Long Time

Yes, it has been a long time since I blogged, but things have been very busy and now my favorite passtime is Facebook. I am now back in touch with elementary, middle, high school and college friends that I might never have heard from again. It is so fun. Being stuck out in Texas, not seeing anyone you went to school with at Target or at the movies, it is fun to be in such close contact with people I knew so well at one time.

So, first things first. Work. Yeah, well, I don't blog about this because I know people (ok, read or heard on dateline/20-20) about people who bitch about their job, etc. on their blog and get fired. So, work is great! Love it! Can't imagine my life without it! It will enable me to travel to NYC again, but this time, turn it in to a girls weekend with my sisters. That will be fun. Our office just moved, again, so the commute is about 15 minutes longer than before. Tag that onto an already 30-40 min commute and life just sucks. I am thinking my 2 days a week in the office might turn into 1 day a week, with 4 at home....hmmm...

Kids - Great. John is really thriving and just growing up so much. Funny as ever. Still will give his mommy a kiss and hug when I get him from school. I know this won't last forever, so I savor each time. Caroline is just sprouting. Still my own personal stalker, but sweet. She loves to play outside now and throws quite the dramatic tantrum when it is time to come in. This whole "girl, whiny" thing is new for me. Adore her, but it gets really old. I am sure much of it is due to the fact that she cannot speak and tell you what she wants. I often find myself standing in the pantry with her while she points upwards towards something, and I am pulling things off the shelf as she shakes her little head "no" until I get it right. She is also starting to grow some hair. A little mullet-ish in the back, but I will take it. Bows cannot be that far away!!

We took them to a pumpkin patch last weekend and we had a nice time. The weather was actually nice. I remember last year we took them and I was sweating like a pig. Now we move into Halloween. John will be spiderman and Caroline will be a ballerina. I cannot wait to take their picture and post it!

We're Going on a Trip

The title of this blog is a song that is on Nick Jr. in the mornings. It is a cute little song that some cartoons sing along to. They talk about "packing the suitcases and counting all the days'es". John loves it and when it comes on, we have to stop what we are doing and sing along. I love it because even if Chase is in the room, John is only wanting me to sing with him. It is our special thing.

So, we went on a trip. We drove to Austin on Friday and stayed at Barton Creek Resort. It was so nice. Great pool and the kids loved that. We took a scenic route, which is ironic since I don't think that anything in Texas is "scenic". However, I was proven wrong when we drove through a bunch of little towns vs driving on the highway. It was really nice, until it was lunch time and I am looking for a Chili's so I can get one of their great salads. Note to self "Little towns don't have Chili's". Subway would have to do instead.

We got to the hotel around 3pm, checked in to a beautiful room, went to the pool and swam for quite awhile. Nothing wears out a 4 year old like 2 hours at the pool. Poor John, we came back to the room, turned on a Little Einsteins show for him and he was out in about 10 minutes. It was 6:45pm and little girl was still awake, even though she was tired, too. I sat with her and held her, trying to get her to sleep, but I think she sensed that John was out and she had mom and dad to herself. She soon was running around the room, giggling and loving the attention she got from Chase and I....without having to share it with big brother! But, I was a mom on a mission. I knew she needed to get to sleep and mom wanted some time to sit in a comfortable bed and watch tv with dad. 8pm Mission Accomplished. Put her in the crib (it was really nice, too!) watched about 45 minutes of tv with Chase, then decided I would go to sleep myself. It was a wonderful night!

Off to Sea World Saturday morning. I think I had a small bout of insanity. It was going to be 104 degrees this day. If you don't know, Sea World is outside...and it is hot...and crowded. When we went to Sea World in March (it was a pleasant 84 degrees that day), we got so busy doing all the stuff they have there, we completely missed all the Shamu shows (I don't think I spelled his/her name right...no disrespect Shamu). That whole week John talked about everything we saw, then followed it up with "But I didn't see Shamu". We were gonna see this whale if it killed me. And it almost did. I loved seeing John watch Shamu and his pal do all the tricks. It was fun and that is one HUGE whale. Caroline even seemed to enjoy it. This show was at 11:30am. Cut to 1pm , after lunch (we sat in the airconditioning restaurant) and even John was ready to go. He knew we were going to another hotel with lots of pools and he wanted to swim. Love that kid. One swing through the shark tank and we were out of there. Not a minute too soon..for me anyway.

Off to the, well, used to be, Loveley Westin La Cantera. I am going to contribute a whole other blog to this experience. And no, it wasn't just Wofford Luck. Everyone had a story of SOMETHING going wrong. My wondeful hubby stepped up to the plate, though, when he talked to the manager. So proud. Long story short (or just a preview of my rant to come), this place is NOT A WESTIN. Those of us who are loyal Starwood followers, love the Westin hotel, BE AWARE. It is now owned by some random group and they are TRYING to sell it to the Gaylord Hotel chain. Summing it up - total chaos, lack of management, bad service....horrible hotel in general.

Back to our trip - John LOVES going to hotels. It is a real treat for him and I egg him on by making a big deal of it, too. I love to see his reaction to things. So, here are a few of the funny things little guy did/said on our trip:
-We got into our room at the Westin, John had to tee-tee, so he starts looking around for the bathroom. This room had a bathroom, then a sliding door where the toilet (and phone..yeah, fancy, that's how we roll) was. He didn't open the sliding door, and just comes running out of the bathroom yelling "mommy, this hotelo doesn't have a potty!"

-John and I were playing in the pool with a noodle and he said "mommy, can I have that noodle" (I was holding it). I said "no". He looks at me funny, then says "mommy, can I PLEASE have that noodle". I said "no" again. (I was teasing him). He then swims right up to me and says "mommy, why are you being so grouchy?".

We

Sweet Home Alabama

Caroline and I went on a "surprise" visit to Alabama this weekend. My sister, Ellen, and her 2 girls were there for the week visiting my mom and dad. I had a feeling that it might be another couple of months before Chase, the kids and I get to DC, so I decided to meet them in Birmingham. I told mom and dad that Caroline and I were coming, but didn't tell Ellen. It was so much fun to surprise her! I had such a great time with Esther and Ruthie. Ellen and I talk on the phone almost every other day, so even though months go by and we don't see each other, I don't feel like I am not in touch with her, what's going on, etc. But, I do realize just how much I miss with Esther and Ruthie. Especially Esther at this age. I want her to get to know me, know that I love her and that we have fun together....even though I have 2 of my own children, I want her (and Ruthie) to know how special they are to me. My Aunt Marsha did an Excellent job of this. Even though she had her own 2 boys, she always made my sisters and I feel like we were her own daughters. I want Esther and Ruthie to have that same special connection with me. But to do that, I need to see them, interact with them, make sure I make the effort...b/c it is SO worth it!

I also was able to see my childhood friend, Erin, and her 3 kids. Erin and I grew up together and I spent so much time at her house over the years. Her family was so kind and welcoming to me. It was nice to go over there and escape the "2 sisters" at home!
It was nice to watch the kids play and catch up on everyone/everything. Erin is probably one of the easiest people in the world to talk to...not to mention a great friend!

Ellen and I hit of Gymboree, of course. She helped me pick out the items that were at least 50% off. I got some really cute things for Caroline for the fall and some dirt cheap shirts for John...which is good since he is SO hard on his clothes!
I just love going back home to Birmingham. It doesn't change much, so you feel like you haven't been gone for as long as you actually have. Chase and I miss the little things about Alabama...like every license plate being for Auburn or Bama; the high school guys with their hair that resembles an Alabama frat guy, the barbeque, etc. Fall, of course, is the best time to visit and we will be doing that this year. Chase and I haven't been to an Alabama football game since before John was born. Time to go back....even if the entire season is sold out. I am optimistic we can find tickets somewhere!

John and Caroline

Updates on each! Caroline has started to "walk". I say that lightly, but I really think this is it. I have not encouraged it at all! She just started doing it one day this past week and I think she realizes it is easier than crawling. The first day she started, she was doing the "Frankenstein" wobbly walk, but today she is much more sturdy. She has also learned how to give a "kiss" and leans in to you when you ask her for one. It is adorable. Still talking up a storm, just in her own language. She adores John and often when Chase has them both home during the week, he will look over at them, playing with their toys, only to see them giving each other a big bear hug!

John continues to be the family comedian. He is in the stage where he uses grown up phrases, but not exactly as a grown up would use them. For example, I will say "John, why don't you put on your shoes and then we can go outside and water the plants". To which he will say "Oh, mommy, that IS a good idea!".

This morning he told me that he was "hundry". I asked him what he would like to eat and he replies "there are yots of trees in the pantry". I wasnt' sure what he was talking about, so I asked him what he meant. He said "come on, i will show you". He walks me into the pantry and points to a basket where I keep Spiderman and Batman treats for special occassions, and says "see, you have yots of trees in the pantry". Interpretation: "You have lots of treats in the pantry". Such a sweet boy.

Still Not Walking

Well, Caroline is still boycotting the whole walking thing, but she has found a very creative way to use those darling little shoes that I have bought for her. John thinks it is hysterical!

Day 5 - Time to Go

The nice part about traveling for work is that you get MILES. The bad part is that the airlines screw you on the flights that you can book with those MILES. We were set to leave San Diego at 5pm, which means 7pm our time, and even though both kids had on their pj's, neither of them slept long enough to even blog about. We landed at 11pm, Dallas time. Both kids WIDE AWAKE and full into the 3rd WIND MODE. Not good.

But, before we had to leave the place we love, but can't move to b/c we cannot afford it.... we went to La Jolla...once again. This time, Cody's was open and we did lunch. It was so nice. I just love this place. It is outdoor seating, with a wonderful view of the pacific ocean...La Jolla Cove. And they put up with our kids....maybe that is it. Oh yeah, and, we saw former Cowboy great LaRoi Glover...fun for Chase.

Day 4 - Tuesday

Didn't do much this day. Just used the day to have free to "beach it" and do whatever the kids wanted. We had a nice breakfast, then headed over to the beach. Note to self: Buy tent for beach that Chase can close easily, without me laughing at him while he tries and pissing him off AND being pure entertainement for the entire Hotel Del Coronado beach go'ers. Yep, note to self on that one.
We did go to the beach where:

A. John was knocked over by a wave within the first 5 minutes of being there and therefore does NOT want to go into the ocean...EVER AGAIN.

B. Caroline likes to eat sand...just doesn't like the taste. I told her it doesn't taste good...but who the hell am I??

C. After a long time at the beach you ask yourself "Maybe it is time to pack up and go"...GO FOR IT. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, JUST GO. I waited, after that point, and the whole 5 minute walk back to the hotel was HATING myself. NOT FUN. Just a warning for you rookies

It was sad to think that the days had gone by so fast and that our time in paradise was almost over. We hung around the hotel that night and tried to savor the last of the 70 degree weather. So WONDERFUL

OMG - Almost forgot. So, that night, we were at the Hotel Del, outside, on the patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Caroline wouldn't go to sleep, so I decided to take her for a walk in her stroller, while Chase and John kept the seats warm at our favorite outdoor place at the Del, Babcook and Story. So, I was walking back towards the table, 30 min later, Caroline asleep, and my sweet little John Michael was so excited to see me that he JUMPED up from his chair, knocked over the table AND the 2 glasses of wine that were on top of it. So typical Wofford that I cannot even being to explain - my sisters will get this. "Unfortunate" luck seems to follow my husband. The waitress was SO NICE and I figured that at this kind of high end hotel, she deals with some real assholes, so the fact that we were falling over ourselves to apologize...and a good tip...ALL was forgotten.

Day 3 - Monday

Zoo Day

Big day for us. Had to get to the Zoo by the time it opened. Since they opened at 9am, this was no biggie for us 7am risers. We took John to this zoo when he was 14 months, so it was fun to take him back. I almost started to cry when we sat at the SAME restaurant we sat at 3 years ago and John was only 1.....and then...all of a sudden....here is my 4 year old little boy! Tim Russert was right..having children is the greatest JOY and PRIVELAGE you can have. Caroline liked the Zoo..as much as she could. She is much more interested in things than John was at that age. She likes to "take inventory" as we call it. John is more "go with the flow". Zoo was fun, but by 3pm, we were Exhausted! Only 12 Panda Bears in the United States...we saw 3 that day...TIME TO GO. Both kids fell asleep in the car on the short ride from the Zoo back to the hotel.

Another night of just finding a nice local restaurant, this time pizza, then over to the Del for some music and family fun.

Day 2 - Sunday

Father's Day.

What a nice way to spend Father's Day. Chase had planned the day for us. A sea lion cruise in the harbor and then an early dinner in La Jolla. The Sea lion boat ride was fun. Only saw about 1 minute of sea lions, but the weather is so nice in San Diego that it was fine. We left there, kids napped back at the hotel, then off to La Jolla. My favorite spot in the WHOLE world. It is just such a place of serenity...calm, relaxing, etc. I try to picture the cove on those days when work is just too much...

We didn't get to eat where we wanted, a place called Cody's. They were closed, as it was a Sunday, so we took a gamble and went to another restaurant nearby. It was WONDERFUL. Kids were good, food was good, service was amazing. So nice when it all comes together!

Vacation

So, I thought i would break up the vacation into days and cute pictures. We had such a great time!
Day 1 - Saturday
Unfortunately, i wasn't feeling well when we woke up at 5am and just thought I was tired. I had just gotten back from a business trip to Atlanta the night before and convinced myself I was just worn out. I was wrong. We got on the plane, all was fine, then I started to feel sick. Sparing you the details, I threw up the whole way over to California. And to make matters worse (for Chase), I felt extremely faint before i would vomit, so I couldn't make it to the bathroom AND was embarrased that I was puking, so I would grab the little white bag, lean into Chase and let go. Needless to say, Chase was less than thrilled with this process. The flight attendants kept asking me if I was ok, and I didn't want anyone to freak out that I WAS really sick, so I lied and said I thought I was pregnant. If I do turn up pregnant, it's karma for lying. You should have seen the look on Chase's face when I said that. I thought he was going to puke.
The flight lands, we go to the hotel and I go directly to bed. In the short 4 years as "Mommy" and CEO of this household, I have learned that if mommy doesn't rest when she is sick, mommy is sick a HECK of a lot longer than anyone else who happens to get the same illness. I shucked my guilt aside and slept most of the day. By that evening, i was good to go. We walked over to the hotel Del Saturday night for a light dinner and Chase & John went to play in the ocean. Us girls stuck to the land....just in case.

Walking

Caroline is now walking...well, 10 steps in a row, but today was just day 1!!!

Just hum the ZZ Top Song "She's Got Legs" while you watch this video. I can't figure out how to load songs on it!
Seriously, she does this EVERY TIME you lay her down to put clothes on her or change her diaper. Her own personal way of being difficult!

Playdough Juice

After being a mom for 4 years to my wonderful kids, I find that we have something I like to refer to as "family" language. My husband's mother and her family have a language all their own, and Chase & I have incorporated some of this language into ours (can't give details b/c it is like speaking in code and if you ever hear me say some of the words, you will know what I am talking about and that ruins the fun!). But, after 4 years, we have developed some "family" words that are only understood by the 4 of us (Caroline, not so much...yet). Here are some examples:
-Hotelo....this is what John calls a Hotel. He first said this 2 years ago while we were in San Diego and said "mommy, let's go back to the hotelo". It just stuck. It's really cute, too.
-White Steak....John LOVES steak. So, to get him to eat pork chops and fish, I call these "white" steak. He ate a bite of fish the other night and said "mommy, I love white steak. It is good for me"
-4 Minutes....This is what i say to him when we need to get ready to leave somewhere. I say "John, you have 4 minutes, then we have to go". Other moms often look at me like 'what? 4 minutes'....I guess most moms say 5 minutes. This started when John was little and I would say "it is time to get out of the tub now" and John would say "not yet mommy, 4 minute".
-Playdough Juice....this is a funny one. So, one day, John was playing with playdough and was curious as to what it tasted like, so he ate it. Of course, it doesn't taste good, and he quickly figured that out. He spit it out and then took a big swig of juice. Later that day, Chase gave him a cup of Juice, thinking it was the same cup John had that morning. It wasn't....and God only knows how old it was. John took a big drink and got this awful look on his face and said "Daddy, this is yucky. It is playdough Juice. I want new Juice!"

Baseball

Fun day at the Ranger's Game on Sunday. Caroline LOVED the ice cream! Although they are not selling the ice cream in the rangers "hat" cups anymore. Just a stupid bowl now. How magical is that?

Do You Smell Something?

Growing up the middle of 3 girls, I was not exposed to many "boy" things that a sister is exposed to if she has a brother. So, it often stuns me when my 4 year old boy says or does something extremely gross. I have a "list" of things I never thought I would hear myself say. It goes something like this:
-Take your finger out of your nose
-Put your wee-wee away
-We only pee-pee outside, at home, and in the backyard. NOT in the front yard

Now, this is my favorite one....and a new one, too:
-No, I do not smell something

And, of course, I do smell it. The entire DFW area smells it and it stinks. Here is how the conversation goes:
"Mommy, do you smell something?"
"No, I don't. Why?"
"Betause I just TOOTED!".....he is laughing hysterically at this point

BOYS.

Mother's day

We had such a nice Mother's Day. Chase really went all out and put alot of thought into the whole day. It was so nice. First, and foremost, he let me sleep in. That was great...even if I couldn't fall back asleep and ended up with only a little 20 min. cat nap. But that is my issue! He then made a big brunch, complete with eggs, hash browns, french toast and mimosas! Yum! Then we just tooted around the rest of the day and went to Central Market to have an early dinner and let the kids play on the playground. John loves this place and it is nice that you can get a really good meal AND sit at a nice table and watch the kids play. Caroline hung out in her stroller and ate puffs, some chicken (little pieces I gave her of mine) and was generally her sweet self. John did not have a nap that day, so he crashed at 7pm, Caroline was down at 7:45pm and that left just enough time for Chase and I to sit on our front porch, with the new chairs that were my mother's day gift, and enjoy the last few minutes of the day. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The nice thing is, Chase really did go all out for this special day, but he (and John & Caroline) let me know I am appreciated all throughout the year....

I cough, You cough

Entertainment provided by Caroline

Day 5, Night 4

We are 4 nights into the "new" routine of me not laying with John until he falls asleep. He is doing great, getting up just a few times, with a gentle reminder from me that if he stays in his bed that we will go to Target and he can pick out a special toy. Last night, he got up twice. Each time saying he is "hundry". He ain't hungry. But, it's a stall tactic and you have to admire the persistence. I took him back to his room after he got a box of raisins (by the way, I found this morning that he had 6 boxes of uneaten raisins in his room, hence the "he ain't hungry" hunch) and tucked him in. This was 9:30pm. I then went to sit on the couch with Chase and watch ER....I have not seen this show in so long and I just LOVE it. Although, I think that Abby and Luka are going to split. Back to my original topic - So, at 10pm the show was over and I thought - Great! He is asleep! So I walk back to his room and the little toot is laying in his bed, eyes wide open. I can see b/c he insists that his lamp be on, which I don't mind. I couldn't believe it! He must be planning on taking us to the cleaners with this "special toy" at Target! Good thing was that he stayed in his bed! We watched a little bit of the news and then I walked back to his room and he was fast asleep! 1 more night to go!
We have had our new fridge for a week now and I am still just as madly in love with it as I was on day 1! It is so nice and big! I have been thinking about it alot lately, though, and feel a twinge of guiltiness thinking that we have this big fridge just for 4 of us....I think of the families that don't have much and probably have an old fridge without an ice maker and probably have 5 or 6 kids. They probably would love to have my fridge, but can't do it financially. Then I realize that every thing Chase and I have, we are grateful for. I know that I can have nice things and not feel guilty(or try not to) because I am grateful and acknowledge that. Also, even if we didn't have those things, I would still be happy and grateful. Chase and I work very hard for ourselves and our family. Chase likes to say that we work so we can take nice family vacations. The vacations is what makes a permanent memory...that is what lasts forever. Also, I think about other people I know, people that take money as just a given. That it will always be there, that the nice things will always be there. They aren't grateful...(I think, anyway) that they feel they deserve it b/c they work so hard, or whatever. I don't feel I deserve anything. I feel like I am given things (right place, right time theory), both by my hard work and the kindness of God. I feel sorry for people that get caught up in the things without being grateful. I knew one person at one point in my life that had so much STUFF that this person never truly appreciated anything (I think, anyway). Everything was just there for the taking. and always would be. And I realized at one point, that I NEVER wanted to be like that. I am truly grateful that God put that person in my life so that I could learn that lesson. I know that was the whole point of that person being in my life at that time....now I realize that. Everything happens for a reason, and hopefully, you learn and grow from it. Even if tomorrow, we didn't have any things, I would still be happy that I have my family, my heart, and my life. I would be sad that I don't have my nice, big fridge....or my minivan, but I would still be grateful....

John

With the arrival of Caroline, and all that new things she does/explores every day(she can blow a kiss now, it's cute, except for yesterday when she put her little hand up to her mouth to blow me a kiss and her fingers got stuck in her nose), I feel like I write about her too much. So I am going to write down the cute little things John has done/said the past few weeks. He really is a funny kid.
-We got a new refrigerator. He was so excited because I told him that he could open the freezer door himself (our old one was not a side by side) and get his waffles. He likes to eat frozen waffles. Gross, I know, but he likes it. So when my mother in law came to babysitt Friday night, John said to her "Yook, dida, I got a new rigerator. See, (pulling it open) there is my juice, and my butter, and my fruit, and my bej-a-tabuls..." He went on and on naming all the food in the fridge!
-Yesterday, I was in my bathroom and about to pee-pee (TMI, I know, but it's part of the story) and John saw me and said "Mommy, don't tee tee on the floor". He told me this b/c that is what we tell him ALL the time!
-I was just getting out of the shower this morning, both kids were still asleep in their rooms and I had the monitor in the bathroom with me. I was toweling off and I hear Caroline crying. Then I hear this, through the monitor:
"Dood Morning Taroline, why are you crying?"
"Do you want your mommy? Yes, you want your mommy"
"Here, Taroline, here is your nu-nu. There. That's better"
It was so damn cute! I went into her room & John said "Yook, mommy! I gave sissy her nu-nu!"

Bedtime is going much better, too. Last night was the first night I laid with him, but then got up and left the room. He asked me where I was going and I said that mommy had to clean up the kitchen. I told him that daddy was on the computer, paying bills, that Caroline was in her bed, Kramer was outside and what I was going to do. It seemed to help, but then about 10 min. later, he came out of his room. I asked him if he wanted to see what daddy was doing. So I walked him over to the computer, then took him to Caroline's room, then showed him that I was almost finished in the kitchen. I put him back in his bed and told him not to get out and that I would leave the door open so that he could see me in the kitchen. I was finished and had to watch the rest of Medium standing near the sink pretending to do something, but it worked. I really think he just wants to be out there, with us, and that if I tell him what we are doing and act like it is no big deal, he will fall asleep on his own. That is the plan, anyway.

Caroline Speak

So, Caroline is starting to verbalize a little more each day. This morning, she looked at John and said "bu-ba". I don't really want her to call him that, but it was cute that she did. I am sure she has heard me say "see, there's buba". We still call him John-John often, but I don't think she is quite ready to say that. And she calls Kramer "geesh". She points at him and says "geesh, geesh". I point at him and say "why are you still here?". Just kidding....sorta. What else do you say to a dog that has ripped your house apart, pees ONLY on YOUR clothes, and bites? Well, off that soap box. We are going to start some training soon. Some VERY expensive training. Damn Dog.
John is doing great, getting himself dressed for school every morning. Who cares if his underwear is on backwards majority of the time? He does it himself and that is one less thing I have to do. Now if I can just get Caroline to dress herself, feed herself and get all her school stuff together in her bag by herself............
Work is crazy. It is always so busy, I just feel like I am treading water. I know my colleagues would say the same thing. I also realize I need to quit making myself so available 24/7. Reading emails at 9:30pm. I don't need to do that. And usually there is an email in there that just ticks me off, so I go to bed with that or try to deal with it late at night. Arg! I just want my agencies to have everything they need, when they need it and it the right form/fashion. And I need to realize that is just not going to happen 100% of the time. Or get some really strong sedatives to take everday so I don't care when things go to hell :)

There was an Incident

So, we were at Home Depot yesterday looking at refrigerators since the one we currently have is dripping water everywhere and we can't figure out why. I was going to bother getting a repairman out, yadda...yadda, but I want a bigger one anyway. So, we are at Home Depot. I finally picked the one I wanted only to find out that the water and ice thing on the outside of the fridge doesn't have a "lock". Come on, who the heck makes a big refrigerator, one obviously intended for a family of 4 or larger and then doesn't put a lock on the ice/water dispenser. Have the makers of this fridge met any child under the age of 5 that DOESN'T push the buttons each time they walk by? If we had that one, we would have a flood in the kitchen on the days that end in y. So, moving on, I found another one I liked, they are delivering it, installing it, perfect. Most of you know my husband. When we moved into our condo we LITERALLY had to SHOVE the fridge into it's place and bend some pipe that was sticking out of the wall (we still have no idea what that pipe was for) just to make it fit. So, a 57.00 (refundable) delivery/installation fee was no sweat off my back. The funny part of this story is really 2 fold.
1. As I am talking with the HD lady about the features, prices, DISCOUNTS (anyone who knows me knows I NEVER pay full price and can negotiate like nobody's business), John is taking his beloved mimi and putting her in EVERY washer and dryer that is lining the row opposite of the refrigerators. And pushing all the knobs. And opening and closing the doors a thousand times. Where is Chase you ask, while I have BOTH kids? Talking to the lawn guy about our pitiful yard (I don't think it's that bad, but Chase just looks at it in disgust). Then John moves on to putting mimi in the ovens. So much fun.
2. We move out of the refrigerator section, much to the delight of EVERYONE in there, and go outside to lawn and garden. I am on the hunt for a new pump for our fountain that we have on our patio. I find one, but while I am trying to figure out which one we need, John pushes a door open and an alarm starts going off. He about cries and we high tail it out of there. Forget the pump, I can get that another day. As we casually walk back inside the store, there are guys walking very quickly, talking on radios, towards the area we were in. I am sure they thought someone got out of the store with a 20,000.00 riding lawn mower, when really it was my curious 4 year old just touching things. What a 4 year old does best. So, I finally find Chase and tell him we need to go. He asks why. I say, with smile on my face "we'll talk about it later, we just need to check out and leave".
I hope they let me back into the store. I really need to get that new pump for the fountain. I am sure my face is plastered in the employee break room, since I am SURE they reviewed tape of what made the alarm go off, AFTER we left. Oh well, I can explain it.....if I have to.

Why?

Why would John wear green rain boots, with little eyes on the top of them, shorts (pj shorts, of course) a pj shirt, the hat from his Halloween Thomas Costume and a Rangers baseball cap on top of that? Because he is 4. Because he can.
So, the Wofford house is moving right along. Chase got home from California last night and survived 4 days with high school kids. I survived 4 days with 2 kids under the age of 4 thanks to the help of my mother. I swear, I would have not survived if I had to be a mother anytime before the late 80s - I think this is when women having careers became socially accpetable. How did moms of more than 2 kids do it while their husbands worked, or gasp! traveled! I would have lost my mind. As my new boss, Blair, says "Hell to the no". Love that saying, btw.
Caroline walked all the way around the coffee table this weekend - 3 times. I think this means she will be ready to toddle very soon. She is still very much a momma's girl and doesn't warm to people very well. You got to work for a smile from her.
John continues to sing, dance and just generally make us laugh. We got him a basketball goal for his birthday and that has become a favorite family pastime. Each night, after dinner, we go outside and Caroline and I sit and watch Chase & John play. They have such a good time. The neighbors come over too, sometimes. James, our neighbor across the street (basically, the best neighbors ever) is a former NFL player and loves to quiz Chase about random players. Little does James know my husband is a sick man and knows way too much. I really think you could put him in a contest and let people ask questions and he would know all the answers. Maybe I should take him down to the circus and charge a quarter....college fund?

Ready to Walk?

So, I really think Caroline is alot closer to walking than I originally thought. Two weeks ago, she could have cared less to pull up on anything much less try to toddle around. Now, when you take her little hands and walk with her, she squeals with delight! I want her to walk, but I know the next phase is hard. Getting into things, not to mention trying to keep her away from John's "duff". He is very patient with her and often lets her hold his toys, but I just wonder how long that will last.

On another note, John went to the grocery store with me today. I have not attempted this in a LONG time because it usually ends in disaster. But, with his new (and very strict) bedtime routine, his behavior has improved so much. Not that he was horrible, but he is a typical 3 year old! We talked about "good" behavior on the way to the store and that if he was a good boy, he could get a small special prize.

Side note - we have to be specific and say SMALL special prize b/c of the time Chase took him to the store, with a promise of a special prize for good behavior, and John ended up coming out of the store with a stuffed Duck animal that was bigger than him. Hence the term "Small Special Prize"

John did really well. He stayed in the "buggy" as he calls it in true southern form. It helps that Kroger has race cars attached to the buggy and we got that one. I take out small children and end caps of merchandise each time I try to turn this huge thing, but he sits in it and that's what matters.

So, an hour later we emerge with groceries for the week (although I am sure I forgot something)and some Nemo treats. The coveted Special Prize. He was very kind and asked if I would like one. They truly are disgusting, but he loves them.

Caroline will turn 1 this week. My how time flies. I truly feel I have gotten to experience being the best mom I can be with her. I missed out on so much with John during that first year. I guess, in some sort of way, I knew I had to get it right with Caroline. I don't want to throw out my shoulder patting myself on the back, but I think I did a pretty darn good job this first year. And, I learned how to keep my favorite little guy feeling special even though this new little creature came to our house to stay.

I asked John the other day if he remembered when it was just mommy, daddy and John...just the 3 of us. He looked at me, thought about it for a second, then said "No". What a sweet boy.

The 2nd Coming of Richard Pryor

No one, I mean NO ONE, can make Caroline laugh as hard as John can. And he doesn't even really have to DO anything to make her laugh. He just looks at her, smiles, and she is doubled over, laughing hysterically. I could do the chicken dance for 45 minutes straight and all I would get is a "courtesy" laugh. So, my husband has started saying that Caroline thinks John is the 2nd coming of Richard Pryor.I have to admit, it is cute when she smiles at him....teeth and all! In the mornings, John will go with me to get Caroline out of her crib and he lovingly says to her (John language) - "Hello Taroline...did you have a good nap? Yes, hers had a good nap!". It's cute.Birthday party went off without a hitch...well, maybe one...not so much a hitch as a bite. A dog bite. None of the kids....that's good. I decided I wanted Kramer out of the house for the party. He jumps on people and that is annoying. So, I took him to Petsmart to be groomed. Took him at 2pm, was going to pick him up at 7pm. Well, I take him and about 30 minutes later, I get a call from Chase saying "Did Petsmart call you? (I replied No). Well, Kramer bit 2 people and we have to go get him". Sweet Jesus. That Damn Dog. I was so mad at him. Chase went to go get him and by the time he got there, Kramer had bitten 3 people. I was a little worried that they were going to call animal control and anyone who knows Kramer knows that he would never survive a quarantine. It would be all over. They didn't, thank goodness. But when Chase got there, he walks to the back and opens the door to the grooming section. Kramer, literally, runs out from behind the counter like a wild boar. The lady is holding kramer's collar and leash and tells Chase "here, you put it on, he has already bitten 3 people". Kramer is running around the little room like a maniac. Not because he is being mean, but because he was SO hyper. Chase bent over to put his collar on, saying a little prayer in his head "Jesus, please don't let him bite me". Never a dull moment at the Wofford House.Sometimes I think my life if like the Truman Show. And people are laughing hysterically at all the things that happen throughout the day. I then wonder, what do people with 4 and 5 kids do? There is so much work just with 2!Then I realize that this won't last forever and that someday, John won't want mommy to "hold me" and Caroline won't tug at my leg while I am trying to get breakfast together (not a fancy one with eggs and toast...just milk cereal..come on, that's all I can handle).

House of Sick

So, Caroline has Kidney Reflux, seeing a pediatric urologist the end of April. And has chronic ear infections, seeing an ENT the end of April. All of this right as she is about to turn 1. Not fun. Then last night, John says he is very sleepy and lays down on the floor...NOT normal. Kid won't slow down for 'nothin. So, I knew he was "getting" sick. Mom's know the definition of "getting" sick and....it sucks. So, at midnight, I hear "mommy, mommy!!". Fever. Says his ear hurts. I, Dr. Mom, diagnose the ear infection right away. Unfortunately, when I took him to the doctor this morning, they revoked my honorary degree and told me he had strep. What a curveball. Ear Infections are not contagious. Strep is. Now I have to keep the other 3 of us from getting it. Ever try that with a 3 year old? He is constantly sticking his fingers in his nose, wiping his snot on his clothes and sneezing on anyone he comes in contact with. I told Chase that I wanted 24 hours without kids....not for a spa day or a vacation, but to CLOROX the house. I feel so germy!
So, if this isn't enough, putting out fires at work ALL day long is just the icing on the cake. Although, I am trying not to be whiny and complaining to Chase at the end of the day. I figure if I can vent on this blog, or to my girlfriends and sisters, maybe Chase won't have to take the brunt of it.....just maybe...

Mommy, I hafta wash my hands

John, not being a big fan of hand washing.....I knew something was up this morning while getting everything ready for school, I hear him in his bathroom, running the sink water. I walked in and said "what are you doing?" to which he replies "Mommy, I hafta wash my hands betause I touch the grown up medicine". I was concerned at this point....what had he gotten into? I asked him to show me the "grown up medicine", in a half panic tone. He walked me into our bedroom and pointed to something on my nightstand....it was a black jelly bean that Chase had given him yesterday. He didn't like it and put it on the nightstand vs. in the trash!
I figure 2 good things came out of this:
1. I know he doesn't like black Jelly beans
2. He knows what grown up medicine is and I better make sure it is all high up and locked.

Batman Lives! Then takes a nap.....

So, with all that has been going on with Caroline, I have been ignoring the most hysterical member of our family. Although he totally knows how much of my (and our) time has been taken by Caroline, he still finds the time to make me smile. He decided he wanted a Batman movie yesterday, which is odd because I was under the impression he had no idea who Batman was. So, after a morning of good behavior (definitions of "good" behavior can vary greatly..) we went to the store for our Batman Movie. He has watched it over and over again ever since. I am not a big fan, with the fighting, etc, but they must have "updated" the versions since words like "shut up" have been added. I am sure that "shut up" was not a part of the original Batman movies. I just wonder how long "Batman" will last, as "The Incredibles" lasted about 12 days.......but at least we get our monies worth....he watches each movie thousands of times!!

Off to Sea World to see Shamu this week and relax at the Westin La Cantera...or so we think.....

A Missed Mavs Game

So, I decided to not go to the Mavs game, whom my boss graciously gave me 2 of our season tickets after months of groveling for. I had 2 tickets, a few rows back behind the Mavs bench, parking too.....But, with Caroline so sick and just not really feeling a whole lot better, I made the choice to sit it out. I told Chase to call a friend instead, but after a few phone calls and no luck, Chase decided to take John. I hear it is going well, but then, it is only 9pm. So, I took Caroline on a walk after John and Chase left. She slept in the stroller for about an hour, then woke up. Started vomiting immediately. It was mostly breastmilk and mucus (TMI, I know, but you need the whole picture). I knew then, when those little blue eyes, with dark circles under them, looked up at me, as to say "Mom, I am glad you are here to take care of me". Nothing else matters now...not even Dirk, nice seats at the AA, and the Mavs game.

The Fever.....and ER Visit

Ok, so scratch the previous post that I am so glad I went out with my co-workers/friends. Well, ok, I am still glad I did, but I am paying for it now. Took Caroline back to the doctor this morning b/c she was still running a fever over 101....he said it was a virus and not to worry. Took her back home and when I went to check on her around 12pm in her crib, she was BURNING UP. I decided to actually take her temp vs just guessing it was too high and I pulled the thermometer away at 104. I was done. I called the pediatrician, in tears (ok, sobbing) and they told me to take her to the ER. So, 3 hours later, I find out she has a UTI, some kind of blood infection and a double ear infection. All this at 1pm....mind you, I went to our pediatrician at 8:15am that same day only to be told that it was a virus. I am not going to call ranting and raving to the doctor, but simply will make an appt. (consultation) with him telling him how he is no longer in the circle of trust. I understand mistakes....I make them hourly, but not with 10 month olds. I cannot describe the heart wrenching pain of watching your 10 month old little girl having a cathater put in her, blood drawn from her pale, little arm, and then a shot on top of all that. She will forget...I will not.
So, at 9pm, I had her in the tub, with cool water, to try and pull down her 103 fever. She is now sleeping in daddy's arms and I only hope she, and we, can get some sleep tonight...I don't know how much more I can take. Will update more later...

Mamma's Night Out

So, Ghost Bar was fun. Really fun. But it probably wouldn't have been that fun for me if I were with people other than the great folks I work with (and my totally cool clients). And Danny throwing Amy and I into the air cheerleader style (he is a former UT Cheerleader) was just the icing on the cake. How often does a 32 year old married, mother of 2 get put up on the shoulder of a former Big 12 Cheerleader?? Plus, I had fun talking with Danny about Cheerleader U, a show that I think only he and I watch.
I digress.......SP.com had a private party at Ghost Bar at 5:30pm on Tuesday night and that was nice. I did walk NEAR (don't freak out Mom) the balcony that has the glass floor, over looking the street, 96 floors up (ok, maybe not that high), but my hands got sweaty when I peered over. Nope, can't do it.
House of Blues was great. Fun concert, great dinner and again, fun co-workers and clients. Then we headed back to Ghost Bar. This time it was not a private SP.com party. I am actually quite surprised they let us in, but I guess since SP.com was spending so much money at the hotel, they kinda had to.
Let me say that the "security" and "bouncers" at Ghost Bar are hysterical. And most of the people there are like Chris Chris, the super sales guy (thanks to The Ticket for creating that one. So funny).I am thinking of writing to SNL to see if they would do a skit of these guys and girls.
I was going to head back to my nice, comfy room after dinner at House of Blues and am so glad I didn't. Even though Caroline was at home with a fever and missing her mommy, daddy came to the rescue. He was great and I think he liked it that she HAD to rely on him....as he was the man in charge!
So, great trip, nice that I didn't even have to go near the airport and was very informational...and fun. What else can you ask for?
So, on the home front, you know with the Woffords that there is never a dull moment. Let me sum it up (remember that I left Monday at 3pm to be at the hotel by 4pm and came back home at 2pm on Wednesday)
-Monday night, John gets ahold of my keyless entry alarm pad, pushes a bunch of buttons and the alarm goes off. Chase's mom was staying with the kids, as Chase had open house that night. She doesn't know the code. The alarm company calls. She doesn't know the code word. The police show up.
-Tuesday, I get a message on my cell phone from the daycare. Caroline has a fever of 102. OMG. Never fails
-John doesn't go to sleep until 11pm Tuesday night. Chase is up trying to get things ready for Wednesday and just couldn't deal with it (caroline sick, etc.). I don't blame him. But, John was up until 11pm. HE IS 3!!!! Behavior on Wednesday was LESS than pleasant, may I add.


Now I get to go to New York next week, but only for 1 night.....and something will happen...it always does. Stay tuned...

"Good Morning, Sweetheart"

This is what John said to Caroline when he woke up yesterday morning. It was like hearing my own voice....my own words repeated back to me. I say this to each of them in the morning.
On another note, I am not a very good blogger. It's not that I don't have anything to blog about, actually, it's quite the opposite. I have TOO much going on, as does everyone else, I am sure. Work, travel, 2 kids...one of them still on breastmilk, a home, a husband and that damn beagle Kramer take up all my time. Heck, it can seem hard to connect with my sisters*. It's not that I have to find time to call them, but for me to call them and we both can talk...uniterrupted, that's the key. If only John, Caroline, Esther and Ruthie could open their kiddie laptops, look at their daily calendar and say "Oh, mommy has a conference calll with Aunt Ellen at 1:00pm today and then she has another conference call with Aunt Susan at 4:00pm". I wish.
I have to go out of town...again. Actually, not out of town, but far enough that I am no help whatsoever to Chase. I am staying at the W in Dallas later this week. Which would be fab if I could do it and not feel guilty about it. I mean, clients are flying in for a summit. I love the networking aspect of this and connecting with my current clients. We are attending a Mavericks game (in a suite with a personal greeting with Mark Cuban) and then the next night, drinks at the Ghost Bar and dinner at House of Blues. I mean come on, GHOST BAR. They don't let people like me in! Tommy Lee and me hanging out, having drinks...whatever! I have spit up on my shirt half the time....I am not the Ghost Bar type! Too bad I can't curl up in that wonderful W bed, not feel the least bit guilty and watch 3 hours straight of Law and Order!!!


*Sisters = Best Friends.

Thank God March 1st, 2008 is over

Did you ever have one of those days, that when you woke up the next morning, you thought to yourself "I am so glad yesterday is over". I had "that" day on Saturday, March 1st, 2008. Things were going fine throughout the day on Saturday. We had plans to meet Chase's mom at a restaurant in Southlake at 5pm. I knew John needed a nap and when he fell asleep at quiet time, I was happy. He woke up and said his ear hurt. We thought it was just red because that was the side he was sleeping on. Apparently not. Here are the cliff notes to why Saturday sucked for me (and Saturday night)
1. John had an ear infection, although we didn't know it until about 9pm when he was SCREAMING
2. John had a meltdown at the restaurant. Like any good mother, I took him to the bathroom so that we could get away from the crowd and he could calm down. He was hysterical by the time we got into the stall. To make matters worse, some crazy lady in the stall next to us was screaming.... AT ME! Telling me to let him go and to put him down, etc. It was so odd. I don't know who she is, as she was too cowardly to say something to my face, but you can rest assured I would have punched her right in the nose if she had. I was very calm with John, but when he has a tantrum and you hold him, he will say (scream) "stop holding me, you are hurting me!".
3. We got into the car after dinner and I burst into tears telling Chase about this woman yelling at me. Once I got my senses back about me, we figured she was either drunk or just crazy. But it was still upsetting! AND...I am sure she doesn't have kids and has never had to endure the emotional torture a mother goes through while waiting out a tantrum of this magnitude
4. John sobbed most of the night, while Chase held him and I ran back and forth to the microwave putting wash clothes in to warm them for his ears. The motrin finally took effect and he fell asleep! Thank Goodness!
5. Of course, we still have antoher child. Another nursing child. Another nursing child who wakes up twice during the night.
I AM EXHAUSTED!

Thank goodness I only had to live through March 1st, 2008 ONCE!

Up the Nose

I am a copycat. I figure if everyone else has a blog, why can't I? Plus, since I don't seem to write anything in baby books, maybe I can just print off the pages of my blog and shove them into the baby books...and then it's all good.
John stuffed a cheerio up his nose last night. I was on the couch, finishing up some work since I was traveling back from Boca yesterday, when I heard lots of sneezing and other weird noises coming from our bedroom, where John was. I got off the couch and walked into the bedroom. I said "John, are you okay". Not really expecting anything to be wrong. He points to his nose and says "I put a Cheer-o up dere" (it is funnier if I write like he talks). I panicked, playing the movie in my head of us going to the ER, and the doctor sticking a horrible looking stick up his nose to pull it out. But, after a few good, hard blows into toilet paper, it came out. It was one of the fruity cheerios, so it was red, but not bloody. I was laughing, but then had to pull myself together so that we could sit down and talk about how serious this was. John understood and could see that I was crying. I will often make myself get some tears, when explaining a serious situation to him. It tends to make him pay a little more attention. After our talk I said "John, do we put things in our nose?" To which he replies "No, mommy, we don't put stuff in our noses, like Cheer-o's, or m&m's, or whistles tause that will hurt us and make our mommy cry". Point Taken.