Happy St. Patrick's Day! Austin and I have been talking for a few days now about how he needed to wear something green to school today for St. Patrick's Day or else face the possibility of being pinched, so we made sure to get out his most green shirt this morning! After talking this tradition up for days, I then realized that I had better tell him not to pinch any of his friends at school if they weren't wearing green! Hopefully he'll remember that today!
Nick has been working at his new job for almost a week and things are going well. Monday through today, he has had to travel to the main office in Rockford for training, which is quite a drive from our place (a little over 2 hours!). The company did loan him a gas card, which is awesome, though! Tomorrow he gets to start working at the Bloomington office, so hopefully that will be a little easier on the schedule for him. He's still working his old job, and today was the first day he did a night shift followed by a day shift, so I'm going to have to see how that worked out for him. I completely respect and admire that he wants to work the two jobs for a while to build up our savings accounts, but I also want him to (a) not make himself sick and/or crazy with so little sleep, and (b) be around at night and on the weekends soon! I have a feeling that he's not going to want to keep this up for too long, so I should be able to convince him to drop the second full time job soon!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Well, well, well...here we are again!
You know, it's been almost a year. A YEAR. That's crazy!
Here I am today, feeling pretty lucky. Nick just got a new job -- IN TOWN and not during the nights and weekends! It's a thing of beauty, really. I'm so excited for this new, fresh routine in our family lives. We've gotten really used to the third shift hours and sometimes, they're helpful, in all honesty! Something needs to be dropped off during the day? Nick is on it! However, I know that it's going to be a much better scenario for our family to have him working during the day and sleeping at night instead of the other way around. And also, MUCH easier when we shoot for Baby #2!
Speaking of Baby #2, what's new with Baby #1, you may be wondering? Well, our "baby" is not a baby at all anymore *sniff*! He's ALMOST 4 and just the smartest and sweetest boy ever! Austin is still loving preschool and doing really well there. He amazes us all the time with what he's learning there, including songs he sings to us, things he knows about (hello, he told me Michael Jackson is "cool"!), and writing skills. Man, his writing skills! I'm just blown away by this because it was almost like sneaky learning! He just kind of busted out with some great writing skills one day and they've been growing stronger and stronger! He likes to color pictures for us and then write his names along with Mom and Dad on the pictures. He's so proud of his work and so are we!
My adorable niece, Eleanor, is about to turn 1 in one week! These kids and their growing up! It just goes by so fast! She's walking, crawling, and chattering her way along and the coolest thing is she loves Austin so much! He loves showing off and performing for her, too, so they get along great!
Here I am today, feeling pretty lucky. Nick just got a new job -- IN TOWN and not during the nights and weekends! It's a thing of beauty, really. I'm so excited for this new, fresh routine in our family lives. We've gotten really used to the third shift hours and sometimes, they're helpful, in all honesty! Something needs to be dropped off during the day? Nick is on it! However, I know that it's going to be a much better scenario for our family to have him working during the day and sleeping at night instead of the other way around. And also, MUCH easier when we shoot for Baby #2!
Speaking of Baby #2, what's new with Baby #1, you may be wondering? Well, our "baby" is not a baby at all anymore *sniff*! He's ALMOST 4 and just the smartest and sweetest boy ever! Austin is still loving preschool and doing really well there. He amazes us all the time with what he's learning there, including songs he sings to us, things he knows about (hello, he told me Michael Jackson is "cool"!), and writing skills. Man, his writing skills! I'm just blown away by this because it was almost like sneaky learning! He just kind of busted out with some great writing skills one day and they've been growing stronger and stronger! He likes to color pictures for us and then write his names along with Mom and Dad on the pictures. He's so proud of his work and so are we!
My adorable niece, Eleanor, is about to turn 1 in one week! These kids and their growing up! It just goes by so fast! She's walking, crawling, and chattering her way along and the coolest thing is she loves Austin so much! He loves showing off and performing for her, too, so they get along great!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wow, here I am again!
I literally just a few minutes ago told my sister that I had read a little of her blog and my blog while looking for a recipe online from our joint blog, and dang it, we're funny! I miss reading her blog and, really, I know I should write more, so here I am again for now.
It's been a LONG time since I last wrote. June 3?!? That's crazy! Since then, we've experienced summer, some family vacations, and swimming in the big pool. It's been a big summer! We went up to Chicago one Friday to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was a pretty great time, despite my driving in Chicago stress. Let's face the facts...I am a great driver. And I rarely get that stressed out about driving, which is why I typically drive us everywhere. (And also, I get a little car sick unless I'm driving). But, man, driving in the actual city of Chicago gives me anxiety like nothing else! Especially when I'm driving with Austin in the car. You have to be a little aggressive if you're going to get to the lane you want, and I can do that, but I don't like it!
After the zoo, we met up with our friends Jill and Charlie, Jill's parents, and Charlie's kids at Soldier Field. Jill and Charlie had gotten us tickets to the Bears' Family Night event for Nick's birthday, where we got to go and watch them practice, basically. I think we all thought it was going to be an actual game or scrimmage and, while there was a little scrimmaging, it was a lot of stretching and drills. Being someone who isn't that excited about football anyway, this was a little boring to me! But Nick had fun and we had a good time spending time together and with our friends, so overall, it was a good day! However, trying to get out of that area with all the stadium traffic around plus the entire other side of the street shut down from Lollapalooza was rough on our poor GPS! "Turn left...turn left now...take the immediate left..." Sorry, TomTom!
The next weekend, the three of us went to Union, IL to have our Day Out with Thomas! It was pretty cool! We got to meet Thomas the Train and Sir Topham Hatt and take our fun (but brief!) ride on the train pulled by Thomas. Austin loved seeing his familiar "friends" from TV and also exploring the other trains that were there at the train museum. We would have liked to see more of the Thomas crowd (Percy? James? Where were you??) but it was really a good time!
It's been a LONG time since I last wrote. June 3?!? That's crazy! Since then, we've experienced summer, some family vacations, and swimming in the big pool. It's been a big summer! We went up to Chicago one Friday to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was a pretty great time, despite my driving in Chicago stress. Let's face the facts...I am a great driver. And I rarely get that stressed out about driving, which is why I typically drive us everywhere. (And also, I get a little car sick unless I'm driving). But, man, driving in the actual city of Chicago gives me anxiety like nothing else! Especially when I'm driving with Austin in the car. You have to be a little aggressive if you're going to get to the lane you want, and I can do that, but I don't like it!
After the zoo, we met up with our friends Jill and Charlie, Jill's parents, and Charlie's kids at Soldier Field. Jill and Charlie had gotten us tickets to the Bears' Family Night event for Nick's birthday, where we got to go and watch them practice, basically. I think we all thought it was going to be an actual game or scrimmage and, while there was a little scrimmaging, it was a lot of stretching and drills. Being someone who isn't that excited about football anyway, this was a little boring to me! But Nick had fun and we had a good time spending time together and with our friends, so overall, it was a good day! However, trying to get out of that area with all the stadium traffic around plus the entire other side of the street shut down from Lollapalooza was rough on our poor GPS! "Turn left...turn left now...take the immediate left..." Sorry, TomTom!
The next weekend, the three of us went to Union, IL to have our Day Out with Thomas! It was pretty cool! We got to meet Thomas the Train and Sir Topham Hatt and take our fun (but brief!) ride on the train pulled by Thomas. Austin loved seeing his familiar "friends" from TV and also exploring the other trains that were there at the train museum. We would have liked to see more of the Thomas crowd (Percy? James? Where were you??) but it was really a good time!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Field Trip Day!
Austin went on his first field trip today at preschool! The class went to Fairview Park to play, and took the city bus to get there. He was SO excited the last two days, especially about riding the bus! I saw the bus pull up at the bus stop outside my office window but of course, the kids had gotten on the bus at the stop closer to the preschool. I couldn't quite see into the bus from my office, so I went over to the door of the building and peeked out. Sure enough, there was my little buddy sitting on the bus looking out the window just like a big, grown up kid! I stepped out of the door and waved at him and I could see his face light up when he saw me (I'm totally tearing up writing this, sheesh!). I saw him wave and say, "Mom! Mom! Hi!" I can't wait to pick him up today and hear all about the field trip...and the bus ride!
We love Heartland's Child Development Lab!
We love Heartland's Child Development Lab!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Rainy Day Blahs
Today it is raining. It's been raining a LOT lately which, overall, isn't bad, but it's leading to everyone feeling a little dreary, I think. I'm a little dreary today because I have a headache, it's gray and rainy out, and because I got some disappointing news last night. Now, this news isn't anything tragic or life shattering, thank goodness, but just something that I was really excited for that isn't going to happen anymore. I'll live, I'll get over it, but it's lingering right now. I hate the lingering, because my brain likes to forcibly make me remember what it is that is bothering me a bunch before letting go of it.
On a more positive note, I did tape and prime our kitchen last night. We're starting to repaint the inside of our house. When we moved in, both Nick and I were happy with all of the current colors so we didn't do any repainting at that time. Now it's just time to freshen up, and I'm really excited to see how it looks! I've already done the upstairs bathroom and am really pleased with how it turned out. The color I picked for the kitchen, "Glass Tile", is a really pretty blue-green color. I have been putting off tackling the kitchen project because it seems like it's a big job, but last night something just got into me and I started taping. Then, after I put Austin to bed and Nick head to work, I decided I might as well start priming. Then once I started, I knew I wanted to finish the priming! So now we're ready to paint the actual color, except that I need to pick up a few more rollers. I'm resolving to have the color painted and the whole kitchen done by the end of the day this Monday, which I have off from work!
Next up on the repainting front? Maybe Austin's room! I haven't purchased any other paint yet, except for the trim/neutral color that goes on several walls. We'll see what strikes me next!
On a more positive note, I did tape and prime our kitchen last night. We're starting to repaint the inside of our house. When we moved in, both Nick and I were happy with all of the current colors so we didn't do any repainting at that time. Now it's just time to freshen up, and I'm really excited to see how it looks! I've already done the upstairs bathroom and am really pleased with how it turned out. The color I picked for the kitchen, "Glass Tile", is a really pretty blue-green color. I have been putting off tackling the kitchen project because it seems like it's a big job, but last night something just got into me and I started taping. Then, after I put Austin to bed and Nick head to work, I decided I might as well start priming. Then once I started, I knew I wanted to finish the priming! So now we're ready to paint the actual color, except that I need to pick up a few more rollers. I'm resolving to have the color painted and the whole kitchen done by the end of the day this Monday, which I have off from work!
Next up on the repainting front? Maybe Austin's room! I haven't purchased any other paint yet, except for the trim/neutral color that goes on several walls. We'll see what strikes me next!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Bevande BAM!
Today Austin and I went to my weekly chiropractor appointment where he got some much-needed attention from "Dr. Sam" (the awesome office manager who totally loves him!). Good thing, too, because if there's one kid in this world who never gets any attention, it's so my child!
After the chiro, we headed to Bevande because I had a coupon for a free "gourmet" coffee drink and I never get out that way. I selected the Bevande Bam, and let me tell you...it's quite the choice! It's advertised as "4 shots of espresso in a mocha". I thought, "No problem! I can handle it!" It was very tasty, and I wasn't feeling any sort of caffeine buzz...until the last half hour! Now I'm a little out of it and pumped full of energy simlutaneously. This should make for a great new student orientation in an hour!
After the chiro, we headed to Bevande because I had a coupon for a free "gourmet" coffee drink and I never get out that way. I selected the Bevande Bam, and let me tell you...it's quite the choice! It's advertised as "4 shots of espresso in a mocha". I thought, "No problem! I can handle it!" It was very tasty, and I wasn't feeling any sort of caffeine buzz...until the last half hour! Now I'm a little out of it and pumped full of energy simlutaneously. This should make for a great new student orientation in an hour!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Procrastination Station
I know, I should blog more. But I haven't been. But now I feel like doing it, so here you go!
It's May 10, and my heater was working it's little butt off this weekend! Note to nature: My heater should NOT be running in May, for goodness' sake! Yesterday was warmer, so the heat didn't kick in during the day, but Saturday? All day long it came on! Ridiculous!
I had a nice Mother's Day weekend. Incidentally, isn't it really Mothers' Day and not Mother's Day? Isn't it more than just one mother's day? I feel as though I'm committing grammar fraud every time I type "Happy mother's day!" somewhere. For the sake of this post, I'm going with the potentially incorrect Mother's, okay?
On Saturday, Austin and I ran many errands. We had lunch out together at Fazoli's using his free kid's meal coupon that he got for his birthday. My boy wanted mac and cheese and he got...fettucini alfredo, or "white mac and cheese", as I called it for his sake! He loved it! We also did a little shopping for me and got some groceries. I'm so proud of Austin because he alerted me each time he had to go to the bathroom and had no accidents! Incidentally, the bathrooms at Lane Bryant, Fazoli's, and Meijer all could use a little cleaning, especially in Lane Bryant where I completely whacked my forehead on a shelf after we washed our hands!
I tried to convince my son to take a nap when we got home from our multi-stop shopping trip, but he was having none of it. Nick woke up to take Austin shopping for my Mother's (hate it) Day gift around 4:30, and decided that they'd have dinner out at Denny's, just for fun! I think this was also part of my Mother's Day gift -- the gift of three solid hours of the house to myself! I enjoyed it, and also spent a part of it doing a little laundry and scooping the cat litter. Nice.
On Sunday, the actual Mother's Day holiday, Austin and I hung out again and did a few more errands. Nick and Austin had gotten me a really pretty necklace/bracelet combo that they'd given me the night before, but I wanted to try to exchange it for something a little less fancy so that I can get more use out of it. Alas, Bergner's had nothing I wanted and I couldn't even return it because I didn't have Nick's credit card with me, so the trip was almost for nothing. I say almost, because Austin discovered his LOVE of riding the escalator! It's was like our own personal (free!) carnival ride, and we rode that thing up and down at least a dozen times while shopping! We even walked over to Macy's to check out their jewelry selection and ride their escalator which was, I'm sorry to say, a bit more dog run than the Bergner's escalator.
For dinner on Sunday, Nick picked up Famous Dave's takeout and we all enjoyed a delicious BBQ meal at home! We were going to watch a movie together, but we ran out of time, so we're saving it for this week. I'm a pretty lucky mommy to have such a great kid and a great husband to appreciate me!
It's May 10, and my heater was working it's little butt off this weekend! Note to nature: My heater should NOT be running in May, for goodness' sake! Yesterday was warmer, so the heat didn't kick in during the day, but Saturday? All day long it came on! Ridiculous!
I had a nice Mother's Day weekend. Incidentally, isn't it really Mothers' Day and not Mother's Day? Isn't it more than just one mother's day? I feel as though I'm committing grammar fraud every time I type "Happy mother's day!" somewhere. For the sake of this post, I'm going with the potentially incorrect Mother's, okay?
On Saturday, Austin and I ran many errands. We had lunch out together at Fazoli's using his free kid's meal coupon that he got for his birthday. My boy wanted mac and cheese and he got...fettucini alfredo, or "white mac and cheese", as I called it for his sake! He loved it! We also did a little shopping for me and got some groceries. I'm so proud of Austin because he alerted me each time he had to go to the bathroom and had no accidents! Incidentally, the bathrooms at Lane Bryant, Fazoli's, and Meijer all could use a little cleaning, especially in Lane Bryant where I completely whacked my forehead on a shelf after we washed our hands!
I tried to convince my son to take a nap when we got home from our multi-stop shopping trip, but he was having none of it. Nick woke up to take Austin shopping for my Mother's (hate it) Day gift around 4:30, and decided that they'd have dinner out at Denny's, just for fun! I think this was also part of my Mother's Day gift -- the gift of three solid hours of the house to myself! I enjoyed it, and also spent a part of it doing a little laundry and scooping the cat litter. Nice.
On Sunday, the actual Mother's Day holiday, Austin and I hung out again and did a few more errands. Nick and Austin had gotten me a really pretty necklace/bracelet combo that they'd given me the night before, but I wanted to try to exchange it for something a little less fancy so that I can get more use out of it. Alas, Bergner's had nothing I wanted and I couldn't even return it because I didn't have Nick's credit card with me, so the trip was almost for nothing. I say almost, because Austin discovered his LOVE of riding the escalator! It's was like our own personal (free!) carnival ride, and we rode that thing up and down at least a dozen times while shopping! We even walked over to Macy's to check out their jewelry selection and ride their escalator which was, I'm sorry to say, a bit more dog run than the Bergner's escalator.
For dinner on Sunday, Nick picked up Famous Dave's takeout and we all enjoyed a delicious BBQ meal at home! We were going to watch a movie together, but we ran out of time, so we're saving it for this week. I'm a pretty lucky mommy to have such a great kid and a great husband to appreciate me!
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