help!

I've looked everywhere, and need help finding lamps! I don't want to spend a fortune, but I need new lamps for about every room in my house. Here are a couple I love -but refuse to pay the pricetag- so you know my taste.Any suggestions?

how rude

We are remodeling our kitchen. Which means, I have went to home depot or lowes, at least 89 times this week. Somehow I have noticed that every time i am talking to the cashier, trying to pay and leave, usually having a screaming child in my arms, they ALWAYS stop serving me, to answer the phone. It's like.. why would you stop what you're doing -helping a customer- to "start" helping another customer by answering the phone? cashier: "That will be, eighty... hello, thanks for calling Lowes, how may I help you? Yes, one moment.... four dollars, maam. It really bugs me.

I'm so embarrassed...

This morning I had a few errands to run. I started out at Smith's Variety, in Mountain Brook Village. Well, after I load Cole into the car, I carelessly toss my keys up to the front seat. I get him buckled in and close the door. I reach for my door and realize IT'S LOCKED! A rush of panic spreads through my body. I have locked my child inside my car, and I can't get in!! Luckily, my sunroof is open... you know where this is going. Well, before I decide to climb up on my 2 story high vehicle, I feel the need to tell everyone around me WHY I am doing this. So, I see this man, and I just start rambling about how I've locked my child inside and need to get in NOW. So, he goes "we need to call the police." I say, "no, luckily my sunroof is open and I can just crawl in, if you can help me get up there." he says "we just need to call the police," I'm like look, this is a lot easier if you will just help me get up there. He goes "okay, let's do it... where is your sunroof?" ARE YOU ON CRACK? it's on top of my car! So, he says "okay, i'm going to have to touch your butt." I say "I don't care just get me up there!" Anyway, I climb up, and when Cole sees me through the roof, he starts dying laughing... like, the evil kind. Did he press the lock button knowing this would happen? He is pretty smart.

The ZOO

Now that it's not 100 degrees we decided to go the zoo today with cousin Kari and Elle. Cole really didn't pay attention to the animals because it was close to lunch time so that's all he cared about. I had fun, though. Here are some pics.

FINALLY

I have been away from the "blog" for almost a month. I've missed you all dearly. We have had an interesting last month. Cole is now at school two days a week, and honestly I wish it was three. He loves it, and I can tell it has affected his behavior at home. He is more patient and somehow sweeter. Maybe because I can't spoil him rotten as much. I try to get so much done when he is gone, but those 4 hours are so precious I don't really know how to spend them, because I don't want to waste a second. Yes, I love being with Cole, but those 4 hours are priceless. He gets a "report card" and they claim he is "VERY ACTIVE." Trust me, I know. It's her way of telling me, he is wild and loud and fast.
I am in the middle of doing (calligraphy) 2 weddings that are taking most of my free time. I am going on a cruise with my sister in 4 weeks, so I am in a mad rush to finish so I won't think about that the whole trip.
Last week, we had a family beach trip. WE HADN'T BEEN ALL SUMMER! If you know me, I live for the beach, and this is the longest I had been without going. Well, it just happened to be the week IKE was coming, but we were determined to make the best of it. It was cloudy most of the time, but at least it wasn't raining. Cole didn't like the sand, water, or anything that gets his hands dirty. He is'nt like this daddy - yet. PJ fished most of the time with his brother and dad, while I shopped the entire time. If I couldn't lay out, I was going to shop and at least eat good. I made PJ take me out for every meal. His family must think I am rotten - but it was my vacation too. What is better than eating out at the beach?! Here are some beach pictures, these were taken up the road from our house. Keep in mind this is ocean, not rain.


Cole has also resorted to walking on all fours. He is so close to just standing up and walking, but he continues to choose this way. We call him little crab.


Wish I was still there:)

Cole starts school!

next week! last night we went up there for a "new parent" orientation and this was on his classroom door. i shed a tear, or two.

Calligraphy

I am trying to spread the word that I do calligraphy for weddings, etc. Please let me know if you need something done. I am booked through the end of November for wedding invitations, but if your wedding is after that let me know! Here are some samples.

Cole is ONE!

We celebrated Cole's 1st Birthday this weekend! Thanks to everyone who came!

happy birthday.... to cole?

more like happy birthday to me! PJ told me he got me something for Cole's birthday... I'm thinking, kinda weird, but why argue, you know? Well, last night I unwrapped this picture! Yes, it is an eternity band of Cole's birthstone, which I can have stacked with all of my kids stones.... awesome, right?!

I have an addiction

Okay, so I have a serious addiction to Dr. Pepper. I have for so many years now. You would think I could overcome it, but no. Anyway, yesterday me and Cole were out running some errands. I pass a mcdonalds and think, I could get a large DP for $1! So, I whip it in and go through the drive-thru. I get in that second lane and there is a truck in front of me. Well, after a while they weren't taking his order so he starts to back up. I assume he is wanting me to back up too, so I throw it in reverse to get in that first line. Well, I slam right into a BMW. I get out, yes, I said a few cuss words, and walk back to check it out. Very minimal damage, and the lady just says "it's fine!" - in a mad way- and gets back in. YES! I am getting off the hook for the first time ever. So, I order, pay, then decide I'm going to pay for hers behind me and then get the teller person to hand her one of those "pay it foward" cards our church gives out. Well, I pay for hers, and it is only a $1 cookie, as well. Looks like the worlds addiction to cookies and sodas is here to stay. And yes, my Dr. Pepper was worth it.

Help to the car?

Does anyone else get creeped out by the men at Publix, or wherever you grocery shop, that ask "Help to the car, maam?" Every time, I am like, "no, thanks" and they insist, then i have to walk along side them as they push MY buggy, with MY child, and i walk awkwardly to the car. Seriously, I am so uncomfortable... do you tip? Are you suppose to make small talk while walking? i said "no"... it's weird.

These are a few of my favorite things...

After reading a friend do this same thing, I decided to list my favorite "can't live without" baby items this far.

1. The Ultimate Crib Sheet - no more breaking your back, or wrestling with those misfitted sheets.

2. Space Saver High Chair - just straps on to any new dining room furniture you may have purchased before knowing you were pregnant.


3. Pottery Barn diaper bag - huge, tons of pockets, cooling pocket for bottles.


4. Britax carseat - pricier than most, but Cole loves to sleep in it!


5. The Wubbanub - soothie that is attached to an animal - stays in the mouth when he falls asleep


6. Baby Einstein DVDs and playmat. - most everything baby einstein is amazing.

7. Crib Aquarium - when they wake up, keeps them entertained another 30 minutes.


8. Robeez - soft, so comfy they can sleep in them.


9. Bibsters - disposable bibs, perfect for eating out.

i have a few more... but this has taken up enough time.

Here are some pictures over the weekend at mimi and paw paws.

this picture just makes me smile. it's proof of a long, hard nap.

yea!!

Cole is all grown up now, and facing fowards in the car seat. he loves it, and can see everything. he is only allowed to watch the dvd player when we go on long trips... does PJ know that sometimes a trip to the grocery store can seem like 100 miles?

Cole in the closet

Whenever Cole sneaks away from me, I always know where to find him...

PB&J

cole will no longer eat baby food. he only eats things he can pick up and put in his mouth... so, i have had to get creative in keeping him healthy, but today we had a peanut butter and jelly. can you tell how much he loved it?

zzzzz..

Cole loves the lake, swimming and especially riding on the boat. After a long day, he passes out.

AHHHHH!!!

today might just be the most "things gone wrong" day i've had in a while. i'll start with going to Babies R Us to get a few things. well, 10 minutes into shopping i realize, something stinks.... so, i have to go out to the car to search for a diaper, change him. well, we get back in and he refuses to get back in the buggie. well, normally i just let him cry for a sec, but it was approaching nap time, so i thought i'll just let him have his way and people are definetly staring. well, it's impossibly to hold a 20+ baby who is constantly trying to get down, push a buggy, and shop for a new "big boy" car seat. anyway, i gave up and decided to attemp going across the street the Hobby Lobby bc i needed a picture frame. well, it was going to be my little secret bc i am forbidden to be in Wildwood, ever. (but it's convenient sometimes!) so, i go, within 5 minutes cole is beyond controllable, so i decide to leave remembering why i NEVER leave the house without help. so i walk to the car, watching my back for muggers, making sure my purse is hidden, and trying to get in the car and lock the doors asap. well, i was using my mom's car seat, long story, but i couldn't get it to snap into the base, so for 20 minutes, in the 100 degree heat, i wrestled with that POS carseat and finally got cole in it, while thinking the whole time, this is how i am going to die. finally, i get in the car, my cell phone is covered in some sticky substance i'm still unsure of, and it doesn't work. so, even if i was murdered there would be no way to call anyone - and pj would have killed me for being there if the mugger didn't. finally, i start the car, reach over for my purse, it is completely dumped out in the floor board. i am hating life at this moment. i look in the rearview mirror, cole is asleep. ahhhh, peace - even though i'm beyond pissed. i get home to find this mess, which is now considered normal....


and swear i'm never leaving again.

TEETH

Here are the teeth!