Got a monkey on your back??

Have you ever had a monkey on your back? Aiden has!! And one on his front too!

Packing

Aiden is such a smart baby. He saw that I was packing and knew that we would be going somewhere. So, like a sweet little baby, he decided to help. Apparently, he put some thought into what to help pack and figured that since he was the most important thing to remember, he should put himself into the suitcase!!!

Day at Mercer

Not too long ago, we (that being Olen, Aiden and me) went and walked through Mercer Arboreteum for the first time in a long time. There were still lots of flowers and the temperature was perfect for a nice walk through the woods. There were lots of other people out with their cameras as well. I had a blast walking through taking pictures. I even got a few that might be good enough to sell. I'm going to put up a few on a website. I'll let everyone know when I do. In the meantime, I got a cute smile from Aiden.

Must Vent!!!

I am so angry right now. I recently made a deposit through the atm at my local bank. Now, I've worked for the bank. I know how everything works, or rather how it's supposed to work. I carefully filled out a deposit slip even though technically my bank no longer requires one. I carefully endorsed the back of each and every check, even the one for $1.63. I made sure that our account number was on the back of each and every check, just in case some idiot dropped them, so said idiot could get the checks back to the proper account. We get to the atm and there are no envelopes. There's not even a slot for a supply of envelopes to be kept. Now, that annoys me, but I've double checked all my bases. There shouldn't be any problems, right?! I even check my account yesterday to make sure the deposit has been credited properly. I have done my fiscal responsibility. Now, I usually only check my account once a week to balance it, but I had already done it twice this week. This morning, I decided to balance it a third time just to keep ahead. And what to my surprise do I find??? My account is in massive overdraft!!!! WHAT???!?!?!? I should have excess. I pull up the account to find out what happened. And to my even greater surprise, they had taken back credit for most of my deposit!! They lost 4 out of the 5 checks that I had deposited. Now, did I mention that my mortgage is coming out of the account today???? You know that one, it's the big payment that lets you have a place to live. On top of that, they had already had 3 other card payments send the account into the negative which usually means overdraft charges which will add over $100 in fees. I'M MADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!! I had to spend over a half-hour on the phone with poor customer service guys who had no contact with the idiots who actually screwed up my account, and did I mention that the baby was screaming at me most of that time???? AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Supposedly they are crediting my account for the missing amount until they can find what went wrong. Of course, I don't see this credit electronically, which makes me very, very nervous, because it means they're sending it through on paper. You know what paper is, don't you???!! It's the same thing my missing checks were on! And they can't seem to find those, can they?!? AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I tried very, very hard to be polite to the guys that were helping me after all it wasn't their fault, but it's hard to be sweet when- number one, you're just not a sweet kinda person, number two, you're watching your house payment go down in flames, number three, your child doesn't understand the concept of waiting and is SCREAMING in your ear. Hummmm.......I think I need a drink...maybe some egg nog....wait....I don't like egg nog.....HELP!!!!

Christmas Wish List

Christmas Wish List
I want everything!!!!


Just kidding! But somehow it does feel that way this year.
I want:

The near impossible:

1. a new cell phone, the LG Muziq in pink (but my contract can't be renewed 'til next May for the discount)

2. a new mp3 player from Creative with 32gb and all the bells and whistles
http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/

3. books and TIME to read them

4. another baby would be nice (God are you listening???)

5. ALL my debts to be paid off (again, God???)

6. A girls only ALL night event(no kids) of scrapbooking, chick flicks and lots of good food (i'll even cook and bake some)

7. a 32" LCD HD flat panel tv for my bedroom

8. Sling box pro and someone to connect it


The more probable:
1. Anne of Green Gables trilogy (it's great for a girls night in)
2. CSI Miami season 5 on DVD
3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers DVD (the original)
4. An indoor grill
5. Any Steeple Hill book (they're the publisher)
6. Two rectangle Pampered Chef baking stones
7. the sand and mortar for my back patio and someone to put my patio stones down
8. a red dress that I look beautiful in
9. Tetris pc game
10. any homemade goodies are also appreciated
11. an electric shaver (http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__EJ306)

Playing with Granny Olga

Olen's mom came over to our house for her birthday. Aiden just adored her. She had a cane and she would bounce it up and down which he thought was just great fun!! When she and John (Olen's brother) left, Aiden followed them out the door and tried to climb in the car with her!!

More Cuteness

I just wanted to post some more pics of my son. This was his first experience with an ice cream cone. My mom had managed to find some mini ice cream cones. He loves ice cream so much, but he took a while to figure out the mechanics of using a cone.

Spaghetti Dinner

We've been trying to let Aiden learn to feed himself. One day at home, we were having some of my spaghetti. We let him feed himself. Needless to say, he was very picturesque by the end of the meal. But, he enjoyed it greatly as you can see by the pictures.

Day at the Park

I took Aiden to meet Olen at the park for a picnic a while back. We took him on the little playground to play. He's not really sure about playgrounds yet. I need to take him with some kids he knows, so he can see how he's supposed to play! Maybe he won't be so scared if he sees them playing. However, I did get some cute shots of him in the little play tunnel.

One of those get to know me quizes

1.Where is your boyfriend right now?
no boyfriend, but the husband is sitting in my chair

2. Last place you hugged someone?
the baby here at the house

3. Name three things you did today?
mopped, played on my computer, recorded shows to dvd

4. Last person you text messaged?
does im count? my mom

5. What kind of phone do you have?
some cheapo phone, i lost my good one earlier this year

6. What are you doing right now?
watching Rachel Ray, waiting on water to boil (really), playing on the pc

8. What color are your eyes?
brown-eyed girl

10. Do you have a chair in your room?
Yes, a folding blue wooden chair (i put the comfy one in the living room, so i'd have more time to sit in it)

11. What are you doing tomorrow?
cleaning...alot (my mother-in-law is coming over Saturday afternoon)

12.Do you know anyone named Betsy?
my cousin on my dad's side

13. What color is your hair? only my hairdresser really knows, it's blonde at the moment

14. Do you remember singing any songs as a kid?
i still sing to myself

15. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
definitely, it was Aiden (my baby), he gets lots of kisses

17. Do you play an instrument?
hands

18. Do you like fire?
can anyone say pyromaniac?

19. Are you allergic to anything?
cats (which we didn't find out until we took in a cat as a pet from a friend who was moving)

21. Best friend?
Olen, Tab, my mom

22. Do you miss anyone?
my old boss, Sharon Hill

24. Do you think they miss you too?
i bet she does!

25. Have you ever seen your school counselor?
yup, i used to work in the front office as an office aide in junior high

26. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
a ladies bible study teacher

27. What is one thing you've learned about life?
family and friends are more important than any job

29. Is anyone jealous of you?
yes, i have several mom friends who wish that they could stay at home with their kids too

30. When was the last time you got flowers?
About three weeks ago from my husband, i wasn't feeling well and sent him to get me something i could eat and he bought me roses as well for a get well present (aahhhh!)

31. Where were you 1 hour ago?
in the same spot i'm at now

32. Where were you 4 hours ago?
sitting on my bed watching tv

34. Has anyone ever used you?
oh, yeah

35. Has anyone ever told you that they like you more than as a friend?
hmmm...i've been married for so long that i don't remember if anyone said that

36. What have you eaten today?
bean and cheese filled tortillas, about to eat pasta

37. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
used to be straight as a board until i was on a med for a year than it went naturally curly (weird, huh?!)

38. Who was the last person you drove with?
My mom

39. What are you looking forward to?
everything
40. Do you want to kill anyone right now?

Oreo face

These pics are from a while back. Aiden and I went for a visit to see Susan and Sarah in Liberty. One of his snacks was an oreo cookie. He liked it alot. We had a blast that day. He got to ride in the baby swing on the back deck. He was scared at first, but then got into the hang of it. Sorry, no pics of the little tarzan!

Harley Baby

Aiden has tried on his first Harley motorcycle helmet. He didn't seem impressed! He did fall asleep on daddy though! It had been a long day. We'd gone to church that morning and had stayed in Liberty all day that day. He didn't want to stay in the nursery for a nap. He was afraid that mommy was leaving him every time she left the room. At least, he finally got some rest that day!

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

I don't know about you, but I'm not a patient person. Especially when it comes to a fussy baby. The other day I went to a friend's house. Usually, Aiden loves to go over there. She has five kids that love to entertain him. This time, he started crying as soon as we walked in the door and rarely stopped. If I left the room, he would scream. Yes, my little angel screams. Loudly! Nothing would get him to stop except my holding him. It got old fast. Very fast. By the time we got home, mommy and baby were on the verge of tears. I got him to take a small nap while mommy hid in her bedroom. When Olen came home, he gave Aiden some gas drops. Within a half-hour, he was a happier baby. Kinda makes you sick. I discovered later that he also had a tooth coming in at the same time. He felt bad and wanted mommy to convince him that everything was alright. After that day, I was ready for a mommy vacation. I'm just glad that God doesn't want to run away when I cry! Think about it...there are times when we cry and we don't even know why. It's enough to make us want to run away from ourselves. Yet, God turns to us. And listens. That's pretty amazing.

New Ride-on Toy

Aiden and Jake are getting along famously. Aiden offers his food to Jake; Jake lets Aiden use him as a toy. Most of the time, Jake enjoys the attention. Some times he moves away. Either way, Aiden loves him. He loves to use Jake as a pillow. They're becoming best buddies. The last picture is from the garage sale.

Pics from the Party

Yes, they're here. The long awaited pictures from the birthday party. I put some of the ones that are not in the slide show. I even have the customary cake all over the face picture. Aiden wasn't sure, at first, about all these people invading his home. He clung close to Grandma for security. He eventually began to mingle. He loved watching the kids play. He also loved having as much cake as he wanted. He likes chocolate cake. Thanks to all who came!

Go, Cheetah Girl!!

Go, Sabrina! I love watching Dancing with the Stars. I like to pretend that I can move like that. Every year the one who makes us smile the most is the one who wins. Based on that, Sabrina has a great chance to win. I just loved watching her and Mark's routine. I voted for her 4 times. I also have watched it four times!! Watch and vote!! The men are on tonight. I can't wait!

CSI Miami

I am way, way excited. It's two and a half hours until the season premiere of CSI Miami. I miss Horatio, Calleigh, and all the others. I've been in withdrawal. It's starting to be a desparate situation. Two hours and twenty-nine minutes....It's coming. Slowly. Ah. Two hours and twenty-eight minutes....AAHHHGGGG. Time only flies when you're having fun. Time flies like a banana (Groucho Marx) I have a friend who threw a banana at a guest who came in once. Hit him in the face. It was funny. Too bad they're not here. I have bananas. ">

Garage Sale

Olen took off a couple of days this week. He held a garage sale to clean out the garage some. I don't know what's more sad: the stuff we put out to sell that was so junky that I was surprised that anyone wanted it or the stuff that I was too much of a pack-rat to give up! There were boxes of clothes that I just loved that I vow that one day I'll get back into. There were bunches of papers and nick-nacks that I should probably just throw out without looking at them. The stuff that I thought would sell didn't sell. We have a dishwasher that needs repairs and a coffeetable out there. The dishwasher I thought might be picked up by a repair man who could make a bunch of money on it after he fixed it. I thought someone might need a coffeetable. Apparently, it's just too old and beat-up to buy. Afterall, we got it used from a friend of Olen's when we got married. Poor Olen's still out there trying to clean out what's left in the garage. Why am I not out there, you may ask? I'm watching the baby. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Pre-Party Preparations

Yes, I know that it's been almost two weeks since Aiden's birthday party.

This blog is just about the preparations before the party. The first picture is Aiden playing with the card from his great-grandmother. He liked to play with the card because it was one of those swinging cards. You stand it up and it has a portion that will swing when you touch it. The second photo is of the table and its decorations. We did a sundae bar to go with his cake. I put the toppings in little baby food jars. The next picture is a close-up of the cake I made for him to mess-up, I mean eat. I was going to make the frosting from scratch. When I sent Olen to the grocery store for a chocolate cake mix, he brought back chocolate frosting ("just in case"). I was actually grateful because my first attempt at frosting tasted bad and was rather soupy. Somehow, soupy frosting didn't seem right! I asked my mom and she kinda looked funny at it and suggested that the store-bought would be a good alternative. :-( I needed to do some frosting to do the writing though. She told me to look in the cookbook that she used all my life. She was right. That recipe worked like a charm. I even got to use the cake decorating kit that my grandma had given me. I thought that considering it was my first decorating attempt that it turned out pretty good. I promise to practice before his next birthday!! The last picture shows part of the circus effect that I put up. I stole the idea from a baby shower (Thanks, Ali!). They used pastel pink and greens for theirs. It looked so cute. The baby shower one was cuter, but I liked the way mine turned out too. I was actually able to mingle with my guest more than most parties since most of it was self-serve. That was a pretty great feeling. That's it for the preparations.

It's sad

I recently made a loaf of bread. I threw all of the ingredients into the breadmaker and then happily pushed the start button. I then began to clean the kitchen. Lo and behold, I discovered the little paddle that is supposed to be in the bottom of the breadmaker pan. Needless to say, you can't put the paddle in after the machine has started its process. The loaf on the right is the poor inedible loaf that emerged three hours later. The one on the left was the one that I made afterwards. It's just sad, isn't it?

BBQ Ribs

One day, when mom and I were eating out with Aiden, we ordered ribs. He loves to try anything that we're eating. He rather insists on it. So, we gave him a rib bone with some meat on it. He, like his grandma, loved chewing on the bone. He thought that was great.

Myspace

Yes, I've given in. I have a myspace page. Forces beyond my control just pushed me in that direction. Now, for those of you who do not have access to myspace, i.e. work prohibits it, I will continue to post here as well. Besides, I talk alot anyway. Now, I just have two forums in which to do it! I'm in the midst of a flurry of party preparations. The house is mostly clean and organized. The table is set. I just need to get some decorations up and prepare the ice cream toppings. Olen will be getting the pizza and ice cream a couple of hours before the party, so any suggestions need to be made soon. I can't believe that my baby is a year old today! Boy, that flew by really, really fast! My first post was about taking the time to appreciate the moment. I tried to do that as much as possible, yet it doesn't feel I got enough moments in. I don't miss the crying moments, but I'd love to relive a few of the giggling fits and dancing moments. Those way outnumbered the crying ones. At least, in my memory, they do! 28 hours 'til party time!

Picnic in the Park

I'm so far behind on blogging. I downloaded some pictures today and discovered some that I took almost a month ago. I need to get more on top of things. Anyway, about a month ago, Olen wanted to go on a picnic. Aiden and I packed a picnic basket and went and met daddy at a park near where he worked. Aiden liked the picnic aspect of the trip. He wasn't really sure about the walking on the grass barefoot part (or rather crawling on the grass). He and Olen did have a squirrel come right up to them looking for food. It was a nice day for a picnic. There was hardly anyone out and in the shade, the temperature was fairly nice.

Just too cute!

These pictures were just too cute to not post. Plus, I just love this little outfit with the monkey face.

Climbing Mt. Everest

One day, not so long ago, Olen and I were sitting in the living room watching tv. Aiden was roaming around playing. The next thing I know, Olen is jumping. He felt something touch the back of his neck. He looked and found that Aiden had climbed up from the back side of the couch all the way to the top of the couch by himself!! We weren't sure how he managed to get up there. I found the evidence the next day. He had climbed onto a little stool. From there, he had climbed onto the chest and then onto the back of the couch. I think my son may love rock climbing when he gets older!

Just Like Daddy

Olen talks on his phone alot. The only time I'm on the phone is to talk to Olen or my mom. I always let Aiden talk to them when they call. He hears the phone ring and crawls really, really fast to me so he can talk on the phone. He just loves hearing grandma and daddy talk to him. So, grandma got him his own cell phone and matching keys. He just loves them. They are his favorite toys.

New Dishwasher

My mom bought us a new dishwasher a few weeks ago (that we are very, very grateful for!). Aiden was very curious about it. He and daddy checked it out. Aiden pulled out the instructions as if he was going to be the one to install it! He takes after mommy; she reads instructions before installing things. I just love this new dishwasher. It's a Bosch. They apparently make power tools as well. This washer is quiet and powerful. Something that our old one was not. It holds large items too. I love the fact that I can be in the same room with it and be able to hold a conversation.