Making it more real

I'm training for the half marathon!!!! May 2 is the big day.

I'm announcing it so that I will be even MORE motivated to keep training, because I don't like to fail...and admitting failure to everyone on here would be major defeat for me.

I ran the Capital City Half Marathon in 2005, coming in at 2 hours and 28 minutes. I would like to beat that time this year. And since the date has been pushed back a month from the regular early April date, I think my chances of 33 degree weather, sleet, rain, snow and 38 mph winds are pretty slim. (Yes, those were the actual weather conditions that I ran 13.1 miles in!) If I could do it then, I can definitely do it now!

I need this extra "Nathan-weight" off of me...it's so not flattering!

The black table

I know it was months ago when I spoke about painting our kitchen table black. But I can finally say, it's done!! The table itself has been done since late December, but the chairs were a different story. The process of stripping, sanding, painting and top-coating the table was a little too tedious for Scott, so it was quite a struggle to get him motivated to do the chairs. When he finally attempted them, he immediately broke one of the chair backs trying to dissasemble it. So we broke down and bought new, black chairs. In addition, we found a black bench on clearance at Target, that matches perfectly! So all in all, we have about $300 in the "new" table....much better than the $1300 we were contemplating spending on a table at World Market.

I forgot to take before pictures, until he was already stripping the table down. But here's a pic to give you an idea. This was in our basement after he began sanding. It's just a regular 'ol round oak table.

We do really like it, however, no one told me to expect massive amounts of fingerprints! Yes, the black shows every touch on the table, but it's worth it, because I love how it looks!

The after pic!!:

I'm still working on finding some type of center piece for it, along with placemats of some sort. Suggestions are definitely welcome!

My services are for hire...

Nathan is potty trained!

...And before age two!!!

You heard that right, people. My little BOY was potty trained before age two. The horror stories I've heard from moms of boys had me prepared to buy diapers until age 3+. But have no fear, the expert potty trainer is here!

It required lots of cheering, stickers, and M&M's. But in a little over a week, he was done! Starting last Friday, I began venturing out in public with Nathan in underwear seeing as he was doing so well at home. I am happy to announce there hasn't been a single accident since.

I'm so proud of my baby boy!

In other news, he had his 2 year well check today and passed with flying colors. 29 1/2 lbs., 36 1/4 inches, and one "poke-poke" that he was NOT thrilled about at all. The doctor was impressed with his speech, but more importantly, his potty training! He told me it is very rare to have a boy potty trained before two. (me taking a bow)

Can you tell I'm excited??

The celebration continues

I forgot to post on the evening of Nathan's birthday. We were lucky enough to be joined by friends at Chucky Cheese on the morning of Nathan's actual birthday. Unbeknownst to be, Madison skipped school for the occassion (oops!), but it was a good time and afterall, Nathan needs his sissy there, right?!

Opening presents from mommy and daddy!

Nathan rode every ride and played every game that he could. Then we ate pizza, had a visit from Chucky himself, and then Nathan's girlfriend brought the whole group delicious cookies in celebration, which of course required singing 'Happy Birthday' again!

We went over to spend the evening with Brent, Traci and Ava that evening. Nathan was spoiled again with more singing and cake. But, as you can see by the look on his face, it isn't as tortuous as it sounds. ;)

And because we were wild animals partying it up on his 2nd birthday, I was able to snap a "birthday shot" at the exact time he was born, like I do with Madison each year. I wasn't able to do it last year as he was sound asleep in his dark room.

February 16, 2009 at 8:43 pm!

Happy 2nd Birthday Nathan!!

Tonight, I layed my one-year-old down to sleep for the very last time, for when he wakes in the morning, he will be TWO!! It is unbelievable to me that my little baby Nathan isn't so much a baby anymore. While it feels as if Nathan has been around for ages and we can't imagine our lives without him, it's also amazing and truly hard to believe that two years have already passed with our little boy!

Nathan is the most perfect little guy I could ever ask for. I know, I know...what parent wouldn't say that about their kid, right? But really, he is just the sweetest, most laid back little man ever. He goes with the flow, he is happy, he is flexible. He is interested in the world around him, always very aware of his surroundings. Everything he sees and everything he hears, he says "Whas dat, mommy?" If I'm upset, he's says "It okay, mommy" and pats my back. He gives kisses left and right, hugs for no reason and absolutely melts my heart when he says, "I wuv you, mommy" and wraps his little arms and legs tightly around me. Love it!

He's patient, he's loving, he's smart. We are proud of him and each and every one of his accomplishments, big or small.

A small flashback.....

Leaving for the hospital to have our little boy on 2/16/07!

After only 5 1/2 hours of labor, he arrived at 8:43pm weighing 8 lbs. even and 20 inches long.

My absolute favorite picture to date...when my two favorite people in this world, met for the very first time!

Nathan- 6 months old, August 2007.

One Year Old, February 2008!

18 months old, August 2008

Two years old, February 2009
Happy 2nd Birthday, baby boy! We love you!

The Part-ay

We had family and some of Nathan's closest little buddies over today for a brunch/birthday party in his honor! A friend was generous enough to bring their portable bounce house with her, which was the hit of the party. He's a lucky little boy to have so many wonderful people in his life!

The birthday boy awaiting the arrival of his guests!
His amazing firetruck birthday cake!
Cute boy
The bounce house filled with balloons (and perhaps some kids, too!)

Madison took charge and initiated opening presents. She nominated herself as present-opening- organizer and led the festivities....rather strictly, I might add! Happy Birthday, Nathan!

Ack!!

I was trying to update my background today and all my "favorite reads" got deleted!! Gone. Forever!! I'm working on putting them back up there as I remember the URL's...but if anyone reading this notices their blog is no longer on my favorites when it was before, please leave me a message and tell me so I can re-add you! :)

And as you can see, the background looks the same. It was all.for.nothing.

Little girls galore!

Madison has been asking me for ages to let her have a group of friends over for a "girls movie night." Where she comes up with these ideas, I have no idea. But it actually sounded like a lot of fun to me! We finally had a night that worked and planned an impromtu girls night.

On the agenda: jammies, sleeping bags, a movie and popcorn.

Scott ditched me and made plans out of the house as soon as he heard that he would be outnumbered 5:1. Ha!

Eating popcorn, watching "Enchanted"

Madelynn, Brynn, Emily and Madison

It didn't take long before they broke into crazy dancing when music came on!

I tried to be sneaky and get video of them dancing, but they caught on quickly and started showing off...

Will you be my valentine?

One of the kids' absolute favorite things to do in the kitchen is decorate cookies. It keeps them captivated for ages, not to mention it brings out their creative side as they make each and every cookie different. Nathan usually has his own cookie stash to decorate that don't go into the family pile because he frequently takes licks of the frosting right off the cookies all throughout decorating.

What better occassion than Valentine's Day to make some sweet treats! And if I do say so myself, I think they turned out rather delicious looking!

Wedding Bells are Ringing!

Congratulations are in order for Brent and Traci Summers today, this 6th day of February, 2009, as they tie the knot, get hitched, take the plunge, or as some like to call it.....get married!!!

We love you both and wish you all the happiness in the world!!!

We expect pictures of your romantic getaway ASAP!!