1000!!!!

My blog has over 1000 hits on it.....wow!

I know that is meager compared to most other blogs, and that over 1/3 of the hits were from myself making posts and checking the layout, but still, it is a step in the right direction! Someone must be interested in what I have to say!!!

Jacob is feeling much better today, back to his old self. The humidifier and plug in had only one night of exposure before returning to the deep darkness that if the hall closet today.

It was quite dreary out and we spent most of the day tidying up. Jake had a birthday party this afternoon for the neighbors little girl (who just adores him). She made 7 and had her party at a 'jump zone'. Lots of fun! Afterwards we were invited over to their place for dinner.

When we returned home, I found Charlie Brown on TV and turned it on for Jacob. He has seen it before, but I don't think he remembered it because he was mesmerized, especially by Snoopy. Snoopy is my least favorite, I guess because of the 'flying ace' scenes. You know which ones I am talking about. A 10 minute animated scene without one word, just Snoopy flying around on top of his dog house....

Anyways, tomorrow shall be spent doing the like, finishing the tree decorating, going to church, watching the Saints (hopefully) win!

Sleep easy

Vicks plug in - check
Vicks vapo rub to nose and chest - check
Vicks humidifier - check
Antibiotic - check
Dimetapp nightime for children - check
water and kleenex at the ready - check

Sleep easy little man

Black Friday finds...

If you recall, Mike informed me a few weeks back that he would like to partake in the shopping extravaganza better known as 'Black Friday'. So last night we combed through the ads deciding what it was we wanted to tackle the crowds for. We came to the realization that only Walmart, JCPenney, and Bed Bath and Beyond were even going to make it worth our while. We circled and jotted, creating lists and a game plans.

This morning we rose before the sun (4:45 to be precise), dressed in the comfiest clothes we could muster to put on, and like the awesome parents that we are, trudged in to our 3 year old sons room to wake him from his slumber. Let's back up a little.....yesterday we noticed Jacob was getting a slight runny nose and his breath smelled so awful that it left you wanting to run screaming for the hills. I kind of figured he might be getting strep, but he had no fever and was acting OK. Soooo, we decided last night that it would be OK for him to embark on our 5 am shopping with us, for a little while at least.

When we woke him this morning, he had snot plastered to his little baby face and his lips were dry and cracked. Shake it off we told him, it's time to go!!!! (we did check his temperature just to be sure we were not really too horrible) Into the car(s) we hopped and headed to Walmart. We took 2 cars because Mike thought he might find something for me there and did not want me to see it if he were to purchase it. The parking lot was JAM PACKED!!!! We did not expect anything less. We found two parking spots relatively easy though and pushed our way in. Mike somehow nabbed a shopping cart and off we went.

We found a few choice items but there were some things I finally gave up on. With every register open, we stood in line for an hour, Jacob being and angel the whole time, before packing up and heading out.

We did end up taking Jake to the doctor shortly thereafter and she decided to go ahead and put him on a 10 day course of antibiotics (or as she calls them anti-bee-otics), pretty sure it was strep he was fighting. She told us baby bug #2 would be completely protected from the nasty strep monster, even if I were to contract it from him.
We then headed to BB&B where we purchased curtains and rods for the remainder of the house. After Mike had a little meltdown about the money spent for the day, all was good and we headed home.

We are home now, in for the day. To sum it up I will give you my thoughts:

-one large pack of 100 count mega blocks for Jacob and cousin Emma to enjoy: $10
-one 2 quart crock pot from Walmart purchased at 5:30 this morning: $4
-DVD's for everyone: $6
-dragging my oh so willing husband and sick child out to shop with me on Black Friday: PRICELESS!!




and lastly some pictures from yesterdays festivities....

So Thankful

What am I thankful for???

Well, I actually had a list typed up here for most of the day today, but once we returned home tonight, I got to thinking. I cannot possibly condense everything that I am thankful for into a small neat little list. I am thankful for SO many things each and every day.

We hope that on this Thanksgiving day you take the time to simply reflect on all you have to be thankful for, and then get down on your knees and thank Our Heavenly Father for it all.

What Jacob is thankful for, however, speaks for itself....M&M shots, golf cart rides, and battery powered ice chest scooters!







what are you thankful for on this most beautiful day?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have yourselves a lovely little Thanksgiving, from our family to yours.

I've missed you SO much!

Today marked my first day back in the NICU (well, really it was the well baby nursery, but who cares, babies are involved and that is all that matters!).

Today marked the day that I finally realized what I went in to nursing for.....the babies!!!

Oh how I have missed my babies (doesn't matter that they are not my babies, nor does it matter that this was my first time ever working a shift at this hospital, they were MINE today!). I walked in to the nursery and a huge toothy uncontrollable grin crossed my face. I was home. I knew I missed it, but actually getting back in to the swing of things really made me realize why I do what I do. It is a passion, a love.

It really does not matter that I swaddled screaming babies, cleaned up poop, wiped off spit up, jabbed needles in to unsuspecting legs, or dealt with nutcase parents. At the end of the day, I am still smiling=)

Thank you Lord for leading me down this path!

The ONLY bad part of today was only getting to see Jacob for 15 minutes before he headed off to dream land. I smothered him in kisses and read him snowy Christmasey books and tucked him in tight. Goodnight big man, sweet dreams.

Happy Holidays!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

sweetness

It is a very nippy 37 degrees out this morning! BRRRRR!

I wanted to show you all what Jacob made at school yesterday (sorry about the glare, the sheet is laminated):




We thought it was so precious that when Mrs D asked him what he was thankful for this year, he included baby Addie (Addison is the name we have chosen if the baby is in fact a girl like Jacob insists!!).

What a sweet big brother he will be.

I am going to lunch with a neighbor and some friends, then heading home to watch the LSU game, then we are headed to Mikes' aunt and uncles house tonight for a rockin' 30th anniversary celebration.

Have a good day!

call it quits!

Done! Our Christmas shopping is done as of today, November 20th, 2008! Well, except for my dad, who is the hardest person in the world to buy for. What the heck do you get a 61 year old man???? Oh my does Jake man have it made this Christmas too! We (I) bought him quite a bit. Good thing I was able to convince some family and friends to just buy some of the toys from me to give to him!

Jacob and I were talking today (on the way home from school), as we often do, about his baby (AKA baby in mommy's' belly). He says with a very firm tone: "It IS a girl and I think she might wear red" HA! I was asking him if the baby would wear pink if it was a girl! We were also discussing Santa, and how he makes his grand entrance in to the house. I informed him that Santa comes through the chimney/fireplace. Jacob gets a very concerned look and simply states "well, then we cannot turn on the fire....OK?!"

Our boy is really starting to like taking showers. Most often we plop him in his own tub to play and splash like most kids, but sometimes when we are pressed for time at night we throw him in the shower with us (me). He hated it at first, screaming about soap in his eye and the like. Now though, he asks me to scoot over so he can have a spot underneath the 'sprinkler'!

His newest thing is saying (out of the blue) "mama/daddy, I love you this much!" Stretching his arms out as far as they will go. It makes my day when he does this. It is so random and sweet. In response, we say "we love you to the moon and back", to which he just smiles=)

Life just doesn't get much better than that!

is it Wednesday already...?

Oh my, how the week has flown!

Our computer randomely crashed on Monday, leaving us to buy a brand spanking new one today.....right before Christmas. That was exactly what I was going to ask Santa for! How did he know=)

Yesterday I got a phone call right about 430 in the pm. It registered on caller ID as being Mikes' cell (thank goodness I didn't answer with one of our many pet names, that would have been embarrassing!) but it was Mikes' co-worker Trent. He was calling to say Mike was having one of his major migranes (which only occurs about twice a year now) and was being driven home. Once they arrived I ran out to the car and my nursely duties kicked in! I gave Mike his much needed migrane relief medication and laid him in the pitch darkness of our room. All the while Jacob is with the lovely neighbor who offered to keep an eye on him while I nursed sweet Mike. While this is taking place, my (other) neighbor rings the bell and informs me that our sweet Molly girl (labrador retriever mix) has busted through the fence and is frolicking with her dogs.....

So Trent, being the wonderful friend thast he is, goes out to our yard and fixes our fence temporarily.

Mike ended up sleeping all night and was good as gold this morning. Jake and I spent 2 hours at the park with cousin Cooper and his expecting mommy Aymee. The boys had a blast rolling around in the sand and just doing dirty ole boy things.

Mike purchased our new computer this evening and we were able to inform Santa of Jacobs' biggest Christmas wish:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3295910

I think Santa might just make good on this particular wish (wink).

We are exhausted, and I am attempting to complete our Christmas shopping tomorrow!

G'night all!

Not me Monday

Not Me! Monday

The truth is that, as a mama, I cut corners all the time and make mistakes and clean my kids' face with spit on my finger. I only paint my nails....wait, I never paint my nails.....But I have been trying to become woman enough to admit all that. To that end, I created the blog carnival I call Not Me! Mondays, where I could be brutally honest. And live to tell about it.


This past weekend, while we were at the kiddie carnival with friends, we participated in a cake walk. We actually won a cake from a local bakery. On the way home I most certainly did not allow my husband to talk me into sticking my finger down in to the cake to see what kind it was, with the knowledge that it was a free cake and we were the only ones eating it. I would never do that....how unsanitary!!!!

I was definitely not falling asleep, head bobbing and all, throughout orientation this week at work. How unprofessional would that be!

I noticed Mike getting hives all over his body and assuming it was the new detergent we had JUST opened, I did not continue washing clothes like it was no big deal. Now noticing tonight that the hives have very much grown in size and all clothes must be rewashed...

We DID however thank our Heavenly Father (and still continue to do so) for our most precious gift this week.

Happy Monday!

nuttin much goin on

Good weekend, a bit chilly. The high today was in the low 50's! Very nice break from our typical La heat. Yesterday we did a good bit of Christmas shopping, with Jacob in tow. He was pretty much a complete angel the whole time! Today we went to church, then headed to a small festival we were invited to by some good friends. The kids played some games and jumped on the inflatables. Jacob was great until it was time to leave. No nap + long day jumping = very cranky 3 year old! He got over it quickly though and we made our weekly Walmart run this evening.

I CANNOT believe LSU pulled that win off last night. Were we the only ones left with our mouths hanging open in the 4th quarter as Jarrett Lee somehow attained 5 touchdowns to win it for the tigers????

On a side not, no morning sickness or anything of the sort as of yet (yay). I swear though, I already have a 'belly pooch'......grrrrrr

have you guessed our secret???

Let me give you a hint....











That's right....baby bug #2 is on the way! We are beyond excited/overjoyed/elated! We thank our Heavenly Father for this most glorious blessing. Jacob is pretty excited himself. This was our conversation tonight:

Me: "Jacob, you are going to be a big brother, you know that right? You are going to be the big brother to the baby in mommy's belly"

Jacob: "Did you eat it (the baby)?!?!?!?

Me: (laughing hysterically) "no, Jesus put the baby in mommy's belly, and when it gets big it will come out"

Jacob "Yeah, it will pop out and I will catch it"

I think he pretty much has the concept down....don't you....??

Oh, and that also means that 3 cousins will be born next year (us, sister in law, and Mike's cousin are all pregnant, due within months of each other).

secrets

last day of orientation....longest day sitting on my bottom. 11 straight hours, including the 2 hour drive home! THANK YOU Heavenly Father, this week is almost over...

Oh yes, and the best part of our week.....well, it's a secret, wanna guess???

on the road again......

it really stinks to be on the road again......

That was me attempting to sing as I made the 1 1/2 hour trek from Lafayette this evening. I sat in traffic all morning and all evening. Not really complaining though since I will only be doing this this week. I am NOT used to traffic! I work such odd hours as a nurse that everyone is still sleeping when I leave and still working when I come home! I had orientation there today (as well as tomorrow and Thursday) in order to start working some shifts in the next few weeks in their NICU. I can't wait, I miss those darn babies so much!

Last night Jacob, Mike and I were watching the newest Incredible Hulk movie and I swear, the kid asked me every few seconds (literally)...."where's incwedable Houwk at?" Finally he appeared briefly some 40 minutes in to the movie and that was enough for him! He wanted to know why he (Hulk) wasn't wearing any shoes...

so cute!

Not me Monday

Not much going on over our way....

We FINALLY got new neighbors, apparently! There was never a for sale sign out and the house was vacant for months. Last week we noticed people going in and out, as if there were perspective buyers. This weekend a family obviously moved in! We see the couple with their little boy, but they have made no attempt so far at saying hello. I even waved at the lady as she pulled out of the driveway tonight, but either she did not see me or she was avoiding me!

On another note, Jacob had two big accomplishments today at school. A little history first...he is not a 'public pooper', he saves it for his potty at home. This often times leads to accidents at school because he is trying desperately to hold it until he gets home. Well today he did it, all on his own at school. He also refuses to go if anyone is in the restroom with him, which is another dilemma because his teacher send the kids in two at a time (there are two potties in each bathroom). I was SO freaken excited when Ms S. told me he went today!

The kids are always outside playing when I go to pick him up, and more times than not he is playing by himself. I talked with him about making friends and playing games with the other kids. Today when I went to get him, he was right in the middle of a big group of kids interacting and playing with the bunch.

Our little man is getting so big=)


I am also going to (try) something new on Mondays. I got this idea from another blog and I really like it! It is called 'Not me Mondays' and the point is to list all of the things that you did not (did) do this past week....so here goes:

-I did not eat so much on Saturday night that I had to unbuttom my jeans while still sitting in the restaraunt!

-I most certainly did not get very excited about Jacob pooping on the potty at school and jump up and down while is teacher stared at me like I was crazy....I definitely did not!

-I did not overspend on Christmas gifts this week, I would never do that!

Sooooo close...

yet so far away.

LSU almost pulled it off tonight against Bama, they even went in to OT which was a big surprise to us. We honestly thought we would get beat pretty bad. LSU held their own though considering Alabama is #1 in the country! It would have been oh so sweet though to kick Sabans' teams butt!

After the game we went out with some friends for dinner. I ate WAY too much.

Oh oh, and this morning Jacob and I helped a neighbor out with a garage sale. She had a little 'lemonade and brownie' stand set up for the kids to sell. They charged $ 0.25 for each brownie and each cup of lemonade. They made over $25.00!!! I have never seen such an influx of people coming to a garage sale!

There's a monster in my bed!!!!!

Last night, upon getting ready to head downstairs to go to bed, I hear a noise. A very loud, rhythmic noise. I head down to check on Jacob, all is well on his side of the house....

As I creep closer to our bedroom, I realize it is coming from within....

I open the bedroom door slowly.....and the noise is so loud that I must cover my ears! Mike is all sprawled out taking up the whole king size bed, snoring at higher decibels than I have ever heard come from him. Sooooo I violently shake him awake (which is required because he sleeps like a rock) to inform him that he is indeed snoring, and before he knocks the pictures off of the wall could he please roll over. He warily complies and within minutes was snoring again.

and so it went, this was our night...he would roll to a new position, I would shake him awake and tell him to change positions again. We continued on for so long, that by 1am, with a pillow on my head and plugs in my ears, I was growing increasingly frustrated. I had to wake for 445am and I needed sleep. I couldn't be mad at him though, because the poor guy had a cold and it was hard for him to breath.

So off I went to the sofa where I tossed and turned for another full hour before finally drifting off to sleep.

Needless to say, I called work and told them that I would not make it in today, due to lack of sleep. They were OK with that since I agreed to work extra next week.

Next time Jacob says "there might be a monster in there" (which he says whenever a room is dark and he is afraid to go in alone) I will promptly reply, "no baby, it's just daddy"....

An early start

I got an early start (actually pretty late for me) on Christmas shopping today. I got at least 5 1/2 people out of the way....only about 30 more to go!!!!

I LOVE Christmas shopping, and Mike asked me last night if he could shop with me on black Friday. YES I say.....YES!!!! What an awesome man he is=)

a good day=)

A good day was had today, on the day I turned 30.

We baked blueberry muffins this morning and then Jacob and I spent most of the day cleaning the house (or should I say I cleaned while he came behind me creating more mess!).

For lunch we headed out to the clubhouse in the yard and had us a good ole fashioned picnic....bare feet and all.

After his nap, Jake and I headed out to run a few errands and back home we came, in anticipation of daddy's arrival home.

Mike did a pretty darn good job of making me think he had not gotten me a cake, which I must admit left me a little sad. Every girl needs a cake on her birthday!! But low and behold (as always), my man came through and had not only the cake, but two wonderful presents, complete with cards (Jacob signed his own!) and an offer to take us all out to dinner. In fact, Mike had actually purchased my birthday present when we were in Disney and he had it hidden until tonight. Now that's thinking ahead....take some lessons guys, that is how you do it!

We trekked on over to the newest establishment in our ever growing city and had a kick a** dinner! It was wonderful, except for the part where Jacob (accidentally) spilled his entire cup of milk on their carpet. That is going to stink some aweful in a few days.....

Oh no....the big 3-0!

Well, what a date to remember. Today I make 30.....you heard that right. The girl whom everyone thinks looks 20 turns the dreaded 30 today=( No longer can I say I am in my twenties. Plus, an added bonus, I can commemorate the day with the knowledge that (as my friend put it) on the day I turned 30, the first black man became President elect......can you say WOW!

Jacob and I are to spend the day together. I kept him home from preschool to spend my special day with me. I do think my day will be spent cleaning up the house and going to the park=)

I must start breakfast, as my little man is munching on a jar of peanuts because he is so hungry...

the shirt says it all...

well, we voted today....and I hope you did too.

I worked all morning and went to the polls at 230pm, without a line to be seen! Mike is out of town tonight, so it's just me and my hero....it'll be a snuggling kind of night=)

Halloween pictures

I hope you all remembered to change your clocks this morning! We were terrified Jacob would wake at 6am with the time change, but he did well and slept until 7=)

OK, so I finally put the pictures from Friday night on the computer=)

Jacob had a good time, but surprisingly there were not near as many kids trick or treating as there were last year. We walked around with the neighbors boys for a little over an hour and by the time we got home, most of the other people had gone in as well. Needless to say we did not give out ANY of the candy we had bought and are now stuck with it all!!!! I guess the girls at my work will be getting lots of candy!

The little LSU player in the picture is of Jacob's neighbor friend Gregory. They are the same age and play outside together often.









On a side note, remember when I headed to town to check out bridesmaids dresses with my good friend Kim (yes, we have the same name!)??? Well this is what she decided on....isn't it pretty!!!!

http://billlevkoff.com/collections/index.asp?color_1=80

Well, Mike is kicking me off of the computer, I guess his schoolwork is more important=)