Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I hope everyone had a great day!

It's hard to believe that just one year ago, THIS was my little man on St. Patty's Day... and this is him today...



He is changing so fast it's making my head spin... wait, no... that's the tantrums. Oh yeah... loving the precursor to the terrible 2's. And why, oh why does he start the tantrums at the same time he doesn't want to give me as many kisses? God, could you do something about that? Either less kisses and less tantrum or more tantrum and more kisses... I am ok with either. Thank you.

Anywho, I am not getting off topic. Back to St. Patrick's Day!

We... well 'Master Chase'... received a gift in the mail from Little Man.



Upon careful study, Chase decided to start unwrapping from one particular corner.



And that would be the corner he unwrapped from, no matter if it took all day. I think he gets that intensity and focus from his daddy. You wouldn't know it by the fun exterior Adam has but when he gets focused... there is precious little that can distract him.



He finally freed the corner of the pesky paper and set about unwrapping the rest!



So it's about here that I had to stop taking pictures and help him the rest of the way into the box. I suck at juggling a 17 month old, a present and a DSLR.

Apparently a leprechaun left lots of magic play dough at Little Mans house and he wanted to share... legend has it that whatever shape you make during the day comes to life after you go to sleep. Mommy will be having nightmares of the squishy blob that we made today!

Also, there was some clover powder.... which when mixed with water and cooled turns into a delicious treat. I happen to know when it's mixed with vodka and cooled, it also turns into a delicious treat... but maybe not so much for anyone under the age of 21 ;~)

Of course we immediately had to get our hands dirty! Shirt off and in the high chair!



Not so sure about this stuff just yet...



It wasn't too long before he started getting more comfortable...



Then came the actual enjoyment and fun of play dough. We kneaded it, made a ball or 2, pressed our fingers in it and made hand prints!

Inevitably the irresistible urge to eat the play dough was too strong... and when I took it away, this happened...



So we compromised... I plugged the hole and he didn't try to eat it anymore.



Good times! Eventually it was more fun to throw it and watch me retrieve it so we put it away for next time.

Thanks Aunt C and LM! We loved our St. Patty's Day present ;~)

Celebrating Anna Stuart's Frist Birthday!

Adam and I made the trek to Crofton to celebrate Anna's birthday this past Saturday. I think this is the first time I have been back since we left 7 months ago... very weird. It was so familiar yet so much is changing. I think I expected life to stand still since I wasn't there... self centered I know... get your own blog and complain about me.


The top picture is from Jul 08 and the bottom one is the reunion! How much they have both changed in 7 short months. Anna is so interactive and has so much personality shining through... it was really great to experience that first hand.




The boys rocking their party hats!


Chase missed the 'boys' picture so he ended up surrounded by beautiful women... not a bad deal.


I think she liked the cake!


After a nice relaxing bath! What a gorgeous family!


Anna and Chase sharing a moment over the green circle... how sweet. Chase definitely misses his BFF!


Anna ran over to me and jumped into my lap giving me a big ole hug... I could have melted! She is such a sweetie!


And of course, I missed my man Scout.... and by the looks of it, he missed me!

After a long day of traveling and partying...

Chase had enough.

Happy Birthday again sweet Anna!

It has been done... the first haircut!

We didn't actually plan to get Chase's haircut today... it just kind of happened. We were on our way home from Walmart and stopped at Starbucks for coffee. We casually started talking about needing to trim his hair... at least in the front... it was always in his eyes . While we were in line Adam got on the internet to look for kid hair salons in the area... we didn't find anything but I saw a Hair Cuttery in the distance. Hmmm, I bet they cut kids hair. We go over and are getting out of the car when we discover that Chase soaked through his diaper and a good portion of his pants. Good thing I packed an extra pair of pants! I will take this time to say a diaper bag with no diapers... just a useless bag ;~( Yep... I forgot to restock so I am completely out! Awesome.

I do have a cloth diaper that I have been using as a burp cloth... I bet that will work!

We put that around him... with nothing but the clean pair of pants holding it up and go into Hair Cuttery. We have come so far that I didn't want to quit.



They have an opening! Woot, this is going to happen!



Just having fun and exploring while we wait to be called back.



Checking out the silver box daddy always has with him!

We are called back a couple minutes later and just as I am going to sit him in the booster I realize he has leaked through our makeshift diaper and only clean pair of pants. Whoops... mommy is not as smart as she thought. We bail on the haircut and hurry home.

This is what a negligent mommy will do to you:



So sad! Seriously I couldn't feel worse but at the same time... really freakin funny. I get Chase cleaned up while Adam looks for another salon... maybe one more kid oriented. He finds a place and calls but they are booked tonight. I am starting to feel like this momentum that I had going was fizzling and it would be another 17 months until I was ready again... then Adam had a brilliant idea.

My hair dresser is a friend of Adam's from a long time ago and she has been wanting to see Adam and Chase since we moved back to town... let's just stop in to her salon and see if she can do a quick cut while we say hi.

Sure enough, not only is she thrilled to see Adam and Chase, she has plenty of time to cut Chase's hair!

While we wait for her to finish with her client, Chase preps himself to have his hair cut.



We hop up in the chair and get started...



He's definitely not sure about this whole 'touching my head, cutting my hair off' thing at first...



But soon enough he grows fond of Pam and doesn't mind her messing with his head.



Mommy's keys provide a nice distraction...



Actually, this is kind of fun!

May I present...



...my freshly groomed little man!



We wanted to keep the length but give him a cleaned up look and I think Pam did a great job! While I am sad to see those first hairs go, I am very happy with his new look.

If you are in Hagerstown and in need of a great stylist... may I recommend Pam from Simplicity! I just love her!

Now... I am off to put a stack of diapers in the Jeep... you know, just in case!

Weekly Photo Challenge #8

This weeks challenge was food. Em posted early and did such a great job with the composition of the actual photographs that it inspired me to try the same. It shows up small in blogger but you should be able to enlarge it by clicking on it ;~)

Enjoy!

Questions Answered

How did you and Adam meet? How long have you been together?

Once I started typing, I decided our story deserved it's own post (or series of posts). Stay tuned for the story of Adam and I... it's a good one ;~) For now, here's the short answer. Adam and I first met at WVU 10.5 years ago. We have been 'together' for 6.5 years, married for almost 5!

When you were pregnant with your son, did you find out the gender before he was born or just be surprised?

We found out but not from the doctor. Anyone that knows Danielle knows how creative and fun she is... and how that translates into memories for those of us around her (kidnap breakfast anyone??). Anyway, doc wrote the sex down and sealed it in an envelope... we handed it to Danielle and she came with an idea of how to tell us. One night before bible study she made cupcakes with colored plastic baby bottles baked into a select few... the color indicated if Peabert was a boy or girl. Everyone at bible study took a cupcake and we raced to find the bottle and call out our finding... I think Mary was the first to find a bottle and shouted that he was a boy... I think that was her first or second night to bible study. Yeah, we were a fun group! I think I actually have video of that event. Thanks to Danielle for making it a memory!

What is the hardest part about being a stay at home mom? Did you want to be a stay at home mom when you first got married or did that change?

I have wanted to be a stay at home mommy since I knew what a SAHM was. When Adam and I started thinking marriage and eventual parenthood, he was always on board with whatever I wanted. The hardest part. Hmmm... being 'on' all the time is hard. Obviously I am on during the day but I tend to take the lead even when Adam is home because I know the routine better and I have a better grasp of the situation... not that it's always right but it happens. I have to make a concerted effort to back off and let Adam do things his way (shocker: my way isn't always the only way!) Filling our time is also difficult. It's easy to stay home all day everyday but that will drive you insane very quickly. We fill our days with grocery shopping, walking the mall, story time at the library, little gym, playdates at different houses, walmart runs... ect. We are looking forward to the nice weather so we can take advantage of all the great parks around. And as he gets older I will be looking for more 'field trips'... farms, zoos, fire station, ect. We make it a point to get out at least once a day... sometimes twice! I face a unique situation in that our house is so incredibly small that Chase gets very bored very quick. There is no other room... it's just the one so it gets old ;~) Anyway, that is probably more than you wanted to know but those are a couple of the pitfalls. Don't get me started on the advantages... I could go on forever!

Okay, what is your favorite color? Do you want more children? What is your favorite style of music?

EvilTwinsWife... you crack me up! MWAH right back atcha! Favorite color... pink. Probably a combo of being girlie and the breast cancer ribbon. More children... heck yeah but not now! I am not ready yet... maybe in a year or so. We'll see. Favorite style of music... I don't really know how to classify it so I will give you a list. At the very top Mat Kearney... love him! Other favorites include: Anything from the OC soundtracks or the Garden State soundtrack, Jonatha Brooke, Kendall Payne, Jars of Clay, Jack Johnson, Citizen Cope, Colin Hay, Alexi Murdoch, The Fray, Imogen Heap, Tyler Hilton... I could go on forever ;~) I generally like one or 2 songs from each... the main playlist on my ipod is over 300 sogns with probably 200 artists.

More kids? how many? when? tell me about your wedding. What was your favorite part of the day and what would you have done differently?

We definitely want and will hopefully be blessed with more kids but not now ;~) I am really enjoying Chase right now and don't feel like we are ready to bring another one into the mix... and really, where would we put a new baby! We already have 3 humans and 1 dog sharing 400 square feet ;~) Maybe in a year or so... we shall see! My wedding was amazing. I had a great time and would only do it over if my mom could be there. Of course pledging my life to Adam was one of my favorite parts but as far as 'not the norm'... dancing with my mom. My dad and I planned it out... about halfway through the father/daughter dance we signaled for her to come up and I finished the dance with her. I thought she deserved some of that spotlight too... that is a great memory for me. As far as things I would have done differently... I would have slowed down and taken my time. I look back and realized I rushed through picking a dress, picking music, ect. I really wish I had spent more time enjoying the process... and spending that time with my mom. I feel like I missed out on some bonding time there. Hindsight is 20/20 and if I had known she would be gone in less than 6 months, well, I just would have slowed down. Life is so short... it's important to enjoy each moment. Also, I would have hired a professional videographer. I would love good video footage of my mom... maybe even her talking to the camera... oh God how I would love that now. I do have some from one of Adam's cousins but it isn't the same. Damn hindsight.

Well, that concludes my question answer time ;~) Hope you enjoyed!

One last call

Remember this post? I have 2 questions so far... anyone else want to participate? Leave the question in the form of a comment ;~)

Pure Entertainment!

It's video time again! Adam and caught Chase on camera saying all his new words... well, almost all of them. You'll see!



Oh and FYI... if you try to call my cell and I don't answer, I am not ignoring your call because I want to... it's because I have to! We are almost out of minutes and therefore there is a moratorium on our phones! I will call you back on the skype phone if I can or I will talk to you after 7 ;~) Thanks for understanding!

This is how I know I am old...

The crisper is full.


The fruit bowl is full.


Such a far cry from eating out of vending machines (Jessi) and microwavable chicken patty sandwiches (Adam).

Grocery lists and menu planning = better living!

Today's Antics

Ok... I will be answering questions but I want to give it some more time and then I will make one big post.

In the meantime, some news about us.

Chase now says Mama, Dada and Hi! He has been saying Mama and Dada for the past week or so and we kept wondering if he really knew what he was saying or if they were just sounds. We are now convinced he knows what the mean. He knows where to point or look and he says them when asked ;~) YAY! My boy is a genius. The word Hi is relatively new... like today new. Grandma heard that one and praised him... then he couldn't get enough of saying it. Uh oh is still his favorite word though. He entertained Aunt Mary and Uncle Dave with his never-ending supply of uh-ohs every time they tossed something to the ground.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Dave were up to help clean out Grandma's house. It really is amazing how much one person can collect over a lifetime ;~) After we were done we went to the Creamery and enjoyed some ice cream in the beautiful spring weather.


Couldn't you just eat this kid up? Also, that seat... best investment ever! It stays in the car with us and it is SO handy! On chairs, in booths, on picnic tables... it works everywhere!

Tonight was girls night out for the Hagerstown moms! The 10 of us had dinner at the Olive Garden and then headed to Kohl's to shop. Laugh if you must but you shop with a 16 month old and you'll shut up right quick. We browsed, we meandered, we contemplated... it was glorious!


Ok... from L to R: me, Laura, Dannette, Mandy, Katrina, Laura, Katy, Shelby, Kari and Jess! Whew! That's a mouthful ;~)

In other news... Adam and I bought a basketball and a basketball hoop today. It started out we were just shopping for the basketball. We had done some research about the hoops and weren't willing to spend too much money so we resigned to just getting the ball and looking for deals in the future. When we went to Walmart (don't judge, it really is cheaper) we found comparable hoops within the price range we wanted... sold. This is our answer to a gym membership we won't use and just not exercising at all... both of which we have done. Adam really enjoys just shooting hoops and I enjoy spending time with him away from the distractions that linger inside... plus it will be something that Chase can enjoy growing up. I am very excited to get it set up and put it to good use... I see a project for tomorrow!

On our way home from Walmart we stopped at a local park to play around with the new basketball...








Definitely fun!

Ok, it's late and daylight savings night so I better get off the computer and get some sleep! Crossing my fingers that Chase doesn't realize the time change and sleeps late!

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Just a quick prayer request. Check out this blog http://patriceandmattwilliams.blogspot.com/ Their little boy is very sick and needs prayer from anyone and everyone. They have a very compelling story and she is such an inspiration, it's well worth the read!

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Don't forget this post... ask me questions!

Audience Participation

So I have seen this done on other blogs that I frequent and thought it was pretty cool.

Do you have a question for me? Is there something you have been dying to ask but just didn't want to raise your hand? Ever wonder where I have lived in my life? Ever think, has she been arrested? Ever curious as to what my nickname was in high school?

Feel free to ask questions and I will answer them as honestly as possible.... as you probably know, I am an open book ;~)

5 years

5 years goes by too fast.

Today was the 5th anniversary of Ryan's death.

What really haunts me is that he was Sandy's Chase. Ryan was her first born... the one she learned from... the one that she experienced firsts with... the guinea pig ;~) Sometimes when I experience the joy of Chase, I think about Sandy and how it was to lose this little boy of hers. How she remembers the feeling of first holding his hand and walking with him... and then remembering that she buried him. I can't even describe the lump that rises in my throat. All I can do is try harder to etch the joy of Chase deeper in my heart and believe that in all things, God has his hand.



Rest in peace Ryan... you are greatly loved and greatly missed.

Weekly Photo Challenge #7

This week was a macro challenge... get in, get close, get abstract.

Here are my best shots. I am not thrilled with the exposure but I like a lot of my concepts ;~) I thought I had 3 filters that would make shooting this challenge a lot of fun but as it turns out they are 49mm and my lens is a 52 mm... so close. Oh well... hopefully there is an adapter that I can buy to use them in the future but for now I will have to settle with the straight lens.













There is a theme that runs through these pictures but I don't know how obvious it is... 50 G points* to whoever figures it out.

*G points will only make you the envy of friends and family... they have no monetary value.

A dose of cuteness

Chase enjoying the nice afternoon weather in his new summer flip flops.

I love this kid!

Weekend Recap

So as you might have suspected, it was a very busy weekend for Adam and I. The funeral was last night and there was a lot of prep work to be done... in the midst of life as usual.

Friday was life as usual in the morning. Dannette's birthday is actually tomorrow but we all got together to celebrate on Friday. We made an attempt at a surprise, but Dannette quickly figured out what was going on. Stealth we are not.

This is what 9 babies and their mommies look like! It was semi-controlled chaos and it was so much fun. Thanks to Jess for hosting such madness.


As we like to do, we lined the kids up on the couch and snapped away. It seriously looked like the paparazzi. I actually borrowed Katy's version of the picture since I am still learning my camera and somewhat mucked it up. Live and learn ;~) As you can see, Chase was thrilled with this idea. Not a happy camper.

L to R: Sadie, Jenna, Chase, Adrianna, Adam, Lexi, Aiden, Anna and Laura!

Friday night Adam and I spent preparing for Pete's funeral service. Adam worked on a photo board and picked out pictures to put around the chapel and I designed and printed his remembrance cards... a talent I have unfortunately cultivated. It was a very late night... we were bound and determined to finish everything Friday night so we didn't have to rush around on Saturday. Pete's brother and his wife were coming into town, as well as Adam's best friend Spencer and we wanted to be able to visit and enjoy the time together, not spend it running around. We powered through and got it done... and we have some fun memories of us working together... you can't beat that.

Saturday was a very relaxing day. We lunched, we chatted, we enjoyed each other's company.

Here is Chase all ready for Pops' funeral.


The service was fantastic... you know, for a funeral service. We were EXTREMELY blessed to have a pastoral friend of ours, Pat, and his wife Kristen come from Annapolis to preside over the service. Pat has been a pastor for a little over 2 years and this was his first funeral. He didn't even hesitate when Adam asked, he was just happy to serve. He counseled with Greg (BACC's senior pastor who married my mom and step dad, married Adam and I and presided over my moms funeral) at length and the outcome was a beautiful service. It was filled with this unabashedly love for Jesus Christ. He made no qualms about proclaiming the love and healing that we can find in Christ. He also talked about some misconceptions about suicide and what is taught in churches. It was a message that the people there needed to hear, not only for Pete but for Ryan too. I can't thank Pat and Kristen enough for being such good friends and doing this for Adam and I.

Sunday was a good ole lazy morning. Spencer and Adam ran out to the grocery store and got fixins for waffles (shout out to the Townley's!), eggs, sausage and bacon. What resulted was a feast for for kings and queens... which we quickly made short work of.


Becky looking at Sandy's Ryan album.


Adam and Spencer getting some quality time together.

It was really a good feeling to be surrounded with family and friends this weekend. We had such fun hearing and sharing stories about Pete and Ryan, knowing that while they had demons, they had good times too. They were both men trying to find a way out and just didn't make it in time... but no matter what they did or who they became, they were still a dad and a brother and they were and still are loved. As Pat said, the funeral service is a closure for death but the healing continues. Here's to the continuation of our healing... RIP Pete.