Red skinnies?

I don't think it is a secret that I've been challenging my closet lately. But when I look at my clothes I don't see a lot of potential. I was stalking this blog today. Today's post said, "I had a collection of clothes instead of a workable wardrobe". I think that might be the case for me!

I'm trying to buy things I can wear a lot of different ways. I am desperately trying to find a good chambray top. Hoping I snag this one up at Target today.

I'm considering the red skinnies.

My issue is always if they are classic pieces I can wear for years or if red skinnies will be out next year. I'm also wondering if they will look weird with my skin tone. I think I'm a cool color person.

I also think part of my issue with my closet is I am finally ready for cooler temps and it is going to be 100 tomorrow!

Guess I need to shave my legs and wear more shorts!

One week

Tomorrow will be one week of having a sick baby. I am OVER it today. My sick baby weighs about 30 pounds. I just took advil because my back is KILLING me!

I'm sitting here waiting for the advice nurse to call me back. I think it is the third time this week.

My house is a disaster! I had this whole stay at home mom thing pretty much figured out. We did play dates, park, or errands in the afternoon. I followed my little cleaning schedule in the morning.  Now that I'm working again and my schedule is totally random and then I got knocked on my butt sick I let the house get bad. Like if I didn't have a contagious child would consider dropping him off at a daycare so I could clean bad.

Chase has never been watched by anyone other than family. He is a very social and easy going kid but it terrifies me to think of him looking around and not seeing a familiar face. I'm really planning on going to a church two of my favorite people go to in October. I'm hoping Hubby will go with me. We would take Chase with us and put him in their daycare. My friend's little boy is one of Chase's best friends and he goes to the daycare a lot so I know he would be well taken care of. Also hoping his friend would be there with him so there would be a familiar face for him.

Well, I'm going to go look at pinterest for some cleaning schedules that might fit my crazy random schedule. Any tips from moms that work weird schedules?

You know those days when you wish you had a bigger house because you have so much junk? I would love a bigger house but I would not love cleaning it! I so miss our little 600 sq ft apartment! Do you know how fast I could clean that whole place?!

Oh hi!

Did you miss me?

I was all excited to do a challenge your closet post this week because we were going to a wedding and I bought a cute dress.

Thursday afternoon Chase started sneezing a lot and ended up sleeping with us for some of the night and sneezing a lot then too. I told my dad when he came over to watch him that morning that he was sick. I also texted Hubby and let him know Chase was sick and I was worried about taking him to the wedding and getting other people sick. We canceled our hotel reservation and let everyone know we weren't going to make it.

I struggle sometimes with decisions like this. My child has been referred to as a bubble boy more than once. But you know what? I've never regretted a decision like this. My child and his health are my #1 priority.

I ended up getting sick too. I actually think I got something from one of the kids at school and gave it to Chase. This is the first time I have been sick when he is sick. Not fun! Hubby ended up going to the wedding. I started really feeling sick after he got home on Saturday night thank goodness.

Sunday morning was the worst day for me. We ended up going to the verizon store and joining the iphone club.

Isn't she pretty? We got Otter cases because our phones need to be indestructible. We have a toddler.

After a hot shower Sunday night I was feeling better. Hubby and I went to bed around 10 or 10:30 and then Chase woke up gasping for breath. He was crying and upset and we were all freaking out. In January Chase had bronchitis so we had breathing treatment meds and a machine left over. We decided to try a breathing treatment and see if it helped. When it didn't help we called our insurance 24/7 advice nurse. She wasn't much help so we called our personal 24/7 advice nurse my mom. I felt so bad waking my parents up at 11pm but we were really worried about Chase. We gave him some tylenol which seemed to help. We did another breathing treatment at 2am I think and Hubby was so ready to take him to the E.R. We made it through the night thanks to Bubble Guppies.

When he woke up at 8:30 we called the dr and the earliest they could see him was 10:15. Of course he seemed to be fine and we were worried the dr would say there was nothing wrong with him but we did want his ears checked to rule out an ear infection. Plus we thought they would hear fluid in his lungs even if he seemed fine.

We are so blessed to have an amazing group of pediatricians. We didn't see our regular doctor but the one we did see was so great with Chase. He even let her hold him! Hubby had thought there was something going on with Chase's throat. When the dr imitated the sound kids with croup make she sounded just like Chase had. She perscribed a liquid steroid for him to take. She said it is common for kids with croup to be more sick at night and to have 2 bad nights. The pharmacist told us getting Chase to sleep would be difficult.

I had no problem getting Chase to nap Monday and I decided I would nap too in preparation for what could be another long night. He slept in his crib for 1.5 hours and then with me for another 1.5 hours. A friend had told me not to let him nap very long so he would sleep better but I believe when sick, let them sleep!

I can not tell you how I have been that Chase is going to sleep for bed and naps fine. Last night was SO much better than the night before! No crying or freaking out or needing to be held or watch tv. 2 hour nap in his crib today which is why I have time to blog again!

Hoping to get our house and our lives back to normal!

Chase's words 16.5 months old

I wanted to post this list of words Chase is saying. It is not to brag or make anyone feel like their child is behind. This blog is where I post my memories. I think I might want to look back some day and remember what words he started saying first. So don't read it if it will make you feel bad. I know I avoid monthly update posts lately because I don't want to stress about it.

 

 

Chase’s words 16.5 months old

A

B

Baa, baby

C

D

Dada, dog, duck, down

E

F

G

Gobble

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

nana

O

Oh, on, off, oink

P

Q

R

S

Splash, shoes

T

This, that

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

 

There is really good help out there

Most kids roll from belly to back first. Half of kiddos can do this by 4 months. Chase rolled from belly to back at 5 months 10 days old. You could probably go back to blog posts during those early months and tell I was fuhreaking out about him "being behind" with rolling belly to back. In fact, I watched a video of a baby rolling from belly to back over and over again so I could show Chase how to do it.

I truly believed he would never roll from his belly to his back. Aren't new moms funny? I was embarassed. Now that he is a crazy, climbing, running toddler, no one cares when and if he rolled over. Typing it now that he was a month and 5 days behind half of the children it doesn't sound like that big of a deal. I wanted him to be advanced with every milestone. I am a teacher and I felt like it was my job to teach him all these skills.

I think most of my blog readers have read about Chase being behind with speech. I think I was more worried than he was behind. Shocker! I typed out all the words he can say and researched how many words most children could say at 17 months but I'm not going to mention it because I know how hard it can be to see most children say this many words and not be anywhere near it.

When Chase was behind, the teacher in me was again, fuhreaking out! I researched my hiny off. I was doing everything I could to help him with his speech. After a week or so doing everything I could and not seeing much of a change I suddenly stopped freaking out. I realized that I was doing everything I could for him but I still couldn't make him talk.

I was at peace with the fact that our doctor might suggest taking him to a speech therapist. I realized that Chase needing speech therapy didn't mean I had failed as his mother and teacher. I know that getting him help early is better. Plus, he would probably have a blast!

I have talked about Autism with enough moms to know that it is a fear in a lot of our hearts. Did you hear that Jacqueline from Real Housewives of New Jersey's son Nick has been diagnosed? I watched her and Chris talk about it on Anderson Live. To hear her say he stopped saying, "I love you mom" around 18 months broke my heart!

Now that Chase is over 12 months old, I'm not constantly checking on him while he is sleeping. It has still happened. I'm crazy. Poor kid. I kind of felt like I was in the clear with things.

Then to hear at 18 months this child that seemed to be developing fine just started regressing terrified me. I tweet my pal that works with Autistic children and she let me know that most parents notice things before the regression at 18 months and of course every case is different. But what she also told me is, "...whatever happens there's really good help out there :)".

As a mom, I want to protect my son. Today I was reminded that I can't protect him or make him not be Autistic. My sister and brother-in-law's nephew was diagnosed with leukemia at 4 years old. Their experience has been such a big reminder to me that anything can happen and thank God every day for another day healthy on this Earth. (It has been over a year since their nephew, Chase's "cousin" had a bone marrow transplant and he is doing great!)

So today, I am thanking God for the time I have had with my healthy boy. I'm really so very grateful. It is such a miracle to have a healthy baby. I hope this is a reminder to other moms that have healthy babies to be thankful. I always love to remind mommas to hug their babies tight and give them lots of kisses. But this is for everyone. Be thankful for your health, for your family's health. But also remember that there is really good help out there.

Challenge your Closet week 3

Linking up again with Shannon.

I struggled a little this week. I feel like I need to accessorize more. I bought some leggings at taget for $5! But it has been too hot to wear them. I need a long necklace and to find my skinny belts.

Saturday we went to a play date backyard water play bbq. I haven't worn these shorts with anything but a white t-shirt. Love this fun combo!

Friday, I subed in a 6th grade class. I love wearing jeans to work and usually just try to do it on Fridays. I wish I had a long necklace or belt to break up the white t-shirt. I definitely wouldn't have worn this outfit if I wasn't doing this challenge. This challenge has got me wearing cardigans. The 6th graders loved my polka dot Toms. I knew they would :)

So What Wednesday

Another link up with Shannon!

This week I am saying so what if:

• my father-in-law said, "Hey skinny!" when I saw him this weekend and it was one of the nicest compliments I've gotten in awhile.
• we go out of town for 1 night and it takes me a week to unpack.
• I was looking at pictures from my bil and sil's wedding which was one month after I had Chase. I thought at the time I didn't look too bad and now I think I look huge!
  

Whoa momma!

• I don't like pumpkin anything! No pumpkin pie, no pumpkin spice latte. I only like the seeds!
• Some days I want to let Chase nap longer so I can pin more and read more blogs. I guess I'll wake him up and do it when he goes to bed!
• I am getting ready to punch the next person that says something about Chase being a "toe walker". Sometimes he walks on his toes. Apparently I did it too. We see a doctor every 3 months and she has seen him walk and has never commented on it so why don't you leave it up to me and the dr and shut your face! I just did a search on babycenter.com and he does not always walk on his toes so he doesn't have a short Achilles tendon or freaking cerebral palsy! Thanks. And then it mentions language delays and being associated with autism and I'm now freaking out.
• I unfollowed someone on pinterest (and am thinking about unfollowing someone else) because I don't want to wear clothes that they think are cute or wear the same outfit in our christmas card pictures. Yes, I graduate from high school soon.
• I posted 4 times on Monday. 1 was a scheduled post from like a week ago. I wrote my link up with Shannon Sunday night and posted and linked up in the morning and during nap was able to write the post to link up with Becky. It makes my heart happy and that is what I am all about lately.
• If someone on twitter said, "Also hi, I love that you're on twitter." to me and I have no idea who they are :/ sorry if you are reading this. Makes me feel a little famous.

Hey girl, let's get married

So apparently Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively got hitched! I hope they have kids because they will either be the prettiest or ugliest babies ever. Have you ever seen when two pretty people make an ugly person? I sort of enjoy it. Exhibit A: Brad and Angelina's kids

When I wished Ryake (just made that up. are they doing that still?) them the best on twitter this morning I heard that some people weren't over the moon for the couple. I said the green monster jealousy was to blame. My pal Krystal informed me that people think he loves being in love and moves to fast. And also reminded me about the engagement to Alanis.

Can we for a minute reflect on that one?

Has ScarJo said why they got divorced?

Let's all be real honest here, if you are Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds says, "Hey girl, let's get married." You are going to say, "You know I think this is moving a little too fast."? Nope, you aren't. It is hollywood. Statistics show they aren't really thinking these things through and even when they do they don't work out. So I hope they are very happy together and if they get divorced tomorrow I will still be able to move on with my life and I hope the rest of you will too :)

So, I just realized I had my Ryan's mixed up and Ryan Gosling is the one that is in the Hey Girl pictures on pinterest! Whatever. I also saw how they got married where The Notebook was filmed and I was thinking that's weird since he dated his co-star in the movie. Too many good looking Ryans! I got confused! You know you still love me!

Show and Tell: Baby Talk

I couldn't not link up with Becky today for show and tell baby talk! 1. Tell us your favorite baby names? Obviously, Chase. You might remember when I talked about how we selected his name we picked our top 10 favorite boy names from the top 100 for 2009 and then compared. We only had 2 names that we both liked, Chase and Matthew. So we always said if we have another boy we will name him Matthew. Lately, we've been having second thoughts. We recently agreed that if God blesses us with another son we will do the same thing we did to pick Chase's name. We will be keeping the name a secret because I did not enjoy the grimace from my bil recently over Matthew. But honestly, when I think of Chase's brother and our 2nd child I always think of him as Matthew so we will probably end up naming him that. Our girl name is Lauren. We talk about Matthew and Lauren with Chase too so it will be interesting to see what happens!

2. Show me your "dream" nursery {can be your baby's nursery or one that you love}
You might also remember that we moved into our house when I was 7 months pregnant. We didn't have the time, money, or engery to give Chase a dream nursery. His bedding is plain sheets to match a hand-me-down crib skirt. We plan to keep the room as a nursery and let Chase pick whatever he wants to take from the room to his big boy room next door. I also am hoping for another boy so I can keep the decor the same. We want 3 kids and I want the third to be a little girl. I want to keep some things in the room the same like the brown curtain and beige rocking chair cushion and then add pink. I love this beige and pink nursery from pinterest!

3. How many children would you like to have? How far apart?
Like I said before we want 3. If I got pregnant today they would be 25 months apart. I think that would be perfect but probably not going to happen. I'm definitely ok with them being 2.5 years or more apart. It is all in God's hands and I have liked his plan so far :). Now that I know how my body acts when I'm nursing I might wean the next one a few months sooner but who knows!

4. Tell us what you think the importance of parenting is?
As a substitute teacher I see a lot of kids on their worst day. RESPECT has been a big thing for me lately. I think it is so important to teach our children how to be respectful! With the economy being the way it is I hear a lot about children moving back in with their parents. I think it is important to teach your children how to be intrinsically motivated and a hard worker. I see and hear a lot of people getting things handed to them. On Suze Orman there was a 12 year old that got an allowance of $80 a month. Not gonna happen for little Chase. I think it is important to teach your children how to be a healthy eater, a lover of fitness and the outdoors, polite, unprejudiced, a lover of reading, how to handle his finances, how to cook and clean, how to be a good friend, a good husband, about God and Jesus, etc. I could go on and on! It is a big job and I hope I do it well!

5. Show us your favorite newborn photo
We didn't take professional newborn photos. But this is a great picture of my favorite newborn!

I seriously die over this picture! This is Chase the day we left the hospital. I don't ever remember him being that small!

6. Tell us some things you promise to never do as a parent {and if you are a parent, did you stick to it}
I distinctly remember my friends 1 year old wasn't sleeping through the night and saying if Chase is 1 and not sleeping through the night he will be crying it out. HA! I'm such a softie now! I said I wanted to breastfeed for a year and I did. We never wanted to give him medicine and we definitely have given him advil for teeth! I was going to try to not have an epidural. After two weeks of labor I asked for the epidural man to come as soon as he could when it was offered to me.

Challenge my Closet

I'm linking up again with my pal Shannon for Challenge your Closet.

This week I had substitute teacher orientation for the school district Chase will most likely be going to. I wanted to look professional. I pinned this working girl outfit collage and wanted to try to wear an outfit inspired by it. I liked the white with khaki. This shirt is one of my most professional looking white shirts. I also wore heels which I wouldn't normally choose. 

Saturday morning I was supposed to go to a playdate but ended up being too busy packing to go out of town. This is the outfit I picked to where to the playdate and out of town. I was inspired by this styling a basic white t blog post. I ended up wearing a beige tank because the white t that was clean had a stain (mom life!). It was over 90 that day so I didn't wear my jean jacket. I'm thinking if I do this outfit again I might try tucking the tank or white shirt in. 

P.S. My bathroom floor is always a distaster (mom life)!

Those summers

You know those summers? Where you have a great job and meet people that capture your heart?

When I moved to San Diego in May of 2007 I had no idea I would meet people I would cherish for a lifetime.

I was a daycamp counselor that summer. Which means you get to hang out with a group of people your age and supervise (play) with kids all day.

We had all day to spend together talking, laughing, and being crazy. Then we would spend all weekend together.

Most of the other counselors were home from college for the summer so a lot of time was spent at Hubby and I's apartment. Our little 600 sq ft apartment with our bunny we had brought 800 miles with us.

I miss those nights staying up late talking and laughing.

It was almost like an extra summer of college.

I swear to you the song "You're gonna miss this" was written about my life!

Now that I have a baby that needs to be put to bed there doesn't seem to be as many late nights just hanging out and talking. Maybe when we retire!

Label Whore

I am pretty far from a label whore. But I do own a few designer items and you know what? No one really notices. My latest obsession is the Michael Kors Large Runway Watch.

I 100% blame all you bloggers. I'm guessing if I sweet talked the Hubby into getting me one none of the other moms would even notice! I'll be looking for a knock off asap!

Boob Tube Babble

• I got caught up on Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood. I forgot how much I love Tori Spelling. When they went back to the spot where he proposed it was so sweet! I will be devastated if they get divorced. There aren't any rumors but it is Hollywood so I expect it.

• Are you watching this season of RHONY? I love what Aviva is doing for amputees. I taught in a classroom with a little girl that has a prosthetic leg and all I could think of is I wonder if Aviva being on tv has changed how people treat her and the questions they ask her.

• Amber and her new boyfriend on teen mom are so weird! Bummed that it is over and I can't enjoy their weirdness more. You know how they have butterfaces? He was a butterteeth. I thought he was good looking until I saw his teeth and heard him speak.

• Did you hear Holly Madison is pregnant?! So happy for her but the baby daddy sounds like he's got some issues!

Photo from people.com

• Snooki finally had her baby. That was like the longest pregnancy in history!

Fall is in the Air Show and Tell Monday and Challenge your closet

Ok, I might post the post I wrote and forgot to link up with Becky. Not going to forget to link up this time!


1. Tell us what you are looking forward to this fall?
So I know everyone is so ready for fall. I'm not. I haven't pinned any fall outfits. I have let our summer crab picture stay hanging. All I am looking forward to is our 2nd annual kiddo halloween party :)
2. Show us your fall style.

brown boots and a cardigan
3. Tell us your favorite things to do in the fall. If you have children, activities to do with the kids?
I love going to the pumpkin patch, carving the pumpkin, taking Chase to trick or treat and passing out candy.
4. Show us your favorite fall beverage.

 

apple cider. Might have to try this spiced cider recipe!
5. Tell us, how you will be participating in halloween this year. Plans? Costume ideas?
As I mentioned earlier, we will be having our 2nd annual kiddo halloween party. I may have already bought Chase's costume.

So cute, right?
The adults don't dress up. I still need to get him some Halloween pjs for answering the door in.

I also told you I'm going to be participating in Shannon's challenge your closet.
So, first, I washed all my clothes, organized them by things I can where to work and casual and turned the hangers around. I took a before picture because I'm thinking a lot of that will not get worn and will be donated.

 

 

(I thought I had hung up all my clothes but I had another laundry basket full! This isn't my jeans or dresses either!)

I realized when I was doing this that I am not a wear a dress to work kind of girl.
Shannon's challenge was inspired by Kate at the small things doing a 30x30 challenge. I thought about doing a 30x30 challenge but realized I have no cute jewlery :( So my challenge is to wear it or donate it for now.

Outfit #1

I've always wanted to be someone that wears a maxi dress on the weekend for no reason so I did. This dress is Nordstrom like 3 years ago. It is also like the longest maxi dress ever made. I'm 5'10 and it is long on me. We ended up going to Target and Costco. At Costco I somehow got caught in the cart. Thank goodness Hubby was there to untangle me! I had to change into comfy clothes when I got home.

Outfit #2

 

Totally forgot I had this shirt but found it because of this challenge! Love a good photo bomb. He's trying to put a headband on. 

16 months!

Chase is 16 months old! I haven't really been doing monthly updates since he turned 1 for a few reasons. But I wanted to do an update since he is at such a fun age!

We went on our first camping trip. It was only one night and thank goodness because Chase was getting his molars and did not sleep well. He looks like such a big boy in all the pictures from that trip.

Speaking of my little giant, he is so tall! His 15 month appointment was a few weeks ago and he was 33 inches tall! We go to the park and he is taller than some 2 year olds!

 I love taking him to the park. Today, he was so cute! We went with his friend, Carter, that he has known since he was born and they started figuring out throwing the ball to each other. He was throwing the ball with another little boy and then ran over to Carter to throw the ball to him.

A little girl went down the slide in front of him and he clapped for her.

We brought his buckets and shovels to play with in the sand and he did such a good job sharing. I can see that "I want that toy I'm going to grab it" motion and I tell him to share and I can see him hesitate. So hard to have self control! Makes me so proud!



He loves books and his daddy. The other day he grabbed his hand and dragged him over to something. So cute. When he hears the garage door go up when Hubby gets home he runs over to me and wants me to pick him up and take him to see his daddy.

 

The weather has been pretty nice lately so we can spend a little time outside after dinner doing Chase's favorite thing, watering the plants. He's seriously obsessed. He constantly wants to be outside playing with the hose.

 

 

 

 

 



Last night a woman probably in her 80's walked by using a walker and Chase was just beaming at her. I'm sure I've said it before, but I truly pray he continues to have such a sweet heart and continues to share his smile with everyone he meets.

Chase has been spending lots of time with his Grandpa when I go to work. I am so relieved that it has been a pretty easy transition. Makes me glad I trusted my gut and the timing worked out that we could wait this long for me to return back to work. Chase has been awesome at taking naps for Grandpa which was my big concern. They have always had a special bond but I see that bond growing. So sweet!

 

We started working on night weaning and getting him to sleep through the night in his crib recently. I know, a little late but it is the right timing for us. It was hard the first time he woke up the first night but has been getting better. I'm hopeful that he will be sleeping through the night soon.

 

He loves to point to things and say "this". His favorite word is still Dada. He tries to say bye, bye but it kind of sounds like dada but he waves. Sometimes he will say duck or dog. It is crazy how much he understands. He surprised me when I said, "let's go in the back yard" and he walked over to the gate. Or when I was singing a song I rarely sing, "little bunny foo foo" and I said, "bopping 'em on the head" and he pointed to his head. We sing "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" a lot and he has the head and toes part figured out. Precious.

 

He has started using a fork. I have to get the door knob baby proof things because he has started opening doors. He climbs on everything! He pretends everything is a phone. He loves to brush his hair. He likes to color.

 

He is such a little helper around the house. He loves to vacuum. I saw his friend, Carter (again), wipe up a spill and had to teach Chase how to do that right away.

 

I'm just a very proud mama. When his Daddy gives him kisses before bed he pushes our heads together so we kiss. It is so cute! I am so blessed to have such an adorable little guy!