Silly diapers...

I have wanted to sit at my computer all week and type up a blog. I wouldn't say my life is extremely interesting, but I think of myself as one that takes pleasure in the simple things in my everyday life as a stay-at-home-summertime-mom. :)

For example: I order diapers on amazon.com. I'm an "amazon mom" thanks to my friend Sarah's tid bit of advice, and I hope someone else reads my blog and signs up as well. It really does save a lot of money,  is so convenient, and you can save on all sorts of baby items.  I knew Andrew's diapers were going to arrive anyday and this would not be any ordinary diaper delivery....they would be SIZE 4 DIAPERS!! Dum dum dum.....haha!! :) This is so silly when I think about it, but I would seriously talk to Andrew about it on a daily basis: "Andrew, I wonder when your SIZE 4 DIAPERS will be here??" "I wonder why your SIZE 4 DIAPERS are not here yet?"

He grew out of the newborn diapers in about 2 weeks, the size 1 a few weeks later, size 2 may have lasted a couple months, and his size 3 diapers have fit him for most of his cute little life. SO....when I started noticing they were getting a little snug, it was kinda crazy. "We need to move up to SIZE 4? Oh, my baby is growing up!!" So...the day they arrived was a bit like Christmas morning to me..... :) I ripped them open and couldn't wait to get them on my little man. hehe....I can't believe I'm sharing this! ;-)  Something about diapers that fit him a little better just seem to be one simple pleasure I enjoy in my day-to-day life.

Todd is back from Europe so my days of living the "single mom" role are done for a while. It was easier than I thought, but I sure did come to realize the things Todd does to help run the house. It makes a WORLD of difference to have my hubby back to help out. One other big deal for little Andrew (besides the SIZE 4 DIAPERS ;-): he has learned to sign "more" when he wants more to eat! I think deep down, he knows exactly what everyone around him is saying and trying to get him to do, but he is a bit hard-headed like me. He will only do it when he wants. Plus, I think he gets a kick out of seeing me get so overly excited that it seems like he graduated honors from Texas A&M University or something. I know that will come one day as well , and I will be just as excited as I am now. :)

My little Genius figured out how to get the lid off the Gerber puffs: he's quite proud of himself :)

Stories to share

Summer is fabulous...absolutely the BEST THING EVER! Especially now that I have my little man to share everyday with. :)

So yesterday, I went to visit my friend, Jena and her beautiful baby boy Dexter (baby fever came over me and lasted about 5 minutes until the following incident unfolded). Mother of the year moment: Well....Jena has stairs in her house...Andrew has never had an opportunity to be anywhere near stairs so I assume (NEVER assume with toddlers), that he would not be brave enough to climb the stairs (mind you, we are downstairs in her living room...NOT upstairs). So, we are both talking, I periodically check on Andrew (as any good mother would), and last I saw, he was about 3 yards away from me with a big grin on his little face, no where near the stairs enjoying his sippy cup  (probably scheming his next move). Not EVEN 2 minutes later....BUMP BUMP....WHAAAA!!!! Scariest moment to date for me. My little Andrew had climbed the 3 steps up to the carpeted area before the stairs go up again (there's probably a name for this), climbed a little further, and FELL onto the carpet area!! SO...he didn't actually hit the floor at the bottom of the stairs, but he still tumbled down... :( POOR BABY!! I scooped my little sugar bean up, kissed him over and over, inspected his little body for any visual injuries, and then gave him his paci (which I'm normally trying to keep away from him during the day).

Sparked another story: later that evening, I'm in the kitchen making some of Andrew's favorite: Annabel's Vegetable Fritters (from First Meals by: Annabel Karmel). Pictured below:

Andrew is playing in his "fenced off" child-proof area while I'm cooking in the kitchen when he starts to get pretty fussy. I blame it on being so close to dinner-time, so I put him in his high chair with some broccoli and pasta. Broccoli is normally something he will NEVER turn down (especially if he's hungry). Well, he wanted nothing to do with the broccoli. He cried and cried, so I thought, "What if he really did get injured after falling down the stairs today?!" So I take him out of the highchair to get some Tylenol, and he starts crying even harder. I was pretty worried at that time (and by the way: Todd is out of the country for 2 weeks, so it's all Mommy right now). I go to the kitchen to get him some milk (thinking maybe he's thirsty), when he starts leaning toward the counter where the veggie bites were cooling (they had just came out of the skillet). I pick one up to blow on it and he starts screaming at me! I keep saying, "No, it's hot! Wait," but he is reaching with all his might trying to grab it from me. It finally cools down, and I give him a bite....the crying completely stops...I guess he smelled the veggie fritters cooking from the other room, got fussy, and when I didn't give him what he smelled, he got frustrated. I was laughing so hard! My son is officially as picky and particular about food as I am. When it comes to food: if you don't give him what he wants, right when he wants it, he's not happy. So...the baby fever comes and goes, but for now....I think I will stick with having my 1 accident-prone, grey-hair-causing, into-everything (but perfect in every way!) Toddler Andrew for the moment. We'll see if my mind changes after summer break. ;-)

YAY SUMMER!!!

Oh my goodness....this is the happiest I have been in a while!!! I have 1 more day of work and I'm FREEEEE!!! Woohoo!! :) Those of you that have seen/talked to me this year, know how long I have been waiting for this day. Not that I dislike my students or anything....but man....I sure had my hands full this year!

 Anyway, enough about the J-O-B that is soon to be DONE WITH for 2 months, 15 or so days....my brother and his girlfriend Jackie came to visit last weekend. Oh, and my last post was ACTUALLY from May 25th. It was saved as a draft until just now. :) Andrew went to his first Rangers game and had a blast! I was pleasantly surprised at how he made it through the entire game. Granted, we didn't show up until the 3rd inning....but he made it without getting fussy until well after the game ended! He was SO well behaved (even in the 90+ degree heat), and really enjoyed himself. He also grubbed down on some popcorn, gerber crunchies, some rice I brought from home (and yes, he was also fed a full dinner right before arriving). My baby boy is growing up so fast. I just know he and I are going to have an absolute fabulous time this summer. :) YAY!!!!!!!

Such a sweet picture of my boys :)

Me and my little man after the game (had to break out the paci..on the verge of fussiness)

Look how happy they are :)

Awesome seats (compliments of Todd's previous job)

Go Rangers!!

Summer is just around the bend!

Oh, I am so ready for summer!! This school year has been a HUGE challenge for me! I am glad it is almost over. My baby boy and I are going to have so much fun spending everyday together. :) :) He has such an awesome personality, and I can't wait to read books, play outside, float in the pool, and maybe watch some "my baby can read." I guess I need to purchase the program so we can get a head start on his future as a gifted learner. :) hehe.

We went to Oklahoma to visit some friends last weekend, and Todd was actually able to go to the Mavericks game (spoiled husband). Oh well, I had a blast staying up late Saturday night talking with my HS friend, Ashley and then enjoying some delicious coffee, mimosas, and breakfast that next morning.  I was  contemplating going to our High School Reunion, but she convinced me to make an appearance. I think it will be a good time, but I'm certainly not looking forward to that 6 hour+ drive with  Andrew and Sadie (my boxer). Todd will be in Budapest for work, so can't go with me. :( That was another reason I was undecided on making the big trek to little "D town." It will be worth it. :)

Andrew and Me at Bricktown in Oklahoma City

Enjoying some Sangria and Tapas at Bolero

Seeking Positivity

This year, I have become my worst nightmare. And I just want to start off by saying, it is not AT ALL because of my baby boy. I hate when people keep telling me, "You just had a baby, things are different" because I know that is a big factor in all the chaos that this year has brought into my life....but it goes so much deeper than that. And to be completely honest....Andrew is my angel that finally made me realize that things have got to change.

I have always thought that my biggest strength was lifting people up with kind words and being there for them in time of need. I am not the "brightest crayon in the box" so to speak, and I am in the least bit a "funny person".  I am definitely not the first name that comes to mind when people are looking for a good time, and I have zero creativity. I am a "wooer" who enjoys seeing people light up with compliments and someone that people come to for guidance and reassurance. At least, I used to be.

I get so mad at my students when they rebel and don't want to do their homework/classwork or choose to draw all over their papers rather than listen to me/complete assignments. I become so frustrated when they won't look me in the eye when I'm trying to get on to them while asking, "Why aren't you working? Why aren't you listening?"  I actually caught MYSELF doing this same thing pretty frequently this year. Not looking people in the eye because I was so disappointed, exhausted, negative that I chose to just look away. Saying only negative things because I was so insecure with myself. I really can't blame my students at times when they really don't "feel like" doing their work because to be quite honest: that has been my year in a nutshell. I want to try and have always had  the work ethic to get things accomplished. I like doing a good job and seeing the results through my students. But man, this year has brought my confidence down to the ground.

I have decided to try my hardest to stop sweating the small stuff. I need to bring back only positive energy into my life. I need to pray for strength and optimism and the ability to lift others up rather than pull them down. I have had such wonderful friends reach out to me with advice and books to read in order to figure it all out. Currently on my list to read: 5 Love Languages, The Purpose Driven Life, and Bittersweet by Shauna  Niequist. I am blessed...this I definitely know. I just need to learn to tame the negative thoughts and pay it forward by bringing light to the the lives of those around me. Especially my wonderful baby boy and amazing husband.

My Cutie Pie

He will be 1 in less than a month!

That's his flirty face

That's his "granny face" :)

Things in our lives

I thought I would update this blog with the new things happening in our lives. Well, my little sugar bean (Andrew)  is getting so big and trying to walk. I can't believe his first birthday is coming up already. He has such a funny personality, and it's the best thing in the world to see Todd and my characteristics showing through him. What a blessing.

I have signed up to run a half marathon in May. All I have to say about that is....What was I thinking??!! :) I guess I'm just trying to prove a point to myself that even though I have a baby, I am still completely capable of being in good enough shape to run 13.3 miles. I think it will be a huge accomplishment, but last time I ran a half marathon, I was in a whole lot better shape than I am now. I guess I will just pace myself and take all day to finish if I need to. :)

Todd just was just offered a brand new job at a brand new place which is exciting for him. I, unfortunately, will probably not be switching schools (even though that was the original plan: teaching closer to home). By the looks of the finances in Texas education, I won't be getting another teaching position in quite some time. I'm a sitting duck, so we will see what that brings in my near future as an educator.

Baby talk has been coming up more and more in the Templeton household. And not talking about our first little angel....but a possibility for a second. Hmmm...the thought of it brings butterflies to my stomach...both exciting and nervous butterflies. My mom was already 5 months pregnant with me when my older brother was Andrew's age. We'll see what happens....I'm going to focus on getting this half marathon under my belt and then look into the possibilities and pray for what the future might bring. :)

Look at that big boy at snack time

Silly faces are his fav way to make mommy laugh

Andrew has a very hefty appetite

All that big boy play is exhausting

Playing with his walker

pretty silly picture taken with mommy's new i-phone 4

Miami!

Well, today was the last day of spring break...boo! Do I have to go back to work?? :) Anyway, Todd and I were able to take a vaca..just the two of us...to Florida! Just to let you know how that went...I came back wanting to become a permanent resident of the great state of Florida...seriously! I was meant to live on the beach, and I am more and more convinced of this when I hang out anywhere near the ocean. South Beach Miami was by far the best beach I have ever been to. The weather was absolutely perfect, the sand was soft, and the water was a breath-taking turquoise. I told Todd, "The only type of grunge I will ever tolerate is beach grunge!" You know...the smell of sun tan oil, the glow of skin that's been baking in the sun, and the feeling of "heavy-hair" that's tasted the ocean breeze all day. Ohhh....how I love it!!

To make a long story short (even though bloggin would be the perfect opportunity to share my loooong version of the story)...I was "stuck" in Miami, Florida ALL BY MYSELF for 2 days/one night. Todd and I were on two different flights to get to Florida (he was supposed to already be there for work, but that got cancelled last minute causing us to book him a totally different flight than mine), and he missed his flight. He was on stand by ALL DAY while I made my flight, caught my second flight in Atlanta, and showed up in West Palm Beach ALONE. The origial plan (sniff...sniff)....was to drive across the Florida Keys TOGETHER and finally reach Key West Friday evening to spend the night. Well....I got the rental car and was going to make that 5 hour drive ALONE....but thought, "You know what? I have always wanted to go to Miami....so I'm driving to Miami!" So, the only person who needed convincing was myself (hence: I was BY MYSELF)...so that's where I ended up...and stayed the night. I have to say...both of us were sooooo frustrated about the WHOLE ordeal. But you know what...God really does work in mysterious ways. Honestly, this was my ONE AND ONLY opportunity to have the chance to make my own decisions about where to eat, sleep, hang out, and WHEN to do all these things. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by my unknown ability to get around on my own. I'm always relying on Todd to lead the way, and this was my chance to make the calls and go where I wanted to. Granted...it was kinda scary at first....but I met so many friendly people and was able to drive in Florida, windows down, music blaring...beach grundge extrodinare...ALL BY MYSELF.....pure BLISS. Really. When would anyone plan a trip like that on purpose?
 Todd got there on Saturday, we drove to Fort Lauderdale to stay the night (went on an incredible sailing adventure), and then I actually convinced Todd to GO BACK to Miami to stay another night. :) :) We had an AMAZING time, and I am not lying when I say I WILL live in Florida one day. I mean really....being able to order a Mojito pretty much anywhere you go....now that's my kinda place. ;-)

The drive from Miami to South Beach

I was SO excited when my feet touched the sand..first picture I took.

Yes...I probably blinded lots of people with my ghostly skin...but I got some sun on my trip :)

Huge Cruise ships

Sunset while on a Sail boat in Fort Lauderdale

Hotel pool in Miami

Hangin with the Hubs in Miami...such a much-needed time away from the daily grind