Out and About...

Many Faces of Luke....

Poor Little Man...

Luke has a horrid summer cold. Poor guy. He has the croupy horrid sounding cough.... a runny nose... and the worst diaper rash. :-( He's not sleeping well. So, I'm not sleeping well. I just feel awful for him.

Somehow, knock on wood, the rest of us are feeling okay so far... and I certainly hope it remains as such because I am going to Chicago on Thursday... and then, to Boston on Sunday. I need to be healthy for my travels!

I would like it better if Luke were healthy for my travels too. Hard to leave the little ones behind and enjoy yourself completely when you know they are home sick, and that someone (Dad in this case at least) is home caring for them. Scott is nothing if not super dad though, so it's not like he can't handle it or is incapable!

Luke is just trying to say all sorts of things lately... he's in full babble mode. He's started to say "kay" in addition to "no" when you ask him to do something...... ;-) It just used to be "no" all the freakin' time... then, one day out of the blue, I asked if he could put something away, and he said "kay" and did it! What a sweet boy.....

I am going to desperately try to upload some pictures this evening. I got a new camera!!!!! And have been playing with it a bit at home. I have some really cute pics of the kids to share. Luke's "funny faces." He does this series of funny faces all in a row. I swear to god, it's like Jim Carey. He makes a serious mean face where he squints his eyes and looks "down" at you... then, he smiles all big, then he makes an excited face, forming his mouth into an "o." You really have to watch it in action to get it... but it is freakin' hilarious!!!!!!!!!!! And you just never know when he's gonna pull this crap out....... what a crackup!

My whirlwind travels start this Thursday and I know some people think I'm crazy... but I LOVE IT! I will be in Chicago on Thursday and Friday, returning Saturday morning. Then, Scott and I will be in Boston next Sunday through Thursday. Then, we will be in the Outer Banks of North Carolina the following Sunday for a week........ I will be back at work August 31. More than two straight weeks OFF!!!!!! NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to work for a short week that week, then off to Baltimore to visit my brother, Mary and their new baby, Maggie! The kids and all will go for that long weekend trip... and my mom will be meeting us there from Vegas. We got the BEST deal for a flight $100!!!!! Roundtrip from Detroit to Baltimore. Can't beat it!

Good times........ I just realized.......... tons of time on the East Coast!

So, if I'm quiet for a while...... you know why!!!!

Wow..

So, I haven't blogged in forever. I have no idea where to really start when I don't write for so long. What to share first... what is even WORTHY of sharing. As if anyone actually cares. ;-) HA!

This past weekend we had birthday parties galore!!!!!! We celebrated my niece, Natalie's fourth birthday and nephew Evans 2nd up in Grand Rapids on Saturday. They, along with their parents, Mark and Laura (Mark is Scott's brother) are moving to Kansas City in a week or so... so this was also a bon voyage party of sorts for them! We are sad to see them go... but excited for them as well. They both lost their jobs here in Michigan, an unfortunate circumstance that many are facing... so they are off to explore new territory! I am excited a bit a jealous truth be told. I can't tell you how many times I wished I had the guts to do the same.....

Sunday, was Grace's 2nd birthday out at Duck Lake. Jane always puts on the best parties as she is an overachiever to outdo all overachievers in this, and many other categories. :-))) It was an awesome time for all the kids and fun to watch everyone play together. The food and atmosphere cannot be beat at a Dawson event....... that's for sure! Jane and Adam know how to do it up big!!!

Past weekends have included some significant adult time out! I had a big girls' night out for a friends' birthday in East Lansing aweek or so ago... it was a fun, wild time. I'm sure if you are my "friend" on Facebook, you had a good laugh at the pictures. A girl needs a night out like that now and again...... party with reckless abandon! That same weekend, my friend Beth was in town from Chicago, and she, Kristen and I had a private Pin Up session and a great night out ourselves. Three moms, martinis, dinner and pole dancing. That was a wonderful night too!

Scott and I went to see the Dave Matthews Band in Detroit last week.... it was awesome! As always. Seats were great. Show was great. But... I am a bit obsessed/in love with Dave... so he can do very little wrong in my eyes... and rarely put on a bad show....... :-)

The kids are doing great... Ally is still doing Y Camp on and off this summer. This week, she is going and she is up at Michigan's Adventure today. They really do the best things and she has a blast! She went to Nana and Papa's last week... and I think it's a lot to ask them to watch her on top of the two little ones all day, every day. We are starting to think about what we should do with Luke this fall when Ally goes back to school. Considering doing what we did with Ally at around two and putting him in daycare a couple/few days a week.

Ally went to ABC on Lansing Ave. mainly out of convenience as I work on Parnall Rd. Does anyone in the area have any recommendations for places they really love??? Or thoughts at all? We are kind of at a loss for what to do........

Ally starts first grade soon and frankly, she cannot wait. She can't stop talking about it. She's ready to go back already. I smile when she says this to me because I completely remember being ready to go back to school as a kid. I missed my friends... I missed the routine of it all. I freakin' loved school! Dork. ;-)

Luke is a all boy... he is a temper tantrum, aggressive, physical, bundle of strength and energy! He cannot be contained! Another reason to put him in a more physical environment.... I think he might give my in-laws a heart attack soon. He is a LOT to take care of sometimes I think. But, he's fun. He can also be the absolute sweetest, cuddliest boy in the world...... and if his big blue eyes don't melt you into a puddle, his dimples will when he gives you his big grin. I love that boy..........

We've been keeping them busy this summer with road trips, weekends away... and there is plenty to look forward to in the future! I think our family trip to Hatteras later this month is going to be interesting...... last time we went (last year), Luke was as grumpy as can be. Here's to hoping he handles it better this year...... I'm a little concerned about him holding still for the plane ride! Are there any approved sedatives for toddlers? HA!!!!!

We are enjoying our summer..... hope all of you are too!

The Weekends Fly By...

We had another FULL and busy, but wonderful weekend!!!

It all started out on Friday. We attempted to go into town for the Hot Air Jubilee, but the weather was horrid. Cold. Rainy. As far as I know, the balloons did not go up. So, we were in town and decided that we would head to the Hunt Club for dinner. I love Wiley Chips. YUM! Who am I kidding, I am a nacho slut.... I LOVE NACHOS from anywhere. :-)

We had some dinner and some drinks.... and headed home with some tired grumpy kids.... got them to bed and had some more drinks.

Saturday, we spent the day doing household yuckiness. Picking up. Laundry. We really despise domestic duties. I was really cut out for living a life of luxury with a live-in maid. Alas, I do not have one. Oh well. So... I sucked it up and cleaned up...

We had a new sitter Saturday night, Traci. She is a Spring Arbor University Senior and is going to be a teacher when she graduates. She is really interested in teaching Kindergarten specifically. She loves to hang out with kids. Could you ask for much more? Not. So. Much. So... she came over to hang with the kiddos while Scott and I went to his Aunt Collette's 40th birthday party in South Lyon.

We had a wonderful time! Saw lots of family.... at great food... drank fabulous gin. :-) Sang kareoke. Laughed our asses off....... a great child free night out!!!

Sunday, Scott had plans with my dad to golf in Plainwell and then, help him with some roofing... of a shed my dad just built. Scott was hurting a bit after having one or five too many G&T's Saturday night.... but he was a trooper. Made his tee time.... and worked his ass off helping my dad out. I know my dad appreciated the help and Scott enjoyed the time with him. The kids and I went over and hung out with my step-mom, Geri and my sister Biz and her friends.... we had a nice laid back day and dinner out... Luke was a bit clingy... Ally was great...

We got home last night and all passed out cold...... it was a fun and busy weekend. We wouldn't have it any other way!!!!!!!! Now, we work our asses off to get to the next one.... work hard, play hard. :-)

South Haven Pictures...

Beach pics from the weekend:

South Haven...

So, we went to South Haven this past weekend and had an absolute BLAST!!!!! The above NEW and improved banner incorporates some pics that Jane took while she, Adam and Grace joined us on Saturday... we had the perfect day and the perfect weather... both that day, and Sunday!

We went over later in the day on Friday and got settled into our condo right in town on Maple Street. We were one block from Kids Corner, which is this wonderful children's park, and two blocks from the beach! It was the perfect location! Our little condo was just one bedroom and little... but SO NICE and BRAND NEW and perfect for us. We loved it and would return in a heartbeat! We were so lucky to get it last minute... since we just decided we were going for sure last Wednesday. See.. you can be spontaneous with stuff like this! I love that.....

We went out to eat Friday to a really nice place and the kids were amazingly well behaved..... we actually received a compliment from our waitress on how good they were. Always nice to receive a compliment like that!

Saturday... we lazed around in the morning.... and went to the beach after Luke's morning nap. Jane, Adam, and Grace joined us around 1:00 or so... and we spent the afternoon on the beach!!!! The kids were really, really good. Ally wore these new water shoes on her walk to the beach though and got blisters. That was a bit of a disaster to overcome. At first, the sand hurt... the water hurt... everything was an f-in disaster....... but she pushed on through and ended up having a great time. That girl LOVES to swim... and the lake is just perfect for kids to swim in. The tide is gentle... waves are manageable... nothing like the ocean where "death is imminent" :-))))

We went to dinner at Clementines and had the famous onion rings Saturday night..... the kids were pretty darn good there too.... Grace and Luke are quite the pair when they are together. Sometimes, I feel bad for Ally because she is so much older and out of place when it's the three of them... but she has her place too....

Sunday, we did some shopping in town in the early part of the day. Had lunch and drinks at The Idler, literally ON the water - it's a boat converted to a restaurant. Ally thought that was quite cool. :-) Luke liked the ducks. He likes to say "ducky" repeatedly now.

We spent the late afternoon at the beach.... and had dinner at The Vineyard. Yummy pizza....... it was SO GOOD!!!!! Then, after dinner we headed to my Dad and Geri's cottage down the street. They are staying there for a week and our time overlapped a bit. It was a ton of fun to hang out with them, my siblings and some of Geri's family.... they are a fun, party bunch! Next year, we are going to try to sync our week with theirs, because next year we definitely want to stay a week!

We love South Haven.. it doesn't even take us two hours to get there... it really is a wonder we don't GO MORE OFTEN!!!! We are going to shoot for at least one more day trip there this summer.......

I will post pics of my own soon...... for now...... thank you so much Jane for the new banner!!!!!!

Summer Travels

I love to travel. Love it like nothing else. I don't sit still well. Never have. Never will...... and in the past couple days... I have learned of some more opportunities for me to do what I love to do best........

Yesterday, Scott forwarded me a note from his boss... he had requested "permission" to attend a training in Boston.... and his boss's reply was "of course... but only if you take Nicole." I LOVE IT!

So... we are going to Boston in August....... this will be the week BEFORE our annual trip to the Outer Banks (North Carolina) with Scott's family and the week AFTER I go to Chicago for a long weekend for some S Factor and a very good friend's birthday party/welcome home bash.

I am so excited!!!!!!

We have already gone to Denver this summer... and this weekend we are going for a long weekend to South Haven. It is so wonderful to be on the go... exploring new places and seeing new things. Denver was an adult trip. This weekend we are taking the kids. Chicago will be girls only... Boston, just Scott and I... then Hatteras will be family. It's a nice blend of alone time and time with the kids.... just perfect!

I am busy planning things to do and see in Boston! I have been there before, but Scott has not. It is an awesome city! I have a friend from high school there... and we are going to get together. My days will be my own to lounge, read, spa and shop while Scott is in class. Then we can go out to eat fabulous places every night. Heaven....... can't beat a nice ass hotel paid for by your company! :-)

On top of all this..... my brother and sister in law will be having their baby sometime in late July or August... and we will be going to Baltimore to see them!

Love to be on the road..........

Crazy Suck....

I crazy suck at posting lately cuz I've just been crazy busy!!!!! I am going to give you all the update, bullet style:

• Scott surprised me a with a trip to Denver for our anniversary.... we went last weekend, Saturday through Monday. Stayed downtown at the Hotel Monaco, ate amazing meals out every night, drank amazing drinks and wine, shopped and enjoyed some grown-up time away! In room massages... champagne in our room and an upgrade to a suite were just some of the wonderful highlights of the weekend!!! Scott gave me amazing tickets to the upcoming DMB show at DTE as well... as if the trip weren't enough! Can't wait for the show!
• The Friday before we left, we went and stayed in Detroit and watched the Red Wings game downtown at a fun bar. We had a GREAT time and I was overserved...... way overserved.....
• Last week, I spent the majority of the work week in Detroit at a conference. It was a lot of fun and I learned a little too! Mostly... it was just great to get out with co-workers and meet lots of new great people. I just love that sort of thing.
• Luke turned 18 months this past weekend on Saturday! Today he had his checkup and he is over 27 pounds and more than 33 inches long (I think! ha!).... he HATED every minute of the appointment and screamed the entire time. It was exhausting!!!!!!!
• Ally has decided that she will NOT wear anything with a halter top! This makes it virtually impossible to find her a bathing suit, not to mention, completely WASTES the four I already bought her that are all halters! She doesn't like how it feels around her neck. UGH!!!!!
• Ally started Y Camp today...... BEST DEAL IN TOWN! Less than $100/week gets you a full week of camp.... including all their food!!! They travel 2 or 3 days a week to great places like water parks and zoos. They swim every day. Go to the library. Go to local parks. It's just awesome................ she loves it and meets great kids outside of her school. Opens her social circle!!!!

I do have some pics to upload and share... but it's Monday night... and I've had some wine... and just feel like taking it really easy until my favorite shows come on... Weeds and Nurse Jackie!

Night all.....

Bragging...

I'm not really one of those moms that is always bragging about her kid. I'm just not. I try not to talk about my kids constantly... especially to those that don't have kids or understand the dymamics there.... BUT.... I just have to brag about Ally for a little bit. :-)

We went to her "End of the School Year Appreciation" breakfast this morning. It was really nice.... her teacher invited all the parents and siblings to come to the classroom and have breakfast with the kindergarteners on their second to last day of school. As we were leaving, we thanked Mrs. Spicer and let her know how much Ally has enjoyed having her for a teacher this year.

Mrs. Spicer let US know how much SHE has enjoyed having Ally as a student. Okay, okay... maybe all teachers say this... but I really sensed her sincerity. Then, she went on to say that she was so pleased to have the most advanced reader (in kindergarten of course) to ever go through Concord. She told us that it was just an amazing experience for her to see Ally evolve as a reader and watch her blossom.....

It's TRUE! The other day at breakfast, Ally was reading the newspaper. Not your average, run of the mill kids book.... the newspaper! And, had very little trouble with the big words. We're talking words I can't read here people. :-)))))

It just amazes me how far she has come in a year's time....

Not having a real clue on HOW to teach at all.... I am just so amazed by ALL the teachers out there who have the PATIENCE and the amazing gifts to teach our children. And as a parent, it is amazing to watch your child blossom under that guidance.

We had a WONDERFUL kindergarten experience with Mrs. Spicer this year... and Ally sure loved her. I just hope we can keep her mind challenged through the summer... cuz god knows, when Ally gets bored..... there's hell to pay!!!!!!!!!!

Time to go to the bookstore!!!!!!!!!!!

Sickos...

I have to laugh at Nicole's comment on my blog after yesterday's post. It is SO TRUE! Someone in our household always seems to be sick!!!!! It has not always been this way... but it really has been since Ally started day care/preschool.

Ally wasn't sick a day of her life until she was almost two, and we decided she needed to go to day care a couple days a week to start to socialize with other kids. She had been going to Nana's everyday since I went back to work when she was around five months old... and we felt that she needed some "socializing." (this thought makes me laugh now... cuz I really could not have a more social child!)

So... we started her at ABC Academy here in Jackson... the one on Lansing Ave. I work on Parnall Road... so it was extremely convenient for her to go there! And... it was probably about a week before she got her first cold. After that, all bets were off... she spent that entire winter sick. Antibiotics over and over for ear infections. A diagnosis of milk and egg allergies that was adding to the problem. It was awful.... really awful.

Then, with Luke... he was sick with a cold in the first two weeks of his life!!!!! No two year waiting period for him! Two weeks!!!!! That's the difference between having a child at home only... and a child at school, bringing home all sorts of germs to her little brother!

I hope Luke is better off when he goes to preschool, than Ally was. Ally sure seems to have gotten it out of her system because she is not as sick at all in Kindergarten. Must have built those immunities up!!!!! Doesn't stop her from bringing it home to all of us though! Especially Luke.

I seem get every illness they have, ten times worse. I too wonder when the madness will end???

I don't think the fast pace and stress of our lives helps any of us... but I don't think I know how to live a stress-free life... so I take it as it comes.

Luke slept HORRID last night... and was generally the biggest grump on the planet yesterday evening. As a result, I am extremely tired today... and a bit grumpy myself. My patience is non-existent... I don't have much under normal circumstances, but today is bad. Good thing I have class tonight and won't be home to take it out on my kids.......

I am taking a pole dancing class in East Lansing at Pin Up Pole Dancing! It's a LOT of fun. VERY different from S Factor.... but it gets me on the pole, working out, and learning new tricks! A few weeks ago, I went inverted on the pole for the first time on my own. My friend Kristen, who I am taking the class with, spotted me over and over again until I could do it solo. Ever since then, I can't stop! I love to be upside down in the air!

I am considering starting a pole dancing blog........ hmmmm?????

Well... from sick kids to pole dancing moms...... what a random post! Happy Tuesday!

No Time to Blog...

I'm sorry I suck so bad at updating my blog lately. It's not like nothing is going on in my life. Maybe TOO many things are going on in my life. Some of which I just don't want to share I guess. Not a bad thing.... it's just how it is right now. So, you'll have to excuse me if the blogging is few and far between!

Everyone has been sick in the past week. It started last Wedensday when I got a call from my mother-in-law that Luke had a fever of 102. Off the doctor we went! Nothing wrong that you could get drugs for. Viral infection.... so just keep the tyelonol flowing. Then, Scott got it, then, I got it. It's hard to know or say if Ally ever had it. It's just a cold with body aches, but the cough if the worst. It's a chest cold of sorts with a fever and dry, hacking cough. Scott is still coughing pretty bad. I'm still feeling a bit achy and off. Could not sleep well last night at all and Luke is still not sleeping well. Just exhausted mostly!!!!

I despise summer/spring colds. Just hate them! It's just not RIGHT to have a cold this time of year....

We had a wedding this past weekend for a friend and co-worker of mine... up in Clarkston. It was an absolutely gorgeous wedding!!!!!! We had a really nice, adult night out drinking with friends... and felt a little guilt leaving a sick baby behind, but he was better for the sitter (my fabulous cousin Becky) than he is usually for us... so it all seemed to go just fine.

Last week at work was INSANELY busy for me as I am preparing to submit comments on a proposed reporting rule for greenhouse gases, as proposed by the EPA. It's been a lot of work, reading and reporting on a 1200 plus page rule... but the end is drawing near and that is something to be proud of! And, wicked happy to have behind me!

This is Ally's last week of school. Wow! How is it possible that she is finishing Kindergarten?? I think she will miss school a great deal. It should be interesting to see how the summer goes. We had so many disciplinary problems with her last summer. I hope that we don't have a repeat of that! I am hoping between Y Camp and other day camps that we hope to enroll her in, we can keep her busy and challenged. She gets angry when she gets bored I think. Kinda like someone else I know. :-) (for the slow ones out there... that would be me)

Luke is Luke. Little pain in the ass... sweet as can be... all those things boys are rolled into one. Yesterday, we had a lazy "mom is too sick to do anything and dad is at the Tiger game" kind of day. Luke and Ally had a lot of togetherness. Maybe too much. At one point, Luke was brushing Ally's hair... then, all of the sudden, he was beating her with the hair brush. OUCH! I heard her head crack all the way across the room! Then, Ally and he were playing on my bed (yes, I was still in it - lazy) and Luke "accidentally" fell off. This, after the head whacking with the hair brush. I'm not placing blame here... but Ally may have given him a gentle shove off the side. Who can blame her? No harm done... Luke barely shed a tear. He knew he deserved that one! ;-)

During Luke's naps yesterday, Ally complained that she wished he was up so they could play. Then, as soon as he would wake up, she would complain that she can't do anything with him around... he steals her toys... eats her crayons... ruins her art projects. Ya can't win with that girl sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh well..... we made it through the day........ that's all you can ask for sometimes. Survival. It's all about survival!

Future Pop Star and Supporter of Mom's Lifestyle...

Yesterday, Ally had a concert at school. It was a folk concert! The kindergarteners sang about four songs, including Baby Beluga. I was so proud of our little singer! Ally walked right out there... stood in the very front row... and belted out each of the songs (we could actually HEAR her voice among the crowd)... knowing each and every word! ( just like mom!!! ) She had absolutely no fear of being out there on stage... in fact, I think she loved every second of it... and hesitated to actually get OFF stage!

Ally's entire life is a song.... we joke that she lives in a musical. She sings ALL THE TIME! All the time. She makes songs up to describe what she is doing..... think "I am coloring in this book... I am going to pick up a red crayon and color this apple...." Not kidding at all... she just sings and sings away. She picks up her guitar and strums and sings. She grabs a microphone and sings. She is just always singing!!!!!!!!

Luke has gotten so used to it. Ally starts singing... and he starts swaying from side to side. His way of dancing. Sometimes, if he's really into it... he will bounce up and down and stick his but out... his "baby got back" dance. It cracks me up. He started doing it on Mother's Day. It was like his gift to me. :-)

So... Luke will be the back up dancer to Ally's first world-wide tour! I really think she will be a famous pop star someday... and I will be able to live the life of luxury at her expense. :-))) HA!

I hope you keep on singin' Ally.... life is a song and you write the best lyrics!!!!!!!!!

Smiles...

See... he DOES SMILE! He does.... I swear it. He may be a pretty darn serious boy most of the time... and you might have to work pretty hard to get it... but LUKE DOES SMILE!!!!!!

And, when you do get him to smile... it's so worth it! Those big blue eyes light up. That dimple shows clear as day.... and it just warms your heart. He is going to be a heartbreaker when he grows up... in my mind and heart, he already is!!!

Our little Luke sure is full of it.... but he is 17 months old today... and I think he just gets sweeter every day. Yes... he is a handful. Yes... he gets into more trouble than Ally ever did at this age.... but boys will be boys! Like one of his shirts says... Luke is 100% Boy!!!!!

Here are somethings that Luke is doing at 17 months:

• Luke is the pickiest eater I know. Seriously. The boy hardly eats anything at all and I think it's starting to show! I swear he feels skinnier and skinnier as the days go by. He loves milk and still prefers to drink it to eating. I think this is insane. I don't know what to attribute it to. We were very strict with Ally, food wise. Maybe we have messed up with Luke, allowing him to have sweets and "junkier" food so early. Cuz.. that's the one thing the boy WILL eat. CRAP! Cupcakes... chips.... ugh... all that stuff Ally didn't even know existed until recently.
• Luke still loves his blankie, or "Gigi". Love, love, loves it! It's the first thing he calls for when he's hurting or tired or cranky. It calms him. Makes him feel safe. And, I think it is so cute..... our little "Linus." :-) He prefers to chew on the corners and they are all just nasty!!!!! It will probably fall apart soon and life as we know it will come to an end.... but for now... he's happy with his Gigi.... and so are we!
• Luke LOVES to climb!!!!! He will climb up on anything and everything he can make his little body get onto. No matter how ridiculous... he will find a way to get up on it. He cannot always get down or off... and this prompts some screaming until he is rescued.
• Being confined SUCKS! Carseats... strollers.... grocery carts... you name it. If it holds him "in"... he hates it. Don't hold a boy down....
• All dogs are "Molly". Scott's parents (Nana and Papa) have a black Scottish Terrier named Molly... who he spends every day with... so it goes without saying, that this was one of his early words and his early reference to a dog. We have a white and a black "Molly" at our house. (otherwise known and Fergus and Berkley) All dogs are Molly!!!!!!
• Lately Luke has taken to saying "no, no, no" and pointing his finger at whatever or whoever he is saying "no, no, no" to. I'm not sure where he learned this. I choose to blame Papa.
• From time to time, Luke has bitten Grace. Any great recommendations on how to deter a child from biting? He has never bitten at home... either Scott or I, or Ally... so we need to give my in-laws some sort of punishment to implement. I don't believe in hitting him in anyway. No spanking... nothing like that at all. Not to mention... when Luke gets frustrated, he hits too... so hitting him will only encourage him!!!!!! I have all sorts of techniques for Ally and the older crowd... but a 17 month old? How does one discipline a 17 month old? HELP!!!!!!!!

He's full of it and sweet and every day, I say to someone... "it's a good thing he's so cute... or I'd sell him on the black market" :-) The boy really is a handful... and very different from Ally at this age. Ally has her own challenges... and had her own challenges... but as a baby and toddler... she was a freakin' angel! I can see this now that I have a typical toddler!!!! I have HIGH hopes that this means we will have an easy 4-5 year old... cuz that's when Ally entered therapy. ;-)

Me... I've been in therapy for years......... :-)))))))))

Hugs Luke... and happy 17 month birthday.... you make us crazy, but would we really have life any other way????

Lazy Bones...

I have been a huge blog slacker lately. I was just reading Nicole's blog about how she hasn't blogged since Thursday... and for me, it's been like two weeks! OOPS!!!

I really do apologize! Things have been busy. Busy at work. Busy at home. Busy in the in-between!!!! Sometimes, sitting down to write or type is the last thing I want to do or have time for! I feel like I'm running around, in a manic state, most days as it is!

So.... what has been going on since I last wrote???? This past weekend, my mom came for a visit from Las Vegas... and my brother, David, and sister in law, Mary came in from Maryland. They were here because I was giving Mary a baby shower... because David and Mary are due to have a little girl this August!!!! I am going to be an Aunt... again!

Friday, everyone arrived at our house... and we had a nice dinner at home. Caught up and tried to have a low key evening of chatting and enjoying our time together... which is far too limited. Saturday, I had about 20 ladies and a few gentlemen over for the shower! Saw LOTS more family I don't get to see enough... and generally enjoyed the day so much! I was absolutely exhausted Saturday night... and passed out pretty early! Sunday, we spent the afternoon with my mom over at my grandma's house... and once again... saw more family. It was a family-filled weekend... a whirlnd trip for all!

Last night, David, Mary and I went through the last remaining baby stuff I had around the house. They took our old high chair... Baby Bjorn... Baby Hawk... Hotsling.... some gender neutral pajamas of Luke's (greens and yellows)... and lots and lots of baby toys Luke is just too old for. He likes to play with whatever Ally is playing with anyway... which lately consists of Barbie's. He tends to gravitate toward the dark, curly haired one lately. :-) But, I digress... the moral of the story is I got rid of more stuff... and I LOVE GETTING RID OF STUFF!!!!!!!!! It makes me CRAZY happy. I hate clutter... I hate stuff around my house. If I haven't used something for two weeks, I really do consider it to be garbage... :-)))))

I have like three pictures from the event... because mostly others were taking the pics... but some big group shots were taken with my camera. I will try to post them this evening... I know my mom is anxious to see them!

And, it might be an empty promise... but I really will try to keep up with the blogging... :-)

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!!!!!!