I could get spoiled....

with all this staying at home. I really enjoy it. By the end of this week I may want to pull my hair out for sure but it is really nice right now--even with potty training. 4 pee pees in the potty yesterday and at least that many in the panties. One poop in the panties which was so disgusting to have to clean up. I made Arden help. There is so much clorox on our harwoods after the last 2 days they should be white. ha. I got up early this morning and walked with Shelly. I love the morning. I feel guilty to admit that since I have been off of work I have been sleeping till 9 or 9:30am whenever possible. That is so late. I really do like to be up and moving before that but it was nice for a break. My big goal for today is to get down the Christmas decor. I have already taken down the tree upstairs. Maybe Matt will help but who knows. I might ask him to do the outside stuff. I also have to get on task with some of my clean up and organize plans for my break. I have been so consumed with sitting on the potty and cooking that I haven't started yet. Fixing to do that. Anyway. Hope everyone has a great day. I may take Arden out today in her panties so wish me luck. Yesterday when I posted she sat on the potty for almost 2 hours--I am not joking---telling me that she was not going to use the potty. I gave her 4 juice boxes and she was just holding it. She kept asking to put her panties back on and get up. She ended up peeing a bucket full. Just think about that all over my floor. I WON!!!

I forgot to post these before --one of the things Arden wanted for Christmas was a robe. So she could wear one--"like Momma does"
She looks like such a big girl

Potty training hell...

So, we are potty training for real this time. Not just trying it out. We went through about 12 pairs of panties yesterday without one full pee in the potty. Good news is that she never pooped so she must know not to do that in panties. She is holding it because she usually poops about 3 times a day. So-we did put a diaper on last night to keep from cleaning the bed this morning. She did not pee on the couch--which is also good. But we would sit her on potty and give her a big talk about where pee pee/poop goes and try to bribe her with suckers but 30 seconds after we put her panties on she would do it again. She would say look at this puddle and we would come in living room and she would be splashing in pee puddles. This kid has not worn pants for 2 days now. The bad thing is that I am sentenced to be at home if Matt isn't home because I am trying to be consistant. I just figured I better do it now because I am off this week. This morning she is sitting on the potty and I am not letting her up till she does it. She has been sitting for 20min now and doesn't care--according to her---I told her she could sit all day but I know she has to go and she is not going to do it in the panties. I learned my lesson yesterday. She sat on potty and then asked to put her panties on---soon as they were up she was peeing in them. So we are in a stand off. Wish me luck. I will need it. She is a stubborn child. I am letting her drink juice right now in hopes that she will have no choice because she will be so filled with liquid. I will keep you posted.

Santa Came....we made the nice list!

We had a great Christmas. We got way too many toys! My only disappointment was my poor judgement in thinking that a 2.5 year old needs a dollhouse. I promise in 6 months we will not have any of it's parts. I always think that she is so mature for her age and she can have the bigger kid presents but this time i was wrong. Santa bought her this awesome slide set but she really liked a sucker better. Go figure. :) Ha! Mom and dad were planning to come over to see what Santa brought but at 9:00 when they got there we were still asleep. They actually woke us up and then I made tons of pancakes for breakfast. Arden opened her stocking first, which had suckers and a Dora movie-----well after that, the suckers were the most important thing. Isn't it funny how a 2 year old's mind works? We did go out and play with it while I gave Sampi a hair cut. His beard was looking shaggy--and his eye brows. He got a new bed for Christmas and he opened it himself.



We had my inlaws over and I cooked on Tuesday night. It was really nice. I even enjoyed the cooking. Matt helped me clean up and he is proving that he can be super helpful when he wants. It was great. He has been helping lots latley and I LOVE IT. He has been so good. It was fun doing with his family and just getting to be at home all day. That was my first day not going to work and I just loved cooking and being in a clean house and spending time with family---can't get much better than that.



I got all kinds of fun things. I got a pea coat,a kitchenaid mixer from Matt, bellydance clothes, a new purse, blanket, lotions (from Chas' girlfriend), new shirt, earrings, some new boots (but have to take them back), a jogging stroller (that is so sweet), and a charcoal drawing of Arden. I got too much stuff. Most important they were all suprises and I loved everything! I love suprises. It makes the presents so much better.



We are headed to Nashville tomorrow for Chelsea's 20th bday! We are going to do some shopping and go to wild horse salon. I am looking forward to the girl time because boys are headed home a day earlier so girls can shop. I don't need anything but it will be fun to be with everyone. I also finished all of the twilight books so we may have to hit the movie. More blogging later. Now that I am out of work you guys will be bored with me. I hope to blog more because I have been such a slacker.

Hard week

Sampson's Christmas sweater


me and little girl in pajamas

Sorry no posts for a while. I did find pajamas at Target. Company store and Children's place were both out of Med for women so we had to look elsewhere. The only once who really doesn't match is Mattie but he won't wear his till Christmas night. Even Sampson has a Christmas sweater. I love it---it is really fun.
I have worked every day this week till 9pm. Somenights with Arden here and some nights with her home with Matt. I am just trying to get through. Our fiscal year ended Sept 30 but our accountants are just now getting to our paper work and there were some mistakes so we have been frantically working to get all that corrected plus the months of Oct, Nov, and Dec. finished. Mom has been with me so that makes it better.
Anyway, I still don't have my Christmas lights outside up. I don't know when i am going to get to it. Maybe this weekend. I haven't worked out in over a week. I am just wondering if by the time Christmas comes I am going to be so tired that I won't care. ha. I can't take that when I get home at 9:30-10 (Arden is still awake so we get to play--I keep her up late when i am up late) and I am to tired to do laundry or do the dished or sweep etc. Can you imagine what that does for my house after a week? I think Matt may help me since he is off today and tomorrow. Crossing fingers.
I do have a girls night with my small group girls tonight. You can't know how happy I am that it was already planned---means I am leaving work at 5:30. Hooray. We are going to olive garden.
I am sure I will think of tons of other things that I have forgotten but I am going to get back to work. I didn't want anyone to think I had dropped of the planet.

Christmas pajamas

Does anyone know a good place to get them for the whole family? I know 2 of my friends (Kristen & Alisha) say that it is a "must" for Christmas spirit. I have finally talked Matt into saying okay but now I have to find them. Any ideas. I saw cute ones for Arden at Children's place. Was thinking maybe Sears or Penney's for me or Matt?
Arden is feeling kinda cruddy. She isn't sick but just coughs and it is all rattley. I have been letting her take the inhaler to help with it. Mattie is off work for the rest of the week and let me just tell you --I am jealous. He is going to all our fav places to eat and then calling me to rub it it. ARGH. Good thing I had a girls night with all my girls from the original small group last night. It was so fun. We went to Tony's pasta and then Rembrandts. I loved it! We just caught up and talked. Only thing missing was a massage after.
Here is a cute pic of my girl when we were goofing around at home.

Santa Claus is coming to town

it is dark because I didn't have time to get the lights on when she was walking around the house singing. just listen to it.

Update on how much Matt does NOT love the decor

He actually suggested that we put the Christmas decorations that I bought on the back porch. He was laughing at them and asked what had got into me this year. He said we could make a winter wonderland in Arden's room or anywhere but in front of our house. hehe! I told him to stop being the grinch and have some fun. I told him if he wanted to buy all new stuff and put it up I am fine with that but I bought this half off. So we will see. I promise I will add pictures once they are done-for your enjoyment.

DEALS.DEALS.DEALS

So, if you are looking for a Christmas tree or extra lights-go to LOWE's now!!! They have everything 50% off. It is picked over but still lots of stuff. We went after church last night and I was thinking of going back today. I got the cheesiest stuff-Matt was making fun of it. The difference is that I used to want to have things looking all classy and so-so but now I just want Arden to have fun. I got the light up cardinals for outside. I love them but must admit that they are funny. Shelly was just laughing at me when I said I wanted them. I did pass over the big blow up things for the yard but I got a light up penguin from target. Christmas is so fun with a child! I remember that when I was a kid I loved the house with the multicolor lights but when i grew up it all had to be white lights. Why did I start taking myself so serious? Well, this year I am not going to get too far out of the box but I am going to mix it up some.

I promise it won't look like this!!!


I also bought Arden's Christmas present on Craigslist this year for half price. It retails for 550-600 and bought it for half that. I have been looking at it since June and thinking of getting it for her bday--which is July. Well, I have been looking everyday and scanning Craigslist, Ebay, Websites etc. This one was in Nashville and I had to pick it up but it was brandnew practically. Not a scratch on it. Never even been outside. I am so pumped. I am more excited about getting a deal and something so cool than she will be to receive it. It was also fun because mom went with me and we did a little extra shopping while there. SO worth it.

Pizza,Santa,& Fireworks

Last night we met my parents,Chas and Cindy,Chelsea and Alex at Crust Pizza (our favorite) for dinner. We had planned to eat and then go down to coolidge park to watch the lighting of downtown and other festivities that we had never been to before. First major accomplishment is that dad did not complain about eating somewhere new. He usually only likes the Soddy pizza hut---everything else sucks.
Ha. So we all ate tons of pizza and then dad decided he did not want to be out in the cold so he went to my house to watch tv. That was fine with us becuase he would have tried to cut the night short or worried about is Arden warm enough the whole time. Plus, we didn't have to worry with parking. We left all the cars at our house and dad dropped us off at the park. Another reason I am in love with my new house---proximity to cool stuff downtown.So, we watched to boat parade-they were all decorated with Christmas lights. Arden yelled and pointed about them. Then we walked across the bridge and saw lots of friends that we hadn't seen in a while. We saw the Blazek's and their sweet baby girl! She is a doll. And we saw the Losey's minus the boys. I just love Kate--she is so down to earth. We were sharing mommy stories. Then we went to hear the Christmas singing and see Santa on the stage. There were all kinds of little vendors (like Chatt market) selling things and food stuff. Grammy bought Arden a light up Santa necklace that is actually pretty cool. We were just about to go for coffee when the fireworks started. They were great. Arden loved them so much. It was like riverbend but without the drunks,smoke, and revealing clothes. What could be better than that? It was really nice. We had an awesome time and will have to make that a tradition. It was very fun!!

I am finished with Arden's Christmas list

So, I did it. Went to starbucks at 6:45 and hit the Toys R Us at 7:00. It was fun actually. I was home by 8:30 and got to take a shower and get ready for work. I stayed on budget (for once) and had a great time all by myself. I am so proud of one of Arden's gifts that I found on Craigslist. I won't do the big reveal till Christmas but I am pumped. Thanksgiving was busy yesterday. It was good but 3 houses in one day is alot. Arden loved seeing her cousins and playing. She was out last night from all that fun. Matt and I went to a early holiday movie Wed. night. We saw 4 Christmases. It was so cute! We liked it --got me in the holiday spirit. I even have the tree up. Going to eat Crust Pizza tonight and see lighting of Downtown.CRUST is even better than thanksgiving meal. I love that place

Hooray!

We have renters! We are 99% sure. To top it off it is a couple I really like and trust. God is good! Also, we are having a showing today and tomorrow for our house-with 2 different realtors. What is up with that? Our listing expires on Saturday. So we will begin renting Dec 1st. if neither of those want to buy. God is good! Much apologies for the PMS yesterday. I was just having one of those days. I went to Ichiban last night to make myself feel better.

ps. have you ever seen a kid with bedhead this bad? having second thoughts about letting the hair grow out.

Bad mood

I am in a foul mood today so it would be better if I didn't write. I will say it is that I started my period and have monster cramps. Enough said.
Please enjoy some cute pictures of my kiddo from our cookout this weekend instead of listening to a rant.

Curly headed girls---for a day

My hair was super bed head this morning--especially after walking with Shelly in the wind. But I didn't want to take a shower so this is the result.*ignore the no makeup and dark circles* I decided to curl Arden's too-just so we could match. Not a style for everyday but fun on greasy head days. Arden said her hair looked "perfect".

Curtains & thank goodness for hand me downs

I wanted to post pics of my new curtains. I love them. I bought stock curtains at pier one and then because my windows are so huge I had to go to a fabric store and buy more to be added on the bottom. I am super happy with them and much less money than a complete custom job. Of course, I am always looking for a custom look for less.

Diane and Ellie gave Arden Ellie's clothes from last winter (even though Ellie is in Kindergarten). Well, it came just in time. It is all 4T but as you can see it fits my amazon daughter. I love the pink coat. She thinks it is so cool to wear Ellie's clothes and I think it is the biggest blessing at this time of year. So I have one Thanksgiving thing to be thankful for early. It has saved me a ton of money since Arden wears play clothes every day. Thank you so much Diane!

my poor baby

The saddest thing happened last night. I rocked Arden to sleep and then went to bed myself after picking up dirty socks and dishes etc. Well, Matt must have knocked the monitor off (as he sometimes does) when he was getting in the bed. Instead of plugging it back up he just left it. So, I came to bed and didn't even see that it was not on the nightstand because I was trying to be quiet because Matt was asleep. About 4 this morning I jumped awake and threw the covers off because I realized I was hearing Arden cry in my dream. I immediately realized the monitor was off and she is on the other side of the house and upstairs. When I got to the top of stairs she was standing there--she won't come down---and crying till she could barely talk. She was all tear stained and pitiful. She was hysterical crying and I could tell she had been doing it a long time. I grabbed her around the neck and hugged her. She said "I crying for you but I not know where you go". I told her " I was sorry" She said "I sorry too momma". I felt like total crap. It was the worst feeling in the world to know she was crying for me for so long and not knowing why i would not come. It breaks my heart. She is completely over it but I am not all the way. What makes it worse is that I know that she will just cry and cry in her bed but never get out. She has never got out before but she must have been crying a long long time. Wah! I hate it.
:( I rocked her and held her and told her I was in my bed and didn't hear her because the monitor was off. She kept saying--"you were in your room with Daddy". My poor little baby.

I am so tired

I have no reason to be. I went to bed at 10pm and up at 8am. That is plenty of sleep for any person. But 2 cups of coffee later--my eyes are only half open. Maybe i didn't sleep good because Matt was out of town and Arden was in the bed kicking me. Didn't do any of the laundry that I set out to do last night. After a long night at Mom's church, Arden hysterically crying, I just told her we were going to bed when we got home. blah. What is wrong with me? Maybe sinus because my head weighs a million pounds

Savannah, Anniversary, and 1st Movie

at our B & B
So, I have been super busy and haven't got to post. I have been in Savannah for the weekend with my cousin, Julie. She came in from Dallas and just suggested that we go somewhere cool. We started looking through all of cottage living's places to visit lists and thinking of where we could drive to. She had "ramblin' fever" and I was happy to go along for a relaxing girls weekend. We walked and ate and looked at awesome architecture. I wanted all those old Victorians and awesome buildings.
We went to and old bakery and architectural salvage yards. We went to antique stores and little cute boutiques. I would recommend the Paris Market to anyone that goes to Savannah. So Chic!

The Paris Market Coffee Bar
But most of all we just talked and talked and talked. 10 plus hours in the car and all that time walking the city and still had stuff to talk about on the way home. We ate at Rosa Mexicana in Atlanta on our way home and the table side guac was awesome. Then we figured "what the heck" we still have daylight "where else can we go". We had read about this city that was featured in Cottage living as top 10 communities of 2007. It was about 30min back south of Atlanta but we decided to do it. It was so unexpected. We were griping aobut seeing cows and peach stands and how there could never be anything good "in the sticks". Well, wrong again. I want to live there. check out the website. www.serenbe.com

little Blue eyed Daisy coffee shop where I had Caramel Latte
It is what every mom wants---city work, country home, coffee shop and salon 4 houses down, and a sense of community. We wished we had went earlier.


look at these light posts

Lucky for me Matt did not get mad that I was gone for girls weekend the day before our anniversary-which was Monday. 6 Years. He was so sweet. He had paid for one of our nights at a super nice Hampton on the water in Savannah. He also got me gift cards to greenlife,rock creek,and Rembrandts. He also had a bottle of wine and some cheese and had picked up dinner. Mom was our babysitter and we just hung out at home and watched movies. It was great. He really does know me so well.


Arden and I went to her first movie theater movie last night. We have been prepping her for awhile by watching Madagascar 1. She was really happpy to get popcorn and a drink and go to a big movie. She did shout out once or twice to say "oh my goodness, Ma." It would have been fairly cheap only 5.50 for me and she was free--but who can skip the popcorn. I love to get popcorn at movie theater. So many exciting things lately.

a day at Whitestone

Mimi took Arden,Grammy,Kim,Julie,and me for lunch to Whitestone today. It was such a nice day and we had a great time. We fed fish (Arden was scared of the big catfish), looked at horses, ate an awesome lunch, played on the playground, played in the sand, swung on swings, rode on the golf cart, and found the cutest bird nest. I have tons of pictures but I will only be able to post a few. We didn't get back till 6pm or so and I still had work to do because I had been gone most of the day and had to stay at shop till 8pm. Lucky for me when I got home Matt had ordered Crust Pizza. MY favorite. I am headed out of town tomorrow for an anniversary trip with Julie(ha! only she will get that). So, I need to go and spend time with hubby.
*Cross your fingers-Matt is meeting with some renters on Saturday who are relocating here. They LOVE the house (she is a interior designer) and they agree to our price. Could make an early Christmas gift*

I've got my new shoes on....

Need a vote about do we love these OR do they look like house shoes. Bought them at Target on Clearance because I was wearing flip flops again and toes were freezing. I even bought a black pair becuase they seemed like flip flop comfort with a little cover. I absolutely will not wear socks or Panty hose. So, last winter I wore flip flops all winter, even with fleece jacket. I was just thinking these are comfy and cute. But maybe they look like tinkerbell shoes. I guess flats are in style now...according to my sister. I have no idea.

Trunk OR Treat!!! too much candy!!

I had to be a cat instead of a mouse because 2 blind mice did not make much sense. Matt was gone to the SC/TN ballgame. So, I was helping Shelly to do a trunk. Arden was just stsnding beside the trunk eating tons of candy because we had so many kids that I couldn't take her. Luckily, Grammy stopped by for a surprise visit and took Arden around to the diff. trunks. Her basket was so full that she came back and got another empty bucket. Then we went to Mimi and Pawpaws to Trick or treat them. I even got a halloween prize from Mimi for dressing up. It was a candle and some pecans to make pecan pie with. I am going to dress up next year!!!!!! Anyway, Arden ate so much candy,especially suckers, that she should have pucked. I should have pucked too for eating candy the whole time that I was giving it out at trunk or treat. I mainly ate choc. I was even trading with other cars for good candies--like almond joy and butterfinger. Arden ate all the hard candy. So her candy baskets have been raided by everyone--Grammy,Julie,Matthew,Me, Matt, and anyone else who comes over to the house. There is no more choc--only nasty things like taffy. So,Arden went to Grammy's for a slumber party last night and Matt,me, Julie and Matthew went ot foodworks. It was so much fun! We love them!!! I want them to move to Chatt town and just hang out. I was so glad that we got to do something just the 4 of us.