My Favorite

Ha! You thought you'd see a picture of J or B. WRONG!! Mama has priorities. 

Rainy days like this make me want to curl up in bed with a good movie, a stick of chocolate chip cookie dough and this lovely drink...

Not really a pretty picture but that's ok. The drink speaks for itself. 

This is apple cider, whipped caramel vodka and a dash of nutmeg. 

I shall call it, Pre Thanksgiving Calories.

-W

Unsupervised Phones and Projects

I was bathing J tonight and my phone was left unsupervised.

Oh yeah. That happened. 

And when I tried to run away to work on a project, I had a follower. 

It makes it infinitely harder.

-W

Kitty Litter

Today I bought this...

Do I get my "Crazy Cat Lady" badge now? I'm so excited about the "natural wood" smell that will fill my home every time Clide goes potty. Yes, I heard it.

I can either be excited about kitty littler or the fabric that I have coming in the mail tomorrow.

Or the Golden Girls marathon that is on TV Land.

I prefer my Geritol with a side of Metamucil, please.

-W

Birthdays

I know he can drive me crazy but I love making birthday videos with this guy.

He cracks me up. "Happy day day to ooo!".

I know I have long failed at my goal of posting every day. I think I failed in February. Don't judge! 365 posts are hard! Especially when all you think about is Oreo cookies, Scandal and why pumpkin flavored beers can't be sold year round.

So I'm opening the floor for some suggestions. Oh and some birthdays! Any reason for this kid to sing Happy Birthday is desperately needed. Maybe he could be the new Willard Scott. That guy is just creepy.

-W

It's Back!

Get ready, gladiators! Olivia Pope is back and all will be well with the world. TEAM JAKE!

TGIT!

-W

Cheesecake

Cheesecake is definitely my favorite dessert. Next to Oreos and milk. And maybe chocolate and port wine. 

So maybe I have a lot of favorite desserts but Cheesecake Factory cheesecake is one that I would never turn down. Hear that, B? NEVER TURN IT DOWN!

 

Let me share...

Yep. That's happening. 

-W

Back!

So I was told that my short posts before bedtime aren't fun because they don't really talk about anything. But then I was told that those are the best. 

Well, I'm back and guess what?! TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF FALL!!!

Bring on pumpkin spice everything and colder weather!! And best of all.... Fall TV. Maybe I shouldn't be so excited but here are a few things I'm watching this season...

1.) Modern Family- this is by far the best show on TV. Period. Premier is Wednesday the 23rd.

2.) The Middle- I hated this show at first and then I went on maternity leave. I would watch ABC Family every afternoon and then The Midde would come on. At first, I didn't pay any attention to it. Now I can't et enough. Premiere is Wednesday the 23rd.

3.) The Goldbergs- Man, oh man. This is awesome. I was born in the 80's but didn't necessarily "grow up" in the 80's. Even still, half of my iTunes playlist is derived from the show. Premieres Wednesday the 23rd.

4.) Blackish- This one completes my Wednesday line up. I really didn't like this show when it started either but now I'm in love. Premiers Wednesday the 23rd.

5.) Scandal- Seriously. If you aren't on the Scandal train, you're missing out. We left with Olivia and Fitz on the White House balcony but I'm still, and always will be, Team Jake. Premiers Thursday the 24th.

6.) American Horror Story- Oh you haven't watched this one? Then why are you reading this? Go, get a Netflix account and prepare to not be productive for the next 3.673 weeks. The best part of this show? It's an anthology so each season is different. My favorite season so far is season 2 which was Asylum. This year is based in a hotel and will star Lady Ga Ga. This season definitely won't disappoint. Premiers October 7th.

So, there you have it. Now you know why I may be absent a lot soon. 

Happy fall, y'all!!!

-W

Alone

I've been flying solo this week. Both with and without the boys in the house. I won't lie, I've really enjoyed the nights that I came home to a completely empty house. Let me rephrase, empty and clean house. Seriously, I was on Cloud 9. But now that my time alone has come to an end, I'm kind of excited about getting my guys back in the house. I like the noise, messiness and all out crazy that they bring. 

I've always had this image that I would have a busy household but I would love every minute of it. Now that that image is slowly becoming a reality, I realize that it isn't always enjoyable in the moment.

I can't help but think about a few months ago. I had come home to a house turned upside down. The dog had cut her foot and who knows what outside and B was trying to get J down for bed. We spent 3 hours trying to get her cleaned up all while trying to keep J asleep. After things settled down, we headed to bed and basked in the silence. A tiny crunching sound started up from the hallway. I was worried we were hearing a mouse and then suddenly remembered that I forgot to get cat food on the way home and we decided to feed him Captain Crunch instead. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life. 

So yes, while having a 2 year old is crazy difficult and the silence of an empty house is music to my ears, I couldn't imagine being happier any other way. I've had a few nights alone and I'm over being alone with my thoughts. I can't wait to have my boys back tomorrow. This is where we all belong.

Can we go back to this size?

-W

Hike and Camp

B is going hiking this weekend which will end in a camping trip. This is what his pack looks like...

Yep. That's toilet paper strapped to the side. Looks heavy, doesn't it? That's because it is. His pack weighs 34 pounds. I'm glad he's found people who will do this with him because I wouldn't be caught dead with a poop shovel for an overnight trip.

-W

Kitty Litter

Today I was unloading the dishwasher in the kitchen and J was playing in the living room. I could hear him running around as he normally does right after he wakes up from a nap. I usually don't check on him too much because there really isn't anything off limits to him. Or so I thought. I walked into the living room when I has finished to find not one but three piles of kitty litter on the rug. Somehow, he got a hold of a plastic container and thought he would scoop USED kitty litter out of the bin and distribute them in the living room. What a mess. 

I decided that if I was going to be cleaning up the floor, I should probably go ahead and clean out the entire litter box. While I was doing that, I noticed that he had also decided to share his presents with the dog as well and dumped two scoops in her bed as well as on the floor in front of a bookshelf. 

Later in the night, we had been laying outside and we needed to come in and get ready for dinner. I was in the back of the house for all of a minute and I could hear him howling with giggles. I found him in the laundry room and the floor was soaked. He had used the cat's small water dish to scoop water out of the dog's bigger dish and had thrown the water down the steps to the basement. 

Needless to say, my floors got an impromptu cleaning. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

-W

Books

Beach season might be over but now we're moving into cooler weather and even though we usually have a tendency to read a good book on the beach, sitting next to a fire outside with a good book is just as tempting. Here are a few I've been devouring lately.

1.) Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn Ok, so anything by Gillian Flynn is pretty amazing and she's coming out with a fourth book in Spring of next year! Sign me up, please. I was hooked on Gillian Flynn when I read Dark Places. I then moved on to Gone Girl which was a little....... weird. Finally I tried this one out. Reporter, Camielle Preaker, has to return to her hometown to cover a story on two murders of young girls. Don't let the "young girl" thing throw you off. You kind of don't like them. This book pulled me in in the first few chapters and I was sure I knew who the murderer was up until the last few pages. This is a shorter book and a quick read because you won't be able to put it down.

2.) Autobiography of a Fat Bride: True Tales of Pretend Adulthood by Laurie Notaro  O. M. G. Just read it. I laughed the entire time I read this. This book because my daily giggle. I didn't have a ton of time to dedicate to reading it in one sitting but I would usually read one chapter at a time, laughed until I almost peed, put it down and continue whatever it was I was doing. The chapter with the chicken gizzards is the best.

3.) Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews  What kind of list would this be if it didn't have a chick flick? And I could definitely see Jennifer Anniston playing Cara Kryzik. I had  a craving for a love story and I definitely got it with this one. 

4.) The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins  This has been my latest obsession. I was looking for a book so I was reading a few reviews and this one kept popping up. This book has also been on the New York Time Best Seller list for a few months so I figured it was pretty amazing. Boy was I right. I've been hooked since I started this one but I have to warn you, the chapters are written from different characters perspectives and one actually goes back in time by a year. I didn't pay attention to dates in the beginning and now I'm having to play catch up.

Have any suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

-W

Twos Are Terrible

I just wanted a picture....

At least I got one...

-W

Just Like Him

This is how my dad sits in his chair...

Well, he doesn't assume a prayer position but this is how he dresses at night and this is how he sits. Actually, my parents had two identical chairs in their living room and this is one. I think it's cute he looks so much like my dad and this isn't the first time. 

Love that little guy. Could time please stand still so I can soak him in a little longer?

-W

Thoughts

1.) This is the weather forecast for the next few days.

Hello, fall. I've missed you.

2.) Bonnie likes to chase Clide around the house. The really Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde was shot 26 times and had an open casket funeral. 20,000 people attended. B thinks we should have an open casket for Bonnie at her funeral too. I think that would be nice.

3.) Sugar free Jello is pointless.

That's all you get. 

Happy Friday!

-W

Clide

I feel so bad. I haven't introduced the newest little guy to join our family.

This is the new Clide (with an "I"). He's sweet, cuddly and super lazy. We love him. J loves him the most. He shows it by flinging Clide over his shoulder and walking around. I warn Clide of J everyday but he doesn't listen. That's just one more make in this house that doesn't listen.

Oh well.

-W

Dessert

I don't normally keep sweets in our house but tonight I had to make an exception. 

Mug cake. Yum. I'm pretty sure I ate the equivalent of 4 Sikerdoodle cookies but I didn't feel so bad because it was in a coffee cup. 

-W

Hiking

Happy Labor Day!! What better way to celebrate than to work. Yay, me. 

While I'm stuck here, B and J have gone hiking. I'm not jealous at all. I think hiking is for the birds but B was pretty into the idea. He even bought a metal framed baby carrier off Craigslist last night. I was a little worried about him buying something so expensive to only use once. Really what I'm afraid of is the two of them having such a good time today that they insist that I come along for the journey next time. 

Not. A. Chance. 

B returned home around 9:30 last night with his carrier in tow. He set it on the living room floor and J literally put his hand on his hip and just stood there looking at the peculiar contraption. What happened then is priceless.

After B had wrestled with the carrier and made sure the straps were in place, he then looked at J and said "Ok, buddy. Get in."

J looked at B and said very matter of fact "No." He then turned around and walked away. He knows a bad idea when he sees one.

I felt inclined to help out B and we all know you don't ask a 2 year old to do anything. You pick them up and out them in the place that you want them. So, I picked him up and put him in the carrier. At this point just picture trying to put a cat in a bathtub and you've just witnessed J going into a hiking carrier. You're welcome.

B strapped the carrier on and went strolling around the house with a screaming B on his back. I had to hide because when he would see me, he would cry harder. He didn't do too bad and I was able to snap a picture.

What you don't see is his papi, that we worked so hard to eliminate to the bedroom, is now in his mouth. It was the only way to get him to calm down.

B called it a success and we put J to bed. When I came back in the kitchen, B was packing the bookbag attachment with what all he would need and added earplugs because of the close proximity of J's mouth to B's ear. 

I got this picture this morning.

He still doesn't look very happy and papi is still in the picture. I applaud B for his dedication to including J in everything he does. He's much braver than I am.

I'll have a beer ready when he gets home.

-W

Bathroom Revisited

I feel the need to post a bathroom update. I was hesitant because I felt like this was a final reveal and then B started working on crown moulding and I realized we still have a little way to go. 

Here's a reminder of the before.

Sheesh. That's ugly.

Here's the current.

Big change. We need a toilet paper holder but we're having a hard time finding what we want. B did crown mouing tonight and replaced some plugs and switches. 

So far, I'm a happy camper. 

All I wanted was a pedestal sink.

-W

The New One

The B house is adding 4 more feet to the puzzle.

This little guy will be joining us on Friday. 

I know, I know. We've already tried the cat route but I'm willing to try it again because I really miss my furry friend. 

I have high hopes for this one.

Stay tuned.

-W

Girlfriends

Today is the last day of Staycation 2K15. I'm a little sad to see it go but also excited to get a break from our break. The Terrible Twos are really taking a toll on us.

Today alone, J ended up in "the chair" twice. He colored on the walls of the newly painted bathroom which he got in big trouble for and the other time he kept opening the oven drawer on my toes. After the second time in "the chair", I went over to him, gave him and hug and brought him to the sink to wash his hands for dinner. After we washed up, I told him to go to his chair for dinner. I meant his table chair but I didn't realize that we now have two chairs. He left the kitchen and proceeded into the living room and that was where he let out a hysterical cry. I ran around the corner to find him climbing into "the chair" and crying his little eyes out. So, being the emotionally unstable mother that I am, I ran over and cried with him.

Isn't it funny how you never feel confident as a parent? I'm sure I'm not the only one that lays in bed at night and things about all of the things I did wrong and how I should have acted.

We gathered ourselves for dinner and I thought we were in the clear..........

Until we Facetimmed with Maw Maw.

With J standing over my shoulder, I asked him who he would get to see at daycare tomorrow and with his precious self he said "E". He said the whole name but I like to only use first initials on my blog. Pick an "E" name and insert it where needed. I cried again. He's so precious but such a pill all in the same day.

I also tried to download some bathroom pictures but my computer tells me that I don't have sufficient space. Just one more thing to sort through and throw the junk away.

-W

The Sink Stands Alone

Today was a gratifying day for more than one reason. First of all, the boys dropped me off at Walmart for the weekly sopping trip and they headed to Lowes. Today was the first time since Staycation 2K15 started that I was completely alone. 

I wanted to sit on a bench and play Candy Crush because I could. But, instead, I made my way around the store and spent way too much time in the books (finished my book last night and needed a new one) and parused the clothes for J some pants. The kid is too tall for 18 months but too skinny for 24 months.

I had to use their lavatory and it was there that I picked the short straw for a stall lock.

I'm almost certain they sell locks that would have been better than this. The knob was so horribly installed that I was actually trapped for about 17 seconds. I was prepared to play Candy Crush until B came to my rescue. Luckily it didn't come to that. 

The second reason today was so gratifying is because the bathroom is finally coming together. We started this project for this reason...

All because I wanted a pedestal sink. And Mama gets what she wants. 

She also wanted a faucet with cross handles and ceramic accents...

Can you hear the angels singing? I can.

Somehow, the faucet and mirror came on the same truck today. I say that with awe because up until last night, you couldn't track the faucet. I was sure it got dropped off somewhere over the Midwest. 

The sink wasn't the only accomplishment today. We also laid the baseboard and shoe mold...

I'm so crazy happy with how everything is turning out. Tomorrow the big goal is to have running water in the bathroom as well as caulk the baseboard, hang the light and mirror and install the toilet. Big goals but water would be nice. I'm tired of sharing a shower with J.

-W