PS

Other things to note:

We made it through the day by taking TWO trips to Target. Parents, don't by the Parent's School Bus magnet set. I am taking it back. The magnets are too weak to stick to the refrigerator.

We shared a malt from Dairyette. The malt turned out to be my dinner (not Baby's, though).

There was this weird dude roaming my neighborhood this afternoon.

Baby cooled off in the back yard by playing with the water hose.

We were actually having a peaceful mommy/baby time when she whipped out her chompers and bit me. She mostly got my shirt, so I decided to pretend like it didn't happen so I could keep rocking her rather than punish her.

Back to school tomorrow!

Random Thoughts

Let's see. I think I left off on Friday. Pretty much to sum up the last 4 days they were mostly awful. I guess I could elaborate, but there isn't much sense in bringing everyone down with me, huh? Let's just say this toddler stuff is hard. Really hard. And I seem to either have a harder time with it than most everyone I talk to, or Baby is an extra challenge. Anyway, she got over whatever was making her cranky this afternoon, and we actually had an almost fun few hours together. Maybe it's because I started giving timeouts for the whining. Mmm. At least she wasn't screaming exorcist style in the bath tonight. That was nice. I don't ask for much.

Other things of note: I went to the gym twice. I had a nice visits with several friends. Oh...Flat Daddy hung out with our friends. He had a great time. I get to patch a hole in the jog stroller tire (not the one I just bought, which was shipped today!). My friend told me that any 8 year old can do it, so I bought a kit and figure I'm just as good as any 8 year old boy. I'll let ya know how that turns out.

I'm kinda glad the Olympics are over. Now I can go back to watching my House Hunters and Army Wives (again, like I need to WATCH A SHOW to know what it is like to be an army wife).

So, let's talk prayer requests. I have many. For me, for Baby, for Hubby, for us.

-That this time won't be wasted (for any of us). That whatever it is we need to learn/do/refine, etc... that it will happen
-That we will be open to God's (hopefully happy) surprises
-That we do more than just endure this time, but that we grow
-That our marriage is stronger, not weaker from the time a part
-That the Devil just stays outta this and that God protects us from his evilness
-That I have the strength and gumption to be Mom and Dad and do it well
-That God's mighty shield will envelope Hubby not just physically, but spiritually and mentally
-That Hubby will be a light for God in a dark circumstance and surrounding
-That Hubby will have the confidence to lead at God's will

Hmm. That sounds pretty good for now.

OK. Off to fix lunches for both of us.

The Schwan Man

To those who know, you are probably pretty excited. I love Schwan's! Boy, did everyone who didn't answer their door yesterday afternoon sure miss out on a treat. As luck would have it Baby and I were in the yard enjoying a little bubble blowing, otherwise I might not have been so lucky. Anyway, they are trying to set up routes in my neighborhood (that after much deliberation I've decided not to join...not quite the nutritional content I seek...too bad), and we got a few ice cream sandwiches! Who says having a baby isn't worth the effort.

Other highlights include gym class (which Baby seemed to really enjoy), having a friend over for dinner, and buying a stroller. That's right, folks. I bought a stroller...online without even trying it. I'll let ya know how it works out for us. I went for the baby jogger.

Happy weekend!

Wednesday Night Tradition

So, I think Baby and I started a new Wednesday night tradition. We went out to dinner together! It was sorta cute and fun. Just Baby and Momma. Of course Baby made all sorts of friends. So, the dinner wasn't fancy or anything...Super Salad. It's nice to get our veggies and Baby gets to try all sorts of things from the buffet. Plus Wednesday is $4.99 night. What a deal.

Let's see. What else. My work week is over, but really next few days will be more work. We all know about that. On a positive note, I think I've figured out a little about this whining business. I think Baby needs more quality time with me. The quantity is pretty good, but it's mostly just me trying to hold it all together rather than having fun with Baby. So, we're trying some new things, and it seems to be working. I hope it continues! Tomorrow's quality time should be all sorts of fun. We have our first lesson at the gym! I think she'll probably win a gold medal at the 20-whatever Olympics. I hope it's held somewhere fun like the Maldives Islands. So, God is continuing to be faithful in 1) guiding me to figure it out and 2) helping Baby get it together. We're hanging in there and I didn't even yell today. Ah. I think I get to reward myself with glass of cheap wine. Cheap b/c they don't really sell the good stuff in those little 4 packs. And a whole bottle would just go bad, so I get the tiny ones when I want to treat myself.

Oh! So cute. Baby gave Flat Daddy a kiss! I said, "Give Daddy a kiss," and she did! Complete with the "mmaaa" sound effect. I even actually got it on video. Can you put video on this thing? According to that little icon I can. Mmm. We'll see.

What else. Oh. I'm sure everyone wants to know the latest on the yard man. We have actually spoken, and it seems that he is having some personal problems. He didn't elaborate, and I didn't ask. OK. So, today, I get a note on my door that he had his equipment stolen, but he'll be by tomorrow to mow. Guess he is going through a real rough time. He coulda called instead of a note...maybe he was in the neighborhood.

I've also been spending sometime researching strollers to replace the hunk of stroller I bought a year ago. If you have kids, do NOT buy a Combi stroller. Inferior product for sure. So, I've narrowed it down to the Joovy Kooper or Baby Jogger City Mini. I'm pretty excited. Trouble is, pretty much I'll have to order online. I did finally find the Kooper in a store, but no luck with the City Mini (which, according to my matrix, is the one to buy). Do I dare make such a purchase without pushing it?!?! Check it out for yourselves and give your opinions if you'd like.
http://www.babyjogger.com/cityminimain.htm
http://www.joovy.com/pages/pd_kooper.php

Off to a little relaxation time.

Family photo...for real

Guess who we got to see for real this time!

We got to make a trip south for a short visit with Hubby. We took Baby to the park and out to eat. Then she got to spend some time with Grandparents (thanks mom and dad!). So, we got to do regular 'ole stuff...we saw the Dark Night, roamed around Wal-Mart(s), hung out at the coffee shop. Ya know, date stuff. It was fun. So, after a NOT fun drive back (in the rain, getting lost, and the Interstate being shut down b/c of 1 of the FOUR accidents I passed), we are back to school tomorrow. While I was gone it seems the yard man decided to make another stop at the house. That was a nice surprise. He left a nice little note for me...it seems that he doesn't think I'm taking care of the yard like I should (same could be said for him). He wants me to water "3-4 times per week 50 minutes each section". Mmm. Seems like a lot of work. Glad God took care of that for me today with the rain. Speaking of God. Let's spend some time in reflection. All these questions I have. Any theologians reading this? Why is it that after 4 years of praying that Hubby doesn't go to The Iraq he goes anyway? Why is this happening? Is there a purpose or is it just because it is and nothing more? Either way I know Romans 8:28, and I believe it. On some sorta (really weird) level this is exciting. God can do all sorts of wonderful things during this time...if I let Him. So, I better get myself in gear and let Him! OK...sidenote...did anyone else know that trampoline was an olympic sport?!? Weird.

My Flat Daddy Arrives!

Check out who dropped by! Funny family photo, huh? I think Baby was a little confused by the whole thing. I couldn't decide if she liked it or was scared. Anyway. I'm learning that the average person is not familiar with the Flat Daddy. So, the Flat Daddy is, well, a flat daddy. These people started making them shortly after the war in The Iraq started to help children cope while their Daddy was deployed. So, it's this close to life size cut out. People take them everywhere...sit them at the dinner table, take them to graduations, weddings...etc... So, really, Hubby won't miss a thing. And he'll just smile right through the next year no matter how hard a time I give him! Hmmm...that might be frustrating for me. I gotta say...it's been a little creepy a few times. I'm like working my little self to death in the kitchen (I have to pack lunches for Baby, and she eats A LOT), and I'll look over and guess who is just being lazy on the couch...Flat Daddy. Guess it's not that different than usual (ha ha).

Update on the yard. Yard man decided to show up today and actually do something. Not a lot, but he did do a little yard work.

Oh! Baby has a homework assignment! Actually, I think Momma has a homework assignment. I have to make a poster with family photos. Not too hard, but her (my) first! Mmm...should Flat Daddy make the poster? Gotta get to work.

Desk

Does anyone want this desk? I can't get rid of it! I tried to freecycle it but it didn't work out. Anyway. It's been on my porch for weeks. Comment if you want it (you gotta come get it, though!).

Today (and yesterday)

Not much to report, which is probably a good thing, huh? Yesterday started with church and a nice afternoon nap (for both of us). And it ended with the gymnastics. Inbetween was a bunch of boring stuff like making cookies to send to Army and curling up in a ball so Baby could crawl over me while I prayed the headache that made me want to vomit would hurry up and go away. It did. Before the headache I got a fun phone call from Brother! Brother just moved to Denmark (story is probably a whole blog in itself, but there is a lucky lady involved). So it was nice to hear from him. I guess I might as well spend next summer there. That would certainly beat the 100+ weather we're having!

Today. The morning distraction was a few mundane errands (mailing the cookies, drycleaning, and a trip to the pharmacy to get some allergy medicine...man, these allergies are kicking both of us!). And then a tirp to the dentist that turned out not to be that bad. The afternoon's distraction was a trip to the playground. It's finally cool enough. Baby had a great time on the slide! It was so fun to watch her. And she is fearless on those steps...scares me. We had to leave once the rain rolled in. Dinner was veggies and cheese tortellini. I love it that Baby eats just like me...a lot and just about everything. Tomrrow is back to school/work.

The circus!

Saturday: the morning distraction was a trip to the gym. I go to the gym to get a break, funny, huh? But it's good for me and Baby doesn't seem to mind. Baby was real tired for some reason so she got an early nap today. And...well...the afternoon distraction...the circus! Which actually turend out to not be quite as much fun as it sounded. I'm a dork and so I really was excited about this outing, even though I thought Baby was still a bit young for such an event. And, it turned out I was right. The photo would insinuate that we both had tons of fun, huh? And I guess we did, but only for a short period of time. Shortly after the tiger act, Baby had had enough. She had plowed through all her snacks and totally wigged out. Like arching her back and screaming. The show was mostly over, so we just left. And then we took this photo. Deceiving, huh? She started snoozing as soon as we got in the car. I guess it turned out to be a good thing...no traffic leaving! So, on to home and a home made chicken pot pie (yes, I did type home made. I made it this afternoon so it was just ready to pop into the oven when I got home. I should have had children in the 50s.). Baby is already in bed.

Other news: Hubby has been in Arkansas and today they moved to Bastrop. Sad...he called as I was parking at the circus and his bus was passing by the show. Stop, bus, stop! Take those Army boys to the greatest show on earth! Ah, but no luck. I miss him at least a hundred times a day. The next stop on this training tour is Georgia.

The chain

So I made this paper chain to mark the days until Hubby comes home. Mmm...it's sorta large. I thought it would be fun, though. And I only had to make it for 390 days instead of 400 because it took so long to make! See photo.

Random things from today. Baby and I did indeed go to the mall and we did not buy a thing (unless you count lunch)! It was tough, though. When we got home Baby didn't really want to nap, so I broke out the forbidden pacifier (PF). We haven't used it in weeks! We were doing so well! I now understand why you are supposed to get rid of all of them...no emergency ones about the house. Anyway. Baby took a 3 hour nap so I'm thinking the PF might become a regular visitor yet again. Guess I'll have to weigh the pros/cons a little bit more, though.

Oh, the yard man decided to make contact today. No, he did NOT decide to mow or do any other yard work, but he did throw a call my way. Do we believe the food poision story?

Newsflash...Baby just bit me (again!)! Bad Baby. She hasn't done this in awhile. So, Baby is in timeout in the crib. I'm guessing it had something to do with me typing and not playing. But still! No biting. Yikes. I'm "that mom". The one with the biter. Gotta go get the kid...guess it's been about a minute.

OK. On the agenda for tonight...Olympics, possible working on my dining room chairs (you'll have to see my blog on myspace to get the background), and maybe some wii time.

First it's bedtime stories!

Misc. Stuff

Well, "week" 1 of work is finished. Not bad for a work week, huh? Random stuff of note: Baby can now say "baaa" as in what a sheep says. When I went to pick her up from school today, she saw me but continued to play with the plasma car. Not ride on, but play with. She took the steering wheel off and put it back on. Daddy is an engineer, afterall! I mean, I guess it's good and all that she was happy, but I sorta like it when she runs over to me, ya know? I either have a cold or my allergies are kicking in. It's a good thing Baby goes to bed early. Veggie Tales are on, but Baby is playing with a towel (a towel? not all those fancy toys?). What kid doesn't like the TV? I thought they were supposta zone out with the TV and scream for more. And the yard man hasn't shown up in 2 weeks. Even after calls. Not good. Anyone know of a reliable yard man? I need his number. Mmmm. Not much on the agenda tomorrow...maybe a trip to the mall where it is nice and cool. Stay tuned for the weekend post. We are going to the circus!

Photos

OK, OK...here are some pics from Baby's first day of school and other miscellaneous play time.

Back to school...

Another day of adjustment. It's been good but different. Today I went back to work and Baby went back to school. Well, Baby went to a new school. And the school is located just across the street from work! So, Baby got all dolled up today and looked just too cute toddeling up to school carrying her lunch box. I actually do have a picture. Ah, it's just too much trouble to upload. Maybe later. So, she seemed to do OK when I left.

Nothing that exciting to report really. I think it will be nice to have a little bit more of a routine at least a few days a week, anyway. Since I worked today, no one coulda expected me to cook, right? Baby and I went out to Sonic for half price burger night, then it was off to bath and bed for Baby. How is it that I have so much more energy at the end of the day when I work than when I'm at home "not working" (ha ha!)?!?

Thank You

Yes, at this moment I am thanking God for a good day. It has been touch and go for the past few days. Bad. Bad days. Not really worth reviewing. But I'll give the highlights...the worst of it all was an overly fussy baby. I think it has something to do with Hubby/Daddy not being around. It's been an adjustment for us both.

The dead mouse in the back yard was not pleasant, but I dealt with it. The dead squirrel was another story. I just couldn't do it. I gathered the courage a few times to approach with a shovel, but I didn't get very close. Ew. Its little squirrelly body all squirrel like and dead. And smelly. I'm not sure what caused the dead squirrel. I originally thought it was our Stephen King Kitty. I'm sure the cat was the cause of the mouse...but a squirrel? We've had a few dead mice (better outside than in, for sure) but never a squirrel. I have an extra dog (hunting dog, no less) around (pet sitting...totally offered to do this...I love this dog almost like it was my own), so perhaps she was the cause. Who is to know? At any rate, for 3 days we didn't really have access to the yard...too many curious animals and babies to watch. Plus, the smell. OK, enough about the squirrel. Long story long, I finally asked my neighbor to dispose of the now bloated and maggot infested squirrel body. Which he gladly did...fellas...I know many of you have offered to help thoughout this time...aren't you glad YOU aren't the one I called???

Another cause of the bad days...a busted A/C system. Now, you may be aware of how plain awfully hot it has been. Now trap yourself inside a house with 3 dogs and a baby without any A/C for 18 hours. That's probably enough detail. You get the picture, right? But factor in that Hubby is an HVAC man and coulda' fixed the problem in less than half an hour (and certainly a fraction of the cost). Sheer frustration. And probably the reason for the overly fussy baby, huh?

But through it all, I've had support. Someone to assist with the A/C, and I had a friend over last night...always helps to have an ear to bend and someone to share a glass of wine with. What would I do without my 6-pack gals? 6-pack = that there 6 of us, not booze. Hubby got the worst of it, though. Bless him. He always knows. He unleased it all with a simple question...., "So, how are you REALLY doing?" Just remember, folks, don't ask that question unless you really want to know.

So, today it is. And Baby is sleeping already. And I have some energy left to spare! What shall I do?