Joshua's big boo-boo! He got superglued - again! (You'll recall at birth he got sliced and had to be superglued). Poor baby! 

Me and Sky at his licensing dinner. 

If things don't get better - - I'm running away!

I woke up yesterday morning with the worst pinched nerve in my back!!! I felt almost paralyzed. Sky took Justin and Tyler to a friends birthday party for me - thankfully. But no sooner had they walked in the door did Tyler spew all the way to the toilet - the toilet got it good - just not the inside. So, I had to mop and clean the hall and bathroom. (I had Justin take a picture of 'what mama's are made for' but, he got to much vomit in the pic to post. Well, he continued to do this a few more times before bed - then, it was Justin's turn. Unfortunately, he had eaten again after they arrived home so it was worse. He hit the toilet but with such force - well, the toilet and floor got cleaned again. Justin had come into the living room and said, "mama, you've got a mess to clean up." That was not the thing to say - I made him use paprer towels to push it all into a pile for me. Later when I went in their to sanitize - he'd put almost an entire roll of paper towles in the toilet! (Thank God he didn't flush!) I had to scoop it all out with a utensil (it went in the trash too) while Sky held the bag open. Come to find out - Justin didn't bother to flush after his initial spew - I know - EEEEEW! Well, then, the diarrhea started for Tyler. And, for a few hours they both continued to vomit - in their beds - without waking up. Yuk! Now, poor ol' dad isn't feeling so well and - he has to drive to Michigan today. Honey, I really do hope you get to feeling better. So this morning I started to mop - again - for extra measure (with bleach) when Justin hollars, "mama, the baby is spurting blood." Well, all he had done was banged his head on the fire place. But, I ran him to the doctors office anyway. We were a sight!!! Johsua in pj top (a little too small) and orange britches with socks, crusty nose and bloody eyebrow. The boys in pajamas, jackets, and snowboots and me - shoes, jogging pants, and a t-shirt - that's it. Well, I did have a coat on to help hide the round droopy things by my sides. The doctor superglued his eyebrow. I'll post a pic later. Anyway, my back is still killing me, I have more mopping and sterilizing to do, and not to mention three spreads, three sets of sheets, and a few rugs that need washing.

Please don't let me get sick, too! I'm hoping things will get better but, it's only Monday. Rescue Me . . .

1-26-06

O.K., for breakfast I had dry fruit loops (prepackaged, individual container) for 3 points. For lunch I had a sub from Subway that was 7 points. I had a yogurt for 3 points and that left me with 17 points remaining. Sky and I took the kids to Smokey Bones where I had pulled pork (est. 8 points), brocolli and asparagus (est. 3 points - butter), 2 chicken wings (est. 2 points), & garlic toast (4 points) = 0 points left by the end of the day - I'm good! I'm only 8 points over (into the 35 extra weekly points) - So, I get weighed again tomorrow - Check back for the results! :)

Tomorrow is Sky's licensing dinner at Brett Favre's Steakhouse. There is going to be a lot of people there so me and Tammy went shopping for 'special occasion' outfits (as I call it). Anyway, just in time to play dress up my face breaks out like a pizza pie! I got a swelling volcano of a zit right between my eyes! Lovely, huh????????

I managed to get Tyler some extra assistance at school with the reading teacher - she's good. I went to sit in and learn a few things and she gave me so much stuff to take home and use to help Tyler with his reading. Though, I've been told he really isn't that far behind. I'll try to keep you all updated on how he's doing.

Well, talk to y'all later.

.5 left for the day!

O.K., I had 3 Eggo minis - cinnamon (sets of 4) for 6 points for breakfast. I had 1 ounce of pretzels (the cheesy kind) for 2 points (morning snack). For lunch I had a Healthy Choice meal and a slice of toast and 1 cup of 2% milk for 7.5 points. I had a 2 point yogurt about 2 hours later. Now, for dinner I was going to fix salmon but, Sky didn't want salmon so we ordered pizza. I had 3 slices of the large veggie lovers for a total of 12 points - leaving me with .5 to go - We'll just call that 30 points even.

On to other news - first Krissy threw up. Later, Joshua threw up. Lucky me. I asked Justin to go get him out of his crib for me (after his afternoon nap) - Justin acted as if he was going to vomit. Shortly afterward Sky came in and behaved similarly! I had gotten Joshua in the tub and I was rinsing out the sheets and his pj's and Sky was making all kinds of faces and wouldn't come near. I asked him what he'd do if I were dead? "Hire someone." Men!

My house is a wreck and I haven't got the umpf to get up and clean it! When Joshua's awake and I leave the room he's in - cry, cry, cry. So, I go and sit with him (I know I shouldn't). When he's sleeping - I just want to relax - time to myself, you know. I need to get over this 'time to myself' thing and just get it done. Oh well!

Talk to all y'all later.

I know the picture is a little dark - but, you can see some of the Roseola. He still has it so he's not at school today. He feels fine - he's currently in the shower - singing! 

Sky and Joshua 

We went geocaching on Saturday and this was the playground at one of our finds (3 for 3 that day) 

hanging low - silly goose. We need bigger diapers. 

2 cups????

Well, when I measured 2 cups - I realized - that's a lot of HH! I only ate about a cup and 1/2. But, I won't alter my points.

I walked on the TM (treadmill) for 20 minutes and burned 188.6 calories (using the arm thingy's increases the calorie burn). The other day I had no difficulty getting to 30 minutes but, today I was hurting. I think I have intermittent claudication - all you can do is walk through the pain (as far as I know).

Anyway, when I get the camera charged I'll post new pic's of Joshua - he has finally advanced to a stage 4 diaper but, we have about 40 size 3's left. Anyway, the pic's are of him hanging out (The Back End!) -sheesh, gotta be careful how I express what I mean!

Also, Tyler has Roseola. Two days ago he just came down with a fever for no apparant reason. And, now he's got the rash. Nothing you can do about it but he can't go to school tomorrow - Sky took just Justin to Tae Kwon Do tonight. I have some pic's of his rash and if they turned out o.k. I'll post them too.

Talk to all y'all later!

Love,
Stacie

Weight Watchers

Well, I've been on Weight Watchers now for a week and a half. My meetings are on Friday mornings. At my last meeting I lost 4 lbs even. Yipee!!! for me!

Okay, I have decided that I am going to keep track of my points and food lists via my blog (for feedback, critisism, compliments, and/or encouragement). One thing you should know first, is that I will not 'be' on a 'diet' when I go out on dates with my husband, or GNO (Girls Night Out). Obviously I won't be stupid - but, if this is to be a life change I am not about to give up food enjoyment for the rest of my life. This is, after all, MY diet, guided by Weight Watchers - guided, not ruled by.

Currently, I get 30 points a day (and there's always the 35 weekly points that I'll use only if my meals exceed a point or two into them - not that I'm going to reserve those points for something - special. I'd like to forget they are there.) Today, I started off on a bad note. We had some left over ice cream that I'd only had a little bit of on Joshua's birthday. So, I decided I was going to eat me a cup of ice cream - and count the points as my breakfast. People - this is not a normality - like I said, I started the day off on a bad note. It was 8 points. Learned a lesson - I was hungry about 2 hours later but, knew better. So, for lunch I had 2/3 cup brown rice with 4oz chicken, and 1 tbls of teriyaki sauce - too much sauce. That was 7 points. A little while later I had a 2 point yogurt. Now, for dinner I am having about 2 cups of Hamburger Helper (HH), a slice of toast, and steamed veggies. That'll be 6.5 points. I'll be left with 6.5 points - and, according to Weight Watchers I should - should - eat all my points. We'll see.

I will start tomorrow off on a better note.

Busy little fairy!

O.K. So, a couple nights ago I pulled Justin's 2nd tooth. And as children do, he put it under his pillow so the tooth fairy would leave him some much needed, wated, dough. WELL, next morning, Justin walks ever so quietly into my bedroom and says, "Mama, it's 5:43 and I need to go back to bed because the tooth fairy hasn't come yet." (His alarm goes off at 5:30 on mornings that he has to take a shower.) I told him that the tooth fairy probably had a busy night and that she'll probably come that night. Next morning comes: "Do you think the tooth fairy knows I moved to the back bedroom?"

Oh my God! I'm sure she'll come tonight! (Justin wrote a note and taped it to Tyler's door - where he used to sleep.)

Is the tooth fairy capable of being negligent? LOL! And, he's so forgiving and understanding. If it were me - I'd be in tears! Bless you, Justin, mama loves you!

Joshua's 1st birthday cake - Little People! Moooo! Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me :) 

Joshua playing peek-a-boo (runny nose and a mouth full of food) 

Halleluia! Cake is GOOD! 

the Green Monster! 

Mmmmmm! 

Joshua opening a cute jack-in-the-box, only it's an Elmo-in-the-Cookie-Monster, from Granny. He also got a fun bath toy from Granny. It's funny Justin had that same toy as a baby but our old tub wouldn't support it. I'm excited to open this up because I know it'll stick to our tub now. He also got the Animal Sounds Barn form Grandma Wanda and Grandpa Terry, a peek-a-blocks train from us, a Weebles Treehouse and a fun car from Granny Great - Thank you everyone! 

Joshua with a cute barnyard toy from Baby Einstein -Thank you Nana and Granddaddy and for the fire engine ball pit, too. 

Justin's Goals

Mr. Tassoul had given the class a task - to write some goals. When he handed me his list of goals I told him, "I don't think this is what he had in mind."

Pee 1 minute
brushing teeth 5 minutes
getting dressed 5 minutes
eat breakfast no longer than 20 minutes
packing up 5 minutes

and finally . . .

don't get yelled at


(He was so proud of his goals!)

At the races! 

Justin one 1 out of 3 races. 

That's my little buddy! Tyler is such a sweetie. He's a good boy. He's looking forward to being in scouts next year and making a race car. I'm now on the committee - yeah! It's fun for me. 

Justin took 2nd place for most creative car. Can't you tell he's proud.  

Rub-a-dub, dub, baby in the tub! 

Trophy winners. 

Joshua in his firetruck ball pit. 

Joshua sitting on fireplace - his new favorite place to be - I sit on pins and needles. 

Lullabye, and goodnight . . da, da, da, da, da, da, da 

Houdini

First, I forgot to mention my username and password for the Sears portrait website is: my email address and then, my name.

Now, Joshua is Houdini reincarnate!

I had to do away with the high chair because buckled or not he'd be up and oh, so proud of himself before I could get him a quick snack to occupy him while I sliced up the rest of his dinner. Then, he started to climb over the tray. Now, I have him in a booster where the tray fits tighter or I can just push him right up to the table - he still leans over to the point I think he's going to cause the chair to tip over.

Well, I had him in the exersaucer sitting right beside my computer desk. I was sitting in the chair but had my back to him. Kathud! He climbed out! O.k., time to get rid of that. So, I needed something to keep him in when I'm working at the computer for a short while or when I'm cooking (because right now he really hates being left alone in the living room/hall/closet/his room (he's got access to all of that - it's safe, but I have a really big gate disallowing him from entering the dining room and kitchen). So, I went and pulled out the playpen. From the time I put him in it to the time I walked to the living room to get a toy - I came back and found him straddling the side of the playpen!

Now, last night before I took the kids to tae kwon do we were eating dinner at the table together. Joshua was being a pill (as he has been for the past week or two) not eating, leaning over the side of his chair, fussing. So, I put him in the living room on the other side of the gate where he screamed and screamed. So, I put him ever so gently in his crib while we finished our dinner. Boom! No sound. O.k., don't panic, walk calmly to his room. Poor thing has this expression on his face, 'am I all right, mama?' (Talk about feeling guilty!) So, we cuddled - but he never cried. I suppose he was standing on the tip end of the mattress where I still had a wedge. So, I removed the wedge. Later that evening, after getting home from tae kwon do, I put him in his crib while I straightened up his room - he had no problem with that. Then, I left his room to straighten up the living room - mind you , this doesn't take that long. But, he started whailing! I come back in to pick him up and tell him, 'hey, I'm not punishing you' and to get him out when I see that he is using his strong little toes to grip and climb the slats!!!!!! What on earth am I to do???????????????

He's only 1, as of the 10th. Too young for a toddler bed - I have no problem with him getting up to play in the morning or even in the middle of the night. But, anywhere between 7:30 and 9pm I put him down to sleep - while he's still awake and I believe that if he had a toddler bed - he'd decide when bedtime was. I need help - I worry about him falling out of his crib and breaking his little neck. Anybody got a solution?

My one year old

Well Joshua had his one year pictures taken today! He constantly had this expression on his face like, 'you're weird.' Anyway, if you'd like to view the pictures you can access them from www.searsportrait.com. the online session ID is 42092b105483010, the online session password is 6X4RSM3YY. Family/friends you'll be getting a pic but I ordered different poses - so, that'll just have to be a surprise.


Since Sky is in Michigan me and the boys are going to have a mini b-day party. I bought a 4" cake and we'll sing happy birthday, no candles or ice cream and I think I'll let him have 1 new present. But when Sky gets back we'll have his birthday party and have a couple of balloon's, too.

Side view of Justin's pinewood derby entry. He decided what he wanted to make, he helped paint it and picked out the army men, and he helped find the stickers. Pretty cool, huh? 

My new 2006 Chevy Uplander. (It comes standard with a dvd player and flip down screen. That's my favorite feature.) At least it's reliable. 

Front view of Justin's pinewood derby entry this year.