Joey Chatter

The other day, Kris, Joey and I were watching a couple shows about the super-obese on TLC - 'half ton mom' and 'half ton teen.' Really, Joey was playing with his cars, and I really didn't think he was paying much attention. But this morning we were talking and just goofing around - Joey was talking about growing up.

J: Am I growing big?

M: Yes - you are!

J: Are all my friends growing, too?

M: Yup - they are - even Mommy is still growing.

J: Really?

M: Yea - but I'm growing out now instead of up. (just joking, of course...)

J: Why?

M: Because Mommy eats too much food.

J: Like those big people on the TV?

ha ha - I guess he picks up more than I thought....

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When getting ready for church, I was trying to put gel in Joey's hair but he didn't want me to.

M: Come on, Joey - it will make you handsome!!

J: I don't want to be handsome!

M: Why not?

J: Because it makes all the girls go crazy around the church!

LOL - now I don't know where he got that, unless I told him a while back that when he is handsome all the girls will go crazy. Boy he has a good memory!!

Maggie's birthday party and some other recent stuff

Maggie's birthday party was a couple of weeks ago. (Maggie is the little girl that I babysit that is close to Savanna's age) Here are some fun pictures I got there. One of her presents was a water table, which was a huge hit with all the kids!!

My cutie enjoying actually being aloud to splash in water!

She got just a little wet to say the least

So I had to make her naked baby. Here she is enjoying some books that Maggie had.

For some sad reason, this is the only picture of Maggie I got opening her presents.... and you can't even see her face. I was a little spacy that day.

Savanna thouroughly enjoyed Laurie's curtains!

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A recent trip to the zoo... we waited 45 minutes to see the baby elephant, but it was worth it! Isn't he cuuuuute??

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In other news, Savanna's hair is officially FINALLY long enough for a pony tail!! Doesn't she look a little like Cindy Lou Who? :)

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Here's a couple recent pics....

Savanna and Joey enjoying their new horse that I picked out of the trash

An odd picture of Savanna while she was playing with bubbles. He he!

My horse

I have loved horses for forever! I started taking horseback riding lessons when I was 13, but it had always been a dream of mine to own my own horse. Well almost 3 years ago now, I finally got that opportunity! And let me tell you what - I LOVE IT! When Joey was a baby, I was new to the whole 'stay at home mom' thing and of course I loved it, but I was going just a little bit insane. I definately needed something of my own to unwind with. Finally, when Joey was 13 months old, we decided to get a horse. I never imagined I would get one so soon! But a sister in our church was selling an awesome one at a great price, and there was a very affordable boarding facility right down the road, so we did it! Let me tell you what - that horse has been a life saver! I absolutely love my kids, but they drive me nuts sometimes. I must say that having the horse to go take care of and getting that small 30 minutes to myself every day works wonders. I know I'm a better mom for it for certain! Something about it helps me unwind and be a bit calmer throughout the day.

Here are a few facts about her: She is a registered Appendix Quarter Horse, which means she is half Thourogh bread and half Quarter horse, but registered with the American Quarter horse association. Her 'barn name' is Olivia, but her 'paper name' is Ms Dainty Cee. She is out of Cee Debonair by Mr Kane Raiser. She has an amazing bloodline! Her grandpa was the famous racehorse 'Te n Te'. She is 25 years old now!! and still going strong. I expect she still has many riding years left in her. I don't ride her often, I really only ride her once a week or every other week, just because I really don't have much time to ride since Savanna is stll a nursing baby, plus I really want her to be around as long as possible, so I don't want to ride her into the ground. She is amazing - she's gentle and friendly and nice to everyone. She has had 4 foals in her life and at last check, one of them has done quite well in the show circuit. I don't show her, I really just ride her for fun, and trail rides and stuff. Maybe in a couple years I would like to get her into some 'senior horse' shows. I think she'd do well! She really is an awesome ride.

Anyway, I thought I would put in a couple pictures of my baby...

This one was taken in the fall of 2007, but I love this picture because she's all shiny and clean. Let me tell you what - it's impossible to keep a clean horse for longer than 5 minutes. They love to roll in the dirt!!

The next few were taken a couple weeks ago on a trip to Infirmary Mound Park when we went for a trial ride. This one cracks me up because she looks oh so pleased, doesn't she?

This one is of me with Olivia and Rebecca with Goldie - Rebecca is a friend of mine at the barn. Goldie is her mule. She invited me to go with them on this trip, and I was so appreciative of it! It was so fun!

I just had to get a picture of Goldie - isn't she cute? I just love mules... They're cute in a dopy sort of way. Unfortunately her ears were too big and I accidently cut them off in the picture! In the background is Nikki with her horse, Cricket.

You know you're in Kentucky if....

This weekend the kids and I came down to portsmouth with Kris because he had to work down here, and since he'd have to get a hotel room anyway, we decided to come too and play in the pool and stuff while he worked. So fun (for us anyway)! Well last night we went out to dinner with Kris' client, and afterward we drove over the Ohio river so Joey could see the 'big bridge' (he's obsessed with all things to do with transportation, and thought the big bridge was just too cool). It was about 10:00pm and was dark, but he could still see the boats on the river and stuff. Well, of course this meant we crossed over into Kentucky. We went down the road a bit so we could turn around and go back over the bridge. We turned left on this small road and got stopped by a train and as we sat there, this pulled up next to us:





(it is dark, and was taken by Kris' cell phone, but look closely)

I know, I know - super harde to see but there it is. An old man on a riding lawn mower/yard tractor just putting along down the road at 10:30 pm. Ha ha! Maybe we're the only ones that thought this was funny, but it sure made us laugh for a while!! So, You know you're in Kentucky if you regularly see people driving down the street in the middle of the night on their lawn mowers. He he!

Babies and Laser Pointers

This is better than dogs and cats with laser pointers! LOL!!

Don't worry - I made sure not to shine it in their eyes, and I did it while the boys were in bed so they wouldn't get any bright ideas. This is Savanna and Maggie - the cutest babies in the world!! Unfortunately Maggie got bored with it and decided to steal Savanna's pacifier at the end.

Every big day needs a practice run!

According to Savanna anyway... We had dinner at my mom and dad's house and while Savanna was finishing up some cheese and bread I had put on her tray, I came in the front room to do the real quick 'more Joey chatter' post that I just did previously. For desert, my dad had a delicious yellow cake with chocolate icing. I hadn't given any to Savanna, and before I came in the front room, I made sure it was out of her reach. Well she must have go go gadget arms or something because when I went back in there, this is what I found. Notice to her right that she had not only reached the cake, but had gotten the lid off!! And she dug right in. Didn't pull it off the table, but dug right in. I had to document it. She just felt she needed practice for when she turns one in a little less than 2 months. *sigh* my child! ha ha ha ha I guess she didn't care she had JUST gotten a bath 2 hours earlier. And I guess she didn't like her nice white and purple shirt. I'm gonna have to perform surgery on that one! She still painted it all in her hair and everything. Gotta love these kids!

More Joey Chatter

Today after bath, I had told Joey it was time to get out of the bath for 'quiet time' which always ends up being nap time, but heaven forbid I tell him it's 'nap time'... but he agrees to 'quiet time' (usually falls asleep anyway!) Well, when he was getting out of the bath, he slipped and hit his arm pretty hard on the hamper. As I was drying him off and looking over his arm he said (in a very whiny 'feel sorry for me' tone):

J: My arm really hurts! Now I can't do quiet time - it will make my arm hurt too bad!

ha ha - don't worry - it didn't work for me. He still got quiet time and was out within 2 minutes of laying down. LOL

Kid chatter

So this post I need to post something that Alyssa (my friend, Amy's little girl, who is 5 years old) said - it had Amy and I both laughing. Amy and I were talking about baby and bridal showers... (These may not be the exact words, but close)

Me: You know, a couple of years ago I used to get really excited about showers, but any more they're all kind of the same.

Amy: I know what you mean - I don't really like them much any more either.

Alyssa: Yea - I hate both of them - baths and showers. I just don't like them!

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And here's some more Joey chatter - ha ha!

Joey was getting ready for bed and I was in Savanna's room with her.

Joey: Daddy - I need to go potty

Kris: Well then go buddy

Joey: I don't want to go by myself

Kris: Just go, Joey - you're fine

Joey: I don't want to go by myself (I came in at this point and took him in the potty)

Me: Joey, you've got to learn how to go potty all by yourself like a big boy. Mommy and Daddy don't always have time to come in with you.

Joey: But I'm only 3 years old. I still need your help.

Ha ha - I couldn't argue with his reasoning!

Just want to say...

I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance!!!!!!

Trash picking finds!!

I've never been a trash picker, but as I was roller blading today I passed a house that had these things out in their pile of trash. Can you believe the things people throw away? I stopped and asked if I could have them and the woman said she didn't care, but acted as if I was nuts for wanting them! LOL

Joey has wanted a kitchen FOREVER and I was thinking of getting one for him and Savanna this coming Christmas. But now I just have to get the accessories for it - probably for Joey's birthday that's in a month. This is one of the double sided kitchens that has a regular kitchen on the one side and a grill on the other. It even makes sounds and stuff! Joey was stoked!

And this one I just couldn't believe! These things are like $200+ brand new. It doesn't make noises any more, and it is missing a tail, but who cares?! Kris can fiddle with the wiring to get it to work, and neither of my kids know it's even supposed to make sounds or have a tail. Joey loves sitting on it! It just needs a little cleaning.

I'm just surprised the people didn't have a yard sale! They had all kinds of cabinents and a weight bench and patio chairs and everything just in the trash pile! Must be nice to be able to throw things away and not worry about the $ they're missing out on.... One kids trash is another kids treasure I guess! :)

Yanni Voices concert - my review

Kris got free tickets to the 'Yanni Voices' concert through an associate at his work. I was hesitant to go because it is not music I would typically listen to and any of you out there with children understand how hard it is to get a babysitter on a Sunday night when everyone has to work Monday - and you're not going to be back until midnight - and one of your kids is a nursing baby. Not only is it tough to find a babysitter, it's tough to get everything ready to be gone. I told Kris I didn't want to go, but then I felt guilty because I knew how much he wanted to go, and because the guy went through the trouble to get the tickets, he was going to go with or without me and I felt bad him going and sitting by himself. Plus I had scheduled Laurie to keep my kids (THANK YOU!) and I had already told Joey about it, and he was stoked about going and 'staying the night' at Ethan's house. So I went.

It really wasn't bad. I actually enjoyed it! The talent that he had was amazing - he had some truly amazing musicians in his orchestra. And the 4 singers he had were really very good. He had one guy who sang all in Italian, one who sang all in spanish, and 2 girls who sang in english. I am glad that I went - it was nice to spend the time away with my husband, though I got in trouble for texting too much on our date - oops! LOL

Unfortunately my kids were difficult for Laurie. I was hoping Savanna would go to sleep and she wouldn't hear another peep from her like she does at home, but I guess she kept waking up fussing, which was also keeping Maggie up (Laurie's baby girl). And I figured Joey would pass out early since he didn't have a nap, but he was too wound up and wanted to come home so he didn't go to sleep easily, either. So poor Laurie ended up being up till 11:30 till we got there - and she had to get up at 5 this morning to go to work! I feel so bad, but I am soooo appreciative that she took them for us so we could get a much needed night out.

One thing that I thought was funny in the concert, though, were his female singers. The first half of the show was a good and entertaining desplay of talents. The second half, however, started with a bang to say the least! It started off witha screen down and images of fire was being projected on it and he started playing a firey-kind of song. Then, the screen raised and Chloe - his dark haired female singer, came out. I thought she was going to start singing. Then she ripped off the dress she was wearing revealing a VERY small 'costume' then she started dancing. I was like 'umm...k'. As the song went on her dancing got more and more provocative - she even got up on the piano and was dancing. In Kris' words 'The only thing missing is the pole!' Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Lindsay, the blonde haired singer, came out and did actually start singing with the song and Chloe went off stage. I was like 'thank goodness!' Then Lindsay got on the piano, too, dancing and Chloe came back out and ALSO got up on the piano and they were dancing together. Um - don't know if dancing is what to call it. I was shocked!! Honestly, they did probably 20 or 30 songs and that one almost ruined the whole thing for me! I mean, I was shocked that 2 girls with such amazing singing talent would reduce themselves to dance on stage like that. hm. Oh well - they're obviously happy with it. I did find humor in it though... I told Kris "Yanni may be a very tallented man, but he's obviously still a man!" Ha ha.

Over all, though, I did enjoy the night and the experience. I still probably won't listen to Yanni on a regular basis, but I had a nice night out.

The Haley Holder

A couple weeks ago I decided that I wanted a new sling because mine was getting on my nerves with all the tons of padding it had in it. I swear the Nojo people went nuts with padding. So I began researching different slings, and happened upon a few sites that explained how to make slings. I thought... hmmm... can't be that hard? So I called up my mom and she helped me ALOT and I made a sling. I kept thinking of things I would do differently if I made another one. Then Laurie's sister, Lisa saw my sling and told Laurie she wanted one, and gave her some $ to give to me to make her one. She called it a 'haley holder'. She said 'I want a haley holder!!' How cute is that? I was super nervous taking her money for one, because I wasn't sure if I could do it again. But... I did! And then I made one for a friend of mine at church who has a baby shower coming up, then I figured while I was at it I would make one for Laurie, too. So just a warning... I've really figured this stuff out, and it's fun and pretty easy, so if you have a baby, or are going to have a baby you might just get your own personal 'haley holder'!!!

Here is me and Savanna, Laurie and Maggie, and Lisa and Morgan with our haley holders - didn't they turn out cute??

Another shot of me and Savanna with our haley holder. I have the fabric to make myself another one now that I've figured it out - it's a super cute brown.

Here are the 4 that I've made so far... Lauries on the left, then Kriste's (the baby shower I'm going to), then Lisa's, then mine

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I also had a friend of mine (Brandy) teach me how to make baby hats. She helped me alot with Savanna's but I did Maggie's all on my own. I'm so proud - they turned out so cute! Maggie's I accidently made WAY too big.... (it fit on Joey!!) but I figured out how to tack in one pannel without it being noticable, and next year (or the next!) we can let that pannel back out and it will still fit her! Here are the cuties

Neither of them were excited about their hats, but they sure look cute, don't they??

Mags is such a cutie, don't you think?? :)

Easter Pictures

K, so it's only 2 months late, but better late than never, right? I finally got these easter pictures scanned in. They are so cute! I had them done at Argyle Photography in Newark - I have had Easter pictures done there every year for the past 3 years because they have live bunnies, and Liz does a super good job so they always turn out so cute! Anyway - here they are! :)

Such a china doll, huh?

Are these kids anything but perfect?? I love these kids!

Joey Chatter

Tonight before bed, Joey and I were reading 'Love You Forever' - one of our regulars, and by far my very favorite children's book. It's hard for me to read it to Joey without crying. But after the book we were talking about how someday Joey will grow up and be a daddy and he'll have babies, too and it turned into a fun conversation - I just had to record it. It went like this:

S: So when you become a daddy, how many babies do you think you'll have?

J: um..... 4!

S: Yea? And who is the mommy going to be?

J: You!

S: Well I can't be the mommy - I'll be the grammy. Just like your grammy is daddy's mommy, I'll be the grammy to your babies. So who will be your babie's mommy?

J: Umm... How about Kaili? (Tiffany's little girl that just came to play here yesterday)

S: You like Kaili?

J: Yea, I do... and she'll go into Ethan's room (our guest bedroom, where Ethan naps), and there will be 4 babies!

S: Yea? Will you pick up the babies and hold them and rock them and love them like mommy and daddy do with you?

J: Yea - but just one at a time. Oh - and I need to have babies that don't cry.

Ha ha - I thought that last bit was funny- he must get annoyed when Savanna cries!

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This one was the other day Joey was over at my dad's house and my dad was taking down their old deck to make way for their new one. Joey was out side with my dad and my brother as they started taking down the railing. Upon seeing what they were doing Joey said:

J: Grandpa, Grandma's gonna be maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!

LOL - how dare grandpa break grandma's deck?

I love this kid - he's soooooo much fun!