Cupcakes

Last week, the kids were actually playing and not hollering at one another so I was sitting down (gasp) for a minute. Anyway, after a few minutes, I decided that they were way too quiet. I got up and went to check on them (they were in the kitchen). Here's what I found.[gallery link="file" columns="1" orderby="title"]

Easter

I'm way behind but whatever. I'm playing catch up here. Like it is every year, Easter was at my MIL's house. The boys got their baskets here and then Parker napped and we headed over there. It's fun; they do an egg hunt and even hide money. The kids had a great time. I made cupcake pops, which were sooo good!

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So What Wednesday

Fall down, I'm blogging 2 days in a row!



Here's what I'm saying so what to today

So what if I put Parker back into his infant car seat yesterday. He won't sleep in the convertible one and little dude likes to sleep in the car.

So what if I'm so proud of Conner being potty trained that I'm a little snotty about it. I never thought he'd do it before he was 3 but he did.

So what..I'm devastated that Parker is almost one.

So what...I haven't even started planning P's birthday. I need to but...

So what...it's been so hot that unless we are playing with water, the kids don't go outside.

Parker is climbing on me whining, that's all for this week.

Cruise Part II

I know it's been a while since I blogged and I appreciate the emails, texts and fb messages wondering where I've been and what we've been up to.

Anyway, let's get back to the cruise. The first day, we were just at sea and it was super turbulent. I don't do well with motion like that and there were several times when I thought I was going to throw up. Both kids really enjoyed being outside all day and it was not hot at all on the boat. They loved having pizza and grilled cheese when ever they wanted it. Being on the boat wasn't all that wonderful b/c you're just in the same place. Our first stop was in Progresso, Mexico. When we got off at the port, they had a little shopping plaza set up with a bar but we weren't interested in that...yet. We wanted to go see the ruins and it was amazing! We took a guided tour of the ruins and it was so neat to hear all about the history of the Mayans and Spaniards. The tour ended at this really cool natural lake that was used for farming and water. Of course, we let the kids play and the water was certainly welcomed after the heat. My ILs took the kids back to the boat and Josh and I stopped at the bar and had a few drinks, laughed at the old ladies dancing to "back that ass up" and just enjoyed one anothers company. Then, we were out to sea again, but only for the night. The next morning, we arrived in gorgeous Cozumel (our next all inclusive spot, according to the hubby). We had reservations at an all inclusive resort for the day. To say it was wonderful is an understatement. Josh, my BIL, his GF and I went snorkeling. We hung out on the beach and the kids swam in the pool and  played in the sand. The water was stunning! We all hated to see that day come to an end. Day 4...Thursday. My birthday! Josh was super sweet and got me a facial and massage. It was awesome to have a little time alone and being pampered made it that much better. We just lounged around the pool and let the kids play.

The food in the dining room at dinner time was awesome every night. Our servers, Victor and Evan, were amazing and super nice. The staff on the ship was superb and the service just as wonderful. If you asked for it, it appeared! The room was cleaned THREE times every day and towel animals were left at night with some chocolate (this was Conner's favorite thing).

 

Here's a ton of pics. Obviously the beach ones are Cozumel.[gallery link="file" columns="5" orderby="rand"]

Two More Months

It literally makes my heart ache to know that in 2 months, Parker will turn ONE. That's right, he's 10 months old today. At 10 months he can:

take steps (he took his first steps on Saturday)

say mama, dada, dog, bubu, ball, uh-oh.

he makes noises for cars

he eats whatever you feed him

he loves Conner and thinks he put the moon in the sky

loves to ride in the jeep w/Conner

he climbs on everything

he opens drawers and cabinets

he climbs the stairs

he uses a sippy cup like it's no body's business

he's potty trained (just kidding, are you paying attention to my ramblings)

he claps and gives "five"

he gives the best kisses on the planet. big open mouth slobbery ones. best ever.

Happy 10 months, my blue eyed, blond haired, sweet, sweet baby. Mama loves you to pieces.

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Cruise Part 1

OK, I know I was supposed to do this like a month ago but...what can I say. Better late than never, right?

We drove down to Mobile on Friday and were departing on Saturday. It's just easier to do that with 2 kids. We stopped halfway and had lunch and then kept going. The kids did great in the car; they really did. Once we checked into the hotel, the kids were more than ready to be out of the car. They played and jumped on the bed in the room. We walked across the street to this cute little Mexican restaurant and had dinner. It was so good. Conner was entertained by the little fountains they had outside. I don't think the kids went to bed until midnight that night. They had way too much energy pent up that needed to be released.

Saturday, we woke up and had breakfast at the restaurant in the hotel. The kids enjoyed a ton of yogurt and some fruit. The shuttle was supposed to take us to the boat at 11 but we soon learned that there were delays. Evidently, there was a medical emergency on the ship as well as severe fog so they were behind. The good news was that we would be leaving around 1...or so we thought.

We took off to go visit the USS Alabama. It's a really cool Navy ship that was used in WWII. Conner really enjoyed running all over the place and I really enjoyed looking at the boat, the tour and being able to appreciate this part of our Nation and it's history.[gallery link="file" columns="5" orderby="rand"]

I need a Do-Over

Today, I ran my first 5k and I left the camera at home and the cell phone died. Go figure. whatever. I want a do-over anyway. It's really silly for me to be so bummed but whatever. I brought Parker with me and he was in the stroller. He typically does perfect in the stroller. He just lounges and chills or sleeps...until he had to WAIT for me to start running. The race was delayed buy about 35 minutes. They told everyone that they had to be at the race by 7:30 to check in and pick up chips by 7:45. Fine. Well, the course wasn't blocked off and someone got into an accident. Poor Parker was in the stroller for almost an HOUR before we even started the race. I did take him out but there really wasn't anywhere for him to play in the middle of the road. He did OK the first 2 miles (and I was pretty darn proud of my time considering I was pushing a baby in the stroller), I was pulling in 11.5 min miles. I know that isn't FAST but hey, I was pushing a stroller. Then all hell broke lose...Parker had gotten to his breaking point and the screaming did not stop...he won. I took him out and I walked, carried him and pushed the stroller. I hate my finishing time b/c I know what it could have been. Oh well. I'm getting a do-Over. for real. a 40:18 5k is awful...especially since I should have been around 34 min. ugh. It's not his fault and of course I'm not mad at my precious baby but dude. ugh. I'm going to find another race and run it sans baby. Maybe then I won't be so bummed.

Now that I have complained about the race, I want to talk about the atmosphere. Since this was my first race, I didn't really know what to expect. You bet your butt that the actress in me came out and I played the part of someone who knew what was going on. As someone who is a runner wanna be, I LOVED talking to other people who actually enjoy running and think that it is FUN. I saw someone I student taught with and that made my day. I loved her and wish we still kept in touch with. anyway, running with other people, especially strangers, and watching them is so motivating. I typically run very, very slow w/the stroller but today I was really feeling super good and I was keeping a decent pace, despite the hills and stroller. The sound of other runners is awesome. There were even mom/daughter and mom/son groups. It was SO adorable to see those kids running with their parents. I hope that my kids will want to run with me in 5 years or so.

I had so many people tell me that I did a great job, especially pushing the stroller. I SO wish I would have met my goal but I need to let that go. blah.


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU MAMA'S OUT THERE. YOU ARE AWESOME!

So What Wednesday

It's been a while.

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src="http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j449/shannonrdew/SWWbutton.jpg" border="0" /></a>

This week, I'm saying so what to...

I want to take a nap. Desperately

I find out about many current events from Facebook.

My header is getting old and it's ugly. I don't care.

I hit a building.

I "stole" a steam mop from my MIL and I love it.

I hate when my kids climb all over me.

It's been a wretched week already.

I really want a van.

What are you saying so what to?

Testing, Testing...

Yep, the blog is still active and works. Imagine that. It has been a long time since I've been here. Since my last post (I have to go look and see what it was actually about), we went on a cruise, I turned another year older, Parker turned 9 mos and Conner is officially 2.5 years old(today).

Let me start with our cruise. It was great! I'll do a whole post with all of my (200) pictures. The kids did great and the weather was awesome.

I turned 31 (OMG) on the 13. We were out to sea and it was a very nice birthday.

Parker is NINE months old. Can't  believe that. He can say "uh-oh" (uh uh oh), "bra bra" (brother), "ball", "mama" and "da da". So stinkin cute. He can pull up to standing and he is cruising all over the place. His favorite thing to do is climb the stairs and push toys all over this house while he walks behind them. He is getting way too big way too fast.  He is still such a happy little thing.

Oh and there was Easter too. The kids loved it, especially Conner. I'll post pics of that soon too.

Parker is crying for a nap so...more later

Sand

When Conner was Parker's age, he hated sand. We went to the beach and Conner was awesome because he just stayed on the blanket in the shade to avoid having to touch the sand. As he grew, he learned to love it. Conner's "sandbox" was all messed up and needed to be replaced. While we were at Target, we bought the replacement. It sat in the box for about 2 weeks. Josh decided to set it up on the deck and move sand from the sand pile into the new "box". Parker LOVES it. He eats it and rubs it in his hair. He squishes his little toes all in it. It's adorable.

***I've been working on this post for 2 weeks. I'll update why soon.***