HAPPY FATHERS DAY RYAN !!!!
We love you lots

Yup...the strawberry cupcakes were definitely as good as they looked in the cookbook. The recipe made about 30 of them, so I gave a box to my babysitter, and a box to Bethany and her family. I can't wait to try out another recipe in there, they all look so yummy- the lemon meringue especially!!! I went and bought another mufffin tin yesterday- I see a lot of cupcake baking in the future.

Here comes the sun...doo, doo, doo, dooo...........

I can't believe that the sun is actually shining, and that I actually have the day off to enjoy it!! So in true Shannon fashion- both Griffin and I slept in until almost 9, and now he's napping for the 3rd straight hour. Unbelievable. Can't get him to do that any other day. He's typically a good sleeper, but not THIS good. Those that know me, know that I am a total stickler for making sure my boy gets a nap. I completely refuse to wake a sleeping baby- even to go out and enjoy this beautiful day.

My new Martha Stewart Cupcakes cookbook came in today. With all the time that I've had while Griffin has been sleeping, I had a chance to look through it a little. All I can say is...YUM!!! I think that tonight, I'm going to try out the strawberry cupcakes. Hope they are as good as they look in the book.

Griffin had his 18 month checkup yesterday. As usual, he is a happy and healthy little boy- everything is as it should be. I swear though, after the ER visit, and stitches he is really scared about going into a Dr's office. He was completely fine, and running around the waiting room when we first got there. As soon as we got into our room- the tears started, and he wouldn't let go of me. I felt horrible. It's so completely out of character for him to act that way- I just know that it's from the memory of the ER. After he finally warmed up to Dr Goldberg, the nurse came back in to give him a shot. Poor kid, can't win!



So he now weighs 25lbs.....in the 40th percentile

32 1/2" for height......in the 75th percentile

Today we took him for another haircut. This is after I made the horrible mistake of trying to cut it myself. I promise to never do it again! I didn't think that it would be a big deal to do a little trim, but I was so wrong. He hated it- Ryan had to hold him still while he cried, and squirmed, and freaked out. It was terrible, and it came out bad. I'm probably my own worst critic, but I couldn't stand looking at it, so I made an appt with my hairdresser. Of course, he was an angel and let her cut it with no problem at all. It looks so much better now.

Today is Ryan's birthday.......Happy Birthday Baby!!!!!!!!

It did a little bit of creative trading and was able to take the day off from work. I was really hoping for a nice day, full of sunshine- but it's yet another dark and dreary one out there. So I guess that we won't be having a little picnic at the lake. It's okay, since he is in the mood for bacon, cheeseburgers- we'll stay home and grill. I think that I'll suprise him with a peanut butter pie. YUM!!

I have Marissa coming over soon to help me get everything done. Since I'm working 6 days a week, I really don't want to spend my 1 day off running errands all day. Of course, Griffin is totally uncooperative so far- right now he is fooling around and playing in his crib- he should be napping. That will put me atleast an hour behind schedule, by the time we leave the house to go shopping. UGH!!!!

Yesterday was my friend Kellys birthday- Happy Birthday!! Hopefully, we can get together soon and celebrate.

It's been busy at work, and we all have been putting in overtime. This week I worked 6 hrs of it, but next week I have will have 12 hours of OT. It's really hard for me to feel like a good mother and work that much. I do my best to keep things as normal for him as possible- like having my niece babysit at my house, but I still miss him terribly.

Funny story-

Like doggie, like baby......... I was doing dishes earlier and when I turned around, Griffin was laying on the floor-face down in the dogs water dish- drinking from it!!! DISGUSTING!!!!! He thought it was rather funny, and was soaking wet licking his lips. Oh, the joys of a little boy.

Here are a few new pics...and then, big suprise- I'm off to get ready for work.





Sometimes he really has Ryans disposition!






Goofing around.











Watching tv on daddys laptop.









Ryan couldn't believe that I actually took this picture, but hey, it's what kids do!! I think it's funny.

This week is our vacation week. We're not going anywhere, but we are doing lots- of house stuff , that is!! On Sunday, we took a trip to Lowe's to buy a new storm door. We ended up getting the storm door and a new front door as well. After our shopping trip we went to our friends Bethany and Scotts house for dinner. We had a really nice time, but we kept Griffin up way too late, and payed the price for that the next day when all he did was fuss and cry.
While we were at Lowe's we picked out the stone for the walkway, and the flower beds. So on Monday, while Griff napped, I got the flower bed all cleaned out and ready. Ryan installed one of the new kitchen lights (looks sooo much better), and then spent the rest of the afternoon installing the new door. I don't think it went as smooth as he had planned- the frame is not as deep as the old, he didn't buy enough shims, and then at one point- the damn thing fell out!! Lucky for us, there was no damage. He still has to install the storm door, and frame in were the gap is from it not being as deep.
Today, was another trip to Lowe's to buy some of the stone for the flower beds, mulch, crushed stones, and other goodies. We also took a little drive to Sears- and I got a new washer and dryer!! We were totally not planning on buying that right now. My machines are on the old side, but they are still running. On Sunday night, I glanced at the sales flyer and noticed that they were on sale for $1100 off the pair- how can you beat that?! So we talked ourselves into it- figuring that we were going to need them sooner rather than later, and why not scoop up the really good deal now? They are being delivered tomorrow.
Speaking of Sears, that was another really sucky shopping experience with my son. He screamed as soon as we put him in the shopping cart, and continued to cry the whole time that we were in there. Ryan wheeled him all around while I talked to the salesman, and at times I could hear him across the store! When we finally got home, he took a 2 1/2 hour nap. I don't even know why we attempt to even bring him into stores anymore.
Anyway, weather and Griffins mood permitting- we have a whole list of stuff to do this week still. Ryan has the other kitchen light to install, and he wants to get our pellet stove (the one we never got to use this past winter) installed. Plus, we started the stone work for the flower bed, so we have to finish that. I want to paint the trim for the livingroom so that it can finally be put up, and I would love to do some decluttering!!
Wish us luck.................................

Today is our 5th anniversary!
It really doesn't seem like 5 years have gone by already. The past five years have brought a lot of changes- from buying our 1st house, to struggling with infertility, to bringing our beautiful son into this world. I feel blessed everyday. Sure there are days that we annoy the crap out of each other ;) but we truly love and respect each other, and we always find a way to make things work. I honestly believe that Ryan makes it possible for me to be a better mother because he is such a good father to Griff. I don't know what I would ever do without him.

We are celebrating this weekend- yup, all weekend. Tonight, I'm leaving work early and coming home. Tomorrow we are going out for dinner with our good friends Lynn and Mike- hopefully, the weather will be nice and we can relax out on the decks by the water. Sunday- to finish off the weekend, we are having a small BBQ. I can't wait!!

A couple of pics from Betty's Swine Flu Phobic 40th B-day!!








And here's my little boy w/his boo-boo................



All he wanted was for Ryan to hold him- he wanted nothing to do with mommy!!







looking like a prize fighter!

Another busy couple of weeks have flown by in our house. Most of it has been business as usual- with only a few bumps along the way.


Last weekend will make it into Griffins baby book (that is if he had one!). He got his first "real" boo-boo, and by "real", I mean- it involved stitches.


So last Saturday, I'm sitting in the hairdressers chair- about to get my much needed highlight and cut- when I get the call from Ryan. Griff had fallen, hit his mouth on the wooden rocker, blood all over, and they were going to the ER. I'm sure that I'll not be winning the "mother of the year"award after I admit this, but my first thought was "can't Ryan just deal with this, so that I can finally get my hair done". I know- shame on me, but I knew that any cuts on the mouth or anywhere on the head really bleed a lot, and that it probably looked worse than it was. Try telling that to a panicked father!


Being the horrible mother that I am- since I was only 2 minutes away from the hospital, and it was going to take Ryan 40 minutes to get there- I decided to use that time to get the haircut. Hey- I had a party to go to that night! Anyway, by the time that Ryan met me in the parking lot the bleeding had stopped and it wasn't as bad as Ryan had first thought- just as I had figured. We decided to bring him in anyway- we were there, and at worse they would think that we were overprotective parents.



He ended up needing 3 stitches to close his lip- and lucky for all of us his teeth hadn't quite gone through the inside so they didn't have to stitch that. I say lucky for all of because from the time that they put in the room- it was like a switch had been flipped and Griff realized that he was tired, sore, hungry, and I really think he knew what was in store for him- so he screamed, and cried, and screamed. It took 3 adults to hold him down so that the Dr could do the stitches. Who knew a 17 month old could be that strong? or spit that much?



After all of that, he is completely fine. The stitches only had to stay in for 5 days, and the removal, while it wasn't fun, was over quickly and he was smiling shortly afterward. It's still a little swollen, and I hope that it doesn't leave too much of a scar. I'm trying not to jump the gun but, I have this bad feeling that we're going to become frequent customers of the ER with that child. He's fearless, and thinks that everything is funny- a dangerous combo, if you ask me.

How time is flying! I can't believe that it's been weeks since I last posted! It's been really busy though, and I haven't been feeling well at all. What started out as dizziness, turned into a rash, and then painful, swollen joints- with some other odd symptoms sprinkled in there as well. My Dr is thinking that it's viral, but tested me for fun stuff like Lupus and Lyme disease. All the tests have come back negative so far- still waiting on one more. What a strange virus though!

Griffin has been fussy all day- and then I noticed a rash on him!! I called his Dr right away, and they got him right in. Thankfully, the Dr said that the rash looks more like an allergy rash (God knows to what?!) What was more concerning is the double ear infection that Griff has!! The Dr said his ears were red and bulging, and he was on the verge of being an extermely miserable kid. So now we are treating him with antibiotics and Benedryl. His Dr wants to see him back for possible allergy testing if the rash, runny nose and cough don't go away in the next 2 wks- now that should be a load of fun- woohooo!
The trip to Rite Aid to fill his antibiotic Rx was a treat all of it's own. Per the usual service that I get at Rite Aid (is it all of them or just Farmington?), when I got there, they said that they never got the fax from the Dr's office. Now, since I'm used to this type of thing from Rite Aid- I double checked with the Dr's office before I even left, that the Rx HAD been faxed. So I ask the girl at the counter to check her faxes again because it had been faxed- of course, she says no they don't have it. Right.
Take in mind, I didn't bring in the stroller because I was supposed to run right in, pick this up and be on my way. By now Griffin is fighting with me to get down because I'm sure that to a 16 month old Rite Aid looks like a big, fun playground. Having no choice but to put him down so that I can call the Dr's office- that's exactly what I did!
Let me tell you this- a 16 month old that's all sick and cranky will totally pull himself together to raise hell, and conquer on his seek-and-destroy mission in Rite Aid.
So, Griffin is running around- getting into EVERYTHING- and not being quiet about it. I have the Dr's office on the cell- they are asking to speak to the pharmacist. Oh, but wait, this is Rite Aid- so the pharmacist (who has witnessed the whole thing so far) takes her sweet time. Let me also point out that we are the only customers waiting there!! Hmmm... If it were me, I would have filled the antibiotic without a Rx just to get the little weapon of mass destruction out of my store!! Well, now I'm thinking that two can play this game- so have at it little guy :) I'm sick of picking up all the stuff he is knocking over, and why should I make him be quiet?!
So Rite Aid, as our parting gift to you for all the great service- Have fun picking up all the condoms, pantyhose, and cold medicines- oh, and the canes ( he really LOVED the canes!) Atleast since you don't provide great or even partly acceptable customer service- you DO provide endless entertainment to the small children who's parents are forced to deal with you.
Am I wrong?!!

I am a great auntie again!! Kylie Shea was born this morning and weighed in at 6lb, 6oz and is 19 in long. Both mother and baby are doing well. I talked to Jess briefly and she said that labor was easier the 2nd time around. I had to work today, so I wasn't able to visit them- hopefully we'll be able to go tomorrow.

Griff can climb up on the kitchen chairs now- so nothing on the table is safe anymore!!

Ryan and I got out last night for some much needed time away from Griff. We went to my friend Halies house for a party & we all had to dress as a musician. We had a really fun time!

Here's a couple of pics of Griffins 1st real haircut. He did really well, considering I had my hair cut first. I kept him still by giving him some of his favorite snacks!

Griffin had his 15 month check up on Tuesday. It went well, and he's doing great. Of course, he was a ham the whole time- showing off to the nurses and the Dr. He really likes his Dr and even held his arms up for the Dr to pick him up! It was so cute.
So his stats are now: 31" long- 50th percentile
22lbs- 15th percentile

Trevor & Sylas

Taylor & Sylas

Last night was Margarita Night at my house. Angela, Brooke and Aaron came over with all the kids. So I made red rocker margarita chicken sandwiches, and of course pomegranate margaritas. YUM!! It was fun to visit with everyone, and spend some time with Sylas- he's so adorable in case I forgot to mention that before :) Actually all the kids are cute, and they were all so good- I think that they had fun.
Today is an overtime day for me here at work. I'm trying to get in my hours today so that I don't have to work on Tuesday (my day off). Griff has his 15 month check up, and I hate to have to reschedule that apt. This forced overtime is really getting ridiculous. I know that I should be happy to have a good job- and I am, really. It's just so hard to spend time with my family and work 6 days a week. I miss Griff and Ryan! The only good part about being here today is that it's not really busy, so I've spent a good part of my day on Facebook.

Here's some of the latest pics:

He got into my clean laundry and put on one of my t-shirts- he walked around the house like this all morning!


Here's our back deck after the last snow storm- I think that we got close to 2 feet of it.

Griff goofing around at lunch time.

This is the blanket that I crocheted for Sylas

Here's the valentines that I made for Griff's class.

How can we possibly be getting more snow?! It's supposed to start tonight and go until tomorrow night- seriously! I know - I'm not the only one completely sick of it, but I have to whine.
Anyway, we've been so busy lately at work that I rarely ever get a chance to get on here and do updates. First off- our friends Aaron & Brooke had their baby!! So a big congrats to them and Memphis on the birth of Sylas- he's sooo adorable. Totally makes me want another :)
Then last weekend Ryan and I had lunch with my friend Maureen, who I hadn't seen in a couple of years, and her husband Chad. Ryans parents watched Griff so that we could enjoy the afternoon. We really had a great time- it was nice to see her and meet Chad. I'm glad that we took the opportunity, and I hope that we don't wait so long to get together again. After lunch, Ryan and I stopped at Sears. Our vaccum broke, so we had to get a new one. We got the Dyson dc25 animal. I highly recommend it to anyone that has pets, and kids!!! I cannot believe how much crap that thing sucks up.
On Tues night I went to see the movie He's Just Not That Into You. In case anyone cares about my opinion- go see it. It's a cute movie. Obviously a chick flick, so don't force your guy to see it unless he likes those kinds of movies. Ryan does not- so I got Angela to go see it with me.

On the Griffin front- my little boy has just been so busy with getting big! It seems like everyday he learns something new. He seems to really like his daycare. At first, he cried whenever I dropped him off. Now, I put him down when we get there, and off he goes to play. Getting him to eat anything has been our new issue lately. He's become extremely picky- the only good part of it is that the stuff he will eat is healthy. We offer him a variety at every meal, but he just throws the stuff he doesn't want on his tray. So frustrating!!
I'll try to load the pics off my camera soon so that I can post some new ones on here. I took a couple of cute ones the other day.

Where's the camera when you need it? I was filling the tub this morning for Griffins bath and had him in the bathroom with me. Of course, nature called and I had to go potty. As I'm sitting there with him just out of my reach- he finds out that he's now big enough to climb into the tub- CLOTHES AND ALL!!!! It was actually really funny & he didn't seem to think that it was abnormal at all.

Crazy Much??? Just my opinion, but I find this situation to be a bit disturbing.

The Southern California woman who gave birth to octuplets last week told TODAY’s Ann Curry in an exclusive interview that growing up as an only child, she had always dreamed of having “a huge family.” She also denied charges that she was irresponsible to have so many babies — especially with six other children already at home.
“People feel, you know, this woman is being completely irresponsible and selfish to bring these children in the world without a clear source of income and enough help to raise them,” Curry told Nadya Suleman in a segment that aired Friday on TODAY. “The world outside is saying, ‘What are you doing?’ ”
“I know I'll be able to afford them when I'm done with my schooling,” the 33-year-old single mom replied. Calm, poised and articulate in the glare of the media spotlight, Suleman added: “If I was just sitting down watching TV and not being as determined as I am to succeed and provide a better future for my children, I believe that would be considered, to a certain degree, selfish.”

‘I love my children’Suleman, who said she holds each premature infant 45 minutes each day, said she was hoping to have one more child after having six previous children, all of whom are under the age of 7. She said she had six embryos implanted, two of which resulted in twins. Curry reported that although Suleman has received disability payments from the state of California, she said she refuses to accept welfare payments. Suleman and her children live with her mother, Angela Suleman.
“All I wanted was children. I wanted to be a mom. That's all I ever wanted in my life. I love my children,” she told Curry.
Curry said that Suleman said she intends to return to college in the fall to complete a master’s degree in counseling. Suleman had worked in a state mental hospital from 1997-2006, but spent much of the time after 1999 on disability after injuring her back in a riot at the facility.
Suleman said she is a good mother.
“I'm providing myself to my children. I'm loving them unconditionally, accepting them unconditionally,” she told Curry. “Everything I do, I'll stop my life for them and be present with them. And hold them. And be with them. And how many parents do that? I'm sure there are many that do, but many don't. And that's unfortunate. That is selfish.”
‘Phenomenal risk’Suleman said she was fully aware of the risks of carrying eight fetuses. “Those are my children, and that’s what was available,” she said. “It’s a gamble.”
In a separate segment, NBC’s chief medical editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, said the gamble didn’t end with the live births of all eight babies.
“That risk is not only to mom — her uterus can rupture and she can die — there’s a phenomenal risk to eight babies. Eight babies, by definition, cannot be born normal weight and robust,” Snyderman told TODAY’s Matt Lauer after watching Suleman’s interview with Curry.She explained: “They’re going to watch these kids very carefully for eating problems, growing [problems], and then seizures, jaundice, heart problems, lung problems, blindness, developmental delays — there’s a laundry list of things. Long term, because some of these children will be physically or mentally challenged, there’s a looming price tag out here. The hospital bill alone will run $1.5 to $3 million. Forget about getting to college; just to get through special-needs stuff — it’s going to have to come from somewhere, either the taxpayers of California or her family or her church or the hospital. But she can’t do it alone.”
NBC contributor and psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz added that there will be emotional issues to deal with as well. “Undoubtedly these eight children are going to have issues: at the minimum, the issue of neglect,” Saltz told Lauer.“Obviously, she’s saying she’s going to love them, but there are 14 children and [only] one of her,” Saltz continued. “There’s going to be an absence of some emotional needs. There will probably be developmental delays at best in these children; maybe learning disabilities. There are going to be major issues that they’re going to need various therapies for.”
Suleman said she went to the same in vitro fertilization clinic to have all 14 of her children. All were conceived with donated sperm from the same father, Suleman said.
Suleman told Curry that the father is a bit overwhelmed right now, but she is hoping that he will want to get to know his children when he is ready.
“How did an only child end up with 14 children?” Curry asked Nadya Suleman.
Nadya Suleman defended her choices in an exclusive interview with Ann Curry: “All I wanted was children.”
“That was always a dream of mine, to have a large family, a huge family, and I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I really lacked, I believe, growing up,” she replied.
The entire exclusive interview will air along with exclusive video of the babies on TODAY Monday, Feb. 9, and on Dateline at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10.“Describe what you felt you lacked within,” Curry said.
“Feeling of self and identity,” Suleman replied. “I didn't feel as though, when I was a child, I had much control of my environment. I felt powerless. And that gave me a sense of predictability. Reflecting back on my childhood, I know it wasn't functional. It was pretty dysfunctional, and whose isn't?”
Saltz later opined to Lauer that Suleman’s statement reveals emotional issues. “I think she’s in a bit of denial here and quite defensive, because in fact she does talk about the fact that this has been her life’s mission: to have babies, have babies, have babies. There’s an obsession to this, and I think it’s quite disturbing,” the psychiatrist said.
“When you don’t have a connection in childhood, you go see a therapist,” she added. “You don’t have 14 babies.”
While the world celebrated the birth of fairly healthy octuplets, public sentiment has shifted as it's been revealed Suleman also has six other children, ages 2 to 7, and is a single parent who conceived all 14 of her children through in vitro fertilization.
The divorced single mom told Curry she tried to get pregnant for years before finally succeeding.
“I went through about seven years of trying, through artificial insemination, through medication. And all of which was unsuccessful. And then the first IVF procedure from that facility — it was successful. And then I just kept going in.”
While it hasn't been revealed which doctor implanted eight embryos at once into Suleman, the octuplets' birth has sparked an ethical debate in the medical community.
Dr. David Adamson, former president of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, said he was bracing for some backlash against his specialty.
In 30 years of practice, “I have never provided fertility treatment to a woman with six children,” or ever heard of a similar case, said Adamson, director of Fertility Physicians of Northern California.
‘Most sought-after mom in the world’Suleman was released from Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in the early morning hours on Thursday, avoiding reporters and photographers, said hospital spokeswoman Nancy Tovar-Huxen. Suleman's publicist, Mike Furtney, told The Associated Press that she was staying at “an undisclosed location” where she was confident she could avoid reporters and photographers.
Later in the day, she sat down for her interview with Curry. NBC said that the network did not pay Suleman for the interview.
Furtney said the mother was still evaluating potential offers, including possible book and TV deals, and might do other interviews later.
”There are lots of potential opportunities out there and she's looking at them carefully,” he said.
Meanwhile, hospital officials said the six boys and two girls born to Suleman on Jan. 26 were in good condition Thursday. The eight babies are the longest known surviving octuplets in the world.
Recently discharged, Nadya Suleman was still wearing her hospital ID bracelets during her interview.
Furtney said Suleman is “feeling great” and looking forward to being reunited with her octuplets, who are expected to remain in the hospital for several more weeks.
“She's happy to be out of the hospital, although she misses her children,” he said. “She can't wait until they join her.”
Joann Killeen, Furtney’s partner, told TODAY earlier this week that her client is being deluged with offers for book deals, TV shows and other business proposals, but has not decided what she might do other than care for her children, her newly hired spokeswoman said Monday.
“She's the most sought-after mom in the world right now,” Killeen said. “Everyone wants to talk to her.”
The country's first set of octuplets was born to Nkem Chukwu of Texas on Dec. 20, 1998. A week later, the tiniest of the infants died of heart and lung failure. The surviving seven siblings celebrated their 10th birthday in December.

Will it ever end?! Griffin and I are sick again!! I'm so tired of being sick this year- it's ridiculous. I think that I've had more colds this year than I've had in my entire life. Poor little Griff- his nose is all sore, and scabby with dry skin from the constant wiping. I feel bad for him. On top of that- he has a fat lip. He fell and hit his mouth- blood gushed everywhere. Not pretty!

Today is Griffins first day at daycare. It broke my heart to leave my little guy there, with his eyes full of tears, as I walked out the door. I'm sure that he was completely fine a couple of minutes after I left, but it's still hard. I really like this daycare- I think that Griff is really going to enjoy going there as well. I'm impressed with how much they seem to love the kids, they have a lot of activities, and it's really clean. It's only for 2 days a week- but I'm glad that we made the decision to send him there.

AAA is getting a new customer! Leave it to me to lock my keys in my car today. After recently losing my keys, and then my car breaking down (right after I had $700 worth of work done to it) on the highway- I really have to get a membership. Luckily, I was at work, and my friend Bethany has AAA. She called them for me, andI got my door open. Ryan was relieved at not having to drive all the way home, and then back here in this snow storm.

Heres a couple of pics that I took this morning. Griff has another cold! His poor little nose is all red and sore. It didn't stop him from being a little terror at my Dr apt today though. He was all over the place, and trying to get into everything! I couldn't wait to get out of there. I honestly think that the Dr breathed a sigh of relief when we left.

Here's Elmo telling Griff how much he loves him.

He had some fun playing around the coffee table.

milestones

What better way to start this off than to announce some good news?! Griffin is finally walking!! We're so proud of our little guy- though not nearly as proud as he is of himself. For weeks now, he's been standing up and maybe taking a step or two, and now he's really walking.
I'm a little sad about it though- he's getting to be so much more toddler and less baby every day.