Melt my heart

Yesterday J woke up before R left and stumbled into the bathroom, probably looking for me since I've been in the shower when he's gotten up recently. I call to him to let him know I'm still in bed and I hear him say "daddy I just wanted to tell you I love you" ahhhhh. Then he proceeds to climb into bed next to me, cuddle up and fall asleep. Double ahhhhh. Now why do I have to get up and go to work?!?

Justusisms

This time around we have two.

Said at the Chinese restaurant that we haven't been to in a long time.

"the cook made some really good food for me"

Said after I asked if he had to go potty and he didn't answer for a few minutes.

"Yes, I was just checking with my pe.nis"

Cakes, oh my!

I decided to finally do it! I signed up for my first cake decorating class.

I think I may have to take a Xanax on the first day because I'm already having performance anxiety. I just hope there are other people in the class that are just as artistically untalented as I am.

I start next Tuesday, for 4 weeks, since R is out of school until the 21st. That way I only have to get a babysitter for one or two nights.

Christmas Celebrations

As busy as we were, our Christmas was really nice. It started when I left work on Friday, as that's when I began the marathon baking. (see below) As is his tradition, or so it seems, R went to do his Christmas shopping on the 23rd, fun.

The first celebration was on Christmas Eve. After R getting home late we finally headed to spend the evening, or what was left of it, with my Mom's family. I said 4:30ish, we got there at 6:15. It was a nice evening with some yummy food and some gifts for Justus. His favorite part of the evening was eating the entire plate of cream cheese stuffed olive penguins. The worst part of his night? Getting pick up by my sister. She tries so hard to get him to like her and he won't even smile for her. We have decided that he either thinks she's pretty or a spaz. lol

The next morning we got to open presents at home and were ready to actually get the chance to relax before meeting with my Dad's side. Usually we rush back down to my dad's first thing in the AM, but this year my grandma decided to have it later at her house, which would work perfect...except at the last minute R's mom calls and asks us to come for meat pies, yummy! But it mean getting ready right away and we were already eating cinnamon rolls, oh well so much for the relaxing morning. We head over for a quick visit and then back home so I can finish getting my cookies ready. Then we head down to my Grandma's. More yummy food, great company, and J getting to play the piano. After that we head back up to R's families for dinner, uck, can you say stuffed?

And finally, on New Years Day J and I drove up to see my other sister that couldn't make it down for Christmas. We just spent the evening relaxing at her house and they cooked for us, quite nice of them. :)

A great time was had by all and J got lots of (aka too much) stuff. Lot's of vehicles including a huge garbage truck and roller from Santa, the usual clothes, some art stuff, Duplos, Lincoln logs, and games. R got a set of cordless power tools and I got a sewing machine. Now I just need to figure out how to use it. Hopefully by next year we will have some new stockings and some home-made gifts!!!

SAHM...For a week

Last week I got to be a SAHM because daycare was closed. Before I the week started I told people things like, "you think I'm acting crazy now, wait till I get to be a sahm next week" and "I'll remember how much easier going to work is."

After worrying about how I would handle it, anxiety wise, I have to say that I loved the time with my son. In fact I did NOT want to come back to work. Sure you can think "who does want to go to work" but seriously I did not want to drop him at daycare and felt seriously guilty. So much so that the entire drive to work, I cried. Now maybe I would feel differently if R was still in school and gone 3 nights a week, or if was longer then a week, or if we weren't so busy the entire time, but I really want to stay home with him and let him crawl into bed with me and snuggle until he begs me to go play in the other room, sip coffee while I watch him play with his new trash truck, let him play outside and tell him again why he can't have water in his water table, give him a yummy lunch and then read to him, sneak in a shower and email time while he naps, play play-doh with him and then wait for daddy to come home while I make dinner. Giving us time to do all the things we didn't get to do during the week of Christmas. :( I'm sad.

Cookies

Since I have deemed myself the 'crazy cookie lady', here is the list of treats I made this year...

Molasses sugar cookies
Coco Cookies with Marshmallow Kisses
Stained Glass Cookies
Spritz
Angle Food Candy (aka sponge or honeycomb candy)
M&M Shortbread Cookies
Jam Topped Sugar Cookies
Fudge-Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pistachio
And non edible bath cookies (special for my mom because she's doing O.A.)

And I still didn't make a dent in that flour or oil, but did use at least half of the sugar.

I do have to admit that I was not very happy with how several of the cookies turned out, but that's just more reason to try harder and make more for New Year's!

Ovulation

We were going to try to insem this month. After speaking with the bank, they would not guarantee delivery during this week because of the holidays. So we skipped it. Wouldn't you figure, that I think I had the days perfect and had O pain today(24th). Which would have meant inseming on Christmas morning! erg.

Guess I didn't really need that extra stress on Christmas anyhow.

3yr Check Up

Today, technically yesterday the 24th Justus had his 3yr well check.

His stats:
33 lbs and 38 in BP 86/40 (wish that was mine)

The Dr. says he's perfectly average (52% on both) and always has been, despite many people always telling me "he's so big." I never thought so because his 3T pants often don't fit and are too long and/or too big in the waist.

Shots:
Flu shot, no tears.

What we should work on:
learning to button

Silliest questions from the Dr:
"Does he use at least 4-5 word sentences?" Yes
"Are most people able to under..." he's interrupted by J asking "mommy, why is your thing (zipper) like this?" Dr. "Okay, never mind" So I guess that was "yes, most people can understand him." And heck that in itself was 7 words. Two birds with one stone.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to All!

What I wish I could get R... A new 4 door truck. Maybe an F150 or a Tacoma. What I got him...a set of wireless power tools. :( I would really LOVE to get him a truck, or heck any new car for that matter. I joke about it, but doubt he really knows how much I really want to do it. He deserves it!

Justusisms

First thing in the morning the last two days
"Mommy, I think my brain is hungry"

Which translates to "get out of bed and get me some food!"

Coffee

We're in trouble. This was my son's choice of words as I was paying for his very first Starbucks "coffee". . .

"I need my coffee Now!"

Yeah, can't you just hear the cashier chuckle as she says "we'll get that for you as quickly as we can."

Please do, can't you tell my son is having withdrawals, lol. Ahh the words of a 3yr old caffeine addict, at 8pm I might add.

Computer Time

You know your on the computer too much when you have this conversation...

J-Mommy come mer, I found someting.

Me-I'm right in the middle of somthing, what did you find?

J-It's someting gross *long pause* are you looking someting up on the puter?

Me-Nooo, I am not looking somthing up on the computer "daddy". lol

And I wasn't either, I was cutting up a pineapple.

You got me

It's been eleven years. Eleven crazy, up and down, what's next years of love, laughter, fear, frustration, questions, and even new beginnings. Eleven years of *us* and I hope that it continues for many more, even the ups and downs.

Thank you for a relaxed evening of dinner at San Sai, walking around the mall, seeing Santa with J and watching him get his first Starbucks. :) It was a perfect night.

Sorry about not telling you happy anniversary first thing in the morning, you know I just like to mess with you and I could tell you had other things on your mind because when I asked if we were going to dinner you seemed quite confused as to why I was adamant about going out. Until you asked the date that is *wink wink*. But I do have to say...You finally got me! And I'm sure the ear to ear grin told you that. I know I'm extremely hard to surprise, but you did it. Hey, it's not my fault that I saw you in the parking lot of the jewelry store near my work *that* year! What are the odds?!?

Happy Anniversary Ryan, I love you.

Perfect Party

I'd have to say that J's 3rd Birthday Party was really great.

I deemed this birthday the "Over-achiever (aka too much) birthday." Last year it was the "rainy birthday", and the first birthday was definitely the "cake disaster birthday" (not my cake).

This year everything pretty much worked out. The only thing that didn't take shape were the dragon chocolates that I tried to make, but I think I overheated the chocolate as it lost it's sheen. The dragon eggs turned out great and were loved by all. The cake was pretty and delicious, if I do say so myself. And there was no one using the park when I got there, which I was thrilled about. We got all the tables under the gazebo and the weather was perfect, in the low 70's. We had tomato basil salad, veggies, fruit with dip, crackers, cake and dragon snot punch which J referred to as Booger Punch and of course had to make a funny face every time he drank it. We had too much food, too many drinks, way too much ice and soo many gifts including the vitamins that he kept telling me he was getting for his bithday. There were perfect number of people who all seemed to have a great time chatting, playing on the playground, in the sand and with the bubbles which were a big hit.

After the party we took my BIL and niece, and a good friend who drove an hr down with her two girls, to pizza. All the kids got along together great (3,6,6,8) and it was wonderful to finally catch up.

As soon as I get pictures from my sister I'll make a birthday slide show. Until then here is a pic of the cake and the eggs.

*keep reading for a happy birthday post below.

Happy 3rd Birthday

My sweetpea, you're three today.

Three years ago you came into the world, unwillingly. :) You were so stubborn even then, that they had to go in and get you after my water had broken 10hrs earlier. When you were born you were already so alert. Oh we should have known then.

Today you are a high energy, highly sensitive, tactile child who loves to learn. You have a crazy good memory and a love of big words. You amaze us daily with what comes out of your mouth and how grown up you're getting. You notice the slightest changes in your environment like a new bowl for the dog, new shoes, or something out of place.

Your current interests are anything that has wheels or flys, like fire trucks, trash trucks, tractors, rollers, police cars, tow trucks, helicopter, planes etc. as well as building toys like Tinker Toys and manipulatives. You get a bit rambunctious when you play swords or guns, much to my dismay, and you enjoy art both visual and performing. You can count to at least 11, know what state California is, how to spell your name, all the letter of the alphbet and their sounds, how to write some letters, all the basic colors and shapes, and you can finally pedal a bike, among so many other things. You enjoy music by Josh Groban and anything "pretty". You love dressed up characters like the cow at Chick-fil-a and Santa. you are too smart for your own good and you can be a little jokster.

Your current favorite food seems to be meatballs and tomatoes, well aside from the candy and ice cream that you ask for every morning, to see if we'll finally give in. You're not a big fan of cake though. You also love fruit snacks, but what kid doesn't.

You don't like swings or high slides, unless it's a tube and you can't see how high you are . You also don't like odd textures in food including breading on chicken nuggets or loud noises and the sun in your eyes. You are sensitive to taste and sound and run when the toilet is flushed.

You would love, just once, for Doozer to stay in your bed, but again you move too much for his liking. You told us we needed a cage to keep him on the bed with you.

While I can tend to get easily frustrated with you, because you are strong willed and love to test your limits and argue with me, you are still loved beyond belief. Over all you are a good boy who just wants things your way. Humm you take after your mom, go figure.

Happy Birthday!

Party Planning

While I actually enjoy it, I do often get stressed out about it.

First there is deciding on a theme and then creating the invitation. Then deciding who to invite and hoping that some of the dc kids will come, but not all because it would just be too many people. Then there is stressing when no one is RSVPing. I mean I want my child to have some friends there.

Then comes shopping for party supplies which can't be as simple as going to the store and picking up princess, or even fire truck stuff, no J wants a "dragon" theme, so I found a picture for the cake (Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty) and will pull the colors from there for plate and napkins, etc. Then there is the issue of goodie bags, which honestly I hate, receiving more then creating them, but I feel like I have to. And I can't just be normal. No I found an idea of making Paper Mache Dragon 'eggs' and so I'm trying to do that. I worry that I made the paste too thin and they won't set up well. I guess I'll know tonight. I did buy bags, just in case.

So tonight...I'm hoping the eggs are dry so that I can apply another layer of paper. and paint them tomorrow. This is in between the time I plan on picking of some Duplo blocks from someone on CL and making cupcakes for daycare. Last night I ran out to get some of the food. Fruit and ingredients for fruit dip, veggies, crackers and stuff to make dip, olives, string cheese, drinks, and ingredients for tomato basil salad.

I've been out every night this week running around. Trying to get things done, but tonight is Grey's so I'll be home unless I leave at ten. Who knows. But...my boss did offer to let me leave early tomorrow, which was a god send, even though I know it's because he's trying to save on payroll, rather then to help me out, but it sure will.