So busy.

We have been so busy. With Rob being a deer camp for a week, going to Kalahari, and trying to get our kitchen done life has been crazy. I will post pictures soon of all.   I have done lots of blog stalking!  The gym has also been on the back burner. But, this is all about to change! I have made it to the gym two days this week. My sister and I are also searching for our next run.

Things I want to buy this year....Elf on the shelf and an advent calender. Two traditions I can't wait to start with Lincoln next year.

Lincoln is doing so many amazing, wonderful, surprising things. He has such a great memory. He loves to scare the dogs and cats running around the house yelling RAUGH!  He is a great helper. Always getting out a towel to clean up his mess. The one thing we also started recently was the naughty corner. I was having trouble getting him to listen to me and he was hitting. The first day he went in it 15 times but since only twice a day if that. He goes 100 miles an hour from the minute he gets up to the minute he goes to bed. I think he needs that minute to chill out and relax. When you tell him to go to his naughty corner he walks over to it and sits down. Doesn't say a word and waits for you to tell him he can get up.

I feel so blessed!

More to come later.

5 seconds of fame

I was asked to take part in a commercial at our local YMCA. I reluctantly said yes. I am super shy and don't like attention on me at all. I had to say what the YMCA means to me. Luckily I was able to hold Lincoln in the taping. I said It's my me time. I was super nervous and I am sure it showed. But, it is done and I helped out.

slacker

I have been a major slacker on posting. To sum it up we have been super busy with our kitchen project. The cabinets did not turn out so we have been searching for new ones.

It was super windy here today and Lincoln was playing in the tornado of leaves. It was probally 4-5 feet off the ground and he would wait until it would swirl then run through it. It was so cute. Also, he was "talking" on our phone and saying I do, and right there then he would laugh. He did this for 10-15 minutes. He is into copying Rob. Whatever Rob does he tries to do. He has been climbing on the table to get into the candy dish. He takes stairs one by one like us going up and down.

Stats at 18 months...36 inches tall and 30.4 pounds. He is at 99% for height and 95% for weight. The dr. picked him up and said oh my goodness he is solid. you could use him for weights. I was thinking yep I know this I tote him around all day. But, he told me not to worry about his weight he loods healthy.

He is saying lots of words cool, roof, maggie, i do it, right there, salsa, cereal, milk, juice, water, cookie, crackers, cheese, I sure there are others. We are on to the no stage and it is kind of cute. Also, he is throwing temper tantrums. All he does is slowly lower himself to the ground on his head then roll onto his back and look at me.

Wheatland 2010

Wheatland was nice this year not great. It rained almost all day on saturday. It wouldn't have been bad if we didn't have a toddler in tow. But, since we did we made the best of it. Drinking, Camping, good music and good food.

Renovation update

We have been so busy in my house renovating. I talked my husband into redoing our kitchen!!! Kind of. We are going to paint our cabinets and just buy some new ones. My kitchen use to be a U shape and will now be an L shape with an island!!! We picked out tile and our counter top. Now, I am working on what color to paint our cabinets.







We have been so busy in my house renovating. I talked my husband into redoing our kitchen!!! Kind of. We are going to paint our cabinets and just buy some new ones. My kitchen use to be a U shape and will now be an L shape with an island!!! We picked out tile and our counter top. Now, I am working on what color to paint our cabinets.

Weight loss struggles

I am very frustrated today. I had been doing so well on my eating habits then I went away. How does one put on 6 lbs in a week?? Oh I think it could have been the candy, pop, french fries and gravy but I don't know. Needless to say I am very disgusted and frustrated. Instead of binge eating the bag of candy my MIL gave me I got out my trusty food diary. I have a hate love relationship with my food diary. Some days I love it but most days I hate it. I am hoping that I will start eating better. Instead of being 14lbs away from my goal I am back to 20.

Also, when Lincoln gets up we are headed for a walk and then I plan on hitting up CardioKick later tonight.

Clip-Clop

My mom saved two of my favorite toys when I was little. My fisher price zoo and Clip-Clop. Today my dad got Clip-Clop down from the attic for Lincoln. The first thing I told my mom was I remember him being bigger.

I loved this horse and now my child also does. This was a great end to my birthday.

MY BIRTHDAY!!

I love birthdays. Most of all I love my birthday. Well kind of. I don't have a very good track record when it comes to boyfriends/husbands and celebrating my birthday. They mean well but the day never turns out well. Usually I don't have high expectations but this year I did.

Today is also the 12 anniversary of my dads heart attack. Yes, it happened on my 16th birthday. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was about this time at night and I could go into all the details but I won't. I am just happy to have my dad still in my life.

This year I went shopping for myself. I'm sad to say and embarrassed that I haven't bought new jeans in at last 6 years. And I also haven't been out cloths shopping since I got married. I was way overdue. My lovely sister and mom took me shopping today. I bought some cute cloths. I think. I got 2 pairs of jeans, 3 tank tops, two shirts, and 3 sweaters. I only spent 230 dollars. The loft had a huge sale going on!

I've come to realize that I am never going to be skinny again but I can be happy in my own skin. I just have to find cloths that fit my after baby body. It's hard to say buy I had FUN today. I am planning my next shopping trip. I still have money to spend!!

Shopping

Tomorrow I am going SHOPPING!!!! Since it is my Birthday I am going to splurge and take some major cash with me and hopefully spend it. I would love to get 3 new pairs of jeans and at least 10 tops. We shall see. I am taking my lovely mom and sister with me. And here is how tomorrow will go..

Me: I think I look fat in this.
Mom: Oh no it looks great
Sister: We could find you something that looks better.

I totally love my mom but she is just not that honest. Now, my sister on the other hand is blunt and to the point usually. I say usually because she knows how self conscious I am. So, she won't want to hurt my feelings and make me quit.

I think that we are even going to 2 malls! I couldn't tell you the last time I went shopping for me and hit up 2 malls. Here's hoping I find something.

By the way, I still have a gift card from last Christmas I haven't used. And it is to one of my favorite stores The Loft. I have I now used it yet?

In a funk

I am in a big funk right now and I can't seem to get out of it. It is affecting my home life, work life and everything life. I am so sensitive. I don't think I have ever been like this before.

Don't get me wrong I love my life and husband. But, I feel like I need a break. I want to climb in my bed and sleep for 24 hours. I am so sensitive that my dad almost made me cry the other day. All he said to me was "Don't come over without your son ever again." That's all and I started tearing up. What is wrong with me?

How do you get out of your funk??

New Job?

I interviewed this week for a new job. The interview process scares me and I hate doing it!! But, I went anyways. It would be in Cardiac Rehab (basically someone has to die/retire for a job to open up). There is a part-time 20 hours a week job. It sounds amazing. As always there are pros and cons.

Pros- DAYS, no more nights, guaranteed hours, fun work, able to become full time later in life, different work, could be the job of my dreams

Cons- LESS MONEY, no more flexibility in taking time off, have to get day care for 2 half days, LESS MONEY. When I say less money I mean like a double digit an hour less amount.

I have been struggle with what to do. I think it is my dream nursing job but I am hesitant to take such a pay cut. It wouldn't be as bad but I would also need daycare.

Please say a quick prayer that I will make the right decision.

Wordless Wednesday

What Rob and Lincoln do while I am away at work.

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Pressure for Baby 2

Lately it seems that everyone is always asking when are you going to have another baby?

Even Rob who told me numerous times I don't want another baby has been asking me when we will have another. Or saying if I could guarantee you a girl would you have another.

Well the answer to that is I don't know. I am not ready to have 2 kids yet. I love just having Lincoln to worry about. And he is a handful. There are still things I want to do with my husband.

I told him after we (me and the hubby) take a vacation we can have another one. I don't mean a weekend trip. I am talking about Alaska or another Sandals resort.

Am I being selfish?? Am I depriving Lincoln of having a brother or sister close in age?

Erika's giveaway

If you like running and giveaways check out Erika's blog.

Renovation update

After Before






We are still working on our family room. Insulation is up and siding is also going up. The best part in doing this has been pouring my own sweat into it. I have helped out so much and learned to use so many new tools.

Lincoln 16 months

Lincoln is getting so big so fast. At his 15 month check up he was 34.75 inches tall and weighed in at 28.2 lbs. Everyone gives me a funny look when I tell them how old he is.
-He is running and jumping on chairs.
-climbing on furniture
-Flushing the toilet. He does it all the time
-Has 11 teeth. And he brushes them all the time
-He can say mama, dada, pudding, jello, yogurt, cooper, ball, hockey, cup, water, pop,snack, more, please, ice. But, you have to coax him to say words.
-He wants to file and have his fingers and toes painted
-Still loves playing with balls.
-Gets bit up like crazy by mosquitoes.
-Loves the pool and slide.
-Runs to the door when Rob comes home from work screaming daddy!
And the other day he was watching tv. Actually, he was watching the words go by on the bottom of sportscenter. He was trying to figure out where the words came from and were going.

I love this little baby.

Lincoln's Head!!!

Rob shaved Lincolns head! I was shocked and sad to see all his hair gone. I don't like it!! Where did all my beautiful babies toe-head blonde hair go to??? He now looks like a little boy.

Family Room Renovation part 2

Ok we busted our butts this weekend and I am sore and tired. I got the lovely job of picking up all the bricks to the fireplace. 2 days later they are done!! I was also able to hlep Rob frame in a window and tyvex the house. I love helping him out but I get so sick of being the fetcher of tools. Oh well. He thanked me for all my help and I have the blisters to prove it!

Our new slider!!

1 new window in


Inside view


2 new windows in

House Tyvex

Family Room Renovation part 1

We are finally renovating our family room. When we bought this house it was going to be the first project that we wanted to get done. We have done so many things to our house since: remodeled our bathroom, new carpet, can lights, painted every room, upstairs laundry room, new gutters, new patio, new deck, new shed, and some other little projects.

Here are our before pictures..

Yes, this room has 2 sliders, a 3 pane window that does not open, and a very ugly fireplace.

Ugly Fireplace

Awesome Brick work

3 pane window that does NOT OPEN

Slider 1

3 pane window and another slider!

Wordless Wednesday

Lincoln trying to help Daddy with renovations.

4th of July

In Hanover, Michigan the 4th of July is the biggest holiday. The whole town comes out for there parade. It is full of tractors, bicycles, horses, and I think that is about all. I am not from Hanover and I don't like parades all that much but I go. We dressed Lincoln up in appropriate attire.

My sister Aunt Erin joined the fun.

Rob's brother home from the army!

Vacation 2010

We sure put on the miles on our summer vacation. Manistique, Tequaman Falls then over to Channing (more to come later), Mackinaw, then home. Talk about an adventure.

Manistique was fun. We did some camping, fishing and most of all laughing by the campfire.
While there Lincoln decieded that he needed to cut all four of his eye teeth. We also found out he is very allergic to mosquitos. He got all bit up and ran a 101 temp for 2 days. Not what you want to happen 450 miles from home.

Tequaman Falls was beautiful besides my grumpy baby. Whitefish Point was also a stop that day. I love Lake Superior. Even though it is cold I think it is one of the coolest lakes. But, the highlight of the day trip was Oswalts bear ranch. They rescue bears from all over the coutry.

Lincoln enjoyed playing with Nana, Papa, Aunt Erin, Adam, and Uncle Dylan. It was nice to have all the helping hands. That is what made it relaxing.

We also played games, cornhole, and drank!! The funnest night was the night Lincoln missed out on because he went to bed. We all went down to the lake and watched the sun set and took some fun pictures. These are the best memories.

After Manistique Rob, Lincoln and I went to Channing, Michigan. Yes, I know you are dying to know WHAT IS SO EXCITING IN CHANNING???? Well, I won't make you wait.... Squaw Creek Robs deer camp. Yes, a deer camp. We were ONLY 4 hours away from it. Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. But, Rob scared me so bad that I couldn't sleep. I am a chicken and he was telling me about the bears, moose, wolves, coyotes, bats, and mice that are there. I was up until 1:30 in the morning staring at the ceiling. Then I was awoken at 3:30 by mice getting into the dog food. The next morning I tried to make the best of it. We took another jeep ride trying to see some animals but we were unsucessful. My darling, lovely husband said we could leave so I packed up and we left 24 hours after we arrived! I do have to say the cabin is really cool. You could feel the history in it. I believe that this camp has been around since 1913. It was fun to look though pictures of the men that were in it. Rob's grandpa and him look so much alike. If you were to but Rob's grandpa, Rob, and Lincoln's baby pictures together you couldn't pick out who was who.

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Mackinaw was our last stop. Rob and I love going to Mackinaw City. We stayed at Wilderness Park for the first time and I loved it. I can't believe that we never camped there growing up. We ate at the dixie salon, Lincoln played in Lake Michigan. We couldn't keep him out of the water. All in all we just had a wonderful time as a family.