Our Every Day

Today Mike and I dropped Grayson off at school. I had to run Mike to the courthouse because he had a meeting with the Board of Revision to get our property taxes lowered. Or as I called it, "defending our honor." I took Easton to my mom's to drop some items off and then to the post office. I was just really enjoying the morning because the weather was perfect. After our honor was sufficiently defended at the courthouse, Mike and I went to McDonalds for a large coffee with one cream and one sugar and a large unsweet iced tea. We still had some time to kill so Mike suggested we go to Walmart. I actually hate Walmart. I find myself there more often than I care to admit, but considering it is close by and convenient, I internalize my hatred and let them take my money. We walked around a little bit, and I purchased some new makeup. Mike took Easton out to the car while I checked out. As I was leaving the store, a couple was just ahead of me and they were moving slowly. The...

Hello from Easton! He turned 13 months on the 20th. He has been so funny this month - We have seen so many changes in him. LIKE... He doesn't choke on food anymore! Not as much anyway. He mimics many of our actions. I think it is the cutest thing. I am teaching him sign language for "more" and he seems to be getting it. He shakes his head no and nods for yes. But when I tell him NO, he shakes his head but keeps doing what he shouldn't be doing. He is down to just about one bottle a day. He is drinking more milk at meal times. I will be so happy to be done with bottles. Those things are getting pitched, and it will be a celebratory day for all! He loves CHEESE. Both of my boys are cheese fiends, and I end up finding shredded cheese EVERYWHERE. In diapers. In bellybuttons. In hair. Behind the ears. All over the carpet in the family room. In between the cushions on the couch. In MY?!? hair?!  EVERYWHERE. He gets frustrated easily, but...

Grayson's bed time situation has continued to worsen.  Don't know what I am talking about? Find out here . I am pretty much at my wit's end. Mike took the crib down the other day, and it was a sad moment for about two minutes...then I was over it. I put his crib mattress in the corner up against two walls in hopes that would give him the security he needs. So cute and cozy right? BEFORE... and AFTER Stuffed animals strewn about. Pillowpal misplaced. And then today, I walked into his room to find this: Who needs a bed? Or pants for that matter? Then Daddy came in and piled blankets and pillows on top of Grayson. He loved it, can you tell? My child who once adored bed time now hates it. He pounds his fists on the door and then is up until late jumping, chattering and turning his sound machine on the minute it turns off. I can't micro-manage every second of his day so once he stops screaming, ...

I am linking up with Andrea over at Momfessionals for Show and Tell Tuesdays!  The topic of the day is "Show Us Your Beauty Routine." I snort-laughed when I read this was the category. In fact, I contemplated not participating in this particular link up because I am not exactly known for my ability to look put together. :)  The immortal words of Taylor Swift's Blank Space "Darling, I am a nightmare dressed like a daydream" are often transposed to "Darling, I am a daydream dressed like a nightmare" whenever I sing the song when it is on the radio...on my iPhone...on repeat...because I own the entire album.  (It's okay, I am just poking some fun at myself because it's true.)  The fact of the matter is that it is a daily battle for me to fight mom-frump.  And I just don't usually succeed. I decided to go along with the challenge because it is different than what I usually write about. No pictures of my boys this ...

A couple months ago, my cousin Jennifer who lives in Oklahoma told me she would be in Western PA visiting family in June. Since I haven't seen her (or her parents - my uncle Tom and aunt Betty Jean) in almost two years, I told Mike that we had to meet up with them. He put the time in off of work, and we worked it out with my dad and mom that they would be going too. Since there were no hotels available because of a huge motorcycle rally in town, we made plans to stay with my uncle Denny and aunt Sue. I was really excited about this because I love staying with them - they are HILARIOUS - they always make pancakes and bacon for breakfast for starters - it's a fun tradition! When Mike brought his schedule home for a weeks prior to the trip I noticed he hadn't been approved the leave that he requested. After looking into it because of staff shortages, his time off had been DENIED. I cried. Seriously. It has been YEARS!!!! since Mike has been able to make a trip out to PA fo...