& Mommy Needs Pockets

Dance...

2013-05-10T10:42:00.001-04:00

Yesterday as I was scurrying around our bedroom trying to get ready and get out the door, when the alarm on my phone went off.

Now, let explain how my mornings work. I use the snooze button on my phone to keep track of how ahead or behind I am getting out the door. But instead of the BONK-BONK-BONK sound, I have mine set to my iTunes music.

T was impatiently waiting for me when the music came on. He got really excited and started dancing. I stopped in my tracks and started dancing with him. While we were both standing there dancing, I couldn’t help but think- this is what life is all about. Nothing in the world mattered more in that moment than dancing with my son.

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend!

Can I Protect Him Forever?

2013-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Do y’all remember ever being made fun of growing up? Not the new trendy bullying term of being made of fun. But, having someone comment on you being different or not good at something. I do.

Math is not my friend. It wasn’t growing up and it’s not now. I still count on my hands sometimes when I am doing simple math, for Pete’s sake!

I vividly remember sitting in math classes my whole life praying to not be called on to come do a problem on the board. Now, if you asked me to diagram a sentence in English class, I owned that stuff, not math.

I remember being called to the board one day with absolutely no clue how to begin finding the answer.

I just stood there. I heard people begin snickering and whispering while I just starred at the board. I’m not sure what my teacher was doing in the back of room, but she sure wasn’t helping a sister out! She then said, “Do you not know what to do?” I stood in front of all my classmates humiliated, and barely got the word out, “NO.”

I was mortified. I was the dumb kid in math class.

I tell that story to say this; T got fitted and is sporting his new inserts. They are going to help him walk better, help his arch and support him better. After going through braces already, I sort of knew what to expect, but I couldn’t shake that scene in Forest Gump where Tom Hanks’ character gets made fun of for his.

Now, please understand, you can’t even see them in his current shoes, but I had a mommy fear that I could not shake. The thought of my sweet boy being ridiculed by his peers kills me.

When we got him fitted, I sent text messages to a few friends and asked for support and prayers. They were definitely heard and answered. I explained to him that his shoes needed pillows. He would run faster, be taller and kick a ball better with his new pillows.

T is now a proud owner of two shoe pillows and walking around like he is worth a million dollars. He did have some mild irritation the first day at school. His sweet teacher rubbed them for us, and he told her they were all better. I love that kid.

Oh, One of Those Mommy Bloggers

2013-04-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

I have to tell the truth; I haven’t read many blogs lately. I happened upon a recommended post while having lunch with a friend. The post itself didn’t really stick with me, but a sentence in it did. Essentially it said something like, mommy bloggers that never actually blog about their children.

Is that what we’ve become? Women too busy jockeying for sponsored posts, giveaways and product reviews that we do not mention our children? Or when we do, we find the need to make every story of poop, food fails and meltdowns some huge theatrical production for the sake of our readers?

I think we all realize (or I hope at least) we aren’t the first women in the history of the world to give birth. Maybe our over-the-top stories we tell of our blunders and successes make us seem that self-absorbed, but we really aren’t. Do we all think our child/children are the cutest forever and ever Amen. YES!

But, so did your mom, so…

I am proud of my mommy blog badge. I hope that I can continue to be a mommy blogger who remembers the roots of why I started this crazy adventure!

True Story

2013-04-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

I am my worst critic. I can make myself doubt me, hate me and depress me. I need no bully--I have me.

A few weeks back, I was in a dark place. I am actually a little upset with myself for allowing me to get as blue as I did. In the big scheme of #reallifeproblems (Totally just hashtagged it!) I really have nothing to be blue about.

Nothing really made me satisfied and I felt like I should be one of those people on the depression commercials.

I beat the crap out of myself (emotionally) for about a week. And while I am always my own worst critic, I am also one of the most “go with the flow” “lover of life” “water off a ducks back” people you’ll ever meet. I never stay upset about anything for very long. But that week, everything was terrible.

I couldn’t let it go. I prayed. I couldn’t let go. I prayed. I couldn’t let go. I prayed.

I hated the Christian I became. Praying for guidance and telling the Lord I was turning it over to him, only to continue “being soured” about things all day. I felt like I was all by myself. Let me tell y’all, I am not.

I have an amazing family/friend unit, had any of them known the dark place I was in, would have dropped everything to help me get in a better place. I hid my pain, my sadness and hurt. I wish now I wouldn’t have.

I have worked through my pain, and I am in a much better place. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t be writing about it right now. I should have set aside my pride and asked for an ear to listen. But, I didn’t.

On the other side of this, I want to slap that me into shape. Who am I? I have a great life. I am continuing to pray through this. I don’t want to allow myself to be that unhappy again. Especially since I have no reason to be.

1,440 Minutes a Day…

2013-04-22T09:30:00.001-04:00

I need to take one of them to write. Let me set the stage.

1:00 am
I’ve worked a long, hard week
I can’t sleep
I sneak downstairs

When I can’t sleep, I eat When I night eat, it is never, ever healthy. This night is no different--I go with spicy pasta. Something about a carb, it is a comfort food for an Italian girl like me!

While I stand and watch my pasta pop and hiss in the microwave, my mind goes to my blog. I long to blog. But, my longing to eat, wins out first.

As I finish my food, I peer at the laptop. I know what needs to happen. If I pick it up, I know the juices will start, and I am scared. Now you are caught up.

I sit on my MacBook cross-legged with things I need to say, long to say, but wondering if my fingers can keep up with my mind. Not to mention, I need to filter myself, but how much? I guess we will see...

Calendar Pops

2013-04-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Do you have certain dates that pop out on a calendar to you? I do. Fun things like birthdays and anniversaries are obvious. One of mine is not a happy day. Every year on April 20, I am sad.

April 20, 2006, my Papa Dave past away.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't ache for him to be here to see T. I just know he would adore him. The two of them would be thick as thieves and partners in crime.

Last night while BTB ran in the grocery store to get juice, Florida Georgia Line "Cruise" came on. T knew the entire chorus. He even threw in the "C'mon" at the end. I just giggled and thought how Papa Dave, an avid Country music lover, had to be smiling down from heaven--loving every second of this!

When a close friend or family member passes away, a part of your heart is taken with them. Mine will never be whole again with the loss of my Papa Dave. I love and miss him, every dang day.

Toilet Paper

2013-04-11T11:47:00.003-04:00

The other afternoon, BTB was the administrator on duty, so T and I decided to join him at work. At one point, BTB had to leave us to find a custodian to replenish toilet paper in the bathroom. While we were sitting there, T began worrying about Daddy's whereabouts. He kept asking for him, wanting to go find him and just plain frustrated that he wasn't around. He asked for him again and I explained daddy had to find someone to put toilet paper in the bathrooms. Then, those big beautiful blue eyes looked up at me and asked the question, "Can't they poop in pants?" I almost lost it. Maybe one of the top 5 funniest things the kid has said to date. I held my laughter and explained big boys and girls do not poop in pants! I thought then, I may be the only mother buying her child depends to go to kindergarten if this mindset keeps up! To my surprise, Wednesday afternoon at pick-up T came running up to me with not one, not two, not three--but four stickers! He went to the potty four times! It was a really proud moment. It was also short-lived. We grilled shrimp for dinner that night, and he pee-peed down his leg while we played outside. He did catch himself and stop. A huge improvement from the "floods" he would do when we started potty training. I'm not sure how long it will take him to want to poop in the potty. I am hoping not much longer. But, I am trying to be patient. Ultimately, the choice is his. I want to nudge him, but not push him. No one will ask him on a job interview in twenty years when he was pooping the potty. If they are, he needs to runaway from the interviewer!

Allstate Foundation: Drive it Home Event

2013-04-03T09:57:00.000-04:00

Last Wednesday, I attended the Allstate Foundation: Drive it Home in Greenville, SC. The event was held at the Peace Center, downtown. The Peace Center is absolutely one of my most favorite places to go downtown, so I was happy as a bee to spend the evening there. Plus, they took excellent care of us with the spread they had prior to program!

I have to admit, I was a horrific teen driver! Given the chance to hear this information as a teen, may have saved my parents some serious money in tickets!!

As part of Drive it Home, the Drive It Home Show is hitting the road, stopping in 14 cities across the country giving parents a fun look at the serious subject of teen driving. The show featured the comedians of world renowned Second City Communications and safety experts as they help parents understand the real hazards teens face on the road, better coach teen drivers and learn about state teen driving laws.

The Second City Communications group was simply amazing! They did a light-hearted example of crazy parents and crazy teens. The performance seemed pretty relatable to the teen drivers in the room. They were certainly elbow-jabbing their parents while nodding in agreement when I looked at them!

The regional representative from the National Safety Council also spoke and introduced a local mother who lost her 19 year old child in a wreck.

This local mom had everyone tears as she told her gut-wrenching story of losing her child in a car accident with a friend. We learned that teen drivers at 300% more likely to get in a wreck with passengers in the car.

In South Carolina, 60% of parents are looking for resources to help them manage their teen’s driving experience. Y’all, I am here to tell you, this program was an absolute wealth of knowledge. We are so fortunate the program stopped in Greenville!

This program really had everything. The laughs, the facts and tears! I strongly encourage y’all to check the program out when it comes to a city near you!

Also, as an added bonus for y’all, here is a great video to check out on YouTube

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

The Invites

2013-04-02T09:36:00.000-04:00

My child is now three. I have no idea where the time went. This birthday was a big one. This one my mom and I have been planning since his birth.

I wanted to wait until he was three or four to do a circus theme. I know lots of people do this theme for a first birthday, but I wanted to wait until he really, really got it and could enjoy it!

Here is part one of the circus birthday wrap-up. The invites. We scoured the Internet looking for ideas. We ended up combining like eight ideas into one. Here is the end result!

The blue ones went to our friends and the red ones went to T's class. The blue plastic containers actually worked out great for mailing invites, so I was really pleased with them!

I can't wait to show y'all all the other details of the party. My parents both worked tirelessly to make this party a success!

Help Wanted

2013-03-18T10:56:00.005-04:00

Do y’all ever wonder how you’re going to get it all done every day?

I find myself constantly trying to keep up with the mess my house becomes daily. I am not even sure how it gets so messy, since we spend a majority of our weekdays away from home!

I have a confession to make, I am a terrible housekeeper. I love doing it. But after work and cooking and Tbird, the very last thing I want to do is clean. When I was staying at home while working on my graduate degree, I was an excellent housekeeper. No kids, two dogs and husband that worked late every night. Basically, I was just cleaning up after myself.

As most everyone knows, BTB vacuums, washes clothes and typically cleans our bathrooms. I realize I have it made in the shade, yet still have an awful time trying to keep our house even straightened up! I am constantly looking for new and innovative ways to keep the house in order. Hello, Pinterest! But, I still need help! Anyone have any surefire ways to help me get my crap {literally} together?!?

Stuck in the Middle

2013-03-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Timothy turns three on March 30. Three. All I can say is I blinked and he went from a NICU hospital room, to the thriving almost three year old I have today.

When I read articles about development some state he is still a toddler, while others say preschooler. I say, he is somewhere in the middle. Maybe when he is three and half, I will see more preschooler. Right now though, he is an almostthere-preschooler. Or that is the very unscientific way I refer to him.

Reading developmental updates and guides are getting more complicated by the second. Some say he won't do things until he is almost four, and he's already doing them. Where other things, they say he should be doing or should know, he hasn't mastered-just yet.

If having a preemie taught me anything, it's that children do everything at their own pace. They all even out developmentally, you just need to provide the tools to help them become successful.

When they're twenty-three, and in a job interview, no one is going to ask, "when did you crawl, walk, potty-train, write your name and stand on your head?"

Heth and I were discussing developmental progress the other day, and it reminded me of how obsessed parents get over it. No one wants their child to be behind. It is almost an impossible balance between pushing them and allowing them to find their own way.

I certainly have not mastered this skill. Heck, I can barely contain my mommy urges to just sit him and do flashcards three times a day.

I am really trying to take my own advice, and provide the tools for success, with some "friendly" parent pushing. But, I know I will fail miserably at this skill from time to time as well.

Any ideas on how to keep my "crazy pushing mommy" under wraps?

Why Mommy?

2013-03-01T11:52:00.005-05:00

It has happened. My sweet son and all his curiosity. I hear, "why mommy" more times than I care to count on a daily basis. I can't even imagine what it's like at school!

I'm fine with the questions. I love seeing his mind at work. Him making connections between things and understanding. Just yesterday he looked at two trains on the table and the one in his hand, and said, "mommy I have three choo-choos."

Friday night on our way to eat, I ran a red light. He knows red means stop. So, as I am wheeling through the light, he yells, "no mommy, it's not green!!" BTB about lost it. I thanked him for being such a great backseat driver. (Sorry, future wife.)

Every day he makes it more and more clear that he isn't a baby anymore. He also will tell you, "I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy!" He is so self-sufficient, now. He loves helping and wants me to assign him "jobs" around the house.

He helped me stuff all his birthday invites. Which, I can't wait to share that with y'all! I'm really pleased with how they turned out. He also seems to use his left hand much more frequently than his right. I'm left-handed, so I would love for my little side kick to be in the 10% population with me!

God is stretching and teaching me so much through my little boy. Everyday is a new lesson in patience, forgiveness and love.

Godly Lessons from a Toddler

2013-02-28T10:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had to go to Charlotte for work. Because I had to be there so early, my mom offered to keep T. We left the house in the pouring rain. Halfway to my parents house, I noticed my little Houdini, had wiggled and worked his one arm out of his strap. (I swear, I keep those suckers so tight, I have no idea how he does it. )

I looked at him in the rearview and demanded he put his arm back under his strap. He just looked at me. I asked three more times. Nothing. Finally, I made my voice very deep, very stern and repeated myself. He quickly took the strap, and wiggled back under it.

When I looked back at him again, his little lip was quivering and his eyes filled with tears. My heart sank. I explained how I loved him and I wasn't mad at him. I was just trying to keep him safe. He could get hurt if I let him ride without being in his seat, correctly. He smiled, and went back to playing.

As we continued down the road in silence, my thoughts turned to the Lord. How He has to keep me "in-check" from time to time. I try to take my "strap" off. All he wants to do is love and protect me from getting hurt, but I still try to wiggle out. And when he warns me of danger multiple times, I just ignore him. Sometimes, He must lower his voice and be stern with me, before I listen and understand he is trying to protect me, not punish me.

It never ceases to amaze me how God pours into me, through Timothy. There are times when I feel like such a toddler in my walk with the Lord, because of it. I know the Lord isn't finished with me yet. If he was, I wouldn't be here. I know he still has ways to use me. And lessons to teach me.

I still have have mistakes to make. Hopefully, life experience will help me make fewer mistakes, but His grace and mercy will always be here to help me. I just keep telling myself in order to raise this Godly son I pray for everyday, he needs to be raised by Godly parents.

I need to be quicker to offer grace and mercy not only to my son, but others around me.

Sent from my iPad

And Then....

2013-02-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

He grew up.

In the blink of an eye, my baby boy has turned into a little man. No longer able to wear the sweet john-john smocked loveliness of days past. Nope. He's too grown up for those now. I now have to focus on the cute appliqué shirts and smocked shorts and shirt separates. I think those are still completely acceptable.

I stumbled upon a new favorite on Etsy to make T's shirts. She is extremely reasonable ($12.00 a shirt!) Plus, really easy to work with. I tried so hard to get T to pose on Valentine's Day for me, but even at school he was so wired with energy because of the day, I couldn't get him to stand still. I hope these give you anE idea.

Finally, a good one! I think the shirt came out amazing. So much so, she is did our St. Patrick's Day shirt. Now she is working on two custom orders for me.

Plus, I'm really I happy I found someone who makes good quality shirts, at an unbelievable prices!

Valentine's Day Goodies

2013-02-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

As with anything, Pinterest has so many amazing aspects, but one downside I have found, every mother in America feels like a failure if her child goes to school without custom labels, cutesy sayings and over the top teacher gifts.

I'm not criticizing, because I am just as guilty as anyone for going over the top. I just decided this year I really wanted to step back, make everything more meaningful.

It sort of reminds me of when I was in elementary school and we would have class projects due. You always knew the kid with over-the-top projects on steroids had help from their parents. Side note: I always had help from my parents. And my projects were always tres fabulous and ridiculously over-the-top. We go big or go home in my family.

But I also remember how fun it was to get those cheap valentines and pick out which one I wanted to give to what friend. And which candy everyone should get.

Here's what I did this year. I made homemade brownie strawberry cake cupcakes with cream cheese icing. They were from Pinterest, by the way. I made them in my heart shaped cupcake tin, and we called them Cohen Cupcakes!

Here's the yummy inside of the cupcakes! I think they came out great. Yes, I tried one for quality control purposes.

I found cute baggies for $.66 at a local discount shop, and placed the cupcakes inside those, but then tied it up with one of the traditional cheap cards. I felt very good about our Valentine's gifts.

I also found these little fun mugs for the teachers at the Dollar General,Shh.. Please don't tell, but I love them! I put candy and a cupcake in each of these as well. Then wrote, "Happy Valentine's Day! Timothy 2013" on the bottom.

I was really satisfied with my balance of old school mixed with over-the-top Pinterest style holiday gift giving.

Test: Passed.

2013-02-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

I needed to test the waters. I wanted to push myself to see if blogging was something I really wanted to continue. I figured the best way to see was to push myself to not do it, and if I gave in blogged, then I needed to buck up and start again.

The pit in my stomach got so big, I got out of bed at 1:30, to write this post. So, you all are stuck with me.

A couple weekends ago we visited Timothy's BFF that moved away. T was so beyond excited about seeing her. And we stayed with them for most the afternoon, so they had plenty of time to play and catch-up.

I snapped lots of pictures that day with my phone, because I left my good camera at home. They are seriously too much. They really adore one another other, and I adore them-adoring each other! Ha!

This was him on the way home. Yes, that is his boot. Not sure how he got it off, or why he held on it. And please excuse my little Houdini wiggling in his seatbelt straps.

Bacon Wrapped Pretzel Rods

2013-02-04T10:25:00.001-05:00

In 2009, a family friend made Bacon Wrapped Pretzel Rods for the Super Bowl. My life was changed forever after eating them. Since then, it has become a Super Bowl tradition to have these “Bacon Rods” at the Super Bowl Party.

I posted pictures of the yummy delicacy on Instagram and Facebook and had lots of people wanting the recipe. So, here it is. Understand, I am not a food blogger. So, if I am unclear on a direction, just email me--I will try to clarify!

Be prepared, you may want to come find me and kiss me on the mouth for this recipe—please refrain.

Miss Pat’s Bacon Wrapped Pretzels

1 Bag of pretzel rods

1 Lb. Thin sliced bacon cut in half

1 Cup light brown sugar

1 Tablespoon chili powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix chili powder and brown sugar until mixed well

Take a half piece of bacon and rap around pretzel rod. Then rub the pretzel rod in brown sugar/chili powder mix. (This is sort of like when you dry rub a piece of meat.) Just make sure the pretzel rod is covered-clumps are ok.

Here’s where you may have to get creative if you don’t own a wire rack. Take a large cookie sheet and wrap in aluminum foil. Then place a cooking sprayed (I use Pam) wire rack on top of the cookie sheet. Then place the wrapped pretzel rods on wire rack.

Finally, bake for 20 minutes (or until it looks gooey and yummy) then cool on rack!

Here's what they will look like in the end!

The Twilight Effect

2013-02-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

I’ve been very lucky when it comes to Timothy having dependency on things. He'a always had a favorite stuffed animal or toy, but never super addicted to things like pacifiers.

Until now…

Since last Friday, Timothy has nibbled or tried to nibble on a friend at school every day. The only day he hasn’t was Monday, and that is because he wasn’t at daycare!

We’ve tried every form of punishment we know to make him stop, and I am about to my wits-end with the whole thing. He’s never-ever been a biter until now, and it seems a little late to take the practice up.

I am not trying to pass blame- but I totally think it is Twilights fault. Or that’s the conclusion a co-worker and I came to.

Really, I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of anything that would trigger this behavior and the only thing in his life that isn’t the same right now is Cate. I’m not sure if this is his way of dealing with his anxiety about her being gone, or what.

Have any of you had to deal with the Twilight Effect with your little one? What was the resolution?

In Need of Accountability

2013-01-23T10:54:00.000-05:00

I'm not one to take hints from God. I'm one who needs what he is trying to tell me--to hit me square in the face. Apparently, I like being slapped around before I get the message.

Sunday at church, we heard a very powerful message of... It's Not About Me! As a rule, we are selfish. But God teaches us we should serve Him first, others second and yourself, last.

I really needed to be hit in the face with this message. I am very guilty of always worrying about how things will effect me. Whether the action serves a greater purpose or not.

Our pastor continued this message by relating it to your finances, marriage and career. I am now trying to redirect my focus in those areas. I want to serve in each of those areas. But, more than that, I want to out serve my spouse, my co-workers and budget.

By doing these things I know my marriage, career and finances will all be better. I really feel the Lord pulling me closer to him, day by day. I think he wants to do some great things through me, but I do not know what that is yet. Feeling Gods presence in my life, amazes me everyday.

I am hoping this redirection in my life will serve as some accountability in my life as well. I need to be better. Does anyone else need accountability in these or other areas?

I would really love to discuss!

Resurgence of Homemade

2013-01-18T12:26:00.003-05:00

I love that our culture is turning back to roots. I find it extremely refreshing. I remember growing up and going to garage sales and yard sales with Momagin. (My grandma for those new readers.)

She was an extremely talented artist, always on the search for things to repurpose. She was also a huge crafter. So I remember spending many weekends behind a booth in a basement of church, while she was slinging her crafts.

Every time I get on Etsy and see the many talents of so many, I get giddy. Something about the idea of buying from a small business gives me the warm and fuzzes all over. Not only do I attempt to buy from small business folks online, I also make every attempt to do this in my everyday life.

We use a local dry cleaner here in town. They’ve been in business for over 50 years! They also pick-up and drop-off dry cleaning. Worth every darn penny.

We use a local groomer. I’ve been using this lady since I was a college student. She loves and cares for our pups, like they were her own. We love her!

Restaurants. We love local restaurants. Without even realizing it, I think we frequent local restaurants over 90% of the time we eat out. Which, we don’t eat out much, but still, we go homegrown when we can.

My best guess for the resurgence is the economy? But really, I don’t care, I adore it. I love the fact that we are a Country founded on hard-working tough as nails people, who didn’t mind working extra hard to earn a buck. I love homemade items. They just seem better in quality and I always feel like I am doing better by avoiding the big box stores.

I know this is a little random of a post for me, but this has been on mind lately. Happy Friday, friends!

Learning to Say Goodbye

2013-01-14T09:36:00.000-05:00

Thursday night I received this FB message.

After reading it... I cried. I really cried. I realize that may seem silly. But I had no words to help me explain to T that his BFF was moving. Plus, how do I make him understand?

It was only a week ago, my son was screaming in the back seat requesting Cate for thirty-minutes down the road after being with her all day.

These two have been featured many, many times on mommy needs pockets. When they were little bald, blue-eyed babes, readers constantly thought they were twins!

These two have been inseparable since they started daycare together. My mommy heart aches knowing how he will miss his little friend.

I know small children bounce back from these sorts of things. I know friends moving away is a natural part of life. But, dang it. I sent Cates mom a text after getting the message--already making arrangements for monthly play dates.

Tonight we have Cates going away party at Chick Fil-A. Then, tomorrow is her last day at school. I'm trying to find a way to make T understand. He does better with change when I can gear him up for it and get him prepared.

This isn't the first, or last time he will have a friend move away. I know that. But this was his first ever best friend. And I just can't shake the lump in my throat I have for him, right now.

Channeling His Inner......

2013-01-11T10:12:00.000-05:00

Al Bundy!

During T's nap yesterday at my in-laws. Hope y'all have a great Friday!

Timing is Everything

2013-01-10T10:17:00.000-05:00

My son has a special talent. He always finds a way to get himself sick during my busiest times at work. I think he reaches down in my purse and pulls out my EC planner and says, “Hmmm…. Lots of writing on this page. (Then closes his eyes and points) I will be sick this week”

Monday, I went to wake T up and the first thing out of his mouth was, “Mommy, my ear hurts.” I figured it was because he had just been sleeping on it, and continued getting him dressed. By the time I was finished getting ready, he was screaming and crying about the ear. I called the doctor’s office and luckily got a call, right back. She could hear him screaming in the background and ok’d me giving him some pain reliever to take the “edge” off until his 11:00 appointment.

Funny side note: We have a family friend that this dentist. Timothy calls him “Docteerr Pahmer” or “Papa Joe” depending on his mood. As we walked in the doctor’s office, I was explaining to him what we were about to do, and that we were going to see Dr. Hart. He started yelling, “NOOOOO DOCTEER PAHMER!” I said, “Baby, Dr. Palmer does teeth, not ears!” Ha!

T was so great during his exam. When Dr. Hart came into the room he said, “Dr. Hart, my ear hurts.” Dr. Hart looked at me and laughed and said, “It’s nice when they can start telling you what’s wrong, huh?” Yes, yes it is! T sat in Dr. Harts lap the entire exam and even hugged him and thanked him after he finished. I was so proud.

T self-diagnosed well. He has an ear infection. But, because of his Reactive Airway Disease, Dr. Hart is concerned with his breathing and catching RSV, because it is running ramped right now. So we’ve upped his breathing treatments, and he has stayed with the in laws this week to avoid much exposure from his sickly friends at daycare.

One doctor’s appointment and four medications later, we on the road to recovery!

Date Day

2013-01-06T17:54:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, BTB's parents came and picked T up for the afternoon. We had decided on Saturday, we would use a gift card I've had since Blissdom last year to IHOP and get breakfast.

While we were sitting there, we started talking about movies and how long it has been since we went to one. I reminded him we still had a movie gift card that was gifted to us TWO years ago! We decided we would go see The Guilt Trip.

It was really cute! I enjoyed it more than BTB, but he laughed out loud at a few things. I recommend checking it out, especially if you are a boy mom. You'll appreciate some really nice moments in the movie. And if you are a sap like me, you may even shed a tear.

After the movie, we came home and took a little Sunday nap and waited for T to come home.

We ended the night by watching the Cowboys vs. Redskins game. BTB has been a Redskins fan since he was tiny little guy. As long as the Skins aren't playing my Bengals, I will cheer for them.

We had a really great date day. The fact the whole day was FREE for us, a huge bonus!!

Birthday Party Fun!

2013-01-03T14:05:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of my last post, and the fact that I am getting myself into high gear with Timothy’s birthday details I thought today was a good day to talk about birthday party fun. Timothy turns 3 on March 30! I know that is Easter weekend, but I really wanted his party on his birthday this year since it is a weekend.

After talking with some other moms, I decided just to keep the date. If our friends and their kids are in town, great. If his friends from school are in town, great. If they aren’t , they aren’t.

But I didn’t want to move it, and I we have four of his little friends with April birthdays, so it makes things really complicated to get all those organized without overlapping. And I just cannot justify doing it before his actual birthday. So that is my crazy train of thought for the party this year.

Back in November (yes, I am that far behind!) Timothy’s friend Griffin had a fun party theme, that I just had to share. His mom is the amazing one I spoke about a month or so ago that has her #### together, unlike me! Seriously, if I didn't like her so much, I would hate her with envy!

This is probably my favorite of the bunch!

She did a really cute firefighter theme at a local fire station. It was such a cute idea. Plus it had built in fun for the kids, so she didn’t have to organize a bunch of games and such to keep the kids interest. They had the trucks, hoses and equipment. Then we were able to eat snacks in open gifts in the garage area!

This is terrible quality.. But she used hats to serve food, and she found some really cute cupcake toppers at T.J. Maxx. Love that place!

Here are some more of the pictures I took with my phone. They really don’t do the cuteness of party justice. But, If you are in need of a fun boy party idea, steal this one!!

Again, this is the best idea if you want a really fun interactive birthday party, without tons of fuss! It was a really fun day and this was T on the way home...