Life's Lessons: The March Edition

It's been awhile since I've linked up with Sara and Rach for Friday's Life's Lessons so here goes nothing!

1) It's been a busy year so far.  I feel like it was just January but now it's March.  This year is flying by and before I know it I'll have baby #2 and will be taking care of two little ones!

2) March is super busy.  Nolan's first swim class starts this Saturday.  I hope he likes it!

3) Then the 2nd Saturday in March our friends are coming to visit us with their 14 month old.  We're going to go visit the zoo and the aquarium.  I think the boys are going to have a blast!

4) My parents are coming to visit the weekend of St. Patrick's Day.  Of course Nolan will be sporting some St. Patty's Day gear!

5) Next week we find out the gender of baby #2.  I'm excited and have no idea what the ultrasound will say.

6) The last weekend in March the husband and I will be going to the first of three weddings that we will be attending this year.  Last year I went to ZERO which is crazy since I've been attending a wedding every year since 2001.  Of course this year I'm pregnant and last year I wasn't!

7) However April I have nothing on the calendar...but in May I did book a beach vacay for this family of three!  Nolan's last hooray before he has to share the attention.  Kind of bittersweet isn't it?

8) Oh I almost forgot---The Hunger Games movie comes out in March!  So excited!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Life's Lessons: Christmas Edition

It's baaaaack! Life's Lessons...I know you were sad and missed my week recap.  Go on and share yours and link up with Sara & Rach!

1) My little boy is officially growing up.  He's taken his first few steps but not full out walking yet.  But it's just a matter of time. 

2) He's now taking his walker all around the house non-stop.  He thinks it's the funniest thing...and he can even turn it when he needs to which isn't easy because it doesn't have a steering wheel.

3) I am still decorating for Christmas.  I am not one that usually gets it done in one day. 

4) My Christmas tree is up, and Nolan loves it.  It's so fun to see such small wonders through a child's eyes.

5) I am letting Nolan wear his Christmas jammies so we get some use out of them.  He keeps pointing to the reindeer and the penguins.

6) He loves his talking Frosty the Snowman that he got last year.  He keeps bringing it to us to turn it back on again.

7) I am going to *attempt* to make stockings and a Christmas wreath this weekend.  Wish me luck...because we all know I am craftiness challenged.  I mean Pinterest is my worst nightmare. 

8) I have been an online shopping crazy person.  I will probably have boxes delivered every day next week!  And I'm still not done...argh.

9) My dad and my father-in-law are the hardest people to buy for!  I finally got some ideas for my mother-in-law after asking her a million times.  I need lists people!  Don't you think it's better to get something you want instead of me guessing?

10) And seriously...I can't believe Christmas will be here in a few weeks...this year has been a flash.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Life's Lessons: It's Finally Fall Edition

I am linking up again with Sara & Rach again this week to share some lessons!

1) It really, really is finally fall.  The crispness is actually in the air and the leaves are starting to change.

2) Nolan and I went to an apple orchard to pick apples---I say that seems pretty fallish (even if the apple pickin' here starts in August!)

3) We're going to a Pumpkin Patch this weekend to obviously pick a pumpkin, go on a hayride, and see some farm animals.  Again pretty fallish if you ask me!

4) Nolan's birthday is in 6 days, REPEAT 6 DAYS!!  I can't believe that this time last year I was super pregnant ready to get this baby out.  Now a year has gone by....

5) Which means his party is in 8 days...with so much to still do. 

6) I'm ready for his party to be done, so I can decorate the house with my Halloween decorations.  I think Nolan will love some glowing pumpkins!

7) I still need to buy some more shoes for Nolan.  I need some light colored ones for his party outfit...or even some navy ones.  Any suggestions?

8) I'm making some ginger-apple spiced cupcakes for the party.  They are pretty yummy and fallish too!

9) I'm excited about this second Halloween with Nolan since last time he was basically a week old.  We're going to go to a park event to do some trick or treating in his adorable costume!

10) And then before you know it my birthday will be here....and well it's a big one.  I can't stop time so I guess I'll just have to celebrate with style!

So don't forget to link up to share your lessons from this week.  Have a great "fall" weekend! :)

Life's Lessons: Get Your Mom Brain On Edition

YAY!  I'm back to share this week's lessons.  And believe me I had a lot of lessons week.  So link up with Sara & Rach and share yours!

1) I learned that my mom brain needs to exercise.

2) Or I end up with the Best Buy Gift Card fiasco.

3) Just when you think that guy didn't spend that card he found that you left...oh yeah he did...and he did it immediately.

4) Luckily, Kroger and Best Buy have the ultimate customer service and came to my rescue.  For that, I am Kroger and Best Buy customer 4LIFE!

5) Teething stinks.  It lasts forever.  It will cause lack of sleep, irritability, and lots of crying.  And this continues until they're 2?  SAY WHAT???!!!

6) My boy has learned to jump in his crib.  Like he looks like he is a monkey on a sugar rush bouncing on a trampoline. 

7) My husband has a cold from recently traveling.  We are sanitizing everything...please pray that the little boy doesn't get it!

8) I'm excited to visit this girl and her birthday boy this weekend.  I can't believe Ethan is one already!  Where does the time go?

9) Is it bad that I'm just now drinking my morning coffee?  This means morning did not go as planned.  Guess I'll be drinking coffee until lunch.

10) I feel like I should have a #10 since I've made it this far, but I've got nothing.  MOM BRAIN strikes again. :)

Have a great weekend, and I'll be gone until next Wednesday so don't worry if you don't see me around.  I'm not dead, just out of town!

Life's Lessons: The 11 Months Edition

It's finally Friday, and I'm linking up with Sara & Rach after a few missed Fridays.  I know how you have missed them my friends!

1) Wow...you just turned 11 months old.  I seriously can't fathom that we are on the countdown of your year birthday.  It seems like yesterday that you were just a little bitty baby who fell asleep on my shoulder.

2) You're about 22 lbs, and I have no idea how tall...maybe 29 inches?  You've definitely slowed down in the height department which has allowed you to chunk up a little bit.  But I don't mind pinching those cheeks!

3) Your new game is to hand everyone what you're holding.  Including your food to the dogs.  Which is slightly annoying, but I guess it's fun to watch your food hit the floor.

4) You love to dance.  Anytime music is on you'll start to boogie.  It's the cutest thing ever.

5) You stand by anything...you don't discriminate...couch, wall, dishwasher...you're an equal opportunity stander.

6) You will catch yourself every now and then standing without holding onto something because you have a toy in your hand.  Then when you realize you quickly plop down on your bottom. 

7) We had a play date yesterday, and you were so funny.  You were trying to talk to the 6 month old and trying to get him to chase you.  I couldn't believe my little baby was now on the brink of toddler hood and ready to play with others.

8) You love your big monkey rug in your room.  I say, "Where is monkey face?"  And you scoot over to go cuddle with it.  It's so sweet!

9) You also love to pull things out of baskets, drawers, or anything that is made to hold items.  It's created more work for mom because you always have blankets, wash cloths, or all the clean laundry out everywhere. 

10) You went on your first beach vacation and had a ball.  You had fun at the beach eating sand and playing at the pool.  You ate all kinds of food...and even tried some seafood which may not be allowed for a 11 month old but you had no problem breaking the rules.

11) You are chatting away with all kinds of new sounds.  You laugh so much besides the times when you take a tumble which have been quite frequently when you are testing your new skills.

12) You love playing a good game of chase.  I say, "Where are you going?" And you take off like a bolt.  You laugh so hard when I chase after you and play peek-a-boo.

12) Happy 11 months baby Nolan...soon to be toddler.  Mommy is having so much fun with you and is trying to savor all these wonderful moments!

Life's Lessons: And It's Still HOT Edition

Wow it's Friday...not just any Friday but Labor Day weekend Friday.  That's just awesome.  Let's link up with Sara & Rach to see what we learned.
1) Don't you wish when the calendar rolled around to September 1st that fall weather automatically followed?  Except it doesn't and it's still as hot as August. 

2) All my grass is all dead.  I guess it saves some mowing.

3) I'm still not able to enjoy my deck because the thermometer reads like 100 degrees out there.  It gets a lot of blazing afternoon sun.

4) The birds have been eating my tomatoes because it's so hot and no rain.  Who knew gardening was so hard in a square foot garden box?  I've been fighting off caterpillars...now birds????  I already said forget the organic pest spray for the poor broccoli...I went with the powerful real stuff.

5) I went walking with Nolan in the stroller at 7pm in the evening...still over 90 degrees.

6) However we will be going on vacation to the beach in a few weeks.

7) It will still be hot but at least I'll be close to the pool and ocean.

8) It will be little boy's first trip to the beach so please pray that he loves the sand and ocean.

9) Why is it out of all the toys in my house that my son insists on playing with the gas fireplace and pulling the fake rocks out and then trying to eat them?

10) And why do I even have fake little rocks?  How about some big ones so they aren't as much a choking hazard.

Well there you have it!  Hope you have a wonderful long holiday weekend!

Life's Lessons: Where Did This Year Go Edition

And it's Friday!  Even though I'm a SAHM and don't have a normal work week I still get excited about the weekends.  It's time to link  up with Sara & Rach to share the lessons you were schooled in this week.
1) Really is it almost September? Weren't we just bringing in the new year?

2) Ever since Nolan was born I feel like time has been on fast forward.

3) At the mother's night out, one mommy dropped by to show off her 4 week old.  I had a hard time even remembering that little baby boy was that small.  But he was...and now he's growing up.

4) His one year birthday party is just around the corner. I've started planning but still so much to do.  I need a pause button so I can catch up or a million dollars to hire a party planner.

5) Is it really almost holiday season? Wow. That's all I have to say about that.

6) Guess I should figure out what kind of toys/games that a one year old like.  I AM CLUELESS in this department.

7) And clothes for that age...well are just not cute.  What's up with that?  I guess he'll be going naked this fall/winter because I can't find clothes that I actually want to buy him.

8) The end of the year also means I have a big birthday coming up.  We'll just pretend it's not going to happen and that I'm not getting any older.  Birthdays are for kids, right?

Now it's your turn!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Life's Lessons: All Things Car Edition

And here we are looking at another Friday...yes I can feel fall within my grasp!  Time to link up with my pals Sara & Rach again!

1) Why do I always find myself behind the car that is constantly braking?  You know the car that sees a leaf in the road or a car going the opposite direction and just has to use that brake pedal.  It drives me bonkers!  Not to mention your internal instinct makes you want to push the brake too!  ARGH!

2) Why do people find it necessary to ride your bumper when you are behind a long line of cars and can't go anywhere?  Yeah guess what...riding my bumper is not going to get you where you are going any faster.  Jokes on you because this week the cop pulled you over when you tried to speed past everyone!

3) Why do people go through the drive-thru at Sonic?  I never understood this...especially if the line is wrapped around the whole place.  Wouldn't make more since to have already put in your order at the little stand?  UM DUH!  Of course you are going to get your food/drink faster because YOU HAVE ACTUALLY PLACED AN ORDER!

4) Have people forgotten how to use their blinkers?  I mean really was it totally necessary for you to pull out in front of me just to be making the next turn WITHOUT SIGNALING? 

5) Why do I always find myself the people that are from out of town that have no idea where they are going?  It never fails that I'll be in the left lane while other people are flying past me in the right lane because guess who is in front of me....an OUT OF STATE plate!

6) Ok this is non-car related, but must make the list.  Why in the world do I have a wrong number call at 5am???  Who is calling to chat at 5am and for that matter it's happened twice!

There you go, the lessons of the week.  Head over and share what you learned this week!  Have a great weekend!

Life's Lessons: Operation Keep Baby Out of Trouble

T-G-I-F, T-G-I-F! Chant it with me!  So that means it is time to link up with Sara & Rach for the weekly installment of Life's Lessons.  Here's what I learned:

1) Power cords are really cool. EVEN if the cord is hidden away it will be found and either yanked or chewed on.  Because that's what they were made for right?

2) He doesn't forget EVER.  He always remembers that he's done something and even if distracted he will go back and do it again.  This child is persistent I must say.

3) How did he even learn how to open a cabinet door?  Is it wired in his DNA?  No matter where the door is, he will adapt and learn how to open it whether it has a knob or by just opening it from the bottom.

4) Dog bowls are the coolest thing since sliced bread.  I am probably starving my dogs and letting them get dehydrated because I am constantly putting the bowls out of reach.  The shiny metal is irresistable!

5) Everything should be attempted to be pulled up on.  Including the toilet, cabinet drawers, marble mantles, and the list just keeps growing.

6) When outside, grass should always be put in your mouth.  Hey it's got extra protein for all that crawling.

7) Changing diapers are so much more fun if you are rolling over and over.  The floor looks great decorated with poop.

8) That fuzz that hangs underneath the couch (and why do couches have this?) should be torn and put straight into your mouth.  It's got great texture.

9) Toys are no longer fun when the world AKA my house is within your grasp.

10) Puffs are more tasty if you stick 10 in your mouth at a time.

Hope you learned a lot this week and go link up to share your lessons!

P.S. Please keep Sara at Life's Recipe (who co-hosts this linky) in your thoughts and prayers...her father passed away unexpectedly. 

Life's Lessons: A Little Bit of This and That Editon

Wow...is it already Friday? YAY for the weekend! Here's what I learned this week:

1) I seriously need to get my haircut more often. I'm actually doing something with it besides putting it in a ponytail...and you'll never believe this, I'm actually blow drying it!

2) I am still amazed with the whole birthing process. My friend Beth had her little boy in the wee hours of the morning earlier this week.  I'm so happy she had a healthy baby boy and that she gets to take him home today. I just love hearing birth stories and seeing those cute little cuddle bears.

3) I am amazed that I've written over 100 posts! I never knew how much I would enjoy blogging or the blogging community.

4) It's still really REALLY hot outside. Stay indoors or you might melt.

5) I actually can still work out even if I am given the chance to weasel out of it. I went to Stroller Strides, and I was the only one in attendance. The instructor asked if I still wanted to work out or just stroll. I thought hmmm it would be nice just to hit up Starbucks, but I stuck to my guns and actually did my workout!

6) However I did have to reward myself with a Starbucks coffee frappuchino afterwards. I mean just one won't hurt, right?

7) I had forgotten how good sushi was! My husband suggested we go to dinner at a sushi place for date night. I then realized that it had been over a year since I had it! I guess after being pregnant I forgot that it was time to bring sushi back as one of my menu choices.

8) Did you know that Borders is going out of business? Well it is, and they are having a "Going Out of Business Sale" except it's only 20-30% off. LAME. I'm going to wait this out and see if they go lower on their sale.

Well there you have it...the lessons of the week. Go link up with Sara and Rach and share yours!

Life's Lessons: Hotter than Heck Edition

1) It is way too blazing hot to go outside.  I literally get sweaty getting in my car and that's not counting when I'm getting little one in and out of the vehicle.  Pretty much unbearable unless you have an A/C strapped to your body.

2) Which means I spend a lot of time in my house.  Now I'm bored with my house.  Can I have a bigger one?

3) The dogs even don't want to go outside.  They're not stupid.

4) I think I'm going to attach a swiffer wipe to my son.  He's dragging himself across the floor...may as well make him useful, right?

5) I mean he brings it to my attention that my floors are dusty or dirty no matter what I do.  I hate dust...a losing battle EVERY TIME.

6) Reading on a Kindle is way faster than a regular book.  In fact, I have a book that I am reading, and I'm annoyed that I have to turn pages.  Am I that lazy?  Let's be honest it's just easier to click a button while pumping than it is to switch hands.

7) I want to be on a beach.  Or by a pool.  Yet I have neither {sigh}

8) I joined Twitter...it's just as addicting as I thought it would be.  It's like AIM on steroids.

9) Hey if you're on twitter make sure to follow so I don't feel lonely.  Or at least make me feel like I have friends.

10) My son is so much more fun when his teeth or digestive system isn't bothering him.  I love this baby! 

Now head on over and link up and spill the beans on what you learned this week!

Life's Lessons: Random Edition

It's that time of the week again...TA DA: Life's Lessons with Sara and Rach!  Here's the lessons I got schooled with in my neck of the woods.

1) Roofing companies just want to see your insurance adjuster sheet so that they can make their estimate higher.  Why do you need to see this?  Just give me a quote just like you would if I told you I wanted to replace my roof.  But no...pushy roofing companies and "storm specialists" say we can work directly with your insurance to make this a smooth process.  Oh of course you will!  That way you can squeeze every last dollar out of the insurance company and myself. 

2) I need to block the Bravo channel.  I really watch too much of it...from the Housewives to Flipping Out.  I really need to get myself under control and quit watching these marathons!

3) I had forgotten how nice it is to go to a nice restaurant.  Because when you have a little one you don't dare show your face in these establishments.  However if you happen to have a mother-in-law who loves watching her grandson---take her up on it and go to a nice dinner! 

4) Ok I am officially addicted to all things cloth.  Cloth diapers that is!  I ordered my last items that I needed that I had put off for one reason or another so cloth diapering websites you can no longer lure me in with deals or coupons!  I have all I need now so leave me alone and quit showing me your cute colors and prints! 

5) My cairn terrier Teddy is extra sensitive to citrus.  If you have an orange, he'll come up and think it's something else and once you put it close to his nose he'll start sneezing and backing away.  Whenever we take him to be boarded like we did over the 4th, he always comes back sneezing because of the all natural products they clean with---and that of course means citrus.  He's been sneezing for like a week because of this! 

6) Is it really almost August?!  I cannot believe that it will be fall before I know it.  I'm not complaining because it is my favorite time of year.  However this year it will be bittersweet because little baby boy will be turning a year old!

7) My tomato plants are out of CONTROL!  I'm going to have like a billion tomatoes to pick soon, so I better get some good recipes out.  Maybe I'll try to make my own pasta sauce???

8) I can't believe I have over 100 followers!  I really didn't think that people would actually read my blog...but they do...or at least they trick me by clicking the follow button.  Either way, I am so thankful for all my new bloggy friends!  Your comments always make my day.

Alrighty there's my second Life's Lessons...link up and share yours!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Life's Lessons: Holiday Week Edition

YAY it's Friday!  That means time for linking up with Sara at Life's Recipe and Rach at Life with Baby Donut for Life's Lessons.  This is my first time so hopefully I don't mess it up!  Make sure to link up if you've got some lessons you want to share with the rest of the class.

1.  Apparently I am the snake whisperer.  Not only did I see the copperhead at the cabin, I saw another snake on way up to mountain on our hike, and to top it off yesterday there was one IN MY YARD.  Really?  Now I worry about going into my yard near my garden box with just my flip flops.

2.  My child has to poop EVERYDAY.  If he does not, you will have a Mr. Crankypants on your hands...and boy did I.  On the last few days of the trip, he was not doing his business and so he hated life.  He didn't want to be in the car seat, in a high chair, on the floor, or to be held.  Then on day 2 from being home from our trip he pooped 3 times...and they were gross and massive.  However he is back to his happy self so I'll deal with cleaning up the mess just so I can have my normal baby back.

3.  My child also loves Puffs.  Thank goodness for that invention because I can sit him in the high chair and let him go to town while I fix his meal, wash dishes, wash clothes, or finish getting ready for us to get out of the house.  I need to buy stock in these companies.

4.  I think my child is back to being a newborn.  He gets sleepy after being up for just an hour.  I guess he's a little growing machine right now.  I hope when we have his 9 month appointment he's grown some to validate this sleepiness.

5.  If you live in any area that had roof damage, you should know that the roofing companies are going to gouge you for a new roof because they know your insurance company is paying for it.  Guess what it's still my money...yeah that's right I pay premiums EVERY YEAR.  We had a new roof put on last year and now magically the cost of our new roof this year because of hail damage is literally $3k-$4k more.  Now class, this addition does not add up.  They keep saying the cost of shingles has increased, yet if you check prices it's like a few dollars.  CONSPIRACY!

Well there you have it, my first attempt of Life's Lessons.  Hope you enjoyed it and now your turn to go link up!