Wow.   This is just friggin hilarious!!!!!!

Jenny's Baby Shower

My cousin Jenny & her husband Ken had a baby girl, Adalina Sky.  If Ryder was going to be a girl Adalyn was a name option for us...small world.  Anyway!  Jenny is the founder of the Brooklyn Robot Foundry.  So I thought it was appropriate to make her this stuffed animal for her baby girl.  I also bought a cool robot sensory activity book.  She took the doll to work and now they want me to make them for business.  Oh crap.  Haha



After the shower, we all went over to my aunt & uncles to hang out.



A robin made a beautiful nest on her front porch






My cousin Robert, his wife Beth and their daughter, Penny.  They are the couple that design toys for Fisher-Price.  Yes, my family is awesomely talented!




Penny, Caden, Adalina, and Aunt Mari



HA! Go figure.  Caden never smiles for pictures & Ryder looks scared shitless.



Ryder is still like, "what the heck are you guys doing?"



Papa hanging with baby ryder



Don't worry, folks.  He didn't drink any.

so cool

This is cool!  but i feel bad for the ugly one.  lol

Quickie

We sold our house!!!!  Took 11 days!  It closes in the beginning of July.  And we close on our new house 5 days after.  I'm so excited.  I'd be more excited if we were able to move right into the new house.  I wish the tenants would just leave.  I hope they stop destroying it.  They are making it sooooo dirty.  Their dogs are ruining the floors, too.  yay.....

Yesterday I subbed for the first time since Ryder was born.  It was fun.  Easy day.  Only one annoying class.  Sevies.  Go figure.

So anyway! I need to start packing up our house!  Less than 40 days to get this house all packed up & us moved out!

whew!

Rough month!  rough month!  April was not that easy and May hasn't been a walk in the park, speaking of which- I sure wish it would warm the hell up so I can ACTUALLY go for a walk in the park!

We had one nice day of warm sun- I soaked it in! Thank god!  I got fried.  Haha  but now that is a nice tan! :)  Doesn't matter though, bc we are back to wearing our winter coats!

In the process of selling our house and going to close on our new one this summer!!  I'm so excited for the new house, but I wish I could move into it right away!  We won't be able to until October......2014. Unless the renters decide to move out early!  :)

Keeping our house clean so I don't have much to do when there is a showing hasn't been too hard.  But I wish I could let Caden just go crazy with his toys.  He doesn't seem to care.  Speaking of Caden, I kept pushing his birthday back bc it was too cold to have it outside.  Well it's going to be warm this Sunday (the day of his party- - officially), but FRIGGIN' THUNDERSTORMS!  I can't win.  Someone upstairs really has it out for me sometimes.

So much for keeping the house clean.  So much for the mini-bounce house.  So much for everything that day!  Wish we could just borrow our new house for the day.  ;)

I've had a few photography jobs as well.  Engagements, family portraits, a dance studio.  And this week I have a meeting on a wedding that I'm photographing.  Yes, I know.  I don't like to do weddings, but this is a second marriage and she wants it low key.  Low key?  I can do low key!

Track is over.  We had a great season. 105 kids on our team!  One of the girls beat my school record for the 400m dash!  Actually she killed it.  I had 67seconds  She did 63seconds.  That should stand for a LONG time!

FML

I would love to eat dinner ONE FRIGGIN' night this year without a screaming baby!  I seriously am done with this.  I might just pack up my stuff and leave

that's me in the yellow dress!!

life at the moment.

Things still aren't back on track.  And I'm pretty sure we have derailed completely for the time being.  And why do I still look like I'm pregnant????  Ryder will be 4 months this week!  UGH!  I have a couple of pictures to post.  But I haven't gotten to them.

Pissed because my iMovie won't import my videos from my camcorder.  I've done it before!  WTF?  And I have NO room on my camera- so I can't take any video until that gets resolved.  I don't have the time or the patience right now to figure it out.  Plus I just found out that the memory on my computer is pushing the limits.  It's at the point where you try to stuff one more thing into that suitcase.  So I spent all day going through my photo files, backing them up, working on freelance photos and packing some more boxes.

Oh yeah, we're moving.  Won't be able to live in our new house for over a year, but the packing has begun.  I have about 10 boxes packed.  The house doesn't look like I made a dent.  Ha.  Shit.  I need a day that is just devoted to that.  But with track, photo stuff, dealing with STUPID technology, two kids, two pets, and life in general- - I don't think I'm going to be getting that day.


To be honest, I'm lucky to get a shower in or go to the bathroom.  Seriously.  It's that busy.  Sometimes, I just want to sit in a quiet room, alone and scream at the top of my lungs.  But "ain't nobody got time for that."  No joke.  I don't even have time for that. Plus all it would do is give me a headache & all of the shit I have to do will still be there waiting for me.  It's 11:45pm.  My eyes are burning, so I'm going to bed.

Tomorrow is ANOTHER busy day. woo-hoo

Come on!!!

Ok, Spring.  We need to have a talk.  When are you going to SPRING already?  I feel like the sun is NEVER going to come out for more than 4 hours ever again.  I canNOT wait to get outside for some fresh air and take the boys for a walk.

They are both dealing with "colds" right now, so it's not like I can even take them somewhere just to get out.  Don't get me wrong.  I love the winter, snowy days.  I think they are really pretty & peaceful.  But there comes a time when Spring needs to get it's BIG OL' ASS moving!

I would be happy if there was rain right now instead of snow.  That would mean that it was at least above FREEZING temperatures.  And I will definitely take that over what we have now.


And now the baby is crying.

By the way, I started typing as soon as he fell asleep.  THAT is how long of a break I've had today.

so weird...

So this couple that we know just had a boy on March 22.  Our first born was born on the same day!  We named him Caden. (duh)  We almost named our second baby Mason.  But saw how popular it was so decided against it.  They named their baby Mason.  And their second if they have a boy is going to be Caden.  How weird that we both had the same two names picked out and had kids born on the same day (different year)!

**************************

So our days have been super busy!!!  Track started so I get to go coach again!  It's been a lot of fun.  This is a really great group of kids.  We have 105 of them on our team!  Yes 105 middle school kids and 4 of us!  Ha!

I'm still waiting on Spring to start!  Would LOVE to do some Spring Cleaning.  This weather is not helping with that.  It's so hard to wake up knowing how effing cold it's going to be that day.  That it's March 24th and there is still friggin snow on the ground and going to snow again next week.  That groundhog can seriously kiss my ass.  I think it's time for a new one!  I could start now bc there isn't anything to do outside, so at least I wouldn't be missing the nice weather while stuck inside cleaning, BUT I want to open the windows!!!!

I want to throw stuff away!  I want to wash the baseboards!  I want to give LOTS to charity!  I basically want everything out (then I can buy new stuff  Haha  JK)

I really, really want to go for a walk.  It sucks that I can't even go do that!   And everything in the house is so dusty!  Like thick layers of dust.

Maybe I should just make some margaritas, put some self tanner on, blare some tunes, turn the heat up really high and think Spring.  Keeping pants on though.  Legs are so fat.


I did see that the weather is supposed to warm up.  But still we are having a snowstorm this week.  Maybe it will be the LAST!  :)

Here's to hoping!

60th Wedding Anniversary!

We celebrated Jimmy's grandparents' 60th anniversary with an awesome brunch the other day.  I LOVE BRUNCH!!!!  I made a Cinnabon Monkey Bread.  Tasty.

We played a trivia game from the year they married and watched a cool slideshow that Uncle John put together.  It was great to see pictures of them together!  They also incorporated pictures from all of our weddings as well.  Jimmy & I look like we were in high school.  Haha.



I love the picture of Caden looking up at them.





He had a blast playing with his cousin, Abigail.  It was a gorgeous day out, too.  So we all got to go outside.  The first time Ryder got to hang out in the fresh air!!!!

promo

Yay!  Jimmy took a promotional and made it!  He is a now a Lieutenant at the CFFD.  We are proud of him!  It's kinda crazy for me to think of it.  I always pictured lieutenants as being really old.







Apparently, the wife needs to pin on the new badge.  Hmm, looks like I need to do a better job with my hair straightener.  And work on making my butt smaller!!!!




Chief, John, Greg, & Jimmy

Fresh Post

Ok, so Ryder woke up at 6 this morning.  I fed him and put him back to bed.  I told myself, I wouldn't be upset if he stayed awake, bc I have a lot to get done.  The little nug fell asleep. And so did I.  Damnit!

Now, it's 10:42 and I haven't accomplished ANYTHING!  The good news, is that I did most of the stuff before I went to bed.  Bc I knew I wasn't going to have time today.

Caden & Ryder are going to a birthday party tomorrow morning.  It's a princess party.  The birthday girl (3 yr old) said to her mom that she knows it's an all girls party but she needs her prince, she needs Caden to be there.  Oh....my.....gosh.  That is ADORABLE!  All of the girls are dressing up.   I have two boys.  I don't have any "dress-up" clothes for them.  Ha.  So I have to come up with something to look like two princes. (not the musical group).

I crocheted them both blue crowns.  And today, I will fashion a cape for Caden.  Littlest Man doesn't really need a cape just yet.  So I dug through my T-shirt Quilt bag and pulled out some scraps.  It won't be perfect, but it will do!  Plus, it's like he was in battle.  He's a prince that doesn't just sit on his butt all day and count his gold coins.

On another note, Track started this week. We have 103 kids on our team and 4 of us.  Whew!  And one coach wasn't able to be here all week.  Good news: this group of kids are so great so far, that it doesn't feel like we have 103 of them.  :)  The worst part of this week has just been standing out in the freezing wind!

Tomorrow night we get to celebrate one of my best friend's 30th birthday!  She lives in Chicago, I'm really excited to see her!  Caden keeps saying that he wants to give her a balloon.  Best gift.....ever. (to a 2 year old)  Eh, who am I kidding?  I love playing Don't Touch the Ground!

Jimmy was promoted to Lieutenant this week!  And we are on a house hunt.  So this spring, I need to go through stuff and get our house in selling condition.  The only thing we really need to do is fill in nail holes around some door frames.  And frame in the garage windows & door.  Other than that we are good to sell!  Anyone want to buy a newly, COMPLETELY updated house that is in a PRIME location?

We got to use the BOB Duallie for the first time on Sunday!  It was a gorgeous day!  And, yes I love that stroller just as much as the BOB that I already have.  I'm so glad that I have both of them.  I can't wait to get more use out of them.  Come on Spring....I thought you were going to get here early this year!

Ok, I'm off to make a cape for His Royal Highness!!!

a sign that you take on too much....

you make a cup of coffee...2 hours later you remember about said cup...you put it in the microwave to heat it up...tomorrow you find it in the microwave when you go to put another cup in there to heat up.

yay.


p.s. im typing this one-handed while feeding ryder a bottle.

i haven't eaten yet today....it's 2pm

ugh

Today has been really stressful!!!!!!!!  I just want it over and everything to be resolved when I wake up tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I know that's not possible

Go with the Flow

Our nighttime routine is becoming more of an actual "routine" again.  Whew!  This baby stuff is kicking my ass!  I feel like I have cabin fever.  I hope it warms up soon!!!

Even though I'm stuck in the house most days, things are starting to get crazy.  Track starts this month!  Jimmy isn't coaching baseball, so he is looking forward to spending some time with the boys by himself.  I'm going back to the paper and doing freelance photography.  I'm also going to start looking for sub jobs as well.  I have a few freelance jobs lined up already.  I'm in the process of designing flyers for a charity golf outing.  I've been the staff photographer of the event for the past 2 years.  It's through the Different Needz Foundation.  The outing is planned for this September.  I was also asked to photograph a wedding.  I really don't like to do weddings, but this is a laid back wedding (2nd marriage).  So, I feel like I can handle that. Ha.

Then for parties this Spring: we just celebrated Ryder's Baptism, next we have Caden's birthday, my half birthday (bc I didn't celebrate my 30th on my actual birthday), friends' birthday parties, Easter, I'm not going to go through my calendar right now, but there are more.  So, I will be busy NON-Stop.  Eh, it's what I do.

I pushed Caden's birthday party back.  It was going to be this month, but I want it outside.  So, I'm looking for maybe April 13.  We'll see how that pans out.

Needless to say, I have a few things going on.  I'm trying my hardest to not get overwhelmed and just go with the flow.   I will try to blog more and take more pictures, but getting a minute to myself is a little tough these days. Ha.

The Chew

One of my new favorite shows.  Makes me want to cook new things, but don't really have too much time for that.  Seems like I will soon though.  Ryder is doing better at chillin' for a short period.  So hopefully those short timeframes will get longer & longer soon.  I also need the little nugget to start taking naps in his crib! 

Everything is getting a little easier now.  And by little I mean, in measurement terms, about a centimeter.  But hey!  That's a start!  I think after our horrible luck in January things are starting to look good for February.  Speak of the Devil.  Littlest Nug is done in the Bumbo.  

Gotta Go!

cancelled.

I cancelled my gym membership.  I've been a member since 2009.  I'm still really squishy!  So I guess it wasn't working out for me.  Now I have $$$ to spend on stuff that will actually show results!  Like clothes!!!!  And wine.  ;)

So I have a month left to use it.  I also have a free entree from my frequent eater card.  LOL  

We've also been crazy busy & as soon as track starts I REALLY won't have time to go.

I'm 12 pounds from my goal weight, I should be able to work on that at home.

zoo pix

Minute-To-Win-It Christmas

We had our annual Christmas at Scott & Whitney's.  This year the theme was Minute To Win It.  I think I am the only one in the family who has never seen that show.  Haha!  Probably the only person in the world who hasn't seen it.

It was a lot of fun.  We went in order youngest to oldest, then oldest to youngest for the next game, and so on.



Caden wore his Uncle Mikey's shirt from the 90's.  He and I dressed in "themed" outfits.  He was Kevin from Home Alone and I was a Ballerina.



Here is Whitney & Scott competing in Game 2.  You had to make all of the gumballs go from the top bottle to the bottom bottle.




Here is a game where you had to blow up a balloon and then use the air to knock off the cups.  First of all, Whitney & I SUCK at blowing up balloons {keep comments to yourself--HAHA}.  Second of all, she and I both would have LOVED to see the cashier when Leslie pulls up with all of these Red Solo Cups and Ping Pong balls to the register.  HAHA!  I think Jimmy killed it in the game.

















This game we had to unravel all of the crepe paper.  Jim, Leslie, and Jimmy all tried the giant windmill technique.  Jimmy was moving REALLY fast.   I tried that technique at first, but then realized there HAD to be a faster way.  And there was!  I just rolled my arms like I was doing the Hand Jive.  Those papers were FLYING.  So much that I had to move all over the place to catch up to them.  Whitney was after me and she tried the same technique, so did Scott.  Our times were REALLY good.  Scott moved so fast, we thought he was going to back into the tree!  Haha

































































Then we let Caden have a go at the unraveled paper.  He wasn't as excited to play in it as you would think.  Maybe next year!  haha

Another game was to stack the cups and then tear them down.  Jim & Leslie were pretty good at it.  Poor Jimmy, his tower fell before he got them all stacked.  So he started over, because he wanted to do the tearing down technique so badly.  Haha








That key game: you had a chopstick with a paper clip at the end of a string.  Had to pick up the keys by hooking them onto the paper clip.  It was surprisingly easy.  I had to put my glasses at the end of my nose though, so I could see!  OMG!  I'm like an old librarian!



Caden HATES wearing socks on his left foot.  It's a little strange.


concentrate.




Getting tired. (but not letting go of the pong)



The series of Scott & Whitney in this game cracked me up!

So you are competing against each other.  You have to stack your cups so that you start with the yellow on top then move it to the bottom and one-by-one move all of the other cups to the bottom until the yellow cup is back at the top.  Jimmy kicked my ass in this game.

Anyway, so Whitney was beating Scott (so I yelled, "scott she is beating you!") Then he moved faster and I yelled "AHH whitney!  Hurry he is catching up!"



BOOM!  They TIED!  It was hilarious!  And Scott's reaction is priceless!



I love this bottom picture!  It's so friggin adorable!!!!!






And Little Ryder, just chilled in his carseat the whole time.  He was probably soaking all of this in, so when he is old enough he knows all of the best techniques to beat us all! Look at him hiding behind Janet, the giraffe, looking all innocent.....