Friday, December 31, 2010

Whew...Christmas..

As promised from my last post, this will include pictures and an update on our trip home to see the Grandparents and Gage's Uncle B from CA.  The following pictures are from our Christmas here at home.

Gage playing with his interactive ornament Grandma gave him.

Best we could do for a family photo with only the 3 of us being here.
Christmas 2010.

Gage and "Babu"



Grandma and Grandpa Itnyre sent Gage the sweetest recordable book, all the way from TX.

Yay for Santa PJ's!

Gage and the GIANT beanbag

Standing


"Tree"

As shown in the picture above, Gage's new favorite thing is to point.  Every single morning, noon, or night we come into our living room, Gage points at the tree and says "tree"  and wants to go and look at all of the ornaments.  He has to have us play the musical ones for him over and over.  Poor kid doesn't know he only has a week left to point at the tree.

We were supposed to leave for Chesapeake on Sunday, but b/c of the foot of snow they got down there (very rare for the area) and the fact that they don't know how to plow it, etc. we decided to wait until Monday to head down.  Gage was going to get to see his Uncle Brian for the 1st time since last Christmas and of course for the 1st time since he could really play with him.  I think Uncle Brian was excited to see him as well.  We also had Christmas with Auntie and she  hooked Gage up with far too many toys!

Gage loves Christmas with Auntie!

Gage playing with the guitar Uncle B bought him.

Gage and Uncle B

Gage and Mommy

Yay for Christmas!
While in Chesapeake, we didn't do too much but hang out with the family. One day we got out for a few to go to a Christmas display downtown. Other than that it was just family time. Not often all of us get together. It's been since last Christmas and who knows when we'll get the chance again! We're so glad Uncle Brian could spend Christmas with us this year!





Gage and Crazy Uncle B




Checking out the crazy toddler sized icicles

Hangin' with G-diddy

I pray for a grilled cheese sandwich

Eh, not the best, but nonetheless, a family shot- 2010



I will end here since the pictures are quite excessive.  But I'll have to post soon on all of the new words Gage is saying.  It's incredible how much his vocab is growing every day.  He is now like a little tape recorder. We've decided we're gonna have to start writing them all down to keep track!  Happy New Year!


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Happy Birthday Finn!

Casey and I are actually real friends as well (I can't say that about too many of my bloggy friends) but that makes the birthday wishes that much more fun!  I have to make sure to wish her little man a very Happy Birthday today!  Finn is only a year old and was born just about 6 weeks after Gage last year.  I've enjoyed watching him grow up on the Internet as well as seeing Casey's older 2 kids and their antics.  We grew up in the same town, but Casey now lives many many states away and so this is the only chance I get to see her kids. Hopefully one day Gage and Finn can meet for a playdate, I think they would enjoy it.  We'll try not to hold it against Finn that he's already walking while Gage is barely standing;)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all.  I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating with your families, big or small.

We didn't travel this year and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was nice to not have to deal with the holiday hustle and bustle.  Since neither of our families are in town, we decided even before we had kids that we would alternate holidays, spending Xmas one year with Luke's family, one year with mine and one year at our house.  Every kid needs Christmas at their house, right?  Since I had no out of state family growing up, we had Christmas at our house every year and I just can't imagine Gage celebrating any different.  However, I know that at least once every 3 years we will have to travel to TX.  My parents aren't so far away, so that trip is more attractive, but I still love the idea of Santa coming to visit Gage at his own house.

Our Christmas morning was somewhat uneventful but Gage enjoyed tearing the paper out of bags and looking at his new books. He didn't get much this year, he got a lot of toys for his bday so there wasn't much he needed, plus we figure we'll buy him some stuff in the spring when his interests change or he becomes ready for other toys.  His big present this year was a personalized beanbag chair. Gage loves to roll around and be silly yet also LOVES to read his books so I figured he would like it.  He sat in in for quite a while tonight while he read books.  I think it's going to be a winner. 

Other than cooking and just hanging out, we did have to make a trip to Patient 1st today to get Gage's ear looked at once again.  As we suspected from his crankiness the last few days, his ear was infected again.  So yet, another round of anitbiotics, at least until we can get in to see the ENT at the end of the week.  Tubes are in our near future, ladies and gentlemen. 

We didn't take too many pictures this morning, we just were enjoying Gage soaking in his 1st 'real' Christmas.  I'll try and get the few we did take posted soon.  We're supposed to be traveling tomorrow but Old Man Winter  might postpone that trip for us.  In any case, Gage will get to see his Uncle B from CA in just a few days!  Until then.....Merry Christmas to all and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Pardon the random stream-of-consciousness post....

As I sit here and type this, I'm listening to Gage not be able to nap b/c he has a nasty cough.  Seems like ever since his birthday he's been sick....grrr.  I'm ready for it to be over!  We've been dealing with antibiotic after antibiotic for ear infections and we're looking at tubes next.  Luke took him Mon. pm to the dr. to check on his ears and they said there was no infection, but gave us a  prescription anyway in case he starts to run another fever.  I'm trying to avoid the antibiotic if at all possible.  They listened to his lungs too and said everything sounded clear, yet his cough is getting worse.  Plus, his top 2 teeth arethisclose to busting through his gums.  It makes me hurt to even look at them.  I think my child truly will get his 2 front teeth for Christmas! Which I guess will be kinda neat.

In other news, I know that it's ENTIRELY too early to be thinking of potty training but for the last 3 nights in a row, Gage looks up at us while he plays and says 'poo poo'. Where he even learned poo poo from, I have no clue.  Anyway, he says poo poo and then about 3 mins. later, he poops!  Are you kidding me?  A 13 month old knows when he's going to poop?  That's like the number one thing with potty training is that the kid has to know before he goes.  We're thinking of buying a potty, just to show him where he would go if he does have to 'poo poo'.

We are still fighting the bottle battle.  Ask me again how it makes sense that a child that only had bottles 40% of his life is sooo attached??  I am pretty sure he would rather starve hisself instead of drink milk from a sippy. We have cut out the afternoon bottle and only offer him milk in a sippy cup.  He just doesn't drink it, hasn't for a week and doesn't plan to.  He'll just have 2 bottles a day and that's all the milk he gets. Doesn't seem to phase him.  Please someone tell me how to get my kid to drop the bottles, the dr. doesn't seem to think it should be that hard and have met not ONE real live person who has ever had this problem....grrrr.

Gage's vocabulary is growing daily and although he still has no interest in walking, he definitely wants to talk.  Lately he's added 'kiss tree' for Christmas tree, 'tree' for any kind of Xmas lights, 'boo', 'pee ah boo', 'hi' and 'bye'  and he can 'meow' like a kitty.  He still cannot say Momma, however, we have noticed that when he 'moos' like a cow, he really 'boos' and that he really doesn't say the mmmm sound at all.  Now, every time we say Momma or point to my picture, he says 'Babu' so maybe that's just his way of saying 'Momma'.  Oh well, it'll satisfy me for now.  Babu is better than Daddy, right;)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wordless Wednesday- 13 months

THIS is what teething looks like.
This is what a cute baby looks like!



Peek a Boo

Happy Birthday C!

Bonnie and I have been friends forever and not like bloggy friends, but real actual friends, since we were kids playing basketball together.  Anyway, today her little man (or not so little anymore) turns into a 3 year old!  Luke, Gage and I want to wish Carson a very Happy Birthday!!  We met Carson 3 years ago over Xmas Break, when he surprised Bonnie and Brad a whole month early!  Unfortunately, we don't live close by and don't get to see him too much, but Bonnie and I try to keep in touch as much as we can and we definitley hope he has a great day!  Head on over to Three Men and a Lady to check out the festivities!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

WINNER WINNER Chicken Dinner

Ok, well noone actually won a chicken dinner, but I did choose a winner for the Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm and apparently, she is my biggest fan!!

You see, Brittany wrote this:  Oooh, pretty please! Choose your biggest fan (ME!) hehe.

Congrats Brittany, being a fan really paid off!  hah....

I chose Brittany using random.org; however, am not smart enough to figure out how to post the graphic on to my blog.  Ah well, I'm sure you will believe me.....anyway, I am one of Brittany's biggest fans as well.  You've got to go check out her blog  and her super cute son, Henry over at Hairy Babies.  Goodnight all!  Only 6 more days 'til Christmas.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Soooo busy....

fMy oh my,  Xmas is upon us and wow, have I been busy?  I'm sure we're all in the same boat, yet everyone else seems to be able to find the time to write.  Not me.  I really am looking forward to writing a real post of substance one of these days.... it's been like 2 weeks.  However, today is not the day.  Sorry to disappoint.  Who am I kidding?  I'm sure noone is disappointed...ha.  Anyway, maybe this weekend. For now, don't forget to enter my Carmex giveaway!

'Night.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Happy Birthday Kerri!

Just about a month ago, you guys read my post wishing a certain little cutie Camden a very Happy Birthday. Gage and Camden have been Internet friends since before they knew it;)  Anyway, if you recall their birthdays are only a week apart.  Well, today Camden's Mommy Kerri is celebrating her birthday and we would like to wish her a very Happy day as well.  Kerri's and my birthday, like our son's, are only a few days apart as well (what a coincidence) and I believe that we're even the same age.  Not sure if Kerri's sensitive about that subject, or not...so I wont' reveal...

In any case, hope you have a great day, Kerri.  Happy Birthday!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

I REALLY want one of these!

So I've always wanted a KitchenAid mixer but I'm too cheap to buy one for myself!  Here's a fun giveaway I found that was super easy to blog about!  Hope you decide to enter too!

3 Kids and Us and KitchenAid want to make your holiday wish come true and offer you the chance to win a brand new KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer in your choice of over 20 colors, valued at $349.99!


Enter the KitchenAid Stand Mixer Giveaway and check out the Homemade Holiday Feast recipes that show all the ways the KitchenAid Stand Mixer and attachments can be used to create unique family dishes and save you counter space with one appliance that can be converted to meet your every need.


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm (Review and Giveaway)


As I stated previously, I'm not even sure how I got hooked up w/ Carmex, but alas, here goes it.  My first product review! 

A small disclaimer first:

If you knew me really well, you would know that although I do wear makeup every time I leave the house, I rarely, if ever wear any kind of lipstick.  Not because I don't like the way it looks, I just don't like the way it looks on me. The last time I can remember liking lipstick that I wore was at my wedding.  And it was picked out by someone else and put on by someone else, so that should explain it.  I want to like  lipstick, I really do.  But I'm more of a lip balm/gloss kind of girl.  In fact, I used to be addicted to it in college.  However, every few months or so, I see a lipstick that I like in a magazine and think, 'I could wear that', then I buy it, get it home and wear it once.  My lips are always dry and the lipstick cakes and I remind myself why I don't like lipstick after all.  I have also tried 'tints' and lip glosses that are slightly colored and again find them too sticky or too pink/red and again, realize I should just stick w/ straight up non-colored lip balm.

So....when I recieved the package from Carmex for their new line of Moisture Plus Lip Balm, I was excited, but apprehensive at the same time.  I love the old school Carmex products (namely the little yellow and red tube and jar) but I wasn't sure how I would feel about the tinted lip balms.  I hadn't had good experiences in the past with other brand's 'tinted' products. (see above).  Once I opened the package though, I was pretty stoked to be able to try out something new and to share my honest thoughts on it! 

The new Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balms come in a super cute slim little tube that's just the right size to fit in your pocket and not be too bulky.  I reviewed 2 shades (Sheer Pink and Sheer Peach) that have just the right amount of color to brighten up your lips but not to scare you away if you're not the 'lipstick' kind of girl.  I tend to shy away from too much color, so this was perfect for me.  And then the moment that I applied the balm, I wanted to jump for joy!  It was sooo soft.  Even softer than the Carmex's original products; it was exactly the consistency I was hoping for.  NOT sticky, YET with enough moisture to make my lips feel soft and to get rid of the dreaded lip peel that had been my problem in the past.

                                        
In the winter, when my lips become drier due to the weather, I like to apply lip balm often.  I like for my lips to feel soft, who doesn't?  This lip balm is great for that.  Again, not too heavy or too much color to apply as often as you like!  Both the Sheer Pink and Sheer Peach have great tones, although I can't see too much of a difference between the two.  Then again, I'm sure that anyone who wears lipstick on a regular basis, probably can.  Right now, Carmex has only the 2 shades of the Moisture Plus Lip Balm, but as I was perusing their website, I was pretty excited to see there is also a non-tinted version if color isn't your style. I would love to see Carmex come out with more colors in the future.

Something else I was pretty excited about was to see that Carmex also has a line of lotions.  If they make your skin feel as soft as Carmex products make your lips feel, I'd love to try those out as well.   After reading, if you're tempted now to pick up one of these products for your own, currently the tinted versions of the lip balm are only on sale at Walgreens and Walgreens.com.  I, personally hope to see them at other drugstores in the future.  In the meantime...

One of my lucky readers will win both the Sheer Pink and Sheer Peach Moisture Plus Lip Balms.


Just leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner next Saturday, December 18th.  Good luck!

*Although Carmex did contact me and send me these products to review, the above thoughts and opinions are all my own!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: A sneak peek at our Xmas Cards


Santa:   Round 1


My 1st Giveaway!

It seems that much of my blog traffic from the summer, or otherwise has decreased.  I've always wanted to participate in a giveaway and tried to pursue some over the summer.  I wish I had done some then, when my traffic was at its peak and when I was a devoted blogger.  Nevertheless, you have to start somewhere, right? 

I was offered to do my 1st giveaway early last month.  Many of you might also be participating in the advertisement of the new Carmex Moisture Plus lip balm, as I don't remember exactly how I got hooked up w/ it.  In any case, I've been 'reviewing' in the recent weeks and will be posting my review and the giveaway on Thursday!  Stay tuned, I hope some of you will participate!  Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Mommies: Input Needed

We bought a video monitor before Gage was born and got a pretty good deal from a woman who posted on Craigslist. We've loved having it and although it was old school (big monitor) it was only $50, which was half the price we would've found elsewhere.  However, a year later, it kicked the bucket.  It's ok, since we only paid $50, I'm not mad, we got it 2ndhand, what did we expect?   But now we're in the market for a new one.  I need suggestions.  I'm assuming most of you have one, now tell me what kind and what you love/hate about it.  We're not looking for a $200 one either but right now they're 15% off at BRU, so let me know your thoughts!  Thanks!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Gage's aversion to photographers

As you all know by now, I'm a delinquent blogger and we had so much going on this week that I never had time to sit down to write, although there were several topics I cared to discuss.  I have found that in the few seconds of free time I have each day, I'd rather read people's blogs than to write my own.  Right now, I sit here while Gage naps knowing I need to clean my house and not blog, so I'll just post quickly.

It has come to our realization that Gage has an aversion to professional  photographers.  The very 1st time Gage was photographed at 2 mos. old, an old friend of mine at home did the pictures and since he had never gone before, he had no idea what he was getting into.  He did great and only got fussy when it was time to eat.  The pictures came out very special and we were excited to have some more when he was older when he started to sit, stand, etc. 

We scheduled his 6 mo. pictures right on time and he ended up having a slight fever the am of the pictures.  So we cancelled and moved on.  The next weekend, we ended up taking him in to Picture People, and although we got a few cute pictures, we had an awful experience.  I think that was the beginning of the end for him.  He decided, hell no, no more photographers. 

He turned 9 months old in August and we scheduled more pictures, this time at Target, having heard positive reviews from a few friends.  The night before the pictures Gage got a horrible runny nose.  He wasn't really sick, but had yellow, sometimes, green snot running down his face so we decided we'd  postpone 'til the next weekend.  Ironically enough, it seemed the next day Gage was fine again. The next weekend came and Gage ended up w/ another fever and we weren't sure what was wrong but we didn't want to chance a grumpy child, so once again we rescheduled.  Mind you, this is about 3 times now that I had changed the appt.   I  had gone on the website, b/c it's so easy to do online and had changed my mind like 439 times on what time would be best.  Once again, nothing came of the fever.  So at 10 months, Gage finally went to Target to get his 9 months pictures taken.  The lady even went as far as to say she thought we were a 'bogus' family b/c I had made and cancelled so many appt's in the last few weeks.

Because we just got pictures at 10 months and the very next week got school pictures taken, Luke really didn't want to spend any more money on pictures at a year old, but I insisted we needed at least a few.  The weekend after Gage turned 1 came and went and w/ all the commotion I never scheduled anything.  So I decided that it might be nice to get them done over T'giving and my Mom could come.  I figured she'd enjoy it.  Appt. was made for the Sat. after T'giving.  That day our never-fussy chlid pitched a big old fit while we were dressing him for pictures and I thought...oh great.  He had gotten in the habit of napping in the late afternoon so I thought he should have another good hour in him.  Needless to say, we get to Sears, there's  3948 people waiting (my fault, we got there too early) and after waiting a half hour, he had a complete meltdown when we got in for pictures.  I think the lady took 2 before he crumbled to the floor in a tantrum throwing mess.  He did the baby flop and wouldn't cooperate at all.  I decided it was best just to leave and that was that.  After a nap, he was good to go.  I, however, had decided to give up on 1 year pictures.

Fast forward to this weekend when I said, Dammit, I've got to have some kind of picture for his 1st birthday and it's so close to Christmas that I might as well dress him in some holiday garb as well.  Target is running a special where you can get greeting cards and 2 other pics for like $30, so I thought perfect.  Also, I was able to get the 1st appt. this am so we wouldn't have to wait (I had seen that debacle last weekend).  Again, perfect.  7am this morning and my alarm goes off.....not the baby one, but the real one and I thought, I can't believe he's not awake.  Of course, when I went in to get him he was snoring away.  I knew I had to get him up and in the bath if we wanted to make it on time. That's when I realized he was one HOT potato.  Temp....100.7!  Not that this is especially high, but he's never had  a temperature this high....so we thought not sure what the problem is, but I won't torture him getting his picture taken, right?  I mean, he was still sleeping and who wants to get their picture taken after they're drug out of bed. So.....I cancelled the pictures AGAIN, are you kidding me??  After a few minutes, Gage seemed like he felt fine, ate a great breakfast, played all am and giggled, as usual.  Way to fake sick AGAIN, kid!  He seems to be pretty good at it, can't wait 'til high school. 

So what do I do? Try again, or finally throw in the towel??

I know, this post was supposed quick, right?  Off to clean, I go.

Monday, November 29, 2010

November is almost over...

I will close my 30 days of Thanks one day early...however, I will still tell you the last 3 things that I am thankful for. 

In this month, I have realized that I in fact have tons of things to be thankful for and that I have tried very hard not to repeat any.  However, when I sit down to type, I just keep thinking the same thing, I am sooo thankful for my perfect baby boy and my wonderful husband.  I've used these before, I know, but I suppose it never hurts to say it again, right?  And being thankful for the 2 men in my life is definitely worth repeating.  So there, today I am thankful for my beautiful, perfect, loving little boy and my wonderful, talented and caring husband. 

I am also thankful that tomorrow is payday so that I can start my Xmas shopping and thankful for a pay day at all.

Lastly, for the month of November, I am thankful that we are refinancing our house at the end of next month and will be saving a little more extra money every month!  Yay for dropping interest rates!  See you all in December!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Behind again- 4 more....

Ok, so it's clear that I didn't keep up this year at all and that I'll be more realistic next time I want to start a meme on my blog.  At least noone attempted to follow along though and didn't show me up at my own game.  In any case, with November winding down, I have 4 more reasons to be thankful.

a)  I am thankful for a few days off to spend time with not only my immediate family, but also with extended family and old friends,

b) from that I am thankful for keeping in touch with friends I have known for 15-25 years.  It is always great to see them, even if just for a few mintues and incredible that we're still as close as we are.

c)  I am thankful for Grandma who spent time with Gage while Luke and I enjoyed an afternoon out, a morning to sleep in and meals that we could eat when they were actually hot!

d)  Finally, I am thankful for traveling safely to and from my parents' house, for not running into too much traffic and for everyone else's safe travels this Holiday weekend.

A Thanksgiving post and pictures to come.
 
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