Life is a highway...

During rush hour traffic...

We are as busy as ever in our house.  Preparing for more road trips, going to baseball games, keeping up with a busy toddler, and I could go on and on and on! 

I still haven't been able to blog about Logan's 2nd birthday, so I thought I would give a little teaser for you to enjoy over the next week (when I most likely will be too busy to blog at all!).

Enjoying his cake on his birthday!

Lillie and Logan celebrating!

Logan and his new favorite toy!

I have the cutest niece ever!

"Hey Lillie!  Let's turn on some tunes!"

"This is fun!"

Logan is actually trying to hold her hand, not steal her juice!

"Who needs stinkin' pedals?"

Rock, Rock, Rock

"More birthday candles?!?!?"

Don't worry! There are more pictures where these came from.  His birthday was a toddler's dream!  Now, off to start my busy week! 

Kudos!

I know that I often complain about poor services on this blog, but here's a good story!

You all may remember my Peapod post.  Well, I just wanted to give a big blog shout out to KidCo for wonderful customer service!  We got the new Peapod in less than a week!  Amazing!!  I have to say that it was one of the best customer service experiences I have ever had.  I will most definitely buy KidCo products in the future without a qualm! 

You better believe I sent the company a very nice email letting them know what a great job they did!

Go KidCo!!  Now Logan can enjoy his Peapod Plus on our vacation in Baltimore!!

Wedding Fun!

On Memorial Day weekend, we celebrated the marriage of Amanda and Travis.  You may remember how they met at our housewarming party. 

We headed to Chicago on Friday.  I met up with Amanda and the other bridesmaids for nail appointments while Jeff and Logan went back to check into the hotel and meet up with my parents who had came to Chicago to celebrate the wedding also. 

The nail appointment was fun and we all looked pretty awesome except for my overly plucked brows (but they recovered before the rehearsal dinner).  It was Amanda's mom's first time having her nails done which  is neat because my wedding was the first time my mom had ever had her nails done too!

The rehearsal dinner was held at Portillos.  It was wonderful, I got Italian beef and chopped salad.  YUM!  I'm sure this was the best rehearsal dinner I have EVER been too.  It could be that I haven't had Portillos in months and it was super duper delicious! 

In the morning, we went to breakfast at IHOP (another of my favorites that I miss now) with my parents.  Logan was actually pretty well behaved so we all got to enjoy our meal.  Logan went with my Mom and Dad after breakfast for some swimming at the hotel pool.  I hear he had a really good time. 

Swimming with Grandma!

Catch me!!

The rest of the day was so much fun.  Hair appointments, followed by getting ready for the wedding, the wedding, and then the reception.  I think this story is best told with pictures!



Before the wedding...

Yes-we really put the bride in the trunk with her dress for the ride between the hotel and the wedding location!



Getting into the dress with Kim and Sarah assisting

They really had to tug to get that dress laced up:)

The Ceremony

Travis and Pastor Claude waiting for the Bride

  

Amanda's Dad giving her away

The joining of families

The Bridesmaids

The Kiss!!

The Married Couple

Snapshots

Tuckered out from all the fun!

My Handsome Men

Amanda and Sophie

Kim and I.  It was so nice to see her again!

Logan and Sophie

Isn't he so cute all dressed up!?!

Our Family all spiffed up

Bring on the food!

Kisses!

Yep-I clean up pretty good sometimes...

Gorgeous!

Amanda (and Travis in the background) with our family

The reception hall was so pretty

Bridesmaids

Uh...that wasn't the photo we were looking for...

It was a wonderful day and a great start to a wonderful life for Amanda and Travis! 

How Not To Shop With A Toddler...

Here's a few things that I learned today while shopping with Logan...

1)  Always put the toddler in the cart even if you only need to get a few items!

2)  If you grab a carry basket, anticipate that the toddler will want to carry the basket with his stuffed dog riding inside.

3)  And don't dare try to put anything else in that basket or a tantrum will ensue! (Plus, then the basket has to be dragged through the store)

4)  Shopping for greeting cards with a toddler is never a good idea...especially when your arms are full of wipes (that you can't put in the basket because the stuffed dog is taking a ride...)

5)  You know your toddler is making bad decisions when the man in front of you in the checkout line lets you go first...

6)  Always check your coupons to make sure the toddler hasn't attempted to eat them...(apparently they still scan though even with a little saliva and tears...)

7)  Apparently, screaming at the top of your lungs just to hear the sound of his voice keeps a toddler occupied in the grocery store (but makes every other patron look at you like you are the worst mom ever!)

8)  Never underestimate the power of fruit snacks!

It's gettin' hot n here!

My husband insisted that I blog about this...

Jeff and I had a date day on Tuesday when Logan was at daycare.  We enjoyed lunch followed by the movie "Bridesmaids".  During the movie, lights in the theater started flashing.  I thought it was special effects (WOW!) until a voice came overhead and told us to evacuate the building.  So, out the door, we go.  Initially, I thought it was a glitch or a random test of their fire system.  The smoke billowing through the hallways at the theater made me think otherwise...  Apparently, the popcorn machine had caught fire and everyone was fine, but the movie was stopped until the Fire Department arrived and deemed the movie theater safe again. 

Once the Fire Department left, we were able to start our movie again close to where it was when we evacuated (but still ended up missing about 5 minutes in the middle of the movie) and were given free passes to see another movie on another day. 

I have to say that may be the craziest date Jeff and I have ever had!

What's that you say?

Logan is still getting his speech therapy and making some progress, but still pretty much only says "d" and "b" words and substitutes these sounds for other sounds.  At his 2 year appointment, the doctor referred us to get a hearing test just to be sure there wasn't something going on with his hearing that is causing his speech delay. 

Today was his hearting test.  The doctor takes one look in his ears and proceeds to tell me that Logan's ears are completely blocked by wax.  He didn't even test his hearing because Logan would most likely fail due to the wax buildup!  So, we are headed to an ENT doctor next week to have Logan's ears cleaned out. (Thank goodness they were able to squeeze us in!)  Then the audiologist will test his hearing after Logan has empty ears.

I really hope that this is what has caused Logan's speech delay, but I am cautiously optimistic as it seems like an awful easy solution.  If all he needs is his ears cleaned out so he can hear better...that would be awesome!  It kind of makes sense, maybe all he is hearing is "b" and "d" and thinks he is making other sounds because he just isn't hearing correctly!
I was also shocked that he had this much wax buildup.  The child has never had an ear infection (maybe the wax was protecting his little ears :) ?).  I also wonder how the heck this was not caught earlier.   Hmmmmmm...

Well, here's to hoping that all this speech stuff can be taken care of with a simple ear cleaning... Although, I have taken a liking to being called "Ba" and may request that Logan call me that anyway instead of Mama :)

I dread the visit though because Logan is not going to like it.  We plan on taking him out for Dippin' Dots afterwards.

Memory Monday-Why I do what I do.

So, some of you may wonder why I decided to be a Physical Therapist.  Here's why!

When I was 12 years old, I had my last orthopedic surgery.  After the surgery, I was taken to physical therapy to learn to use crutches since I would not be able to put weight on my leg for several weeks. 

It. Was. Torture!

Still to this day, I am pretty sure the only thing that hurt worse than that crutch training was when I was in labor with Logan.  I swear that PT was the meanest man ever.  (I do really know that he was just doing his job and I did learn to use the crutches and my pain did get better, but still...it hurt!).  Anyhow, soon after that day, I swore revenge on that man!  My plan was to become a Physical Therapist, wait until he was in a nursing home somewhere, then make him hurt as much as I possibly could! 

Yeah, really.  That's why I am a PT.  And now I take out my revenge on every person I treat...NO!  JUST KIDDING!!!  Although, this was my first reason for being a PT, my grandmother's total knee replacement rehab also inspired me but my crutch training experience got the ball rolling.  I had decided by the time I was in 8th grade, that I would go to Maryville University and become a PT.  And I did and I am. 

My mother ran into the same PT man several years ago when my grandmother was in the hospital.  I was about to graduate from PT school.  My Mom let him know that he had inspired me to be a PT and that I was graduating in just a few short months.  I would bet he felt pleased until she told him why he inspired me to be a PT.  He's probably going to hire a body guard if he ever goes into a nursing home. 

Bahahahahahaha!

No, really.  If I ever run into him again, I would thank him because I absolutely love what I do and can't imagine a better career for myself!

Top 10 Things I Did Not Know Before I Was a Mom...

10.  that wipes should be carried with me everywhere and to hide them around the house.  You never know where the wipes are going to be needed.

9.  that I would ever watch Yogi Bear over and over and over and over...

8.  that I would spend hours reading reviews, debating over which diaper, sunscreen, bug spray, tooth brush, booster seat, car seat, etc. is going to be best for my child before purchasing (on Amazon, of course...)

7. that I would have to keep my floors clean enough to eat off of (which happens daily...the eating off the floors, I mean...oh and the cleaning...because of the eating...)

6.  that it is very exciting to figure out how to add a loop to the train set with my available pieces.

5.  that my space in the garage would be lost to a miniature Mustang.

4.  that so many hours could be spent planning play group outings, events, play dates, etc.

3.  that there is an app for Poison control (Yep-there's an app for that!)

2.  that it is a necessity to carry a sippy cup, multiple snacks, and toys in my purse at all times.

And the number 1 thing I did not know before I was a Mom...

I had no idea how much love a mother could have for her son!!!  I'm so lucky!

Losing Jake...

Jake has been around for a long time.  I got him on September 11, 2004 when he was just a little puppy.  He's been with me through thick and thin.  He even came along a few months before my husband, Jeff.  Jake was our furbaby for many years and we worried what would happen when Logan came along.  Jake did well all through my pregnancy.  Some of you may remember my weekly pictures with Jake showing off my expanding belly...anytime he was missing from a photo, I would get a comment about "Where's Jake?" 

 Jake loved all the extra walks we took when Logan came home with us!  He accepted Logan like it was no big deal and we were all so happy and relieved.

 
One of Jake's favorite places to rest when Logan was little was in the glider.

Or under the crib...

Jake did think all the visitors were for him...

Jake and baby Logan went along hand in hand.  They loved each other.

Jake and toddler Logan were not doing so well (notice Jake running away as quick as he can!)

Jake was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in his lower back which makes him tender to the touch and sensitive to being touched around his back or back legs.  This is easy for us to be careful of, but hard to explain to a toddler.  Lately, Logan has taken to jumping on Jake or grabbing his tail/legs which has had us worried that Jake would snap at him...and it finally happened. 
One evening a couple of weeks ago, there was a big storm coming so Logan, Jake, and I were closed up in the laundry room.  Logan was harassing Jake and leaped across the laundry room and landed on Jake.  Jake, of course, was hurt by this and snapped at Logan, catching him near his face.  Logan was fine, no skin was broken and there were minimal tears, but I was not ok.  We just couldn't take a chance of Jake biting Logan again.  So, I was prepared (sort of...I cried for about 4 hours that night) to give away my dog to a good home.  My plan was to ship him to my parents' house until we could find a suitable home (one without small children).  My Mom and Dad called the next day and said that they would take Jake for as long as we needed.  I am hoping that in a year or so, Logan will be big enough to know he has to be gentle with Jake and Jake can come back with us.
I miss my dog...A LOT!  I miss his snuggling on the couch in the evening, I miss his cuddling in bed when Jeff is at work, I miss his unconditional love.  There are a few things I don't miss.  Like his incessant barking when people came to our door, or his need to go in, then out, then in, then out of the house...but I miss him.  Even knowing he is doing just fine at my parents' house and has a huge yard to run in and other dogs to keep him company  harass him, it's really hard.  Logan misses him too.  He walks around the house occasionally, raising his arms in the "I don't know" sign and saying "Jake.  Woof.  Woof.  Jake?"
It breaks my heart. 

Rachel and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I think I'll move to Australia...

You know how some days just are a mess no matter what you do.  It's nothing big, but just lots of little things...I had that day today.
The day started out pretty good.  Logan slept in a bit, so I got a little extra shut eye!  We had plans to meet up with a friend for lunch, but I needed to stop by my in laws (who live 40 minutes away) to pick up Logan's Peapod tent since Jeff had forgotten to bring it home this weekend.  I made the mistake of allowing Logan to play with his new bubble mower for a few minutes before leaving and he had a terrible fit (kicking, screaming, wailing, etc...) as I put him in the car.  He stopped screaming after about 5 minutes (which is unusually long for him...he really LOVES that bubble mower!).  I get to my in laws and go to get the Peapod tent and my mother in law informs me that my father in law couldn't get it folded right.  No biggie-it's kind of difficult.  I go in to put it away and it won't fold up the right way!  I finally got it somewhat folded and put into the bag, but the thing is BROKE! (most likely from father in law folding it up the wrong way forcefully.  It was an accident.).  These things are not cheap, so the idea of having to replace it when we have only had it for a little over a month is sickening... 
We did have a really nice time with our friends, but our lunch service was pretty bad.  Slow and a not very nice server.  Luckily the kiddos were pretty well behaved.  We went to our local science center and Logan and Addy had a great time!  This science center is wonderful because it's very small (I can see Logan wherever he goes) with lots of toys and fun things to do.  Plus it only costs $3!  Logan and Addy were both getting tired, so we headed home for nap time.  Logan once again screamed in the car.  I really don't know what the screaming is all about all the sudden.  Logan is usually a very good car kid.  I'm hoping this is not going to be an ongoing problem.
Logan did fall asleep in the car, so once we got home he napped and I tried to fix the Peapod.  It could not be fixed...the tent won't lie flat on the ground which causes the side of the tent to fall in (which concerns me that it may be a suffocation hazard now).  Plus, it won't fold up enough to stay folded with the elastic band that is supposed to hold it closed.  This is bad...I resorted to calling the company to see if they had any suggestions.  The lady was very nice and suggested I try to reshape it (as if I hadn't already been doing that for an hour...), but I tried it exactly like she told me to and it didn't work.  She asked me if it was broken.  Well, it's hard to say since the metal is covered with fabric.  There was a spot that made me thing the metal had broke, but it could have also been made that way.  She had no clue what I was talking about (as I'm sure neither do you...)  Anyhow, long story short.  I'm supposed to send her photos of the tent, cut out the top of the tent where the Kidco label is, mail it to them, destroy this tent, and they are supposed to send me a new tent (but she isn't sure how long it may take...).  At this point, what other choice do I really have, other than shelling out another $90 for a new one?  So, my photos are sent and I'm gonna cut that tent up tomorrow morning to get it in the mail as soon as I can and hope that we have a new Peapod by our Baltimore trip.  (Otherwise, we may have to resort to a hotel crib, which I just don't know if I can do...the germ factor freaks me out!)
So after Logan wakes up from his nap, I start making dinner.  He was playing quietly in the living room (which is always a bad sign) and I look in on him and he is coloring with his color wonder markers.  Such a good boy, right?  WRONG!  A closer look reveals that he has bit the tips of the markers off!  I found a few pieces on the floor, but I'm pretty sure that he ingested some of the marker...so a quick call to Poison Control (my first) and a lady assures me that unless he is choking on the marker tips (which he was not), he is fine.  I knew that the markers were non-toxic, but I didn't know if that meant you could actually eat them...Truly, the thought of Logan eating the marker never crossed my mind...eating crayons sure, markers..nope!
The rest of our evening was uneventful until we went outside to play after dinner.  He, of course, wanted to play with his bubble mower.  Although he took a short cruise in his Mustang and a quick trip around the yard on his tricycle too.  When it was time to go inside to take a bath., oh my goodness...tantrum of all tantrums!! I'm pretty sure they could hear him screaming in the neighboring town! 
Logan is in bed now and I'm about to enjoy reading my book, so hopefully tomorrow is a better day!  I guess I won' t move to Australia:)

Memory Monday-Mama

Ok, I know it's not Monday, but the past two Mondays have been crazy and I have been unable to get this blogged and posted, so it's Memory Monday today (because it's my blog and I say so!)

My Mama (my dad's mother) passed away on May 27th at the age of 90 years, 9 months, and 27 days (Mama had been counting the days since she turned 90...it was pretty cute!) on the way to the hospital (because she WAS NOT going to die in that DAMN hospital).  This is very sad for our family but happy for my Mama.  She was ready to go meet Jesus and join my Pappy and her 2nd husband Paul.  She lived a long, full life and up until recently was still very active.  I just wanted to share a few of my memories of my Mama with everyone.  She was a very special lady.

One thing about my Mama that I remember from a very young age was her love of gifts.  She loved giving them and she LOVED receiving them too!  As a young child, it was awesome going to Mama's for Christmas because there were TONS of presents under the Christmas tree.  Of course, you never knew what you might get from Mama...I remember our stockings always had underwear and knee highs (even when I was a little girl...not sure what I was supposed to do with the knee highs, but I got them anyhow).  Mama always found some crazy random kitchen utensil to put in our stockings too.  My favorite ever was the Pickle Picker (yeah-click on the link if you want to know what the heck a pickle picker is).  You might want to order one because it is actually one of the best kitchen utensils I've ever had.  My eventually broke, but I think I might be ordering a new one!  Mama bought presents all year long and would put them on a shelf in her basement.  These presents would be divided out at Christmas and were always called the "shelf presents".  You could always figure out the shelf presents from the others because shelf presents consisted of mostly items from mail order catalogs...As Mama got older, she would wrap the presents and tag them with  our names and what the gift was to help her remember.  Often the tags got left on, so we would usually know what we were getting even before the gift was unwrapped! 
Like I said earlier, my Mama loved receiving gifts too.  There were always gifts under the tree that were To: Ime, Love: Santa and eventually To: Ime, Love: Ime.  She would open those gifts (that she had picked out and wrapped herself) and act like it was a huge surprise!  I think my love of gifts and surprises comes from her!
Mama always wrote Thank you notes for gifts.  I think this is a really nice gesture that has been lost in my generation.  The only time I get thank you notes is for weddings and baby showers.  I'm pretty sure I am one of the few people my age who still writes handwritten thank yous for most gifts I receive (I did cheat a little at Logan's 1st birthday last year with a photo thank you card that had a stock thank you written on it and I have missed a few thank you cards this year on accident).  I challenge all of you to write a thank you note to the next person who gives you a gift.  You'll find it rewarding and they will enjoy getting the mail.

Mama loved kids!  She was a great Mama to me.  We would visit her for a week each summer and even weekends during the school year.  She and Pappy always had fun things planned.  Rides in the lawnmower wagon, helping garden, trips to the Orchard, swimming lessons.  The list could go on and on.  They took us on trips and bought us presents.  She and my Pappy were wonderful, active grandparents.  She was lucky enough to not only have her 4 grandchildren, but also 6 great grandchildren.  She just loved doting on her great grandbabies too!  No one gave better kisses that Mama (even though you had to find a napkin to wipe off the lipstick afterwards...)

I could go on and on about my Mama.  I'm really going to miss her.  She was so full of life and fun (even wearing a pink boa at her 90th birthday party last year!!!).