Mommy & Me Cowboy

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

This was my little cowboy and I at the Super Auction in February 2010. He was 6 months old and I cannot remember why he was frowning but even so, look at those cheeks!!! I miss those HUGE cheeks! He still has chubby cheeks, but not like that!

Lovin' Fall

Oooooohhhh I love this time of year, when the leaves make the air a little more crisp, when long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts come out of hiding, when sunny days are warmed only to about 60 degrees (in Michigan!), when I can break out my pumpkin spiced candles, and the list goes on and on. And having a walking one year old only makes it better! Back to school time is over (thank goodness) because that always causes so much anxiety and guilt for me now that I'm a mom. We've been back five weeks (only 2 with kids) and it's safe to say the school year is rolling along. And that's why I love the fall so much! The only downfall is that my hubs will be absent several times from our lives to go and get our "winter food" if you know what I mean LOL. But I have tons of things to do and many people and places on our list to visit so Carson and Momma will be busy in his absence. And of course, we will miss him!

I thought about and actually started a classroom blog this summer to keep parents communicating with me through the computer which seems to be easier. However, during PD in August, our principal decided all teachers should have a wiki page instead of a blog, which I think is a great idea!! If you've never seen or made a wiki page, it's like comparing myspace to facebook....myspace is like a blog where you can decorate and personalize. Facebook is plain without decoration and is just full of information. A wiki page is like facebook (in a school sense, that is!) where we just upload information and documents. There's no decoration or much personalization, which is awesome for teacher pages!! I created mine and it's as easy as using microsoft word, very user friendly and only takes a couple minutes, which is perfect because at school I have ZERO time for any extra anything.

Here are a couple pictures of my new classroom this year. It's TONS bigger than the rooms I've had in the past! Enjoy..................

Mommy & Me Shadows

So behind on blogging! Shame on me! I have many things to share and just not very much spare time. But I have enough time to share this.....

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Ahhhh only a few precious days left of summer vacation left. So sad. It's been a pure joy to be at home with my little man (and hubs too) these 8 weeks. I absolutely HATE being away from him every day for work. If it wasn't for that health insurance....

I've been working on school work while he's napping the last few days because I won't have time once school begins. We get very little prep time and no free time during the school day and I'm not giving up any family time for school work at home in the evenings and weekends. I stuck to my guns about that last year and it worked, however we will have even less prep time this year so I'm not sure how I'm going to get that done. If I can't get it done at work, I guess it won't get done at all!! Life will go on....

Yesterday Carson and I accompanied Kenny on an appointment over an hour away and then stopped at Cabela's on the way home. He loves that store and it's fun for me too! We let Carson push the cart to keep him occupied...he loved it. The pic is blurry but that's because he was in motion!

I think I have some good ideas for Kenny's Christmas presents too....and yes, I am already thinking about Christmas. That's the planner in me!

Knocked Out

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Knocked out. That's exactly what we were! And daddy found it to be a photo op. So glad he did!

Slow Sunday

It's a very quiet Sunday morning.....Kenny, Carson, and the dog are all still sleeping. I snuck out of bed, turned on the coffee, and grabbed the computer while I can. It's only a matter of time till I hear sounds including needs, wants and endless requests, so I'm taking full advantage of this time to blog and shop online for new shoes for school. And bras. And pants, and about every other part of my wardrobe for fall. I love these moments:)

Friday Kenny and I took Carson to the zoo. He's only 1, so while he had a good time and laughed and pointed at everything, he probably wasn't too sure where he was. The good thing about 1 year olds is that as long as they are smiling and looking around, all is well. We had a great time, didn't get too many pictures though. We were busy looking at things!! The exhibit that caught the baby's attention the most was in the aquarium building, the BIG fish that swim right by the windows. He screamed with delight and pointed the whole time, so cute! No pictures of that, but here are a couple of my boys....

Today the baby and are STAYING HOME. We have been on the go constantly lately and I need a break. I have very little vacation left so I made the executive decision to stay put today. Tomorrow we will be running all over the place!! Happy Sunday!

New Classroom

I'm up way too late, and when that happens, I quite frequently find myself on the computer. Ugh. It's addicting!!

Today I went classroom shopping. I am moving into a bigger room and I need a theme, so away I went to the teacher store. With the help of Niki, I have a cowboy ranch theme going on, and I love it!! Last week I got a little red pup tent from Ikea and that's going to be in the reading corner as the "barn." Then today I found lots of fun cowboy/ranch/farming borders to go on the bulletin boards, there are about 6 of them in the classroom and 4 in the hallway outside my new room that I'm responsible for. There are tons more things for me to get still for this new room, I just had to make a dent in it today. This classroom move is a good thing for me. I've been stressed the last couple of years at work and a move to a new room, new neighbors, a clean, fresh start is making me about 5% excited to go back to work. That's a lot compared to last year!!

I have three weeks of vacation left. Bummed:( I know, I know, teachers should just be lucky they get "summers" off, but in reality, it's not 3 months anymore, more like 8 weeks for teachers and 11 for kids. It gets less and less every year. And we work 10 months of the year, and get paid for that 10 months, most of us just choose to have it stretched out over the summer time, so we are not getting paid to not work. I am not going to make this a pity post for teachers, it just seems that we get less and less vacation time every summer and we still have no valid reason to go back to work if the kids don't start back until after Labor Day. Just stinks, that's all I'm saying. So, in these three weeks, I have lots to do. A few projects left to finish (start) around the house, a visit to the zoo, probably another weekend or two at the lake house (inlaws) and every single second I can spend with my little man I will. This summer has been so fun with Carson! Last summer he was a newby, and as much as I loved that, there was no playing. A completely different story now! We play constantly! Kenny even cuts his work short to hang out with us and play around outside. What joy! I can honestly say that this is the first summer since I've been teaching that we spent lots of time relaxing at home. What a treat!

My One Year Old Baby & Me

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I was sleepy, he was sleepy and irritable from teething, we snuggled, he cooed and ran his fingers in my hair, can you just see the sweetness in this moment? Hmmm...

The Poop Spot

It's taken me a couple weeks to figure out Carson's fascination with the corner of the livingroom behind the rockers. He hangs out there every morning for about 10 minutes. At first I thought it was the socket and the plug covers that intruiged him, and then I thought it was the physical act of making the rocking chair rock that he liked. I even thought maybe it was the cold air that comes out of the vent. And then it hit me......he's pooping. Every day at that time, behind the rocking chair. And he does like his privacy too! Now that I know what he's doing, I giggle at him and talk to him while he's pooping, and he crabs at me. So I know my boy digs that privacy when he's in his poop spot!!

Happy Birthday Carson!!

My baby is OOONNNNNEEEE!

Unbelieveable I tell ya! Carson had a great birthday, but when you are a baby, I think every day is probably a great day. Hehe. He got to see his Aunt Niki as well as 4 out of 5 of his grandparents and the best part of his big day was smashing his face with blue Cookie Monster cake. I only cried 3 times, not because I'm sad, okay maybe a little, but more because I kept remembering every single second of his birth. All 24 hours of it. I kept looking at the clock and thinking, "Okay, at this time last year I was...." I'm sure all you moms have done that same thing too. It was such an emotional arrival into this world, and every time I thought about it yesterday and today, oh the tears. So, maybe it was more than 3 cries that I had today, I honestly lost count. I am just so lucky to have been chosen to be his momma, to spend every moment I can with him and watch him grow and learn and laugh and play and love. He is truly a joy and a blessing to Kenny & I. I hope every single birthday that he has is as great of a day as today was. Happy Birthday Carson Riley Alan. Momma and Daddy love you to the moon!

I'm still here!

I cannot believe I've been on vacation for 2 weeks and not posted yet! Such a bad blogger these days. But I've been busy, the GOOD fun kind, so that's my valid excuse!!

I have never loved summer vacation like I love it now!! With Carson almost one year (holy cow!) he's growing and changing constantly and I'm so lucky to have this time off work to spend with him. Next to having the privilege of not leaving to go to work every day, having all this time off is the next best thing, no question about it.

Here are his monthly updated pictures....

10 months:

11 months:

I still am in shock that he's going to be one year old in a week! Eeeek!

He is walking very well behind a push toy or pulling himself along the couch, coffee table, ect. I suspect he'll be walking on his own soon! He loves the bath, stroller walks, crawling, chasing the dog's tail, laughing, eating, playing, and he absolutely goes crazy to push baskets or boxes and throw objects in them at the same time. His laugh is precious, music to my ears and kind of sounds like Donald Duck, so cute! He attended his first wedding on Saturday and Kenny put him on his shoulders while he danced on the dance floor and LOVED it! Carson also saw his first fireworks show this weekend and clapped through them, what a trooper! That concludes the baby updates for now.

In husband news, Kenny's birthday is today. Happy HAPPY birthday to my man, BFF, partner in crime, sounding board and companion. I love you more that I can say! I know you are working all day honey, but just know that Carson and I are wishing you a very happy day!

Mommy & Me

Hosted by Krystyn

This was us on Carson's baptism day, also my first Mother's Day. He was so entertained with looking at that cake!! Can't wait for his birthday!

My Dear John Letter

Dear Favorite Black Pants,

We have been through a lot in the last 3 years. I have never worn pants as much as I have worn you. You first came into my life after losing 30 pounds and I found you on a clearance rack at Macy's. It was love at first sight. I wore you as often as I could, you always keeping your shape throughout every wear. When I got pregnant I continued to wear you as long as could, so sad to have to banish you to a hanger in the back of the closet until further notice as my body expanded. After having Carson and enjoying maternity leave, I winced at the thought of trying you on and not being able to button up, but I tried anyway. It was not a comfy fit, so I wiped the tears away and put you back on the hanger, you being my inspiration to lose the rest of the ugly weight that was keeping us apart. Finally, 7 months after giving birth you fit again! I was just as much in love with you then than I ever was! It's as if being neglected on the hanger for about a year was too much for you to bare because it seemed that you were much more fragile than I remember, and I'm so sad to say that you have your very first hole, and even though I am currently wearing you, I know our days are numbered. Even last weekend I knew this, and attempted shopping for your replacement, only to come up empty handed. No other pants know the curve (or lack there of) of my hips or the thickness of my waist as you do, and nothing is as comfortable or as stylish as you, my dearest very dressy wide leg black dress pants with a crease that never goes away. I feel that we are at the end of our relationship. I am truly heartbroken.....

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Playing in the park....what a fun time!

Mommy & Me

It was a busy weekend again around here. I shopped yesterday for what was supposed to be a wedding gift at kohl's. Now that turned in to shopping for me too, heh, and I spend way too many $$$ but it was on clothes for work so it's justified. Kind of. I did buy Kenny a new Tigers jersey on sale so it wasn't ALL for me. I don't even dare buy Carson anything because we have so much for him already!! I spent the rest of the day with my inlaws and then today I took the baby to my cousin's wedding shower. We took a long walk with the pup to the park and I slid down the slide with Carson in my lap. He squealed with delight!

Last Monday when i returned to work knowing there were 9 weeks before summer vacation, i was bummed. 9 weeks seems like such a long time. Now it's 8 weeks and I'm thinking the time is going to go faster than I expected. Woot!

Pancakes!

More milestones!! Where is that baby book? I better get this all recorded pronto!

Carson ate "real" food tonight. I made buckwheat pancakes. (I LOVE breakfast for dinner!!). I made an extra one just tear up and see if he would eat it, or even if he could eat it. I put a piece in my mouth and then he mimicked me with nothing in his chubby fingers. Then he tried to get the piece of pancake on his finger, but he's not quite sure how to do that yet, so most of the pieces ended up in his lap or on the floor, leaving the dog VERY happy. Carson did end up getting some pieces in his mouth and he was so excited and I was so excited and it was just so cute!

Thanks to all those who comment on the Mommy & Me posts....I just haven't had time to respond or look at pics lately on their blogs, work is crazy and when I get home it's all baby time! But I promise to catch up soon!

Mommy & Me Monday

Hosted by Krystyn

He looks disgusted....even when he's not smiling he's still a cutie! Happy Monday!

Week of Change

This has been a week of many changes around here. And no, I don't mean the cleaning kind. Although, that would be nice!!

Carson is now 9 months old. I haven't taken his 9 month pics yet, but I will before the weekend is over. However, as he turned 9 months old, he now has 3 more teeth, a total of 4, 2 are almost completely through the gums. He is now sleeping on his mattress in his crib, free to roll and flail wherever he wants! Previously he was sleeping in his crib, in the bouncy seat to keep him elevated b/c he was constantly spitting up and we were worried about him choking...chalk that up to first time parent jitters. Anyway, he's all free is his crib now.

He also is drinking from a sippy cup sometimes. My mom has been working with him when she is here every week and he FINALLY did it yesterday. He did make a mess and a lot of his milk ended up on his bib, but he drank! This little man is growing up, and it's so amazing how much he can change in a week. Takes my breath away.

Georgia Trip

(Bethy with the Build-A-Bear she made for us)

We are back from our trip all safe and sound. Flying with a 9 month old was......awesome! I was very picky about what I packed and planned out everything I could possibly need from point A to point B and it went beautifully! Our visit with Beth was so much fun, just too short. But I'm so glad we got a chance to see where she lives and her new house! Carson was SO GOOD the whole trip which made my anxiety of traveling alone with a baby almost non-existant.

It was HOT HOT HOT while we were there, unexpected but nice! Beth was the perfect tour guide for Atlanta! We ate out, shopped, walked through a gorgeous park right in Atlanta, played with the dogs, and relaxed. Can't wait to go and visit again when she is in HER HOUSE!!

First time in shorts this year!!

Walking in the park....

Eating lunch in a yummy mexican place....baby reaching for my corona!!

View of Atlanta from the park.

Easter and Mommy & Me

What a wonderful Easter!! Carson got to see all his FIVE grandparents between yesterday and today. He is SO loved!! Here he is with my mom, almost asleep. I think they both needed a nap:)

We sat in church with him today for a record time of 45 minutes. Then he started squirming a little too much so we went to another place in church to finish listening to the service. Carson had NO NAP today so it was early to bed! Which is good because I have to pack for our trip to Atlanta tomorrow. He's been sleeping for hours and I still haven't packed a thing, but I'll get to it soon. I'm excited to go and see Bethany and nervous to fly with the baby. I know it will all work out, just a little nerve racking without Kenny!

Here is our family picture....Kenny was already in his "play clothes" and the flag was in the way. One of these days we will get a really nice one of us. I have been saying that since the baby was born!

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Momma & Carson in church on Easter

First Day of Vacation

Ahhhh vacation at last. I kicked off my spring break by napping on the couch to get rid of a nasty headache. Then Kenny and I indulged in date night, thanks to my BFF Nik who watched the baby. Our date was going to the Maundy service at church and then Barnes & Noble for coffee and reading and relaxing. The church service was the first Maundy service I can even remember going to, and it was amazing. And then leaving the church in complete silence, even in the parkinglot too, made the mourning all that more powerful. I can't wait for Sunday's service. We chased each other around the bookstore and Kenny ate cheesecake while I had a coffee. I was good, didn't even take the one bite he offered!

Sleeping in this morning felt so good. Even when the baby woke up at 8 and wanted to get out of the crib to play, even when Kenny whined that I was leaving him "alone" in the bed, even when the dog begged to be let out, I still got about 4 more hours of sleep than normal. I think if I had to have gotten up for work today I would have cried. Mental and physical exhaustion has seemed to be the norm lately and I'm so thankful for this break.

We finally lowered Carson's crib from the highest setting to the lowest. Once we figured out how to do that, we had been in his room for about an hour (it's always the blind leading the blind with us) and the baby was tired of being in the laundry basket (he's all over the place now, can't leave him unattended!!) there was no chance of putting the crib on the middle setting and having to risk doing that all over again. No way!! So even though he doesn't need to be all the way down there at the bottom of the crib, he is, and we're all happy about it. Getting him out of the crib is harder now, but it'll do!

I also managed to clean out the spare bedroom today. Kenny & I have been talking about making it a play room, and when I got it all cleaned out and staghtened up, it dawned on us that Carson doesn't need a play room. He already has HIS OWN room plus the livingroom. What more does the kid need??? So it's going to stay just the way it is. Whew. Big project taken off the to-do list!

Tomorrow Kenny is going to hang out with buddies and do his fantasy baseball draft and I'm going to my parents' houses to hang out for a while. Carson will be spoiled rotten by the end of the day.

Cleaning Rampage

It started yesterday when I got home from work. The refridgerator was on the fritz when I walked in the door. It's happened before because the door seals are very sensitive and we have to always make sure it's closed properly. So I thought the doors just weren't closed right. WRONG! I called a repairman to come out today. In the meantime, I cleaned out everything and put it in the freezer in the garage. It was cold enough to put the stuff that didn't need to be frozen on shelves in the garage, so nothing was wasted. I clean off the top of the fridge (nasty) and that was that. I called my house after the repairman left to find out the damage....it was minimal and was already fixed...wow! Kenny told me how he was cleaning out the fridge, as in washing the walls, taking out drawers and shelves and bleaching everything. I was in shock, in fact, I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. He's not a "cleaner" like I am. When I got home, not only was it all clean, it was SPOTLESS and the food was all put back. Did you read that? I didn't have to do a thing. It was amazing. THAT never happens, not ever ever ever ever are things just done for me. What a difference in my mood!! So that's when our cleaning frenzy took a crazy spin. In one evening, I cleaned almost the entire house (again) along with a little laundry. Kenny cleaned out the box truck and his truck and we even weeded through some of that pesky paperwork that just piles up too. And it's not even the weekend. I'm still in shock from how much we accomplished today. Crazy! Next up tomorrow, de-hairing the dog. It's shedding season and is she ever! Two more days till spring break and 6 days till I fly to visit Bethany in ATL!!!!

Mommy & Me Monday

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I promised two NEW pictures this week. Here they are. The first one is from Easter at my mom's house today. The second, which is blurry and not a great shot cause I took it myself, is us playing. Happy Monday!