Footloose and Paci Free...2 years old

Well I'm breaking bad blogging records lately and only blogging once a quarter these days. Sheesh. It's the baby's fault. ;)


So my little paci lover has unknowingly given up his first love. It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought. I dreaded taking his paci away worse than potty training. One night I just decided to not give it to him and surprisingly, he went to sleep fine. So the next day I just kept it out of sight and when he asked for it, I just told him I didn't have it. I took one step at a time and it worked way better than I imagined. He basically went cold turkey. He got really sick with hand, foot and mouth during the process so I gave it to him a few times just to nap and comfort him. Fortunately, it didn't set him back any. He's been without it for 3 weeks now. I'm so proud of him. I know how much he loved that thing.

Today he had his 2 year appt with Dr. Davidson. He's very healthy and on track in everything the doc asked me about. He's 36.5 inches tall and weighs 31.5 lbs. Dr. D says his birth mark on his nose still has plenty of time to go away...it's something I've kept an eye on since his birth. I was hoping it'd go away completely by now, but it's not really that noticeable.

Backing up to Christmas, it was a splendid time this year. My very favorite word that Evan has learned to say is "Santa". I almost like it better than "Mommy"! It is so freakin cute the way he says it! It's kind of with a little lisp...it's adorable. Now he says, "Mickey Santa" all the time, indicating he'd like to watch "Mickey's Once/Twice Upon a Christmas" movie on the DVR. He's watched it at least 20 times now...I can't believe he still loves it. I ordered the DVD's today. Anyways, his big present from us was more Geotrax for his train set. It sprawled across the living room floor...way too big for the train table now. He still plays with it non-stop.

He's recently started dancing. Don't know exactly where he learned how, but it's hilarious. And his favorite things to say are, "I did it!" when he did something he's proud of. Also, "I fast! I fast!" as he runs circles around the staircase. Oh and let's not forget, "Peed, I am peed!" for Lightning McQueen. lol

He had the best 2 year old birthday party ever. Gymboree, 18 friends and their parents, HUGE Mickey airwalker balloons, homemade Mickey Mouse cupcakes, a few tantrums, but it was awesome (I think Evan had fun too...hehe). I kinda went Mommy psycho on this party...we could have taken a vacay to Rome instead, but it was worth it.

Now maybe I can focus on the new little boy that's gonna be in my life soon. Only 3 months to go and we still have to pick out a name for him!

New digs :)

Getting closer to new digs...

FINALLY got a contract on our house. Praise God!! Due to close November 9. Found a house that we like in Franklin. We'll see what happens...

New Blog for Baby

http://meisnerbabyboo.blogspot.com/

20 Months = Tantrums Galore

The tantrums have begun. And oh they're all out fall on the floor, stomping and high pitched screams. But let me tell you, they're not here for long. After weeks of trying to decide which method of discipline I wanted to take, the wooden spoon also made it's debut this weekend. I hated to go that route, but mama don't play those tantrum games. Actually I just had to show him the spoon and tapped his leg very softly and say, "Spank!" and he got it. He looked at me wide-eyed like, "Oh goodness, she's for real now." I'm sure it won't always be that easy. But from what friends tell me, just the threat of the spoon is usually enough. Let's hope so b/c mama hates giving spankings. :(

Oh the bright side, Evan started MDO last week. Today's his second day, thus I'm back to blogging, enjoying some quiet laptop time at Panera. He wasn't happy when I dropped him off, but I prayed he'd have a good day today. It's hard for the little guy, but I know it's best. We also started attending MOPS which I LOVE, so he's getting a double dose of childcare on some weeks.

His favorite words lately are first and foremost, "cars" for the Cars Movie. He literally wakes up saying "cars" and goes to bed saying "cars". What kind of hyponosis did they put in that movie? His other favorites are, "choo choo", "yes", "copter" for helicopter, "cheese", "tractor", and he likes to roar like a lion. hehe He still predominately says Mama alllll the time. He calls everything Mama, including Steve and pictures of himself. We're working on that. I'm teaching him to show me his happy, sad and mad faces...he thinks that's hilarious. He loves itsy bitsy spider and patty cake and basically all sing songs. Oh and he gets a kick out of sticking his index fingers in his nostrils at the same time. Hopefully he doesn't do that at MDO. lol

Gosh I don't know what I'd do without that kid. Lately I've been frustrated with him a lot because of the tantrums, but that little kid is my world. It's gonna be fun to have another one, but he'll always be my first.

Food Intake Restructure

My new fave website/magazine: http://www.eatingwell.com/. Healthy, low cal, delicious.

Gymboree/The Little Gym

Evan loves Daddy

Happy Father's Day

Making the Stepping Stone

Stone for Dad's Garden

Daddy's Cake

The Meisner Men

Signs that I'm old and have completely lost the cool points I had built up

1. Starting with the most scary, I'm actually starting to want a minivan. I NEVER thought those words would come out of my mouth, but I'm sick of changing diapers in the front seat, bumping my head on the door and not having any room to put anything.

2. I have at least 3 gray hairs.

3. I'd rather watch movies at home than at the theatre.

4. Steve and I return from dates at 9 pm...or earlier.

5. We go to bed at 9 or 9:30 pm.

6. I can't sleep past 8 am any more...even if I want to.

7. I actually care about politics.

8. I care about incorporating more fruits and veggies in my diet (still not giving up Diet Dr. Pepper though).

9. I wear sunscreen instead of baby oil.

10. I like watching the news.

11. I'm not the youngest of my friends any more.

12. I actually WANT to move to suburbia and give up the downtown pad.

13. I realize that my mom's right about 99% of the time.

14. My metabolism has definitely slowed down.

15. We often go out to eat at 5 or 5:30 pm (although that's mostly Evan's fault).

16. I don't think twice about changing a diaper in public or stripping him down to a diaper.

17. I want a minivan. That one has to count for at least two.

But I did recently go bungee jumping, so all's not lost. ;)

16 Months/Update

Stylin and profilin'

In my big boy pants!

I'm a cheese

Hunting eggs with Dad

Peekin at my Easter basket

I'm growing increasingly worse at blogging. I used to be so into this. I just don't have that much time any more. During the 2-3 hour period I get to myself during the day, I'm usually cleaning, preparing for dinner, doing my devotion, facebooking or just resting! That being said, here's what's up with us...

The most exciting news is that our house is on the market. We're anticipating our move to Franklin. We're hoping and praying everyday that someone puts a contract on our house. One lady loved it and said it's in her top 4, so I'm praying she's the one!

I thought Steve and I would never agree on where to move around Nashville, but everything finally came together (read: he gave into me) and we agreed that Franklin is the best spot for us to raise our family. I've lived around Nashville for most of my life and Franklin is the one area that I've never lived in, so it makes it all seem new to me, which my personality type needs. Plus they have the best public schools, the cleanest, nicest mall/shopping/restaurant areas, plus my Mama's group is nearby. The only thing is we'll have to find a new church, but there are TONS to choose from and I'm confident we'll find something we love. I already have a few good leads. I'm on a waiting list for MOPS and Evan's on the list for MDO, so I'm reallllllllllly looking forward to that. Oh and did I mention how awesome it will be to be in an actual neighborhood? We don't live in much of one now and I never lived in subdivisions growing up, and I want Evan and our future kids to grow up near other kids so they can ride their bikes and play basketball on the streets and stuff.

Evan is 16 months now. Wow. He acts like he's been walking forever, even though it's only been 2 months. He likes sticks and drums and wrestling and chase and most of all, being outside. He is so boyish! He says new words a lot, but doesn't repeat them for several days, sometimes weeks. It's weird. After months of me trying to teach him the sign for "more", I had given up. But today my mom showed it to him when we were eating lunch and he did it repeatedly! He's done it all day and even signed "more" when he wanted Steve to tickle him again. He's 26 lbs. He likes to unroll the toilet paper for me when I pee because he knows he can't touch it any other time. lol He points to almost all of his body parts when I ask him where they are. He does good eating with a fork, but still likes to use his hands. He LOVES songs. Fave shows are Play With Me Sesame, Handy Manny, Backyardigans. Fave foods are pizza, chips, sweet potato fries, mandarin oranges, and puffed snap peas. (Info for his baby book.)

Steve is doing great at work. He's billing more than he ever has before and he's getting lots of new files from the partners. He's even had a few cases that came in specifically for him. I'm so proud of what he does. I couldn't be a lawyer for a day. I would never be able to sit and read and dictate and research and have all that conflict everyday! He has to deal with some barracudas sometimes. I love that he does his work with integrity, professionalism and the right attitude even when things aren't fair. I know it's not easy.

I went to my first law dinner with him 2 weeks ago with NES. It was actually fun, great food and it was nice to meet some of the wives I haven't met. All of us associate wives have boys, mostly just a few months apart. Kinda cool.

As for me, I'm enjoying my time with Evan. Some days more than others. hehe I love being home with him. We go to the gym, go on playdates, run errands, play at home, go to parks A LOT, play outside and are looking forward to spending lots of time at the pool this summer. I'm so blessed to be able to stay home with him. I try to never take it for granted, although I know I do sometimes.

That's about it for now. :)