Friday, June 24, 2011

The Song is Too Long

First, an update on recent activities. We had a great Father's Day weekend. On Saturday, good friends the Scholma's came over with their 3 children. John is about six months older than Spence so they play well together plus their two older girls make sure no one dies in the process! The weather was perfect so we played outside and grilled out. When it got dark, the parents were able to visit while the kids watched movies.

For gifts, Spence made Jarrod a cute paper weight at "work" and we both got him a pair of shoes he has wanted forever. On Sunday morning, we took a bike ride to breakfast and then met Jarrod's parents for lunch at Bravo. Yummy!

Jarrod and I were also able to get a date night the week before. We packed a picnic basket and went to Shakespeare in the Park's presentation of The Taming of the Shrew. It was really entertaining and a beautiful night (plus you can't beat wine and cheese). Even better..the play was free! :)

Two weeks ago, Spence and Jarrod started "daddy and me" soccer called Kickaroos. Spence loves it and his skills have really improved! It isn't a match but rather more of a clinic where children and their parents practice. Below is Spence playing with dad at home!



Anyway, I'll continue to try to post Spence singing. The song is too long so, for some raeson, my iphone is unable to email it to me. I'll try to retape or figure out another option.

For now, we're keeping busy enjoying this beautiful weather. We have more friends coming over this evening and then a big auction for Spence's daycare on Saturday. Then Tuesday, my momma comes (followed shortly by my dad and grandpa)! We're all gearing up for the big birthday weekend! I can't believe Spence will be 3!!! :( Love to all!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Spencisms

Two quick Spencisms that have made me giggle this week:

1. I started going to the gym two nights a week. When Spence asked why I had to go I told him it was because I was "chubby." He said "You're going to get skinny?" And I told him that I hoped to. Well, when I returned home from my first gym sessions, he lovingly looked at me and said "You not chubby now!" If only.....

2. I'm trying to work on teaching him inflection. Often times he says things in a bad tone but the words, themselves, are not inappropriate. His most-used line is "What you say?" with this evil look and condescending tone. Slowly, he's learned to have a better inflection with this phrase. Now, instead of saying "what you say" in that mean way, he says "Mommy, I not say what you say (said menacingly). I have a good infection."

Spence requested that I work on posting his singing to the blog (as he is somewhat obsessed with himself). I promise to work on it this weekend! :)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I Had Clean Underwear This Morning

I make myself laugh. It's embarrassing to admit - but I think I laugh more in my head than I do out loud. Sometimes I even make myself laugh at pretend conversations I have with others. Today, I was writing a friend and I laughed, snorting loud enough for the poor secretary outside my door to hear. While her computer faces the entire office, I'm safe in my little room - to do as I please. Anyway, I'm sure she was anything but happy that I was enjoying myself while she did meanial tasks.

The point of my email was encouragement that success is how you define it. I said:

You will eventually figure out what it is you're supposed to do. My
whole life I thought I was meant to be a mother. I anxiously awaited
the day Spence was born and I could become a stay-at-home mom. That
time came and I felt like I had fallen into a black hole. I felt
trapped. Although that feeling eventually passed, the reality that I
was not a good stay-at-home mom continued to persist. The fact that
what I had always wanted turned out not to be anything I wanted was
difficult.

Eventualy, I realized that success isn't defined by how much you have in your savings account much less the job you get out of college. I've learned to
take the little things as success - I've kept my child alive for
almost 3 years, I haven't yet killed my husband, and I had clean
underwear to wear this morning.

It made me realize that, truly, it's the little things.

Looks like I'm back to my random posts while I try to get a cute clip of Spence singing downloaded. My iphone refuses to allow me to post the entire video, so I'm working on it! Until then....

Thursday, June 2, 2011

I Made It 1 Year

It's official. I made it one year. One year in this chair.....

One year of early mornings, daycare drop-offs/pick-ups, frantic dinners, dirty laundry, and dusty floors. If I'm honest, the laundry and floors would happen regardless of where I work (home or not). Housewivery (is that a word?) is not my strong suit. Apparently neither is office organization - do you see that desk?

Anyway, we've been in St. Louis for over a year as well. It's still been hard to make couple friends. Our neighborhood is looking like a great prospect and Jarrod recently had several guys get hired in his department that he really likes. So far though, it's mostly just the Taylor Trio hanging out (which, in honesty, I often prefer). Living in a large city does have it perks: awesome parks, tons of children's activities, ridiculously nice shopping, fun concerts. Still, I miss Huntington. Why many would ask? Jim's of course! Just kidding - I miss my friends, my screened-in porch, MY PARENTS (and other family), Chick-fil-A playdates, 3 day a week working......


Enough nostalgia, it's making me sad. My brother visited over the Memorial Day weekend and I had such a great time. We took Spence to the Magic House and he and Jarrod got to go to a Cardinals game and sit in the Edward Jones luxury box. Not bad! My brother helped me take down Spence's crib :( (cue the tears) and we set up his toddler bed - his reward for peepeeing and poopooing in the potty. Spence LOVES it!




On another note: Jarrod takes Level III of the CFA this weekend. Please PRAY LONG AND HARD that he passes. His practice tests have been borderline and he's starting to worry. Even if you don't like Jarrod - maybe you like me - or at the very least Spence - and Spence deserves for his daddy to pass! :)

Finally, Spence's 3rd birthday is coming up and I just have to show you the invites. I think they're precious.



Now I feel like I should say something off of the Price is Right.. "If you are in the St. Louis area and would like to join our celebration, please email or call for party information." Oh how I miss Bob Barker.
On that note - time to do some actual work (or finally get 3 stars on Level 5-17 of Angry Birds)! Love to all!!!