In the words of Alexander

Today was a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, very bad day.  It just started off bad.  I had the day off since today was the day of pre-op visits.  I woke up at 8 to crying....but I couldn't hear it through the monitor!!  Apparently it was off or not working so who knows how long little man was crying for (I did find out Matt left after 7 so luckily it couldn't have been too long :( )  Anyway, up I went and poor boy was just not happy.  I picked him up and could tell why, StiNKY!  Through the diaper and jammies.  And apparently it stung or something because he was not caring for the wipes at all so into the tub we went for a nice warm bath.  

Things got a little better while we played in the morning but had some tugging on the ears so thinking they are just hurting.  No getting tired though so I knew this would be interesting with no nap.  Into the car we went for our first appointment with the ENT.  We pulled into the lot 10 min before time and Zach was sleeping and I reached back to get a blankie from his bag.....and there was no bag.  UGH.  Being as we had another appointment at the hospital right after this one , I knew there was no way we could survive without the bag full of diapers and bottles and food!  So we sped back home, called Matt to look up the # and call them to tell them we would be late.  I HATE being late for doc appointments, even though you always have to wait on them anyway.  

So we get back and of course Zach is up when we get out of the car and we still have to wait.  The waiting room was empty though so we had free reign at least.  Doc finally comes in and checks him out and is slightly concerned about Zach's congestion.  As long as it isn't too bad on Thursday, we can proceed but there is a chance we could show up and it get cancelled.  UGH.  He decided a nice shot of Roceferin and amox for the next couple days and hopefully all will be well on Thursday.  

The shot did not go over well, especially since it was now past nap time and food time!  You have to wait for 20min after the shot so at least we got to take care of the food part. Then it was time to head over to the hospital.  Now one good thing did happen cause I remembered to take the stroller, thank goodness!  We checked in 30 min before our appointment and didn't get seen until almost an hour after it.  We strolled in many circles and Z got lots of compliments on his cuteness.  At least we brought some smiles to some people. 

Finally around 3 we were finished and headed home and got meds picked up.  Zach was SUPER tired and cranky and took a lot of lovin but got him down for a nap.  WHEW.

It was a very long afternoon.  We had another poopie episode and a dropped jar of baby food but that seemed to be the end of the yuckiness, thank goodness.

All I could think of during the 2 hours at the hospital was thank goodness we were there for just tubes.  So although the day was crappy in many ways, I did have some time to reflect on the many blessings in our lives too.  I cant imagine having to deal with a serious childhood illness and I snuggled with my little man a little longer tonight.  Here's to hoping that tomorrow is better than today!

What's New!

We had a good weekend with getting things accomplished and time with family and friends.  Friday night was low-key with Kerri and Mike over for pizza and wine from our favorite local pizzeria.  Delish as always!

Saturday was breakfast with my folks and Grammy who is in town from Dallas.  She is still quite spry at almost 95 and loves observing all the things Zach is up to!  And Saturday evening was a night out to dinner with friends, just us adults!  It has been a long time since we have done that and it was fun.  Home before midnight to relieve the babysitters too! :)

And then Sunday was church, errands, and broadway!!  Matt and I are sad and excited a the same time to be looking for a new church home.  We have been faithful members of FUMC for 6+ years, but now that we moved, are finding the 40 minute commute on Sundays to  be tough.  With Zach's schedule it is hard to travel that much and we are lucky to have FUMC televised so we often end up watching from home.  Which watching in your PJ's with coffee can be nice but cannot replace the warmth you feel of worshipping together with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!  SO...we are embarking on finding a more local church. We tried Lakewood Methodist and it was nice.  Lots of young families and friendly folks.  The usual preacher was in Africa on missions work so we will go back to see him another Sunday.  Zach did great in their nursery too which was a comforting feeling!   And the commute was only 5 minutes which works much better for a sleepy head!  We will try out another nearby church next Sunday and see where He leads us!

And then Sunday night was Mom and I's Broadway night.  "Spring Awakening" was the show.  It was good and interesting and a little awkward watching with my mom!!  Very RENT-esque with the pop music and minimalistic sets but quite adult too.  Anyone else seen this show?  What did you think?  Am I just getting more conservative in my older years?

So that was a long drawn out version of our weekend.  Zach was great as always.  Active as always and wore us out!  His 11 month birthday was yesterday so need to snap a pic with the hippo chair.  Tomorrow is his day of pre-op appointments but at least I have the day off work!

TGIF!

Tomorrow is friday...and I am most excited about that!

I think Zach has already decided walking is the only way to go.  When we got home today, he followed me around for about 15 minutes before he toppled and crawled.  How does it happen so fast??  He walks more than he crawls now?!?

He almost crawled into the bathtub tonight.  He actually GOT his leg up and onto the 

side of the tub.  I think he could have gotten in if I hadn't stopped him!  

Slooow down, sweet boy!  You are growing too fast.  Almost a year ago today...I wrote this to you.  It is still I think my fav post of all time.  My son, you are EVERYTHING and more than I imagined you would be.  Almost a year ago I looked like this.....

And then just a few (eh hem) short weeks later...you were here!!  What a ride it has been so far!

And now here you are, cute as can be, almost one and not slowing down a bit!  Thank you Zach for giving us the craziest, sometimes sleepless, most wonderful 11 months so far!

I am feeling very nostalgic and sentimental these days so expect a lot of these types of posts over the next few weeks!  I think Zach needs a sibling.  What do you think? :)

What I wish I doing...

Besides not working and being home with my munchkin....(hey, I am on my lunch break so one can dream!!)

So first off...it would be the weekend. And a momma really needs some time for herself (right, ladies?). If I had a day that was just about me, it would start off something like this...And this would take place after sleeping past 7am of course...

After breakfast with my mimosas, I would head here, cause I could really use one of these!!

Then after my delightful massage, I would spend the afternoon relaxing, perhaps a little shopping, definitely napping and who knows what else!

Then for the evening, I would head to the salon for a full make-up and hair, cause nothing is better than someone else fixing your hair and making you pretty. And since this is my day dream, I would look like this and slip on this little black dress for an evening on the town with the hubby!

We would go dine somewhere delightful, steak most likely cause that's my fav kind of nice meal. Nothing beats a red rare steak with some good red wine!!

And no dinner is complete without this

Is that so much for a girl to ask?? What do you think, can we swing it?

If not...I will settle for this..........Ah well...a girl can dream!!

Maxi Dress?

Have you ever heard of such a thing? I was looking at Nordstroms and dresses and it was advertising The Maxi dress. I thought, "Is this a name of a style or a brand or what?" So of course I googled it and apparently it is the new trend in dresses! What you may ask does a Maxi Dress look like? Well here is an example off Nordie's site.

Now I have never claimed to be trendy and fashion savvy but I cannot imagine wearing this anywhere but around the house or on a tropical island. Not something that I would slip on Saturday to go run errands or heaven forbid wear to work or church?

What do you think? Is this a style you think the average woman will be picking up and wearing or is this something we will only see on movie stars in the paparazzi pages of People Magazine while getting their Starbucks or maybe on high school girls wanting to be those people in People?

Walk Like A Man

Bumps and Bruises

My poor Buddy!!  This is the result of a fearless walking 10 month old!

How do I always get sucked in?

The Bachelor...how do I always get sucked in?!?!  I was never a HUGE Jason fan last season with Deana but I did feel horrible for him when she let him practically propose only to make him stand back up to reject him.  Speaking of, did Deana and skater boy make it?  I need to google it and see. **(UPDATE per Ginster and people.com, Deanna and Jesse are splitsville as of November.  Shocking.  Apparently she didn't want to "try" any more and Jesse posted a video on Youtube about it!?!")  WOW-UPDATED AGAIN...If ABC could pull off Deanna coming back and them ending up together...interesting!!

OK, where do these poor girls come up with these crazy things to try to get his attention.  It is SO awkward and weird!  I will make a quick run down of my observations so far:

*Why do they say such weird things when they are walking in and meet him for the first time?

-I am Idaho!  Potatoes!!

-from Stockton-its not a really great place

-asking him if he likes hot dogs

-The Bubba Teeth...doesn't she remember the chick from another season?  It didn't work real well for her!

-the golfer chick

*And then they start stealing him and they just get weirder:

*hot dog girl again, she should have listened to her mom...

*"I've been studying your myspace page"...your brother dates so and so, ty's fav color"..Seriously, can you say STALKER?

* I quit my job to come see you

* the creepy poem writer

*VISION BOARDS?!?!  Really??  Oh my.......

* and the lacrosse mommy who called everyone biotches when she got the rose...nice!

And there are so many more but too many too write!  This should be interesting!!

Oh....and the ballot box.  ABC can always think of something to stir up trouble.  I think thats about it does it for now!          

Today was about as crappy as I expected it to be too.  I was SO happy to get pick up my Z Man today and he was happy to see me.  And in the end that's what matters!

38 days

That's right, 38 days until the Z Man turns 1 year old. Can you believe it?  Because I surely cannot.

2008 flew by starting with Zach's arrival and followed by 1-Paige, 2- Julia, 3-Blake, 4-Ella, 5&6-Braden & Brooke, 7-Maggie, 8-Kate, 9-George, 10&11-Lilly &Dylan, and 12-Samantha!! WOW, that is a LOT of babies.  And there would be even more if I included bloggy friends, cousins, friends of friends, etc!!  I call 2008 the Year of the Babies!  And that is always a good thing!!

So tomorrow I head back to the grind and am so not looking forward to it.  But I know I have to suck it up and deal with it because that is what it is right now.  I do enjoy my job and even the people I work with, but I enjoy Zachary more.  Unfortunately it is just not in the cards right now to stay home so I need to make the best of the situation.  And I am thankful to have employment because I know others do not!  I guess that's why they always say the grass is always greener on the other side!

Zach continues to amaze me.  Just 2.5 months ago he started crawling forward on his 8 mo birthday.  Then cruising, then stepping, then lunging...and now walking!  He is beyond the 2 steps-fall, he is all over the place and cute as can be!!  Even though I know he is old enough to be doing all that he does these days, I still sit in wonder and awe at all that he learns to do.  I look at him and think "what a big boy!!" but then when I am holding him in my arms at night rocking him to sleep.....he is still my baby and always will be.  

Oh, I am clearly all over the place today so better to sign off now before I continue rambling!

Shout out to Ashley tomorrow...she is heading back to work tomorrow after her months off with Maggie.  Hang in there sister, we are all there for you!!

I have the Monday blues....

And its not even Sunday yet.  I Do Not want to go to work on Monday!  Not just cause its a Monday, just because I don't want to go back at all!  WAH!  I have been so spoiled over this last week and a half and have loved being at home with Zach.  We have a routine and just having a good time.  Even if I do spend 12 hours chasing after a toddler (yes, we are walking everywhere now.  Today we circled the whole house without falling down once!), I have loved this short break at home.  Monday is not going to be an easy day for any of us.  Z did go into school a couple hours on a couple days this week just cause we didn't want to totally break his routine and it allowed us to get some much needed chores done too but I am sure a full day will be different.  Thinking when it is review time I may approach the subject of part time and see if there is anything we could do.  I am totally open and flexible to any option!  Half days, 3-4 days a week, working some from home, whatever they would be willing to do!!  I have NO clue if they would go for any of this due to the nature of the business, but it can't hurt to ask right?  We shall see.  

What else!  On a happier note we had a great NYE!  It was a small group due to people being out of town, babies being born, etc etc etc.  But we had a wonderful sit down dinner for 8 after the kids were all nestled down in bed.  Good food, good wine, good friends, good times!  We wondered how it would be in years to come with new babes in the mix but all vowed to do what we could to continue to get together!!  We really do cherish our times spent with friends!

For the first time in a long time too....no one is pregnant currently in book club!  Or not that we know of! ;-)  So who will be next!  We thought there would be 3 babies possibly born in 2009 (Sam, Lilly, and Dylan) but all decided 2008 would be cooler.  So what will 2009 bring??

We also bought office furniture this week and it will be delivered on Tuesday!  So now the house is basically finished for now, at least for the big stuff. We are STILL waiting on our custom stuff that we ordered in SEPTEMBER from Primitives!  Man, I hope it is here by Zach's birthday party in February!!  It is over a month late already!!!  ARGH.

Only other thing is Zach's tubes surgery is set for January 15th.  They go in order of age, and there is a 7 month old ahead of Z so we will be second.  Need to schedule his pre-op visit this week.  I will be glad when this is over and am anxious to see if we can tell a difference besides the lack of doctor's appointments every week.

Ok, I think that is all for now.  Going to go work on my iPod.  I feel so behind the times!   :)

Hope you all had a splendid holiday season and are looking forward to 2009!!