This one's for you Liah...

Here is my little muscle man...I think he looks pretty cute...BUT not sure he would be going out in public with that get up. Spiderman crocs, camo shorts, and a wife beater. Ryan took him for a man outing in this...he was proud.

More later ladies,
Carrie

Sunday slippin and slidin with my best pal Noah!! And Mama was riding a horse?!?

We had such a fun weekend! Hagen’s party on Saturday and then yesterday we had Adam, Rebecca, and the kids over to slip n slide and pizza. The Dad’s were basically bowling with the kids and they had a blast! Rebecca and I chilled in the blow-up pool. Tell you what, I don’t care how ridiculous it looks to be lounging in a baby pool…it is necessary in Texas summers! It is HOT already and it’s not even July/August!!

At one point all the adults took a turn on the slip n slide…yes, even I did. Now before you go freaking out (MOM) I didn’t run full force, fly through the air and land with no bracing on my belly. I was easy on myself and yes Mom, I’m fully aware I am pregnant. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. Now the video that Rebecca got of me doing it? I better be nice to her for the rest of my life. With Facebook, etc. it could be bad…I have blackmail for her too…it is mutual!

Baby Emily chilled on the porch in a bouncy seat, box fan pointed at her sideways to get her back and front at the same time and slept the whole time! It was so nice!! Uncle Ryan was being mean again to the boys…spraying them with water from the hose…it gets pretty cold!!

On another note, I did go to the doctor on Friday. I was concerned. I remember when I was at the end of my pregnancy with Hagen I felt like I had been riding a horse…or straddling a pole or something….just sore and pressure. Well, I had that same feeling on Friday. I emailed my doctor and they called right away and told me to come in that afternoon. I started worrying that I was dilating, etc. You know how things can run through your mind when you are TOTALLY clueless. Well, what is going on is that my uterus and bladder are arguing for room in my “pelvic cage”. In the next few weeks they should “Pop” out of the cage and into my tummy more and it will relieve some of the pressure. My pelvis is trying to separate a bit and with those two arguing in there it is making it sore. I felt great after a good night’s sleep on Friday night but then being on my feet and in the heat for Hagen’s party I was really sore by Saturday night. Then fine again Sunday morning. So much easier dealing with little pains when you know it is all OK.

Here are a few pics of the slip n slide adventures yesterday…
1. Yep...a bit tight, but necessary...Noah...you need to at least ACT like you are having a good time! We know you are!
2. Uncle Adam lawn bowling with Noah...

3. Ryan and Hagen getting all CRAZY on the backslide!

4. Nice form Ryan! and nice lawn burn on your stomach!!

5. Best Buds...you buy one chair? You best get another because there will be a knock down and I'm thinking the younger one will win...

Tata,

Carrie

Whew...you know what they say about 3...it's the new 2...

Hagen has been difficult lately. It may be that he is now 3. He woke up on Tuesday morning and said, “Mama, am I still 3??” He was excited to find out that he was indeed still 3.

He is pretty much dressing himself with only a bit of help. We are having trouble with him taking his own shirt off. He CAN do it, but it if doesn’t just fly off by itself he gets very frustrated and whines, “I can’t do it! It won’t come off! It’s stuck!” BUT he gets pissed if you help because he gets a sticker for doing it himself. It is painful PAINFUL to just sit there and watch him. But we have to.

Yesterday after school he wanted a snack (mind you he gets a snack at school around 3:15 after nap). I tell him that he can have an apple, orange or nectarine. He chooses an apple. He throws a fit because…get this…I washed it. GASP! Yep, I put it under running water and then…THEN…I dried it with a hand towel. The nerve. I know…I know, so mean of me.

He was then wanting to watch a movie. I put in Leap Frog’s “Back to school”…well, he wanted Leap Frog’s “Letter Factory”. TOUGH! Eat your apple and watch the frogs do their thing and shut it! I’ve had it! (I didn’t raise my voice just yet…that was just a flashback at what I wanted to say).

So he was sitting there eating his apple much like someone that is starving eats corn from a cob and all is good in his world. Until…Dad comes home. What? Your favorite person in the world comes home and it throws your world off rotation?! It just goes down down DOWN hill from that point.

I look at Ryan and tell him to saddle up and that I think it is going to be a trying night for us. Hagen proceeded to:

1. Have a fit because HE wants to pick out his carrots for dinner
2. Throw a tantrum because HE wants to pick out his plate for dinner
3. Bonk his head on the table while trying to get in his booster by his big self (because he is 3) and when Ryan is comforting him he HITS him…so Ryan puts him in time out
4. He won’t remain in time out…Ryan keeps putting him BACK in time out…
5. I have a SPLITTING headache from not having enough caffeine for the day and the screaming is about to send me over the edge
6. Ryan and I just stare at each other from across the table while he is screaming in the other room and think, “And we have another one on the way! Yeah us!”
7. When Hagen gets out of time out he throws Ryan’s bowl of ranch on the floor…yes, it was on purpose
8. I tell him he is going to eat, take a bath, and get in bed! No book…No story…and no song!!! It is because you are misbehaving Dameon, I mean Hagen!
9. He does something else and I pulled out the big guns. I took Mickey Mouse away the next morning during breakfast! He quieted down after that point.
After our TERRIBLE dinner he took a bath and got in bed nicely. He was in bed by 6:55…it was wonderful.

This morning when I got him the first thing he asked is if he is going to watch Mickey Mouse? Nope, remember your behavior last night? You were not a good listener and not behaving well so no MMCH.

It is more torture for me. He got dressed, picked out his cereal, and got settled in his chair. I told him I needed to finish getting ready and I’ll be right back. I sat at my stool to put my make up on and this is what went down:

Hagen: “Mama? Mom? Hey Mom?”
Me: walking out to him, “Yes Hagen?”
H: “what are you doing?”
M: “getting ready. I’ll be done in a minute…eat your breakfast. “
Not 1 minute later:
H: “Mom, Mama, MAAAA MAAAA?”
Me: “yes Hagen? “
H: “ I was not being haved so I can’t watch Mickey Mouse.”
Me: “that’s right! BUT if you are good tonight you can tomorrow morning! OK, now let me finish getting ready…”
Not 1 minute later:
H: “Mama…MOM…MOOOOOMMMMMM”
Me: finally ready and coming out “what Hagen?!???”
H: “are you ready?”

Now, before you go adding up the minutes, I don’t wear much makeup…not because I don’t NEED to. It is more of just I’m too LAZY to do so. And I sit behind a desk all day so no need to. BUT this morning I have a lot less than normal on…make up that is. I love Mickey Mouse as much as Hagen…I hope tonight is better than last night!!

Tata,
Carrie

P.S. I went for my 16 week appointment yesterday. Baby’s heart rate is 148 BPM, I go back in 2 weeks for a sonogram (and to confirm the sex), my belly is measuring small but not alarming (ALWAYS nice to hear SOMETHING is small when you are pregnant), and things are moving along! It’s weird with this pregnancy…I have no real appetite. My thing lately is the laughing cow cheeses…all of them…yummy!! Oh and diced peaches in the cups…I keep them in the fridge and growl at Hagen if he wants a bite.

This week!

Get a 5th of whatever and relax...there is lots to discuss.

Work has been busy but SO good! Being a technical recruiter is definitely an up and down job. You will be slow one week and then crazy busy the next! I am so lucky working with the group that I work with…people are what makes your job great, not necessarily the job itself.

I was reading through some blogs that teachers write. Discipline has been a big topic lately and I want to discuss this a bit. Ryan and I are on the teachers side...no matter what. I will not have a child that disrespects athority...that is how I was raised and it is the RIGHT way. Hagen is pretty good for the most part. He listens in class and we rarely have issues. BUT I make sure to let his teachers know that we want to know anything that has been a problem and we will work on it at home as well. Hagen is not a napper…he is that kid in class that wakes up all his friends. Not yelling or anything but just talking, singing, rolling around, etc. I found out that his nap mat was way in the corner far away from the other kids. No one had said anything until one day he had a bad report saying that he did not sleep well and he was disruptive. Uh oh…that is when I found out that he hasn’t been very quiet at naps. SO, we started the sticker chart! If he got a good report for being quiet and resting (Napping is now a bad word) then he got a sticker…5 stickers in a week and we do something special! It worked and now he is quiet on his mat.

He recently moved up to the 3 year old class. There is a kid whose Mom has forced the school to move her kid up with Hagen even though he is 3 months younger and isn’t potty trained. She is “That” mom. AND she works for the school system. She called me the other night. This past week was the first full week in the new class. She was pissed because her son was put in “Chill Out”. She called, then texted, then called me again. I called her back thinking something was terribly wrong and this is the conversation:
Psycho Mom: “What is Chill out?”
Me: “basically time out”
PM: “why don’t I know about this?”
Me: “because I was talking about Hagen’s attitude problem and told them to let me know if he is talking back and to let me know if he is doing it at school so I can address it at home. They told me they do “chill out” which is like time out.”
PM: “well, they put my child in chill out and he was not able to color his “H” (it was the letter of the week) and when I asked him why his wasn’t colored he said he had to sit in chill out because he was crying.”
Me: “well, and what’s the problem?”

She has done these phone calls numerous times. She knows she is neurotic…this time I confirmed to her that she needs to go to “chill out”. She started laughing and I said, “No, I’m serous…you need to trust them”. I told her that if she is that mad about Chill Out that she has a lot more coming when he grows up because right now they are still “babies” and the teachers love on them and cut them a lot more slack then when they go to real school. She agreed and has not even looked me in the eye since then. By the way, this is the same girl that called 2 hours before our New Year get together was going to start to say that they will in fact swing by…I told her that we canceled it. Some people…ugh…

Hagen got to take cupcakes to school for his birthday and insisted on wearing a cone “Happy Birthday” hat. It was tilted to the side so he was looking a lot like Jack from Jack in the Box. He was SO proud! He told me in the car on the way to school that today was going to be a good day! Yes, it will be!

BUT, it didn’t start off too well. He was eating breakfast and I was drying my fuzzy hair. I turned off the dryer and heard him SCREAMING bloody murder! I just knew he fell out of his chair and broke something. I ran in there, his face was purple, crocodile tears streaming down his cheeks…AND…there was a fly on his hair. Yes, that was the problem. My manly man of a son is TERRIFIED of flies! He was petting a spider (thanks Ryan) last night but flies? Watch out! He was done eating. Thanks effing fly….someone has a weigh in on Tuesday (3 year well visit) and you freaked him out so much he doesn’t want breakfast…that was at LEAST a couple of ounces. I’m going to hunt you when I get home…smoosh you and put your remains in this hot Texas heat so you burn.

Tata,
Carrie

P.S. Hagen is growing up right before my eyes. Now that he has graduated to the 3 room, he hugs me at the door, kisses me, and walks right in and joins his friends for circle time. No whining, no crying…It’s almost like…HE DOESN’T NEED ME ANYMORE!! WHAAAAAA BOOO HOOO!!! But, it is nice having drop off take only a minute. I just wish he would hug me a little tighter or longer and look me in the eyes while holding my cheeks and say, “I miss you already Mama…you are the best and I can’t wait to see your skinny beautiful self come and get me after work…now go eat a donut…you are WAY too skinny!”

Following through

So Hagen is about to be 3 years old. I can sense that he is testing the water in some situations. I have not been very good about following through on “threats” if you will. I know he KNOWS right from wrong for the most part. So, here is a story of him “pushing it”…

Hagen is not a morning person…I’m not either…I sympathize with him on this. BUT, you know what? Tough…we gotta go to school/work so let’s just get it going!

Yesterday morning I went up to get him and he immediately sat up and said, “No school today?” I knew what was coming…but didn’t expect it to be as bad as it was. I said, “Yes, we do have school and Mama has to go to work”. He FLIPPED the hell out. Screaming crying kicking…the worst EVER!

I picked him up and he was going nuts. I grabbed his clothes off the chair and he was trying to rip them out of my hands. I finally pulled them away and told him that was ENOUGH! I also reminded him that if he continues to behave this way he will not be allowed to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while eating breakfast. (This has never been done…just threatened…usually works with a threat). Well, not this morning.

I got down to our bathroom where I change him. He was still out of control. Asked him if he wanted to take his PJ’s off or me. He said me so I did and then he freaked out more because HE wanted to do it. THEN I attempted to put him on the potty and he stiffened up like a stick figure and WOULD NOT bend. I finally bent him to sit. He wouldn’t go. Fine…I asked him to put his clothes in the hamper and diaper in the trash…nope…so I did it and he freaked that HE wanted to.

We get breakfast…he doesn’t want anything so I pour him a bowl of Pops (good mother I know) and some milk and put him in his chair. He asks me to turn on Mickey Mouse. Uh, where the hell have you been the past 15 minutes son?! There will be NO Mickey Mouse this morning! I went to finish getting ready and he was howling the WHOLE.TIME. You see, Mickey Mouse is not just for him…it is for me. I can finish getting ready and he eats his breakfast. It is a win win. I was happy to figure this out because when he was in the 1 year old room they fed him breakfast...but not in the 2 year old room...it works for us.

I get ready and come out to eat something quickly and he asks me for a stamp on his hand (I give him one when he REMEMBERS that I give him one for putting away his dirty clothes). I said, uh…no…I put your things away this morning.

I took him to school, told the teachers that he is a total monster and beware, gave him a hug and kiss and left.

When I picked him up he was back to sweet Hagen. Even told me sorry for being ugly that morning. Today? TOTAL doll…kind of obnoxious really. I think he got it…

It is nice to find your kids currency…his is for sure Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at breakfast and Garfield when I put dinner together.

I just knew I was going to be that Mom that limits TV...not so much. But to be honest, I'm very thankful that he will watch a show while I get something done real quick. He learned his ABC's and sounds really quick from watching the leap frog video "Letter Factory". That started it all. I can also take him to a movie and he will sit through the entire thing! I love that because I love going to movies! His first movie was for his 2nd birthday. Ryan and I took him to see UP...recently we went to see how to train your dragon and he loved that one too!

Tata,
Carrie

Hagen tooted on the rug...funny story!

Ryan is upstairs giving Hagen a bath. He called for me to get 1 candy (Hagen made a small poop I guess) and that he had to tell me something funny.

I get the candy and head upstairs. Ryan meets me at the top laughing...Hagen is sitting on the potty still. Ryan said that Hagen bent over to put his stool in front of the potty so he could go before his bath and totally sharted on the rug!

Hagen said, "Daddy, I tooted!" looked at the rug and said that the cleaning people need to clean that up.

Uh...OK...we don't tell the cleaning people to clean up sharts in our house....that is just crossing the line Mr. Hagen.

Hagen was backed up most of last week so we have been giving him Miralax (turbolax). Well it finally kicked in and is upsetting his tummy! It takes awhile to kick in and then when it does it is too late and he has issues. Ugh...can't win.

Tata,
Carrie

Hagen and his hurt finger

Hagen is a small fry. He is little...he never really had the cute rubber band wrists that alot of babies have. His fingers are alot like those little LITTLE baby carrots!

I had my first urgent call to come get him from school today because of an accident. He got his baby carrot shut in the door and two little turds (I mean boys) were pushing the door harder on his pinkie. The lady at the front called me and said you need to come get him and I'm pretty sure he needs to go to the doctor. I asked if the skin is broken and if there was blood. She said neither, but it is swollen and he is pretty upset.

I drove fast and got there only to be stuck talking to the lady up front for about 10 minutes about kids slamming their fingers in doors. She also said she may have over reacted and he may not need to go to the doctor (meanwhile I already had called the doctor and was set to be seen after I pick him up). I finally escaped and started to go towards his room quickly. I was on a mission...but his teacher that talks alot blocked me...mind you I have yet to see my little boy.

She started asking me if I had heard what happened, I said yes and if you want to talk to me you need to follow me because I need to see Hagen. She said I know you know about the finger, but did you hear he got scratched too? Another little punk in his room that is notoriously a bully scratched him not once, but twice! Grrr...GRRRRRRR! Mama Bear MAD!

I didn't...I was irritated...I wanted to see my kid and check out his finger and see how bad it was!

I finally made it out to the playground where he was snuggled up to Ms. Angie with a rubber glove filled with cool water on his tiny finger. It was swollen a bit with a little LITTLE scratch on it. He started BAWLING! Basically had to reenact the whole ordeal. Poor baby. I told him we were going to see the doctor and he was terrified of getting a shot. I told him no shots but if he was good he would probably get a sucker...which he did and he picked pink.

We went to the doctor and he is fine. BUT, you would honestly think that he is barely hanging on. He has been talking in the whiny "poor me" voice since we got home, he can't eat with his hands because he has an owie, just everything.

Poor baby has a hurt carrot, I'm pregnant and exhausted (and very happy), and Ryan is out of town. SO, what to do?

We ate spaghetti for dinner (leftovers)...
Put our PJ's on without taking a bath...
We are watching Air Buddies...
and then we are going to bed!

I'm so excited...Hagen gets a bath pretty much every night, so I figured that he can miss one...I'm feeling a bit lazy so this is the perfect night to do so! I told him we are having special movie night (while I am sitting here blogging).

Please say a prayer that his finger doesn't fall off in his sleep...from the sound of it he may lose it.

Tata,
Carrie

P.S. His glove of "cool" water is now almost hot and he is STILL walking around with it on his finger. Mind you he is holding it with a grip WITH his hurt finger.

P.S.S. I took another test this morning to make sure I was in fact Prego. I kept getting asked how many tests I took....when I would say 1 I would get an "OK, well do you have another one you can take?" To put my mind and some other's minds at ease I took another one. We are all good...still "yes".

Mama and Hagen date night!

I had so much fun with Hagen tonight. My watch battery died so we had to go to the mall jeweler to get it replaced. I thought I would turn it into date night.

Ryan is out of town...been since Monday. I picked Hagen up and we headed to the mall! We got my watch fixed, went to ride on the carousal, ate at Cheesecake factory, bought Hagen new socks, under ware, and a shirt, got a birthday present for Madison's birthday party, and got a balloon for being "haved".

We even stopped by the ice rink and watched the boys practice hockey! Hagen sat there in awe watching them skate...while his fingers were firmly planted in his ears. I guess the stick hitting the puck was a bit scary?!

We had such a great time. This week has been a DOOZY which I will blog about next week when a definite decision has been made about something important, so I needed to get out. Since Ryan is out of town Hagen was the best next choice!

Sweet baby Hagen, you just light up my life all the time...you are so fun to be around...so sweet...well behaved...you listen well...and I just love you more than you will ever know!

Love,
Mama

Big boy bed!

Tonight is Hagen's first night in his twin bed. He was so excited! I was freaking out because I got a bed rail at Target...just one. I got it to work, but was worried about the gap between his bed and the wall...it was about a 6 inch gap and my string bean of a kid could slip in that hole never to be found again! I got a BRILLIANT idea. You know those thick bumper pads for cribs? Those big round ones? The ones that I spent a small fortune on even though people were telling me you won't use them because they are unsafe? The ones I actually never did use? Well, they just happen to match perfectly and fit right into the hole! Problem solved. AND it matches his bed too! SCORE! We kept with the cowboy print in his room...love it...it's kinda old school cowboy.

I have some arranging to do of the stuff that is on his walls still.

I attached three pictures...I don't know how to organize them. The first one is the first night he spent in his crib, the second one is the first night he spent in his toddler bed, and then the third is the one from tonight...first night in a big bed! Go Hagen!!

Sweet Dreams,

Mama

My Company Holiday Party

Saturday night was the night of my company holiday party. Our party is different in that your spouse and your kids are invited. Ryan is hunting...so thank the lord I had another date lined up!

Earlier in the day Hagen and I wanted to get out of the house. So we went to Uncle Julio's and then did a little shopping. We split chicken fajitas and had a great time. We came home for Hagen to take a nap and I got ready while he was sleeping. It was a short nap...but that always means he wakes up a demon. He did in true fashion and I was afraid he wasn't going to come out of it in time for the party.

He did and we went. We had a great time! There are 2 little boys that are around Hagen's age that were not there, so I was his best friend for the night. We played soccer outside. By us was a group of little girls about 12 years old and Hagen kept stopping and going over to them and saying, "That's my Mama!" I think Ryan needs to work with him on his pick up skills...not sure that is going to work for long!

We had rehearsed in the car on the way on what to say to people. All night he was saying "Nice to meet you" and "Thanks for having me". WAY.CUTE if I do say so myself.

Then...Santa arrived. Hagen started shaking and crying. Santa called his name last and I held him while walking to Santa. Santa gave him a gift (Monkey's in a Barrel) and Hagen was yelling "THANK YOU SANTA! THANK YOU SANTA!" while we were walking away. Again, it was so cute!

He sat at the kiddie table with Savannah and her little brother Matthew and had a great date.

When we left, he gave hugs and kisses High Fives and fist bumps. I was so proud.

Thank you for the great date Hagen. Mama was sad that once again for the second year in a row your Daddy was hunting during her holiday party, but you have been a great date the past 2 years and it makes me so proud!

Love,
Mama

Soapy hair and embers

Hagen, you are quite the funny guy! Your sense of humor is getting...well...let's just say it is getting there! You have alot to live up to as your Mama is HILARIOUS! Be patient my little one...

Last night was so much better than Tuesday night. I appreciate all the comments. I seriously felt so low after that night. I was sad...I felt he hated me (to be honest I wasn't really fond of him). Yesterday was so much better! We had a nice dinner (fish, edamame, and mashed potato's) and he ate well, we bathed and got in our PJ's before the 7:00 Christmas special was on and he didn't know but Daddy surprised him by coming in when the show was beginning! I knew, but didn't tell Hagen because we wanted it to be a surprise. He was so happy!

So, when he was in his bath, I was doing the usual soapy hair Mohawk. He checked it out in the drainy thing...what the hell is that thing called...the thing that you can see your reflection. Anyway, he said he was a dinosaur! I did horns next (very fitting from the night before) and he laughed and said he was Shrek! He then wanted to shave my face, his face, his legs, and his stomach and we were done. He wanted me to look like Shrek. That's fairly easy...I put my hair in two ponytail loopy things. He said, "That's not Shrek...that's Mickey Mouse". Sweet baby...sometimes.

So then it was on to get our Apple Cider (I just warm up watered down apple juice for him) and then getting the fire ready. Tell you what, the wood was POPPING like crazy in the fire! At one point, I was tending to the fire and heard a loud pop and then smelled like my hair burned. I checked my hair...nothing...checked my sweater...nothing. Then I saw it. A glowing red ember IN.MY.CARPET. It was about 6 feet from the fireplace. I stomped it out and it only melted a little area and you can't even really see it. I have shaggy brown/tan/black carpet. But Geez! How scary is that! Now, I didn't have the screen closed because I was tending to the fire, but man alive...that freaked me out! I turned the gas off and just let the fire die down.

One more thing...when I picked Hagen up from school yesterday I told him we had to go to the store to get more fruit (more apples, oranges that PEEL correctly, etc.) He said OK and he wanted blue fruit. I said Blueberries? Yep, that's what he wanted. And he got them and eats them like crazy! I hate plain blueberries! Pancakes, muffins, that's good, but plain?! eewww!

While we were getting our fruit he reminded me that he gets a free cookie at the bakery. So we went to get one. WELL, it didn't have M&M's on it! He threw himself on the floor and was screaming. People were walking by me smiling like "I got you sister" and I said, "Hagen, people are looking at you and thinking how sad it is that Santa will be here soon and you are acting like this."

That didn't help. He kept on...I was calm. I then said, "Hagen! We forgot something! You know what we need to get?"

Crying stopped and Hagen said, "What?"

I said "A new scrub brush for Mama's dishes"
Hagen: "OK, let's go"

He helped me pick out a new scrubbie and ate his cookie. Man, I would love to have a short term memory like that!

Tata,
Carrie

It's been a dark and dreary night in the hizzy...

...ugh...sorry to vent but I have to do it...I'm in such a pissy mood and am so disappointed in myself and my son.

Let's start the story off by saying that Ryan is out of town...left early Monday morning and will return late on Wednesday night...leaving again on Friday morning and not returning until later Sunday. Hagen will be attending my holiday party for work (kids are invited) for the second year without my husband. It's OK, but I'm wondering if they think I am really married. I will then be going to another holiday party on Sunday with Hagen and without my husband. I wasn't bitter...after tonight I am VERY.BITTER.

I picked Hagen up from school. The teacher said that he had a great day, took a good nap, and was a good boy. Well, glad he was at school because I swear my kid is still there and I instead picked up Damian...no lie.

We get home and it was melt down before we even got out of the car. It was because he wanted muffins for a snack and I said it was too close to dinner so he could choose between and apple, orange, or raisins. He was not having it. He finally wanted an orange (those little cutie oranges).
I f'ed up and peeled the damn thing for him...he wants to do everything by himself nowadays...bad move on my part. He was livid...He picked out another and was pissed again because it would peel right. He was flipping around on the kitchen floor and I grabbed him pretty quickly and put him in my room...in the dark...we call it the crying/whining room. He was in there for 30 minutes SCREAMING! I went in there and told him it was time to settle down. He was trying to talk and couldn't catch his breath. We sat there for awhile. I was counting to 10...really it was about a million.

We were planning on meeting my Sister In Law and nephew for dinner...she was also a single mom tonight. I called her and said it would be over my dead body if I were to take him out in public. Plus he said he didn't want to go on a date so that was that.

Enter meltdown 2: He decided he DID want to go on a date. Fat chance my little pistol...that ship has sailed and you are eating frozen dinosaur chicken nuggets or meatballs...again, your choice.

We finally sat down to eat (with a damn apple) and I asked him why he is acting so naughty tonight. Poor baby said he misses Daddy. I wonder if it is because I was probably the meanest I have ever been to him...

I hate nights like this. I honestly felt so out of control. I had to count to myself SEVERAL times to calm down. He really doesn't melt down like this but when he does it is terrible.

At one time I was taking him to potty. I helped him take his pants off and saw his bare white butt and just wanted to spank it so bad...I refrained...ladies it was bad.

OK, I'm done...I want to say I feel better...but I really don't. Just want to go to bed.

Carrie

Santa visit

So Hagen and I ventured out to Stonebriar Mall on Thursday for some cookies, shopping, and SANTA! Now Hagen did not know we were going to see HIM. On the way I told him that we may see Santa! I told him that I hoped to see him so that I can tell him what a good girl I've been and tell him what I want.

I looked in my rear view mirror to see tears welling up and lip quivering. He said, "Mama, you go first?" in the sweetest little voice ever. "Of course, I'll show you how it's done!"

He was very quiet the whole drive there and walking towards Santa's area. We got there and I let him peek at Santa to see that he is not some crazy person (as far as I know) and we were on our way to meet him. There was no line so we were up in no time!

I went first and make sure that Hagen could hear me. I said I was a good girl and I wanted a new TV and Merry Christmas! I smiled and faked getting a photo taken, kissed Santa on the cheek and went to get Hagen.

Hagen looked nervous but no crying. I sat him on Santa's lap and he rattled off, "I'm a good boy, I want a guitar and a scooter, Merry Christmas!" and then turned to the camera and looked spooked. No smiling, BUT no crying either!

He was SO proud of himself! You could just see the happiness in his heart. What a big boy!!

Tata!

Carrie

Recent updates

I have been MIA...sorry about that! Lots to post about, but we were having computer issues at home (83 viruses to be exact) so that was putting a damper on my posting! yes...83 viruses. Ryan had the nerve to say "maybe we (he means me) should watch some of the sites we are going to". Honey, I use the home computer to check email, post on my blog and that is about it. Maybe YOU should stop surfing porn and doing fantasy football...that may help! Gah!

My little man...he really is...he is this little short person that I am just Gaga over. He is so freaking cute! The things that come out of his mouth are priceless. Here are a couple for your reading pleasure:

Hagen: Daddy, what you doing?
Ryan: Making a shake! (protein shake...breakfast)
Hagen: I want a triangle!
Sweet baby thought he was making a SHAPE!

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Anytime Hagen is going potty...
Hagen: Get out! I don't want to get Poo Poo on you!
We have to shut the door and when he is done he says he wants to hear Old McDonald song. We started singing a song of his choice after he says he is done going. It will usually buy enough time for him to actually finish going...good trick!

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Ryan: Hagen, Kirby is watching you. Do you think he is going to tell Santa you are Naughty or Nice?
Hagen: Ninety

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Putting Hagen in his car seat to go to school
Hagen: Oh my Gosh...Oh my gosh...Oh my gosh
Mama: (thanking the lord he is saying gosh and not the lords name in vain) What's the matter Hagen?
Hagen: My Unnerware! My UNNERWARE!!
The crotch buckle thing had caught the back of his pants and pulled them down when I was putting him in his chair. He was bare butted in his seat.

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If I am not doing what he wants me to do he tells me:
Hagen : You be a good gurl mama...

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This little story is actually about mui. I received a gift last year as a joke and I actually love it! They are Mama sized zipper footie PJ's that are bright red with Sock Monkey's for the feet. LOVE.THEM.

I wore them Saturday night and was all cozy by the fire watching TV. The next morning I was still wearing them and was DYING for some Sonic Tea! it was already 10:30 for crying out loud.

I brushed my teeth, put my contacts in, and said screw it...I'm going in my Pj's. I've done it before...no biggie.

So I pull up, order my drink, put my credit card in the thingie and then the tornado came...it sucked the card out of my hand and it flew under my car. CRAP...what to do... The only thing to do was ignore the tons of cars and get out and pick it up. So I did that...but it wasn't just that easy...

You see, when the tornado came it took my card all the way under my car...in the middle. So instead of just bending over and picking it up, I was crawling under my car...in my bright red PJ's...at a busy Sonic. I'm just waiting for my photo to show up on a "Look at the white trash people of McKinney, TX" site...

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Last topic of the day...Hagen's Peanut's.

You may remember that he calls "it" his Peanuts...we don't mind...it's kinda cute.

When I picked Hagen up from school yesterday the teacher had told me they kept having to tell him to get his hands out of his pants. He had them in there all day long. They asked him if it hurt and he said, "no it tickles". What?! Oh lord...not ready...not ready...not ready...NO!

So Ryan had the man talk with him tonight and said to try to refrain or whatever he actually said. I'm hoping I have some more years before growdy boy stuff happens. I am FULLY aware that he is just checking things out, but it was such a glimpse into the future that kinda freaked me out!

AND, today was crazy hair day...again...and Hagen was the only one that got the memo...AGAIN. come on parents! Read your kids freaking papers! I don't get it...

Tata,
Carrie

Hagen and eating

As most of you know, Hagen is a small fry! To get him to eat is one of the most challenging things. OK, so I am exaggerating a bit...he does eat...but it is mostly Chex Mix, Goldfish, teddy grahams, fruit, etc. I'm not concerned about his weight because he is falling in line with family history...he just has his own curve (that is going up by the way...he's 23 pounds 4 ounces now).

If I need him to eat I bust out the meat sticks. You know, the kids version of Vienna sausages. he loves them! I like them too, but I let him eat them. Last night he ate the whole jar, some blueberries and Strawberries, and some baked beans. I gave him the meat sticks because Ryan and I were having Firecracker Shrimp and it is WAY too spicy for Hagen.

What we have been doing lately is telling him after he eats # bites of this and # of those and whatnot that he can be done. Well last night he had to eat 4 blueberries and 3 bites of beans (he had eaten alot, but we wanted him to eat a bit more...). There is obviously more explaining that we need to do because our poor baby was trying so hard to get that 3rd spoonful of beans in his mouth when there was already 2 spoonfuls and 4 blueberries.

lesson learned my son...sorry about the choking...it won't happen again.

Love,
Mama

Hagen

There are so many things about Hagen that make me love him more and more everyday. I need to remember these things that make me smile as he is testing my patience with him also...because, well...he's 2!
1. I love when we ask if he wants to do something and he responds "Maybe later" or "Maybe next time". This is nice to hear instead of "NO" that is usually yelled.

2. When I go to the bathroom I am always encouraged by a good ole "Good Girl Mama!" It's nice to be encouraged every once in awhile!

3. no matter the size of what he does with #2 he always says, "That's a BIG one!" So proud...even if it is the size of a skittle!

4. Yesterday was Dapper Dog's 7th birthday...birthdays' = cupcakes! We sang to Dapper and when Hagen sings the song it is like nails on a chalkboard. "Happy Birthday to Dapper, Happy Birthday to Dapper, Happy BIIIIIIIIIRTHDAY to Dapper, Happy Birthday to Dapper." Now, the part that I put alot of IIII's in is the hard part...it is really loud, high pitched and screechy! Cute, but wow...

5. I love how he has started putting random things in his pants pocket. Today it was Ramen noodles...what will tomorrow hold? I'm scared of the future pocket picking...

6. He takes great pride in his under ware pickings. Nemo? Oscar? Elmo? who knows! Today Nemo won...

7. It takes him FOREVER to pick out a special treat for going #2 on the potty...honestly...I set the timer. He only pics skittles or smarties, but geez! He has to look like he has never seen it before...

8. He loves him some construction vehicles: Diggers, delivery trucks, trash trucks, dump trucks... Well this morning we saw one we haven't seen any of! A Crane! The clouds lifted, the sun shined on it like no other, it was a beautiful morning...we saw it once going to Sonic and then AGAIN on the way to school...2 crane's in one morning...priceless...

9. I love being greeted in the morning when I open his door with him saying, "I slept good"! We always say good morning, how did you sleep? So now before we have a chance to ask he just tells us!

10. Black Eyed Peas song...Boom Boom Pow. Hagen's new favorite song...he says "Boom Boom Pow, this chicken jacked my style"...aww, so proud...

11. Hagen LOVES sitting in the drivers seat of Ryans truck. The other morning Ryan got in to go to work and the radio was on some random Hispanic station, turned all the way up, his blinker was on, brights on, windshield wipers on, and there was a goldfish in his seat. The funniest part was that we hung golf balls to let us know when we stop in the garage to have as much room in the front of our cars...the windshield wipers were flinging that ball all over the place! Nice wake up call!

12. Hagen loves to watch the trash trucks. Most of the time it is timed perfectly when we get home and they arrive! I pop open the hatch back and we sit in it and watch. Hagen always informs me that if I am scared to plug my ears and I won't be scared. Smart boy...

13. He loves to dust and vacuum...he actually did a good job dusting with me yesterday!!

14. He has to sleep with a bear and blanket every night. We haven't actually tried to not let him have it...wonder what he would think? My Mom knits BEAUTIFUL blankets for babies. I always wanted to MAKE my babies like them...I didn't have to make Hagen like them, he just naturally liked them over the other kind. AND she made him bears to match...so Bear and Blanket go to bed with Hagen.

15. I love hearing him sing his ABC's...especially the "LMNOP" part...hilarious!

16. "No Nose!" when i come at him with the booger sucker.

Basically I have nothing for a blog post...just was thinking of random Hagen things...hope you enjoyed!

Love,
Carrie

Converse High Tops

I have always wanted 2 boys since I can remember...

When Ryan and I started trying to conceive, we had problems...unexplained infertility. Basically that meant that there was nothing wrong with anything...FRUSTRATING! I almost just wished they would find SOMETHING that they could fix. It was difficult to go month to month (every 28 days EXACTLY) and know that we weren't pregnant. I longed to have a baby...I wanted to experience being pregnant, breastfeeding, labor, kicks in my belly, all that stuff.

When I got pregnant, I was elated! I had a rough go at it the first trimester as my body did not realize I was pregnant and was continuing to produce "cysts" and bursting. It was painful, I was bleeding the whole first trimester, ended up in the emergency room on Vicodin, Demerol, and some other powerful pain medication. It was rough. Ryan was traveling alot but my Mom was with me whenever I needed her.

I remember one morning I was driving to work and I had the WORST.PAIN.EVER in my belly. I just knew I was having a miscarriage. I drove to Mom's house (Ryan was out of town) and waited for her to wake up. She found me laying on her couch and I told her I think I was miscarrying. She took me to the fertility specialist doctor. I started throwing up...I came out and told my mom "how cruel...I am miscarrynig and having morning sickness all at the same time."

We were crying...they took me back to get a sonogram to make sure everything was OK. I was laying there crying looking at what I thought was my baby that wasn't going to make it. It was EARLY in my pregnancy and we were told we most likely won't be able to see the heartbeat yet. BUT, then the sonographer zoomed in VERY CLOSELY...and said, there it is! I said, yes I know...I see it. He said, do you REALLY see what I am seeing? I was confused. It was that morning that I saw Hagen's heartbeat for the first time...it was just a little faint "sparkle" in this little fetus. I was shocked...all the pain just went away (not really, but it was OK to see that the baby was OK).

My Mom was there for many of the firsts with Hagen...
First seeing the heartbeat...
First hearing the heartbeat...

My mom was even there when he was conceived! ha! Funny huh?! LONG story that is probably not appropriate for the blog...we had an IUI.

When I first found out Hagen was a boy I was thrilled!! To be honest, I would have been happy with a girl as well. I always loved little boys in Chuck's! Converse high tops! I found some online and ordered what I thought was a little tiny pair for babies... I got them in the mail and they were HUGE! Gigantic! Size 5 Navy blue high top Chuck's...for my baby boy!

Well, today I sent Hagen to school in his Tony Romo jersey and his NAVY BLUE CHUCK'S! I just remember seeing those when they first showed up...I was big and pregnant and getting antsy to hold my baby boy...and dreaming about the day he would wear those shoes.

Aww...it's finally here.

Love,
Mama

Enter Michael Phelps!

Hagen is done...Done with swimming lessons! It has been 8 long weeks of going straight to lessons from school, Monday - Friday, 10 minutes long, racing home to get dinner ready!

Mama is so excited that we can now get back on our former schedule of coming home, eating a snack while resting for a few minutes and getting dinner ready! I'm so glad that we did it, but it was getting difficult to have quick and healthy meals ready at the drop of a hat!

Hagen now can flip and float on his back if he were to fall in the pool. The test consisted of him in full clothes and shoes, being dropped in the pool to see if he would get to a floating position on his back and just relax. He was dropped backwards off the side, forwards off the side, while floating on his back he was flipped over (feet over his head) and had to get back to floating. He did it all with ease!

Now, he really likes to float...he floats to the steps and then is supposed to flip back on his tummy and stand on the stairs. Instead he floats straining his eyes looking at the stairs and can not figure out that he needs to just easily flip over on his belly. He panics and cries...but he is floating, therefore breathing.

he has come a long way! We are so proud of our little fish. As soon as I figure it out I will post a video to brag..I mean, show his skills!

Love,
Mama

Crazy Hair Day!

Today was a day that I woke up so happy...for once I did not have to worry about the random chickadee on Hagen's hair! you see, it doesn't matter how nice his hair looks when he goes to bed, no matter how dry it is since I dry it after his bath every night, he always wakes up and has hair that looks like he has been break dancing in his bed! it is NUTS! It is not all over, but I think it is worse to have just a few chunks OUT.OF.CONTROL! Getting those suckers to lay down is a morning beating that I take every morning.

So, I was so excited this morning to just wake him up, throw gel in his hair, and make it ALL stick up...It's CRAZY HAIR Day at school!! Woo Hoo!

We walk into school...no one up front has crazy hair...walk down the hall...still normal hair...walk into his class...class as usual with no crazy hair. My poor Hagen was the only one that got the memo. So he is in class looking like the guy from the slim jim commercials "step into a slim jim"! With his hair all spiked up.

Sorry Hagen...I'm sure I just opened up a can for you to get your butt kicked on the playground. Mama will make it up to you with something...Ice cream perhaps?

OK, so on other news...Hagen pooped on the potty! He kept saying he had to pee, so I would go back over and over and perch his hiney on the pot. I then made him sit there and we sang Old McDonald 3 rounds...and it came out! He watched it...I watched it...So proud of him! Now, I can not believe the size of what came out...man alive...I was blown away!

He picked out some M&M's. Then later he wanted more so he tried again and a chunk came out with some serious force behind it! Ryan and I discussed what was technically a poop. We decided that whatever came out (no matter the size) he would get a treat.

So way to go Hagen! Your new found freedom...Sorry about the hair bud...

Love,
Mama

Cade's Firestation Birthday

We had a fun morning going to Cade Plunkett's 4th birthday party at the Fire Station! Hagen had a great time sitting in the fire truck, checking out the Care Flight helicopter, doing the "Stop...Drop...and Roll", eating cupcakes, and watching a fireman put on all of his gear.

Before we left to go to the party I told Hagen that I wanted to get a picture of him riding in the fire truck and a picture of him with a fireman to put in his room. He said he wanted a picture of Daddy riding a fireman too! Ha! So does Mama!

He was so excited, sang Happy Birthday to you Cade, and did a wonderful display of the stop, drop, and roll technique...Mama was so proud.

While we were checking out the helicopter, Mama gave the firemen a show. Yep, she was wearing a flowy dress and the wind picked it up and so Mama flashed her pretty nude color granny panties for all the men...poor guys obviously don't get any if they thought that was nice.

Hagen is napping and Ryan is at the gym and I am doing laundry. We are resting up to go swimming at Papa and Pia's house and cook out. Have a wonderful Saturday all!

Love,
Carrie

P.S. Is there anything that smells worse than a 90 pound Black Lab with a belly ache? I swear when we came home from the party it smelled like a crap factory in our house!