Slow down, October!

Today is October 16?  My favorite month is slipping by way too quickly.  We've been having gorgeous weather in the PNW, I believe the high today is 66.  No end in sight with the sun either, sunshine for the (at least) the next 7 days.  It was beautiful like this three years ago, right before Liam was born.  I walked the lake almost every morning in the fog---just before the sun started peeking through the clouds.  Little did I know that in just a few short days my little sweet boy would make his arrival.  I was already past due, but felt like he'd never come.  It's really hard to believe three years ago I was pregnant.  In some ways it feels like a lot longer, in others it just doesn't seem possible that my "baby" is turning the big THREE on Sunday. Bittersweet for sure.  He continues to amaze me more and more everyday.  He is so smart, incredibly witty and has so much love for everyone.  He loves pancakes, all sweets and broccoli is still "too good for him" to eat.  :)  He is a huge car nut and can tell you where almost all of his cars came from/who gave certain cars to him, etc.  It's also safe to say he is a huge mamas boy.  He wants me around all of the time, freaks out when I leave him and refuses to be left with people he doesn't know---when other kids his age are happy to be left if there's a sufficient amount of toys to keep them occupied.  He refuses to talk about potty training and gets mad when I mention it.  He often says, "I don't want to wear big boy underwear because diapers are more comfortable."  And yes, he really talks like that.  He is a great talker and loves having conversations.

I wasn't planning on writing all about him but I guess it's no surprise I did.  Gotta go though, the little man is demanding more pancakes.  Happy Wednesday!

Another great weekend in the books

Happy Thursday!  I feel like we are still recovering from last weekend and it's already almost the weekend again.  I think it's safe to say this has been the busiest summer ever.  I thought it would start to slow down, but fall is looking just as busy.  No rest for the weary!

I worked last Friday at Broadway Elementary school.  I was in the office and I loved it.  Joe was off, so him and Liam had a "daddy & Liam day."  Good for both of them and I came home feeling refreshed and feeling good about life.  Not that I don't when I'm at home but it sure is nice to do something different every once in awhile.  Usually my "breaks" consist of running errands or grocery shopping.  It's different setting an alarm, getting up and actually wearing "work" clothes and knowing I'm making money rather than spending it.  I was supposed to work until 2 but she asked me if I'd mind working until 3.  While I was there, I secured three more jobs for the end of September and beginning of October.  Yay!  My goal is to work all of Joe's days off (unless we have something planned).  Once I have thirty days in, I get a big raise.  Yippee!  More than halfway there.

Saturday we took off for Puyallup, Uncle Jack invited Joe and I to go fishing with him on Sunday so we needed to get up there since we had to leave at 4:30am on Sunday.  We didn't do much Saturday but big breaking news: Liam slept in a big boy bed!  His pack-n-play was becoming very cramped so they went and bought him a bed.  I was apprehensive, especially since every time I mentioned it Liam would freak out, but he was excited once he saw it and loved. it.  He woke up crying at 2am, Joe went in the room and he was out of bed and really confused.  I came in and put him back in bed and he fell asleep right away.  I thought for sure we'd have a sleepless night.  Thanks for proving us wrong, buddy!  All of these big transitions are always easier than I make them out to be.  I just gotta remember that.  Now if only he would get on the potty training train.  I feel like that one will never happen.  I think he has a hard time with change and that is one that he just isn't ready to do yet.  For the sake of my sanity (and his), I think it's best to just wait a bit longer.

Sunday we got up at 3:45 and were out the door and on our way to Everett at 4:30.  I admit I am a really bad fisher-lady but it is so much fun going.  I lost several fish but I also caught a pretty good sized one.  It's an adrenaline rush for sure.  It was a gorgeous day on the water, I didn't want to go back in.  We stopped at Cupcake Royale on the way back to get Jayne and David cupcakes, it was Grandparents Day (and for always babysitting so we can have fun).  We had a salmon bake that night with the Markham's, it was delicious and Liam and Dylan played hard.

Monday we went to the Puyallup Fair.  We were excited because Liam could ride rides this year.  Last year he was too young.  We didn't know how he'd do, he can be weird about stuff like that sometimes, but he loved them.  Especially the big huge giant slide.  He didn't want to go on it at first but after he did, he had a meltdown because he wanted to keep going on it.  The fair is EXPENSIVE!  We did the sky ride at the end, it was $18 one way for all of us!  I couldn't believe it.  It was fun though, Papa David went with us, I think he enjoyed seeing Liam on all of the rides.

Hope everyone is doing well.  Happy September!

Future class clown

Whenever someone asks Liam what his name is, he gets a mischievous smile on his face.  I can totally see the wheels turning as he's trying to think of something funny to say.  His standard answers are:  Bob, Silly Willy or Poo Poo.  Where do they come up with this stuff?  The things he says always amaze me.  Yesterday we were driving to town and passed a building that used to be a produce stand we went to a lot when he was a baby--it's been at least a year or more since they've been open.  He randomly asked if that was the building we used to go get cherries at.  How do they remember this stuff?  When I told him yes it was but they went out of business he replied with, "Well goodness, that sure is odd."  Hahahaha.

BIG NEWS in our house.  A couple of weeks ago Liam threw his binky in the garbage!  Joe and I had been in Seattle on an impromptu date night, Joe's parents were babysitting.  When we got back Jayne told us what he had done.  I was devastated.  I was needing sleep badly that night and was not very happy it was gone---it had been a rough week and this was the topper!  Not to mention it was the ONLY binky he would use and we even had.  I was about to go get an emergency one at Walgreens but I knew I couldn't do that.  To our surprise, he did fine that night and hasn't asked about it since.  He'll tell people he threw it away but doesn't get upset about it.  Thank goodness.  I did make Jayne dig it out of the garbage after we left though, I couldn't stand knowing it would end up at the dump.  That binky was with my baby for a long time---I'm going to cut the nipple off and save it.  I'm just glad it was easier than we thought it would be.  He was addicted to it.  It made for some early mornings and no-nap days as he adjusted but we are pretty much back to our routine.  I cancelled his dentist appointment earlier this month, I knew I would get lectured about him still having it because at his appointment 6 months ago the dentist said it needed to be gone the next time he saw us.  We rescheduled for tomorrow and I have a little guy who is very excited to tell the dentist what he did. :)

We also took Liam to his first movie yesterday.  We want to take him to see Planes but wanted to see if he could make it through an entire movie first.  When I say this is his first movie, it's not just his first movie in a theatre.  It was his first movie ever.  We aren't big tv/movie watchers in our house.  He did great!  He was totally taken with the experience, loved every minute of it and said he wants to go see Planes next.

Happy Wednesday, I feel good that I got some of this written down.  I'll consider this his baby book since that is totally non-existent.  ;)

This past weekend Joe and I were in Naches for Aili and Ryan's wedding (I was a bridesmaid).  It was at Whistlin' Jack's lodge.  What a fun place!  I had never been there before.  Her parents have a house right on the river, it was gorgeous.  There is a trail between their house and the lodge.  Joe and I took his parents truck/camper and camped next to my aunt and uncle.  Camping in a camper is the way to do it!  You get spoiled really fast.  That was my first time ever not being in a tent.  How nice to get up and go to the bathroom...without having to brave the elements outside! ;)  Joe's parents kept Liam for the weekend, it was the first time we've ever left him anywhere for two nights.  As expected, he had a blast with them.  So lucky to have grandparents in his life.  I always envied the kids who got to stay with their grandparents and do fun things with them.  I never had that and I really missed out on a lot of good memories.  

The reception is this Saturday so we'll be doing it all again.  Looking forward to it!  

It has been one busy summer though.  I looked at the calendar and we have been gone every single weekend since the middle of June!  No wonder summer is flying by!  It's been so fun but I have to say, I'm looking forward to things slowing down a little (if that's even possible).

Happy Tuesday!

The best day

Yesterday was the best day, we went salmon fishing on Uncle Jack's the boat in the Puget Sound. He invited us to go with him so we headed for Edgewood as soon as Joe got off work at 8pm on Wednesday, as the boat was leaving from Everett at 5 on Thursday morning. It was a long night with a super early morning, I only got two hours of sleep but it was totally worth it!

We caught four salmon and lost three. Joe and I aren't very good fisher people, we need more practice. It was so exciting to reel one in though! I used to love fishing with John when I was growing up, yesterday made me remember why.

Auntie Susie and Dylan babysat Liam and he had a blast.

Jack bbq'd salmon for dinner and it was delicious. I didn't used to like salmon but realize know I've been missing out. Yum!

Little driver

Liam is obsessed with anything that has a motor, so it's no surprise that he loves driving his truck.  He is a natural!  First day behind the wheel he was going up on the sidewalk (and staying on it) and even attempting burnouts.  Best garage sale buy ever!

We've been busy this week with swimming lessons.  I was apprehensive about it but decided to get brave and go for it.  I just never know how he's going to do with some things.  Fortunately, he is like a little fish in the water and is loving it.  We got home on the first day and he said, "I'm so tired."  I have never heard him say that before, even when he's exhausted.  I've found the new secret to wearing him out!  I have to get in with him since he's not 3 but I've enjoyed it.  The only thing he doesn't like is floating on his back but the teacher said that's the case with most kids his age.

Off to get a cup of coffee before my little man wakes up.  Hope everyone is having a good week!

Loving summer

A day short of two months since I last blogged.  Wow!  Our trip to California seems like it was years ago.  Summer is here and we've been enjoying every minute of it.  Berry picking, swimming, staying up way later than normal (Liam, that is), vacationing.....I never want it to end.

Our latest vacation took us to Orcas Island for the week.  Joanna described the San Juans the best when she said they are "magical."  We went with Joe's side of the family, there were 13 adults and three kids. Dylan took his friend Maya and Liam absolutely adored her.  The highlight of the trip for Liam was driving Uncle Jack's boat and throwing rocks into the water or the "pond" as he called it.  He also enjoyed going on a canoe ride and also did a hike with us, running most of the trail.  And also Maya.  He told my parents she is his girlfriend. :)

We were off the grid for the most part.  No TV, minimal cell service and painfully slow Internet.  It was wonderful.  Total relaxation.  My favorite parts about the trip were boating, discovering a new love for kayaking, the hikes and our many, many games of Farkle.  Oh, and the food.  We all took turns making meals, dinner time was one of the highlights.  Everyone eating together, sitting by the fire.  I want to go back!  I also loved the mornings.  I would get up before Liam and Joe and go for a walk on the beach.  So peaceful and gorgeous.  Then I'd go back to the house and Gil and Uncle Lennie would be up so we'd sit on the porch, have coffee and visit before everyone else got up.  Oh, and I can't forget the deer.  Every night five or six deer would come right up to the house and hang out. We even got to feed them pears out of the tree.  It was amazing.

On the way home we caught the early ferry back to Anacortes then met Uncle Jack and the three of us (me, Joe and Liam) rode in the boat with him back to the marina in Everett.  That was another highlight.  I love being on the water!

Lots of great memories were made this trip, I am so lucky that Joe has such a fun and loving family.  Everyone is so good to Liam and he loves everyone so much.  He is going to have the greatest memories someday. 

When it was time to say goodbye to everyone, my heart literally hurt.  I wanted to cry just like Liam.  It's hard to go from being surrounded by people 24/7 to just Liam and I (Joe has been working 12 hour days). 

Time to start planning next years trip.  Lake Coeur d'Alene.  Can't wait!