Before and After

Life has been busy.  I'm working a lot more and days off are spent putting the house back together and running errands.  I've been thinking a lot lately, especially today, about doing some redecorating.  Our poor little kitchen is in desperate need of a face lift and I think now would be the perfect time to do it.  It seems like decorating the house is usually the last thing on the list, but I'm making an executive decision and putting it higher on our list of priorities. 

 

So, I'll start in the kitchen and work my way down through the rest of the house.  The biggest thing for the kitchen would be the counter tops.  I am willing to give up food and alcohol in order to get new counter tops (summer is coming up; two birds, one stone).  They are a HUGE eyesore, not to mention a hazard to small people of a certain height (owen????) due to the fact that several tiles have fallen off at random points throughout our time in this house.  By the way, I would like to take a minute to point out to my husband that all of these plans will be far less expensive than purchasing a new house.  Therefore, in the event that the current economic situation forces us to remain in our house for the foreseeable future, I suggest we do some minor surgery, on the inside for a change, and in return I promise to make your life a lot easier.

We are not the neatest people so one thing is for certain:  We need to make a commitment to being more organized and picking up after ourselves and our son.  Its a joint effort and one that I will gladly spearhead into fruition.  I'm off work for the next three days while Brooke takes a much needed vacation to Colorado so I plan to research exactly what I want to do for the kitchen and start making a long list for spring cleaning.  Helen will be here for Owen's birthday at the end of the month and I just know she will be ready and willing to help me, regardless of whether its decorating or cleaning. 

how do you feel about baseboards Nana? You and Owen can do it together .... you'll have so much fun, promise. 

The boys got haircuts the other day and they look so cute.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful job JJ did on Owen's hair.  Its salon quality if you ask me.

Here's an early birthday shout out for Uncle Adam.  Can't wait to celebrate when you get out here.

****Happy Birthday!!*****

About time, right?

I have not been very good about updating lately.  

Sorry.....

I went to San Diego this past weekend and had a really good time.  It was an old friend's birthday and it was nice to see everyone and catch up.  

I get a good feeling in California.  I think I'm secretly meant to live there.

When I got home I started pestering JJ immediately about the possibility of us moving there.  I even found the perfect house, but, unfortunately, its just not in the cards right now.  

I'll  have to make due with frequent vacations instead.  I'll also be keeping my fingers crossed for a honeywell aerospace division to open up.  That's the only thing holding us back, I think.  Or, he could always try for a job at Boeing.  He has family ties.... that counts for something right???

Owen is beginning to enter his terrible twos stage and I'm scared.  He's normally really good but he's been acting up a bit lately.  We chalk it up to teeth, but I think he's beginning to develop some bad habits and perhaps its time to lay out some ground rules for discipline.  He's acting like an only child.  Does that mean its time to have another?

I'm going to start working more and we've talked Auntie into being our nanny.  It works out for all of us and we get to keep Owen out of daycare and for that, I'm grateful.  I do think he would benefit from being around other kids, but it won't be long before he's in preschool a few days a week and that's good enough for us.

Here's a few pictures from Owen and JJ's recent trip to the fire station.  They're both firemen at heart ;)

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's day!!!!

Owen must have been tired this morning.  

He fell asleep in his high chair while eating breakfast.... something he has NEVER done before.

But he looks soooo cute.

He's still sleeping out there.  I don't have the heart to wake him up.

2009

I cannot believe it's already the seventh of January!!  I have let so many days pass in this new year without an update and for that I am truly sorry.  Life has been busy... we've had a lot on our plates in recent weeks.  

And now....... 

Its just over.

No more holiday planning or rushing around.  It came and went just like it does every other year, but there was something about the speed involved in this one.  It was different.  

So here's a quick recap.... 

We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's house and there were so many presents for the children that neither one of them was interested in opening a single present on the actual morning of Christmas.  JJ and I ended up returning several presents we bought for Owen that were left unopened..  We spent the entire day in our pajamas and ate leftover ham sandwiches and chex mix.  It was pretty great.

New Year's eve was spent with friends at a small house party.  It was fun, but impossible to find a cab home.  I think we ended up waiting for almost two hours before JJ decided to borrow a car and drive us home.  We made it home safely.

Owen had his first slumber party with Gram and I think they had a really good time.  They watched movies and went for walks.  Since she lives so close, I'm thinking we should definitely do that more often.  We'll see.....

JJ's brother has been here the past few days and its been fun to spend some time with him.  We went to the zoo this week (thanks for the membership Nana!) and he took Owen to the children's museum today while I was at work.  But, sadly, he's leaving tomorrow.  I'm not quite sure what I'm going to say when Owen wakes up in the morning calling his name.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy new year!!  Can't wait for all the exciting times in '09!!

Happy Birthday Nana!!

As per your request, here are some pictures from Christmas Eve.... We missed you guys!!

Scary Santa's

Owen's picture last year

A little nervous this year.  Nana had to sit with him.

This year ..... take two

I will do anything to avoid my household responsibilities.  This includes figuring out how to use my new scanner and sharing with everyone the adorable holiday tradition shared by millions of people.  The picture with Santa.  Later on in life we will look back and remember exactly where we were when these were taken.  I love seeing how much he has grown between this year and last year.  

Frosty the Snowman

Owen's new favorite holiday song.  He sings it everyday and we also have to watch the old cartoon on youtube.  He knows it's on the computer and not the tv.  He's incredibly perceptive. He's also inclined to belt out Jingle Bells every now and then as well.  One of these days I'll try to record it and post it on here.  It's pretty funny.

I can't believe it's already the tenth of December.  Last year around this time, we were preparing to spend two weeks in Fiji.  Wouldn't that be nice to look forward to right about now??  I would love to be at the villa in Pacific Harbor.

Last weekend was Mandy's first annual Gaudy Christmas party.  A fun time was had by all and although it was a small, intimate gathering, it was spent with friends and a lot of laughter was shared (at my expense, but I'm over it).  

Christmas is right around the corner, and shortly after that we will be celebrating the start of another new year.  Why do they all seem to go by so fast these days?  I've been thinking about some serious resolutions and the one I think I'm going to focus on the most is graduate school.  I've been talking about it for years, but its high time I actually make something happen.  My child is old enough to benefit from spending some time around other kids.  My husband and I have no plans to add to our brood anytime soon, therefore, why not further educate myself and spend my time a bit more productively? 

BTW, funny story.  Last week, while watching frosty on youtube with my sister, something upset Owen and he began crying hysterically.  Still, to this day, we don't know what upset him, but it was almost like he was in pain.  While he was crying so hard he also began coughing.  I was trying my best to calm him down, but he wasn't being comforted by anything I did.  And then ....... he threw up.  It wasn't small (he just had a juice box) and it was projectile.  His aim was amazing.  Directly down the front of my v-neck shirt.  I've never seen anything like it.  

Once I had him settled down and with my sister, I took my clothes off to get in the shower. There, right above my belly button, was a grape stuck to my stomach.

That's the funny part.