Catching up ... is hard to do.

Can you guys believe the gorgeous weather we're having around the midwest? Seriously, 50 degrees and sunny in January! I for one am loving it... but am also waiting for the snowstorms to hit. Preferably while it's still technically winter. Perhaps this is because I was totally prepared, with snow boots and snow pants for myself- not just B.

I'm working on a Christmas post, as well as little man's 3rd birthday post, but my motivation is severely lacking. Working mom sucks. So does busy at home mom. The busy just never ends, so I'm trying to work around it, but only so many things can get done!

To entice you to check back (as I know, I've been a horrific blogger this past year), here's a shot of the birthday boy himself from this week:

Hmm... also, maybe come February will anyone want to do 28 days of blogging again? Maybe that'll get me into the swing of things again...

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday - 2 is Crazy FUN!

Mickey Mouse Birthday Cake

All the party kids!

B & the older girls :)

Yum! Cake!

Here Grandpa, Have some! 

Loving on the puppy

              Finally! The long-awaited photos from B's birthday! 

2 is Crazy

today is b's birthday. he's 2 years old. how crazy is that? i'll tell you, it's completely crazy. and he had a crazy party. crazy fun... but still. crazy.

(i think) he had an absolute blast. like maybe the most fun he's ever had in his short life, that is becoming longer everyday. and those days are going faster. crazy fast.

i can't wait for more though. now who's crazy?

real recap coming later this week, complete with pictures :)

Baking with B

In our first adventure into the kitchen, B helped me make M's birthday cake.  I decided it was time... he's capable of helping :) The Huz has a special cake, orange cake, & it's delicious (incredibly fattening & sugary, but delicious nonetheless).

We tied on an apron ...

grabbed a spoon...

Hy-Vee store brand? Yep, we roll that way... especially since HyVee doesn't pack their cake full of hydrogenated oils & high fructose corn syrup - that makes it a winner for us!

adding the jello & using a whisk...

helping pour... we made two (one for me to take to M & one for B to share at the grandparent's house)

we now have a scrunchy face & he loves to make it when I whip out a camera

last minute touches before it bakes...

And unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of the end product- dang! 

Orange Cake

1 box of yellow cake

1 packet of orange jello

3/4 cup oil

3/4 cup water

4 eggs 

glaze

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup orange juice

Mix the above ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a greased cake pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  Poke holes (with a fork) in the very warm cake & cover with glaze. 

Enjoy! And be happy that I didn't tell you the calorie content :)

What Makes Me Happy Today

My mom is here, visiting for 5 days!


B has taken to my mom like white on rice. Seriously, I was a little worried, cause he doesn't get to see her very often... but he's running all over the place, yelling "GramGuh! GramGuh!" (cause that's Grandma in B speak)


There was an amazing sale at the Coach outlet today. My mom happened to mention that she'd thought about stopping at the outlet in Iowa on her way here, but she didn't do it.  I then informed her that there was one about 5 minutes from my house, so we thought we better go.  We didn't even know there was a sale! Oh man, were we in for a surprise! Happy Mother's Day to us (thanks Mama)! I got this pretty little diddy, & a cute handbag... My mom got um... multiple handbags. We did good. 


Mr. Tucker puppy turned 2 today & I got him a toy that seems relatively indestructible.  We'll see how long it really lasts though. 

and last but not least, it's the weekend, which means Mike doesn't have to go to work for the next two days! 

...life is good...

(& my mom took this picture of us tonight)

Happy Birthday, my Sweet Baby B.

Dear B,
   On May 2, 2008 my life completely changed.  I spontaneously took a pregnancy test (because I had plans for margaritas that night & I AM your mom!) & it was positive.  Of course, I had tossed the instructions out so I wasn't actually sure that it was positive, but after your dad & I picked up a new test, we were sure.  I think we were both in shock & we were giddy about it.  I spent the next 9 months getting ready for you... I devoured all the information I could find & I couldn't wait for you to arrive.

  We planned for you to arrive on January 2, 2009 - exactly 8 months after I found out you were coming.  After a very hectic & stressful month of December, both because of holiday & because of test results regarding you, we were scared & excited to welcome you into our world.  We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am & 8 hours & 20 minutes later, Daddy caught you & we met for the first time.  It was by far the most amazing experience of my life... of our lives.

  We've spent the past year making decisions based on you, we've moved multiple times, & we've tried to teach you & learn from you.  You make everyday worth getting up for & you make everything we do brighter & more fun.

   Right now, you're walking all over the place.  You have one little bitty tooth that just came in.  You just recently discovered Elmo & you adore him!  You had your first Christmas just last week & were so precious, meticulously unwrapping gifts one tiny piece of paper at a time.  You've slept through the night only a handful of times, but you're getting better (especially when you get to stay home & not travel so much).  You spent 6 weeks in disposable diapers & have been in cloth ever since.  You've breastfed on demand & are still going strong.  You thoroughly enjoy your carbs, shoving Organic Puffs & crackers in your mouth until they're falling out.  You climb the stairs & have (accidentally!) fallen down them once. You've become slightly destructive lately, throwing toys & food on the floor with a vengence! You know where your head is, where Mommy's nose is, & are learning where your belly is.  You clap & point & show that you're 1 year old.  You sign to tell us what you want.  You laugh & give these great open mouth kisses.   You never cease to amaze me & you make me laugh each & every day.

Your friends & family are arriving soon to celebrate with us.  You'll eat (or at least throw pieces of) your very first bite of cake & you'll receive more new toys.  You'll laugh & so will we.

You weigh around 18 pounds, 6.5 ounces.  You're around 28 inches tall.  You wear size 3 shoes, but most of yours are actually bigger than that.

You're the most beautiful, precious baby boy I've ever seen & I cannot imagine my life without you.  I am thankful each & every day for you.