Lake 2009 - day 2

So many pictures that I decided to break up the photos into days. Saturday was so much fun! Let the farkling begin!! Carson took a 3 1/2 hour nap, so Grammy taught us how to play Farkle. We had a great time in the sun, laughing and drinking. We had a fire in the fire pit that night. Carson became a football player that night (although he didn't realize it) as we took my nickname of "booty" and made that his name. He would sit on the step (bench) then jump up with his arms up as he took the field. Booty Rardin!! I took Carson in to get him ready for bed and he told me he was ready for bed as he pawed at the side of the bed. I layed down with him to get him to sleep, and he reached over and held my hand. I fell in love all over again. Needless to say, I fell asleep with him. So much for the fire.

Sweeping the patio - no more leaves, Uncle Merlyn!
Playing "ni" with Aunt Diane
Carson and Aunt Diane
with Mommy at the bonfire
Mama and baby at the fire pit

Lake 2009 - day 1

Carson and I went to the lake with Grammy and Grampy this year while Cj and Tanner stayed home. The car rides were a little long, but we sure had a great time when we were there!! Carson is now obsessed with driving, after cruising in the golf cart. He also chased "mow" (meow for Louis the cat) around the house. Louis (lou-lou) wasn't quite sure what to think about this rowdy boy. Aunt Diane, Carly, and I learned how to farkle - thanks Grammy - and I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. It was nice to get away and we are anxiously awaiting our next visit to the "compound."
Riding the "ni" (horse) when we first arrived
Swimming with Grammy
Napping with Grammy
Tired baby
Reading with Grammy
Glasses - Carson came walking out with these on to surprise everyone. We cracked up!!
Dr. Carson
Dr. Carson checking Mommy's ears
Chasing "mow"
Carson took over the bed!!

Growing older

Since I will be (sadly) leaving my 20s this year, I thought this email I received from my mom seemed appropriate for this BIG occasion.
Personally, I think it can be hell getting older, but life sure is a fun ride.


Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It
is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step..
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time the time it needs.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41 Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Drinks Reflect Personality

Before you order a drink in public you should read this. Seven New York City bartenders were asked if they could nail a woman's personality based on what she drinks. Though interviewed separately, they concurred on almost all counts. The results:

WOMAN DRINKS AND WHO THEY ARE.

Drink: Beer
Personality: Causal, low-maintenance; down to earth.
Your Approach: Challenge her to a game of pool.

Drink: Blender Drinks
Personality: Flaky, whiny, annoying; a pain in the ass.
Your Approach: Avoid her, unless you want to be her cabana boy.

Drink: Mixed Drinks
Personality: Older, more refined, high maintenance, has very picky taste; knows EXACTLY what she wants.
Your Approach: You won't have to approach her. If she's interested, she'll send YOU a drink......

Drink: Wine (does not include White Zinfandel)
Personality: Conservative and classy; sophisticated yet giggles.
Your Approach: Tell her you love to travel and spend quiet evenings with my friends.

Drink: White Zinfandel
Personality: Easy; thinks she is classy and sophisticated, actually, she has NO clue.
Your Approach: Make her feel smarter than she is..this should be an easy target.

Drink: Shots
Personality: Likes to hang with pals and looking to get totally drunk... and naked.
Your Approach: Easiest hit in the joint. You have been blessed. Nothing to do but t wait, however, be careful not to make her mad!

Drink: Tequila
No explanations required - everyone just KNOWS what happens there.


MAN DRINKS & WHO THEY ARE

The deal with guys is, as always, very simple and clear cut:

Domestic Beer: He's poor and wants to get laid.
Imported Beer: He likes good beer and wants to get laid.
Wine: He is hoping that the wine will give him a sophisticated image to help him get laid.
Whiskey: He doesn't give a damn about anything but getting laid.
Tequila: He is thinking he has a chance with the toothless waitress.
White Zinfandel: He's gay.

Potty training

So, I'm starting to get the BabyCenter emails (got them weekly during pregnancy and get them weekly now about Carson's age/progress) about potty training. Really? Already? They do have some good info, but I'm not sure we're ready for this stage yet. They say you can potty train in 10 steps. There is also a checklist to determine when the kiddo is ready to start. Then there are specific tips for boys vs girls. That's probably a good thing. I have read these articles many times, and each time Carson seems to get one more thing on the checklist.

The funniest part about this whole deal is that Carson is now obsessed with "poo poo." He likes to point it out when the dogs are going then go find it to point it out to me. Yes, Carson, I know there is stinky poo poo there. Yes, Carson, I know the doggie did it. Yes, Carson, I know it was Potter or Lily (he tells me which one did it). Cracks me up! Referring to a previous post, he likes to follow behind me and "help" with picking up poo poo - which is technically supposed to be Tanner's job.

The other day, I asked Carson if he was "poopy" and he will usually answer correctly. Believe me, it usually smells bad enough for you to know the right answer. He turned around and stuck his booty in my face for me to double check, and I was right. Made me laugh! He will sometimes pull at his diaper when he is poopy or he will let me know he needs a new diaper from being wet if I ask. Oh, the joys!

Peyton's 5th birthday/water party

We had a BLAST at Peyton's 5th birthday party. It was so much fun to play in the blow up water park. I want one!! I told Cj we should do that for my birthday this year. Woo hoo! They had extra swimmies, so Carson had a grand old time. He's such a water baby. Then, I kept getting in to check on him. I decided by this point that I was wet enough, and I took Carson down the water slides in my clothes. It was great! I love being a fun mom!!
helping Carson go down the slide

baby buns playing on the waves

surfin in the USA

Carson using a water cannon

Carson crawling thru the tunnel

at the end of the tunnel

Carson wanted Mommy to crawl thru the tunnel too

Mommy taking Carson down the slide, fully clothed

Carson falling back down the slide as he tried to crawl up


**PS-- I want one of these for my birthday party!!

National Geographic pics

I got these photos, and I love seeing mommies and babies in nature. It warms my heart to know these wild animals have motherly instincts. I think about my baby at home and how much I love him. What a blessing it is to be a mom and have a happy, healthy baby to love, hold, snuggle, kiss, laugh with... I could go on and on.