My Crazy Organizing Quest

So I came to a strange realization.  I am the most unorganized, organized person.  I want to be organized.  I try to be organized.  Many parts of my life are pretty organized.  Many parts are super duper unorganized.  I often think about getting more organized.  But lately, it just isn't working.  In my head I am super organized!  The problem is that in reality, I am not.  I have many storage unit/baskets/bins/shelves to help with this problem.  But they are not properly utilized.  I promise that I have great intentions to get organized.

With the football season ending for the Stape Fam this next week, we will have some free time to spend getting ourselves organized before competitive cheer season starts.  (This is our life people....one sport season to the next!  We have four seasons in our house as most people do, but ours are called football/cheer, competitive cheer, track and summer.  It is hard to find a lot of free time during any of those seasons.  You would think that summer would be easier....you would think.)  In addition to getting organized, I have a handful of projects that I want to to by the time I am 33. (GULP! Keep in mind that in my dillusional head I am only 27 years old.  Being thirty-something is totally freaking me out! ) So in an effort to make the best out of the rest of the school year, I plan to get organized!  Since moving to the counseling office at school, I am no longer writing lesson plans or grading papers at home, I have a little more free time to focus on other projects.  My goal is to get our home organized and beautified by next June.  So here goes...here is my plan.  I figure if I post it for all to see, then I will need to follow through with it.  How embarrassing would it be if I had nothing to show for it by next June?  Eeekkk!!  (Yes, Mom, you can remind me about this.....a few times.)

I follow MANY organizing blogs.  I even follow other blogs that talk about their own adventures in organizing.  Very inspiring!  Now if only those bloggers could come over and help me get my head wrapped around some of this.  But one thing that they have taught me was to break it down so that it doesn't seem like such a huge task.  So here goes...breaking it down.  (I do reserve the right to rearrange these tasks at any time and should we get that super important phone call telling us that there is a baby on the way....well, forget the list!  I will spend my time putting together a nursery for that beautiful baby.  But until then....I will do my best to follow my list.)

OCTOBER

1.  Organize the entry coat closet

2.  The master bedroom/closet

3.  Go through clothing to organize and donate any unused clothes.

4.  Master bathroom organization

5.  Go through the boxes currently being stored in the loft.

NOVEMBER

1.  Organize Gus' bedroom and store old clothing

2.  Sort Gus' toys.  Donate unused.  Store some for Baby Stape #2.

3.  Organize linen closet.  Reduce the number of linens we have.  I love sheets and towels.  We have A LOT!

4.  Organize my office....this might take 2 months.

DECEMBER

1.  Continue to organize my office.  (Trying to be realistic here....this will need A LOT of help!

2.  Decorate for the Christmas season.  (I know it isn't organization....but I love it too much and it does take a lot of time.)

3.  Sort through the play room stuff...again.  I am very attached to a lot of Gus' stuff so I guarantee that I will need to go through it a couple of times this year.

4.  Hang photo wall.

JANUARY

1.  Sort kitchen cupboards

2.  Organize kitchen organizers.  (I know....redundant but we have a couple of things in our kitchen that become "catch alls".)

3.  Fingers crossed...build large built-in/desk area.

FEBRUARY

1.  Sort through bookshelf/storage unit in living room

2.  Sort/organize the storage bins that are currently being stored in the garage.

3.  Paint laundry room and half bath

MARCH

1.  Finish painting project in the loft and upstairs hallway

2.  Paint master bedroom/closet/bathroom

3.  Organize photo storage on computer/online

4.  Organize computer files

APRIL

1.  Organize basement storage.  (This is the ONLY thing for this month....it may take many months to complete.  There is a lot of CRAP really valuable treasures down there.)

2.  Begin working on the landscaping project in the front of our house.

MAY

1.  Store away all winter clothing.  Fully install spring/summer clothing in the closets

2.  Sort Gus' clothing.  (I have a bad feeling that he will have jumped to the next size by then....it makes my stomach hurt thinking about it.)

3.  Continue the basement organization.

JUNE

1.  Organize garage and outdoor toys

2.  Finish up any organization projects that didn't get done yet.

3.  Plan Gus' birthday party.  (Super important and always over the top!!)

If I scroll up this post, I have a little bit of a panic attack.  I can do this....I can do this....I can do this..... I am hoping to get through #1 and #2 for October today.  I have about 11 hours left to get these two things done.  Gotta get a move on!!

Hurry Up and Wait...

I am so excited that we are FINALLY a "waiting family" with Bethany Christian Services for the second time.  What does it mean to be a "waiting family"?

• It means that we have finally finished the roller coaster of a ride we were on with this home study process for #2.
• It means that we were approved and accepted by Bethany Christian Services.
• It means that we are officially on the list of waiting families on Bethany's website.  You can check it out!!  This is one opportunity for birthparents to check out the waiting families.  (And of course we hope that they see ours and say, "Hey!  We like those crazy people!!")
• It means that I say extra prayers every day for a woman out there who is or will be carrying my baby and who will give me one of the greatest gifts in this world.
• It means that I will have to be patient.  Patience is not one of my strengths.
• It means that I will have some frustrating days when I lose my patience.  
• It means that I will be praying constantly for the little one who will join our family.
• It means that I will begin a very long nesting process. I was a Girl Scout....I was taught to always be prepared.
• It means that I will jump every time my phone rings and it is from the 248 area code or if it pops up as Bethany Christian Services, Dawn or Faith (our social workers).
• It means that I will drive Joel crazy as we try to discuss baby names....just so that we are prepared.
• It means that I will start a journal for this baby that I will keep for him/her.
• It means that I will answer a lot of questions about our adoption journey. The most popular, "how is the second adoption process going?"  My response is usually something like, "it's going."
• It means that someday soon, I will get one of the most amazing phone calls telling me that someone chose US!  
• It means that I will get to turn to my hubby and share the most exciting news!
• It means that I will be sick to my stomach until I meet the birthparents.  And then I will remain a bundle of nerves until that baby is in my arms.
• It means that I am preparing myself for the harsh reality of the "risk period" in which the birthparents can change their mind.
• It means that we will wait for months until Baby Stape #2 legally becomes a Stapleton.
• It means that I will be even more of an emotional wreck than normal.

But most of all.....it means that I AM GONNA BE A MOMMA AGAIN!!!  I am so excited to hurry up and wait so that I can be ready to meet the next little one that will capture my heart!  I can't wait!!  Stay tuned for more details about our journey!!

Basket Case

Tonight I stared in awe at my little boy.  I am still amazed at how quickly he is growing.  And how much he is learning!!  Today he said to me, "come with, momma!"  My heart swelled!  He wanted me to follow him!  I would follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked me.  He dragged me to the kitchen, pointed to the box of crackers in the pantry and said, "PEEZZZZ!!"  He then ran over to his drawer and got out his own bowl to bring over to me.  Seriously!!  When did this happen?  And as I watched him walk carefully with his little bowl of crackers, I got to thinking about what his life would be like if "J" didn't choose adoption for him.  What would MY life be like?  I shudder to even think about it. And you guessed it....by this time, I was bawling!

Earlier today I was talking to our principal about his day yesterday.  He rushed home to get his boys off the bus from their first day of school.  He thought they would be excited....nope....no big deal.  Even that morning, apparently going to school for them seemed like no big deal.  His 6 year old basically said, "Bye mom! Thanks for the waffle!" and was on his merry way to school.  This brought up the conversation of Gus going to kindergarten three years from now.  Of course, I get emotional thinking about it...good grief.  The poor kid will be picking his mom up off the ground when he goes to school....I will be a mess!!  My boss and I agreed about how important it will be for me to miss the first part of my first day of school that year in order to get Gus off to his first day of school. If I am a mess now thinking about it....imagine what I will be like three years from now!!

After I put Gus to bed tonight, I jumped on Facebook and immediately noticed the pictures that my sister-in-law posted of her kids on their first day of school.  Again...the waterworks.  How on earth are they in 1st and 3rd grade already?!?!  Doesn't seem possible.  My poor niece and nephew...they have a crazy, sappy Aunt Beth.  I cry at everything with them.  I remember watching my nephew during his first t-ball season.  I was the aunt who was crying when she saw that little peanut playing ball.

Poor Gus...will grow up with his crazy, basket case of a mom.  I'm sure I will embarrass him quite a bit with my sappiness....but I think that is part of my job as his mom.  But at the same time, I am thinking that this first week back to school is hitting me hard and I am exhausted, therefore, making me even more emotional....I should probably go to bed early tonight.

SAHM

It is days like today that make me really wonder why I don't send in my letter of resignation to my school district immediately and stay home and play with Gus all day long.  Never in my life did I think that I would be cut out to be a stay at home mom.  Never did that thought even creep into my brain and certainly not a couple times in one day!  I think that some people have a certain calling in life and for some it is to stay at home.  For others it is to balance motherhood, marriage and a career like some kind of crazy person.  When I really stop to think about it, yes, being a SAHM would be awesome!!  Financially right now, not really a possiblity.  But at the same time, I really feel that I function better as a crazy person.  (Please no comments on the "crazy person".....we all know that I am crazy!)

Gus is growing up SO quickly.  Today he looked like such a little man.  I gave him a little bowl of cereal today and he carefully carried it over to the table.  Walking slowly and holding onto the bowl so tightly.  It was dry cereal so it wouldn't have been a big deal if it spilled.  But I loved watching him gingerly walk away with it.  At another point, he was looking for his "makas" (markers) to "cudda" (color) this morning.  I told him that there were some in his diaper bag.  His diaper bag was sitting next to my sample kit of Thirty-One bags.  Poor kid was a little overwhelmed but it was cute to see him pull every bag out of my kit, look at it and say "nope" as he looked for his markers.  I helped him find the right bag and then he turned around and helped me pack my samples back up.  Such a big boy!

Gus is also going through a "momma" stage.  For many, they wouldn't think that this is weird.  I think it is weird.  For the past two years, Gus has been such a DaDoh's boy.  He would always ask for Joel and wanted to be with him ALL the time.  This used to bother me.  What kid doesn't like being with their mom?  But this summer, the roles have been reversed.  I have a very clingy two year old who loves to sit with me and cuddle with me.  I am LOVING this!!  I could spend all day, every day sitting and playing with him!!  But alas....it is August which means that we are easing our way back into SCHOOL!  Our "mandatory shut down", some call it summer vacation, is coming to a slow end.  Gus and I will spend a couple hours a day up at school getting my classroom and office ready for the fall.  And as sad as I will be not to spend all day, every day with him this fall, I will be going back to work....sigh....

Bipolar Day

Well, today was a little bit of a bipolar day.  We got the call yesterday that we have a closing date on our new house!  We are so excited that this dream is becoming a reality!  We also got a call last night that school was canceled for today!  How exciting!  Good news about the house and we get to sleep in the next day and play with Gus all day!!

Today all three of us took advantage of sleeping in.  Gus slept until 9:30!!  I don't know when that have ever happened!  (But I LOVED it!)  We spent the rest of our day playing and packing.  Now that we have the closing date, we decided we can really start packing up our house.  We have packed a lot of it...but now we are really getting serious.

I worked on our closet first....we have a lot of crap in there!  Four large boxes full and still not even 1/2 way there.  I was almost embarrassed about how much we have in there but then I stopped and realized that with such little storage space in this house, a lot of stuff gets jammed in the closets so I don't feel quite as ashamed.  Now I must admit that I am totally motivated to organize and discard unnecessary items.  My friend, Katie, at The Terp Blog has been organizing in 2011 and I am so jealous of her!  Check out her blog and what she has been doing.  I am LOVING her wooden hangers!!  Look at the mishmash that I packed today.

I have every intention of only putting things that we need in our house and discarding the rest.  We have already been sorting through as we pack things but I am sure that there will be lots more once we get into the new house.

I then moved into packing Gus' room.  I kept out only the things that he NEEDS!  I did keep out his cars, the car ramp, a few books and his blocks.  Other than that, all toys and books are packed.  All other baby related items are packed.  We have clothing to get us through and the baby "essentials".  It is almost like living out of a suitcase for him.  But I think the bare minimum right now is necessary.  I was a packing machine.  Wasn't phased by any of it until I saw this....

...and then I lost it!  Lots of tears.  It brought me right back to the fall of 2008.  We had finally got on "the list" at the agency and since you never know when you might be matched, we thought perhaps we would slowly get the room ready.  This is what the closet looked like in the beginning.  I remember thinking that I couldn't wait until those cubbies were filled and that there were clothes on that rack.  I remember how desperate I was to be a mom.  Looking at this almost empty closet made all of those feelings come rushing back.  I pulled myself together and finished emptying the closet.  Check out how great these matching hangers look!

I love that all of Gus' hangers match.  No store hangers ever brought home.  Oh!  And I love his little cowboy hat that fit perfecting in this box upside down and keeps the hangers from sliding around!  (Yes, the box is labeled "hangers and a hat" and it is color coded so we know that it goes to Gus' room.)

I emptied on of Gus' chest of drawers.  Found the box that holds his first comb used at the hospital.  That boy had a head of hair!  And I found his hospital bracelet...and the baggie of hair from his first hair cut.  Tears again!  (It doesn't take much.)

I finished up packing Gus' room.  For the most part, that boy is packed and ready to go.

So when people ask us why we felt the need to move....this is why!  Look at all of the boxes from one little boy's bedroom.  Poor kid has no room to breathe with all of his baby stuff, toys, books, etc.  Can't wait to get into our new house where Gus will have his bedroom and a play room!  What a lucky boy!

BSA

Hi! My name is Beth and I am a blog stalker.




That's right...I should join BSA (Blog Stalker Anonymous). I am addicted to reading blogs. It has become a serious problem. I usually start reading them well after 9 PM and then I can still be found reading well into the evening. I am losing sleep because of this addiction. Through blogger.com I am able to keep track of my blogs in my dashboard. I just added a new blog today. It was only then that I realized that I have a problem. I just hit 72 blogs. SEVENTY-TWO!! Who does that?!? Apparently me. So in an effort to clear out and move in a healthier direction, I reduced it to 50. That's good....right?? As a counselor, I am also a believer in 12 step programs like the Alcoholics Anonymous program. So I figured that I could apply it to my own addiction. So far I am stuck on step one- I admit that I am powerless over this addiction. Step two will have to wait until tomorrow. I have to get caught up on some of my blog reading....

"IDIOT" Stamped On My Forehead

Well, I am sure when all was said and done on Friday, I must have had "idiot" stamped on my forehead.

It all started Thursday evening. We went to Joel's sister's house for dinner with her family.  We were missing them desperately.  Last year we saw them almost every day. This year those days are few and far between.  Sarah and her kids spent the last week in Disney World.  So when she got back, I demanded that we have dinner together.  (It had been almost 2 weeks since we had seen them!)  Gus didn't really seem like himself over there.  Very clingy.  He is NOT a cuddler so I knew that he wasn't quite himself.  He felt a little warm but nothing to be too concerned about.  He wouldn't eat his food, but he would eat only applesauce.  He is still getting teeth in so I assumed that was the problem.  He didn't want to chew, he was a little warm and he was clingy.  Didn't think too much more about it, brought him home, gave him some baby medicine and sent him to bed.

Friday morning, around 9 AM, I got a call from Gus' sitter.  (Keep in mind I am a class advisor and it is Spirit Week so school is super crazy and as an advisor I am crazy busy during this week.)  Well, I was already frazzled before I got the call.  Stephanie was concerned because Gus' body seemed to be on fire and he seemed really lethargic.  Well, we all know that I am a hypochondriac...so I left immediately, barely grabbed my purse...no jacket.  Luckily, I was working in the counseling office at the time because I left so quickly.  I didn't even tell my boss until I was in the car driving over there.  I told him I may or may not be back so he may need to find a sub for the two classes that I teach.  I stopped at the drugstore on the way to buy a thermometer for Gus.  I wanted to know what I was dealing with.  Once I got to him, I noticed that his body was also really hot and he didn't want to move.  I took his temp...97??  That can't be right....stupid digital thermometers!!  I called the doctor anyway and they said to bring him in right away.  Well, of course this hypochondriac momma freaked out with the "right away". That must mean something serious.  So off we rushed to the doctor.

Turns out they said "right away" because they had an opening...not because of the severity of the symptoms.  Don't they know who they are talking to?!?  Really Gus' name should have flashing lights next to it.  "Warning....crazy momma!"

Gus clung to me like a koala bear (again, very unlike him).  I had to unpeel him when they tried to get his weight and temp.  I did feel a little better when his temp was still 97...but more concerned because his body was still hot.  The nurse left the room and the little koala and I hung out in the room and waited for the doctor.  I tried to grab some books from their shelf to entertain him.  He wanted nothing to do with them.  Then the door opened. ("Whew...so happy that she is finally here to figure out what is wrong with him.)

Dr: Hi Gus!  Are we not feeling well today?
Gus: HI! blah, blah, blah, blah.  (I'm sure it is very important, but we have no idea what this kid is trying to tell us.)

The doctor checks him out.  Only finds that he appears to have a sore throat.  She talks to me about how this could be the beginning of a number of things.  Talk about what to watch for, etc.  During this time, Gus has slid off my lap.  He is now pulling every book off their shelf and onto the floor.  With each one we hear, "Oh Oh" (Translation: "Uh oh")  Eventually these turn in to "hiya!" and he has begun hopping around the exam room.  He is full out jumping up and down and yelling with delight by the time we talk about what to watch for.  Lethargic?  I think not!!  So here I am turning bright red, embarrassed that my 1 1/2 year old has made a fool out of me.  It is at that moment that the doctor notices Gus' pajamas laying on the table.

Dr: Is this what he was wearing? Did he wear them all night?
Me: Yes.  We always take him to the sitter in his jammies and then she dresses him later.
Dr: Did you ever think that perhaps that is why his body was so warm and doesn't have a temperature?  Perhaps he is too hot.  And when we are too hot, we don't like to move.
Me: You have got to be kidding....Is this our official medical diagnosis?
Dr: Well, he is coming down with a cold or something, but I think that he probably was overheated this morning.
Me: Crap....

Back to the sitter Gus went and back to work I went.  Unbelievable!!

Saturday, however, I came home from my cheerleading meet to discover that Gus did in fact have a fever of 102.9.  Well, at least I know that I am not crazy....my kid is sick.  But now I have a sick kid.  :(  I left him home with his daddy while I went to chaperone the school dance. I was telling this story to a coworker who was also working the dance.  After laughing at me, she started talking about a student who had scarlet fever.....blah, blah, blah....

Crap...I hope that Gus doesn't have scarlet fever!  What are the symptoms for that?  I will have to check WebMD now and I may be calling the doctor in the morning....

I will kick that intruder's arse....

Just wait...here comes another edition of, "Beth is crazy!"

Today seemed like the longest Friday of all time.  Long, crazy day with lots of student drama and discipline going on.  Not to mention followed by a cheer practice where the girls were simply stir crazy and unfocused and the coaches (myself being one of them) were getting very frustrated.  My friend, Diane, watched Gus for us today while I was at practice and Joel was helping to run a charity event.  After practice, Diane, Gus and I ran some errands together.  We finished up just in time for me to get Gus home for bedtime.

After wrestling with my 1 1/2 year old alligator to get him out of the carseat and he tried to slither out of my arms as we walked up to the house, I was finally able to let him run free once we walked through that front door.  I casually took off my coat as Gus ran around like a mad man and I walked into the kitchen to hang up my coat and.....BOOM!!!  There is was!  The door leading from the kitchen into the garage was wide...I mean WIDE open.  Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!!!!  (Okay....yes, I had some other choice words running through my head.)  I snatched Gus up, grabbed my cell phone and ran out to the neighbor's driveway as I called my husband.  (The neighbor is a police officer....I figured I could always have him come kick the intruder's arse if need be.) 

I frantically called Joel to ask if he by chance left that door open.  His response, much to my dismay, "ya know....I think I might have.  I left in such a rush."  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?  How do I know for sure?  And why didn't I think to grab my coat?  I am freezing.  Should I go back in?  Maybe I should make Aaron go check it out first.  Should I call the cops?  Am I being ridiculous?  Am I overly paranoid?  Maybe I should be more concerned?  Many things went through my mind.  Oh!  And thank goodness I hadn't yet gotten Gus out of his coat.  He was warm and at this point playing in the snow at the neighbor's house.  After a lot of thought, we went back into the house.  I set Gus down and I grabbed the broom in the kitchen and went around the house with a broom in one hand and my phone in the other with it already dialed to 9-1-...just in case.  I kicked open every door, the shower curtain, looked under the bed and jumped in about in an effort to surprise the intruder and so that I could kick his/her arse with a broom.

Long story short....no intruder but my overactive imagination jumped into overdrive and I became a raving lunatic. But I still have my broom ready....just waiting for my husband, the door-leaver-opener, to arrive home.  He better start running.....

Things That Just Bug Me!!

This week I have just discovered some things that just down right bug the heck out of me and I need to get them off my chest!

1) Why is it that every waitress that we have had recently seems to think that it is okay to put the food we ordered right in front of the curious little 1 year old?  Does she not realize that he is going to instantly reach for it and make a mess?  Isn't this common sense or is it just me?

2) Cow like gum chewers.  If you choose to chew gum, could you please not check it like a cow chews his cud?  It bugs me to hear that and see that!

3) My husband made me take down my original #3...and yes...that bugs me.
4) Stress.  I don't really have much to say about that but it really bugs me this week.

5) The kid in my 5th hour who ALWAYS interrupts me when I am talking to another student.  "Really?  You can't see that I am talking already?  Wait your turn you crazy kid!"  Okay...I usually just say, "I will be right with you..."

6) My stand-by favorite black flat dress shoes finally went to their final resting place this week.  I am so sad.

7) The media.  Why do they have to portray some things so incorrectly?

8) Temper-tantrums + Gus = frustrated momma

9) Economics.  I'm really not loving teaching that class right now.

10) Those who come "late to the party."  I put together a large district wide order for staff apparel.  Now that people are getting the items delivered to them, other people decided they want to order now.  Seriously?  I'm not here to accomodate every one's needs.  Do your own order!!

11) Trains.  Have I ever told you that we live near a corner that the train tracks cross two sides of that corner?  And the other route I would take is under construction?  Well let's just say it is really annoying!

Thanks for letting me vent...I feel better.  :)

SASSY Babies and Blogging Mommas

I was extended a great opportunity to attend the 2010 Blogger Bash sponsored by Sassy, Inc last Friday.  And the best part...Gus got to go with me!  I got to spend the whole day with my little man and with being back to work, days like this are pretty special.  We joined a bunch of SASSY babies and their mommas who are bloggers for a couple hours of fun.  And speaking of fun!  One of the bloggers is a friend from college and it was super fun to see her there! 

I learned so much about this company and about their products and I have some new favorite items.  (I have found my new "staple" for baby gift giving....some of these items are AWESOME!)  Gus had a great time playing with all of the toys, running around like a crazy man and playing with the wonderful staff at the Bash.  It is obvious that the employees of this company truly do love kids and want to create great products for them.  Just watching them interact with Gus it was obvious that kids come first!  (Special thanks to those staff members who entertained Gus so that I could actually focus on the products being shown!)  I intended to show you just a few items...but you know me.  I tend to get a little carried away.


Water Filled Teethers

It is so silly why I love these.  Not only do I just love teethers in general because Gus loves them, but FINALLY a football one!!  Many of the Sassy products incorporate both a black/white pattern and a bright color which makes it easy for them to use a soccer ball with one of their rattles.  Gus was given one of those rattles when he was born...but if you have learned anything about our family, we are a football family through and through so the soccer ball did not go over well.  I was THRILLED to let Gus get his hands on this football teether simply because it is a football.

Vibrating Textures Teether

Okay.  This teether is just down right cool.  It vibrates when Gus puts his little mouth on it.  I have seen other teethers that vibrate but it is tricky to get them to work.  With this one all he has to do is bite on the water filled parts and it starts to work.  Gus tested it out in church on Sunday.  It kept him entertained for a good 10 minutes.  For anyone who has met Gus, you know that this little boy does not sit still for anything.  He is teething right now, so I am sure that it felt good, but I didn't expect it to entertain him for so long!

Look Book

My mom bought this little book for Gus when he was very little.  Unfortunately, we do not live near family and we really want to make sure that Gus knows who his family is.  Each page has a slot where you can slide a picture in.  Gus' book is filled with pictures of his grandparents, aunts/uncles and cousins.  I think that this is a great way for a little one to be able to start recognizing faces.  And if you don't want to put pictures in it, each page has a fun pattern for little ones to look at as well.

Fill and Spill Barrel

I'm not really sure what it was about this collection, but Gus LOVED it.  He carried those bananas around for quite a while and he loved to share them with the Sassy staff members.  He passed them around from person to person.  Who knew that my kid would like bananas so much?

Bumpy Ball

This was the very first toy that Gus got his pudgy little hands on at the Bash.  I liked it because he could easily hold onto the bumps and throw it around.  I also liked how when he threw it, it didn't roll away...it bounced around a little bit, but it didn't go too far which meant he wasn't off and running.  He was able to play in a smaller area.  This would be perfect for him to play with when he goes to cheerleading practice with me.  It wouldn't cause him to run off to chase it down.

Less Mess Training Spoons

These little spoons are GENIUS!!  I know that there is a lot of thought that went into them.  The holes in the spoon, there are little spots for little fingers but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the guards that they put on there so that Gus cannot jam the spoon down his throat.  Just recently we have started letting Gus use his own utensils.  I can't stand it when he gags himself.  1) Who really wants their kid to jam a spoon down his throat? 2) I hear him gag, and I gag...and I hate gagging!  I just love that someone thought to stop our little monkey from jamming a spoon down his throat.  (Thank you spoon creator genius!)

Crumb Catcher Feeding Bib

Okay.  I will admit.  I HATE plastic bibs.  I just think that they are yucky and tend to feel slimy or crunchy.  And I hate bibs with pockets.  They never seem to catch the food that Gus drops and they never seem clean enough.  I may just actually LOVE this one.  This bib has a soft back so it isn't as "crunchy" as others we have tried and it is machine washable.  The little tray actually comes off and can go in the dishwasher.  It actually makes sense and is Momma Stape friendly.

Modern Soft Sided Organizer

I HAD to add this.  It wasn't even one of their products that they were showcasing to us but I am so smitten with it.  They simply brought it full of toys for the kids to play with.  The cool thing is that it is soft.  No sharp corners for an eager little boy to bump his head on as he collides with it to get his toys out.  And it doesn't have any heavy lid or hinges where pudgy little fingers could get pinched.It also has handles so it is easy to move.  Shh...don't tell Stape, but this is something that WILL be finding a home in our humble abode.  It will be perfect!

Need a great baby gift? Be inspired. Visit www.sassybaby.com.  There are so many great products that new moms and dads would love to have for their new bambino.  Even if it isn't their first baby, they will still LOVE to have these items.  I know I would.  (hint...hint, Mom.  When your next grandbaby joins us, keep these items in mind.)

Sassy has some other PHENOMENAL products coming our way at the end of the year.  Stay tuned to my blog for more details or follow @SassyBabyToys on Twitter for all of their latest news.  You are NOT going to want to miss the new things that they are coming out with.  I am so geeked about these new items!

Do you love this brand as much as I do already?  Become a fan of Sassy on Facebook.  I have loved this brand for quite a while and consider myself quite a fan.  If you aren't a fan already, check out some of these products first hand and I know that you will be a fan.

I would love your feedback on these products, this brand or things that you wish they had.  Send me your thoughts!!



Xanax and Espresso

Warning....this is going to be long...

Now that I am home, I am ready to talk about it.  When Joel and I were planning our trip to Seattle for Joe and Jane's wedding there was no question in my mind that we were going to take Gus with us.  I made the flight and hotel arrangements with him as part of it.  I even searched out tourist spots around Seattle for little ones.  So when we decided that Gus would be staying home, it took me some time to come to terms with it.  It wasn't until today that I realized that it was a good idea to let him stay home with Gramma and Papa. 

Once we decided that he was staying home, I refused to actually say it out loud since it made it more real.  For a week prior to leaving, I was a mess.  Could barely sleep.  I would spontaneously burst into tears thinking about the trip.  I was convinced that my plane was going to crash and that my little boy would be left parentless.  I have not gone even 24 hours without seeing him up until this point.  Needless to say, I was a mess.  So bad, that I ended up calling my doctor and pleading for Xanax or some sort of drug that would calm me down enough to walk onto the plane.  I have never felt like a drug addict before, but as I begged my doctor, I suddenly found myself in a position I had never been in...it was quite strange to be pleading with someone for drugs. I am not a huge fan of medicating myself so that I am not in full control, but it seemed like it would be for the best.  Luckily, my doctor is an angel she gave me enough to give me that extra little comfort to relax on the plane.  (Keep in mind- this control freak already has a hard time flying because she is not in control...so add the typical flier anxiety to the momma anxiety and we have one major disaster.) 

I won't go into the mess that I was when my parents came to pick up Gus before we left.  I will just leave you with this picture in your head....hyperventilating, sobbing uncontrollably, snot everywhere.  I was a mess!

In addition to Dr. Smith, God sent another angel.  Joel Maly's brother-in-law, Matt, ran into us in the airport.  Turns out, he was on our flight.  (His wife and daughter flew out earlier in the day.)  And knowing full well that we would be with Matt all weekend, I knew I couldn't be an irrational wreck and make a fool of myself.  So I had to try to pull it together.  (Thanks, Matt, for understanding how crazy I am and still asking the man in our row of the airplane to trade seats with you so that you could sit with us!!)

We made it safely to Seattle.  (And I only cried twice after leaving for the airport!)  We waited for a long time for our luggage and for Enterprise to pick us up.  After waiting about 45 minutes for the Enterprise shuttle (a few drove right by us!)  Keep in mind I am already irrational...add annoyance and you will see what the poor girl at the Enterprise office saw when we got there.  On the upside...we got a vehicle upgrade and free gas!!

We toured around Seattle, saw the Space Needle, Pike's Place and lots more.  And by "lots more" I mean  A LOT of espresso shops.  Of course Starbucks is everywhere since Seattle is their hometown, but these Seattlites (is that even a word?) are VERY serious about their coffee.  There are these tiny little drive through coffee shops on almost every corner of the city.  Espresso everywhere...and yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

We spent time at Joe and Jane's house with the other out of town guests before making the trip 2 1/2 hours outside of Seattle to the wedding site.

Did I mention how much I love this man and just being able to hold his hand through our life together?  He puts up with my crazy and loves me anyway. 

Starbucks anyone?

Joel and I are spending a couple of days in Seattle for the wedding of Joe Maly to Jane Wong.  (We left Gus with Gramma and Papa.  Don't even get me started on that, I will burst into tears.  I miss my little man so much right now.)  We decided to head to downtown Seattle today and check out Pike's Place.  This is the location of the famous fish market where the men throw the fish around.  Unfortunately, we did not see any fish fly through the air.  But we saw a lot of fun vendors with fresh baked goods, fruit, flowers, cheese....all sorts of things.  My big purchase today....Starbucks coffee!  (Fun fact- did you know that Starbucks owns the company Seattle's Best coffee??)

Yes, we are those tourists that ask strangers to take their picture.

The famous fish market...fish didn't move.

Look at that bouquet!!  And it only cost me $15!  LOVE it!  We brought it to Joe and Jane when we attended their BBQ today.

And while we are gone....Gus went to the Hudsonville Fair today.

Aunt Annie spoiled Gus with his first sno-cone. I'm surprised I don't see an elephant ear hanging out of his mouth. :)

Plethora of Paranoia

Sometimes I even amaze myself.  I really think that I should have a blog about my many paranoid parental moments...I have many.  The first would have been 5 minutes after Gus was born.  I watched as the doctor handed this goopey mess over to the nurse who brought him out to me and put him in the warmer.  I watched cautiously.  Gus' birthmom could still change her mind.  What if she saw him un-goopey and decided that he was too beautiful to live with us and that she wanted to keep him.  I watched through tears as the nurse lovingly cleaned Gus up and took his stats.  She turned to ask me if we had a name picked out and she stopped mid-sentence to ask if I was okay.  I guess the look of sheer confusion was written across my forehead.  (It is pretty obvious to others when my wheels are turning...I show it all over my face.)  "I'm fine...but is he supposed to be that color??"  "Yup, don't worry, he is just getting his blood flowing.  He is fine."  And then I could answer the question, that I had been waiting to answer..."Augustus".

Two weeks later we were at the pediatricians office for Gus' check up.  The doctor asked if I had any questions.  She had no clue what was coming her way.

"Should I buy him a horse?  It looks like he is bow-legged.  I'm okay with that.  He would be a good cowboy.  But do his legs look funny to you?"

After she stopped laughing at me she responded, "umm...you try being curled up in a uterus for 9 months and then see how your legs look....he is fine."

At our last appointment, I had more silly questions for the doctor and she chuckled at me.  And she explained to me that as a parent, she is very similiar to me.  And then has to switch to doctor mode.  So she understands my kind of crazy.  I then asked if I could take her home with me.  She politely declined but said that she was only going to work parttime this fall, so maybe she could babysit Gus for us.  What?!?  How cool would that be?  But I know that she wasn't serious.  But seriously, could you get a better babysitter than a pediatrician?  I bet she charges a lot.  (Sorry...rambled there for a moment.)

Well, I would say that today takes the cake.  I called this morning to try to get an appointment for Gus today for...bug bites.  I know!  Crazy!  Really....bug bites?  The bug bites were extremely large.  One behind his ear looked about the size of a half dollar when I looked at it this morning.  We were lucky enough to get an appointment.  And my paranoia paid off...left with instructions for 3 medications for Gus.  Apparently he is really sensitive to bug bites. 

I told the doctor that I felt like a nerd coming if for bug bites.  She joked with me and told me that if I wasn't careful, I was going to be added to the "crazy parent" list.  I told her it would be appropriate! She said that I was a normal crazy parent who was crazy about her kid and I am doing exactly what I should be doing...and I am quite entertaining.  I told her that she could write a book based on myself and my friend, Amy.  (Her kids go to the same office and Amy ALWAYS has good questions.)

So I decided that I don't care if I am a crazy, paranoid parent.  I am CRAZY about this silly little "bug bite" of mine!  Bring on the crazy!!!