Friday Five: The return of the Internet

1. So we finally have Internet at home again, hallelujah! Although I did go back to Comcast which is annoying. And don't even get me started on the ordering process. I'll just say if you're going to let me order online and then make me end my order with  a live chat and go through the whole order all over again, don't let me choose my options first. Just start with the live chat you stupid son of a....

2. Hi. You look pretty today.

3. We also now have a new computer. Yay? Weren't really planning on that one, but well, our laptop died. It was kind of the worst timing ever, and we couldn't really go without. So. Yay. Windows 8 is so confusing!

4. After 2 or so years of thinking about it, I finally decided to start doing Project Life. It's scrapbooking but simpler. You can go look for a better explanation than I could give you. I've tried scrapbooking over the years, but I'm not especially creative and just never got anywhere. This is perfect because I don't have to be creative BUT I can be if/when I feel like it (and use up some of the stuff I've collected over the years.) I'm really loving it so far. I'm embellishing cards a little bit, mostly just washi tape (WASHI ALL THE THINGS!) and a little bit of stickering/lettering here and there. I very much recommend checking it out if you like the idea of scrapbooking but it's too overwhelming for you.

5. Did I mention I was participating in the March of Dimes walk? Oh, I did. Well anyway, if you like, have a few dollars.... You can't get mad at me for asking again because IT'S FOR THE BABIES!

Happy Friday!!

Friday Five

1. The funniest thing on the Internet this week? Pamela Ribon's post about about a massage she recently got. Click at your own risk, it's hilarious but gross. (I also recommend actually listening to the audio of her telling the story.)
Oh, and do yourself a favor- If you haven't read her books go do that too. I finished Going in Circles a couple months ago and loved it. I have the new one, You Take it from Here, on my nightstand right now. And I read Why Girls Are Weird years and years ago and loved it so much.

2. After Q finished eating dinner the other day he was a little bit messy. Not Shawn's favorite thing, touching disgusting kids. So he pulled Q's chair away from the table and told him "Don't touch anything!" What did Q do? He, with one little pointer finger, touched Shawn's arm and said "Touch!"

3. Archer is walking like crazy now. I forgot how cute this stage is, when they start walking but they are still just getting the hang of it, so they're a bit wobbly. Pretty fun.

4. I seriously had a moment of confusion this week upon realizing Thanksgiving is next week. I am not ready for the quickness and busyness that's about to start. Shawn's birthday is about a week after thanksgiving, then a week later is Archer's birthday and party. Then I have one of my best girl's birthday, and then there we are at Xmas. Whew. Makes me tired just thinking about it. I think I need to schedule a happy hour/gno or three in between all of that. Because you know, booze.

5. And to end this post another picture of my boys together being adorable. This was Q trying to wake Archer up yesterday morning, which pretty much involved him yelling "Wake up Arch!" in Archer's face.

Friday Five

1. The other day while I was making dinner (Okay, okay- I don't really cook, so basically I was probably making a Pb&J for Q and heating a jar of food for Archer. Mother of the year award to meeeee!)  I heard Q saying "I'm really proud of you Arch! I'm really proud of you! Good Job Arch!" When I peeked out he was giving him a hug. I have no idea. And I really have no idea how I'm typing this. You know, with the being dead from the cute and all.

2. Family pictures this weekend! I'm so excited. Well, and also worried. Besides not knowing yet what we're all wearing, I'm going to have to do my hair & makeup which are not my strong suits. Annnnd, I need to practice my non-fake smile and not slouching. I swear I look like a hunch back in every. single. wedding picture we have. Straighten it up Quasi!

3. This picture. I was just walking out of my room and looked across the hall to see Archer hugging Q. So.

 

4. On the other side of that total sweetness above, Archer has been a little pain about letting me feed him lately. He gets all angry and rocks back and forth in his chair, slamming his back as hard as he can against the seat. Yeah, crazytown. So the other night I handed him the spoon and let him dip it in the food himself. He was quite pleased and made a gigantic mess. Then last night it was pretty clear he was ready to do the same thing again. So we have a big boy on our hands I guess. Mr. fancy pants thinks he so big and special and can feed himself now because he's almost one. pshaw



I'm not even going to tell you how we got him cleaned up. But it may have involved sticking the entire chair with the seat & Archer still in it, into the shower.

 

Notice the whole hand going in the bowl along with the spoon. Awesome.


5. I started getting the invitations filled out this week for Archer's 1st birthday. I just can't believe he's almost one. It just went way too fast. We're doing a Dr.Seuss/Cat in the Hat theme, mostly because Shawn found invitations in the dollar bins at Target. So if you have any good ideas that fit that theme, let me know. Sadly we don't have a lot of friends with kids. So it's mostly be a bunch of adults standing around wondering how they got talked into going to a one year old's party, haha.

Okay, Happy Friday all! I'm off to let Pinterest make me feel inadequate about my party throwing skills.

Friday Five: Let's Do This!

Another Friday. Another List. Woop!

1. Today I'm pretty preoccupied with plans for the PNW Blogger meetup tomorrow night. I don't know if I can actually say I have any degree of social anxiety. I know people genuinely struggle with it. But I do know this kind of thing makes me just about lose my mind from nerves. But I keep trying to push myself. So as of right now the plan is still on to go. Cross your fingers for me.

2. Although going means my husband driving me and us taking the kids with us. We weren't able to find someone to take them for the night. Oh right, and I don't drive. Have I mentioned that before? Anyway, I tried to tell my husband I could just try and give the ticket away. I mean, a four hour drive to Portland with the kiddos, him keeping them occupied for 3 hours and then another 4 hour drive home? That's kind of a lot of work for a little meetup. But we're doing it I guess.

3. In non-blogger meetup thingie news, Halloween was a success! I did not get many pictures, but I will try and share a few more later. Shawn stayed with Archer to hand out candy, while I made the rounds with Q. He was very good, said 'Trick or Treat!' at every door. Then when I prompted him to say thank you he'd say 'Happy Halloween!' instead. Close enough. We made it up and down our block and then he requested to come home. He found the poorly hidden bucket of candy the next morning and lost his mind when I didn't let him take it with us to daycare. The good thing is we gave him his bucket back last night with only 2 pieces of candy in it and he didn't seem to realize 8000 pieces were missing. Bucket of Candy? Don't mind if I do!

4. So I made a comment to a co-worker yesterday afternoon that Q has yet to have complete meltdown, scream the house down tantrums yet. Well that was a big fat mistake. Because of course he had the mother of meltdowns last night. In public. I was at the mall trying to find a shirt. I was letting him walk along beside me and he was being pretty good checking out the CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS (Just don't. I can't even handle that.) Then we were in a store near it's entrance to the mall. And little dude freaked his freak when I turned to walk in the other direction (like more into the store, away from the mall). He wouldn't come with me, so I took his hand. Then he wouldn't walk and was doing that going limp to the floor thing. So I picked his little butt up and carried him, trying to find Shawn. Meanwhile Q is twisting and trying to get down screaming "Go that way!" as I quietly ask him to calm down. I see Shawn in the distance and just point toward the door like "I'm taking him outside" Of course outside the screaming got worse, he was yelling for Shawn, trying to get down, etc. Shawn eventually just took him to get food while I finished shopping. It was probably my fault for trying to shop when it was basically dinnertime. But man, was that bad. I'm just so afraid that we're at the beginning of a new phase and I'm scared guys.

5. I'm still recovering from Q's meltdown, and combined with my freaking out about tomorrow I can't possibly come up with #5 today. I'm sure you're sad. So.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Friday Five

1. I have these little blurbs that pop into my head, and I'll write them (in my head) and they're interesting/funny/awesome. And then when I'm ready to type them out I've forgotten all about them. Okay, and so they might not be interesting. Or funny. Or probably not awesome. Whatever. Shut up. So's your face.

2. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to lash out at you. I love you. You're pretty and nice. And your hair looks really good today. I'm just still stressed out with this whole moving my mom into my house. It should be done THIS weekend. I guess.

3. We went out last night to get new shoes for Q (Who by the way is now in a size 9! I can't even.)  and I was struck again about carefully approaching the boys things vs. girls things. We immediately start considering converse, old school style slip on vans, and black nikes with bright orange swooshes. Q sees a Dora box and makes a beeline for them. Like "I don't know this Chuck Taylor you speak of. But Dora? That's my girl!" They didn't have any Dora shoes in his size, but it didn't matter because he then saw the most hideous rainbow colored, bedazzeled, light up shoes I've ever seen. He put one on at once and started stommping around in it. Again, they didn't have his size so we couldn't get them anyway. And we ended up buying a pair of gray vans from the boys section. But... I don't know. I feel like it's more or less a losing battle- keeping him from deciding things are only for boys or only for girls. Doesn't mean I won't buy him a pink shirt or a doll if he asks. I won't tell him he can't turn his blankie into a dress. And I won't correct him when he puts something on his head and calls himself a princess. Still, it just makes me... Sigh

4. I saw some excellent stuff on the internet this week, but since I'm still blogging from my phone, I can't share. Oh well, you've probably seen them, right?

5. Work fried my brain today, so I can't think of a #5 and Friday is already almost over, so I give up.

Happy weekending my dears! And if you're here in the PNW try not to complain too much about the heat; it's hot as hell but so rare I think we can handle it ;) Besides, we need these days to get us through the rainy months.

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Friday Five

1. First things first: there will finally be a new look around here soon. I was lucky enough to win a Blog design from 17th Avenue Designs! I hope to get a chance in the next few days to actually get everything installed. It's Up now! Wahoo! Thanks Kate! (Also, hopefully I can get a few elements added back, like pages & a blog button, soon.)

2. This weekend is the big move with my mom. Crossing my fingers that it isn't a total nightmare. And, well if it is, at least it's almost all over with, right?

3. My favorite thing I read this week? This response to the Chick-Fil-A business. Many thanks to Jamie @ the Grumbles for tweeting it. Also, side note: I keep forgetting about Jane's site. I remember when Jane magazine was cancelled I was so annoyed.

4. I was listening to the Savage Love podcast (which I'd forgotten about but grabbed an episode of when getting some more Girl on Guy by Aisha Tyler podcasts) (She's hilarious btw) (also, I was listening with my headphones in and checked them 50 gabillion times to make sure everyone at the bus stop didn't have to hear the words anus or asshole over and over again) and was reminded when I first heard of Dan Savage. I'd just moved to the PNW after finishing high school, so 1996. (No YOU'RE old! Shut up!) I somehow came across a radio show he hosted on KCMU (now the beloved KEXP) called Savage Love Live. I used to tape it and send it to my girlfriend Z in Cali. I'm pretty sure everything I know about sex I learned from him (and co-host Mary, whom I loved), lol. So, uh, I guess- thank you Dan Savage. haha.

5. Can we all just give a big Hurrah for awesome husbands and best friends? Because, yeah.
Happy Friday! See ya on the other side of the weekend, with a little less stress and stress related headaches. Yeah?

Friday Five

Wahoo Friday! Yeah Baby! Love it! Can you tell I'm excited?! Well alright then!
Um. Anyway.

1. My hair is FINALLY mostly long enough to pull back. I say mostly because there's one wonky piece that's still too short, but I think will get in line if my hairs are wet. I am SO relieved if for no other reason than Archer is starting to get pretty grabby. I just love it when he gets my neck skin. He's lucky he's so damn adorable.

2. My nephew Devin turns 6 on Saturday, which just cannot even be possible. I do have to go to a Chucky Cheese though which is kind of a nightmare.

3. A couple of recent blog posts I've just loved. One from Emily @ Peck Life and this one from Mandy @ the Haps I'm not especially great at expressing myself (Which is why I won't try and explain why I enjoyed these posts) - but these gals are and I'm with them on so many points.

4.  Need last minute ideas for Mother's Day? I think Crappy Pictures has you covered

5. I'm not really going to say much about this whole Time Magazine cover controversy hoopla. I will just say I'm really sick of reading the back and forth about EVERY aspect of parenthood, and whether this or that is the right or wrong thing. Blech.

Happy Friday Dearies!

PS- There's not much time left, but if you want to donate some moolah to a great cause, some of my very favorite bloggers (including the two I listed above) are participating in the March of Dimes walk this weekend. Go give some money will ya? : ) http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?SeId=1727790&si=

Friday Five

1. Number One with a Bullet- I found new jeans! Thank goodness. Because I haven't worn jeans since somewhere in my 2nd or 3rd trimester. They're not perfect, but I've been having such a hard time finding anything that fit right. Either things dug into my post-baby belly, or gaped in the back (ALWAYS WITH THE GAPS IN BACK!), Or I couldn't get them pulled up past my knees (I'm talking to you Levi's Curve ID Skinny Jeans. I didn't really want skinny jeans anyway, but I was grasping at straws by that point) ANYWAY- There's an American Eagle in the building I work in, so at lunch today I gave it a shot. So glad. I'm a jeans and t-shirt girl and I was wearing my maternity slacks EVERY DAY. One Pair of pants. For both home and work. I also bought a new t-shirt because holy crap, am I sick of maternity clothes. I feel so much more like myself today I can't even tell you. I just wish I had my converse with me ; )

2. Quinn is 23 months old today!! (23 Month Update coming soon! Maybe!) What a great kid he is. I'm trying to soak up these mostly still easy days, as I know Toddler Meltdown city is on it's way. We're lucky enough at this point the tantrums are pretty rare. We had a point some weeks ago that seemed like the beginning, but he was cutting his molars. Those are mostly in now, and he's back to normal. For now. Also? I got him to say 'I Love you' the other day. It was a little gibberishy, and he was just repeating it because I asked him to. Still. I got a little over excited standing in the Safeway produce department.

3. Speaking of my little/ big guy- We have less than a month now until his party! Invitations are on their way out. I've ordered some adorable supplies, and am brainstorming like crazy. I've also spent a lot of time cutting strips of paper for streamers and paper chains. One thing I'm not doing this year are games and party favors which is a bummer. But for one, he's too young to get it anyway. Also there won't be many kids (also a bummer but we don't have many friends/family with kids his age) to enjoy them. Next year I'm all over it though.

4. So I decided Q needs a new Mickey shirt for his party, being a Mickey Mouse theme and all. And then decided Archer needed one too. So Shawn and I were cruising the Disney Store the other day checking out the options. And I'm seriously considering wearing a Mickey shirt, and making Shawn get one too. HA! DORKSSS!!!  At least they won't be matching. Probably.

5. I'm going out after work for Happy Hour again tonight! I decided that I should try and get out at least once or twice a month with girlfriends. So we're hitting up Gameworks for cheap happy hour, and I'm going to use some game tokens that I have collecting dust in my desk drawer. Watch out Tekken- I'm coming at cha.

Happy Friday & Happy Weekend dearies!

Friday Five

1. I had to go to the dentist last week. It was not good. I'm not going to tell you exactly cause it's so embarrassing. Let's just say I shouldn't have gone so long between checkups (I believe the last one was sometime before I got married, maybe 2008...) and I really need to put.down.the dr.pepper. But I just....can't! It's truly my only vice. I don't smoke, don't drink very often, don't like coffee. Still, it's ruining my teeth and making it impossible to lose the baby weight. From Q. So yeah.

2. So on Saturday Shawn had borrowed his dad's truck so we could finally go buy a crib for Archer. He decided while he was out to stop at the hardware store for some shelving units for the garage (you know- to store all the stuff we haven't unpacked, holiday junk, etc). So he came home with those. And two trees. What the what? A Japanese Maple and an apple tree. We haven't done anything with the yard since we bought the house in August. And we don't have any trees in our front or back yard. I believe the maple will go in the backyard corner that borders two other houses. Start working on blocking our view of the trampoline in one if the yards, Haha. Now, wish us luck because we know nothing about plants or gardening. I'm hoping we don't kill these things.

3. And like I mentioned we finally got a crib for Archer. What? He's only 3 months old, lol. I think he'll sleep really well in his crib. He's truly just the best little sleeper. I'm really hoping this isn't jinxing anything, but let me tell you. I feed him somewhere between 7 and 9, and lay him down on his play mat or next to me on the couch. He entertains himself for awhile and then falls asleep by himself. And stays asleep mostly nights when we move him to the bassinet. And sleeps until 3 or 4 or 5. Seriously this kid is just awesome.

4. I've never had a problem with girl scout cookies. I'm not really into Thin Mints (don't shoot!) so I've never fallen into the girl scout cookie trap. Until now. See the thing is? Savannah Smiles. Do you remember Lemon Coolers? These are like Lemon Coolers. So delicious. And Shawn bought me a box. Then 5 more. I don't really think there will be any left by the end of the weekend.

5. So I've done it. I've ordered the invitations for Q's second birthday. Clearly he's just gonna go ahead and turn two whether I want him to or not. Rude! Besides being in denial about my baby growing up, I'm actually kind of excited. I just super love birthday parties. I'm doing a Mickey Mouse theme, and hoping to add some homemade elements to the Party City decor. I think it's gonna be really fun!

Okay dearies, have a wonderful weekend!!

Friday Five

Another week, another five. Weeeee

1. So last Saturday one of my best girlfriends was supposed to come over with her baby girl. But plans feel through when my boys both woke up with the sniffles. Booo! BUT- we rescheduled for tomorrow! Yay! So once again- I can't wait!

2. Also- I decided if I wanted to go out for drinks so bad, I should just do it already. So tonight me and my other best girl are going out! Wahoo! What shall I have? Lemon Drop or 5? My standard Midori Sour? Something new? ALL of the above? Okay!

3. Okay, so fine. I saw everyone on twitter talking about the DrawSomething app and felt left out and confussed. So I downloaded it. And then I downloaded it on my husbands phone. Then I made a co-worker download it. And so yes I'm obsessed. User name: meghankaty   .... if you dare. I am .... not good.

4. I think a trip to Ikea might be in the works for this weekend. Little Archer still has no crib (He sleeps in our room in a basinette right now, but is outgrowing it at an alarming rate). Shawn told me the other day to look online and start thinking about what to get. I laughed in his face and told him I'd created and printed a shopping list on their website like 2 weeks ago. And it's just been waiting in my purse. Patiently waiting.

5. I finally pre-ordered 'Let's Pretend This Never Happened' from the one and only Bloggess. Have you preordered yet? Cause you should. Because, obviously. Plus, free signed bookplate! Oh, and this awesomeness just makes me so happy.
Have a super fabulous weekend dearies!

Friday Five!

Sorry to the two of you that read this blog, that The five is late again this week (PS- My intent is to have it up Friday mornings). It's been quite a week:

1) Monday late afternoon I started to feel kinda icky. I went to work on Tuesday, but the bus ride in was questionable and I thought I might have to turn around and go home. I didn't, but I felt gross all day. I kind of thought I was on the edge of a flu perhaps. Shawn wasn't feeling great either. Neither of us really got sick, but just felt out of it and yucky. Still I trudged through the week, and am feeling more or less fine now.

2) You know who is sick though? Our babysitter's little girl. She called us late Wednesday night to let us know that her 6 month old was sick, as a heads up. Then Thursday morning decided she needed to take her to the doctor. That meant we had no daycare, so I stayed home with the boys. We found out later that morning her little girl has RSV. She was willing to take the boys today, but we were not down with that. It's hard for us to cover when we don't have daycare, but RSV is super contagious, and bad news for little babies. So today Shawn worked a few hours in the morning, then took me into work so I could get a couple hours in too. These are the kinds of days I've been dreading.

3) I get to see two of my favorite people in the world this weekend! Yay! One of my best girls Rae is coming to visit and bringing her ADORABLE little girl Maddie. Seriously, this girl is CRAZY cute. I cannot wait!

4) I felt a little like I should have stayed downtown (I work in downtown Seattle) for drinks tonight. It was so yucky and rainy, I just wanted to be sitting in a cozy, dark bar sipping lemon drops. I think its been too long since I've had a girls night. Made me miss the days of going out to Marcus' Martini Heaven. That used to be me and my girls favorite spot. Ah, memories.

5) I think I've worked out some ideas for Q's birthday finally. We will be doing a Mickey Mouse theme. Not the stuff pinterest dreams are made of, but he'll freak when he sees Mickey all over the place. Shawn already bought a stuffed Pluto & Donald Duck to add to Quinn's collection (that man cannot help himself in the Disney store- he must.buy.something.) Now I just have to start working on those ideas. Maybe this weekend? Fingers crossed.

Ok- Happy Friday and Happy weekend to you!!

Friday Five

1. Cougartown returns on Tuesday, the 14th, on ABC. I demand you watch it, for no other reason then I will be pissed off if it gets cancelled because of bad ratings or something. You know, cause everyone else is watching American Idol. (I don't have any idea when American Idol is actually on, but I know it's on, like 4 days a week.) Listen, it's a crappy titled show. They know that, and have poked fun at it. (Here's a video of the cast trying to think of new titles.)  But it's REALLY funny. If you liked Scrubs (and we shouldn't be friends if you didn't. kidding! sort of) you'll like this, promise. And it's not about Courtney Cox scamming on younger guys. Just for the record.

2. Remember how gloaty (is that a word? Well, it is now) I was about getting everything together and leaving the house on time last week? HA! hahahahaha. Monday as I frantically tried to rinse conditioner out of my hair in the bathroom sink (And really I should know better; my hair is so thick that process just takes FOREVER) I realized how silly I'd been. But whatever, I was able to wash bottles and pump parts when I got to work. You just wrap them up in paper towells and shove em in your pump bag. And who wants to eat food from home? Eating out is much more fun. Ok, so I almost cried when I got to work, pulled my cream cheese out of the fridge and realized I hadn't brought my bagel. But monday's are just emotional for everyone, right?

3. Cougartown comes back next week. Tuesday, the 14th. You don't have good valentine's day plans anyway, right? Oh, and if you need a catchup before the season starts I believe this saturday night there'll be a little marathon. ABC

4. Speaking of Valentine's day, I kinda forgot it was coming. I'd had a little project I was going to attempt that I saw on Pinterest. But let's be honest, who actually does any of the thing they see on Pinterest? Oh, you do? I see. Well I just like looking at pretty stuff. Oh, and here I am if you wanna follow. Anyway, my husband probably doesn't really care and my boys are too young right now. But some day I'm gonna be all over heart garlands, sandwiches cut into heart shapes, valentine mail boxes and cute handmade valentines for classmates.

5.Okay, so we're maybe looking into getting a double stroller (although I don't know where we put it. It turns out we really need a bigger car. booo)  Any recommendations would be awesome. Graco has a new one with like 56 configurations, but I haven't looked at it in person yet, so we'll see about that. Also, if I could avoid spending $1000 that would be nice.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. This weekend I'm going to attempt to upload pics so I can finish some posts I have patiently waiting. Maybe do some laundry. Mostly just smooch all over my little guys and try and get some extra sleep.Exciting!

PS- Bonus! #6- Remember how awesome Kristen Bell and the sloth are? Well they've been auto-tuned and it's more awesomeness. Go here!

Friday Five

This was my first week back at work after 10 week maternity leave (2 pre baby and 8 post baby.) And while I'm totally grateful to have all that paid maternity leave, it's still hard to feel like it's not nearly enough. Anyway, babble babble babble, here's the five

1. Okay, so this is going around and I'm sure everyone has seen it. But Kristen Bell and sloths? HILARIOUS! Like, I just can't love her more. And now I need to go watch every episode of Veronica Mars again.

2. You know what helps with that whole going back to work business? People telling you how good you look post baby. Now I just have to work on saying 'Thank You' instead of 'Thank you but I still have a lot of weight to lose'

3. Trying to get into this new schedule now that I'm back to work. I have to say, only 2 days in and I've done pretty good. I'm getting the diaper bag and bottles together the night before. I'm getting up when the alarm goes off. We're leaving the house on time. The only thing I'm sucking at is getting up in the middle of the night to pump. Blarg

4. So our daycare situation is all over the place. We're lucky enough to have grandparents take the kids one day a week. We've had an in home daycare person since Q was 2 months old, and she takes both boys now 2 days a week. And we have a former co-worker of Shawn's taking the boys 2 days a week. This week was the first time Archer was with anyone but me for more than a couple hours, but he did great. It does make me a little sad how easy it's been for the boys to be away from me ; ) But of course I'm mostly just relieved to have all the help we do, and people that really love the boys and take great care of them.

5. I know that dumb groundhog saw his shadow, but I can't help but hope winter gets over with quickly. I live in the Pacific NW, so this is a ridiculous thing to hope for. Summer will come in August just like it does every year. Still, I long for tank tops & flip flops, taking the boys to beach, BBQs...all that good stuff.

I feel like posts without pictures are lame and boring, so I'll leave you with this. Happy Weekend!

Friday Five

Okay, so I skipped a couple of weeks. It seems every time I have a moment to myself I have to decide what to do with my time, and blogging is just so the bottom of the list. Anyway, here we go.

1. My maternity leave is coming to an end. I go back to work on Tuesday, which means I have 2 whole days left home alone with little Archer. As expected, and as it was with Q, I'm ready to go back and also please don't make me go back! Generally speaking, work isn't especially stressful. It provides me with actual breaks to eat meals. I can go shopping and run errands (I work in downtown Seattle, so that can be pretty nice.) I get back to a routine. You know, showering every day and all that. But.... I have to leave my baby! Well, now it's babies. Plural. Trippy. 

2.  So remember how I was doing that whole Photo a Day challenge this month? Yeah, I kinda sucked at it. I found it hard to take any interesting pictures being that I don't leave the house all that much right now (Another benefit of going back to work- Getting out of the house every day.) Still I did some, so I'll try and get those pictures up next week.

3.  I've finally ordered copies of pictures to get framed. We have nothing on the walls and it's just not bueno. I have one big collage frame my mom bought us TWO years ago for Christmas that I'm finally going to fill up. Except now I have so many cute pictures of the boys I have no idea how to choose! I've also got some larger prints ordered to fill up frames I got this year for Christmas. I'm so excited! I just feel a home isn't quite a home until family pictures have been barfed up all over the walls. Lovely visual, no? Watch out hallway, I'ma comin for you.

4.  I've been trying harder the last few weeks to actually comment on blogs I read. I've spent all these years reading various blogs, but always felt to geeky to comment. Well not anymore! I'm gonna blabber on whenever the mood strikes. I don't care if someone else said exactly what I want to say. I'm gonna chime in. Why not? I think your new kitchen looks good? I'll say so. Cute kid? Why not tell you! This might be spurred on by the fact that I spend a lot of time breastfeeding, and thus catching up on blogs thanks to my lovely fancy phone.

5. Speaking of breastfeeding, it's been going very well. So well in fact that I have an actual supply in the freezer! Wahoo! With Q I pretty much had to start supplementing with formula as soon as I went back to work. Which is totally fine, but I like the whole not spending money on formula thing. So this is excellent. On the downside I am getting up at 1am every night to pump. Boooo Hisssss. Also, when I say every night I mean I've been really good the last two nights, and before that was too tired to care. But I'm really going to try and keep it up. Or not.

Okay, I can't believe I made it through this without a baby crying. Yessss! Now I must go get my first 2 hours of sleep for the night. You all just have a really excellent weekend now.


PS- Another benefit of going back to work (Can you tell I'm trying really hard to just focus on the Positive? Which PS is so unlike me)  I get to talk to actual people every day and then maybe I won't feel the need to write wordy posts that seem funny in my head but probably don't really translate at all. Also less talking to the TV. Also less trying to find myself a guilty pleasure reality show to watch. I keep trying, but holy shitsnacks is reality tv seriously shitty. That toddlers and tiaras business? What. The. Frack?  And the Kardashian stuff? I just sort of stare confused at the tv. Also? This post was supposed to be finished way up there. So. Yeah.   

Friday Five

Making it in just under the deadline, whew!

1. Shawn got bead board up in our room this week, and it's totally awesome. Still a lot to do in there (and the rest of the house for that matter) but it's so nice to have something checked off our list. I love it.

2. We took little Archer in to both of our offices this week to meet co-workers. I just love showing him off to everyone! You can't hear someone tell you how adorable your baby is too many times.

3. I just have to say I am so glad to have cable again (well, satellite technically). When I was on maternity leave with Q I watched a ridiculous amount of Who's the Boss & Little House on the Prairie reruns because that was all that was on the Hallmark channel. And the Hallmark channel we got besides the basics. I guess I could have also watched a billion court shows every day, but I totally hate that crap. Anyway, now I watch Friends 50 billion times a week and I love it EVERY SINGLE TIME. And I've seen every episode a billion times, but I don't care. Plus no one else is here usually, so I can quote along out loud, ha ha ha.

4. It hit me today how close Q's second birthday is, just over 3 months. Shawn thinks that it's not that close and I'm crazy for thinking we should start planning. It's not like I really plan to do much, but I still want to have a little party here at home. Also Q turning 2 might just kill me.

5. Okay I give up. It's after 8pm and I haven't eaten dinner and don't know what to eat. So no #5 today. Instead I need to go in the kitchen and stare in the cupboard for 5 minutes trying to figure out which of the 5 things I'm willing to eat, will be my dinner tonight.

Have a great weekend dearies!

Friday Five

Happy Friday!

1. I got my first real run as the mom of two boys this week, as I was home with both of them by myself for the last couple of days. The first day was hard. Sleep isn't always so great these days (although better than expected to be honest) and so I was cranky when I woke up. And being pulled in two different directions all day is hard. It will most definitely take some getting used to. Oh, and it would help if someone could teach Q what "just a minute" means.

2. Debating if I should make any new year's resolutions. I don't normally bother- I know myself and my laziness well enough to know my follow thru isn't so great. But Shawn told me I have to. So I have one day to think on that. I'll let you all know if I come up with anything.

 3. I'm recovering from my c section pretty well and thanks to breastfeeding have lost a fair amount of the baby weight. But I'm anxious to get out of these maternity clothes. I have a few weeks before I should be ok to work out, so any good post pregnancy work out suggestions are welcome. Also, this won't be a resolution because I suck at working out and might very well never get around to it.

 4. In place of a 20 month update on Q I will at least say his vocabulary is exploding! I mean, for the most part he won't repeat things he's said without coaxing, if at all. Still, it's exciting. Today the word of the day is 'No' which he says very cutely and for no specific reason most of the time. I love it. You know, for like another day or so and then I'll hate it.

5. Next week we're hoping to finally get some things done around the house. We really haven't done much since we moved in. If nothing else we're hoping to get Q's room painted and put together finally. Now we just need to decide on a paint color.

Okay Q is demanding my attention (grabbing my arm to drag me who knows where and whining 'noooo'. Already not cute anymore) so off I go. Have a great weekend!

Friday Five (the I am DONE being pregnant edition)

So a special Friday Five for your enjoyment. As I sit here several days past my due date, and a few days away from a scheduled C-Section, I've been thinking about the things I'm looking forward to. You know, once I'm not gigantic and cooking a baby anymore.

1. Subway. The sandwiches I mean, not like, transportation. I have avoided Subway this whole pregnancy, which is more than I can say for the last. Part of it is knowing that I'm really not supposed to have lunch meat, but more than that is proving to myself I could actually follow through with something I've set my mind to. I'm not so great with the follow through usually, so I'm VERY proud of myself. Because MY GOD I want a spicy Italian like you would not frackin believe.

2. Booze. I am not a big drinker really. But I've been pregnant or breast feeding for the last 2 1/2 years. And it is so time for a girls night and one or twelve lemon drops.

3. The return to relative comfort. You know, being able to reach my legs to shave. No more heartburn. No more back pain (well, let's face it, I have a bad back. So, less back pain?)  Sleeping on my back. etc, etc, etc

4. Having more than one pair of pants and two shirts that fit. Well I hope, at least, to be able to fit back into my maternity clothes at least. ha ha

5. Well and of course having a new little baby to hold and cuddle. I suppose I am kind of looking forward to that too ; )

Okay, so keeping fingers crossed that I actually go into labor in the next 3 days. If not Tuesday morning I will suddenly be the mother of TWO boys. TWO! Yikes!

Friday Five

Okay, writing this Friday Five ON Friday for once. I've got my Dr Pepper at hand and a little Pandora Xmas station going. Here we go! 

1. So I'm now 10 days away from my due date. TEN! It's just craziness. For the last few weeks the little guy has been breech/transverse. So on Tuesday off we went to the Hospital so the doctor could try and turn him the right way. It worked! And it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as I feared. I think laying on my side for an hour of monitoring afterwords was actually worse. Oh, and hearing another woman in labor was a little scary, ha ha. (I was in Labor & Delivery for the procedure.) Now we just need two things. No more turning. And for me to actually go into labor. No prob, right? 

2. I actually have posts scheduled for the next couple of days! I feel so accomplished. Of course, after that there probably won't be much for awhile. Still, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself for documenting as much as I have the last couple of months. 

3. How many times do you think I can reference things I've seen on Pinterest or other blogs before my husband loses his mind?  Also, I love you Pinterest. I really, really truly do. 

4. When Shawn was leaving this morning for work he told Q they'd be coming home to a winter/Christmas wonderland tonight. He sent me a text later saying I can take inspiration from the store scene in Elf. He's clearly out of his mind. But it's true that I am ready to decorate for Xmas. Knowing that we really aren't going to get much done once the baby has arrived, I'm thinking we will do some decorating this weekend. Earlier than I normally would, but I have no choice.  he he

5. Speaking of Xmas decorating, I've decided to do a simple craft while I'm sitting around this week. It's a yarn wreath, which I've done a couple of times. This one is a Poinsettia wreath I saw on the Paper Mama's 50 DIY Days of Christmas. It was actually a guest post from Rocky Mountain Mama, and I just love it. I've got the yarn wrapped and am getting ready to try and cut the felt flowers. This is where it could fall apart, so wish me luck. 

Happy Friday lovelies!

Oh, lookie who I found! Decorating done. Look, I don't make the rules. I'm just showing you how to decorate for xmas. Bam!

Friday Five (the I'm so... so scared! edition)

Here we go again my dears!
1) So this is going to be quite a weekend, as I'll be a solo mama until Sunday evening. Shawn had to go out of town. He left yesterday morning after dropping Q off to day care. This the longest we've been apart, and thus the longest I've been left alone with Q. dun dun dun....  Okay, so maybe being alone with my own kid for 3 days shouldn't be so scary. But. I'm 35 weeks pregnant. Which means it's hard to move and I'm cranky & easily irritated. Plus Q is 1 1/2. Enough said, right? Annnnd... Um. I don't drive. Yeah, I know. Weird. Whatev. But that means we're kind of stuck at home for the most part. And of course my whole thing of trying not to let him watch any TV for his first couple of years has backfired on me, because he has only moderate interest in it now. So no throwing on Mickey Mouse for 30 minutes of peace. Hold me. At least I'll have some friends over and helping out. phew

2) Um, is there anything else to say? ALONE WITH MY KID! FOR THREE DAYS!  Oh, you single mama's (including my own) (and sahm's for that matter)  I bow down to you.

3) The baby's room is painted and ready to go! (Well, we have to hang the blinds and closet doors back up. Oh, and we didn't get around to new trim or adding crown molding, but we'll deal with that eventually.)  I'd planned on using my last vacation day (TODAY!) to start washing baby clothes and getting things ready. But well, that isn't gonna happen. Still, I feel like we're a little closer to being ready.

4) You know what occurred to me at 3 in the morning a few days ago? I should probably have a hospital bag ready soon. FIRST time I've thought of it this whole pregnancy. Last time I had a list, and read people's suggestions on what was and wasn't necessary. This time? Oh, right.... I'm having a baby! I almost forgot. And then of course I realized I hadn't though about clothes to bring for the baby. I'm not overly concerned about that whole "outfit to come home in". But I do want to make sure we have something cute for hospital pictures. And, yes, that means I went shopping this week and bought a few cute new things. What? He can't wear hand-me-down's for his special pictures! (which by the way are a total rip off, and we totally couldn't afford them last time, but a family member got the CD of them for us.) If nothing else I'LL be taking a billion pictures.

5) I'd posted something this week to FB or Twitter (or, fine, probably both) about Q seeing pictures of Spongebob at stores and such and saying 'Dada'. Which I found endlessly amusing. Because Shawn is quite fond of watching Spongebob. But really it's not on that often in our house. And like I mentioned earlier, Q doesn't pay much attention to the TV unless there's a song playing. Then we found out that our daycare person (we use an in home daycare) has an older son that watches Spongebob in the morning before he goes to school, so Q sees a bit of it. And she was telling us he's trying to say Spongebob. So we asked him to repeat both 'Dada' and 'Spongebob' and it turns out there is a slight difference between what he says. Still sounds like Dada to me. But I do find it adorable that one of the 10 words he says is Spongebob.

Have a happy weekend, see you on the other side. I hope. 

Friday Five

Okay, so even though I had a day off this week, but I'm super ready for the weekend. SO HAPPY FREAKIN FRIDAY!

1) You know what I really don't like and just sends me on my day in a bad mood? Having the 10 minutes I get with my kid in the morning spent struggling to get him in a diaper while he cries and kicks and bucks and pulls and just generally acts like a jerk. And then refuses to let me put his jacket on. And basically is just grumpy. I get it, toddlers are a pain in the butt, but when I have precious little time with him and he's being annoying, it gets me all annoyed. He's lucky he's so cute. And he just better be all sweetness and love this evening, or else.... Well, or else nothing really I suppose.

2) It turns out it's really hard coming up with 5 things every week, when I spend a majority of my time at work. Which is 1- Not really interesting to people that don't do the same thing I do (And maybe not even to them) and B- my job revolves around customers and confidentiality so I can't really be blabbing about it all over the place.

3) I said last week that we needed to get a Halloween costume for Q. Yeah, that didn't happen so I really want to make sure we do that this weekend. I'll be very sad if we can't figure something out. We did find a tail from a devil costume I wore one year and put that on him. He quite likes having a tail, though prefers when we put it in the front so he can see it and swing it around. If he wasn't 1 that would probably seem much dirtier.

4) This week I had a doctor appointment and I ended up having to bring Q with me. By the time the nurse saw us he was getting pretty tired and cranky. So when she tried to take my blood pressure he scowled at her and tried to push the arm cuff away. The nurse left and we waited for the Dr to come in, and I was holding Q in my lap. Dr came in and while I was talking to her he clung to my neck and scowled at her. Then while I was awkwardly laying down sort of holding Q at my side, so the Dr could measure mah belly and get the babies heartbeat, Q just gave her a dirty look the whole time and was not pleased. This was the first time she'd seen him since she had to cut his unwilling self out of my body. Nice impression Q, real nice. This was the nice lady that evicted you from my belly 10 days past your due date. Give her a smile will ya?

5) Is it bad that the baby is due in 38 days and I've yet to even unpack baby clothes? In fact there is absolutely nothing ready for this baby. His room isn't painted all the way, we haven't put together the bassinet (We don't even have a crib yet), changing table is still in Q's room... just not ready at all. Guess maybe that is what we should work on this weekend?

Hmm, perhaps I have a busy weekend ahead of me? Better get started!