Lately...

I saw this on several blogs this morning and thought it was perfect for what I was planning on posting. There has been a lot of random things going on in our lives lately, and I haven’t posted in while, so time to catch up!

I’m Stealing…..time this weekend for myself. Neal doesn't know this yet, but I totally am taking some time to read and just be still. 

I’m Reading… Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin. He’s the same dude that wrote the Game of Thrones books, which I devoured. This one, I’m not super into. It’s his take of a vampire novel, but it involves a steamboat on the Mississippi in the Civil War era and let’s just say there are a LOT of details about the boat, and boating, and how the boat works and how it make steam and how its built, and the boat’s so cool, and the boat’s so fast, and blah blah blah. We get it George. You like boats. Now let’s get to the juicy parts, shall we?

I’m Thinking About….how we've intended to carve Austin’s first pumpkin (he picked it out himself!) for the last several weeks and every night we end up not doing it. #slackers

I’m Loving…. Peggings. Those are pants that are tight and stretchy like leggings. So they aren’t Jeggings because they aren’t jeans, they are pants. So I dubbed them Peggings. Neal hates them. I love them and wear them and prance around in my Peggings and tell him tough luck and he’ll just have to not look at me in them because they are the most wonderful comfortable creation ever!

I’m Looking Forward To…. Thanksgiving. Four days off from my job which has been a madhouse of stress these last few months, and tons of food. I’m already mentally piling up my plate with what I want to eat. Is that weird? If it is, don’t tell me because I want to keep on doing it and dreaming about topping it all off with pumpkin pie. Mmmmmmmm.

I’m Wondering….why people like politics. (ok- my OPINIONS HERE PEOPLE, calm yourself)… because politics are such a game. New guy gets elected. Everyone gets all excited.. “he’s going to save the world!”.. the world doesn’t get saved because it’s a big ol’ mess that is going to take way longer than a few years to fix… people start getting mad at new guy… election time comes, some other new guy comes in and starts promising to fix problems… people get all excited about new guy…. And repeat. Don’t people realize politicians will say and promise us exactly what we want to hear to WIN? It’s all about WINNING and that’s it.  It’s such a game and people get so fired up about it and it kinda cracks me up. But then, I get fired up about Pictionary, so I guess I can understand.  

I’m Eating… anything with pumpkin. Because that’s what you do come Fall. Last weekend I made pumpkin muffins and this weekend I think these pumpkin snickerdoodles are begging to be made and then reside in my tummy.

Recipe here

I’m Disliking… all of the bodily function issues happening with the Glynn children. Austin is drooling all over the place, swallowing too much of it and puking over every surface and person he comes in contact with, Henry ate Olive’s food and had a massive vomit all over our bed, the floor and his bed, Olive hacked up a hair ball, and Henry got scared by a falling high chair tray and peed in the kitchen. And this all happened within 24 hours.

I’m Happy About… Life. (I know, gag me, right??) but its so easy to get down, or wish things were different or focus on the menial things that are not going well… that I’m trying extra hard to focus on the good and be happy about it. I think humans naturally re-evaluate their lives when Fall arrives and start realizing all they have to be thankful about. I have a house, a good job, I’m healthy, I have a great husband, a happy healthy thriving baby… so what if Austin wakes up crying at 2am and I really want sleep? Or some unexpected bill pops up? Or plans don’t work out the way they were “supposed” to? Gotta let go and just be happy about what is good.

I’m Excited About… celebrating Austin’s first Christmas. Wrestling him into cozy pajamas, having him help decorate destroy the tree, watching him play with his the wrapping paper toys… of the joy that is in store for us!!

Our tree last year. Probably the last time it will look this good, thanks to curious baby hands this year!

The Real Mama World #7- Roll Call

It was a typical Thursday night.

Neal was going to be home late because he had to run the high school’s concession stand for their football game that night.

I, not wanting to be home alone, went over to Kenzie’s house to hang out with her… Austin loves playing with Barrett, Kenzie and I get to talk, and I always take Henry with me because he has the biggest doggy-crush on their dog Trooper.

So the night goes by like most other nights.. babies laughing, dogs humping one another (ew)… Kenzie and I chatting..

Then 8pm hits and my kiddo starts to get cranky and Neal calls and says he’s on his way back to the house.

Time to head for home.

I pack up our diaper bag, clean up stray food, find my purse and keys and get my cranky baby out the door and strapped into his car seat.

I’m all ready to go, telling Austin to “shhhh…. Its ok, almost home and bedtime!” and totally focused on getting us in the car and home ASAP.

I’m about to pull out of the driveway when Kenzie comes rushing out of the house holding something.

“Wait! Do you want to take Henry home?”

I ALMOST FORGOT THE DOG!!!!!!

Poor Henry. He probably planned this with Trooper… I’d get distracted, Henry would blend in with the furnishings and by the time I realized Henry wasn’t with me, it would be too late and he’d get a slumber party with his BFF.

Nice try, Henry. Nice try.

Next time I leave to go anywhere and have both fur and human babies in tow, I’m doing roll call.

The Fur Children vs. The Bambino

There is about to be a new baby around these parts.

And he ain’t of the furry 4-legged variety…

Our two trouble-makers are going to have to move over and give up some of the affection and attention they are used to and accept little Bambino into our family.

I’m not worried about Olive accepting Bambino.. she’s always been a really independent cat. She likes her space…. And while she’ll come to you for a cuddle once and awhile, she’s not much for human contact. She HATES to be picked up and held (Neal is the only one who can do this, and only for a few minutes) and she isn’t the type of cat that sleeps with us at night. She prefers the luxury and amenities of her “condo” (aka my side of the closet amongst my clothes) to anything else.

Note to self: buy stock in lint sticky rollers...

As long as someone with opposable thumbs is around to fill her food bowl and let her outside when she wants to go explore, she’s a happy camper. We could be replaced by a robot for all she cares.  

Henry, on the other hand… well…. he’s a bit selfish.

And an attention whore.

And spoiled.

And needy. 

If I put my butt on your head.. will you pay attention to me?

And hopelessly attached to Neal.

Don’t get me wrong… we do not have a yappy yippy “I-kinda-want-to-kick-you-right-now” ankle biter of a dog. He’s actually very calm, very chill, never yips and has the best personality out of any little dog I’ve known. (ok, slight bias…)

He’s just a total baby. And he knows he is the baby of our family.

We’ve already had some trouble in the past with him being jealous of the cat and using his tiny wee-wee to go pee-pee on or near her things.

He’s house-trained, so these little sprays are definitely of the “oh yeah? take THAT you f-ing cat! Hahaha!” variety.

So….. this ain’t happnin’ when Bambino arrives. I’m going to be drained and stressed enough without having to worry about whether or not the dog is defiantly peeing on the baby’s things or in the doorway to his room.

Enter the genius of Cesar Milan, dog whisperer!!!

I read his article on how to socialize dogs and babies, in hopes that if we follow all his tips, Henry will come to accept Bambino as another “pack leader” and leave his urge to mark his territory outside on the neighbor’s bushes.

Here are a few quick highlights from the article:

-Establish control. Make sure the dog knows you are the pack leader, and he is the one who needs to obey.

-Make sure the baby’s room is an area that the dog is allowed in only when you give him permission. Let him sniff and explore the room, but only when you are in there as well. This will help the dog respect the baby’s area.

-Walk your dog before introducing him to the baby… get all his energy out so he is calm.

-Bring home something that smells like the baby so the dog can sniff it before he even meets the baby.

-Introduce the baby in a calm but assertive manner, so the dog begins to recognize the baby as another pack leader in the house.

-Continue to give your dog time and attention when you can so they don’t feel neglected.

These are all great tips and thankfully they are all things we have been doing to some degree already, so hopefully bringing Bambino home won’t be a huge shock to poor wittle Henry.

I just have a feeling that Neal and I will both constantly have some baby in our arms… either the small soft and pink variety or the small furry wet-nose variety.

Do they make Baby Bjorns for dogs????

Dear Friday Letters- Pouting, Clean Tushies and Plane Propellers

Dear Henry,

When we say “go get in your bed” at night we mean- Go get in your bed. Not jump up on the pile of blankets sitting in the armchair and then turn your face to the wall and pretend you don’t hear us. You are not a teenager, so quit acting like one.

Don't pout just cuz you have to go to bed...

Dear Costco,

Your astronomical proportions never cease to amaze me! Behold what 1,120 baby wipes looks like. And all for less than $.02 a wipe! Bambino is going to have one squeaky clean tushy.

Ridiculously cute shoe added for size reference... :-)

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you for purchasing above wipes for us. You do know that this means I’m going to “let” you change him whenever you’re around him… right??? I mean, I’ve got let you “enjoy” your purchase! J

Dear Hair,

I am LOVING your current pregnancy-induced thickness and fullness. I know it’s only temporary, but please please please don’t fall out in clumps post-partum! I have a freakishly small head and need all my hair just to look proportionate!

Dear Hubby,

You look so stinking cute practice-pushing our baby stroller around the house I just want to jump on you and make more babies! But, seeing as my womb is pretty cramped right now… that will have to wait for a bit. 

And in Celebrity Buzz...

Dear Model who walked into the spinning plane propeller,

OMG girl! How does that even HAPPEN???? I mean, seriously... how????  Good lord, that is silly action movie type stuff!!!! I am glad you are alive and on your way to walking and talking again. I think I'll stick to a car to go around and look at Christmas lights and skip the private plane.

via

Dear Friday Letters

Dear Belly Button,

You are so close to popping out! I keep expecting to sneeze and have you go “boop!” at any moment. Let’s just commit to this sticking-out-thing fully and just go for it, ok? Go big or go home!

Dear Henry,

You were very rude last weekend when we doggy-sat your BFF Jackson. You kept stealing his bed! We did not raise you to have such bad manners… should we enroll you in a Puppy Etiquette course?

Dear Husband,

Your birthday is on Sunday! Even though we aren’t celebrating with anything extravagant, I hope the day will be filled with fun and you will know how much you are loved! So in case you didn't know just how much you were loved... let me show you....

Olive loves you…

Henry loves you…

And I LOVE YOU… (way more than the Fur Children!)

Glo Photography

And I know our little Bambino is going to think you are just the bee’s knees…. We are all so happy you were born! Happy Birthday (on Sunday) baby!!!!!!

Dear Mom,

You asked me last week if I needed any new socks for Christmas, so you could take advantage of Black Friday sales. I said I wasn’t sure if I needed new socks or not, and that I probably didn’t need any…. well… the proof is in the pudding. I think I need new socks!

And in Celebrity Buzz….

Dear Regis,

I am so sad that you are retiring! Even though you are 80 years old and deserve to retire. I was really looking forward to watching you every morning when I go on maternity leave... what am I going to do now???? And I have so many memories of watching “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee” during summer breaks when I was in middle school and high school. You are a true entertainment icon, and you will be very missed! Best of luck!!!

via

Takin' the kids to the park...

Neal and I set out for a nice little walk on Sunday afternoon because it was GORGEOUS out. Olive was already outside enjoying the sun, and when we started walking out of neighborhood with Henry, we realize Olive had spotted us and was following us out of the neighborhood.

"meow! meow! Mom! Wait! Wait, Mom! Mom! meow"

I didn’t want her to follow us across the busy highway, so instead of going on the long walk we intended, we decided to just walk around our neighborhood a few times.

The cat followed us the entire time! It was too funny… me, Neal, our pipsqueak of a dog in his baseball sweatshirt… and a cat following along meowing the whole way.

Doo dee doo... just out walking the cat...

She even followed us up into the grass/park area in the middle of our townhouses… so we joked that we were “taking the kiddos to the park” on that nice Sunday afternoon.

Exploring the "park"

Waiting for the dog to walk by so she can pounce

The Glynn Family Outing

Olive would even break out in a fast run at points, zoom by the dog, whack him with her paw, then lay down and “hide” by a curb… teasing him into playing with her. You could tell she was having SO much fun!

I think she liked her little afternoon adventure and is now ready for the next one!

"where to next guys???"