It's been a while...

...since my last blog post. Ha! Well, let's see what's been going on...
1. We got rid of the Tobster. Loved that dog, but it just wasn't fair to him to be cooped up all day. So we gave, yes, gave, our $400 dog away to some friends of some friends. Where he proceeded to be happy playing with their other dogs and chewing up their couch cushions. Dodged that bullet. All he did to our couch was eat the pillows, which can easily be replaced.
2. Charles went to Germany for a month. During that time, my parents visited. Actually, they stayed about 2 months, visiting between my sisters and I. But, they love me best and stayed with me the longest. Which actually means they love Drake the best and I was just an after thought. Bygones.
3. I turned 30. Enough said. I weep for my twenties. I noticed today that my elbows are starting to wrinkle. That's only the beginning. It all sags downhill from here.
4. My best friend Shea threw my son to the floor in Old Navy and he ended up having surgery. Right, Shea? That's what she thinks anyway. ;) What really happened was Drake was being a booger and ran away. Shea tried to catch him and he went face forward on the unforgiving concrete floor. Do they purposely not finish the floors in Old Navy, or is it just the bad economy and sucky pres? Oops, I digress...that's another post in itself. Anyhoo, it was actually a blessing in disguise. Drake's top lip connected between his two front teeth and he needed a frenectomy anyway. We would never have known if it wasn't for his little spill.
5. Drake recently had a frenectomy. Poor baby couldn't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery and he was IRATE when he couldn't have his juice. The surgery went well, but the sedative made hime throw up and irritable. He was bouncing off the walls after his nap though. He also busted the cauterized lip open and I stayed calm, cool, and collected. Just kidding. I panicked and called the doctor. He was fine.
6. I ran the Peachtree Road Race 8 minutes faster than last year. Yay me. Now for a half marathon...Atlanta half anyone?
7. Charles quit teaching and is now working with his dad. If you need any painting done, I know someone. :)

Well, I have an iPad2 and I can't figure the picture uploading thing out, so no pics today. Hopefully tomorrow.

Redecorating

I'm so ready to redecorate. We've been living in this house since September 2008. When we moved in, I decided to paint the walls really rich colors. Our living room is Pumpkin Butter, the kitchen is Chocolate and Olive, our dining room is Spanish tile, and our spare bathroom is Powdered Linen (or something like that). What that really means is a creamy orange-y color, dark brown and green, red, and off-white respectively. I chose fall colors, which I love. But, it's time for a change. I'm ready to go with light grays, beiges, etc...or neutrals. So, I've got Charles painting again. Our Master bath is going to be Hargrove gray. It's a darker gray that has black and gold and green in it. Not so neutral, but neutral all the same. I'm going to handpaint wallpaper on it. Once I do it, I'll post a picture of it. This is probably a really boring post, but something I'm excited about. I'm all about the DIY channel these days. And DIY blogs are awesome too. Other things I want to do with the house:
1. glass in the back porch (it's screened in right now)
2. paint the cabinets in the kitchen and tile or lay hardwood for the floor
3. paint each individual room and add splashes of color instead of drowing in it
4. hang the tv on the wall since Drake loves to push the buttons on it now
5. reupholster the furniture
6. add a tile backsplash in the kitchen
7. bulldoze the kitchen and just build a new one
8. move
Yep, that's all I want to do...it's not too much, is it? :)

Ruffle Wreath

I have a new obsession. It is Jones Design Company! I found her blog and have been reading it religiously for a while now. She has the BEST tutorials. I decided to try to make a wreath for my front door and her tutorial for the ruffle wreath drew my attention. You can find it here. I went to Hobby Lobby for the burlap ($3.99/yd) and got the wreath from Michaels. I used a straw wreath because they are cheaper and inexpensive. I just hope it holds! I had a great time making it and feel good that I now have a wreath that I didn't spend an arm and a leg on. I haven't finished it yet...embellishments are needed and a must. I just can't decide what to put on it. Do I want to go seasonal or holiday-y? I do have enough burlap to make at least 2 more :)

Snow/Ice 2011

Well, 2011 started off with a bang! Georgia was snowed on. It started on Sunday, January 9th and on Monday morning, it was ice! Our front yard became the "Snow Mountain" of Stewart Hollow. Charles and I took turns sliding down the driveway and the front yard on a makeshift sled (the bottom part of Toby's crate). Good times! I can't remember the last time I was sledding...up North when we lived there years ago. My knee is so bruised up from diving and sliding, but it was so worth it!



Drake didn't know what to think about it. At first, when we put him down, he cried. He couldn't figure out how to walk on the ice without falling.

He got the hang of it and loved it! Here is a cutie pic of Drake, daddy, and Toby walking in the ice.

Here's the deal. I love snow/ ice. I am so glad it snowed and we didn't have to work for the entire week. It seems that everyone always wants it to snow, then complains endlessly about it. I don't get that. I had a blast this week just staying inside with my loves and playing and just being together. I couldn't care less that the driveway was frozen over (still is on Friday). The one day we did venture out, we just wanted to be back home. I love being snowed in, I love how beautiful it is when the sunshine hits the snow and ice, and I love the fun that comes with it. We only get this maybe once a year, and never like this, so enjoy it!

RagaBabe Love

I've been introduced to the cloth diapering world. At first, when my mom suggested it (when Drake was first born), I told her she was crazy. Now, when I first thought about cloth diapering, I thought about the gerber white cloths and the plastic pants. Yuck. But, the cloth diapering world is so different now! Now fast forward to 1 year later. We are cloth diapering. My absolute favorite is the Ragababe. This diaper is like magic. And they are so cute to boot! Granted, I have to shake poop into the toilet now, but it's so worth it if it's going to save us money. The upfront cost of cloth diapering is expensive, but will save us thousands in the long run...especially if/when we have more kiddos. We have 6 AIOs and 6 2 Steps. And, I just ordered 2 more AIOs! AIOs or all-in-ones are just like disposables. The 2-Steps are the shell of a diaper and it has inserts that you snap in. So, if Drakey Drake pees on the insert, I can just put the shell aside and reuse it and throw the insert in the wash. I am so excited for this! Fingers crossed that it goes well!

A Merry Fluffy Christmas from Lauren's Little Lovies!

I'm quickly becoming a HUGE fan of cloth diapering and Lauren's Little Lovies is participating in a giveaway from my favorite cloth dipering family - Ragababe! They have AWESOME diapers...the best I've tried. I am so excited about this! Even if I don't win, I'll be glad that someone out there will be able to try Ragababe! If you are curious, you can visit Lauren's Little Lovies - A Merry Fluffy Christmas at http://laurenslittlelovies.blogspot.com/2010/11/amfc-sponsor-spotlight-5-ragababe.html.

Go Long! Go Green! Giveaway!!

A new blog I'm following is doing a giveaway with Go Green Pocket Diapers...Awesome! I am trying cloth diapering and can use all the help I can get! I have tried it and love it so far...for all of you out there considering it, please try! Amazing how one can become a diaper snob :)

Long road ahead...

It's been about a month and a half since I last blogged. I was spending every spare second with my husband, who is now gone. That sounds ominous. He's not gone for good, just until the middle of September. AIT for the Army. 10 long weeks without him. I took him for granted. I didn't realize how much I needed him until he was gone. You would think I would know, since we went through this last summer, but it's amazing how much a year can make you forget. Forget the longing. Forget the pain. Forget the heartache. Now it's all back. I miss him terribly. I wake up in the morning and look beside me at the empty bed where he used to lay. I know he is waking up in Missouri, doing the same. Sometimes, it hurts to breathe. The loneliness is stifling. Family and friends try to make it better, and I am so grateful for them, but it's just not the same. My best friend is a thousand miles away...16 hours. We can't even talk on the phone right now. Thoughts of him consume me. Is he doing ok? I can only hope. I guess at this point, no news is good news. I just thank God everyday for him and that this isn't a deployment. My heart goes out to those whose spouses are serving overseas. God bless each and every one of them. I love you Charles.

My First Mother's Day!

It was wonderful! I took full advantage of having the hubby home with me all weekend. This was a first in many weeks. Guess what I wanted to do? CLEAN! I had every intention of cleaning all day Saturday so I could enjoy the actual day on Sunday. Well, that didn't go as planned because Drake came down with a cold on Thursday. And that meant I came down with a cold on Thursday. So, all day Saturday, I sat my happy hind end on the couch and watched reruns of One Tree Hill. The hubby and Drake slept in the chair for 3 hours! 3! I loved it. After lazing around all afternoon, we got up and went out. Where, you ask?? Why, to Wal-mart, of course! We bought Drake a mess-proof bib! He started eating green beans on Saturday, his 5 month birthday! What a big boy! After feeding them to him, we realized cloth bibs do not cut it. Then, we ate at Zaxby's. It was a good Saturday. Sunday, I woke up feeling even worse, but trucked through some cleaning. We decided to eat at Cracker Barrel for Mother's Day. Delish! But, I still felt like yuckliness. So did the hubby. Drake was fine. We headed to Wal-mart (shocking!) and then to the in-laws, then finally home. Thankfully, I feel much better today, however, I was a little disappointed that on my first Mother's Day, I was sick. Boo.

3 weeks!

No, I'm not three weeks pregnant...I think I would pass out instead of blog. What I mean is: 3 weeks until my sweet sweet husband is home with me for summer vacation! I cannot wait! June will be an outstanding month! I am so ready to spend day in and day out with him for an entire month. I intend to occupy his time entirely. It is so bittersweet. I've waited all year for June to roll around so we could be together with our baby, but at the same time, I've been dreading June. Because once June is gone, so is he. For 3 months. 3...long...months...It's the hardest thing ever. Being apart. Waking up from a dream about him and realizing your best friend is not beside you. Walking into the kitchen to fix coffee and knowing he won't be there to share a cup with you. Eating alone, whether at home or at a restaurant. Taking the dog for our evening stroll without him. Taking care of our sweet baby, wondering if what you're doing is right and wishing you had his opinion to help you out. The loneliness. That's the worst. It's so hard having your best friend with you everyday, then having him ripped from the fabric of your life for 3 months. I really shouldn't complain since it is 3 months. At least it's not forever...I love you hubby! You don't know how much you will be missed.

Getting to Know You

My friend from college does this on her blog and I love reading it! It's a lot of fun, so I figured I would do it to and let my 4 followers know all about me :) Thanks Amber!

The questions..



1. If you could star in any movie genre..what would it be..romance..horror..comedy..suspense or action?
Well, I used to say horror, but now I'm such a chicken. Overactive imagination! Definitely comedy because there is nothing like laughing to make you feel better.


2. Do you recycle?
Nope. I'm so lazy.
3. Have you ever been to a strip clup?
Yes. A real one and a rinky dink one in Carrollton. Why? I'll never know. I guess just to say I have been, although that's really nothing to brag about.

4. Do you have a nickname?
Juliebean, Jules, Julio
5. What's a name you can't stand to be called?
I don't really think there is one I absolutely can't stand to be called...unless it's obnoxious...
6. What are your Summer staples?
Tank tops, flip flops, diet coke, Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney
7. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
Breast milk storage bags and nursing pads. A real treat, right? Oh, and a book. That was a real treat!

8. Are you happy with your boob size?
No! They are too big at the moment! I just want to lay on my tummy again! It has been over a year since I've done that!

Feeling helpless...

I have no idea what to do with my 4 month old son. I mean, you can only jump in a jumperoo, do tummy time, swing, and bounce in your bouncer for so long. I feel like he is getting bored. They can do that you know. Get bored. I also feel guilty when I'm not right there with him 24/7 while he is awake. Is that wrong? I mean, I feel like I get absolutely nothing done. Our favorite thing to do here lately is to go for a walk. But, it has been so cold the past few days, that has been out of the question. I guess the reason for this blog is that I feel helpless. I don't want him just lying around on his back. I feel like he needs to be active, but I have no idea what to do. If there are any ideas out there, or you have been through this too, please tell me and let me know what you did! :)

2 days until spring break!

Thank God. I am so ready for my hubby to be here with us for 4 whole days. I need a break. Is that bad to say? Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my baby boy. I just hate having to be the only one home during the day when he goes down for a nap. Or when he wakes up in the middle of one. He cries. I cry. It breaks my heart to just leave him in the crib. I do go in and try to soothe, but I try not to pick him up. I am hoping against hope that it will get easier. A little guy his age is supposed to take a 1 1/2 to 2 hour nap. He wakes up after about an hour sometimes. I know he needs his sleep, but is it really sleeping when he is crying? He is supposed to learn to soothe himself to sleep. I just want to soothe him myself. This is sooo hard. Can you tell I'm typing this as I listen to him cry? Come on Spring Break!!!

Am I Babywise...or do I have a wise baby?

Both. Drake is wise. He knows how to tug at my heartstrings to get what he wants. However, this week, we are trying Babywise again. I tried it when he was first born...not so much. I was stressing myself out over it. I did take the eat/wake/sleep idea and ran with it. That has worked out well. Now, I'm trying the sleep part. So far, it sucks. The first nap went swimmingly. He slept from 10:45-12:15. His second nap is not going as well. Apparently the 45 minute intruder snuck in and woke him up. So I fed him. And changed him. And he's still crying. Not just wimpering, but screaming crying. I hate it! I know there is nothing wrong with him physically, but I just ache to go pick him up. Oh Lord, how long is this going to last?

Thursday = rainy yuckliness

So, it's not raining yet, but I know it's coming. You can tell by looking outside. It's very gray and cold looking. Has been all day. But, it's not cold...not yet. I took Drake, aka he who never takes naps at least not long naps, outside earlier and it was really windy, but, not cold. Nice change. Now, just need to get rid of the gray clouds and wind and we'll be all set. I need sunshine! We do get to get out of the house today though. We are going to Target! Love Target. I have money to spend, but I know as soon as I get there, I won't want to spend any of it. Because, if I do, that means I won't have any money to spend on my next shopping trip. The more money I have, the less I want to spend. The less money I have, the more I want to spend. I'm messed up.

This and That

Well, Drake is sleeping so I figured I would take advantage and blog. Here are a few things:

1. We did get our BOB! It is wonderful, amazing, fabulous...and too big for our son at this point in his life. Bummer. I was so excited to use it. I can put him in it and go for walks, but if I were to jog with him in it, he would be jostled all around. So, we must wait.
2. I registered for the Peachtree Road Race. Last year, the AJC had online registration. It was HORRIBLE. I was online for 3 hours trying to register 2 people. I kept getting a message that said the website was experiencing a billion people at once and they weren't prepared for that. Not prepared?! Do they know how big this race is? Well, this year, I almost missed the registration until my sis reminded me. I was psyched to go to Wal-mart and pick up the AJC because surely they wouldn't commit the colossal mistake of doing it online again. They learn from their mistakes, right? NOPE. It was online again and again I got the same stupid message. When are they going to learn?
3. I went for my first run last night since August. My excuse from August to December was "I'm way pregnant. I can't run." My excuse from January until last night was "I think running will hurt my milk supply." Well, I bit the bullet and ran. All the websites I read and all of my friends who are runners and mothers said running would hurt my supply. I trust them. And, if it does, I have a freezer full of milk to last for at least 1-1 1/2 months. I hope it doesn't though. Formula is WAY too expensive.
4. Every time I finally get Drake to sleep (albeit in his swing), Toby, our puppy, decides he has to bark at whatever is outside. Today, it was the wind. I mean, this dog barks at anything when the timing is just right. Ask him to speak and he looks at you like you're an idiot. Go figure.

Well, that's all for now. Thank God for naps and sweet baby boys!

2 hours!

Drake slept for 2 whole hours!!! Wah-hoo!!!

To have and to hold

That is what Drake wants. To have his mommy hold him...24/7. Just within the last few days too. He was doing just fine. He would eat around 9, we would play until around 11, then I would put him down for a nap in his swing...the only place he would even think about napping. I gave up on the naps in the crib a long time ago. Well, since Sunday or so, he has REFUSED to nap. His schedule is all messed up now. He will sleep for about 30 minutes in the swing, then he is done. He wakes up fussing and as soon as I pick him up, he stops. I can't hold him all day long, and that is what he wants. What to do, what to do. He is in his swing, at this moment, fussing because he is soooo tired, yet wants to be awake and held. Oh, wait. He is asleep...oh, for how long though? Another 30 minutes? Please oh please let it be for 1 1/2 to 2 hours! Stay tuned...

You know the drill

Well, the hubby is at drill this weekend. That's something you have to deal with when your hubby is in the National Guard. Drill. And at drill, they do nothing, so he is away from us on this beautiful spring day for nothing. Boo. It's just me and Drake this weekend. The first time I've ever spent the night alone with him. So far, the day is going well, with a little bit of a rocky morning. We went to a bridal shower that was during his morning nap. Big no-no. I'll never do that again. I do know the drill and I didn't do it. Cried, cried, cried. As soon as I put him in the car, he stopped. Nice. Now, he's sleeping for his afternoon nap. I hope until 5:00. Then he'll eat and hopefully, we can get a little shopping done. Wish us luck!

The BOB

We are going to REI tonight to pick up our BOB jogging stroller! I am so excited! This means that I can start running again with my sweet baby boy right there with me. And, it's Friday! What a great day!