I have a really good excuse this time...

I am aware that I have been M.I.A for the last month. But I have been busy! Like really, really busy! "Doing What?" you may ask. Well I have been creating a pair of eyes, a brain, spinal cord, plus a pair arms and legs perfectly accented with fingers and toes! Confused yet? Maybe a few pictures will help you out!

Behold....here is our second Bundle of Joy due on March 18, 2012!

Reading on my Iphone

By far my favorite App on my iPhone is the Kindle. I had really been wanting a Kindle after going to Mexico and carrying around my 500 page Twilight book while the rest of the people on the beach were strutting around with Kindles. Apparently I was way out of the loop!!

But then Andy and I decided to upgrade our phones to an iPhone. And that is when I discovered the Kindle App for FREE!!! (Opposed to buying the Kindle for $114+) I love it! Honestly, I haven't ever really been a big reader. But in the last year, I have really enjoyed. And since have the Kindle App, it is all I want to do.

I have bought a few books from Amazon.com, but then me and a chick from work discovered how to share each others books on our phones! Super Cool!

I have ventured even farther. My local library now has the ability for you to check out books on your phone. Not just reading books, but audio books as well! I love this, because I can play them on the way to and from work.

Andy gets annoyed because I am always reading at home now. That I seem distant because I always have my head in my book phone. Which I find funny, because what is the difference of me looking down at a book or looking up at the TV.

Hmmm, read a book or watch the Hunting channel?!?!

I Love me Some Big Brother!

Love It, Love It, Love It!

This year it is especially good!

 The Newbies vs The Veterans

I am rooting for the Veterans. Wait...I take that back. I am rooting for all the veterans, EXCEPT for Rachel! Can not stand that woman! Especially after watching last nights episode!

I do feel really bad for the newbies. You finally get picked to be on the Big Brother show and then in walks 6 of the best players in Big Brother history. They are obviously going to be intimidated. And the newbies so far are getting their butts whopped by the veterans.

Does anyone else watch this show! Are you as pumped up as I am!!!

Then and Now!

Last week Hunter and I went to visit my cousin Becca who just had a new baby boy, Jayden! He was a doll! Too Cute! I could hold him forever!

Jayden's newborn clothes were too big for him, so I offered to bring by Hunter's preemie clothes. Getting Hunter's baby clothes brought back a lot of emotion. It is crazy to look back and see how small he really was. It just didn't seem like it at the time.

Then...

But look at him now!

Weekend Recap!

Friday at work we had a party in honor of my birthday! Everyone brought in snacks, and boy were they E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T!!! We had: chocolate chip cookie bars, meatballs, pizza cream cheese dip, 7 layer Mexican Dip, Buffalo Chicken Bites, Chocolate Cake, Hot Wings from Frisco's (Hell Ya!) and these cupcakes! Too cute!!! They look like little pies! Great start to the weekend!

Saturday: My 28th Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to me...I spent nearly the whole day cleaning the house and doing laundry. Ohhh...Ahhh! How exciting! But I felt so much better afterwards know it was clean.

That evening Andy and I went on a date night, which is rare!

We went to Columbia to HuHot (cashed in my coupon for a free dinner because it was my B-Day, score!)

Went to Coldstone and got a couple Cake N'Shakes and sat outside and enjoyed the evening.

After completely making ourselves miserable on ice cream, we went to the new Transformers movie. It was pretty good!!

It was a late night, but a GREAT night! We need to do this more often!

Sunday:

We spent most of the morning outside before the extreme heat kicked in. My cousin Sean dropped off this pool for Hunter on Saturday. Hunter LOVED it!!! He played in it for over two hours while I relaxed in a lawn chair and read a book. I had to pull him out kicking and screaming when it was time for lunch!

Here he is trying to blow up the pool.

Cheese! 

Great Weekend!

First of Many...I am sure!!!

Hunter got in trouble at Rata's today, which isn't really anything new. Poor Rata had a rough last day before her 4th of July vacation. The kids went out with a bang! In this instance all the kids were in trouble! Apparently there was a food fight with lettuce! Needless to say all the kids lost, because they were in T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Their punishment, They had to write, "I will listen."

 Here's Hunter's attempt! Rata got him started on the first line.

Wordless Wednesday!

Craft Itch!

I've got an itch to do something crafty and I need to scratch it! I can't wait until we build up on our house and I have my craft room. There are so many things that I want to start making. Here are a few...

I love these shirts from Paperlili! I want to find out how to make them! These would make great personalized gifts!

I also want to learn how to applique! AKA: Making cute designs and sewing them on children's clothes. I would love to make a lot of these and sell them at local craft shows or on ETSY!

Plus, making a variety of signs.

Plus anything to do with fabric...

And defiantly get more use out of my Cricut!

Eat Your Heart Out, America's Got Talent!

Cupcake + Americana = Happy Me!

 Check out what my super awesome sister-in-law Kelly picked me up at Kohls!!! Not only is the cookie jar in the shape of a cupcake (which if you don't remember - I am obsessed with) it is also Americana themed, thus matching my kitchen decor! Love It!!!

Then my super awesome co-worker Tammy (who is just as obsessed with cupcakes as I am) bought me this hand towel!

So Happy Right Now!

Weekend Recap and Week Ahead!

Friday: Was our 5 year Anniversary!!! So Me, Andy and Hunter took a trip to Columbia for some HuHots! It was amazing as usual! Hunter ate a lot! Afterwards we went to Andy's frozen Custard. I enjoyed an Oreo Concrete, Andy had a Blackberry Concrete and I Hunter inhaled a strawberry Italian Ice!

He ate the whole thing!!! He wouldn't give it up! He finally fell asleep shortly before we got home. When we tried to get him out of his car seat, he had a death grip on the Italian Ice.

My handsome husband of 5 Years!!!!

Saturday: I had to work that morning. Afterwards, I met Andy and my cousin Sean on the Gasconade River. We had a great time. The weather was perfect (after the big thunderstorm that came thru). We stayed on the river for quite awhile. Andy and I then went and picked Hunter up at Shanda's. I don't know what it is about the river, but I was exhausted. That night, I stayed home with Hunter and Andy went with Sean to some friend's bachelor/bachelorette party at the Pub. The river exhaustion must have got to them as well, because they were home shortly after 11pm.

Sunday: We cleaned the house, baked a cake and took advantage of the free HBO on Dish Network. After Hunter got up from his nap we went to Donnie and Shanda's. I tried to get Hunter in the pool, but he wouldn't have it! He just liked to squirt the water gun at people, but god-forbid someone shoot it at him! DRAMA!!! We ate BBQ with corn on the cob! AMAZING!!! We then went home and gave Hunter a bath and put him to bed. Then Andy and I watched Gulliver's Travels.

Week Ahead:

Monday: I have a funeral visitation for my great aunt.

Friday Night: Fireworks in Freeburg

Saturday: Debating on taking Hunter to a movie in the movie theater. I believe we will try the Ramada theater since it is cheap, because if Hunter doesn't cooperate then we won't be out a whole lot of money!

Sunday: 3rd of July Party at my Uncle Larry's Lake house.

Monday: Independence Day! No Work!! Spending time with Schwartze's at the Osage River.

Happy 5 Year Anniversary to my Hubby!!!

"#2" Discussion Update!

I have received a lot of encouraging words since announcing Hunter's lack of desire to poop on the potty. Apparently it is pretty common, but yet no one really has an answer.

Days after my post we had an encouraging milestone! Hunter pooped on the pot! YAY!!! Unfortunately he didn't come and tell me he had to go, I am just aware of the signals. I was on my computer at the kitchen table when Hunter proceeded to crawl underneath it. I knew what what about to go down. I snatched Hunter up and busted thru the bathroom door (while Andy was taking a shower) and sat Hunter down on the toilet. He was to the point where there was no backing out. He finally did the deed! I jumped, clapped, cheered and celebrated in this joyous occasion. Hunter was finally rewarded with the bubbles that had been sitting on the back of the toilet just waiting for this moment! I was exciting to think that things were looking up!!!

The days following:

Friday: He pooped in his underwear

Saturday: He pooped in his underwear

Sunday: He pooped in his underwear

This isn't looking good

Monday: Nothing

Tuesday: Nothing

Poor thing is holding it in.

Then there was today! I picked him up from daycare, where Rata had informed me that he still hadn't gone poop. After returning home, I knew to keep a look out because usually the longest he has gone with holding it has been two days...and we were on day 3. I once again was back on my computer when Hunter slithered right under the table...Here we go again! I crawled under after him and picked him up and ran to the bathroom and placed him on the toilet. I then began to cheer him on all while jumping up and down. "Come on Hunter, you can do it!!!"

And he did!!!

I screamed in excitement, sang a potty jingle from the Look Who's Talking movie, did a jig and high-fived my wide eyed toddler!

I then gave him some more bubbles! He then said he was done! So I let him down. He ran out of the room as I proceeded to flush the evidence town the toilet. I went to the living room to find Hunter and put his underwear and shorts back on him...but he wasn't there. Then I heard him in his room. I went to his room and this is what I found....Dum, Dum, Dum....

Ya, you see that right! 

APPARENTLY HE WAS NOT DONE!!!
 I can feel the gray hairs sprouting out of my head as we speak!!!

Two steps forward and 25 steps back!

Grrrr!!!

I took the bubbles back!

Weekend Recap & Week Ahead!

Friday Evening: Hunter and I went to Argyle to play some volleyball. Well, I played volleyball as he played in the sand. Andy joined us later after cutting hay.

Saturday: I went on the float trip with some friends on the Gasconade River! We had a great time and the weather was wonderful but the water was COLD! We rented few canues and manage to stay afloat the whole trip! That evening we went to Kevin and Kelly's house for dinner. We were all exhausted from the float trip that we called it an early night. We went home and watched some movies. Sometime after 10pm, Shanda called to say we were in a tornado warning....So Andy and I went outside to look! According to the news, it was right on us!!! But we had no rain and no wind! Hmmm!!! There was thunder and lightning. So I am not quite sure what the warning was about!

Sunday: Father's Day!!! We went to the river all day with the Schwartze clan. And I probably pushed Hunter in the swing for 80% of the time we were there. That kid loves to swing. I'll be excited for the day for the day he learns to pump his feet and swing himself! It is a good arm workout!

Week Ahead:

Monday: Last Night of swim lessons!

Tuesday: I have a dentist appointment.

Thursday: Play date for Hunter and Aubrey

Friday: Me and Andy's 5 Year Wedding Anniversary! Hopefully a trip to HuHots!!!!

Saturday: I have to work that morning. Then that evening there is some friends bachelor/bachelorette party at the Pub in Argyle.

Digital Scrapbooking Continued!

I am still in love with scrapbooking digitally! I thought I would post a couple more pages I have made.

  

This is the album I am ordering for Hunter from Creative Memories.

Weekend Recap and Week Ahead

Friday evening we bummed around the house, ate dinner and watched Whale Wars and Searching for Big Foot. I have to be honest, the Big Foot show freaked me out a little!!!

Saturday morning I had to work at the bank. Hunter was taking a nap so we missed our friend's wedding ceremony. After he got up we went to the wedding reception and dance. The bride, dresses, colors and decor were all beautiful!! It was VERY kid friendly. There was a table with bowls of candy! Yummy! There was also Bubbles, Sidewalk chalk, crayons and coloring books. So Hunter was well entertained while there. We later took Hunter to my Aunt and Uncle's house so Hunter could stay the night with thier girls while we went back to the dance. I had a good time! A really good time :) Ok, too good of time!

Sunday: We did a whole lot of nothing! We did manage to go down to the in-laws for dinner. But that was about it!

This week:

This is the final week of swim lessons. Hunter has been doing alot better!

Friday Evening: We are playing sand volleyball.

Saturday: Float trip on the Gasconade!

Sunday: FATHER'S DAY! We'll go to the Osage River with the Schwartze Family to celebrate!

Tips and Advice Welcome...

Oh Hunter!!! My sweet little bull-headed Hunter!!!! Will NOT Poop in the toilet! I just can't wrap my head around it and it is about to drive me CRAZY! We have pretty much tried E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. He'll pee in the toilet like no ones business, but with poop he refuses!! He'll hide under the table, crawl under his bed or even hide in the closet to poop. So he knows what he is doing. I guess I just don't understand why? I know, I know...people tell me he'll do it when he is ready. But enough is enough, something has to give!

We try to make it very encouraging for him, not a scary but fun and exciting event. We've read books, provided privacy, offered bribes. Quit putting pull-ups on him because he seems to be more comfortable pooping in them. Anytime he poops in his pants, we dump out what we can into the toilet to emphasis that is where it belongs. I think some visual demonstration by Andy would be helpful...but Andy didn't like that idea. I've cruised the Internet for additional ideas. One new one I found (that I think I will try) is blowing bubbles while on the toilet. #1: Hunter LOVES bubbles and #2: you use your bottom muscles while blowing bubbles thus possibly causing him to poop? Talk about thinking outside the box!

Does anyone have any tips or ideas to help us across this bridge?

Wow, is this really what my blog has become of?

Wordless Wednesday!