Where was this advice???

I grew up babysitting a lot.  Almost all of my friends have kids.  I have heard stories from co-workers about their kids and what to expect.  And we have nephews, so I figured that between all these stories and experiences, I would know what to expect with having a baby.  I thought that I have either heard it or experienced it all, so bring it on!  I knew that he would cry at times.  I knew that he would spit up on me at some point.  I have experienced him peeing on me and himself while changing a diaper.  HOWEVER, where was the warning about him pooping in my hands?  Apparently, I changed his diaper before he was finished with his business.  And as I'm wiping him, out comes more.  I'm pretty sure I gagged as I was laughing, which has never happened before. 

We also ventured out to the grocery store today in the snowy weather.  It's fun taking him out and it's fun having people tell me how cute he is and how he is the littlest Hawkeye they have ever seen.  I mean really, they don't need to tell me how cute he is - I already know this.  :) 

Here is a picture from today.  He was sleeping before we even left the garage.  I guess he figured he owed me by being a good boy since he pooped on me!

 

Welcome to our family Matthew!!!

We had a very busy weekend this weekend.  I am so excited to announce that I am an aunt again!  My sister and her husband are the proud parents to another little boy - Matthew!  I am so excited to go out to Omaha and meet him.  I was hoping we could go today, but it looks like we might have to wait until next weekend.  I hope I can wait that long!!  I'm so happy for them.  I think it will be fun to have all these little boys running around at family gatherings over the years, although I'm sure they might get themselves into trouble together someday!!!  Congrats Rachel, Ryan and big brother Thomas!!!  (and Cooper :) )

We also had my baby shower this weekend.  My friends spoiled us and it was fun to all catch up and let the kids play together.  And we ended the day with a girls night out dinner.  I can't even explain how much I enjoyed visiting with my friends over good food and a few glasses of wine.  It was a much needed night out!!! 

Here is a picture of Brady and I all ready for our baby shower....

Quiet Friday Night

Brady and I are spending a quiet night at home tonight.  He's sleeping right now and I'm trying to catch up on a few things.  Today was one of those days where I wanted to be productive, but just couldn't be!!  I'm sure he'll wake up soon though - I know my free time is limited. 

Brady and I ventured out for the first time this week.  We went to Old Navy for a short shopping trip.  It's been a month and was definitely time to get out of the house!  I can't believe it took me a whole month to want to get out.  We also had our friends the Taylors over for pizza last night.  It was so great to see them - we love chatting it up with them.  And I don't think Janelle realized it, but she gave me some great parenting advice in regards to Brady sleeping, so I hope to make progress there.  We hope we can get together more with them this winter.  They live too close to not get together!! 

Here is a recent picture of Brady.  The shoes are a little big but awesome.  :)  And thanks to Aunt Alecia for the blue outfit!!  It's one of my favorites!

Random Thoughts

I just have some random thoughts today...

1. I am getting great at typing one-handed.
2. Brady had his first real tear today.  It slid down his cheek and was so cute! 
3. I filed / clipped his nails last night.  This was the first time I was able to actually clip them.  It was scary, but he was sound asleep.
4. Brady has outgrown his newborn clothes.  :(  And yet the 0-3 months is still too big.....
5. I received my HR papers from Principal.  My first day back to work will be March 4th.  I know this seems like a long ways away yet, but to me it doesn't.  I realize how lucky I am to have FMLA and to be able to stay home for 12 weeks, but it literally breaks my heart to think about going back to work.  I don't want to leave Brady.  His daycare place is great, but I'm not naive - I know he will be spending time just sitting (actually he cries) in his bouncy seat.  I will NOT be paying the fee to view his room over the web.  That will just be too much for me to see him just sitting there.  Plus, I have been informed of some changes on my team again, so between these staffing changes and part of my job already being outsourced, I don't look forward going back to my job.  My dream is to be a stay at home mommy.
6. Being home all day has brought about a few new addictions for me - Dt. Mountain Dew & The Young and the Restless. 
7. Chris and I are headed to KC in March.  Dave Ramsey (who created the Financial Peace University) is speaking there.  We have tickets and will be going for the weekend.  I hope to line up our hotel soon although I am not familiar with KC at all.  Dave Ramsey (not my uncle Dave Ramsey- ha ha) is on my list of speakers I would like to hear sometime in my lifetime, so I am really excited about this trip.  Chris, not so much, although I know he is looking forward to getting away.
8. Chris and I have not vacationed since March of 2009.  We went to Vegas for our 30th birthdays.  That was almost two years ago - which is way too long to go without a vacation.
9. Speaking of vacations, our friend Jacque mentioned a couples trip with our group of friends to an all inclusive resort within the next couple of years.  We are in!!!  I hope she was serious!!!
10. I plan on moving this year.  I hope Chris is listening to me when I mention it to him and doesn't pull the "selective hearing" on me.  I don't want a bigger house, just a better built house.  I want a ranch style house with a three car or extended garage.  It would have to have quality windows and insulation.  And a mud room and pantry would be wonderful.  I would never recommend to anyone buying a cookie cutter house.  They are built very cheaply.  I know my parents tried to warn me when we bought this house, but I was young and dumb and just wanted a house.  :)  Lesson learned!!!
11. My college friends are throwing my baby shower this weekend.  I am so excited!  We have a few friends who live out of town, so it's our tradition to have the shower after the baby is born so everyone can see him.  I think that they are wonderful for doing this for me and I really appreciate those that drive all the way back home just for this.  That means a lot to me!!!

The Evolution of my New Year's Eves

Happy New Year's!  I rang in the New Year's with Drake last night.  Chris has not been feeling well and him and Brady were sleeping at midnight, so Drake and I watched the countdown (although I'm pretty sure Drake was snoozing too!).  I felt really old watching Snookie drop in the ball.  Jeez.....  It did make me laugh about how times have changed though.  I babysat every New Year's Eve throughout high school.  I didn't mind it.  In college and for a few years afterwards, we had a lot of fun celebrations - we spent many New Year's either in Westside, Ames or at Curt & Jacques.  Always a good time there.  :)  And this year, it has evolved to me being home and the only one awake.  My how times have changed!!!  It was ok though - I wasn't ready for a babysitter and I didn't want to be out in the cold and icy weather with Brady. 

So, I've always declared a New Year's resolution each year and unfortunately have never stuck with it!  I'm going to try something new this year.  Instead of focusing on improving something for myself, I'm going to focus on volunteering.  My New Year's resolution is to volunteer someplace new once a month.  I have a list of organizations that I have never participated / assisted with, so I'll start there.  It doesn't have to be an all day thing -even a few hours to see what it's about and to help in any way I can.  I'm sick of always wanting  to help but being afraid to try new things.  I will blog about each experience every month and am really hoping that I go through with this!!!  If anyone has any organizations that they hold near and dear to their hearts, let me know!

So here's to a happy, healthy, exciting, fun & meaningful 2011!!!!