Week 9: January 30th, 2009

Where did January go and who can believe this is the 9th week of A of G?? Time is flying once again, my Mom keeps telling me as you get older it goes faster and now I am realizing that is the truth. So here we go.....

1. Our Suburu that is AWD even as a car, it got me to work on Wednesday just in time to do a few things and turn around and come back home! Love Snow Days!!

2. Nico who has decided every word you say, he can say too! Words like Mommy Pooed or Comme Dude....gotta love this stage!

3. A of G list, I have really enjoyed writing mine and reading everyone else's. It makes me feel good about how good I really have it.

4. Tax time, I know this sounds weird but getting our tax refund is always a fun time to figure out what project we are going to do on the house this year.

5. Pre-School, how much fun Nico will have in April when he starts...and how excited Mommy is to see how much he learns!

6. Blocks, we have had so much fun this week building with Nico's blocks and watching him destroy it only to have Mommy and Daddy build it again!

7. Nico's laugh and smile, these two things could get him anything!!! His laugh is addicting and could turn anyone's bad day into a good one!

8. Modern Medicine, how it's done so many great things for me but also for my Cousin's wife who thankfully hasn't had the baby yet, and things seem to be looking ok.

9. Sleds and snow, how much fun Nico has had these past couple of weeks playing in the snow, and Daddy too!

10. Hot chocolate and yummy snacks after a hard day of playing in the snow to warm up.

It's been an interesting week with a blizzard like snow, but we can definitely all be grateful that we made it through with power so many are still without!

Until our next adventure...

ADVICE......

So to my loyal readers, I am asking for advice, advice on how to explain potty training, how to start with potty training or just some advice on where to begin.

Let me back up a little bit now we have purchased the potty chair, the potty insert and neither one will he go to the bathroom on. We have sat him on the potty, gave him a magazine or book, tried to sing songs or anything else that would possibly entertain him and he just sits, and sits but still nothing. We have talked about going to the potty when we are going, tried to bribe him with candy and now he has pooped in the bathtub twice this week alone, but won't tell us he has to go. I have also tried to show him the big boy undies, and bought pull-ups and worn them on him. I showed him where the stars were and continually asked him if the stars were still there or if he had wet himself. We have sat him on the potty every hour, and again he just sits and sits but nothing. Then he gets up runs down the hall and then comes back and sits and sits like it's a game, but I don't want to punish him for not sitting on the potty as I am afraid he won't ever sit on it again.

And I do understand that people keep telling me he'll know when he is ready, but guys he is almost two and half years old and starting preschool in a couple of months! I just want him to have a basic concept, not be truly and completely trained. He has NO interest and never tells me when he has to go, and I asked if he peed every time I change him but nothing.

I am completely and totally open to anyone who can give me advice on where to start. I am trying to make it a fun experience but I know he can see my frustration at times. I never thought this would be so hard, and I have to admit it's the hardest thing I have EVER tried to do and feel very defeated before I even have begun. So to anyone out there, if you have any advice it would be great appreciated!

Until our next adventure.....

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY ATHENA!!!

Our little Reindeer!

Daddy & Athena

Mommy, what is this??

It is hard to believe you are 9 years old, it seems like just yesterday we went to pet shop to look for a puppy in North Carolina and found this little fuzz ball that kept jumping on my lap..or at least trying! I never thought I would ever have a Rottweiler as a pet, but you are the sweetest, kindest puppy ever and it has been such an adventure watching you grow up and adapting to the little monster we brought home 2 years ago! Although he drives you crazy, I know, you two crack me up when you chase each other or have that moment of loving each other when you guys think no one is looking. You will always be my first born puppy who will always have a special place in my heart forever! So today, Happy Birthday Athena and don't worry you'll have your traditional ice cream cake that Daddy insists you want.

Until our next crazy adventure.....

It's that time of the week again, another "Not Me! Monday" from one of my favorite blogs to read, http://www.mycharmingkids.net/. So here we go.....


I never would of let Nico eat Mac -n- cheese all weekend because all he said that he wanted was mac -n- cheese and it was to cute to say NO to and I certainly wouldn't have given him oreo pudding after he only ate half of his second helping of it because I certainly make my child eat nutritious homemade meals, not out of a box!

Of course yesterday when we went over to my Mom's I was all prim and proper and would have NEVER taken Nico in his jammies and then not change him until it was bathtime into another set of jammies, NO NOT ME!


I could of never let Nico play in his room after naptime because I was running on my Wii Fit and still had 3 minutes to go...I always promptly stop what I am doing and go running for his room when I hear him up.


I certainly didn't fall asleep a half hour before Bryan got home because I always stay up to make sure his food is ready and to see how is night was, because that's what a proper wife does!


And finally, I am certainly not having a birthday cake for my puppy who turns 9 tomorrow because that would be silly she's just a dog....LOL! Tell her that!

Until our next adventure or Not Me's...............

Week 8: January 23, 2009

This has been a slow week, but as always I have a lot to be grateful for!

1. Wii Fit: I have had so much fun working out, and actually look forward to my time to do it!! I never thought that was possible.

2. Creative Memories: It was so much going through my stuff and getting excited to finish Nico's 2nd book....my goal is next week!!!

3. Bob the Builder: That's all that is playing in my house, Nico ask for Bob, Bob the builder it's too cute!

4. My new Env2 cell phone, I love the keyboard, sound bytes option and camera.....just wait a text is coming your way!!!

5. Libraries: It was so much fun taking Nico to the library last night and picking out books that have Athena in it! Although the part when he screamed bc we had to leave wasn't fun, but we'll forget that!!

6. Snow pants: It's been so much fun, but challenging bundling Nico up but watching is face playing in the snow these past weeks are priceless.

7. The "Twilight" series: I am sure I have said this in the past, but I have really enjoyed reading them and am really sad that I am on the last book.

8. Warmer weather: I know it's suppose to get colder this weekend but these last few days of not freezing my tooshie off while waiting for my car to warm up after work has been wonderful!!!

9. Creamsticks: Even though I shouldn't be eating them, gosh how good one was today. Don't go down south and ask for one, they'll look at ya like you are crazy!!!

10. Holiday pay: How nice it was for Bryan to get paid for two holidays, and overtime on his paycheck this pay!! UMMM, how to spend the extra money....maybe Nico needs to add to his shoe collection..LOL!

Until Nico's next adventure......

Poop and Bathtime, oh my!!!!

I know what you are all thinking, what could they possibly have to do with each other you may ask?? We'll in my world it means Nico was in the bathtub, Mommy walked next door to the laundry room and heard crying, she ran into the bathroom and what did she find?? Nico trying to get out of the tub, crying and poop in the tub!! It's moments like this you want to throw your hands up and say "Why Me??". But it all goes with the joys of Motherhood, right?? And this to will pass when he is potty trained and this is the first step to wanting to start training, right?? This is the first time he actually cried and wanted out, so it definitely made me happy that he was upset, ok that sounds mean but you have to understand he hasn't cared about being wet so it's been very difficult to even make him understand. So I think we are on the first step of trying to potty train and even though I had to scoop poop, drain the water and bleach the toys if this is the first step, it was definitely worth every minute........let's just pray that this little step of not wanting to be next to poo will be our first step to getting rid of the stinking diapers!!!!!

Until Nico's next adventure.....

Soapbox

This morning on my way into work, I heard that Route 8 was shut down in Boston Heights and I thought oh it's another bad accident. But then I got to work and the girls were talking about the Police Officer that was killed this morning, I knew what I heard on the radio wasn't just another car accident, it was that Officer and I went to investigate more thinking was it another shooting like the one earlier last year or what could of happened. Then I saw it, Officer killed on Route 8 while picking up debris that he was dispatched to an hour and half before his shift was over. And I thought so sad, and then selfishly I thought of myself and my life.

I don't know in my 13 years of knowing Bryan what was worse being Marine's wife or being Deputies wife, and I know that's silly to say as when he was in the military the world was so different and there wasn't a war going on, but what you don't think of is the times he was on the tarmac ready to be shipped out to God knows where and I had no idea what was going on, or all those many months he was guarding the President and who knows what could of happened then. What I know now to what I knew then, I was naive and young. But let's fast forward to now when everyday he gets in his bullet proof vest, grabs his gear and gun and I kiss him goodbye not even realizing that one day someone could show up at my door. I never really felt that way when we were enlisted, and now until today I hadn't thought about it in a while. Mr. Dean was just a 24 year old, 6 months on the job and thinking this was just another day and in an instant one mistake changed his whole families lives, never to be the same again. That broke my heart, and made me realize that even though I tease Bryan about never pulling his gun out I think I do it to cover up the fear and realization that at any moment he could encounter the same situation and our lives could be changed forever.

So with that said, I know that what Bryan does is something that is not what he does for the paycheck, but for the true love of what he does and wanting to make a difference. And I do call him a glorified babysitter, but today when I was talking to him and over the radio they called all cars to a robbery, and the next thing I know his lights and sirens are going along with his engine reeving and him coming back and saying "I gotta go, I love you" all I could think about was Mr. Dean and how everything changed in an instant.

I guess what I am trying to do is get my point across that in the paper when you read about the sales tax and those who complain about it because we are getting taxed to death, think about what you are saying. And think about all the selfless things the police do to keep your neighborhood safe or come to the rescue when you dial 911 and need help, they don't think ummm I can't afford another tax. They come to your rescue without a complaint or fight, and as with Bryan go out of there way to help you anyway they can. I just don't understand people's fight over something that in one way or another EVERYONE will need in their lifetime, but have no problem spending $9 for a movie and another $20 on food at the movies but complain when they get taxed an extra twenty-five cents per hundred.....what the heck has this world come too??? I for one, support my fire departments, EMT's, police, military all of those who in some point in my life will need and we all should say thank you, not bash them down by complaining about a sales tax that may save our county departments.

It's once again another Monday addition of "Not Me! Monday" thanks to one of my favorite sites www.mycharmingkids.net!!! So without any hesitation, here we go........

I certainly didn't take a nap on Sunday because I was so tired while Nico slept for 2 hours....no not me I would of certainly cleaned the bathrooms, finished the laundry because I definitely manage my time better than that!

I would of never went to a birthday party without showering, doing my hair and making sure I was perfect in every way! No not me, I always make sure every hair is in place, and my outfit certainly was ironed and not a wrinkle in sight!!!

I couldn't have eaten breakfast from McDonald's and then ate a donut when Dad brought them over. And let Nico eat a donut after he had eaten a Smore's poptart and some of Mommy and Daddy's McDonalds, certainly I feed my child only healthy balanced meals...never fast food!!

I surely didn't put off ordering new cell phones and even though Bryan has been on me for 2 weeks to do it because I always am organized and do everything in a timely manner. I certainly didn't decide to play Wii Fit instead of ordering them again last night, no way!

Well that certainly felt good to state all those "lies" because certainly in every way I am the perfect wife and mother!!!

Until our next adventure.......

January 16, 2009: Week 7

1. Weekends: How I love to be able to sleep in, be lazy, play with Nico and have time to do what I want to do............OK, maybe not sleep in but all the rest are true:)

2. Snow: We have had so much fun in the snow last weekend and this weekend it's be fun to get Nico outside and run off some more energy!

3. Memory Manager: This program is going to be a life saver to all those old pictures I have to clean up and finally get me in the mood again to finish the 5 scrapbooks I have started.

4. High Heels: They are not practical but sure were fun to wear and make you feel all girly....I know girly and my name in the same sentence...funny!

5. Washable paints: It even comes up out of carpet when some little boy, not naming names..NICO gets in his paints bc Mommy left the closet unlocked at Naptime.

6. Friday jeans day: So nice to come to work in comfy jeans!

7. Smoothie King: Gosh how we love our smoothies here at work!

8. Modern Medicine: For my step-dad fighting Leukemia to my cousin's wife who went into labor at 26 weeks. It's amazing what doctors can do.

9. Furnaces and car heaters: What did they do without them back in the day?? It's -12 degrees today!!!

10. Garth Brooks: Gosh I can't get enough of his CD's and wish he would come back to touring....glad you guys can't hear me in the car, you would die laughing!!

So here it is, those big and small things that I am grateful for, and gosh do I have a lot to be thankful for!!!

Another edition of the famous "Not Me Monday!!!" from one of my favorite blogs to read, http://www.charmingkids.net/. Being the perfect wife and mother that I am, I am sure I could of never done anything listed below!!!!

I certainly didn't take Nico outside to play in the snow, let him fall flat on his face in the snow and laugh as he spit out a mouthful of snow. No not me, I would always run out and pick him up, brush him off and make sure he wasn't frozen. (Look at my blog below you can see a picture)

No way did on my anniversary weekend stay on the couch on Saturday and watch Nico play with his toys, let him watch Bob the Builder again and just veg out in my jammies until it was time to get ready to go out. No not me I always have a structured day for Nico, and with Bryan off of course we made plans for every moment!

It couldn't be possible that I had 4 Martini's on Saturday night and left Nico at Great-Grandma's and danced on the floor with Kiki and Kelly, because I certainly cannot dance and no way would I have a martini that had dry ice and bubbled when it came to the table. Not me, I am too responsible for that!

Who would of thought I didn't clean one thing this weekend until Nico went to bed Sunday night and left the playroom and living room a mess with cars EVERYWHERE because every day I pick up, sweep and dust. No way could you ever see a speck of dust in MY house!!!!

Well there you go, another end to a perfect week with me being the perfect person I always am, the perfect Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, and Aunt that I could be!!!

Until my next "perfect" adventure.....

SNOW DAYS

yummy snow!!!

Alicia & Nico


uh, oh Nico fell!!

Athena playing

Daddy sledding

Megan & Nico

who's the cutest 2 year old???

Boy, did Nico have a fun weekend of playing out in the snow. First, Saturday he helped Daddy shovel the driveway, and Mommy and Athena played outside too! Then today we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's to sled ride on their back field hill with his cousins! He had so much fun, but I think Daddy had the most fun!!! Snow does stink, especially when it almost ruins your Anniversary plans, but it all worked out and we had a great weekend playing in the snow!!!

Until our next "snow" adventures....

Attitude of Gratitude: Week 6

As always I have a lot to be thankful for, but:

1. Of course as always I am thankful for my wonderful husband who I have spent the last 10 years having a blast with.

2. Family, thanks Mom and Gma for watching Nico tonight and tomorrow so we can enjoy our anniversary weekend.

3. Martini's, man am I gonna have fun drinking these this weekend!!! It's been to long!

4. Bob the Builder, Nico's new favorite cartoon. It's a wonderful thing to put a disc in while I cook dinner.

5. AWD cars, when it snows like tonight we are still sure to make it to Peter Shear's on time!

6. Hotwire, how exciting is it that I ended up getting airline tickets to Atlanta for Nico and I for $139!!!

7. Snow, I love to watch it fall and watch Nico play in it with Daddy and Athena.

8. Scrapbooking-I have had a lot of fun going through my stuff trying to decide what I have to have since I talked Adriane into selling CM!!

9. 2009-I have to say I am so glad for it to be here and all the exciting trips and things we have planned this year!

10. Blogging, MySpace, Facebook, CafeMom all of my favorite sites that probably take to much of my time, and I know Internet rehab is in my future..........

Hope everyone has a great weekend, until next week...........

Weather

Isn't it funny that exactly 10 years ago today, we'll almost exactly the weather was terrible between the ice the night before and the snow the day of, and now here we go again with snow!! They are predicting 6-10" this weekend, the weekend of our 10 year Anniversary and the wedding that I wasn't sure was going to happen between the ice, snow and Bryan drinking way to much the night before. What happened to drinking the weekend before and relaxing the night before??? I know, I know I need to get over it as it was over 10 years ago but really Eric you couldn't have stopped him.....LOL!!

Just a thought too, he still has the coin that was given to him that night that fell out of the trucker's wallet when they were ordering up the drinks, and he has never taken it out since that night. I don't exactly know what happened or how much tequila was drank but I do know that Bryan wouldn't touch any alcohol the next day so it must have been A LOT!!! We were such kids then, not that we aren't big kids now flying by the seat of our pants but we definitely had no idea what we were getting ourselves into all those years ago!!!

It's been a wild ride, and I couldn't be happier that we are having our 10 year Anniversary and that we mad it through the good and the bad, and are still having the time of our lives. So even though I am sure Vicky, you think that you are gonna get me started on the tequila....I have mellowed out and matured.........yeah, that's what you my readers will hear but Vicky and Jeff, and Bryan know the truth!!

Until our next adventure..........

THROUGH THE YEARS....

Believe it or not we have all changed throughout the years, I like to think that I have gotten better with age but wouldn't it be nice to be 20 again......we'll maybe not...LOL! Bryan and I's 10 year anniversary is coming up on the 9th and I thought this would be a fun time to look back to see how we have changed. I had to laugh at how my hair has changed, and how Bryan's hasn't!!!! So join me for a walk down memory lane of our last 10 years of blissful marriage!!!

Christmas 1997

1998

Our wedding day, January 9th, 1999

Our Wedding Party

Me, 2002....what color is my hair??

Christmas 2002

2003, Windsor, Canada

2005, Niagara Falls, Canada

Chay's 1st Birthday, July 2007

Christmas 2007....
you knew I couldn't put one of just Nico, could you??

April 2008

Akron Zoo, 2008

Christmas 2008

It's been a roller coaster ride, one that I wouldn't change for the world and the best times have come and gone, but I can only imagine the best are to come!!! So many memories, so little blogger space!!! I wonder how many memories all of you remember of Bryan and me from the last 10 years.....I bet everyone can remember the tequila bottle at our wedding or the blue undies I had on and loved to flash at everyone!!! What's your favorite memory of us??

Happy Anniversary, I love you Bryan!!!

PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray for my cousin, Mark and his wife Amy who are set to have a baby on April 20th but were admitted to the hospital last night as the baby is to big and she was having pre-labor. She is only 26 weeks along, and right now we don't know all the details but if you could please keep them in your prayers our family would appreciate it.

It's here again, another Monday, another year!!! So for my first "Not Me Monday" of 2009 here we go.....

I certainly NEVER could of let Nico stay up until 10:30 or so on New Year's because he was playing so nice with his friends even though his bedtime is 8ish.....no way, a good mother would made sure he was home and even remembered to brush his teeth, read a story and had him to bed promptly at 8.

No way would I put my hands up and wave the white flag on potty training because of course I am dedicated to make sure my little guy is potty trained the first of this 2009 year!!! Any help from anyone would definitely be appreciated....

I would of never neglected my house, not made dinner and stayed up way to late on a work night just to finish "Eclipse" no not me because of course I am perfect and keep up with everything, everyday!!!

What kind of mother would take all of child's playdough, markers, crayons and anything else messy and put them in a box in Nico's closet and let him get it out and do whatever he creatively felt like even if it meant Nico eating playdough...EWWW...or getting finger paints all over the place and I think there is still playdough on the floor....no not me, we do everything in an organize fashion at our house!

And finally, I would of never left toys in the Great Room, had Nico's playroom half cleaned up, half crap everywhere and left it that way for 2 days....no way not me!!!!! I always make sure all of his toys are cleaned up and organized and never would I had cleaned up smashed up fish crackers on his train table because I don't let my son walk around with food, we always eat at the table!!!

So there it is all my "imperfections" of the week, it's so great to read everyone's to know that we are all so VERY PERFECT!!!!

Until next time....

Disney On Ice

These are the photos taken a couple of weeks ago, and graciously Adriane sent me her copies (thank you) since my camera's batteries died before the show started. Poor planning on my part I know, but everyone knows what it's like to get out the house with a 2 year old, I am thankful I had the same two shoes on...LOL!!!!

Mommy, Mommy it's Lightning McQueen!!!

The Lion King

Haley, Lauren & Nico

Cars--Nico's Favorite!

Of course, Mickey and the Gang