Copycat

 

Sam loves movie night possibly more than anything in the world.  He runs around the house yelling, "movie! yay! movie! yay!"  We take all the cushions off the couches and make a giant bed in the middle of the living room floor, turn off all the lights, grab a snack to munch on and watch the feature film of the evening.  Last weekend it was "Shrek Forever After."  I wouldn't really recommend it for a toddler with the creepy Rumpelstilskin and complex storyline, but Sam was ok with it.  When the movie was over, Sam was in 2 year old heaven jumping up and down on our makeshift bed.  Leave it to mom to spoil all the fun by telling him it was time to go to sleep.  He immediately plopped down next to daddy, imitating him, and yelling "I seeping, mommy, I seeping!"  This child... he totally knows how to work me with his cuteness.  I let him stay up a little bit longer....

They Say It's Your Birthday

There's a little bit less than an hour left of my 31st birthday.  I felt like I should say something before letting this momentus occasion pass by.  To be honest, this is the first birthday I can think of in a long time that I haven't dreaded or woken up with a bad case of the birthday blues.  I don't know what it is, but I just never get excited about my birthday.  I have kind of felt like my birthday is cursed.  Yes, I am that dramatic.

Last year's birthday was a big suck fest, which unfortunately set the precedent for much of my year as a 30 year old.  2010 was, no doubt, a test....a test of faith and strength.  I can't say that I passed with flying colors, but I did learn that in order to grow into a stronger person you have to endure growing pains.  The fact that I really never had experienced this life lesson first hand until I was 30 years old is something I'm incredibly thankful for.  I think I'm good with life lessons for a while though....


This year I decided to have a different attitude.  I was all "bring in on, birthday."  I haven't been depressed about getting older and I'm feeling good about where I am.  This is seriously a foreign feeling for me regarding my birthday.  I think I likey.

My new found birthday good feelings were helped in part by a great weekend.  Friday night Jon and I stayed home to watch the UK/OSU game which may have been the most exciting game ever.  In history.  It was awesome and we won!
 
Saturday my family went to The Pub for my birthday dinner.  I got to sit in the Queen's chair...don't be jealous.  I got a picture with everyone that was really cute except one minor detail.  You see, my parents recently returned from Florida and Jon works outside a lot so they came together in the picture appearing as a glowing field of goldenrods.  And then there was me.  The polar bear that had somehow made the trek from Canada.  The ironic thing?  I got a spray tan gift card for a birthday present.

Sunday night we met up with a bunch of friends for my birthday and to watch the UK/UNC game.  I was secretly worried my birthday curse would steal the win from UK, but no... we won!  The curse has been broken! 

Today was a typical boring day at work, but Jon sent me a bouquet of cheerful, springy flowers to liven up the place.  Then Jenny, Sam and I went out to eat at P.F. Chang's.  Jenny never fails to be highly amusing and Sam was a little angel. 

All in all, it was a great birthday, and I have so much to be thankful for.  Bring it on, 31.

Cleaning out the Camera Phone

I've decided when I'm at a loss for blog content I'm just going to browse through the photo album on my cell phone for inspiration.  I am the first to admit I am perhaps a bit over the top with my camera phone.  I take at least a couple pictures every day, mostly of Sam.  I send them to Jon, my sister, my mom or post them on Facebook.  I might be a little obsessed.  But that's not all I take pictures of.  Let's take a peek inside from the last few weeks, shall we?  (Forgive the randomness.)

 So here we have Jon cooking up something... I really can't recall what.  I wonder why he appears to be stirring whatever's in that pot with a spatula.  Clearly there were clean spoons available, as seen in the background.  Who stirs with a spatula?  Puzzling really.  Anyways, the real reason this picture caught my attention is because it was taken close to a month ago and I can't get over how much different he looks from then to now.  He's been doing this 90 Day Supreme workout and diet program and has lost at least 10 pounds since this picture.  If I had a recent picture, I'd show you and you'd be amazed too!  (Soon, I promise.)

Speaking of the diet, he made me take this picture after his first grocery trip to get all stocked up on healthy foods.  I think he opened the fridge five times that night declaring "it looks so healthy and fresh in here!"  It's the little things....

So I've been trying to keep up with Jon's weight loss plan, but I have to admit he's doing much better than I am.  I've kind of just improvised my own "diet" and I've missed several days of workouts.  You try doing a 45 minutes workout video with a 2 year old who does not like to be ignored, then you may judge me!  But I'm trying, to an extent.  The other night I came home from work craving a big hearty pasta dish.  Instead, I made a grilled chicken, strawberry, walnut, spinach salad.  I may or may not have had a small dessert later in the evening.

What would you like to see a picture of more than anything in the world while talking about food?  My foot?  Wish granted!  So this is the next picture I came across in my phone.  It made me laugh because I am weird enough to take a picture of my foot.  I believe I took it because I had just gotten a pedicure and wanted to show Jon.  But now that I think about it, I decided he would think I was a huge weirdo and possibly show it to his co-workers and they would all sit around laughing about it and give me some nickname like Big Foot, so I never sent it.  Full disclosure regarding the pedicure:  I went to the podiatrist earlier in the day cause that bump on my foot next to my pinkie toe has been giving me hell.  My foot was having self esteem issues and I decided it needed a pick me up.  Hence, the pedicure. 

Moving right along.  Here's Sam and Ashton last week laughing hysterically at each others soap mohawks.  Really, who can't appreciate a good soap mohawk?

Welp, that's all I got for now.  Until next time.. on the next edition of random stuff Emily takes pictures of with her camera phone!

The Underdog Bracket

I'm always a big fan of the underdog.  For this reason movies like Cool Runnings, Rudy, and The Karate Kid just kill me.  I actually get embarrassed for myself during the scene in Cool Runnings when they carry the bobsled across the finish line.  I get chill bumps, I tear up, it takes everything in me to resist doing the standing slow clap.  This information is crucial to know before anyone sees my NCAA bracket this year.

As you can see, I took a few underdogs as far as I felt they could realistically go.  Utah State going all the way to the final game?  Yep, I did it.  UNLV to the Final Four?  Why not?  Did I get scoffed at by many for my willingness to stick my neck out for a few of the underdogs?  I sure did.  Forget the fact that the aforementioned teams actually went out in the first round.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  One day my courage to stand up for the underdog will pay off.  Until then, I'll be happy with getting my $5.00 back for coming in dead last in the office pool.  In yo face!

Art Work

So let's say you just finished your "Ultimate Legs" workout video and you feel all icky and would love to take a shower.  But, you have a 2 year old and your husband isn't home from work yet.  My suggestion is that you just wait for your husband to get home rather than let your toddler hang out in the bathroom with you while you take a quick shower.

 Or at least hide your eyeliner.

Busy Bee

I've been a busy bee at work and haven't had a chance to update my bloggity blog from the weekend.  I will stop now with the abundant alliteration.  Ha, not really cause I just did it again.  Ok, really this time.  Daylight savings has me all jacked up.  Can you tell?  I feel a little crazy.  Any who, we had a fun weekend taking advantage of the beautiful weather while it lasted.

There was a girls night on Friday at Drake's, which was a really good time.  Perhaps too good judging from the incessant pounding in my head the next day.

Saturday we hit up the St. Patrick's Day parade downtown with Whitney, Colleen and the kiddos.  Sam liked watching the floats... oh wait, there weren't any floats.  We do parades big time in Lexington... motor scooters and Corvettes!  After that we headed to Sam's hotdog stand for some milkshakes.  Outside.  You hear that?  It was warm enough to sit outside drinking milkshakes!

Jon met up with us after work and we were going to mosey around downtown for a while.  But then someone left her car on so we had to hike up the hill to give her a jump.  Who leaves their car on?  I'm so confused.  We decided to head on our merry way since we are just that lazy that we didn't want to have to hike up the hill again.  Instead we headed to Jacobson Park to let Dudley run around the dog park and Sam play on the playground.

 It was packed so we didn't stay too long.  Basically, I was sick of feeling like a crazy paranoid person chasing my child all over the playground for fear that I would lose sight of him and someone would snatch him up.  My name is Emily and I have a ridiculous amount of fears.

Sunday we had family birthdays at Jon's dad's house.  Let's just skip over the fact that I happen to be getting a year older in a couple weeks, agreed?  It was another gorgeous day so we spent most of the time out front playing with the kids. Sam and his cousin Phearson were adorable playing football while mother hen, Brayden, refereed.

I hate to be that mom, but I have to say my child is amazingly good at sports for his age.  The only reason I say amazingly is because myself and my husband?  Hahaha.  Not so athletic.  I lasted one day on the softball team in high school.  Come on, the ball hurt my hand when I had to catch it!  And Jon, well his step-mom told me she would check her watch when he was running bases in baseball.

But Sam really seems to have a natural talent for anything sports-related.  While this makes me happy, it also makes me wonder how many hours of my life are going to be spent at sporting events in the future.

Let's just hope he's good enough to make it worth it so Mommy and Daddy can retire early.  

They Don't Make 'Em LIke They Used To

The other night after dinner was fixed and eaten, the kitchen straightened up, Sam was bathed and in his pj's, we finally crashed on the couch together for a little rest and relaxation in the form of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  As I was flipping the channels in search of Disney, I came across a vintage episode of Mickey Mouse on the Cartoon Network that was just about to start.  I was quite excited, seeing as how Mickey would appease my demanding toddler (Watch Mickey Peeeez!) and I wouldn't have to sit through another episode of Mickey and the gang shouting Oooooh Toodles over and over and over.

The title screen comes up and this particular episode is called "Moving Day."

"Well, this will be cute," I thought.  "Just Mickey and his buddies moving on up."

Mickey and Donald appear on the screen pacing frantically around their apartment with a calendar hanging on the wall in the background.  "Rent - 6 Months Overdue" it reads.  The beloved Disney characters look forlorn and panicked.  Not the usual, care-free attitude seen on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but I suppose in the 30's Mickey was trying to recover from the Great Depression like most everyone else.  Makes sense.

There's a loud banging at the door as Mickey and Donald run for cover, looking terrified.  Mickey musters up the courage to open the peep hole, only to be punched square in the face by "Sheriff Pete" with such force he hurdles across the room.  Pete busts through the door, terrorizing poor Mickey and Donald with an eviction notice.

 I gasp and look over at Sam, wide-eyed, and no doubt, traumatized that his hero has just been sucker punched by who he knows as the ornery, but lovable Pete from the Clubhouse.  I give a nervous chuckle and say, "Mickey's ok, Pete was just playing!"  I'm thinking at this point maybe I should change the channel.  But I want Sam to see that Mickey's alright, so I don't change it yet. Surely he'll bounce right back up and dance around...or something.

Nope.  What happens next is quite the opposite actually.  Pete corners Donald, lights a cigar with a match,  and throws the still-lit match down his throat!

 Oh dear Lord!  Where is the remote?!  

And that, my friends, concluded our exploration into the world of vintage cartoons.  I hope my child is not traumatized for life.

A Story About My Friend Memily

So, I have this friend.  Her name is Memily.  I know, weird name, right?  Anyways, she has a little 2 door car that she got as a college graduation gift.  At the time, something little and zippy seemed like fun.  She certainly wasn't thinking towards the future when she may have a child and a 2 door car would be less than ideal. 

It turns out that 6 years later, she had a baby.  And what do you know, she still had the 2 door car and she didn't exactly have the money to take on a car payment, seeing as how she would be paying approximately a million dollars a year for daycare.  So she decided she would just have to suck it up and deal with getting a baby in and out of a 2 door car. 

Fast forward a couple of years.  She was beyond sick of the 2 door car situation.  She was ready to use her car as a trade in and pay for the rest with money she had saved up.  She would be moving forward with project new car just as soon as she had an available, rain-free Saturday. 

But then, something awesome happened.  She was pulling into the parking lot at work and had a momentary lapse of ability to judge distance (What?  It's a real condition) and she side-swiped a car.  Yep, totally banged up their bumper and put scratches along the side of her car. 

Memily decided she wasn't going to let this little incident ruin her day, despite the fact that insurance would cover the damages for the car she hit, but not any damages to her own car.  You see, she only had liability insurance at the time (remember the whole million dollars a year for daycare thing?  Yea, that's why.)  But she insisted on looking at the bright side, which was that at least her car only had some scratches along the side and shouldn't cost too much to fix. 

She left a note on the car assuming whoever the owner was would be annoyed she screwed up their bumper, but leaving a note would hopefully take some of the sting away.  Maybe she would even be recognized for her efforts as an upstanding citizen. 

Several hours later, Memily received the phone call she had been a wee bit nervous about all day.  It was the car owner.  She wasn't too happy.  Memily apologized several times and the car owner only replied with "yea, I'm sorry too," as in "I'm sorry you screwed up my car!"  Memily certainly didn't receive any recognition for being an upstanding citizen. 

The car owner explained that her insurance company told her she needed to file a police report so she wanted Memily to meet her in the parking lot.  Problem was, she was out running errands for work.  The car owner was none too happy.

The car owner went ahead and called the police and had the officer call Memily on the phone.  Memily answered and was greeted with "Hello, this is Officer so and so, I understand you hit a car today and left the scene of the accident?"

Memily responded, "No!  I didn't leave the scene!  I mean, well, I guess I did, but I didn't know who's car it was and I couldn't stand there waiting for them all day.  I left a note, I'm an upstanding citizen!"

The officer, sensing the panic in Memily's voice, assured her that he was not aware of all the details, and in this case, she would not be charged with leaving the scene of an accident.  Good thing, because Memily was starting to regret doing the right thing by leaving a note in the first place and had all but decided from now on she was only going to be looking out for number one!

Maybe one day Memily will get that 4 door car she's been dreaming of.  But not before she gets this fixed.

You should see the other guy.

 

Wherefore Art Thou, Gnomeo

I thought we wouldn't take Sam to see his first movie until he was a little older, but he has a really amazing attention span for a 2 year old.  When I picked him up from daycare one day last week Sam's teacher told me he was the only kid who sat and watched all of Toy Story 3.  I acted all surprised and impressed, but really I was thinking "yea, he does that at home all the time."  I couldn't have her knowing how much we let him watch tv!

In all honesty I cut the tv off quite frequently, much to the dismay of my little munchkin.  But do I think it's gonna kill him to watch a few episodes of Mickey at night or a couple of movies on the weekends?  NO.  Do I think it's gonna kill my sanity if I have to watch one more episode of Mickey?  Possibly.

 (I must admit, there was a lot of Mickey watching last week as I was totally hooked on the book "The Help."  If you haven't read it, you must, like now, before the movie comes out this summer.)

All this to say, we thought he might be ready to see a movie on the big screen so we took him to see Gnomeo and Juliet this weekend.  There was a little hiccup in our plans when I paid for the tickets and the guy handed me 3 pairs of 3-D glasses.  Hahaha, you're funny, buddy.  If you think my child is going to sit with these dumb glasses on for 2 hours, well, you're wrong.  Turns out the non-3D version wouldn't be playing for another 2 hours.  Sigh.

We had planned to go to the movie and then out to dinner.  We just changed the plan around a little....frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf first (hello heaven), a little shopping at the mall, and then a healthy dinner of popcorn and laffy taffy at the movie theater instead.  You may send my mother of the year award to...oh, never mind.

We still had some time to kill before the movie so we threw our money in the toilet to pass the time... oh, I mean we played some jumpers in the theater lobby.  Sam had fun anyways.

We finally made it into the movie.  Sam was very excited to have his own chair (even if Jon had to hold it down the entire time because he was too light to keep it from swinging back up) and even more excited to eat popcorn.  When the lights dimmed and the first preview came on, his eyes got huge and he yelled out "Whoaaaaa!"  It was quite adorable.  He paid attention for about an hour (keep in mind about 30 minutes of that was just previews) before he got antsy.  He kept dropping his toy car (on purpose) and was up and down, up and down in his chair.  The movie was cute, but I didn't think a great attention holder for kids.  We were able to stay through the whole movie though so I consider it a success.  I think next time we'll try to go in when the previews are about over and pick something I know will hold his attention better.

Did you notice his rain boots at the theater?  I put them on earlier in the day when it was raining and we were running errands.  When I tried to change his shoes for the movie, I quickly realized that would not be happening without a fight....he had fallen in LOVE with them.  He didn't take them off his feet ALL weekend.  I'm just hoping Jon didn't send him to daycare with them on today, but I'm not holding my breath.

Best Buddies

 

These 2 little boys are the best of buddies.  They run in circles together for hours.  One of them falls on the floor laughing, the other one falls on the floor laughing.  They play the piano and sing at the top of their lungs together.  They watch Mickey together, snuggled under a blanket.  They hug each other goodbye.  They ask where the other one is several times a week.  

 Ashton is my sister's baby who is only 2 months older than Sam.  Shana and I were due 3 weeks apart from each other, but Ashton was a preemie.  Whenever people asked me if I wanted a boy or girl I said, I just want the baby to be the same gender as my sister's baby so they can be best friends. I'm so glad it worked out that we both had boys.  Sam calls Ashton "my Ash." 

What makes their relationship so special is that they bring out a whole new side to each other.  They're both fairly quiet, mild-mannered babies. But put these 2 together and they laugh, squeal and run around like maniacs.  Sam is a lot more vocal than Ashton and Ashton is a lot more adventurous than Sam.  But the more they play together, the more they rub off on each other.  Ashton tries to repeat words after Sam, and the other day Sam went down a huge slide after he saw Ashton doing it.  (He would never do something like that if Ashton hadn't done it first.)

Watching these two together warms my heart.  Now let's just hope they don't get into too much trouble together as they get older.

 

Bribery

Jon has a weird work schedule and doesn't get home until after Sam and I do in the evenings.  I was originally going to give specifics, but then I had a fear (irrational, perhaps?) that someone might read my blog and use this information for a home invasion.  One too many episodes of Dateline NBC?  I think so.  Our out of sync schedules have both pros and cons.
  
Pros

• Sam gets to sleep in, hang out with daddy and take his time eating breakfast and getting ready for daycare before Jon drops him off around 10:30.
• I don't have to worry about getting Sam dressed and dropped off before I go to work.  Anything that allows me to sleep in longer earns an automatic 100 bonus points.
• I don't feel rushed to get home after work since no one's waiting on me.  I can get in a little jog in the park (this has happened once) or do a little shopping (this has happened more than once) and I usually take my grandma out to eat once a week.
• I have full reign of the television.  Enough said.

Cons

• The biggest one, of course, is just plain missing having someone to hang out with in the evenings (someone above 4 feet tall.)  Let me re-phrase, not just someone, but my husband in particular.  He's nice and makes me laugh.

I think I'll just stop there because everything else I can easily handle.  Some nights I stay busy and it doesn't bother me at all, but other nights seem to stretch on and on waiting for him to get home.  I've resorted to bribery in an attempt to get him to pick up the pace. 

 

First, I'll send him a picture of Sam looking adorable.  Sometimes I'll even include an audio of Sam saying "Lub Ooo Da-ey."  I know, I'm evil.  (Do all kids tuck their blankets under their chin or is that just mine?)

Then I'll send him a picture of whatever nutritious, delicious meal I've made.  (This is PW's lasagna recipe and it is delicious.)  If these 2 things don't make him high-tail it home, I don't know what will (it does.)