It's Bumbo time!

I love it when they curl those little baby piggies!

Rowyn takes Sigmund Freud's Oral Stage in his theory of child development very seriously, she always has her hand crammed in her mouth.

Lumpy wanted to be included...and she wanted her own Bumbo in pink, of course.

Since her hand wasn't available, note the concentration on shoving the rattle in her mouth instead.

I love my mom; she's artistic, crafty, sensitive, loving, beautiful, caring, creative, she's a fantastic cook. She is nurturing, gentle, patient, intelligent, and she would do anything for any one of her children or grandchildren.

Her creative ability never ceases to amaze me, really, she makes the cutest things. We've been blessed to receive homemade cards from my mom for years, I wish I could share them all with you, because each one is more amazing than the next. She's makes us cards for birthdays, anniversaries, all the holidays, even a first day of school card. Here are just a few of my favorites.




Cooper's bedroom...I hung some of his cards up on a make shift clothesline. The second in from the left was made by my aunt, Gigi (my mom's sister), who is obviously a card queen herself!


Valentine's Day card for Lumpy, love it!


Riley thought this was the sweetest card...and with her own picture on it, she thought she was pretty cool!


A birthday card and envelope she made for my birthday, look at all the stitching!



When Rowyn was born...just adorable. And how did she know that's what Rowyn's hair would look like? ;)



For Rowyn's baptism, she even attached a small pink cross. I framed it and it is currently sitting in her crib, I love it so much!

I've really been trying to get her to sell some of her cards, I think they'd do really well...but then again, I feel a little selfish about them and I'm not sure I want to share them with anyone. They truly are exquisite, and they come from her heart, and that, you can't put a price tag on.

Rin Din got herself a new pair of specs. I finally had my eye sight rechecked, and with prescription in hand, I only waited a year or so to fill it. I found a pair shipped to my house for under $20. Yes, that includes the frames, lenses, and glasses case. I found them at http://www.eyebuydirect.com/nicole-p-1309.html.

God, that sounds like a commercial gone wrong.

Pepé Le Pew ain't got nothin' on Lumpy.






This is what I've been getting all afternoon...she takes her skunkness very seriously and likes to whip that tail around and yell, "STINK!" We didn't just stop there folks, oh no, we migrated into "POOP!" and "PEE!" What fun, I can hardly wait until Halloween night. The neighbors won't know what hit them.

While on the subject of hair...

Busted! ~

Move over Paul Mitchell, John Frieda, and the likes...here comes my faux-hawk sportin', tractor driving, 4-wheeler lovin', skateboard thrashin', 5-year-old hair stylist. Caught in the act of doing Mommy's hair. These are the pictures we'll be sure to save and, of course, share with his prom date...thinking ahead already, aren't we?!

Family Movies ~

The kids love watching family movies of when they were a baby, Riley especially! We recently watched Camdyn's video and I had forgotten how much she loved a song on Noggin...we had it DVR'd and she would watch that thing over and over again, she was a dancing fool!

"I'm so glad I've got skin, I've got skin, I've got skin, I'm so glad I've got skin, that's what keeps my insides in! Insides in, insides in, that's what keeps my insides in!"

Feel free to view it in its entirety...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ1UfcDgoBc

Faux Hawk ~

Rowyn's hair is really starting to come in...in the form of a baby faux hawk. That hair has a mind of its own, most days she wakes up with it sticking straight up in the air. Oh, the hair products we'll need just to keep that crazy stuff down. ;)

Guess who's back, back again.
Spice is back, tell a friend.
Guess who's back. Guess who's back. Guess who's back.

Now this looks like a latte for me.
So everybody just follow me.
'Cause we need a little controversy,
'Cause it looks so empty thanks to me!

Sorry Eminem, I just massacred your little ditty, but Pumpkin Spice Latte's are back! Right on!

More Etsy Cuteness ~

Man, I wish I could sew.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14876106

The Hat ~

While going through bins of baby clothes, I found this hat that was mine as a baby.

Camdyn is always pulling this Fisher Price caterpillar around the house, she calls it her 'worm'. Yesterday, she slammed Cooper's door and stomped out to the living room. When I asked her what that was about, she told me, with the most menacing face a little 2-year-old could muster, "I'm sick of that stupid worm, it woke up my baby!" I laughed and asked why she slammed the door and she replied, "I put it in a time out, I'm just so sick of it!"

Meghan's Hotel ~

My sister recently moved to Davenport and lives in an apartment complex with well over 300 units; there is a pool, an exercise room, and a bike trail. We went to visit them this weekend, and Alcoa was sponsoring Reading Adventures at the fairgrounds, every child received a free book, there were hay rides, a petting zoo, and inflatible rides. Afterwards, we went back to Meghan's to go swimming. The kids don't quite grasp the concept of the whole apartment complex thing...both Cooper and Camdyn think she lives in a hotel. The pool and exercise room are set up like a hotel, and with all the different apartment doors, I guess I can see how they could get confused. The kids keep asking when we can go back to Meghan's hotel. :P

My Pumpkin Sprout ~

Rowyn is sporting her first hair pretty...she looks like a little pumpkin! I'm such a mean mommy, aren't I? haha

Candyland Cake ~





I've been trying to come up with a cake idea for Riley's birthday, which is right around the corner. I found the cutest cake in a magazine at work today...I'm hoping she'll go for it, I'll run it past her tomorrow. It will probably be damn near impossible to find candy canes right now, so I may have to improvise.

I found it online too, at http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Candy-Land-Cake

Mother's Necklace ~

I'm loving some of the things from this Etsy seller...check them out, you know you want to! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=76850

Betty C. I'm Not ~

This was my first attempt at cake balls from http://bakerella.blogspot.com/ ... love her blog! Anyway, they look like a damn mess compared to hers and note to self: do not attempt to bake when your 2-year-old is running rampant and your 3-month-old decides not to nap, makes for a wicked combination.

I did serve these babies for dessert tonight and I have to admit they were pretty yummy, even my dad had two and he hardly ever does dessert. My mom said they were cute, but I think as a mother you're expected to say that. ;)

I'm planning on doing the mini cupcake version for Riley's birthday snack at school...I'm thinkin' I need to practice a bit before I release these wads to the public for consumption!

Trick Or Treat ~

I was thinking of sending Camdyn as Curious George





...and Rowyn as a banana



I'd have to try to talk Cooper into being the man with the yellow hat, but I'm at a loss as to how to incorporate Riley in. Any ideas?

Fireworks ~

Clyde took the kids with him to the grocery store the other day. When they started loading the groceries into the car, several pop cans exploded all over the place...including all over Riley! Cooper thought it was hilarious, of course, but Riley not so much. When they got home, Clyde realized the rest of the pops in that case were bulging with pressure, so he opened a few so they wouldn't explode all over the garage. He left a couple in the case so he could bring them back to the store the next day to get a refund...but in the meantime, my son had other plans. The little shitpot apparently told the neighbors he had fireworks and proceeded to toss two cases worth of pops in the middle of the street to watch them explode! He was neat about it though, he picked up the empty cans when he was finished! Clyde and I were in getting dinner ready and didn't realize it until Riley came in to tell us (after the fact, of course.)

Needless to say, we could have choked him! So as punishment, he had a timeout and he had to buy us two new cases of pop out of his piggy bank. He best leave fireworks for the 4th of July! Never a dull moment around here, that's for sure!

Another Dumb Dream ~

I blogged before about the dumb dreams I have...well, last night was yet another. This time, however, I didn't wake up freaked out, I woke up mad. Even as I type, I'm still a little irritated with my husband. I dreamt that he went missing for almost 5 days, no phone call, nothing. When he finally shows up, I of course drill him for information as to where he was at. He proceeds to tell me that he was in jail...he had been arrested for drugs! (I have to laugh, because Clyde doesn't drink, smoke, and he's never used drugs...not even tried any.) Anyway, I told him to pack, we were through...my parents showed up and helped me pack up the kids and myself to move to their house. For one reason or another, I had to drive to the police station and on the way there, I realized Clyde had planted Meth in my purse in an attempt to set me up...oh, hell no! Anyway, I'm a little bummed I never did get to finish out the dream, I had to get up to get the kids off to school. Too bad you can't just pick up where you left off the next night!

90210 ~

So it's not the original, but we watched it tonight nonetheless. There were a few familiar faces, Nat, Kelly Shannen...and Rob Estes from another show we used to watch, Silk Stalkings. Love me some Rob Estes. I may have to give it some time, but it's just not the same without that bitch Val screwing with everyone...and this you know!

The Big-Little Sister ~

Camdyn loves to be a big helper with Rowyn, maybe too much so sometimes. It seems to be important to keep her involved, because otherwise she has a tendency to do naughty things to her instead...like head-butting.

Don't worry, no babies were injured in the taking of this picture! ;)

First Day of School ~

Today was the first day of school for Riley and Cooper, 1st grade and Kindergarten, respectively. While taking pictures this morning, Camdyn went and packed a bag with some toys, poor little girl thought she was going too. We had a great start to the school year, the kids missed the bus, so we had to bring them to school (we were planning on surprising them and meeting them there anyway). Right away Camdyn spots the playground and starts screaming that she wants to go to the park, after calming her down, we dropped Cooper off at his class, snapped some shots and headed to Riley's. She was super excited when several of her friends from last year greeted her as she came up. Poor girl is the tallest once again, I remember how tough that could be in grade school...but come high school, she'll be glad she's not vertically challenged.

Anyway, posted some more first day pictures on their websites...Camdyn wanted to be included in one, so here it is...

LOLZ :P

Truck Testicles ~

Until today, I never knew such a thing existed...and honestly, whomever had the brainiac idea to put plastic testicles on trucks ought to be shot. I've yet to actually see them up close and personal, perhaps they're just a hit in the south, either way I can already picture what type of person would decorate his monster truck with such nastiness...he undoubtedly also sports mud flaps with a naked lady on them. I have no doubt he has to dangle giant metallic truck ballz, because he's got a bad case of teeny-weeny peeny syndrome...and this you know!

Chuck E. Cheese's ~

Quite possibly hell on earth for parents, but pure heavenly bliss for kids. We moved my youngest sister, Meghan, to Davenport yesterday and afterwards we stopped at Chuck E. Cheese's. When we pulled up in the parking lot, Cooper and Riley about had a coronary, they've never been to the Cheese's place, but have bugged us about it for years. I knew going in that it was going to be a rough one, as I had a headache before we even went through the doors. Camdyn rode with my parents, and as they passed Hyvee, my mom asked if they should eat dinner there. Camdyn's response, "Um, no, I don't think so."
When they pulled up at CEC, Camdyn thought it was a park and yelled, "I go there?" She was an absolute maniac in that place, slowing down only to guzzle some juice and slam down 3 pieces of pizza. The pizza, oh the pizza, most certainly not the reason families go there to eat...it was as my dad so eloquently put it, 'one step above frozen'. I'm not even sure the cheese pizza had sauce on it.
Anyway, the kids had a absolute blast, it was fun to see them having such a good time. I have to thank Megan for chasing Camdyn all over the place, I'm quite sure she slept well last night after what Lumpy put her through! ;) My mom took some pictures and for some reason her camera date was horribly off...anyway, thanks for bringing your camera, I obviously dropped the ball on that one!































That's Camdyn in the corner trying to get on stage with Chuck and his crew

Oh my cheeks and chins!

The Fantastic Four ~

I put together some baby pictures, they are all around the same age; top left is Cooper, top right Rowyn, bottom left Camdyn, and bottom right Riley. After seeing them all together, I'm surprised Clyde didn't ask for a paternity test on Riley! Haha!

If you could kill a cartoon, who would it be? ~

Camdyn loves Caillou, we have at least 20 episodes DVR'd for her, and it's the first thing she asks for in the morning. I, however, have gotten to the point where his voice is like nails on a chalkboard. There are a few episodes where he is complaining and whining and I literally want to drive a screwdriver into my eardrums. So, Caillou has officially made numero uno on my cartoon hit list, followed shortly thereafter by the giant purple dinosaur we all love to hate.

Rowyn Pudding ~

Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, pease porridge in the pot 2 months old!

Day Care Dilemma ~



I have applied for a new position within my current company, it is a part-time day position...no more weekends, no more holidays, no more nights...I would LOVE it! So, in order for it to work, we need to find day care for Camdyn and Rowyn. I've called countless places in town and haven't had much luck, most have waiting lists well into next year.

I found an in-home day care that has openings, so I scheduled a tour for Friday. She has the day care in her basement and when we walked in the door, I about cried...for two reasons. First and foremost, because the thought of leaving my babies with a complete stranger is enough to rip my heart out and secondly, because my kids would be forced to look at her nasty mint green walls all day long. Her house is a brand new construction, she has the basement set up as one big room...kitchen area along one wall, futon and TV on another, bathroom, and a small toy area. There was a pack-n-play set up near her desk and computer and she pointed to it and said, 'That is where your baby will be during the day.' Once again, I about cried...I envisioned my little baby girl laying in that bed all day, no interaction, no stimulation, just mesh sides to look out of ALL DAY LONG. Nope, no way, no how, not happening...I could have walked right out at that point, but out of politeness, I stayed.

She talked about how she likes to take the kids outside in the afternoon, which would be perfect, but for the fact she has a 3-foot wrought iron fence surrounding her yard. Lumpy would be up and over that in 2 seconds flat...that coupled with the fact that old girl is short, fat, and pushing 70, there is NO way she'd ever catch Camdyn, she'd be off to the races.

The only positive point of the whole visit, was her price, $90 a week. Needless to say, I won't be calling her back.

Bubble Fun ~

This is what happens when you turn the jets on with too much bubble bath!

Yes, that was Camdyn! :P

David, Where Are You? ~

Clyde thinks I must be straight up crazy. I have frequent dreams that are shall we say...interesting. One that my husband constantly gives me a hard time about is one I had several years ago. I was apparently screaming out loud, so he nudged me awake. I had been dreaming that my car broke down and when I got out to take a look at it, I was attacked by a deer. This huge ass Bambi was on her hind legs smacking me with her front hooves. It was a vicious attack and completely unwarranted, I've always been anti-hunting.

Last night I was awoken to my husband, whom I lovingly refer to as Fire, smacking my arm. He said I was yelling, "David, where are you?" and he said I kept screaming louder and louder. It was one of those dreams where you're still scared, even after you're awake. What was this horrible nightmare? I was trapped in a rinky-dink gas station, owned by some David character, whose face I never did see, it was completely pitch black and apparently someone was 'after me'. I can't remember the events that led me to that ghastly gas station, but I was awake for quite some time after. Ridiculous, right?!

For the record, I have a mother who has reoccurring dreams of people chasing her with scissors, so perhaps it's genetic?

Rowyn ~

Gaelic for little red one, which turned out to be pretty fitting. I'm not quite sure why people have such a hard time saying her name, to me it isn't that tricky. When Rowyn was born, Clyde's brother, Rich, thought her name was Roling O'Neill rather than Rowyn Camille. At Clyde's family reunion this weekend, two of his aunts referred to her as Roland...both of which had received baby announcements with her name spelled out on it. When Riley was born, Clyde's mom came to visit at the hospital and wanted to know where we came up with the name, Ripley Brick at...um, we didn't, that would be Riley Breck...but I digress.

My grandmother last night kept asking how to spell Rowyn, she kept sticking a U into it...but she's damn near 90 with dementia, so you can hardly blame her. For all these other people that can't figure out the difference between Rowyn and Roling and Roland and Rowend...call your doctor, you need your ears flushed.

I've included a copy of her birth announcement that we sent out. =)

Morning ~

I am not a morning person, never have been and can't imagine I ever will be. I have to have coffee first thing, to make the morning bearable. I take my coffee with creamer, preferably Coffeemate Pumpkin Spice, but since that's seasonal I usually buy Hazelnut, Vanilla Caramel, or French Vanilla. I love the fully loaded version, but have been trying to force myself to buy the Sugar Free...which is not nearly as good as the real deal.

This morning I followed my normal routine, went to pour my coffee creamer...and I'm out, completely out. Great start to my Monday morning...having to have skim milk and sugar just isn't the same. I imagine that unless you are a coffee and liquid creamer drinker, you won't fully understand my discontent.

Getting Neutered ~

No, not the dog...the husband. He has his consultation next week, which to me sounds so weird, what's there to consult about, either you're getting the snip or you aren't. To be completely honest, the whole concept has me torn. On the one hand, I'm exhausted, cranky, and certainly have my hands full with the 4 kidbits we've got...but, the thought of never being pregnant again, never getting to hold a tiny baby that we created just kills me. The appointment has been made and the decision made, but how do you come to terms with the idea that an entire phase of your life is now over?

Diet Rite Pure Zero Cherry Cola ~

Dee-lish! My favorite cola by far, but not easy to find around here, so when Clyde finds them he usually buys as many as he can.

0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 caffeine, 0 sodium...and sweetened with Splenda!

Felt Food ~

Oh my cuteness! This stuff looks good enough to eat!

I was perusing Etsy for felt play food for the kidblits and came across Mama Made It, such cute stuff! Check out the fruits and veggies too!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5664160

Baby Hulk ~

Uncle Brendan gets an ass whooping from a 2 1/2-year-old. That's how she rolls, fast and out of control.

Maroo ~

I heard about Maroo wraps through the lactation consultants at the hospital, they're made locally by a woman whom I later learned had a son in Riley's class. I called her and she came out to my house to show what wraps she had made and to give me Wraps101, since I was completely clueless as to what to do with all this fabric! I bought a beautiful chocolate brown wrap, it came with a tote bag and instructional booklet, all for only $35! So far, Rowyn seems to thoroughly enjoy being worn...and I'm liking it to!

I know Mari used to sell them on Etsy, but she's working on getting a website together. She told me she can't keep enough made, they're selling so quickly. If you're interested, let me know, I can get you in contact with her.

Pardon my lazy look, I'm one tired and worn out Mommy! ;)