Spring Fever

I've got spring fever bad this year. Worse than ever before.

I want to stay outside all day long. I want to lay in the sun with a book, lounge in the pool, and ride around in my car with the windows down, sun roof open, and music blaring.

I also want to throw everything in my house away and start over. This might even be worse than the nesting period I had when I was pregnant with Aeralyn. You all remember that, right? When I cleaned and organized the entire house in one weekend? Yeah, it needs to be done again. Desperately!

We have this room in the back of the house that is the designanted junk room. We put things there that don't have a place anywhere else in the house. Holiday decorations, scrapbooking and craft supplies, baby gadgets that are no longer needed, things that we are saving for a garage sale that will never happen, and bags of clothes to take to Goodwill. It has gotten so out of control that I can barely walk in there now. So, I think that is going to be my new project. I want to organize it and ultimately use it as my "craft room". I'm dreaming of a day when I can actually do crafts again. I also want to let Aeralyn use it as a craft room too since it had linoleum floors. That way, she can have fun with paints and Play-doh and markers without me having to worry about her ruining the carpet or the couch.

I'm going to say it right here that I'm going to have this room organized to my liking by the end of spring. So, that gives me until June 21st, right? I think that's the first day of summer. I have from now until then to get this done. You may think that sounds like a really long time, but trust me, it's not.

See what I mean? Wish me luck.

Tatertot Tuesday #32: Swinging!

Sorry it's so late. Little miss refused to take a nap today, so this is the first chance I've had to get on the computer. Enjoy!

I should have kept my mouth shut.

So, remember in my last post where I told you how my hair is the most awesome it has ever been?

Yeah. Um, I shouldn't have said anything. It totally looked like crap today. If and when I ever get the time to use my straightener properly, I will most definitely take a picture to show all of you. I don't know when that will be considering my baby has decided she must be entertained every single waking second of her day. I swear, that kid. Doesn't she know I have way more important things to do other than play with her all day? Like, straighten my hair and update this blog.

Relax people, I am kidding.

And yes, it is true that some people are of the opinion that I must have more children. Actually, most people have that opinion I'm finding out. Aeralyn simply cannot go through life as an only child. It seems that I would be commiting a terrible crime to only have one child "this day and age". How dare I be so selfish! *gasp*

I may change my mind one day. I have a right to do that if I so choose, but as it stands right now, I see nothing wrong with having one child. Especially since Aaron agrees with me 100%, and honestly? His opinion is the only one that does or should matter to me. If people think that my decision is selfish, then I guess that's just what they will have to think. Although maybe it is a little selfish considering how cute Aeralyn turned out. The world can always use more attractive people.

Ha ha. Kidding again. Although she is pretty darn cute, you have to admit.

I apologize for the lack of photographic evidence from the hot pink mold on my turkey. I've been scolded for telling the internet such disgusting things. Aaron was horrified when he saw the pictures I posted of the rotten food in our refrigerator last year, and we all know how freaked out he got when I wanted to show you a picture of the biggest shower drain clog of all time. Little does he know, we could have actually won a world record for that thing. Too bad he wouldn't let me take a picture. I tried to Google an image of molded Turkey, but apparently no one has ever thought to take a picture of that before. Now I feel bad because I could have done a great service to all of mankind.

I've got some turkey in the fridge right now actually. Can you say, science experiment? Let's see how long it takes to grow pink mold again.

And this time, I am so taking a picture.

Some Things I've Learned Lately

♦ I've learned that when deli cut turkey goes bad, it grows pink mold. Hot pink as a matter of fact. Yes people, it is time to clean the refrigerator again. Don't ever say I didn't teach you anything.

♦ I've learned that I should have cherished those days not so long ago when I could put Aeralyn on the floor to play with her toys. Quietly. In one spot. Now, she is all over the place chewing on power cords and pulling up on the entertainment center trying to pull the DVD player on her head. Over, and over, and over again. Oh dear GOD, it has begun. Please send help. And sleeping pills.

♦ I've learned that I can make a detailed list to take with me to Wal-Mart, and once I get there? Still manange to forget the most important things on that list. Such as toilet paper. And bread. And diapers. What can I say? I'm easily distracted.

♦ I've learned that mine and Aaron's tentative decision to maybe have only one child is most assuredly the worst idea we've ever had. By deciding to keep Aeralyn an only child we are damning her to a life of boredom and dismay. She will never learn to share, and she will think the world revolves around her, only to be terribly dissappointed when she gets thrown into the "real world". Also, we won't be real parents until we have more than one child. *rolls eyes*

♦ I've learned that tonights episode of Grey's Anatomy is a new one. Can I get an Amen?

♦ I've learned that this shampoo and conditioner combined with the use of this straightener equals the most awesome hair ever to grace my head, thankyouverymuch.

Now, that's all the useless knowledge I have for you today. I have to get ready to take the truck in to the dealership to be serviced. YAY! Actually, that is a totally real and non-sarcastic exclamation of pure joy because I get to go on this particular outing sans baby. And, I'm going to take my very own magazine from home that I've been dying to flip through. I'll actually get to read it without anyone ripping the pages out, crying because I'm not singing the ABC's again for the millionth time, or distracting me by trying to eat the curtains. Hallelujah!

Tatertot Tuesday #31: It's official, she loves Da-Da most.

Of course, she wouldn't say anything I wanted her to except for Da-da. Imagine that! And this is her version of crawling. Hey, it works for her. She's in to everything now and following me all over the house.

Please send the sleep fairies.

I'm not doing so well with my reslolution to blog more this year. Oh? You've noticed? Sorry about that.

I'm going to take a moment and be real and completely honest with you here. Things have not been easy around our household lately. Aeralyn has decided that sleep is her enemy, and she fights it with every fiber of her being day and night. Now, most of you know that she's never been a good sleeper, even from day one. I read so many books about how newborns sleep up to 18 hours per day and how you, the new mother, should sleep when the baby sleeps to get your rest.

Well, guess what? Aeralyn must have heard that they were saying that nonsense about babies, and she decided that she was sent here to this world for the sole purpose of proving them wrong. And oh boy, is she doing a great job of proving those jerks wrong.

She's always been a big fan of the "cat-nap". After fighting sleep for 20 mins to a half hour, she will finally give in and crash. Then, she wakes up 15 to 30 minutes later refreshed and ready to go for a few more hours. I rarely get the luxury of her taking an hour long or longer nap so that I can relax for a few minutes and get things done around the house. And when I say rarely, I mean maybe once a month if I'm lucky. Instead, I have learned to do things at lightening fast speed. During a 15 minute cat-nap, I can empty the dryer, put the clothes from the washer into the dryer and start another load, unload and re-load the dishwasher, take a potty break, fold the clothes from the dryer, eat lunch, sweep the kitchen, and put up a Tatertot Tuesday post.

I've just accepted this as our way of life, and it's really not that big of a deal. She has always slept pretty good at night, in my opinion anyway. I know I've gotten many a weird look when I get the question "Is she sleeping through the night?" and I say "no". I hear stories of babies that slept through the night at a month old, never to make a peep until 8am. That sounds fantastic, but that's not Aeralyn. She is 7 months old and has never, not once, slept through the night.

Her pediatrician told me at her 4 month check up that she should be sleeping through the night by now. When I met his statement with silence, he said "She is sleeping through the night, isn't she?".

"No, not yet. But it's not that big of a deal."

And it's not that big of a deal. It's not like I'm walking the hallway of my house at 2am with a screaming baby for hours on end every night. That's actually only happened one time since she has been born, so I think I'm getting pretty lucky on that deal. But she does wake up several times a night, and the only way to get her back to sleep is to nurse her.

On a normal night, she will go to bed between 8:30pm and 9:30pm in her crib, she will sleep until 12:30am - 1:30am, and I will go get her and bring her to bed with us. I'll nurse her back to sleep, and then she will usually wake up 1-2 more times to eat, and that's it. I was thinking that was pretty good, even though I know she really should be sleeping through the night by now.

But this past 3 weeks has been a comepletely different story. She has went to bed in her crib at her usual time, only to wake up 30 minutes to an hour later. Then for the rest of the night, she is up atleast every hour, sometimes every half hour.

Every. Single. Night.

I'm more exhausted now than I was when we first brought her home from the hospital. And the worst part is, I think I've created this monster. She's not hungry in the middle of the night, she is only nursing for comfort. And I've let her do it. And now? I don't know how to stop it.

I am seriously at my wits end. I'm so tired, and so incredibly grouchy. I'm pretty sure no one wants to be around me right now because I have bitten the heads clean off of every one I know. My house is a wreck and I have had almost no "me" time. I think that last part is what is really getting to me. I have blogs piled up in my Google Reader from these past weeks that I haven't had any time to read. And obviously, I haven't commented much either. I'm sorry about that, and I promise I still love you. I just really don't have the time right now.

And I'm sure you can guess how the Healthy Living is going....

So, if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why. We've got to make some major changes around here. And if you're sitting there with some advice, I'd love to hear it. Especially if it's something other than putting cereal in her bottle (tried it a long time ago, didn't work, and now she will NOT take a bottle), or letting her cry for hours on end (I'm physically unable to ignore her crys). Or, if you don't have any advice, that's okay too. I just need to know that we're going to get through this. Please tell me there's a light at the end of this tunnel.

Tatertot Tuesday #30: Crazy Easter Weekend

Wow, what a weekend. We had a five, yes FIVE, day weekend starting on Thursday when my sister and her two kids came in for a visit. We had a great Easter weekend with family, fun, and ALOT of food. I hope your holiday was as great as ours. Brace yourself for the amount of pictures you're about to view!

On Saturday, we were in our neighborhood parade.

Aeralyn and I on our family float:


The whole gang on the float:


It was cold!




Sunday morning, the Easter bunny stopped by and left some goodies:








And on Sunday afternoon, we went to the river to spend time with family:




The best thing to do after a long Easter weekend:

Don't you wish you were visiting me tonight?

Conversation #1: Because it's been way too long since I've reminded you how disgusting I am.

Scene: My house, early evening. Aaron is in the shower and Aeralyn and I are singing yet another round of "The Wheels on the Bus".

Him: *shouting from the shower* HHHHHHHEEEYYYYY!!!
Me: WHAT?!
Him: COME HERE!
Me: *opens the door to the bathroom* What?
Him: come look at this.
Me: is it really important right now because I'm kinda busy with Aeralyn?
Him: yes, come here!
Me: I swear Aaron, if you're going to do the Spongebob no pants thing I'll kill you.
Him: No, this is serious. I need a Wal-Mart bag.
Me: Um...okay. In the shower?
Him: Yes. LOOK!!
Me: *opens shower curtain* OH MY GOD!!! What the hell is that?!
Him: It came from the drain!
Me: GROSS!
Him: I know! It's like, a small dog or something.
Me: I think I'm going to be sick.
Him: Me too if you don't go get me a Wal-Mart bag so I can get rid of it!
Me: *leaves to get bag*
Me: *comes back with a ziploc bag and hands it to him*
Him: Why did you bring me a ziploc bag?
Me: Um...I couldn't find any Wal-Mart bags. Just put it in there and we'll throw it away.
Him: I just saw a ton of Wal-Mart bags in the kitchen. There is no sense in wasting a ziploc bag.
Me: Just put it in there!!
Him: What are you up to?
Me: Nothing...
Him: No! We are not saving this thing so you can take a picture of it and show it to the internet!!
Me: But WHY? Wouldn't it be so gross?! It would be even better than the time I showed them all the stuff in our refrigerator!
Him: NO! That is absolutely disgusting you freak!
Me: I know...*leaves to get a Wal-Mart bag*

Y'all, I am not even kidding or making this up. I think you all need to personally thank Aaron for saving you from the most disgusting thing you might have ever seen. Seriously though, if you would have rolled that clog into a ball? It would have been the size of a softball. A SOFTBALL sized clog came out of my shower drain! And I wanted to show it to the INTERNET! You see? Do you see how much I LOVE you? *bats eyelashes*

Conversation #2: Because you need to be informed of yet another one of my terribly bad habits.

Scene: My kitchen, right after Aaron got out of the shower. I had just put Aeralyn to bed and I was working on painting some big Easter eggs I had just cut out of poster board.

Me: Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
Him: What?
Me: UGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Him: WHAT?! *turns to look at me* What is all over your mouth?!
Me: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Heyuhp muh!
Him: *laughing* What?
Me: *gesturing wildly towards the sink* Heyup MUH!! Cuh hah mah hair!
Him: Help you come hold your hair?
Me: YYYYEEEHHHH!
Him: *dieing laughing and coming to hold my hair* What did you do?
Me: *laughing as I'm rinsing mouth out under the faucet*
Him: Did you lick the paintbrush?
Me: No!
Him: What the heck did you do?
Me: I was opening the paint....
Him: *cuts me off before I can finish explaining* ...with your MOUTH! Geez Heather, how many times have I told you not to open things with your mouth? You're going to break a tooth one day.
Me: Thanks DAD!
Him: Well, now that you got a mouth full of yellow paint do you think you've learned your lesson?
Me: *glares at him*
Him: I have got to call everybody and tell them what you just did! *laughing hysterically*
Me: I hate you!

Yes, I open everything with my mouth. Soda cans, nail polish bottles, things wrapped in plastic, paint bottles. And no, I have not learned my lesson.

Coversation #3: Because Aaron and I need to go back to kindergarten.

Scene: Still in the kitchen, I'm still painting.

Me: What color should I use next?
Him: Hmmm....do you have blue?
Me: No, Wal-Mart was out of blue today.
Him: What? No BLUE?!
Me: Nope, no blue. Hey wait! I can make blue!
Him: How?
Me: Yellow and green make blue dummy. *rolls eyes*
Him: Are you sure?
Me: uh, yeah!
Me: *mixes yellow and green*
Him: hmmm...that doesn't look blue to me.
Me: I just need to add some purple.
Me: *adds purple* *thinks to self this looks like crap*
Him: Let me call mom, she knows. *on the phone "What two colors make blue? Uh huh. Uh huh. Yeah. Okay, thanks."*
Him: You can't make blue.
Me: What do you mean you can't make blue?
Him: Blue is a primary color. You can't make it.
Me: Oh yeah. I knew that.
Him: Right, I'm sure you did.
Me: I really did. I just forgot.
Him: What was that thing about ROYGBIV?
Me: Uh...that has nothing to do with what we're talking about.
Him: I know, I just thought of it. What was that again?
Me: The rainbow thing.
Him: Oh yeah, the guy that invented the rainbow.
Me: *crickets*
Me: You mean like Roy G. Biv?
Him: yeah....*smiles*
Me: you're kidding right?
Him: of course
Me: oh thank God!

Yes, I really tried to make blue. Unsuccesfully. Somebody really needs to work on that. Maybe I'll call up 'ol Roy G. Biv and ask him for help. Surely he knows since he invented the rainbow and all...

Tatertot Tuesday #29: Riding with Daddy

Aaron took Aeralyn for a ride on the 4-wheeler this weekend. Top speed was about half a mile per hour, but she still had a blast.

I heart Australians!

These questions are fromErica. I am quickly learning that I will do anything that she asks just because I'm pretty sure she has an Australian accent, even though I have never actually heard her speak. But I'm a sucker for Australian accents. This is why I love Curtis Stone - The Take Home Chef. I want him to come talk to me and teach me a few things. You know, about cooking.

Ahem.

Anyway, I told her "Ask me anything!", and well, she did. I think she came up with some pretty dang good questions.

1. Is there anything you would do differently (if you could) with the birth of your daughter?
Absolutely. I would have gotten the epidural right away instead of waiting for 13 hours. Also, I would have said no to the dose of Stadol the nurse gave me. Apparently it turned me into a clone of the devil himself for about 4 hours during my labor. I have no recollection of snatching off my oxygen mask (and breaking it), yelling at my husband, or snapping the head clear off of my mother in law.

2. You are a world famous rockstar - how do you deal with the paparazzi who never seem to leave you alone?
The paparazzi are the reason that I never want to become famous (as if there were some possibility HA!). I understand that they come with the territory of being a celebrity, but I think some go way overboard sometimes just to get a picture. If I were a famous rockstar, I think I would just handle myself with poise and I would do my best not to give them anything to talk about. I know they would still find things to say and pictures to take, but atleast I wouldn't be going around shaving my head or making sex tapes, you know? I definitely wouldn't take any tips from Britney Spears.

3. Because you are this world famous rockstar, at one of your after-parties and everyone has gone home, you find someone has left their blackberry wedged in one of your numerous couches. Who does it belong to and how do you react?
Since I'm playing with the fantasy of being a rockstar, I'm going to also say that I'm single and childless. Now, with that being said:
The blackberry belongs to Curtis Stone. He was the caterer for this particular after-party, and I invited him to stay and enjoy himself once the food was served. Since he is one of my dearest friends, I call him up (speed dial #2), and let him know that he has left his blackberry behind. He agrees to come right over and pick it up. Lots of cooking ensues. And listening to his amazing voice. LOTS. Um, yeah....cooking.

4. What is your least favourite food?
My least favorite food is a weird one, so get ready. Chicken with bones in it. If I'm eating chicken, it has to be boneless. Just thinking about the slimy bones in chicken makes me gag. Blehck

5. Who is your favourite person, and why?
Curtis Stone. Just kidding!! Well, obviously I could do a total cop out here and say Aeralyn. Yes, she is my favorite person, but I think you would all expect that. So I guess that would be a boring answer. Tied with Aeralyn in first place of my most favoritest people on Earth is Aaron. Maybe that's a boring answer too, but oh well. He is my favorite person because he is the only one that I can be raging mad at one second, and then the next be rolling on the floor laughing with. I may complain about him, but really? I don't think it gets much better than him. He's pretty awesome.

So, there you go. If you want to play along, leave me a comment and let me know. I'll think of 5 questions to ask you. Just make sure to leave me your email address.

Month Seven

Dear Aeralyn,

I'm having a hard time with you turning seven months today. For some reason, that just sounds too old to me. Is it all just an April Fools joke? I wish. I think you need to work on slowing down this growing up process, okay?

Your seventh month has been one of many new accomplishments. First, and most importantly according to your daddy, you started saying "Da-da" this month. You started out saying it in a whisper, like it was the best secret you ever had, but shortly after that you learned to shout it at the top of your lungs. At first I was sure that you were just babbling and trying out your voice, but now I'm almost certain you know what you are saying. We had a hard day one day last week, and I'm positive that you were just as tired of me as I was of you by the time daddy got home. As soon as he walked through the door, you started yelling "Da-da!!!!" at him, and you had not said it all day until then. Frankly, I think you also need to learn to yell it at 3am when you're crying from your crib. Work on that for me.

Another accomplishment this month was learning to pull yourself up in your crib from a sitting position. This one suprised the heck out of both your daddy and I, and I know it is just the begining of pulling up on everything you can get your hands on. I'm not looking forward to all the bumps and bruises that I'm sure will follow.

Just this weekend, you have learned to crawl. You've been trying your hardest for a long time now, but you finally figured it out on Saturday. You still look quite awkward doing it, and it takes you a little bit to get where you want to go, but you can do it nonetheless. The first person you crawled to wasn't me or daddy. Not even Gammie or Papa. Heck, it wasn't even Lola. You crawled right into the arms of daddy's best friend, Alan, while he was visiting. You've already learned to flirt.

A year ago yesterday, we found out that you were going to be a girl. I'm going to be honest with you and tell you that I was a little taken aback when I found out. You see, I always pictured myself as a mom to boys. I don't know why, but that's what I always saw when I daydreamed of being a mom. I was so sure that you were a boy, and when the ultrasound technician exlaimed excitedly that you were infact a girl, I didn't quite know what to think. It took a little while for the news to sink in, but once it did, I was elated. Now I couldn't imagine you being anything other than what you are. You are the light of my life, and I love you more than anything in the world.

Love,
Mama