Archive for April 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007

No Time For Words




Thursday, April 26, 2007

So, I've been feeling the heat for not posting for the past couple of days. Happy now? Truth is, I've started 2 new posts, but haven't had time to finish them. There was a Project Runway Marathon on today and I couldn't pull myself away. Kidding. Really, there's no real news to tell.

Vance is going through a rough patch. I hate to say it, but I think we're entering the Terrible Two's. He's a thrower of tantrums and that's just not like Vance. It's pretty much making the days 12 times longer. I carried him out of Barnes and Noble, kicking and screaming yesterday. I will spare you any more details.

For those keeping tabs, we've decided on pavers for our patio. Landscaper Dave was supposed to start on Friday, but because of the rain, I doubt that's going to happen. Soon though and we're pretty excited.

I will tell you that the time now is 9:29 PM. We put Vance down well over an hour ago and he's still chatting in his crib right now. He's been doing this a lot lately, his longest after hours crib party lasting 2 hours. That's part of our problem too, he stays up late, wakes up at the same time in the morning and is cranky until nap time.

Let's see, what else? Despite his crankiness, Vance is talking up a storm. "Hi Guys!" is his newest phrase. I need to get him on video, now that he's talking more. It's funny to hear what he comes up with and how he says it. He's also getting pretty crafty. He's been dragging his step stool from the bathroom and using it to reach stuff on the kitchen counters and to try unlocking the doors. So, that's where all my time has gone lately, making sure he doesn't get a hold of knives and escape outside with them.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Weekend Recap

  • It was a beautiful weekend here
  • Vance and I have had 3 picnics since the warm weather arrived
  • "Pic" he calls them
  • Went to the zoo on Saturday morning. Our zoo is not very impressive. Borderline sucky, really, but it's free
  • It's hard when you're used to St. Louis Zoo
  • Justin played golf on Sunday morning. Not a good round. He's considering quitting
  • Lots more playing outside with the neighbor kids
  • Did you know that Crystal Light stains?

Yes, the neighbor kids (actually their mom) were thoughtful enough to bring out Crystal Light for Vance, in a sippy cup. I guess it wasn't really a sippy cup, it just flowed right on out. Red! all over his cute blue shirt. I tried Shouting! it out, but nothing. Cute blue shirt in the trash. So upset.

Vance has been a handful lately and I hear that he just woke up, so I'll post more about that later.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Reminder to Mom and Charity: Friday Freebies are up. (Since they're the only ones that check it...)

And this lady is my new hero. Have I not mentioned my love for cupcakes???

Binge and Purge

I've been holding onto all of my pre-pregnancy clothes until now. Time to purge. I've admitted defeat and I'm fine (not really) with it. The old clothes are holding me back. It's time to move on.
I've filled up 3 trash bags and I haven't even started with sweaters. I have donned one section of my closet as the "It'll Happen One Day Section". But I'm thinking It Never Will and I'll be getting rid of those clothes on the next clean-up round. Gotta have a goal, right?

The super trendy clothes that I don't wear anymore always go in a Rubbermaid tub so that one day my daughter (yeah right) or nieces can borrow them for 90's day when they're in high school. When I was in high school and needed 70's gear for a theme day, a friends aunt hooked us up because she had done the same thing. I'll never forget walking into her Pink! closet and seeing the array of old, er, vintage clothes. And I'm sure she had a trip seeing us in them! That being said, I can't wait for Ryan to be able to wear my Bumper Toe shoes. Does anyone remember those?

I know they're just clothes, but it's been tough parting with some pieces. The toughest? My black Arden B. size 1 pants. I love those pants. If I were a poet I'd write them an ode. I tried them on yesterday for one last victory lap and couldn't get them past my hips. And I don't even have hips! I'll be bringing those home, along with a few other items, to see if anyone else wants them.

Out of time! Must go!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007


I saw a fellow Mommy out for a walk today with her 2 kids. The oldest was pushing a lawn mower and the youngest (I'm guessing around 2.5 years old) was being pushed on one of those tricycles with the pushbars behind.


Side note: The pushbar is there so you can push the kid from behind. Because I'm a first-timer and therefore know nothing I laughed at that weird looking bike when we bought Vance his tricycle (we don't need no stinkin' pushbar!). Yes, that was me, yesterday afternoon with my ass sticking up in the air, bent over pushing Vance down the street on his bike because he doesn't get the pedaling thing yet.


Back to my point...The little girl was wearing a helmet. The bike, while attached to the pushbar, is like a stroller. How fast can you go? Parents, is this necessary? I'm asking because again, I'm a first timer and know nothing about safety gear. Maybe the little girl was just excited and wanted to wear it. Maybe the mom was wanting her to get used to the idea of wearing it while out on her bike. Who knows. But, I'm thinking this is a little ridiculous. Vance does not own a helmet yet. I'm holding out until his top-speed on his John Deere tractor reaches at least 2 mph.

(From last summer)

Monday, April 16, 2007

Time to Turn the Station

Vance has become quite the songbird these days. I'm assuming he's getting tired of the classic nursery rhymes, because he's heading for more risque material. He can nail the "No, No, No's" in Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" and I've caught him hitting the "Hey, Hey's" in Ludacris' "Money Maker". Go ahead and cast your ballot for me. I'm obviously in the running for Mother of the Year.

Date Night Recap



  • Went here for dinner.

  • Actually, stopped by here first. Had time to kill and Vance NEEDED golf clubs.

  • Dinner was wonderful. Atmosphere was great. Can't wait to go back.

  • Vance did very well with Iris. No crying. Was in bed before we got home. Nice.

  • She resembles Jan Brady. Iris, that is. Can't wait for her to come back.

  • Decided on $8 an hour. Justin had the money ready in his pocket.

  • Before handing the cash over, Justin asked how much she normally gets...

  • Not knowing if she was being modest, she replied $5 an hour!

  • Still payed her the $8. We want her to want to come back.

  • I heart Iris.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Here's the link to Friday Freebies. Does anyone ever check these out? Am I wasting my time?

Thursday, April 12, 2007


I saw this yesterday and nearly wet myself. Did anyone else have one of these? I can clearly remember sitting on top of the kitchen counter with my brother making sno cones. I love Fred Flare.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Totally thought we were done with the snow. It's snowing right now. Grass is covered. Turns out we're in a Winter Storm Warning until tomorrow. Total snow expectation...drumroll...8-12 inches! And to top it off? More gusty winds!

In other news, Justin and I have a date. This Friday, Friday the 13th for those who haven't looked at a calendar lately, will be our very first night out without Vance since we've moved here. (We've been here since Nov. '05) That's right folks! We will wear fancy grownup clothes! We will drive the car without the car seat! There will be no toys, sippy cups, diapers, or wipes in my purse! We will have grownup, uninterrupted conversations! We will not eat our food at warp speed because our child is bored with sitting at the table! I'm a little excited! Also, a little nervous. This is the first time we've left Vance with a stranger. Iris the babysitter came with outstanding references. She is the only babysitter that our neighbors use and they've been using her for the past 6 years. And I like that she knows the neighbors, just in case anything goes wrong. I'm sure Vance will be fine. He probably is looking forward to a few hours without us too.

I have no idea what restaurant we'll be going to. I need to look online and make reservations today. I will also be Googling how much to pay a babysitter. The last time I babysat I earned $2.50 per kid, per hour. I'm guessing that's not the going rate now. Anyone have suggestions?

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

And Now Daisy's Story

I'll set the scene:
Tuesday night. Around 6:15. Daisy is securely locked in the laundry room as The Concrete Guy (TCG) is coming over to talk patios. (TCG oddly resembles a mix of Sam Drake and Dan Conner. Roseanne's TV hubby. This is not important.) It's been raining all day, is super windy, and is cold. I let in TCG through the front door and lead him to the backyard. We talk and he exits through the fence gate, so he doesn't track mud through the house. Vance has stepped in dog poop, so we take his shoes and pants off. I take the shoes and pants directly to the laundry room upon entering from outside. Daisy runs out of the laundry room. The baby gate is open. So is the front door. Obviously didn't get closed all the way when I let TCG in and being so windy, it was standing wide open. Justin sees that Daisy has run out. Yells to tell me, so I start chasing her. Interestingly, I was wearing a Sporty! track suit, but still wasn't able to keep up with Daisy. I'm guessing it was the slide-on Adidas flip flops that were holding me back. The chase is on.


Our neighborhood is still pretty new. If you turn right out of the subdivision, it's all residential. If you turn left, it's all cornfields. Daisy turned left. Here is where she exited the 'hood.

The Hope Gun Club is where Justin and Vance met up with me. I was on foot, they were in the car. I'm not familiar with the Gun Club, but for some reason they lock up the entrance. A wandering Sheriff had pulled in to the entrance (maybe after seeing me running down the road?) and Justin parked right behind him. Think it made the Sheriff nervous to be blocked in? I'm thinking yes. He was nice enough to sit with Vance while Justin helped me chase Daisy. Side note: Vance was not wearing any pants.


Again, because Daisy headed left out of the subdivision, this is a sample of where we were looking for her. And at night. I must add, for those who do not know Daisy, she is not an outdoors man. She was abused by her previous owner and was kept in a cage all day. Everything scares her. The worst being wind. Our dog is afraid of wind. Did I mention how windy is was that night? Nothing else we could do except go home, make phone calls, and print up fliers.



The next afternoon, around 3:00 or so, a lady called to say she thought she had seen Daisy around 6:30 in the morning right by the rocks in the picture below. She had seen one of our signs at the grocery store that afternoon.


We headed back out to look and ended up finding her by the trees below.


It was hard to detach myself and tell the story without so many details. It was an awful 22 hours that she was gone. I was physically and mentally in shambles. Oh, did I mention that she didn't even have her collar on? And that highways surround those cornfields?

Words can't express how happy we are to have our puppy back. And, no, I did not take these pictures while we were looking for her. Vance and I took a trip today to snap these.

Some of you could care less, but thought I'd mention it. If I lived near one, I'd be first in line.

Throughout April, Sur la Table will sharpen 2 of your knives for free. Additional knives will cost you $1 per inch.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

I'm still working on Daisy's story, but just wanted to let everyone know that Vance has now mastered the Bear Crawl. He's a Bear Crawling Fool. Still not a Monkey Jumper, but we're halfway there though.

Also, on Wednesday guess what was on our front porch? Two spankin' new phonebooks!

Lost Dog



She's back now. Thanks to everyone who was thinking about us. I'll post the story later today.

Monday, April 02, 2007

It has taken Vance about 22 months to discover his pockets. He calls them "Pocks". It has taken me about 22 months and a day to learn to check Vance's Pocks before laundry time. Can anyone tell where this is going?

I've spent the morning with a can of WD-40 and dishwashing soap, trying to get melted crayon out of clothes. Not a good start to the day.

 

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