We wish you health and happiness in 2009.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
O Holy Night
Disclaimer: If you don't approve of swear words, don't read this post.
O Holy Shit, is more like it. Carson and I were on our way home after some last minute shopping with Nate. The three of us hit the mall today and had lunch before Nate headed to work. (Nate stayed downtown for the Illinois/Mizzou hoop game. ILL-INI!) This all seems harmless, right? Nope.
As I entered our subdivision, the Yukon started sliding. Mind you, our house is in the back of a heavily wooded subdivision and is a 30-minute walk from the front of the subdivision. How do I know this....pay attention. The roads were covered with an inch and a half of ice. Add to that very steep inclines, deep ravines, and f'ing gravel roads and you have a clusterfu*k. Staying in the car was not an option; neither was driving. I quickly realized I somehow had to get this cutie home.
I fed Carson a bottle, re-strapped him into his car seat, put on my gloves, shoved the formula I had just bought into my backpack and left the car. I stomped through muddy ditches in the pouring rain to the nearest neighbor's house (Barb and Dave) with Carson's car seat hanging from my arm. Here's where it gets good. Barb and Dave's house was on the opposite side of the street. Since the roads were so slick, I couldn't get myself and Carson to the other side of the street without falling. I put his car seat flat on the ice, held on for dear life and literally slid on my ass (and pushed Carson!) across the street like a baseball player would slide into second base. Yep - I had on jeans, flats, my pea coat and a cashmere scarf. F'ing great.
Bryan, the neighbor who lives closest to us, actually met us at Barb and Dave's and carried Carson to our house as I walked behind him in the rain. By 6p, Carson and I were safely home, though wet and cold.
Needless to say, the stars are brightly shining on me tonight. Thank goodness for nice neighbors!
O Holy Shit, is more like it. Carson and I were on our way home after some last minute shopping with Nate. The three of us hit the mall today and had lunch before Nate headed to work. (Nate stayed downtown for the Illinois/Mizzou hoop game. ILL-INI!) This all seems harmless, right? Nope.
As I entered our subdivision, the Yukon started sliding. Mind you, our house is in the back of a heavily wooded subdivision and is a 30-minute walk from the front of the subdivision. How do I know this....pay attention. The roads were covered with an inch and a half of ice. Add to that very steep inclines, deep ravines, and f'ing gravel roads and you have a clusterfu*k. Staying in the car was not an option; neither was driving. I quickly realized I somehow had to get this cutie home.
I fed Carson a bottle, re-strapped him into his car seat, put on my gloves, shoved the formula I had just bought into my backpack and left the car. I stomped through muddy ditches in the pouring rain to the nearest neighbor's house (Barb and Dave) with Carson's car seat hanging from my arm. Here's where it gets good. Barb and Dave's house was on the opposite side of the street. Since the roads were so slick, I couldn't get myself and Carson to the other side of the street without falling. I put his car seat flat on the ice, held on for dear life and literally slid on my ass (and pushed Carson!) across the street like a baseball player would slide into second base. Yep - I had on jeans, flats, my pea coat and a cashmere scarf. F'ing great.
Bryan, the neighbor who lives closest to us, actually met us at Barb and Dave's and carried Carson to our house as I walked behind him in the rain. By 6p, Carson and I were safely home, though wet and cold.
Needless to say, the stars are brightly shining on me tonight. Thank goodness for nice neighbors!
Monday, December 22, 2008
My Apprentice
I am embarrassed to admit this, but I used to love watching Donald Trump's The Apprentice. I'm not reality TV-crazed per say, but I do enjoy watching a good competition. I especially liked the celebrity version of the show, which most recently starred Lennox Lewis, Trace Adkins and Piers Morgan.
Speaking of mini-mes, Carson is mine. We do everything together, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. No, wait - I will be trading in my mommy routine one month from today. Boo. Where has my professional drive gone, you ask? I have no idea. Work has rarely entered my mind since I left the office in September. To my PwC friends reading this, rest assured that your friend will return on January 20th. It may, however, take a while for the Missouri Market Sourcing Leader to get back in to the swing of things.
I wonder how I'll like being a working mother? I can tell you one thing, I can't get this song out of my head...
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
-Trace Adkins
Speaking of mini-mes, Carson is mine. We do everything together, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. No, wait - I will be trading in my mommy routine one month from today. Boo. Where has my professional drive gone, you ask? I have no idea. Work has rarely entered my mind since I left the office in September. To my PwC friends reading this, rest assured that your friend will return on January 20th. It may, however, take a while for the Missouri Market Sourcing Leader to get back in to the swing of things.
I wonder how I'll like being a working mother? I can tell you one thing, I can't get this song out of my head...
You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
-Trace Adkins
Friday, December 19, 2008
I'm sick of...
...having this blue thing shoved up my nose. Cold, Cold, go away. Carson Ross wants to play!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
My Very Own Name
I may not know how to read just yet, but I love to look at the pictures. My Very Own Name is my favorite book....I wonder if other babies enjoy listening to their mommy's tell them how I was born on September 29th and how a bunch of animals picked out their favorite letters to spell my name, Carson Earl Ross. Weird, if they do.
Anyway, here's me listening closely as Mommy reads my special book to me.
(Keith, Shelley, Mason and Lauren - what a great personalized gift!)
Anyway, here's me listening closely as Mommy reads my special book to me.
(Keith, Shelley, Mason and Lauren - what a great personalized gift!)
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sleeping Beauty
an·to·nym [ ántənìm ] (plural an·to·nyms)
noun
Definition: word with opposite meaning: a word that means the opposite of another word. For example, "hot" is the antonym of "cold."
[Mid-19th century. < French antonyme< Greek anti- "against, opposite" + onuma "name"]
My baby is still an angel, but I see room for improvement. Carson spent most of last week "figuring out" how to sleep through the night. We put him to bed at his usual time and were pleasantly surprised when he woke at 4:45a on Tuesday, 5:45a on Wednesday, 6:45a on Thursday and 7:10a on Friday. How perfect! He's weening himself from the 3:30a feeding, right? Nope. To my dismay, he's reverted back to his middle of the night feeding. Last night's was at 2:00a! What!?!
Sleeping beauty, Carson is not. Waking wonder is more like it.
noun
Definition: word with opposite meaning: a word that means the opposite of another word. For example, "hot" is the antonym of "cold."
[Mid-19th century. < French antonyme< Greek anti- "against, opposite" + onuma "name"]
My baby is still an angel, but I see room for improvement. Carson spent most of last week "figuring out" how to sleep through the night. We put him to bed at his usual time and were pleasantly surprised when he woke at 4:45a on Tuesday, 5:45a on Wednesday, 6:45a on Thursday and 7:10a on Friday. How perfect! He's weening himself from the 3:30a feeding, right? Nope. To my dismay, he's reverted back to his middle of the night feeding. Last night's was at 2:00a! What!?!
Sleeping beauty, Carson is not. Waking wonder is more like it.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Mirror, Mirror...
It's been a busy weekend! Grammie and Paw-Paw Flesner came to visit, so we spent the weekend getting in the Christmas spirit. Well, maybe I should rephrase that a bit - we spent the weekend fighting for a parking spot at the mall, standing in line at registers and rooting around picked-over racks. How sad that these days, the "Christmas spirit" is partially driven by the rat-race of shopping for gifts for family and friends.
We went to a quaint little restaurant near our house for dinner last night. I was the only one at the table who didn't order an alcoholic drink, although after downing 6 or 7 Diet Cokes over the course of dinner and dessert, I suppose my caffeine rush was the equivalent of the buzz everyone else got from the wine. Oddly enough, I was perfectly fine sucking my drink of choice through a straw. Children don't care if you're hung-over; they need you regardless!
...on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?
We went to a quaint little restaurant near our house for dinner last night. I was the only one at the table who didn't order an alcoholic drink, although after downing 6 or 7 Diet Cokes over the course of dinner and dessert, I suppose my caffeine rush was the equivalent of the buzz everyone else got from the wine. Oddly enough, I was perfectly fine sucking my drink of choice through a straw. Children don't care if you're hung-over; they need you regardless!
...on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Midnight Train
LAST NIGHT
It was 9:56 PM and I inched my way out of Carson's room after his night time ritual -diaper change with Dad, bath with Mom and Dad, snuggle time with Dad in the rocker while Mom picks out baby pjs, and finally, a bottle with Mom. (Last night was Nate's night to give Carson his bedtime bottle, but after an early morning for Nate, I took the feeding and sent Nate to bed.)
As I tip-toed downstairs, the Patricia Cornwell book I just bought caught my eye. (Sad, but true - I love the Kay Scarpetta series!) Every night since Carson has been in our life, I have headed to bed immediately after putting him down for the night. Not so last night; I had the urge for some me time. Nate was already in bed; Carson was "talking himself" to sleep, and the Christmas tree lights were twinkling.....all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and read my new book. (The first piece of fiction I've picked up since I found out I was pregnant.) So, I did. I read by the light of the Christmas tree for over an hour while my boys slept.
Enough of the melodramatic verbiage -- it was f'ing great to sit by myself last night and do something that solely benefited yours truly! This is what life as a wife and mother is, isn't it. Sneaking in me time whenever possible. I'm down with it!
Journey said it best:
Don't stop believing
Hold on to that feeling
It was 9:56 PM and I inched my way out of Carson's room after his night time ritual -diaper change with Dad, bath with Mom and Dad, snuggle time with Dad in the rocker while Mom picks out baby pjs, and finally, a bottle with Mom. (Last night was Nate's night to give Carson his bedtime bottle, but after an early morning for Nate, I took the feeding and sent Nate to bed.)
As I tip-toed downstairs, the Patricia Cornwell book I just bought caught my eye. (Sad, but true - I love the Kay Scarpetta series!) Every night since Carson has been in our life, I have headed to bed immediately after putting him down for the night. Not so last night; I had the urge for some me time. Nate was already in bed; Carson was "talking himself" to sleep, and the Christmas tree lights were twinkling.....all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and read my new book. (The first piece of fiction I've picked up since I found out I was pregnant.) So, I did. I read by the light of the Christmas tree for over an hour while my boys slept.
Enough of the melodramatic verbiage -- it was f'ing great to sit by myself last night and do something that solely benefited yours truly! This is what life as a wife and mother is, isn't it. Sneaking in me time whenever possible. I'm down with it!
Journey said it best:
Don't stop believing
Hold on to that feeling
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
ILL - INI
After Mizzou's ass-kicking this past weekend and embarrassing play these last few weeks, I thought it only appropriate to put Carson in my Alma mater's garb. He always seems to be cranky in his Mizzou onsies.
(What a great onsie, Kim. It was so good to see you today!)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Turds
I'm not talking about Carson's poop. I'm talking about those hidden gems that you don't find during a home inspection. Gems that creep up on you. Annoy you. Don't get me wrong, the people who built our house did a great job with many aspects of the home; however, they seem to have cut corners in the strangest of places. We affectionately refer to these defects as "turds." Here is a list of our top ten turds to date.
10. Our door-bell doesn't work. The hanging chimes look beautiful but don't make a sound. After investigation, the circuit board doesn't work. What a great turd.
9. Our recessed kitchen lights suddenly don't work. The switch has power and is illuminated, but the freakin lights don't turn on. Thanks for that turd.
8. Our guest bedroom has a unique "cut-out." The cut-out houses wires and was covered by a closet door when we purchased the home. So it's not a closet, but a cover-up. Odd turd.
7. Remember that granite counter top post? Come to find out, the counters were not sealed when they were installed. No wonder we had so many water spots. Yeah, turd.
6. When landscaping and seeding our front yard, we accidentally dug up the power lines to our house. The builder didn't bury them deep enough. Yard turds.
5. For some reason, the garage sink does not have hot water, and we can't quite figure out why. Cold turd.
4. At least four outlets in our house were listed as "phone line" when we moved in. Plug in a phone to the "phone outlet" and make calls, right? Wrong. The house was not wired for phone service. Who's calling, please? Turd.
3. Fireplace blower turd. Listen for yourself.
2. Our heating/cooling system came with a built-in humidifier. This is great! No. We found out that the home-builders wired it with 220 volts when it required 110 volts. Needless to say, we had to buy a new motor. This cost us $750. What an expensive turd. (Turd alert - Nate just came upstairs and said we need to buy two new humidifier filters. Special order of course. Damn turd!)
1. Our master shower was completed on November 24th. Yes, it took over 5 months to fix this leaky turd.
Do you have turds?
10. Our door-bell doesn't work. The hanging chimes look beautiful but don't make a sound. After investigation, the circuit board doesn't work. What a great turd.
9. Our recessed kitchen lights suddenly don't work. The switch has power and is illuminated, but the freakin lights don't turn on. Thanks for that turd.
8. Our guest bedroom has a unique "cut-out." The cut-out houses wires and was covered by a closet door when we purchased the home. So it's not a closet, but a cover-up. Odd turd.
7. Remember that granite counter top post? Come to find out, the counters were not sealed when they were installed. No wonder we had so many water spots. Yeah, turd.
6. When landscaping and seeding our front yard, we accidentally dug up the power lines to our house. The builder didn't bury them deep enough. Yard turds.
5. For some reason, the garage sink does not have hot water, and we can't quite figure out why. Cold turd.
4. At least four outlets in our house were listed as "phone line" when we moved in. Plug in a phone to the "phone outlet" and make calls, right? Wrong. The house was not wired for phone service. Who's calling, please? Turd.
3. Fireplace blower turd. Listen for yourself.
2. Our heating/cooling system came with a built-in humidifier. This is great! No. We found out that the home-builders wired it with 220 volts when it required 110 volts. Needless to say, we had to buy a new motor. This cost us $750. What an expensive turd. (Turd alert - Nate just came upstairs and said we need to buy two new humidifier filters. Special order of course. Damn turd!)
1. Our master shower was completed on November 24th. Yes, it took over 5 months to fix this leaky turd.
Do you have turds?
Saturday, December 6, 2008
I'm obsessed.
With my child, that is. Carson has started to smile at me when I pick him up out of his crib in the morning. I never imagined that "Good morning, Sweetheart!" would produce such a response. It makes my heart melt really.
Good-bye, tough Trish. Hello, mushy Mommy!
Good-bye, tough Trish. Hello, mushy Mommy!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Piece of Cake
It's Carson! Let me fill you in on my last few days.....
1.) I love the taste of cherry-flavored Tylenol! How do I know this? I got my first round of shots yesterday. They hurt so bad - having chubby little legs did not lessen the pain Nurse Lexie caused when she shoved 3 needles into my thighs. I'm better now, but I sure did feel yucky yesterday.
2.) I'm big! I am 24 inches long (85%) and weigh 12 pounds 7.5 ounces (75%). I know that my daddy wants me to be 6'4" tall so that I can dunk. Daddy, I'm well on my way!
3.) Mommy found a new home-away-from-home for me for when she goes back to work. She cried a bit this morning while trying to tell me how much fun I'd have with Miss Kim and the other babies at day care. Don't worry about me, Mommy. I'll be just fine. Don't be sad!
4.) It's Grandpa Ross' special day today. Mommy and I are going to meet Daddy and the rest of the family for dinner tonight to celebrate. I know it's too early to eat big people food, but I'd really like to eat a piece of cake. I have a sweet tooth because of all that Karo syrup Mommy and Daddy have been putting in my bottles. Thanks for that, Guys. Anyway, happy birthday, Grandpa!!!
Peace out for now!
-Carson
1.) I love the taste of cherry-flavored Tylenol! How do I know this? I got my first round of shots yesterday. They hurt so bad - having chubby little legs did not lessen the pain Nurse Lexie caused when she shoved 3 needles into my thighs. I'm better now, but I sure did feel yucky yesterday.
2.) I'm big! I am 24 inches long (85%) and weigh 12 pounds 7.5 ounces (75%). I know that my daddy wants me to be 6'4" tall so that I can dunk. Daddy, I'm well on my way!
3.) Mommy found a new home-away-from-home for me for when she goes back to work. She cried a bit this morning while trying to tell me how much fun I'd have with Miss Kim and the other babies at day care. Don't worry about me, Mommy. I'll be just fine. Don't be sad!
4.) It's Grandpa Ross' special day today. Mommy and I are going to meet Daddy and the rest of the family for dinner tonight to celebrate. I know it's too early to eat big people food, but I'd really like to eat a piece of cake. I have a sweet tooth because of all that Karo syrup Mommy and Daddy have been putting in my bottles. Thanks for that, Guys. Anyway, happy birthday, Grandpa!!!
Peace out for now!
-Carson
Monday, December 1, 2008
I work hard for the money.
For those of you familiar with the "projects" Nate and I do, you know that I have been on sabbatical from all things DIY since this past January. Well, kiss the "Nate Ross Project List" FMLA good-bye, because I (Yes, me only!) stripped and sealed our granite counter tops yesterday.
I kept telling Nate, "We better start this if we want to use our kitchen tomorrow." He didn't budge, so I started the project myself, thinking he'd eventually join in. He didn't, at least not until my silent treatment was undeniable.
Needless to say, Weekend Warrior Trish is back in business. Boo. Donna Summer sums it up best:
She works hard for the money. So hard for it, Honey.
She works hard for the money. So you better treat her right.
I kept telling Nate, "We better start this if we want to use our kitchen tomorrow." He didn't budge, so I started the project myself, thinking he'd eventually join in. He didn't, at least not until my silent treatment was undeniable.
Needless to say, Weekend Warrior Trish is back in business. Boo. Donna Summer sums it up best:
She works hard for the money. So hard for it, Honey.
She works hard for the money. So you better treat her right.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
C-A-R-S-O-N
Is it the turkey that makes you sleepy or the hope that a little shut-eye will ease the bloated feeling associated with Thanksgiving? Turkey is believed to be a natural sedative, though the self-driven nap gets my nod.
Nate, Carson and I loaded up the Yukon and headed to Kirksville, Missur-a (Yes, that is how many Missourians pronounce Missouri. I am not one of those people.) on Thursday morning. It was Carson's first overnight trip, and he was an angel baby! Grammie and Paw-Paw held their own against the doting Nelson clan and enjoyed quality time with CER. I now realize that grandparents are wired to spoil their grandchildren. I caught my dad "talking" to Carson after I had put him down for a nap. When I scolded my dad for disturbing Carson he responded, "I'm just talking to him. He isn't really sleeping anyway." What can a daughter do but walk away and smile.
And speaking of smiling, Nate and I are proud parents of a crib-sleeping baby. That's right - Carson Actually, without Reluctance, Slept On his back in his crib last Night.
Nate, Carson and I loaded up the Yukon and headed to Kirksville, Missur-a (Yes, that is how many Missourians pronounce Missouri. I am not one of those people.) on Thursday morning. It was Carson's first overnight trip, and he was an angel baby! Grammie and Paw-Paw held their own against the doting Nelson clan and enjoyed quality time with CER. I now realize that grandparents are wired to spoil their grandchildren. I caught my dad "talking" to Carson after I had put him down for a nap. When I scolded my dad for disturbing Carson he responded, "I'm just talking to him. He isn't really sleeping anyway." What can a daughter do but walk away and smile.
And speaking of smiling, Nate and I are proud parents of a crib-sleeping baby. That's right - Carson Actually, without Reluctance, Slept On his back in his crib last Night.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Indie, not Indy
No, not the race - a film. Starring yours truly, made especially for Grammie and Paw-Paw and Grandma & Grandpa. Enjoy!
-Love, Carson
-Love, Carson
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Babies R Us
I hate this place. Really, I do. (As a mother, am I allowed to voice this?) My first experience with BRU was six months into my pregnancy. I thought it would be fun for us to set up our baby registry in the actual store. As we walked through the automatic doors and took in the many sections of baby crap - toys, furniture, gear, clothes, etc., I seriously almost hyper-ventilated. (I have this same feeling when entering a Macy's-like store. What department am I supposed to be shopping in anyway - too much stuff, too many options and too much work for one freakin' shirt.) Needless to say, I set up my baby registry online and continue to purchase stuff for Carson via www.babiesrus.com; the UPS guy and I are BFFs.
Carson and I went to Nate's cousin Melissa's baby shower this weekend. Melissa is expecting in January; her sister Angie is due in April. And Jess, another Ross/Hagen cousin, is due this December. The Hagen family continues to grow at rapid speed. Babies are us!
Carson and I went to Nate's cousin Melissa's baby shower this weekend. Melissa is expecting in January; her sister Angie is due in April. And Jess, another Ross/Hagen cousin, is due this December. The Hagen family continues to grow at rapid speed. Babies are us!
Friday, November 21, 2008
PwC
This is where I work - PricewaterhouseCoopers. I do like my job, though I'd be lying to you if I didn't say how wonderful it has been to "check out" these last few months. I plan to continue with this lack of interest until I resume my commute in mid-January.
Work headaches, challenges, fires, deadlines, plans, strategies, goals, budgets, blah, blah, blah, and blah have clearly not been missed. I do, however, miss my PwC friends and everything that goes along with professional comradery. (HR team - you miss my bluntness and four-letter words, don't you!?!)
The entire HR team trekked to my house for lunch yesterday. (For those of you who have been to my house, you know why I used the word "trekked" - terrain aside, the drive to my house from work is 50-minutes, which is why I was so excited that everyone chose to dine with me!) Thankfully, Carson was on his best behavior and cried only once. He was Pretty good with the Chicks.
Once everyone left, I "chatted" with Carson about our day. Listen below for his side of the story:
Work headaches, challenges, fires, deadlines, plans, strategies, goals, budgets, blah, blah, blah, and blah have clearly not been missed. I do, however, miss my PwC friends and everything that goes along with professional comradery. (HR team - you miss my bluntness and four-letter words, don't you!?!)
The entire HR team trekked to my house for lunch yesterday. (For those of you who have been to my house, you know why I used the word "trekked" - terrain aside, the drive to my house from work is 50-minutes, which is why I was so excited that everyone chose to dine with me!) Thankfully, Carson was on his best behavior and cried only once. He was Pretty good with the Chicks.
Once everyone left, I "chatted" with Carson about our day. Listen below for his side of the story:
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Jargon
After much deliberation, the verdict is in:
LET...
...HIM...
...CRY!
(Slight digression - I put Carson in his crib this morning for a nap and was strong enough to let him scream for 20 minutes. I did peek my head in at the 21 minute mark just make sure he wasn't hurt in any way. Hurt, he was not, but he did have one hell of a poopy diaper. I changed his diaper and rocked him back to sleep because I felt guilty. Sue me!)
LET...
...HIM...
...CRY!
(Slight digression - I put Carson in his crib this morning for a nap and was strong enough to let him scream for 20 minutes. I did peek my head in at the 21 minute mark just make sure he wasn't hurt in any way. Hurt, he was not, but he did have one hell of a poopy diaper. I changed his diaper and rocked him back to sleep because I felt guilty. Sue me!)
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Ants Go Marching
Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales - I really need to brush up on mine. I don't think Taylor Swift's "Love Story" falls into either of the above rhythmic categories, but I like it none the less, so Carson gets to hear about Romeo and Juliet via my rendition.
I'm sure I could buy one large book of infamous children's' stories, rhymes and tales, but I am boy-cotting all children-related books for now. I have come to find that the many books written on child-rearing, child development, motherhood, etc. contradict one another. How's a person to know what to do when "experts" are giving different advice on the same subject? I'll tell you how - Momma knows best! And in my case, any Momma. I am relying on my gut and the advice of friends and family from now on. Other moms' suggestions trump the advice of the experts in my book. (Amy - the crib wedge and back sleeper are on order. And Cassie, Carson is fussing in his crib as I type this. I hope that by the time I'm done writing this blog he will have soothed himself back to sleep. I appreciate the advice, Ladies!)
We had another busy weekend in the Lou. My sister was in town from Columbus, my brother-in-law and his fiance were in from Detroit and my Aunt Jan and cousin Kelsey drove in from the Land-of-Lincoln on Saturday. Outside of all of that, we celebrated Nate's grandma's 85th birthday on Sunday. The entire weekend was controlled chaos.....a common thread in our life these days.
As luck would have it, Carson actually had all three of his aunts in the same room on Friday night - Aunt Brooke (my sister), Aunt Carrie (my sister-in-law) and Aunt Melissa (my soon-to-be sister-in-law). I look forward to blaming the three of you for spoiling Carson rotten and making him a terror. (It will be much easier to point the finger than to take blame myself.) The least I can do is give you a heads up, Ladies!
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain
I'm sure I could buy one large book of infamous children's' stories, rhymes and tales, but I am boy-cotting all children-related books for now. I have come to find that the many books written on child-rearing, child development, motherhood, etc. contradict one another. How's a person to know what to do when "experts" are giving different advice on the same subject? I'll tell you how - Momma knows best! And in my case, any Momma. I am relying on my gut and the advice of friends and family from now on. Other moms' suggestions trump the advice of the experts in my book. (Amy - the crib wedge and back sleeper are on order. And Cassie, Carson is fussing in his crib as I type this. I hope that by the time I'm done writing this blog he will have soothed himself back to sleep. I appreciate the advice, Ladies!)
We had another busy weekend in the Lou. My sister was in town from Columbus, my brother-in-law and his fiance were in from Detroit and my Aunt Jan and cousin Kelsey drove in from the Land-of-Lincoln on Saturday. Outside of all of that, we celebrated Nate's grandma's 85th birthday on Sunday. The entire weekend was controlled chaos.....a common thread in our life these days.
As luck would have it, Carson actually had all three of his aunts in the same room on Friday night - Aunt Brooke (my sister), Aunt Carrie (my sister-in-law) and Aunt Melissa (my soon-to-be sister-in-law). I look forward to blaming the three of you for spoiling Carson rotten and making him a terror. (It will be much easier to point the finger than to take blame myself.) The least I can do is give you a heads up, Ladies!
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching three by three,
The little one stops to climb a tree
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain
Friday, November 14, 2008
Calling all moms!
HELP - how in the hell did you get your precious baby to sleep in his/her crib? Mine won't; I'm getting pissed and feeling very defeated. A penny for your thoughts......
Thursday, November 13, 2008
9 to 5
Mommy seems to be dropping the ball on this blogging thing, so I'm taking over for now......let me fill you in on this week at the Ross house.
For starters, they have finally let me out of the house! Mommy and I spent Tuesday morning visiting with our neighbors. Jacob kept asking his dad if he could play with me. Give me a chance to motor around, Jake, and then it's game on! (Melanie took this picture of me while I was at their house.)
That afternoon Mommy and I ran errands and went to Babies R Us. Mommy bought a bunch of junk, if you ask me, although I guess the new tummy mat is kind of cool. And I like the books she picked out. The onsie, though, with the peace signs all over it - umm, it doesn't scream "manly." Better luck next time, Mom.
Wednesday was even better! Mommy said Daddy billed a ton of hours on Tuesday (What exactly does that mean?), so he took the day off to spend with us. We went out to lunch, got coffees, shopped......I rode in an elevator for the first time too! I also stared at myself in the mirror while Daddy tried on suits. I wonder if I'll have to wear suits to work when I get big?
After two busy days, I'm beat! This must be what it's like to work every day - Yuk. Dolly Parton knew what she was talking about!
Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin'
And no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
For starters, they have finally let me out of the house! Mommy and I spent Tuesday morning visiting with our neighbors. Jacob kept asking his dad if he could play with me. Give me a chance to motor around, Jake, and then it's game on! (Melanie took this picture of me while I was at their house.)
That afternoon Mommy and I ran errands and went to Babies R Us. Mommy bought a bunch of junk, if you ask me, although I guess the new tummy mat is kind of cool. And I like the books she picked out. The onsie, though, with the peace signs all over it - umm, it doesn't scream "manly." Better luck next time, Mom.
Wednesday was even better! Mommy said Daddy billed a ton of hours on Tuesday (What exactly does that mean?), so he took the day off to spend with us. We went out to lunch, got coffees, shopped......I rode in an elevator for the first time too! I also stared at myself in the mirror while Daddy tried on suits. I wonder if I'll have to wear suits to work when I get big?
After two busy days, I'm beat! This must be what it's like to work every day - Yuk. Dolly Parton knew what she was talking about!
Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
It's all takin'
And no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Ask and ye shall receive.
Sleep - everyone needs it, though some of us seem to need it more than others. I used to fall in to the latter category. My mom said that when I was a toddler I would sleep more than my newborn sister! My perspective on sleep has obviously changed since having Carson - a little more would be nice, but functioning on 5 or less hours a night is totally doable. Coffee will give you the same well-rested effect if you drink enough of it, although I can't say 10 hours of sleep ever made me jittery.
Carson's favorite place to sleep seems to be -- me! He would sleep on his momma all day long if I let him. Just as I'm about to put him down, he wrinkles his nose, sighs, quivers a little during a "puppy dream," puckers his lips, squeezes my arm......you get the picture. How do you part from something so damn cute? It's a manipulation technique, I'm sure, similar to the one I used to give my dad when I was little. As we pulled in to the garage after a day of grocery-getting, Bergner's-shopping, McDonald's-eating and Aladdin's Castle Ski Ball-playing, I would immediately pretend to be asleep. There was something so special about being carried in to the house by Dad. I wonder if my mom ever caught me smiling as my dad hoisted me out of the car. I'll be looking for that same smile on Carson's face when Nate is the one doing the hoisting.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!
Carson's favorite place to sleep seems to be -- me! He would sleep on his momma all day long if I let him. Just as I'm about to put him down, he wrinkles his nose, sighs, quivers a little during a "puppy dream," puckers his lips, squeezes my arm......you get the picture. How do you part from something so damn cute? It's a manipulation technique, I'm sure, similar to the one I used to give my dad when I was little. As we pulled in to the garage after a day of grocery-getting, Bergner's-shopping, McDonald's-eating and Aladdin's Castle Ski Ball-playing, I would immediately pretend to be asleep. There was something so special about being carried in to the house by Dad. I wonder if my mom ever caught me smiling as my dad hoisted me out of the car. I'll be looking for that same smile on Carson's face when Nate is the one doing the hoisting.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
This is for the birds!
We're taking another stab at getting Carson to sleep in his crib. I have high hopes that by the end of this week my kid will no longer spend 4-5 hour intervals slouched in his bouncy seat. As my friend Kim said, "I have never seen a 3 year old sleep through the night in a bouncy seat." Cross your fingers that CER does not cause Kim to eat crow!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Crank
My family was here! My parents spent the weekend with us and my aunt Jan and cousin Kelsey came for dinner on Saturday. For the first time I had to fight to hold my child...during the day that is. As luck would have it, all of my "helpers" magically disappeared from midnight until 7a. What the hell?
The one thing I learned from this weekend is that moms have super-human strength. Somehow I managed to make dinner (steak, mashed potatoes and grilled veggies, mind you!) for six people and then sit at the table with everyone, feed myself and feed Carson all at the same time. What the heck did I do with myself before I had a little rug rat......oh, wait - I remember now. RELAX! Regardless, it was a great weekend.
My parents were more amazed by all of our baby gadgets than by my multi-tasking abilities. The hand-cranked swing they put me in pales in comparison to the battery-powered one we have. They said their version used a jack-in-box-like mechanism. I didn't pop up and out of the swing, per say, but I did sway back and forth a bit until coming to a stop, patiently waiting for another "crank."
Me and my Diaper Champ, vibrating bouncy seat, battery-powered swing, aloe-infused wipes and video monitor are humbled!
The one thing I learned from this weekend is that moms have super-human strength. Somehow I managed to make dinner (steak, mashed potatoes and grilled veggies, mind you!) for six people and then sit at the table with everyone, feed myself and feed Carson all at the same time. What the heck did I do with myself before I had a little rug rat......oh, wait - I remember now. RELAX! Regardless, it was a great weekend.
My parents were more amazed by all of our baby gadgets than by my multi-tasking abilities. The hand-cranked swing they put me in pales in comparison to the battery-powered one we have. They said their version used a jack-in-box-like mechanism. I didn't pop up and out of the swing, per say, but I did sway back and forth a bit until coming to a stop, patiently waiting for another "crank."
Me and my Diaper Champ, vibrating bouncy seat, battery-powered swing, aloe-infused wipes and video monitor are humbled!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Say, "Cheeeeese!!!"
It's Carson...I don't know what has gotten in to Mommy, but she must have dressed up as a professional photographer for Halloween. These close-ups are getting ridiculous!
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