Sous Chef

Since I have a little extra time on my hands these days, my mom asked me to bake brownies for a retirement party at work. Of course, Jamesie was a great helper.

What should I measure first?

I'll just crack some eggs.

Helping clean the beaters.

Yum!

I love baking.

"Park"ing

Last time James went to the park, he looked like this:

Riding in style, huh?

I have a feeling this summer we'll be spending a lot more time there. Now that he's all grown up, here's what Jamesie thinks about the park:

• It is not safe to walk on something blue that is made of holes. In order to keep from falling through the holes, it is very important to take teeny tiny steps and not pick up your feet EVER.
• Slides are super fun, but why can't you just walk back up them when you're done? It's no fun to go around to the steps. Also, I'm big so my mom doesn't need to go with me, hold onto me, or catch me at the bottom. I can do it myself, thank you!
• Swings are bo-ring!
• The best thing at the park is the drinking fountain. If you press the button the ground around it gets all wet and you can lay down in the water. It's almost like swimming.
• Going to the park can sure make a guy tired!
  

Memorial Day Visit and Sickies

James finally got to meet his Aunt Julie and Uncle Kyle! They were in Muscatine for Memorial Day weekend so Jamesie and I loaded up the car and headed over for a very relaxing, nice weekend. Tom didn't get to come with us because he was in Las Vegas. Too bad for him, he missed out!

Saturday we rolled into town around noon, and spent the day playing, taking the dogs for a walk, sitting on the deck, and just enjoying the perfect weather. Jamesie thought Julie and Kyle were AWESOME! He was thrilled with his two new playmates. The three of them were about as silly as it gets.

Sunday Billie, Andy, and Gillian came over along with the newest addition to their family, Winston the Golden Retriever mix. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay and play for very long. Jamesie woke up from his nap with a fever and was being very clingy. He sat on my lap and watched Gillian play-so not like him! I thought I better take advantage of his fever and Tylenol-induced haze so I threw him in his carseat and we cruised on back to Des Moines. I expected him to be his old self again when we got back, but he still had a fever and just didn't feel good. He wanted to be held all afternoon on Sunday and went to bed early Sunday night.

Monday morning James was as healthy as could be, but I was up at 5:00 with the stomach flu! Cathy, Julie, and Kyle all had the same thing in Muscatine. Little Mister must have passed on some germs to us. I joked that I deserved an extra day for my 3-day weekend since I had to waste one in the bathroom being sick (ewww!). The joke turned into reality on Tuesday morning when babysitter Julie called to say she was sick. Jamesie and I got a bonus day off and we both felt good enough to enjoy it.

I was so glad to see Tom when he got home on Tuesday evening. An out of town visit, sick James, sick me, and sick babysitter is a lot to happen when you're a single parent for the weekend!

Trailer Park James and BFFs

I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...

Finally!

Better late than never, that's what I always say. Thanks to Mediacom (boo!) we have been without internet for most of May, so even though it happened a month ago, here are pictures from Little Boy's birthday party.

Cheeseburger!

Someone's all dressed up for the party.

"Who? Me? I'm not doing anything..."

"I'll just have this wagon now. I'm pretty sure it's mine."

Not sure about this whole thing.

"Ewww! Yuck! Can't I just have a pickle?"

Jamesie doesn't stand a chance with all those girl cousins. I've never seen anyone open presents so fast!

I love this picture for so many reasons. I can't decide what I like best: Christina the poser, Gillian pausing in the middle of a very important cell phone convo to say "cheese", Maria holding on tight to the airplane she got for James while trying to convince everyone that James really doesn't like it, or Mr. Muscle in his diaper.

The party was a lot of fun. We got to break in our new deck with our favorite people and celebrate our little boy. What could be better?

A Year Ago Today...

I didn't know James. In fact, I didn't even know if my little guy was going to be a boy or a girl. 365 days ago right now Tom and I were on our way to the hospital with Little Stewie in my tummy and a bag packed with a boy's outfit and a girl's outfit. Crazy right? On the eve of Jamesie's birthday I'm feeling a little nostalgic, so take a trip down memory lane with me as I relive those days leading up to Jamesie Day.

It really all started on Saturday, April 25. The entire day stretched ahead of us, and somehow Tom convinced me to go to Nebraska Furniture Mart to look at big screens. I must have already been in a weakened state because after years of negotiating, Tom ended up with the tv he's always wanted. We called Rod Fitch and set up an appointment to have it installed later in the week-little did we know, the day he was coming we would be in the hospital with a newborn. That night Tom and I watched Slumdog Millionaire, and I stayed awake (this is a huge accomplishment for me). What kept me up? I was having contractions! As soon as they started, I knew we would be meeting our little guy very soon.

The next day (Sunday, April 26), Tom's parents came to visit. I spent all afternoon writing lesson plans. I had to have two weeks of plans for my sub, and I knew the time to procrastinate was through. That night I only slept for a few hours because I was having contractions and I was just so excited/nervous/impatient for Stewie to just get here already!

I spent all day at work Monday running around like a crazy person tying up loose ends. I forgot a container from my lunch in the fridge, and instead of leaving it like I ordinarily would, I went all the way back for it because I just knew I wouldn't be back at school for a very long time. I went to a doctor's appointment Monday afternoon and the doctor told me he would be seeing me again very soon. That night Tom and I had Buffalo Wild Wings with my mom, even though neither of them thought I was very smart for eating wings when I was about to have a baby. I stand by my decision-they were delicious!

I was up most of the night Monday, and Tom convinced me to stay home from work Tuesday. I knew that I would have to write another day of sub plans for every day I went to work, so I agreed that I should just stay home. Around 3:00 Tom and my mom made me call the doctor to tell him about my contractions. The doctor said we should go to the hospital, and even though I really didn't want to, I went. We stopped at Babies 'R' Us on the way to get a mattress for the cradle. Note to self: If you can stop and shop on the way to the hospital, you really don't need to be going to the hospital. They sent us right back home.

I was so mad and disappointed that I would have to go back to work the next day and I basically decided this baby was never going to come...until I went home and took a nap. I woke up from the nap and realized that this was it! Tom and I ordered Happy Joe's pizza (I didn't eat any...biggest regret ever) and watched American Idol. After American Idol my mom came and got Foxy, and we left for the hospital (again). This ride to the hospital was much different. There were no pit stops and Tom drove FAST.

We got to the hospital around 9:00 and I thought April 28 would be a great birthday. Boy, was I wrong! April 28 probably is a great birthday, but not for our little guy. In typical Jamesie fashion, he wanted to do things his way and on April 29 at 1:21 our Little Mister entered the world. He came in with a bang and hasn't really stopped since. I can't believe a year ago I didn't even know him, and now I can't remember life without him. Happy Birthday Buddy!