My panic button has been pushed. Grandma and Grandpa leave for Florida tomorrow. They're the best babysitters on the face of the earth, I just love them. Oh, and Brendan kinda likes them too. What on earth am I going to do for the next 3 months. I'll never find a sitter that will love him like this.

Look What I Got!

Sorry all, I grabbed the last one.

Last Christmas...


This Christmas...

I think I'll enjoy this Christmas much more.

Arrgg! and *#%$*&#$*!

And you thought I was done posting for the year....ha!

Whatever happened to people with manners? If I get the door slammed in my face one more time as I walk behind someone who refuses to hold it for an extra second so that I can get the stroller through, I just might lose it! Not to mention the ladies who race through the aisles with their carts, practically running over my heels because I am not moving fast enough for them- oh so many words that I don't dare put in this because my children might be bored enough to read this someday. Atleast I take the time to swerve out their way so that they can get around me, but how dare me to expect a "thanks!" out of it, naturally! Even before I had a baby, I was aware of women pushing strollers and would go out of my way to hold the door for them, slow down for them in parking lots, squeeze around them in the aisles, let them go first if she had less items than me and a screaming child....I swear! I was courteous like that! Why can't I find the same? I am not expecting special treatment, just a dash of common courtesy. Do you think I enjoy pushing my 19lb child through cram-packed stores 4 days before Christmas? Do you think I'm getting my jollies out of such a dreadful experience? Do you think I love to hope and pray that his nap lasts just 10 minutes longer, or just long enough to get us through the line that has 50 people who are all returning crap? Not so much.

Just makes me think of the woman at the pediatrician's this week who was complaining about having a toddler and twins, all under the age of 4. I felt somewhat awful for her until she mentioned that her "nanny only works from 8-6 and the rest of the time she and the husband are on their own!" *gasp* How does she survive? You know, while I'm at it, something else that's been bugging me. My cousin got married in June. We sent her a very nice cashmere throw blanket and never got a thank you note. Being worried that she didn't receive it, I asked my grandmother to inquire. "I asked her, she says they received it right before the wedding." Oh, okay- thanks! Was just curious to see if she indeed received the darn thing! It's those little things that really get the blood boiling. Not to mention her little brother graduated this year and we sent him money for that...think we got a thank you card from that little turd? Well heck no! Why would expect such a thing? Guess they don't make thank you notes in Idaho. Stupid, rude, thoughtless people. Happy fricken holidays.

Things are starting to get a little crazy around here now, so this will probably be my last post until after Christmas. 2007 was the best of years thanks to a little guy we love to call "B-Lo." He's brought out the best (and sometimes worst- lets be honest!) in both of us, but we're eating him up daily since he is the most delicious baby in the world. No, I am not prejudiced at all. To all of my blog buddies, I would just like to thank you for all of your support and kind wishes as we started this new journey into parenthood. We still miss Spike dearly, but think of him often and will always keep him in our hearts. Thank you for feeling our pain and for helping me get through such a bittersweet time. I wish you the very best of holidays and a safe, happy, and healthy New Year. Merry Christmas, from our family to yours.

Thanks Grandma Shelley!

I just love my Mom. We laugh at things that other people just don't understand, which is why I just know she'll appreciate this post. She sent him the cutest pair of pj's, accompanied by the talking teddy bear featured below. It reads the entire version of "Twas the night before Christmas." I love it and have been playing it for Brendan since it arrived. Well, this is what he thinks of the poor bear by now, thanks to Mommy.

Ohhh look, it's reading again!


Okay, I might be getting a little annoyed now...


Okay, you can scram now.


Love it. Thanks Mom! *jajajajajajajajajaja*

Santa Came Early...

and delivered this amazing gift.

6 Months Old

and already making a mess in his room. Oh well, somehow I think it's worth it.



My little brother Randy gave me that teddy bear before I moved away from home, 11 years ago. My two favorite possessions, side by side.




Oops, is that a Seattle Mariners bib?

That's How I Roll.

After weeks of "is he rolling over yet?" and "I'll bet he's rolling over now, right?" I am proud to finally announce that my little man can indeed, roll. He went from his back to his belly, twice in a row today. I was so excited that I almost gave him a heart attack at the ripe age of 6 months, but it was so great. The hubby even got a phone call at work. *gasp* But I just couldn't wait to tell him. What a wonderful early Christmas gift. Thank God for cameras.

Tis the Season...

to be jolly. How can I not be with this little bundle?

Good Morning Idaho!

I am proud to announce (for those of you who missed it) that Good Morning America was in my neck of the woods yesterday. They were broadcasting right out of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho to show the world's tallest Christmas tree! At the risk of sounding like a corny teenager, it was super cool dude. My friend Kelli and her daughter Danielle woke up at 3:30 a.m. just to join in on all the hype and were lucky enough to chat with the infamous, and very handsome I might add, Sam Champion. Isn't that neat-o? It's just not that often I wake up and watch Diane Sawyer say,"And live from the great Northwest...." The great Northwest indeed, Diane. I was so jealous to see the snow in the background too- and no, it wasn't planted to make everything just "look" festive, as it had snowed the day before. Those lucky bastards. We'll probably get our first beautiful accumulation the day after St. Patrick's Day, when everyone is dead sick of winter.

Anyway, my lovely Idahoans couldn't of make me more proud with their frozen smiling faces and ear muffs galore. Brendan was sitting on my lap as we watched. "That's where your Mommy was born and raised..." Hopefully when he's older, he'll appreciate my corner of the world as much as I do.

Thanks GMA, for making me remember what a fantastic place I am lucky enough to call home. Merry Christmas Idaho.

Yay! Love that Charlie Brown!

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Gearing Up For Christmas!

Thought we'd start off the holiday season with a photoshoot. Just another excuse to take adorable pictures of my boy.

All Is Right In The World

...for now anyway. I bit the bullet and called my Dad today to let him know I was thinking of him on his birthday. I figured what the hell, what do I have to lose. Low and behold, wicked stepmother actually picked up the phone and let Papa Bear talk! It was amazing! I was so excited, I felt like I was talking to the Pope. We picked up right where we left off and shot the sh*t for atleast 15 minutes. I wish he truly knew what our simple conversation meant to me, and how I hope for more calls like that in the future. I am still grinning from ear to ear. It sure doesn't take much to make me happy. Maybe next time the wicked witch won't be breathing down his neck and we can actually talk about the good stuff...like why on earth is he sticking around for her? Anyway...I'm happy.

Thanks Dad. You made my Thanksgiving just that much more special.

Happy Birthday Dad

Even though we're going through a rough patch, you and I, I'd like to wish you a very happy birthday. You're still the best Dad I could ever ask for and you deserve the very best, today and always.

I love you.

Just another wonderful reason to enjoy Fall....

To Be a Kid Again

Does anyone remember Fraggle Rock? When I was little, that was my favorite show. I hadn't thought about it in years and years, until this morning. Someone randomly mentioned it on the Disney Channel. All of the sudden I was back in our big blue house on Mill Road, in our living room with all the brown shaggy carpet. I remember sitting in front of our huge TV- you know, the ones that came with a cabinet built around it, on my knees, watching Fraggle Rock with my brother Shawn. He'd be lying on his stomach with his face propped up in his hands. What a nice, warm memory. It's funny how one single show from ancient times can really take you back to the ol' childhood.

Thanks Disney Channel, you made my day.

Happy 5 Months Old!

I see it's been over a week since my last post. Just goes to show that my little guy is getting bigger by the day, and keeping me busier than ever! We can't complain though. He's becoming quite the little man and keeps us laughing all the time. What did we ever do before this?

Brendan's First Halloween

Okay, so we didn't spend a fortune on his first Halloween by putting him in a fancy-shmancy costume. I was lucky enough that my MIL's friend dropped off the t-shirt and hat, or he wouldn't of looked this festive at all. I just didn't see the point in going all out since we didn't have any big plans anyway, especially with the hubby being out of town this week. The pharmacy was kind enough to take a free photo of us which I thought was great, although it looks as though I've got something written on my face. (Brendan's hair I believe.) Anyway, we had a good time. We went to Grandma and Grandpa's house and helped them hand out candy, then dodged all the trick-or-treaters when we got home. I wasn't planning on being home so early and by golly, they must've been 50 kids walking down the street when I pulled into the driveway. "Trick or Treat!" "Oh sorry guys, I don't have any candy to hand out, we weren't supposed to be here this evening..." "Awwww man!!" I spent the rest of the evening stumbling around in the dark so that I could fool everyone into thinking we weren't home. I didn't want to be the mean ol' hag with no candy. I'm lucky our house didn't get egged.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween.