Almost didn't make this one! Getting all wrapped up in Grey's and phone ringtones...yes I'm getting sucked into my phone as well! Came in super handy today! Richard drove me to my doctor appointment today, I did finally go, and I do have strep. I hate when the nurse calls you back right away and then you sit in that room, alone for 20 minutes waiting for the doctor. So I took advantage of our unlimited texting, and was "talking" to Richard. We starting playing I spy, via text message...it was great, time flew by...what a creative hubby!

Noah went to daycare today...he missed his friends, I just know it! And check out what he made for us.He's so talented!

I also did a little animal rescue today. Our friend "binkey" (monkey) went for a swim today, but not in the little potty, he went for the big one...with a little help from Noah. We think Noah was just trying to show him the potty because he was having a very in depth conversation with the monkey, and in he went. Guess I should be thankful it was the monkey and not Noah!

On a side note, Noah's doing a great job on the potty, went like 6 times today!

Here's some more of our adventures today!
Noah's cleaning...watch out he's dangerous with that broom!

I don't even know how to explain this...Richard lays on the floor, Noah lays on Richard's belly and then they kick their legs like crazy...I don't know, maybe it's a boy thing!

Apparently the hallway was just too long for Noah tonight. He was on his way to dinner with his bib...but needed a break I guess?!?!

Yay, Mommy and Noah picture. He makes me laugh when we do this now, because he wants to see the picture afterwards, and then says "gen" (again). So we have a million of these pictures, which I have such a hard time deleting! Hoping tonight will be an okay sleep for us all, Noah's doing that whimpering cry in his sleep....I hope he doesn't get sick! Home again tomorrow...hoping to venture out for some more fun!

Blizzard Blog Day 6

Not to much to share today. I was sorta out of commission, not that Mommy's ever really get to be sick. Had a rough night sleep last night, so at 5 this morning I gave up and enjoyed the next two hours in quiet...just me and Kapone. I'm not sure if it's strep, but it's something that makes my throat hurt a whole lot. So Daddy was on full time today, thank goodness he was home!

We had more snow today....I don't even know how to measure it anymore (so here's the grill again) notice how high the snow is against the rail. In fact it didn't even seem like it really snowed that much because it only lasted 8 hours opposed to the recent 36 hours! Richard got to go play on the four wheeler and plow some more, while Elmo babysat Noah for me, since I was fading in and out on the couch....good thing my kid's a Blaine and completely zones out when he watches TV.

Daddy and Noah went and played outside for a while. Noah was thrilled because Daddy could make snowballs for him. At one point when I looked out Noah was chasing Mandy with a snowball, squealing with delight.

They did finally come in! Snack time...resting that big old noggin on his hands! Then my fantastic husband went to the grocery store...took Noah with him and got everything on the list! What a lucky girl I am. He even made dinner when he got home!

There is no Mommy and Noah shot from today...I'm slacking, plus I look rough today! I didn't wear real clothes either...but I think it's okay since I'm technically sick! Noah is going to daycare tomorrow, he needs to see his friends for a day and I'm not sure if he'd survive one more day at home...he's getting mighty brave!

Like that action shot?!?!

Blizzard Blog Day 5

Well folks, there's at least two more days of Blizzard Blogging to do...they just cancelled school for tomorrow and Thursday...oh boy! This time around the winter weather warning is between 7 and 14 inches.

Our dear Nana sure did provide some relief for me! It was nice to have someone here to help entertain...especially since my child started off in a rotten mood yesterday.

She came bearing Valentine's gifts...a Blue movie for Noah...always a winner! We got to keep Nana all night, and she even took Noah with her this morning so that Richard and I could run some much needed errands! Did I ever mention Richard took vacation this week...little did he know he'd be stuck with me all week! I finally ventured beyond my driveway for the first time since last Thursday. It was kinda nice to see a paved road! It was also kinda nice to have 2 hours to myself without anyone yelling for poptarts or milk!

Valentine's Day arrived today in our house, well at least for Richard and I. We finally got new phones!! (I make it sound like it's been forever, it hasn't even been two years, but when yours is shattered in the front it feels like forever!) We got to pick out new phones by ourselves and we got to go to Walmart - by ourselves - I could have done without the Walmart trip....but that's where we got gift number two! New curtain rods and blinds for the living room! If I had to watch the curtain fall one more time, I might have lost it! We made our family rounds, visiting everyone we could while we were in town, and then took off for home, getting home just in time, the snow started as we pulled in the driveway! This was one worn out little boy! He looks so sweet when he's sleeping...don't they all. Please note the one shoe off, he ALWAYS takes that shoe off in the car...odd.

We got home, ate our dinner, had a few time outs. Does anyone ever feel like their child lives in time out? I get so worried he's going to be a bad kid...Richard keeps assuring me that they all do this. Tonight it was throwing his plate on the floor and hitting. I keep wondering if time outs are doing anything, he's usually over there babbling away to the dogs. It got to the point I've taken the carpet away he sits on because he plays with it and wraps himself up in it. I wish I could not stress it...but that wouldn't be me if I wasn't stressing about something.You can always count on Noah to help out!

Trying to keep him occupied while Daddy finishes the blinds...we pulled out all the animals and read to them.

He's an excellent reader...can't you tell! At least the book is right side up!

Is it just me or does his face say "My mom is a nut and is driving me crazy!" All is good now, Noah just came to tell me goodnight, gave me a kiss and told me I was "pity" (pretty)! I love that kid, even when he is a stinker...goes for the hubby too!

bLiZzArD bLoG dAy 4

I will not lose my mind, I will not lose my mind, I will not lose my mind! I think Noah's goal today is to remind me that he is 20 months old today, and he's very close to the age of two....and as with everything else, he's going to start terrible two's a little early. I feel awful saying that, because I love him so much, but today....WHOA! Is this normal? He woke up with a melt down, didn't want to go potty, so he just started screaming and ran away, once Daddy chased him down, he just screamed "mommy, mommy" Finally got him on the potty, no success...all that for notta! He flipped out over getting dressed, and over his milk cup, and over who knows what else, so I finally gave up and gave him a poptart...ahhhh silence. Of course Daddy gets to go to work today, and guess who's left....ding ding ding...me and Noah! (oh but hope is on the way in the form of a Nana...thank you snow storm!)

Last night, Noah got his favorite "cake". It's actually corn bread, but I'm not going to tell him any different, it's something he will actually eat! While eating, I realized he was singing "Happy Birthday to You"...he amazes me everyday! Of course once he got bored with his "cake" he put it where he puts all food he becomes bored with...the floor. (anyone have a good solution to fix this problem??) Daddy made him get down and pick it up...well you can see what happened then....Richard's comment "it's kinda like calling in the dogs to clean up" Are we bad parents?!?!

We did finally have some potty success today, but I'm out of star stickers, so of course there's another meltdown right there...he's so my child.

Those are feet you see.

He will probably hate me one day for these! Yes folks, this is how my child poops, behind the curtain. You know they never talk about this stuff in those "what to expect books", not that I've actually read one since he was born.

Noah's shooting spree! Fun until I took the camera away because it was "mys" (mine).

Can we make it one more day?

So Day 4, no menu planned, kinda hoping my Mom shows up with some great ideas because I'm out! We are dressed! Even did my hair today, gotta look good for my company! Even though while doing my hair, Noah is pulling on my legs, climbing in laundry baskets, and in frustration I said "Can't Mommy just do her hair?", I'm not sure what answer I expected...but I should have know it would be "no!" Which then prompted nap time...that led to me being allowed to blog before round 2 of meltdowns and chaos begins!

Happy Monday!

Blizzard Blog Day 3

Left over picture of Day 2...Noah finally got to go for a ride with Daddy...it didn't last long, but he loved it!

When I woke up this morning it felt like the day after Christmas. All the excitement was over, all the family time was over and it was back to our normal busy life. Richard left for work, even though he's on vacation, and once again it's just Noah and I. I got up and did my typical check facebook....thank goodness I still have power! Everyone's post was about digging out and getting out of their house, and I laughed to myself because I just want to keep my family in my house for longer than 1 day! What's the rush? The stores will all be there tomorrow, take advantage of this time together....of course give me another two days and I'll probably be begging to get out of here!

What a beautiful morning, so quiet and still, everything was so calm and peaceful...of course until my dearest friend Noah woke up! He ate his typical breakfast of cheerios...feeding half to the dog, because Mommy was being too lazy and pouting to stop him from doing it! I was a good girl and ate a real breakfast (first time this blizzard), wanted to be nostalgic and make some cinnamon sugar to put on my english muffin....mixed it all together, and made a big ol mess trying to get it into a shaker thingy. Again laughed to myself because I know I used to have a small little funnel thing that I never used, so I'm pretty sure I gave it to Noah to play with...and well needless to say, we shall never see that funnel again!

I was getting a little tired of my pity party and the Disney Channel, so I put on my big girl britches and decided to take Noah and the dogs outside, since the sun is shinning and I've been blessed with another day with my child! So I bundled up my Christmas Story kid and off we went!

Heading down our drive way....he took off like he was running for the hills! I love all this snow!

***funnel update...it's been located behind a box of tea....life can return to normal***

We lost half of Kapone...

...but don't worry we found him again!


As always, Noah 's copying Kapone...he's digging too, not sure for what, but it sure was fun!

We lost all of Mandy...she's in there... somewhere...

"pelpt...guck"....translation "Help, I'm stuck"

His new favorite color is "ite" (white)!

Our 20 minute adventure, some frozen pizza for lunch and a good hot shower was all I needed to help lift my spirits. I have no idea what it's like "out there" we are so secluded in our little home that I really don't know what's going on beyond my driveway...and some days, I'm perfectly okay with that! Maybe we'll have another day at home...maybe I might actually get to go to work, whatever comes tomorrow, I'm extremely thankful for today!

And in case you were wondering...chili for dinner...and we are dressed in real clothes!

Blizzard Blog Day 2

We have made it through a day and a half stuck in the house...and we are still all in one piece! I've only lost my patience a time or two...I have a very stubborn and independent 20 month old and a big dog who is chomping at the bit to get outside...actually both the kid and the dog would love to be outside and at moments I'd like to send them! Every time Richard walks out the door, both Noah and Kapone sit and watch him out the windows.

Last night, Noah took his snack to the window, so that he could watch Daddy on the "ride"!
We can't seem to keep Richard inside for any length of time...somehow that 4wheeler just keeps needing him...hmmm. He came in last night after an hour of plowing, with a big smile on his face and says "that was fun!" Where can I get a chore that I have fun doing? Can someone figure out an entertaining way of doing laundry?!?!


I think we've played with just about every toy we own, and Noah is now coming up with new ways to play with the toys! I just watched him bring some dishes out in the seat of his fire truck and have a picnic on the kitchen floor....genius!
This new game is called kick the trucks with your feet while bent over, he later graduated to no hands, just his head on the ground...I'm such a proud mom!


Last night's soup was a great success...Campbell's doesn't have a thing on me! Of course my dear Noah wasn't that into it...too many vegetables and chicken, silly eater. After last night's yummy dinner and my personal VDOT man showed back up at home, I spent the evening kicking my husband's rear in 9 holes of golf, who knew I was such a pro!

*complete side note...when I started this, I thought the snow was stopping...ha...coming down like a real blizzard now*

Today I did what we all do when we're snowed in...baked some more!!! I made the most amazing chocolate chip cookies ever, or so my husband tells me..and Noah's quickly becoming a fan! And they are so healthy too with the pound of butter and all the sugar and I heard anything you eat while snowed in doesn't really count anyway, you're just trying to insulate yourself!

I think they were letting me know it was time to start baking!Noah didn't make it through the baking process...his much needed morning nap was calling his name, or his Mommy just couldn't take her pants being tugged on anymore, even though Daddy was in the house at this point!

Messiest baking cookies in the world, with the six cups of flour and talk about an arm workout! But

Richard assures me it is completely worth it!

I think this may be Richard's favorite picture....I give these cookies two days!

Here's the same grill (its my new snow measurement) as of 12:00 today...but looking at it right now, I think its got another 2/3 inches on it, since we just had a 15 minute blizzard.

We are once again dressed in real clothes today! We are still smiling and despite the occasional meltdown, I'd say we're having a really good time! (Snow is slowing down again...but I'm not saying a word!)

Blizzard Blog Day 1

I was motivated by watching Julie and Julia the other night (not the most exciting movie) to be a better blogger! Since we will be stuck inside for probably the next week, I figure I'll have plenty of time to blog! So Day 1...7:30 am snow has started to fall!

Yes this is just starting....this is all the snow we still have from last weekend and this past Tuesday. All this time off from work , has me a little mixed up on my days of the week, but I believe this is from Tuesday....

Noah's "cleaning" the snow...it's not child labor if he wanted to do it, right?

Noah and I had a nice surprise last night. My Dad showed up with a four wheeler with the snow blade attached to it. He just couldn't stand the fact that we had no way to plow out our driveway and long dirt road. So he left work, drove up to Woodstock (2hour drive), got his other 4wheeler, drove to my house(another 2 hour drive), dropped off the 4wheeler, and then drove home (1 hour drive this time). My Dad has the biggest heart! Richard is so thrilled, he was out there last night playing on it. I'm sure the minute he rolls in today from work, he'll be out there plowing away!

I was a lazy mom/wife and decided I wasn't going to go shopping with all the crazies (sorry if you were one) and Noah after work yesterday! Besides we have frozen pizza and coffee, what more do you need? My fantastic husband decided he was going, so I sweetly emailed him a list of all the things we "could" use and he went! I am so blessed with great men in my life! :)

So here we are...watching these big flakes fall, wondering how much, how long...will we ever go back to school in the month of February? I will not complain, I love every minute that I get to be with my family, since they are often few and far between!
We are smiling....and actually dressed in real clothes, not pj's, I'm trying a new approach to snow days this time...we're starting out dressed and motivated....then by day 4 we can stay in our pj's all day! Today's plan...making Chicken Corn Chowder in the crock pot...fingers crossed, never made it before...good thing Richard eats anything! Stay safe, stay warm, and be thankful for all this time with loved ones so close by! *Snow total - 1 inch new snow 9:30 am!*