WINNING Thoughts Of The Day

Thoughts of the Day:

1. 5 inches of snow in the last week of March is unacceptable - no matter where you live.


2. I am addicted to Starbucks and am convinced that, should I give up my habit, I could retire in the next 3 years, as opposed to never.


3. I think Parks and Recreation has gotten really funny.


4. Britney's "comeback" on GMA was embarrassing. I know I'm not one to talk bodies/athletic ability post pregnancy but I'm also not wearing a bustier trying to do ghetto dance moves (okay - maybe I am - but it's for Jarrod's eyes only) :)


5. I secretly want to go to Charlie Sheen's "Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option" show because I find him fascinatingly tragic.

Next post I promise pictures of Spence since I know that's the most interesting part of my life. Oh - and we hosted a big two-day dinner party for close to 30 ppl/night - last weekend. Pics to follow on that as well.

Scrapblogging

Prior to Spence's arrival, some friends from work convinced me to start "scrapping." So, off to Vicky Baker's I went. (For those not from Huntington - she appears to have a monopoly on "creative memories" scrapbooking supplies). Almost $300 later, I came home armed to scrap it up. Well...that was 4 years ago. Today, I have my equipment and 1 scrapbook made up of approximately 10 pages from our honeymoon.

While I continue to feel guilty for failing Spence at this very basic motherly task, I've instead decided to convince myself that this blog is his scrapbook. As such, I feel compelled to share the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We'll start with the good: Spence and I had a great weekend visiting the train museum with my friend Tara and her little boy, Parker. I think the boys could've spent all day running up and down the same train. We finished it off with milkshakes at Steak 'n Shake. My fav! We are also slowly starting to wear big boy underwear. And, they are so stinkin' cute! I think Spence only wants to waer them because they're Toy Story undies but I'm hoping the whole peepee/poo poo think eventually catches on.

One funny story on Spence's obsession with Toy Story: Yesterday, as I was dropping him off at daycare, he ran up to his best friend James and said "I have a Buzz Lightyear cup." James dropped his face, shook his head, and said "It's always something about Buzz." Apparently, the Buzz talk even exasperates James! :)

Now, on the ugly: I think everyone knows that I think Spence is the funniest, most tender hearted, cuddly, smart, and handsome little boy I have ever had. :) While all those traits are all true, he is also a stinker. We have hit the terrible 2's with force and have, for the past several weeks, had almost daily battles of the will. So he will one day remember what he put his mother through, below is a charming yet short video. I will make two observations:

1. This video started a solid 20 minutes into the ordeal and continued 5 more after. We had decided to ignore his deliberate attempts to goad us and, instead, continued to have a normal conversation.

2. The video fails to include these tidbits: "Stop looking at me mommy." "I'm not talking to you." "I dont' like you." "Sadie is stupid." (Thanks daycare!) and "I only want to talk to Buzz."

Bored Blogging

Bored blogging, like drunk dialing, should only be done in times of desperation. And apparently, I'm here. After googling everything I can think of, stalking every person I have ever met via facebook, and reviewing every photo taken of the Japanese earthquake disaster, I have reached the end of the internet and have, instead, turned to blogging.

Since I have no pictures of Spence to upload and his sickness has made us homebodies all weekend, I don't have any fun little updates on my P. In fact, he's been a beast. The 2's have come to us late but in full force.


Instead, I guess I'll have to talk about my living room. Boring?? NO! (Well, maybe just a little bit). After living with Value City furniture for the past 7 years (which I love by the way), I have decided to redecorate our living room. We found a designer (for free) at a cute, local furniture store and have started the process. Your thoughts/comments are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED and would be APPRECIATED (construtive criticism even more so)!

Truthfully, I ain't no Kim Wilson, so my taste is suspect at best. I prefer to point to pictures of things I like/don't like - rather than come up with original ideas. That being said, the plan to have a functional, slightly more adult living room with lots of seating for those friends we haven't made here and who don't visit. Sigh......

Here are the plans: Creamy/yellow neutral paint color; neutral rug (exciting so far, right), a large, leather ottomon/coffee table, and then colorful, fun furniture.


We're thinking two of these chairs (in this color) on one side of the room with my uncle's table (above) in between as an accent table. Then, a settee (much more comfy and not as ornate as the one below) in a khaki fabric base with all of the cushions in this fabric:


Finally, we plan on eventually getting a new sofa (smaller than our huge, broken one) in a neutral that's super comfy, slightly less formal (with still some structure). Oh, and two small ottomons in front of our fireplace in a cool fabric. Thoughts?

Spring, Studying, and Stuttering (say that fast three times....)

Well, we are anxiously awaiting spring at the Taylor household. Anytime it's been above 55 degrees, we've been outside setting up our backyard, playing in the park, or just running around the driveway in celebration. Spence has finally started to be able to play outside at "work" several days a week which means he's dirtier, tireder (I realize it's not a word but it should be), and happier.

Jarrod started studying for Level III of the CFA which means most bathtimes and bedtimes are now all me. All 3 of us can't wait until June 8th when he is hopefully done with tests forever (that's probably wishful thinking).

For Valentine's Day, Spence and I made cookies for his class. When they were cool, we wrapped them in a plastic bag before placing them on the counter and going to bed. When we came downstairs the next morning, the bag was there but the cookies were not. Instead, there was Sadie...looking guilty. Spence cried until we arrived at "work" to see that his "girlfriend" Mia had brought him an applesauce cup and a Buzz Lightyear Valentine. Finally, all was right in the world again.


Spence has been struggling with stuttering recently. It's extremely frustrating for him which, in turn, can turn into anger. I have to constantly sing the "Be Patient" song to myself as I watch him struggle and vent. I told his teacher's he must have been inspired by Colin Firth's performance in the Kings Speech but I'm not sure she got it.....

Jarrod's brother, Greg, came to visit us in February as well. We hadn't seen him in 2 years so that was a great visit. Spence was especially excited to see his uncle!


Kiki and Papa also came to visit while Jarrod and I went to New Orleans for Becca and Chris' wedding. We had a great time visiting with Suite 1101 and also seeing some friends from Vanderbilt that I haven't seen since my wedding. Spence had a great time with Kiki and Papa. Although I don't have pictures of their adventures, I'm sure you can find a play-by-play of the weekend on my dad's facebook. :)

Finally, our great friends Jessi, Bennett, and Hudson Cook came to visit. They stopped by on Thursday night on their way to another friend's house to say hi. In the 30 minutes they were here, Spence jumped, wrestled, giggled, and ate more than he had in the last 3 weeks combined. As they were leaving, Spence got sick (all over me). With no more incidents that night or the next day, the Cook's came and spent the weekend with us. We had a great weekend - going to The Magic House, playing in the park, riding in the Jeep, and having a girls night out. Unfortunately, it appears Spence was a stomach bug carrier as, word is, Hudbud got sick the whole way home.....


It's been an exciting February with lots of fun visitiors. We can't wait for more (hint, hint)! We love and miss you all. Love from the Lou.....

Clearly, My Last Post Was Premature...

Since I've moved to St. Louis, half the people I meet try to convince me that the weather this year is abnormal. This summer they said "this is unusually hot" and now they say "we haven't had this much snow in years." At this point, I think everyone from St. Louis are either liars or are in a conspiracy to defraud us new-arrivals on the harsh Midwest weather.


Needless to say, the weather has not improved. In fact, yesterday we received 5 inches of ice and 2 inches of snow. Granted, it doesn't compare to the 20 inches of snow other parts of Missouri got, but 5 inches of ice is not fun.


Now that I've gotten my frustration on our weather out of my system, on to Spence updates! Spence was horribly sick last week - double ear infections and croup. He had to take breathing treatments which he diligently did after the doctor convinced him he was really being a fireman.

Fortunately, Kiki and Nana arrived just in time to help out and make Spence well. They played, watched Buzz and Woody's Story (Toy Story), and visited the Butterfly House after Spence felt a little better. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures! Jarrod and I got a great date night on Friday thanks to the visitors. And, mom and I got an evening to ourselves as well. All in all, it was a great 5 days with them. I, especially, appreciated all the cleaning/laundry they did!

Kiki and Papa come again in two weeks to babysit while Jarrod and I go to New Orlean's for Becca's wedding. We're very excited because Jarrod has never been to New Orleans and I get to see all of my Vandy friends!

Hope everyone is staying warm. Love from Fargo (or at least, might as well be...)

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

Now that I've been assured people read my rantings, I guess I'll post something else! :) I now realize that St. Louis has 4 months of beautiful weather (2 in the fall, 2 in the spring) and everything else in between is misery. We had 10 inches of snow this week followed by a dash of ice and 4 degree temperatures. Spence's daycare closed for the 3rd time in 20 years but, fortunately, so did my office. Working from home proved difficult as, by the time my conference call ended, Sadie was covered in apple juice, Mr. Potato Head was missing both ears, and Spence had put on his 3D glasses and was giggling trying to walk up and down the stairs.


For Christmas, Jarrod wanted a new TV. A 3D one was ordered - and then, based on our better judgement, cancelled and replaced with a normal (2D) TV. It was then delivered - in the snow. To say it was a monstrosity was an understatement. I took a picture for Jarrod and after some negotiating that, too, was returned. We're now on our 3rd TV and it's about the only thing we've accomplished the past two weeks.




Spence has been sick and has only slept completely through the night once since we moved. I'm hoping it's just his adjusting and it'll soon go back to normal. He still loves to sing Christmas Carols (his favorite being Away in a Manger). Here was my attempt to film him - and it wasn't his best effort! :)

Kiki and Nana (my grandma) come to visit tomorrow. Spence is excited (as am I). However, no one try to call me tonight as I'll be frantically cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming Sadie's hair, and scrubbing my floor boards (okay, not really) in an effort not to be judged. The dang cleaning lady is avoiding my calls! Anyway, we miss everyone and would love visitors. We now have a guest room - which I think is quite charming - and plenty of room. Love to all!

I'm Not Sure Anyone But Me Reads These....

Although I mainly started this blog for my family (and close friends), I'm starting to think I'm the only one that reads them. Jarrod said he didn't know I had a blog and my mom and dad are consistently asking me "How do I get to that again?" At this point, I'm pretty confident this is like my own private journal. I actually thought about doing a FAKE post announcing a FAKE pregnancy...just to see if people listened but I realized that was troublesome and borderline psychotic.

Okay - back to actual happenings with the Taylor Trio. The past two weeks have been an adjustment. Spence is wearing us out with his constant whining and tantrums. Kiki + Papa = 1 long visit/year max or else Spence and I might have to separate ourselves. Between all the whining and fit-throwing, he does have his moments of pure sweetness. :) He loves "family hugs" and "family kisses" and tells us daily how much he loves us. He's been a daddy's boy the past few weeks - only wanting Jarrod for each and every thing. I think if I had a cooler car - he might like me better!

Jarrod and I booked a trip to Australia over Thanksgiving. We're going to visit his best friend and his wife in Sydney (plus a couple side trips). We're super excited and pleased that both tickets were booked with frequent flier miles!

Other than that...we're just unpacking (so boring). Oh - Jarrod did hook up the gas dryer himself this weekend and so far, no carbon monoxide poisoning to report. I saw that's an accomplishment!

Love to all who read....or maybe to just me.... ;)