Get Used to It

That's right, you might as well get used to me not posting very much...I just don't have the ambition, longing, whatever you call it to get on here and update. I do try, but when I get on, I find very little to talk about. I guess that comes as no surprise to those of you who know me well...I'm not a great conversationalist and that has obviously carried over into my blog. My sincerest apologies for those that rely on this blog for updates!

Anyway, we have had a very busy past month with traveling and what not. And, it's not going to end until January rolls around.We were able to go to Indiana for Thanksgiving to visit my extended family, some of whom I haven't seen for at least a year or two.

Below, My cousin Kelly playing with the kids...The cousins did an awesome job playing/entertaining the little ones this year...don't know what I would have done without them!

Uncle Josh playing with Weston

Grandpa teaching Weston how to handle a firearm...It's never too early

It was great hanging out and catching up while enjoying great food, and believe you me, there was a lot of it! Unfortunately, the trip ended with all of us getting a nasty stomach bug that we brought back to Ohio. Weston was lucky enough only to get a minor bit of it, but the rest of us were feeling pretty terrible. But it has passed now and we are on to bigger and better things-such as...SNOW!

It has snowed a few inches here and Weston has loved playing in it! The downside of this snow is that it brought VERY cold weather with it. Yesterday, the windchill had us in the negatives...so we didn't get to play in it yesterday. But today, we spent about 45 minutes out there running around the yard.

On Sunday, Weston had his first Santa encounter of the year. It went much better than I anticipated. He didn't cry or scream this year when he sat in Santa's lap. He wasn't a huge fan, but at least we got a picture without tears!

Last week, Weston had his 18 month well-child checkup (even though he is 20 months...oops). He is still ranking in the 95% for height at a whopping 34.5". He has dropped to the 35% for weight though at 24 lbs. His cousin Elijah who is 12 months weighs just as much as him and probably soon will overtake him, pretty hilarious if you ask me! Since he is such a horrible eater, the practitioner that we saw recommended I put him on Carnation Instant Breakfast one time a day as a supplement to his diet as well as a multivitamin...just so our bases are covered. She also told me to start spreading a little bit of butter or such on crackers and other snacks that he has to add a little more fat to his diet...seeing that 3 glasses of vitamin D milk doesn't provide enough-good grief! Fortunately, Weston loves the Carnation chocolate mix and his vitamins, so that won't be a struggle. Now just to get him to eat actual food...good luck right?

As for the weston 2.0-I had my 30 week checkup last week and all looks well. We had an ultrasound to check the location of the placenta-which is fine. However, what they could tell on the ultrasound is that this child is on target to be as big or bigger than Weston 1.0. The ultrasound tech said that if they think size is going to be an issue since we are going to try for a VBAC, then they may do another late ultrasound to see just how big 2.0 is. Please pray that we'll be able to deliver naturally instead of another c-section.

Let Me Introduce Myself...

Ok, so once again, I've failed, but I will keep trying to be good at this thing.

I cannot believe how fast October has flown by and November is already here! In fact, I lost track of time and forgot our credit card payment was due and today was the last day to pay it. On my walk, I remembered and immediately ran inside to pay it. Ok, I walked in-no running for this mama!

Weston had a great time over Halloween. He was the cutest bat in Ohio! We went to Delaware to participate in Trunk or Treat with Cousin Lucy and the Clarks. Then we headed to the nursing home and Trick or Treated with the residents and THEN we went to Troy and did the same with the Robinson's. Weston got the hang of it and had some fun walking up to the houses and putting the candy in his bucket all by himself.

This month we also went to an apple orchard so I could make some apple sauce. Unfortunately we missed the pick-your-own season, but Weston had fun none-the-less playing around the farm.

Some more fun that we had was at a pumpkin patch in Delaware with the Clarks-again. Weston got to shoot a sling shot, which he loved!

I was also able to take Weston to Fulton Farms with the Mom2Mom group from Ginghamsburg. We went on a hay ride, looked at animals and played in their straw playground. Weston also got a pumpkin.

So, as you can see, we have been very busy going to and fro in October. November doesn't seem like it will be any slower-All of our weekends are already booked-good grief!

A "Picturesque" Post

It is what the title says it is. A long overdue request of some pictures for my sister-who by the way is NOT pregnant-at least that I know of. In my last post, I guess my wording made it sound like she was expecting as well...sorry for the misdirection. Maybe soon though? We could only hope!

Without any further adieu:

Mom's New Granite Countertops and her new fridge and microwave...nice :)

Closeup of the countertop

The new fun way to slide down a slide

Dinosaur boy

As soon as his eye caught this slide, he wanted nothing to do with the small slide

He climbed all the way up by himself at least 15 or 20 times-No joke. There were some distractions along the way though...so it took some time.

But mama wouldn't let him ride down alone, so daddy rode with him

Eating popcorn and relaxing with Grandma Snyder Sunday evening

A common occurrence: Weston sitting in the "Naughty Chair"

Playing in the rain

This kid loves his 4-wheeler but...

It's way easier to push than ride

Especially on the concrete

But sometimes it gets away from us

I didn't think this looked like a good idea. He rode it to the door and then decided to come back to me...

I was too busy putting my foot out to catch his face during the fall to snap a picture of the actual tumble down the step

The end result-no fat lip but a very bruised ego

Helping daddy with the plumbing-BIG TIME HELPER

And finally what you've been waiting for Erin:

21 Weeks and lookin' HUGE

We are having a.....

We had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday and we are having a baby! ha! We didn't find out what we are having...so you will have to wait another 20 weeks as well. Erin-maybe you should wait too. I think I'm going to tell mom you can't find out! It is REALLY going to kill you!

I should be mean to mom too, but I won't be mean to her!

Anyway, we were so excited that everything looks good-measurements are dead on to our due date.

I haven't got the pic's scanned yet, but when I do, I will post them.

We have definitely decided on a VBAC unless something happens that we can't. Which, in the ultrasound, our doc said that the placenta is lying low and covering the cervix. We will have another ultrasound on week 30 to see if it has moved up. More than likely it will, 90% of the time they do. However, if it doesn't, then we will have to have another c-section. But I'm not concerned or worried about it, what happens happens and God is in control.

I forgot to mention my moms group has started up again and I look forward to it EVERY thursday morning. I don't know what I'd do without it. If you aren't part of a mom's group, find one!

As for now, I am going to lay down. nap time!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great weekend with the Clarks in Rushville, Oh. What? You have no idea where that is-it's okay, neither did we! Rushville is located about 45 minutes south of Columbus outside of Lancaster. We stayed in a very large and wonderful cabin. It had an indoor pool and hot tub and sat on 100 acres. We swam a little bit, had great nights out by the fire eating s'mores and talking, walking through the woods (guys more than gals!), playing pinball and pool, socializing, and lots of other stuff.

Weston did so well while we were gone. He had one rough night, but all recovered well from it. He had a blast dancing like a fool to various records.

Today, Weston decided to wake up early. He finished out his morning in mommy and daddy's bed. He paid for it later on when playing with his toys:

Poor little guy was exhausted. He barely stirred when I picked him up to put him to bed. Gotta love the little guy.

As far as our other little guy/gal, he/she is doing just fine. I am feeling well-no more sickness! We have our 20 week ultrasound in 2 weeks-the only thing we'll be doing is making sure everything is okay...no sneak peaks until February though!

On the house hunting front, we are putting in another offer on a place. It's not our dream home, but it is a very nice home. We will make it work until we find the place of our dreams...or maybe, this one will turn out to be it!

End of August

I can't believe it is September already! and it's my Dad's birthday today-not that he reads this thing...but Happy Birthday Dad! I know one little boy who couldn't live without you!

The past few weeks have been busy with us being gone on the weekends and taking care of my monster!

Weston also had his first real fat lip. All I heard was a crash bang! in the kitchen and this was the result:

I didn't realize how nasty it was until i was able to peel him off of my shoulder and found my shirt soaked in blood. Poor little guy almost bit through his lip. He's mostly healed up now, just a mark is left. Of course he hasn't learned his lesson, he is still a climbing fiend!

This weekend, we will be with the Clark family in Rushville at a very nice home. Hopefully it will be a very relaxing weekend full of fun and excitement!
I had to buy a maternity swimsuit for the weekend too because mine no longer fits! i justified my actions because more than likely i'll be using it on our annual Clark Christmas trip! Don't even think there will be a picture of me modeling said bathing suit on here!

as for now, weston is beggin me to pay attention to him! Happy Labor Day everybody!

The Joys and Sorrows of the Hunt

Ever since we found out that Chad got the job in Centerville we have been searching for a home. We have looked at over 50 houses and I tell you what, I don't want to look at one more place. I am sick of the search. We finally put a bid in on a place that we really liked and found out that the day we put our offer in, the place sold-rats. I was super excited to not have to go look at any more houses-the search was over!

So now we continue to look. We are going to be pickier now so we don't have to look at so many places that we know we aren't going to like.

So if you have any houses that are for sale in the Centerville, Ohio area, let us know!

As far as Weston is concerned, he is running and talking and wreaking havoc. My boy-what a delightful kid.

His vocabulary has expanded to include-tiger, diaper (pronounced Biper), no (his favorite, even when he doesn't mean it), cheese, night night, and probably others I have forgotten.

Last weekend, Chad and I went away for our anniversary to Hocking Hills. It was great. We stayed in a BEAUTIFUL cabin at Bear Run Inn. We hiked and biked and got to see a lot of really cool sights. It was crowded at a few of them, but the hiking was still fun. I can't say the same for the mountain biking. I believe I walked my bike more than I rode it AND I made chad flip over his handle bars. I can't say that it is the first time. I've always told him not to ride to close behind me but he doesn't take me seriously-stinking kid.

Since I haven't posted a pic in a while:

4 Years-and I FORGOT!

It's true, I forgot my anniversary-but to be fair-so did Chad! Oh boy, really? I mean we've only been married 4 years and we both forgot it was our anniversary yesterday-sentimental we are NOT! lol. Our excuse, we are leaving for the weekend today to go to Hocking Hills to celebrate, so we both were thinking our anniversary was this weekend, not yesterday. Thanks to a good friend, I was reminded before Chad found out. I could have played the, "How could you forget something like this?" card, but I didn't think about it.
Anyway, yes we are going to Hocking Hills and staying in a cabin at Bear Run Inn tonight and tomorrow night. We are pretty excited to go. Weston is staying with his grammy and grandpa Clark-so is greta. I think Grandpa is more excited about the dog than his grandson! Kidding, but he truly does ask if we are bringing the dog every time we go out there-silly man.
We went house hunting last night, and I think we topped 50 houses with the viewings we saw. I think we had anniversary luck because we found a house that we both really really liked. So maybe, just maybe....
Well, I should really be doing something productive-I'll think about getting up in a bit :)

I Stink At This...

I would love to make the excuse that I am just way to busy to blog, but honestly, I can't. I have to admit-I spend most of my day sitting on the couch anticipatin Weston's next move-and by that I mean listening to see where he is or what he is getting into, watching him as he precariously climbs on furniture and running after him after I hear a crash followed by screams. So, I have plenty of time to blog, but if I try, I have to keep it simple, otherwise I will have forgotten what I was writing before running off to save/chase/punish my little angel. Speaking of the little angel, he now has a naughty chair that he has to sit in when he doesn't listen to me. Shockingly enough, he actually stays in the chair screaming until I decide he has sat there long enough and is calming down. At that point, I tell him he can get out of the chair, but he won't until I go over there and pick him up. I'm pretty sure he doesn't get that he is allowed to leave the chair otherwise. It seems this is working better than swatting. I actually use it in accordance sometimes with swats or hand smacks. He's starting to get the picture :)
We just returned from Myrtle Beach Sunday morning at 3:30 a.m. We had a great time aside from the lack of sleep-thanks to Weston. I loved spending time with the whole family (minus Tony and Chad). We went to the beach almost every day. We didn't do any big activities. There was a plan to go and do a fishing trip, but somehow that never got done. Maybe next year!
Aside from great memories, we came home with tans and Weston came home with some bleached out beach baby hair. I didn't take too many pics b/c I was too lazy to get the camera out. It's so hard to reach for the camera all the time when all you want to do is take in the moment. I will definitely have to get better at that.
I tried to load a video that I managed to capture-the kids were having a great time playing at the window watching people go by and screaming...However, blogger won't let me. So sorry!

In other news, remember that blog post I wrote a while ago saying that we had other news to share, but I wasn't allowed to then? Well, here it is, we are definitely moving to Centerville. Chad loves his new job (I guess he probably wouldn't put it that way b/c he's a man) but anyway, we are going to do a second look at some houses tonight and hopefully one of them will be the one that we get to put the offer on. We are definitely ready to be on our own. Something about living with your parents for a year just doesn't sit well with us-even though its been awesome. Love you mom and dad and thank you!

Here's some other news-we sold our Subaru last night-how sad. We figured it was time. Of course, then, the Breeze decided that last night it was time for it to break down. The AC compressor went out which broke the belt. Without that belt you can't drive the car because that belt also runs the alternator. Rats. What great timing. Mom and Dad have been wonderful letting us borrow cars and shuffling around their schedules to help us out-LIFE SAVERS!

Ok, enough with that stuff...you want the REAL NEWS? Chad and I are finally feeling safe enough to let everyone know that we are expecting our next child February 8th! We are 12.5 weeks along. We had an early ultrasound at week 7 and I had an appointment on Tuesday and heard the heartbeat. According to the doctor, since we heard the heartbeat, the chance of miscarriage now drops to 2%. We are so excited and can't wait to welcome this new addition into our family!

The Fourth

Another Fourth has come and gone and boy did we have a busy (but fun!) weekend!
We attended two reunions that weekend-both on the Clark side. We had a great time hanging out with and getting to know (Weston and I at least!) extended relatives that we only get to see maybe once a year.
Fortunately, Papa Kent (Weston has now started saying papa in the cutest way to both of his grandpa's. We're still working on saying grandma more regularly-which comes out of his mouth as gamma.)
Anyway, Papa Kent bought a slip and slide for the festivities and it was a huge hit! The kids loved playing in it. In fact, when it was time to take the family picture, Weston was awfully unhappy about getting out of the water.
Can you tell that my baby loves the water?


We are thinking that wherever we move to, we are going to need a hill for some awesome slip n' slide days!
In some news on the little guy, he is 15 months old today. He now has 3 molars and I believe one more is on the way. Poor guy needs a break! He is very clingy and as of lately-grumpy!
However, I think he has a pretty good excuse for the grumpiness.
My 3 brothers were in town for a golf outing, which made for some cramped sleeping quarters for my little family. Weston did pretty well sleeping the same room as mommy and daddy. However, he did wake more often and earlier than normal. If I was sleeping on a hard pack n' play surface rather than my comfortable mattress, I wouldn't sleep as well either.
We had a great visit with Weston's uncles-boy did he love them. They were pretty good entertainers. I think Weston was confused with his uncle cory since cory looks quite a bit like grandpa. He just stared at Cory for the longest time, but warmed up quickly too him.
Being a bad mommy, i of course failed to grab any pictures of the uncles.
I'll make it happen in Myrtle Beach though, which we leave for in a little more than a week. Can't wait! (of course the heat can subside and I wouldn't mind!)

Laughter

I know I haven't posted in a while and I don't have time today, but I wanted you all to hear my sweet boy's laugh while playing his favorite game: (sorry it's sideways, i dont know how to fix it yet and am too lazy to figure it out!)

Updates-FINALLY!

So, I am finally allowed to tell the world what has really been going on in our lives the past, well, YEAR.
I was actually allowed to tell last Monday, but never got around to it, so I will give a short dialogue since I really need to go workout whilst the little cranky man is sleeping.
As you all know, Chad lost his job with Ingersoll Rand a little over a year ago. A few months after that, he got hired on at KTH in St. Paris, Oh. We were excited that he got a job so quick, however, it wasn't really a job that matched his education or skill level. KTH was great though-they have awesome insurance and a pretty good vacation policy. All in all, they treated us pretty well!
Even so, Chad wanted something that challenged him. So onto the journey that got us to where we are now :)
Chad has been applying and interviewing at several different places this past year, some near and some far. Such places include: Wilmington, Oh; Columbus, Oh (two or three different jobs); Piqua, Oh; Centerville, Oh; St. Joseph, MI; Davidson, NC; and the farthest-Oak Harbor, WA.
Chad has gotten some pretty nice trips out of this whole process-two of which I got to tag along-Michigan and Washington. He received right around 7 offers-most were pretty decent. However, we knew God was telling us to be patient. A few of the places we thought were it-such as Washington and Davidson. We picked a number that they would have to offer us in order for us to relocate and we decided if they offered that number, we wouldn't question it, we would just go. Well, God definitely had his hand in this and the offers that came through were good and pretty close, but they weren't what we decided on.
Then comes this job in Centerville-close enough to family and a great job. I was skeptical at first because the company is pretty small. Chad interviewed 4 times there. After each interview, I became more and more excited about the deal. The company seems awesome. They are basing their management principles off of the book The Servant Leader. How awesome!
Chad has finally found his new job! He starts at this company-Tark-on Monday. This is his last week at KTH. He is very excited, as am I!, about this new life we are about to embark on! Our patience has finally paid off!
We are now house hunting in Centerville ready to get on our feet again!
Thank you for all the prayers and help that everybody has given us this past year and half! It has been truly amazing.
I only have one more bit of info that I am not allowed to post at this time, but in due time, the restriction will be lifted and I will be able to share!

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog www.mycharmingkids.net to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not foolishly go to the strawberry patch and think that I needed to pick 35 lbs of strawberries to make 50 jars of jam. Not me, I knew that many strawberries would make a mere 100 jars. Which means that I did not have to run to the store again and buy more jars and pectin and I did not have to spend 12 hours making jam instead of my normal 4. Not me, I am a great planner!

I did not feed my child cereal for dinner 2-3 times this past week because it was easier to let him feed himself that instead of feeding him a real nutricious meal. And I did not let him play in the leftover cereal and yogurt and make a HUGE mess that not only covered him but also covered the chair and parts of the floor last night while I finished making jam. Good thing I don't own a dog who didn't help clean up the floor and whatever body parts she could reach on Weston.

I never wait more than 3 days to wash my diapers (HA!) I did not have a large load that did not end up breaking the post that held up the clothesline. I would never...

My husband, while watching said child mentioned above, did not let him play in...um...dog poo from the non-existant dog mentioned about while working outside. No, he pays way more attentiont to what our child plays with!

Finally and best off all-
Chad did not accept a job offer from a company in Centerville last week and we will not be moving in the near future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you don't get this post, you need help. But just in case-Chad has a new job! I will fill in all the details later on. He finally let me tell since he put his notice in at work today. Hurray!

Diapershops.com

So, I love cloth diapers and I know we are going to be needing more of them when we finally have another child.
Diapershops.com is have a facebook giveaway of 6 BG diapers! Hopefully I'll be the one to win! I've never used these, but have heard great things about them.
I love the convenience of this site and how great they treat their customers-holding giveaways all the time! They also have a great variety to choose from.
Wish me luck!

Wordless Wednesday

The Joys of Genes

First of all, I want to dedicate this post to my mother-the woman who has passed on to me many wonderful genes one of which is my teeth (grammer here? sounds wrong, but I think it may be right)
Here's some background-I have horrible teeth, thanks mom. I brush, floss and use mouthwash about twice a day. Some days I miss one of the steps, but for the most part, I try to keep this regimen up. Why? well, apparently for nothing. I have +/- 9 fillings. I don't understand this. Chad brushes-ONLY brushes-once a day, and that is if I remind/nag him too. How many fillings does chad have? ONE. and he swears there wasn't a cavity, but that the dentist just wanted to make some money that day.
Anyway, back in December, I had an appt with the dentist. I was supposed to get my x-rays then, but that was when I was pregnant, so I didn't get them.
At this appt, they did my x-rays and they found a deep deep cavity on a tooth that was already filled. Just great.
Monday was my appt to have it filled. Luckily the dentist knows me and numbed me up real well. He did have to numb me in the middle of the appt b/c of the depth of the cavity. I was shaking and all worked up throughout. When they were done, I felt such relief.
However, that night, my mouth began to hurt. The words of the dentist kept echoing in my ear-gravity is not in our favor. so much of the tooth was filled that my mom thinks i will have to have a root canal. AHHHH! those words freak me out...i am such a baby when it comes to the dentist. I would rather deliver a baby than go to the dentist.
Last night, my tooth began to ache after I flossed and a piece of the filling fell out-Oh no.After some ibuprofen, much relief and no issues this morning. Hopefully that is the way it stays.
Thank you mom-i will always attribute my mouth maladies to you-much love to the root canal queen.

More waiting

The next couple weeks are going to be full of more waiting...
I can't wait to share with everybody what has been going on in our lives...but as soon as i'm allowed to unseal my lips-you will know it!
Now for what I'm allowed to talk about.
This weekend mom and I went to Indiana to visit the grandma's and the extended family that live in the area. It was very nice to be out there and see everybody. it would be nice to be able to go out more.
Weston really enjoyed the visit, but was so exhausted that he slept almost the whole 3.5 hour trip home.
Mom went in yesterday to get her port put in for the chemo treatments that will start on Friday. Please keep her in your prayers as she goes through these treatments for the next 6 months.
Well that is all for now :)

A whole lotta...Nothing!

I'm not really one for blogging when nothing happens worth blogging about. But, I don't want everybody to go stir crazy waiting for an update on our unbelievably exciting life ;)
What's been going on? Nothing. So...
Without further adieu-here's what you came to see.