The Hangover III-Toddler Edition

Let me preface this post by saying that Logan is by no means a perfect child.  He has tantrums, makes bad decisions, and spends his fair share of time in time out. Normal toddler antics. That being said, his tantrums are pretty short lived.  I can usually figure out what is causing the tantrum and defuse the situation rapidly.  I rarely worry about taking him places and he's a pretty flexible child.  We travel often and he is used to being in different places and situations and acting appropriately.

This week was an exception.

I have decided to start selling lia sophia jewelry (mainly to take advantage of the huge savings on their jewelry which I love.)  I had thought about doing this for a while and finally bit the bullet and am giving it a try.  They have a beginner program that allows you to earn a lot of free jewelry if your first 5 weeks are successful.  This includes hosting a minimum of 3 shows in your first 5 weeks.  I had only been able to book 2 shows, so I contacted a close friend, J, to see if she would want to host a party at her house.  I had a planned visit to go see her to go to a children's consignment sale and thought we could just do the jewelry party while I was up there.  She agreed (yep-she's pretty awesome!) and I starting the planning.  In retrospect, I probably should have checked that Jeff was off work before I sent the invitations out.  Jeff was not off, but he can usually get off work.  Of course, this day was one of the few times his request was denied.  I still wasn't too worried.  I figured Logan would enjoy showing off the jewelry and could entertain the guests and help me out along with play with J's son while I did my presentation.  He's a very independent player most of the time, so this wasn't too odd of a thing for me to expect from him. 

Fast forward to this week.  Everything is set for the party.  Jeff and I decided to go to a Card's ball game on Monday and Logan stayed with his Nonna and Papa (which always means very little sleep for him-he will not sleep there!  Too much fun!) followed by daycare on Tuesday (only a short nap) and then we headed up to J's house during Logan's nap time on Wednesday so he would sleep in the car (which he did, but only for about 1.5 hours-a short nap for him).  I should have known then this was going to be a disaster.  I should have taken my husband's advice and let Logan stay with his Nonna and Papa while I went up there, but I didn't want to inconvenience anyone as it was my fault that I hadn't properly checked my schedule before booking the party. 

I get all prepped for the party and Logan is being cute as a button and so good as everyone arrives.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of him carrying around a mini purse on his arm with a cuff bracelet on his other arm showing them to everyone as they arrived.  He was very excited for all the guests to pay attention to him.  I started the show presentation and it was going really well until I started showing off the jewelry.  Disaster struck!  Logan starts losing it and J can't get him calm so I pick him up and he is still screaming bloody murder and I cannot figure out what he wants.  He screamed for at least 15 minutes as I tried to show off the jewelry.  Thank goodness the jewelry is gorgeous and it sells itself.  I'm pretty surprised that the guests didn't up and leave right then and there.  He finally calmed down in time for everyone to place their orders, but I was so embarrassed.  How did I become THAT mom?  I'm sure everyone there thought I was so unprofessional and the worst mom ever.  J was so kind about how horrible things went and she still got lots of free jewelry.  Thank goodness!  Logan luckily went to bed easily and slept in a bit in the morning.

The next morning, we ate breakfast, then headed off to the consignment sale.  Logan of course started protesting being in the stroller a few times, but I was able to calm him fairly quick with a toy or food.  But, after about 45 minutes of shopping, he was done.  Luckily J was done shopping too, so we went to check out.  The line to check out was about 20 people long!  Logan rapidly had a fast speed come apart while waiting in line.  He screamed, he kicked, he hit, he threw himself on the floor and then repeated over and over for the entire time we were in line (probably 15-20 minutes!).  I could not figure out what he wanted and he only stopped screaming when it was time to hand the lady our items to check out.  Then he was good as gold again.  (I did get some great deals at the sale!)  I am sure every person was so glad to see us leave.  Poor J!  She and I barely got to visit and what horrible guests we were.  I apologized profusely and we headed home.  Logan took a 3.5 hour nap yesterday and is doing much better today.

I really didn't know what to think about the past 24 hours, but I really feel like I have the worst hangover ever.  I had a headache, was exhausted, and was ashamed of the past day.  Then I find out this morning that Logan also colored with pen all over J's basement wall!  He has never colored on a wall to my knowledge and the only time he has colored inappropriately is on our couch when he misses the paper.  I am completely mortified and know that the only person to blame is ME.  I've learned my lesson and will never attempt to visit friends with an overtired toddler, never ever attempt to book a lia sophia show when I don't have childcare, and apparently should never allow a toddler to have a pen. 

Thankfully, J is still talking to me and Logan has returned to his normal state of toddler hood.  I hope to never have a terror of a toddler again due to my stupid decisions. 

Even after all the horribleness of those 24 hours, I still love Logan more than anything and this picture proves that although he was not the perfect toddler the past few days, he has all the goodness and sweetness in there somewhere :)

So stinkin' cute...

Cool fun on a HOT day!

Friday was SO HOT!  We were meeting friends at the park mid morning, but decided to do a fun cold "baking" activity early in the morning.  Logan has minimal experience with assisting me in cooking or baking, but these seemed like a toddler friendly idea.

Watermelon Popsicles!!

 Seemed like a super easy treat to make.  Raspberry and lemon sorbet, mini chocolate chips, water, and green food coloring.  No big deal, right?  Except for the fact, I could not find a freakin' Popsicle mold anywhere!?!?! (other than online and I didn't have time to wait for it to ship to me!)
I resorted to Dixie cups for a Popsicle mold.  That's how I roll...

I put all the ingredients measured out into Dixie cups and bowls so that Logan could just dump and pour...

Squishing the raspberry sorbet and mini chocolate chips in the zip lock bags

Logan really liked the squishing part.  Wasn't so happy about it when I cut a hole in the tip for him to squirt the sorbet into the "Popsicle mold"

We only made a little mess...

Logan was more interested in eating the sorbet after about 2 minutes of "baking"

Our "Popsicles" setting in the freezer

We took a VERY quick trip to the park (it was too hot to even think about playing too much...), then came back and enjoyed our treats!

Here they are!!!

Hahahahaha!!!  Just kidding-you know ours looked so much better than this!!!

The REAL finished product....

It's a close replica of the Popsicles in the magazine, right?

"Who cares what they look like....they are DELICIOUS!"

And they really were good!  The little chocolate chips made this a tasty treat and it is a sweet treat with minimal calories or fat!  Not too shabby for a first "baking" experience!  I highly recommend this fun and easy treat for a fun activity with toddlers!
Click here for the recipe!

Enjoy!

The Hearing Game

It's been a long drawn out process, but we have finally discovered that Logan's hearing is normal.  It is nice to know that this is not what is causing his speech issues, but frustrating because I still don't know what is causing his speech issues...He is making improvements every day, but it is very slow progress.  Communication of basic needs can be a struggle for him (but don't worry-he can point out every horse he sees or tell you that things are orange).  He's a funny little man!  I know he's progressing and I just need to be patient.  He has a wonderful speech therapist and we are working hard with him too.
Let me remind you of our hearing saga...if you need a refresher of how it all began, check this out. 
We made the trip to Metropolis at the end of June to see the ENT to have the wax cleaned out and for his hearing test.  When we got there, we were able to see the ENT and an amazing amount of wax was removed from Logan's ears.  He was such a big boy and didn't cry or fuss at all.  The ENT said "He's a good man" (in this adorable southern drawl-the ENT was probably 70 years old and just like a grandpa!).  Unfortunately, the audiologist had called in sick so we were unable to get his hearing tested.  So we went on our merry way and did some awesome tourist things in Metropolis.

Not exactly sure why there was a batman boat there, but Logan loved it!

Note that Jeff and Logan are striking the same pose as Superman!

We are big nerds...

Logan loved the Dippin Dots.  Metropolis has a Dippin Dots Ice Cream Parlor!

I love this photos because it looks like Logan is trying to blend in with the mural.

"Just call me SuperLogan"

Coming out of the phone booth

It was a really fun trip!  Now, long story short...I had to reschedule the hearing test and the earliest they could get me in near our home was August!  I called to Metropolis again and they were able to get us in much sooner.  Logan and I took the trip down there again and after a quick check up with the ENT (no more wax buildup), he was seen by the audiologist and his hearing was completely normal.  He was once again a really big boy and did so well, so I took him back to Dippin' Dots.  As soon as we turned down the street, he saw the Superman Statue and got really excited.  He was saying something (I'm not sure what....) and put his hands up in the air and pointing.  After eating our ice cream, he would not let me leave the town square until we went back over (in the 100 degree heat) and stand in front of Superman again!  No photos this time, I had forgotten my camera.
Hooray for fun nearby destinations and good hearing!

Random Wednesday-In Pictures

I've downgraded our Internet to save a little money, but I am pretty sure this is a mistake...It takes FOREVER to load pictures onto blogger now.  I may be making a phone call today to return to our old level of service.  The extra cost IS worth it!  After only 2 hours, I have managed to download these pictures!!

Where's Logan?

There he is!

Already texting and driving!

Jeff and his Father's Day gift

Yes, my naked child was attempting to hide in this box...

Happy because I'm nakey!

Who needs a crib when you have a laundry basket full of clean clothes?

What a cutie!!

I'm pretty sure he knows he is cute...

Apparently, dog did something very bad and had to go to timeout...

Yes, dog is wearing sandals...

Having fun on the tricycle!

Lessons Learned

Here's another one of my lists...

• I should not fool myself into thinking that I will actually get back into bed to sleep in once I have gotten up.  This morning, I told myself I was going to get up to take Logan to daycare and then come home and sleep in.  Did I do that?  Nope...instead I went to Panera, got an allergy shot, and cleaned out the office...now I'm tired!
• It never fails... on the day I don't want to waste time at the allergist, I have to wait forever to get my shots...
• I am a file horder!  Yes.  I am THAT person who has every receipt, check stub, bill, etc for the past 10 years all filed away (neatly for the most part), but still taking up way too much room in the office!  I know for a fact that I cleaned out my files about 3 years ago, yet I still found:
• my first PT job check stubs
• utility bills for my first house
• my PT board packet (yes that would have been put together in 2002)
• my licensure change of state paperwork (I did that in 2003)
• all of my grade reports from college...(ok, I might have kept those for nostalgia)
• bank statements from 3 banks ago...
• loan booklet for 2 cars ago...
• multiple reciepts for items that I do not even own anymore
• When you are dealing with a cheap shredder, it overheats about every 5 minutes...
• I should have left all my horded paperwork alone...my office is a bigger mess than it was to start with!
• Never, ever go to a restaurant for a certain item.  It will most surely not be available.  I went to Applebee's for lunch because I wanted their pomegranate iced tea (YUM!).  Oh wait...the town is on a boil water order and they can't make the iced tea...
• Smoothies on the way home from picking up Logan from daycare seemed like a really good idea.  Lid was on tight, bendy straw attached to prevent spills.  Yet somehow, I found a little boy with mango pineapple smoothie all over him, his carseat, and the backseat when I looked in my rearview mirror...
• Smoothie messes will never allow a car seat to be the same...(I would have taken pictures if Logan and I -and the carseat- hadn't been covered head to toe in sticky smoothie juices...)  Logan has spilt a lot in that car seat, but I'm pretty sure this takes the cake!
• Never trust a well behaved child.  You would think I would have figured this one out, but no...I'm a glutton for punishment.  Logan was so good eating his dinner tonight.  No throwing, handed me all his food when he was done, finishing up his milk.  I turn around one second and next thing I know, he has thrown his sippy cup, hit my soda bottle, and now soda is covering our entire dining room table!  Luckily, nothing was harmed, but it was yet another sticky clean up!
• Nothing can make me happier than a big ole hug, kiss, and belly laugh from my little boy!! (Ok, maybe I didn't learn that one just today, but I like to remind myself anyhow.)

Random Wednesday

My friend was posting a list of things she loves on facebook the other day.  She was posting the big ones, like friends and family or health, but those little things like naps on the couch, baseball games, and clean teeth after a dentist visit (she may be the only one that loves that...).  Sometimes we all focus too much on the negative and need to remember those little things we love.  Here's my list and I would love you to comment or link up on your blog to list yours!

I love:
-sleeping in late and knowing that there is nothing you need to do
-fireworks
-cuddling on the couch with my husband
-looking at my pedicured toes when a flower has been painted on the big nail
-mail (and  I'm talking snail mail especially notes to say hello and cards, but I'll take junk mail and bills too!)
-photographs
-Christmas morning
-the look on the groom's face the moment he sees his bride walking down the aisle
-the way a baby cuddles into your shoulder when they sleep

-fresh sheets on the bed
-the smell of fresh air coming through open windows in the spring
-crisp fall air
-Miss America pageants
-the excitement over who's gonna win the veto on Big Brother
-a clean house
-taking the tags off of new clothes
-dolphins
-having people over for parties at my house

-new car smell
-Logan's face when he first wakes up in the morning

I really think I could go on and on, but I'm pretty sure that everyone would get bored. 

Memory Monday-The 4th of July

July 4th is pretty much my favorite holiday.  Most likely due to the childhood misconception that the fireworks were actually for my birthday, not America's.  Hey-it's an honest mistake.   My birthday is tomorrow!  (I'm turning 23 just in case you were wondering...)  I have a lot of fun 4th of July memories and here is a few!

As a young child I remember spending the 4th of July with my Mama and Pappy.  The fireworks were always amazing (now I'm not truly sure how amazing they really were, but at a young age, they seemed awesome!)  I loved all the fireworks except the boomers.  You know, those horrible fireworks that just flash and boom really loud.  I'm sure they are only in the fireworks shows because they are cheap, because who really likes those anyhow?

As I got older, we started doing the 4th at home which included a trip to town to watch our town's firework display which for a tiny town were pretty amazing (and I was old enough to know this was true).  We always grilled out with the same family and would go back home and shoot off fireworks at our house.  We lived in the country with an open back yard.  Our friends spent a lot of money on the fancy fireworks, so sometimes our firework show rivaled the town's display!

On my 25th birthday (oops, now I've given away that I will not be turning 23 tomorrow...), I spent the 4th of July with my friends Sam and Jessica in Hawaii!  Talk about an awesome firework display.  I have actually been lucky enough to see fireworks in Hawaii twice.  Once on New Year's 2000 and then again on the 4th of July 2005.  There is nothing better than fireworks over the ocean!

Jeff's first 4th of July with my family was a fun one as my father attempted to burn our house down with a misdirected firework and then attempted to blow Jeff away with another miscalculation...I've never seen Jeff jump and move so fast!

When we lived up north, we were fortunate enough to be able to watch the town's fireworks from our subdivision park.  So Logan at the young age of 1 month watched his first fireworks display and pretty much slept through the whole thing! 

Yep-that is him in there!

You just forget how little they are!

Last year, we were leaving for Virginia Beach, VA for a entire family vacation on the 4th of July, but were able to watch our town's fireworks display on the 3rd.  Luckily, it was just a short walk from our house to see them.  We actually got to see several fireworks displays on our drive on the 4th of July from our car window.  It would have been better had we already been in Virginia Beach with the rest of the family because there is no one better to watch fireworks with than my Aunt Vicki!  We "Ooooooo" and "Aaaaaaaaa" over all the fireworks and it is a blast!

Happy 4th of July to all!  I expect plenty of "Ooooooo"ing and "Aaaaaaaa" ing tonight from everyone!

I'll leave you with this awesome picture my dad photoshopped together.  He actually took the photo of the eagle a few years back, but them put it over the American flag and added the quote!  He's quite talented!

Logan's 2!!

Logan once again benefited from my job and got to celebrate his birthday on two different days!  Now that is pretty awesome for a little toddler! 
His first birthday celebration was a small one with his Mommy and Daddy after I got off work.  I had instructed Jeff to pick up a small cake to celebrate with.

This is what I came home to....

Yep- a full sized Kroger cake!

Logan was ok with it

He also opened a few birthday cards

He really enjoyed ripping the envelopes

And tossing the money on the floor...(this boy has money management issues...)

Opening a present from Mommy and Daddy

He really liked blowing the candles out!

His big party was a few days later.  It was a family party with his Grandma and Pappy, Nonna and Papa, Aunt Steph and Uncle Dean, Uncle John and Aunt Laura, Lille, Great Grandma Jenny, and Mommy and Daddy!  We celebrated all day long.  We kept bringing his presents from the garage and after the last gift had been opened, Logan turned to Jeff and I, pointed to the garage door, and signed "more".  He's no dummy!  He knew where all the good stuff had been coming from that day!

Here's some pictures from the festivities!

Logan got a mustang from his Grandma and Pappy!  He doesn't know how to steer yet, so look out!

Lillie and Logan rocking the birthday hats!

Logan's Aunt Laura and Uncle John and Lillie got his this awesome bubble mower that he plays with almost every day!

Logan's tricycle and helmet from Nonna and Papa

Blowing candles out again!

A new train table from Mommy and Daddy

My adorable niece Lillie

They were really hot after playing outside!

Lillie liked the car a lot until she discovered Logan didn't know how to steer!

They both really liked the radio button that plays awesome music...

New rocker from Great Grandma Jenny

Don't touch!!

Logan had no problem ripping open the presents!

Happy Birthday Boy!

Enjoying grilled food with Lillie

And of course, his birthday wouldn't be complete without a St. Louis Cardinals gift!  (Yes-that is a Fred Bird pillow pet!)

As you can see, Logan had a wonderful birthday with family and is obviously spoiled rotten!