!

2009-06-07T19:04:00.004-04:00

Feeling old and sentimental! Today I went to the open house of a little boy who my Mom used to do daycare for... we were their neighbors, as well as, turning into great family friends with them along the way. My Mom watched Matthew (Matt as his friends call him now) since he was 3 months old. 3 months! I remember coming home from school holding him on my lap and playing with him until his Mom came to pick him up, she was a school teacher, so I remember having to come home right away & get my play time in before he left. He also had an older sister Sara who my Mom also watched. These kids were practically like my siblings, my Mom used to take them to our sporting events, Dr.'s appt's when there parents were working, birthday parties, etc.... they were always around like part of our family.

So, today I went to his Graduation party from High School....and he is SO big! SO grown-up. He's off to Michigan State next year, he has a girlfriend, and he's SO mature, he's becoming a young man. I do have to brag and say these kids are turning into great young adults .... respectful, determined, kind, ambitious, all around good kids! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea they are both going to be in College. Sara soon will be applying to Medical School's next winter, Matt's going to the College of Engineering at MSU, I couldn't be happier for these two, they both are fabulous kids and deserve all these great opportunities....hopefully, mine can turn out half as good as these two have. But, at any rate I was sitting at this open-house staring at Matthew thinking where in the world did time go?? Not long ago he was a little boy, Donnie's age running around just like Donnie was at his graduation party today.... it made me sad to think of "where did the time go" seriously!? It was like life happened and passed me by in blink of an eye! Of course, I'm very happy for him and the way his life is unfolding thus far, I just wish I could go back to those days sometimes...relive those great memories and cherish them more.

Maybe it's my hormones.... or the fact that I'm just turning into an old sentimental sap! Good Lord I don't wanna see what I'll be like when my own children go off to College. Who knows maybe by then I'll be pushing their little a$$es out the door?! LOL ;)

A whole lotta....stuff

2009-06-01T13:12:00.006-04:00

Well, a whole lotta to update & keep tabs on (for memories sake of course)...

Went to Dr. F's the other day.... my official Due Date is Jan. 25th! My birthday is Jan. 30th, Donnie's is Jan. 11, so this little one will join in on our January family Birthdays :)

Have you ever checked this out.... a friend sent me the link the other day, just for curiosity and fun, of course. But, it is kinda strange that it was right with both my boys, I wonder if it'll be right this time?? Have you ever tried it, was it accurate for you or way off??

Feeling half-way decent, with a few queasy moments just today, but completely tolerable at that, thus far this pregnancy. Knock on wood, and I'm sure I'm totally jinxing myself right now.... but, I am about 6-6 1/2 weeks along, this is when it ALL went down hill with my first two pregnancies. So, I'm hoping maybe I'll just get through this one with some queasy moments, but not the full fledged puking bouts...*fingers crossed*, ahhhhh that would be too good to be true, if you ask me.

Going camping in a few weeks in Holland....we'll see how that goes. We've got a 38 ft. Winnebago named "Minnie" that we'll be cruisin' in! hehe! Yup, that's totally my idea of camping.... a bed and a pillow to rest my head, a non-communal toilet to do my business on, and the luxury of getting away from the mosquitoes and bugs in something other than mesh lining.... LOL!! I sound like a true camper don't I?? Anywho, I'm actually looking forward to the Minnie trip, I think the boys are going to have a complete blast! And the other families going are a lot of fun! Good times ahead, good times.

The boys... ayi-yi-yi, are these two BOYS... Neither of them can get enough of the great outdoors (hence, why they'll love camping), they both through a fit when we have to come in doors for the night; Nolan loves to eat dirt and sand from the sand box; Donnie's always on the look out for toads and caterpillars... he even names them "Toad" and "Taterpillar" he's original, what can I say; Nolan is turning into a little crazy man... he's runnin' around the house throwing himself into or onto things, like he's some WWF wrestler, furniture or on the floor mostly soft spots of course, but he does have a few bumps on his head from crash landings onto the wood floor or hitting the arm of a wood chair.... and then he laughs, he's a mad man I tell ya, MAD! Donnie's a little monkey himself.... climbing, jumping, growling, lately he's either Spiderman or a Ninja or a Dinosaur, *funny story* we went out to dinner at the Outback one night last week with a friend of mine from work, her boys, and her sister (a preschool teacher) and the entire night Donnie wasn't Donnie he was a T-Rex, Karen (the preschool teacher) would ask him a question and he would say "Rrrrooaaar" or he would put his arms up to his chest, arch his back, and make this strange squeally noise "eeeeeek", I really wanted him to just act normal for the evening to see what a nice little 3 yr. old boy I had, but Donnie had other things in store....remember Donnie was a T-Rex at this point... the more the boys laughed the more Donnie would do his impersonation of a T-Rex, ohhhhh the joys of having boys!

So ready for the next 3 days to be here and gone... Friday is our last day before summer break!! YAY! "School's out for summer"

Ummmm yeah .... 3 yrs. old is just too early for an organized sport, Nolan won't be playing soccer at 3. Don't get me wrong Donnie's having fun, I think, but what's the point at this age?? I guess I'm just not that into it right now.

* Can't think of much else right now, I'm a little pooped tonight I need to lay down. Night.*

Yup.....

2009-05-21T08:53:00.004-04:00

Well, yes it's true.....Donnie & Nolan are going to have a new sibling soon. :) I am pregnant! I know the suspense is killing some of you, so I'm not holding out any longer, I might burst at the seams if I don't say it soon!

At first, I was hesitant to even post this because I didn't want it to come across as being ungrateful or selfish, but initially when we first found out I really wasn't that excited I was pregnant again, so quick. A little shocked, a lot scared, and a whole ball of emotions rolled up into one. Therefore, making it a little hard to put all my feeling and emotions into words and post it. Kwim? Of course, after the initial shock and surprise has set in (because we weren't "trying" per say, but I'm not going to explain our whole birth control method...TMI, just know it DIDN'T work, obviously!) I'm slowly warming up to the idea of 3 children. And 3 car seats. And 3 bedrooms for the kids. And a minivan not doubt. And 3 children UNDER the age of 4. And 3. And 3. And 3. And just the pure insanity of the next few years of my life! But, with that said I am getting more and more excited, can't you tell?

Some worry and doubt and guilt has set in most definitely. I'm not so much worried about Donnie (the more demanding of the two) and this new baby who will soon be joining our family, but I'm really worried about Nolan (easy going Nolan). I don't feel that Nolan will even have a chance. Major guilt has set in about adding a new addition to our family so soon, when Nolan will only be 20 months old. He's one of those kids who, thus far, hasn't really demanded our attention (*ahem* unlike another little boy in our house:) maybe this will change with age though...?. His easygoing personality could be easily taken advantage of by us. Will he simply be swept under the rug while I'm tending to new born? Yes, most likely. Will he be slighted with our attention and love? Not love, but attention most likely. Will he have the middle child syndrome? Ummm, not sure about this one, as I only have one other sibling. Does my little Roley Noly even have a chance? Those of you that have 3 children, or nannied 3 children close in age, or are one of three or more in your own family.... tell me you thoughts, your opinions, your experiences, I'm very curious to know... It might put my mind at ease.

I know this post is all over the place with feelings & emotions & concerns...sorry! At any rate that is our news!! I am slowly getting more excited each day thinking about expanding our family again. A little nervous as well. But, we know we have been blessed to get pregnant with a healthy child again (which is in our prayers each and every night, as that is ALL that matters to us.) We are grateful!

God works in mysterious ways....

2009-05-20T09:19:00.002-04:00

A little baffled, a little scared, lots of strange feelings going on today.... Not really ready to explain yet, just still working it through in my head.

Bummer of a day :(

2009-05-07T19:24:00.003-04:00

SO, it's Nolan's BIG DAY, his first birthday and ...... nothing. That's right nothing for him, but a double ear infection! Poor baby. :( He's in bed snoozing for the night. No cake. No ice cream. No presents. No candle blown out. Nothing, nada. He was just too sleepy to even care. :( I think it's harder on me than him. We'll try this whole thing again tomorrow, I'll just pretend in the pictures it was his real birthDAY!

Mixed emotions...almost the big day!

2009-05-06T20:57:00.005-04:00

A year ago today, I was crying in Dr. Farhat's office, begging him to induce me. Nolan's due date was actually today, May 6, 2008, but Nolan obviously was still just chillin' out in the oven wanting to bake a little longer (fat little terd)! Anywho, Dr. Farhat said we could induce because Nolan was gonna be a decent size baby... about 8.5 he anticipated, and once again like always Geraldo (I mean Dr. Farhat) was right. Originally he was going to let me go a week past my due date, then induce (I can't imagine Nolan being any bigger)... man am I glad I whined nice & LOUD in his office. :) Thus, Nolan Jeffrey Huff would make his grand entrance on May 7, 2008!

So, I'm having all these weird emotions with Nolan's First Birthday:

Sad, very sad this year has gone by in such a blink of an eye... this second time around everything has whizzed by...
he's already had his first smile, rolled over, sat up on his own, crawled, taken his first step, blown his first kiss, said his first word (Ma' ma'), all those firsts are gone... & it makes me sad, teary eyed sad ;(
missing that new baby smell, that sweet aroma of a brand new baby's skin. Ahhh... there's nothing in the world like that smell.
enjoying all that Nolan has brought to our family.... his laid back demeanor, his happy go-lucky personality, his silly little laugh, his growling like a T-Rex (courtesy of Donnie), the way he scrunches up his nose and makes this weird little face, his love of food, his stumpy legs... he needs those to hold his roley little body though, right ;), just his roley little self makes me smile!
the great little friendship and bond him and his brother have, I never would have imagined how much I would love having boys until I saw these two together. I'm absolutely enamored with them.
wondering if this will be the last first birthday that we celebrate around here.... we're still in the "I don't know, maybe, stage" ??
loving the fact he's becoming so very independent, remember I really start liking my children after about the first year of their life (even though I will miss those milestones)...not a fan of the baby stage, which is the whole first year, imo.
anxious for all the new big boy stuff he's gonna be able to do this summer.

Everything is just going waaaaaaaay to fast, I need to stop time somehow and savor and cherish and live all those precious moments, smells, and firsts again .... *Ahhhh* sigh. Who knew a first birthday could be SO traumatic on a mother.?

Tid bits about the boys...

2009-04-22T19:33:00.005-04:00

Nolan:
(Fat feet)

* Is walking all around! He started walking a few weeks ago, the real shaky walk where they look like their gonna plop over any minute, but he's officially walking around now, fairly smooth. :) So, I figured it was time I start putting some shoes on the boy, I went to buy him new shoes yesterday, which I wasn't thinking that I'd have to do because Donnie has so many hand-me down items I thought I'd be good to go in the shoe dept. Well, a few days ago I went to put some tennis shoes on Nolan that Donnie had and were practically like brand new. I tried to put Nolan's foot into these shoes and I was totally cracking up trying to do it.... Nolan's feet are like little balls, like a fist balled up that won't open, except his feet are flattened out not balled up, they're just SO fat that they look like little balled up fists!! I was pushing and shoving and nothing. nothing. Nolan's foot was just NOT going into those shoes. So, I figured maybe I should go to a shoe store have him measured and buy the poor little guy some shoes that actually fit. JCPenny's here we come! Yeah pathetic, it's about the only shoe store in town that has baby shoes and can measure his feet. He did get a new pair of New Balance tennis shoes... 5 wide to be exact... and they were on sale! Yay, gotta love sales! Oh, did I mention I didn't have an option, the only tennis shoes they had in a wide were the New Balances. I think my next trip to buy shoes is going to be at an outlet that has Stride Rites or some type of shoe I can buy in wides. Grrreat my options are going to be endless! Not only do I have to search to find "cute" boy shoes, but now I have to find Nolan wides, fun fun.

Donnie:
(Curious)

* Is so curious about animals... everything, he asks questions about everything pertaining to animals. Today, we were watching Go Diego, Go and of course Diego is an animal rescuer, so the questions are endless after we watch him. A sea turtle was today's topic of discussion for Donnie. He learned that turtles lay eggs and the babies hatch from the eggs. Along with dinosaurs and birds... he always asks about their eggs.? And their Mommas...and where their Mommas are... Not sure what that's all about? Anyways, today he says to me...

D : Turtles lay eggs Mom?
M: Yes (with a look of you already know that).
D: Where do they lay eggs?
M: What?
D: Do they pee them out?
M: Ummm....
D: Do they pee them out of their butts?
M: Ummm....?? I don't know honey, I'll have to find out. (Seriously, that's what I said....what the hell? Do turtle have female parts? Where do the eggs come out of? I might have to google that tonight! hahhaha!)

I don't know where he comes up with these things... so inquisitive.

Candy, Church, Optimas Prime, & the Med Clinic....

2009-04-13T18:44:00.013-04:00

*Disclaimer*

We really do love our boys' equally, but Donnie and I were the only ones "dressed" for Church in the morning..... Nolly was still snoozin' at this point ;(

Our Easter was really, really nice..... low key, exactly what I was hoping for and needed. We, well me, Donnie, and Sheri, (a friend of mine from work who spent Easter with us) headed to Church in the morning....minus Don and Nolan. As Nolan had to take a trip to the Med Clinic in the morning (nothing serious). But, albeit Donnie and I did the solo thing in the morning. We got home, took NO naps (man was I paying for that later in the day), and had my family over for Easter Dinner. FA-BU-LO-SO, I think I might have finally mastered the cheesy potatoes dish!! Definitely, the highlight of Donnie's day was getting his little gift from the Easter Bunny... Optimas Prime, the Transformer...WOW! did that thing MAKE HIS DAY! Nolan was just having a good ol' time watching his big brother run around the house like a wild man (with Optimas Prime in hand of course), playing with his aunts, cousins, and grandparents, and swinging on the swing set (insert thumb in mouth and that boys' as happy as a clam!). He's our little 'thumb sucker', the left one to be exact....awwww, precious baby.

**Don't I look extra happy in these pics....? Because, not only was it Easter, but I had my last class on Saturday.... paper turned in, presentation completed, and boy did I feel like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders!! Woo-Hoooo!! I sang the 'Alleluia's' a little extra loud in Church! ;)**

Chaotic

2009-04-10T09:50:00.004-04:00

I promise I'm still here.... AND I have a ton of pics. from our Spring Break to South Carolina. But, that would involve a spare minute for me to work on something other than homework. Unfortunately, my Master's course has completely and utterly consumed my life since I've been back! Literally, I've gotten off of work @4pm., made dinner to be ready at 6pm. when Don gets home, and then off to work on my Annotated Bibliography (I had never heard of this before my class either, but I may be just a complete nimrod? LOL!) until Ohhhh, about 11pm., and yesterday I never even left school until 7:30 because I HAD to finish my homework! Grrrr! I'm SO not trying to complain about my life, oh, hell who am I kiddin' yeah I totally am, but I really have only had time to sleep since I've been home from vacation (and not much of that either)! .... No communicating with friends or family on the phone or via-emails, basically only giving my hubby a kiss goodnight before bed, and trying to squeeze in some decent quality time w/ the boys for a whole hour after work (yeah, I've felt a LOT of horrible "Bad Mom" guilt this week)....this class totally kicked my A$$! I'm still not quite sure how I'm going to complete my Fall class, the "Action Research Paper Class" aka..... my Thesis Paper?? Hmmmm? I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it!

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Still on my TO DO LIST, before Sunday -Easter:

Grocery shop for eggs, cheesy potato ingredients, and other misc. essentials for the Easter Dinner I'm hosting at our house & prepare for the Egg Hunt!
Grab two navy Polo's for the boys to wear to Church on Sunday
Fix Easter baskets
Oh...Duh! Dye Eggs!

** All the while I still have class on Sat. from 8:30-5pm., (thankfully, my last class....ahhhhh *sigh* of relief)... rush, rush, rush, story of my life lately!**

SO READY!!!

2009-03-26T18:52:00.003-04:00

Spring Break finally....

South Carolina here we come!!

Leaving tomorrow morning around 8:30am.... we'll be in Charleston by late afternoon!! Wooo-Hoooo!

More to come with pictures to follow......

Wish us luck on the plane ride, I'm a little nervous with a 3 yr. old & 11 month old.?

A weekend to remember... a comedy of errors and vulgar toilet discussions ;)

2009-03-23T13:48:00.011-04:00

Things that I learned on my weekend trip:

* Lori has an infectious laugh….
* Nicole has the funkiest a$$ smelling feet I know… I’m SO sorry Ryan
* I know what to get 'Gadget Girl' for Christmas… (and it’s not another gadget, this one I can buy from the drug store)
* Thank God for LeAnn’s navigation skills, or who knows where we’d of ended up for most of the weekend??
* I’m not good at sticking to a budget at an outlet mall w/a credit card in hand
* Jane is a VERY bad influence for someone considering buying a Coach purse
* I will be wearing those damn Coach sunglasses till the day I die (duck tape & all), just to prove Nicole wrong ;)
* I never want to be stuck on the Boulevard at night in Michigan City….EVER AGAIN!
* I will be bringing the “poo-poo” spray on our next road trip
* Don’t look to a non-English speaking Asian couple on the train for help when the conductors won’t let you off
* $77 worth of snacks just isn’t worth it
* Real-life can imitate the Chevy Chase movie “Summer Vacation” (the Wally World one)
* Taco Bell & the song Ladies Night will forever go hand-in-hand, etched in my memory

Teary eyed moments....

2009-03-12T08:26:00.003-04:00

Things that will make a "Mommy" teary eyed.....

Checking out a few preschools for next year... thankfully, I found the one I just fell in love with the minute I walked in! My baby isn't a baby anymore. :(
Talking to a "big boy" about going to school next year and how much fun he's going to have, all the new friends he's going to meet and all the new things he's going to learn.
Meeting a potential new babysitter for the boy's to finish this school year out & possibly lead into next Fall. We've hit a small dilemma in our schedule's with Grandma's, therefore it's time to find a babysitter 1-2 days a week. The best part of this is that the lady I would like to have will be able to come to our house! Yay! This will be SO nice, especially since she lives about 20 min. from us....*finger's crossed* this will all fall into place for us.
Listening to my 10 month old say "Ma-mma Ma-mma Ma-mma" when he hears her voice outside the door.
Watching my two little boys loving each other.... okay, really fighting then loving, fighting then loving, fighting then loving again..... *sigh* I love those two nut cases ;)

**I'm getting too emotional over my babies growing up.... I think it's time for another, now I've just gotta get my husband on board for that. :)**

First official bike ride of the year....

2009-03-07T14:09:00.006-05:00

Woohooo!! Go baby go! He's a master peddler! haha!

Coast is clear folks!

2009-03-07T14:02:00.003-05:00

Okay, coast is clear....

Donnie woke up from a nap at my Mom's yesterday & said his throat and ear hurt. So, of course, I went into frantic mom mode... calling to get him an appointment right away with his Dr., but his "real" Dr. never sees him anyways, so we ended up with our usual Dr. Williams (who I always like. :) Anywho, no strep and no ear infection. Just a sore throat and an earache. I kinda felt dumb, because he didn't even have a temperature, but I was so paranoid that he had the dreaded strep I took him in just for peace of mind this weekend. I didn't feel like having to make a weekend trip to the walk-in....kwim?

Eeeeek, please NO!

2009-03-06T12:42:00.004-05:00

Donnie goes to G-Ma Huff's on Tues. & Thurs., which by the way....he LOVES!! But, really what 3 yr. old wouldn't have a blast there.... donkey's & goats to feed at the barn in the morning, bird feeders to be filled also in the morning, toys that overflow her sun room for all the little chicklins' she's got running around, a home-made sand box outside by the pool....more like a sand mountain w/ climbing toys in it, a basement with tile flooring, perfect for hockey & numerous sports .... seriously this woman has a house MADE for small children, they love it over at that nut house!! She's crazy though. Not in a bad way crazy, but very, Ummmmm... how can I put this, eccentric may be a good word for her (we love her for her eccentricness!) :) Anyways on with the SCARY part...

Gabe, her 1st grader (yeah, she's 54 w/ a 1st & 4th grader, long story, can't get into it now..) So, she calls me at school yesterday telling me Gabe was sent home from school with a rash on his face. Nothing serious, but of course school thought he should go home... in the case he was contagious. So, I was able to skip out of school about a half hour early, sit with my boys while she took Gabe to the Doctor's and wait for her 4th grader to get of the bus. She comes back from the doctor's and says Gabe has STREP-THROAT.... Eeeeeek!! No please NOT STREP.... that's what I was thinking at this point. If you've read my fear of strep before on my blog you know why.... Donnie & I are SUPER susceptible, not even sure if you can be susceptible to that, but we are! Donnie had it 4 times last year at the ripe old age of 2 (poor whittle baby!) and I've had it numerous time... twice when I was preggo's. UGH!! I'm just waiting, waiting for all the symptoms to appear. Waiting for the fever. Waiting for the throw-ups. Just waiting. Of course, I'm sure it'll take about a week for the symptoms to hit.... just in time for my weekend Master's Course.... Woooo-F-ing-Hoooo!! I'm just prying for some crazy reason that Donnie and I can stay safe. Safe from that dreaded STREP-THROAT.... Wish us luck & a danm good immune system!

Insane, mad woman!

2009-03-05T19:40:00.003-05:00

My life is OVERWHELMING!! Aghhhhhhh!! I don't know wether I should laugh or cry... I'm on the verge of going insane (literally). Mostly, (okay, almost solely) because of me starting a Master's program... don't know why I should feel that way, I mean I'm only working full-time, I have two small children, and I'm going back to graduate school.... hmmmm? Must stick it out though.

Report cards are due next week at some point, I don't even know the exact day, all I know is they need to get done.... No time to be concerned with that I've got other things to be concerned with [bullet 2].
I've become a MAD woman, and I mean MAD (crazy mad & frustrated mad).... so, I'm taking this Master's Course... "Introduction to Research & Design" this class is SO unbelievable hard for me, it's the "intro." and I don't (not that I care to or want to) understand ANYTHING, please tell me how the hell I'm gonna pass this class?!! These research Journal Articles I'm supposed to be reading have such BIG words, I'm talking BIG words.... words I've never even heard before, let alone read, let alone understand and comprehend. I can't believe people actually do this for a living (really what drives these people into the research profession, I'm baffled by it), research is so foreign to me, then again maybe I'm just a dumb-ass(?) (probably...LOL!)! Let's see the last report I had to write started out.... The animal I have chosen is a Black Rhino. My animal is a mammal because.... Ha! Like I said, I just want to teach 2nd Grade for the love of God, not become a researcher!! Someone please help me understand how this class is going to be useful in my career as a teacher.?
My house... holy hell..... a complete catastrophe, laundry overflowing, rooms in disarray. No time. There seriously is NOT enough time in my day to complete everything. I need a maid, a nanny, a cook... let's see what else?
The next few weekends are completely booked to the MAX! Not one free minute. The next free weekend I have (I think) is the sometime in April, and I'm sure those will be filing up quick too (the way our life is lately.)

** But, yes there is a but,... my saving grace will be March 27th at 9 something in the AM when we'll be on our flight to Seabrook Island, S.C. WooooHoooo!! Can I say it again WooooHooooo! Oh, so much needed family time and getaway from the real world, I can't wait, I am so ready, get me outta here... please. One more time WooooHooooo! :) (Geeze, who am I Vicki from The Real Housewives of Orange County? Anyone else watch that.... sad, but oh so entertaining, such a guilty pleasure!) Speaking of TV shows, was anyone else mad at Jason on The Bachelor.... I was pissed, jerk! Poor poor Melissa, I feel for ya girl. :(

I {heart} my conversations with Donnie

2009-02-25T18:02:00.004-05:00

I wonder what's going on in that little mind of his... absorbing everything like a sponge.

Our conversation after he see's a butterfly on Toote & Puddle...

Donnie: Momma look, it's a monart
Me: What? What's a monart?
Donnie: A buf-fly
Me: Oh, it's a monarch butterfly....?
Donnie: Yeah, it's a taterpillar and it has a nest, and then it turns into a beautiful buf-fly!!
Me: It has a nest?? Do you mean it makes a cocoon and then turns into a beautiful butterfly...?
Donnie: Yeah, it's a taterpillar, then it makes a tottoon, and turns into a beautiful buf-fly!!
Me: Wow Donnie, you sure know a lot about butterflies!
Donnie: Thanks.

My baby boy....chunk-o-love

2009-02-19T21:22:00.003-05:00

For memories sake.....

Nolan Jeffrey - 9 month stats.

20 lbs. (25-50%)
28 in. long (25-50%)

We're laughing about this because your Dad and I think you're SO big, when really you're just pretty average ;) We're used to a child in the 2-3% sats. his whole life, average seems HUGE to us! LOL!

Milestones for you:

* Crawling
* Walking along furniture, I swear the other day you took a step....sounds good, I'll go with that, you're first step! Yay Noly!!
* Content and happy, most of the time
* Making silly faces, scrunching up your nose, smiling and laughing at your big brother, getting a little territorial over your toys...
* Babbling a few words...."Mama mama mama" "Da Da Da" "Ba Ba Ba" "Di-y Di-y Di-y" (Pretty sure that one means Donnie, because whenever you say it you're on the look out, maybe your afraid of getting kung-fued...hehe!)
* You and your brother are becoming fast friends, you've always taken a liking to him....but, just recently has he started liking you..... awe, I'm sorry baby boy!
* Mama's sweetheart (you have totally stolen my heart)..... you're SO sweet and happy, I just want to cuddle you all the time, you're a lover & I LOVE that about you!
* Food is your friend.... (you must get that from me), not picky yet, the key word is yet, I once said this about your brother and now I can't get him to eat anything!
* Blue's Clue's is something you actually will stop and watch for just a few minutes, you always laugh and smile at the doggy.

That's about it for now....
You make us smile everyday Nolan.... we love you!

Daddy & Donnie; Mommy & Nolan

2009-02-15T15:55:00.007-05:00

Nolan and I stayed home this weekend while Don and Donnie went up to the cabin for a "boys weekend" with Don's Dad and his brothers. They spent the weekend snowmobiling, sledding down a hill that they made for the"Winter Festival" in town, and watching movies! I think all the things on their To Do List, were accomplished. I talked to Donnie on the phone last night and he said "he was playing nice"... hmmm? so, I guess that meant he was having a good time!?:) Don said whenever they stopped on the snowmobile Donnie would say "Come on Dad, let's ride!" Two peas in a pod, what can I say! I on the other hand I spent my weekend with Roly Noly. I said it once and I'll say it again.... Nolan is the BEST baby (my sweet little ball-o-love)!! My friend Sheri and I went to Ann Arbor to shop at Briarwood Mall for all the winter clearance sales and drool over things at Pottery Barn. We took Nolan with us and he was a perfect peach the entire time. He sat in his stroller, people watched, and babbled up a storm. I was a little worried he would feel too confined in his stroller, since he's been on the go, movin' & shakin' lately, but he was good to just sit and chill while we were doing our thing at the stores. We got home from Briarwood and just had a fun girls night slumber party, watched movies, got pizza, and talked about randomness... a fun night for me!

It was really nice to only have Nolan for a few nights all by myself. I realized yesterday that I haven't really had much one-on-one time with Nolan since he's been born. I mean the quantity of one-on-one time I had with him this weekend. It was so nice to put all of my energy into just him without having to entertain, or fix, or keep occupied, or put to sleep, or feed lunch to a 3 yr. old. I was able to concentrate on just Nolan and give him my undivided attention, which I hadn't really noticed that I wasn't doing until yesterday..... and I don't mean that in a bad way, like he's neglected....I mean it in a way that really the only way I could give him that attention is if he would have been numero uno in the pecking order. It was crazy how I felt I was able to get so much done with just him around, I guess I've really forgotten what it's like to have only 1 child around! Oh, how I remember the days when Donnie was a baby and I thought how difficult it was to get anything done..... haha! How things have changed! This is all reminding me of watching this one morning from this article.....

What do you think? What # child are you in your family? Hmmmmm... I wonder what Donnie and Nolan will be like as they get older? Geez, and what about our 3rd (maybe :)? Interesting, definitely some food for thought.

Nothing much...

2009-02-10T14:00:00.010-05:00

Hmmmm.... thinking about what to type.

I'm at a little bit of a loss as to what I should write. So, of course, I'll go with the good ol' ......

Updates about the boys & life in general:

Nolan (9 months old), my sweet, sweet baby boy.... is here, there, everywhere!!..... he's moving around like a mad man. Crawling, pulling up on things, cruising along the side of the couch/coffee tables; eating us out of house & home, last night he actually asked for steak & potatoes for dinner...ha! But, honestly this kid likes to eat, we're still not quite sure what to do with a child that eats all his food AND wants more.....this is all new to us. Donnie on the other hand boycotts many breakfast and lunches, and just opts for milk (I'm not even gonna get into that whole issue.)

Donnie's newest addiction is Dinosaurs, he's really into looking at dinosaur books, playing with his mini dinosaur creatures, watching shows on discovery channel involving dinosaurs, & torturing Nolan with dinosaur roars. He'll even tell me... "that one is a T-Rex" or "Stegosaurus" or "Triceratops", it's pretty stinkin' cute if you ask me. I think we're going to try to head up to U of M and go to the Natural History Museum.....(BTW, not surprised that they beat out MSU in this department....amongst many other defeats they score against the Spartans... Go Blue!! That's okay, Steph I still like you guys..hehe! ;)

Still trying to get our bedroom painted... "Tea Leaf Green" to be exact. We just bought a fireplace (electric) for our bedroom & I love it, but we really need to finish up our bedroom, paint, accessorize, etc... to give it that "finished look" to make it feel right....KWIM?

Getting excited about going on Spring Break to Seabrook Island, S.C. with Don, the boys & the in-laws. We went to Kiawa Island (right next to Seabrook) a few years ago with them and it was a blast! Very "naturey" (ya like that word, I made up?;), it was not at all touristy and it was set up as a resort for families.... nature conservatories, equestrian center, pools w/ kiddie pools, tennis courts, bike trails/ hiking trails, even a day camp for toddlers .... this was on Kiawa, so let's hope Seabrook is like this! At any rate, I'm sure it will be nice and full of lot's of things for us to do, yet relaxing at the same time....that's what I'm really looking for, RELAXATION! Donnie is SO excited to fly on an airplane, go to the beach, and see the alligators, as we've already got a day trip planned for Charleston S.C., to some alligator farm... yeah, you heard me right.... and you know I'll be sporting my daisy dukes, a handkerchief on my head, & my cowboy boots..bahahaha! (for some reason, that's what I envision when I think about an alligator farm down south...that's okay, I'm a little bit of a hillbilly anyways...beer & country music are a few of my favorite past times:) LORD let's hope we all come back with all our limbs in tact!!

I've got my first Master's Class... Instruction and Curriculum; starting at the end of Feb., it's a 3 weekend course (3 credits), 5-9 Fridays & 8-5 Saturdays, at least it'll be done in 3 weekends, but they are loooong days....yuck! Not looking forward to more time & energy put into something else, when I feel like my time is spread thin as it is....but, what is one to do?? I've gotta keep my teaching certificate, and I will receive an increase in pay once I've completed the program, my goal is 3 yrs.... the whole program (36 credits & a thesis paper....wish me luck! I'll need it! :)

** I think that's it for now..... have a good night. Don's bringing me Chinese home for dinner, so I'm a happy girl!**

You may, you may not know...

2009-02-04T18:27:00.006-05:00

I was tagged with the 25 things you may or may not know about me....

1) I'm a girly girl.... I love getting dressed up (not that I ever do), wearing make-up, getting my hair done, you know all that "girly" stuff. But, while I am "girly" I also enjoy sports, and being a total grub on the weekends.

2) I strive to be as positive and kind a person as my husband.... rarely does he complain, or say bad things about others; he's truly just a good person. I'm lucky!

3) I'm totally loving scrap booking, I find myself thinking how I can fit it into my weekends... (Must get a table set up downstairs to keep things out at my fingertips!)

4) I went to private school K-12th grade. Loved it & our boys will be doing the same.

5) If I wasn't a teacher, I'd be a nurse. I always have that thought in the back of my mind... right before I went to college, I thought about going into nursing. (3 things kept me in education though... June, July, & August! hehe!;)

6) I can at times have a big mouth, sometimes called "diarrhea of the mouth", it's seriously uncontrollable at times.... shit just flies out! See!

7) My boys are my everything.... I love being a mom to boys, more than I ever thought I would. I love the dirt, the boogers, the burps, the wildness, the sport-a-holicness, the swear words, the wrestling, the bruteness, and their tenderness... I just love it all.

8) I heart green olives! Not the bloating the next day from salt overload though!

9) I'm not a huge Christmas fan.... while it's great to give and receive gifts, have family gatherings, and teach my boys about Jesus's B-Day. It's just not all that grand to me.... maybe it's all the "Martha's" of this world who make me feel as though I'm not living up to my "motherly" duties during this holiday season..? (Oh! Well! Screw-em right!?)

10) #9, leads me to #10.... "Martha's" = UGH!

11) If I could get a time capsule and put some of those funny quotes Donnie says, I'd be in heaven.... I know I won't remember all those hilarious things he says in his too cute for words little 3 yr. old voice.

12) I'm really a homebody at heart... I don't need to go out much and if I do, I enjoy just 'hanging' out at other's homes, just chillin' out.

13) This year has been good to me.... lot's of laughs & happiness to fill my days, I'm blessed!

14) I don't enjoy about 7 of the 9 months of pregnancy... the nostalgia wears off quick. But, boy do I love that feeling after delivery.

15) I would love to have another home... on the lake. Just for the summers & weekends, to take the boys swimming, skiing, fishing, invite friends for bbq's. That's our pipe dream...

16) If my husband didn't work for his family business I would have NO problem just picking up and moving when our children are old enough to go to school. I've always thought it would be fun to just pick up and leave. As long as I can get my parents to go to where we move... (okay, so I know they would go anyways, whether I wanted them to or not! :)

17) If I had my choice between hot or cold weather ... I'd pick cold. I'm very ornery when I'm HOT, you can always add clothes when your cold, but you can only take off so many when your hot. I could never live in a HOT, HOT, climate... ewwwww!

18) I'm SO addicted to "Nancy Grace" & "Real Housewives of Orange County"... speaking of which is on tonight! Woo-Hoo!

19) I don't mind doing laundry, if I had to choose between dishes and laundry, it'd be laundry any day! Of course, I'd rather do neither, but that's not my reality.

20) When I was in first grade I told our neighbor's (who were both school teacher's) I was gifted... ha! Seriously, what was wrong with me??

21) When I was five I had stitches on my eyebrow because I was twirling around and ran into a door... haha! I was a klutz, big time!

22) I had eye surgery when I was 4 yrs. old. (Hmmmm... I see an eye trend going on here, weird..)

23) Both of my boys have their grandfather's name in theirs. Donald & Nolan Jeffrey.

24) I could shop day and night at Target... it's the BEST, who doesn't agree?!

25) I don't paint my toenails in the winter... only summer, thanks.

Man... am I done yet?! Sheeesh!

Wow.....

2009-01-31T15:52:00.002-05:00

This article just disturbs me.... am I crazy or is this irresponsible in SO many aspects!? Seriously, what is wrong with some people!!!?

Yay!! My Birthday! SMILE

2009-01-30T17:15:00.002-05:00

Happy 28th to ME!!

Out with the old, in with the new..... in more ways than one. If there's anything I've learned this year that's it! Some good & some not so good (okay, just plain out crappy), but either way, I'm a better person for it. :)

*Have a good night, I know I will....dinner & margaritas with my hubby & cousin. Fun Times!*

A more thoughtful post to follow........

Ugh, it's Sunday, again....

2009-01-25T13:21:00.003-05:00

Another weekend came and went.... I swear, it feels like I'm a hamster on a spinning wheel that never stops!! Anyone else wonder where there weekend's go & where were you when it passed so quickly!?

Friday: Another fun scrap night at Nicole's, with Jane, Lori, Rachel & Lynne. I have been really good about actually making the commitment to myself to try to scrap at least once a month, since one day I would really love to have my children & myself be able to look back at all those great memories. Plus, it's a nice, relaxing creative outlet for me. Can't say it's too good on my waistline though.... pizza, cookies, Margaritas.... :) (Don, actually told me..... if I get too tipsy just spend the night, geez what have these scrap nights come too, a booze fest... my husband has to tell me to stay the night! Haha!)

Saturday: Had dinner with a friend from school, Sheri (a first grade teacher), a lot of our students think me & Ms. Jones (Sheri) look alike, and for the longest time we had our classes thinking we were sister's..... mean aren't we? Just a little humor to get us through the day! She is an amazing cook though, she does the "real" cooking as I called it.... I said that after I saw her with a meat thermometer, I was amazed that she actually cooked the meat to the exact temperature for med. rare; not to mention her homemade mac & cheese, cheesy potatoes, & green bean casserole.....dang girl, just for the Huff's, we must be pretty special! hehe! But, as for my "real" cooking habits, I don't have those kind of killa skillz (as the hubs likes to say:) in that department, I always just look to make sure the inside of the meat isn't bloody & we're good to go..... I guess my cooking must be "fake" cooking ;)

And now it's Sunday already: I said to myself earlier this week, okay, Fri. & Sat. I(we) have plans.....Sunday, I'm doing nothing, but staying home and doing chores around the house or just doing nothing. Well, I called Nicole to bragg (I mean motivate;) her to start walk/run, by telling her I actually got my fat butt on the treadmill today & walked/slow jogged 2.2 miles!! Yay Katie!! My legs are already tight, what's that tell ya?...I know I'll be sorry tomorrow, but no pain no gain right? Anyways, when I called the first thing she says is... "are you taking Donnie ice skating today?" .... damn, I forgot about that; and I've been telling the poor boy we were going to go ice skating for the past 2 weeks now and we have yet to see the ice! So, of course my reply was yes. So, there ya go another weekend came & went, and I don't even remember sitting down!! (Besides, scrapbooking, but that doesn't count....I was still doing something physical, like lifting my arms to eat more pizza & drink a margarita....bahaha! I'm pathetic!)

Hopefully, next weekend I'll be able to relax a little. Friday is my birthday, so I think at some point during the weekend Don and I are going out to dinner for some alone adult time!

Okay, gotta go & get ready for the rest of my fun filled weekend..... Oh, not to mention after ice skating we're going to my in-laws for dinner! Man, I almost forgot about that too, great I'm getting chubby & starting to develop a bad memory.... Ugh! It's a bitch getting old!

Random Pictures, good times great oldies...

2009-01-20T19:24:00.019-05:00

Don't you love it when you go through old photos and find pictures you haven't even looked at.

The guys weekend at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin ........

Chuck, a good friend of ours, scary I know, he's definitely one of a kind. He grew out this horrendous beard for this game, weird I know! ..... We like to call him "Chuck Diesel". Haha! He just makes me laugh! :)

Jade, looks like he's ready for the winter game at Lambeau! I have a feeling Jade can get a little crazy.... am I wrong Leslie? :)

(Ryan Barczak)

RyBar 81 as Don likes to call him..... thoroughly enjoying the boys weekend.

And last, but not least, Big D. himself. Loving the "no wifey weekend" in Wisconsin.

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Other random shots of my babies ........

My prayer......

2009-01-19T12:20:00.003-05:00

Dear Lord....

I really NEED your help today. In a BAD way. I'm trying to potty train my 3 yr. old... yup, that's right he's 3, please don't gimme any shit about it! While I thought this might go smoothly, Ummmm, not so much. I've also got a 7 1/2 month old baby crawling around, pulling himself up, and very curious about all the bad stuff.... cords, outlets, the usual "No, No's". So while, I'm trying to make my 3 yr. old go the bathroom every 20 min., because he just can't understand why he can't piss all over the floor and himself, I've got a lug of a 7 month old downstairs getting into (or trying too) God knows what, and having to carry him upstairs with me every 20 min. is a real pain in the a$$ (sorry, for swearing God, but believe me it's much better than what I really wish I could be doing right now)!

My prayer today...

Please give me patience with my 3 yr. old son, as I do not want to hurt him or myself (i.e. poking my eyes out with a fork; screaming/beating him for leaving puddles of pee on the floor & letting his little brother crawl through it...not once, but twice, & not telling Mommy; or any other physical/emotional abuse you can do to a 3 yr. old. while trying to potty train!

Please give me sanity, as I do not want to be smashed when my husband gets home from work tonight, because I drank the rest of the Bacardi bottle or wine that is just staring at me and calling my name every time I pass the pantry today!

Please grant me forgiveness when ( I mean if ) I do any of these God-forsaken things to myself or my child today ... or when some horrified mother reads this blog and calls CPS on me....

And God .... I promise I WILL use birth control at least for the next year & 1/2 ... this is not my idea of fun! And please somehow lead me back to this post when I'm feeling the urge for another child before both of my boys are potty trained!

Amen

YAY!! "COLD DAY"

2009-01-15T09:18:00.005-05:00

YAYYYY!!! FINALLY, we have a snow day at Jackson Public Schools! Technically a "cold day" as the wind chill is like -20 degrees, or something insanely cold like that.... so, they figured it was too cold for the kiddies to be waiting for buses in this weather...I couldn't agree more:)Brrrrrrr! I was SO happy when I turned on the news to see Jackson Public Schools run across the bottom of the screen on the TV... ahhhh *sigh* of relief, I always hold my breath when it comes to the "J's" in alphabetical order. I always know the "usual" schools that call off if there's even an inch of snow on the ground, but it seems like my School District has to have the national weather service call our Superintendent to call off a day for us.... (you can't tell I'm a little bitter, can you? LOL ;) Anyways ... It. Is. FRIGID out today! And the crazy person that I am, I might try to pack up my crew and head out to the Gap to use up a Christmas gift certificate that's burning a hole in my pocket!

*Try to keep warm if you're in Michigan*

Happy "snow day" Thursday!

Happy 3rd Birthday Donnie

2009-01-12T16:23:00.026-05:00

(January 11, 2006)

A look back at the life of Donnie Huff as a 2 yr. old...... summed up in a few brief words:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Hockey & Baseball

Riding a "real big bike" w/ training wheels

Friends you talks about often ... Hannah, Nathan, Porter, Javon, Jamar, Jayla, Carl, Gab, Reagan, & Eve (all his cousin's except one ;) ha!

Your first "real" Big Boy Bed

Favorite Channel: Noggin (you even know how to turn the remote on! Sad, I know..)

Favorite TV Shows: Go Diego, Go; Franklin; Little Bear; Wow, Wow Wubbzy; Max & Ruby

Favorite Movie: Madagascar.... hands down, no competition here folks!

Favorite Animals: Snakes, Dinosaurs, Praying Mantises, Frogs, more Snakes, & more dinosaurs

The Dahlem Center

Your "unconditional brotherly Love" for Rolly-Noly :)... NOT!
Kung-Fuing Nolan (and everything else in sight) just a few weeks after he came home from the hospital ;) That one is etched in my memory!

Quotes we heard ALOT "Wow, that was freaky!", "Oh, Pickles", "Oh, Donuts", "NO Nowan", "Melllllk make me feel better!"

Lots of Play-Doh

Transformers

Mommy became your friend this year, along with Daddy......finally, I didn't know if I'd ever make it into that category :)

Happy Birthday Little D...... you make us smile everyday, you're a great buddy little guy!

3:00 AM wake up call

2009-01-05T18:45:00.008-05:00

Funny story.....

Donnie is finally in a "Big Boy" bed.... he has a new (well, new painted :) full size bed. He was really excited about sleeping in it and having his whole room changed to a "Big Boy Room", it was so cute to watch him jumping around on this big ol' bed when I'm used to seeing him in a crib, although he's pretty little anyways so he seemed to fit just right in his crib still....haha! (yeah btw, the jumping was allowed only to get him totally excited about the new bed, as this has been a challenge in the past)! So, he went to sleep very easy, Don read a story and layed down with him for a few minutes... and fell asleep of course, he always does this.....he closes his eyes for a minute & he's out, it gets so annoying having to wake him up in Donnie's room every night, plus Donnie is totally fine falling asleep on his own, the nights I put him down are a breeze! Anyways, Don says to Donnie last night "Now Donnie when you get up in the morning you can just go downstairs, turn the TV on and watch cartoons" *gasp* WHAT WERE YOU THINKING DON? I know it sounds great, being able to sleep in, but I know better than to trust a 3 yr. old little boy downstairs ALONE, really such a male type thing to do... sorry for the man bashing, just a little! I couldn't believe he actually said this though .... all I was thinking is great my kid's going to feel that he can just wander downstairs anytime he wants, turn on Noggin and have a good ol' time without Mommy & Daddy knowing!!! What was Don thinking?? Well, just as I predicted, that's exactly what happened at 3:00am last night, Donnie on the couch with his blanket and horse (this BIG, honkin' horse he has to sleep with every night) & ready to turn on the TV with the remote!! What the heck.... LOL!

Good job hubby ;) Mommy really does know best!

Wish us luck tonight, I don't really need to be getting up with my 3 yr. old in the middle of the night only to find him watching Go Diego, Go at 3am., while my 8 month old sleeps a solid 12 hrs. every night.... ha! go figure!

Ringin' in the New Year

2009-01-02T10:40:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year.......

This year was a REALLY fun New Years Eve for us, actually since we had Donnie it's the first time that we've actually done something besides sit home, or with family and watch movies eating popcorn trying to keep our eyes open till' midnight....it was nice to get out and feel like New Year's Eve is something to celebrate! We spent the evening with a lot of fun people, old faces, new faces, and even a psychic, which by the way was a highlight of my night....now don't go getting all "morally correct" on me, I'm not some black magic worshiper/devil worshiper......it was simply for fun, no more than just a little glimpse into what maybe my life might have in store for me....even if it did mean a car accident soon approaching, yes he actually said that to me....Eeeeek, but I guess I should have already known that since he told me I have psychic ability...LOL!! Nicole definitely went for the "Wow Factor", because those of you who know me, know that I'm consumed with the "Wow Factor" when it comes to the holiday's......NOT ( just a little inside joke there). But, anyways she did have a great party, lots of food, games, and the ever classic "nut tree"....haha! That was most definitely the best laughs of the night, as I couldn't even finish reading mine and I was cracking up....since, we placed "in bed" behind the fortune! I think mine read something like "Your patience will pay off sooner rather than later....... in bed"...hahaha!! And by the way, just a shot out to Drew...... you did a great job of being "the nut passer outer" LOL!

I hope your New Year 2009, is everything you wish for..... health, happiness, love, whatever it may be, I hope it may be granted to you....

**My New Year's goals for 2009...... to exercise more, exercise my spirituality more, and focus on the good in life and people, (God is good & good things happen to good people...as I need to remind myself of this!)**

*****************************************************************

In other news: Our New Year's was blessed with joy and sorrow .....as a family very near and dear to us are hurting in an unimaginable way, they unexpectedly lost their precious baby boy who was only 1 month old. This is something words can not describe, it is truly an unimaginable tragedy and all I can do is pray for them in their tragic lose..... Please send a prayer their way, as I know faith may be the only comfort that anyone can have in a moment like this.

"I should have never left the house".....

2008-12-29T12:27:00.011-05:00

This is what I was saying to myself yesterday as I was tyring to find a way into my house!

Here's the scoop:

A comedy of errors-
Saturday evening we (me & the boys) went over to Nicole's house for a "widow's night" since both of our hubby's were in Green Bay watching the Lions make history(in 22 degree weather).....and BAD history at that, the first time ever an NFL team has finished the season 16-0, meaning 16 loses and 0 wins, correct me if I'm wrong, but it was some horrible statistic like that I'm pretty sure. (Didn't know I new so much about sports...uh?:) Poor Lions! Anyways on with the story.... So, we have a fun filled night at Nicole's, the boys watched the intolerable Speed Racer movie once again, ate cheese popcorn, and jumped around the living room like two hyeena's until bedtime....Nolan and Hudson sat staring at each other aimlessly, chewing on toys, & crawling around (Nolan that is...) just being curious 7 month olds. Later after the boys went to bed and Nicole's nieces got picked up we scrapbooked and chatted till' waaaaaay past my normal bedtime, but it was much needed on my part, I think I might be getting back into the scrapping mode! YAY!!

Okay, fast forward to Sunday 9am., after leaving Nicole's. I thought it would be nice to get home nice and early, take a shower/get ready, get the boys cleaned up and let Nolan take his morning nap, get all of us ready to be on the road by 12pm. as we had to head out to Sterling Heights (1hr. 45 min. drive) for a family Christmas Party..... thinking 3 hrs. should give me plenty of time right.(?) Hmmmm... So, I thought. I drive up to my house and I was thinking - I'm sure I left the lights on outside the garage, as this is a habit of mine, so when I get home I have lights when it's dark. No lights on. Then, I push the garage door opener and it doesn't work.....hmmm? I continue to press it another 5 times like a moron thinking if it didn't work on the 2nd try it'll surely work on the 5th try. Duh! So, no lights, no garage door open, and guess what.... I have no house key... I tend not to carry one since I usually open my garage door and leave the house door to the garage unlocked or I'm with my husband who has em' on him. At this point for some crazy reason I start to get ticked off at Don....thinking something had to be wrong with our garage door...like it needed a new battery, or it broke, or a fuse blew, or something happened that just had to be his fault and if he wouldn't of told me to just lock the house up and come through the garage none of this would be happening damn-it...thanks Don!!! (Am I the only insane wife who if something happens it somehow has to be the fault of her husband, even if he's out-of-state....I know, I'm crazy I tell ya!) So, I tried to get in through a few windows...they were locked, tried ALL my doors hoping I left one unlocked-Nada! Finally, I called my parents & my mother-in-law to see if they had spare keys....nope. And this is when I find out from my MIL we lost electricity from the wind storm the night before(Ooops, sorry Don, not your fault). The one that kept me up 1/2 the night & I was already going on only about 4/5hrs. of sleep anyways...... niiiiiiice, I'm locked out AND sleep deprived, trying to figure out how I was going to get myself and kids ready for this party with no way into my house, no Christmas outfits from the Gap/Macy's for the boys to wear, no clothes for myself, and no Christmas present to take for the gift exchange! *Mind you I have a 3 yr. old & 7 month old, so anywhere I go I pack almost everything but the kitchen sink! How the hell am I gonna pull this off? Needless to say, the day is NOT going how I planned! UGH! We eventually head over to my parents house get unpacked and I rummage through our overnight/yesterday clothing figuring out what I can possibly put on my kids, then I rummage through my Mom's emergency clothes she keeps for the boys and find them a half-way decent looking outfit...but, it's definitely not the cute Gap & Macy's outfits I had bought for them....waaaaah! Then I attempt to find a sweater to wear from my mother's closet......let's just say we're not exactly the same size, plus she has no curling iron and my hair is....well, let's just say it's untameable without an iron! We head out to the Christmas Party and I'm feeling and looking like a hot mess, stressed out from being in the car with a toddler, 7 month old, & my parents for 2 hrs., and no husband to vent too, but..... we still had a great time (okay, I did after a strong glass of wine, or two :))

Monday morning and we finally got electricity! Woo-Hoo! Let me tell ya, unexpectedly living out of an overnight bag for 48 hrs. with 2 small children, staying with my crazy, yet loving parents ;), and NO husband in sight is not my idea of a fun weekend! LOL! I think I was also a little bitter knowing that my husband was having a good ol' time drinking beer with his buddies watching a football game while I was a mad woman trying to hold on to the few shreds of sanity I had left.

Oh, and to top it off, I can't find my wedding rings...... hoping they're at my parents house!? Ha! Why the hell should I be surprised after the type of weekend I had?!

As, I was walking through the door this morning I was thinking to myself "I should have never even left the house this weekend"...... ever have one of those days/weekends/weeks, where you feel like you have a bad omen/karma? And all you can do is laugh because you think, could it get any worse, yet it's comical at the same time?!

Hope your weekend went a little smoother than mine :)

Aren't we the lucky ones....

2008-12-25T19:53:00.006-05:00

Yes, we sure are. Santa made a grande stop at our house on *Christmas Eve*.... Donnie, Nolan, Daddy, & Mommy got all they could have wished for. And, but of course, we had two other fa-bu-lous Christmas's at Grandma & Grandpa Huff's house and at my parent's house (Grandma and Grandpa Senn's). These two little boys were/are spoiled..... I hate saying that, but honestly after seeing our trunck this evening on the way home aaannnnd realizing what Santa had already brought them at our house the only way to say it honestly is... spoiled! I figure that's okay you're only a little kid once in your life.... then the novelty of the holiday fads away, & it's less expensive for Santa now than when their teenagers...right! ;) Donnie definitely had a few "WOW! Factor" presents - as Don would say(that's a whole other story... as Don had to make sure Santa brought a "Wow! Factor" present...huh??). They were most definitely this and *this- *I was really impressed with this as we got it set up...very cool (Toy House...my favorite)! It was a lot of fun to watch Donnie this year as he is starting to really "get it" and have some concept of what is happening. Nolan, well, he was mostly interested with the bows and eating the wrapping paper...(I new we should have just wrapped empty boxes! LOL!) We were very blessed to have such a wonderful Christmas this year, as I know it's a hard time for many families struggling this holiday season, we are truly lucky. My one regret....we didn't make Jesus a Birthday Cake this year, that was one of my goals to do with Donnie, but plans for Christmas Eve changed at the last minute therefore changing Christmas Day plans slightly and we just didn't have time. Next year...it WILL happen (even if we do it on Christmas Eve), as I want this to be a tradition that I can carry on with my children. I do have to say, I think Donnie understood(to the extent a 3 yr. old can understand) some of the stories we read and talked to him about what Christmas is REALLY all about.

**Now for the few returns tomorrow....ugh! Wish me luck!**

Merry Christmas to all .... and to all a goodnight :) I'm pooped!

Randomness

2008-12-20T16:00:00.003-05:00

A bit sad today.....

Something happened, not a BIG deal, but I was hurt by it. One of those things where maybe I'm just being too overly sensitive, but maybe not.? I feel as though maybe I did something to deserve it, but not sure what(?)(if I did, I didn't mean to)....type of situation. And if I say something and I didn't do anything I'm gonna feel stupid or too overly sensitive about it....know what I mean? Have you ever been in one of those awkward situations? It's not something I'm going to indulge with details.... I just feel a bit upset/bummed about it today.

In other news: My shopping is DONE! Thank the Lord! I have my family Christmas party tomorrow with my Mom's family at our house, it's always fun....my family is LOUD & crazy(but, I love it)!! So, I'm hoping that will lift my spirit a bit. Planning, organizing, shopping, etc.... always a good distraction from "life". Oh, and Nolan is CRAWLING!! My baby is a moving machine! He started moving a few little inches a few days ago and in the past two days he's been ALL over the living room floor....it's too cute. I will officially say he's crawling for real...hand and knees, no army crawl (which Donnie did forever it seemed)! Of course when I saw him get in the position and actually move for the first time I felt like the only mother on earth who ever saw her baby crawl for the first time..... it's such a good fuzzy feeling inside! I love those moments! :)

Anyways, the kids are napping and I've gotta get two gifts ready for the Great Gramma's tonight, so I better get to it while the boys are sleeping.

Hope everyone is having a festive holiday!

My Boys

2008-12-14T20:44:00.009-05:00

I could just snuggle this kid all day long.... he so soft & squishy! I just wanna squeeeeeeze him!! :)

.................................................................................................................

Uhhhhhh ..... thanks Don, for helping out with bath time while I'm at work. But, do you have to torture our son for your own personal amusement.?

Don has a love affair with the hair gel & our sons while I'm not looking........*Case in point* Nolan.

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Donnie in his own little world...... his "winter wonderland!" The boy loves the snow- thank goodness! .... my husband will one day have a built in snowmobile partner.

Ahhhhh.... shaving cream on the table, always a fun adventure for a 3 yr. old. Preschool at the Huff Compound..... scary! LOL!

Update......

2008-12-04T17:29:00.004-05:00

Holy Mother Mary!! It's been AGES since I've last posted....

Updates:

Getting ready for the Holiday's approaching.... Love em' & Hate em', know what I mean?? I'm a little 'ba humbog' this year, no particular reason why. (MUST get in the spirit for the Holiday's :)
Headed up to the cabin this weekend..... main game plane = Christmas cookies (I know the Hubby is secretly wishing for 6 inches of snow to snowmobile ;) that should get me in the spirit.?
Nolan has been getting into that crawl position, the one where his legs go under his belly, but then he's not quite sure what to do after that :) He's still an amazingly content little man, he's SO stinkin' sweet, love it! Oh, yeah... BIG NEWS ..... Nolan was Baptized last Sunday! I made him and Donnie wear matching outfits and they looked adorable I might add (yes, I was that mom, but I don't care these little sweater vests were A-dorable!)
Had a night out with the hubs last weekend, Friday night dinner at Daryl's with some friends from out-of-town..... Mmmmmm, Daryl's is so good, I wish we got out to dinner more often, it was delish and we had lot's of laughs at dinner....good times!
Donnie.... Total "Drama King" lately! Still not taking much interest in Nolan.... the other day he told me "I no have to like Nowan, me no like Nowan", just out of the clear blue for no apparent reason, I guess so I had no questions in my head as to.... "Does he or doesn't he.?" Thanks, for letting me know Donnie! ;)
Trying to get out of the staff basketball game against the 6th graders at school....yes...Basketball Game! No, I didn't sign myself up, I was recruited.... that's because of my killa skillz of course! bahahaha! But, I am seriously getting nervous....this'll be an experience! Haha!

** More to come...sooner than later! Hopefully, with my chipper Christmas spirit in tow!

How cool is this??

2008-11-08T13:38:00.005-05:00

So, I had a party last night... a candle/massage party. Just a simple get together (with about 20 people...thanks, Jacqui!). Don't ask me how we went through 2 bottles of wine in 1/2 hour, but I have a feeling it was a Friday night de-stresser, from all the hectic-ness of the work week. KWIM? And it wasn't a " product party", the type where someone gets up and does a presentation and you look through a catalog, order a few things, and try to get roped into having a party at your house. Not that those are bad (hell, I just enjoy getting out of the house :), but it was more or less me hosting a "get together" for my cousin who make soy candles, and a friend who is a massage therapist, and an excuse to have friends over for some wine and appetizers. Anyways, it was a lot of fun....the last person left at about 11:30pm., it ended at 9:00pm., needless to say I'm tired today...laying low. Okay, this really isn't even what I wanted to write about...... So, on with the cool info. I was listening in on last night.....

(A little bit of background info.) My mom used to do daycare for a lady in our neighborhood when I was growing up. She watched her kids from the time they were 3 months old - 5 yrs., when they started school. Through this we became great friends with the family and have stayed friends with them throughout the years. Well, of course the election was mentioned last night and Donna (the family friend) was telling us that her nephew from Ionia is Barack Obama's personal assistant! His name is Nicholas(not sure of the last name), and he grew up in Ionia, raised by a single parent, went to a community college for 2 years, then transferred to U of M, finished his undergraduate degree there and was eventually hoping to go to Law School. He was looking into Law Schools and from what she was saying is the Law Schools he was applying to are VERY competitive and EXPENSIVE! So, he decided to put a few years into just working and putting Law School on the back burner for a while. He moved to Chicago and while working at a Law Firm or City Organization(not sure which) in Chicago, he was introduced to Barack Obama.! Barack seemed to be impressed with Nicholas's character and ambition, and asked him to come and work on his campaign, eventually he become one of Barack's personal assistant's on the campaign trail. How cool is that!! I love the fact that he's just a small town boy from Ionia Michigan, an ordinary College Graduate (in debt) trying to make ends meet, working his way up in his field of interest, and now he has this awesome opportunity..... without even "knowing" the right people (for an in, getting your foot in the door)..... It's one of those "hard work really does pay off in the end" stories.....I love it! I can't wait to talk to my kids about it at school on Monday, it'll be my soap box speech... "you can be ANYTHING you wanna be stories, all you have to do is work hard", just listen to what happened to this small town kid from Ionia Michigan who was just an ordinary College Student a few years ago and now he's going to Washington D.C. with BARACK OBAMA, the new PRESIDENT of The United States!!! Oh, yeah I didn't mention that.... he's headed to Washington too! I don't think he'll have a problem getting into a competitive Law School now, what- do ya think? ;) I'm actually going to try to get a mailing address from her so my kids at school can write a supportive congratulations card to Barack! Yay!

I like this story, just thought I'd share some inspiration :)

A blur......

2008-11-02T13:43:00.004-05:00

Okay, my weekend consists of:

Laundry
Feeding Family
Grocery Shopping
A Target run
Picking up messes around the house
Laundry, Laundry, & more Laundry

I feel like my weekends are such a blur and so monotonous, especially during the school year when I'm working full time. What do your weekends look like?

And yes, we had a fantastico Halloween- my son loves Dora & Diego, my kids at school have Spanish in my room twice a week, & I've become fond of saying a few Spanish words lately... I'm a dork, I know, is fantastico really even a Spanish word or did I just make that up in my head?! ha! Anyways, I will be posting pics. soon of my "three ninja"... aka: Donnie, & my son who gets the shaft....awe, Nolan - (I'll explain later).

Snakes and turtles and snakes and baby snakes and lots of animals....

2008-10-29T20:52:00.018-04:00

When I got home from work today this is what Donnie told me him, Nolan, and Daddy did today. So, Don thinks just because he took them on a field trip once that he's gonna one up me in the parenting departement... sorry, babe ain't gonna happen! LOL!

Oh... you couldn't tell which animal Donnie was most fascinated with could you? :)

Here ya go.....

2008-10-26T12:37:00.020-04:00

Okay, I told Nicole I would put these up.....she was asking about what people do with her pictures in their homes. Where they use them and how?? So, I told her I'd put mine up on my blog to show what I've done with them. And..... since I never show my house on my blog, you can have a little sneak peek of what my house looks like and my decor (not that it's all that special, but I know I love to see other people's decorating style....). here ya go.....

* This is my family room, just a corner of the room..... that had an empty space....my family room is laid out really funky!!

* These are pics. from our sun room, but we actually turned it into more a sitting room rather than sun room, as we liked it a little more "dressed up", especially since it has my favorite couch in the whole wide world in it :)....which was really the only place in our house that I was able to put it.

* This is the entry way to our house.... the foyer.

Pictures....pictures...and more pictures....

2008-10-20T19:06:00.024-04:00

Attempt 1: Donnie to show his brotherly love....... maybe, possibly get a picture of the two of them together (has this ever happen before, no). Even stretching it a little by having Donnie hold Nolan..... Hmmmmm??? We're trying here, okay.

Attempt 2: Maybe have Donnie hold his favorite Bunny while doing this (bribery).

Attempt 3: Snapping real quick before he elbows Nolan right off the couch!

Attempt 4: Forget the other one, I'll just take a shot of "the good son". My sweet baby, Nolan :)

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Happy Fall

This weekend the boys were outside a lot with their Dad, enjoying the last of these semi-warm days in Michigan, all bundled up raking leaves..... ahhhhh, how I heart Fall in Michigan!

Nolan....5 months old

2008-10-12T20:41:00.007-04:00

What a peaceful, mellow, and happy little boy you are. We always joke that when you smile (which is quite often), it's letting us know you are just happy to be in this crazy world we live in :) You are completely NOT high maintenance. You are content being placed almost anywhere...car seat, bouncer, walker, jumper...you name it, you're fine with it (usually). You only cry when you are hungry or extremely tired, and even then it's more of a whimper. At night, you often just make noises when you wake up....barely letting me know you're up and when I come in the room you're simply starring at the letters on the wall sucking your fist, with a BIG cheesy grin on your face.... you have then silliest, goofy grin when we get you out of your crib. You're such a people person, rarely do you not like it when others hold you. You've started mocking things we do, sticking our tongue out at you, chewing food at dinner....you actually move your jaw up and down, it's soooo stinkin' cute. Your the rolliest little chubba whubba boy, we can't get enough of those cheeks & thighs! Your Dad's favorite nicknames for you... "Rolly Noly", "Little Tank", "Spike", & "Mr. Happy"(BTW, he's completely smitten by you). You love being walked to sleep by your Dad.... he's got the touch. These are all the little things I want to remember about you at this age., I wish I could put them in a little "keepsake box" to pull out when I forget some of these important little moments, to turn back the hands of time.

** Now if we could only get your brother to feel the love like we do, we'd be one big happy family ;)LOL! Don't worry, he's gonna take to you someday baby boy....we hope! **

My favorite 8's

2008-10-12T11:55:00.003-04:00

This looked like fun :)

8 Favorite Tv Shows
Curb Your Enthusiasm (Thanks...Ryan M.!)
Dateline NBC
The Office
Dancing with the Stars
Cold Case
Ghost Whisperer
Super Nanny
Design on a Dime

8 Favorite Restaurants
Daryl's
Common Grill
The Real Seafood Company
Yen King
Panera Bread
Klavon's Pizza
Outback Steakhouse
Red Lobster

8 Things I Did Today
Went to Family Worship
Bowling w/ Church friends (once a month)
Put laundry away
Ironed clothes for work in the morning
Played outside w/ Donnie
Tickled my "Little Tank"... "Noly Roly"
Visited my cousin
Read blogs

8 Things I Love About Fall
The start of a new school year!
Picking costumes for my boys
Leaves changing colors
Raking the leaves w/ Donnie & watching him jump in the pile :)
Fall sweaters & sweatshirts
Halloween Candy
That Yummy Cider drink from Beaners....Ummmm, I mean Biggby's
Football games (Go Titan's)

8 Things I Look Forward To
Starting & finishing a Master's Program (and the raise in pay :)!
Watching Little D go to preschool
More children...someday??
Family vacations up-north
Winter snowmobiling w/ my boys
Finishing our Dibble House Project
Christmas shopping
Nolan's Baptism

8 Things I Wish For
Our country to elect a new President, who will help our economy & make the right changes
The correct cause and diagnosis for Autism
Teen pregnancy to diminish over time
ALL children to be loved and cared for by their parents
Our country to be one of the top leaders in Education, not one of the last (besides the third world countries, how sad!)
My 5 month old to sleep a consistent 10-12 hours every night, preferably 8 pm-6 am :)
Healthy and happy children
A nice winter retirement/vacation home....somewhere warm! (not talking like Ganton's ...haha!)

Ahhhhhh a good sigh

2008-09-25T21:36:00.004-04:00

Just a quick post.... to show I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth!! I just started working again....Ha! Story of my life. But anyways, quick update.

I'm LOVING, LOVING, my job, SO glad I bid on this position. It's been a LONG time coming..... I feel like my old self again, enjoying teaching, enjoying my staff members/principal, enjoying my kids, putting that extra effort in to make it a great year..... I do believe in "Karma", wait...(ewww....I guess maybe I did something really bad last year...hmmmmm? haha!) Well, this year I couldn't be any happier :)
Had open house tonight at school. Went really well, Don brought the boys by to say hi, meet my kids and principal.... Donnie had a little melt down, don't really know why?? Fun times let me tell ya! ....more on that later.
Went out to Outback Steakhouse this evening afterwards with a few teachers.....YUMMO! Nice to actually eat a warm meal with grown adults.
Sitting here putting a mini-schedule together for my cousin who's watching the boys tomorrow..... the only person Nolan really cries with, it's SO funny I have no idea why?? She's a little loud & crazy(so am I at times), but super good with kids & completely in love with my boys and for some strange reason Nolan always cries & won't look at her....he'll practically break his neck when she's holding him to look away...hehehe! This should be interesting, I don't know if I'll call and check in or not, I'm thinking I might be safer to just let them be and then ask when I get home or not ask.??
Oh...LORD, I almost forgot... having some interesting house decisions. Val came over the other day to look at our house & give Don a little info. on the current housing market (I'm sure you all know that was real positive ;) To make a loooooong story short my hubby & his Dad bought a foreclosure, remodeled the entire house, put a new kitchen in, new bathrooms, etc ..... pretty much gutted it. Do you see where this is going....? Yup... my "salesman" husband is always looking for a way to make some a few extra $. At any rate.... we'd like our house to go up on the market soon (2-3weeks).... right after we have our bathroom redone in the next week or two, Lord knows we don't do our own home projects (unless it's just painting). Ahhhhh.... my life w/ Don will never be simple he's always got an idea floating around in his head. Can you tell I'm sort-of numb to this whole selling and moving process? Yes, it's a big decision, and yes moving is a pain, but to us it's just another move and it's just another house & it won't be our last (I already can tell you that .... this next house won't be the house we stay in forever, I've got some plans of my own for our future home ;). But, I guess to us a house is "just a house" I mean I love our homes, but I don't really get attached to them like other people do.... and it's probably because I'm married to my husband so I know what's in store for me...LOL!

**Okay, enough babbling, I'm off to bed ... night!! TGIF. YAY!**

"Chunk-a-roo"

2008-09-11T20:59:00.003-04:00

Nolan
(aka: "Chunk-o-love", "Little Tank", "Nowan" (little D's version for Nolan))

Stats:

* 4 months

* Weight: 15 lbs. 8 oz.

* Height: 25 in. long

* Demeanor:
Nolan at this stage is a little gem. We just can't get enough of those squishy cheeks, silly grins, rolly thighs and perfect contentedness. He is just a big ball of love, literally and figuratively....
He's started rolling over, getting excited about things, laughing at his crazy brother, and snuggling up with mommy on the couch. Nolan is seriously just a wonderful baby....I mean it when I say wonderful. He rarely cries or gets upset, he sleeps 8-10 spans at night, takes decent naps, and is pretty darn content doing almost anything....go with the flow type of baby. All I can say is Thankyou Lord in heaven!! After Donnie I could easily see myself with an only child..... but, I never knew what the "good" baby was like.... and boy is it WAAAAAAAY better!! LOL!

**I'm ready to be a mom of three............ someday!!!!**

Just a quick update....

2008-08-30T16:36:00.004-04:00

Busy, busy setting up my classroom..... I spent the last two days working in my room, literally working from 8am -3 pm - until the janitor kicked us out! I am thoroughly exhausted between trying to move furniture, cutting out posters, punching out letters, making name tags, cleaning dusty shelves, yada yada yada.... ahhhhh, just a few more things to do on Tues. after my kids leave and it will be pretty well completed. Then I'll attempt to really look at the 2nd grade curriculum and start to do my lesson plans..... that'd be nice !
We've started our new schedule as of last week, Don staying home on Mon. & Wed. until 4, when I get home and then heading into work from 4pm-8pm.....which is working out GREAT!
Don and his family have the new business up and running .... check it out here. YAY!!! Good job & good luck guys!
Went and spent waaaaaay too much money at Kohl's (I love this brand) & T.J. Maxx today, but it felt great to shop, finally able to fit into a somewhat good size for me :)
Trying to get some projects finished around the house.... putting up pictures from Nolan's newborn session (I know 3 1/2 months later... pathetic!), hanging new curtains, finishing painting a mirror, cleaning a few closets....fun, fun!
Attempting to go to the park tonight and make it through the night to watch the fireworks, with a 4 month old and 2 yr. old I don't know it might work.....ha!
Going to the pool tomorrow to enjoy one of our last few warm weekends around here until the Michigan Fall hits and it starts getting frigid... brrrrrr! But ..... I love Fall :)

**Have a nice and restful Labor Day weekend, I know I'm going to try!**

A million little thoughts

2008-08-24T20:41:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is my first full day back at work, technically, but it's actually inservices Mon., Tues., & 1/2 day Wed.- gotta love those, like I haven't sat through enough motivational speakers... and then we get a WHOPPING 1 full day to work on our classroom...... how nice of them :) But, at any rate I'm going to be gone until 3:30pm. now that schools starting. Anyways, I have all these thoughts rushing through my head.... like, are the boys going to be okay (and yes, I know they will), but are they gonna miss me & wonder where I am ...... I need to have everything prepared the night before for G-ma's, bottles washed, clothes layed out (Lord only knows what Don would put them in), my clothes ironed ..... diapers & extra clothes in the diaper bag .... should I pack Donnie a little lunch since the last few weeks he's been sooooo picky, I want him to eat, I mean who knows what if his G-ma's let him starve ..... where do I have to go when I get to Jackson High for the inservice, I mean there's gonna be a bazillion teacher's there ...... am I going to enjoy my new school this year ........ should I eat breakfast or just have a muffin there ..... where the heck is my travel coffee cup, I can't find it anywhere, all I can find is this stupid Wells Fargo Bank one with a country western mirage on it - SO tacky, I'll probably be stopping at Target to pick up a new one tomorrow.

Gosh can you tell that I've been off of work for the last 6 months, you would've thought this was my first time back to full time work in like 10 yrs.!! I'm such a dork! I have no idea why I'm so anxious. I'm usually pretty good with new settings and new faces, I've been at three different schools in three different years and adjusted fairly quickly..... okay, so last year, different story there was no adjusting, it was just pure misery.... UGH! I can't bear to think of that place again... Eeeeeek! But, as for the other school I feel as though I was part of the staff almost immediately! Let's hope it's the same this year. Wish me luck tomorrow and the rest of the week ...... I'm hoping everything runs smoothly. I'll fill you in later on this week!

I may be crazy, but......

2008-08-22T14:38:00.003-04:00

It's 2 in the afternoon and I could use a cocktail...... okay, so I plan on fixing one after this post!
I'm considering bidding on a preschool position at my new school building...... remember the room I just spent two days getting ready for 2nd grade, buying a bunch of stuff from the teacher store - for 2nd. grade, and moving all my goodies in! Yeah, I'm considering moving my room and getting ANOTHER room ready for preschoolers....ha!
I really feel like telling someone off....someone who is just plain annoying at times and completely ridiculous and just really irritating me ..... but, this may be a very bad idea, I'm pretty sure it is..... but, I have a big mouth and speak what's on my mind (most of the time). Hmmmmm, we'll see what my mood is like when I talk to this person next??
I feel like getting a WHOLE NEW WARDROBE for school, I'm not too inspired by my clothing options right now. I have about 10lbs. to get to my pre-baby weight, therefore making it really hard to fit my fat butt into most of my old, pre-baby teaching attire..... which leaves me NO other option, but to go out and buy NEW..... right?
My lovely little Rocco (our Yorkie), who once was my baby is turning into a huge pain in my a$$! He's got a little yappy bark that doesn't stop, it's just great when you have an infant trying to sleep, let me tell ya..... he has this mind set that he has the size and strength of a pitbull...... he sleeps in bed w/us & not only in bed, but on our pillows by the top of my darn head - I wake up to Rocco breath in the morning, how disgusting is that?....... Urrrr....he's just a nuisance lately.

** I'm ready to skip to night-time.... husband home, mommy duty over, boys in bed, mommy w/a "special" beverage, ahhhhh...... the time can't go by quick enough today. **

No time....

2008-08-19T21:14:00.003-04:00

I feel like the last few days I haven't had a minute to breath, let alone blog.....

I'm in the process of setting up my second grade classroom at Northeast Elementary and trying to find sitters here and there for my kids before I have to start back full-time next week (just teachers, no kids). And let's just say I'm THRILLED to be at this school, so far I've met a few teachers who have been more than helpful, super friendly, and have a sense of humor (which is SO needed at school)... the type of people that I would like to spend time with even outside of school -YAY!! I know it's going to be a much better year for me than last, I feel like it's a new beginning, and I'm going to remember why I became a teacher again (which I seemed to have lost somewhere along the line last year... UGH, it was truly horrible). I just have a really good feeling about what this year has in store for me, and let me tell ya.... I can't wait. The hardest part will be leaving my babies of course, but this year we're going to be lucky enough to have grandma's watch the boys only 3 days a week with Don taking 2 evening shifts at work and being home with the boys during the day..... ahhhhh *sigh* this is such a relief for me, especially having to leave my new little four-month old, at least he'll have some good one-on-one daddy time.

**Wiping my tears....Okay, I better stop with the guilty working mom feelings!**

Anyways, I'll try to check in at some point this week...... I've gotta go and finish watching the Summer Olympics, is anyone else hooked???

Our last HOO-RA for the summer

2008-08-14T20:57:00.024-04:00

Vacation: Curtis, Michigan (The U.P. of Michigan)

Absolutely wonderful, grande, great, fabulous!! Went by WAY too fast.....waaaah!
We did a whole bunch of nothin', but playing in the water, laying on the beach, and sitting around the campfire at night, it was great.
Donnie was in heaven..... he LOVED the water, LOVED the duck family that swam up for food every morning, LOVED catching Minos in the water, LOVED playing with his cousins, LOVED the fact that G-ma & Papa pretty much gave him whatever/whenever he wanted it..... what more could a two year old ask for?.... The kid was in HEAVEN!
Nolan, as usually, was his charming little self, happy & content as a little clam :) Might I add Nolan accomplished a few milestones while up there.... 1) Slept through the night, 4 out of the 7 nights....8-9 hr. stretches (and still continuing). YAY!!!! 2) Rolled over from his belly to his back.... another YAY!! NOLAN!!!
Don & I both enjoyed the last family trip for the summer until school starts... we ate too much, went to bed too late, got a little too much sun, bickered about the family just a little ....... All the things that make family vacations memorable :)
Having older cousin's is the key to a GREAT vacation for parents of small children. The older cousin's were just old enough to want to play & watch the little one's (makes them feel like they have a responsibility, I love it ....remember those days.?)

Hannah & Jayla cheesing it up for the camera! (These two couldn't get enough "responsibility time" ;)

Look at those thighs.... chubba-wubba..... too cute!

Seriously Donnie, you NEED to come up with a new face for the camera........

Donnie liked to sunbath on the cement for some crazy reason....... and it's rare for him to have his diaper on, most of the time he opts for the o'-natural look (aka... buck-naked:))!

The day trip to Lake Michigan..... my gosh isn't the sand AMAZING on Lake Michigan!!

Our Curtis duck family :) We miss you.......

Results are in

2008-08-01T21:01:00.004-04:00

Went to the Dr.'s this afternoon .......

* Donnie is free and clear of strep throat, just a nasty sinus and congestion virus, we just have to let it run its coarse. That makes me happy, I really didn't want him to have strep for the 5th time this year...... that seems a little extreme and I feel bad for the little guy when he gets so down and out. My poor baby :( ..... I turn into such a softy when my kids are sick, I stopped at the store on the way home and let him pick out some suckers for being a good boy at the Dr.'s office. (And believe me we don't need anymore softy's around here.....*Ahem* Don).

* I went too and well, mixed reviews...... I have the icky sinus congestion, but he also said it looked like I might have the start of strep.....ICK, so he gave me a prescription for strep and a decongestant and said I can use it if I feel I need it, or just wait it out...... I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning.

* We're probably going to skip the wedding, and just head up to Curtis. I still have a LONG list of this to get around before we leave and since I haven't been feeling that great today, I really didn't get much accomplished....... okay, who am I kidding, I got like nothing done and need to put it in overdrive in the morning....UGH!!! Wish me luck & sanity, trying to get my crew packed and out the door at a decent time tomorrow.....Eeeek! Scary!

Hey, thanks for all the comments about my new blog look...... I appreciate the compliments it's nice that you noticed, I'll give the credit to Nicole.... she put the banner together from our session w/ her, are my kiddzies just precious in those pics. ....... (spoken like a true mother) :)

** Well, I'll be MIA for a while since I'll be gone all next week, but I'm sure to have tons of pics. and lots of catching up to do. Bye. **

I should be excited, but......

2008-08-01T14:09:00.003-04:00

We are supposed to be leaving tomorrow morning for our vacation with my family in Curtis for a week, on Lake Manistique, in U.P. of Michigan. But, first we were going to go to Don's cousin Sarah's wedding tomorrow in Bloomfield Hills, near the Detroit area, go to the reception, stay the night after the wedding and then leave Sunday morning for our big 7 hour trip up north....... And wouldn't-cha know it we've hit a speed bump people!

I haven't been feeling that great the last few days and neither has Donnie, we've both been carrying around what I thought was a head cold and just feeling icky. Well, my mother-in-law came over this morning to give me directions to the wedding and tell me that she just took Carl, her 9 yr. old to the Dr.'s as he wasn't feeling that great....same symptoms as us and.....HE HAS STREP THROAT!!!! Grrrrrr! Now to the normal person this wouldn't be a big deal, but since Donnie and myself are for some reason, unknown to me, prone to getting strep throat I'm super anxious, remember last year I had it 3 times and Donnie had it 4 times, in just a matter of a few months period! So, I took my temp......99.5 & Donnie's 99.0, I scheduled him and I appointments for this afternoon, just to be safe and get meds. before our vacation if needed..... Man, I hope we just have the common cold, I really hate being on antibiotics and feeling like crap for the next few days...YUCK!!! We're supposed to be getting excited and ready for relaxing family time, not going to the Dr.'s for antibiotics and steering clear of everyone for the next 24 hours..... UGH!! BUMMER!!

Wish us luck & good health....... :)

Car snob

2008-07-30T13:35:00.006-04:00

I feel like I'm becoming a snob about my cars......and it's ALL because of Don. Most of you know that he works at his family's car dealership, therefore making it very convenient to get whatever cars we like within reason. He simply tells his uncle what to look for at the auctions - color, make, miles, and we buy it at cost.... it's one of the perks, I'm well aware. And let's see since we've been married I've had 3 different cars...... 1) Chevy Malibu. 2) Grand Prix. 3) Volvo S80....by FAR my favorite :) - It had heated leather seats, a big backseat, power everything, a moonroof....etc.....just all the goodies! Well, I'm currently on my 4th vehicle..... a 2006 Jeep Grande Cherokee Laredo, now I'll start by saying it's not a horrible vehicle, but it's really not that great either....

Dislikes:
1) I don't like cloth seats at ALL, I never realized how hard it is to clean stuff up and the stains that they leave, leather is just much more user friendly in my opinion.
2) The back seat sucks....it's tiny, I'm pretty sure my Volvo had a bigger backseat than this SUV. Grrrr!
3) It doesn't have any extras.....no heated seats (love those things), no moon roof, no fancy dash board ......it's just got the basics, though it is a 2006 with 15,000 miles & still under warranty, but still NO GOODIES...

So, I've decided to start telling my husband what I want, not just being happy with whatever he brings home. I'm on the look out for a new vehicle, and I've been deciding on what I really want.

Wants:
1) More backseat room for the kids and car seats..... hate those car seats.
2) Leather- if at all possible (heated seats too)!
3) Possible 3rd row seating, if it offers it why not, it just makes sense to me....right?
4) A PURDY dashboard.... just because I like them :) LOL!

Here's a few of my choices: This and This....... I think that either would work for me. And I've even been attracted to these lately too, even though I'm not a big minivan lover, they are pretty spacious and cute. Any of theses vehicles would have to be a 2005/2006/2007, because their dealership is a used car one...... and even if it weren't my hubby is to much of a cheap a$$ to buy anything brand spank'n new :)

**Anyone own these? Driven them?...... Likes? Dislikes? Fill me in. Please.**

So, I'm convinced his job at the dealership has turned me into a car snob. It's just WAY to easy ..... get a car, get sick of it or just flat out don't like it, look for one I do want, sell the old one, and on to the next...... so on, and so on.

- Just a funny FYI - In college a drove a 99' maybe 98' Geo Prism (not cute)...... HAHA!! Yeah, he got rid of that thing right away! hahaha!

"Kids say the darndest things...."

2008-07-28T21:43:00.005-04:00

It's hilarious to listen to Donnie talk sometimes and the things he picks up, either from me and Don, or from his cartoons.....

Some of his favorite quotes lately:

"What da heck mama"
"Hey, what's the big idea?".......in his best Donald Duck raspy voice :)
"Wow, that was Freaky!" (Seriously.......)
"You're driving me CRAZY" (He heard that one from me)
" Freeze!" ....... don't forget the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle stance
"What ch-U doing" (my little gangsta....LOL!)
"Dang-it"
"That's bery(very) dangerous"

** Thankfully he hasn't picked up......"What the shell" (instead of the turtle's saying "What the Hell") on TMNT. I mean really can you believe that!? Isn't that "supposed" to be a kid's cartoon? Grrrrrr! More on that later. **

I find it amusing to listen to this little two year old talk and try to put what he's saying into the right context at the appropriate time. Most of the time he uses these phrases at the appropriate time, but once in a while he'll say something that makes absolutely no sense and it's too funny. I love it. Ahhhh, he makes me smile :)

...................................................................................................................

** I've been MIA for about 5 days now. We were up-north at the cabin being river rats, and having a blast. I've gotta go and catch-up on postings I missed. Pics. will be coming soon.............**

"Goodnight"

Ginxed

2008-07-22T13:34:00.003-04:00

Shhhhhh....... Don't say a word!

Both boys are sleeping right know and this has been a LONG time coming. I can't even remember when the last time was that BOTH my boys were sleeping at 1:30 in the afternoon at the SAME TIME! I have that song ringing in my head....."Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, H-a-l-l-e-l-u-j-a-h......" you know the one they sing at Church every Easter :)

.........................................................................................

OH. MY. LORDY. Why did I even write this?? Nolan just woke up as we speak!! What the He*%..........

Gotta go, be back later!

Summertime & my boys :)

2008-07-20T21:52:00.002-04:00

The perfect night......

*Swimming.
*Yummy dinner.
*Happy, silly, giggly kids.
*Baby- coos.
*Laughter.
*Good friends/family.
*Water logged little boy.
*Wrinkly toes.
*Refreshing beer.
*Hugs & I love-U's.

Ahhhhhh...... summer nights like these I can't get enough of!

Hi, I'm Nolan and I'm a happy boy .....my brother, Mmmm not so much!

2008-07-16T17:28:00.013-04:00

This is what I get to wake up to every morning.... I LOVE it :)

and...............

This...... haha!! I still love you Little D!

Okay, it was EARLY morning so please don't mind the no make-up face and afro looking lion's mane!!

My Devil Child.....

2008-07-09T21:54:00.003-04:00

What happened to my sweet innocent little man???...... Donnie, as I used to call him.

New name........Devil Child. LOL!

I'm so not trying to be an evil wicked mother, but my kid seriously has issues.....with his inner Karate Kid wanting to "Kung Fu" his little brother. My husband had this brilliant idea to take Donnie to see "Kung Fu Panda" and while that seems like a great movie for a 2 1/2 yr. old, ever since he saw it he has been trying to "karate chop", I call it "Kung Fu" everything and everyone in sight!! Good Lord the kid walks around all day saying....."Hi-Ya", "I fight you" ALL DAY LONG in this raspy wicked little voice.....scary I tell ya. It really doesn't bother me of course because I know he is only imitating the movie he just saw (thanks Don), but I really don't think his 9 week old brother appreciates being "Kung Fu-ed". Today, as I was upstairs attempting to get semi-cleaned up, all of the sudden I hear Nolan crying and Donnie jumping.... I instantly new what was going on, so I run downstairs only to find Donnie standing over Nolan with his sword in hand, Nolan's play mat bars pushed down, and Nolan (the good son) just staring up at the "Karate Kid" with a stunned/horrified look on his face. Needless to say, Donnie had decided that he should Kung Fu Nolan's play mat while Nolan was laying under it.....Aiy-yi-yi!!! Poor little, innocent Nolan. I don't know what I'm gonna do with two boys....so much energy......so much "rough housing"....so much Kung Fu-ing!

**Ahhhhh....the joys of mothering a 2 yr. old and an infant.....**

Maybe one day Donnie will grow to "love", heck I'll even settle for "like" right now, his little brother (the good son :) hehehe!

Sleep Training.....101:

2008-07-02T13:05:00.004-04:00

Okay, Nolan's having issues....with sleep. Okay, so maybe not just Nolan, but me too. I feel like I need a sleep training crash course for infants!

So, my problem is....going to sleep on his own, plain and simple, just doesn't happen. I know that he is only 8 weeks, but I think if I wait any longer to start the training process he's gonna be too old and then I'm going to create a REAL BIG PROBLEM. See one of my faults is that I've been walking him to sleep since he's been born, both Don and I do this, and while I love to feel him cuddle up and fall asleep in my arms it really sucks when the MINUTE I lay him down in his crib his two little eyes open up and he starts fussing, but sure enough the second I put him back on my shoulder he's sound asleep. Grrrrrrr!

But, my question is......when is it too young to just let them "cry it out"??? When I used this method with Donnie he was about 6 months old and we had to break him of rocking to put him to sleep.... UGH!!!!! Can you tell both Don and myself have no clue about infants! LOL!! I mean as much as I love my kids I HATE the infant stage, never have really liked it, I mean don't get me wrong I think babies are precious....but, damn they're a lot of work!

Well, I'm off to go and read the book I just bought yesterday...."Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", and yes, I've read this before, but I don't really remember any of the steps to start sleep training.....so, I'm off.

**Oh, Lord, pray for me....I hear Nolan in the monitor and I just laid him down no more than 20 min. ago........(I now know how mother's can go mentally insane and harm their children)**

I'm alive....I swear!

2008-06-12T12:18:00.004-04:00

Oh. my. updates......

Yes, I've been out of the loop forever! I guess it's partly due to the fact I have a 5 week old and partly just not feeling in the mood to blog about anything....I know that sounds bad, but I've just lost my groove :( Maybe I'll get back in the swing of things?!

Updates:

Nolan is just a peach.....seriously this kid is VERY, VERY content. Now I don't know if it's just the fact that I'm comparing him to Donnie who was NEVER content as an infant (unless being held), who was allergic to his formula's for the first month of his life, who didn't like to sleep at all during the day, who was probably in medical terms a bit "colicky"..... or if Nolan really is just a low-key chilled out little man....Hmmmmm dunno?? We've decided since Nolan's been born to call Donnie "our high-maintenance child" hehehe!!! (My hubby likes to say, Donnie took after me & Nolan is just like him......whatever!)
Donnie has had some "adjusting"/time-outs/spankings/scoldings(stressed out mother yelling) to do since Nolan has been home.....like.... not throwing the ball at the babies head, don't try to pick him up when he's crying, don't walk by his bouncer and kick the back of it because you don't think I'm watching(little shit), don't squeeze water out of your rubber ducky into Nolan's face when he's in the bath, don't squeeze his feet when he's laying down......and the list goes on!!! For goodness sake's just leave the poor boy ALONE!! Thank.you.very.much! As you might be able to tell Donnie hasn't been to fond of a new little man invading his territory. Oh well, he's here to stay!!
Breastfeeding Nolan has been....Ummmm, well, a bit of a challenge. I do like the fact that he latched on right away, and the fact that he's able to get all those extra nutrients from my breast milk. But, I don't like the fact that I don't have a huge milk supply, therefore making it hard to pump to have bottles when I'm gone...leaving me as the sole feeder ....UGH!! Which has left me with the alternative to supplement with formula...which he seems to do fine with and takes it from the bottle like a champ, but for some CRAZY reason I feel guilty about it, CRAZY I tell ya! And the even CRAZIER part is the fact that Donnie never nursed....I pumped for a month and then he went on formula, he's a happy, healthy 2 year-old. so, don't ask me what my issues are with giving Nolan formula....I really couldn't tell you.... (P.S. I'm not looking for a debate: breast milk vs. formula, I'm just simply sharing my feelings)
Oh, I almost forgot, I had an interview for a teaching position at a private school here, for a 3rd./4th split teacher. I interviewed on Tuesday night, which I thought went really well and I should hear something by this weekend or early next week. I didn't even know about the position, I had someone from the school board call me and ask me to put my resume in and interview the following day.....it just sort-of fell in my lap. I'm not really putting to much thought into the position seeing as though I'm already employed and don't really "need" this job. But, I will say, I would LOVE to get it, I would be able to get the He$% out of my school district and into a MUCH less stressful position. I guess if it's meant to be it will happen.....we shall see!
Last off.....I'm going out-of -town this weekend to a Casino in Mount Pleasant. I'm leaving Sunday and staying the night there with my cousin, my mom, two aunts, and grandma.....we thought it would be fun to do a girls night without kids or spouses(even though it is Father's Day, we didn't know when we planned it...wooops!), WOOOO-HOOOO I'm SO excited and READY to get away for the night!!! Ahhhhh, relaxation and a FULL night's sleep!! I'm not a big gambler so at first I was thinking what the heck am I gonna do.....But, then I found out they have a fabulous spa and I new exactly where I would be spending most of my time & money!! haha!!

Anyways, that's about it for now....hopefully, it won't take me as long to get back with a new post next time!

Baby Nolan.....so nice to finally meet you!

2008-05-18T12:40:00.013-04:00

Introducing:

Nolan Jeffrey Huff

May 7th, 2008

8 lbs. 5 oz.

20 in. long

6:01 pm.

Sorry, it's taken this long to post....but, with a newborn in the house I've been a little busy! :)

We're all healthy and doing fine.....hopefully I'll be able to post more soon!

Oh, BABY!

2008-05-05T14:13:00.002-04:00

40 weeks.....and it's almost over!! Yay!

I'm going in tomorrow to have a gel put on my cervix, not sure what the correct term for this procedure is....I guess my cervix needs to be thinned out more, before they can INDUCE. Yup, you heard me correct, I'm being induced Wednesday morning, not positive on the time, but I have to call the hospital between 5-5:30 am. to see when I'm scheduled. So, finally I WILL be having this baby...soon! I had my Dr.'s appt. this morning, he checked me and I was dilated to 1 cm., and measuring at 41 weeks...YIKES!! Swollen up like a balloon as well. He told me he's thinking this baby is 8 1/2 lbs., I immediately teared up and asked..."am I going to deliver this baby naturally".... at which his reply was "well, you're gonna try", like DUH! girl, you think I'm just gonna cut you open to make you less scared! So, needless to say I'm excited, yet very scared because of the labor....I was induced with Donnie and I know how intense it can be, on top of that I'm going to be pushing out a 2 month old (that's practically what Donnie weighed at two months)! Waaaaaah!!!

Anyways...I've got some things to go and get done before tomorrow, so keep us in your thoughts and prayers the next few days. Hopefully I'll post a few pics. in the next week or so.

Happy Monday everyone!

39 week update.....

2008-04-30T19:41:00.004-04:00

I promise I WILL post something other than a pregnancy update....but, not tonight!

STILL pregnant, and I don't really know why I'm so surprised and whiny about it. Pregnancy is supposed to last 40 weeks....right? Well, I think since I had Donnie 4 weeks early that I automatically assumed this one would be early too.....not to sure why I thought this though, seeing as though I was in the hospital at 32 weeks with Donnie due to a torn placenta, which was a fluke with no medical reasoning behind why it happened to me. Therefore, I guess I should have expected to go the WHOLE 40 weeks with this pregnancy, but what can I say I'm a little anxious, nervous, excited, scared, you know all of the above and just ready for it to happen sooner than later!

Measuring at 39 weeks.....*sigh*AHHHH, thank goodness! I really don't feel like having a GIGANTIC BABY, so I'm happy that I measured the same as my last visit : )

Oh, yeah and my wonderful doctor (who once talked about inducing me) checked me and I'm NOT dilated and the baby hasn't dropped yet- so NO inducing this week, my cervix is thinning which is a good sign I guess, things are somewhat moving in the right direction(sorry if that's TMI...but, we're mostly all women who read this anyway)!! Maybe this kid will wanna come out someday!

He said he'd let me go 1 week past my due date - which is in 6 days by the way (May 6), and then he'll induce....so, basically I WILL be having this child NO LATER than May 13th....UGH! Gosh, that sounds sooooooo far away! Eeeeeek!

Ewwww....and something really strange has been happening, my fingers are going numb on my right hand, they're swollen and have a really tight feeling to them, but just the past week they've been numb....for most of the day! I asked about it and he said it was just due to the swelling and water retention....kinda like carpel tunnel -I think? It's very strange, anyone else ever experience this??? This is one of those things I never experienced with my first pregnancy because I never made it this far....ewwwww, I DON'T like being swollen!

I think that's about all for this update....wish me luck this last week (hopefully)!

** In other news: tomorrow is Don and my 4 year anniversary :) I think we're going to go out for a "date night".... hopefully I can last through dinner and a movie, I'm always so tired by the time we finish dinner we usually just opt for a renter, lame I know, I'm an early bird what can I say...LOL!**

*I'll have to post later on ALL the wonderful reasons why I L.O.V.E. my hubby so much!*

38 week update:

2008-04-23T14:10:00.005-04:00

Okay...... 38 week appt. TODAY, Eeeeek!! I can't believe it's already 38 weeks & 1 day to be exact :)

* Dr. Farhat said it could be any day now, so he gave me some paper work and told me to either give it to labor & delivery when I go there (of course, when it's time) or bring it back to my 39 week appt. and that's when he'll check to see if I'm dilated and the position of the baby!

* He also told me if I was dilated to at least 1cm., he would induce me when he was on call to deliver this little guy......but, I'm not sure about that anymore, I mean as much as I want to be DONE with this pregnancy I'm SO scared about the delivery!! You'd think after already going through it once I'd be okay, but I'm COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT....to the point of almost tears, worse than I was with Donnie. (*AHHHH* sigh, just take deep breaths...it'll be alright).....I keep telling myself that. So, who knows maybe I won't even want to be induced....I guess I'll just wait & see what happens! As, I said before this is all so new to me....38 weeks, WOW! Donnie was already 2 weeks old by this point & everything about Donnie's pre-birth and birth was anything but the normal/natural way of "mother nature", maybe that is why I'm just so anxious about this whole thing???

* I'm measuring at 39 weeks.....1 week ahead of schedule, which I do believe is partly do to my ice cream cravings latley, that I've been totally giving into!

* I've gained a total of 40 lbs. so far....more than I wanted to be at this point, but oh well, it's too late to worry about that now...LOL :)

* He said he thinks the baby will be about 7 1/2 to 8 lbs........*gulp* from how I'm measuring and the size of Donnie (6 lb. 9 oz.....4 weeks early!) so, I'm a little nervous about that also, delivering a bigger baby....WOW! That outa be F.U.N.

* My husband is in total "nesting" mode......he seriously is trying to do every little thing before this baby gets here. All weekend he cleaned, cleaned, cleaned...put screens in, cleaned the garage, cleaned the gutters, raked the yard, worked on some landscaping, painted the fireplace....I mean he is worse than I am right now!! He just keeps telling me "it could be anyday now and I just wanna be ready...it could be ANYDAY!!" Haha! He's too funny :)

I think that's about it.....I'm just a BIG ball of nerves right now, so wish me luck and sanity these next few days!

A few things to be thankful for.....

2008-04-22T13:50:00.005-04:00

I think it's about time I start giving thanks and appreciating the everyday ordinary/extraordinary things in my life, how often I forget how truly blessed I am.....

* first, my husband, who is my best friend & an AWESOME dad!! I mean really, I think and many others have said Don could run a "Daddy Daycare" he's truly just that good and natural with children.....much more patient than I, A LOT of the time (maybe it helps when you grow up with 7 younger siblings.... he's the oldest!!)

* Donnie, that wonderful little boy who brings a smile to my face EVERYDAY! The new best thing is that he just started hugging me and saying "Donnie loves Momma" :) It can't get much better than that ;)

* This AMAZING weather we've been having....finally Spring has sprung!

* My family....especially my mom and my mother-in-law, lately I haven't been feeling so good....just the end of pregnancy woe's, swollen feet, backaches, fatigue,.....just flat out too BIG! So, Sunday my mom had us over for dinner since she new I wasn't feeling that great and yesterday she brought some leftovers she had made for us & not having to cook is SO nice! The other day my mother-in-law took Donnie ALL morning for me to give me a break and run a few errands....he came back dead tired, fed, & ready for a nap....*Ahhhh* it was great!! What would I do without my family??? They help us out soooo much and I know we're very lucky!

* My health....a few people near and dear to me have been faced with life's challenge of being sick...very sick, and it always makes me realize just how fortunate I am to be healthy.

* Friends that I have who make me laugh and smile and just be myself.....without drama!!!

* This wonderful journey called pregnancy (little sarcasm there...), but seriously, I know how lucky I am to have this little guy just baking in the oven, ready to meet his new family soon!

Finish the sentence.....

2008-04-13T20:33:00.005-04:00

I got this off of Kasey's and Leslie's Blog.....
Try it and post it on your blog, I love reading random things about people :)

1. Maybe I should start doing something to our bedroom.....it needs to be painted and decorated, it's SO white!
2. I love the smell of Springtime....YAY!!
3. People would say that I’m talkative and outgoing.
4. I don’t understand how someone could sit in a cubicle ALL day at work...EWWWW! And I'm sure some people wonder how I can work with 25 kids ALL day long.....
5. When I wake up in the morning I can't wait to have a cup of hot coffee (I agree w/ Leslie)!!
6. I lost a pair of my FAVORITE dress pants in our move last year.....how the heck could I have lost pants!!?
7. Life is full of bullshit people (so some people irritate me :)
8. My past is just that, the past, full of good times and bad ones too.
9. I get annoyed when I feel overwhelmed and start getting frazzled!
10. Parties are more fun when I'm drinking...LOL!!
11. I wish I could find a part-time teaching job next fall.
12. Dogs are just fine, as long as they don't shit in my yard......Errrrrrr!
13. Cats are fine also, as long as their not CRAZY ones who hiss and want to attack you.
14. Tomorrow is one day closer to baby time!
15. I have low tolerance for people who complain and can't just appreciate what they have, they want more, more, & more....waaaaaaah!! Greed...one of the seven deadly sins.
16. I’m totally terrified of dying before my children and having someone else raise them.
17. I wonder when our next home move will be?
18. Never in my life have I done any crazy adventure...skydiving, white water rafting, cliff diving...etc....
19. High school was a very social time for me, not much studying/academics! Hehe!
20. When I’m nervous, I get a knot in my stomach.
21. One time at a family gathering we ALL did Karaoke(after a few drinks)...it was hilarious.
22. Take my advice: Don't take life too seriously; it's not that bad.
23. Making my bed is something I used to do every morning & I've been slacking big time.
24. I’m almost always thinking of what needs to be done around the house......cosmetic work and everyday chores...
25. I’m addicted to sweets (lately) this baby must have a sweet tooth :)
26. I want someone to deliver this baby for me.....haha!! Just joking.....kinda!

So many questions????

2008-04-10T19:18:00.004-04:00

Some Random Thoughts & Questions/sure TFT if you will....mostly about pregnancy, birth, and the after-math...... Unfortunately, this post will probably be mostly for you mom's out there, but hey if you haven't had kids & have any good tips, info., advice from friends or relatives, please feel free to chime in!

I'm considering trying to breastfeed this baby, see with Donnie I tried, but he had SO many feeding issues after birth from his early arrival that it just became impossible to do so and I ended up drying up after a month. Therefore, putting him on Nutramigen (the most costly formula out there....$25 for the small powder container a.k.a "liquid gold") but, that's ALL his belly could tolerate....so you do what you've gotta do. Well, this time around I've been thinking about trying to breastfeed again, but I don't want to HAVE to be the sole feeder....I would like other's to be able to help out (especially hubby at night). So, my question is....if you did breastfeed, did you pump also so that you had a stash to use when needed & did you even have enough to pump after the baby ate, did you introduce a bottle right away - along with the boob, did you ever supplement with formula if you didn't have enough breast milk for bottles?????? I know LOTS of questions, but I'm just trying to weigh ALL my options!

EPIDURAL?? Did you have one and would you do it again?? Why/why not? I personally did NOT have one with Donnie, now this was not because I didn't want one, it just simply happened that I had nurses holding me off because they didn't think I was dilating as quickly as I was and by the time the epidural man got there it was too LATE! I was only in labor 4 hours and delivered, so I can't complain a whole lot, but I did go through labor and delivery oh-natural and boy what an experience. This time around I'm considering (**considering, being the KEY word**) trying to do it without the epidural....only if it's as quick as my last labor & delivery. I think, maybe.....still uncertain.?

Bringing the new one home and starting a schedule/routine....how long did it take you, if you can remember.? I was trying to remember with Donnie and I just can't seem to put my finger on when things started becoming routine and scheduled. Of course, I know not right away, but I do remember eventually having a pretty good idea of feeding, naps, nighttime, etc., and if my memory is correct I thought it was pretty early on... I'm thinking it was maybe around 6 or 8 weeks....Hmmmmm?? Now with this one coming and already having a toddler I would really like to start a routine right away, of course within moderation, but I'm really hoping for some sort of consistency in his schedule early on. I guess I'm just more concerned this time around because I already have such a scheduled routine day with Donnie that I really don't wanna have unorganized chaos thrown in the mix with a newborn....kwim?

** Okay, so you can tell what's been on my mind lately....baby, baby, baby!! I do only have 3 weeks and 5 days left, it's all starting to become very REAL & I'm getting a little nervous....still all these questions/concerns rolling round in my head!! YIKES**

Ahhhhhh......Springtime & Baseball!

2008-04-08T13:28:00.004-04:00

Okay.....Enough with my whiny, bitchy, last month of pregnancy woe is me complaining. It's finally Spring here in Michigan :) Ahhhh....at last! The last few days have been just gorgeous....I mean GORGEOUS, mid 60's and SUNNY!! YAY!!

Since it's been so nice out Donnie and I have been out everyday playing in the yard. And let me just say this kid L.O.V.E.S sports! We've been playing baseball everyday in the lawn and I have to step on my mommy soapbox for a moment of "bragging rights" and just say that he is actually really pretty good at baseball (okay, for only being 2). I guess I'm not surprised that he really enjoys playing sports as my husband and I both played sports in high-school & enjoy(ed) them ourselves (Don still active in his). But, it's great to see him actually able to hit a ball in mid-air when we pitch it to him (a woofle bat & ball) and watching him get so excited about his accomplishment after hitting the ball....saying "Ewwww, good hit Donnie...Haha!" I'm anxious to see what the next few years will bring and what sports will spark his interest or which one(s) he'll excel in..... I sure hope our next little boy enjoys sports as much as Little D. , it would be great to have two little boys that can play together, so that mommy can have a break from having to play pitcher all the time!

Happy Spring & let's hope it's here to stay!!

Is it almost over yet.....????

2008-04-05T10:56:00.002-04:00

My Pregnancy that is........

* I can't stand being this LARGE for ONE. MORE. MINUTE.

* I'm sick of being hot ALL THE TIME!

* I want to be nice to my beloved Hubby again..... not mean, irritable, and moody.......which seems to be how I am lately.

* My feet are swollen.......and getting worse everyday, my back hurts, I'm getting headaches, & constantly tired!

* I'm too big to be on the floor playing with Little D.

* I don't feel pretty right now.....EVER!!! I just feel tired & blah!

* My hormones are OUT OF CONTROL! - You can't tell can you? LOL!!

** I'm pretty much a BIG OL' MESS right now........ UGH!!! **

** Hopefully this baby comes soon, I just want my body back to myself...... BUT not too soon of course! **

Sorry, about the complaining rant & rave.......it's just one of those mornings.

The Name Game

2008-04-04T14:40:00.003-04:00

I snatched this off of Kasey's (The Laughlin's) blog! This game cracks me up , even though some of the names I came out to have are just plain STUPID......it's still entertaining & makes me laugh. If you haven't done it yet, try it and post it on your blog!!

The Name Game

1. Your rock star name (first pet, current car): Harold Volvo (What the.....???? Not sure about that!! LOL!)

2. Your gangsta name (fave ice cream flavour, favorite type of shoe): Peanut Butter & Chocolate Stiletto

3. Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal): Black Dog

4. Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Ann AnnArbor (Wow!! That sounds HORRIBLE!!.....I'll just say, I was born in Jackson for this one.....Ann Jackson, there that's better :)

5. Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): Hufka

6. Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Pink Coke

7. NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers): Fred John

8. Stripper name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Coco Bun ...haha!

9. TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Mohlenhoff Minneapolis

10. Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Autumn Halloween-Lily ...... (What in the WORLD...these are turning out to be quite strange!)

11. Cartoon name: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Kiwi Gloves

12. Hippie name (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree): Latte Maple .....(Chinese Maple to be exact)

Only 5 weeks till go time!

2008-03-30T15:39:00.005-04:00

35 Week Appointment :

* All is going well with me and baby (not sure on his name yet??).... heartbeat good, kicking and active!

* Weight gain - only 1 lbs. YAY!!! Thank goodness! 34 lbs. overall. I've given up my candy bar a night for a grapefruit with brown sugar(I've still gotta have the sweetness) on it instead....YUM!

* Donnie came with to my appt., and was a perfect little gentleman. He talked to the nurses and the receptionist as if they'd known him forever. Then he sat in the room eating his goldfish as Dr. Farhat measured and listened to the heartbeat. He really is such a good boy when I take him out with me to run errands or go to appts., it makes me proud! I won't get into the few times at Target when we've had to leave early...LOL!! (who doesn't have their bad days, right!)

* Oh!!...I might be induced.....if I'm dilated to 1 cm. or more by my 38th or 39th week. I asked about it only because I had Dr. Farhat deliver Donnie and I just love him, I feel comfortable and safe with him...so, I inquired about how he might be able to deliver me & he said if I came in for one of those appointments and I was dilated that he would induce me when he was on call. He did also tell me that he would do that because my first labor was very fast (4 hours) & this one will most likely be quicker than that, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to already be at the Hospital....Eeeek!! I won't be going to far away toward the very end....I wanna make sure, I'm close by so, if I choose, I can get that wonderful epidural I've heard so much about!! I want to be positive I'll be able to get it this time...LOL!!

* A little extra sappy and hormonal lately, not really feeling myself. I'm hoping this is all part of nearing the end of my pregnancy and not a sign of anything else! After Donnie I was hit with the dreaded post-partum depression & boy that scares me with this one. I'm sure this too will pass...too many hormones, 34 extra lbs. of weight I'm carrying, and running after a toddler all day... could possibly be the cause for some of these extra emotion/ fatigue I'm feeling.?

** Anyway's that's about it for the pregnancy update!**

Tagged....

2008-03-28T18:54:00.004-04:00

I've been tagged by Nicole to share 7 facts about myself.

This will be hard thinking of random things that maybe you don't already know.

Here are the rules: Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I only dated my husband for 7 months before we were engaged....and the funny part is that when we first started getting to the "serious" stage of dating we both said we wanted to date for at least a year before we got engaged. We thought it was just plain crazy if you didn't know someone for at least a year before asking them to MARRY YOU!! So, yeah needless to say we ate our words...LOL :)

2. I don't think I've ever had short hair...okay no, positive. I've never had hair that doesn't at least skim my shoulders, and even when it's been that short I freak-out and want my long hair back. I also hate getting my hair cut, I always feel like it looks too short & I miss my long locks- weird! I'll admit I have an attachment to my long hair, I just like it long. But, I really actually love short hair (on other people), it always looks so cute and stylish that I always think I should just do it....one day just chop it ALL off, above my shoulders....even above my chin, maybe! Eeeek!!

3. I don't really enjoy pregnancy.... Okay, so I know I'm at the huge stage where everything is uncomfortable, shortness of breath, legs are sore, boobs are big...ect, ect. But, even in the first and second trimester I just haven't loved it how I thought I would. Although, I am getting a little sad that soon it will all be coming to an end.....and this might be it FOREVER, no more pregnancy's.

4. I'm a BIG dork...but, I love "Lifetime" movie's, my husband calls it the man-hater channel because he thinks all the movies seem to revolve around some sort of spousal abuse, or woman's lib., or just something that usually puts the man in the dog house....haha!! It's just so convenient when I do get a chance to sit down and watch a movie....usually at night, to turn on the TV instead of running to the video store & NO we don't have HBO, just basic cable for us!

5. I have WAY to many pairs of jeans, that I don't even wear, heck they may not even fit me! I guess I'm always looking for that "perfect" pair and now I've ended up with more pairs than I even need. I'm just a sucker for jeans I guess....though, I'll always stay true to my Silver's (a little pricey), but they just fit me (my BIG butt) great! :)

6. We've (Don and I) lived in 3 houses the three years that we've been married - AND we haven't even left Jackson!!....Long story, but it's just ended up that we've moved every year of our marriage to a new house. This year is coming up on our 4 yr. anniversary & NO move in sight....yet, though we have discussed a five year plan for the house we are currently in. Haha!

7. I think I've lost my flare for decorating my house. I used to love decorating my house.... going Targeting, Big Lots, Pier One...ahhhh! All those great home stores! Now it just seems like a burden, I want my house to look a certain way...RIGHT NOW...not in few months, or a few years, but NOW!! **It's all about time and money**, I don't have the time to shop around all day for the best bargains & I don't want to spend full-price on things...ugh! I always feel guilty when I'm buying new items for our house and I should be using the money for necessities instead of miscellaneous things we could do without....anyone else feel my pain with this one.???

Today & a weekend recap.....

2008-03-17T15:30:00.004-04:00

So today, I just had my 33 week check-up..... and I gained 9 lbs.- you heard me 9 lbs!!! OMG.....I couldn't believe it!!! But, I guess I'm alright with it since my last visit he said I actually lost weight, pretty sure that was due to the flu bug I had a few weeks ago, so I'm able to justify the 9 lbs for both visits....haha!!

Not too much exciting news around here. We had a nice weekend, not too many things going on, but just enough to keep us busy.

* Friday- I went scrapbooking with Nicole, Leslie, Jane, and LeAnn....and I had a GREAT time, it was nice to have a girls night out and meet a few new faces. I went up early, thinking I would finish my name letters for the boys rooms (Donnie and Nolan...though not 100% positive on Nolan) then just shop around, and head home. But, I got to chatting, eating, and laughing and ended up staying longer than anticipated.....next time, I'll definitely have to bring enough stuff to stay until midnight, because the time flies when your there!

* Saturday- Don and I (no Donnie!!) went over to our friends Max and Kami's for a couples night, with about 4 other couples....which was also a lot of fun. They had a few video games going...Wii (sp??) - the interactive video game, which by the way is ADDICTING if you haven't played it. And also, Karaoke on PlayStation, I sang a few songs with Kami, but the true "Rock Star" for the evening was Don...LOL!! After he had a few beers, he would slyly head over to the Karaoke for some Bon Jovi, or Poison, or Metallica...you know all those old 90's rock bands from his era. :) It was a good time with some old friends we haven't hung out with in a while.

* Sunday- We worked on house chores.....laundry, cleaning the baby's room, dishes, more laundry, just the usual Sunday clean-up. My Mother-in-law came over and put a stencil up on in the baby's room, that just looks wonderful.....his room is a light blue and the stencil is a chocolate brown, it makes the whole room look different, just what it needed!! Then we had plans to just stay home and eat dinner, but my in-laws invited us at the last minute to come over for burgers on the grill, it was actually nice enough to cook on the grill yesterday, so we headed over there for dinner at it was yummy! Oh, I almost forgot they were venison burgers(sp??.... you know, deer), at first I was a little hesitant about trying them, but I'm glad I did they were delicious!!

Just a boring old recap of my weekend.....How was your weekend?

Happy Monday!

March snow and a little bit about nothing....

2008-03-11T13:42:00.006-04:00

A little fun in the snow..... in MARCH!! What the heck, isn't March considered Spring?! Only in Michigan!

So... I'm home, just sitting here reading blogs and decided, Hmmmm....maybe a little update on my own might be nice! LOL!! And also noticing I'm in desperate NEED for a new banner and colors, looks like I'm going to have to bug Nicole again, since I'm sort-of blog illiterate when it comes to new layouts and I don't have a photo thing (not sure of the "correct" terminology...photo-shop maybe.?) on my computer to put pictures in my banner....which I think you have to have right.??

** In other news **

* My pregnancy is going okay, 32 weeks and counting... getting as big as a house (did I ever mention how I get big ALL over when I'm preggo, not just a belly? Lovely let me tell ya)!! I did have a few contractions a couple of weeks ago, went to labor & delivery just to be safe and turns out everything was okay I just needed to rest and drink lots of water. Oh, yeah and I'm officially on maternity leave now from work.... a little earlier than my doctor and I had originally discussed, but that's a-ok with me :)

* My son is still babbling in his crib...."mama, mama" and it's 1:47 pm ..... sorry little guy, your not getting out of your nap. Boy, I forgot how HARD it is to be a stay-at-home mom, I never get a break!! OMG..... now he saying "Owww mama, Owww" as if he's hurt himself in his crib! haha!

* Tried the toddler bed out for a few nights and that isn't going to work..... at least not at this point in time! When did your kids move into a "normal" size bed? Was it a hard transition? I guess I'm just a believer in when their ready then it's time, why go through the hassle of "training" if their just not ready??.... of course everything within moderation, I mean if my kid's 5 yrs. old and still wants his crib than that's a different story!

** And a few pics. of Donnie enjoying his bath time. BTW, are their any kids out there who don't LOVE bath time.?**

* UGH!!! Finally, I don't hear a thing....peace and quiet! 2:22pm. to be exact & he's finally asleep. Gotta run and try to do something productive while he's napping.

Someone...Anyone...Please make it STOP!!

2008-02-17T12:05:00.002-05:00

OH. MY. LORD. I can't believe we are ALL sick again!! The second time this winter for all 3 of us, and the THIRD time around for me and Little D. I don't know what it is, but I feel like I've had a black cloud of sickness following me ALL winter long. Let's see since Novemeber...first round of strep-throat for me and Little D, December....whew! All clear! January....second round of strep -ALL 3 of us, with some nasty 7 day virus along with it.....February....the FLU, which BTW Little D.'s on day #5 of throwing up (calling Dr.'s tomorrow just too make sure it's just the flu)! But, really how much more can we take?? We seriously have only had one healthy month and it sucks, everytime we get better I'm afraid to get too excited because I just KNOW we're gonna be sick again! I even had my flu shot this year....and I am just getting over my vomiting part of the flu, but still have the sour stomach... what the?? UGH, I HATE being sick (and it's worse being pregnant)!! So, now I'm also worried/paranoid about taking Donnie to the Dr.'s tomorrow because I know they'll weigh him, and I really don't want to see the scale go down anymore. His Dr. already wanted him to come back for a 6 month check-up on his weight gain after we took him for his 2 year check-up in January, just to make sure he was gaining enough weight. Now don't get me wrong, the kid doesn't look emaciated by any means for a 2 year old, but at the same time he really can't afford to loose more weight from being sick ALL the time! Maybe I'll see if he can keep one of Don's whey protein shakes down tonight...that's a weight enhancer, right.? LOL!

Well, so much for my 4 day winter break....we've been sick all weekend! Booo-hooo!

Anyone else going through a rough winter of sickness??

Sorry...not much else to blog about, just a bunch of sicky's over here.

SNOW DAY!

2008-02-11T12:53:00.000-05:00

YAY!!! Today was a snow day! I think it was because the wind chill was too low today.... -15 & yesterday was -21......Brrrrrr it is FREEZING! I love waking up thinking I have to get ready for work, and then I see on T.V. NO SCHOOL for Jackson Public. WHOO-hooo! this made my day!

Oh, yeah, did I mention that I can't believe I'm gonna have a baby in about 2 1/2 months?! Today I did a few loads of laundry from the bags of clothes I went through last night (Donnie's hand-me-downs).....all the 0-3 month stuff is soooooo little, I forgot how small they are when they're first born. Don't worry though I've already got a whole load of new stuff I bought for him over the last few weeks that also needs to be washed. I feel a little guilty when I'm washing all of Donnie's old stuff from when he was little for the new baby, so I'm trying to make sure I get new stuff every once in a while so I remember how special and fun it is to buy new baby items and make this little guy feel special too(not that he's gonna really know or care, but I do). Eeeeeek! I'm getting SO excited, yet SO nervous all at the same time. Oh, and the funniest thing is that as we were getting all the baby stuff around yesterday....the swing, the bouncer, the blankets, the walker(not that it will be used anytime soon), ect..... Donnie HAD to get in the swing, sit in the walker, and he even has the bouncer in the livivng room as we speak watching his cartoons with the bouncer music on, as well as, the vibrator it's hilarious! Luckly he's only 22 lbs., so I don't think he can do too much damage to the bouncer, maybe I'll be kicking myself in a week when I'm at Target buying a new one. LOL!! We'll see.

Have a good Monday!

I'm back....once again!

2008-01-31T19:00:00.000-05:00

Well, once again I've been off the blog for a little while (okay, LONG ass time!).....I figured I better get my booty back on. (Although, of course I'm keeping up on everyone else's....LOL!)

Ummmm, I guess it's just been the "usual" around here lately....nothing too out of the ordinary, just everyday life over at the Huff's.

Donnie is turning into a crazy little man, like any other normal 2 year old little boy....toys, trucks, balls, balls, and more balls....oh, yeah and puck for his hockey obsession. And his big thing right now is saying "mine" or "mine's" to EVERYTHING....even if it doesn't really make sense. He calls his stuffed horse "mine", which yes, technically it is mine to him, but when we ask him what the horse's name is...he says "mine's". Haha! I find it cute. Right now that is.

Don just went out and bought himself a new flat screen T.V. a panasonic I think, all I know is he had a gift card burning a hole in his pocket and he's been researching flat screens for months now. But, with my husband being such a saver, and him having to spend some of his own out of pocket $ with the gift card he had a hard time justifying the purchase. I will say, I'm actually glad /relieved that he has FINALLY made this purchase, he doesn't ever buy things for himself and he deserves it, but WOW I never knew a new flet screen T.V. was such a big deal....

As for me, I'm just all about the nursery right now, trying to get the fabric bought and picked out for my Mother-in-law to make the quilt, bedskirt and curtains. Figuring out which baby changing dresser I need to order. And all the little stuff to get the room ready for our little man. So here's what I've picked out so far, this (which, I-well Nicole found the same exact fabric online for my MIL to make) and this.

We went to church this morning, it was the "Family Worship" service, which we LOVE! It's nice because it's usually in a smaller room and all kid oriented, so I don't feel like my child is the only one who is being a little too loud or snacking or laughing. It's usually just full of families with small kids....nice! And boy, did I need church this weekend...somewhere to just let all my thoughts and emotions out, latley I've been feeling so overwhelmed with work it just consumes my thoughts some days. I've had a really hard adjustment to my new school and my new administator (who is not at ALL the person I thought she was!) I'm also in such a *dilemma* about next Fall.....to make a long story short (I'll try), the kindergarten teacher has asked me to job share with her next Fall, basically one week I would work 2 days, the next week 3 days (at McCulloch, the same school I'm at this year)...part-time, perfect right.? Well, I've been having second thoughts, I mean while I LOVE the idea of part-time... do I really want to stay at a school where I don't have any support from my administator (Principal), especially when I work at a school that has extreme behavioral issues and 80% of the children are below grade level.? I might have the chance to bid on another postion at another school....where things would be much less complicated and I would feel much more supported, relieving me of a LOT of the stress I'm feeling this year, yet I would be working full-time which I really would rather not do with a 4 month old next Fall. My husband always brings up the fact that I am pregnant this year, which has made me more tired and more easily stressed about things. And while, I might think another school will be a better environment and the answer I might be just as stressed having to work full-time with a newborn.....maybe he's right?? UGH!!!! Can you tell I've been thinking about this ALL weekend!! Knowing that I'm leaving the end of March for maternity leave, having to sign the job share papers before I leave (if I do it), and not knowing what building (out of the 10 other schools in our district) I would be at or what grade, if I opt out of the job share position....is just too much stress on me right now!! I seriously just want to crawl in a hole and not come out until everything is worked-out in the best possible predicament for my family life right now....why does work have to be so stressful sometimes?? This is why I needed so badly to go to church and remind myself that things will work out the way HE knows they should work out, and everything will happen the way it's supposed to.