Isaac's Lyrics

One day while Isaac was cruising around with Grandpa John, Bill Haley and the Comets' See you later alligator came on the radio... they sang and danced and had a great time. Since then, Isaac has been singing:
See you later alligator
After 'while crocodile
See you later alligator
After 'while crocodile
Can't you see you're not my wiener

I kept telling him, Isaac those are not the words to that song. He was pretty insistent that they were and we had to set boundaries on where and when he could sing it. So, after several months, I finally went and found the lyrics and here they are:

See you later alligator
After 'while crocodile
See you later alligator
After 'while crocodile
Can't you see you're in my way now

He was close!

It's Officially Official...

The Miss is crawling - full speed ahead. Be sure to watch the video... just two days ago she started crawling at Gram Gram's house, although I wouldn't have called it crawling at that point compared to what she does now! Yesterday I told my mom that she gets frustrated because she will crawl over to the couch and sit herself up and wind up several (too many) inches away from the couch and is then unable to pull herself up to standing. Guess what she figured out how to do today? I am absolutely amazed at how fast this all happened! I don't think that Isaac is going to handle this too well, and we are almost positive that we will find legos in her poo... It will be an adjustment for all of us, that's for sure :o)

It's time for change

What an amazing experience today, to watch the Presidential Inauguration. What an inspiration for change. To think that just a few decades ago, this was not possible. This gives us, as a nation, great hope. As individuals, we can see the potential in all of us. This is the time to contribute to change. Change your life, change your attitude, change your socks. Whatever you do, make a change. Today.
"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction" - Winston Churchill

Let's get real...

Since the beginning of this blog, I have resorted to using the 'best of the best' pictures that I have taken of us as individuals, as well as a family. It's quite easy to do, actually. To portray to everyone that we are perfect, a happy little family that doesn't have worries or troubles or heartache. Pictures can be deceiving. I can't tell you how many times I have had somebody ask me to take my picture with someone who I have no business standing next to, let alone smiling. But, I do it to save face, and to not disappoint the 'picture taker'. Deceiving I tell you, because I could post some of those pictures and you would never guess that moments after those pictures, I spend the entire car ride home bawling my eyes out just to relieve the stress from the day...
In this New Year, I have decided that I am going to start being more honest, more brave, less restricted. I am making a choice to speak cautiously... to not say something about someone that I would be ashamed about if that person overheard. I will be more aware of my family and its best interests and make personal choices that benefit and encourage personal happiness. Call it selfish, which it is by all means, but I am done doing things to please other people and pacify situations. It has put our marriage at great risk. Even typing this now, I am questioning myself, but I will hit that 'publish post' button down there (after some editing)! Wouldn't you just love to know what I have deleted so far?!
Alas, I must step down from my soap box as it's way past my bedtime, but rest assured that this will not become my stomping ground for bitching and complaining! However, you may find that I will be more honest and forthcoming about my days and moments. I hope that it makes you laugh, makes you cry, and also let you know that you're not alone... but really, it's mostly for my benefit ;o)

The most adorable husband in the world

Oh Miss Irelynn - these were the gassy tummy days. Now she just cries when I leave the room...

I think my husband gets this look a lot (which explains his look above)

Isaac after a rough day, or moment, this kid can cry at the drop of a hat (the apple didn't fall far from the tree here)

The gDiaper... round 2

Finally after many months of paying way too much for Pampers, we decided to drop a load of money all at once on the gDiaper... again! I am inspired by the gDiaper. I love that they are versatile and eco-friendly, cute and trim, user-friendly and cost-efficient! We are using cloth diapers for catching the pee and poo instead of the flushables they were designed for. I have painstakingly sewed all of our pre-folds into an adorable contour shape so that they will be less bulky between the legs. Miss Irelynn may be petite, but she definitely has some thighs! So, every little bit helps. I don't think that I took a picture of her modeling them before, but I did get one last night... barely!

Here are pictures of Isaac and Irelynn each at 9 months - look at all of the differences! Isaac weighed 26 lbs 4 oz and Irelynn weighs 20 lbs even! One thing they have in common is their 6 teeth!

If you can't take the beating...

Stay out of the MOSH PIT!
Lesson learned.
Okay, so I really technically was NOT in the mosh pit, but I was dangerously close to it... unfortunately. I really like the band Clutch. It just so happens that they are the only band that Rob and I mutually enjoyed when we met. We have seen them together about 3 or 4 times now. A couple of times ago, I actually participated wholeheartedly (although it may have been Bud-Light induced) in the mosh pit and had a blast. This time, that was NOT my intention...
Imagine this: Rob and I minding our own business standing towards the front of the stage, but to the right of the center of the stage where most of the 'moshing' takes place, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Clutch. Me jumping up and down yelling like a banshee as Neil takes the stage and Rob observing sweetly! Ahhh, the moshing begins to the left of us and we agree that if it gets too crazy, we will take a step back. I say, "how crazy is too crazy?" Rob says, "we'll see"... dun dun dun...
The people to the left and right of me start pushing and getting crazy-stupid and I turn around to Rob and yell, "let's get out of here!!" No sooner than I turn around, do I feel some dude's hand connecting with my face! I am so freaking out at this point because several thoughts are running through my brain...
1. Ouch- seriously, some dude just hit me in the face
2. Rob's going to beat the $hit out of this guy
3. We're going to get thrown out of here,
and finally
4. Why is this stupid girl pushing me deeper into the mosh pit?!
The only thing I could do is fight my way back towards Rob as several bodies are forcing me in the other direction. I am screaming at them to let me go so that I could get back to my husband. Tears are streaming down my face because of the pain and because I have never been so scared in my life!
So, stupid girl (even if I knew her name, I would still dub her stupid girl) continues to push me into the crowd and my fight or flight instinct kicks and I totally deck her in the face. It was one of those moments when you are so angry and you want to hit something so hard, but when you do it, your arm feels like it's surrounded by water... so yeah, I don't think I injured her. Although, I will admit that I wanted to! Meanwhile, all I can see is Rob with his arms snaked around some dude's neck and all I can think is "Holy $hit"! It was a chaotic twisting of limbs and yelling and beautiful music in the distance...
Rob and I finally re-connected when stupid girl let me go and then the 'security guards' tried to escort us out. We protested and explained what happened and they found some dude and successfully escorted him out of the concert and then let us go upstairs to sit down and enjoy the show.
And what a show it was - they rock my world...
I would do it all over again just to hear them perform... but I did ask Rob if he could invite them over to play a private show just for us so that we wouldn't have to deal with stupid girl and some dude! He said he would see what he could do ;o)
On a related, but different note, doesn't Rob look like Neil? Oh, be sure to check back as I will post the picture of my itty-bitty shiner soon :o)