Busy Busy Week!!

As usual, getting back to the hustle and bustle after the holidays is hard. After a devastating loss to U of Smell in basketball, I wasn't much in the mood to hop on the happy train and take down Christmas decorations in the house .... therefore, they are still mostly up and it's a little bit embarrassing ... especially since I've had to DT parties at my house this week... so people notice!!

This week (and last!) has been a real booger as far as my schedule! OMG we have had so much to do! Now, reality is setting in that we are going to be taking a 9-hour mini-van trek to New York in less than a week and MAYBE I need to start planning for that a little bit!!

SO far, I have stocked up on Gerber Puffs and Crunchies (moms, if you have not tried these Crunchies yet .... get in the car now and go buy them!! Connor LOVES them... they are my new favorite thing to bring to the mall as a 'happy maker'! They are like puffy Cheetos for babies... amazing!) and we bought a portable DVD player for the car (this is our third one since our honeymoon.... I suggest getting an extended warranty on these puppies! What a load of crap!). These things might be the only way we have even a chance of making it up to New York without me jumping out of a moving car or resorting to heavy drinking.
side-thought: Lisa just had her tonsils taken out and has some great meds .... too bad I'm not a pill head!! (haha) - actually, I guess that's really not funny....
moving on...

So right now I'm waiting on Connor to awaken and we are headed to the gym. Unfortunately, my laziness over the holidays and not going to the gym for OVER a month has caused Connor to regress back into crying while in the kid's area at the gym. We went through this before and then got over it ... so we'll see if it's any better today!

A New Venture ... and Christmas Pictures!

After much debate, I have decided to at least attempt to make my way back into the working world (sort-of!) by becoming an Independent Consultant for Discovery Toys, Inc. They make fun, colorful toys that focus on learning and cognitive development... which is great, but I really wanted to get started in this for a few other reasons.

Growing up, we had TONS of Discovery Toys (DT's) that we played with a lot ... and by WE, I mean myself, my sister, cousins, etc... my mom even has a few of these toys mixed in with the things that Connor plays with at her house! Amazing! Toys from 20 years ago and still going strong!

Which brings me to the other great thing about DT... the have a lifetime guarantee! No matter how, why, or when they are broken, the company takes care of it! Especially important to day cares, schools, etc... this is also good for people looking for good solid toy investments (better than the stock market .... hehehe!)

I also liked the idea of a product that basically sells itself, the parties are quick, fun and painless and basically just involve. playing with the toys and taking home a catalog (no makeup application, trying on clothes, etc...) You just grab some coffee and cookies and play with toys in the floor! A fun social time for parents, grandparents, teachers, church and daycare directors, aunts and uncles, and anyone who has to buy kids a gift throughout the year and has no idea what to get! All these toys are kid and parent approved!

The final "last straw" reason I chose to do this is because no one I asked had even heard of these toys ... which I found pretty shocking! There is always an ebb and flow to the popularity of things like this, so I'm hoping to get DT back on the upswing in the Louisville and Kentucky area! (So, obviously, if you're interested in hosting a show and getting free toys and having a fun night with your friends, just let me know! www.discoverytoyslouisville.com)

OMG<>

Now for something you don't have to read! Pictures! These are from Christmas Day, as promised!

Life Lessons: Courtesy of Motherhood

Recently, I've been trying to slow down and enjoy life a little more. For those of you who know me (as the type-A, control freak), you realize how difficult this is for me! However, along the way, I've been reflecting on the things that, for good or for bad, motherhood teaches us.

* Patience, Patience, Patience -- I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.

* There is more than one way to do everything -- this took me a while to determine and come to terms with. Yes, there are instructions that come with baby and toddler toys explaining how they are to be properly used .... never anticipate that this will actually be how your baby uses the item. Do not be alarmed!

* I can write paragraph's worth of information and instructions regarding the simplest things I do for Connor throughout the day -- an example: I never thought that I would feel the need to explain how to fill a sippy cup with apple juice the correct way (not all the way to the top because it will spill, consisting of one-third water from the fridge dispenser, two-thirds actual juice, and a squirt of liquid baby vitamins - but only in the morning). Seriously, this is just juice... should you desire an explanation of, lets say, putting Connor to bed, that could take an entire spiral notebook. This is just one of TONS of examples of how I need to tone-down the type-Aness :)
Side note: Connor would be fine no matter how one put him to bed or filled his juice cup... really.

* There are more important things in life than a good tan, a flat stomach and a night out on the town (but all three would still be nice!)-- if you had told me this 5 years ago, I would have laughed at you. Enough said.

and finally,

* You may be considered a slacker if you are doing less than 2 or 3 things simultaneously -- this is true. Multitasking has become an art form in my life. Elliptical while on the phone while browsing a magazine while watching Connor ... sitting down on the couch to read a magazine?? Ha. CPS would be here in a second.... everyone knows moms don't get to sit down!!!

I end with pictures from Christmas Eve ... Christmas pics to come soon! I hope everyone had a good one!

Wedding Fever!!

WOW! It's been over a week since I've posted! Holy crap! Sorry for those people who are dedicated enough to even still be checking this blog!

N E WAY - Last Friday, I traveled to Henderson and Clay, Kentucky to be a bridesmaid in my friend Sarah's wedding. Super beautiful ceremony and reception, super beautiful bride! Plus, a double bonus, our dresses were really cute and we all looked great in them! So the weekend was a success. Jamie drove down to meet me on Saturday for the ceremony and reception! We had a great time!

On a clearly more depressing note for all my readers who proudly sport their Wildcat Blue ... what a crappy week for UK sports! I really don't even want to talk about it ... but it's pretty sad when the BEST thing we've done in the last week is only lose by 18 to North Carolina. SUCKS!

Also, I'd like to point out that Christmas is like tomorrow. I started looking at the calendar and Thanksgiving is SO LATE this year! What the crap? So, of course, I started dragging all the Christmas stuff upstairs today because if I'm going to go to all the trouble of putting all the crap up, I at least want to leave it up longer than 3 weeks! I think Jamie was a little shocked when he got home from work, but honestly, there are a lot of neighborhoods with their lights already up .... and not just up, but lit for everyone to see. I'm actually starting to feel like I didn't get my usual 2 week head-start on everyone this year .... and I'm a little upset about it!

One last thing ... online shopping is the devil and is more addictive than cocaine (ok, never actually tried it ... but I think it must be close to equivalent!). So, in order to get my fix, I am buying all Christmas gifts online this year ... even from stores I can just drive to! It's so much easier and I don't have to pack a baby bag or use gas ... plus I can do it in my jammies without freezing outside! I am IN LOVE with our UPS guy. I see his big brown truck rolling down the street toward our house and I get soooo excited! Gotta love the shopping season!