The Nemesis

You know those days when you just feel like you could spend all day cleaning and still have more to do? I had one of those days yesterday. I wouldn’t say I’m as picky about having a clean house as I used to be, but I still like to do several mandatory chores daily (sweeping, cleaning at the end of the day, dishes) and the bigger one’s weekly (changing sheets, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming). It keeps me sane. A clean home is a clean mind and I believe it’s crucial to keep those habits in order to stay somewhat civilized. Let’s face it though, when raising a toddler, a male toddler in particular, you just kinda…let more go.

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This carefully prepared teething popsicle ended up being smeared on both couches, my cream colored curtains, and two walls before it ended its sad life in a puddle on the bathroom floor. That all took less than five minutes.

It’s okay though, I’ve made peace with it. The house is kinda a constant mess (at least SOMEWHERE) and that’s okay. Houses are meant to be lived in. I think the chore I’ve let slide more than others is vacuuming. I still pick up the floor each night (and try and train Caidoc to help), but vacuuming seems to have taken more of a back seat. Maybe because of how Caidoc views The Vacuum.

Ever since he was born, Caidoc has, well, hated the vacuum. I’m pretty sure there was a time when I would just stand outside with Caidoc while Chris vacuumed (all 1000 sq. feet of our apartment, so it’s not like it takes long) or else the miserable child would scream his head off. We don’t have a particularly loud vacuum, so we couldn’t really figure out why he did that. It ended up being chalked up to a “phase”. Little did we know.

As the year progressed and Caidoc became more mobile, the mere sight of the vacuum would send him into hysteria. Being the first time parent that I am, I would quickly put the vacuum away, and just deal with living in filth rather than upset my child. Talk about “phases” eh? Well, I quickly grew tired of this. I would resort to putting Caidoc is a sling, a backpack, or holding him and vacuuming with one hand, anything, anything to just quickly get through the process, all the while reassuring him that everything was fine. I’m not sure why feels lie the vacuum is his enemy, it’s not like I’ve ever vacuumed up a toy, or pretended to vacuum him up, he just seems to hate it.

Well, time went on and Caidoc started walking. This changed everything. With walking came confidence, and with that confidence came the will to fight back. There was no more screaming or crying when the vacuum was pulled out, but a careful evaluation on what tactic’s to unfold.

Caidoc’s first tactic was to offer a blood sacrifice. As I started in the living room, he would hurriedly totter to his room and grab which ever stuffed animal was the most prized that week (usually, his white chicken). Grasping it tightly, he would boldly run back into the living room and throw it in front of the vacuum, hollering as he did so. If the vacuum failed to stop, he would repeat this process till about ten or so stuffed animals were scattered on the floor, making vacuuming impossible. The blood sacrifice worked for a few weeks. Then I moved the stuffed animals to a place where Caidoc couldn’t reach them. But my smart baby was not to be out done.

His second tactic came a month or two later, when the power source of the vacuum was discovered. I would start in the living room as usual, plug in the vacuum and clean away, once I disappeared around the hall, the vacuum would suddenly stop. I would go back into the living room to find Caidoc crouching by the outlet, gripping the cord tightly. Once he saw me, he would drop it and run away, I would plug it back in, and this process would continue until the house was vacuumed (yeah, I would just let him do it, it was easier than putting up with the wailing that occurred if I tried to stop him.) I told myself he was clearly just concerned with defending the house and me from this evil nemesis.

I knew Caidoc’s hatred of the vacuum was no mere phase when he employed tactic number three. One day, as I got out the vacuum to try and get a few swipes in before Caidoc found the plug, I noticed Caidoc was standing closer to his nemesis than he ever had before. Curious to see what would happen, I plugged in the vacuum and turned it on. Caidoc went from standing, to sitting. Right in front of the vacuum. I couldn’t help but admire his bravery. This was no joke, he was serious, he was willing to die for his cause. I tried to maneuver around him, but he would quickly stand up, and plant himself in the vacuum’s path. His plan worked, and I just decided to stop. Recognizing his victory, Caidoc shrieked gleefully and ran to go unplug The Nemesis.

Obviously, I wasn’t going to stop vacuuming forever, and I eventually took out the vacuum again (it had only been about three weeks, what can I say, old habits die hard). As I gingerly opened the closet door and waited to hear the little feet scamper up. There was none. I went to go see what could possibly preoccupy Caidoc over his nemesis. As I wheeled the vacuum into the living room, I saw Caidoc lounging on “his” couch reading from his pile of books. He looked up and…nothing. I plugged in the vacuum and turned it on and…nothing. He wasn’t phased in the slightest.

His typical reading stance
His typical reading stance

I can’t help but feel that there is a lesson there…

 

Family Reunions Summer 2013

Here is a quick look at our last weekend where we spent time with both the Blacks and Peterson sides of the family (my dad’s family and my mom’s family). It was a wonderful time and Caidoc especially loved all the attention lavished on him (oh, first borns 🙂 ).

Caidoc is all ready to experience the market
Caidoc is all ready to experience the market, he’s not skeptical, it’s just sunny 🙂

 

Cruising away!
Cruising away!

Super cool wooden puzzle toys (Grandpa spoiled Caidoc and got him an adorable mommy/baby elephant)

 

Super cool wooden puzzle toys (Grandpa spoiled Caidoc and got him an adorable mommy/baby elephant)
Super cool wooden puzzle toys (Grandpa spoiled Caidoc and got him an adorable mommy/baby elephant) you can see it in the middle shelf, SO cute!
I decided my brother Elliott needs this
I decided my brother Elliott needs this
Whew! So much walking mom! I need to relax and put my feet up!
Whew! So much walking mom! I need to relax and put my feet up!
"I'm a cool dude"
“I’m a cool dude”
Me and my baby
Me and my baby. He’s reaching for the camera which, whenever he sees, he decides is his. Unfortunately, this usually ruins most pictures.
The view from my grandparents house. It was magical to be able to take my son to the place where I vacationed as a child, and the place I have such fond memories.
The view from my grandparents house. It was magical to be able to take my son to the place where I vacationed as a child, and the place I have such fond memories.
On Saturday we headed to Enitiat to see some of the dad's side of the family. Caidoc enjoyed playing with lots and LOTS of cousins
On Saturday we headed to Enitiat to see some of the dad’s side of the family. Caidoc enjoyed playing with lots and LOTS of cousins
More spoiling by cousin Stacey. She is actually my second cousin so I have no idea her relation to Caidoc. We just default and call them all "cousins" :)
More spoiling by cousin Stacey. She is actually my second cousin so I have no idea her relation to Caidoc. We just default and call them all “cousins” 🙂
Determined to dump out the pool
Determined to dump out the pool
He's so handsome
He’s so handsome
Lovey
Lovey
Playing at grandpa and grandma, he LOVED it there
Playing at grandpa and grandma, he LOVED it there
He looks so holy here, with the light shining on him :)
He looks so holy here, with the light shining on him 🙂
"but I don't WANT to snuggle mom!"
“but I don’t WANT to snuggle mom!”
Caidoc and great grandpa playing with the Fisher Price toys my mother played with as a child, so special! Also, my grandpa is pretty cool, check out those suspenders!
Caidoc and great grandpa playing with the Fisher Price toys my mother played with as a child, so special! Also, my grandpa is pretty cool, check out those suspenders!

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Caidoc LOVED playing with his great grandma, I remember doing the same thing as a kid
Caidoc LOVED playing with his great grandma, I remember doing the same thing as a kid

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HAPPY BOY!
HAPPY BOY!

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We were also able to go see my Uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy and cousins Cass and Tori, Caidoc got even MORE spoiled there and was able to spend some time with some epic stuffed animals and play in the pool!
We were also able to go see my Uncle Mark and Aunt Kathy and cousins Cass and Tori, Caidoc got even MORE spoiled there and was able to spend some time with some epic stuffed animals and play in the pool!
He's in love!
He’s in love!

 

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After all that fun, the weekend was over and we headed home. Husband was our dutiful driver
After all that fun, the weekend was over and we headed home. Husband was our dutiful driver
And Caidoc passed out for the trip, thanks little man!
And Caidoc passed out for the trip, thanks little man!

We had such an amazing time with family, we look forward to next year! Love you all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Felt Board!

The felt board is finally up! It’s about time! These pieces were pretty labor intensive, but it’s finally up and I am really pleased with it.

The pigs
The barn, complete with hay bale
all of the animals finished and ready for the board!

the chickens, Caidoc’s favorite 🙂
Showing Caidoc (who just woke up) the fancy felt board! He was underwhelmed at first…
The finished product! I’ve also added some shapes, which is more his speed right now than the animals, although his FAVORITE by far is the sun …not sure why.

 

The only thing left is to make cute containers for all the different scenes I plan on making.  I think I’m gonna do that with the wipes containers we get with all our diapers and wipes each month. Easy peasy!

I’ve been really busy setting up my Etsy shop, redoing a lot of our finances and planning for all our summer trips coming up so pardon the sporadic posting 🙂

I’ve got to be the worst blogger…

…Seriously, I take forever to put up new posts. Of course, I have a plethora of excuses, all of which involve the classic  “exhausted”, “rather spend time with husband”, “my child is a crazy person and doesn’t understand how to entertain himself”, and above all, “we-don’t-have-cable-and-I-refuse-to put-my-kid-in-front-of-a-screen-(not that he would sit still anyways)-and-he-HATES-it-when-I am-on-the-computer-so-I-have to-wait-till-he’s-sleeping-but-then-I-want-to-sleep-too..”, so yeah.

But, I promise a post is coming soon.

Caidoc’s First Zoo Experience

Lil’ Brownie had his first zoo trip! He loved it, even though he was feeling sicky (so my awesome husband carried him most of the time, thanks hubs!). Caidoc’s favorite, by FAR, were the elephants. He loves elephants. Since we went so early in the morning, we got to see one being cleaned! Lots of animals were out, which made it very worthwhile. I’m only posting a few pictures here, feel free to head over to my Facebook page if you want to see more.

My handsome men!
Watching the elephant get scrubbed
“Do you see that dad?! It’s a real elephant!”
“Look mom!”
Lovin’ it!
Happy family…except the distracted skeptical Caidoc

And that’s all! I’m officially in “Husband Appreciation Week” aka, Chris is out of town. Wish me luck!

 

Self Pity Crafts

Our forth of July was spent much like our last forth of July; home, with a miserably sick baby. It seems like Brownie Pie has had more than his fair share of ailments for a one year old. Husband and I were extremely disappointed to not get a vacation, we even had Friday off which had to be requested months in advance. Instead, Husband went into work and I kept our little man at home trying to summon the patience a fever ridden baby requires. I’ve decided hand-foot-mouth is probably one of the WORST things a baby can catch; they won’t eat, drink, swallow, sleep, and have no idea why they are in such agony. If you’re curious, this is hand-foot-mouth, in a nutshell. The mouth sores are what make it in the worst I think. Husband said a guy from work knew an adult to who had it, and they described it as “excruciating”. I feel horrible for our little man (yes, he still has it, we are waiting from improvements).

To not feel so bad for myself and to keep myself from whining, I decided to head over to my friend’s blog and find some crafts to distract myself while Lil’ Man slept. It worked well! Thanks Brooke! I don’t think my creations were quite as nice as her’s are, but then again, she is a crafting guru, and I, sadly, am in my guppy stage.

From Brooke’s “Spunky Spoons” post!

Brownie has been screaming himself hoarse this week. I think his usual impatience is amplified by being sick, he’s not a passive sick baby, that’s for sure. One craft was not going to do it. I needed more distraction from my self pity fest. I made these with little wine bottles, I’m going to use them for portable salad dressing/sauce containers. One girly one, one manly one 🙂 The manly one is actually made with duct tape (is there anything more manly?!) and then sealed with Modge Podge.

So cute! Also, it’s handy because you have to drink the wine first…
I guess it’s not THAT manly since it has a pink top. Guess I’ll have to go find some more to drink, I mean, make…

Did I mention that Chris is going on a week long work trip on Monday? So I will be alone with my poor sicky baby (who has a surgery consult this week as well)? That’s also why we were really looking forward to getting away…oh well. Obviously two crafts were not going to cut it, but I needed something quick and easy because Caidoc has a super short patience level with me doing anything other than hold him. So, I resorted to duct tape again. I decided to dress up Brownie’s trash can in his room. He has a great green monkey theme going on:

Diaper changer
Block Bin and new fancy garbage can!

This is how I made it:

Easy, eh?

Now it’s so “on theme” 🙂

His cute rug
Yay! Now I feel like I did something this weekend!

Annnnd, that’s all I have time for folks. Later!

 

Thrifty Nifty

Today’s post is is brought to you by these thrifty parents right here!

Notice our judgey lil man

Lately, Husband and I have been on a  bigger-than-usual thrift kick.  We’ve been selling stuff we have just lying around that we never use, eating better and cheaper, and saving, saving, saving! We take so much joy out of getting rid of things we think we “need” and being able to put more money away, especially for our little man’s education trust and our retirement accounts.

Here are some of the ways we’ve been particularly thrifty and have fun at the same time!

Husband’s Finds

We buy our Huggies wipes and diapers from Costco. Bulk, baby! Well, on each package inside are these little tags with codes on them, if you go to the Huggies website you can enter each code and earn points. With those points you can get toys or baby gear. It’s a tedious process and takes time but my awesome Husband has been putting them in and gathering them diligently. And here is what he earned for our little man, free of charge!

An adorable tool box, with hammer, wrench, and screw driver, and lots of screws and nails! Eco friendly wood too 🙂
And this super cute froggy bubble holder, complete with three wands, bubbles, and a handy handle!

I’m so proud of Husband! Our little man loves these treasures too 🙂

 

My Finds

I don’t have any pictures of my finds, well, because they are not finished yet. I am making our little man a felt board! I got a bunch of felt on sale and am able to make everything else I need from supplies I already had, so this whole big board will be only about four dollars! I am so excited about it. It is going to be a farm scene. So far, I have the pigs, cows, chickens, a barn, sun and clouds all cut out and waiting to be glued together. I am being held back by needing a a hot glue gun (which I will borrow), so till then, no pictures! Felt boards have a fond place in my heart since I grew up with one that my mom loving made, I hope my little man likes his too.

So, that’s all for now! I’m really sad about he lack of pictures I have since our camera has been missing for some time (the pictures above are from my iPod Touch, another present Husband won! He’s so enterprising!). We suspect our little Brownie has run off with our camera, but it’s been missing so long that we think it is long gone 🙁 we are in the market for a new one. But still, I am really bummed since we’ve not had our last one long, and it was a birthday present from Husband. Oh well! Letting go of material things one baby at a time I guess 🙂

 

Father’s Day

Sunday was husband’s second Father’s Day. I totally slacked on the celebration and I feel like a shmuck for it. Normally we do breakfast in bed for occasions like Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and birthdays and I didn’t do that. Chris woke up and played with Caidoc and I…slept. I know. I am a lazy loser! BUT, I did make him a yummy dinner the night before (I know, its no excuse…). We had bacon wrapped asparagus and a de-lish strawberry salad with balsamic vinegar dressing.

Bacon wrapped asparagus drizzled with a caramelized onion sauce

It was yummy.

Sunday was really fun though, and Chris got some gifts that he needed, because I am unfailingly practical. He was very kind and claimed he was pleased, but let’s be honest…I got him socks and underwear (to defend myself that is what he asked for, but still I couldn’t make it a little more exciting?!). So, I really slacked this Father’s Day but I swear I’m gonna pick it up next year (if you are reading this hubs, you can totally hold me to it!).

Can I just say what an amazing father Chris is though? You really have no idea. I can’t even explain his patience, love, and just all around AMAZINGNESS that he shows every day. I’ve never seen him lose his temper or get angry. He is always trying to teach Caidoc new things and interact with him and do what is absolutely best for Caidoc no matter how exhausted he might be from work. I’ve never seen or heard of a father who does as much as he does. For crying out loud, he just spent the past hour wading through our neighborhood dumpster looking for the three shoes Caidoc threw into the diaper pail. Did I mention he OFFERED to do so on his own volition? So yeah, Chris was literally wading through poop for his son (and for me since I almost killed Caidoc once I discovered where the shoes might be).

Caidoc and I, we are pretty freakin’ lucky.

 

 

 

The End of "The Chase"

I’m sitting on my, well, our bed eating my lemon sorbet, which is one of my favorite treats EVER and it always put me in a good mood. Tonight, the sorbet just adds to the good mood I’ve had all week. One thing makes the top of the list though…

My dearest friend Emily got engaged recently! I couldn’t be happier for her or more thrilled. What’s better than two people in love? Those two people getting married of course! Because, let’s face it, a celebration of love is quite possibly the most wonderful kind of celebration there is. I’ve known Emily a long time and she is my very best friend, which I think made hearing the news all that more exciting. This is the girl I spent many a hour with talking about boys and weddings and love while eating frosting in our dark dorm room in the middle of the night. That’s how all deep conversations happen don’t ya know 😉

So, the chase is over guys! Sorry! She’s one fabulously TAKEN woman! YAY!

We are pretty fabulous (this picture is older than I care admit)

My lemon sorbet is melting quickly, so I’ll finish the point I meant to make by this post.

Emily’s awesome news got me thinking back to when I got engaged, and what that meant for me.

Relationships always have a degree of superficiality to them. Come on, admit it, you are not totally, completely one hundred percent yourself around anyone. Some little part of you is always acting a little differently, a little not quite you all the time. This espcially applies during “The Chase” when a guy is after a girl and the dating commences. When you’re dating someone you are almost ALWAYS putting on a show of some sort. You’re either always wearing makeup, or always put on deodorant, or always sitting up straighter or laughing a certain way, something is always not quite genuine. I’m not saying that’s bad! It’s nature! You act that way because there is some tiny part of uncertainty, some tiny part of you that knows that that relationship could end unless you play the charade. I’ve felt that way many times.

But that changed when I got engaged, specifically, the exact moment when Chris got down on one knee and I suddenly was struck to the bone with an intense feeling I’d never felt before.

Peace. I’ve always had a turbulent dating life, but that wasn’t what made this feeling happen. It was in that moment that I had an opportunity to have a relationship that meant no end. I was being offered a opportunity to willing decide that none of the charade mattered between us, and that he would love me even if I wasn’t wearing make up or if I spent too much money, or if I snorted when I laughed, or if I gained ten pounds.

That’s what getting engaged meant to me. It meant no uncertainty. It meant permanence, and in that, peace.

 

 

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