Attitude of Gratitude: Week 13, February 27th.

Did this week fly by or what?!?! Seems like just yesterday I was posting my "Not Me Monday's"!!!!

1. I am grateful as always for Bryan and Nico who crack me up when they are playing, and entertains the dog who things she is a puppy.

2. That my step-dad was released from the hospital and the medicine seems to be helping.

3. Cheez-It Party Mix, I dare you to just eat one handful...we ate 2 boxes in 2 days here at work.

4. That Melissa found a job, and seems to like it.

5. Moon sand, how much fun has Nico had playing with it this last couple of weeks.

6. Snow in GA, Haley and Lauren are having so much fun playing in the snow this weekend!!

7. Nascar season, finally there is something to watch on Sunday afternoons.

8. Train tables, Nico was entertained for almost an hour while we waited in line to eat.

9. Good Books, I have enjoyed reading a book Terri gave me called Firefly Lane.

10. A hot cup of tea on a cold day!!!

Hope everyone has a great week, and hopefully things will go smoothly on Wednesday on our flight to Atlanta!!!

Until next time.........

Vacation Days....

So here we are still trying to plan our first family vacation, and we have thought of all the options such as the Gulf Coast, the Outer Banks, Mexico, Punta Cuna but I think I finally had an ephiony last night.....Bryan and I were laying in bed talking, we'll more me talking and him acting like he was sleeping....ok no bad thoughts guys, this is a family oriented blog...but being that Nico is 2 years old and chasing him down the beach, watching him cry when he gets salt water in his eyes or worrying about being stung by a jellyfish or eaten by a shark I thought maybe in a couple of years that would be a great vacation and we have thought about a Cruise, but then again chasing a 2 year old worrying about him falling over the side....not my idea of a relaxing time.

So instead of trying worrying about finding a condo, renting a car, looking for airfare and all that jazz that goes along with planning a tropical vacation.....I am thinking we pack the family truckster and head out to Pennsylvania were there are many attractions for a both Daddy, Mommy and Nico!!! These are the places I have come up that are affordable, within driving distance and fun for the whole family:

The Crayola Factory

Hershey Chocolate Factory

Pittsburgh Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo

Gettysburg--For Daddy

Sesame Place

So as soon as we get the big ok from Daddy's work that he got the week off, it'll be time to start planning our routes and figuring out which place to stop first!!!

Has anyone been or heard anything about these places? If so I'd love to hear what you thought, you can either leave me a comment or email me.

Until our next adventure!!!

Haley and Lauren,

Nico can't wait.....

and the countdown of less than a week has started!!!

Love you,

Aunt Kelli & Nico

Yet another Monday has come upon us for another edition of "Not Me Monday" originating from McMama's Blog. So here we go, all of my "imperfect" doings through the week.........

I certainly didn't send out Valentine Day cards that used a picture of Nico from July that I cropped and then people certainly didn't notice that he had quite a tan/redness going on from playing outside in the sun...no not me I always use the most current and festive picture for such an event!!

I surely didn't pay $2.00 a bag for mixed dried fruit that was big enough for one person at the new Menard's that just opened and then eat the whole bag in almost one sitting!! No not me, I certainly am only economical and would never spend that kind of money!!

No way could I have let my little angel play with his new moon sand and mix all three colors together, and secretly not let him play with some of the molds because I was having to much fun and distracting him into playing with the one's I wasn't...no not me I always let Nico have all of his toys and I know I am WAY to big for such things!

And finally, I couldn't have woke Bryan up after coming home late Friday night after playing poker with the boys just because Nico wanted too....no way, I always let him sleep in on the weekends until he is all rested up! That's what "perfect" wives do!!!

We'll there it is another week of my "perfect" ways of being a Mother and Wife.

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

Thank goodness it's Friday!!!!

Attitude of Gratitude: Week 12: February 20th, 2009

1. I am thankful Bryan had the weeknights off this week, and even though I have gotten nothing done and my laundry is piling up, it's been fun tucking in Nico together.

2. I am definitely thankful that when Bryan asked me to help carry the new TV downstairs that was bigger than me, that we didn't or I didn't drop it!

3. I am grateful my medicine has been working and even though I still have headaches they are no way near what they were before.

4. My Penpal, April, who can always make me laugh and who even though must think I am crazy still writes me almost every other week!

5. The dollar movie which is playing Twilight this week and hopefully Terri and I can go see it on Sunday.

6. The Internet which has opened my eyes to a whole lot of possibilities for our vacation this year!!

7. Tax refunds, you would of thought we won the lottery in our house...LOL!

8. Nico's unconditional love, no matter what he does or the mess he makes just looking at his blue eyes and powty lips, he can make any frown turn upside down....OK that was a little cheesy!

9. Friends blogs, how much fun is to read each other's blogs and be able to laugh at our funny stories, look at our adorable kids photos and just keep in touch when you don't have the time to pick up the phone.

10. And finally, for fun holidays like Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day where it's fun to buy those "little" gifts for the kids and watch them open them like it was their birthday all over again!

Happy Attitude of Gratitude Day!! What are you grateful for??

Until our next adventure.....

COUNTDOWN TO ATLANTA

I was thinking the other day that I have been counting down with Haley and Lauren for Nico and I's trip to Atlanta next month and it started out as 40 some days and now it's 13 days and counting.....I guess I am getting older because time seems to be going by so much faster, and my Mom always says that as you get old time goes faster! So now begins the talks to Nico about flying again, what 2 year old has flown 3 times in their short lives?? A spoiled one I guess!! I try to get him excited and now we have a new challenge of buckeling him in because we have to buy him a seat now and keeping him seated because of course before he wanted his own seat, but had to be on my lap! I know that he won't do what I want, because all 2 year olds always do the opposite!!!

So, one more full week of work and then we are off to another flying adventure to see family and have a fun filled long weekend at Atlanta's aquarium and whatever else fun things we can find!

Haley and Lauren......

13 DAYS TO GO.......

And counting!!!!!

VACATION

We are so excited this year we finally are going to take the time to take a vacation for the first time since Tiffani and Aaron's wedding in Myrtle Beach back in 2004. So now that Nico is getting older, we decided it's time to have some fun, but the questions after doing some research and talking to people is.... where to go?? Do we stay stateside and rent a Condo at the beach or do we cross the border, and go to a tropical island?? I have done some research and know I definitely don't want to take a 2 year old on a Cruise Ship , but I definitely want to go somewhere warm. Plus if we go out of the country, do we want to spend the $300+ to get passports, but then I think we eventually hope to go to Korea to visit Adriane's family so we'll need them anyway....see how hard this is?? So many choices, so much to ponder.

So my question to all of you is:

Does anyone have any recommendations or ideas to research for a fun vacation for our family of 3? It doesn't have to be completely 2 year old oriented but does have to have family accommodations. So if anyone has any ideas, please email or comment your suggestions!

Until our next adventure......

Who can believe it's Monday already?? This past week hasn't been to exciting but here we go with another edition of my "Perfect" life!!!

I certainly did not allow my child to watch both Thomas the Train and Bob the Builder on Sunday as he was running a fever and just wanted to cuddle up all day, and those baby blues said please.....I would never let my child watch that much TV.

No way did I feed Nico ice cream for lunch because he didn't want anything else and his fever was over 101 and I felt like the ice cream might cool him off....no way did I send Bryan down to DQ for blizzards, I would NEVER do that!

I surely didn't slack off on my Wii Fit over the weekend because my head was pounding and I felt like crap as the cold bug has invaded my house, NO NOT ME I am on a regimented schedule every week!

I certainly didn't take Mckmama's idea of allowing Nico and Chay play with rice on a cookie sheet with their cars and then when they made a huge mess left it there all night Friday night because I was to tired to clean the rice up! Not me I am always on top of cleaning!

I surely didn't let my puppy Athena sleep and cuddle with me all week since Bryan slept in the other room so we didn't keep each other up coughing. I would NEVER let my dog sleep in bed with me instead of my husband....no way!

Well there is it another "Perfect" week gone, but it sure is refreshing to know I would of NEVER done any of those things!!

Happy Monday!

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

Attitude of Gratitude, Week 11: February 13th

1. I am grateful that my friend Kelly, who is a flight attendant for Continental was not on the plane that crashed yesterday...but I am sad for all those people who passed away.

2. My puppy Athena, who cuddles with me when I am not feeling well.

3. My migraine medicine that has so far helped not have any major migraines!

4. Valentine's Day, how much fun is it to buy Nico little gifts and candy and to show how much love is in the air!

5. My Wii Fit, I am back and I love it!! Especially the running and step aerobics! My goal is to workout 5 days a week for 30 mins a day.

6. Bryan who has been very helpful around the house lately, I really do appreciate it!

7. 50 degree weather we have had this week, Nico actually got to play outside Wednesday and allows us to be hopeful Spring is around the corner!

8. Facebook notes, I don't know about everyone else but I have had fun reading everyone's notes and writing my own!

9. My new John Grisham book, it's been a while since a new one came out and I can't put this one down!!!

10. Hot tea, I probably drink wayyyy to much but I just love it...especially now that the weather is cooling down again!!!

So there it is, my weekly Attitude of Gratitude list~!

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Funny T-Shirts

I found a cute t-shirt that I bought Nico for Valentine's Day and thought I wonder what's out there on the web for little kids, and boy did I find some interesting stuff. Something is wrong with parents that would ever even consider wearing certain one's on their toddlers.....but of course there were so many cute one's too, I thought I would share for a good laugh on a rainy, cold Wednesday....

It's hard to read, but it says:

"You can call me Prince Charming"

Hope you all had a good laugh because I know I sure did!!!

Until our next adventure......

Well here we are again, another edition of things that I couldn't possibly have done being the "Perfect" Wife and Mommy!! So here we go..........

At work last week, I certainly didn't wear my slippers all day for two days, and walked around the office like they were shoes because I hurt myself playing Wii Fit. I always am very professional and would NEVER thing to do that!

I certainly didn't start our book for our Book Club, then get to the stopping point to start a second book because I couldn't wait to start it and now I certainly wouldn't start a third one because my favorite author published his latest and I can't wait to start that one too...No not me I always finish one before I start another!

I surely didn't download pictures for 1 hour pickup at Walmart, only to leave them there for 2 days and finally picked them up....no not me, I always pick them up precisely 1 hour after ordering and they NEVER have to call me to remind me they are there!

And Finally, I certainly didn't buy Nico a t-shirt that says this:

Because gosh, I think Daddy and Mommy are equals and I would never try to outdo Daddy :) You have to admit it's pretty funny!

Well there it is, another "Not Me Monday!" Hope everyone has a great week!!!

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

A of G: Week 10, February 6th, 2009

This has been a normal week, no really big happenings in our house but still I am grateful for:

1. MckMama's website that has given me great new ideas for projects for Nico.

2. Cuddling, having those moments with Nico and Bryan are priceless!

3. Warmer temperatures, it's amazing how we think we have a heatwave at 30 degrees!!!!

4. Birthdays, how I love to shop for all my favorite people and come up with new ideas!

5. Texting, it's almost like a new obsession for me!! Just wait one is coming your way!!!

6. Washable paints, it's nice to take Nico's shirt off and let him go to town without worry of sending him to Gma's green!!

7. Nights out with Bryan, how much fun Date Night with our friends was on Wednesday!

8. Hot tea, not really picky about the flavor or not but on these freezing cold days and nights it sure helps to warm up!

9. My hot tea maker-I just found out they don't make them anymore so I am cherishing every moment I have with it!

10. Scooby Snacks: Gummy for Nico and Doggie Treats for Athena.....how they both light up when you say Scooby snacks!! Watching their faces and Athena's tail wag is priceless.....

11. Oh, and one last one....watching Nico do the Wii Fit Hula Hoop imitation is so funny. If I can catch him doing it with Daddy I'll have to post a video!!!

What are you grateful this week??

COUNTDOWN TO PRE-SCHOOL

Who can believe that Nico is old enough to attend Pre-School?? It seems like just yesterday that we found out we were pregnant and now in April, he will be going off to his first experience with school. Which makes me wonder if time goes this fast for Pre-school, how fast will Kindergarten or Middle School come?? As I have blogged before time went soooo slow the first year and now to me it's like he is such a big boy and everyday he shows me something different to prove how big he is. Such as last night Daddy and him were playing after dinner while I was cleaning up and they were working on their colors. Daddy would take his million and one Match Box cars and ask Nico what color this was after he had already told him. Of course he would just look at him like, are you crazy I am only 2!! Then the next thing you know he picks up his yellow car and says "yellow car", and Bryan and I just looked at each other like I guess he does listen. And I really think that he knows A LOT more than he wants to show us. So even though it's frustrating to know he knows what we are talking about, I am bound to not give up and hoping that Pre-School will re-enforce what we are trying to teach him and give him all the experiences of being socialized, plus I know they will teach him more than I ever could. It also helps my Best Friend, Terri, works there and hopefully will make sure he stays in line.....although she tells me that the first time he say's Terri to her, she'll give him what he wants!! LOL! Not that I wouldn't trust him at Pre-School it makes me feel good that she'll be there to keep half an eye on him and tell me if he is causing problems. Plus maybe one day he'll be in her class, and she's an awesome teacher so I know that he'll learn so much from her that he already hasn't!

So with that said, the countdown has begun and I just hope that he doesn't cry when we leave him his first day in April but I guess if he doesn't I shouldn't either! I'll just go to my car and do it all alone.......LOL! I guess this is the beginning of the end of my little baby, being a baby!!!

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

Can we all believe it's that time again for another edition of "Not me! Monday"?? Seems like the weeks are going by so fast, and it seems like just yesterday I was writing last weeks edition!!! Here we go, hold on.............


I certainly couldn't have been so upset with Bryan because I asked him two days in a row to drop off my prescription at the drug store and he kept forgetting...no not me I always do those things and would never get upset when he didn't do it for me.


On the lines of the drug store, as I waited 25 mins for my prescription that Bryan most certainly dropped off I never would of let my little Nico run around the store and point at everything and say "what's this". NO NOT me, I always have my child under control and he sits like a perfect angel on the bench while we wait!


No way did I roll my ankle or whatever I did playing my Wii Fit and then wait a whole week to get it checked only to be told it's not broken but if there is any small fractures we'll call you in two days....no not me, I always am especially careful and never would of hurt myself working out!


No way did I let my child watch TV for 45 mins while I tricked him to sit on the potty in front of the TV.......EWW that's gross, nobody in their right mind lets there child sit and watch TV while potty training!


On the lines of potty training, I could of NEVER offered any money seriously, whether they thought I was or not, to potty train Nico........no way, no mother would ever do that. I definitely want to have every experience even the frustrating potty training ones!!!


And finally, I never let Nico eat poptarts for breakfast all weekend because that's all he wanted and let him have pringles after he was done with his poptart....no not me I only feed my child nutritious meals that are homemade!!!


So there it is my "perfect" week!


Until our next adventure!!!

POTTY TRAINING: ACT I

Thanks everyone for your advice, I really appreciate any help that I can get! So I took a little bit of everyone's advice and put it all together. First, Friday night we went to Kmart to buy new big boy pants and I made a huge deal about it. I let Nico pick out what kinds he wanted, of course it was Bob the Builder and Thomas the Train....what was I thinking of buying anything else?? Then we came home and made a huge production of opening them, and trying them on over his diaper and then he helped me put them in the washer. So he was really excited and talking about his big boy pants!

So, Saturday he helped me get them out of the dryer and we put them on with his plastic pants over them and we talked about his big boy pants and made another huge deal about putting them on! Of course he didn't want to run around in just his undies, so we put his jeans back on and he was OK. I kept checking and trying to put him on the potty, but he didn't wet in his pants, although he didn't go in his potty either but he held it for over an hour.

Then on Sunday we tried again, when we got up I put on his big boy pants again but he insisted that put his jammie over them and after about 15 minutes I got the big boy potty out and turned on Bob the builder and we sat, and watched his movie while he sat on the potty for over an half an hour. Then I got him up and pulled up his "big boy pants" and he played for a while, still 2 hours without wetting in his pants!!

Even though I know that he hasn't ever gone on the potty it seems he is showing me that he can hold, which I think is a success but it's such a defeat that he won't give in and sit on the potty and use it!

Everyone keeps telling me that he is not ready, and I am going to keep trying on the weekends to introduce it and hopefully eventually he'll get the hang of it. I was hoping to have him at least partially potty trained by the time Pre-School starts in April, but we'll see........

Thanks again for all the advice, it has been really helpful and I will definitely refer back to it and take any others that could help! I told Bryan that I can't have him going to kindergarten in diapers........LOL!!!

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

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......