reality vs. fantasy

Sometimes I have unrealistic expectations.

For instance, I envision that my kitchen looks like this...

(courtesy of HGTV)


when it really looks more like this.





And I think that my bedroom should more closely resemble this...



(also courtesy of HGTV)



when it actually looks like this hot mess...



(We won't actually discuss how many days the clothes were
transferred from the floor to the bed before they were finally folded.
After all, there's no need to judge.)



And oooooh how I would love for my living room to look like this


(courtesy of HGTV)

instead of the conglomeration of furniture, preschool toys, and stray dog hairs that it is.


But, you know what?

If I spent all my life making my house look like those pictures above, there wouldn't be any time for things like putting together this fabulous train track.

And I wouldn't get to see my redhead so happy.

I think I like reality better.

the great outdoors

This summer we have been enjoying some good ole outdoor fun. We've played in the sprinkler, taken walks (when the humidity is bearable for this pregnant mama), and discovered numerous creatures great and small to "play" with.

Among the most favorites of the Redhead include the common bumblebee. He loves to chase them and offer them clover. I have tried over and over to explain that we can't play with bees because they sting (we don't know if he is allergic or not), but it has obviously had little to no effect. So far, no stings, but the summer isn't over yet.

Another favorite of the Redhead are earthworms. We dig them up and put them in his big plastic dumptruck which he then pushes around the yard. Despite the torture I'm sure the worms are suffering, it is quite a hilarious sight. For a child who sometimes doesn't like his hands to be dirty, he doesn't seem to mind handling worms and other bugs.

Our yard is a virtual animal kingdom. We've spotted owls, hawks, all sorts of birds, squirrels, possums, and racoons just to name a few. One evening as I was washing dishes, I noticed something moving slowly across the backyard. We all went outside and found a rather large snapping turtle moving through the grass toward the creek. The Redhead wanted me to pick it up, but we decided not to bother it (for the benefit of all parties involved).

the snail discovered on Nano and Papa's driveway

When we're not worming around, turtle watching, or snail searching, we might be found doing this...

It's called trying to stay cool in the humid Carolina summer.

a new word from the lord

Last night at dinner, Mr. Baseball and I were talking with the Redhead about what he's been learning at Vacation Bible School this week. Here's how the conversation went...

RH: (something something something) Moses.

Me: Are you learning about Moses at Crocodile Dock?

RH: Yes.

Me: Did you talk about Moses and the Burning Bush?

RH: Yes.

Me: Did you talk about Moses and the Red Sea?

RH: No. God whisper to Moses...FUPRISE (surprise)!!!

Me and Mr. Baseball: (Laughing hysterically!)



I love the mind of a 2 1/2 year old. I really have no idea where these things come from but they are absolutely hysterical. Yes, God does surprise us sometimes. It could be through a burning bush, or it could be through a precious redhead who is like a little sponge when it comes to learning new things.

giddy with glee

My inner nerd is going to be unleashed in this post.


And its all because of this...





I dig this new show. Being the music lover that I am, I was all in a tizzy when the pilot aired following the American Idol Finale. Mr. Baseball may have tried to communicate with me in the hour I was watching, but I don't remember. I completely ignored him (sorry babe!).

It makes me sad my high school didn't have a glee club. I totally would have been a part of it.

Just watch the clip and tell me you didn't like it. Go ahead. I dare you.

And if you love 80's music, you better watch it. You won't regret it.

a new sister

GOTCHA!!!


You thought I was talking about the baby didn't you? (We had our big ultrasound on May 29th).


Mr. Baseball and I decided not to find out the sex of our precious little one in the slow cooker, so you can either be bitter like someone who reads my blog (and shall remain nameless), or just go with it, be happy with us, and be completely surprised come October 24th. Thankyouverymuch.


Actually, I have a new sister(in-law). My little brother Daniel got hitched on Sunday, May 31st outside at a Botanical Garden near Charlotte. The wedding was beautiful (and hot) and very sweet.



Something that was not so beautiful was the Redhead's meltdown that he had when Mr. Baseball tried to take him to the bathroom. I guess I should mention that he has a terrible fear of public bathrooms, he always has. It has something to do with the echoeyness (a new made up word) of it all. He always asks if the toilet has a "nice quiet flush" and will begin to shake violently if they flush automatically or if they're just loud in general. Usually, I just firmly tell him he has to go potty and we somehow make it through. I guess the Redhead thought Daddy would be softer than mean old mommy. Needless to say, I could hear the screams of protest as I rounded the corner of the hallway where the bathroom was located. Eventually everything came out okay once Daddy took him to the travel potty in the car, but he was ruined for the afternoon after that incident. It was naptime, so he was tired, hot, hungry, and in a strange environment with lots of people he didn't know. Only one thing could make it better...

that would be "Nano".

See? No meltdown. Not exactly a happy face, but content nonetheless. Everyone should have a "Nano". We love her. We also love "Papa", who comes with our "Nano", but we didn't get a good picture of him with the Redhead.

Anyway, congratulations Daniel and Jamie! We're so happy for you as you start your married life together.

phriday photo: look-a-like

Upon first glance of this picture there's only one thing that comes to mind besides the fact that this is the cutest child on the face of the earth...

Its quite possible he belongs in this line-up...





Clearly he's destined for fame...or at least a starring role in Vegas imitating actors.

a reminder and the "ing" factor

Many of my posts these days have been birthed from things the Redhead has said or done. After all, I do spend most of my waking hours with him. The latest things he has done and said have sent me into hysterics - who knew 2 1/2 could be so incredibly funny!

It's hard to say who he gets his sense of humor from. The other evening while Mr. Baseball was flipping channels we came across Grease. Great movie...but not one of Mr. Baseball's faves. He said (and I quote), "I don't know why you like movies like this. Ones like Grease and Lipstick..." I shot him this weird look and started laughing hysterically once I realized he had meant "Hairspray". Oh well, to a man I guess cosmetics are all the same. But I digress...

The other day I sent Mr. Baseball to Wal-Mart to pick up some items and as he was leaving I leaned out the storm door and shouted..."Adam, get some bread please." Then the next day as Mr. Baseball was leaving to take something back to a neighbor, Redhead leaned out the storm door and shouted..."Hey Adam, get some bread please!" I thought I would literally wet my pants laughing.

Other cute redheaded moments have included words ending in "-ing". This is what I shall refer to as the "-ing" factor. Many times I have said things to Redhead like..."when you're done napping..." or "when you finish eating...". He has taken this to a more creative level, adding "ing" to words as he deems it necessary. For instance...

1) We were at church dropping something off and had to wait a few minutes. As I am strapping him back into his carseat when we're done he says..."Mommy...all done churching?"

2) Playing at the park is one of his favorite things to do. Recently we visited a park we'd never been to before and after he'd had his fill he sweetly told me..."Mommy, all done parking."

3) My favorite happened the other day when I was making coffee and he wanted me to play cars with him. I told him that I was making coffee and I would be there in a minute. His response was..."Mommy, all done coffee-ing pway cars?". Priceless.


How could a mom not love this?

The Redhead - one day prior to his first birthday.

the stuff of life

We've been a bit absent from the bloggysphere lately, but its all for good reasons.

I've been pampering my only child while he's still the only child, taking him to numerous parks, to the zoo, and just spending a lot of time outside in general. Its been therapeutic for both of us.

Before I get to the cute pics of my little man, I feel the need to update on the pregnancy. Things are still going well - we're almost 17 weeks (and almost halfway there!). I think I have felt the baby move, but its very sporadic. May 29th is the big day when we get to find out if Baby Homer is a boy or girl. Last doctor's visit, the heartbeat was 162 bpm which is indicative of a girl, but we'll see. Every time I ask the Redhead if he wants a baby brother or sister he always says sister. I hope he's not too disappointed if it is a boy!

Now, on to the good stuff. Yesterday we spent the day with my sister, Sarah and Baby Jack (who is now 5 weeks old!). Of course I didn't get a picture of my sister and I...we were too busy snapping pics and video of this precious moment.

No, he wasn't shoving the car up Jack's nose,
he was just showing Baby Jack his "Jeep" (a little too closely)


Following this little bit of family time, Sarah and I, along with the kiddos, headed over to a local strawberry farm to pick some berries.




The Redhead appears to be all into strawberry picking in these pictures. His excitement however was short-lived. I guess he's not one for repetitive activity (aside from playing cars). He did pick a few berries, but I'll take credit for filling our basket thankyouverymuch.

I've already made a strawberry pie and look forward to eating that and more of these red "dewishous strawberries" (as the Redhead would say).

oh boy...

** WARNING - the following post contains discussion about and two year old and a certain male body part. Read at your own risk.




Kids say the darndest things.

On the potty the other night, the Redhead noticed that his 5th appendage had sprung to attention. He then got all excited about the fact that he could actually move it up and down after he peed. I stifled my laughter and called Mr. Baseball in to see. He, of course was most proud of this discovery.

I thought nothing else of this.

That afternoon we were at Big Lots shopping for bunk beds when the Redhead spies something out the front windows. Across the parking lot he saw some of the rides from a traveling fair moving up and down and said (in a voice loud enough for others to hear), "Mommy, ride go up down like penis.!" Mortified, I crouched by his side and gently reminded him that "...we only talk about our penis at home."

The next day, my mom, sister, and Baby Jack were visiting. I had run out to grab some Chick-Fil-A and while I was gone, another discussion regarding this body part ensued. My sister was sitting on the couch talking on the phone while moving her foot up and down. The redhead comments with enthusiasm to his "Nano" that "Aunt Sarah's foot moving up down like penis!" Keep in mind that "Nano" is in the dark about the discovery of the previous day. I did fill her in over lunch and she and my sister thought this was just about the funniest thing they had heard.

The Redhead was following the rules and talking about his business at home, but I had to be a little more specific and say that "...we only talk about our penis with mommy and daddy."

Isn't this starting a bit too early?

Tomorrow he'll probably ask me where babies come from. I need to be ready.

so when my memory fails...

Lately, the Redhead has been saying the most precious things. Things that are too cute to pass over. And since I am terrible at scrapbooking and don't write things down (even though I say I will), I'm chronicling some of his famous phrases here on the blog.

On Wednesday, April 8 as I was witnessing the miraculous birth of my first nephew, Redhead was asking his sitter "Auntie Sue" (a family friend my mother's age) if she had a baby in her tummy. He then instructed her to take small bites of her lunch because that's what we tell him.

In the grocery store last week we picked up some strawberries. I smelled them and then told the Redhead to smell them too. He sniffed and said..."Dewishous". I about fell out laughing. He then proceeded to comment on the "dewishous gwapes" also.

Redhead asked for "ghettioes" (spaghettios) for lunch and then commented on the "whaa-which" (sandwich) I had made for myself. He did ask if it was a "pea-hutter" (peanut butter) whaa-which, which only made me laugh harder. Only in our world would a pea-hutter whaa-which exist. I love it.

One of my all time favorites is the way he says "vacuum cleaner". Redhead calls it the "gapoon cweaner". I hope that never changes either. Maybe I should just teach him the wrong way of saying things so he'll be cuter longer. It could very well work.

He's requesting that I "pway trains" at the moment, so I better run be with my little man while I have these days.

wearing Daddy's "cowboy hat"

now that's what i'm talkin 'bout

You know how people sometimes do blog giveaways? It's pretty cool isn't it?




Well, don't get too excited, this isn't one.




I just thought I'd tell you that...









I JUST WON ONE - a lovely basket of spring goodies from John Deere Mom!


I'm still in shock. Here's a little looksee at my loot.

See the candy? Yeah, the speckled eggs and the Reese's pieces in the little carrot?

Mark my words...THEY.WILL.NOT.BE.SHARED (unless you count Baby Homer, but that's involuntary sharing).

But, don't worry Mr. Baseball and little Redhead. See those cute little spring cookie cutters? You can always make some sugar cookies with those while I'm kicking back enjoying my new read by Jodi Picoult.


Just don't forget to make me some while you're at it.

well looky here...my leetle nephew

the proud parents

the proud aunt

he's here!

At exactly 3:47 this afternoon, Jack Owen Iseley arrived on the scene weighing 8lbs 2oz and 20 3/4in long. He's beautifully perfect in every way. My sister did a great job of laboring and pushing (and a lot of waiting for the doctor in the middle of all that) and all is well. I was blessed to be able to be present for the actual delivery (my first live birth if you don't count the Redhead) and was the official unofficial photographer. All of the good pictures are on Sarah's camera, but I managed to get a few which I will share with you all tomorrow (I'm too tired to wait for them to download tonight). Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers - they were certainly felt in the delivery room. Sarah commented several times about how peaceful the whole delivery was. Could have been the epidural working its magic, but we'll chalk it up to the power of prayer.


Pictures to come soon!

baby jack update

Well, its seems that Baby Jack doesn't want to make an appearance on his own, so tonight my sister will be admitted into the hospital. They'll start her on Pitocin tomorrow morning and hopefully, in a few short hours, Baby Jack can be coaxed out of his cave. I plan to go to the hospital sometime tomorrow probably after lunch and wait for Jack's arrival. I have secured a sitter for the Redhead, so all will be well here. If you're the praying kind, please pray for a safe delivery of Baby Jack and for protection over my sister as she labors. I promise to post pictures and details as soon as I can!

A Very Proud (Soon-to Be Aunt),

Caroline

it's all in my head

Being pregnant makes me dream crazy things.

For instance, the other night I dreamt that I went to VA to visit my bloggy pal Lula. Actually I was going to take care of her girls for her while she and her hubby went on a trip. Seeing as how I have never met Lula in person, I don't think she would go for this plan if it was the first time we were meeting. Anyway, I took her oldest to this quaint little downtown area for some shopping and ice cream. We walked around for hours only to return home to discover that Lula's youngest had been at home napping. I was mortified that I would have neglected to check the house for Lula's baby girl, but since she slept the whole time we were gone, I didn't feel that bad. The rest of the time I stayed with them we ate lots of food and played lots of games. Then Lula and Mr. Lula came home. That's all I remember.

The dream that I had last night got even weirder. I dreamt that Mr. Baseball didn't even exist anywhere in my world and that I had just recently married...

I think I need a minute.

(Ahem) Okay, now I've never been one to swoon over McDreamy, but that picture IS quite nice if I do say so myself. Anywho, we went on our honeymoon (sorry, no details to report from that one) only to return to discover that my sister had given birth to Baby Jack two days earlier and neglected to tell me. We stopped by the hospital to visit them and Baby Jack was adorable. He also weighed 8 lbs 20 oz. Yes, you read that right, 8 pounds and 20 ounces. They were getting ready to take Baby Jack home and my sister was dressed in a pair of her pre-pregnancy jeans and a tight fitting top. I remember wanting to vomit all over her in disgust. (FYI - Baby Jack is still in utero, but expected to make his debut anyday. If he does not come out voluntarily, they'll be sending in the Pitocin on Wednesday to force an appearance.)

And just one more thing because I know you're wondering...McDreamy and I lived happily ever after.