Sharks or Cars?!

Last night, Eric and I hired a babysitter and went for a night-on-the-town just us to.  No, there wasn't a diaper tucked in my purse.  No, we didn't have to ask for a high chair at Biaggi's, and there were no bite-sized hot dog messes at our table.  It was nice to get away and chat about life together.

Our night started with picking up my favorite little babysitter -- Melisa.  She's a former student...one who just has it all together.  She was my mini-secretary.  She'd show substitute teachers the way, organize my room on a daily basis, and was my go-to office runner.  There will be NO replacing her in the years to come.  Best yet?  Her mom is a daycare provider...so she spends her afternoons and summers wiping kids mouths and changing diapers.  Score!  As we left, we saw a crying Jack waving "bbyyyyeeee" out the window.  Within minutes I got a text that said "Jack's happy again, he has applesauce!"  She's so good.

Biaggis.  My favorite little Italian getaway.  It is one place you would not want to take a toddler...so we end up there only when we're sans-Jack.  Bruschetta, Farfalle Alfredo, and lots and lots of adult conversation.

Jordan Creek.  Without a stroller!  Oh man, the fun that can be had when we're not on a little's schedule.  We bought our movie tickets to Snow White and the Huntsman and were left to kill some time before the showing.  So, naturally, off to Pottery Barn Kids we went.  I've had my eyes on a quilt for Jack's big kid room, and we already bought his bunk bed set from Ikea last weekend, so I was dying to go to my favorite decor store for little kiddos.  Bonus?  Eric let me get the quilt!  It was on sale ($40 off!).  I also bought the sham.  My decorating wheels are spinning so fast!  The movie was an edge-of-your-seat kind of a show...totally worth watching {and, weird as this may sound, I HATE movies}.

Wellman's.  The West Glen hangout of anyone who lives in WDM.  We stopped for just a few and watched people.  I know I'm only 26, but places like Wellman's makes me feel old.  I bet these people don't have kids at home.  Or, at least I hope they don't.  :)

When we got back home, our little babysitter had cleaned the garage, taken 20+ pictures of Jack from the night, and baked homemade pb and chocolate cookies.  Simply the best.

These were taken by my babysitter! So cute!

Now that the night is over, and our 6th anniversary is passing through as I type, should I decorate around my Jack's new quilt with cars or sharks?!  I am thinking old, raggedy cars like this.  But, maybe I could do kind of a beachy, shark theme like this?  Hmmm.....we'll see.  I can't wait to see the room all put together.

What will I do when ALL of the spaces in my house are decorated?!

Eric = Daddy!

Dear Eric,

I remember the day like it was yesterday.  We were absolutely smitten for each other. The world shrunk into all-about-you-and-me and nothing, and I mean nothing, else mattered.  Often times, we'd forget the time, didn't have a care in the world, and could stare into each other's eyes for hours on end without a flinch.

It was your 16th birthday.  You had a Pontiac Grand Prix, royal blue, from 1900 (slight exaggeration).  You, in your eyes, were the coolest 16 year old on the block.  You so smoothly said "I have three girls that want to be my girlfriend now that I can drive.  I could date "option a", or "option b", or "option c".  {insert long awkward pause as I was NOT amused}.  Then you said "Will you go out with me?" followed by a little kiss and your quirky smile.  Of course I said yes and the rest is history...

Fast forward 11 years.  Man that makes me feel old {I remember old people saying "boy, that makes me feel old" phrases.  Does that make me old since I say them?  I'm guessing so.  Sad.}

We're nearing our 6th wedding anniversary.  You know what "they" say, time flies when you're having fun, right?  I cannot believe it's been that long since our wedding day.  Another day I'll never forget; "I got married and I got 21?!"  Oh, Eric, you never cease to amaze me.

You as a dad. {sigh}

My, where do I begin?

You, Eric, are the best dad to our little man Jack.  The way you snuggle him in and tell him "It's nuh-night time Jack, just like big boys, be sure to stay in your bed.  I love you." gives me goosebumps.  The way you jump out of your chair (which you know isn't like you) to sing "rubber ducky" in your awkward, out-of-tune voice just to make Jack laugh in the bath tub each night.  And, how can I forget that you let me sleep in every Saturday.  In my half-asleep state I secretly listen to you whipping up pancakes and singing the "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" theme song over and over.  I hear you and Jack pounding, singing, and forming a bond that no one will ever break.

Jack loves you, so, so very much. When I pick him up from daycare, he does his little waddle run and proclaims "daaaa dee".  Yep, that's right.  It's mom, not dad, sorry Jack.

Jack loves you.  We love you.  

Happy Father's Day --- cliche I know --- to THE best dad in the world.  Period.

Family Car Ride

So, split second decision: we're going to IKEA, darn it! I've been dying to raid the children's section for over a year.

Today, my good friend Jill asked if there was anything I wanted her to pick up from IKEA. I modestly told her a few items I had been hoping to buy. As I continued to scour the website i realized...I need to buy the whole store. No exaggeration.

So, we're on a spur-of-the-moment road trip.

After a quick fill up and a stop at Wendy's...we were off! We're so cool we bump to "baa baaaa black sheep". I know, you're jealous!

I was NOT smarter than a fifth grader, darn it! That dang game is so addicting...

After about an hour, I decided Jack was SO good. The next steps that follow make me laugh. out. loud. Literally.

Step one: "Jack, do you want a sucker?". "suuuuukrrrrrr".

Step two: Jack misses his mouth and covers his cheeks in sticky goo. At one point he has the sticky end in the palm of his hand proclaiming "uh oooooh" over and over. Yes, Jack, uh oh is right.

Step three: crocodile tears ensue because the sucker is gone. Well, I took it away anyway. There was enough sticky goo to cover his body. I handed Jack a napkin and continued my "wants list" conversation with eric. A few minutes pass and...

Step four: screams!!!!!!! I look back and find Jack completely STUCK to his napkin! It's shredded! His entire set of hands and every inch of his fingers are stuck! So. Freaking. Funny!

After a few baby wipe washes and a baby hand massage with my new Bali Mango BBW lotion, we were in the clear.

It all started with a little dum dum...

Now, Eric and I are jammin to hip hip from the 2000's on Pandora and our cute little man is fast asleep in toddler dream land. Maybe he's dreaming of the new table and toys he's getting tomorrow??

Walk it out, walk it out, walk it out...

Moooo?!

Yesterday, Eric and I decided to look at iPads for our little man.  Yes, I know.  1-and-a-half year old needing an iPad?  Well, technically his daddy wants one, but to convince me he's using this: "Jack could learn all of his colors/numbers/letters and watch Sesame Street on Netflix!"

After leaving the always-busy Apple store (supposedly the only one in Iowa?!), we decided to eat at the food court.  It's usually the best option for our family.   Eric always wants chick-fil-a, and I usually end up with a  bowl full of spaghetti and meatballs with a side of cheese pizza for Jack.  Everyone's happy!

Now you're wondering why the post title is Mooo, right?!

So we're sitting in the food court.  Over an over again Jack proclaims "mooo" in so many different ways.  He would take a bite, then moooo.  He'd mooooo three times and then take another bite.  The whole time we wondered what in the world he was doing or saying?  Then...suddenly....we realize what he's doing.  The chick-fil-a logo has COWS on it!  He was pointing to Eric's cup and "mooing" to tell us he saw a cow!  So funny.  We laughed and laughed at our little mooing man.



Jack knows almost all of the animal sounds.  Clearly, even when they're built into some environmental print.  Who knew?  He's learning and growing so much...it's so fun to watch all of our book reading turn into conversations!  And, I'm relieved that Jack isn't incessantly "mooing" for no apparent reason! :)

Should we get an iPad for Jack (and Eric)?  Any of you out there love yours and would highly suggest it?  I need help!

Kids want their MOMS!

So, awhile ago, our little family found out some devastating news.  News I never thought I'd have to think about or deal with - ever.  For the first time, I wasn't ready to pour my heart out on this screen...

In the same week, I came across an article that talked about how kids want their moms.  What a concept!  Instead of blogging, snapping pictures ALL the time, and wondering what project I could tackle on pinterest next...I decided it was time to take a break. I kept telling myself to enjoy our family...enjoy the moment. 

Your kids want YOU article

Honestly, it was nice to not wonder about what to type.  How to say it.  Did I want to share that?

As the weeks and months have gone on, however, I've found myself longing to type, to get my thoughts of the day down somewhere.  So, I scrolled through my blog.  I didn't remember drinking all that apple juice when I was pregnant.  I hardly remember some of the things that happened in the first weeks of a family.  And, it was really, really nice to read the candid words as if I was right there again.

So...I'm back.  Here to tell the simple little story of us.  The beach-ball-flying-through-the-backyard, trip to the park every. single. day., cupboard filled with raisin boxes for summer kind of adventures that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Speaking of Pinterest...

Here's my latest project :)  A picture wall that I've always wanted.

It was hard to pick pictures, color schemes, sizes, and who to include...but the finished product makes it all worth it.

While I'm on summer break, I've been checking off my to-do lists, sitting through boring grad. classes (more than halfway through the program towards becoming a principal!), and swimming, snuggling, and learning animal sounds with Jack.  We've landscaped, organized, created a little in-home gym, and much, much more!  For it only being June, I feel awfully accomplished.

Thanks for being patient while I took a break.  It feels so good to be back!