And then he was 2....

He is giving us a run for our money right now with the Toddler Bed conversion. So far the best approach has been to shut the door and put the toddler-proof handle on it. That gave him the picture that we were not kidding around. Tonight is the 3rd night of doing that - the first 2 he wailed and fell asleep on the floor. Right this minute he is in his bed after my 3rd trip in to put him in the bed (we go in 15 min spurts). But last night (at 4am) it took an hour and he ended up in his bed on his own - so that seems hopeful.
I know it's just a phase.

Logan is funny, smart, a giver of kisses and hugs, and a chatter box. Endless energy and surprises.
For his birthday we got him a big playset in the back yard. This is his face when he saw it:

Dada helped him up the rock wall.

Time to slide!

WHEEEEEE!!!!

Hangin' Tough

Watch this momma!

This happy occasion almost made me forget about the lack of sleep.

His party is on Saturday and I will do my best to post on Monday about it!

Happy weekend! Wish us luck on the sleep front.

Long yet Thankful Holiday

After spending 5 entire days at home with Logan, I could make the comment joke that dropping him off at daycare today was quite easy. That kid gave us a run for our money - but I will get to that in a moment.

Logan and Dada hanging out

 Wednesday morning, first day of vacation - we hear a noise in Logan's room at 7am. I figured it was playing with the toddler rail we have kept behind his crib forever. A few minutes later his door opens and he comes walking down the hall like "HI!!!"

The boy had jumped the crib!

So while Lee hung out with him I converted the crib to a Toddler Bed. 

Whala. Complete with tears from me.

Nap time was the first test. Things were not good. He acted SCARED. The minute we would leave the room he would scream and come beat on the door!! Lee rocked him a while and I ended up sitting on the floor stroking his face until he went to sleep.



That night we were hosting Donald and his parents for dinner - and thankfully they have grandkids because this was the biggest nightmare ever.


We tried putting him back in bed, rocking him, stroking his face, ANYTHING and he wouldn't sleep. We even put the crib rail back on at 9pm and he crawled out in 3.2 seconds. I decided to rock him again and he passed out in 5 minutes and slept all night. (with blankets on the floor for padding)

Thanksgiving day we were a little tired but we made it over to the inlaws at 10am.
It was a very exciting day with the Texans game!

My boy and I have Team Spirit!

 The food was great and there was an endless supply of wine

 That night, I was too exhausted after more fighting to get him in bed that this is the only decorating I did for Christmas.

Source: Scentsy

 The next day, after a bit of a long night getting him back to bed, we tried to find creative ways to entertain him...

That's right, no pants!

 We played in his room on his new rug:

 Eventually we left the house for a hair cut and baby proofing supplies. Then back home so I could start a Turkey as I wanted to have my own little thanksgiving dinner...

Brined that baby for 2 days!

 While that roasted we watched a little Buzz...

 Due to my exhaustion, this is the only photo I have of my awesome Turkey:

Christi and Jimmy witnessed the 45 minute escapade of getting this child to stay in bed.

The next morning (after a 45 minute fight in the middle of the night) we drank a little milk and watched a friggin butt load of cartoons because everyone was worn slap out.

 But we still managed to smile:

My sweet family.

 That night I gave in and rocked him to sleep at 7pm. I didn't have any fight in me. I was rewarded with a 3am-5am fight for bedtime where he did this for almost 45 minutes:

Instagram caption: Go.The.Eff.To.Sleep

 The next morning a friend called and gave us this strategy:

Do your normal bedtime routine, then get him in bed and leave the room.
The first time he gets up go silently put him back in bed.
The second time, wait 15 minutes before responding. Then silently put him back in bed.
Then wait 30 minutes, so on and so forth - so they get the picture that getting up isn't going to get your attention.

At 8:30 (a little over an hour of the above method) we were rewarded with this:

Asleep. On the floor....

I put him in his bed and he stayed there until 6am.

I know this because I pretty much woke up every hour and looked at the monitor. This is certainly going to take getting used to.

11 Things

While browsing through twitter today, I saw that Miss MP had tagged me in a fun get to know you type post!

The Rules:

1. Every tagged person must tell 11 things about themselves

2. Answer the 11 questions that the person who tagged you asked.

3. Ask 11 questions for the 11 blogs that you are going to tag.

4. Mention the blog that tagged you but don't tag back.

11 Random Things About Myself
1. I have extremely bad self esteem
2. My bulletin board still has September's calendar on it - I suppose I should change that...
3. I am an only child and have 4 step siblings, one who recently passed away. I never talk to the others. We simply aren't close.
4. I have 3 cousins who are the closest things I have to siblings. I never get to see them but we do our best to keep in touch.
5. I am pretty sure I have an undiagnosed shopping addiction.
6. While I am sure all parents think their kid is the coolest, I am certain mine is ;)
7. I am pretty sure I have an undiagnosed wine habit.
8. I'm 99% sure I do not want any more children.
9. I love my job but I am pretty sure I love the social aspects of it more than the actual work itself.
10. I try and clean the kitchen while Logan eats lunch because, let's face it, I want his nap time for my total chill time (like right now)
11. I don't have a hobby or any kind of special ability. I'm actually rather boring.

Miss MP's Questions for me:
1. If you could only DVR one show, what would it be? Only one? Jeepers. Can it be a throw back like Friends? I am pretty sure I could watch nothing but that for days. If not, then probably Dexter.
2. What is your favorite movie and book? Favorite movie is You've Got Mail. Favorite Book - this sounds odd but the only book I have truly re-read 10 times is Message From Nam by Danielle Steel. I was oobsessed with the Vietnam war in High School.
3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Venice. 100%.
4. Christian Grey, Edward Cullen, or Mr. Darcy? Defend your answer ;-). Ok fine. Christian Grey (maybe the toned down version towards the end). Edward is a tool and Mr. Darcy is too polite. Hello, have you seen my stories about my Mr. Type A personality husband?
5. Rice pudding or tapioca? Rice Pudding
6. Congrats, you just won the lottery, big time. What are the first three things you do? Design and Build my dream house, give money to charity, and go hide on an island for a month with my family.
7. What's your favorite holiday recipe? Bonus points for sharing. We get the most excited for Chili because in Houston, that means it is actually cold enough here to make Chili! This is a tried and true recipe that has gone through many edits:

Lee’s Chili

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground meat

1 large onion

2 cans pinto beans

28 oz tomato sauce

1 bottle dark beer

14oz beef broth

1 can tomato paste

1 can diced green chilis

3 diced jalapeños, no seeds!

2 heaping tablespoons chili powder, or chili seasoning

1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce. Just eyeball it.

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon Tabasco.

Brown onion and meat, drain off excess fat. Add seasonings to the meat before the sauces and broth and beer. I find it helps the seasoning stick to the meat. Taste often, add more chili powder if you want to. You can’t really mess up chili!

Simmer 3 hours.

 
8. If people knew you outside the blogosphere, whats one thing that might surprise them about you? I have a terrible potty mouth. Sailors would be in awe. I edit it online because I don't want to offend others.
9. What's one of your guilty pleasures? Buying magazines on the iPad. Actually, magazines in general. I am giddy when they show up in the mailbox!
10. If you could have any dream job, what would it be? I'd love to plan weddings but would hate to work every Saturday!
11. What are you looking forward to the most in 2013? Moving to a new house (fingers crossed) and watching Logan get even bigger. I'd also like to see myself give a little more oomph at my job. I will need to get more sleep for that to happen... 

People I Tag:
I am not sure I know 11 bloggers that read my silly blog often but let's try.
1. Missy @ The Johnson Family 
2. Annie @ Chapters Of Our Life
3. Lori @ Mama Needs Sushi
4. Emily @ Stop She's Got a Camera!

My Questions for them:
1. What is your favorite thing about the Holiday season?
2. What is your favorite color?
3. Tell me about a time you had buyers remorse!
4. If you could eat any meal, what would it be?
5. #1 place you want to visit
6. The best day of your life (so far)...
7. Favorite Band/Artist?
8. Have you ever been super irresponsible?
9. Do you have an undiagnosed addiction?
10. Why do you blog?
11. What's your favorite scent?

Leave me a comment and let me know when/if you answered the questions so I can check them out!

Fiddlesticks

When you become a parent, there are so many milestones you look forward to...

First steps.
First tooth.
First words.
Sleeping through the night...

For the last few months - there is a particular milestone I have almost been on edge waiting for...

The first curse word.

Sunday, I am changing what has to be the 100th poopie diaper of the day - when I realize the container is out of wipes.

Seriously?

So, in known fashion for me, I blurt out "Oh shit."

The minute I said it I had this tickle up the back of my neck...

Logan stops whatever crazy wriggle maneuver and looks at me and says "Oh shish."

I did my best not to react. I mean he didn't actually say shit but he sure did try.

Meanwhile, Lee is in the living room shouting expletives at the TV during a football game. So all that is going on and Logan decides to repeat ME? Great.

I guess it's time to start saying weird things like "Fiddlesticks" and "shazam!"

That's fekking annoying.

Slight Obsession

As the days are counting down toward my pulling out all the christmas decor - something is looming over me...

I don't like our stockings.

Petty? I know. But I can't help myself.

Right now we have these:

 There isn't anything wrong with them... I am just not that into them anymore.
(Sorry stockings, it's not you - it's me...)

These caught my eye:

Via Red Envelope

I am afraid I won't like them in a few years but I am loving the sock look A LOT.

These are really cute too:

Via Pottery Barn Kids

My style in all seasons is simple. I don't like frufru. I like clean and easy. I'm afraid to go after the burlap deal because in a few years that may be silly.

I realize this is a ridiculous thing to obsess over, but I guess I know that in a year or so Logan will totally understand christmas and recognize the stockings and I want that to be something we all can enjoy.

Any ideas on where to look?

Out of control

I carry a big bag. It serves me well on work appointments (need tile samples? great!) and on weekends when I can shove snacks and sippies and go.

But the other day I realized how out of control my purse had become...

 I decided it was time to take it ALL out and see what exactly was in there:

The stack of books? That is because my boss brought me some old books her daughter doesn't read anymore. 
The baggie of stuff? That's for a "favorite things party" I am going to on Thursday with Tiffanie.
So those things were slightly out of the ordinary.
But... why do I have 3 sets of car keys?
Saline nose spray?

I have a new bag on it's way that my mother in law ordered me for my birthday that is.. actually bigger than this one but will have a few extra compartments.

Great - more places to lose stuff.

Is your purse out of control too?

Trader Joe's Virgin

Until Saturday, I was a Trader Joe's virgin.

While the dogs were being groomed we stopped in to see what all the fuss was about...

A once-upon-a-time theatre turned bookstore turned grocery store.

I'm in love! WINE! CHEAP-YUMMY WINE!

The pre-prepared items were amazing

Either the carts are too small or we went a little nuts...

Mr. Cool

Pre-marinated sirloin steak with chimichurri sauce. AMAZING.

Crack. In a jar. Cookie-tasting-crack

We will be back. Over and over. I want to mull over the marinated meats section some more and the frozen foods area. So far everything we have eaten from there has been wonderful.

Do you have  Trader Joe's? What are your favorite items?