Merry Christmas!!!

William had surgery almost 2 weeks ago- went as well as I'd hoped. They did remove his ear bones (they were dissolved anyway) but put in a titanium replacement. We'll know with later testing how it's working. I've been whispering in his ear and he seems to hear me :-) Not sure how accurate that is. We're going to Mass with MelMel and her family. Chad picks WDP up at 11. Not sure I like the trading thing, but it's a reality now- I need to just get used to it. We have been playing hard with the FisherPrice Nativity and a newer Playmobil one. I've overheard William telling baby Jesus that he has to be careful of the Race Cars- of course everyone goes to his race track to watch Lightning McQueen- "the cars zoom fast. you hold Mary's hand. She is your mommy." What a sweetie. Excited for a fun Christmas Eve- celebrating baby Jesus' bday- william has asked if there will be cupcakes....I think he's anticipating a full on party, bounce house and all :-) Love my sweet baby, I mean big boy. He keeps telling me that :-)

Well, I was really going to try and keep this updated....

Soccer is going well. WDP's loving it. We moved to a new house in Nashville- Rainbow Place is our street name- pretty prophetic I'd say :-) I love it. It's just a little rental but it has a great yard- William's swingset is there and the neighbors are great. It'll be a nice place to start rebuilding for the two of us.- Oh and it's only 5 minutes from work- gotta love that! Speaking of my job- it is amazing. I say it's Disney World for teachers.

William has had an ear infection since his 3year old checkup...we have antibiotics almost every 12 days :-( We tried going in for tubes. The ENT discovered a congenital cholesteatoma. We're having surgery Dec 9 to remove it. The hearing bones may come out with it. He is essentially deaf in the right ear. Hearing may return when the choleteatoma is removed- they're not sure. The surgeon we're seeing is apparently "the guy" for these and he's conveniently located in Nashville- yeah!

William and I went to the symphony Saturday morning. My first time in the Nashville Symphony . He loved it...and as soon as he saw the restroom he decided to go "poopie" and wanted some "piewiasee"....privacy.... this kid loves to poop in nice places...ahhh, love my little boy!!!!

Soccer

GOAL!!!! We had WDP's first soccer game Saturday. One word- adorable. Loved it. He loved it- it was awesome!Seriously- I'm not bragging but he's good- 5 goals- 2 for the other team but 3 for his :-) They asked if we were "athletic" um, not a word I think of when I think of myself these days but sure :-)
Peer pressure at it's finest...a kid sat on their ball, WDP needed to too :-)

I'm trying to get back into blogging- we've been busy- my new job at Harpeth Hall is A-Maz-Ing. It's the Disney World for teachers. I could not be any luckier!!! William is huge- off the charts for height. he is going on week 9 of an ear infection. We go back for the "tubes talk" Mon Sept 19- wish us luck. Another big day is coming up too- Sept 27. Never thought I'd be ready to have the divorce finalized but it will be Sept 27. Not sure what to say about that. For now I'll focus on best job ever and WDP- cutest soccer player ever :-)

I'm in love...

with this bag....ohhhhh sooo much!!!! I cannot wait until it comes in.... just look at my new camera bag...yes, camera bag- even though it looks like a cute purse!

I found it through the eighteen25 blog...it's found at www.jototes.com.... fully customizable with different foam inserts.... oh get here quickly. I will be the cutest walking around with this and then whipping out my new camera to get some action shots of wdp.... yeah!!!!!!!!

It's official- Spring is here...WDP had on shorts this weekend and we opened up the sandbox from it's winter storage.... Chesson, Wyatt...playdate???

TN has been rainy- not like "flood rainy" like last year, just regular ol' spring rain. It just seems like a lot because we are both soo ready to be outside for spring/ summer... Today was 65ish but it had rained all afternoon and when we returend from the grocery store he was begging to play outside....

We had 2 really good puddles in the front yard by the walkway (don't look at how yucky the yard looks!) WDP would start in the back corner and just take off running for the puddles and then...

SPLASH!!!!!! even the mower got in on the muddy fun...

He was covered in mud- the kind of "straight to the bathtub mud and then mommy has to clean the tub" dirty. He loved it. It was so fun to see him just being all boy....

I now have a big girl table... it only seats 4, but hey there are only 2 most nights at my house- so there's still room for friends- come on over...we love guests! See how you can sit and see the slide in the backyard- too perfect! I'm trying to redo the house into "my own" instead of "ours." Its hard because Chad was the decorater between the two of us, and I'm nervous in the long run I won't still be in the house which makes me sad and hard to know when to change things and when just to wait to see what happens. For now, I am just going to enjoy this table. It is so nice, the wood pattern on the top is gorgeous. The chairs are comfy... I simply love it. Can't wait to have William home tomorrow night and serve him his hot dog, and advocado on the new table!

View from the front door- of course the old table will be gone- I just don't know when Chad will come pick it up....

SUN!

We've needed to see some sunshine...don't get me wrong. I love the snow. we've had 9 school days cancelled for snow (which is like 9 free paid days off ) I get so much accomplished, but I need the sun right now. Everything has been so dreary this winter for more reasons than one...so with a high in the low 40s today...but low 60s by Wed WDP and I headed out to enjoy some nice weather. We are so lucky to have so many great local parks...This was his first time to Centennial in Nashville... He woke up and said he wanted to feed ducks so.... Feed ducks we did....I think in this picture he was pointing at Gossie....has anyone read that book? One of our current favs....

The ducks were walking on the ice to get some bread...he gave them half a loaf...of the good stuff! I need to get some "duck bread" if we do this again...

The Parthenon- well a replica of it.

I really wish I was better at pictures- the shadows here were so cool....maybe this summer I'll get around to a photography course.

A by on a mission

It was nice to get a few shots of him looking tiny- he always looks so big- because he is!!! where did my baby go?????

peek a boo behind the doric columns...I even heard a little boy walking by telling his mom what type of columns they were...she said "are you sure?" I told her he was correct and asked him a little more about corinthian columns...I loved my Latin classes- dork alert!

I need one of these benches at the house.... it's a 4 seater but you have conversations face to face- pure genius!

Here's to some good weather in Nashville and hopefully a quick return to Spring!!!

We have both been battling a cold. He was out of school 2 1/2 days last week.... I tried to do some crafting with him Sunday when he was feeling better and he wanted all of the "pink" ones (meaning purple) ones all to himself. I would tell him the kids name on the heart and he would pick out foam stickers to put on them. If we came across a purple one it was put on his... all over his. Good thing I made him a Valentine- didn't know if you should make your own kids a Valentine or not, but I did.

He is really into lining up cars and having monster trucks drive over them...and then fling them around...boys are so funny. I neevr knew I'd like having a little boy so much :-)

I love looking back through this blog and seeing funny stories or pictures that I forget about. This is my most recent funny wdp story. William is funny. I know everyone says that, but sometimes he just says things or does something that makes me giggle...for days. The other night he was holding "The Trifecta"...The King, Lightning, and Chicks Hicks....we need all 3 all the time.... So he's holding them and is gently saying "you are my favorite" and giving them kisses. I saw him and said "Oh...I want in on some of those kisses" Meaning I wanted one from him. He thought I meant I wanted to kiss the cars and turned them around for me to kiss. Silly boy.

playdate

We had our first playdate...I mean we "play a lot" but this time William had someone come over and he shared toys...big step for us!!!! We "cooked" popsicles as he likes to say.... WDP devoured his, like his momma. Brody took his sweet time licking and enjoying his :-)Not sure what they were talking about, but it was funny to them :-)I had the "brilliant" idea to make cookies with them. I think there are still sprinkles in the house.... Brody was more into eating the dough, william was into eating the sprinkles... boys. I thought it was a good idea. I made the dough. Scooped it into balls and gave each a tray with one cookie ball at a time.... maybe when they're older....My little Bobby FlayWe went Bowling with Brody Saturday morning and his little buddy teegan. Here's WDP giving him a high 5 after knocking down a few pins. They were so cute. Whenever we go bowling WDP wants to wear his bowling shirt from my high school and asks the other kids "where your bowling shirt?" I guess he thinks everyone's mom is a Varsity "coach" hahahaha William is going to start spending Sun night- Tuesday night with his dad. It breaks my heart. I know it's only one extra night, but still. I feel defeated. I miss him already so much when he's gone...c'est la vie I guess.... sigh

melt

melt my heart...not this snow. we're on our third snow day this week tomorrow and it has been awesome! Chad had William Sunday night until Tuesday night so they did all the fun "snow" stuff and while I am slightly jealous...I had 2 days- two.whole.days. all to myself. I mean- do you know how much you can get finished (how many lifetime totally pointless movies you can watch) sewing, cleaning, sleeping - you can do a lot in 2 days. I even squeezed in time for...get this...a massage and a facial (I have the coolest friend who got it as a gift from her hubs a while back and they moved to Denver before she could use it- the best regift ever!) But about today around 3 I missed WDP. I was ready for him to come home. He did and we hugged, played cars, did mom and boy things (monster truck races, tickle, a little Disney Clubhouse) He was just crying in the bed and I went in, rubbed his back and he sat up and just hugged me so tight. I almost cried. He is just soo sweet to me. I love my little guy. Before he laid back down he told me "Mommy and Willy cook popsicles" meaning he'll pour th juice into the mold tomorrow...my little helper. He just melts my heart....

monster trucks

Boys are funny. Why do they like trucks? Anything truck related...I have not "pushed" trucks on William but he likes them soooo much....There's a monster truck rally coming to Nashville and I couldn't see spending $45 for us to go (ridiculous, no?) but he loves trucks so much.... I saw on the morning news that some Monster trucks would be on display around town so I thought this would be a fun/ cheap truck thing to do. He was so excited....we got there. The truck was HUGE. He was scared.
WDP: "No get out Mommy. Stay in car"
Me: " We drove 30 min. Let's just get out. I'll hold you."
WDP " No....pweese"
Me: "yes...please"

I finally pulled him out with the lie of "well stay on the grass" This picture is as close as I could get him to the truck.... He did let me put him down. he was glad to get a picture...not too sure he cared it was "autographed" But he was very timid about the whole thing....

As soon as we got in the car to go home he said "That cool mommy. Big trucks" And he held his pictures most of the night.... Successful outing????

Well, we did it. I did it. Woke up on Christmas day without William. Didn't think I'd make it, but I did. Done. let's move on. Surely 2011 will be better for me this year! I am keeping my resolutions simple- 1) I can only wear a pony tail 2 days a week to work 2) I didn't make 2 :-) just one, only one wear my hair down. I even told my students to hold me accountable- except for lab days- who wants to dissect a crayfish with hair down- not me!William was pretty sick the week after Christmas- He took/ is taking Omnicef and has horrible diarrhea. (This may be TMI for most of you, but it's bad- changed his pants 4 times Saturday bad). From other moms I've talked to this is pretty common for this antibiotic. Poor buddy. We have been playing inside with his new GeoTrax train set. I found a lightning McQueen to go on it to and he'll say "more racing"- his own little NASCAR. He also got a set or Cars movie cars and while the cars are , well, cars....he LOVES the box- it's like a racetrack ramp and he won't let me throw it away. He wants to play "Cars Movie" and he'll ride the cars around on the box. He told Mater the other day he'd have to go to time out for not listening. He is getting such a cute sense of imagination! I just love to listen to him when he's in his own little world:-) And finally he is into "racing" cars.... This means we both lay/ lie (can't remember) on the floor and roll cars super fast towards each other- if they crash uncontrollable laughter ensues. I love it. Here's to 2011!

we had snow- real snow. A snow day in December!!!! Teachers love snow days!!! William loved the snow. I could not find my gloves so we did not play for long, but it was fun. I also got 100% completely caught up on my sewing- unbelieveable!!!! It is so nice to be busy, but will be so nice to have a break!

WDP showing the sign for cold.... "smart kid" :-)

Cutting the grass...not so smart , but equally as adorable
dear wyatt and gus, will and babyjack, playdate soon please.... love, wdp

ohhhh, so this is snow.....

It "snowed"...and by snowed I just mean there were a few flakes- but it was enough to get WDP super excited...which we needed because he had the throw ups Saturday afternoon and night. Anyone have tips for getting the smell out of your sofa? I've tried my Bissell Steam Clean Machine- better but it's still pretty bad. The cushion was outside most of yesterday...hmmmm He was such a trooper once he figured out what was going on he would walk to bathroom and puke- oh buddy! Talk about a sad, sad momma when you can't do anything but hug on him and tell him it's Ok....

He has started saying the funniest things. I pulled out my Fisher Price Nativity set and after we talked about some of the peices and I showed him Mary and said she was Jesus' mommy he took her, looked at her, then said "Mary need brush teeth or go to back yard"...what??? so we brushed Mary's teeth and then she was welcomed back into the manger....you can't even see her teeth! Who knows! Maybe I have a future dentst on my hands.... He still drinks milk out of a bottle- I know, I know , it's bad.... well he threw his bottle the other night during stories. I took it away and told him if he didn't want it I'd give it to another baby. He went ballistic- screaming, kicking...typical 2 year old behavior. I put him in his room, said night night and he continued to wail. Then 5 min later or so he came out told me the babies could have his cups, not his bottle...hmmmm, not exactly the response I expected....I may need to change my tactic on losing the bottle.....

My sweet little buddy ..he brought Mickey upstairs to "help mommy sew"- could he be any cuter???? He wanted to make a big train so we took all of the track and made a huge railroad going from the kitchen to the den. Lots of fun for a Friday night :-)

WDP loves birthday parties- "More birthday parties, cupcake" He associates cupcakes with birthday parties. It's so cute. We had one this weekend and it was so fun! My friend Melanie does the best kid parties. This was a county fair theme. I think I gained 5 pounds. Hotdogs, chili, nachos (with the yellow/orange cheap cheese- yum!) peanuts, a popcorn maker, apple pie, cotton candy, etc. So fun.... So yummy.... Pants won't button today...sigh.... They also had a bounce house- in the bonus room. Talk about a good time!!! I made whoopie pies to take....delicious!!! so easy!

Cookies

box cake mix...I used chocolate for this, red velvet for work on Monday

1/3 c oil

2 eggs

a little bit of water - 1 T or so...just so it's not sooo thick

Scoop out- I use a little ice cream disher- Bake at 350 for 7-8 min. Each cookie was exactly the same size! Perfect for stacking with icing in the middle!

Icing

1 stick real butter

1 box powder sugar

pinch kosher salt

1tsp vanilla

1 T milk- more or less depending on thickness

Mix well- really well. Put into an icing bag with a fat star tip. Swirl on cookie. Top with the other cookie. I refrigerated mine until the party so the icing would not squish out when you bite into it. Not at all to toot my own horn, but these were yummy.

OK- back to the party. She had the bounce house ....games - Pony races (stick horses)- WDP didn't do to well with these...everyone else loved it!

hay rides (husband on the mower)

Face paintings, Guess the number of pickles, etc. It was so cute. You had a card and had it "punched" after you completed a game and turned it in for "prizes" at the end. What a fun idea! Happy 2nd birthday sweet Joel!!!


On another, more personal note...WDP is now spending Sunday at 6pm until Tuesday at 6pm every week with his dad. I like the consistency- makes more sense than every other week, a mid week afternoon the weeks in between, etc....but it is so hard to be away from him. I am purposely trying to stay super busy. I miss my little buddy when he's gone. I find myself giggling at something he's said recently (this weekend he pulled out a pool noodle, held it like a megaphone and said "attention, attention" over and over). I can't wait to see him tonight!!!!