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!