Delayed Playdate Post...

I know it's a little delayed, but this past weekend, we went to the best playdate at Nicole's!!! She summarizes the day quite well so you will have to check her post out. She also has some awesome pictures, including one of ENTIRE group... which was something like 9 moms and 14 kids... or some such craziness!!!!!

It was such a nice time.... Ally was probably the oldest, but she absolutely loved playing with all the kids. She can't stop talking about Porter! HAHAHA!!!! I think she feels a connection to him... they were both causing some serious trouble with a toy car... almost killing small children. :-) It was really a nice time...

In addition to Nicole's awesome pictures (as always)... Drew (of Steph and Drew) took some great shots which he was kind enough to share with us as well! He even got half a smile out of Luke!!!

We look forward to the next time we can all get together like that... a very nice time indeed!!!!!

Anyone Else?

Is anyone freaking out about the Swine Flu? Just a little? I usually do not worry about things I cannot control... or things that haven't occurred yet... but I gotta admit... I am freaking out about this Swine Flu just a little bit! I think mostly, because Scott has been home sick, with flu symptoms since Monday now. Under normal circumstances, this would not phase me at all. Flus come and go. Everyone gets sick. I had a horrid flu a while back....

But... first of all... Scott NEVER gets sick. Ever. He is one of the healthiest people I know. He works out at least three times a week. Eats better than anyone. Just never gets sick, even when the whole house is down for the count. He is the strong one.

Now... he's sick as a dog. Can't get off the couch sick. Started with body aches. Dry hacking cough. Headache. Now... he's nausiated... barfing... NOT GOOD!!!!!!

I called our family physician and he wants to see him. They are taking no chances these days the receptionist said. Scott is pissed at me for making him go. SERIOUSLY???? You have two children, a wife and countless other family members to think about here buddy!!!!!! I know the likelihood of him having anything other than the traditional flu is slim... but WHY TAKE THAT CHANCE????

So... I am driving his ass to the doctor this afternoon... whether he likes it or not.

The Swine Flu is confirmed in Ottawa and Livingtson Counties. A little close for comfort in my book....... does NOT help that the first fatality in the US was a toddler..... it's all a lot to take.

I just need a healthy household!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that too much to ask?????????

Poop and Pee

I sat in chocolate. I looked like I pooped myself. It was all over my stone colored pants. I then used a Tide stick to clean it. Now I look like I pissed myself.

I should put my two different shoes back on. They work with this look I got goin' on right now.

All. Class.


-- Post From My iPhone

Mismatched...

Well, this morning was a little crazy at the McIntosh household. First of all... I didn't get much sleep last night. I couldn't fall asleep for starters. Why? I don't know really. I started a new allergy medication. Maybe that kept me up? I had a Grande Latte pretty late in the day. Maybe it was that? I spent too many hours on iTunes... maybe I was all hyped up on music? Whatever it was... I tossed and turned for a couple hours..... and then....

Luke started screaming!

I tried to wait it out.. but he wasn't gonna stop... and he has been coughing at night, so I can't ignore him. Turns out... he sprung a leak! So... I had to change is diaper, his pajamas, his sheets and his mattress pad. Good times....

Then, I was really awake. So I read a bit. Realized I was hungry. Had a granola bar. At 1 am. And not a healthy one either... a chocolate chip one! Nice.

Who knows what time I finally drifted off to dreamland... cuz like 5 minutes later, my alarm went off....

And I turned it off... and the next thing I knew, it was an hour later and Ally was waking ME UP!!!!!!! OOPS!!!!!!!!

Scott is sick, so he slept on the couch... fearing he would toss and turn and keep me up. Would have been the least of my problems! So.... it was my turn to do morning duty on my own.

Now, I will be the first to tell you... I admit freely... Scott does the majority of the morning routine at our house. Yes, yes... I know how lucky I am. So, when I have to do it... ALL... it is quite the schock to my system! I end up barking at Ally about hurrying up... eating all her breakfast... brushing her teeth. I am not a morning person... so I do not do morning things well. At. All.

I get Ally to school on time... miracle of miracles... and get home to take a shower myself. We are running wicked late as you can see! Luckily, Luke sleeps in and allows me to shower and dress in peace. Thank god for small favors.....

I quickly get ready.... throw some things in a bag for him... and out the door we go... only about 45 minutes behind schedule....

I get to work.... grab MORE caffiene (desperate times people).... and glance down as I'm getting money out of my purse to pay (we have a Starbucks in our building).

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am wearing two different shoes. TOTALLY different. Not the same color. One is a light camel... the other a darker cognac. One has a buckle. One heel is a good 1/4 inch higher than the other. They are both pointy toe stilletos... at least they have that in common.......

WOW! I was more asleep when I left this morning than I thought.......

I have provided everyone in the office with a good laugh. I have stimulated the economy because well, I HAD to buy new shoes! Couldn't go through the day looking like a FREAK! So... one nice pair of black patent leather pumps later - I am matching once again!!!!!!!!!

What a day so far...........

Facial after work! I am looking forward to the solid 60 minutes of PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Banner...

Well, I finally have a new banner! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Jane, who takes care of this kind of thing for me! Thanks Jane!

It is absolutely gorgeous outside.... I ran out for lunch to run some errands and grab a bite to eat... and I did NOT want to come back to work! It's the first really nice day of the year it seems and it just does not seem right that I should be inside. Especially working inside. I think I am grumpy as a result of it... ;-)

We have a busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow, Ally has a soccer game, a birthday party and then, I am taking the kids to a playdate at Nicole's. Looking forward to it... cuz it's supposed to b a GORGEOUS day! I have a wedding shower for a friend in Rochester Hills on Sunday that should be really nice. A full weekend, but not too crazy really. Just nicely full, ya know?

I had a cold this past week that went as quickly as it came. Thank god. Luke has it now, but doesn't seem to be too bothered by it. He's still his happy little self. Most of the time! He is 16 months old... if you can believe it. Most days I can't! Here are some 16 month milestones:

• He has a lot of words! Uh-oh (his first), mama, dada, Ally, Molly (all dogs are Molly), no, bye, hi, go, baby, cookie, gi-gi (hard "g" sound = blankie), ow, mo (more), muy (milk)... and I'm sure there are others.
• He is walking/running all over the place... there's no stopping him now!
• He loves to be outside... would rather be outside than do anything else.
• He HATES to be confined.... car seats, high chairs and strollers are NO FUN!
• He has the most expressive faces and I wonder if he will be famous for them all one day, much like Jim Carrey!!! He has this mean face where he puts his face downward and looks up at you with "mean eyes"... he does this and then, immediately, smiles at you. It's all in fun... or so it seems for now.
• He's eating better, but would still rather drink milk than eat. I am certain the boy would be happy with just milk and bread...
• He gets HYSTERICAL when ice cream is around...... loves it... freaks out... cannot get it in his mouth fast enough.
• He backs himself into your lap when you are sitting on the floor... it's pretty cute and funny as hell... I always want to make the "beep beep" sound a bus makes when it backs up as he does it.
• I am pretty sure Ally's dollhouse is one of his favorite toys... which is nice... cuz Ally could not care much less about it! (I'm certainly glad Santa spent so much money on it!)
• Like his sister, Luke appears to have a running song in his head... we often find him dancing... and singing to himself. Maybe they will be a dynamic duo of some sort when they grow up!
• Oh... he LOVES Elmo... and sings Elmo's Song anytime he sees him. Just the "la, la" part.

That's all I can think of for now. I wish I had a cute picture or something to post.. but alas, my camera is still somewhere out there... beneath the pale blue sky.... just not in my posession!!!!!

Bummer!

MIA - My Camera

So... I've lost my camera! WTF? Am so sad... have looked everywhere. There is a REALLY good chance it's somewhere around or that I left it at my Grandma's on Easter, but I am starting to wig out. The only positive here is that I would get to buy a new one... and I love making purchases. HA!

So... on it are still our Easter pics. If you would like to see my kids on Easter, you will have to go over to Jane's blog to see my children. At least someone is making sure my kids' lives are captured!

Let's dream.... if I need a new camera... what shall I buy!?!

Totally STOKKEd!!!!

We got Luke a new STOKKE high chair... and it's AWESOME! We are so sick of the old Graco high chair we had since Ally. It's a pain in the butt to clean and deal with. He hates it. It creates a space entirely separate from the family. And worst of all, the dogs absolutely throw themselves into it and are pulling down/destroying the tray! It's ridiculous how they act.

So... we got him a new chair that he can sit at the table with us at... and he already loves it!!!! It's nice.. easy to clean... and best of all... it just looks cool!!!!! (Scott of course stroked out at how much it cost... but whatever!)

He is very proud of his "big boy" chair... and was so excited to have a snack this evening with Ally, at the table.... they had Cheerios together, cuz well, Ally can't eat much more!!!!

That said.. Ally is doing SO MUCH better. She's keeping fluids and some solids down. She had some soup for dinner and many glasses of water. So, at least I know she's not getting dehydrated!

I can go off to Chicago tomorrow without that guilty mom feeling!!! ;-)

Puke, barf, vomit... YUCK!

So... around 4:00 am this morning... Ally wanders into our room. She goes to Scott's side of the bed and says "Daddy, I don't feel so good." Scott tries desperately to wake up and focus on what is happening... what she is saying. He tells her to go to the bathroom if she feels like she's going to throw up. Too late... she throws up all over him and our bed.

She misses the dry clean only coverlet somehow.... but in his haste, Scott throws the comforter she did hit and throws said vomit all over it. Nice.

He's freaking out in his semi-awake state, yelling at her to get the bathroom... she proceeds to ralph all over our floor... After she finally makes it to the bathroom, she can somehow NOT vomit IN the toilet, and again, vomits all over the floor and area rugs. NICE!!!!!

BEST PART??? After soccer last night, she had RED Gatorade. Yes, it's true. RED EVERYWHERE!

She was quite sick early on... but already is doing 100% better. She has kept down some saltines, water and most recently, some scrambled eggs.

We are watching The Tale of Despereaux. It's gorgeous outside.... but we are inside. It's okay. At least the sun is streaming in the windows!!!!! And, I find myself with an unexpected day at home... to clean and do some laundry! Since I'm going to Chicago tomorrow for a whirlwind one night visit.... and Scott and I have a concert in Ann Arbor Sunday night... it's nice to have the day to get some things done.

Always look on the bright side of life!!!!!

Promises Made... Promises Broken....

Sorry for the delay!

Promises... Promises...

I have some GREAT pictures of the kids to post... but I don't have them here... so I will post them tonight when I get home... but I thought I could at least get some blogging done while I have a minute and truly need a BREAK from reading the Markey-Waxman Discussion Draft on Greenhouse Gas Registration and Additional Greenhouse Gas Standards. :-)

Whew break time NEEDED! Having some chocolate too. Much needed sugar buzz will soon ensue!

So... we had a really nice Easter! We had brunch in the early afternoon with Scott's family. The kids were less than cooperative. Ally was okay (a little attitude is surfacing again with her recently) but Luke was a disaster really. He was sick all day Saturday with some sort of stomach bug. He actually had a horrid blow up at the mall, and I had to wipe him down and change all of his clothes in a public restroom (GROSS!). He effin exploded!!!! I could hear him from 10 feet away when it happened. Poor little guy. He's still not 100% but he is a great deal better.

So, he was pretty needy at brunch. He does not like sitting in a high chair. He does not like being held while you sit either... which makes it more than difficult to actually go OUT to eat. So, Scott and I had to take turns eating. Happy Freakin' Easter! No big deal in the end.... I had a couple bloody mary's and life gained better perspective...

After brunch, we went over to my Grandma's house to visit with all my aunts, uncles, grandma and cousins that were in town. We don't get to see them nearly enough, so it was nice to catch up. Luke was better, having freedom to move there, but still pretty clingy to either mom or dad. He is full into "stranger danger" mode... BIG TIME! And, if he doesn't know you really well, he really wants nothing to do with you. They only people he likes at the moment are Ally, Mom, Dad, Papa and Nana. Probably in that order too! Ally is and always has been his favorite!! He adores her.

Luke wore the cutest little outfit and I can't wait for you to see it. He wore an actual dress shirt onsie. Had a button down collar and everything... and it was pink with green stripes. Very Easter appropriate. He had a little green collared cardigan that I threw over it when out and about... and he was just so cute, struttin' his stuff. He especially liked it when he could run around FREE in the parking lot after brunch. He was just finally happy when we let him out!!!!

He absolutely LOVES to be outside! Loves it. In fact, sometimes, he will cry when we are just going from the house to the car. He looks longingly at the yard and just wants to get out there and RUN!!!! He has energy to burn and we need to find a productive outlet for it! Spring could get here a little sooner. It could BE a little WARMER!!! PLEASE!!!!!!

The weather has just been crap lately... but I hear by the end of the week, we are supposed to get into the 60s maybe?

I hope so! Ally has an outdoor birthday party this Saturday... I know there is a cold weather/rain backup plan... but it would be nice for the kids to run around at a park and get out! I think everyone is suffering from spring fever for sure.

Things are crazy around our household. Per usual. The adults are busy, busy at work and the kids are busy driving us crazy! Such is life....

Okay, back to it...... pictures tonight.... I promise!!!!!!

Proud Spartan

Even after the devastating loss to North Carolina yesterday, I must say, I am still proud as hell to call myself a Spartan!!!! I proudly wore my green again today! Sportin' the school colors... I laugh in the face of defeat! HA!

We made it all the way to the National Championship game! Can't be disappointed in our season! It was a great tournament and a great year!!!!!!

I will admit, I went to bed at halftime.... I was super tired and I had a meeting to make it on time for this morning! After the first half... I didn't hold out a lot of hope... and I assumed Scott would wake me up if we were making the comeback of a lifetime! But alas, I slept through the night, and there was no frantic wake up call. Oh well.... the team is young... they will be back here...

A busy week at work... much to do and coming off a nasty illness, I am finding the energy to do it all is difficult to summon... but I am plugging on!

I went to Target and played "Easter Bunny" on my lunch break today. Got the kids a ton of CRAP they don't need AT ALL! Ugh. Ya gotta do it... but I really do detest the "little crap" that ends up all over your house and eventually gets lost and breaks Ally's heart cuz it was just her "FAVORITE"

This past week, she wanted to make a list for the Easter Bunny and mail it to him! Like he was freakin' Santa! HA! As if Chicky! We tried to explain to her that the Bunny doesn't bring stuff like that... the Bunny just brings little things and some candy. She's not buyin't it. I think Easter morning is going to be one giant disappointment at the McIntosh household!

I got Ally the movie, The Tale of Despereaux. We didn't see it in the theater. Looks cute in a basket.... has a mouse on front. I buy things based on their cover... aesthetics are important to me. :-)))) I got her a little Hannah Montana hair set... a new Junie B. Jones book, a little book and pencils (she loves to write in little journal like books), a stuffed pig with bunny ears (she has an odd fascination with pigs - stems from her early love of Charlott's Web), some candy and other crap....

Luke is getting a Little People set, an Elmo book, eggs that I plan to fill with cheerios (not candy)... uh oh... what else? Crap. I hope there's more. Doesn't seem quite even if not! Not that he would notice... but Ally so would... and she would probably point it out too. She's so kind like that!

Oh well... I'm sure there's more... somehow I spent over $100 on what? CRAP! The word of the day is obviously CRAP! :-)

LET'S GO STATE!

There are some serious State fans here in the McIntosh household. We're not talkin' your jump on the bandwagon State fans either. We are TRIED and TRUE Spartans! We bleed green even when our football team can't win a game. We watch in disgust as we make mistake after mistake.. but in the end.. we are Spartans and what the hell else matters here people?

And, of course, we all know... all the hot chicks go to MSU! :-))))))

We are GIDDY to watch our Spartan basketball team play in the National Championship... right here in Detroit! Go Motown! I hope you are all out there cheering... cuz one way or another, this is a great day for Michiganders... whether you be a true Spartan or not! This is exciting... so let's come together and let's cheer for the underdog! Let's have heart attacks like Tom Izzo.... let's yell at our TV's even though we know the refs can't hear us.... if you're at the game... give a GO GREEN for me!!!!! I'll be yelling from my couch... wearin' my Spartan green... hoping I don't wake the kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO GREEN! GO WHITE!!!!!!!

Let's go state!!!!!!!!!!

Flu

I have the flu. That's the only thing I can figure this is. The flu. I hurt everywhere. I have the dry, hacking cough. I am exhausted. Fever. Chills. The "I want to die I hurt so bad" feeling. This sucks!

Why do I get sick SO OFTEN??? I really feel that I do! I just had a physical and full blood work up. My doctor actually hand wrote on my results that I was "perfect!" Everything looked really good. I'm just healthy as a horse.... problem is..... I catch every virus I come in contact with. I need a way to boost my immunities here!!! I can't go on like this. I don't have the time to be sick this often.

This week is Ally's Spring Break. Unfortunately, we weren't able to go anywhere sunny or warm or fun, but Scott is trying to take a few days off and do some special things with her. Yesterday, he took the day and took her to get "fitted" for her first big girl bike!!!! She got a blue Trek from a real bike shop.... it is adorable!!!! Scott loves to ride... so he wants to pass on the love to his little girl. She absolutely loves it and will follow Scott anywhere, so his chances are pretty good that he will pass on this love...

Luke is becoming so much happier lately!!!! I think he is beyond the worst of his teething, enjoys walking and is eating better lately! Where he is usually a big grump in the evenings, he has just been as happy as can be lately. It's so nice!!!!!! He is still big trouble.... getting into everything... generally acting like a little shit... but he is as cute as can be! I hope to post some new pictures soon! Jane told me she got some great ones of the kids this past weekend... can't wait to see them! :-)

Well, I'm off... typing this took all the energy I have.... ugh. Send me healthy vibes!