Bad News...

So as I promised almost 2 weeks ago, I got nothing.  My brand new 3 month old computer blew up a few weeks back and I lost EVERYTHING.  The very special part about that is that I didn't back up this new computer like I did my old one.  I mean, why would I, it was 3 months old?  Why would I think I needed to do such a thing?  Therefore, I have lost all of my pictures from Nov- Jan, the pictures of my baby's 1st Thanksgiving and Xmas.  Forever gone is all of my 'month' pictures with the onesie stickers.  And since we never got around to it, we printed out NONE of those pictures and I blogged next to not at all during those months, so I'm pretty much hosed.  I guess I could be pissed/sad/livid at Sony for making such a POS computer and that now I have to edit all 400+ pictures all over again....did I mention I lost my editing program too??, but I guess instead, I'll just choose to pretend like it didn't happen and move on.  If I can't figure out how to edit these pictures soon, I'll just skip the week in pictures that I missed.  It was bound to happen at some point anyway.  I have to see how far behind I am.  I haven't even written a letter to Ezra and he was 6 months old 9 days ago.  I guess I'll start there, then try to do at least one week in pictures, then update you on whatever else has been going on around here.  I know we did two birthday parties in one weekend and my brother's been in town from CA.  Other than that, I've completely lost track of where I was and quite frankly just don't have the energy to catch up.  I might just have to start over......again. 

2012- A Look back and A Look ahead

So here it is, the 1st day of January 2013 (when this post was started) and I realize that I have posted twice in the last month!  I can't even believe it myself, I'm not sure I have ever been a more pathetic blogger.  I am determined not to quit though and to pick up where I left off and forge ahead.  My life has been crazy lately, but at some point, things have to calm down again, right?

When thinking about 2013, I have big hopes and when thinking about it in a blogging sense, I have a few goals, I'm sure not ones that I will meet, but perhaps, at least strive for if I write them out.
a) 20 mins a day I will take the time to write, I mean really, 20 mins, I should be able to handle that.
b) 20 mins a day I will take the time to read- I would love for this to be a book- but for now I think blogs count.  I think I already meet this goal, as most of what I do when I nurse/pump is read
c)  I so wanted to take part in a Project 365 this year, but I knew it was an unreasonable goal on my part.  I wanted to make my very own blog that was just pictures of my beautiful family.  I did, in fact, even take a few today, however, I just know there's no way I'll be able to post pictures every day, I just don't have the time right now.  However, my goal is a Project 52 instead and that at least once a week I will post pictures from that week to show you how life is going in my neck of the woods and how my boys are growing at breakneck speed.

As far as 2012 is concerned, although cliche, one of my very favorite blog posts to read this time of year is a year in review.  I think it's so awesome to go back and recap an entire year and reflect, both for the reader and the writer.  Personally, I like to take this time to enjoy watching my family grow and to remember all the more significant moments in our lives.  Last year, I remember this posting taking me FOREVER as I linked up to several posts and copied several pictures over and I just don't see myself having that time this year.  Instead, I will review briefly month by month the highlights and when I have time (if ever) will go back and link up pictures.  I'm sure this won't be super exciting for the average individual to read, but this post is more for me and to recap what is important to us.  Now hold on, this is sure to take me a few days...(ha, so I started this process and have it written in print that this year I would by no means do what I did last year, but instead pick one significant event from each month or do pictures.  However, I really do like how last year's turned out...

Without further ado, January brought news of little Ezra, although I didn't share it with the blog until much later.  It also snowed the ONLY snow of 2012 for only a few hours.  I entered lots of photo challenges and Gage got a hand me down tool bench.


In February, it seemed there were lots of birthdays and I worked a lot.  Gage had his 1st real injury- chipping both his front teeth- and he had his 1st weekend with Nana WITHOUT Mommy and Daddy and we were childless for a few days.


In March, Gage read an entire book to himself, I told all of you guys I was pregnant and started my weekly updates, Gage started to tell us he loved us on a daily basis, we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade (which is one of Gage's favorite pastimes) and Gage's imagination started to run wild.


In April, I continued to grow, Gage had an awesome time at his 1st Easter Egg Hunt, he had his 1st lollipop and the O's started their best season in years.  We once again enjoyed Ticonderoga Farms, this time with friends and we enjoyed a nice, restful Spring Break.  All in all, pretty uneventful.


May, as usual, brought warmer weather and a trip to the Outer Banks.  I blogged 4 times total ALL month, one WW post, one birthday post, one letter to Gage and one quick update.  I spent most of my free time this month starting to study for the Praxis test AGAIN, that this time I failed by one point.  We found out we were having another BOY!



June, whew!  This is where my school year comes to an end each year and I get to be a stay at home Mom for a few months.  My favorite time of year.  I usually have time to blog a bit more but with studying this year I only blogged 6 times this month.  This month brought our annual trip to the OBX, a much needed break from studying, the actual Praxis test and Gage's fear of public potties.  Thank God that didn't last long.



July, usually my favorite month of the year.  A complete month off from my job.  However, this year, July was damn HOT and I was REALLY pregnant.  Gage and I had an awesome time, just the 2 of us, going to music class, chilling at the pool, hitting up the library and doing all kinds of SAHM stuff.  We also went to the 4th of July parade, that I might not brave again b/c of the heat.  I was super productive and blogged more than I have/had all year.  Gage moved into his big boy bed and I made letters for his room. (something I still haven't done for Ezra's)  Gage's potty training moved forward, I had time to enter some photo challenges and I reflected on Friday the 13th.  I actually had time to read a book and reviewed it!  Pretty sure it was the last book I read....I say, 6 months later.  We spent Luke's birthday at Dutch Wonderland, a place that was pretty much heaven to Gage and did a guest post on another blog, Great Expectations.  My belly continued to grow....



In August, we started to get ready to be parents of two.  I anticipated each day could be my last with Gage as my only child.  I started to get ready for going back to work for just a few weeks and had to make tons of sub plans.  We went back to the beach for our annual end of the summer trip and celebrated our 5th year anniversary in Baltimore/Annapolis.  The O's got DC excited again and I did a couple of reviews.  Gage and I reflected on our summer and I reached full term.


In September, I started back to school, but only for a few weeks when my sweet baby boy, Ezra made me a Mommy for the 2nd time.  This is when our lives changed forever as we knew it and everything has been a blur since then.  The O's were awesome!  and entertained me all night long the night I was in labor.  There were tons of birthdays and we finally got Gage's big boy room finished and Ezra's nursery started.  Sloane, our niece was born just one week after Ezra and I remembered things I had forgotten with Gage.


October brought changes and getting used to being a Mommy of 2.  I blogged a lot this month because I was at home on leave.  The O's went to the postseason and Ezra was hospitalized for a weekend.  We had a few follow up visits and all seemed to be well.  We went pumpkin picking, had a horrible late season hurricane and Gage had an awesome time trick or treating as Iron Man.  I celebrated 3 years at We're In For It (renamed We Asked For It).



In November, I went back to work :( and Luke got to stay home with Ezra. We celebrated Gage's 3rd birthday (which I never had time to blog about, because I went back to work).  President Obama took a 2nd term and I attempted 30 days of Thanks.  Gage officially became potty trained and I took both boys to the doctor together and lived to tell about it.  Ezra had his 1st OBX trip and celebrated his 1st Thanksgiving.


In December, 2012 came to a close and I blogged two times, that's right, count them TWO times.  I found life back at work and with 2 kids was a little crazier than I thought.  I had good intentions, it just never happened.  I celebrated my 32nd birthday and we spent the holidays at Nana and Grandiddy's house.  Ezra celebrated his 1st Christmas and New Year's Eve.  He outweighed Gage at the same age and one of the most unthinkable things happened at an elementary school in Connecticut.


That's it folks!  2012 in review.  Looking back, I realize it was a pretty uneventful year except for my pregnancy and the birth of Ezra.  We are very lucky to have the life we do and are blessed with two beautiful sons.  I'd love to spend the time to link up to all of my old posts, but I think I'm just going to post this for now.  I'd rather have it up, then not and I'll try to link it later if I have the time.  Goodbye 2012....here's to 2013!  Hopefully another great year!

I'm back...kinda

I haven't blogged in over 3 weeks.  That's crazy to me.  Notice how my blogging stopped when I went back to work.  I am just crazy busy.  It's really nuts what one job, two kids and Christmas time can do to your free time.  I had tons to blog about, I even have half a post about Gage's 3rd birthday that I never had time to finish.  But 3 weeks later, I'm thinking instead of playing catch up I'll just resume my normal blogging (hopefully) when I find the time, which I'm not sure when that'll be.  I haven't even done WW the last few weeks....argh!  I have been reading blogs in my spare time (ie when I'm pumping at work) but that's about as far as I can get back in the blogosphere.

Let's see, to catch up....Luke and I never got the stomach flu that Gage had on Thanksgiving, thank God.  We just got our birth announcements ordered about a week before our Xmas cards (that have still not been mailed out).  We got professional pictures taken the 1st weekend of December, in which Gage was incredible naughty for, but such is life.  We have almost all of our Xmas shopping done, which is close to amazing.  I had a birthday this week and we got to go out last night to dinner.  Those are the highlights of the last few weeks, but my God, I had no idea how much time I wouldn't  have when I returned to work.  Now I get home close to 430pm every day and have 2-3 hours with  my  kids before we have to put them to bed.  And most of that time is taken up with eating, bathing and bedtime.  Sometimes I wonder how anyone does it all.  Then I remember that most people probably don't.  And that it will get easier as Ezra gets older and doesn't have to eat all the time and isn't fussy all.the.time.  Some days I feel like I'm crazy and some days I feel like we've had a productive day.  But OMG, I can't imagine January when both boys are going to school.  That'll take some getting used to to I'm sure.  Anyway for now, that's my update- I think I just needed to post once and hopefully I'll get back into the habit....once you get out of the groove it's hard to get back in.

Please pray for the families in Connecticut today.  I can't even fathom it...

More to Come...

I have tons to share from our Spring Break and Easter weekend!  My computer actually uploaded all 280+  pictures without shutting down, now we'll just have to see if it'll let me post them.  However, I also signed up for the dreadful Praxis test that I failed last summer AGAIN because apparently I am a glutton for punishment and would like to spend the next 2 months of my life after Gage goes to bed studying for the Praxis test instead of watching TV or reading a good book!  Oh well, I figured if I don't do it now, I certainly won't anytime soon with 2 children next year.  So you'll have to be patient and I'll try and post soon, I promise.

Oh and I can't forget, go O's!

A Year here at We're In For It....

Although it's not original anymore and it seems to be more of a norm, I still wanted to take a look back at my year and the significant events I blogged about, therefore being some of the more important days in our year.  It was pretty fun to read through the blog and to remember things that seem like forever ago.

In 2010, instead of writing Gage monthly letters, I wrote him one every other month, at 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 months and of course for his 2nd birthday in November. 

January brought Gage's 1st words caught on video and his 1st and hopefully last surgery for quite a while.  At 14 months old, Gage got tubes put in his ears that to this day, he still has.  Gage stood for the 1st time alone and therefore got his 1st pair of big boy shoes.  Our area made National news because of the most awful commute EVER, we had more snow days, of course (you need to catch up 2012!) and dealt with our 2nd round of the stomach flu. Gage also knew around 25 words at 14 months old.  We were still having the sippy cup battle, but had a breakthrough at the end of the month.  It's funny that when going back and reading these posts, I mentioned that Gage would probably never be a big milk drinker.  It's still true a year later.  He's not milk's biggest fan.

Februrary consisted of another beach trip canceled, a funny conversation with one of my students and fun link up to Living Like the Kings.  The HUGE news was that Gage started walking at 15 months! We finally  made it to the beach and Gage had his 15 month appointment that I will never forget and got to visit the aquarium.  We also found a really sweet park (one that we sadly have not been back to).  And Gage showed us his muscles. 

In March Gage had a bunch of 1sts, including his 1st handsome haircut....one of which he could use right now.  He also moved up to the toddler room at daycare.  We were so nervous when he moved up, we had no idea how much he/we would LOVE the teachers.  I posted about a commerical that cracked me up and posted a flashback picture.  Gage checked out the Victoria's Secret magazine, got a Power Wheels and was super sick....again.  Nana and Grandiddy came to visit and we found an awesome Easter festival.  We got to see a great movie (a rarity these days) and I got to see a peacock spread his feathers!

April brought an awesome Spring Break trip in Wilmington, NC.  Ever since we've gotten back, I've been dying to return.  We also took Gage to the circus for the 1st time.  We celebrated Sawyer's birthday and Gage's 2nd Easter.  I got my much sought after jogging stroller, which I still love.  Gage said his 1st 2 word sentence at 17 months.  I actually did a little yard work and Gage learned to count to 10!

May was a slow month on the blog because it was a busy month at work.  Gage turned a whole year and a half old!  There were many celebrations- baby showers, births and Mothers' Days.  Gage had his 1st experience with a babysitter other than my parents.  Gage said 'I love you' for the 1st time and went on a job interview.  Gage had his 18 month appointment and he was still small.  I started the Couch 2 5K running program that I have not yet completed 8 months later.  We enjoyed a beautiful weekend at the beach with friends.

The year was only half over in June.  But I was so excited to be getting out of school and getting to spend 10 weeks as a SAHM.  Gage started Little Gym classes and I completed Week 3  and 4 of the C25K running program.  Nana and Grandiddy came up and Luke and I got to enjoy a date night of the Melting Pot and Bridesmaids.  We also started our search for our new car.  Gage and I got to enjoy a perfect few days at the beach and I continued to study for my Praxis test that I failed by 3 points.  I got to hang with 2 of my best buds and their families (our sons are all the same age).  I didn't know it at the time, but it was the last time we would all work together.

I posted the most in July of course, because I had way more time without my job.  Only missed 7 days all month.  I failed the Couch 25K running program, just 2 months after I started.  I took the dreaded Praxis test and FAILED.  We bought our awesome new car and broke our 4th of July tradition.  My BFF and old roomie and I began our Dawson's marathon (we are only on Season 2 still).  We saw a few summer concerts and Gage turned 20  months old!  We lost our babysitter battle and I ended my month having a playdate over at The Life of Rylie and Bryce Too.....  Ha....seems like I failed at more than one thing this month.  And most of this month's blogging revolved around me and not Gage.

August was the month of beach trips and some interesting ones to say the least.  It was almost time to go back to school and end my summer with my little man.  We celebrated one of Gage's good friends 2nd birthdays.  Gage found a stuffed animal that he adored.  Gage got another, cuter haircut.  Luke and I celebrated our 4 year annivesary and I hosted another Carmex giveaway.

September is always a busy month for me and for the last 2 years I have taken a 'September Break' and not posted anything other than pictures, a letter to Gage and birthdays (which seem to be plentiful).  However, reading through my September this year it sure does look like I had quite a thing or two to say.  In September, Gage also turned 22 months old.  I posted pictures of our semi-annual beach trip and our trip to Chesapeake.

October brought Halloween and all its fun.  Gage had a great time this year dressing up in his homemade Mickey Mouse costume.  The  month off of blogging really took it out of me but I finally got our 19 month photo shoot pictures posted.  We also attended Gage's Auntie Ann's wedding and Gage was the ring bearer.  Gage's language exploded and he was talking in 8-10 word sentences.  We took a trip to the pumpkin patch and I celebrated my 2 year blogiversary!  Also one of my childhood friends got to bring a sweet baby girl, Malia home from Russia for adoption.  It also snowed for the 1st and last time!

Holy Smokes!  November was a big month for us and for my blog!  In November, my sweet baby boy turned 2!  His birthday party was a week after his actual birthday and I was so overwhelmed with having a 2 year old I completely forgot to ever post pictures of it.  We traveled home to Chesapeake to be with family for Thanksgiving!  Gage got his 1st peek at his train table (thanks to Grandiddy).  My brother, Brian also came to visit and we surprised my Mom and Dad with an awesome dinner and Brian's presence.  I hosted another Carmex giveaway and finished up the month starting A Glimpse series.

Finally, December came and went in a flash.  I turned 31, we decorated our Christmas tree, Gage fell in love with Christmas lights and Grandma Sandi and Grandpa Steve came to visit.  It never snowed:( and we went to see Elmo Makes Music.  I finished up my Glimpse series and was proud of myself for blogging and photographing for 7 straight days.  My blog finally got a makeover a few months in the making!  Thanks again to Sheila!  Gage had 2 Christmases and New Year's was pretty uneventful.  Gage also had a blast at the Christmas parade.  I also entered my 1st, but hopefully  not my last photo challenge.

 

 

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen, 2010 in summary.  My goodness, that took a long time!  I've been working on this post for 3 days.  It was fun to go and take a look back, but I had no idea it would take so long to link up.  Next year I'll be doing a review in pictures or one event from each month.  And I'm writing this now so I'll remember that!  In any case, it's done and it's time to move on.  I don't even remember what other posts are in my queue!  Whew!  Until next time.

And I'm back.....hopefully

I'd be a broken record if I said I was the most awful blogger around. I'd be a broken record if I said I was tired and unmotivated. I would be a broken record to say I don't know how people find the time to update their blog between work, families and especially Christmas. But that's how I'm feeling this week and apparently for the last few.

Can you believe I was ever dedicated enough to do a Glimpse series? I can't! At least I made it though and didn't puss out half way through. However, I think it took all the blogging out of me for the month of December. It was crazy. I wanted to blog about my 31st birthday and our day long expedition of Christmas shopping, but then I got sick and I got really sick.....I hardly ever miss work, but I was out 2.5 days last week. Since then I've just been blah, busy at work and actually reading a really good book that I would rather read than blog. (More about that later.) We went to see Elmo Makes Music Sunday evening(another entry) and I got a new camera for my birthday that I need to learn how to hook up to my computer so I can actually check out all the new pictures I've taken. However, if I sit down to figure that out, I won't be blogging either. Plus my 11 day break is actually non-existent when you factor in guests and visiting.

So....as one of my favorite Darius Rucker songs says 'I got nothing'....

However, I did want to give a shout out to Sheila at Blog Designs by Sheila. Isn't my 1st ever professional blog template awesome?? She was so great to work with and super helpful since I know basically nothing. She took my 389 requests and kept tweaking until it was perfect. She is also VERY reasonably priced. Check her out if you are in need! Thanks again, Sheila!

Happy 2 year Blogiversary to Me!

Two years ago today, I started my blog in anticipation of my little man's arrival.  Now 370 posts and 180 followers later, I'm pretty satisfied with what I have created.  Sure, I'd like to advertise and have a few more followers, but with working and being a Mommy full time I'm content with the content....ha.  I have met more than a few cool people that are now my Mommy blogger friends and have gained many new insights into motherhood and life.  It's a work in progress, but something I'm going to enjoy one day looking back on it.

To celebrate, I'd like to give my blog a facelift.  I've always done it myself, with the help of a few Internet friends here and there, but I think this month, I'm going to pay someone to do the whole shebang.  I just have to figure out what kind of theme I want, etc.  If you know of any good and affordable blog designers or any good websites to see samples, let me know.  Until then, Happy 2 years to We're In For It!

Thanks and Couch 2 5K Update

Thanks to all of you who have told me to get my tail off the computer and study.  I actually spent 2 hours last night with a practice test, so I felt ok about blogging today, although I haven't studied.  There are many things I need to blog about- our trip to the beach, our weekend and what's to come this summer, but for some reason I'm feeling stressed right now and can't wrap my head around blogging about these things.  I also have a WAY overdue blog post about Gage's dinosaur bathroom and his vocabulary.  Also, we had family pictures today- oh my, looks like I have posts for a good 2 weeks or so.  Anyway, I will leave you with this....

I completed Day 1 of Week 5 today without a hitch, I'm a little nervous about Day 2.  Supposed to rain the next few days, so shooting for Wed.

Have a great week!

What I should be doing...

We are back from the beach and had a wonderful time!  More on that later.  For now, I have about 8387 things that I should be doing, but one very important one.  Please, if you are a follower of this blog or even just come across it, I need a reminder from each and every one of you to STUDY.  See, currently I am a special education teacher who teaches math, but I am not 'certified' to teach math, other than in the 'special education' sense, meaning I can't have a class of my own of 30 general students.  In any case, that has been my goal for a few years and I am taking a test this summer (Praxis II) to fnish up my certification.  BUT, the test is in a month and I am not preparing for it like I should.  My plan was to study 2 hours a day for 6 weeks thinking I could get through all of the material I needed, but with the end of school, the beach trip, the Bachelorette, and the Couch 2 5K running program, this hasn't happened.  That's where I need you.....every time you read this blog, leave me a comment that I should be studying, maybe having my inbox inundated with emails will help.  Seriously, I gotta get a move on this thing.  Maybe I need a blinkie or some kind of gadget that reminds me every time I look at Blogger. Anyway, no more blogging for me until I have studied for 2 hours that day.....so, who knows when you'll see me next!  So much to do!  Have a nice weekend!

Technical difficutly....

If any of you watched my video of Gage walking earlier this morning, or saw the last video I posted....they were very poor quality.  Which kinda ticks me off b/c I got a nice Flip HD camera for Xmas and the videos look AWFUL on my blog.  Well, I fixed that.....I figured out how to import them from YouTube to make them of much better quality.  However, it's kind of a pain....does anyone else out there who posts videos have a Flip HD and is there an easier way?  Also, if you saw the video of him walking earlier- watch it again, it looks much better!

Thanks for your help!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 7 and 8

I know, I know, I am horrible b/c I didn't post yesterday.  So today, I will tell you 2 things that I am thankful for.  One, Gage slept through the night last night, in spite of the fact that we forgot to turn on the heat, it was 26 degrees when we woke up this am and he had thin PJ's on.....66 degrees in his room....opps.

Secondly, I am thankful to my bloggy friend (who will remain unnamed* b/c I don't want to give away my secret) who created my super cool new header!  Isn't it rad??

Also, hope to get the rest of the Halloween pics posted soon....time is running out and it's almost time for 1st bday pictures!

*Not sure if she wants me to advertise her so we can give her fair props or if she wishes to remain nameless...I'll let her decide!

Odds and Ends...

I really want my blog to look nice and I envy those people who can make theirs look great, raise kids, have a job, clean their house, and all of the rest that comes with motherhood.  I'm just having a hard time.  I just am not as motivated as I was this summer.  In addition, I only get to spend 3-4 waking hours w/ Gage every day and after he goes to bed, I just want to veg for a few minutes before I start preparing for the next day.  I have my few favorite blogs that I still read, but I just don't have nearly the time that I did this summer.  Maybe when it gets cold and snowy and I have some days off, I'll be more into it.  For now, I'm a little disappointed, b/c again, I want my blog to look nice, but I also want to be motivated to write down memories for Gage to read later on.  I have already forgotten SO much.  I'm glad that I have this to look back on.

We're on a countdown now 'til Gage's bday.  I mentioned earlier the super cute party invitations that I ordered.  Here they are!  I ordered them from VistaPrint.  I had found VistaPrint a few years ago when I ordered a friend's shower invitations and I thought they ended up so cute!  They are also VERY reasonably priced.  The shower invitations came w/ matching envelopes which was pretty cool, too.  Unfortunately these didn't, but I still think they are nice.  I have been reading how a child's 1st birthday party should be a small event as not to stress the kid out.  We only invited a handful of people and Gage's grandparents, so I'm hoping for the best.  We are 25 days out....btw, I'm making my practice dinosaur cake Friday night to decorate at my cake class Sat. am.  I'll post pictures if it's not too embarassing.

Last weekend, we tried to enjoy one of the last nice weekends of Fall and went to an outside outlet mall. This weekend we're going to try to drive down Skyline Drive.  It's crazy to think that it's already peak leaf season and that in a few weeks it will be turning colder.  Who knows what's in store for this Winter?  Ok, I had so much to say, and now I have nothing....always happens....

October..

I'm baaaack....Wow!  After taking a month's hiatus from posting, it's been very intimidating coming back.  I lost 2 followers...I knew it would happen, but oh well.  Plus I'm just not used to etching out time in my day anymore to write.  Part of me enjoys reading other blogs, but could careless about mine anymore.  It's funny b/c at the end of the summer I was very gung ho and really wanted to improve on my blog and perhaps start advertisting etc.  Then reality hit again and the last month at work has been a whirlwind.  I do want to make sure I still update once a week though so that I will have something to look back on, it's crazy to think I've already forgotten most of what has happened in the last year. 

So much has gone on in the last month at work, home, w/ Gage, etc. that I can't possibly write about everything and therefore, I will be disappointed b/c I know I will leave out some important points.  Let me see if I can sum up September w/o being too boring and lenghty but highlighting the main points.   September started with taking Gage to a new day care.  I'm not even sure I mentioned the one we chose before I stopped posting.  If you know me, you know I hate all daycares and this one isn't much different.  Gage hasn't made it one full week of daycare yet, since he's been sick since September 11.  This is because there are people who have decided that sending their kid to daycare sick is better than missing a day of work.  Let me tell you how much I am unhappy with those parents.  I get it, though.  Trust me,  I have thought to myself more than a dozen times since school started that I was going to lose my job since I was missing so much.  I love my job and a day off with a sick kid isn't my type of holiday.  Regardless of this, out of respect for every one else you CANNOT send your sick kid to daycare.  I'm not talking snotty nose sick, I'm talking fever and stomach flu sick.  It's just not worth it.  I'm sure people think their jobs are far more important and they are annoyed when their kids get sick; however, it's b/c someone did EXACTLY what you are doing that your kid ended up that way anyway!  So here we are, 2 ear infections and antibiotics later and a case of thrush.  Ok, done w/ the rant.  Sorry, didn't intend for that to happen.  I suppose I should've written an entire post entitled 'I hate daycare'.  On a happier note, I do think Gage enjoys going and being w/ the other kids and b/c most are older than him, he is learning new things and hitting his milestones quicker.

Milestones...the fun part of this post!  Since I wrote his 10 month letter, almost a month ago now...Gage has started crawling on his hands and knees, pulled up to his feet, learned how to get down, cruised a teeny tiny bit down the side of the coffee table AND gotten his 1st tooth!  Holy smokes, I thought it would never come!  But poor thing, he was NOT happy.  We know when something is going on w/ our child b/c he's never NOT happy, so we had a feeling it was really teeth this time.  So the tooth has broken through the skin, but hasn't really grown enough to even see it.  I'll post pictures when it does.  Now, we think we might be on the 2nd tooth- or maybe another ear infection:(.

In other news, Gage will be a year old 5 weeks from tomorrow.  I am still breastfeeding, yay for me!  My goal is in sight and I'm pretty sure we can make it all the way to a year!  Gage will be having a dinosaur birthday party, I need to get on ordering the invitations.  I also will post where I'm getting these invitations in another post, b/c I think they are pretty awesome for the price.  I am currently taking a Wilton Cake Decorating class at Michael's to learn to make better cakes and Gage will be having a dinosaur cake as well.  Hopefully, it will look something like this when it's all done.

I have to say I'm pretty intimidated though.  I have been to 2 classes, the 1st one we just decorated cookies, but today we were supposed to bring a cake to decorate and mine did not turn out very good.  I made the icing too thin and therefore it all went downhill from there.  I have a feeling I'm in over my head and that I'll have to make 94 dino cakes in the next 5 weeks to practice.  I guess we will see.  I know there is so much I have left off, but so it goes.  A picture post to come.

A new background....

is all you get tonight.  I'm hoping tomorrow there will be more to come...

Goodnight.

What is worthy of a post?

Doesn't look like I've written anything of substance this week, huh?  I'm sure some things have happened, in fact, that's why I haven't had the time to write....clearly, I have been doing other things!

While doing these other things, I keep thinking...I need to blog about this, or blog about that....and well  at the end of the day, I'm too damn tired most of the time.  I'll start with telling you what I've been up to and maybe I'll get inspired...

Every Thursday, Gage and I get together with Sawyer and his mom Sarah. This past week it was too hot to swim so we decided instead to hit up our local Carter's store (which I didn't know existed until this week) to buy some fall 'school' clothes.  I usually love Carter's clothes and get them from either Target or Kohl's.  I didn't know I had my very own Carter's store w/in a half hour of me.  Anyway, if you are a Carter's fan, you might want to look up where your local store is...their prices are lower than any of their other retailers (understandably so).  AND if you bought $40 worth of stuff, everything was 25% off.  I love me a good sale!  So needless to say, I bought Gage a few new outfits, mostly PJ's and Halloween gear and saved about $30 or so. (Their Halloween costumes are also on sale for a super low price right now, too.)  Luke was so impressed with my savings that he said we could go back tomorrow and buy some more stuff  to celebrate the tax free weekend in VA!  wahoo!  I can't believe I am buying 12M clothing, my little guy is not so little anymore:( and they don't have cute little one  pieces anymore, I actually have to buy little BOY clothes.

Yesterday, Gage hung out w/ Daddy while I worked for a day.  Being a special education teacher, there is always TONS to do at the beginning of the year and something else always pops up, so anything you can get done over the summer is worth taking the time to do.  I was somewhat productive b/c I was happy to know that Gage was home with Daddy.  However, being back at work reminded me of our looming decision to pick a day care and the fact that this time whereever we pick, we must commit to for 10 months.  We think we have settled on one, but of course it's like the 2nd most expensive place in the area....how fun!  Luckily, both Luke and I are making a little more than last year, so we should be able to swing it.

Finally, today, was one big disappointment!  I had blogged a week or so ago about our upcoming 1st birthday party for Gage's BFF Jake.  He turned one last week but his party was today at 3pm, or so I thought....
Originally, Jake's party had been scheduled for a different day and for one reason or another his parents changed it.  When they changed the date, they also changed the time; however, noone told me:(  I still had the original time written down and rearranged Gage's entire day based upon it.  We got there 2.5 hours late and everything was done.  The presents, the cake, the singing of Happy Birthday....we missed it all.  We got no pictures and Jake took a nap shortly after we got there....yeehaw!  Some birthday.  I guess in the end it didn't matter since my camera batteries were dead anyway, but it would've been nice to not have to get Gage up from a nap to go to a non existent birthday party.  Crazy to think that in exactly 14 weeks it will be the eve of Gage's 1st birthday, not to mention that in one week he will have been outside of my belly longer than in my belly.....my how time flies.  Since this post was random and boring, I'll post some new pictures soon.  Everyone loves new pictures!

Friday Blog Hop

For those of you who stopped by from the blog hop, thanks for reading and commenting! It was a treat being featured this week. I am disappointed I didn't have any profound post for today but time got away from me. There are a few things I'd like to post about (I just have to remember them) and will try to do so tomorrow. For now, I'll post 2 super cute pics I took today. After all, what else matters..

That's right, my raft is pink.

The pool is just awful on my hair.

Take a Looky...

I think I have completed this month's facelift for my blog!  Hope you like it!  I know, I know, most people just get a really neat background or even pay for one, perfect it and leave it alone.  However, I think one of the things I like best about my blog is changing and updating the theme.

A few weeks ago I started 'blog hopping' to see if I could get a little more traffic running through here to see pictures of my super cute baby!  I got a few more followers and got to read TONS of cool blogs.  Two weeks later, I am lucky enough to be featured in a blog hop that is used by roughly 250 people, not to mention it's on a blog that has over 2000 followers.  So head on over to Thanks, Mail Carrier,  Frugal Novice or Healthy Home Blog and check out the blog hop.  If you have a blog, link up, if not, just check out some of the other great reads!  A big thank you to Xenia, Christi and Charla for running the hop!

Still working on it..

As you can see, I got most of my look back. Thanks Casey for your help! However, all of my page elements are at the bottom you see. I still can't figure out why. Yes, I know how to go to the elements page and they are all still where I left them 48 hours ago, on the right side bar, but obviously that's not the case on my acutal blog. Any more suggestions?!? Thanks.

Formatting...

Why the hell does my blog look like this? It's jacked up, it didn't look like this just a few days ago, or hell, maybe even yesterday. Can anyone help??

Blog Award!!

Before I even post tonight, I am so stoked to have recieved a blog award from Jennifer at More than a MOMMY. I am fairly new to the blogging world and want to get more involved. This made me feel sooo special, thanks Jennifer! By the way, you need to visit her blog, she is hilarious! Anyway, she awarded me with the Beautiful Blog Award and I must pass it on to 7 people, so here goes.


My winners are for their variations of beauty:

Kerri at Party of Five
Casey at All Because Two People Fell in Love
Natalie at Pics and Kicks (this one will really pull at your heartstrings)
Bonnie at Our Crazy Life
Mandy at Twice Blessed
Brittany at Hairy Babies
Laura at Life...

Please check out their blogs. They are all entertaining to read and fun to look at!