Lets Call it Spunk...

I was going to title this post WTF, but that seemed too negative....so lets call Zach's recent shenanigans "spunk".  Let it be known I did think to myself 'WTF' (which means what the f for those not familiar with text lingo....I'm not judging, I didn't know what YOLO was for a very long time and had to ask a teenager).

I was sitting on the couch and Zach ran along the back side of the couch and smacked me on the back of the head on his way by....just because apparently.  Go directly to time out, do not pass Go.  How spunky of you Zachary.

We were eating breakfast this morning and he got down off his chair, walked behind me, and wiped his nose on the back of my shirt and laughed....oh boys, so much spunk in them.

Apparently it is tough being 2 years old.  A little boy full of snips and snails and puppy dog tails....and sass and stubbornness and wrestling and noise.  I don't think I'll ever understand boys or men for that matter.

Mother of the year

I have once again claimed mother of the year. This award was received for accidentally harming my own child.

I was handing him a toy plow (it connects to his toy tractor so he can pretend farm inside....yes, he loves tractors that much) and poked him in the eye.

Yes, I poked my own child in the eye. He is fine and I felt guilty about it for a long time.

To make matters worse, he has a double ear infection so he is already so sad and pathetic. He finally wanted to do something besides sleep and watch the Little Mermaid and I blew it.

2 weeks into the new year and I already claimed mother of the year....this could be a new record.

The Divergent Series- A book review

Things are about to get nerdy up in here.  I read a lot....like probably an embarrassing amount of books.  My child cries to go to the library and then cries when we have to leave.  Zach is my little nerd in training.

I read a lot, but I'm horrible at remembering things like authors, titles, or really good books off the top of my head when people ask for recommendations.  I am also curious about how many books I actually read in a year, so I figured I would track it on here.  I'll label them book reviews, feel free to pass by these nerdy tid bits and just read our toddler horror stories and how much I love wine.

The first books I read this year are Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant by Veronica Roth.

It is a trilogy much like the Hunger Games trilogy.  It is set in the future about a society divided into 5 sections based on different virtues that forms after our current society implodes.  I love these kind of books.  I like when a society that is supposed to be better than the previous one runs into the same sort of issues, like the Hunger Games, Maze Runner or the movie V for Vendetta.

It follows a girl struggling to figure out her future and her place in this society.  I didn't realize you can find these books in the teen section, but it makes sense after reading them.  They are less blood and gore than hunger games, but with struggles about right and wrong and figuring out who you are that would relate well with teens.  It also simplifies concepts.  I would have liked the books to dig a little deeper, but I'm also 29 years old reading books out of the teen section so beggars can't be choosers.

I haven't been a teen in a long time, but I do like these books.  I liked the first one the best, and Insurgent was a close second, but the 3rd was my least favorite.  I feel like Allegiant was a little flat after the first 2 books were so good.  I would recommend them if you liked the Hunger Games.

*And a little bonus for anyone who actually read all that.....I read Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain just before the new year and it was excellent.  I highly recommend it.  It is about a poor family in the south in the 1960's and their case worker.

Books count in 2014: 3

Why hello again...

 Some family was in and mentioned they were worried something was wrong here since I haven't posted anything in so long.....holy smokes people do read this!  Nothing drastic is happening here, just the normal holiday business and losing track of days.  So here is a random mish mash of what is going on...

Oh so many time outs.  Zach is either hilarious or crying because he can't have chocolate and mini marshmallows at every meal.  I think Christmas made him a diva.....well Christmas or all the family, treats, and late bedtimes...oops.  He has even started the classic toddler throw yourself on the floor trick.   He was acting like a lunatic when I was out running around with my mom and I asked her how in the world do you discipline in public?  If it is somewhere he wants to be I haul him out of there if he acts up, I am the mother smiling, carrying a screaming toddler out of the library.  At home we have time out.  On errands I'm at a loss.  They need to make a time out spot everywhere, moms of the world unite and petition for a time out chair in all public places.

He is like the hulk....looks so sweet, but you wouldn't like him angry.

Matt had another successful deer season and got his first buck up in Michigan.  I apologize to those the deer picture grosses out, it is common practice in good 'ole Northwest Ohio and as much as I complain about the husband being MIA for a week or 2 to sit in a tree and freeze his butt off, I do appreciate the meat it provides.  Matt is also gearing up for a work shut down.  This sounds fantastic, like he will get a lot of time off, but alas, no it is the opposite.  He'll start working 6 days a week, 12 hour shifts starting February 1....which is around 3 weeks before baby comes....whoa nelly it is going to get interesting around here.  If I tell you I don't need help at the end of February I'm lying, come and bring food and coffee.  Thanks.

Super serious deer business picture.

Baby McClure #2 is cooking away.  I just realized we have only 6 more weeks or less....oh hell.  I guess I should go through some baby stuff and get a changing table.  Currently baby's room is only used by Zach, to jump on the bed in there.  Still giving myself blood thinner shots everyday, but am teaching Matt how to give them to me in the arm for the last few weeks since bruising and what not has been worse this time around.  I am growing at a rapid pace and fear the pregnant waddle is coming soon (which means I already do it and everyone around me is too nice to point it out).

I recently learned Matt thinks it is hilarious to catch me napping and Zach wide awake on the couch....at like 6pm...

This is some of the randomness happening around here.  Why yes my mind does jump around like that all the time...this is even organized for your reading pleasure.  I'll backtrack and post about Christmas (I wrote down Zach's quotes Christmas morning because they were funny) and New Year's Resolutions....if I actually make any.

We've missed you.  And I haven't been out of the house in 3 days due to major snow and freezing temps so please send rations, preferably Cool Ranch Doritos, Oranges and Hot Chocolate.

I'm a Goofball

Today Zach had his first haircut at an actual place. He did surprisingly well, especially since we tried about a year ago and never made it to actually getting out scissors. Now it doesn't look like the home made bowl cut everyone has come to know and love. Or now there are not long and short chunks of hair....the tell tale sign of cheap parents and home haircuts.

Apparently the haircut made him lose his mind. Since he has been up from nap he's been running around jumping and yelling "I'm a goofball". He is acting a fool and I have no idea why, unless Matt snuck him some sugar....but that would just be stupid since he's here watching this train wreck as well.

Today I also caught Zach changing the baby dolls diaper and telling her she should use the potty to get an M&M....even though Zach refuses to use the potty.

He also played with his kitchen, which is normal. What's not normal is him drinking a pretend beer..."look beer, I drink beer, gulp gulp, yum".

Thank god tomorrow is a daycare/work day.

Oh Nap Time

I always have grand plans of being productive during nap time. I have a list a mile long and good intentions of working out. These things rarely happen. By the time nap gets here I'm happy to be showered and get to eat lunch. After Zach finally falls asleep, I get his lunch picked up, eat my lunch, go to the bathroom since I've been holding it for hours, pick up toys, and finally sit down and realize I only have about 50 precious minutes of quiet left.

Should I workout or cross things off my to do list with those kid free minutes? You bet. But more often than not I squander it looking online or just relaxing for a few minutes.

I used to feel bad about my lack of productivity, but have officially given up and embrace the relaxation. I only have a few more weeks with just one kid so I figure I better get my r & r while I can.

Practicing for 2 kids

Today I decided it would be a good idea to practice having 2 kids. I watched a friend of mines 1 year old in addition to Zach.

I knew it was going to be a smashing success when Zach & I had this conversation this morning:

Me: "remember our friend is coming to play with us all day at our house"

Zach: "nooooo! No friend here. Zach's house. Zach toys. No share with baby"

I mean really, how could it go wrong? Having 2 kids is going to be awesome.

Minus some initial jealousy from a 2 year old, it did go pretty great. Before you're in awe at my amazing patenting skills, you should know it went so well because my husband was home too. I only had an hour or so by myself with both kids.

Matt saved the day at nap time since the kids are on different schedules. We divided & conquered these little dictators. I also learned our crib is still on its lowest setting & my preggo belly doesn't bend like it used too.

As it is now, everyone is sleeping (the 2 year old, 1 year old & 32 year old) and I'm patting myself on a job well done. 6 hours with 2 kids down, 18 more years to go....