Friends

Friendship is a rare and precious commodity. If you have a friend, who truly understands you and accepts you despite your shortcomings, then you are the luckiest person in the world.

I just wanted to say thank you to my friends. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Whether you left me advice, took me out for a girls night, brought me cookies or let me vent to you on the phone I really appreciate it. Over the past few days I have been surrounded by friends who seem to understand and accept me for who I am. Women who have gone out of their way to let me know they care and that I am normal and will survive this journey called Motherhood. Thank You, Thank You, these two little words do not do justice for my gratitude I feel towards you. I also want to say Thank You to my BF Jas who is always and will always be there for me. Thanks for me letting me have a night away yesterday, I really appreciate it.

On a happier note... Alex is sleeping better, throwing less tantrums and eating his food. Hallelujah!!

Pinocchio

" And when he was naughty he grew ears and a tail."

Don't bother calling him Alex anymore it's now Pinocchio. The famous words above from one of Alex's favorite books has rang through my ears more than once in the past few days or even weeks. He has sprouted ears and a big bushy tail.

My sweet boy has officially hit the terrible twos. He is NAUGHTY!! He fights me with ever diaper change. He is all boy throwing things, hitting people and having tantrums. He refuses to eat anything and everything I give him. One day he will eat say roast and the next day he gags on it. Even his old stand by food he is refusing to eat and throwing it on the floor. Every meal has become a guessing game as to what or if he will eat. At dinner time he usually has a meal and full sippy cup of warm milk. Since he has cut back on eating dinner guess who is no longer sleeping through the night because he wakes up hungry. I refuse to feed him in the middle of the night of a daily basis because he thinks he needs it. As strict as I am or as mean as I am I guess I should say Jason is a push over. Alex has his Daddy wrapped around his pinkie finger. Jas loves cuddling with Alex drinking his milk and watching TV in the middle of the night while I sleep. One or twice while Alex is teething is fine but nightly doesn't fly with me. Last night I told Jason enough was enough and he was not allowed to go in to Alex's room. I was up from midnight to four because I refused to give in but then I finally caved. I was tired and sick of fighting him. At 4 am I sat rocking my baby watching the guys shovel the snow off my sidewalk and the plow in front of my house. I tried for a moment to just cherish Alex being little and healthy rather then being upset at myself or him.

Tonight we will try again to just let him cry it out. I know he is a not starved and it's only become a convenient habit. It's so hard however when you know a quick fix.

He is very smart and knows exactly what he is doing. The other day I was cooking dinner and told him to leave this tray alone. He would pull it out a little but as soon as I looked at him he would push it back, and grin at me while laying on his tummy kicking his feet. He did this a few times before I pulled him away from the situation and put him in our version of time out.

It's almost like he is so smart that he is thinking up his next naughty move all the time. Now don't get me wrong he has his good moments too.

So why has all of this changed, who knows. I believe he has been teething on and off but I can't say that's the excuse for everything. It's amazing how one minute I am so overwhelmed with frustration and the next he is bringing me such joy. Being a Mom is such a roller coaster ride.

I have not gone completely insane yet but only due to my amazing husband. Whether it's calming me down, taking over before I loose it, letting me sleep, cooking dinner or babysitting kids so I can have a impromptu girls night out he is incredible. I am very lucky to have him as my BF and hubby and Alex is even more lucky to have him as a Dad. I really don't know what I would do without him.

I asked Jason yesterday if it would be okay if we cut out bed time, feeding and changing Alex's diaper from our schedule. I am thinking that would make my life a day bit easier. He didn't think that would work too well.

I really don't mean to complain I know I have it good. My baby although naughty is healthy and adorable. I have a roof over my head, am able to stay home and have an awesome husband. I just struggle with how I can't handle one when other friends are balancing multiple kids or adding them to their family so close together. For now one is plenty for me!

Besides venting I am writing this for advice from the many incredible Moms out there who are reading this. Please tell me I am normal for feeling like I am at my wits end. Please tell me I am not alone that this is normal and this too shall pass. For now I am will get through day to day with my Dt. Coke and perhaps a little chocolate. It's a snowy day and besides napping and my mile long to do list I think I may stamp or bake in my jammies. =)

Well thanks for letting me vent if you have read all the way to the end of this post. I hope something changes soon before we have to change his name to Pinocchio OwYoung, doesn't really sound good.

2009 Resolutions

Here is a marathon post.. you have been warned. I've got to catch up even if it kills me. First off I have to share the exciting news of the day. My BFF (since the age of 2) Laura had a precious baby boy today. No name yet but he is stinkin' adorable!! He was born at 4:48 this morning and weighed in at 8 lb 12 oz and 21 inches long. He is a big baby with full head of red hair. I can't wait to hold him. When I get more than a mobile picture I will be sure to post one so everyone can see how cute he is. Congrats Laura & Chad and to Eve the new Grandma =0)

January is coming to an end and I haven't posted about my 2009 resolutions. As the year came to a close I looked over my list of New Year's resolutions for 2008. It remembered me of where I was at when I wrote those. Baby blues had gotten the best of me and although I had the whole world at my fingertips I felt very alone. Sadly this is very common but still not a ton of fun.

This year things are looking up. Alex sleeps through the night or at least most of the time. Sharie with sleep is much different than a Sharie with no sleep. I haven't really made any drastic resolutions for this year. Of course I vow to be a better wife, mother, friend, daughter sister etc. but I don't have a bunch of things I want to be different. My main goal is to take some time for me and to not be so hard on myself. I am by far my own worst enemy. Who needs enemies when you have yourself to fight with.

I will continue on with a majority of my 2008 resolutions. Here is a review of them, what I have done this past year and what I will continue to do throughout 2009.

-Read to Alex daily

This one started as a chore because Alex had no desire for me to read to him. In the past few months we have spent hundreds of hours reading. He has really grown to love books. His cousin Shae grew tired of a book and since I told her how much I loved it she decided to pass it on to Alex. It's one of our very favorites. We read it daily if not a couple times a day. It's an adorable book for many reasons. A classic tale with a twist, the use of numbers, the pictures, the way the Wolf hides in each page and the way she has included numbers to search for throughout the book. I love asking Alex to find things like a piggy who wears glasses like Mommy or a hat or necklace. If you don't have this book in your collection I would recommend picking it up. I think I will order a few more of her books, they are fun and educational.

-Read two books a month if not more.

Well I failed at this one. It lasted a few months but then I put reading a book on the back burner. I would like to try and ready more but setting a limit of books a month is more pressure then fun for me.

-Stay updated on my blog.

A work in progress!! Did you notice I changed out my background, that's an improvement right? I try to do my best to keep it updated and overall I think I do okay. It started as a journal of sorts and unlike any other journal it's still going so that's a good sign right? I need to stay on top of it so that I have more posts, shorter and can eliminate the words Catching up when referring to my blog.

-Have a date night in or out once a week with Jason. Just spend more quality time together.

I think I have a pretty good marriage and an amazing husband. Anyone who knows me knows I adore spending time with Jas and overall I think we do pretty good. I guess what I would like to change is putting our marriage as more of a priority. I want more PLANNED nights without Alex whether that's getting a sitter or staying in and putting Alex down to bed early. We are currently planning a night away in the next few months so we are working on it.

-Take at least two baths a week again this is to keep my reading going and my me time in check. My showers are usual quick often while Alex is napping, screaming on the floor or after Jason gets home. It's not often that they are relaxing so bath time is a must.

I don't take near enough baths however I don't feel like my showers are so rushed now. Alex has grown up a ton in the past year and is able to shower with me. If I need a break I will often shower while he is napping which also works. I usually end up showering with Alex though. For some reason Alex makes showering more of a play date than a chore.

-Stamp once a week at least, I need to get back in the habit of taking time to stamp. I love it but it's hard when you have a little one. I need to get going on my classes which will help get me stamping.

Well... I definitely stamp more but perhaps not once a week for myself. I am offering classes more often and have a few in the works as we speak. I also just finished up a class last week and made a few homemade gifts this year. Valentine cards are on my list next so I'm working on it. I really need to reorganize my office before I play.

-Mail Random cards out to friends/family once a month. This is a way to put my cards to use. I love to randomly send a pick me up, thank you or thinking of you card. It makes me happy!

Not doing this as much as I would like but I've done it. I sent cards to some family/friends who had some rough times this year. I also have been better lately with thank you cards and hope to continue on that this year. If you need a card, holler.

-Last but not least is to work on my self esteem, try not to be so hard on myself. Have you watched the new show on lifetime called how to look good naked? If not I would highly recommend it. Strange show, wonderful concept. It has really changed my opinion of myself.

This will always and forever be on my to do list. I have my days but doesn't everyone?

Goals to add to this year's list:

Exercise 5 times a week- I have been pretty faithful with this one. I love having workouts on demand and have told myself even 20 minutes a day is better than nothing at all. It has definitely helped with my self esteem which rolls over to other areas of my life.

Cook new things- I have also been pretty good lately with cooking at least 5 days of the week and thanks to two new cookbooks I have been trying some fun new recipes. Need any?

Speak my mind now- Sounds strange but I have tried more lately to say what I am thinking. If I like some one's shirt.. I tell them. If think someone looks great.. I tell them. I have even gone out of my way to write people sometimes total strangers to tell them thank you. If someone has touched my life in some way I let them know. I guess I just realize how short life really is and why hide my gratitude or compliments inside so with that said...

If you are reading this odds are you have impacted my life for the better. In some way I am a better person because of you, so thanks.

Happy New Year!

20 months old going on 2

Alex is 20 months old, just shy of turning 2 and he knows it. Although he has been a fabulous sleeper lately he has been a pill during the day. Laura wanted to see his short "older" do. Here are some recent pictures I took of him after his latest haircut at cookie cutters which he royally hated. He is getting bigger and smarter everyday. I am amazed at what he understands and replies to. He is such a stinker one minute and bringing joy to me the next. I have also included a video of him getting a kick out of his Ducky. He has recently figured out how to pull the string himself and let me tell you it's pretty exciting. Have a great weekend, I will be back again soon with more posts to come. Will I ever catch up?

Lots of memories, lots of pictures, little time

Yup playing catch up slowly with many posts, see below as I slowly play catch up of our Holidays fun

Toys, toys, toys!

Here are a couple of videos I took over the holidays of Alex playing with his new toys ( a few of them). I still have a ton of pictures/posts to catch up on but I've been busy with Stampin'. My goal is a post a day until I am caught up, think I can do it?

Alex playing in his new tent with his blocks and Daddy. His name is priceless!

Sorry I can't get this video to flip upright but it's still very cute

Alex loves knocking over Dad's creations with his new blocks

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has been spent at our house the past few years with Jason's family. This year we were able to get a good deal on crab and decided to have it for dinner. Jason's parents and little sister arrived around 4:00 pm for an early dinner. We had a cheese ball and crackers to start then we were on to our steamed crab ( yummy) I also made Red Lobster biscuits & green bean casserole. My MIL brought baked potatoes and coconut cream pie for dessert. Dinner was fabulous!!

After dinner we hung out for a bit while Alex showed Grandpa his favorite movie The Grinch. I love these two pictures of him watching his movie with his famous balloon. He decided this ginormous can of olives made the perfect seat. I had wrapped them up for my nieces who adore olives even though I can't stand them. Alex left the cute paper alone but the bows on top were smashed flat before they made it to Christmas. Can you tell he has on his new jeans that are a tad bit too big for him.

Gotta love the bum

"What Mom?"

I had decided to wait to put out gifts until just a few days before Christmas so that Alex wouldn't be tempted to get into them. On Christmas Eve before our family arrived I had so much to finish up. It didn't help that Alex was into every present. If it was tissue paper in a bag he got into it. He even ripped a bit of wrapping paper before I got it out of his hands. However once it was officially time to unwrap gifts Alex wasn't sure what to think of all of it. His Grandparents spoiled us rotten again this year. Although he loved his new toys he didn't have much interest in unwrapping them.

Grandpa in the background enjoying Alex's reaction

to the tornado of gifts that hit our house.

Alex loving his new Alphabet game. Anything that lights up and plays music is a winner in his book.

We finished taking pictures once Alex's desire to unwrap gifts died. Jas and I however were spoiled with new clothes, tools, food, a printer/scanner/copier, purse, lotions, movies, etc. Alex got a tent, rocking horse, blocks, piggie bank, alphabet game, remote car and a ton of clothes.We were so spoiled by my in-laws that I couldn't believe Christmas was still to come.

Our nice but few gifts we gave them didn't seem to do justice to what they gave us. We got them a new camera ( it's about time they went digital), a camera case and a big basket of food goodies from World Market.

It was a wonderful Christmas Eve. After our family left we got Alex to bed before Santa arrived and then went to work getting our car packed for Christmas and everything ready. After going to bed at 1ish I was up at 4 so I got ready and we left the house at 7:15am to head up to my sister's house for Christmas.

Another post to follow with all of Alex's new toys in action.

Christmas Cards

If you got a Christmas card from us this year consider yourself lucky. It seemed like Christmas came very quickly this year or was it just me. I had great intentions of getting some professional photos of Alex done but it just didn't happen. I finally decided I should try to take a few snapshots myself and at least get some form of photo card to go along with my handmade cards I had already made. Jason tried to be patient with me while I freaked out that Alex wouldn't cooperate in any form. Last year we had our winning shot within a few pictures but that wasn't the case this year. I really wanted a picture in his new outfit I love but I ended up pairing an older photo with the current one and called it good. Next year will be better right?

The best of the worst

I love his grin in this photo

I wanted him to pose with his new teddy bear but this

is as close as he would get to it.

Wanted to show off his cute hair, personality and that toothy grin.

Outtakes

He insisted on carrying his balloon ( okay it was Jason's birthday balloon at one time) everywhere. Let me tell you it's some of the best money I have ever spent. Who woulda thunk it that a balloon would entertain a child so much, not me!

Better not Pout

The last few years we have made it a tradition to go visit the lights at Thanksgiving Point. Again this year we decided to go and after many attempts we finally made it there. Our plan was to visit Santa, see the reindeer and then take a hay ride to go see the lights. We had invited our friends the Whites to come with us again this year. They had decided to join us last minute so we got there awhile before them.

It was the Monday before Christmas so we were a bit concerned about the lines however since it had snowed all day it was slower than usual at Thanksgiving point. First we headed up get in line to see Santa. There wasn't much of a wait and we were done within ten minutes. They printed us a free photo while we were there and even offered to e-mail us a copy, nice huh?! Too bad Alex didn't seem as thrilled as we hoped.

Alex was freaking out!! I guess he doesn't know the old say about not pouting. Check out Santa's shoes, I guess you can't complain about

a free Santa picture right?

As we waited for our friends to come we made our way outside to see Santa's reindeer and stand by the warm fire.

Alex with Daddy meeting Donner for the first time

"Dancer"

"Dasher"

Trying to get Alex to pose for me

Goofy Daddy!

Last try, Alex wasn't up for picture taking I guess.

Enjoying the warm fire with Mom


Yup, the phone seemed to always be connected to my ear.

After the Whites came we went back through the line to see Santa and then decided to have dinner at the Harvest Cafe. We enjoyed our dinner while catching up. It seems like months go by before we get to do dinner again. We always enjoying hanging out with Josh, Natalie and their adorable girls. Natalie is my friend and former boss. I used to see her daily and now I'm lucky if it's once a month.

By the time we finished chatting it was late and Alex was tired so we skipped the lights this year and headed home. I didn't seem to mind. I was still able to enjoy a night out with my family/friends and was able to get a Santa picture we will always remember. Thanks for a great night!

Happy Birthday Jas!

Well today my hubby turns... old! HA HA! jk babe you aren't old, you are still married to a 20 something year old at least for a few more years. Happy Birthday Jason! I can't imagine my life without him, he truly is my very best friend! He works hard so that I can stay home with Alex. He is my biggest cheerleader and believes in me when I don't believe in myself. He makes me laugh, occasionally frustrates me but always stands by my side no matter what.

If Alex could type he would inform you that he has the best Daddy in the whole world and I would have to agree!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! We love you! XOXOXOXOXO

Jason's usual photo smile or lack thereof

An engagement photo

My favorite thing to do.. kiss those sweet cheeks

Alex with his buddy camping this summer

Jason joins in on the fun.. his favorite thing