4th of July

My favorite holiday has come and gone. There is just something about the 4th of July that makes me happy. I don't know if its the fireworks or the cookouts or what, but I love it. Always have. This year was no different. If anything I  loved it more. This holiday is the beginning of another year of holidays that Danny and I have spent together and we just started our 10th year of holidays. This was the 3rd time we've spent this particular holiday together. It's the holiday that we've spent apart the most so to get to enjoy it with him was really special. Especially since it was our first as a family of 4.

We started the festivities at his sister's for a cookout. Tucker had a blast playing with his favorite cousin and it was nice to sit and relax for a bit while Charlee was passed around. She obviously didn't mind.

Next was a cookout at my brother's house with my mom and my brother's friends. Tucker enjoyed running around, riding his bike and blowing bubbles.

After stuffing ourselves we headed up to our traditional fireworks show. This is the one Danny used to help put on, so it's always weird for him to watch them. I told him this was the first time the Last Call tribute to fallen firefighters hasn't gotten to me and I think it was because he was there this time.

We got home around 11 with some very tired babies. Tucker slept through a car to bed transfer and Charlee had no problems falling asleep once she nursed a little bit. Everyone but mama slept until at least 7:45 this morning. I got up at 5:20 so I could pump and get ready for the day. I was able to eat breakfast, drink coffee, and watch Friends in peace. I even priced some items for a rummage I'm doing this weekend.

Now it feels like we are on the downward slope of summer and I'm not ready for it to end!

Christmas 2016

Christmas is a bit more relaxed for us than Thanksgiving. Christmas gets spread out over a week or so. Thanksgiving happens in a matter of 2 days. On Christmas Eve, we had Christmas with Danny's extra family and my family.

I skipped Christmas Eve with the extra family so I wouldn't get anyone else sick. I still didn't feel great and my appetite wasn't back, but I'm not sure I was contagious. Plus there are 9 other kids there, 3 of which are sick all the time. I didn't want to take any chances. I missed the following things:
1. Tucker calling everyone a "pest"
2. He grabbed one of Danny's brother's beards and looked him in the eyes and said "you're pissing me off"

Honestly, I wouldn't have been very effective during those moments. Number 1 would have irritated me and Number 2 would have made me laugh so hard I would have to leave the house. I don't handle children cursing appropriately. It's not my fault because as soon as I showed my mom and brother the text from Danny they both laughed too.

Another reason I wanted to skip the first party was so I could feel better for Christmas with my mom, brother and his wife. I was able to eat dinner which was nice. That was my first try at eating something other than toast so I was nervous. After dinner it was time for presents. We were all spoiled, especially Tucker. He tore through his presents in record speed (further proving that he is my child) then went back through to look at them. He got a really cool Marshall dog that moves and talks, skates, a Paw Patrol scooter and some clothes. He asked for the skates, but wasn't really a fan once he had them on.

 

After dinner and presents it was time to go home and get ready for Santa! We put food out for the reindeer then opened our family pajamas. I seriously love this tradition! They don't match exactly, but they are well coordinated!

Christmas morning was wonderful. Danny's new fire chief offered to work for him that morning to give him some extra time at home. His shift normally starts at 7am, but that morning he didn't have to be there until 10am. We opened presents and stockings from Santa. Tucker's favorite Santa gift was a puppy carrier with 2 puppies inside. Mommy's favorite gift was new diamond earrings :)

 

After presents, I started our monkey bread and about burnt the house down. We also showed Tucker his present from us, which was a ride-on tractor. It didn't take him long to get it figured out and he rode it every chance he got Christmas Day!

My mom stopped by to see us and Tucker's presents before she headed home. It worked out well that she did so I could get ready, deal with my sister-in-law catching my stomach bug, and we could get a family pj picture. 

Next was Christmas at Danny's dads. I ate way too much. Like so much I didn't eat again until the next morning. We ate at 1:30 haha. After presents there, we hung out for a bit then headed home so we could load up again and go see Danny at work, where he and Tucker played with Tucker's new remote control fire truck. 

As soon as we got home, it was back to the garage for more tractor riding. We literally didn't go in the house, just straight to the garage. 

Christmas was exhausting but so much fun once I felt better! I can't wait to experience the madness next year with a  4 year old and 9 month old! That will be something!

Thanksgiving Weekend

My body is glad weekend is over. I ate and did way too much!

I took Wednesday off so I could go to a couple of appointments: hair and OB. We went dark this time. Real dark! It took a couple days for it to really grow on me but I'm starting to love it!

OB appointment went well. I had a feeling she would mention my impressive weight gain. By impressive I mean I think I've gained a ton so far. But she didn't. I love her. The rest of the day and evening was spent getting ready for Thanksgiving and hanging out with my Danny, Tucker and my mom. And resting up for the marathon.

Thanksgiving Day started at 5:40 am. Not because I had a turkey go prep or anything, but because that's what time Tucker got up. It allowed me to leisurely start the day though, which was nice since I was on my own except for the first stop since Danny had to work. I cooked my French toast casserole while I showered and got ready, then we headed off to Danny's mom's house for Stop #1 at 9am. Breakfast was delicious and Tucker had a great time. After a couple of hours there, we went home to rest before Stop #2 at 1pm at Danny's dad's, where I brought my famous dirt pudding for the occasion.  We had lots of laughs and ate way too much at this stop. We left around 3:30 so we could make a pumpkin dump cake for Stop #3 at 6. We got home and got to work. Tucker helped me with nearly every step and he did a pretty good job listening. I would tell him "don't pour until I tell you too" and he would say "okay tell me too" just about every time. Stop #3 was a lot of fun and Tucker had a great time playing with all of his cousins over there. Left not long after eating because I was just done. Solo parenting 3 Thanksgivings with a  toddler at 23 weeks pregnant was tough on this mama! We had a pretty great day though!

I was exhausted on Friday! We made a trip to CVS (the extent of our Black Friday shopping), made a couple desserts to take to Thanksgiving with my mom, brother and sister-in-law, and visited with some friends. We left for Thanksgiving at my mom's a little early so Tucker could get a nap in. We had a delicious meatloaf Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's per the request of my brother. He also requested a dessert that I made for 4th of July that was themed for that holiday. It's pretty delicious so I didn't mind making it.

Again, I was exhausted on Saturday and Tuck and I were on our own for the day since Danny had to work again. We went to Hobby Lobby to get some Christmas decorations and Target for some Christmas shopping. After a quick lunch at Burger King, we headed to a friend's new shop in town. She's been making homemade soaps and such for a few years and opened a store this weekend. It is adorable and smells heavenly! The rest of the day and night was spent relaxing, rearranging the mudroom and some more relaxing.

Sunday started off with church and was followed by a trip to see Moana with my nieces. I gave each of my 3 nieces a trip to the movies for Christmas last year and until yesterday, I had only taken 1 haha. I loved giving them that gift, but next year will be too difficult to do it again with a baby so I'm giving the older girls money and picked up an extra toy for the 7 year old. After the movie, I relaxed at home with my guys before we headed out to get our Christmas tree. We actually got the tree that I found! Danny unloads these trees when they make it to the place that sells them, so he thinks of himself as a Christmas tree expert and doesn't trust me to pick one out. But not this year! I spotted a perfect tree for our living room.

After it was loaded up we headed to Danny's grandpa's annual Christmas dinner. We ate (way too much again!), visited and headed home. I got kind of dizzy during dinner so I spent my night on the couch and crawled into bed at 8:30.

Like I said, it's a good thing this weekend is over! Next year will be a repeat but instead of a pregnancy (hopefully) I'll have a second kid to tote around!

Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend flew by. Well, actually Saturday crept by a slow pace, but once Saturday evening rolled around it sped up again.

I took the day off work Friday for my Mother's Day present... painting the living room. When we moved in 3 years ago we painted 2 walls red and lately I've been feeling tired of them. I blame Joanna Gaines.

Here is how the conversation regarding my gift went:
Me: Do you care if I paint the living room for Mother's Day?
Danny: Do I have to help?
Me: No
Danny: Go for it baby.

It was a lot of work, but I love painting. I mean, I get paint all over trim (even with taping everything off) and all over myself.

We've also been wanting to rearrange the furniture so we did that yesterday. I am so glad we did! Since we don't have cable or satellite, we can move our TV where ever. It really transformed our living room and the entire house. 

After my painting, we packed up the camper and I took off to the grocery and Danny headed to the campground. We took off way late for Danny's liking, but its fine. Everyone survived, beer and rum were drank (Whole30 exceptions) and Tucker eventually went to sleep. Danny went to bed early because he had to teach Saturday and I figured since they were both out I may as well go to sleep too.

Saturday it was just Tucker and I. We got up and watched Mickey Mouse while we ate breakfast.

We met my mom for some shopping and lunch. I need shoes for my brother's upcoming wedding (weren't bought) and have been on the hunt for summer work shirts. Old Navy was having an awesome sale on women and kids clothes so between the sale and my rewards, I made out like a bandit: 4 shirt and 2 pairs of shorts for me and a few tank tops, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 sets of pj's and shoes for Tuck. $80! I saved $179. I love Old Navy! However, I do have to return one pair of my shorts because they are too big and Tuck's shoes because nothing was tried on since we shopped like this.

Tucker and I went back to the campground where we went to the playground 3 separate times. We were pretty far from there too. Diesel joined us for one of our trips. This big guy will be 6 on Saturday! 

Also, did you know roads need mowed too? Don't try to tell him that is not true. 

I was able to convince him to sit in our lounge chairs. It lasted for 90 seconds. Can't stop, won't stop.

I invited Danny's mom to join us for dinner for Mother's Day. It worked out because Tucker was up her butt the entire time. He was so excited to show his Mamaw his camper. Once she and Danny showed up I couldn't pour a margarita fast enough. Skinnygirl Margs went down like water. I forgot how delicious those are.

Sunday we got up and went to Bob Evan's for breakfast, with all of Noblesville, IN. Next year we'll be going to O'Charleys since they do brunch at starting at 10am and serve booze with it if you want. Why is going out to eat with small children a Mother's Day thing? I saw at least 3 moms dealing with tired hungry toddlers. I'm included in the 3.

I told some poor mom with an 8 month old that I would pay money to go back to the age her little girl was. No lie. Once we ate he was fine. Tucker is the portrait of the word "hangry" sometimes and makes no exceptions for holidays. Even though he ate yogurt and had a couple drinks of my Shakeology less than an hour before.

After breakfast, we loaded up the camper and while the boys headed home I went to the grocery store to get food for dinner and the week. Planning a whole30 meal plan on the fly like that wasn't as hard as I thought.

My mom, brother and his fiancé came over for dinner. We made lemon lime chicken (minus the skewer part), potatoes and peppers in foil, and paleo apple crisp for dessert. The chicken and apple crisp aren't whole30 approved because of the honey, but I don't feel bad. It was all healthy and all delicious. I would make the apple crisp again.

It was a long, tiring, and fun weekend.

Easter Weekend

Hi! Crop insurance sales season is over, I barely survived, and I'm hopefully back to blogging regularly. I was told that my posts were missed by my mom and a blogging friend and I've missed it too. A holiday weekend is the perfect way to get back in the game.

Easter weekend started Thursday for us. I left work around 3:45 so Danny and I could take Tucker to see the Easter Bunny. It went sooooo well....

Our good friends that moved to Ohio over the summer were in town and the guys went out with my brother and to my brothers because they were told they were not allowed to stay and watch Pretty Little Liars with us. No even playing. We enjoyed too much wine, chit chatted and literally jumped out of our seats a couple times when we finally got around to watching PLL. We have soooo many questions and ended up talking about it the next night on the way home from dinner!

I was in desperate need of a mental health day, so I took Friday off. Which is probably what led to me drinking so much wine I was convinced the headache at 4:45am was the end of me. Since it wasn't I'll probably make that same exact mistake again and again. 2 cups of coffee and ibuprofen did nothing for my headache. I caved and broke my no pop rule as a Hail Mary and thankfully I did because the Diet Mountain Dew cleared that bad boy right up. Friday I lounged, Easter and meal planned, took a short nap and showered at a leisurely pace. It was lovely and much needed.  I picked Tucker up to play at home for a bit before our friends arrived to go to dinner. We dropped the grumpy toddler off at my moms and went to eat. Our first stop was packed due to IU playing, so we went to PF Changs which wasn't crowded at all. After dinner we walked to Cheesecake Factory to pick up dessert to take back to our house after making a pit stop for some wine. Told you I don't learn.

When we got home we watched old home movies. Amber and I have been friends since 1st grade and participated in our school's talent show when we were in 4th grade. She wanted to watch the recording. Our husbands were questioning the fact that they asked to spend the rest of their lives with us while we were laughing so hard we were crying. Danny went to a private catholic school that didn't have gym AND talent shows and Noah went to a smaller public school. We also watched a 30 minute "news special" that Amber, myself, and 3 other friends recorded at one of my birthday parties. It was 30 minutes of nothing but horrible video camera operating. Again, the guys were concerned about their intelligence. Before they left Amber and I got a picture with our wine glasses that I made for us. I saw similar ones at a winery in the fall and told Danny I wanted to get a set for Amber and I, but couldn't stomach paying $20 for just one. So I made some!

 

If I look sick, its because I am.

Saturday I got up and did 2 PiYo workouts then headed off to the grocery store before it got crowded.  I prepped an Easter dessert then met my mom to pick Tucker up to head to Easter #1. Danny was at work so it was just Tucker and I. We ate, hunted for eggs and played wiffle ball(which I shouldn't have done). Tucker really enjoyed the egg hunt. While Danny's brother was throwing them on the ground, he kept putting them back in his bag because he "was dropping them on the ground" so that was pretty funny. Then during the actual hunt he would yell the colors of the eggs as he gathered them. So cute!

Easter Sunday rolled around and I sent the boys off to church and headed to MedCheck to figure out what was wrong with me. My mom thought I had bronchitis and.. of course she was right.

But, Easter doesn't care about bronchitis, so I left and played Easter bunny at my father-in-laws and hit about 60 eggs. I picked up my meds then went home to sleep for a bit. I woke up feeling much better, but only for long enough to make it through lunch and an egg hunt. Oh, and to smash a raw egg on my forehead. My niece thought it would be funny to do Jimmy Fallon's egg challenge. There were 3 raw eggs out of the entire bowl. Of course I got handed a raw one. Tucker made out like a bandit with the egg hunt unfortunately. I've eaten all of the mini-Reese's eggs. We snapped a family photo then came home so I could rest and we could wait on my family. We were classy with our dinner and ate Taco Bell while we sat around watching Tucker come down from his sugar high. I wasn't too worked up about it since I was pretty sure it was par for the course for a toddler on Easter. Even Diesel was nuts.

Now its over and I'm still eating Reese's eggs. I'm eating them from the comfort of my living room this morning. I took the morning off to relax and cough up the crap in my chest. Relaxing morning, right?

Christmas 2015: Stops 3 & 4

Yesterday I stopped after recapping our Christmas Eve, which looked like this: paint real quick, shower at lightning speed, then have a 2.5 hour event take almost 5. We got home around 7:30 and still had plenty of work to do before we could go to bed. But not before a special gift for my two main men. Tucker slept on the way home and was OUT when we got home. Normally I would just let him sleep, but not tonight! Tuck and Daddy had a gift to open.

MATCHING CHRISTMAS JAMMIES!!!!!

They weren't mad once they realized how cute they were.

After snapping a few pictures of those two, I snuck off to "go to the bathroom" aka put on my set of pj's! And like what happens to most moms of young children, my kid barged in on me. And I kid you not, when he saw that I was putting on matching pj's, he started laughing! Which made me laugh too. There was already a chance of me laughing as I walked back into the main area of the house where Danny was, but now that the 2 year old acknowledged how funny I am, all bets were off. So, Tuck and I start walking out there and half way there, Danny starts telling a story. Not wanting his story to take away from the awesomeness of the pj's, I stop in the play room, go in Tuck's room and yell "I'm listening" so he can get his story over with. Once I realize its not going to be a quick 2 minute story, I decide to say hell with it and just go plop my Christmas jammie self on the couch to see what kind of reaction I get. Danny keeps telling his story while I'm holding back the laughter. His story ends with "You think you're so funny don't you?" Yes, honey, yes I do.

Once Tuck was in bed, I still had work to do. I had to make and roll noodles and finish wrapping presents. Tucker LOVES opening presents so I decided it was best to wait and wrap everything I needed the night  before I would need it. It just seemed easier. Well, I couldn't get started on noodles because we were out of pepper in the house, but we had some in the camper. I went out to open the outdoor kitchen but couldn't. Two things I discovered that I can't do: boil an egg and open our outdoor kitchen on the camper. I tried for 10 minutes and quit for fear that I would break the key and we'd be screwed. Once Tucker was in bed and Danny could get the pepper, at 9:30, I finally got to start making noodles. After I slaved over the kitchen counter rolling and cutting homemade noodles, it was time to wrap gifts. Santa only got Tucker 3 gifts so that was nice. I was done wrapping presents and in bed around 12.

We got to sleep until 7:45. Thank you Tuck! We opened presents and thankfully Danny's stepdad stopped by unexpectedly so we could get a picture of us in our pj's. It took him a good 5 minutes to realize we were matching.

After he left, we ate monkey bread and got ready for church. Tucker LOVED the monkey bread. The whole morning he kept asking for more "muffins" and then shoveling it in his mouth.

This was the first time I'd been to church on Christmas Day. Ever. It felt right. Tucker was extremely pleasant too so that was helpful. He offered Peace to anyone possible, during the designated time and he tried too while everyone was walking by for Communion. After Mass he went to check out the sheep in the nativity scene. 

I quickly made my dirt pudding then peeled potatoes for our Christmas with my mom, brother and his girlfriend. Off to Danny's dad's we went. I was practically greeted with a pretty blue drink and that's when I knew it would be a good day. We ate, sampled wine (sample sizes were practically a full glass), then opened presents. Our wine buffet left the 4 out of 5 women half popped by the time gift opening rolled around. We giggled, cracked jokes and had the best time. I had tears in my eyes at one point and it was over some smart ass comment from my mother-in-law about a dish towel. Tucker got a very cool gift from Danny's dad. 

He is getting rid of his firefighter stuff and he gave Tucker this sweet fire truck that you can actually ride. Thankfully it was unseasonably warm on Christmas Day and we got to test it out on the patio.

Next up was Christmas with my family. We headed home so I could start cooking the noodles. Once they were done we ate and opened presents. I got an Ulta gift card, Piyo, my favorite Express shirts, some other clothes, a Target gift card and a selfie stick!!

My mom got the best gift from my brother though. He converted all of our old home videos so that we could watch them on DVD or on the computer. We were able to set it up so we could watch on the tv through the computer. It was awesome. Danny got to see what a brat I was, Megan could see how chunky and goofy Drew was and we all got to hear my dad laugh and play with us. Seriously the best!

Drew and Megan left around 10 and we all went to bed shortly after. This was easily the best Christmas of my adult life. I may have lost sleep because of all of the prep work, but it was 100% worth it.