Thursday, September 30, 2010

OU v. Airforce

We took John to his first football game last weekend. It was AMAZING!

We ended up going down on Friday and got to walk around campus before it got dark and take a couple of pictures. (I took my small camera so that I could take it into the game, so I didn't get the best pictures, but they will do).

We stayed at the Sooner Legends hotel and it was great. Although it was old, it was cool to see all the memoriable that they had on display. We stayed in the barry Switzer suite, so we have now seen every picture of Barry ever taken on the field. In the morning we were able to have breakfast next to Joe Washington and a couple of other 1975 champioship players. That was pretty cool.

On gameday we took John to the Natural History Museum there on campus and he loved the dinosaurs and other exhibits.

After which we laid him down for a nap for about an hour, just to try and help the long day ahead of us. Carl and I were getting restless, so we woke him up and off we went.

John was super excited to be at OU and to go to the game and see Boomer and Sooner. First we met up with Granddaddy and then walked over with him to our seats. Carl found us seats on the goal line on the first row! Was not the best seat to actually watch the game, but it seriously could not have been better for a kid. We were right in front of the cheerleaders and all the action. We were able to stand John up on the wall so he cuold see and we did not have to hold him the whole time.

He got to see and give high 5's to both the Boomer and Sooner mascots and then the rough necks gave him an empty shotgun shell for a souviner. There was a fly over becuase it was the airforce game. Those planes were REALLY loud, so John covered his ears for most of the game. The cheerleaders LOVED him, in fact a couple of them got off beat or whatever becuase they were watching him. After the game was over they all swormed him. He was being a ham and did his "OU" arm signals for them.

Overall it was an awesome day and I can not wait to do it again!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

New recipes last week

After my Ten on Tuesday, it was suggested that I post the new recipe trials from last week. I thought it might be fun to do this and document what we eat these days... I am not all that great at including all the references and details that I should, so if you have any questions, let me know.

Monday
I was craving buffalo chicken wings so we brought in food (still craving it, although I have had in at least 3 other times since then. I need to get a hold of some good ones.)

Tuesday
Pepper Crusted Grilled Flank Steak (http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/beef/pepper-crusted-grilled-flank-steak/)

This one will be a keeper!
Followed recipe exactly, was a little under done, would have gone 2 more minutes on each side.
And in the spinach mayo, I decreased the mayo and added some horseradish sauce and it was a good addition.

Wednesday
Cuban Midnight Sandwich (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cuban-Midnight-Sandwich/Detail.aspx)

Again, I think this one is a keeper!
Inspired by our trip to Florida.
Provolone instead of swiss
This is not actually a Cuban sandwich as it has no pork and the dressing is different, but the idea is there. J


Thursday
Seared pork chops with orange chipotle glaze (http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/pork/seared-pork-chops-with-orange-chipotle-glaze/)

Okay, so I am 2 for 3 this week, not bad considering my track record (just ask Carl)! This was just okay. I served it with aspargus instead of the mashed potatos. I cooked the pork WAY longer than it said too. still did not seem overdone. I jsut don't think pork is my thing.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

School / MDO

John's first day of school/MDO was back on 9/1/10. It was an emotional day for us all!

To set the stage... his supply 'theme' this year was camoflauge. He has a camo nap mat, lunch box and book bag. All of his lables are printed on camo stickers as well. And of course I dressed him in camo shorts for his first day.

We have been talking with him and reading about school for a couple of months now to help prepare; this preparation tactic really seems to work with John.

So... the morning of....I woke up late (ugh) and spent over half an hour making his lunch. Not real sure why, just wanted it to be perfect. :) Woke John up later than I had anticipated, so we were running a little behind. He takes quite a bit of time to wake up, eat and feel ready for the day. I should have planned better, becuase the rushed feeling of the morning was not a good one. I had to hurry and take pictures, otherwise, there would have been 1000!

Mama, Daddy and John loaded in the car, and off we went. When we got there, he put his bookbag on his back and walked in without a fuss. He unloaded all of his stuff into the right bins, hugged and kissed me goodbye, hugged and kissed Daddy goodbye... and then... came back to me...ugh... this is when the teacher saw the beginning of the melt down so she swooped John out of my arms as I start to cry and took him into the room. With my sunglasses on, I quickly walked out of there balling my eyes out. Thank God Carl was there with me or I might not have gone through with it.

When I went to pick him that day, he was in an awesome mood. They SAID he napped, but I am not so sure about that.

Day 2: I woke up earlier and had plenty of time for John to get adjusted. As we are leaving it is POURING down rain. When we get to the school, I am trying to juggle the nap mat, lunch box, bookbag and umbrella all while trying to get him out of the car without getting soaked. It was not a pretty site! Once inside, he was okay, but then after offloading all of his stuff and time to go into the classroom, he practically ripped my shirt off and was screaming! I was suprisingly fine. The teacher again swooped him from me and took him inside. I stood outstide the classroom and not 3 seconds went by before I hear him playing with the toy garage thing. He TOTALLY put on a show for me.

Day 3: He hugs and kisses me while keeping one eye on the classroom and then BOLTS inside to do the table activity. It has been that way ever since! YEAH! He loves school!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A breakthrough!

As mentioned in the earlier "Ten on Tuesday" post, I believe we are knee deep in the terrible twos. I do think it is combination of several things that are contributing to this phase, but calling it the terrible two's just seems easiest.

Between school starting, sleeping issues, traveling, change in overall schedule and possibly talk of the new baby I think John is going through a tranistion phase right now. This includes testing boundaries, gaining independce and bravery and pushing buttons!

The majority of the time he is still my little angel and all he really wants his your attention. But then there are those moments of pure defiance that seem to overshadow the day and wear on my last nerve. I am making a strong conserted effort to maintain patience and a cool town of voice, but I have to admit that it is hard sometimes.

Time outs were working, but now he will go into the corner and talk and laugh and count. Does not seem to effect him anymore. Carl came up with something the other night in response to one of his bed time hitting fits that has really seem to make a breakthrough and is getting through to John. Taking toys away, and having to earn them back. He really responds to this and then when he earns it back he is so proud of himself.

Still a work in progress, but a step in the right direction.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Ten on Tuesday (9.21.10)

1) John is having some sleeping issues. Even though I know he is SO tired, he is having trouble falling asleep and then wakes up several times a night screaming. I am hoping it is jsut an adjustment from being out of town this weekend. (he is currenly fighting nap and screaming "MOMMY" at the top of his lungs; really trying to ignore it, but I am afraid our neighbors will think we torture this child....update - I went to check on him and he was sitting on the edget of his bed SCREAMING, but no tears. I rocked him for 30 seconds and he was out like a light. ugh)). I think all of his sleep issues boil down to not letting him truly "cry it out" until he was 18 months old.

2) I am obsessed with buying John shoes right now. Sort of like I was with the underwear way back when. He has like 5 pair already for Fall/Winter and haven't even bought him regular tennis shoes yet. Can't beat old navy's sale for $10 a pair.

3) John is loving school, but we have to pry information out of him. He always says "nofing" (nothing) anytime we ask a question. We have to ask very detailed questions to get any other answer. I thought he was too young for this and this would not start until he was older and did not care about school. :)

4) I love that new TV started last night. We recorded pretty much everything and are going to just try them all out and eliminate as we go. :)

5) We are starting to work out again today! Well, Carl is, and I am going to do what I can. We will see.

6) I have SO many blogs I want to post... hopefully I can knowck out a few right now and set them to post this week. Recipes, new disciple techinique, school, football game, etc.

7) Thinking about John's new room and the baby's room. Carl thinks he is getting out of painting the nursery again...but we are not getting new furniture, so the least we can do is paint it! Any ideas on color combinations or themes, send my way. (For Johns room too)

8) Halloween is right around the corner. I think John is old enough to choose what he wants to be, but I am afraid becuase what if it is something I can not produce?!?!

9) Baby boy #2 is as big as an apple these days... so...why is my belly as big as a melon?

10) Is it possible for my child to be bi-polar? Or are we experiencing the terrible twos?!?!?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Ten on Tuesday (9.14.2010)

So, I missed a week last week, but still trucking...

1) John had a rough night last night with this nagging cough. I ended up "sleeping" in one of the spare bedrooms with him... we are both exhausted.

2) There are 2 new baby boys in my neighborhood this week! My next door neighbor and my friend that lives a few houses down both welcomed a new life in the last couple of weeks. Glad baby boy Jones will have some friends his age in the hood.

3) Work is busy again and ever changing. A termination and a promotion has left me and one other peer of mine in the accouting department. Everyone else there (at my level and below) started after I did. Am I getting old? I suppose when I go back after baby boy Jones I will be working for people that used to work for me... wonder how I am going to deal with that...

4) John loves the "Wonder Pets" show and books and animals. It is his new thing.

5) I am feeling 99% better 90% of the time these days. I am about 14 weeks, so I am hopeful in the next week it goes away all together.

6) Speaking of, I hope that I can find the motivation to work out a bit during this pregnancy while I am feeling better. It will sure make it easier not to out on 50 (F.I.F.T.Y.) pounds that I did with John.

7) John's 2nd day of school was a bit harder on him, but as I ducked around the corner to see how long he would cry, it was over before I could blink. It was all a show for me. Then on his 3rd day (yesterday) he literally was kissing out of the corner of his mouth, he could not wait to get inside. He RAN to Ms. Tawnya! YEA!

8) I got to me Zane this weekend! YEAH!!!! He was an absolute doll! Such a smiley and happy boy.

9) Trying some new recipes this week. Must branch out. Must eat healthier.

10) Headed to monthly check up this afternoon - must go wake John...

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

BIG DAY!

Today was John's first day at "mothers day out". It went very well. I will do a bigger post shortly that will include more details, but I wanted to get these pictures out.

I also wanted to document this day, 9/1/10 as a big day for another reason....

We found out today that we are having another boy!!!! John will have a brother and we are SO pumped about that!

Here are a couple pictures from John's big day:


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ten on Tuesday (august 31)

Woohoo! Two weeks in a row!

1 - John has started a new habit of seeping under his blanket, completely, head and all. We go up there before we go to bed and uncover him. His is drenched in sweat. Wish he would stop this.

2 - speaking of sweat, I would like to goon record to say that my son did not develop his sweat glands on his head until he was two and a half. He seems to sweat Luke normal now. Which as many of you know is a huge relief to me, as it really bothered me.

3 - I can no longer avoid it, I have to pull out the maternity clothes. Ugh.

4 - John starts MDO for the first time tomorrow. 'Meet the teacher' was on Monday and I was an emotional wreck. Not sure how tomorrow will go. Thank goodness Daddy will be there too!

5 - we had our first playdate with no Moms at our house today. John's little neighborhood friend, Andy, came over to play. It was great! I can not believe we have not done this before. They played so well together and Andy is a real good little boy, so it was a good influence on John. They just played by themselves like I was not in the room. Hearing their conversations was SO funny. Andy has 2 older sisters, so at one point he asked John if he had any babies? After a pause to think, John responded " I have Kee Koo". Precious!

6 - Kara's last day is Thursday and although I am excited for the new chapter of school, I am going to miss her! John loves her and she has been AWESOME with him. I could not have gotten any luckier. And, on a personal note, she did all of his laundry and picked up and vacuumed the house. So, ya, I am going to miss her too! She will always be our babysitter or fill in when she is available, but it won't be the same. :(

7 - We are REALLY looking forward to football season!

8 - John is still the BEST cuddler in the world. We have cuddle time several times a day. I assumed it would be gone by now, but to my delight, it still goes strong. And yes, he still has to touch your face while cuddling. I think it is his sign of affection :)

9 - John can peddle is little tricycle like a champ. As soon as his feet can reach the peddles of a bike (with training wheels of course), I want to get him one with the cute little helmets, I think he will love it.

10 - I am feeling 90% better, so I am hoping in the next week it is gone completely!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Introducing....Kee Koo

John is going to be a big brother and he has lovingly named his sibling Kee Koo (pronounced key coo). We are not sure why, but he is sticking with it! We called John “monkey” while he was in my belly and it has stuck with him even today. We were wondering what we were going to call this one, but I think John has taken care of it for us. The baby will be known as Kee Koo until we give him/her a first name. I know it sounds silly, but once you say it enough and you here John say it enough, it just becomes natural. J
 
We are 11.5 weeks along and are due in early March. I have been unbelievably sick. I will take this time to sincerely apologize; I know I have been a cruddy wife, friend, daughter, sister, employee, etc. as of late. Any energy or patience I have left goes to John. I have had to cancel plans and I have missed being apart of a few big events over the past few weeks, please accept my apology and know how guilty I feel about it! The sickness had a peak around 8-9 weeks, and has SLOWLY gotten better, but I think I still have a couple of weeks left.
 
Because of the sickness and the way I just feel different with this pregnancy, I really think it is a girl. We shall find out soon….

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ten on Tuesday

I am inspired by the 'Ten on Tuesday' idea that Abbey and Audra have on their blogs. I do not think that the monthly updates are really fitting at John's age anymore, so I hope to take over this instead.


1)       John is getting a little mole on his face, just like his Daddy!
2)       John is eating like a horse lately. ANYTHING I put in front of him and ALL of it (including all veggies). SO PROUD!
3)       Summer television is AWFUL! COMPLETELY AWFUL! We just watched season 4 of Dexter in 3 nights!
4)       Starting to think about lunches to pack in John’s lunchbox. He starts a MDO/preschool next week. Any popular suggestions are welcome (we have no allergy restrictions)
5)       I just drove by the parents taking their kids to the school for the first day on Monday and I was crying… not sure how next week is going to go.
6)       John LOVES the ipad. I let him play on it the other day thinking it would keep his attention for a few minutes…before I knew it, he had been on it nearly an hour! He screams and cries “I want my ipad” or “I want to play with the ipad” over and over at night when it is time for bed. A little ridiculous that a 2 year old is addicted to the ipad. He is playing games, doing puzzles, drawing and reading books on it, so I suppose it is better than TV, but still…..
7)       I need new clothes!
8)       John surprised me the other day by reading “My many different colored days” to me. We have been reading it for quite some time, but I did not realize he was memorizing it. It is a little more in depth than, say “Brown Bear, Brown Bear”. I am trying to get it on video camera. We shall see.
9)       Speaking of video camera – I desperately need to get more footage of John at this age on the video camera. I am going to do my best.
10)    I feel like CRAP!