Fall Fun and All That

I love Fall. I absolutely have loved this fall. I have loved the brilliant colors, how long the colors are lasting, how warm it has been, all the sunshine, I have loved seeing the layers of leaves forming just underneath the trees.

My son is also in love with fall. Yesterday he played outside for 3 hours. For 3 hours non-stop. Running from leaf pile to leaf pile. Jumping into the leaves, laying in the leaves, covering himself up and hiding in the leaves, throwing the leaves in the air as he runs. He ran between the two willow trees in the yard playing a sort of tag with me and the tree branches. He played in his sand box. He rode his trike and his big wheel. We drew with the sidewalk chalk. He climbed on the "to be chopped" wood pile. He played in the Teepee.

He played with the dogs. The dogs love to play with old (rinsed out) milk containers, the plastic ones. Colton was able to get a hold of the milk container and the dogs chased him around the yard for while and would tackle him and reclaim the container. Then vice versa.

He was having a great time, so a pulled a few weeds, poured a cup of coffee, and caught a page or 2 of my booked. I made a point of seeking his whereabouts after every page. after page 3 I didn't see Colton. I walked around to the Teepee to look for him. And there he was. Down on his knees with the milk container to his lips and his head tilt back, drinking from the milk container. This grossed me out almost as much as on Saturday when he had both hands in the toilet playing with a cup. I can only hope he didn't drink that.

We are entering into a new phase in the Perfect household. Now when you ask Colton a question he will answer you with either a yes or no. Even if it doesn't necessarily require a yes or no answer.

"Can you say Granny?"

"Yes."

"Did you poopie?", This always gets a NO.

So today as I was getting ready to leave for work I asked Colton, "Would you like to go outside and play?"

"Yes". (Of coarse.)

Then he went into his room and brought me out his shoes and sweatshirt. I do believe my mouth dropped to the floor. He perfectly understood what going outside meant. Not just in words, not just go out the door, he knew the requirements.

This just keeps getting!

Camping

My little guy is a happy camper! He loves it.

I was a little worried about camping and his new found mobility. I was concerned for myself actually. Chasing a 16month old all over a campground. How in the world was I suppose to relax, enjoy camping, have a few adult beverages?

Let me tell you, non of that matters when you see the joy and excitement on your kiddo's face. Total and pure delight.

He actually never strayed far from his momma. He wanted to make sure I saw it just as he was. He loved playing with our bikes, we had to lay them down so that they wouldn't lay him down. He wanted to play with all the happenings of our camper, the crank, the wheels, the doors. Regular maintenance man. He loved playing with his own bike as well. He has a little Red Radio Flyer Trike. He road that all over the place, not an inch left uncovered.

He also had tons of attention lathered all over him. My grandma delighted in taking him on walks. My dad took him to the general store for ice cream, more than once. He was treated to smores, cookies, apple crisp...my family has a sweet tooth apparently. My cousins took him to the park several times a day.

Nap? Who needs a nap? I figured naps wouldn't be happening, i was prepared for a crab cake. But the little feller was more than happy to have his head hit the pillow for a little mid afternoon R&R. Everyone took their turns wearing him out. Thank you!

Thank you for everyone who took the time to make sure I enjoyed my camping trip. My parents, my grandparents, my aunts & uncles, my cousins, niece. Also Thank you little man, Thank you Colton John Wildhorse for making my camping trip so special.

The love of my life, my son, Colt Wildhorse. He is just beginning to make his own decisions. I try to support the deiscions or show him the path to..um...better ones. I think they call this redirection.

Last night my son decided he wanted to wear his flip flops. The kind that go between his toes and have an ankle strap on the back for toddlers. He hated these a few weeks ago. He has been intrigued by them for about a week now. He wore one flip flop all night, falling down about every 5 steps. He only wanted one on, he wanted it one his left foot, and he did not want to take it off.

I decided this wasn't a horrible decision, actually it made me snicker all night long.

He wouldn't even let me take it off when I laid down the half asleep little feller in his crib. Colton John Wildhorse Perfect slept with one flip flop on ALL night. And I loved it!

That

My 15 month old son has a limited vocabulary. His 2 favorite phrase to say are "dat, dat" and "Tank-too".
"Dat-dat" can refer to any number of things.

• What's that?
• Who's that?
• I want that.
• Give that to me.
• Here's "that". (as he hands it over to you)

The other night in the bathtub I figured it would be a good time to have him point to his different facial features. It was going very well until I asked him where is belly button was. You probably know where this is headed. Every time I would ask him where his belly button was, he would point to his man part and say "dat, dat".

The obsession is just beginning.

Happy Camper

Camping for a week has left me feeling recharged! I am feeling more motivated and ready to take on the world...bring it.

I have been happier, more adjusted, more patient, energized, and I am even sleeping better at night, which is leaving me feeling well rested all day long. I am waking up feeling very satisfied with the status of my life and my family. I am more in love with my baby boy and my incredible husband.

People often look confused when I tell them I live in Ft. Wayne in the Northside neighborhood. A nice neighborhood, even quaint. However, I work in Leo, Indiana, my hometown. In the last 10 years this has become a very affluent suburb of The Fort.

Living as we do, in a quaint home, in a quaint neighborhood we are able to afford to work in our beloved low paying careers. We are able to afford our treasured camper, which gave us the renewed love for OUR life.

Whitewater or bust

As busy as I have been at the studio, I have also been just as busy playing. (maybe that's why my husband is upset?)

Just in the last month we have gone camping, to the zoo, to dinner several times, to the local festival, to the Branch County Fair (Mi).

I have just been to the Ted Nugent concert, Uncle Ted, rock on!

And I am headed to the Country Fest here in the Fort. Gary Allen is playing. One day I plan on marrying him...OK so maybe not. He is a total hunk a hunk a burnin' love.

But that is all just an appetizer. Monday we are headed to Whitewater State Park here in Indiana. It is just Southeast of Indianapolis. We are using are new camper (new to us). The Perfect tribe has planned 7 fun filled days of camping, hiking, and kayaking.

I am about as excited as I can get to leave the stresses at work.

I am also as stressed as can be about camping with a 1 year old for 7 days.

Let Me Count The Ways

My husband has mentioned to me several times over the past few months that I am not doing enough at home. He specifically wants to know what in the world I spend my time doing in the mornings. See, I don't need to be at work until 11:00AM, although I really like to be at my desk reading Emails by 10:30. Rather late as far as jobs go.

I wake up between 7:00 and 7:30 every morning. Late, according to my husband. He also likes to point out that it gives me 3hrs to perform the household chores. His suggestion is that I get up at 6AM, since I am incapable of getting things done currently.

Here is what I really do get done from 7-9:45:

• Take a shower (15 min...I like to shower...)
• Change the little fellers diaper and play for a few minutes. Got work up an appetite.
• Fix Colton's breakfast and help him to eat.
• During his breakfast I now dry my hair in the kitchen instead of the bathroom so he is not alone. I also sweep and mop the kitchen floor during this time every morning (we have 2 dogs).
• Take him into the bathroom to play so I can finish getting ready.
• Change his diaper, put lotion on him, clean his ears, brush teeth, and get dressed.
• Colt plays in the kitchen while I make our lunches and get dinner ready either in the crock pot or put it in the fridge for later. I do not get home until 6:30 or later so this is a must.
• I still need to get dressed
• Now I have about 20 minutes where I sit down and Colton has my undivided attention to play or read books.
• Pack the diaper bag and my bag and leave the house.
• Maybe 2 morning every week I have errands I have to run for work or home so I have to leave earlier.
• Once home from work at 6:30 or later I have to finish dinner, feed the kid, run the sweeper, pick up toys, clean up after dinner, get the boy ready for bed. By 9:30 I am exhausted and tend to put the PJ's on and turn on the TV. Yes, from 9:30-11:30 I am lazy.

What's your opinion? Am I being lazy?

Has it really been this long since I last posted? May?

Since I last posted my Son has:
Turned 1
Learned to say "No Mamma", "truck", "Lou", "Colton", "Diaper"
Shake his head NO
Can point to several body parts
Brush his own teeth (mamma still helps a little)
Take off his diaper
Walk 8 steps on his own
Received his first haircut.
Took his first camping trip
and He now wears big boy shoes. He throws a fit if try to leave the house without them on his feet. He will crawl into his room and grab his shoes and try to put them on.

There is a Comedian in the House

This morning as I was getting my soon to be 1 year old dressed, I asked him to put his legs in his shorts. Something we have done every morning for about 3 weeks now. He started out just letting me show him how and within a few days was lifting his legs up for me, then a few days later putting his feet through the legs. Smart boy.

Even smarter boy

As I asked him to put his legs in his shorts this morning however, he leaned forward and stuck his arms through the legs. He sat up and waved his arms, with his shorts on them, all around. He laughed uncontrollably as he did this.

My 1 year old actually tried to play a joke with momma.

As I laughed, I cried.

Would you complain if they hung you with a new rope?

My Mother was given some free movie tickets to view the Indiana Jone's flick. She reserved 5 seats for Shane & I, my niece, my brother and Anna. Not only did this group supply us with free movie tickets, they also gave is a $10 gift card to spend on concessions. Of coarse, it was a sell out crowd.

Would you be grateful? I was.

The lady, picking her pants out of her butt in front of me, however, was not. This is what she had to say to her partner.

"I can't believe this isn't better organized. There aren't enough concession people. This is such a debacle. The lines are just ridiculous. I have been standing in 2 different lines for 10 minutes." A few other rude words to the poor teenager behind the counter about her "slow" service.

This is the type of person who would complain about being hung with a new rope. The type of person who also probably complains about her food stamps, medicare, and her welfare checks.

Favorite Whole in the Wall...Maybe Baby

Last night we decided to order sausage rolls from our favorite local "hole in the wall"-our prebaby favorite "whole in the wall".

I wanted to spend time with my brother before he takes of for his ARMY Leadership training, 50 days in Seattle. After several 3 way phone conversations we decide to order sausage rolls and gather at my brothers pad. We were looking forward to some of our favorite food, drinks, and games. We didn't have to worry about the kiddo, he could come along, play, eat, and sleep.

My husband ordered 4 specialty sausage rolls. I would pick up the kiddo on my way home and then stop at the pizza joint.

The only problem is that this favorite yocal local is a bar. Yes, a bar. I park, get the kiddo out, and lock the car. I enter the establishment and walk up to the front counter to get my carryout order. The waitress promptly and rudely let's me know that "This is a bar, YOU CAN"T BRING A BABY IN A BAR". It suddenly dawns on me, I have my 1 year old in a bar. It is just the front entrance, I am technically not at the bar. I just want my carry out.

"Well, can I just get my order so that I can leave?"
"You can't have a baby in a bar"
"Yes, you said that, can I just quickly get my carryout and go?"
"Your gonna have to take him out to the car and come back"
"Ummm...No, I will not leave my baby in the car and come back in. Is there a manager?"
"You can't bring a baby in a bar."
"You've explained that, I actually could have paid for my order by now and left. Is there a manager?"
"Just a moment" She goes to get the bartender.

Bartender, "I am sorry but You will need to go drop off the kid and come back."
"If I am leaving, I will not be back to pick up my $45 worth of sausage rolls. Ridiculous, I could have had the order and be home by now"
"Then we will not allow you to place another carryout order."

At this point I am sweating, Colton is getting antsy, and I just really want to leave. I am also thinking, "well since you are all so obviously the brightest bulbs in the box, what will stop me from ordering again under a different name and having my husband pick them up."

Did I get the carry out order? Yes.

Is there a lesson here? Probably. I am still pondering the event. I am thinking that being a momma now, things have changed. Things are no longer as simple, things take more time, more planning, more help. And, in a moment, without notice any sort of planning can go right out the window and be, "just that simple".

Liquid Dinner Crashers

Tonight was girl's night out. Anna and I had plans to meet for margarita's at a local Mexican joint. The place was even within walking distance from both of our homes. Catch my drift?

Then my mom wants to come out for dinner. We hadn't planned on eating anything but the free chips, we could only afford to drink. Liquid dinner. What the heck, mom will pay, she can come.

I get home from work, assess the family situation, and see if the husbands in a good mood to make sure he has no problem putting the little feller to bed. He mentions that he talked to my mom and we are not going to the Mexican place we are now going for burgers. And my dad is also coming along.

Liquid dinner turned into family dinner before my very eyes. So I pack the kiddo a diaper bag and pack the family in the car. I traded in my late, drunken, girls night for a family dinner, tea, and home by 8:30.

I put the little man down for the night, sat in my chair, and smiled as I realized just how satisfied and fulfilled I feel being a family woman.

This afternoon I talked my mom into watching the little feller for me while I attended a meeting. I asked Shane to pick up Colton on his way home, because Colton was ON HIS way home. Shane comes home with no Colton in sight. You see Shane talked my mom into keeping him a while longer and bringing him to us.

It suddenly dawns on me, this is the first time I have been home without the kiddo. I wasn't sure which chore to conquer first and maybe if I worked really fast I could finish all the deeds I had been putting off for months. Dusting, washing floors, getting into the corners, washing windows, cleaning out the fridge, pulling weeds and fixing the flower gardens, sweeping the porch, changing sheets, sweeping the furniture, and the list goes on. I was the cleaning Nazi.

Then it hits me, why didn't I just relax?

Was it Dione Warwick? "That's What Friends Are For"

How many really great friends have you had in your lifetime? I am lucky, I had best friends while growing up and as an adult, although friends may come and go, I still have a few of those very best childhood friends.
They seem to be the best kind of friends. The kind where you may not talk for a month, but when you find the time again there is no awkward silence or hurt feelings, just a silent understanding. They know your history and never judge, just listen when listening is needed and offer advice when asked. They can sit in comfortable silence with you when you don't feel like being alone.
My friend Abby, has been that friend since we were 3 years old. We have had times when we were the best of friends and times when we had other "best"friends. Times when we grew apart because of boyfriends or different interests. Times when one or the other moved away and we each developed other friendships. And times when we are at different places in our lives and the road takes us further apart. We always find our way back to the same ol' friendship. I am sure that is what qualifies her as my BEST friend.
These are just a few of my "best" Friends:
2nd grade: Nicci
3rd grade: Rita
4th grade: Joy and Christi and Becky
5th grade: Rachel
6th Grade: Erin
7th Grade: Erin and Abby
8th Grade: Erin and Abby
9th Grade: Erin, Melissa, Trine, Abby, Cassi, Tisha....well we hung in groups and I played sports with a ton of girls
10th grade: Melissa, Abby, Tara
11th Grade: Dede
12th Grade: Melissa

College: Lanette

After college: lanette, Abby, Sesha

And now I have my FTM's Best friends. I hear(well read) the term IRL, In Real life. But these ladies are in my real life. I had a great opportunity to meet several of them recently. I wish we didn't all live so far apart. But the Internet and texting keeps us so close.

In the mean time, I have Abby who is always here and waiting on me.

The headless Green Bean Men

Yes, I realize that I may be a tad bit...ummm...off.

2 nights ago I had a dream that my parents were installing a new satellite dish on the side of their home. The dish was to heavy for the house and the house fell on its side into the pool. Everything turned out OK. After they installed it correctly the house was able to regain its balance, right side up. Nothing was damaged and everyone swimming was safe.

Last night I was dreaming about the headless green bean men that lived in the fish bowl down the road from my parents. My brother and I decided to take a short cut down another road to beat his girlfriend to the house. We were riding a tandem bicycle. We somehow fell into the fish bowl with the green bean men and they had no heads.
I woke up at this point.
Every time I tried to go back to sleep, the green bean men had human heads badly sewn onto their bodies. The eyes were also sewn shut with big X's. So I was awake for the next 1/2 hour.

(this part is unfortunately NOT a dream) My son wakes up and I change him and make him a bottle. He is fussy for the next 1/2 hour. I check on him a few times and finally pick him up after I find his legs hanging out of the crib, they were stuck between the bars. I take him and put him into bed with my husband and I. Something I have only done 1 other time. for the next 2 hours he plays with my lips, my hair, the buttons on my shirt, and he caresses my faces. From time to time he delicately repeats DA DA DA DA. When he finally does fall asleep he has his cheek on my cheek. I move him so that I can go back to sleep. he wakes up. The kiddo wants me to be cuddling with him.

I finally fall back to sleep once my husband gets up and takes the boy at 7:20. At that point I dream again.

This time I am dreaming about a beautiful siren singing her song as she floats through the black sea gathering precious Ivory pieces on her way to an ancient Egyptian Empire. Once she arrives with the ivory pieces, she must put them together to solve a mystery and uncover a huge treasure. She must fight the off the Romans who are also there trying to uncover the treasure. At this point the dead Egyptians who are suppose to protect the treasure awake. The odd part is that Ivanka Trump was funding the expedition. Weird. At this point I wake up.

Today is the 3 year anniversary of a very special persons death.

Am I Really a Mom?

Last night I tucked in my 10month old son and headed off to bed myself. He had himself all whopper jawed and cornered in his crib. I straightened him out, put the blanket over him, and patted his bottom. As I walked to my bedroom I was thinking "I don't feel like a mom."

I don't feel like June Cleaver or Carol Brady. I don't feel like Samantha Stevens or Caroline Ingalls.

I don't get up at the butt crack of dawn and make pancakes, eggs, and have juice on the table. Lord knows my husband doesn't cheerfully come into the kitchen for breakfast as he kisses me good bye. I don't stay home all day doing laundry and house work. I don't have neighbors or relatives popping in all day long. I rarely have dinner ready before 8pm.

I am not only cranky in the morning, I am down right scary looking. I in no way look ready to conquer the day, sexy, or put together. My husband for sure knows not to kisses my morning breathe coffee flavored mouth and vice versa. I also work all day and ma tired when I get home. Because Colton is only up for another 2 -2 1/2 hours, I definitely do not want to clean or cook, I want to PLAY.

What is a mom supposed to feel like?
I feel like I love Colton more than anything else in the world. He is the love of my life.
I feel like watching him play.
I feel like listening to him laugh and watching him smile.
I feel like listening to all the sounds he makes as he is discovering words.
I feel like watching him discover grass, sticks, and stones.
I feel like watching him discover new flavors.
I feel like being the recipient of his hugs, kisses, and lovin'.
I feel like spending the majority of my time with him.
I feel like giving him the best of me.

All though I still feel like myself, I also feel a new overwhelming urge to give more than I receive.

Road Rage = Selfish

I take the same route to work every morning and the same route home every night.

I turn onto the road and the speed limit is 30 mph. I start out calm, I try hard to maintain this speed, there are many runners, walkers, bicyclists, and KIDS who walk along the sides of the road. The rage starts here. People do not want to go that slow as they are rushing to work in the morning. They are pissed at me for going slow and I am pissed at them for tailgating. BTW-if I am tailgating I like to call it drafting.

As we approach the traffic light you have to choose the appropriate lane because they branch off into different directions. This is another source of frustration. People never choose the lane they need to be in. Instead, they will gun it off the line and cut you off, just to be 4 seconds on front of you. This stretch also contains another frustration. You need to merge. People do not understand merging. Neither partner in this transaction understand merging. The cars needing to merge stop until there is a CLEAR opening (they have approx 1/2mile to merge). Instead of traveling at an appropriate speed and MERGING with traffic, they stop causing a pile up behind them and backing up traffic into the intersection. The oncoming traffic that needs to let the others merge do everything they can NOT to let them over. PLEASE. To let another car in front of you may add 10 seconds to your route.

The next source of contention is just ahead. By this time I am getting a little grumpy and my own road rage is starting to mount. 2 lanes merge into 1. Traffic lines up 10-15 cars deep. I hate it when someone gets into the lane that is ending and wants to be first in line, after all, you have waited through a few lights. I never let them in.

After a particular gentleman honked at me the other morning I contemplated my role in my daily commute that has become my road rage. I am no better than anyone else. I return client calls on my way to work, I eat breakfast, I drink coffee, put on make-up, fill out my bank deposit, write down notes and messages.

This is my own resolution. I will try to be as courteous of a driver as I can be for the next 14 days. After all it takes 14 days for an action to become a habit, right? Can I be this unselfish? The worst that can happen? It may take me 25 minutes to get to work instead of 20. The best? I could influence someone else, my son, to be a courteous and unselfish being.

i've been tagged

Okay, I got tagged! This is silly yet fun. Here’s how you play: Once you have been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them. Don’t forget to leave them a comment (you’re it) and to read your blog. You can’t tag the person who tagged you. Since you can’t tag me back, let me know when you’ve posted your blog so I can see your answers.

1. I love to dance. When I was a little girl I wanted to be a Solid Gold Dancer. I use to practice in my basement to Prince's "let's go crazy".
2. Scooby Doo Is my favorite cartoon. My second favorite was Wonder Cats. I so had a crush on Liono.
3. My brother, Buddy, is my best friend.
4. Colton John Wildhorse is the love of my life. I can't believe I waited so long to become a mamas.
5. I love to sleep. I love to dream while I am sleeping. I can also control my dreams to a point.
6. I do not eat any type of seafood. None.
7. I love spaghetti. My absolute favorite dish.
8. When I grow up I want to build a log home in the mountains of Wyoming.
9. I am an American President buff. My favorite President is Abraham Lincoln.
10. My family recently had to put down Nanny, our horse who was 36 years old.

Let's see if I can come up with 10 friends.

Tami-I want to see what you have to say.

Erin-You most likely have nothing better to do. ;)

Kevin-We need to catch up, what better way.

Dawn-Getting to know you better.

Carol & Tara-I hate to tag you because I see you have already answered something similar, but I have no friends.

Abby-you are my longest friend.

1. OK I don't have 10 friends who blog. I am a looser.

Hello, My Name is Holly and I am a Candy Addict

I am sick, very sick. I have an incredible sweet tooth. Just my luck, I work 2 miles from the most cozy candy store. My great find there last week was giant rolls of Smarties. I also indulged in Cherry Gummy Bears, Licorice Wheels, and Sour Patch Kids. I have finished it all and I am craving more. Can I really be stronger than Hulk Hogan and have more stamina than Lance Armstrong? Only time will tell.
Saturday night, I took the bag of candy into the bedroom with me as I prepared for bed. My purpose was to hide it in my closet from Taos, my dog. I ended up in bed with it. When my husband came to bed he had this to say, "Would you like me to sleep on the couch so you can continue with your candy?"
I am currently looking for a support group.