My New Love

Of course I am referring to my new wood floors! I LOVE them! It makes such a huge difference when you walk in the door. It's like I got a whole new house. Mac has been enjoying them as well. Sliding on them, tap dancing on them, and he even tried to give them that used look by beating his golf club on them (Mommy stopped that one). But hey, we got distressed wood for a reason, right? I have yet to move all of his toys back down stairs. It's just so nice to have a clean, clutter free living room, but this too shall pass. We replaced the carpet in the dining room too, but I need to take pictures.


So I need some advice. We are slowly adopting the policy of in with the old, out with the new in terms of living room furniture. The couch, entertainment center, and tv will eventually be replaced. We have found a couch we like and are waiting to see if the price drops over Labor Day weekend (fingers crossed). We have talked about what type of entertainment center we want. We have decided to go with a wooden base, not a full blown entertainment center with shelves. Here is my question, do you think it would be a bad idea to completely forgo a TV? What I was thinking about doing was just getting a big base (it will be tall) that runs the length of the wall. There would be shelves inside for storage, toys, etc. Trust me, I love TV just as much as the next person, but I just feel like it's being watched too much. I feel like it is a distraction at night. When Eric gets home I would really like for us to just be together as a family when we are downstairs. I have no problem with us going upstairs to watch the big TV if there is something we want to see, but I don't really see any reason to have one in the living room. As I said, we have the big TV in the media room upstairs and a TV in our bedroom so it's not like we wouldn't be able to get to one if we wanted to. My idea is to get a small TV/DVD combo for the kitchen so that Mac starts having a meltdown while I'm cooking or cleaning we could always pop in some Yo Gabba Gabba. So...what do you think? Horrible idea or good idea to have some extra family time?

1.5

My baby is not a baby anymore! He is now 18 months old and has more personality than I could have ever imagined. He makes me laugh so hard I can't stand it.

We are working on eating with a fork and spoon. It has not been going so well. I actually end up making twice the amount of food he needs because most of it ends up on the floor, in the dogs mouth, or in Mac's lap. His spoon skills are definitely lacking, but we are making some progress with the fork. Honestly, he just stabs at food until something sticks, but he has such a sense of accomplishment on his face I can't help but clap for him. Too bad my clapping leads to his clapping and more food is splattered on the floor!

He is also turning into quite the little dumpster diver. Our trash can lid doesn't shut all the way and Mac really enjoys digging for hidden treasures. You know, things like foil, paper, and the occasional handful of food.


Eric and I keep finding ourselves watching him in amazement. We were at dinner the other night and caught each other just staring at Mac because he was eating all by himself. It's still blows my mind that we brought home this helpless little baby and now I have a little boy who can walk and talk...oh yeah, and feed himself. I am assuming that children eventually reach an age when you are no longer enamored with every little thing they do, but I have a feeling we are no where near that!

For your 18 mo birthday:

Mac, at 18 months:

1. You weigh in at 26 lbs

2. You have really started to slim down now that you run EVERYWHERE!

3. I am already missing all those extra fat rolls on your legs (you still have plenty though!)

4. You can make the following animal sounds: cow ("mmmm"), dog ("arf"), cat ("kitty cat"), monkey ("E-E-E-E"), Tiger ("grrrrr"), snake ("ssss")

5. You can actually identify animals on your flash cards and make their sounds

6. You LOVE to wash your hands. Actually you like to play in the water, but I'll take it.

7. You can identify the following party parts: head, ears, mouth, eyes, hands, feet, knees, and belly.

8. You love to show people your belly

9. When you know you are in trouble you say "I love you."...because that usually gets you out of trouble

10. You no longer say please when you want something. Instead you stay "Thank You" (pronounced Na Nu) because I guess you know I will give it to you eventually!

11. Anytime you leave the room you hug Heisman and tell him "I Love You."

12. You climb on everything

13. You love to dance

14. You like to bathe yourself and wash your own hair

15. We are making some progress eating with a fork and spoon

16. You like to play with Mommy's phone, which has resulted in 2 "911" calls.

17. You squeal "Daddy!" every time the phone rings...and you say "Hello" when you hold the phone to your ear

18. You are still the greatest thing that ever happened to me and your Daddy

















As you can tell my this video, Mac is starved for attention:

Thank God For The Girls!

I must say, I am very fortunate to have such great girlfriends. I don't know how people make it without them! Let's face it, there are just some things that you can't talk to your men about. And some things you just don't want to talk to them about! I have 2 groups of girls...the "Mom's Group" and the "Couples Group." I love them both equally, but they are a totally different experience.

The "Couples Group" consists of about 6 of us (all the husbands are friends as well) and quite a few bottles of wine. We talk about everything under the sun...no topic is off limits. We have been known to shut down a few restaurants, and even have a waiter or two join us when their shift is over. If you want to be heard you have to speak up because we often find ourselves talking over each other. We have been surprisingly successful in keeping our monthly girls night going for sometime now. There is one rule for girls night...what is said at girl's night, stays at girl's night. I love it! I wish we could do it every week!

The "Mom's Group" consists of 6 of us now (one just moved...so sad) and I think we have only successfully gotten together, sans the kids, once (tonight was the first time)! Our common factor, obviously our kids. Oddly enough we all have little boys that are within 6 or 7 months of each other. As much as we love and adore our perfect little angels, a night out is definitely needed! You would think that we would take such a golden opportunity to discuss some scholarly issues (i.e. not Yo Gabba Gabba), but we don't. I think we spent 90 percent of the time talking about the boys. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every second of it. It's amazing how relaxing a dinner can be when you aren't having to chase around a 1 1/2 year old. Plus, it's nice to hear that you aren't the only one who feels like they don't know what they are doing!

As different as our nights out can be, there is one commonality between the two. No matter how bad the day was, it all seems so much better by the time the evening has come to an end...

I love my girls and don't know what I'd do without them!!!

Words Of Wisdom From A Supermodel

When i think of the great scholars of all time I think of Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and of course....Gisele Bundchen. I'm not saying all models are dumb, but let's face it, they're not generally known for their intellectual prowess. And that brings me to my point; Gisele's interview in Harper's Bizaare UK. The supermodel, aka Tom Brady's baby mama, was quoted as saying, "Some people here [in the U.S.] think they don't have to breastfeed, and I think 'Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?'," and my favorite, "I think there should be a worldwide law, in my opinion, that mothers should breastfeed their babies for six months." Let me start off by saying that I have the utmost respect for women who breastfeed. I only lasted 2 months, and it was hard. I am amazed when I hear about people who do it for 6 months, and astonished when I hear of sticking it out for a year. Kudos to you all. That being said, I felt like a failure when I stopped breastfeeding. My reasons are my reasons and I won't get into that, but I cannot stand it when women, celebrity or not, get on their soap box about breastfeeding. In almost all cases I think that breastfeeding is the best thing that you can do for your child. I mean, it's what your body was meant to do. At the same time, not everyone is physically able to do it. Not everyone is emotionally able to do it. And believe it or not, not everyone wants to do it. Do any of these reasons make you a bad mother? No!!!

I had a friend tell me if I stopped breastfeeding, Mac would not bond with me. Well let me tell you, he loves me and he loves his Daddy...and I know Eric never breastfed him!

I write this only to say, chose your words carefully, especially when talking to or about Moms. I know I used to cast judgement, and I'm sure I will again, but just think before the words roll of your tongue. Remember how you used to feel when all the "wise women" gave you little tips and advice to make you a better mother. And also remember, when you do receive unsolicited advice, I still get it all the time, just smile, nod, and go on with your day as though it never happened (unless of course it helps!)