too much

I have WAY too much to catch up on with the summer and now September already gone! I will get to that next. For now, I have to update you on the latest and greatest.

Thatcher started school at the beginning of the month at the Jewish Academy. He loves it and it's a really amazing program. I feel lucky that he was able to get in this fall. They have art class and music class every week along with a ton of other great things, like puppet shows and an incredible outdoor area that he loves to play in.

We are still diligent with the potty training and he's getting pretty good about going in the morning and at night. I haven't taken the plunge into doing briefs during the day yet. I'm getting there!

We went to our first UO Duck game yesterday and took little guy. He LOVED it, but after 1/2 time it was pretty much a no-go for us to be out in the direct sun with him on our lap amongst almost 60 thousand people. Right. Noted for future excursions.

We had a relaxing and wonderful Sunday. I made Brandon a german (puff) pancake and we did chores then took Thatcher to the zoo and met my brother there. It was a beautiful and warm day so we were determined to be outside since the rain is going to come this week and not leave us again until late next Spring. Sigh.

I can't wait for Halloween already. I have my decorations up and I'm contemplating when to go buy pumpkins. Brandon told me to calm down. As usual.

Hope all is well and I promise to get on the stick and be a little more present now with summer behind us. As I say with every new season "this is my favorite"....but really I think Fall is my favorite season of all. It's dry, leaves are falling and I can sneak in a cup of hot chocolate without thinking twice. Now, if only egg nog could roll around things would be just about perfect!

Lazy Summer Days

at jamison park with the family


playing in the fountain at "mammie's" house

daily yogurt breakie al fresco

successful trip to the garden at green valley

I love summer. I guess pretty much everyone feels the same way, but I really do love it. We are nearing the end of July already. It's been a whirl wind month of trips and parties (Thatcher turned two, 4th of July at the beach, trips to Green Valley Ranch and one visit back to the Lewis-Clark valley).

Thatcher's Auntie Gooz (meghan) and cousins are here visiting from Alaska this week. He is having a great time playing and racing around. His new favorite thing is Ring Around the Rosie. Again and again.

We are heading out to Montana with some great friends next weekend (can't wait) and following that we're going on our first trip without Thatcher to Sonoma to meet some other great friends. It will be so fantastic! I can hardly wait!

4th of July memories...

I cannot believe it is approaching July already. Mostly because my son, Thatcher, will be turning two years old on the 1st. I still remember bringing him home from the hospital like it was yesterday. It was the 4th of July and blazing hot outside in comparison to the freezing hospital room I'd been staying in for four days. We squinted our eyes as we walked outside into the waft of July air with our new baby boy tucked safely in his carseat for the very first time. As we drove home I must have turned around to look at him a dozen times. I don't think he made a peep...although that's the "mommy memory" people talk about when details get fuzzy.

Growing up, the 4th of July was a big family affair. Relatives would come into town from far and wide and we'd spend a few days catching up on one another. We'd play horseshoes and the kids would put on plays in my grandparents backyard. One year I won the watermelon spitting contest. I was so incredibly proud! As the day wore on, my Uncle and Dad would take the young boys to the back of the property and build homemade fireworks (aka bombs, pretty sure it's super illegal). They'd blow them off and get a bang out of all the girls shreiking at the loud boom. At night we'd all go to my parents house on 6th Street and sit out in the front yard, just blocks away from the big High School fireworks show. As a kid I can still remember my big sister watching from her bedroom upstairs because she hated the sound so much. As we grew older, we'd invite friends to join us and we'd sit down on the lawn with a nice cold beer in hand to watch the show with "I'm Proud to be an American" blarring from the FM radio broadcast that coordinated with the fireworks show. If I close my eyes I can still smell and hear those hot summer 4th of July nights.

It felt right to bring him home on the 4th of July...holds a special place in my heart. That year we sat on our back patio, holding a sleeping newborn through the bangs and booms of fireworks in the air. It was perfect.

My grandparents moved from their home into a smaller and newer place a couple summers ago. The 4th isn't quite the same without their big backyard, tree house and garden to run around in. Last year we went back "home" for the holiday and it was in a word, different. Not in a bad way, but just made me start to see things through the eyes of our son. What special memories will he treasure in his heart? What will he look back on that was a happy place? Will it be running through the sprinkler at his grandparent's house? Will it be playing with his cousins and Uncle Steven in the backyard and doing sparklers? Whatever it is, I hope that he can always look at this family and be thankful. I know I am.

Summer Fever

So funny how we wait all year for summer...then summer comes and we cram our schedules so full that it passes us by in a flurry! We have been super busy on the weekends going to the beach with friends or having visitors come to stay with us. We've managed to get a little time in the yard with some really nice weather and Thatcher has discovered his love for the sprinkler and hose. He laughs hysterically when you spray and then says "again, again!".

I feel like a lightbulb has gone off in his head the past month. He says new words every day and continues to amaze me with his memory and speaking ability. He's really able to communicate with us now and it truly is more and more fun every single day.

Yesterday was a little tough. He was playing on the back porch and next thing you know he's screaming primal after having fallen down the 4 concrete steps. He banged his face up pretty bad and scraped his nose and head. I was so scared to look into his mouth, fearing he had knocked teeth out. I am SUCH a weenie! I had better toughen up because I'm sure I have many scrapes and bruises to contend with in his future.

"beefs" and "quirls"

thatcher doing a happy dance in his underoos (he refers to as "beefs" trying to pronounce briefs) after doing his business in the toilet for the first time. no m&ms required! yes!

We are on yet another trip, this time to visit "momo and papa" in Clarkston, WA. We arrived on Friday night after a long day of flying (there is not a direct from PDX-sigh). The plane however is old hat to mister man and he did really fantastic on the flight...aside from the pdx-boise portion when he spilled an entire plastic tumbler of complimentary red wine on mama's lap and boots. Oops. The flight attendant was kind enough to bring me a new cup which I slammed in fear of a repeat spillage then spent the next 45 minutes having to pee.

We're having a great time here and enjoying some killer weather. I've taken Thatch to great gramma and grandpa's every day and he is really having fun with their cat. In fact, when we drop momo off at work every morning (so I can use her car) the only way to get him to stop crying and calling for my mother is to bribe him with a cat visit to my gramma's house. This is rather interesting to me considering I'm scared to death of cats. Which leads me to the squirrels. He is completely fascinated. Mom taught him the word on his first day here so now he peers out the window in a trance saying "quirls, tree". Those dang squirrels are gross and scare me too, but he seems to think they're pretty great. For some reason I just envision them pouncing out of the tree or scurrying on the ground and latching onto my legs with their nasty little claws and teeth. I'm a paranoid freak, I know (and a complete weenie in addition to that).

I've been able to go running most of our mornings here and I just love that. It's nice and warm and I like to run the bridges loop along the river on the bike path. It's peaceful and has a couple good hills and feels fantastic to get it done first thing in the day without driving in the car somewhere, parking, getting the stroller or taking Thatch to the gym and being on a machine for an hour. Fresh air does a body good.

My friend had her new baby girl this week so I've been able to go over and hold her a couple times. She is such a sweet little baby and I adore her already. I love holding babies. It's just the most wonderful thing to me...awake, asleep, even if they are crying or poopy, I'll take it all and love every second. I have babies on the brain in a major way and am SO hopeful that Brandon and I are blessed again with another child.

Thatcher will be two years old in just over a month from now. This year has passed me by more quickly than any year of my life. He is such a big kid now and can say more words every day. Today he did two things that were really exciting for old mama. He doodied on the toilet for the first time and finally said "I love you"...not weirdly simultaneously like saying he loved his doodie though so don't worry. We called daddy (who is coming over here to meet up with us in a couple days) and left him a message with Thatch saying i love you. SO DANG CUTE.

I'm off to eat lunch. I've been hungry since 10:30 so it's time!

xoxo

tisk tisk

mother's day at sesame street show
big deal to an almost 2 year old. high five from grover himself

the fam at sesame street show

hiking in palm springs - hot hot hot (the weather, not so me)

me and little at the pool in psp NOT getting a burn. woo hoo!

I'm such a rebel. It's now Tuesday and a full week since my last entry. Woops. Our trip to PSP was great and I am proud to say I didn't even fry myself like I usually do. I guess all that SPF business really works. I'm usally so mentally skewed about my ridiculous Portland-eque level of PALE (and unwilling to admit my glowing white skin) that I slather on a thin layer of spf8 and call it a day-and no, I don't reapply irregardless of the thousand submergons in the pool. Thus the typical vacation burn. Maybe I'm growing wiser in my old age! Yes!

We got home on Saturday night and Sunday enjoyed an action-packed Mother's Day. Funny, one of the first things I thought of when I woke up that day was 'what in the hell did I do last year?' and couldn't remember for ages. Then moved onto, 'Dang I have a lot of junk to unpack'. And finished up with 'Because it's mother's day, I am going to eat all the yummy crap I normally resist...so lets head out nice and early to Tin Shed and beat the breakfast rush'. Best decision I made for myself in quite some time. Breakfast (aka my favorite meal of the day hands down) was incredible. Sat outside under heat lamps with a good view of all the other famililes waiting for a coveted table. The 'how latin' egg white scramble with fresh salsa, chorizo, black beans, avocado and cojito did not disappoint, nor did the potato cakes (crispy and delcious) and half of biscuit with homemade rasberry jam. Oh man! I can still salivate just thinking about it. So dang full after that, but damn it was good.

Sesame Street Live came to town so naturally we needed to take Thatcher to see the crew up close and personal. I got a picture of him (ok, so maybe I took like 30 pictures, but it was epic for him so don't judge me)...his expression when Bert and Ernie first came on stage was priceless. The afternoon show ended with a bang-Thatcher discovered his appreciation (and love) for the Count and got a high-five from several of the gang. What a day.

As if I didn't consume enough calories to last an entire week at Breakfast, we wrapped the night up with a couple mojitos then took it down to Sally's condo for some AMAZING PASTA from the authentic Italian joint near her place in the Pearl. I don't call myself much of a pasta lover, but this stuff was pretty gosh darn fantastic. In fact, I was so inspired by my two incredible meals it moved me to actually cook for once last night. We grilled chicken and asparagus with salad and homemade giant yummy croutons.

It's rainy here and not so much warm. I'm over it. Leaving again on Friday for a week to Clarkston to visit the folks. Should be nice weather and a fun time. By the time I get back I'm praying for sun here at home!

Got to get monkey to bed and gear up for the little obscure show called American Idol. I watch it like a twelve year old and love every second (not sure who I'm rooting for now that Matt and Allison are gone though. Boo).

Happy Tuesday, MamaO

Palm Springs Voyage-Day One

Thatcher and I took it solo yesterday with a trip down to visit his Grammie (or as he calls her, Mammie). I spent the whole day prior loading down the diaper bag with every possible in flight distraction, and about an hour into it I was so dang happy with myself for being prepared I practically said so out loud.

First of all, I was awarded the coveted open seat next to me. When you are flying alone with a large almost 2 year old, it feels like a blessing from the divine one himself. The little dvd player I brought was acting up and took about 15 long minutes to load. Meanwhile Thatcher was chanting "George" and "Show" over and over until the movie came on. That distraction was a solid hour of bliss....followed by him ripping the headphones off and shouting "TREAT" and "up please!!!!!!". Oh no, one more hour to go.

Two coloring books, five minature sesame street books and about eight pounds of raisins, fruit leather, dried apples and teddy grahams later was the brief melt down on descent. It was about 10 minutes prior to landing that mister boss man decided he no longer wanted to sit in my lap (the only time he was required to by the way) and also vigorously refused to wear the seatbelt if sitting in his own chair. A little crying and throwing his body was successfully bribed into being an angel with yet more snacks. Magic.

Once we got here-you can imagine, thatcher in the ergo on my back and me with all the bags, junk falling off all around me-we made it and it is warm and windy but awesome. I put him down for a nappy, got my bikini on and immediately headed outside for a 75 page read-a-thon of Tori Spellings book (I know it sounds brainless, but the book is very entertaining!) then got too hot and had to take it over to the pool. In heaven. Dinner was fun at the club. We sat outside, had a couple glasses of wine and Thatcher entertained all mammie's friends endlessly.

I'm sure Day Two will not disappoint. I'm heading out for a run soon then presumably hitting up the pool. Aaaaaaaaaaaah.

sunny weekend fun

We had such a fun weekend! Brandon played in an alumni bball tournament, I ran the Bridges to Brews run and we wrapped it up with a little BBQ action. I'm loving this weather!!!!!! Yesterday I was so happy about the sun I didn't know what to do with myself. I ended up walking around the Pearl District for an hour and taking Thatcher to the park, reading outside during his nap and then taking him on another walk with Brandon after work to yet another park! I decided to pack it up and head out to the beach this morning- just me and the little man for a night. It's going to be in the 70's there today! Woo hoo!!!!!!!

my brother the genius photographer

Priceless pictures I have to share from last weekend at the Deschutes...Steven took them and I think they are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Here are some pictures from our brunch this morning at Gracie's downtown. Thatcher was a trooper and kept still, ate lots of crazy adult food-including prime rib oh geez-and wore his bow tie like a champ. The food was fantastic and the bottomless champagne wasn't too shabby either. All capped off with some warm apple rhubarb crisp...yum.

Thatcher's uncles came over to watch the Masters and it's a face off right now between 3 players. They are "rooting for Chad Campbell, but would love to see Kenny come back and win it." That's a direct quote, well obviously because I have no idea who Chad or Kenny are let alone who to cheer for. Thatcher meanwhile is playing with his new golf clubs the bunny left him and running back and forth between Brian and Steven. I'm pretty sure he's wiped out, but he's being a good boy.

We got to celebrate little Luke's first birthday yesterday with Pam and Rusty. It has been crummy weather, but they had a fire going outside so it was nice to sit out there despite the cold (no rain though-take what you can get!).

It's only 4pm and I'm a little bored. Finishing the laundry is all I have to do unless I want to delve into the cleaning that needs to happen. I already got floors mopped, exercised and got out the door for a fancy pants brunch (consumed 3 glasses of champagne, two cups of coffee, some fruit, cheese, seared tuna, lox, capers, asparagus, roasted butternut squash etc etc etc) all before noon so it's been quite the day.

Oh, we finally watched Slumdog Millionaire last night and if you have not yet seen this movie RENT IT. So fantastic. I need to watch it again. Made me so emotional I went straight to the internet and started my volunteer search that I've been talking about doing for so long. I have a list of places to call tomorrow including the school for homeless children and the YWCA. We'll see what come of it, but I'm ready to dive in to something much more important and meaningful that my next trip to Nordstrom (although I do still love me some Nordies).

I'm leaving you all now to go pretend to watch the end of the Masters. Luck to me.

mama O

sunny days

I can honestly say I'm a better person when there is sun. This photo was taken yesterday in our backyard. Thatcher was happily contained in his wagon while I mowed the lawn...(which I did willingly due to the unseasonable warm weather that I basked in).

There isn't much better, in my opinion, than when the sun comes out in early Spring. You don't expect the warm weather and it just shows up right when you feel completely defeated by the rain. I know it's going to start up again tomorrow and for the next 7 days at least, so I took extreme advantage of our two sunny days and stayed outside almost entirely.

We had our first toddler tumbling class today and little T had so much fun in the obstacle course. He thought the mini trampoline was pretty exciting along with the slide. After his "nap and lunch"...I use the terms loosely as this week he's apparently sleeping for only one hour and plucking at his food like it might be contaminated. I refuse to believe that gone are the days of 2-3 hour daily power naps and an appetite to rival any 14 year-old boy. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Poor kid has such terrible allergies. When the sun comes out his eyes tear up like he's caught in a wind storm...on a beach.

This afternoon we took it down to the Pearl with Thatch in the Ergo and walked around and hung out at Jameson Square with all the other little guys running around in the sun. The fountain was going so we sat in the grass and read our books and watched the action. The day wouldn't be complete without a visit to "lelly" (Kelly) at the gym so I forced myself to endure the stairclimber while he played his heart out.

Tomorrow we're going to an open house for a Spanish Immersion preschool. We're thinking of getting him started once or twice a week. Might be a little bold at this point so I need to check it out first.

later
mama o

reading rainbow

oh my gosh. thatcher cracks me up daily. he was sitting on our bed "reading" this morning and i just can't resist posting it. so stinking cute.

Green Valley

We just got home from a weekend in Central Oregon at Green Valley. Had a super great time (snowed coming over Mt. Hood on the drive home-isn't it the END OF MARCH??????) and are exhausted of course as usual on Sunday night. Thatch took a digger and got a sweet black eye on Saturday. Poor kid. He tried so hard to be brave and not make a big fuss, but as we can see today it's not just a little bruise. What a guy.

Monday again tomorrow-how does it sneak up on us so fast? Going to continue my spinning class quest. Going Monday/Wednesday/Friday and it's a killer and I love it.

Meeting up with a new mom's group on Wednesday at some bouncy castle place. Should be interesting and I have a suspition Thatcher will have a ball there.

St Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

Photo of Thatcher eating his green eggs....a tradition from my days as a kiddo compliments of my ma, Stephanie

I'm still in awe that he actually ate these eggs...daddy went a little heavy on the green coloring but that didn't bother the little Irishman. We're heading downtown this afternoon to deliver some St. Patrick's Day sugar cookies to his office (and some to uncle Steven too) then having a lunch date!

weekend remix

Last week I was in Clarkston (eastern washington) to visit my parents and grandparents. Thatcher loved going to Gramma Myrtles house and reading all of her books! It's so special for me to visit "home" and let Thatcher know that part of my life.

This weekend we had some great friends in town from Seattle. I was signed up to run the Shamrock Run downtown on Sunday but it was POURING down rain so we went down there to check things out then I pulled the old Peace Out. Later we had brunch at Geanie's in SE...SO fantastic. We'll be going back for sure. They make a killer Bloody Mary and Thatcher got down on a huge pancake. The picture above is him coloring while we waited (and yes, I brought the crayons in my purse like a true MOM).

The weather is ick this week and I'm really ready for some warm Spring sun. When will that be again? June? I've decided this is the time of year that is hardest to live in a rainy place. Fall is still great weather, winter it is expected to be icky and Spring is just cruel. Warmer days are right around the corner however. In the meantime I'll buckle down on spinning class and lunges in preparation for white denim and skirts!

Hardy Har

We got home this week on Tuesday after a trip home to the "valley" (Clarkston, WA). Thatcher was amazing on the 6 hour drive. More on that trip later...for now here is a funny clip from today. He was hysterical over the word "boop".

Thatcher's Crew

me trying desperately to get in the picture.

thatcher's crew. he's in heaven

We ran some errands yesterday-including an oh so important trip to Nordstrom-where Thatcher found some sesame street "babies" to add to his gang. He has the beloved Elmo, Abby and Grover so naturally needed to add Big Bird and "cookie" to the collection. He proudly carried them from the register to the car stopping along the way to kiss and hug them. So dang cute.

Today it is SNOWING. I'm am over this weather already! I know it's still February...but really. I am so over it. I cannot wait for Spring so I can bust out sandles and bright colors. Oh, and being warmer of course is an added bonus.

Brandon is going to Vegas next week and I'm a teensy bit jealous that he's heading into the sun. I think I might need to get down to Palm Springs in April just to even the score. Not that we are keeping score (Brandon one; Stacia zero for those who are tracking).

Aside from this exciting news I'm off to work out. Have a good one.

Mama O

12:48 and I'm wiped out.

6:35am Open eyes and thank God I'm not feeling sick again this morning (following an all day in pajamas with the flu Tuesday)...

6:38am Hear Brandon shouting from Thatcher's room that he threw up in his crib...a lot

6:38am Stub toe rushing in to help. Strip bed, mattress pad and move crib away from wall to mop up piles of bile. Gross. Sickening. Yuck.

6:40am Get Thatch into the shower with daddy. Instruct to wash hair numerous times and get all the yuck out. Poor baby.

6:45am I need coffee

7:00am Thatcher already recovered and requesting "nanas" and "ffle" (aka Waffle). I give the poor thing what he asks for.

7:15am Clean up the breakfast mess and start laundry of pukey bedding

7:20am Make myself cereal.

7:30am Make our bed.

7:45am Change second poopy diaper of day. He's efficient.

8:00am Mop and Vaccuum all the floors deciding it just feels dirty in here

8:30am Read the Dinosaurs book one, two and three times in a row.

9:00am Turn on Sesame Street for Thatcher-continue laundry, continue cleaning

9:30am Turn off TV, come to office and ponder all the imaginary things I would fill my new imaginary house with (found a fixer I love and am hoping we buy). Thatcher throws all the crayons on the ground, plays his little piano and starts dumping things out of the desk drawer.

10:00am Return downstairs and turn on iPod so Thatcher can dance. He gets down with it.

10:30am Go to basement and do the elliptical for an hour. Thatcher gets into every single toy he can reach, rides his little scooter bike, sit and spins and wonder color paints.

11:30am Another diaper

12:00pm Nap time. No fight

12:10 Finally shower

12:15 Day dream about a vacation in Hawaii. Or Mexico. Or anywhere hot with a beach and spa.

Mama Movie Heaven

Thatcher kicking it in Bremerton with his cousins, Liam and Kaden

Thatch and Daddy being bored on Oscar night

Just look at that face! Mister Serious

Well...I FINALLY got to the Kennedy School this afternoon for "mommy matinee" movie-kids and moms are encouraged to come and not a worry if they start talking or (god forbid) start crying. I saw Marley and Me and it was fantastic! Thatch and I were on our first movie date alone and he did so great. He sat on my lap and commented on the "puppies" and "woof woof". He was able to stand up in front of me for part of the movie and read his books and play with Grover-who of course we brought along in the purse. I'm definitely going back. One of the things I miss most now that I have a little one is not going to the movies much. This is the answer I've been looking for!

I drove up to Bremerton last week on Thursday for my nephew, Liam's, 6th birthday. We got him baseball bases and a new backpack. He seemed to be pretty fired up about it. He and his brother, Kaden are getting so big and are just darling. They have a new puppy in the house so we were busy with her and taking the kids to school and picking them up and Thatcher's nap and picking up my mom from the Ferry...whew! I'm tired just thinking about it! I hope to get up to visit more often this Spring. It is only a three hour drive and since I don't have an office job there is really no reason I shouldn't go up to visit more.

I watched the Oscars last night as I do every year. I mostly like to watch the Red Carpet and the very end when they finally announce the Best Actor and Actress award I have to admit. It is pretty pathetic that I've only seen a fraction of the films that were nominated, but on my short list is Slumdog Millionaire for sure.

This week it is going to be rainy so I'll probably spend a considerable amount of time at the Children's Museum, Library and Gym. Got to get out of this house-especially when the weather traps you indoors!

Mama O

Valentines Day at the Beach

Big kid riding his "bike"

We lucked out with amazing weather! No rain! Sun!

Thatch and Daddy O enjoying the beach

There was nothing to complain about at the ocean this weekend. We drove down on Saturday and were able to be outside on the sand every day without freezing. Incredible for a February weekend on the Oregon Coast!

Friday night Bran and I went out to dinner at our favorite Portland spot-Park Kitchen. We decided to have a little pre-Valentines Day date. As always, amazing food and great service. If you haven't yet been there and live around here it's a must!

Our weekend was relaxing and fun. Once you get down there (a little under 2 hours drive) it's hard to think about leaving! Thatcher had a blast running around on the beach, riding the trike in the drive way and playing with the closet of toys in the house.

This week I'm driving up to Bremerton with Thatcher to visit my sister and her boys for my nephew, Liam's, birthday. They just got a new puppy so I can't wait to see that little thing too!

The Perfect Sunday

Back to Monday again. My weeks pass by too quickly. I feel like I'm living in a time warp most days. We had a very nice and relaxing weekend at home in Portland. My brother babysat Thatch on Friday night so we had a proper date at Carlyle. It was fantastic! I am so thankful for our nights out and about without the little guy. It's nice to get dressed up and get out without lugging a diaper bag and thinking about changing dirties in the middle of cocktail hour.

Saturday Brandon had to work a bulk of the afternoon. Thatch and I hit up the gym and did some errands. Nothing out of the ordinary...but Sunday was a great day. Daddy and Baby O stayed home doing yard work and I took it to the movies-SOLO. I love nothing more than to hit up a chick movie all by myself. The last few weeks of my pregnancy with Thatch I would go to the movies alone all the time. I don't get around to it much anymore, but when I do it's great to watch something that Brandon would absolutely not enjoy. I saw "He's Just Not That Into You". Super good movie in my opinion. And to those of you who think it's lame or embarrassing to head to a flick alone, try it. The first time is weird and once it's done you'll keep going back for more. Promise! I capped off my perfect Sunday with a whirl around Old Navy to pick up some pants for the boy. I love ON simply because he grows out of (or stains or ruins) things every two seconds.

I'm going to see a house this afternoon after Thatch wakes up from his nap. He's been sleeping every day from 12-3! That's a crazy long nap in my opinion....maybe he's going through a growth spurt?

That's sums it up. Have a good week.

mama o

A New 'Do' and I Can't Feel My Legs

Thatcher got his first official hair cut this week (the home cuts I've "experimented" with certainly don't count considering he was all hacked up as an end result). He did pretty well sitting up there in his car chair watching Elmo on the little tv. What a deal! When I was little, I got my hair cut by my mom's friend in her basement sitting on a stool. I mean really.

They styled him up with some product and he was looking pretty suave I must say.

And now to the next topic...I cannot feel my legs or arms. And I am not joking. Since Thatcher is now an expert at the gym daycare, I started back with the punisher yesterday (aka Spinning class). The workout was great and didn't kill me, although judging by the red face and sweat drenching it may have appeared otherwise. Skip forward 24 hours to this morning. I got all hot-shot and decided to hit up "body works" lifting class. Folks, I've officially met the REAL punisher. I walk in looking for a bubbly little instructor. Bubbles was nowhere to be found. In her place was my cycling instructor from yesterday morning. I should have known I was in for it when I scoped his outfit. Spandex on spandex. TUCKED IN. He led us though over an hour of excruciating exercises in sync with the music styling of Enya and whatever else chanting crap he had playing. NOT motivating-rather anger inducing considering the slow and steady pain being inflicted. I want bubbles! I need bubbles!

I'm sure my pain will subside and my body will thank me. Thatcher might not however, as I can barely lift his 28 lbs off the ground and in and out of the car seat!

Enough of that. Tomorrow night (Friday) my brother is going to babysit while Brandon and I have a proper date. Dress up, drink wine, out to dinner the whole shebang. I can't wait!!! Hopefully I can walk by then or I might have to opt for slippers versus stilettos.

Dilly Dally

Our little dancing machine

Note to self (and/or note to husband...achem):

It is never a good idea to give your toddler a Dilly Bar. Do not attempt this unless the desired reaction upon then taking it away from THE BABY is a full-blown epic melt down.

I do not wish to embelish on this topic as it has scarred me permanantly I'm certain. This might be due to the fact that I was not the parent who gave him the best tasting thing he's eaten in his life, yet had to be the crulest mom of the century and take the chocolate mass away from the little one-and yes, it was nearly as big as his head and a ridiculous thought to even have him taste it LET ALONE HOLD IT AND EAT NEARLY THE ENTIRE THING.

I really do wish I would have had tape rolling. It was a pretty strong performance from a boy of such a young age. He looked possessed with all that icecream and chocolate melted down his face and body and had such a strong hold I had to PRY BOTH of his grimy little digits off the darn thing. Skip forward about two seconds and I had no other choice but to break the law and chuck the damn thing straight out the window. Terrible but true story.

On a positive note, the Deschutes was great. We read, drank wine, played backgammon and relaxed. It snowed down there so that wasn't choice, but we got outside to play catch and hang at the firepit anyway.