11 Months Old!

Carter is 11 months old today!  Happy 11 Month Birthday Carter! 

This week so far

This week is already crazy.  Sunday night both my Monday staff called in sick.  One has been out since last Wednesday and will be back tomorrow.  The other will be out until next week.  Then my 3rd staff called in sick for Tuesday and she will be out until next week as well.  ugh! I have no staff!  I really hope that I don't get what they have! 

Other than being "short" staffed at work, things aren't too bad at home.  Carter seems to be feeling better.  He doesn't even have a runny nose anymore.  Caleb isn't too ornery.  I have another 1, 2, 3 Magic class tomorrow morning and and early out day at school.  I have a fun Monster Bash planned.  I hope the kids like it.  Then my Thursday night training and Friday!!!  It can't get here soon enough! 

We don't really have big plans for the weekend, except for Trick-Or-Treating Saturday night.  I just hope for a relaxing one. 

We found a place to have Carter's birthday party!  We are going to have the party at the Ballard Country Club.  They have a nice room in their "basement" that has an adjacent deck, so their should be lots of room for the kids to run and play.  Plus I don't need to cook- they have to provide the food if we serve any!  Double bonus!  Just a couple more weeks!  One month from tomorrow and my baby will be 1 year old!  *sniff*  How has this year gone by so fast???  (Now to talk Chris into #3!  Haha!  We will see....

Carter's Party

We have decided Carter's birthday party is going to be November 21st.  The time will be early afternoon... the place not so sure.  I wanted to reserve the same building we used for Caleb's 1st birthday, but it is already taken for the afternoon.  And evening would be too late.  We have tried looking up a bunch of different places, but haven't found an affordable option yet.  We will keep you updated!

Lots to say, don't know where to start...

Well, I guess I will start at the beginning of the week.  Monday I had a meeting at work, it was our bus trip.  I took my dramamine and did pretty good.  The bus ride was okay... at first it was SUPER hot and she couldn't get the air to work, then when we stopped for lunch the bus wouldn't start again, so we got a new bus and when we were in Marshalltown the bus driver ran almost every red light there was.  We counted 8 in all.  Well, I got to work kinda late, then left really early.  Picked up the kids and went to stand in line at the community center to get the kids their H1N1 shot.  I got there about 3:40- the sign on the door said closed until 4:30.  So thankfully I had a really great spot in line where Caleb could run around in the grass, but I was still fairly close to the front of the line.  After it opened within 20 minutes they had their shots and we were out of there.  Ran home to change and grab a snack, then off to Caleb's soccer game.  He did pretty well- got some good kicks in every once in awhile.

Tuesday I was super tired and didn't do too much.  We went to the library and then came home and hung out.  At work, though, I didn't have time to be tired since it was our Open House.  It went well, not as big of a crowd as I had hoped, but there were people there and things ran smooth, so what else can you ask for?

Wednesday I went to a parenting class called 1, 2, 3 Magic.  Caleb and Carter visited the chidcare area while I was in that class.  They both did pretty well.  The girls told em Caleb was very well behaved.  Carter cried when I left and when I got there, which is to be expected at this age and somewhere new.

Thursday Chris had the day off.  We ended up taking Carter to the doctor since I was up half the night with him.  He kept crying and flopping all over the place...  We could tell he didn't feel well.  So that morning we ran a couple errands, then went to the doctor where we got to sit for 2 hours!  We saw several people in the waiting room with masks on which made us pretty nervous, we sat in the hall.  One lady and her elderly mother walked through and the lady told her mother "Don't breathe, there's sick kids." LOL!  There was "nothing" wrong with Carter after all.  He had a flu test, just in case that came back negative.  He didn't have ear infection, which we suspected in the first place.  Supposedly it was just a virus... we will see I guess.  After the doctor we went to lunch, then I left for work right away.  After work I had to go back to Ames for another parenting class I am taking.  It is called Making Parenting a Pleasure.  It is a 7 week course and covers stress management and anger mangament, then moves on to the discipline.

Today I had my usual morning meeting, then I went to the chiropractor and got my hair cut.  She cut off 5 inches!  Short.  Chris' reaction- "It's short."  Do you like it? "It's different..."  Nice.  I was supposed to have this afternoon off, but I ended up going to site (I was in town anyway) to drop off snack and make a phone call, then ended up going to the library, checking in the kids, and dealing with a "runaway".  I didn't leave there until 4!  So much for a day off...  Caleb and I went on a leaf hunt this evening before supper to burn off some of his pent up energy.  I told him we could go outside and he said, "Let's play football" I told him, no we are going to play cross country and you are going to run and run and run and run and run some more!  He ran about 1 1/2 blocks then decided he would pick up cool leaves instead. 

Tomorrow I get to go to another training.  This time for work- it is from 8:30-5:00! Long day.  But, I get to come home to Chris and his friends watching the Hawkeye game- aaah, relaxing... NOT. 

Well, that is about it... 

Weekend Update

Well, this weeked was here and gone in a blink of an eye.  Chris had Friday off, so I was able to get a little work done that morning since my meeting was cancelled.  Friday night we didn't do much, hung out and watched tv. 

Saturday I was up "early" with Carter and got to play with him one on one for awhile before breakfast and before Chris and Caleb woke up.  We cleaned and did laundry most of the morning while Chris watched the Hawkeye game.  I pulled up the carpet in our entryway.  It has the same tile that our kitchen has, so I spent sometime cleaning up that mess.  Then after the game was over and after we ate lunch we went to Ames for groceries and errands.  I made Chris go to KMart and we bought Caleb a new winter coat, he had one, but I didn't like it.  :)  We ended up eating supper at Valentino's then came home with a couple of rowdy kids.  Who didn't go to sleep until almost 9:30!  Late night. 

We got up to the sound of our alarm clocks this morning.  We had to meet some lawyer guy in Des Moines to sign closing papers for our house- again...  we refinanced for the 4th time to get a lower interest rate and 30 year loan.  We knocked our interest rate down a whole point, so we felt it was worth it.  After that we went to the Pumpkin Patch in Adel with the boys.  It was pretty fun and cheap!  It cost us a whopping $6 to get in then $1.50 for Caleb and Carter's pumpkins.  After we left there we were all famished, so we went to Olive Garden since we had a gift card.  Then off to home.  I bought Caleb a computer game yesterday- it was Blue's Clues Preschool and Kindergarten for $5!  I taught him how to use a mouse and he LOVED every minute of it!  It kept him entertained for over 1/2 an hour!  He was getting frustrated everyonce in awhile because he can't use the mouse like a pro quite yet, but for his first time he did pretty good.

This week is going to be super crazy!  Monday I have an all day meeting, but it is on a bus and we will be visiting all of our branches offices.  Mental note: don't forget to take dramamine!  After work I will be picking up the boys and heading to soccer.  Caleb invited his former babysitter last night- he "texted" her!  Hehe!  Then after the game we will go stand in line for the H1N1 vaccine... fun fun.  Tuesday is my work's Open House we have been working super hard on this all month!  We have guest readers and skits by the kids planned.  Wednesday I will be attending a parenting class called 1,2,3 Magic, then work as usual.  Thursday morning we have parents as teachers, work, then another parenting class.  This will be the first in 6 on Thursday nights.  Friday I may have to bring the boys to my parents if I have a training in Saturday that will be 8:30-5:00!  Long week.  Hopefully it all goes smooth! 

Butt Crack

Butt Crack is now Caleb's new favorite word!  I told him that the only time he is aloud to say it is when we are in the bathroom since it is a "bathroom" word.  So whenever we go in the bathroom for any reason, all you can hear is Caleb yelling butt crack.  The other night Chris was in there with him when he was chanting this word and Chris was trying to get him to stop.  Caleb said, but Mommy said I say it in the bathroom.!!!!  Haha!  And he does.

Ever since Emma stayed with us Caleb has been saying "Throw you in the garbage" from when they wrestled....  He doesn't stop saying that one either, even after we tell him it isn't nice.  I guess I will just try ignoring it.  It is more annoying than anything.  Oh, well...  I guess there could be worse things like the other day when he said "Son of a B****"!  Whoops!  My bad!

The Trials of Working from Home

Been there done that.  :(

It is fun to watch Carter play uninterrupted by a bigger somebody in the house!  He looks so happy!

Yes, he is playing with a melon baller.  He is able to get in the utensil drawer now nad that is his toy of choice!  haha

Caleb got a fire hat at day care the other day. He calls it his Fire Truck hat.

Taking pictures with his camera.  Although the batteries are so dead that he can only review the pictures he has already taken.  :)

"Why it not working?"

Halloween

Halloween is just a short couple weeks away.  My sister gave me a costume fore Carter to wear.  We tried it on him the other night and it was a little snug.  But, before we took it off we had to get a photo opp.

Softball

At the last week of softball games I brought my camera along!  finally.  Our friends had their kids there, too.  So I took lots of pics of the boys together.

Carter and Gradyn enjoying the game.

This look is just too precious!  HAHA!  Gradyn.

Precious Baby Boy!

Watching the game.

Playing in the grass.

Boo!

He looks almost gorilla-ish in this pic.  Oo, Oooh, Oo, Oh.

Hey buddy!

I've got the keys, lets boogie!

Saran-Wrapped Swingset

Ballard's homecoming was a couple weeks ago and the night before the big game the high-schoolers ran around town doing their regular tp-ing. Well they also used saran-wrap which is a new medium for me. Chris and I were watching tv with the windows open and we could hear kids running around town. Chris looked out the window after awhile becuase he thought he heard some in our yard. They were just pulling the plastic off the roll to cover our tree when they looked up and saw us in the window. All we heard was "Aaw." We died laughing! Chris stepped outside a little bit later to take out the trash and saw that the swingset was completely covered with saran-wrap! I couldn't quit laughing! Caleb was in bed but still a little awake and said "why mommy waffing, what funny?" We didn't tell him becuase I wanted to see his face when he saw it in the morning.

When Caleb saw the swingset he asked "Why there paper?"  It was pretty funny!  When I got home that night the saran-wrap was removed.  Both Chris and I thought the other did it... turns out the culprit came back to clean-up!  :) 

New Bed

A couple nights ago Caleb fell out of his toddler bed.  There was quite a loud thud.  Chris and I both jumped out of bed.  One to sooth Caleb and one soothed Carter.  We realized that Caleb is getting pretty big for his toddler bed and it is probably time for an update.  We had a twin mattress in the basement, so I had Caleb pick out his sheets at Target and we set up his "bed" yesterday afternoon.  He picked out Cars sheets.  Since it came with a regular sized pillow case we had to dig out a big pillow for him, too.  Last night was Caleb's frst night sleeping in his big bed and he did great!  When we first put Caleb in his toddler bed right before he turned 2 we had him put his head up by the wall.  He would get out of bed and sleep on the floor every night.  When we put his head down on the other end of his bed by the door he stayed in bed, (well except when he was getting out to be naughty).  He actually slept with his head near the wall! 

Where you live?

Caleb always asks where things live or where people live.  So, grandma decided to quiz him the other night and he did extroidinarily well (in my opinion!).  Mom would ask him where do you live- Huxley (huxwey).  Where does Alex live- Glidden (gwinnen)  Where does Grandma live- Glidden.  Where does pop live- in truck (shruck).  HAHA!  We agreed that he was pretty much right on all accounts!  :)  Smart little cookie! 

Harvest Season

Well, Chris' busy season is upon us!  He will be going out on the road soon for Harvest.  Single motherhood here I come.  I am hoping I will be able to handle it.  I feel so stressed and tired already.  My left eyelid hasn't stopped twitching for the past month.  I don't feel like I have gotten a decent night of sleep forever.  Which makes me super snippy during the day and not motivated to do anything.  Hopefully since I don't have to work mornings when Chris is on the road I will get to sleep in a little.  Keep your fingers crossed.  This month will be crazy busy as well since I have an open house for work- which I would be doing stuff for right now instead of blogging, but you know everyone needs a little break.  :) 

Teefers

Carter has been waking up again during the night.  We had ONE good night of sleep Saturday night, but Sunday and Monday night was not fun.  :(  I think he is teething again.  YEsterday I felt his top gums and there are some weird feeling nubbin's.  I can't quite feel teeth, but when I looked at the gums there were 3 lumps, 2 were about where his eye teeth are then one is next to that.  I do hope that it is teething that is keeping him up at night rather than another ear infection.  Time will tell.

Weekend

This weekend we went home to Glidden and went to the Band Day parade.  Caleb was so funny with the bands!  He loves his boom-booms and would tap his legs to the beat.  Once a band stopped in front of us while they were waiting their turn and Caleb stood up and started to march to the beat.  He marched for at least a minute or two before they continued.  The band members were actually having fun moving their instruments from side to side and so Caleb mimicked that action as well.  It was pretty funny!

Sunday we ran some quick errands after cleaning the house.  Then headed up to Softball.  It was the last day of the tournament and we had invited everyone over for a last hurrah!  We had 16 people over for brats, burgers and chili.  It was fun.  The last people left about 7pm, we bathed the kids and sent them to bed just in time to watch Desperate Housewives. 

During the party Carter was getting pretty brave and took 5 steps!  Even Caleb noticed and got really excited that Carter took "walks".  Just looking at Carter's face you can see that he is so proud of himself when he stands and takes steps.  :)  It won't be long before he is running around this place! 

Boo-Boo's

Caleb had a soccer game again last night.  He was "warming" up with his team when him and another boy biffed heads hard.  Caleb's glasses made a little scuff on his eyebrow.  So he was a little out of it for the rest of warm up.  He started playing the game first, I kept trying to "pump" him up for the game by asking "what are we gonna do?"- Kick the ball!  :)  He kept up with his team pretty well.  A major skill he needs to acquire (which will come with time), is anticipating where the ball will be going.  He follows the group that is kicking the ball fairly well but never is able to get up to the ball since he doesn't realize where it will be going next.  He did end up finally getting the ball (remember from past posts, he has got some talent on his team that like the ball) as he was kicking it up the field you could see the pride on his face- even as the crowd is cheering, turn around! turn around!  the little girl Lily who is awesome for a 4 year old- oh, to see the look on her face- she looked pissed!  She was not happy that he was running the wrong way!  HAHA!  Well, that little spurt of confidence from kicking the ball really helped Caleb's game.  He was right in there with the other kids trying to kick the ball after that.  Grandma Mac was able to make it to the game tonight, then came over to eat chili with us.  After supper we were in the living room and Chris wasnted to see Caleb's head from where he was hit during practice.  Caleb started running around being a goof and wouldn't go see Chris, so I said go show Daddy your boo-boo.  I have never called Caleb's "owies" boo-boos before and it was definitely noticed by Caleb who started laughing, yelling boo-boos and sticking out his chest!  LOL!!!!!  He thought boo-boos were boobies and when we asked him where is boo-boo was he pulled up his shirt!  LMAO!  Too funny!