Happy Birthday to Me

OK, well it was really yesterday, but Happy Birthday to me. I had a really great day. Mike brought me home my favorite--red velvet cake. Then he and the kids got me a pink camo hoodie. You can never have too many hoodies!! My mom and dad came over to eat supper, cake, and ice cream with us. Of course I wish my sister could have been there. That would have made it even better!! But she did do a birthday week for me. She sent me these really awesome, sweet messages everyday for a week. It was the greatest and almost made me wish I had a birthday every week!! But, we didn't even have enough candles for this year, so that wouldn't be very good!
I haven't blogged in awhile, but not much has changed. Derek had a birthday October 25. It's so hard to believe that I have a 12 year old. Where does the time go. I can still remember the day I had him. And the day before!! You never realize when you're a kid how fast time really goes by. In just 4 short years he will be driving. Oh help me!! Austin is now 16 months old (12 months corrected) and doing great. Since it's flu/RSV season, we once again have to keep him away from kids and have a "hands off" policy with other people. People don't understand how serious it can be if he gets sick. We don't want to have to go down that road again. Calleigh is just the same, stubborn little girl she has been!! Only I think she may be getting worse. Her new favorite things to say are "I don't care," "I'm fine," "Whatever," or "I told you." Now these are all said with a little accenty attitude. I have no idea where she gets it from!!
Well, I'm not even going to say when I'm going to blog next, because obviously I lie. I will try for soon though. But right now I have a screaming kid in a crib and one on the toilet!!

First Swim

Well yesterday we had our first swim of the year. Calleigh has never really been fond of the water unless of course, she is hanging onto me. So I was very curious to see how it was going to go!! Derek just jumped right in--couldn't wait to get wet! So we put on the floaties and she says "no". So I stick her toes in the pool and she smiles. So I plopped her in the ring and she was a little freaked out at first. I was on the outside of the pool holding her hands. But finally......

she loved it!! I was so happy! So the kids swam a couple hours. Even Austin and I got in the pool.

Austin enjoyed the pool too. He sat (or rather layed) just like this the whole time. Never made a peep. He would turn his head to look at something, but that was the extent of his movement for like an hour! He is actually awake in the picture, just pretty relaxed!! We all had a good time swimming!!

My parents have decided to go on a vacation to the aquarium in Georgia and they asked if they could take Derek. So yesterday evening  my dad came and picked him up. They headed out early this morning. Derek wasn't too excited about the drive, but he has plenty to keep him busy. I'm rather jealous he got to go actually. I would LOVE to get out of here for 4-5 days. I'm glad he got to go though. I sent him my old camera to take pictures so I can see how much fun they have!

I was telling my sister how Austin likes my flip-flops. I always wear shoes around the house--ALWAYS. There's something about walking barefoot on the floor that makes my toes curl. Well last weekend I was on the computer and Austin was making some noises. I didn't bother to look and see what he was doing, I just waited. What could he possible get into laying on the blanket on the floor? When I finally looked down, there he was right by the couch, off the blanket, chewing on my flip-flop. Really?? Of all things to chew on!! So the other day Calleigh had to go to the bathroom, so I jumped up and didn't put my shoes on. When we came back, Austin had once again rolled off the blanket and had my flip-flop!

This time, he was sleeping. Of course he left evidence of chewing it--slobber on the edges. Guess my shoes are quite a security blanket for him! LOL  



What Happened Last Week

Well last week was a busy week. Not really sure why it seemed busier than others, but it did. Monday, my mom went to STL with me to get Austin's medicine refill. We stopped in Fairview on the way home and did a little shopping. I really needed new shoes, so we looked at a few places. Shoe Carnival was the first place we looked. Calleigh was enjoying looking at herself in the mirrors and running down the aisles. That was fun until she found the pole......I hope this isn't a bad sign for the future!! My pole dancing daughter. Oh dear!!

What can I say. Gotta have something to do while you're waiting I guess!! Wednesday, we went to the Missouri Botanical Garden. We went to meet with Melissa--one of Austin's nurses from the NICU. She won't be able to make it to his birthday party so she wanted to meet us and give him his present early. She brought her two kids and Calleigh had a ball playing with them! I hadn't been there since I was younger. It was a pretty neat place. We spent alot of time in the children's garden playing in the water! Calleigh was soaked from head to toe and loved every minute of it. Not to mention, I think we paid $13 total to get in. So not too expensive either. Melissa and her kids got Austin a build-a-bear that sings a song about how he loves his nurse & his nurse loves him. Its so adorable!!

Yeah I know. He looks really thrilled!! I think he was asleep when we got there! So we spend the whole day there. I wish Derek could have been with us though. He would have loved it as well. Guess that's something we can put on our list to do for the days we have nothing to do! Thursday was just a normal Thursday. Austin had physical therapy. She is really happy with the way he is doing. He's working hard, but he's still behind. That is to be expected though. I think they give them until they turn 2 to catch up. But I think that for everything he's been through, he's doing fantastic!!  Calleigh decided to be a rockstar too. She loves her new glasses that Papa gave her at the parade--can't you tell?? LOL

I honestly have no idea what we did Friday. I'm thinking nothing--which was perfectly fine with me! We watched a couple movies Friday night. Then watched a couple more Saturday night. And one last night too. WOW--we are getting so old and boring. We obviously have no life!! Yesterday was a great day though!! Went to church in the morning. Then I got to pick Derek up from his dad's. I'm so glad he is home! As much as he drives me insane, I sure miss him when he's gone! And I got my van back FINALLY. After almost 5 weeks of borrowing mom's van, I actually get to drive my own. It felt very strange. I couldn't seem to get comfortable. Guess that's a sign they had it way too long!

And this is how we ended the excitement of our busy week--PRUNES!!! Yummy!! Hope everybody had a great week as well!! Onto a new week that is hopefully great too!! I think we are going to the store today--ugh. Going to the store with 3 kids is definitely NOT my idea of fun!! But, gotta do it anyways! Oh, and in case you didn't figure it out, I figured out how to put pics on here--watch out!! LOL

Home Alone

Well here it is Saturday night and it's just me and the kiddos. Well, Calleigh and Austin anyways. Derek is at his dads again until the 15th. The two weeks when he's gone are the longest two weeks ever. I hate it!! Calleigh and Austin are keeping me fairly entertained. Calleigh is doing her usual--smothering Austin because she just can't get close enough! One of these days he will get her for everything she does to him. Mike went to Galconda tonight because he's fishing there tomorrow morning in some tournament. They decided to stay the night instead of getting up and leaving at 3 in the morning. Makes sense to me.
Well I hope everybody had a good 4th. We had a pretty good day. Got up early and got ready for the parade. Mike and I both ran the 3k (which is the start of the parade). It was the first run for both of us. It was SO HOT. And the whole parade route is in the sun. No wind movement what-so-ever! I thought I was going to die! But, I'm still here!! So, my first goal was to run the whole time. Goal #1--accomplished!! My second goal was to beat Mike!! Goal #2--fail. BOO!! That's alright. I finished. I ran the whole time. And I wasn't last in my age group. I was 12, but not last! I think I did pretty good for it being my first race. EVER. I think I'm going to reward myself with new running shoes! I could seriously use some anyways! I'm running in super old shoes with holes on both sides of both feet!!
Even though I know I need to keep running to get better and faster, I have not been faithful about it since Wednesday. I keep talking myself out of it because it is so hot. Or I'm tired. Or I have something else I would rather do. Any excuse I can think of!! So I talked myself out of it again this morning, but the new running fool inside of me made me get out and do it! So I ran this morning. It was super hot once again, but I manageed. And I felt soooo much better after I did it!! I'm actually going to try to start running more often than 3 days a week. My next step is to use the 'Ease in 10k' app. That should be interestering. I need to actually run a 5k first!!
Well no plans for tomorrow really. Church in the morning and I'm playing the piano since the regular painist will be gone. Then probably lunch at my parents house. Maybe a run later in the afternoon/evening....maybe. I believe the brownies in the kitchen are calling my name, so hope everyone has a good night and a wonderful, blessed Sunday!!

No Turning Back Now

So today was a typical Thursday. Austin had physical therapy this morning and she is still pleased with how well he is doing. He is not completely at his developmental level for his age, but that is to be expected since he was so early. It was pretty hot outside today. I stepped outside the front door this afternoon--well not really, more like opened the door and stuck my head out--and it was pretty hot. I do not like the heat at all. Nor do I like the cold. I guess I'm just pretty hard to please.
So today I did it. I signed up for the 3k Firecracker run in Steeleville on the 4th. I'm pretty nervous. It will be the first run ever. I just hope I don't trip and fall while I'm running!! I'm can be pretty graceful sometimes. I think this will be a good icebreaker in my running. My goal is to run the whole time and I know I can do it!! So I'm signed up now, so looks like I won't be talking myself out of it. Especially since we had to pay--and I HATE to waste money. Hopefully I have some cheerleaders on the sides of the road to give me a pep-up when I feel like I'm about to die!!
Well it's almost 10:30pm and I'm blogging really late tonight. I have to stay up though because I'm going running with a friend after she gets off work at 11. Crazy, I know--imagine that!! So goodnight all and sleep well!!

Oops...

Well, here I said I was gonna try to keep up and I haven't even posted anything for 13 days! Oops!! So we will try again. We just got back home Monday night from visiting Melissa & Shawn (again). Yes, the second time in 6 weeks we have been to Iowa! But, if you think about it, it's only 3 times in 16 months. That makes it sound a little better. I would go every weekend if I could! This time though, we weren't alone. My mom and dad went along which made it even more fun!! Austin was a horrible, horrible car rider this time--there and back. Calleigh and Derek were pretty good though. We left on Thursday to head to thier house. We didn't even leave my house until 5:30pm. So....we didn't end up in Melissa's driveway until 1am. We actually made pretty good time on the way there. Now, on the way home, that's a whole different story. We left about 1:45pm and didn't get to my house until 11pm. Yeah.....over 9 hrs. We made 7 stops--4 for Calleigh to pee. I had her potty seat inbetween the front & middle of the van, so we just pulled over & set her down, and threw it in the weeds.  She got upset when we threw it out because it's supposed to go in the toilet!! Only my child!! So, needless to say, between the potty stops, and Austin crying, our trip home was definitely long!! But, it was all worth it and we had a great trip! It was great getting to see Melissa again (even after only a few weeks). We had lots of good food to eat and played some games. Derek beat us all at monopoly the night before we left and he also beat Shawn at some xbox game they were playing. We all had a good time. Too bad we had to come home. Hopefully, it won't be long until we get to see them again!! I sure hate that they are so far away. So today, I have lots of laundry to do--ugh.
I have also kept up with my running program. I repeated weeks 4, 5, and am now repeating week 6. Week 6 is pretty tough, but I did it once, so I can do it again!! I'm debating whether or not to run the 3k before the Steeleville parade. It's going to be super hot, but I think it would be a good ice breaker in my running. Like I said, I'm DEBATING......I don't have much longer to decide though!  I'm nervous and scared all at the same time! Well, guess I better be off to wash some clothes. Hope you have a good Wednesday!!

Just Another Thursday

Well, today is just like any other Thursday, except I'm actually going to blog today!! I have forsaken you!! Not like anybody actually reads it anyways, but sometimes it's just nice to type away! I'm so glad it's Thursday, because that means that tomorrow is Friday. And Friday means that Derek comes home from his dad's house. YAY!! It's been 2 LONG weeks & I miss the kid like crazy!! Austin usually has PT on Thursday mornings, but she isn't coming until this afternoon today (in like 15 mins)--NICE! After that, I'm gonna wait for Mike to get home so I can do my dreaded 9 minute run today-ugh! It's gonna kill me, but I can do it! Tomorrow & Saturday we are having a yard sale at moms, so gonna have to rise & shine early.

My sister is in South Dakota with their church mission trip this week, so I have nobody to talk to on the phone. It's making my days really, really long!! I have been calling her & leaving her voicemails though. It's just not really the same. The only time the voicemail talks back to me is if she is cutting me off because my message is too long! She is coming back Saturday though so I can't wait to get to talk to her again!!! I know she is having a good time though.

Let's see....what has happened lately. Well 2 weeks ago, Calleigh celebrated her 3rd birthday! I cannot believe my baby girl is 3 already!! Tuesday, she had her 3 year old check up & they said she was great! That's what I like to hear. So we were on our way home from Red Bud, just coming by DQ & McD and SMACK!!!! Yep....some kid ran right into the van. He was leaving McD and didn't even bother to look and see if anybody was coming. You know like a mom with 2 of her kids in the car!! The kids and I are all ok. Didn't even phase either one of them. But guess what....no insurance. Are you kidding me?!?! So the insurance company has decided it can be fixed, but guess who has to pay the $500 deductible......you guessed it..US. For something that was totally not even my fault. It's very frustrating to me how people can be so irresponsible. No insurance, really? I guess you missed that part of Rules of the Road or Driver's Ed!! So I am once again borrowing my parents vehicle. Its a Buick Century. I feel like I'm literally sitting on the road. I can't even see the road!! And I feel like an old person driving it! LOL

Well, that's our day & the last 3 weeks in a nutshell. I PROMISE I will get better about posting these blogs!! I will try anyways! Have a happy Friday and a great weekend!!