The Three MuskeThayers

Sigh of (Temporary) Relief

2011-03-23T16:07:00.004-04:00

Ugh, what a week. Actually its been a couple of weeks. I have been so busy at work by the time I get home I pass out. I havent found the time (or the energy) to update the blog. There are a few major changes going on at my work place, restructuring and completely new job duties (added to the ones we already have). My schedule has also changed. I use to be the early bird arriving at 7 and beating the rush hour traffic, leaving by 4. Now Im here a half an hour later and leaving half an hour later. Every third week I work 8-5 schedule. Not looking forward to that. But hey, its a job.

At home we started redecorating Alex's room. We emptied her room, placing everything but the fish aquarium, in the living room and our bedroom. Alex is sleeping on a queen size blow up bed in the living room. She thinks its a slumber party everynight, without mommy or daddy. We painted the walls and trim, hung the tv, new blinds and pet net. We are officially ready for her new furniture arrive. We were advised 2-4 weeks, as of Friday, it should have been here. But heres the bad news... it wont arrive for another 2 weeks. Its taking 6 weeks to get the furniture. I could scream. Im ready for my house to be organized and everything put back in its place. Alex is ready for her new furniture. She told us the other night she wanted to sleep in her new bed. We had the new mattress and box delivered today so she will be off the air mattress.

Thought for Thursday #3

2011-03-10T12:12:00.001-05:00

I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.

Thought for Thursday #2

2011-03-03T15:33:00.002-05:00

"The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one. " ~Erma Bombeck

Even when I make a list, I still come out with more than whats on the list.

Memory Lane

2011-02-27T16:38:00.005-05:00

Today walking through a Blockbuster made me think of a movie I would like to share with Alex. Growing up one of my favorite movies was "The Secret Garden". I had learned there are several versions of the movie is based off a book. The 1993 version was my favorite. Well I couldnt find it at Blockbuster (kind of slim pickings because the store is going out of business) so we came home to search on NetFlix. Doug was able to find it and add it to our queue of movies to watch. Im excited to watch it when it arrives. Also excited to share it with Alex. I have many memories of me popping the tape into the VCR, sitting down with a bowl of popcorn and watching the movie over and over on rainy days. Maybe if she likes it enough the Easter Bunny will bring it in her basket.

Practice Makes Perfect

2011-02-24T21:07:00.005-05:00

Well Im far from perfect but Im still practicing. I started a project for one of my in laws Mike (Dougs dad) and Margo (Dougs step mom) who celebrated their 25th anniversary over the summer. She asked that I take pictures of the family and create a framed collage of these pictures. It took me several months to arrange the photo shoots, learn to use Photo Shop Elements editing program, choose favorites and frame. Margo provided 2 photo box frames to work with. I ended up with 1 frame of black and white pictures and a second frame of color photos. We gave the finished project to Mike and Margo as a Christmas present. Here are the photos I took:

Thought for Thursday #1

2011-02-24T14:22:00.001-05:00

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
~ Art Linkletter

Brainstorm

2011-02-24T14:07:00.003-05:00

While sitting here at work Im browsing the internet checking out random blogs. Literally Im clicking "Next Blog" at the top and reading what comes up next. Ive come across Colorado mother of 4 expecting a new baby, a NY teens inspiration and dream to be a make up artist for the stars, a family of 7 (5 teens, mom & dad) blog about the past holidays and a young Asian business woman living in Australia. Very interesting collection of people. The only thing stopping me from reading more is that 1) im at work and need to look busy doing actual work stuff 2) my yearly review with the boss and 3) my mind just keeps wondering with ideas. So I thought I would write them down. Specifically because I have the worst memory ever and will forget within 5 mins what I was doing.
So I was inspired by a celebrity mom Brooke Burke to start a post. She posts Wordless Wednesday, a single picture that describes her day or mood. I thought I could start something like that. Without stealing her exact idea I thought of "Memorable Monday". I will post a picture taken that day of me or something going on with me. I was even thinking of starting "Thought for Thursday" and posting an inspirational quote, funny joke, idea or question running through my head.

Dont ask the 4 year old....

2011-02-24T09:56:00.005-05:00

For a few months now Alex has been telling us that her room is a "baby room". She doesnt like the butterflies and flowers on the walls. She wants a big girl room. She also feels her bathroom is a boy bathroom and would like a girl bathroom (its decorated in stars, moons and suns). I planned to redecorate her bathroom this winter. Grandma Grape aka Grandma Olivia aka GG bought Alex a colorful beaded chandalier. I originally thought about hanging it in her bedroom but found super duper cute bathroom decor it goes perfect with. And its on clearance/sale with free shipping at Target. So plans changed to hang it in her bathroom over the toilet. It will fill in the blank wall. We are getting rid and selling a few items and toys in her room that will hopefully pay for the redecorating of her bathroom. I have priced everything out to total just under $200.

Now for her bedroom. Doug and I decided to start redecorating it even though this was not planned for a couple of more years. When we bought her crib, we bought the Lifetime crib that changed from crib to day bed to full bed. We did not purchase the rails (I blame Doug for this as I wanted to buy the rails at the time we purchased the bedroom suit when I was pregnant). Well searching on line I found out the crib/bed was recalled in 2009 because there was a fear babies could get caught in between the rails. There were no reports of injuries so it was a precautionary recall. So the rails were no longer available to purchase. (hhmm, should I dance around and sing "I told ya so Doug"?)

So after some thought and research we have decided to buy her a new bedroom suit. We found a really cute bed and dresser with mirror at Ashley Furniture. We then gave Alex many options of new bedding to choose from. Obviously this was a harder task for a 4 year old than we expected.

Heres one of the many conversations we had with Alex while showing her pictures of bedding:

Mom: Do you like this one Alex?

Alex: I dont like the clock

Mom: The clock on the wall?? We are not buying the clock. Look at the comforter on the bed. Do you like the colors?

Alex: I dont like the clock. I want pink.

Mom: (next option) How about this? Do you like the butterflies? It has pink in it.

Alex: No. I want the light

Mom: We are not looking at the lamp. Look at the blanket on the bed.

Alex: I dont want butt-a-flies.

Mom: (another option) Okay how about this one? This has flowers on the blanket.

Alex: (peering at the computer screen with all the other bedding sets listed) OH Momma! Look, Butt-a-flies! I want those! Purple Butt-a-flies!

Mom: (jaw dropped) What? But you just said.... you.... but... this.....huh?

End of conversation. Daddy and Mommy made the final choice. This is how many of our conversations went when trying to get help from Alex to pick out the bedroom suit. She didnt like the comforter on the bed so she didnt want it. Its difficult to make her understand we arent buying the bedding, we are buying the furniture.

Here is the bed we chose. It has extra storage underneathe! Oh the lil things that excite me.

Here is the dresser and mirror to match.
And here is the new bedding we chose. We matched paint swatches to it as well. Two shades of pink. Dont even ask me how that conversation went with Alex. Lets just say, she apparently doesnt like pink anymore after asking for a pink bedroom. Difficult child, difficult.

New Blog=Fatter Me

2011-02-22T13:19:00.003-05:00

One day I was browsing the web for a recipe and came across a baking website/blog.
http://www.bakerella.com/
I found so many yummy recipes to try. And of course I find it at the worst time. Doug and I are trying to watch what we eat, exercise, get fit and all that jazz. But I cant resist wanting to eat practically everything this lady has on her blog. For Dougs birthday I thought I would make something with cheesecake since its his favorite dessert. His birthday is not till April so until then I think Alex and I will have to try a few other recipes. She loves to bake and is always asking to help when Im in the kitchen. Every third Saturday he has to work so I think that is a great opportunity to have a special baking day with my lil sweet pea.

A few pictures from my cell:

2011-02-22T12:39:00.003-05:00

Booster Seat for the cars! Alex has been appearing uncomfortable in her car seats. She needs more leg room and to sit up straighter. So we decided to switch to a booster. It was a huge change for Mommy and Daddy as we didnt want to leave the 5 point harness system. But Alex is getting so tall that she was definitely needing out of the car seat.

Oops, forgot to rotate the picture. But as you can see with a tilt of your head, she is learning how to write her name. So proud!!

Valentines Day gifts for Alex: the book "The Grouchy Ladybug" with matching stuffed animal and a singing guitar she has been begging for since January. She loves to "rock out"

The only way this child will let me take a picture of her is if I let her make a funny face. Hey, Ill take it....

Double Take!

2011-02-22T11:23:00.003-05:00

OMGoodness! Could it be? Yep! Its me!! Im back. I'm a slacker and cannot believe I let myself go months without updating the blog. I'm sure everyone out there is wondering where the heck are we? Right?...no?...okay I didnt think so either. But we are here! Never went anywhere! Just keeping busy...or being lazy...It seems I update my FaceBook account daily so why should I keep this updated? Well not everyone has FB. Shocking, I know.

So in the last few months we celebrated Christmas, a New Year and Valentines Day. We also celebrated the births of new babies into this wonderful world and celebrated the lives of friends/family we lost. I also created a New Year Resolution for myself. I promise to finish what I have started. Another reason I am updating the blog. I have also received a couple of chances to practice photography by taking photo shoots of friends and family. I still have a lot to learn.

So what is going on? I still have short hair. HA! I havent broke down and bought a wig of long hair. I am still enjoying ym short hair. We will see if I have the same feelings this summer. Speaking of hair, Alex wants hair like Mommy's. Im not chopping her hair but am growing our her bangs and giving her a side part. So right now she is in the midst of a style change and its rather messy looking at times. I just keep reminding myself "Its just temporary. It is growing. Give it time. Dont cut it".

Alexandra has recently started learning how to spell and write her name. We are working on Alex rather than the full Alexandra. She is doing such a great job. She gets so proud of herself when she rights every letter correctly. You can tell by looking at our shower walls what letter she is working on that week. She likes to practice writing on the shower walls with washable crayons made for the tub. Which I hesitated buying for a couple of years. I didnt allow these crayons in our house until she learned right from wrong. Because she is older she understands and knows its wrong to color on the walls. I was afraid introducing her to these crayons too early at an age would make her think it was ok to write on walls with any crayon/marker/pen.

Because she would rather play with the crayons in the tub I have decided to throw away all of her bath toys. You ask, "why do that to her?" well I hate bath toys now. As a child I ALWAYS had bath toys. I didnt realize until having my own child what work it is to have bath toys. Constantly washing, drying, bleaching and disinfecting these darn things. Mold grows on these toys like weeds. And my child likes to put things in her mouth. All of the time. We never ever had to worry about her putting items in her mouth as a baby until she got older, like around 3. The child is always slurping up water, sucking on wash cloths, nibbling toys, playing tea party, etc. We see this mold growing on and in her bath toys and its disgusting. On the evening of her 4th birthday party she took a bath. I caught her sucking on a toy and then noticed after scolding her, the toy had mold in it. Within a few mins I had a barfing child. And it lasted all night until early in the morning. Because of the content of the vomit and no signs of fever, I now think its because of the mold she consumed. Absolutely disgusting. And I feel so bad as if it's my fault.
So I decided, no more toys in the bath tub.

I have lots of pictures to share but all are on my laptop at home. I will update very soon

Celebrating 30 Years

2010-11-27T23:39:00.003-05:00

Today is my 30th birthday. I have planned for many months to donate my hair to a charity that provides wigs to sick children who have lost their hair because of an illness. I researched for weeks and found Wigs For Kids. My cousin informed me of the program, advising they do not charge the family in need of the hair, unlike Locks of Love. My closests friends Kari and Amy joined me today at the salon taking play by play pictures. I was suprised I did not cry. I was so excited for a change and to donate my hair. I have never had short hair so this was an extreme step for me. I did not go in with a style picked out. I just let her "wing it". And it turned out great1 I love it. I love my part has moved to the side. I never thought I could do that after 30 years of being in the middle. I love how its short and out of the way. I love I dont get it caught in the door, caught in zippers, caught under my arm. I love sitting next to Doug in the car and begging him to get off my hair that he has laid his arm on while using the arm rest.

This is only my first day with the short hair. And I am nervous to watch it because Im afraid I wont get it to the style the same way. But I am willing to work with it and try.

And for some reason when I post pics using my laptop, it doesnt allow me to rearrange the pics. So they are out of order, Sorry.

October Update

2010-11-06T15:36:00.007-04:00

So now that its the beginning of November, maybe I should update everyone on how the month of October was. It was fine, thats about it. Pretty simple, huh? I couldn't end the blog like that.

The weekend before Halloween we went to Waterman Farms in Wanamaker to pick pumpkins. It was, as always, a good time. Alex rode a pony which then made Doug get the idea that he needed to buy her a horse. We also watched the pumpkin eating Dinosaur get fed. No, Doug is not buying Alex a dinosaur too. We enjoyed their homemade kettle popcorn. One bag was obviously not enough so Doug bought two as if we need it. But it is only once a year we get to eat this oh-so-yummy snack. And I have to confess. We ate both bags within a couple of days. We continues our time by taking a hayride to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins.

We carved out pumpkins a couple of nights before Halloween. Alex picked out Cinderella's shoe for her pumkpin, By the time I was done carving her shoe, I barely had enough time to carve my pumpkin. Maybe Ill save Cinderella's carriage for next year. I chose a quick and easy scary face. Alex picked out a skeleton for Dougs pumpkin.

Alex was dressed up as Cinderella for Halloween. She wore a Disney Authentic Cinderella dress we got from our summer vacation. She also wore her princess crown and light up wand. Her and her best friend Lance who was a police officer walked door to door collecting candy. Momma dressed up as a black cat, sporting black fluffy slippers as paws. A very comfy walk for me. We had to our Trick or Treating time a lil early because Alex was having stomach problems. She had the problems through out the day. Doug had to rush her home once and the second time we decided to stay home. But overall it was a good time and Alex had a lot of fun.

Now thats it November, we are preparing for birthdays and holidays. Its the busiest time of the year for the Thayers.

How Could I Forget...

2010-10-04T15:28:00.003-04:00

Alex is getting married....so she says.

For a couple of months now Alex has been telling everyone and anyone "When I get tall, I marry Justin Beaver." Not when she gets older, but when she gets taller she feels its time to settle down and find a husband. She has recently become obsessed with Mr. Beiber. Jokingly Ill respond and tell her "Yes, when you turn 18, he will be 31 and you can marry Justin Beiber. You can take all of his money and help Mommy and Daddy retire early." She doesnt find it funny.

She will bring up Justin "Beaver" out of the blue. She will ask me if she can wear a pretty dress because "Justin Beaver will love it and will want to dance wit me at da ball."

She has said this so many times that now my godson Lance can point out a Justin Beiber song and tell his mom "Justin Beiber, Alex will marry him". - No Lance, your not suppose to support this. Your suppose to tell Alex that you are her boyfriend and fight for her love.

The ladies at school, Amy and Melissa, have also been made aware of her recent proposal. One day she announced to the class her plans of marriage. She was quite the entertainment that day according to the ladies.

Its really cute to see her with her first celebrity crush.

This is how its suppose to be "Lance and Alexandra = <3"

We've Been Fooled!

2010-10-04T09:51:00.003-04:00

Saturday we had a full day of plans which included, cleaning, laundry, opening a new bank account, hanging Halloween decorations, grocery store, making an Eclair cake, building a shoe storage compartment for Alex's closet, shopping for a pair of khakis for me, bday present shopping for Alex and meeting with friends at the end of the night to celebrate a birthday. Alex would be spending the night with Grandma Grape as well. Alex had different plans. Her and Doug had a "slumber party" in the living room Friday night. I did not participate and enjoyed our bed all to myself. I was woke up by Doug about 5:30 Saturday morning "Alex is getting sick". I rush her to the bathroom and Doug cleans up the blankets. She did not upchuck much of anything. We then spent the whole day at home contemplating if she was really sick or not. No fever, huge appetite, running around playing and jumping. Now because she had thrown up we immediately cut her off any dairy products and allowed her only items from the BRAT diet. She of course wanted more to eat. It is so hard to make her understand she cannot eat her favorite snacks yogurt and grapes if she is truely sick. So that was a fight for most of the day.
Through out the day Alex continued to act normal. When she wanted to bounce on the bed or run around with the dog we calmed her down, reminding her if she got sick again she could not go to Grandma Grapes. By late afternoon she still seemed to be fine, no fever, huge appetite and still playing. We decided to take her to Grandmas and go out with our friends. We pack, drop her off, say our goodbyes and off to shop for her birthday present. A couple of hours later we get a call from Grandma Grape. Its Alex and she is crying, begging to come home because "she is sick". We contemplate picking her up, after a few more phone calls to Alex we decide to pick her up.
We arrive at Grandmas to see Alex lounging, looking fine and happier than ever to see us. Doug immediately gets mad that she doesnt appear sick. We take her home and tell her the only reason we are all sleeping in the living room is to watch her, to make sure she doesnt get sick again. We wanted to her understand it was not a slumber party. She was sad. She cried and fell asleep pretty quick.
She slept like a log all night. No sounds, no waking up, nothing. She woke up bright and early the next morning in a great mood. After asking many questions as to why she called us crying the night before we finally get out of her that she didnt have an upset tummy and only wanted to come home to have a "slumber party" with mommy and daddy in the living room.

Another lesson learned.

End of Summer 2010

2010-09-11T22:20:00.004-04:00

Okay, I apologize. I am officially the worse blogger out there. Its been almost 3 months since I last posted. Lets just say, I have been busy. Its hard to get me to sit still long enough to update my blog. Its even harder to get me to sit long enough to watch a movie from beginning to end. Just ask Doug. I dont care to go to the movie theater so much that he has a movie dates with my friend Kari. Darn Adult ADHD (I diagnosed myself after watching commercials about it).

Our summer has been filled with swimming at the pool, hanging with our bestest friends Rick, Kari and Lance, yard work, home improvements, trip to IL, Alex started gymnastics again, my first Colts game and first time visiting the Lucas Oil Stadium, MotoGP race weekend and much more. Maverick and Riggs turned 1 on July 4th. Lucifer just turned 7 on Sept 9th. We had our first trip to the vet for something other than vaccinations. Maverick was down over the Labor Day weekend, sleeping all day, barely eating and drinking, hiding and walking funny. This really got me worried and a few times cried my eyes out because it brought back sad memories of Yasmine, just before she passed away. I took him to the dr to determine he had an infection, possibly respiratory infection. He has almost completely healed with the help of prescriptions. Big sigh of relief for us.

After 7 years Doug and I finally agreed on a decor for our bedroom and did a total makeover to it. All new bedding, pillows, sheets and painted walls finally. Its very bright and bold. We love it.

Alexandra is doing great in preschool. She can color so well for a 3 year old. She has learned her shapes and counts to 20. She knows her colors. Her vocabulary and use of words is extending everyday. She is always asking questions. She is curious and wants to learn. Many people compliment how she talks and acts older than 3. We are very proud parents.

So now comes the end of another summer. Fall is very busy for us. Many birthdays in November, including the princess and my 30th birthday.

Speaking of my birthday. Im thinking of making a huge change. Chopping my hair off. Yes, all gone, chopped, up to my shoulders. I want to donate to "Wigs for Kids", a charity similar to "Locks of Loves" but is 100% free to the families in need of a wig. Im super nervous and still debating what kind of hair style I want. I have never ever had short hair, only trim my hair a few inches at the most. The shortest its ever been is just above my bra. That was short for me.

Well its late and Alex has fallen asleep before we were able to start our movie. I will do my best and get back in gear, keeping this up to date. :)

Zumba!

2010-06-25T12:33:00.004-04:00

I have heard of this new aerobic, dance, workout "thang" called Zumba. I also hear people are losing tons of weight and getting totally fit doing this "dance". So lastnight Im sitting in bed and come across an infomercial advertising Zumba work out videos. I watch it. I get hooked. So I start searching for classes in Greenwood. Yes! The Community Center offers a 6 week course for just $18 on Saturdays or Tuesdays.

So I talk to a friend at work and get her all fired up about the idea. We are going this Saturday to our first class (the second class of the 6 week session) and will attempt this new aerobic craze.

Wish us luck!!!!

Meet Fred

2010-06-22T15:40:00.004-04:00

Yesterday Alex and I were using the left over bread from dinner to feed the fish. Throwing the bread into the pond and then suddenly a turtle comes to the top of the water and eats the bread. This guy gets brave enough to even come to the bank and eat the bread on the side. So I put together a quick plan to catch him. Whispering to Alex I tell her shes going to "help" me catch him. As she is holding the bowl of bread (Great help Alex!) I throw more bread into the water, get him closer and closer, croutching down next to the water I wait for him. He grabs another piece of bread, turns around and eats it under the water. I stick my hands in the water and out comes a turtle. How exciting! No need to waste money on fishing line and bait! Just use your hands.
I ask Alex what she wants to name this turtle. "Daddy!" she exclaims. "Hhhmmm...How about Fred?" I question her. And she agrees. We take a few pictures, show the neighbor and release him back into the pond. And of course I tease Doug about how good of a fisherman I am and now have to prove to him I did in fact catch him with my bare hands.

Alex feeding Fred.

"Fred, my lil buddy. We have to show up Doug one more time. So when you see me out there with more bread, just work with me again."

"Bye Fred! See you soon!"

Turtle, Turtle, Turtle

2010-06-22T15:23:00.003-04:00

One day driving down the road I see a lil dot hurrying across the road. "Oh NO! I just ran over a turtle!" is my first reaction. So of course, I have to turn around. I either have to save the life of a lost turtle or bury the evidence of a murder I just committed. So we do a "Uey" or "Flip-a-Bitch" as my bestie Kari-Kari calls it. After waiting for several cars to pass and road to clear, we (Alex and I) start driving very very slow. No turtle. Darn it! Flip-another-bitch. "Momma, what you driving?" asks Alex (her way of asking why am I driving so crazy making all these turns). "Oh just looking for a turtle." Now I have her attention. Searching again, creeping very slowly on the road, looking for a turtle and trying not to look so obvious to other cars, we dont find the turtle. One more "uey". "Wwweeeee!!!" says Alex as we make our third turn around. Creeping, creeping..... TURTLE!! I turn on my flashers, park the car, jump out, grab him and run back to the car. He is alive!!!! Alex and I named him Lucky. Very suiting for a turtle small enough to fit in my cup holder who crossed two lanes of traffic, dodging about 6 cars equaling 24 tires which doesnt include the first time I passed him and then 3 times I turned around patroling the road... thats an additional 16 tires he missed. Just think, if there were semis traveling down the road... GASP!

We took him home, introduced him to Daddy and then the three of us let him go in our pond.

and then washed our hands... LOL

Disney Trip 2010

2010-06-03T19:37:00.008-04:00

We went to Disney World for 6 days, 5 nights and had a great time. Alex enjoyed the airplane rides to and from FL. She sat by the window both times, watched her movies, ate pretzels and slept. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort and had a great view of the lake and pools. We had the perfect view of the Cinderellas Castle from the resort where we could enjoy fireworks everynight without fighting the huge crowds. We did go to the Magic Kingdom 3 times, experiencing the Spectro Magic Parade and fireworks in person. Alex was dressed as a princess the first day we were there. She was over whelmed when she got to meet Cinderella, Princess Aurora and Belle. We also met many other characters including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and a few others. We had dinner with Mickey and gang. We also had lunch with Pooh and his friends.

I could go on forever about our experieces but I wont. Over all we had the time of our lives, Alex was in heaven and we enjoyed the much needed time off from work and away from boring Indiana. We went all out this year because it was our first family vacation. I would love to go back in a few years. It would be even more fun if our best friends Kari and Rick could go along with Lance, Alexandras best friend.

I had taken over 600 pictures and edited them down to just over 400. At home we are having internet issues so it will take some time to add photos but sooner or later I will get them on here...

I am a Slacker...

2010-05-16T11:51:00.009-04:00

It has been too long since I updated this. Oops, my fault once again. I just seem to lose track of time. Since the last post we have celebrated Dougs 30th birthday, along with a few others friends birthdays, took Alex bowling for the first time, Alex had her first sleep over with a friend, attended an Army themed birthday party for my godson Lance, watched the bay praying mantises hatch, I caught a forever lasting head cold that had me down a few days with migraines, lots of yard work here and there, Alex has now caught my darn cold and we are anxiously preparing our vacation to Disney World in less than a week.

Right now the talk of the household is all about Disney World. It could not get here sooner. Though back in January after we booked our vacation it felt like years before we would be jumping on a plane. But now its almost here, just 6 days and we are outta this state heading to the happiest place on Earth. Dougs anxiety is starting to act up. Hes afraid something is going to happen with Alex that will prevent us from going. He flipped out a lil when Alex woke up with snot crusted eyes, ears and nose and a terrible cough. But we have been keeping the kid heavily medicated, sucking, blowing and pulling mucas from almost every hole on her. Poor kid hates to see Momma coming towards her with q-tips and Kleenex. But over all she handles it pretty well. Just trying to get everything out of her to prevent a bad infection.

Mommy showing Alex how to roll the ball down the lane without going over the line

Lance and Alex, bowling buddies

Rick, Doug and the kids

Check out the stylish shoes!

Lance showing Alex how to do bowl

She loved bowling but was getting sleepy

Trina, Me and Jr

Doug giving me that "I dont want to take another picture" look

Baby Praying Mantises!

So Tiny

Letting them go a couple of days later. So very tiny!

Private Princess and Major Pain dressed for the party

First Time to a Play

2010-04-24T12:22:00.005-04:00

A couple of weekends ago Grandma Olivia took Alexandra to Beef and Boards to watch Aladdin the play. They me up with a friend Kathy and her 2 kids Isabelle and Brian. Alex is just a few months older than Isabelle. From what Alex tells me she has a new friend now. Alex is also excited to go see The Little Mermaid once that shows starts. Here are a few photos:

Green Thumb Here

2010-04-15T13:10:00.005-04:00

Who doesn't love the warm weather? I sure do. I love it so much that I got the itch to plant flowers last weekend. Usually I wait till May but I really had that annoying itch that had only one cure. I decided to plant only in the pots on the porches, allowing me to plant more flowers around the yard later. In the mean time I will care for the sprouting plants all over my yard. My plants this year seem to be extra healthy. Some of them have doubled, if not tripled in size. Im especially excited about my clematis' planted in the corner of our back yard. I am training them to grow along the fence. Last year I had about 10 flowers total during the summer. This year the plant is growing so fast. And I cant keep up counting all the buds getting ready to open. I only have a couple of pictures of the pots on the back porch. But give me time I will add more.

More pictures to come soon!

Easter 2010

2010-04-07T20:00:00.007-04:00

It was perfect weather for Easter this year. Glad the rain and cold temps were the Saturday before Easter. We spent our Easter at Grandma Olivia's with Nana and PawPaw as well. After lunch Alex searched for hidden eggs. We also flew mini kites the Easter bunny left in our baskets.
The photos are backwards. Easter Eve is at the bottom, going up to Easter afternoon. I didnt notice it until after I typed the captions.

PawPaw and Alex eating desserts.

Yummy sheep cake made by Grandma Olivia

Bubbles with Daddy

Blowing bubbles with Grandma Olivia

More bubbles!

Mommy with her mini butterfly kite

Daddy testing out his lil airplane kite. Notice he is walking backwards...well as he continued to walk backwards he ended up falling over that smaller electrical box. It was hilarious! Though I promised I wouldnt post any pictures of the fall.

Found one!

Love this picture!

Darling!

On the hunt for eggs at home

Touch of glitter!

Time to color eggs!

Typical Conversation with Alex

2010-03-30T14:42:00.004-04:00

Lastnight Alex was all settled down in bed, watching her partoons, as Alex calls them. Daddy is playing Modern Warfare in the living room and Im in our bathroom getting ready for bed. Alexandra's routine every night is to get up about 3-4 times to use the bathroom so it was normal to hear her opening and closing the doors. But this time I hear a lil voice:

Alex: Daddy, I have to go potty in Mommas bafroom
(I hear lil foot steps running towards the room. Alex opens door)
Alex: Momma, I pee in your potty
Me: Ok, thats fine baby doll
Alex: (As she is sitting on the potty) Momma, 'morrow I eat stawberries?
Me: Yes you may
Alex: Mmmm..I looovveee stawberries! (as she is rubbing her belly) Momma, can I take a baf 'morrow?
Me: Yes you can take a bath. Well, how about a shower?
Alex: Take a baf and shower wif you?
Me: Yes you ...
Alex interrupts and within 1 breath: Momma, 'morrow I eat stawberries and go outside. And Momma 'morrow I go AmyMelissa's and 'morrow I pway wif Allson. She my best fwiend. and 'morrow the Easer Bunny come to my house an I pet him and 'morrow I eat dinner and 'morrow I go to the Pwincess Castle when it get warm. Okay Momma?

Updated pictures....

2010-03-24T20:44:00.004-04:00

Alex and her new bike

Daddy trying to teach her how to ride the bike.

Helping Daddy build the grille

Praying Mantis egg pouch

Princess fashion kit from Debi!

Alex's glasses fit Mommy

Love my flowers!! Cant wait to plant more.

This Kid Cracks Me Up!

2010-03-24T20:18:00.003-04:00

So Alex has been saying some pretty funny things. I try to remember to write them down, but tend to find myself hearing her when I dont have a pen and paper. So going by memory (what lil I have)...
She comes home from school one day telling me she has a pink eye because her friend at school went home with pink eye. She continues to tell us her eye is pink.
She comes home from school one day telling me her tooth is gone. She continues to tell us randomly out of the blue "I have, I have, I have to find my tooth. Its gone". Her friend lost a tooth at school.
She comes home from school yesterday telling me her friends arm is broke. He fell down the stairs. I asked her what happened.
Alex: "(Insert kids name here) bwoke him arm. He fell down stairs at him home"
Me: "Oh he did? Is he okay"
Alex: (in a sad but high tone) "Yeeeeeaaa...he bwoke it. He bwoke him arm. My arm bwoke."
Me: "Your arm is not broke. You didnt fall down"
Alex: "My arm bwoke, Momma"

Notice a pattern? Yes, whatever kids at school are experiencing, she is experiencing, so she wishes.

One Friday evening she asks me if she can stay home with me tomorrow. I tell her "Tomorrow and Sunday you and I will hang out all day. You dont have to go to school."
Now she tells us "I want to go to Princess Castle 'morrow and Sunday" "I want eat icecream 'morrow and Sunday" "I want to play with my fwiends 'morrow and Sunday" "I want to go to the doctor 'morrow and Sunday" ... and the list goes on...

If she sees kids playing outside:
Alex: "Them my fwiends and my fwiends love me".
Me: "Oh really. What are their names?"
Alex: "Sam and Missy and Poopey-Butt and Butt-crack (she then giggles)"
Me: "Those are not their names silly"
Alex: "Yes they are. Them my fwiends. I need, I need, I need to go see them. They want to play with me"

When excelerating in the car, she will ask "Momma are we wacing?". She thinks I am racing another car. And now her new game in the car is to yell the color of the light at the intersection..sometimes she will tell me the light turned green when it really hasnt yet, just so I will excelerate so she can then ask "Momma are we wacing?"

In the car we like to sing to songs on the radio. The song by Black Eyed Peas called "Imabe" is my newest favorite. Alex things they are saying "Bumblebee". At the end of the song when the guys voice is getting lower, Alex will sing "Bumblebee" in her lowest voice. If I dont sing the song in the correct tone, she will say "No Momma, sing like this...Bumblebee Bumblebee".

Bugs!

2010-03-19T15:51:00.003-04:00

If some remember a couple of years ago we grew caterpillars that eventually turned into butterflies. We released them in the back yard. Last year we had two tadpoles that never turned into frogs. Keeping them for a year, they were released into our pond. This year we have ordered praying mantises! Im so excited. The praying mantis kit should be arriving within 2 weeks with an egg case that contains 75-200 growing eggs and a netted house. Praying Mantis has moved from my second favorite bug to first favorite bug, taking the place of the lady bug.
Ill keep you posted on our praying mantis babies!

Found More Pictures!

2010-02-18T22:27:00.008-05:00

Oops... forgot I had another camera in my purse with pictures needing downloaded.

Enjoy!

Momma's lil helper... sometimes

Maverick and Bubby

Riggs special spot

She thought it was so fun for me to rub her head against the couch and create static in her hair

Check out the chocolate covered smile!

Grandma Olivia's new kitty Charlie... Alex's loves him

Lance and Alex getting ready to go sledding... My lil Marshmallows!

SkyAnne and Alex sledding. Alex had so much fun! Notice her eating the snow off her gloves. She had to be reminded several times to stop

Kiddies done sledding, wet clothes off, dry clothes on, playing together. Best buds!

Alexandra's new Easter Dress. Thank You Grandma Olivia. Now time to find matching shoes and hair accessory.

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

2010-02-18T22:06:00.003-05:00

Just had to share.
Doug and I were in midconversation Tuesday evening, just sharing our details of the day. As we are talking, Alex walks up to Doug and says "Daddy, this for you. It make you feel bedder" as she is handing him a cold beer from the fridge. In shock, he takes it from her and she adds "Now drink it all Daddy" with her lil index finger pointing at him as if she were the parent scolding the child. Doug looks at me, my mouth hanging wide open, Doug replies "You heard what my daughter said. I have to drink it all" and takes a gulp.
HA! She is hilarious. We were so shocked because its not everyday Doug pops the cap off a cold beer and drinks it. If he is drinking beer, its in a tall glass from his Mini-Kegorator. The only place I could think she saw that beer "makes a daddy happy" is on Family Guy or The Simpsons.

Oops...maybe we should stick to watching Nick Jr.

No News Is Good News..

2010-02-15T19:42:00.005-05:00

Right? Well thats what I have, no news. All is well here at the Thayer household. Dealing with more snow ... 3rd snow storm this season. I made it to work, most others did not today. I know most people are over and done with the snow, but for some reason, I am not (yet). Even driving in the snow, spending hours in my car, watching for sliding cars does not bother me that much. Maybe I just look at it in a different way. I enjoy the beautiful sceneries with the snow glistening in the sun, the ice layered trees that look like crystal figurines. Its a perfect picture for me. Now when it starts to melt and all the snow turns to mud, Im sure I will be done with it.

I am getting more and more cabin fever though. I am ready to start planting flowers and to mow the lawn. I was glancing at pictures from a year ago. End of February last year we were outside in short sleeve shirts writing on the drive way with chalk. I was taking pictures of the tiny sprouts popping out of the ground.

Ok, Im done with the snow. Time for Spring!

Alex and Daddy cheesing!

Snow drift in the back yard that is taller than Lucifer

Alex styling Lance's hair

Best friends!

I love this bow!

Lance and Alex exchanged Valentines Day gifts. So sweet!

Another appt at Alexandra's Salon

Picture Time

2010-01-16T13:03:00.003-05:00

Eating a blue sucker. Later she continued to ask "Will it go away?"

The boys relaxing on the couch

After the ball dropped Alex fell asleep before the party ended

PaPaw opening his gift from Tiffany and I

Celebrating Brandon and Papaws birthdays

Alex, Ethan and Chloe

She was upset we were leaving. Papaw cant resist a crying kid.

Time for an Update

2010-01-13T15:04:00.002-05:00

So its been foreeeeevvvver since I last posted. Everything is pretty much the same. Work, school, home..work, school, home...Staying inside for the most part because of the cold weather. We were not able to play in the first snow that fell. Alex and I had colds that we were fighting. Then it was too cold and windy to play the second time it snowed. We are very anxious to take Alex sledding. We have all her gear ready, coat, snow pants, Princess boots, Princess gloves, mittens and scarves. Just waiting for more snow.
The day after Christmas Alex continued wishing everyone a Merry Christmas... a week after Christmas she was still wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We explained to her Christmas is over and all the decorations need to be put up. She got the picture because the following days she continued to tell me "Momma, Christmas is over" and then point at the decorations with this expression of annoyance because she still had to look at them. The decorations were soon put away.
Something cute: Doug, Grandma Olivia, Alex and I were counting all together. We let Alex count by herself. She got all the way to 14 and then said "Number teen". She forgot but remembered it was a number that ended in "teen".
So Alex has been in her big girl bed for several few months now. She is doing very well, for the most part. In the morning she likes to get up before the sun and come into our room to sleep. Sometimes we let her stay, sometimes we send her back to her room. One time when she came into our room, she was freezing. Her hands and feet were so cold. She takes her blankets off at night, so we assume thats the reason she was so cold. Because we told her she was cold, she now uses that excuse to sleep in our bed. "Momma, I cold. I sleep with you?"...Momma cant turn her away now.
Oh, more cute stuff: every church we drive by is claimed as Alexandra's Castle. Then anymore that she sees she will "give" it to me and say "Thats Mommys castle". Daddy only gets a castle if he is in the car with us. When she sees the Disney Cinderella castle, she claims that too. "Thats my castle! Thats my castle!"
And when she is really happy she now says "Its a dream come true". And she will tell us "Momma your my friend. Daddy is my friend. Bubby is my friend"... its goes on and on including the cats and anyone she can think of. She did get mad at Daddy one time and told him "Your not my friend". We had to explain to a 3 year old that if you are mad at someone, it doesnt mean you are no longer friends.
She comes up with the funniest things to say.

I have pictures and will soon post them.

Merry Christmas from the Thayers

2009-12-28T15:45:00.007-05:00

Just a few pictures from Christmas to share. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

We woke up to Alex playing with presents from Santa

Barbie!

Time to open presents at Nana and PawPaws Christmas morning.

PawPaw helping Alex open a toy. She was pointing at each Pony telling PawPaw and I which ones we each were "going to be"

Part of the Thayers... some are in the kitchen and some hadnt arrived yet

Doug got a Mini Kegerator from his parents. He loves it.

Playing her new "peter" aka computer

PawPaws lil helper

Princess dress up clothes from Aunt Pam and Kristin

Putting together a puzzle

Dougs step mom Margo and her son Chad

The princess fell asleep on the way home and slept on the floor like this for another hour or so

PaPaw and Alex sharing stories

Present time !

She got more Princess dress up clothes and Ethan got a nerf gun with A LOT of darts

Ethan wrote out the name tags

Lance and Alex

The Princess was kissing her Prince as the evil witch watched... thats what they said

Too Cute... They are dancing....

The Princess clothes have come out at least once a day since Chrstimas. She loves to dress up. As she says "I beetiful Momma. I the princess"

Ho Ho Ho

2009-12-16T21:01:00.008-05:00

Okay so its been a while. Sorry. We have been super busy. So an update for the last couple of weeks. Before the weather got bitter cold we took Alex down town to show her all the Christmas lights. She loved it. She enjoyed petting the horses, walking around the circle, seeing the huge tree and all the lights. I also got to take some nifty pictures.

A couple of weeks ago Alex got a little 24 hour flu bug. She got sick at home with Daddy, so Mommy came home from work to take care of her. She didnt run a fever until later in the day and it was just a small fever. The next day she was back to normal. Knock on wood, Doug and I havent caught anything.

Last Saturday Olivia, Alex, Doug and I went to Breakfast with Santa at the Greenwood Community Center. I was really nervous for Alex to meet Santa but she did so well. She sat on his lap and talked to him.

Santa: Well Hello

Mommy: Tell Santa your name

Alex: Im free (as she is holding up three fingers)

Santa: You're 3?! What would you like for Christmas?

Alex: Quismis is my fave-rit!

Santa: Well its my favorite too! What would you like for a present?

Alex: I want to paint

Santa: Oh really. Well I dont want to paint.

Mommy: Tell him that you would like a Disney Princess Castle for Christmas.

Alex: Quismiss is my fave-rit!

And then she continued to talk more and more to him but I couldnt hear the conversation as I stepped back to take pictures and let pictures be taken. And the painting part... we planned to paint the hallway earlier in the week, buying the paint and supplies. We kept telling her we were painting after eating with Santa. For three days she reminded me that she wanted to paint. I told her if she was good with Santa she could help me paint. She was good. She painted. She was happy.

Everything else is going well. All Alexandra's presents are bought. Doug and I are sooo excited for Xmas this year. She is really starting to understand the idea of being good, Santa Claus, presents under the tree on Christmas day, etc etc. I cannot wait to see her face Christmas morning. Doug told me... or warned me... "If I cry Christmas day watching her open presents, dont be surprised." My response "Dont cry! Then Ill start crying!" I bet Doug and I will have a box of tissues in our stocking on Christmas morning.

Mommys favorite tree.

For being sick, she looked so cute.

Daddy felt bad for his little girl so she got a new stuffed animal. Tooley from Ni Hau Khi Lan.

Riggs caught sleeping under the tree

Maverick also caught sleeping under a tree.

She was a little nervous and rubbed the satin bow on her dress. But she did sooo good talking to him.

Grandma Olivia and Alex coloring before breakfast was served

Alexandra's masterpiece. She was pretty upset when Amy and I painted over it.

The Thayer Family Christmas card 2009

Updated photos

2009-11-29T17:34:00.007-05:00

It has been a few weeks. I have lots of photos to share. Enjoy!

Passed out partially on the couch.

Fell asleep in time out... has done this a few other times as well.

We celebrated Alexandra's birthday just the three of us.

Bubby being nosey

Riggs (this is how I found him sitting behind me as he was about to pounce my back)

Maverick (cute but not so innocent)

More curls!

Cheese!

Posing with her best buddies

Sleeping Beauty

Thanksgiving weekend 2009

2009-11-29T16:55:00.010-05:00

Hello everyone! What a busy weekend with friends and family. Thursday Thanksgiving morning the three of us spent time watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Alexandra was really excited and into it, mostly because of the balloons and dance performances. She especially liked the Spiderman balloon and pointed it out several times. At the end she pointed out Santa Claus too. When I asked her "Who is that?" as I pointed at Snoopy and Woodstock she said "Dog and dinosaur". Daddy and I will have to spend time with her watching the Christmas cartoons we watched when we were little. Thursday evening we had family over for dinner in our home. It was a great feast with lots of food and plenty of desserts. Alexandra was asleep within 5 minutes after the last of our guests left. The Thayer family was in bed by 9:00 that evening.

Saturday Olivia, Alexandra and myself drove to Cincinnati to visit with Olivia's side of the family for Thanksgiving. Doug was not able to go as prior plans had filled up his schedule. I had not seen this side of the family in years. Its been so long it was the first time for some to meet Alexandra. We had a great time. The food was yummy and the company of friends and family was even better. It was great to reminence of the day I was introduced to this side of the family. I was given a Birthday beating. Luckily there were promises kept and my toosh was saved this year.

And throughout the weekend I put up the Christmas decorations and celebrated my 29th birthday.

Overall Thanksgiving this year was one of the most memorable. I am truly blessed with the friends and family in my life. I cannot wait until Christmas to add to the memories.

Happy Birthday to me. I spent my special day with my special girl.

David, Linda and their children

Ronnie and his wife Debbie

Amanda, Sheryl and Tony

Leo, Barb and Shannon, missing one more, Jacob.

Olivia and her sister Marthanne

After a couple of takes, we finally got a picture without missing heads or body parts, and for the most part, everyone was looking at the camera.

Happy 3rd Birthday Alexandra!

2009-11-15T18:02:00.006-05:00

Saturday we celebrated Alexandra's 3rd birthday with friends and family. She had a Tinkerbelle themed party. She also wore her Tinkerbelle costume from Halloween. My friend Debi from IL along with her 15 year old daughter and girlfriend came to visit as well. She started the Happy Birthday song and sang along to herself, blew out the candles and ate lots of cake, ice cream and cupcakes.

Not something a mom wants to brag about but had to share. While opening presents Alex started to have a spoiled rotten brat tantrum. She wanted to stop opening presents and continue to play with her new baby doll stroller from Aunt Tippy. It was so difficult to make her understand she has more presents to open, the stroller will still be there when she is done and people are watching while you throw your lil hissy fit and cry. I got rather embarrassed as she showed all the party guests her mental melt down. She pouted, folded her arms and stuck her nose out at me as I coaxed her to open more presents. We finally were able to finish the gifts and she was back at pushing her babies around in the stroller. She received two baby strollers and generously shared the other with best buddy Lance (not a proud moment for his father).

She then of course couldnt steer way of another tantrum throwing moment. When Daddy was playing with her and 3 other friends, trying to show her how to feed a new baby doll (thanks Kari-Kari for the pissing doll. I need another butt to wipe around here) she grabbed the doll from him and literally screamed "No Daddy! MINE!". Out the corner of my eye I see Daddy snatch her up quickly and take her to time out. Five minutes later Mommy and Daddy had a talk with her to help her understand the word "Mine" is not to be said and sharing is required.

Minus the little meltdowns and tantrums, we had a great time.

Probably one of the fakest smiles she has tried to pull off. She was too anxious to pose for the camera. She wanted to taste the cake again.

Singing Happy Birthday to herself along with everyone...

Alexandra's new buddy Taylor

Lance and Alex taking the babies on a walk

Maverick enjoyed the new stroller. Alex didnt have to put him in there. He got in all by himself.

My sister Tiffany, little brother Tyler and I. Right now Tiff and I are both 28.

Like my new pink head band with bow...well its not mine, but one of Alexandra's birthday presents. Mommy just had to test it out and wear it cause it was so cute

Halloween 2009

2009-11-02T20:00:00.005-05:00

It was a great year for Halloween, minus the chilly weather. We walked around our neighborhood along with Lucifer, Aunt Tippy, Cousin Ethan, Kari-Kari, Rick, Lance, Kari's sister and her daughters. Alex was able to say "Trick or Treat" this year. We heard many compliments about how polite she was. She said "Thank You" almost everytime she was given candy, without someone telling her to say it. Sometimes when going to the door, she would stand there after already getting candy and watch the people pass out candy to more kids. And if there were dogs at the door, you can bet she was trying to coax the dog out the door so she could pet them.

Alex decided she didnt want to help carve, rather she wanted to color the stencils.

Mommys pumpkin

Daddys pumpkin

Alexandra's pumpkin carved by Daddy

The Thayer Family pumpkins

Lance and Alexandra ready to go

Me and Kari-Kari decked out in our 80's wear

Tinker Belle all bundled up with wings pinned to her jacket

Me and Kari-Kari.....yes I have crimped hair

"This is heabee!" says Alexandra right before she tumbles to the ground trying to hold up her bag of candy... this happened several times. By the end of the night I was carrying the bag and Daddy was carrying the kid.

Aunt Tippy and Alex

Quick Update

2009-11-02T19:46:00.003-05:00

It has been a pretty busy month for the Thayer family. November and December are going to be even busier. Alex went to her first Halloween party (besides at daycare). She was so excited to wear her Tinkerbelle costume. She will of course wear it on Halloween and we are letting her wear it at her birthday party since its a Tinkerbelle theme. We are getting our money's worth with this years costume. Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks. I will post more photos of Halloween soon.

Lance looking up at a zombie at the Halloween party

One of the rooms decorated for the kids. They didnt like the flash from my camera. They wanted it to stay dark.

Bumble Bee aka Lance

Tinkerbelle aka Alexandra

Lance and Alex playing with playdough

Riggs favorite spot

Maverick and Lucifer are best buds. Riggs loves Bubby as well but recently was stepped on by him. We might have a kitty with a fractured toe or two. tba....

Alex loves to hold the babies. She knows if they are to make any noises or cries she has to put them down. She does pretty good holding them.

Splish, Splash I was taking a bath...

2009-11-02T19:42:00.003-05:00

In the toilet?!? Yes, Riggs was found playing in the toilet water. Luckily it was clean (as clean as toilet water can be). This cat is infactuated with water. Just turn on the faucet and "Poof" he will appear.

Sunday morning project

2009-10-18T15:59:00.006-04:00

Today I painted a step stool for Alexandra. Hopefully using her own step stool will encourage her to use the big girl potty on her own. This week is the first full week she has not worn a diaper during the day. We still put her in a diaper at bed time because she wakes up wet. She continues to stay dry at school. We have had a few accidents in the evenings. We are slowly making progress with potty training. This is definitely been the biggest challenge for us as parents.

Watermans Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-13T20:03:00.004-04:00

Sunday we headed to the pumpkin patch at Watermans Farm. We had a great time. The sun was shining. We had a huge field full of pumpkins to pick from. Alex rode a pony again and watched the dinosaur eat pumpkins. We also ate homemade Kettle Corn. So Yummy!

Im a Slacker

2009-10-06T13:26:00.004-04:00

Ok so I havent updated in a while. Oops. So whats going on in the Thayer household? Things are pretty much the same. We get up, go to work and school, come home, eat dinner, play, baths and back to bed to start all over again. We are starting to plan the upcoming events which are just right around the corner. Im always planning about a month ahead for Halloween. This year Alex chose to be Tinkerbell or as she says it "Pink-a-bell". Costume is bought, shoes are bought, just one more accessory and she will be ready. Of course Mommy and Daddy are planning to dress up for an adult Halloween party we are attending for the second year at Tom and Annette's house. My idea: Principal and naughty school girl. This should be fun.
November is always busy. We have Aunt Tippy's bday, Alexandra's bday, my bday and Thanksgiving. I think I am going to take charge again and have Thanksgiving at our house. I had a great time last year with our friends and family joining us. We will not only be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday but we will also celebrate my birthday. Kill two birds with one stone. And I get to make my Chocolate Eclair cake.. officially my favorite cake.
And of course there is Christmas. Every year I always get so stressed out. I get depressed when I see the decorations in stores so soon. I bum myself out yet I love this time of the year. I keep telling myself I will not be like that this year. We will see.

So updates for Ms Alex or as she will remind you "Ima Princess"... we are still working on potty training. Its not 100% in full effect, but she is doing well. She continues to stay dry all day at school. They have told me twice now they feel she is ready for the big girl underwear during the day. I think next week we just might start that. Ill start buying laundry detergent in bulk to prepare myself. She continues to have less interest for the big girl potty at home. She will tell us at least once a night that she needs to go. So we are making progress.

Alex is still learning how to take care of the "babies" (Maverick and Riggs the 3 mnth old kittens). She is doing better when it comes to holding and petting. She loves to make sure they are plenty warm, wrapping them up in blankets when she finds them napping. We are still teaching her how to hold them properly. So now everytime Mommy and Daddy are holding the kittens she will say "Ok, put the baby down. Dont hurt him. Be gentle". Too Cute!

The boys are curious about the water.

Alex looks like she has a piggy nose

Smooches!!

Trip to Chicago...

2009-09-20T19:23:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the family...

2009-09-17T10:28:00.004-04:00

Saturday Sept 12th I went to the Petsmart Adoption fair. I always enjoy going to these, looking at all the animals, wishing I could take everyone home. To my surprise I found two adorable brother kittens needing a home. I couldnt pass them up and adopted the little guys. They are approx. 10 weeks old, born around the 4th of July. They were already neutered, first set of kitten shots, dewormed, microchipped, treated for fleas and litter box trained. We decided to name them Maverick and Riggs. Top Gun and Leathal Weapon are two of our favorite movies. So far they have been pretty well behaved kittens. They of course have to be taught manners and learn the word no. The first couple of days they were some what scared of Lucifer but have now gotten use to him and play with him. He is very gentle with the kittens, always has been gentle with any kind of baby. Alexandra is still learning how to hold them correctly. She tends to pick them up by their heads so we are trying to teach her to hold them only when we are around.

Meet Maverick

Meet Riggs

Bubby wishing he could play with Maverick

10 Year Class Reunion

2009-09-07T13:03:00.007-04:00

Saturday Sept 5th FC Class of 99 had their 10 year class reunion. Doug didnt attend his class reunion last year, but I definitely did not want to miss mine. It was at the Columbia Club downtown on the circle. I cant believe its already been ten years. Everyone has grown, married and started families. It was so nice to see old faces.

R.I.P. Yasmine-Jasmine

2009-08-28T18:51:00.004-04:00

Thursday evening we lost a member of our family, Yasmine. She lived a long life, 14 memorable years with me. I found her one day while babysitting at an apartment complex. I was 15 years old. She cried at the back glass door. She was so skinny, had been shaved on one side, her tail was broke and she had a limp. I called my mom and told her I was bringing her home. After a thorough check up with the vet, he determined her to be approx. 1 year old. She was pumped up with vitamins and became a very healthy, playful cat. She became a mom of 4 kittens and even fostered 4 more kittens when another cat refused to feed her own. When I moved out, she came with me. She finally got used to Doug after about 2 years. She moved with us from apartment to house. She was the best cat I have ever had, and for some people who know me, I have had A LOT of cats. I have so many memories with her. Laying on the roof in the warm sunlight, waiting for me to get home from school at my window, sneaking her into my room at night, catching mice for my dad who claimed her as the best mouser we had, gaining some weight she earned the nickname Phatty-Girl, introducing herself to 8 week old Lucifer by scratching his nose and making him yelp the day he came home, showing me that I blocked the entrance to her litter box and she waited all night for me to fix it without any accidents and sooo many more memories. She will truely be missed and never forgotten. She was the best cat one could ask for. I will miss the greetings from her as she sat on the table, every morning and evening. I will miss cuddling next to her in front of the roaring fireplace on cold winter days. I will miss her soft cry, loud purr and wet nose as she wakes me up at night just to be loved. There will always be a place on my pillow she cuddled every night next to me. I will remember the last breath she took as I held her in my arms. I will treasure all the memories we have together.

Small change in the Thayer household...

2009-08-16T15:34:00.006-04:00

This morning I decided Alex needs to get out of the crib and into her big girl bed. So Doug changed the crib over to the day bed. When we showed Alex at first she didnt want to sit in it. She jumped off right away. Then she jumped back in bed and jumped and jumped and jumped. We just let her. I figured if she had fun in the new bed, then it will make the transition a little easier. Right now she is taking her first nap in the big girl bed. I hope she doesnt roll out.

Now its time to continue with the potty training. She did tell us that if she pees in the potty she gets a sucker. But after asking her if she wanted to try, she said "No thanks". So she knows what makes her a big girl, she just isnt ready yet. We will continue to ask her, but not force her. Maybe one day she will decide she is ready and will tell us. I found out that is what I did right after I turned 3. I told my mom one morning I was ready to wear big girl underwear, so my mom put them on and I never had an accident. Im hoping for that to happen soon.

I think Alex looks so grown up here

She asked to try on Mommys glasses. Too Cute!

Grandma Olivia and Alex running through the sprinkler

Alex drinking from the sprinkler

Time for popsicles with Daddy

I love this dress on her. She looks great in pastels.

This is what happens when you leave a 2 yr old and chocolate pudding alone at the same time.

The big girl bed.

Daddy and Alex watching movies in the closet. They were "hiding from Mommy"

Its August Already?!?

2009-08-06T19:18:00.003-04:00

So July came and went by so quickly. I am not ready for the summer to end. I cannot stand being cold and dont look forward to it. But N-E-Ways

So what have we been up too? Working a lot it seems. Then by the time we get home, eat dinner and take our baths, its time for bed. But I finally found a moment to catch up on here. I finished my online Digital Photography class, receiving a 92% on my final. Yea I got a spiffy certificate that proves my "new knowledge" but it really doesnt mean anything if I were to try to get a job with it. But I was excited to finish the class. I learned a lot and hope to sign up for more. Maybe I can fit an instructor-lead class in one night a week?

Alexandra starts her first gynmastics class Tuesday the 18th. We hope she likes this and learns a lot. Right now she is in the beginners class for 2-3 year olds. Its basically a "tumbling" class.

We are still working on potty training. Sometimes she is really into it, and sometimes not so much. We tried bribing her with a sucker. She lots interest in that fast. Then it was chocolate. Yea, that didnt last long either. One evening, Doug got the bright idea of telling her she can have icecream if she uses the potty. That night was torture. She basically cried all night because she didnt want to pee in the potty BUT she wanted her icecream.

We are also working on getting rid of the paci. She has learned and knows she cannot have it unless she goes to bed. She reminds us that she needs paci. Now we are trying to wean her off at night. I know she can sleep without it because she doesnt have it at daycare during naps. We just arent ready for the tantrums.

This is what happens when a 2 year old decides to take her diaper off in the middle of the night. All the stuffed animals in bed had to be washed and set out to dry. She no longer sleeps in night gowns. Allison, Madison and Alexandra laying

The neighbor next door had to fun water slide. Alex was sooo excited about it. All she talked about was going swimming and sliding.

This is as close she got to it. She would jump in then right back out. She didnt go near the slide. I think it was too tall, too intimidating.

Second Trip to the Zoo

2009-07-19T19:23:00.007-04:00

Sunday was the perfect day to visit the zoo. The weather so nice. We told Alex Saturday night about our plans to go to the zoo and see the animals. She woke up Sunday morning reminding us that we were going to the zoo. She wanted to see the "ganimals, creebras, horsies, snakes and turdles". This year she seemed to enjoy it more than her first trip last year. She was not afraid to go into the aquarium exhibit. Last year she freaked out because it was dark and loud. She didnt want to get close to the glass to see the fish. This year she excused her way to the front of each aquarium. We also saw the dolphin exhibit for the first time. We meant to take her to the butterfly exhibit but totally forgot. Im sure there will be another chance soon. I would like to go back end of August.

Back in the Day....

2009-07-06T20:04:00.004-04:00

My mom found some pictures of me between 1 1/2 and 3 years old. She tells me all the time that Alex looks like me right now. She definitely proved her point. Notice how quickly my hair grew between 2 and 4. We are hoping the same for Alexandra. The mullet-look is getting old.

Just woke up with my favorite stuffed dog. I emptied my crib of all blankets and toys everyday until my parents got me out of the crib. I was almost 2 years old here.

Me, Daddy and Coley our black German Shepherd. I was almost 2 years old.

My locks of natural curls. My Grandpa loved my curls and told my mom to take this picture. At first, he thought she had curled my hair with rollers.

My chunky self Sept 1982, a few months before my 2nd birthday. Watch Out! Its the Marshmallow Baby!!

Me August 1983, a few months before my third birthday. Notice the dirt on my knees. I was always playing in the dirt.

Me between 3 and 4 years old

A Months Worth of Pictures...

2009-07-06T19:40:00.007-04:00

New dress from Aunt Tippy

Greenwood fireworks

She didnt care for the fireworks at all

Lance and Alex hanging out in the pool

New pool

flowers in bloom

Cheese ball

Plugging her ears while watching the drags

Hanging on to Daddy for dear life when all the drag cars started their engines

Sephora

Playing with Sephora, one of the ragdoll kittens PawPaw and Nana have

Mommy let her pick a flower

Found a few spare minutes to write...

2009-07-06T14:33:00.002-04:00

Okay so Im stuck at work on my lunch hour when our computer system crashes. I thought I would catch up on things since its been almost a month. We have been staying super busy with work, school, Alexandra, birthday parties, hanging out with friends and family. When the weather is nice, not too hot or muggy we are all outside. Very few chances you will catch us inside. Im staying busy working a lot in my dads yard. Since my parents divorced and the kids moved out, my dad hasnt had the time (or a healthy back) to allow him time for the yard. Since he lives on many acres, he only gets to the cutting and trimming of grass. So there is plenty to keep me busy. I decided since my yard was too small to add anymore to it, I would work on Dads yard. And Im still loving it. I am almost done recreating a specific area on the side of the house where its all shade, lil sun and lots of rocks the previous owners left. My next project is the opposite side of the house where it is full shade, no grass and lots of trees. Im thinking rock garden. I will have to post pics of this area to get ideas from anyone who wants to share.

Doug is starting school back up after a lil summer break they had. He is actually in classes pertaining to his major (Business Management). So hes excited cause now he feels like our money is actually going towards his future career. He is still in a softball league and starting to play more often now that the rain has seized some. Last few games have been rained out. This 8 week league is turning into a 16 week league. He plans to get into a Fall softball league too. Ew-Did i just say Fall? Dont even want to think about cold weather.

I recently started a Digital Photography class online through Central Nine Career Center. I take a final in August and plan to take more classes. Im enjoying my camera so much and want to learn all the features and goodies it has.

Alex is still her crazy, eventful, playful, emotional, independent, amazingly smart yet unpotty-trained 2 1/2 year old. Her vocabulary is growing so much. Just this weekend she surprised me as she was leaving with her Aunt Tippy (Tiffany) and cousin Esan (Ethan). She was a lil upset leaving, not wanting to go, but quickly changed her mind and mood once they left. She asked me "mommy, are you going" and then " I want you to come" and "I want to stay". These sentences were clear as day. I could even understand her throught the tears. Its almost everyday Doug and I talk about how much she has grown and how big she is getting. And then we start to sniffle and tear up and then she asks us "Mommy, Daddy, Are you okay?" (and then we cry a lil more)

I have so many pics to post from the last month. So Ill try my darndest to get some on here soon

Bubbles and Fish!

2009-06-07T13:08:00.004-04:00

Alexandra and 4 year old neighbor Allison had a good time blowing bubbles. After time out we headed to the pond to fish with Daddy. Here are a few pictures....

Evil eye from a very tired, moody Alexandra. She hadnt had a nap by this time she was being very mean and grouchy...

After Alex got in trouble for purposely dumping one of the bubbles, Allison became center of attention for the camera.

Happy 50th Birthday Memaw!

2009-06-07T13:03:00.002-04:00

How Does Your Garden Grow...

2009-06-07T12:58:00.002-04:00

Here are a few pictures of some of the flowers in bloom in my yard. I have more that are budding now so will start to bloom soon. More pics to come with more flowers....

Take a Look.....

2009-05-28T21:36:00.004-04:00

Here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Enjoy!Alex digging for worms

Me and Kari-Kari

She thought it was funny to honk the horn

At cousin Ethans birthday party. Fake smile...

Playing with Ethans kitten Miley

The birthday boy

Loving on her PaPaw. She got in trouble by mommy and thought PaPaw would save her.

Punch Balls!

Testing out the new walkie-talkies

Tiffany and Ashley couldnt resist and had to play with them too.

Passed out.. in the car barely 5 minutes and she was out!

Update

2009-05-26T13:29:00.003-04:00

Okay so its been a few days since I last posted. I have been busy with a few things and getting on the computer just doesn't fit in the schedule. Alex seems to be growing and changing everyday. She is now counting to 15 all by herself. She says the Alphabet all by herself, sometimes skipping from F to Q. I think she gets excited to sing the end and forgets letters in the middle. We continue to get many compliments on how much she talks and what words she can say. Her vocabulary is getting bigger and bigger everyday. She is putting more sentences together. We try to speak in "adult" terms rather than "baby" talk with her. So if she says "I dig worms" we repeat "You want to dig for worms". She is also very interested in knowing who is a girl, boy, mommy or daddy. She will ask me "Thats a mommy?" when she sees a woman. If I dont see kids with the woman I say "She is a girl". One time putting groceries into the car she said and repeated several times very loudly to the guy sitting in his car next to us "Is that a Daddy?". I laughed and said " I dont know if he is a daddy. He is a boy". I like it when she points out older people are says they are a PaPaw or Grandma. And yes she likes to know if the worm she has found is a mommy or daddy. Sometimes she will tell me what they are depending on their size. She is not shy at all to go to a person and tell them about how cute her hair looks or her new boo-boo or she is going to dig for worms or proudly tell them "I am eetaful (beautiful)". Almost anyone can walk up to her and she will start a conversation with them.
Some very exciting news as well. Alex peed in the potty lastnight (Memorial Day evening). She was running around being silly after she took her diaper off. I then asked if she wanted to go potty and she did. She sat for less than a minute and went. I was sooo shocked because I thought it would be like the other times. She sits, I wait, she says she went when she didnt, she gets up, pretends to flush, sits back down, etc etc. Daddy joined in the bathroom and we were super excited and so proud, letting her know how she was a big girl. And yes Mommy teared up as I always do when she accomplishes something. We told Daycare this morning and they will be working with her as well. Doug and I are so excited for this point and hope it goes well. We are hoping she keeps up with it and doesnt get bored or lose interest, wanting to get back into a diaper. I have seen this happen with a few friends kids so i know its a possibility.
Okay so there is more to share but Im at work and lunch period is over. I have more photos to share as well. So this will be continued soon....

Happy 4th Anniversary

2009-05-19T13:00:00.005-04:00

Doug and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary yesterday May 18th. He bought me a 3 year membership to the Swarovski Crystal Society, something I have always wanted to start collecting. Everytime we are in Von Maur (or any other place that sells Swarovski) I have to stop and check it out. He also bought me the SCS Annual Edition 2009 Gorilla Cub. This is part of the Endangered Wildlife Trilogy 2008-2010 for members only. Each year Swarovski comes out with a new endangered animal. In 2008 it was the Panda. They have not announced 2010's animal but it will be in the cat family. Im so excited to start collecting Swarovski. While I wait for the gorilla cub to arrive from Swarovski, we are now looking for a glass hutch or cabinet to display my collection. I do own some jewelry sets to add to the collection as well.

If I collect all of 2008-2010's trilogy then I would like to get the plaque.

The gorilla cub Doug ordered for me.

The complete gorilla set

2008's Panda collection

New Dog for Alex??

2009-05-14T12:07:00.002-04:00

So we have been thinking more and more about getting Alexandra her own dog. Lucifer is her "Bubby", she loves him to death and he is a great dog. But we wanted to get her own puppy to grow up with her. Doug and I both have memories of our very own dog we got as puppies and they grew up with us as well. We have thought about all kinds of dogs and feel that a small to medium size dog will fit her well. We have checked out several breeds and finally narrowed it down to Australian Sherpherd. We had Doggy our Aussie/Collie mix growing up and my dad now has Wendy an Australian Shephard. So now we are looking for a local breeder. We have found some in IL, OH and KY but still looking for IN breeders. We have found that either have puppies that are older or dont have any puppies and no plans for upcoming litters. If you have a suggestion or know of a local breeder, let us know!

More pictures from the weekend...

2009-05-05T18:04:00.007-04:00

Sunday we spent most of the day with Rick, Kari and Lance. We went fishing, digging for worms and played in Allison's bouncy jump-a-roo thingy (I dont know what its called). I also included pics from Friday when Alex and I played with the camera taking pictures while waiting on Daddy in the car.

Cheesing for the camera

Alex said "Mommy's turn" So I took a picture of myself

Daddy letting Alex touch the fish he caught. You have to watch her or she will try to kiss them too.

Rick, Lance and Alexandra

Daddy's cat fish that was caught over and over

Alex was so tired from the busy day and no nap, she fell asleep right out of the tub while I was trying to put lotion on her. She was in bed by 8 pm

Cutie-patootie watching cartoons Monday evening

Happy 3rd Birthday Lance!

2009-05-05T17:53:00.004-04:00

Saturday we celebrated Lance's 3rd birthday.

Still cannot believe he is 3 already!

Monster truck cake

Alex and Lance put cake on their noses. They thought it was the funniest thing ever!

Lance opening his gift from us. He hasnt quite got the concept of it

Lance took Alex on a ride on his new quad. She loved it and he was a great driver.

Daddy and Rick put together the slot race car track and played it all night...

Alex took the Caddy out for a spin too. This will probably be our next purchase for her

Fun-filled Sunday

2009-04-28T20:22:00.007-04:00

Sunday Lucifer, Tyler and I went to the Mutt Strut with friends and coworkers. Then Alexandra and I hung out with PaPaw, Ethan, Aunt Tiff and Aunt Ashley.

Friends from Hartford

Tyler and Lucifer

Baker, one of Amys dogs

Lucifer cooling off in one of the pools along the track

Lucifer checking out one of the many dogs at the walk.

Alex and Ethan swinging

Aunt Tippy (as Alex calls her) swinging

Alex loves sliding and everytime she says "Look Mommy! Watch me!"

PaPaw swinging Alex. She is getting to be such a big girl. She doesnt need a baby/toddler swing

Newport Aquarium

2009-04-28T19:49:00.010-04:00

Saturday we went to Newport KY to the aquarium for Dougs birthday. We had a great time. I could have stayed there for hours and hours. Here are a few pics:

Waiting in line to get into the aquarium

Daddy and Alex walking through the aquarium

One of Mommy's favorite freshwater fish

Red belly piranas
One of the two adult shark rays (half sting ray, half shark). There is also a baby in another part of the aquarium

Penguins! Alex's favorite part that we had to see twice

Petting the sharks. I could have stayed here forever

Alex checking out a very large frog

Some kind of toad that Alex called poop. I like the one in the back that was taking a shower

Mommy feeding the birds nectar

A very very big anaconda.. yes that is one snake. Daddy liked this guy

Mommy and Alex watching the penguins swim

one of the many sharks

The last and mommy's most favorite part. You could go on top of the aquarium and look down inside it. This is the shark ray... I wanted to put on scuba gear and jump in sooo bad

A better picture of the shark ray looking down into the aquarium through a net. It was absolutely beautiful

Sweet-Pea was sooo worn out. She was asleep within 5 minutes with her new penguin

And the winner is...

2009-04-20T13:37:00.003-04:00

Me!! I win the "Mommy of the Year" award. I am not proud and dont have anyone to thank other than myself. Here's the story that landed the award. So Friday as I am picking up Alex from daycare I had to rush. I was blocking everyone in the driveway and had several parents waiting on me. So I am hurrying to get her in the car, pick her up and turn her around and knock her upper lip and tooth right on the open door frame. She's balling. I know it had to hurt. Luckily no blood and her tooth and lip seemed to be fine. All I wanted to do was hold her and hug her and kiss her and tell her how sorry mommy was. Then I started tearing up and realizing is she sees me cry, she will cry even harder. As Im trying to hold my balling baby, all the parents are watching me while sitting in their cars. So I hurry, get her strapped in and tell her over and over while driving how sorry I am. She tells me "I okay" and stops crying but I still want to just hold her. Then she makes me feel 5 times worse by saying "I sorry Mommy" as if she's done something wrong. Oh-my
So we get to Walmart where I need to pick up some potting soil. Alex is doing great, sitting in the cart chatting up a storm. As we are walking, the cart abruptley stops on a hose across the aisle and she flings forward knocking her bottom lip on the cart. And the water works start once again. This time i had the opportunity to hold, hug, kiss and cuddle my baby. Luckily this time only one person witnessed the child abuse I had just accidentally brought upon my child. The walmart worker looked away. Good! Just let me sit here and hold my baby. I didnt need an audience. Again luckily no blood and no loose teeth. But just the feeling I got when she started crying like that made me feel absolutely terrible. And once again, mommy continued her "Im so sorry Baby Doll. Im so sorry Sweet Pea" for her to reply back as she sucking up the tears "I okay mommy. I sorry."
Not one of my proudest moments as a parent.....

Handy Dandy Doug

2009-04-20T13:23:00.003-04:00

We had a busy weekend. Friday night Alex helped mommy spread new soil and plant flowers in the back yard until it got dark. Saturday Alexandra and I attended the Race for the Cure Breast cancer walk. We first met up with everyone from Hartford and got in the group photo. Then before the walk started we met up with my dad (Papaw) and my step mom (Memaw) and the rest of the family, including cousin Ethan, Aunt Tiff, Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bob, Aunt Ashley and Uncle Brandon, Kenny and a few other friends. My step mom is a survivor of breast cancer so we walked for her. During the walk we ran into another couple, Zach and Kari, and continued the walk with her family as well. It was an absolute gorgeous day for the walk. By the time we got home and down for a quick cat nap, Debi arrived from Chicago. We hung out Saturday evening with friends Rick, Kari-Kari, Lance, Richard, and Dena. We got to use the fire pit for the first time. Freebie from Hartford.
Sunday Alex went to church with Papaw so Doug and I put up a storm door we bought a few weeks ago. It turned out to be a 6 hour job because he had to build the frame of the door out because of the side window. By the time I got home from picking up Alex, he had it all cleaned up and done. It looks great. Im so impressed and soo excited to use it when it gets nice out. I need to get pictures posted of the DVD system he installed in his car and the door. Each project was new to him and he did very well installing both. He's turning out to be a great handy man. He did a faboulous job on the back porch last year too. Next project: billet grille for my car. Though this will be a piece of cake for him as he knows how to do it.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T19:00:00.008-04:00

We had a great Easter. We spent Saturday evening dying, painting and decorating eggs with Disney Princess stickers. Sunday Alexandra woke up to find a Princess castle and easter basket filled with books, stickers, dress up shoes, bracelets, rings, gardening gloves, and hair accessories. I made Easter breakfast and later we headed over to Grandma Thayer's for Easter dinner. PawPaw and Nana Thayer also joined us for dinner.

Daddy and Alex decorating eggs

Princess castle and Easter basket

Nana and Alex checking out another Easter basket

PawPaw playing the piano book

Alex in her "Princess" dress as she called it. This bow was very hard to keep straight.

Grandma Thayer helped with the hunt

Showing Daddy all the eggs she found. They were filled with candy and coins.

New Ride...

2009-04-09T12:42:00.005-04:00

I got a new car yesterday. Its a 2009 Malibu. The dealership called me last week asking if we were interested in turning in the leased Trailblazer a year early. We checked them out over the week and came home with this. Perfect timing too! This month is my last month of carpooling with 2 coworkers. By May, I will be driving everyday to the northside to work. So now I dont have to worry about filling up a truck or racking up too many miles on a leased vehicle. Now I just need to tint the windows and get a DVD system installed. Alex doesnt like not being able to watch movies anymore. She asks for the truck when in the car. She was so used to the entertainment in the truck, Doug installed a DVD system in his car too. Now we have to do the same for the new car.

Doug added a new exhaust, side license plate holder and lowered his bike. Next he wants to buy a new, wider rear tire.

"Pitty!"

2009-03-30T21:03:00.002-04:00

Here a few pictures of some flowers popping up around the yard... When Alex and I check out the flowers she always say "Pitty!" which of course means "Pretty!"

Relaxing weekend.....

2009-03-30T20:52:00.005-04:00

We had a nice weekend, nothing much planned. Here are a few pictures from our visit with Papaw Buchanan and cousin Ethan....

Wendy and Alexandra watching the lightning

Ethan and Alex

The kids playing with Wendy

Ethan and Wendy watching the storm

Ethan is a cheeser!

Playing video games at Pizza King

If you look close, on the left side of her face she has a boo-boo on her forehead and under her noce. You cant see the boo-boo under her chin and on her cheek. She had a little accident with the wagon this past week.

"I go home"

2009-03-24T13:07:00.004-04:00

A few months ago Alexandra would tell us "I go home" after picking her up from daycare. Then she started saying "I go home" when we are out and about, letting us know she is bored and wants to do something more exciting like dig in dirt. Now she is saying "I go home" when we are at home. Its usually when she has gotten in trouble. I think she thinks there is a better home out there where the mommy and daddy dont punish their child for throwing yogurt on the floor, or for telling them "No" when told to do something, or throwing a temper tantrum because she is not allowed to have paci. Lastnight she told Doug "I get jacket. I go home." Well at least she was smart enough to think about putting on a jacket so she doesnt catch a cold.

If she follows in my footsteps, she will be swearing she was adopted and wants her real family to save her. I used to write that in my diary when I was in elementary.

Diarrhea, vomit and chalk! Oh My!

2009-03-11T11:38:00.009-04:00

The last few days have been kinda hectic as Alexandra got the flu bug again. She woke up Saturday morning around 2:30 crying because she vomited all over herself in her crib. I gave her a bath, Doug stripped her bed and I sent him back to bed because he had to work in the morning. I spent the morning up with her in the living room until about 6am when she finally went to sleep on her princess couch. After Alex woke up around 11, she acted great, kept her toast down so we ran a couple of errands. She was so anxious to get outside and play. In the stores she kept telling me "I go home and dig." She wanted to go home and play with her shovel. She was so anxious that she even asked to dig in a huge planter outside the mall that was full of dirt. I told her that wasnt our dirt to dig in. So we spent the rest of Saturday afternoon playing outside with the neighbors, digging, cleaning up the yard and drawing with chalk, not one of mommies favorite activities. Luckily Daddy came home just in time to take over and colored with Alex on the driveway, allowing me to take pictures.

Her reaction to the wind blowing in her hair.

Hugging Bubby. Sometimes we feel sorry for Bubby and all he endures from AlexandraSaturday playing with chalk

Yes I do and I cringe just thinking about the feel and sound of chalkDaddy came to save MommyHailey let Alex use her lilttle brothers car. We plan to get her one just like this but its pink and purple. She looovvvees it and never wants to get out.
Check out the static cling!Daddy sporting the heart headband while working on the DVD player for his car. Alex thought he needed to wear it and put it on his head.

Sunday Alex seemed to be grouchy as if she didnt feel good. She never ran a fever and never threw up. During the day we played outside. She did start to get massive diarrhea towards the end of the night.

Yes, Sunday morning and more chalk....... goose bumps!

Monday I picked up Alex from daycare and find out that she had diarrhea so bad they had to wash her clothes. Throughout the night we continued to change several diapers.

Tuesday morning while at work I get a call from Doug. He had to pull over into a gas station because Alex started vomiting all over the car. I headed home to take care of a sick baby. For some who dont know, it is very very hard for Doug to handle his daughter or myself sick. He freaks out, gets anxious, worries and practically has panic attacks. He just cant handle it. So I take care of her when she is sick. Now if she is hurt, Im of no help for the situation. I am the one who freaks out, gives myself a panick attack and cries. I cant stand the thought of her hurt, which Doug can handle very well. Alex got sick a few more times at home and literally laid around, which was fine with me. I didnt want her up and about. She woke up from a nap around 3ish and seemed to act all better, except the diarrhea explosions. I decided to stay home with her today so the day care didnt have to deal with her tummy issues as she was constantly getting a diaper change lastnight. So far since she woke up this morning she has acted perfect. No problems yet. I think the lil bug has finally left her system. Im still taking it slow and watching what she eats and drinks.

My babydoll sleeping on her princess couch after getting sick Monday morning.

Toddler + Mascara = Bath Time

2009-03-04T18:51:00.003-05:00

Alexandra found my mascara in my makeup bag sitting on the table Saturday morning. Doug was off at work and I was folding laundry in another room. I hear "I petty" from Alexandra. As I am walking into the room, I find her with the tube of mascara pulling the brush in and out. She has mascara all over her face and hands. I was in such a state of shock that I didnt know to laugh or get mad. I just kept repeating "Alex, this is bad, so very bad". After cleaning the black makeup off a table and kitchen floor, I run to get the camera. She didnt let me take very many pictures. Then it was bath time. Luckily it was not water proof.

The infamous mascara.....

The aftermath

She didnt want her picture taken.... the princess is camera shy

Bath time!

Alexandras hair. This is what her hair looks like after each bath (and mommy constantly scrunching her hair). Once she lies down, it goes flat. Who knew a mullet could hold so much curl......

Goober and Goober Jr

2009-02-24T08:19:00.004-05:00

I was going through some older pictures on our computer and burning them onto CDs. I ran across 2 that just crack me up everytime I look at them. So I wanted to share....

I asked Daddy and Alex to smile for the camera. Heres the response I get ......

I asked again for a smile and got these goofy faces.... Like father, Like daughter.....

Too Cute!

2009-02-23T10:51:00.004-05:00

Over the weekend Alexandra and I visited a friend and her new Yorkie puppies. The puppies are 4 weeks old and recently started playing. Alex had a great time. She walked in, saw them on the floor and immediately said "Puppies! Puppies! Aaww, they're cute." She did better with them than I thought. I continued to remind her that these were babies and we needed to be quiet and gentle with them. She loved holding them. At times she tried to pick them up by their heads, so I would have to hurry and help her. She didnt want them to go to sleep and tried to wake them. But once they had a little cat nap, they were up and running around her again. Since I showed Doug the pictures, he has talked constantly about getting her a puppy. So who knows, maybe this summer we will have a 4-legged addition to the family.

Diva Wears Red Heels

2009-02-18T19:43:00.003-05:00

So I shared in the past that Alexandra has a shoes fetish. She loves to try on mommies shoes and prance around. She cant stay still in a shoe store. She also loves to hear the clickety-clack on the hard floors. Here are a few pictures after we came home from shopping. She pulled the shoes out of the box and put them on.

I didnt even get to wear my new shoes first. Alex had to break them in.

As she walks around I pray a heel doesnt break

First Sign of Spring

2009-02-15T20:42:00.003-05:00

Today I noticed my tulips are starting to pop up through the ground. How exciting!!

Tulips on one side of the garage

and on the other side.....

A great day, minus the burn

2009-02-08T15:45:00.004-05:00

Yesterday while Doug worked his first Saturday in about a year, I went shopping for the first time since I lost weight. Now I have only bought a few items since I lost a lil over 30 lbs, dress pants, shirt and khakis, so I thought its finally time to do this. I used to love shopping for myself back in the day. But since I started gaining weight a few years ago, had Alexandra and fought with weight loss, shopping turned into torture for me. I would always come home depressed, mad and crying that I had to get such a large size. Because I had a hard time shedding a few pounds, my dr prescribed adipex, a weight loss medicine that worked wonders for me. I lost 10lbs the first month and by the third month I was down 30lbs. I have been off the medicine since Sept and have been able to lose a few pounds here and there. Being sick last couple of weeks shed another 9lbs. I have had to alter my clothes to wear them by using safety pins, rolling around the waist or just letting them hang off me. I have finally became happy with myself and my weight. I feel weighing what I weigh now is my desirable weight for my age and body type. I will always be thick in the thighs with the coke bottle figure and thick ass (and doug loves it and begged I did not get shrink my butt). Now Im working on toning my stomach, thighs and booty.
Alex and I went shopping first thing Saturday morning. We were there about 15 mins before the stores opened so we walked around and rode the lil kiddie rides. We cant walk past them without her begging "Peeeaaassseee" to get on them. Once the stores opened, we shopped at Old Navy, Charlotte Russe, Payless and Wet Seal. I only could try on a couple of items because Ms Alex had me very busy chasing her. She wanted a small ball at Old Navy and while checking out she entertained everyone while throwing and kicking it around the registers. She even had a lady on her hands and knees retrieving the ball from under clothes tables. Every store we were in she was out of her stroller playing with her ball or trying on shoes. I came home telling Daddy that our daughter has a shoe fetish. She threw a fit at one point because I would not let her take her shoes off but then gave in. Of course everyone else though it was so cute that she had womens high heels on walking around and saying "Im pitty" translation: "Im pretty".
I came home with 11 shirts, 4 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of shoes and jewelry and am very stoked to go to work this week to sport my new wardrobe......
Oh yea, I went tanning for the first time since October. I know I burn first then tan and does the girl at the tanning salon. I asked for 10 mins but the girl forgot to set the timer. I woke up to see the timer roll over to 9 mins left on a 20 min bed. I waited a minute to realize it was not going to shut off so I jumped out. Later saturday night the burning sensation started. Now Im a bright red lobster (on my butt, chest, and stomach). Im just glad I woke up when I did or I would be extremely miserable.

Fun in the Snow

2009-02-01T20:42:00.006-05:00

Today we let Alexandra go out and play in the snow. I figured this will probably be the nicest day for a while and we all need to get out of this house. She had a blast throwing snowballs at me and Daddy, feeding Lucifer snow, building a snowman and make snow angels. Now that all this snow is starting to melt away, Im excited for the next round of snow this week to come through. I love fresh snow.

another headache....

2009-01-30T13:49:00.003-05:00

okay...so Im finally starting to feel better. I stayed home again from work on Thursday when i woke up with a fever. Rather than staying in bed all day, I made myself stay out of bed and out of our room. I started feeling better by the afternoon. I kept myself busy by doing laundry with our brand new washer and dryer. I am super excited about the washer and dryer because I have never had my own brand new set. We always had hand-me-down sets or bought used. We were always looking for a good deal and looking at different options of different brands. We had our eye set on the Whirlpool HE Cabrio steam dryer and washer set, big enough for a king size comforter! Doug did some research and found it cheapest at HH Gregg. So buying it was the easy part. You would think having it delivered and installed by them would be easy for us as well... ha... try again. We had it delivered on tuesday. They come, deliver it and tell us to test start the washer after a couple of hours allowing time for frozen water in the lines to thaw. So when doug gets home he starts the washer. I go to bed and he jumps in the shower. I wake up and hear Alex saying "Water, water" and Lucifer lapping up something. I run into the laundry room to find Alex and Lucifer standing in about an inch of water. Alex had put both her bearies in the water and Lucifer was drinking it. The drain hose was spraying everywhere. We get the kids out of the water, start to clean up the water and make a call to HH Gregg. They make plans to deliver a new washer Wed. They then cancel all deliveries Wed because of the snow (understandable). So thursday they deliver a new washer, this time they didnt hook it up, afraid the same problem might occurr. We agree to hook it up once the unit warms up. I then notice they didnt level the washer. Doug makes the call to HH Gregg and gets the run-around from the installation guys. He finally curses at them, hangs up and Doug and I have to level the washer ourselves. It was easy but the point is we had this arranged for them to do it, not us. If we ever purchase anything from HH Gregg again, we will take care of the delivery and installation ourselves.

Heres a picture of the set I pulled from the internet....

Im done being sick....

2009-01-28T13:56:00.003-05:00

Well Im laying in bed, sick with Bronchitis and a fever. I started feeling bad Monday, barely making it through the work day. I had body aches, fever, cough...all the fun stuff that comes with a cold. I decided to stay home from work Tuesday to take Alex to the doctor because her cough seemed worse. Tuesday I woke up feeling the same along with a painful cough. Her doctor visit was great. She just has the viral cough that is going around and we are to continue with the cough medicine and added Mucinex to get that flem out. I then took myself to the dr and found out I have bronchitis. I am on Mucinex, Amoxicillon and an inhaler. i have a fever that will break but then come back and has repeated since Monday. Each time it comes back its a little lower. So I have spent the last few days in bed. I just hope to feel better very very soon.

Our Escape Artist

2009-01-26T07:46:00.004-05:00

So yesterday afternoon I put Alex down for a nap. She acted tired and even told me she wanted to "paci and beary, go nigh-nigh". She was in the crib for maybe half an hour when she started talking and carrying on a conversation with her stuffed animals. This is normal and after listening to her lullabies, she usually falls back to sleep. Well this time she started calling for "Momma"...then when I didnt answer she started calling for "Daddy"...and then it was back to calling for "Courney". Finally I went into the room when she started saying "I get down, please, out". I walked in to find her half way out of the crib, with one leg over the railing. I asked what she was doing and her reply "I get down". She also had taken everything out of her crib, throwing onto the floor. This would include her Ariel pillow, small decorative butterfly pillow, black bear, tan bear, all three bearies, kitty, paci, small kitty, small doggy, blanket and comforter that hangs over the railing. I think if she could have gotten the sheet off the bed it would be on the floor too. This would be the first time she has tried getting out of the crib on her own. That to me is a sign that we might need to change her bed into the toddler stage. Im going to wait though, and see if she tries again.
Oh yea, so after I got her out of the hanging position on the crib, I put her on the floor. As I was telling her she really needed to take a nap before we made the trip to the grocery, she started to leave her room. As I was walking behind her, she stopped and with this surprised, scared, "uh-oh I just got caught" look on her face, she stopped and turns to me, saying "I get down". I agreed, shook my head and responded, "Yes, yes you got down". I think it dawned on her that she is able to climb out of her crib and successfully get out when ever she wants to....

Just a few pictures

2009-01-23T22:00:00.005-05:00

Bubby finally calmed down for a few pictures Alexandra and Daddy

Alex helping Uncle Ty blow out birthday candles

Uncle Tyler on his 23rd birthday

Debi came for a visit from Chicago and brought Princess a care package that included suckers, markers, crayons, coloring book, sunglasses, Playdo, Hershey Kisses, nail polish and lip glossses

I will add more soon....

Chompers...

2009-01-21T12:51:00.004-05:00

Hello... just an update over the past weekend. It wasnt very eventful or exciting though. We stayed in most of the days. All weekend I was bothered by the fact I had to have a root canal on Monday. So I was in a kind of grumpy mood. Friday evening we visited with Zach and Kari and a few friends from Penske Honda. Zach, by the way, is doing really well. Some may recall the terrible accident he was involved in Dec 14th where another car ran a red light, t-boning Zach on the driver side, sending him off the road and the driver ran on foot from the scene, leaving zach to bleed to death. After spending a few weeks in ICU and rehab, he was released New Years eve. He still has a long road ahead of him. Saturday Kari and Lance came over to play. Alex had been talking all about Lance...anything we said her response was Lance. We have to spell his name if she is around. Later that night Rick joined us and we played lots of Wii and ate pizza. Just a great time hanging out at home. Sunday evening my brother Tyler and Mom came over. We had dinner and cake icecream in celebration of Ty's b-day.
Monday my office was closed so I spent the afternoon getting a root canal. First one and not a fun one. It wasnt as bad as I thought, but it still sucked. If you know me, you know going to the dentist is a very scary trip for me.
Monday night, through out the night, I was either woke up by the throbbing pain in my mouth or Alexandra crying. She continued to wake up several times that night, crying that her fishies were not swimming in her lullaby crib toy or she had lost her paci. It was a restless night, with no sleep so I decided to stay home Tuesday. Also because I could not speak with being in pain, nor could I eat or sneeze without causing pain. On the way to daycare that morning I realized Alex was probably cutting her last molar. She had three coming in at once about a week or so ago and had never fussed until this forth and last one started coming in. Last evening she was in a better mood. Through the night she woke up once. I think this is the end of teething as all her teeth have come in. Thank goodness, no more pain for her.
I have more pictures to post and will get them up as soon as possible. At the moment Im at work, eating lunch and writing this.

Happy New Year

2009-01-07T15:12:00.006-05:00

Finally I am now able to get back on here and post some pictures. Just to catch everyone up .... We had a great Christmas with friends and family. Alexandra was spoiled and had so much fun. She enjoyed opening gifts, including everyone elses gifts. She got so much, including clothes, books, DVDs, bath toys, dolls, pillows, vanity set, teaparty set and much more. We need more room to put everything. We were able to spend Christmas with all sides of each family Christmas Eve, Christmas day and night. New Years Eve Doug and I planned to celebrate with Alexandra. We brought in the new year hanging out with Rick, Kari, Lance and several friends. Lance and Alexandra played untilthe ball dropped. Daddy got his first kiss of 2009 from Alexandra. After that we headed home because all three of us were so tired. Here are a few pictures from New Years Eve....

Alex was Princess for the day..wait..she is Princess everyday

Mommy got to be Princess too

Daddy didnt want to be Princess

Mommy and Princess Alexandra

Daddys First Kiss of 2009

she was sooo worn out and tired from having fun

What a week.. and its only Tuesday

2008-12-16T21:50:00.004-05:00

So it has been a coupole of weeks... I have been staying busy at work and home. Quick update for all...
Last weekend me, Doug, Alexandra, Grandma Scheible and Grandma Thayer had Breakfast with Santa at Nordstrom. Alex was very good. She even talking to Santa about her Kitty-Cat. She didnt want to get close to him but everytime he was around she would point at him and say "Santa!".
A close friend of ours, Zach, was in a car accident Sunday evening on the southside. Some might have heard about it on the news. Wishtv had a video clip titled "Hit and Run Injures Hoosier Soldier". He was t-boned on the drivers side by another car and pushed off the road. He was knocked unconscience while the driver of the other car ran away on foot, leaving the car. Luckily there were two witnesses and right now investigation is underway to verify the person who was caught in fact was the driver. Zach has a broken jaw, broken pelvis, 3 broken ribs, bruise on his brain, broken clavicle, punctured lung and liver. Surgery was performed to fix the liver and lung, his spleen was taken out. He is in ICU and will stay there till at least Friday. He has a very long hard recovery ahead of him. Luckily he has a wonderful, caring and supportive wife that will be there through it all.
Please keep Zach and Kari in your thoughts and prayers.
Work has been extremely busy with the coworkers on vacation or out for medical reasons. I feel at one point Im all caught up and then someone opens the gates and more work floods in. Every year it seems to be hectic and stressful, but this year seems to be the worse so far. I will just be happy when it starts to slow down around February.
Today, with the ice and snow from the northside to the southside of Indpls, it toook me almost 3 hours to get home. There was more ice than snow on the southside and traffic literally creeped at 10 mph on 35. I didnt get home till 7 and of course my night has literally flown by. But now I get to go to bed and wake up to another rough drive into work tomorrow... from what I have been told, more ice is on the way as we sleep.

SO it tried adding pics and then it goes blank.. so ill try again later

Bla....

2008-12-08T20:34:00.002-05:00

So this morning I woke to a very upset stomach. I debated going to work, but went on in. Well the whole time driving from the southside to the northside I thought I was going to puke. The state trooper me and three other vehicles followed the whole way cwouldnt go over 60mph. I even contemplated on turning around at a few exits. I made it to work, started my day trying to get my mind off my upset stomach. Before I had left I had told Doug I wasnt feeling well so didnt give him a good bye kiss. Later in the morning he told me he wasnt feel well either. So now Im thinking we have the flu or ate something bad. We had a great homemade meatloaf with potatoes and carrots. And it tasted even better this time. By 11am I could not focus anymore on work and decided to go home. I met Doug in the warm comfy bed where we both tried to nap. Why is it when your not thinking about sleep, you are so exhausted, have a hard time keeping your eyes open but when you lay down in bed you cant fall asleep? Yea well that was me. So for the rest of the day we laid in bed, watching tv until we had to get Alex from daycare. And of course Miss Alex was doing very well and had normal bowle movements...Sunday night she had diarhea, so we were worried she had caught something as well.
Well Im about to head off the bed, joining Doug. Alex went to bed early tonight only because we made her. Im starting to feel better, have even eaten some dry cereal. I had not eaten anything all day, so this was a good start. Im thinking everything will be better tomorrow. And Ill be back at work...yay!

Getting creative...

2008-11-29T16:01:00.004-05:00

I am still practicing with my new camera. So here are a few pictures I took of Alexandra as I "allowed" her to decorate the tree.

Picture from Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T15:53:00.004-05:00

A plate full of food for both...they ate maybe three bites each but drank 2 cups wach of milk....

Alex singing while playing in her food.... Lance enjoying my Eclair cake...mmmm....they ate their own bowl each and finished everyone elses bowls

Lance in time out after undecorating a christmas tree (again)

Alex in time out after standing on the desk writing with a permanent marker (luckily she didnt write on anything but paper)

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-11-29T15:23:00.005-05:00

Kitchen..im still waiting to replace the lights on the tree so its not up yet in the top corner of the cabinets

The fireplace...

Our house

Thats how we have been for the last couple of weeks. With the decent weather a couple of weeks ago, we hung up all of the christmas decorations, inside and out. Our living room, bedroom, kitchen, front room and Alexandras room all have a tree. Alex has been pretty good with the trees, only undecorated the tree in our bedroom with the help of Lance my Godson. I cooked, with the help of others, Thanksgiving Dinner. We had a house full of friends and family. I even cooked up three new recipes, including a Chocolate Eclair Cake, Apple Sour Dough Stuffing and Parmesean Puff Patries. Evertything but the pastry puffs went well. I will have to practice on those some more. We also celebrated my birthday as it was the same day. The big 2-8. But of course, just feels like another day for me.

Thanksgiving evening after dinner, Lance and Alex disappeared into our bedroom to watch cartoons, so we thought. It was when they both ranout into the living room with arms full of ornaments, laid them on the table and ran back into the bedroom. I followed to find they had undecorated the tree, laying every piece on the bed or floor. They somehow even got the silver star at the top of the tree down. After asking many questions and hearing a few confessions, we learned Lance shook the tree, knocking the star down from the six foot tree. Luckily all the ornaments are plastic and didnt have too many catastrophies. A few ornaments had to have the tops glued back on, but all is well. All we could do as parents was laugh (when they werent looking of course). Later that evening the kids then disappeared into the front room. When my mom came out to advise "Maybe you and Kari should take care of this one..." I knew immediately what was going on. I found Alex sitting on top of the desk writing with a black permanent marker while Lance was literally knocking the glass bulbs off the tree. This time we were not laughing. They were placed in Time-Out.

Front Room

Our bedroom tree

Alexandra's tree

And the tree in the living room

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexandra

2008-11-17T13:40:00.006-05:00

Sunday November 16, 2008 we celebrated Alexandra's 2nd birthday with a "Finding Nemo" themed party at our home. Friends and family joined in the celebration as well. We had a great time. Alex received so many great gifts, including a huge dollhouse from Mommy and Daddy, many outfits from all, an interactive Panda bear from Nana and PawPaw, accessories for the dollhouse from Grandma Scheible, a Disney Princess coloring station from Grandma Thayer and many more presents. Before all the guests had left, Alexandra passed out asleep in her room watching a movie while sitting on her Pooh air mattress.

Happy Birthday to me!!

2008-11-11T17:14:00.003-05:00

Boy am I spoiled?! Doug gave me my birthday present early this past Saturday. With Alexs b-day, thanksgiving, other b-days and holiday parties it would be rather difficult to schedule in my b-day dinner. We went out to a nice dinner at Famous Daves (love that place). We came home and he was too anxious to wait any longer to give it to me. He bought me a new Nikon D90 digital camera with 2 zoom lens. He presented everything to me in a carrying case. He said since he has so many hobbies, he wanted to give me a chance to enjoy my hobby, taking pictures. He also signed me up for a 6 week photography course. I am sooo excited to start learning how to take semi-professional pictures. I have started to use it but am still learning so some of the pictures arent that great..But practice makes perfect (and a lot of reading of the ver thick owners manual). The reason he gave my present early is because he wanted me to have it for Alex's b-day and Thanksgiving..and of course cause its hard for him to keep a secret...

Who you callin' four eyes?!

2008-11-10T08:20:00.004-05:00

Guess who had to get glasses... lucky me. Gradually my eyes have been getting worse once I am away from a computer and at night. My eyes just dont focus anymore. Lately I have been catching myself squinting which then turns into a headache. So I went to the eye doctor and she determined my right eye is dominant. The prescription is a small one, as the doctor said, so glasses are not needed all the time. But it was up to me. If I wanted to wear them all the time or just when I needed them. For a few days I tried wearing them all day but just could not get used to it. So I have decided to wear them only when needing to look far away and at night. So now when leaving the house I have added another item to the list of what to remember.

My black frames

My brown frames

Please and Thank You

2008-11-04T21:10:00.007-05:00

Dougs pumpkin

My pumpkin Doug let me carve this one too

Okay so Im finally posting pics from Halloween. Sorry. Halloween night went really well. Alexandra went as Little Red Riding Hood. At first she didnt want to wear her red cape but then changed her mind. Grandma Thayer came along for the walk. We also met up with Kari, Rick, Lance and Kari's nieces. Lance was an adorable, I mean, scary Dracula. The kids went door to door saying trick or treat. well everyone except Alex. She couldnt say it. So I had her saying Please and thank you. There were only a few houses she didnt want to walk up to because they had some kind of large statue of a ghost or vampire or witch that scared her. Sometimes she would go when Lance held her hand. After a couple of hours we headed back to the house to hand out our candy.

Get this. It's past 9 oclock. We just get Alex into her jammies, settled down about to put her to bed when Lucifer starts barking madly at the front door. I look out the window and see kids. Doug opens the door and there are kids still trick or treating. Parents are sitting out in their truck in the middle of the road waiting for them. Doug gives them some candy and they are on their way. What the heck? Hello? There is a designated time frame for trick or treating for a reason. Some parents just dont think about others. And not to mention, the kids were rude. Doug specifically hands them teddy Graham crackers for their little sister... As Doug is handing them to one of the kids, the kid snatches it out of his hand, then tries to take the other candy that he was still holding onto... and noone said thank you...

Little Red Riding Hood

Dracula and his girlfriend Red

The first house we went to

Notice Lance in the back.. he was snatching more candy from a kids hand. I was laughing (bad Courtney, bad)

Daddy didnt want to walk anymore

Grandma Thayer decided she wanted a free ride so kicked Alex and Daddy out of the wagon

Lance was such a gentleman and held Alex's hand because, he said, "she is scared".

Greenwood cop passing out candy...Why did us adults say to each other when he pulled up with his lights on "What did we do?" ..... guilty conscience???

"What's My Name?"

2008-11-03T13:39:00.002-05:00

I cant believe I forgot to share this....
So sometime a few weeks ago as I walk into daycare to pick up Princess Alexandra, she comes running as fast as she can to me. As she is running, normally, she would say "Me-Me!" or "Mommy!". Well not this time. I hear "Caurney" out of her little mouth. I just stood there in shock as one of the daycare ladies asks "Did she just call you Courtney?" Yep, she sure did.. and then it started... from then on at least once a day I hear her call me "Courney". Everytime, I will either ignore her until she says "Mommy" or I will ask her "What's my name?" .. sometimes I will get an immediate "Mommy" with a lil smile... and sometimes she will continue to call me by my name until she finally answers correctly. I wont let her continue to talk until she says it correctly. So now instead of calling out "Doug" all the time to Daddy (which of course he is gleaming from ear to ear because she passed that stage), she is now calling my name. It is cute at the moment because she will have this high pitch in her voice and she has that "not so innocent" look on her face... because knows what she is saying and she knows what she should be saying...

Picture Time!

2008-11-03T13:22:00.005-05:00

Okay so I had some time at work to upload some pictures. I dont have all the pictures available here so there are more to come. Alexandra loves bubbles!

I asked Alex to smile and this is what I got.. what a smarty pants

Cousin Ethan and Alex. Giving out kisses before we left Aunt Ashley and Alex at the Light the Night Walk downtown

She was so bored sitting during a wedding reception
Look Me-Me! Grape! Past the bored-stage, starting to get tired so Mommy had to cuddle her Baby Doll

Pictures....

2008-10-26T20:15:00.003-04:00

I have lots and lots of pictures to share. I would love to post them and have tried, but for some reason as I upload it times out and doesnt upload. So I will work on getting the pictures uploaded another time when the internet isnt so slow....

Punk-in Patch!

2008-10-26T19:06:00.004-04:00

So it is Sunday evening and the lack of sleep over the weekend has caught up with me. Friday night my dad took Alexandra to spend the night with him. Alex, Papaw, Me-Maw and Ethan went to the Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville. There they rode a train to a pumpkin patch. Doug and I went birthday shopping for her and out to dinner. Saturday we didnt sleep in much as we had a few errands to run before Alex came home. Saturday evening Doug and I went to Tom's Halloween party. We had plans to dress up as gangsters. Doug had a costume that had a mask and blow up shoulders to make him look beefy and muscular. Yea, well while putting air into the shoulders, it blew up. He tried wearing the outfit without the shoulders but the jacket was so big and the mask didnt fit well. So he didnt end up dressing up. But I did dress up as a mafia chick. We stayed at Toms with a few friends till about 2:30 in the morning. Sunday we woke up and went to Watermans Fall Festival where we rode horses, went on a hay ride, and picked pumpkins in a pumpkin patch. When we got home and put Alex to bed for her nap, Doug and I fell asleep for a nap. Doug is now at his softball games while Alex and watch Dora and start to wrap up the weekend.
I thought I got enough sleep over the weekend, but apparently not. After I woke up from a nap, only because Alex woke up, I have been struggling to stay awake. I am so ready to take a bath and go to bed. I hope Alex wants to go to bed early.

Guess Who....

2008-10-20T07:30:00.006-04:00

Just an update since the last time... We are set for Halloween, all three of us. Alexandra will be going as Little Red Riding Hood. We at first wanted a little devil costume, but everyone we found she would have to wear something on her head (hood with horns, headband with horns, etc). Knowing Alex and her temper when it comes to messing with her hair, she will not keep anything on her head. She will for a moment and then take it off. So when we were at target a few weeks ago we found Little Red Riding Hood. Yes she has a cape with a hood, but if she doesnt wear the hood up, it doesnt really matter as you can still tell what she is suppose to be. I found a cute lil picnic basket at Flower Factory, along with her black shoes and white tights. We were also thinking of bringing Lucifer along as the Big Bad Wolf, but Im sure Lucifer will want to eat the pointy ear and long tail we try to put on him. Anyone have a wolf we can borrow for an evening?
Doug and I were invited to a Halloween party this Saturday and advised dress up if you want. At first we werent going to, but as we were out and about looking for Alexandra's b-day decorations (which we didnt find what we wanted), we ran across several costumes we like. So we decided to dress up. We are going as a couple, dressed in the same motif, but Im not spilling the beans. I plan to take some pics and post them after the party. Then you can check our costumes out.... by the way, the costumes are nothing too extravagent... It's just exciting for Doug and I because, in the 11 years we have been together, we have never dressed up together for Halloween.