Oh Yeah, We've Got A Walker

I keep forgetting to mention that Dane is walking. He took a few steps a couple of weeks ago and I wouldn't qualify it as walking.
But tonight, he'll stand up and walk a few steps without us coaxing him. But if we cheer him on and dangle a toy in his face, he'll walk about 6 steps. And it's funny because he tries to side-step at first. A shuffle. It's pretty cute. He thinks he's awesome. I have a few pictures of him getting all jazzed about the walking. I'll post them later.

Hopscotch

I can't believe it's Friday and that it's the last day of the month. Aaahhh! Time is flying. The only good part about that is, the warm weather is on it's way and maybe, just maybe, we are one day closer to Naydine sleeping better? I'm wiped....

Here are a few shots from the last few days. I have to keep practicing. I guess, I need to start learning..... I've WAY slacked on my class. Maybe tonight. Eli might be going out of town again soon, so, I normally try to catch up then.


I didn't even know my daughter could play hopscotch. Is this learned from TV or her little school? It was pretty cute....




He's so fun to hug!

Isn't this such a funny face? Grrrr.....

A Picture Update

I did get a new lens... However, some of these I took before the new lens. It's all good.

I think these might be the only 2 pictures captured where my children are loving each other and both smiling! I don't even care if the lighting was crap.....



Grandma Shelley sent Naydine some Valentine treats. She was pretty excited. And yes, this is the new lens. Look at that blur, baby!!



D Lover Boy....

Nay, sick at the park. Poor baby....

Naydine and Boo Baby wearing shirts from Papa and Momma Jill's vacation. Dane's shirt looks like Bo Baby....

I'm going to need some practice.... The shots of Naydine with the Valentine looked in focus on my camera. But after downloading them, not so much.

And RAW... I'm just retarded. Where the heck is my manual....???

Have a good weekend!

Fun Friday

When I used to work in the office, particularly the first job out of college, I always used to call this day FUN FRIDAY. Until my boss called me into his office and said, "Jaime, I know you are excited it's Friday, but we need to still work."

Um, thanks for that pep talk, Todd Krafty.

As if I were taking shots of tequila and smoking cigarettes in my cube. Duh.

But today, Fun Friday is back on. Today is fun because

• I got a new lens in the mail. Thanks to all you pros out there that recommended a great, inexpensive lens for me. Compared to the kit lens, this thing is bad-ass (FUN). Love it.
• It's my 5 year wedding anniversary and Eli is coming home tonight. It's sure to be FUN, right?
• I've talked with the realtor and sounds like we are going to be able to agree on a price for our property. Which means we could actually be going through with buying some land??!?!?!! You have no idea how FUN that is!
• And, my kids are working on a 2 1/2 hour nap so far. That's really FUN, for me!

So there you have it.

I was going to post some pictures from our wedding to show what we looked like 5 years ago, but, I couldn't find any where I looked good and my tag was tucked in so, I just passed. Kidding. I don't know if we even had a digital camera yet so.... I'd have to scan a shot and post it. However, I did scrapbook a couple pages and took pics. So, I could post that. But, I'm not going to have time.

However, let me tell you the story of Eli and I getting married, in case you don't know.

Eli was in the Army in 2003. We were going to have a small, private wedding at the house on Valentine's Day. Eeww... I know. It's just a coincidence. But, his "boss" wouldn't let him come home for the weekend because they were essentially on call for SHOCK AND AWE. Y'all remember that terminology, right? So, the following week, I flew out to see him and we were married by the JP in a courthouse. Barely. Eli almost spent our money in the vending machine buying a Red Bull or something at the courthouse, we'd have been short to pay the judge. I knew it was all downhill from there, but, we're still making it:)

Then the following summer, July 25, we had a real type wedding. I had the dress (without the tag hanging out), we said the vows, ate the cake, had crappy wedding food, and I still miraculously was able to be BRIDEZILLA about the wedding. I look back and I don't know why. I mean, I could give you about 1000 reasons, but, they only make sense to me.

So, that's our short story.

And really, have a FUN Friday!

Peeing my pants

Ok, so a lot my friends on my blogroll haven't been updating today. So, I figured I'd go check out some of their friends. Holy crap, I've been missing out. There are some fricking hilarious people out there. Because I can't keep my big mouth shut, I have to leave comments. So in return, I've gotten a few comments back and, crap, it's pretty much been the highlight of my day. I'm sick.
And then the next thing I do, I have to see where they live. Because, NC is starting to get a little bit lonely with no friends. It's me, the kids, and sometimes, Eli. And no, I will not resort to getting an animal. I stand firm, no animals.

So, the casserole was just okay. It's something that picky kids eat. If I were really going to get at, I'd have added some sauted garlic, italian sausage, pepperoni, italian type seasonings, etc.
So my picky Naydine starts to give me crap again at dinner time. Oh, she likes the bread. It's just a crusty, french baguette smother in butter. So I go to give her a bite and she starts crying, of course.

Naydine: "No mommy, it's icky. Waaaaahhhhhh."
Mommy: "Naydine, take a bite of this or you are going to get a spanking."

Gulp.....

Naydine: "This food is AMAZING. It's dewiscious."

Now that's what I'm talking about.

Casserole #1: 3 Cheese Spaghetti Bake

Oh my word, I'm getting crazy for dinner tonight. I selected this recipe from the magazine for a few reasons:

1. It looked the easiest


2. I have all the ingredients


3. It appears to be something I can force down Naydine's throat and into her tiny belly

Here's the recipe incase y'all are looking for something easy to make for dinner... I'll let you know for sure if it's any good, but, it smelled good when I whipped it together after lunch.

1 16oz pkg Spaghetti

2 c. shredded mozzy, divided

3/4c. grated Parmesan

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 T. olive oil

2 t. garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 jar (28 oz) spaghetti sauce

1. Cook Spaghetti according to pkg directions; drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 cup mozzy, parmesan, romano, eggs, oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

2.Press into greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with spaghetti sauce. Cover and bake at 350* for 20 min. Uncover; sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella. Bake 10 min longer or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Simple enough.

Serioulsy, let me know what you are making tonight or tomorrow night. Or send me one of your favorite dinners. It doesn't even have to be easy. I'm just tapped out on ideas. I can't even remember what I would usually make.

Now, here is the update on the desk. There are a few options. Of course, money is an issue. Desks and office furniture can just get to be spendy. So I'm looking at these options.

I really love this from Pottery Barn, except in the color espresso. However, I've added up the pieces that we want/need and the total is a little more than I want to spend: $1728.92

Now, this is an interesting company, Home Decorators. I don't know if their quality is any good or not. But, some of the pieces look interesting to me. This workstation, with shipping and tax, would be about $836. This is more in the price point.

And this desk would be about $575. They both have 4 color options.

I like this style, it might be a wee bit on the traditional side, but..... I could make it work. I just wanted these 2 last pieces to be able to fit together. Eli would get the desk and I would get this giant workstation:) But, they have different widths... grr... And don't come in the color "espresso". But, distressed black might work?

My Turn to Whine

I've been listening to Naydine whine all day. No, for 10 days straight. I'm really getting worn thin. I'm at the end of my rope. Which escalates all my other little issues in life.

First off, I need some help. How do I break a 2.5 year old from whining non-stop. She is going back to school tomorrow. Maybe that will help.... but it never has in the past. She gets time-outs, spankings, priveleges taken away, etc...... BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING. I know, it's consistancy that makes it all work in the end. But I see no end-in-sight.

Changing gears.... So tonight I wanted to download some of my pictures onto the hard drive, and I can only find 1 USB cable.... Eli, WHERE IS THE OTHER ONE?? DO YOU HAVE IT WITH YOU AND WHY??!?!!
I feel like everytime I want to try and get something done, it takes me 100 times longer than it really should. And I used to be a very organized person. Where is the old me?

It's just that I'm in a rut. It's bad. I can't even make dinner anymore. I bought a magazine at the grocery store today. The highlight, RECIPES FOR 320 CASSEROLES. What in the world.... I'm rolling my eyes right now. I don't even really like casserole.... how gourmet. I think my motive was, combine all those veggies with some sauce and noodles and I'll be able to get Naydine to eat it. Riiiiiiight. She's so skinny right now (being sick and not eating), her arm looks like a toothpick. She's just too skinny. I had to force-feed her tonight. Oh wait, that's every night. But tonight was exceptional. It was not pretty.

I was hoping this rut would end after I started working on the floors today. I normally just need to get into a project and my instincts take over. I'll be a speed demon and get tons of stuff done. Nope, not today. Matter of fact, I had to stop 1/2 way into the floors to take a break. Am I pregnant?? Um, I'd kill myself. My knees just hurt, I had to take a break. I mean, they only took me 1:15hours to clean them. It was ridiculous.

And that list I made, it's not really going anywhere. I'm kind of doing a 1/2 a** job. What I probably need to do is get off the computer, go to bed, get some real sleep, and try again tomorrow. Now that I think of it, I think I slept in Naydine's bed for a few hours last night and woke up to Dane screaming in his bed. Or was that the night before? I can't remember...

So what is it?? Am I just worn out from having sick kids or is anybody else in a rut? Is it the time of year.... are we all ready to explode out of the 4 walls that confine us? Not that it's even cold here. We were at the park yesterday and it was 72*, I think. Not today though, it was colder. So, I can't complain about the weather.

And if anybody has a good idea where to get a great desk, tell me. I've looked everywhere.... I have a couple options but I'm open to anything.

Once last complaint, why is the spell check not working on Blogger? Or is it just me? There are typos all over my post... and I'm too lazy to recheck it and the spell check won't work. Ugh..

Later Gator.

A Brand New Week

I'm sure a lot of people have the day off for Presidents Day, but my week has just started and here is my task list so far:

• Clean Floors (this requires first a sweeping, then a dusting, then hands and knees wipe-down. Hardwoods are tough if you want them to shine....ugh.)


• Clean Fridge


• Clean Bathrooms


• Finish/Put away laundry


• Vacuum carpets and rugs


• Clean my closet


• Set up an office area for Eli


• Get a package together for my Gpa R.


• Read Camera manual


• Catch up on CS2 class


• Research new classes


• Catch up on blogging


• Make contact with a babysitter

So far, that's it. I think I'll be able to get all of this done by Wednesday. Eli is out of town till Friday in OH for training, NEW JOB. Yeah Honey!! And when he gets home on Friday, OUR 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

We've been trying to make some sort of plan for the 5 year. I mean, this is a big deal, right? I think people need to take the time to celebrate the years of marriage, or it's going to be real boring. Just like our Valentine's Day. BORING, LAME. Kids were sick, Eli was sick, and I was sick of taking care of people. So we did nothing. I bought him a card, he bought me a latte and emailed me a card. You know, nothing special. So..... we are thinking of maybe going to a Sandals resort for 3 nights. Nothing big, but we've been wanting to check that place out for a while now. They are spendy, that's why this is the perfect opportunity to go there since it'll only be 3 nights. Plus, the airfare should be reasonable since we are fairly close. Once Eli gets some sort of schedule established with all his jobs, then we can make plans. Hopefully this is going to happen because we need some time together. It's been forever since we've even been out to dinner with out kids.. Literally like..... 6 months, maybe longer.

The kids are just starting to feel better. One week of.... misery. Poor things. Now the hacking cough is coming into play. Naydine is up at 4am hacking her lungs up every morning. Poor thing. And Dane's nose is always running. Only good thing is that he is actually allowing me to wipe his nose, sometimes.

I'm off to get this party started.

Have a great week!

My Dane Boy

There isn't really much to blog about right now.

My family has been sick. Eli was down for 3 days. Then Naydine and Dane. I was just praying that I wouldn't get sick because who the heck is going to take care of 3 sickos? Well, they are coming out of it and now my head is pounding and my throat it sore. My neck hurts... but I refuse to call this the first sign of body aches. I just can't do it. I'm sure it's just from my headache. I get sick the most around here. And this time, I just don't want to get it. Ugh....

I'm doing a CS2 class online and as I was browsing for some pics to use in class, I found this one of Dane. He's just so cute... I love him:) (duh). Anyway, I tried some different techniques on this shot but.... I don't know if I can really even tell. How do I get that vintage look?


I hope everybody has some great Valentines Day plans!

And CONGRATS to my brother Jer and his wife, a new baby girl. This is a funny story. She almost had the baby in the car on the way to Duluth. Poor thing! I can't even imagine laboring in the back of a car, hitting bumps, etc. She was dialated to 9cm when Jer dropped her off at Emergency. He parks the car and gets back up there and the head is on its way out. Crap.... way to get 'er done, Lana!!

Dane - 10 months

I've been really lame about recording Dane's progress in life. He's the 2nd child. Things are different with the 2nd child. But, here are some interesting facts that I still want to remember so, I need to get better at recording them.

• At 10 months, you still have NO teeth. But can eat ANYTHING. You ate BAGEL BITES the other night for dinner, with no teeth. Bad mommy.


• You and your mom have thrush for probably the 805th time this nursing season.


• The stairs, you love them. And you are fast now. Scares me to death. You don't know how to come down.


• I don't know your official weight but, it's probably 24-25 pounds. And you sister is probably 25 pounds.


• You are finally fitting into a more appropriate size of clothing for you. 12 and 12-18 months are a good fit. However, there is nothing "slim" about you!


• Not walking yet, but once you do, your sister is going to be sorry for all the mean things she's done to you.


• You are really good at standing up. You start in the same squat position that your dad and sister can do (mom can't squat like this, it's a Eli Cox thing) and stand up. And yeah, you think you're a pretty cool dude. Your balance has really come along in just the last week. Walking is close...... too close.


• Peek-a-boo is an understatement. You prefer a game more like, hide-and-go-seek. It's so fun. And the loud roar of a lion coming from your mom and dad's voicebox is your favorite after you've been found.


• You are showing a definite interest in animals, just like your sister did at this age. Sorry kids, no pets for you. Your meow is a super high pitched scream. And you love to chase dogs. Maybe we can havev a dog later in life, if you dad takes care of it:)


• Momma, Dadda, and hi or hey. Those are your words.


• Can't forget about the TV. Bad mom and dad, again. You love watching shows with your sister. Sick.


• You give kisses and love to blow bubbles and make fart noises with your mouth. And you think your dad's real farts are funny. This must be a guy thing.


• You love to play outside. Anywhere. Anytime.

That's about it kid. We love you. You make our lives sooooo much fun.

The pink page

was just too much for me. I couldn't take it. Lets try this brown page.

Lets see.... I've been busy. I feel busy. I hope I'm getting something done. This last week went something like this.

• My mom flew in from MN and stayed with us a week. Thanks for your help, mom!
• Eli started his new job, finally, and so did I.
• Nayders Caters made her debut. It's nothing special. Don't get jealous:) hehe
• We're looking at buying a Lot in town, so I've been making a lot of calls on that. Super excited.
• We're kind of selling the townhome in WA for sale by owner, so I've been handling a lot of calls and emails on that. We have a showing tonight. Cool.
• Checked out RAW on my camera. Cool. Can't wait to try it more.
• Working on filing my taxes. Which gets complicated when 3 different states want taxes from you. Dang it.

That's about it.

My friend, Lib, has a new blog. Cool. Check her out. Although most people who look at my blog already know about hers. But there might be a few others.....

Congrats to my sister in-law, Amy, who is going to have a baby BOY in 4.5 months. They just found out on her birthday and are super excited.

I should have much more to blog about, but I don't. My house is a sty, I need to finish my taxes, everytime I turn around my son is MIA, and I need to do some of my online Photoshop classes. I'm so far behind. I hope they didn't kick me out yet.

I think I have a few cool pics I wanted to post. But, I have no idea where they are right now.