snip

Doodle is getting his hair cut on Tuesday afternoon.  The curls have gotten quite unruly and he is frequently confused with Albert Einstein. 

As much as I love the curls, I could do without the frizz, tangles, and frequent morning battles over the hair brush.

I know I'm partial, but are you kidding me that he's really this adorable.  No wonder he's rotten.  I could eat this cheesy grin {literally, i see remnants of dinner} up!

perturbed

Dear Target,

Usually we're the best of friends, but today our relationship took a bad turn.  

You see, a few weeks ago I bought a pastry decorating kit.  It included disposable decorating bags, tips, couplers, and bag ties.  Except when it came time to use my supplies, I opened the box to find myself supply-less.  The box only included bags.  

No biggie, I thought.  I'll return it to Target when I have a chance.  On I went to Hobby Lobby {already on my list of errands} to pick up what I needed.  

Today, I stopped by Target {where I spend a significant amount of money weekly} to return the kit.  Except you wouldn't let me.  Your "guest services" employee was not only rude, but slightly hostile when she explained that I couldn't return an item that was missing pieces because it was missing pieces.  Huh?

After much back and forth they agreed to let me exchange the item {which I didn't want to do because as I already mentioned I no longer need it}.  I then had to walk through the store to get the replacement kit, which I found to be a little unnecessary considering you pride yourself on customer service.  

THEN, came the kicker:  I was forced to pay extra to account for the difference in sales tax.  I'm sorry, but I think that is ludicrous.  First you won't let me return a defective item, then you make me pay to have the replacement item that I really don't want.  Is this a joke?  Are you trying to be like Walmart?

All that being said, I think I need a break.  You know, like in high school when you and your boyfriend don't want to see other people but you don't want to see each other anymore either?  I'm sure we'll reconcile at some point, but not this week and maybe not next.  

I'm highly perturbed.

real life

Why hello again, friends.  Have you been missing me?  

Lofton's been working all day and into the night on house plans and takeoffs which has left little time for me to blog, shower, do dishes, or even breathe.  This toddler of ours keeps me busy.

Some snippets of our week:

• Reese will no longer eat french fries.  Evidently they are both "yuck" and "eww ghos".  There was even some dramatic tongue sticking out action in there. We were in public when he came to this revelation.  It was not a pleasant scene.
• Reese also told me this morning that he "no poop no more" because "it tinky." I suppose this is life with a son?
• Jake was on top of the washing machine when Lofton got home from work today.  Let me write that again.  JAKE WAS ON TOP OF THE WASHING MACHINE WHEN LOFTON GOT HOME.  And Wednesday, he snuck into the kitchen when I was changing clothes and ate a loaf of bread plus two limes. No, our dog problems aren't getting any better.

And that's our week in a nutshell.  Hope yours has gone better.  Toodles!

a weekend recap plus a dose of sass

Life has gotten the best of us lately and blogging has been pushed to the back burner.  My apologies.

We spent a lazy weekend battling colds, rolling out of beds, working on our taxes and doing mountains of laundry.  Yes, it really was that exciting. 

As for the child whom rolled out of his bed {and gave his mama a near heart attack}? He’s fine.  His face is a little banged up and he has a semi-black eye, but otherwise he’s his usual jolly-toddler self. 

Last week was a doozy for me at work; something about the realization that some parents take no responsibility for their children and the lack of routine due to holidays and the weather.  Like I said, it was a doozy.  I briefly considered becoming a cupcake baker, but Lofton reminded me that we need my retirement and insurance.  Shoot.

Lofton has lots of big and exciting work things keeping him busy.  Can I just brag for a moment?  My husband, who HATES being a salesman, is at the top of his store in sales and in the top fifty company-wide.  So while he may not enjoy selling, he seems to be doing a pretty bang-up job.  Am I surprised?  Not one bit. He’s pretty amazing.  Oh, and our son still thinks his daddy shoots birds for a living.

And speaking of our son; it seems the sassiness has spread to school.  Yes, Reese scratched someone today.  

Let me set the scene for you:  I go into the big playroom to pick Reese up.  Per usual, he runs into my arms and smothers me with kisses.  Right on his tails though is a little lady dressed in green and pink.  I won't lie, she was super cute.  She tugged on my dress and said, "Scuse Me!"  Followed by, "Reese scratch me today."  Oh really?  So I asked him, Reese did you scratch this little girl today?  His reply, "Ebie { translation: Evie} push me!"  Umm, is that a yes?  The little girl then says, "You spank him at home!?" Uh, that would be a negative little princess!  Sorry.  

yummy in my tummy

I have a horrible, terrible secret to spill.  Monday at the grocery store I bought a giant box of mini corn dogs for Reese.  That’s right--I’ve started to cave under the pressure of toddler-dom.  It gets even worse.  When I got home I didn’t even follow the “recommended” heating method.  I used the microwave.  He practically beat on the table begging for more!

Try as I might to stuff my growing boy with healthy nutritious food, the junky kid-pleasing stuff keeps creeping into his diet.  I take full responsibility, too.

Lofton and I were pretty proud of our healthy, eat anything we put in front of him, eater.  And then salmonella struck.  It’s as if eating nothing but peanut butter sandwiches for three weeks cleansed his healthy palate.  Now he prefers spaghettio’s, easy mac, and corn dogs to edamame, grilled chicken, and homemade veggie-loaded pizza. 

We try, oh how we try, to push the healthy stuff on him.  We attempt to make him eat what we eat BUT sometimes I just have to throw in the proverbial towel. 

I will say it could be worse.  Peanut butter on wheat bread sandwiches shouldn’t clog his little arteries anytime soon.  And he does still eat ungodly amounts of grapes, bananas, and oranges.  His almond milk is chock full of goodness, and we can occasionally sway him to eat scrambled eggs.

I just hope he doesn’t turn into one of those kids that will only eat French fries… or even worse, beanie weenies. {That one’s for you, Mom.}

just the facts

Reese stats: 

            Weight—36 pounds

            Height—About 35 inches tall

Can say his ABC’s almost entirely {LMNOP get a little slurred}

Counts to eleven AND can count up to five objects

Finally knows his colors—green, blue, red, orange, yellow, and purple

Can almost undress himself

Would live on grapes, fruit snacks, oranges, peanut butter and easy mac if we let him

Loves to sing.  Favorite songs:  Itsy bitsy Spider, Row Row Row your Boat, some various rap songs, and rock a bye baby

Likes to take hot wheels cars everywhere he goes

Says his prayers with us at night

Asks LOTS of questions {What dis, Mama? What dat? What you doin? And yes he sounds like he's from jersey when he says "What you doin?"}

Is Mr. Independent unless it involves walking; he wants to be carried everywhere. 

Frequently says these things ::  “Mama/Daddy-O hold me”, “I do it.  Me!”, “I no like this.”  “No do that no more.” “Sorry Mama Sorry.” “I please ride in Daddy-O truck.” “I no school day.  Stay home day.”

Favorite books:  If You’re Happy and You Know it {Thanks SIL!}, Good Night Moon, Go Hamster Go

Loves splashing in the tub

Torments the dogs {see below post if you would like to see how anxiety ridden they have become}

Helps me bake and cook. 

Is obsessed with Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse, and Oso.  OBSESSED.  He also knows that he is NOT allowed to watch Phenius and Ferb on Disney.  I find this hilarious.  If he even hears the music come on he starts yelling “tange Mama tange”!

Adores his teachers at school.  He isn’t so keen on the other kids at school BUT he talks about his teachers non-stop.

Gives us lots of hugs and kisses.  It literally makes my day to see him run across the room to me at daycare.

Has started blaming others for his actions.  {Reese do you have stinky pants?  No.  It Buck!}  This is particularly amusing to me. 

Is beginning to tell elaborate stories.  Hmm... sounds like someone else I know.

shock and awe

Do you know what I loved about going to the doctor as a child?  Highlights for Kids magazine.  My favorite part was the page with the hidden pictures.  You know, it was one big picture but within that there were lots of hidden items.  I could do those all day!

So let's play a game, shall we?  I'll show you a picture and you try and discern the hidden items.

Observe:

This, my dear readers, is what my laundry room looked like when I got home from a very stressful day in third grade.  

Can you spot the hidden items?

Let's see-- there is a beach chair, a beach float, a rug, dog food, a trash can, the ironing board, a bouncing ball, a step ladder, a fleece blanket and an entirely new box of laundry detergent.

ALL DESTROYED BY THE DOGS.  We are officially at war.  Thankfully they spared the washing machine, dryer and hot water heater.

And so, after a glass of wine {or maybe 2} and an expensive trip to Target, this overworked and slightly perturbed Mama is throwing in the towel for the day.  Yep, I'm done.  Checking out.  

rookies

Can I tell you one thing I know for sure about parenting?  Just when you think you’re on the right track, becoming a pro, something throws a curve ball in your confidence.

Lofton is the bedtime guru at our house.  Always has been, always will be.  There are many reasons for this, but the long and short of it is that he’s just better at putting Reese to bed than me.  Yep, I said it.  He’s better at something than me.

But even Mr. Sandman had to admit his ineptitude last night when Reese started yelling for him, just like he yelled for me at nap time, over and over again.  I laughed.  A lot.  Why?  Because when I called Lofton during Reese’s pretend nap yesterday and let him listen along as Reese yelled for me, he laughed at me.  Yep.  He acted, dare I say, like he could have done it better.  Hardy har har, my husband! 

Unfortunately, I think we both are seeing the error of our ways.  It started with rocking Reese to sleep for naps over Christmas break and then moved into lying down with him in the big boy bed at night.  Shoot.  I’m sensing a pattern.  Our dear toddler expects us to stay with him until he falls asleep.  Stinker, just when I thought we were getting this bedtime routine down, we must start all over again…

Lucky for me, the sleep retraining responsibility falls on the hubs.  I’m okay with that seeing as how I fight the morning battle of getting dressed, brushing teeth, and combing hair alone.  And I fight {most nights} the “please eat something other than easy mac, spaghettio’s, or peanut butter” battle.

Yes.  I think I will happily hand over the sleep baton to Lofton.  For now, I’ll sit back and relish in the glory of getting Reese out of bed {and out the door} without tears this morning.  Just don’t tell Lofton I’m still using juice boxes for bribery, okay?

weekend recap

Hello, friends.  I hope your weekend was splendid.  As I type, my sassy little boy is yelling my name from his big boy bed.  Would you believe he's been yelling {not crying, just yelling} Mama for an hour? Sheesh.

This weekend the Beasley family took a jaunt down south to see my folks.  I just love them.  And as wonderful as it is that they are always more than willing to trek up to Opelika, going home is so nice.  My bed, my house, my old stuff.

clothing was optional

There was lots of time spent laughing, both at Lofton and at Reese.  My parents have a Wii.  It's pretty much the best thing ever.  I kicked Lofton's butt in bowling and then danced my little heart away.  Just Dance 2 is going to help me lose these seven pounds I've gained since Reese was born.  How?  Cause my sweet Mama bought us a Wii, too!  

We also took Reese to McGuire's for dinner.  McGuire's holds a dear place in my heart because that's the restaurant where Lofton proposed to me over six years ago.  There was something so special sitting with Lofton and looking across the booth at our little spitfire.  And then, said spitfire started yelling for more oranges and the moment was gone!  

deep conversations were had

Just like that, Sunday arrived and our time was up.  We headed home yesterday afternoon, amid pitiful cries from Reese.  He loves his emo and buck. 

love this

Today it's been errands, laundry and cleaning.  And wrestling with a toddler over eating and getting dressed.  This is made even more delightful when the toddler has been awake since before six.  

Which brings us full-circle back to the yelling.  Mama has now turned into Mommy and a train just went by the house.  Not only did I hear it, but Reese yelled from his bed "Hey Mommy! Choo-choo tain go house!"

He isn't going to nap is he?

shut the duck up

WAR - we're national champions- EAGLE! 


I am so glad the game is over.  It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and emotionally draining.  I stayed up WAY past my usual bedtime and at times I couldn't even watch the game.  Too intense.  Honestly, as soon as Wes kicked the winning field goal I burst into tears of relief.  

Reese crashed in my lap about 8:30 so we didn't make the trek to Toomer's Corner last night.  We did, however, brave the cold and ice to go this morning.  I just couldn't let this once in a lifetime experience pass by!

Incredible is the only word I can think of to describe it.  There were still tons of people milling around, mounds of toilet paper, and news crews everywhere.

This guy was a little in awe of the toilet paper.  He kept saying "Toy-et paper everywhere Mama.  They clean up mess!"

Glad we have the day off to nap and savor our victory.  Tomorrow it's back to the real world...

{And a side note:  I realize shut the duck up may not be a very lady-like phrase, but it's so stinking clever and funny I just couldn't help myself!}

ice ice baby

Prepared.  That's how I like to roll.  I don't deal well in uncertainty and roughing it is also not a phrase in my vocabulary.  

Lofton met my sweet Daddy in Evergreen at seven this morning to get the generator.  The generator was bought for hurricanes, and I don't think my parents ever anticipated anyone needing it for ice.  Crazy Alabama weather.

We also have plenty of supplies:  peanut butter, bread, crackers, juice boxes, water, goldfish and fruit snacks.  Basic Beasley essentials.  Oh and batteries and flashlights.

Our most important priority?  Watching the game.  We have plans A, B & C to ensure that happens.  Ice be damned, I'm watching my tigers play.  

so ready

Some thoughts heading into the weekend:

•  I'm a little bit hoping for bad weather so school is cancelled.
• BUT, I'm a little bit worried that bad weather might bring down the power lines WHICH might prevent me from watching the biggest football game ever.  
•  If the above event happens, we will be heading south to watch the game.  Mama, get my seat ready.

War EAGLE, friends!

just peachy

Remember yesterday when I told you the transition to the new bed was going swimmingly?  

I'd like to retract that declaration.

Lofton and I agree if it was possible to get a negative amount of sleep, we did.  I think Reese stayed awake until four in the morning.  At first Lofton and I took turns, then I just threw in the towel.  What can I say?  I cry when I'm tired.

Lofton says that he and little man finally resorted to watching a little SportsCenter around three.  And then at 4:30 or so Lofton brought Reese to me in bed. And what do you know-- that stinker fell right to sleep!  Too bad for him, though, wake-up call was at six.

It wasn't pretty.  It was so bad, in fact, that I resorted to throwing him in the car sans pants and shoes, with hair a mess, and stinky breath.  Sometimes it's about self preservation, you know?

Tracy laughed when we walked in the door and then handed Reese his snack.  Have I mentioned how much I love her?  When I picked Reese up today Reva said he had napped hard.  Very hard.  

And tonight we try the bed again.... suggestions are encouraged.

stinker

Shoot.  I have to go back to work tomorrow.  I have so enjoyed my time at home.  I am constantly amazed by Reese and the things he is learning.  

We spent today being very low key.  A quick trip to Target for some mucinex and markers {plus coffee for me and a juice box for Reese, he insisted}, then we played at home the rest of the day.

We colored pictures, sang songs, stacked blocks, and drove cars.  It was glorious.  This afternoon {after his nap in the big boy bed-- yep, still going strong!} we went on a long walk.

I know tomorrow morning will come with it's fair share of tears, but give us a few days and we'll be back in our routine.


Oh, and the almost daily updates you've gotten used to?  Back to life, back to reality friends.  Sorry!

big boy bed, night one

One thing I know about myself is that I'm a planner.  I like to make plans, talk about them, and then talk about them some more.  

Moving Reese into his big boy beds has been one of my big plans.  Why?  Although he has never made any attempt o escape his crib, taking away his bah {pacifier} has really thrown a kink into our sleep patterns.  Since he isn't going to bed well AT ALL we decided to bite the bullet and make the move.

Or so I planned.  I've been talking about the plan, preparing for the plan, and even putting the bed rails into my amazon shopping cart for the plan.  But that's about as far as I got.  To me, the crib is like the one last thing tying us to babyhood.  And I kind of like babyhood.

But then, we mentioned to Wes & Wendy that we'd soon be moving Reese out of his crib.  They let us borrow the crib, but it really belongs to a friend of theirs.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, Wes told that person that we were soon to be taking down the crib and she wants it back.  Like yesterday!  Shoot.

Turning on the pressure cooker under my plan----

Lofton bit the bullet first and put Reese down for his nap on his big boy bed yesterday.  It was a success.  He didn't nap as long as he usually does but I've read that's normal.  Last night I put my big girl undies on and we laid down in the big boy bed at bedtime.  

It took awhile for him to settle down... a long while.  And there may or may not have been some stern warnings about lying still and not singing the Auburn football song.  Finally though, FINALLY, he went to sleep.  And he slept there ALL NIGHT LONG.  
I made Lofton plug-in the baby monitor just in case but everything went fine.  I've ordered the bed rails and I think I'll sleep MUCH better once they are here.

So it looks like we are on our way to big boy-hood.  Ready or not.

my best friend's camera

My surprise birthday companion brought her lovely camera to Atlanta on Wednesday.  She took pictures during our lunch, and I must say, they are a perfect candid glimpse of us.

He is maximum entertainment.